Mode-specific photoelectron scattering effects on CO2(+)(C2Sigmag+) vibrations

Using high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy, we have determined the energy dependent vibrational branching ratios for the symmetric stretch [v+ = (100)], bend [v+ = (010)], and antisymmetric stretch [v+ = (001)], as well as several overtones and combination bands in the 4sigmag(-1) photoionization of CO2. Data were acquired over the range from 20-110 eV, and this wide spectral coverage highlighted that alternative vibrational modes exhibit contrasting behavior, even over a range usually considered to be dominated by atomic effects. Alternative vibrational modes exhibit qualitatively distinct energy dependences, and this contrasting mode-specific behavior underscores the point that vibrationally resolved measurements reflect the sensitivity of the electron scattering dynamics to well-defined changes in molecular geometry. In particular, such energy-dependent studies help to elucidate the mechanism(s) responsible for populating the symmetry forbidden vibrational levels [i.e., v+ =( 010), (001), (030), and (110)]. This is the first study in which vibrationally resolved data have been acquired as a function of energy for all of the vibrational modes of a polyatomic system. Theoretical Schwinger variational calculations are used to interpret the experimental data, and they indicate that a 4sigmag-->ksigmau shape resonance is responsible for most of the excursions observed for the vibrational branching ratios. Generally, the energy dependent trends are reproduced well by theory, but a notable exception is the symmetric stretch vibrational branching ratio. The calculated results display a strong peak in the vibrational branching ratio while the experimental data show a pronounced minimum. This suggests an interference mechanism that is not accounted for in the single-channel adiabatic-nuclei calculations. Electronic branching ratios were also measured and compared to the vibrational branching ratios to assess the relative contributions of interchannel (i.e., Herzberg-Teller) versus intrachannel (i.e., photoelectron-mediated) coupling.     

pH-dependent behavior of surface-immobilized artificial leucine zipper proteins

The coiled-coil protein motif occurs in over 200 proteins and has generated interest for a range of applications requiring surface immobilization of the constituent peptides. This paper describes an investigation of the environment-responsive behavior of a monolayer of surface-immobilized artificial proteins, which are known to assemble to form coiled-coil structures in bulk solution. An extended version of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) are independently employed to characterize the adsorption of the proteins to a gold surface. The data suggest that the molecules arrange in a closely packed layer orientated perpendicular to the surface. QCM-D measurements are also employed to measure pH-induced changes in the resonant frequency (f) and the energy dissipation factor (D) of a gold-coated quartz crystal functionalized with the formed monolayer. Exposure of the protein monolayer to a pH 4.5 solution results in a shift of 43 Hz in f and a shift of -0.7 x 10(-6) in D as compared to pH 7.4. In contrast, increasing the pH to 11.2, results in f and D shifts of -17 Hz and 0.6 x 10(-6), respectively. The magnitude of the observed shifts suggests that the proteins form a rigid layer at low pH that can be hydrated to a fluid layer as the pH is increased. These observations correlate with spectroscopic changes that indicate a reduction in the helical content of the protein in bulk solutions of high pH.     

Paradigm confirmed: the first use of ionic liquids to dramatically influence the outcome of chemical reactions

It has been an unproven paradigm that the choice of which ionic liquid to use in a chemical reaction can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of that chemical reaction. We demonstrate, for the first time, that the reaction of toluene and nitric acid in three different ionic liquids gives rise to three completely different products in high yield. Furthermore, ionic liquids can catalyze these reactions with the only byproduct being water. [reaction: see text]     

In Process Citation

The sample (< 1 mg) is burnt in an oxygen flask for the determination of rhenium. It is destroyed by a wet process in a Kjeldahl flask for the determination of rhodium or tellurium (sample <4-5 mg) or zirconium (sample <1.5 mg). These elements are determined spectrophotometrically. The following reactions are used: reduction of perrhenate by tin(II) chloride in the presence of 2,2'-furildioxime or thiourea, complexation of rhodium(III) by sodium hypochlorite, formation of iodotellurite, complexation of zirconium(IV) with Xylenol Orange.     

