Metal Ionically-controlled Optical Signaling Based on a Chromoionophore-derived Calix[4]crown

A chromoionophore-derived calix[4]crown, 1 , possessing an effective signal-controllable function by metal ionic inputs has been newly synthesized, whose function is mainly of our interest, by transforming the process of receptor activation to one that may be detected by an optical signal (i.e. color change), the basic feature of antagonist-agonist competition may be reproduced readily and visually detected. The process would be particularly new within the field of optical read-out receptors. Further, from the standpoint of material sciences, the controllable signal function may not only be welcome for molecular information processing, but also contribute to the design of new sensory materials.     

DNA hybridization-enhanced porous silicon corrosion: mechanistic investigations and prospect for optical interferometric biosensing

Hybridization of DNA oligonucleotides in neutral aqueous solutions with complementary sequences immobilized on highly doped p-type porous silicon matrix is shown to result in an unexpectedly large shift in the Fabry-Perot interference pattern to lower wavelengths implying a decrease in effective optical thickness of the porous matrix. We have determined that the observed optical effects are due to enhanced corrosion (oxidation-hydrolysis) of the porous silicon layer triggered by the formation of complementary DNA duplexes. Scanning force microscopy and reflectance spectroscopy were employed at various stages of the signal evolution process to monitor and establish the material changes induced by the DNA binding events. We postulate that the slow background corrosion process initiated at the exposed Si-H_x groups is dramatically enhanced as a result of the change in carrier charge density of the porous silicon layer in response to the local increase in the electrostatic field generated by the nucleic acid hybridization. The proposed mechanism is consistent with the experimental observations that the characteristics of the porous silicon matrix and the charge density of the hybridized DNA complexes can both influence the corrosion process. Functionalized porous silicon matrices prepared from highly doped silicon wafers (resistivity 1 mΩ·cm) produce large corrosion rates and improved signal to noise ratios. Moreover, the enhanced decrease in the effective optical thickness could be prevented by either shielding the negative charges of the DNA duplex in the presence of Mg²⁺ ions, or by using backbone charge neutral peptide nucleic acids (PNA) in the DNA hybridization experiments. The observed phenomenon is thus an example of an active sensor matrix in which the molecular recognition signal is transduced and amplified by a profound change in the chemical reactivity and physical property of the solid support itself. With the signal amplification mechanism described, binding of unlabeled complementary DNA oligonucleotides of approximately 0.1 amol/mm² has been detected suggesting the potential utility of this new approach in DNA sensing.     

A Study on Liquid Hybrid Material for Waveguides—Synthesis and Property of PSQ‐Ls for Waveguides

Silicate‐based inorganic‐organic hybrid polymer systems have many unique properties including thermal stability and photo‐stability, chemical resistance with the combination of tunable optical properties. Two kinds of new UV‐patternable hybrid materials PSQ‐Ls were synthesized by a sol‐gel process at room temperature, which can be used for low cost fabrication of optical waveguides. Thick films (up to 8.31 µm) can be coated by a single spin‐coating process without any cracking and the average surface roughness (Ra), detected by atomic force microscopy (AFM), is below 0.5 nm. The optical properties (refractive index, birefringence, and optical loss at 1310 nm and 1550 nm, respectively) of the PSQ‐Ls films are investigated by a prism coupler. The refractive index of PSQ‐Ls can be exactly tuned from 1.4483 to 1.5212 by blending PSQ‐LH (n_TE=1.5212 @ 1310 nm) and PSQ‐LL (n_TE=1.4483 @ 1310 nm). The maximum refractive index contrast is about 4.8%. After post‐baking, birefringences of the films are below 0.0005 and optical losses are about 0.2 dB · cm^?1 at 1310 nm, 0.7 dB · cm^?1 at 1550 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the PSQ‐Ls films also show outstanding thermal stability in air atmospheres.     

Improvements in the Atomic Fluorescence Detection of Mercury

Abstract

A new optical detector box for a commercially available detector for the atomic fluorescence detection of mercury was redesigned and tested. After optimisation of the new set-up the limit of detection was improved 13 fold. It was not feasible to use a hydrogen argon diffusion flame for the speciation of mercury, because of strong fluorescence signal quenching.

