Synthesis of a mechanically linked oligo[2]rotaxane

A bifunctional [2]rotaxane, bearing two free functional groups each in the ring and axial parts, was synthesized, followed by its polycondensation with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate leading to a mechanically linked oligo[2]rotaxane.     

Unprecedented base effect on the synthesis of chiral phosphinate esters: A new route to P-chiral phosphine oxides of high enantiomeric purity

The stereochemical outcome of the reaction of chiral secondary alcohols with a phosphinyl chloride was found to be highly dependent on the achiral base used. Thus, the reaction of the readily available sugar derived carbinols, 1 and 2, with methylphenylphosphinyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine yields stereoselectively the corresponding Snp-phosphinates 3Sp and 5Sp in 94 and 92% diastereomeric excess (de). Simply changing the base from triethylamine to pyridine affords Rp-phosphinates 4Rp and 6Rp epimers to 3Sp and 5Sp at the phosphinyl phosphorus in 50 and 40% de respectively. These phosphinate esters were found to be good P-chiral transferring intermediates, they react with Grignard reagents under very mild conditions to give the corresponding phosphine oxides. Both enantiomers Sp- and Rp-o-anisylmethylphenylphosphine oxide (PAMPO) as well Sp- and Rp- methylphenylpropyl phosphine oxide were obained enantiomerically pure in high yields     

A Highly Sensitive and Selective Non-enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Nanostructured Co3O4 Thin Films Using the Sol-gel Method

In this work we report an easy and efficient way to fabricate nanostructured cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) thin films as a non-enzymatic sensor for H₂O₂ detection. Co₃O₄ thin films were grown on ITO glass substrates via the sol-gel method and characterized with several techniques including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and optical absorbance. The Co₃O₄ thin films’ performance regarding hydrogen peroxide detection was studied in a 0.1 M NaOH solution using two techniques, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry. The films exhibited a high sensitivity of 1450 μA.mM⁻¹.cm⁻², a wide linear range from 0.05 μM to 1.1 mM, and a very low detection limit of 18 nM. Likewise, the Co₃O₄ thin films produced showed an exceptional stability and a high selectivity.     

STM-based molecular detection of "catch-and-release" of protons for bipyridine bound to phenylene-ethynylene thiol

The protonation/deprotonation response of a novel bipyridine containing (phenylene-ethynylene) thiol adsorbed to a Au surface was investigated with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), showing reversible changes in the average heights (approximately 50 spots) and the height distribution arising from protonation/deprotonation.     

Hysteresis suppression for primary and subharmonic 3:1 resonances using fast excitation

Nonlinear Dynamics - We analyze the effect of a fast harmonic excitation on hysteresis and on entrainment area in a forced van der Pol–Duffing oscillator near the primary and the 3:1...     

Retrodienic reactions XVI - flash thermolytic generation of reactive functional allenes

Butadienal 1, propadienol 2 and propadienamine 3 are synthesized by flash vacuum thermolysis of their anthracenic Diels-Alder adducts and characterized at low temperature.     

Stability and electronic properties of IrnV (n = 2–10) nanoclusters and their reactivity toward N2H4 molecule

Structural Chemistry - DFT calculations have been carried out over the IrnV (n = 2–10) clusters in order to predict their stability, electronic, and catalytic properties. Based on the...     

Surface reconstruction of Pt–Sn nanoparticles supported on Al2O3 in the presence of carbon monoxide

Research on Chemical Intermediates - FTIR spectroscopy and volumetric measurements are used to study the adsorption of CO (mainly 1% CO/He) in the temperature range 300–713 K on a...