Synthesis, characterization, and structure-property relationships in two new polar oxides: Zn2(MoO4)(SeO3) and Zn2(MoO4)(TeO3)

Two new noncentrosymmetric (NCS) polar oxide materials, Zn(2)(MoO(4))(AO(3)) (A = Se(4+) or Te(4+)), have been synthesized by hydrothermal and solid-state techniques. Their crystal structures have been determined, and characterization of their functional properties (second-harmonic generation, piezoelectricity, and polarization) has been performed. The isostructural materials exhibit a three-dimensional network consisting of ZnO(4), ZnO(6), MoO(4), and AO(3) polyhedra that share edges and corners. Powder second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements using 1064 nm radiation indicate the materials exhibit moderate SHG efficiencies of 100 × and 80 × α-SiO(2) for Zn(2)(MoO(4))(SeO(3)) and Zn(2)(MoO(4))(TeO(3)), respectively. Particle size vs SHG efficiency measurements indicate the materials are type 1 non-phase-matchable. Converse piezoelectric measurements resulted in d(33) values of ～14 and ～30 pm/V for Zn(2)(MoO(4))(SeO(3)) and Zn(2)(MoO(4))(TeO(3)), respectively, whereas pyroelectric measurements revealed coefficients of -0.31 and -0.64 μC/m(2) K at 55 °C for Zn(2)(MoO(4))(SeO(3)) and Zn(2)(MoO(4))(TeO(3)), respectively. Frequency-dependent polarization measurements confirmed that all of the materials are nonferroelectric; that is, the macroscopic polarization is not reversible, or "switchable". Infrared, UV-vis, thermogravimetric, and differential thermal analysis measurements were also performed. First-principles density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure calculations were also done. Crystal data: Zn(2)(MoO(4))(SeO(3)), monoclinic, space group P2(1) (No. 4), a = 5.1809(4) ?, b = 8.3238(7) ?, c = 7.1541(6) ?, β = 99.413(1)°, V = 305.2(1) ?(3), Z = 2; Zn(2)(MoO(4))(TeO(3)), monoclinic, space group P2(1) (No. 4), a = 5.178(4) ?, b = 8.409(6) ?, c = 7.241(5) ?, β = 99.351(8)°, V = 311.1(4) ?(3), Z = 2.     

A theorem for the existence of Majorana fermion modes in spin-orbit-coupled semiconductors

We prove an index theorem for the existence of Majorana zero modes in a semiconducting thin film with a sizable spin-orbit coupling when it is adjacent to an s-wave superconductor. The theorem, which is analogous to the Jackiw-Rebbi index theorem for the zero modes in mass domain walls in one-dimensional Dirac theory, applies to vortices with odd flux-quantum in a semiconducting film in which s-wave superconductivity and a Zeeman splitting are induced by proximity effect. The momentum space construction of the zero-mode solution presented here is complementary to the approximate real space solution of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations at a vortex core (Sau et al., arXiv:0907.2239 [17]), proving the existence of non-degenerate zero-energy Majorana excitations and the resultant non-Abelian topological order in the semiconductor heterostructure. With increasing magnitude of the proximity-induced pairing potential, the non-Abelian superconducting state makes a topological quantum phase transition to an ordinary s-wave superconducting state which no topological order.     

C2'-pyrene-functionalized triazole-linked DNA: universal DNA/RNA hybridization probes

Development of universal hybridization probes, that is, oligonucleotides displaying identical affinity toward matched and mismatched DNA/RNA targets, has been a longstanding goal due to potential applications as degenerate PCR primers and microarray probes. The classic approach toward this end has been the use of "universal bases" that either are based on hydrogen-bonding purine derivatives or aromatic base analogues without hydrogen-bonding capabilities. However, development of probes that result in truly universal hybridization without compromising duplex thermostability has proven challenging. Here we have used the "click reaction" to synthesize four C2'-pyrene-functionalized triazole-linked 2'-deoxyuridine phosphoramidites. We demonstrate that oligodeoxyribonucleotides modified with the corresponding monomers display (a) minimally decreased thermal affinity toward DNA/RNA complements relative to reference strands, (b) highly robust universal hybridization characteristics (average differences in thermal denaturation temperatures of matched vs mismatched duplexes involving monomer W are <1.7 °C), and (c) exceptional affinity toward DNA targets containing abasic sites opposite of the modification site (ΔT(m) up to +25 °C). The latter observation, along with results from absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, suggests that the pyrene moiety is intercalating into the duplex whereby the opposing nucleotide is pushed into an extrahelical position. These properties render C2'-pyrene-functionalized triazole-linked DNA as promising universal hybridization probes for applications in nucleic acid chemistry and biotechnology.     

