Sulfonate-based fluorescent probes for imaging hydrogen peroxide in living cells

Based on the mechanism of H₂O₂-mediated hydrolysis of sulfonates, two fluorescein disulfonates compounds (FS-1 and FS-2) were designed and synthesized as the highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probes for imaging H₂O₂ in living cells. The probes were detected with elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. Upon reaction with H₂O₂, the probes exhibit strong fluorescence responses and high selectivity for H₂O₂ over other reactive oxygen species and some biological compounds. Furthermore, the sulfonate-based probes, as novel fluorescent reagents, are cell-permeable and can detect micromolar changes in H₂O₂ concentrations in living cells by using confocal microscopy. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB936000), the National Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar (Grant No. 20725518), Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 90713019), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20875057), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (Grant No. Y2007B02), and the Science and Technology Development Programs of Shandong Province, China (Grant No. 2008GG30003012)     

Crystal structures and electronic properties of BaC<Subscript>2</Subscript> isomers by theoretical study based on DFT

Band structures and electronic properties of two BaC₂ isomers were calculated by using density functional theory (DFT) properly. The ionic bond features are all typical between cation (Ba) and anion clusters (C₂) in both structures of the isomers. However, a much stronger covalent bond exists in anion clusters which can be seen by inspecting the electron distribution contour that has a dull bell like shape between two carbon atoms. The shortest distance between Ba²⁺ and C₂²⁻ and the bond length in anion clusters are different in these isomers of BaC₂, which are 0.2945 nm and 0.1185 nm for the structure with the I4/mmm space group and 0.2744 and 0.1136 nm with the C2/c type, respectively. Band structures were clarified by combining the DOS to indicate the ionic bonding features more clearly. Population analysis provided further evidence on these ideas. Thermodynamical calculation results reveal that the transition temperature of these two polymorphs of BaC₂ locates near 132 K, which is consistent with the recent experimental results. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50361003) and the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province (Grant No. 2006003Z) and Science Innovation Foundation of Kunming University of Science and Technology     

Photofragment translational spectroscopy of iodobenzene at 266 nm

The photofragmentation of C_6 H_5I at 266 nm is investigated on the nuiversal crossed molecular beam machine, and the translational spectroseopy as well as the angular distribution of I atom is measured. The results reveal that under the laser intensity of 10~8 W/cm~2 the single-phuton dissociation competes with multi-photon processes. In singlephoton dissociation the anisotropy parameter β is 0.4 and the average translational energy is only 1.04 keal/mol, which indicates that this process is a slow predissociation. In two-photon phutofragmentation the average translational energy is 51.64 kcal/mol, which accounts for about 35% of the available energy. Another photofragmentation channel is even more faster, whose peak in time-of-flight spectra corresponds to four or five photon absorptions. The branching ratio of these three channels is determined to be about 3: 3: 4.     

A dynamical Lie algebraic mehtod for quantum reactive scattering

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A fluorescent sensing membrane for iodine based on intramolecular excitation energy transfer of anthryl appended porphyrin

A single anthryl appended meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) dyad has been synthesized and applied in fluorescence sensing of iodine based on the intramolecular excitation energy transfer. The molecular recognition of the sensor is based on the interaction of iodine with inner anthracene moiety of the dyad, while the signal reporter for the recognition process is the TPP fluorescence quenching. Because the emission spectrum of anthracene is largely overlapped with the Soret band absorption of TPP, intramolecular excitation energy transfer interaction occurs between the donor, anthracene and acceptor, TPP. This energy transfer leads to TPP fluorescence emission by excitation of anthracene. The sensor was constructed by immobilizing the dyad in a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane. The sensing membrane shows higher sensitivity compared to the sensors by using anthracene, TPP, or a mixture of anthracene and TPP as sensing materials. Under the optimum conditions, iodine in a sample solution can be determined from 2.04 to 23.6 mmol·L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 33 nmol·L⁻¹. The sensing membrane shows satisfactory response characteristics including good reproducibility, reversibility and stability, as well as the short response time of less than 60 s. Except for Cr₂O₇²⁻ and MnO₄⁻, other common metal ions and anions in foodstuff do not interfere with iodine determination. The proposed method was applied in the determination of iodine in table salt samples. The results agree well with those obtained by other methods. Supported by the National Outstanding Youth Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20525518), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20775005), and the National Natural Science Foundation of Hunan province (Grant No. JJ076021)     

