Water-induced formation of an alkali-ion dimer in cryptomelane nanorods

Tunneled metal oxides such as α-Mn₈O₁₆ (hollandite) have proven to be compelling candidates for charge-storage materials in high-density batteries. In particular, the tunnels can support one-dimensional chains of K⁺ ions (which act as structure-stabilizing dopants) and H₂O molecules, as these chains are favored by strong H-bonds and electrostatic interactions. In this work, we examine the role of water molecules in enhancing the stability of K⁺-doped α-Mn₈O₁₆ (cryptomelane). The combined experimental and theoretical analyses show that for high enough concentrations of water and tunnel-ions, H₂O displaces K⁺ ions from their natural binding sites. This displacement becomes energetically favorable due to the formation of K²⁺ dimers, thereby modifying the stoichiometric charge of the system. These findings have potentially significant technological implications for the consideration of cryptomelane as a Li⁺/Na⁺ battery electrode. Our work establishes the functional role of water in altering the energetics and structural properties of cryptomelane, an observation that has frequently been overlooked in previous studies.

Water displaces potassium ions and initiates the formation of a homonuclear dimer ion (K²⁺) in the tunnels of hollandite.     

Solid-phase approach towards the synthesis of functionalized imidazo[1,2-b]pyrazol-2-ones

The solid-phase synthesis of a series of imidazo[1,2-b]pyrazol-2-ones, an interesting 5,5-fused ring system, based on diverse set of hydrazine acids and malanonitriles is described. The method involves formation of 5-aminopyrazoles on solid support and subsequent cyclizative cleavage off the resin. Compounds were obtained in acceptable to excellent yields and are suitable for biological evaluation without further purification.     

How Focusing Phenomena in the Instructional Environment Support Individual Students' Generalizations

This article sets forth a way of connecting the classroom instructional environment with individual students' generalizations. To do so, we advance the notion of focusing phenomena, that is, regularities in the ways in which teachers, students, artifacts, and curricular materials act together to direct attention toward certain mathematical properties over others. The construct of focusing phenomena emerged from an empirical study conducted during a 5-week unit on slope and linear functions in a high school classroom using a reform curriculum. Qualitative evidence from interviews with 7 students revealed that students interpreted the m value in y = b + mx as a difference rather than a ratio as a result of counterproductive generalization afforded by focusing phenomena. Classroom analysis revealed 4 focusing phenomena, which regularly directed students' attention to various sets of differences rather than to the coordination of quantities.     

A facile approach to a d4 RuN: moiety

Replacement of chloride in (PNP)RuCl, PNP = (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N, by Me3SiN3 gives a pre-redox adduct that, already at -30 degrees C, releases N2 to produce the mononuclear nonplanar Ru(IV) nitride (PNP)RuN, characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray methods. DFT calculations show the planar structure to be only 1.6 kcal/mol less stable, which explains the time-averaged simplicity of the 1H NMR spectrum, as well as the large vibrational amplitude of the nitride ligand.     

Effect of solution chemistry on the surface charge of polymeric reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes

A streaming potential analyzer has been used to investigate the effect of solution chemistry on the surface charge of four commercial reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes. Zeta potentials of these membranes were analyzed for aqueous solutions of various chemical compositions over a pH range of 2 to 9. In the presence of an indifferent electrolyte (NaCl), the isoelectric points of these membranes range from 3.0 to 5.2. The curves of zeta potential versus solution pH for all membranes display a shape characteristic of amphoteric surfaces with acidic and basic functional groups. Results with salts containing divalent ions (CaCl₂, Na₂SO₄, and MgSO₄) indicate that divalent cations more readily adsorb to the membrane surface than divalent anions, especially in the higher pH range. Three sources of humic acid, Suwannee River humic acid, peat humic acid, and Aldrich humic acid, were used to investigate the effect of dissolved natural organic matter on membrane surface charge. Other solution chemistries involved in this investigation include an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and a cationic surfactant (dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide). Results show that humic substances and surfactants readily adsorb to the membrane surface and markedly influence the membrane surface charge.     

