Diagnostics of water-containing gas mixtures using thermal laser-induced gratings

Laser-induced gratings (LIGs) experiments, employing vibrational-overtone excitation of H₂O molecules through rovibrational transitions of the (2 1 1) ← (0 0 0) band around 820 nm to produce gratings, have been performed in humid ambient air, in a room-temperature cell with neat water vapor or that diluted in buffer gas at pressures of 0.02–4 bar, and in the vicinity of premixed atmospheric pressure CH₄-air flame, with the aim to investigate the feasibilities of the techniques for accomplishing gas diagnostics or tracing H₂O at various temperatures and pressures.

In highly vibrationally-excited H₂O rapid multi-stage collisional thermalization processes occur, and as a result both strong oscillatory (due to standing acoustic waves) and stationary (due to stationary density modulations) contributions to LIGs have been observed in gas mixtures.

Temporal profiles of LIG signals recorded at various conditions of gas mixtures employed have been analysed in frame of a model of a two- or three-stage R–T, V–V′, and V–T collisional relaxation of H₂O and buffer gas molecules. The informative parameters, like adiabatic sound velocity, gas temperature, H₂O mole fraction have been derived. The results of the analysis are presented, demonstrating possibilities and challenges of the technique in application to gas diagnostics.     

Conformational and structural analysis of N-N′-bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine

The Schiff base compound, N-N′-bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine (C₁₈H₂₀N₂O₂) has been synthesized and its crystal structure has been investigated by X-ray analysis and PM3 method. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=10.190(1), b=7.954(1), c=10.636(1) Å, β=111.68(1)°, V=801.1(1) ų, Z=2 and D_cal=1.229 Mgm⁻³. The title structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R=0.056 for 2414 reflections [I>3.0σ(I)] by full-matrix anisotropic least-squares methods. The energy profile of the compound was calculated by PM3 method as a function of θ[N1′–C9′–C9–N1]. The most stable molecular structure of the title compound is the anti conformation, which is different in energy by 5.0 and 1.0 kcal mol⁻¹ from the eclipsed conformation I and gauche conformations, (III and V), respectively.     

Exploring the electronic and mechanical properties of protein using conducting atomic force microscopy

In interfacing man-made electronic components with specifically folded biomacromolecules, the perturbative effects of junction structure on any signal generated should be considered. We report herein on the electron-transfer characteristics of the blue copper metalloprotein, azurin, as characterized at a refined level by conducting atomic force microscopy (C-AFM). Specifically, the modulation of current-voltage (I-V) behavior with compressional force has been examined. In the absence of assignable resonant electron tunneling within the confined bias region, from -1 to 1 V, the I-V behavior was analyzed with a modified Simmons formula. To interpret the variation of tunneling barrier height and barrier length obtained by fitting with the modified Simmons formula, an atom packing density model associated with protein mechanical deformation was proposed and simulated by molecular dynamics. The barrier heights determined at the minimum forces necessary for stable electrical contact correlate reasonably well with those estimated from bulk biophysical (electroanalytical and photochemical) experiments previously reported. At higher forces, the tunnel barrier decreases to fall within the range observed with saturated organic systems. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed changes in secondary structure and atomic density of the protein with respect to compression. At low compression, where transport measurements are made, secondary structure is retained, and atomic packing density is observed to increase linearly with force. These predictions, and those made at higher compression, are consistent with both experimentally observed modulations of tunneling barrier height with applied force and the applicability of the atom packing density model of electron tunneling in proteins to molecular-level analyses.     

Definitions and methods of calculation of the temperature-programmed retention index, ITP III. A simplified calculation method based on the extended kováts definition

When the temperature-programmed retention index, I_TP, of a compound is calculated according to the Extended Kováts Definition, the net retention volume, V, of the compound should be used. However, it has been found that I_TP values calculated from the net retention time, t, are almost the same as those from V, and in general the differences are less than 0.5 i.u. The mathematical justification for this is presented. Therefore, for the calculation of I_TP, the substitution of t for V in the Extended Kováts Definition is not only very convenient in practice but also reasonable in principle.     

