Effects of (multi)branching of dipolar chromophores on photophysical properties and two-photon absorption

To investigate the effect of branching on linear and nonlinear optical properties, a specific series of chromophores, epitome of (multi)branched dipoles, has been thoroughly explored by a combined theoretical and experimental approach. Excited-state structure calculations based on quantum-chemical techniques (time-dependent density functional theory) as well as a Frenkel exciton model nicely complement experimental photoluminescence and one- and two-photon absorption findings and contribute to their interpretation. This allowed us to get a deep insight into the nature of fundamental excited-state dynamics and the nonlinear optical (NLO) response involved. Both experiment and theory reveal that a multidimensional intramolecular charge transfer takes place from the donating moiety to the periphery of the branched molecules upon excitation, while fluorescence stems from an excited state localized on one of the dipolar branches. Branching is also observed to lead to cooperative enhancement of two-photon absorption (TPA) while maintaining high fluorescence quantum yield, thanks to localization of the emitting state. The comparison between results obtained in the Frenkel exciton scheme and ab initio results suggests the coherent coupling between branches as one of the possible mechanisms for the observed enhancement. New strategies for the rational design of NLO molecular assemblies are thus inferred on the basis of the acquired insights.     

Preparation of a multitopic glycopeptide-oligonucleotide conjugate

[structure: see text] A novel strategy to prepare glycopeptide-oligonucleotide conjugates bearing a glycocluster is reported. The strategy utilizes a cyclodecapeptide scaffold as a key intermediate to anchor the carbohydrate cluster and the oligonucleotide through sequential oxime bond formation. The oligonucleotide glycocluster retains the binding affinity and recognition specificity for the target sequence. Furthermore, the conjugate shows enhanced binding to the specific lectins due to the cooperative effect produced by the carbohydrate cluster.     

Stabilization of CoI by ZnII in pure acetonitrile and its reaction with aryl halides

The study of the electrochemical behavior of cobalt(II) bromide (CoBr(2)) in pure acetonitrile allowed us to demonstrate that Co(2+) is the catalyst precursor involved in the electrochemical and chemical conversions of arylhalides, ArX, to arylzinc compounds in that solvent. The reduction of Co(2+) leads to the Co(+) species, which disproportionates too rapidly to react further with aryl halides. However, the presence of zinc(II) bromide allows us to stabilize the electrogenerated cobalt(I) and to observe it on the timescale of slow cyclic voltammetry. Under such conditions, the Co(I) species has time to react with aryl halides and produce [Co(III)ArX](+) complexes that are reduced into [Co(II)ArX] by a single electron uptake at the same potential at which Co(2+) is reduced. Rate constants for the oxidative addition of ArX to Co(I) have been determined for various aryl halides and compared to the values obtained in an acetonitrile (ACN)/pyridine (9:1, v/v) mixture. It is shown that Co(I) is stabilized more by ZnBr(2) than by pyridine. A transmetallation reaction between [Co(II)ArX] and ZnBr(2) has also been observed. We finally propose a mechanism for the cobalt-catalyzed electrochemical conversion of aryl bromides into organozinc species in pure acetonitrile.     

Second sphere supramolecular chirality: racemic hybrid H-bonded 2-D molecular networks

Neutral hybrid 2-D networks have been generated using a bis-amidinium capable of chelating M(CN)6(3-) anions via hydrogen bonds: the packing of the achiral 2-D networks leads to channels which are occupied by water molecules forming polymeric H-bonded chains; furthermore, owing to the dihapto mode of H-bonding, the presence of supramolecular chirality of the delta' and lambda' types taking place within the second coordination sphere of the metallic centre has been demonstrated.     

Crystallographic, electronic, and magnetic studies of zeta(2)-GaM (M = Cr, Mn or Fe): trends in itinerant magnetism

This study of the crystal structure, electronic structure, and magnetic properties of the zeta(2)-GaM (M = Cr, Mn or Fe) alloys is motivated by the recent reinvestigation of the crystallographic Al(8)Cr(5) structure type of zeta(2)-GaMn. The isostructural compounds zeta(2)-GaFe and zeta(2)-GaCr have been refined using X-ray powder diffraction as well as neutron powder diffraction for zeta(2)-GaFe. Their structures have been refined using the space group Rm, with cell parameters a = 12.625(8) A and c = 7.785(10) A for zeta(2)-GaCr and a = 12.4368(11) A and c = 7.7642(10) A for zeta(2)-GaFe. Band structure calculations using the self-consistent, spin-polarized TB-LMTO method were performed to understand their electronic structure and magnetic properties. Band calculations show that from GaCr to GaFe the magnetic interactions change from weakly antiferromagnetic coupling to ferromagnetic coupling. Magnetic measurements confirm ferromagnetism for GaFe and show a weak paramagnetic response for GaCr.     