     

Field dependence of the optical activity of a chiral liquid crystal near the isotropic–smectic A transition

Abstract

Chiral liquid crystals exhibit molecular optical activity in the isotropic phase. We have studied the evolution of the optical activity as a function of an applied electric field on a 76·2 μm film of the chiral liquid crystal W7, which exhibits an isotropic–smectic A transition at approximately 40°C. We measured the optical activity by recording the rotation of the plane of polarization of an incident linearly polarized ray of light, provided by a He–Ne laser. The applied biasing electric field is parallel to the direction of the incident beam. We find that at 41·0°C, the plane of polarization shifts from ?1·1° for an applied voltage of 30 V to a maximum of ?4·0° at 70 V. The absolute value of the signal decreases beyond this voltage. These shifts are in the direction of the smectic A phase and are in general larger than those observed as a function of temperature. Close to the isotropic–smectic A phase transition, molecules inside the liquid coalesce to form dynamic coherent groups, which have smectic nature. These groups are randomly oriented with respect to each other in the absence of an electric field. The application of an electric field causes the molecules within these groups to align along the direction of the field and to contribute coherently to the optical activity of the system. The way the molecules align with the field depends on the relative values of the polarizability α, which contributes to the alignment of the long axis of the molecule, and the dipole moment p, which contributes to the alignment of the short axis of the molecule. Our preliminary results and calculations suggest that for small fields, the electric field couples with the dipole moment p, whereas for fields in excess of 70 V, the field couples with the polarizability of the long axis of the molecule, causing a rotational reorientation of the molecules in the isotropic phase. The value of the field at which this reorientation occurs may be controlled by temperature.     

Diffusion Processes in Multicomponent Systems II Macroscopic Investigation of a LiCI Solution

Abstract

The macroscopic diffusive behaviour of a solution of LiCI is investigated by an optical technique. The time evolution of a macroscopic concentration gradient is detected. The main goal of the present work is to compare the obtained results with the microscopic values of diffusion coefficients of both salt and water, previously found in an NMR measurement.

It is shown that, even in the case of large gradients, a linear relationship between flux and forces exists, provided that a new phenomenon, macroscopic in character, is properly taken into account.

In such a case the, diffusion coefficients found in the NMR measurements also describe the macroscopic behaviour.     

Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of a Polymer Exhibiting Optical Transparency Down to 340 nm

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of an epoxy-based nonlinear optical (NLO) polymer exhibiting optical transparency down to 340 nm is reported. The synthesized polymers show spectroscopic properties (NMR, IR, UV) in accordance with the proposed structures. A glass transition temperature (T_g) of 92°C and a thermal degradation temperature (T_d) of 322°C were recorded. The poled polymer film exhibits stable second-order nonlinear optical activity (d₃₃ = 4.2 pm/V) over a period of 800 hours as characterized by the temporal response of the second harmonic signal at room temperature.     

Spektrometrische Chlorbestimmimg unter Anwendung eines modifizierten Beilsteintests

Summary Chlorinated organic compounds react with the brass-nozzle of the dc-plasma jet. The products generated (of the type CuCl _x ) cause an emission signal for copper equivalent to the content of chlorine. An analogous signal can be observed for organic substances containing bromine or iodine; a signal does not appear for fluorinated substances. This modified Beilstein principle may be used for the determination of small amounts of chlorinated organic substances by optical emission spectrometry after pre-separation by gas-chromatography.     

Controllable source-object light scattering imaging in optical systems

Abstract

The imaging process in an ideal optical system with an essentially inhomogeneous source-object, based on a liquid crystal, is discussed.     

Substitution pattern and stereochemistry versus liquid crystalline behaviour [1]

Abstract

Selectively O-alkylated inositols of myo-, scyllo- and chiro-configuration allow detailed studies of the relationship between the substitution pattern in the cyclohexane ring and the liquid crystalline properties observed to be made for these mainly novel cyclic compounds containing hydroxyl functions. The types of thermotropic mesophase formed and containing hydrogen bonds are strongly influenced by the number and the stereochemical arrangement of both the hydroxyl groups and the alkyloxy chains, as well as by their positions on the cyclohexane ring.

The mesophases of the various new inositol ethers have been studied by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, and are discussed here in comparison with known systems, as a function of the above mentioned structural factors.     

New laterally aromatic branched liquid crystal materials with large nematic ranges

Abstract

Three new homologous series of mesogens containing three rings in the main structure and a lateral aromatic branch have been synthesized. When the lateral aromatic branch is attached to the middle ring, monotropic phases are observed, and there is a strong tendency to form the smectic C phase. When the lateral aromatic branch is attached to an outer ring, the compounds possess purely enantiotropic nematic phases. The terminal alkoxy chain in the outer ring which has a lateral aromatic substituent can be replaced by a rigid group without disturbing the large nematic range. Selective introduction of a particular substitutent may be useful for the construction of devices possessing desirable characteristics such as non-linear optical properties.     

Utilization of a spiropyran derivative in a polymeric film optode for selective fluorescent sensing of zinc ion

Spiropyrans are the most studied families of func- tional materials due to their reversible structural con- version in response to external optical, chemical, and thermal stimulation[1]. Irradiation with ultraviolet light causes formation of an extended π-conjugation open form (merocyanine form) by heterolytic cleavage of the C (spiro)-O bond, which generates an intense ab- sorption in the visible region. Under the irradiating of visible light, the opened form will come back to the closed spi…     

Chiral periodic mesoporous organosilica in a smectic-A liquid crystal: source of the electrooptic response

Chiral periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) materials have been shown to deracemise a configurationally achiral, but conformationally racemic liquid crystal in which the PMO is embedded. In particular, application of an electric field E in the liquid crystal’s smectic-A phase results in a rotation of the liquid-crystal director by an angle proportional to E, which is detected optically – this is the so-called ‘electroclinic’ effect. Here we present results from electroclinic measurements as a function of frequency and temperature, which allow us to distinguish the component of optical signal that arises from liquid-crystal chirality induced within the PMO’s chiral pores from that induced just outside the silica colloids. Our central result is that the overwhelming source of our electrooptic signal emanates from outside the PMO, and that the contribution from the liquid crystal embedded in the chiral pores is much smaller and below the noise level.     