Structural and spectral studies of N-2-(pyridyl)-, N-2-(3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-picolyl)- and N-2-(4,6-lutidyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthioureas

Structures of the following compounds have been obtained: N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, PyTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=11.905(3), b=4.7660(8), c=23,532(6) Å, β=95.993(8)°, V=1327.9(5) ų and Z=4; N-2-(3-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenyl-thiourea, 3PicTu2SeMe, monoclinic, C2/c, a=22.870(5), b=7.564(1), c=16.941(4) Å, β=98.300(6)°, V=2899.9(9) ų and Z=8; N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 4PicTu2SMe, monoclinic P2₁/a, a=9.44(5), b=18.18(7), c=8.376(12) Å, β=91.62(5)°, V=1437(1) ų and Z=4; N-2-(5-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 5PicTu2SMe, monoclinic, C2/c, a=21.807(2), b=7.5940(9), c=17.500(2) Å, β=93.267(6)°, V=2893.3(5) ų and Z=8; N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 6PicTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=8.499(4), b=7.819(2), c=22.291(8) Å, β=90.73(3)°, V=1481.2(9) ų and Z=4 and N-2-(4,6-lutidyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenyl-thiourea, 4,6LutTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=11.621(1), b=9.324(1), c=14.604(1) Å, β=96.378(4)°, V=1572.4(2) ų and Z=4. Comparisons with other N-2-pyridyl-N′-arylthioureas having substituents in the 2-position of the aryl ring are included.     

Edelfosine—A new antineoplastic drug based on a phospholipid-like structure: The Langmuir monolayer study

Edelfosine (1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine, Et-18-OCH₃), an anticancer drug based on a phospholipid-like structure, was spread and investigated at the aqueous solution/air interface by means of surface pressure–area (π–A) and electric surface potential–area (ΔV–A) isotherms in addition to Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). The influence of such factors as subphase temperature, ionic strength, speed of compression and number of molecules spread at the surface on the characteristics of the π–A isotherms was studied. Edelfosine was found to form stable Langmuir monolayers which are nearly not influenced by the experimental conditions. The relative reflectivity measurements proved that the thickness of monolayer in the vicinity of collapse is 2.4 nm, which corresponds to length of a vertically oriented molecule. Perpendicular orientation of edelfosine molecules just before the film collapse has been confirmed with the apparent dipole moment value, which attains the maximum value in this region.     

Formation and structure of [Co{Ph2PN(Bu)PPh2-P,P′}2(CO)][Co)(CO)4] - a cage molecule-pair or an ion-pair complex?

The strong π-acid ligand Ph₂PN(ⁱBu)PPh₂ reacts with Co₂(CO)_S (1:1) to give Co₂[μ-Ph₂PN(ⁱBu)PPh₂] (μ-CO)₂(CO)₄ (1); however, when the ratio is 2:1 a novel species [Co{Ph₂PN(ⁱBu)PPh₂-P,P′}₂(CO)][Co(CO)₄] (2) has been obtained. Crystal data for 2: M_r = 1140.83; triclinic, space group P , a = 12.330(2), b = 13.340(2), c = 18.122(3) Å, = 86.63(1), β = 80.75(1), γ = 84.24(1)°, V = 2924 ų, Z = 2; R = 0.060 for 3711 reflections having I 3σ(I). The results of X-ray diffraction, ESR, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility, conductivity, and XPS analysis support that the species 2 is a d⁹-d⁹ cage molecule-pair. The mechanism for the formation of the species 2 has been investigated initially by ³¹P NMR.     

Experimental study and modelling using the ERAS-Model of the excess molar volume of acetonitrile–alkanol mixtures at different temperatures and atmospheric pressure

Densities of {(1−x)CH₃(CH₂)_n−1OH + xCH₃CN} for n=1, 2, 3 or 4 have been determined as a function of composition at 288.15, 293.15, 298.15 and 303.15 K at atmospheric pressure using a vibrating-tube densimeter (Anton Paar DMA 4500, resolution 1×10⁻⁵ g cm⁻³). Excess molar volumes were calculated. The V_m^E values were negative for acetonitrile–methanol mixtures and sigmoid for acetonitrile–alkanols (C₂–C₄) mixtures over the complete mole fraction range. V_m^E values increase in a positive direction with increase in chain length of the alkanols and with the temperature. The Extended Real Associated Solution Model (ERAS-Model) calculations allowing for self-association for the alkanols and complex formation between acetonitrile and alkanols have been used to correlate experimental data. The model is able to reproduce the asymmetrical V_m^E behavior of the studied systems, although agreement between theoretical and experimental values is less satisfactory for some concentration ranges.     