Iridium(III) silyl alkyl and iridacyclic compounds supported by 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl

Treatment of IrCl(3)x H(2)O with one equivalent of 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (dtbpy) in N,N-dimethylformamide (dmf) afforded [IrCl(3)(dmf)(dtbpy)] (1). Alkylation of 1 with Me(3)SiCH(2)MgCl resulted in C--Si cleavage of the Me(3)SiCH(2) group and formation of the Ir(III) silyl dialkyl compound [Ir(CH(2)SiMe(3))(dtbpy)(Me)(SiMe(3))] (2), which reacted with tBuNC to afford [Ir(tBuNC)(CH(2)SiMe(3))(dtbpy)(Me)(SiMe(3))] ([2(tBuNC)]). Reaction of 2 with phenylacetylene afforded dimeric [{Ir(C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(dtbpy)(SiMe(3))}(2)(mu-C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(2)] (3), in which the bridging PhC[triple chemical bond]C(-) ligands are bound to Ir in a mu-sigma:pi fashion. Alkylation of 1 with PhMe(2)CCH(2)MgCl afforded the cyclometalated compound [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4))(2-C(6)H(4)CMe(3))] (4), which features an agostic interaction between the Ir center and the 2-tert-butylphenyl ligand. The cyclic voltammogram of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) shows a reversible Ir(IV)-Ir(III) couple at about 0.02 V versus ferrocenium/ferrocene. Oxidation of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) with silver triflate afforded an Ir(IV) species that exhibits an anisotropic electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal in CH(2)Cl(2) glass at 4 K with g( parallel)=2.430 and g( perpendicular)=2.110. Protonation of 4 with HCl and p-toluenesulfonic acid (HOTs) afforded [{Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph)Cl}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (5) and [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph)(OTs)(2)] (6), respectively. Reaction of 5 with Li[BEt(3)H] gave the cyclometalated complex [{Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4))}(2)(mu-Cl)(2)] (7). Reaction of 4 with tetracyanoethylene in refluxing toluene resulted in electrophilic substitution of the iridacycle by C(2)(CN)(3) with formation of [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(3){4-C(2)(CN)(3)})(2-C(6)H(4)CMe(3))] (8). Reaction of 4 with diethyl maleate in refluxing toluene gave the iridafuran compound [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4)){kappa(2)(C,O)-C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)}] (9). Treatment of 9 with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (xylNC) led to cleavage of the iridafuran ring and formation of [Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)C(6)H(4)){C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)}(xylNC)] (10). Protonation of 9 with HBF(4) afforded the dinuclear neophyl complex [(Ir(dtbpy)(CH(2)CMe(2)Ph){kappa(2)(C,O)-C(CO(2)Et)CH(CO(2)Et)})(2)][BF(4)](2) (11). The solid-state structures of complexes 2-5 and 8-11 have been determined.     

Criteria sensitivity analysis: a new approach to parameter sensitivity

The problem of parameter sensitivity is not well defined. This paper aims to make it well defined. This is done by requiring the modeller to provide a performance indicator l(X,t,β) which is a measure of how the behaviour of the system is to be judged. This forces the modeller to be precise about what he/she regards as acceptable behaviour. Mathematically we define behaviour to be acceptable at β if l >0 for that β, and we define the system as sensitive if the set of acceptable β's is small. The analysis which is required is termed criteria sensitivity analysis. This method is applicable to many different kinds of models. The basic ideas of criteria sensitivity analysis are presented here. A static model is used to demonstrate major points. The power of this new approach is illustrated by an application to a dynamic model.