Characterization and Properties of Macromolecules. XII. Numerical Treatment of Gel Permeation Chromatography Data

Abstract

Gel permeation chromatography provides a continuous recording of polymer concentration as a function of elution time. The latter may be converted by appropriate calibration into molecular weight. The chromatogram may be analyzed numerically to yield the various molecular weight averages. This process involves a number of assumptions and approximations. The magnitude of the errors introduced in the calculated molecular weight averages by the methods described in the literature are reported.     

Supramolecular Functions Related to the Redox Activity of Transition Metals

Abstract

The combination of the properties of different subunits in a multicomponent system may give rise to a function which is defined supramolecular. The presence of transition metals in one or more subunits may induce inter-component processes related to their redox and electron transfer (eT) properties, which trigger the supramolecular function (SF). The following examples are considered: (1) a receptor for transition metals is covalently linked to a fluorescent fragment; following recognition, a metal-to-fluorophore eT process quenches the fluorescence. SF: fluorosensing. (2) an azacyclam macrocycle, hosting the Ni^II/Ni^III redox couple, is covalently linked to a photoactive fragment: the Ni^III state quenches the neighboring fluorophore through an eT mechanism, the Ni^II state does not. SF: redox switching of a fluorescent signal. (3) a Cu^II ion is coordinated by two 2,2′-bipyridine molecules, each bearing a cyclam subunit containing a nickel centre; when nickel is in the divalent state, an inorganic anion X^? (N₃ ^?,NCO^?,NCS^?) is bound to Cu^II; on oxidation, X^? moves to the Ni^III centre. SF: electrochemically triggered translocation of X^? from copper to nickel and vice versa.     

Novel mesogenic asymmetric diacylhydrazines: synthesis,mesomorphic behaviour and X‐ray study

The synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of a new series of diacylhydrazine derivatives (2a–g) are reported. All compounds of series 2 exhibit a smectic C (SmC) phase. The first homologues (2a, 2b) display a monotropic SmC mesophase, whereas the highest homologues (2c–g) exhibit an enantiotropic SmC phase. The liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X‐ray measurements.     

Solution conformation by NMR and molecular modeling of three sulfide-free somatostatin octapeptide analogs compared to angiopeptin

Summary The conformation in dimethylsulfoxide of the somatostatin derivative angiopeptin and of three disulfide-free analogs was estimated by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at room temperature. The resulting 3D molecular graphics were compared and shown to reflect the observed differences in the inhibition of restenosis after rat aorta balloon injury by these octapeptide inhibitors. Angiopeptin and its active analog 2 displayed a relatively rigid conformation of the cyclic hexapeptide backbone due to the presence of two well-defined hydrogen bonds, further stabilized by a third hydrogen bond outside the ring. No such constraints were detected for the two biologically inactive analogs, which, compared to 2, had a two-atom longer or shorter hexapeptide ring. The well-defined structure of compound 2 may serve as an improved pharmacophore for this new class of drugs.     

Behavior of Mercury Vapor Upon Irradiation by a Mercury Lamp in an Inert Gas

Abstract

The behavior of mercury vapor during irradiation by a mercury lamp is investigated. Using the flameless atomic absorption technique for mercury determination, it was found that when mercury vapor in an inert gas is irradiated by a mercury lamp, the atomic absorption signal of mercury is decreased rapidly and the signal may be restored by heating to 70°C. These phenomena indicate that the irradiation products of mercury vapor in the quartz tube are deposited on the tube, and are dissociated into the mono-atomic state of mercury upon heating.     

Element Specific GC-Detection by Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy—A Powerful Tool in Environmental Analysis

Abstract

A new Plasma Emission Detector (FED) to be used in gas chromatography has been developed, consisting of a capacitively coupled helium plasma operating at 200 W and 27 MHz and a poly-chromator system. Elements such as H, C, N, O, S, F, Cl, Br and I can be simultaneously detected, giving way to new possibilities of measuring organic environmental pollutants.

1. Non-separated compounds can be easily measured with the FED, as long as the compounds contain different hetero-elements.

2. The calibration for a complex system as for example the chlorinated HC's demands only for a single standard.

3. The simultaneous detection of all elements of a separated compound allows the calculation of the total molecular formula.

The detection limits for different elements lie between 50 and 200 pg/sec at a signal to noise ratio of 3 to 1.