A novel methodology for the synthesis of complexes containing long carbon chains linking metal centres: molecular structures of [Ru(dppe)Cp*]2(mu-C14) and [Co3(mu-dppm)(CO)7]2(mu3:mu3-C16)

Elimination of AuX(PR3)(X = halogen, R = Ph, tol) occurs readily in reactions between compounds containing C(sp)- or C(sp2)-X bonds and alkynyl or polyynyl gold(I) complexes; this reaction has been applied to the syntheses of complexes containing a variety of metal centres linked by C(n) chains (n up to 16).     

ESR spectra fo matrix-isolated bromobenzene cations formed by radiolysis

Exposure of dilute solution of bromobenzene and p-dibromobenzene in fluorotrichloromethane to ⁶⁰Co_γ-rays at 77 K gave the corresponding cations characterized by ESR spectra. Estimated spin densities on bromine of ≈ 30% and 23%, respectively, are greater than those predicted by comparison with neutral α-bromo radicals, R₂CBr (≈ 15%). Evidence for dimer cation formation in more concentrated solutions is presented.     

How does the critical point change during a chemical reaction in supercritical fluids? A study of the hydroformylation of propene in supercritical CO(2).

An understanding of homogeneous catalysis in supercritical fluids requires a knowledge of the phase behavior and the variation in critical point as the reaction proceeds. In this paper, the critical temperatures, T(c) and pressures, P(c), have been measured for a considerable number of mixtures representing the various stages of the hydroformylation reaction of propene in supercritical CO(2) and different reactant concentrations. Critical point data have also been measured for all of the binary mixtures of the components (CO(2), H(2), CO, propene, n- and isobutyraldehyde) which are not available from the literature or can be deduced from published data. We use the stoichiometry of the reacting system to simplify greatly the phase behavior problem by defining a path through the otherwise multidimensional "phase space". Satisfactory modeling of the data (0.3% in T(c) and 3.0% in P(c)) has been achieved using the Peng-Robinson equation of state and ignoring all binary interactions which do not involve CO(2). The model is used to explore the strategies needed to avoid phase separation in continuous and batch reactions. At a given temperature, a batch reactor may need to be run under much higher pressures than a flow reactor if single-phase conditions are to be preserved throughout the course of the reaction. Most of the critical point data were measured acoustically, but a selection of points were validated using more traditional view-cell procedures.     

Supercritical fluid-mediated alumination of mesoporous silica and its beneficial effect on hydrothermal stability

We have investigated the use of supercritical fluids (SCFs) as carriers/solvents during the postsynthesis alumination of mesoporous silica. SCFs were found to be ideally suited for transport of Al into mesoporous silica and to lead to Al-grafted aluminosilicate materials that exhibit exceptional hydrothermal (steam) stability even for highly aluminated materials. The improvements in steam stability arising from the use of SCFs as grafting media (as compared to aqueous or organic solvents) are remarkable, especially for Al-grafted MCM-41 materials with high (Si/Al < or = 10) Al contents. It is proposed that under supercritical fluid conditions Al is sorbed on the surface of the pore walls of the host Si-MCM-41 with little penetration into the pore wall region, that is, the low solvating power of SCFs ensures the deposition of Al onto rather than into the silica framework. This is because the host silica framework cannot undergo any significant hydrolysis (to allow penetration of Al into the pore wall region) during the SCF-mediated alumination. Removal of the Al (i.e., dealumination) which occurs during steaming is therefore less detrimental to the structural integrity of SCF-grafted Al-MCM-41 materials since any dealumination that occurs will not involve removal of Al from deep within the pore walls.     

DDQ induced oxidative cyclisations of 1,2-dihydronaptho[2,1-b]furans

The DDQ mediated oxidative cyclisation reactions of a series of dihydronaptho[2,1-b]furans were examined. In the presence of an acid catalyst, the reaction yielded polycyclic ethers and lactones in good to excellent yields.