Inhibition of paraoxonase 1 by coumarin‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene silver(I), ruthenium(II) and palladium(II) complexes

We synthesized three coumarin‐substituted benzimidazolium chlorides and their silver(I), ruthenium(II) and palladium(II) N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. All compounds were characterized using appropriate spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure of a Pd(II)–NHC complex ( 6b ) was also determined. The inhibitory properties of all compounds were tested on the activity of human paraoxonase 1 (PON1). All complexes exhibited weaker inhibitory properties than their corresponding benzimidazolium salts except for complex 6b which is the most active inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 3.01 μM among the compounds reported in this study. A kinetic evaluation showed that this complex inhibits PON1 activity in a non‐competitive manner. Molecular docking studies were also performed for 6b in order to obtain more insight into the binding mode.     

Additive-Free Electrophoretic Deposition of Graphene Quantum Dots Thin Films

The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of graphene-based materials on transparent substrates is highly potential for many applications. Several factors can determine the yield of the EPD process, such as applied voltage, deposition time and particularly the presence of dispersion additives (stabilisers) in the suspension solution. This study presents an additive-free EPD of graphene quantum dot (GQD) thin films on an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate and studies the deposition mechanism with the variation of the applied voltage (10–50 V) and deposition time (5–25 min). It is found that due to the small size (≈3.9 nm) and high content of deprotonated carboxylic groups, the GQDs form a stable dispersion (zeta-potential of about −35 mV) without using additives. The GQD thin films can be deposited onto ITO with optimal surface morphology at 30 V in 5 min (surface roughness of approximately (3.1±1.3) nm). In addition, as-fabricated GQD thin films also possess some interesting physico-optical properties, such as a double-peak photoluminescence at about λ=417 and 439 nm, with approximately 98 % visible transmittance. This low-cost and eco-friendly GQD thin film is a promising material for various applications, for example, transparent conductors, supercapacitors and heat conductive films in smart windows.     

1‐Silacyclopent‐2‐enes and 1‐silacyclohex‐2‐enes bearing functionally substituted silyl groups in 2‐positions. Novel electron‐deficient Si?H?B bridges

The reactions of alkyn‐1‐yl(vinyl)silanes R₂Si[C?C‐Si(H)Me₂]CH?CH₂ [R = Me (1a), Ph (1b)], Me₂Si[C?C‐Si(Br)Me₂]CH?CH₂ (2a), and of alkyn‐1‐yl(allyl)silanes R₂Si[C?C‐Si(H)Me₂]CH₂CH?CH₂ (R = Me (3a), R = Ph (3b)] with 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane in a 1:1 ratio afford in high yield the 1‐silacyclopent‐2‐ene derivatives 4a, b and 5a, and the 1‐silacyclohex‐2‐ene derivatives 6a, b, respectively, all of which bear a functionally substituted silyl group in 2‐position and the boryl group in 3‐position. This is the result of selective intermolecular 1,2‐hydroboration of the vinyl or allyl group, followed by intramolecular 1,1‐organoboration of the alkynyl group. In the cases of 4a, b, potential electron‐deficient Si? H? B bridges are absent or extremely weak, whereas in 6a,b the existence of Si? H? B bridges is evident from the NMR spectroscopic data (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR). The molecular structure of 4b was determined by X‐ray analysis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The zeta potential of surface-functionalized metallic nanorod particles in aqueous solution

Metallic nanoparticles suspended in aqueous solutions and functionalized with chemical and biological surface coatings are important elements in basic and applied nanoscience research. Many applications require an understanding of the electrokinetic or colloidal properties of such particles. We describe the results of experiments to measure the zeta potential of metallic nanorod particles in aqueous saline solutions, including the effects of pH, ionic strength, metallic composition, and surface functionalization state. Particle substrates tested include gold, silver, and palladium monometallic particles as well as gold/silver bimetallic particles. Surface functionalization conditions included 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA), mercaptoethanol (ME), and mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (MESA) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), as well as MUA layers subsequently derivatized with proteins. For comparison, we present zeta potential data for typical charge-stabilized polystyrene particles. We compare experimental zeta potential data with theoretically predicted values for SAM-coated and bimetallic particles. The results of these studies are useful in predicting and controlling the aggregation, adhesion, and transport of functionalized metallic nanoparticles within microfluidic devices and other systems.     

Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotube‐Based Bilayer Thin Film as Transparent Counter Electrode for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs)

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely considered as one of the promising candidates for replacing fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO)/platinum (Pt) electrodes to reduce the fabrication cost of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Here, we report that a bilayer transparent film containing N‐doped CNTs (which are highly catalytic) and normal CNTs (which are highly conductive) as a counter electrode in DSSCs results in efficiencies up to 2.18 %, yet still maintains a good transparency with a transmittance of approximately 57 % at 550 nm.     

Endoepitaxial growth of hexagonal-Fe13Ge8 islands on Cubic-Ge(001)

The growth and shape evolution of epitaxial Fe₁₃Ge₈ (hexagonal lattice) islands on single crystal Ge(001) (cubic lattice) substrate was observed in real time using an in situ ultra-high vacuum transmission electron microscope (TEM). Post-deposition high-resolution TEM in conjunction with stereographic projection enabled the identification of the interface structure between the Fe₁₃Ge₈ islands and the Ge substrate. Only one low-energy coherent interface formed via Fe₁₃Ge₈ islands growing into the substrate along the inclined Ge(11?1) plane. This indicates that minimization of net interfacial energy is the driving force for hexagonal Fe₁₃Ge₈ islands formation on Ge(001).     

Phosphorus incorporation during InP(0 0 1) homoepitaxial growth by solid source molecular beam epitaxy

The incorporation behaviour of phosphorus (P₂) during growth by molecular beam epitaxy of InP thin films on InP(0 0 1) substrates has been studied in situ by reflection high energy electron diffraction. The incorporation coefficient of P₂ decreases from 0.94 at 360 °C to 0.54 at 470 °C. This behaviour is attributed to the increasing fraction of the incident P₂ flux that desorbs from the surface at higher temperatures and does not contribute to layer growth. The low- and temperature-dependent incorporation coefficients imply the need for high P₂:In flux ratios and low substrate temperatures for the preparation of smooth InP epitaxial layers.     

1,1‐allylboration of bis(silyl)ethynes: electron‐deficient Si?H?B bridges and novel heterocycles via intramolecular hydrosilylation

The reaction of bis(silyl)ethynes 2 – 4 , bearing one, two and three hydrides at one of the silicon atoms, with triallylborane 1 leads primarily to alkenes 5 , 8 and 11 respectively by 1,1‐allylboration. In these alkenes, the diallylboryl and the silyl group bearing one or more Si? H functions are in cis‐positions at the C?C bond, giving rise to the formation of an electron‐deficient Si? H? B bridge. This follows unambiguously from the consistent set of NMR data, in particular from the observation of isotope‐induced chemical shifts ²Δ^10/11B(²⁹Si). The activation of the Si? H bond in 5 , 8 and 11 induces intramolecular hydrosilylation under very mild reaction conditions to give 1,4‐silabora‐cyclo‐2‐heptenes 7 , 10 and 13 respectively. Upon heating, these seven‐membered heterocycles undergo ring contraction by 1,1‐deallylboration to give the 1‐sila‐cyclo‐2‐hexenes 14 – 16 , and bear an exocyclic diallylboryl group in 3‐position. All proposed structures are based on consistent ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C and ²⁹SiNMR data. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.