Characterization of Metallosupramolecular Polymers by Top‐Down Multidimensional Mass Spectrometry Methods

Top‐down multidimensional mass spectrometry, interfacing electrospray ionization (ESI) with ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM‐MS), and energy resolved (gradient) tandem mass spectrometry (gMS²) are employed to characterize the stoichiometries, architectures, and intrinsic stabilities of coordinatively bound supramolecular polymers containing terpyridine functionalized ligands. As a soft ionization method, ESI prevents or minimizes unwanted assembly destruction. The IM dimension affords separation of the supramolecular ions by charge and collision cross‐section (a function of size and shape). The mobility separated ions are subsequently identified by their mass‐to‐charge‐ratios and isotope patterns in the orthogonal MS dimension. Finally, the gMS² dimension reveals bond breaking proclivities and disintegration pathways of the assemblies. The described methodology does not require high sample purity due to the dispersive nature of the IM and MS steps. Its utility is demonstrated with the comprehensive analysis of bisterpyridine‐based metallomacrocycle mixtures and a tristerpyridine based complex with 3‐D nanosphere‐like architecture.

     

The effect of topical anesthesia on vocal fold motion

The objective of this study was to determine if topical anesthesia to the larynx and pharynx affects vocal fold motion during dynamic voice evaluation with transnasal flexible endoscopy. Transnasal dynamic laryngeal examinations of 10 patients with no voice complaints were evaluated by five blinded fellowship-trained laryngologists. Each patient was examined before and after application of topical anesthetic. Reviewers rated briskness of right and left vocal fold movement and longitudinal tension on a visual analogue scale. Statistical comparisons were made between individual subject scores before and after anesthetic application. Inter-rater reliability was also assessed. No statistical difference was observed between subject scores before and after anesthetic application. Average intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.643 and 0.591 for pre- and postanesthesia scores, respectively. Application of topical anesthesia to the larynx and pharynx does not affect vocal fold motion.     

Ultracold strontium clock: Applications to the measurement of fundamental constant variations

We describe the application of high accuracy Srspectroscopy to the measurement of the variation of thefundamental constants of nature. We first describe recent progressof the JILA Sr optical frequency standard, with a systematicuncertainty evaluation at the 10^-16 fractional frequencylevel. Using recent internationally based measurements of the Srclock frequency, we show improved constraints of gravitational andtemporal changes in the fine structure constant and theelectron-proton mass ratio. Finally, we describe how ultracoldatomic strontium, confined in an optical lattice, can beassociated into molecular dimers and be used for amodel-independent measurement of the variation of theelectron-proton mass ratio.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of anti‐β‐Hydroxy‐α‐Amido Esters by Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation in Emulsions

Herein, we present two methods for an asymmetric transfer hydrogenation through the dynamic kinetic resolution of α‐amido‐β‐ketoesters. These procedures yield the corresponding anti‐β‐hydroxy‐α‐amido esters in good yields and with good diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. First, the scope of the reduction of α‐amido‐β‐ketoesters by using triethylammonium formate azeotrope is examined. Then, an emulsion technology with sodium formate is explored, which allows for broader substrate scope, faster reaction times, and lower catalyst loading. Furthermore, these reactions are operationally simple and can be set up in air.     

Substituent effects on the vibronic coupling for the phenoxyl/phenol self-exchange reaction

The impact of substituents on the vibronic coupling for the phenoxyl/phenol self-exchange reaction, which occurs by a proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism, is investigated. The vibronic couplings are calculated with a grid-based nonadiabatic method and a nuclear-electronic orbital nonorthogonal configuration interaction method. The quantitative agreement between these two methods for the unsubstituted phenoxyl/phenol system and the qualitative agreement in the predicted trends for the substituted phenoxyl/phenol systems provides a level of validation for both methods. Analysis of the results indicates that electron-donating groups enhance the vibronic coupling, while electron-withdrawing groups attenuate the vibronic coupling. Thus, if all other aspects of the reaction are the same, then electron-donating groups will increase the rate, while electron-withdrawing groups will decrease the rate. Correlations between the vibronic coupling and physical properties of the phenol are also analyzed. Negative Hammett constants correspond to higher vibronic couplings, while positive Hammett constants correspond to similar or slightly lower vibronic couplings relative to the unsubstituted phenoxyl/phenol system. In addition, lower bond dissociation enthalpies, ionization potentials, and redox potentials, as well as higher pKa values, tend to correspond to higher vibronic couplings relative to the unsubstituted phenoxyl/phenol system. The observed trends enable the prediction of the impact of general substituents on the vibronic coupling, and hence the rate, for the phenoxyl/phenol self-exchange reaction. The fundamental physical insights obtained from these studies are applicable to other proton-coupled electron transfer systems.     

Amphiphilic [tpy-MII-tpy] metallotriangles: synthesis,characterisation and hierarchical ordering

Long chain (C₁₆) alkylated metallocycles are synthesised and characterised. Their ordered aggregation was studied via TEM to gauge to the effects of molecular topology, solvent, counterion and metal centre(s) on morphology and nanoscale structure. The results indicate that their amphiphilicity significantly enhanced their self-ordering characteristics relative to controls and enabled the formation of nanoscale structures. Similar ordering was observed for both labile and non-labile analogues with SAXD showing comparable d-spacing values, suggesting the presence of intramolecular π–π stacking. Effect of counterion and solvent was studied with the non-labile system. Nanotubular, ribbon, or sheet-like structures were afforded depending upon conditions.     

Dynamic combinatorial discovery of a [2]-catenane and its guest-induced conversion into a molecular square host

A simple water-soluble naphthalenedithiol building block is converted quantitatively into a series of octameric [2]-catenanes, composed of two interlocked molecular squares. When this mixture is re-equilibrated in the presence of an adamantyl ammonium guest, the catenanes disassemble into their macrocyclic components that bind the guest with nanomolar affinity in water.