Post-modification using aluminum isopropoxide after dye-sensitization for improved performance and stability of quasi-solid-state solar cells

In this study, dye-sensitized TiO₂ electrodes were immersed into a solution of aluminum isopropoxide and after hydrolysis quasi-solid-state solar cells were fabricated. The interaction between the dye and the resulting Al₂O₃ overlayer was investigated by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrum, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). The current density–voltage (I–V) characteristics showed that the overlayer increased the photovoltage and decreased the photocurrent under low intensity irradiation, and increased both the photovoltage and photocurrent under AM 1.5 irradiation. The Al₂O₃ overlayer at the dye/electrolyte interface resulted in a 28% improvement in overall photo-to-electrical conversion efficiency from 2.60 to 3.32%. Dark current measurements showed that Al₂O₃ acted as an insulator barrier to retard recombination between the TiO₂ and dye/quasi-solid-state electrolyte interface. Without encapsulation, dye-sensitized solar cells with Al₂O₃ coating after sensitization also exhibited improved stability compared to cells without coating.     

Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of proline-rich N-terminal domain peptide of gamma-zein

The proline-rich N-Terminal domain peptides of γ-zein (VHLPPP)_n with n = 1 and 3 (peptides I and II) are shown to form stable Langmuir films at air/water interface and the films have been characterized using surface pressure–molecular area (π–A), surface potential–molecular area (ΔV–A) isotherms, respectively. The longer peptide sequence does not show dramatic increase in surface or interfacial properties suggesting that the minimum length of n = 1 is sufficient to achieve the necessary surface properties. Brewster angle micrographs also agreed with these results. The high surface-active nature of the peptide suggests a fairly non-polar character at air/water interface and at solid/air interface when coated expresses a high surface energy.

Additives such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with the peptides showed more homogenous films at the air/water interface and also improved mechanical and tensile properties. The organized assembly of peptide I at the air/water and solid/air interface suggests that even thin layer of the peptide could play an important role in coating the inner surface of protein body membrane in storage proteins. Composite films of such short peptides with biocompatible polymers may find applications as surface coatings and in biomaterials.     

Far infrared spectra, conformational equilibria, vibrational assignments, ab initio calculations and structural parameters for 2-bromoethanol

The far infrared spectrum from 370 to 50 cm⁻¹ of gaseous 2-bromoethanol, BrCH₂CH₂OH, was recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm⁻¹. The fundamental O–H torsion of the more stable gauche (Gg′) conformer, where the capital G refers to internal rotation around the C–C bond and the lower case g to the internal rotation around the C–O bond, was observed as a series of Q-branch transitions beginning at 340 cm⁻¹. The corresponding O–H torsional modes were observed for two of the other high energy conformers, Tg (285 cm⁻¹) and Tt (234 cm⁻¹). The heavy atom asymmetric torsion (rotation around C–C bond) for the Gg′ conformer has been observed at 140 cm⁻¹. Variable temperature (−63 to −100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (4000–400 cm⁻¹) of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. From these data the enthalpy differences have been determined to be 411±40 cm⁻¹ (4.92±0.48 kJ/mol) for the Gg′/Tt and 315±40 cm⁻¹ (3.76±0.48 kJ/mol) for the Gg′/Tg, with the Gg′ conformer the most stable form. Additionally, the infrared spectrum of the gas, and Raman spectrum of the liquid phase are reported. The structural parameters, conformational stabilities, barriers to internal rotation and fundamental frequencies have been obtained from ab initio calculations utilizing different basis sets at the restricted Hartree–Fock or with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order. The theoretical results are compared to the experimental results when appropriate. Combining the ab initio calculations with the microwave rotational constants, r₀ adjusted parameters have been obtained for the three 2-haloethanols (F, Cl and Br) for the Gg′ conformers.     

