Synthesis of mixed cyclotriveratrylenes

Cyclotriveratrylenes containing one benzene ring and two indole rings linked through N1 and C2 can be prepared by acid-catalysed reactions of formaldehyde and aryl aldehydes with 1,2-di-(1-indolylmethyl)benzene compounds.     

GLASS and PLASTIC PHOTOLUMINESCENCE: INTERACTION WITH AQUEOUS MEDIA and CULTURED MAMMALIAN CELLS

Several types of glass and plastic materials were shown to exhibit intense photoluminescence when irradiated with UV. Water or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) contained within vessels of the respective materials when irradiated, also demonstrated relatively long-lived luminescence. A significant percentage (30%) of cultured mammalian cells were killed when exposed to UV-irradiated glass beads. The nature of the luminescence of water or PBS, or whether this or the photoluminescence of glass is directly responsible for cell toxicity, is unknown. However, we call attention to this phenomenon as a potential complicating factor in photobiological studies.     

Extending the Family of V4+ S=${{ 1/2 }}$ Kagome Antiferromagnets

The ionothermal synthesis, structure, and magnetic susceptibility of a novel inorganic–organic hybrid material, imidazolium vanadium(III,IV) oxyfluoride [C₃H₅N₂][V₉O₆F₂₄(H₂O)₂] (ImVOF) are presented. The structure consists of inorganic vanadium oxyfluoride slabs with kagome layers of V⁴⁺ S=${{ 1/2 }}$ ions separated by a mixed valence layer. These inorganic slabs are intercalated with imidazolium cations. Quinuclidinium (Q) and pyrazinium (Pyz) cations can also be incorporated into the hybrid structure type to give QVOF and PyzVOF analogues, respectively. The highly frustrated topology of the inorganic slabs, along with the quantum nature of the magnetism associated with V⁴⁺, means that these materials are excellent candidates to host exotic magnetic ground states, such as the highly sought quantum spin liquid. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of all samples suggest an absence of conventional long‐range magnetic order down to 2 K despite considerable antiferromagnetic exchange.     

Post-translational modification in the gas phase: mechanism of cysteine S-nitrosylation via ion-molecule reactions

The gas-phase mechanism of S-nitrosylation of thiols was studied in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. This was done via ion-molecule reactions of protonated cysteine and many of its derivatives and other thiol ions with neutral tert-butyl nitrite or nitrous acid. Our results showed that the presence of the carboxylic acid functional group, -COOH, in the vicinity of the thiol group is essential for the gas-phase nitrosylation of thiols. When the carboxyl proton is replaced by a methyl group (cysteine methyl ester) no nitrosylation was observed. Other thiols lacking a carboxylic acid functional group displayed no S-nitrosylation, strongly suggesting that the carboxyl hydrogen plays a key role in the nitrosylation process. These results are in excellent agreement with a solution-phase mechanism proposed by Stamler et al. (J. S. Stamler, E. J. Toone, S. A. Lipton, N. J. Sucher. Neuron 1997, 18, 691-696) who suggested a catalytic role for the carboxylic acid group adjacent to cysteine residues and with later additions by Ascenzi et al. (P. Ascenzi, M. Colasanti, T. Persichini, M. Muolo, F. Polticelli, G. Venturini, D. Bordo, M. Bolognesi. Biol. Chem. 2000, 381, 623-627) who postulated that the presence of the carboxyl in the cysteine microenvironment in proteins is crucial for S-nitrosylation. A concerted mechanism for the gas-phase S-nitrosylation was proposed based on our results and was further studied using theoretical calculations. Our calculations showed that this proposed pathway is exothermic by 44.0 kJ mol(-1). This is one of the few recent examples when a gas-phase mechanism matches one in solution.     

Studies on transannulation reactions across a nine-membered ring: the synthesis of natural product-like structures

A series of diverse natural product-like structures have been synthesised by the use of a number of novel transannulation reactions across a cyclononene ring. Transannular cyclisations through oxygen functionality have generated a number of bicyclo[5.3.1]systems containing bridged cyclic ethers and bicyclo[5.2.2]lactones, as well as a tetrahydrofuran-containing bridged analogue of hexacyclinic acid. An unprecedented Br?nsted acid mediated transannular cyclisation between proximal carbons generated bicyclo[4.3.0]nonanes which form the core of the pinguisane and austrodorane families of sesquiterpenoids. In all cases the key factor that determined the mode of reactivity was the conformation of the nine-membered ring and the distance between the reacting centres.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, and electronic properties of nonlinear fused thienoacene semiconductors

Two fused thienoacene compounds with two-dimensional ring connectivity were synthesized, and their semiconducting properties were characterized. Both compounds have a crystal structure comprised of herringbone arrays of tight π-π stacks. Strong π-π interactions lead to self-assembly into well-defined crystalline thin films from the vapor phase for both compounds. Field effect transistors were fabricated, affording identical hole mobilities of 3.0 × 10(-3) cm(2)/(V s) and I(on/off) > 10(5).     

Ce(IV) complexes with donor-functionalized alkoxide ligands: improved precursors for chemical vapor deposition of CeO2

Thin films of ceria (CeO(2)) have many applications, and their synthesis by liquid-injection MOCVD (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) or ALD (atomic layer deposition) requires volatile precursor compounds. Here we report the synthesis of a series of homoleptic and heteroleptic Ce(IV) complexes with donor-functionalized alkoxide ligands mmp (1-methoxy-2-methylpropan-2-olate), dmap (1-(dimethylamino)propan-2-olate), and dmop (2-(4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)propan-2-olate) and their potential as precursors for MOCVD and ALD of CeO(2). New complexes were synthesized by alcohol exchange reactions with [Ce(OBu(t))(4)]. [Ce(mmp)(4)] and [Ce(dmap)(4)] were both found to be excellent precursors for liquid-injection MOCVD of CeO(2), depositing high purity thin films with very low carbon contamination, and both have a large temperature window for diffusion controlled growth (350-600 °C for [Ce(mmp)(4)]; 300-600 °C for [Ce(dmap)(4)]). [Ce(mmp)(4)] is also an excellent precursor for liquid-injection ALD of CeO(2) using H(2)O as oxygen source and demonstrates self-limiting growth from 150 to 350 °C. [Ce(dmap)(4)] has lower thermal stability than [Ce(mmp)(4)] and does not show self-limiting growth in ALD. Heteroleptic complexes show a tendency to undergo ligand redistribution reactions to form mixtures in solution and are unsuitable as precursors for liquid-injection CVD.     

Reaction of some 4,6-dimethoxyindoles with nitric acid: nitration and oxidative dimerisation

A range of 3-substituted-4,6-dimethoxyindoles bearing electron-withdrawing groups in either the 2- or 7-position, can be nitrated using nitric acid in acetonitrile, to give 7-nitro and 2-nitro-indoles, respectively. Those without electron-withdrawing groups undergo oxidative dimerisation at C7, if 2,3-disubstituted, and at C2, if N-methylated and unsubstituted at C2.     

Laser cutting of thick ceramic tile

This paper details developments in the CO₂ laser cutting of thick ceramic tiles, that is thicknesses of 8.5 mm and 9.2 mm. These tiles were cut at a combination of different cutting speeds to determine the necessary cutting parameters for various tile geometries. Different cutting modes were used in conjunction with different cutting speeds to investigate cut quality after laser processing. The work also looked into the effects on cutting through using various shield gases. Multipass cutting and underwater cutting were performed to examine their effects on thermal load during processing.