Photodegradation actuated shape-changing hydrogels

Hydrogels are attractive materials for generating 4D shapes due to their ability to undergo pronounced volume changes in response to several stimuli, including light. We previously reported shape-changing hydrogels actuated by long-wave UV and visible light in the presence of live cells using poly(ethylene glycol) macromers incorporating different photodegradable ortho-nitrobenzyl (o-NB) groups. In this comprehensive study, we determine the effect of chemical structure of different o-NB macromers (which influences molar absorptivity and rate constant of degradation), composition (macromer weight percent), fabrication design (initial gel thickness) and environment (ionic strength of solution) on light-induced hydrogel folding. We demonstrate successful photopolymerization and subsequent photodegradation of hydrogels, multistep folding, and live-cell encapsulation. This hydrogel system may be useful as new tool in stem cell differentiation and developmental biology research, facilitating the in vitro investigation of processes that are sensitive to both physical and temporal stimuli.     

Encapsulated Neutral Ruthenium Catalyst for Substrate-Selective Oxidation of Alcohols

The neutral complex dichloro-{diethyl[(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylamino)-(4-trifluoro-methylphenyl)methyl]phosphonate} (p-cymene)-ruthenium(II) was encapsulated inside a self-assembled hexameric host obtained upon reaction of 2,8,14,20-tetra-undecyl-resorcin[4]arene and water. The formation of an inclusion complex was inferred from a combination of spectral measurements (MS, UV/Vis spectroscopy, ¹H and DOSY NMR). The ³¹P and ¹⁹F NMR spectra are consistent with motions of the ruthenium complex inside the self-assembled capsule. Molecular dynamics simulations carried out on the inclusion complex confirmed these intra-cavity movements and highlighted possible supramolecular interactions between the ruthenium first coordination sphere ligands and the inner part (aromatic rings) of the capsule. The embedded ruthenium complex was assessed in the catalytic oxidation (using NaIO₄ as oxidant) of mixtures of three arylmethyl alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes. The reaction kinetics were shown to vary as a function of the substrates’ size, with the oxidation rate varying in the order benzylalcohol >4-phenyl-benzylalcohol >9-anthracenemethanol. Control experiments realized in the absence of hexameric capsule did not allow any discrimination between the substrates.     

Elimination of bis(trimethylsilyl)stannylene from tris(trimethylsilyl)stannylated zirconocene and hafnocene chlorides

Reactions of (Me₃Si)₃SnK with Cp₂MCl₂ (M = Zr, Hf) give the respective stannylated metallocene chlorides. These complexes display a tendency to eliminate bis(trimethylsilyl)-stannylene under Cp₂M(Cl)SiMe₃ formation.     

New regio/chemoselective synthesis of hydrogenated imidazo[1,5-b]pyridazines

The cascade heterocyclization of 1,2-diamino-4-phenyl-imidazole with ethyl 2-arylidene-2-cyanoacetates affords 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-b]pyridazine-3-carbonitrile derivatives as mixtures of diastereomers. The experimental data and quantum chemical calculations were used to propose processes. The three-component processing with above-mentioned diamine, ethyl cyanoacetate and aromatic aldehydes leads to the same products in generally lower yields.     

Synthesis and evaluation of the anticancer activity of the water-dispersible complexes of 4-acylaminoisoxazole derivative with biocompatible nanocontainers based on Ca2+ (Mg2+) cross-linked alginate

Water-dispersible complexes of 4-methyl-N-[5-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]benzamide possessing anticancer activity were prepared by its immobilization with biocompatible polymer nanocontainers based on sodium alginate cross-linked with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. It was found that this isoxazole derivative retains its structure during immobilization. Colloidal stable nanocontainers filled with this compound exhibit toxicity toward the colon carcinoma (HCT116) tumor cell line.     

An asymmetric N-rim partially substituted calix[4]pyrrole: Its affinity for Ag(I) and its destruction by Hg(II)

A new partially substituted calix[4] pyrrole derivative obtained by the introduction of three thioamide functionalities in the N-rim has been synthesised and fully characterised by ¹H, ¹³C, HSQC, ROESY NMR and mass spectroscopy. Computer modelling suggested an alternate conformation which was confirmed through ROESY ¹H NMR. The receptor interacts only with the silver cation as shown by ¹H NMR. The strength of interaction is quantitatively assessed by titration calorimetry. N-rim modification eliminates the possibility of interaction with anions. Unlike calix[4] pyrrole derivatives obtained by the introduction of functionalities through the meso-position, addition of Hg(NO₃)₂ leads to the degeneration of the receptor as demonstrated by ¹H NMR, FTIR and XPS analyses. This is for the first time reported. Molecular simulation studies show significant strain in the mercury bound ligand in bonds, angles, torsions leading to the destruction of the receptor. Given the negative environmental impact produced by the availability of silver ions in aquatic organisms, the fundamental studies indicate that this receptor offers potential applications for monitoring silver (ion selective electrode) or indeed as a decontaminating material for removing silver ions from water.     

不同晶体结构Gd2(MoO4)3:Eu3+荧光粉的合成及其发光性能研究

采用溶胶凝胶-燃烧法,柠檬酸为络合剂合成出系列Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉.利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和荧光光谱对样品的结构、形貌和发光性能进行了研究.XRD分析表明:稀土离子与柠檬酸为1:0.5时,800℃热处理获得单斜结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉.单斜结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉到正交结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉的转换可以通过改变稀土离子与柠檬酸摩尔比和热处理温度等合成条件实现.Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉的形貌受合成条件的影响.荧光光谱研究表明:Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉的主发射峰位于616 nm处来自于Eu³⁺的⁵D₀→⁷F₂电偶极跃迁.正交结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉发射强度明显高于单斜结构的荧光粉.计算⁵D₀→⁷F₂与⁵D₀→⁷F₁跃迁发射的相对强度比值表明:正交结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺中Eu³⁺局域环境的对称性较高。     

Three-dimensional mixed convection flow with variable thermal conductivity and frictional heating

In this article,three-dimensional mixed convection flow over an exponentially stretching sheet is investigated.Energy equation is modelled in the presence of viscous dissipation and variable thermal conductivity.Temperature of the sheet is varying exponentially and is chosen in a form that facilitates the similarity transformations to obtain self-similar equations.Resulting nonlinear ordinary differential equations are solved numerically employing the Runge-Kutta shooting method.In order to check the accuracy of the method,these equations are also solved using bvp4c built-in routine in Matlab.Both solutions are in excellent agreement.The effects of physical parameters on the dimensionless velocity field and temperature are demonstrated through various graphs.The novelty of this analysis is the self-similar solution of the threedimensional boundary layer flow in the presence of mixed convection,viscous dissipation and variable thermal conductivity.