Potential energy curves for the X1∑ g, B1△g and B''''1∑ g states of C2 using MRCI and approximate CI methods

The potential energy curves for the X1∑ g, B1△g and B′1∑ g states of C2 have been studied by using MRCI and approximate CI methods, and are benchmarked against the calculations of full configuration interaction (FCI). The results obtained by MRCI method agree with the FCI very well, and even are accurate enough to compare other approximate methods as benchmark, when the calculations of FCI are not feasible. The approximate CI methods mentioned in this paper are reliable for treating chemical problems.     

[trans-en2Os (ŋ-H2)]2 + as an1H NMR probe for the coordination of some anticancer metal complexes to deoxyguanotide

The molecular hydrogen complex of osmium, [trans-en₂Os (ŋ-H₂)]²⁺ (en, entlylendediamine) is a new¹H NMR recognition probe for biomolecules. By using this probe, the coordination between deoxyguanylic acid (dGMP) and four metal anticancer complexes, titanocene dichloride, (C₂H₅)₂SnCl₂(phen). (C₂H₅)₂SnCl₂ and cisplatin are studied in D₂O under the condition near the physiological one. The results show that the former three complexes mainly and strongly coordinate with the phosphate oxygen of dGMP, while cisplatin mainly coordinates with N(7) of dGMP. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province and the Youth Science Foundation of Shanxi Province.     

Properties of meso-tetrakis (4- n -alkanoyloxyphenyl) porphyrin liquid crystal Co and Ni complexes

Six series of meso-tetrakis (4-n-alkanoyloxyphenyl) porphyrin Co and Ni complexes (12 kinds) were reported. Nine of the compounds were found to exhibit liquid crystal properties and display a hexagonal columnar discotic columnar (Col_h) phase. Molecular structure of all synthesized compounds was confirmed by IR, UV, MS, ¹H NIVR, and elemental analysis. These liquid crystalline compounds have been studied by cyclic voltammetry, luminescence, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 59783001), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No. Y2006B41), the Foundation of Shandong Provincial Education Department (Grant No. J06A53), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong University of Technology (Grant No. 2004KJM15) and Doctor Foundation of Shandong University of Technology     

Quantum scattering LCAC-SW theory studies on reaction probabilities of three-dimensional H + H2 (v, j) → H2 (v′, j′) + H reaction

Upon the Liu, Siegbahn, Truhlar, Horowitz (LSTH) potential energy surface, the reaction probabilities of the three-dimensional (3-D) state-to-state H + H₂ (v, j) →H ₂(v′, j′) + H reaction are calculated with the linear combination of arrangement channels-scattering wavefunction (LCAC-SW) method. In the calculation, the vibration function of H₂ and the radial propagating wave functions are expanded by the real Gauss functions. The calculated threshold energy and the resonating structure are consistent with the results of the accurate quantum scattering calculations, which shows the accuration, simplicity and practicability of the LCAC-SW method. Project supported by the National Natural Science Fondation of China and the Doctoral Foundation of the State Education Commission of China.     

