Highly efficient lens couplers for laser-diodes based on long period grating in special graded-index fiber

A theoretical scheme of a new device consisting of a lensed fiber and a long period grating (LPG) imprinted in a special single mode gradient-index fiber (SSMGIF) is presented. The SSMGIF consists of the single mode uniform core and the graded-index cladding. The performance of the proposed device is based on specific properties of SSMGIF. For high efficiency coupling between number of cladding modes and co-propagating core mode in this special type of the fiber we can use a number of weak LPGs with the same amplitudes of the refractive index modulation and with almost the same lengths. This scheme provides higher coupling efficiency, relaxed longitudinal alignment tolerance, and smaller device size, than an identical scheme with the LPG imprinted in a step-index (SI) fiber. Two different types of fiber lenses (hemispherical and hyperbolic) are presented for comparison.     

NMR spectroscopic study of the inclusion complex of desloratadine with β-cyclodextrin in solution

Desloratadine (DES) is an antihistamine used in the treatment of allergies and chronic urticaria. ¹H NMR spectroscopic study of varying ratios of DES and β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) in D₂O suggests the formation of a 1:1 inclusion complex formed by the penetration of Cl-substituted aromatic ring into the β-CD cavity. The stoichiometry and binding constant of the complex were determined by Scott’s method.     

Gold nanoparticle networks with photoresponsive interparticle spacings

Photoresponsive gold nanoparticle networks were prepared by functionalizing them with azobenzene derivatives. A network can be formed when a linker molecule constituting the azobenzene moiety suitably derivatized on either side with gold surface sensitive groups such as thiols and amines is added to the nanoparticle solution. It is shown that the interparticle spacing in the networks could be controlled by the reversible trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene moiety induced by UV and visible light, respectively. The photoinduced variation in the interparticle spacings is inferred by the changes in the optical spectra of the gold nanoparticles which display a red or blue shift in the surface plasmon resonance peak depending on a decrease or increase in the interparticle spacing, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images are in consonance with the evidence from the optical spectra.     

Complexation of Fluvastatin Sodium with β-Cyclodextrin: NMR Spectroscopic Study in Solution

¹H NMR spectroscopic study of fluvastatin sodium (FLU), β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) and their mixtures confirmed the formation of FLU/β-CD inclusion complex in solution. The stoichiometry of the complex was determined to be 1:1 and the overall binding constant (K _s) was calculated to be 340 M⁻¹. Two dimensional COSY, ROESY and DEPTO experiments were performed for the unambiguous assignment of aromatic proton resonances and it was found that two isomeric forms of FLU are present in solution. It was confirmed with the help of ROESY spectral data that only F-substituted aromatic ring penetrates the β-CD cavity and there is chiral differentiation by the β-CD as one of the isomer binds more strongly, which is indicated by the intensity of correlation peaks. The mode of penetration of the guest into the β-CD cavity was also established and structure of the complex has been proposed.     

Rapid analysis of 2,4-D in soil samples by modified Soxhlet apparatus using HPLC with UV detection

The 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) is used as a systemic herbicide to control broadleaf weeds in wheat, corn, range land/pasture land, sorghum, and barley. In this study, a fast and efficient method is developed by selection of modified extraction apparatus and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV conditions for the determination of 2,4-D in soil samples. The method is applied to the study of soil samples collected from the agricultural field. The herbicide is extracted from soil samples by acetonitrile in a modified Soxhlet apparatus. The advantages of the apparatus are that it uses small volume of organic solvent, reduced time of extraction, and better recovery of the analyte. The extract is filtered using a very fine microfiber paper. The total extract is concentrated in a rotatory evaporator, dried under ultrahigh pure N2, and finally reconstituted in 1 mL of acetonitrile. HPLC-UV at 228 nm is used for analysis. The herbicide is identified and quantitated using the HPLC system. The method is validated by the analysis of spiked soil samples. Recoveries obtained varied from 85% to 100% for spiked soil samples. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) and the limit of detection (LOD) are 0.010 and 0.005 parts per million (ppm), respectively, for spiked soil samples. The LOQ and LOD are 0.006 and 0.003 ppm for unspiked soil samples. The measured concentrations of 2,4-D in spiked soil samples are between 0.010 and 0.020 ppm with an average of 0.016 +/- 0.003 ppm. For unspiked soil samples it is between 0.006 ppm and 0.012 ppm with an average of 0.009 +/- 0.002 ppm. The measured concentrations of 2,4-D in soil samples are generally low and do not exceed the regulatory agencies guidelines.     

Stereoselective synthesis of α-glucosides from 3-O-propargyl protected glucal exploiting the alkynophilicity of AuCl3

The stereoselective synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated α-d-glucosides by the S_N2′ addition of diverse aglycones onto 4,6-di-O-benzyl-3-O-propargyl glucal was achieved using a catalytic quantity of AuCl₃. The Au catalyzed reaction was explored using various aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic and monosaccharide aglycones. The current protocol tolerates diverse functional groups and is highly stereoselective, fast, catalytic and mild.