Structural and spectral studies on N-(4-chloro)benzoyl-N′-(4-tolyl)thiourea

The crystal and molecular structure of the N-(4-chloro)benzoyl-N′-(4-tolyl)thiourea (C₁₅H₁₃N₂OSCl, M_r=304.79) is determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure is monoclinic, space group: P2₁/n, a=16.097(6), b=4.5989(2), c=19.388(7) Å and β=89.299(6)° V=1434.7(9)ų, Z=4. FTIR and NMR spectra have been characterized. The interactions of intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds have been discussed. Density functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP) methods have been used to determine the structure and energies of stable conformers. Minimum energy conformations are calculated as a function of the torsion angle θ (C13–N1–C14–N2) varied every 30°. The optimized geometry corresponding to crystal structure is the most stable conformation. This has partly been attributed to intramolecular hydrogen bonds. With the basis sets of the 6-311G* quality, the DFT calculated bond parameters and harmonic vibrations are predicted in a very good agreement with experimental data.     

Molecularly resolved protein electromechanical properties

Previous work has shown that protein molecules can be trapped between the conductive surfaces presented by a metal-coated AFM probe and an underlying planar substrate where their molecule-specific conductance characteristics can be assayed. Herein, we demonstrate that transport across such a derived metal-protein-electrode junction falls within three, pressure-dependent, regimes and, further, that pressure-dependent conductance can be utilized in analyzing temporal variations of protein fold. Specifically, the electronic and mechanical properties of the metalloprotein azurin have been characterized under conditions of anisotropic vertical compression through the use of a conducting atomic force microscope (CP-AFM). By utilizing the ability of azurin to chemically self-assemble on the gold surface presented either by the apex of a suitably coated AFM probe or a planar metallic surface, molecular-level transport characteristics are assayable. Under conditions of low force, typically less than 2 nN, the weak physical and electronic coupling between the protein and the conducting contacts impedes tunneling and leads to charge buildup followed by dielectric breakdown. At slightly increased force, 3-5 nN, the copper protein exhibits temporal electron occupation with observable negative differential resistance, while the redox-inactive zinc mutant does not. At imposed loads greater than 5 nN, appreciable electron tunneling can be detected even at low bias for both the redox-active and -inactive species. Dynamic current-voltage characteristics have been recorded and are well-described by a modified Simmons tunneling model. Subsequent analyses enable the electron tunneling barrier height and barrier length to be determined under conditions of quantified vertical stress. The variance observed describes, in essence, the protein's mechanical properties within the confines of the tunnel junction.     

Some further considerations on deriving matrix elements of non-periodic potentials in the basis of the non-degenerate harmonic oscillator wavefunctions

Using the properties of the generating function of the Hermite polynomials, we have calculated the matrix elements for the Gaussian-type potential V_G(x)=A exp{−B(x−C)²} and for the Morse-type potential V_M(x)=D_e[1−exp(−ax)]² in the basis of the non-degenerate harmonic oscillator wavefunctions. The final forms of these matrix elements are very simple to use and hence suitable for the numerical resolution of the Schrödinger equation for multiple-well potentials or anharmonic oscillators.     

Tautomeric properties, conformations and structure of N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-amino-3-penten-2-on

N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-amino-3-penten-2-on (C₁₁H₁₃NO₂) has been studied by X-ray analysis. It crystallizes the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a=8.834(1), b=10.508(2), c=11.212(2) Å, V=1040.8(3) Å³, Z=4, D_c=1.22 g cm⁻³ and μ(MoK)=0.084 mm⁻¹. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R=0.038 for 1373 reflections (I>2σ(I)). The title compound is photochromic and the molecule is not planar. Intramolecular hydrogen bonds occur between the pairs of atoms N(1) and O(1) [2.631(2) Å], and N(1) and O(2) [2.641(2) Å], the H atom essentially being bonded to the N atom. There is also a strong intermolecular O–HO hydrogen bonding [2.647(2) Å] between neighbouring molecules. Tautomeric properties and conformations of the title compound were investigated by semi-empirical quantum mechanical AM1 calculations and the results are compared with the X-ray results.     

Preparation and crystal structure of a 1:1 inclusion compound of 1,4,11,14-tetramethoxy-dibenzo[b,n]tetraphenylene with pyridine

The new host 1,4,11,14-tetramethoxy-dibenzo[b,n]tetraphenylene forms a 1:1 inclusion compound with pyridine, in which a pair of centrosymmetrically-related guest species are enclosed in the cage surrounded by six host molecules. C₃₆H₂₈O₄·C₅H₅N, F_W=603.68, triclinic, space group P-1, a=11.796(2), b=16.075(3), c=9.004(2) Å; =98.39(3)°, β=90.01(3)°, γ=108.19(3)°, V=1602.8(5) Å³, Z=2, F(000)=636, D_c=1.251 g/cm³, μ=0.080 mm⁻¹. The final R indices [I>2σ(I)] R₁=0.0759, wR₂=0.1970 for 5623 MoK observed data.     