Quantum dynamics of dissociative adsorption of H2 and D2: The time-dependent wave packet method

A time-dependent quantum wave packet method was used to study the dynamics of dissociative adsorption of H₂ and D₂ on a flat and static surface. The molecule-surface interaction is described using a modified London-Eyring-Polanyi-Sato (LEPS) type potential for the H₂/Ni(100) system. The three-dimensional (3-D) dissociation probabilities were calculated for different initial rovibrational states as a function of initial incident energies. Our results show that the dissociation of the diatomic rotational states whose quantum numbers satisfyj+m = odd is forbidden at low energies for the homonuclear H_z and D₂ due to the selection rule. The effect of the rotational orientation of diatoms on adsorption predicts that the in-plane rotation (m = j) is more favorable for dissociation than the out-of-plane rotation (m = 0). Enhanced dissociation for vibrationally excited molecules and the significant enhancement of the dissociation probability of H2 when compared to D₂ were explained reasonably in terms of quantum mechanical zero-point energies, the tunneling effect and the reflection from an activation barrier. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 19694033) and partially by the Science Foundation for Overseas Chinese Scholars and Students, administered by the State Education Commission of China (Grant No. 1992), by the State Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry of Jilin University at Changchun (Grant No. 98011, and by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No. Y96B03022)     

Planar or quasi-planar octa- and ennea-coordinate aluminum and gallium in boron rings

An ab initio theoretical investigation has been performed on planar or quasi-planar octa-and ennea-coordinate Al and Ga centered in X@B8- and X@B9 (X=Al, Ga). These high symmetry molecular wheels all turned out to be true minima of the systems and σ+π double aromatic in nature, similar to the previously characterized D8h B@B8- both electronically and geometrically. Adiabatic and vertical detachment energies of the anions and the ionization potentials of the neutrals have been calculated to aid their eventua...     

Statistical theory for hydrogen bonding fluid system of AaDd type (Ⅱ): Properties of hydrogen bonding networks

Making use of the invariant property of the equilibrium size distribution of the hydrogen bonding clusters formed in hydrogen bonding system of A_aD_d type, the analytical expressions of the free energy in pregel and postgel regimes are obtained. Then the gel free energy and the scaling behavior of the number of hydrogen bonds in gel phase near the critical point are investigated to give the corresponding scaling exponents and scaling law. Meanwhile, some properties of intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the system, sol and gel phases are discussed. As a result, the explicit relationship between the number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds and hydrogen bonding degree is obtained. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20303006 and 20574016), the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (Grant Nos. B2006000959 and B2004000093) and the Natural Science Foundation of Education Committee of Hebei Province (Grant No. 2003101)     

Ab initio studies on vibrational spectra of XSO2NCO (X = F,Cl): harmonic force fields and frequency assignments

The harmonic vibrational force fields and the IR spectrum of XSO₂NCO (X= F, C1) molecules have been studied usingab initio HF/SCF method with the 6-31G’ basis set. Theab initio harmonic force fields are scaled empirically using the scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) method of Pulay. A set of scale factors are optimized by the least-squares fitting to the experimental frequencies of FSO₂NCO and then are transferred to CISO₂NCO to give ana priori prediction of its fundamental frequencies. The average deviations between the theoretical frequencies and the experimental values for FSO₂NCO and C1SO₂NCO are 3 and 5 cm^-1, respectively. The assignments of the fundamentals for these two molecules are also made atcording to the potential energy distributions and theab initio IR intensities Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29673029)     

Nano Au/TiO2 hollow microsphere membranes for the improved sensitivity of detecting specific DNA sequences related to transgenes in transgenic plants

Gold nanoparticles (nano Au)/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) hollow microsphere membranes were prepared on the carbon paste electrode (CPE) for enhancing the sensitivity of DNA hybridization detection. The immobilization of nano Au and TiO₂ microsphere was investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The hybridization events were monitored with EIS using [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− as indicator. The sequence-specific DNA of the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV35S) gene was detected with this DNA electrochemical sensor. The dynamic detection range was from 1.0×10⁻¹² to 1.0×10⁻⁸ mol/L DNA and a detection limit of 2.3×10⁻¹³ mol/L could be obtained. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the terminator of nopaline synthase (NOS) gene from the real sample of a kind of transgenic soybean was also satisfactorily detected. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20635020 and 20375020), Doctoral Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 20060426001) and Natural Science Foundation of Qingdao City (Grant No. 04-2-JZP-8)     

