Triplet state properties and triplet-state-oxygen interactions of some linear and angular furocoumarins

Linear and angular furocoumarins with conjugated external carbonyl substituents show higher triplet and singlet oxygen yields than the corresponding unsubstituted molecules. The efficiency of the oxygen quenching process to yield singlet oxygen is also higher for these substituted molecules. These changes are interpreted in terms of the "proximity effect" associated with two nearly degenerate n pi* and pi pi* excited states, and variations in the excess energy following furocoumarin triplet quenching by ground state triplet oxygen to yield singlet oxygen.     

Detection and classification of organophosphate nerve agent simulants using support vector machines with multiarray sensors

The need for rapid and accurate detection systems is expanding and the utilization of cross-reactive sensor arrays to detect chemical warfare agents in conjunction with novel computational techniques may prove to be a potential solution to this challenge. We have investigated the detection, prediction, and classification of various organophosphate (OP) nerve agent simulants using sensor arrays with a novel learning scheme known as support vector machines (SVMs). The OPs tested include parathion, malathion, dichlorvos, trichlorfon, paraoxon, and diazinon. A new data reduction software program was written in MATLAB V. 6.1 to extract steady-state and kinetic data from the sensor arrays. The program also creates training sets by mixing and randomly sorting any combination of data categories into both positive and negative cases. The resulting signals were fed into SVM software for "pairwise" and "one" vs all classification. Experimental results for this new paradigm show a significant increase in classification accuracy when compared to artificial neural networks (ANNs). Three kernels, the S2000, the polynomial, and the Gaussian radial basis function (RBF), were tested and compared to the ANN. The following measures of performance were considered in the pairwise classification: receiver operating curve (ROC) Az indices, specificities, and positive predictive values (PPVs). The ROC Az) values, specifities, and PPVs increases ranged from 5% to 25%, 108% to 204%, and 13% to 54%, respectively, in all OP pairs studied when compared to the ANN baseline. Dichlorvos, trichlorfon, and paraoxon were perfectly predicted. Positive prediction for malathion was 95%.     

Molecular properties of adsorbates that affect the growth kinetics of archerite (KDP)

We explore the molecular properties of adsorbates that dramatically affect growth kinetics and morphology of the [100] face of archerite, also known as potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH(2)PO(4) or KDP). Aqueous complexes of Al(III), Fe(III), and Cr(III) are known to affect KDP growth, albeit the actual step-pinning complex(es) is unknown. Using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), we measured changes in the growth rates of the [100] face of KDP with supersaturation in the presence of trace amounts of [Co(NH(3))(6)](3+), [Fe(CN)(6)](3-), eta(1)-[Co(NH(3))(5)HPO(4)](+), eta(2)-[Co(NH(3))(4)HPO(4)](+), eta(2)-[Co(NH(3))(4)P(2)O(7)H(2)](+), and [Rh(H(2)PO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)](+). Unlike in experiments using trivalent-metals, these complexes do not change stoichiometry or structure on the timescale of step motion, so that the actual molecular interactions that affect growth can be studied. Step velocity and morphology on the [100] face are unaffected by outer-sphere coordination complexes of either charge. Surprisingly, inner-sphere phosphatoammine complexes do not affect growth rates regardless of how the phosphate group is coordinated to the metal. However, doping the growth solution with [Rh(H(2)PO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)](+) results in profound step pinning, matching the behavior of KDP surfaces grown in the presence of Rh(III) after an equilibration period. Not only is an inner-sphere phosphate group needed to dock a trivalent metal to the step edge, but compatible hydrogen bonding of the remainder of the inner-sphere ligands with the bulk lattice is also essential.     

Decomposition of 1,1-dichloroethene on Pd(111)

The decomposition of 1,1-dichloroethene on Pd(111) is investigated using conventional thermal desorption, laser-induced thermal desorption (LITD), and FT reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (FT-RAIRS). The decomposition mechanism produces at least three hydrocarbon surface intermediates, including ethylidyne. Thermal desorption results differ between high and low coverages because of relative surface concentrations of Cl and H in combination with kinetic effects.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ab initio</Emphasis> Study of Al(III) Adsorption on Stepped 100 Surfaces of KDP Crystals

Crystals of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄, KDP) are grown in large scale for use as nonlinear material in laser components. Traces of trivalent metal impurities are often added to the supernatant to achieve habit control during crystal growth, selectively inhibiting the growth of the {100} face. Model systems representing AlPO₄-doped KDP {100} stepped surfaces are prepared and studied using ab initio quantum methods. Results of Hartree–Fock partial optimizations are presented, including estimated energies of ion pair binding to the steps. We find that the PO₄^3– ion takes a position not unlike that of a standard phosphate in the crystal lattice, while the aluminum atom is displaced far from a K⁺ ion position to establish coordinations with the PO₄^3– ion and to bind with another lattice-bound phosphate. Our optimized structures suggest that it is the formation of a fourth coordination of Al(III) to a third phosphate ion from solution, or perhaps from a nearby position in the lattice, that disrupts further deposition, pinning the steps.     

TRIPLET EXCITED STATE OF COUMARIN AND 4'5' DIHYDROPSORALEN: REACTION WITH NUCLEIC ACID BASES AND AMINO ACIDS

Abstract—The triplet-triplet absorption spectra of coumarin, 5.7 dimethoxycoumarin and the furocoumarin 4'5' dihydropsoralen. a model for 4'5' psoralen-pyrimidine mono adducts, have been determined by the techniques of pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis. The extinction coefficients of the triplet transitions have been measured and used to determine the singlet → triplet intersystem crossing quantum yields for 347 nm excitation in water. Reaction rate constants for coumarin and 4'5' dihydropsoralen triplets with various pyrimidine and purine nucleic acid bases, and amino acids, have been measured. Long-lived transient absorptions detected after quenching coumarin and 4'5' dihydropsoralen triplets with tryptophan are assigned to mixtures of the corresponding coumarin radical anion and the tryptophan radical cation. The spectra of the radical anions of coumarin and 4'5' dihydropsoralen were established using pulse radiolysis of the coumarins in aqueous formate. It is suggested that coumarins and furocoumarin triplets are quenched by nucleic acid bases and amino acids via a chargetransfer mechanism.