Quantum chemical modeling for 157 nm photolithography

In its continuing quest for smaller length scales, the electronics industry plans to introduce 157 nm as the next lithographic wavelength. Accordingly, there is a pressing need to develop photoresists that are more transparent, and pellicles that are both more transparent and more durable. With the advent and popularization of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), we now have a practical quantum chemical method for calculating excitation energies and transition moments in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) which can greatly assist in the scouting of highly transparent materials. We have performed TD-DFT calculations for a broad variety of fluorinated molecules and we will report calculated VUV photoabsorption spectra for a large family of model fluorohexanes. These calculations, which span a range from 1-fluorohexane to CH₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CH₃, illustrate some of the principles one may use to design low absorption polymeric materials.     

Turning off phototriggered linkage isomerizations in ruthenium dimethyl sulfoxide complexes

We report on the spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and linkage isomerization in a family of [Ru(tpy)(L2)(dmso)](z)()(+) complexes (tpy is 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine, dmso is dimethyl sulfoxide, and L2 is a variable ligand: 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 2-picolinate (pic), N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen), acetylacetonate (acac), or malonate (mal)). The identity of this bidentate ligand serves to tune the absorption maxima (lambda(max) = 419-502 nm) and the reduction potential (E(1/2) = 1.67 to 0.82 V) of these complexes. Photochemical and electrochemical studies show that S-->O and O-->S linkage isomerization may be triggered through an electron transfer mechanism, resulting in dramatic shifts in both the absorption maxima and the reduction potential (for [Ru(tpy)(pic)(dmso)](+) S-bonded, 421 nm, 1.38 V vs Ag/AgCl; O-bonded, 527 nm, 1.38 V vs Ag/AgCl). Certain of these complexes [Ru(tpy)(acac)(dmso)](+) and [Ru(tpy)(mal)(dmso)] do not undergo isomerization. These results are discussed in the context of electron transfer triggered isomerization.     

The assemble,grow and lift-off (AGLO) strategy to construct complex gold nanostructures with pre-designed morphologies

The construction of metallic nanostructures with customizable morphologies and complex shapes has been an essential pursuit in nanoscience. DNA nanotechnology has enabled the fabrication of increasingly complex DNA nanostructures with unprecedented specificity, programmability and sub-nanometer precision, which makes it an ideal approach to rationally organize metallic nanostructures. Here we report an Assemble, Grow and Lift-Off (AGLO) strategy to construct robust standalone gold nanostructures with pre-designed customizable shapes in solution, using only a simple 2D DNA origami sheet as a versatile transient template. Gold nanoparticle (AuNP) seeds were firstly assembled onto the pre-designed binding sites of the DNA origami template and then additional gold was slowly deposited onto the AuNP seeds. The growing seed surfaces eventually merge with adjacent seeds to generate one continuous gold nanostructure in a pre-designed shape, which can then be lifted off the origami template. Diverse customized patterns of templated AuNP seeds were successfully transformed into corresponding gold nanostructures with the target structure transformation percentage over 80%. Moreover, the AGLO strategy can be incorporated with a magnetic bead separation platform to enable the easy recycling of the excess AuNP seeds and DNA components.

The AGLO strategy generates complex gold nanostructures with user-designed morphologies in solution, using only a simple 2D DNA origami sheet as a versatile transient template. The products are robust and stable as standalone gold nanostructures.     

Straightforward synthesis of sphinganines via a serine-derived Weinreb amide

Sphinganines can be synthesized in just three steps from easily prepared serine-derived Weinreb amide 4. Pre-deprotonation of the acidic (N-H and O-H) protons of 4 allows for its efficient conversion to amino ketones 5. Such ketones can be selectively reduced to either erythro- or threo-sphinganines. Partially protected sphinganines 11 are also readily accessible in five steps from 4. Thus, Weinreb amide 4 represents one of the most versatile templates described to date for sphinganine synthesis.