Ab initio potential energy surface and excited vibrational states for the electronic ground state of Li2H

A 285-point multi-reference configuration-interaction involving single and double excitations (MRS-DCI) potential energy surface for the electronic ground state of Li₂H is determined by using 6-311G (2df, 2pd) basis set. A Simons-Parr-Finlan polynomial expansion is used to fit the discrete surface with a X² of 4.64 × 10^-6. The equilibrium geometry occurs at R_e =0.172 nm and <LiHLi =94.10. The dissociation energy for reaction Li₂H(²A)⇑ Li₂(¹⌆_g)+H(²S) is 243.910 kJ/mol. and that for reaction Li₂H(²A)⇑HLi(¹be)+Li(²S) is 106.445 kJ/mol. The inversion barrier height is 50.388 kJ/mol. The vibrational energy levels are calculated using the discrete variable representation (DVR) method. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 29673029) and by the Special Doctoral Research Foundation of the State Education Commission of China.     

Curing theory of A f -A g type free radical polymerization (I)

By means of polymer statistical theory, the sol fraction and the gelation condition of A _f -A _g type nonlinear free radical polymerization are obtained by introducing the probabilities with respect to initiation and chain addition. With Lagrange expansion theorem, the equilibrium number fraction distribution of A _f -A_g type is obtained, and its invariant property is proved. Moreover, the evaluation of average polymer quantities for post-gel regime is simplified by this invariant property. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29673018), and the Ph.D.-funds of the State Education Commission of China.     

Resonance-enhanced photon excitation spectroscopy of the even-parity autoionizing Rydberg states of Kr

Kr atoms were produced in their metastable states 4p⁵5s [3/2]₂ and 4p⁵5s’ [1/2]₀ in a pulsed DC discharge in a beam, and subsequently excited to the even-parity autoionizing Rydberg states 4p⁵ np′ [3/2]_1,2, [1/2]₁ and 4p⁵ nf′ [5/2]₃ using single photon excitation. The excitation spectra of the even-parity autoionizing resonance series from the metastable Kr were obtained by recording the autoionized Kr⁺ ions with time-of-flight ion detection in the photon energy range of 29000–40000 cm⁻¹. A wealth of autoionizing resonances were newly observed, from which more precise and more systematic spectroscopic data of the level energy and quantum defects were derived. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20673107), the National Key Basic Research Special Foundation of China (Grant No. 2007CB815203), and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KJCX2-SW-H08)     

PdCl2-catalyzed heterocyclotrimerization in MeOH/scCO2: A versatile approach to dimethyl pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate from methyl acrylate and urea

A novel and green method for the synthesis of dimethyl pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate has been developed. It is PdCl₂-catalyzed heterocyclotrimerization of methyl acrylate with urea in methanol/supercritical carbon dioxide. The target compound was obtained with a 75% isolated yield under the optimized conditions. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20332030, 20572027, 20625205 and 20772034) and Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 07118070)     

An accurate three-dimensional potential energy surface for the He-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript> complex

An accurate three-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) for the He-Na₂ van der Waals complex was calculated at the coupled cluster singles-and-doubles with noniterative inclusion of connected triple (CCSD(T)) level of theory. A mixed basis set, aug-cc-pVQZ for the He atom and cc-pCVQZ for the sodium atom, and an additional (3s3p2d1f) set of midbond functions were used. The computed interaction energies in 819 configurations were fitted to a 96-parameter analytic potential model by least squares fitting. The PES has two shallow wells corresponding to the T-shaped structure and the linear configuration, which are located at 12.5a ₀ and 14 a ₀ with depths of 1.769 and 1.684 cm⁻¹, respectively. The who potential energy surface exhibits weak anisotropy. Based on the fitted PES, state-to-state differential cross sections were calculated. Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Educational Committee (Grant No. 2006kj072A) and the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (Grant No. 070416236)