Theoretical prediction of the hydrogen-bond basicity pK(HB)

Ab initio and DFT calculations on around 65 hydrogen bond or Lewis bases and their complexes with hydrogen fluoride have been performed, and a range of calculated properties from both free bases and complexes correlated with pK(HB), an experimental scale of hydrogen-bond basicity. For the entire range of bases, we found that the hydrogen-bond binding Gibbs free energy computed at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory linearly correlated with pK(HB). Further improvements in the correlation and prediction of pK(HB) were possible with a non-linear fit by considering the hydrogen bonding Gibbs free energy of another possible stereoisomeric 1:1 complex and/or that of a linear 2:1 complex, which included a second hydrogen fluoride.     

Hepcidin in iron metabolism

Hepcidin, which has been recently identified both by biochemical and genomic approaches, is a 25 amino acid polypeptide synthesized mainly by hepatocytes and secreted into the plasma. Besides its potential activity in antimicrobial defense, hepcidin plays a major role in iron metabolism. It controls two key steps of iron bioavailability, likely through a hormonal action: digestive iron absorption by enterocytes and iron recycling by macrophages. In humans, this could explain that low levels of hepcidin found during juvenile haemochromatosis and HFE-1 genetic haemochromatosis are associated with an iron overload phenotype. Conversely, an increase of hepcidin expression is suspected to play a major role in the development of anemia of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the regulatory mechanisms of hepcidin expression are multiple, including iron-related parameters, anemia, hypoxia, inflammation and hepatocyte function. Therefore, many physiological and pathological situations may modulate hepcidin expression and subsequently iron metabolism. A better knowledge of the biological effects of hepcidin and of its expression regulatory mechanisms will clarify the place of hepcidin in the diagnosis and treatment of iron-related diseases.     

(Nb2W4O19), TMA2, Na4(OH2)14(SO4): a new layered structure with Lindqvist heteropolyanions, XAS characterization of the HPAs

The new (Nb₂W₄O₁₉),TMA₂, Na₄(OH₂)₁₄(SO₄) has been evidenced as a minor phase during the Nb₂W₄O₁₉TMA (tetramethylammonium) salt synthesis. Its crystal structure has been refined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, system monoclinic, a=10.166(5) Å, b=17.93(1) Å, c=24.81(1) Å, β=93.057(7)°, space group (S.G.) C2/c, Z=4, R₁=3.96%, wR₁=4.50%. It shows the stacking of cationic and anionic bidimensional layers. The anionic layer of formula [(Nb₂W₄O₁₉), TMA₂ ]²⁻ is formed of isolated Lindqvist HPAs surrounded by TMA groups. The isolated layers adopt a trigonal symmetry that is lost in the crystal by the association of the cationic sheets. These later, of formula [Na₄(OH₂)₁₄(SO₄)]²⁺ form porous net-like sheets with nearly circular cavities of diameter 7.5 Å. groups host the available cavities in a disordered manner. The cohesion between the sheets is performed by both electrostatic interactions and a set of hydrogen bonds. In the cationic layers, the highly symmetrical surrounding of HPAs by TMA groups yields a homogeneous electrostatic field at their external surface leading to a statistic Nb/W disorder over the three available independent metallic positions. Then, XAS experiments at the L₁/L₃-W edge complementarily helped to highlight the preferential cis configuration of (Nb₂W₄O₁₉)⁴⁻ anions, help to the strong Nb vs W contrast in their contribution to the backscattering paths. Previously to these experiments, it was of course checked that both the two phases present in the prepared sample contain Nb₂W₄O₁₉ anions with nearly unchanged geometry.     

Quasistatic detachment of a sphere from a liquid interface

In this paper the problem of removing a spherical particle initially attached to a liquid-gas interface is analytically treated. In particular, the Derjaguin equation for small radii is used to derive a closed-form approximate expression for the work of detachment of the sphere from the interface. Expressions corresponding to the prescribed displacement condition and the applied force condition, which seems to be the relevant condition for the flotation separation process, are presented. A special effort has been made to closely compare analytical results with data obtained through the exact numerical treatment of the detachment process. Results show that proposed expressions are sufficiently accurate to calculate the energy required to detach the sphere from the interface as soon as the sphere radius is small compared to the capillary length. Validity limits are specified.