Molecular structure,vibrational spectroscopic and chemical reactivity of nematogenic p-n-alkylbenzoic acids: A comparative computational analysis

Molecular structure and vibrational spectroscopic studies of higher homologous series nematogenic p-n-alkylbenzoic acids (nBAC) that have 6 (6BAC) and 7 (7BAC) carbon atoms in the alkyl chain have been investigated using the Density Functional Becke3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) level with the basis set 6-31++G (d.p) and Hartree Fock (HF) with the same basis set. The observed vibrational spectra has been resolved and assigned in detail for comparision with both the molecules. These results indicate that DFT and HF values are slightly different at both the levels. A comparision of chemical reactivity such as HOMO (E_H), LUMO (E_L) energies, energy gap (E_g), ionization energy (I), electron affinity (A), electro negativity (χ), chemical hardness (η), electronic chemical potential (μ), electrophilicity index (ω), and softness (S) has been made. It has been observed that the decrement has occurred in the energy band gap value of isolated molecule with increment in alkyl chain length. This provides valuable information regarding enhancing the stability of liquid crystal materials by maintaining the conductivity.     

Investigating the interface of superhydrophobic surfaces in contact with water

Neutron reflectivity (NR) is used to probe the solid, liquid, vapor interface of a porous superhydrophobic (SH) surface submerged in water. A low-temperature, low-pressure technique was used to prepare a rough, highly porous organosilica aerogel-like film. UV/ozone treatments were used to control the surface coverage of hydrophobic organic ligands on the silica framework, allowing the contact angle with water to be continuously varied over the range of 160 degrees (superhydrophobic) to <10 degrees (hydrophilic). NR shows that the superhydrophobic nature of the surface prevents infiltration of water into the porous film. Atomic force microscopy and density functional theory simulations are used in combination to interpret the NR results and help establish the location, width, and nature of the SH film-water interface.     

An azo dye for photodynamic therapy that is activated selectively by two-photon excitation

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (TP-PDT) is a promising approach for the treatment of cancer because of its better penetration depth and superior spatial selectivity. Here, we describe an azo group containing cyclized-cyanine derivatives (ACC1 and ACC2) as a two-photon activated, type I based photosensitizer (PS). These small-molecule and heavy atom-free organic dyes showed marked reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating ability under physiological conditions, as well as fast loading ability into the cells and negligible dark toxicity. Live cell analyses with one- and two-photon microscopy revealed that these dyes showed higher ROS generation ability upon two-photon excitation than upon one-photon excitation via the type I process. The PSs have superior PDT properties compared to conventional Visudyne and 5-ALA under mild conditions. These characteristics allowed for precise PDT at the target region in mimic tumor spheroids, demonstrating that the developed TP PS could be useful in efficient PDT applications and in designing various PSs.

Azo containing dyes as a two-photon selective and type I based photosensitizers (PSs) were developed that exhibit excellent photodynamic therapy properties under mild condition.     

Locally enhanced relative humidity for scanning probe nanolithography

The formation of a water meniscus between a sharp tip and a solid surface is one of the prevailing requirements for scanning probe microscope (SPM)-based lithographies, such as dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) and conductive tip induced oxidation. The water meniscus functions as a medium for the oxidation of or mass transfer to the solid surface. Here we report a simple, efficient, and effective approach to enhance the local relative humidity and thus increase the size of the water meniscus by bringing a water-containing capillary tube to the proximity of the tip-surface contact area. The enhancement in local relative humidity is confirmed via an increase in the measured tip-surface adhesion forces and the widths of DPN generated parallel lines. Compared to the global control of relative humidity for the whole lithography system, the short distance between the "water reservoir" and the tip-surface contact area enables rapid increase in the local vapor pressure of water, less perturbation, and minimal erosion to the state-of-the-art electronics. As a result, most scanning probe lithography experiments at high relative humidity can now be performed in a reasonable time frame.     

A new macrocyclic polystyrene-based sensor for chromium (III) ions

A new tetradentate dihydrogen perchlorate macrocyclic ligand (2,4,9,11-tetraphenyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,4,8,11-tetraene dihydrogen perchlorate) was prepared and characterised. The macrocycle behaves as a selective chelating ion-exchanger for some metal ions. The polystyrene-based membrane electrode is found to exhibit quite promising selectivity for Cr3+ ions. It can be used to estimate chromium concentrations in the range 3.16x 10(-6)-1.00x10(-1) M with a near-Nernstian slope of 17.5 mV per decade of concentration between pH 3.0 to 6.5. The electrode is found to possess a fast response time of 15 s and was used over a period of three months with good reproducibility (s = +/- 0.3 mV). The selectivity coefficient values for mono-, di- and trivalent cations indicate excellent selectivity for Cr3+ ions over a large number of other cations. Anions such as Cl- and SO4(2-) do not interfere and the electrode also works satisfactorily in a mixed organic-water solution. The sensor has been used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of Cr3+ with EDTA. The practical utility of the membrane sensor has also been demonstrated in solutions contaminated with detergents (CTAB and SDS). Above all, the membrane sensor has been very successfully used to determine Cr3+ in some foods.     