Interfacial characteristics of β-casein spread films at the air–water interface

Casein is well known to be a good protein emulsifier and β-casein is the major component of casein and commercial sodium caseinate. This work studies the behaviour of β-casein at the interface. The interfacial characteristics (structure and stability) of β-casein spread films have been examined at the air–water interface in a Langmuir-type film balance, as a function of temperature (5–40°C) and aqueous phase pH (pH 5 and 7). From surface pressure–area isotherms (π–A isotherms) as a function of temperature we can draw a phase diagram. β-Casein spread films present two structures and the collapse phase. That is, there is a critical surface pressure and a surface concentration at which the film properties change significantly. This transition depends on the temperature and the aqueous phase pH. The film structure was observed to be more condensed and β-casein interfacial density was higher at pH 5. β-Casein films were stable at surface pressures lower than equilibrium surface pressure. In fact, no hysteresis was observed in π–A isotherms after continuous compression-expansion cycles or over time. The relative area relaxation at constant surface pressure (10 or 20 mN m⁻¹) and the surface pressure relaxation at constant area near the monolayer collapse, can be fitted by two exponential equations. The characteristic relaxation times in β-casein films can be associated with conformation–organization changes, hydrophilic group hydration and/or surface rheology, as a function of pH.     

Measurement and prediction of solid–liquid phase equilibria for diamine + n-heptane, or cyclohexane

Solid–liquid equilibria (SLE) of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, 1,4-dimethylpiperazine and N,N-dimethylaniline+n-heptane or cyclohexane mixtures were measured by a static method. It was found that all systems are simple eutectic systems. Group contribution models have proved fairly successful in predicting SLE, however, the presence of intramolecular effects (ring effect, proximity effect) renders the widely used empirical methods quite inaccurate. However, in this work, the experimental phase diagrams compared satisfactorily with group contribution models (DISQUAC) and also modified UNIFAC (Dortmund version) predictions.     

Zur chemie des galliums, 6: Tris(trimethylsilyl) silylgallium(I) —eine experimentelle und theoretische studie

The gallium(I)tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl compound {GaSi(SiMe₃)₃}₄ (1) is obtained by reaction of Ga₂Cl₄-2dioxane with LiSi(SiMe₃)₃-3THF. The crystal structure of 1 reveals a tetramer with a nearly regular tetrahedral framework of gallium atoms. The gallium-gallium distances average 258.4 pm. Ab initio calculations on various substituted gallium tetrahedrons showed a greater stability of silyl-substituted cages compared with organyl substituted ones. Crystal data, with Mo K radiation are as follows: {GaSi(SiMe₃)₃}₄ · Si(SiMe₃) ₄ (1), a, B = 1923.3(3) pm, C = 2671.2(4) pm, V = 9.881(3) nm³; tetragonal space group P4/ncc; Z = 4; 1513 ( I > 2σ(I)) data; RI = 0.068.

Zusammenfassung

Das Gallium(I)tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl-Derivat {GaSi(SiMe₃)₃}₄ (1) wird durch Umsetzung von Ga₂Cl₄-2Dioxan mit LiSi(SiMe₃)₃-3THF erhalten. Die Analyse der Kristallstruktur zeigt ein Tetramer mit einem nahezu regulären Gallium-Tetraeder-Gerüst. Der Mittelwert der Gallium-Gallium-Abstände betrügt 258.4 pm. Ab initio-Berechnungen verschiedener Gallium(I)-Verbindungen belegten eine erhöhte Stabilität von silyl-substituierten Clustern im Vergleich zu organyl-substituierten. Kristalldaten, mit Mo K -Strahlung; {GaSi(SiMe₃)₃ }₄ · Si(SiMe₃)₄ (1), a, B = 1923.3(3) pm, C = 2671.2(4) pm, V = 9.881(3) nm³; tetragonal, Raumgruppe P4/ncc; Z = 4; 1513 (I > 2 σ(I)) Daten; RI = 0.068.