Transparent conducting oxides: texture and microstructure effects on charge carrier mobility in MOCVD-derived CdO thin films grown with a thermally stable, low-melting precursor

A series of low-melting, thermally stable cadmium metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors have been synthesized, structurally and spectroscopically characterized, and implemented in growth of highly conductive and transparent CdO thin films. One member of the series, bis(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionato)(N,N-diethyl-N',N'-dimethyl-ethylenediamine)cadmium(II), Cd(hfa)(2)()(N,N-DE-N',N'-DMEDA), represents a particularly significant improvement over previously available Cd precursors, owing to the low melting point and robust thermal stability. High-quality CdO films were grown by MOCVD on glass and single-crystal MgO(100) between 300 and 412 degrees C. Film growth parameters and substrate surface have large effects on microstructure and electron carrier transport properties. Enhanced mobilities observed for highly biaxially textured films grown on MgO(100) vs glass are attributed, on the basis of DC charge transport and microstructure analysis, to a reduction in neutral impurity scattering and/or to a more densely packed grain microstructure. Although single-grained films grown on MgO(100) exhibit greater mobilities than analogues with discrete approximately 100 nm grains and similar texture, this effect is attributed, on the basis of charge transport and Hall effect measurements as well as optical reflectivity analysis, to differences in carrier concentration rather than to reduced grain boundary scattering. Unprecedented conductivities and mobilities as high as 11,000 S/cm and 307 cm(2)/V.s, respectively, are obtained for epitaxial single-grained films (X-ray diffraction parameters: fwhm(omega) = 0.30 degrees, fwhm(phi) = 0.27 degrees ) grown in situ on MgO(100) at a relatively low temperature (400 degrees C).     

Oxidation of Fe2+ ions by transfer of energy from γ-irradiated NaCl in aqueous Fricke solution

The oxidation of iron/II/ ions has been studied by dissolving -irradiated NaCl crystals in aqueous Fricke solution. The yield of iron/III/ ions was determined as a function of the amount of NaCl added, storage time, dose, concentration of iron/II/ ions and pH of the Fricke solution. The energy transfer parameter, , which is the ratio of G/Fe³⁺/ obtained by the addition of irradiated NaCl to that by direct radiolysis was evaluated.     

Synthesis of 4,6-disubstituted-7-β-D-ribofuranosyl- and arabinofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines and certain related ribonucleosides

Several disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine and thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine ribonucleosides have been prepared as congeners of uridine and cytidine. Glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H,7H)-dione ( 4 ) with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose ( 5 ) in the presence of TMS triflate afforded 7-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione ( 6 ). Debenzoylation of 6 gave the uridine analog 7-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione ( 3 ), identical with 7-ribofuranosyloxoallopurinol reported earlier. Thiation of 6 gave 7 , which on debenzoylation afforded 7-β-D-ribofuranosyl-6-oxopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4(1H,5H)-thione ( 8 ). Ammonolysis of 7 at elevated temperature gave a low yield of the cytidine analog 4-amino-7-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6(1H)-one ( 11 ). Chlorination of 6 , followed by ammonolysis, furnished an alternate route to 11 . A similar glycosylation of TMS-4 with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-α-D-arabinofuranosyl chloride ( 12 ) gave mainly the N7-glycosylated product 13 , which on debenzylation provided 7-β-D-arabinofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione ( 14 ). 4-Amino-7-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-6(1H)-one ( 19 ) was prepared from 13 via the C4-pyridinium chloride intermediate 17 . Condensation of the TMS derivatives of 7-hydroxy- ( 20 ) or 7-aminopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5(4H)-one ( 23 ) with 5 in the presence of TMS triflate gave the corresponding blocked nucleosides 21 and 24 , respectively, which on deprotection afforded 7-hydroxy- 22 and 7-amino-4-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-one ( 25 ), respectively. Similarly, starting either from 2-chloro ( 26 ) or 2-aminothiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine-5,7-(4H,6H)-dione ( 29 ), 2-amino-4-β-D-ribofuranosylthiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine-5,7(6H)-dione ( 28 ) has been prepared. The structure of 25 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.