The Use of Solar Radiation by the Photosynthetic Bacterium,Rhodopseudomonas palustris: Model Simulation of Conditions Found in a Shallow Pond or a Flatbed Reactor

Photosynthetic bacteria are attractive for biotechnology because they produce no oxygen and so H₂‐production is not inhibited by oxygen as occurs in oxygenic photoorganisms. Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Afifella marina containing BChl a can use irradiances from violet near‐UV (VNUV) to orange (350–650 nm) light and near‐infrared (NIR) light (762–870 nm). Blue diode‐based pulse amplitude modulation technology was used to measure their photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR). ETR vs Irradiance curves fitted the waiting‐in‐line model—ETR = (ETR_max × E/E_opt) × exp (1 ? E/E_opt). The equation was integrated over pond depth to calculate ETR of Afifella and Rhodopseudomonas in a pond up to 30 cm deep (A₃₇₆, 1 cm = 0.1). Afifella saturates at low irradiances and so photoinhibition results in very low photosynthesis in a pond. Rhodopseudomonas saturates at ≈15% sunlight and shows photoinhibition in the surface layers of the pond. Total ETR is ≈335 μmol (e^?) m^?2 s^?1 in NUV + photosynthetically active radiation light (350–700 nm). Daily ETR curves saturate at low irradiances and have a square‐wave shape: ≈11–13 mol (e^?) m^?2 day^?1 (350–700 nm). Up to 20–24% of daily 350–700 nm irradiance can be converted into ETR. NIR is absorbed by water and so competes with the bacterial RC‐2 photosystem for photons.     

Measurement of Photosynthesis Using PAM Technology in a Purple Sulfur Bacterium Thermochromatium tepidum (Chromatiaceae)

We demonstrate that Blue‐diode‐based pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) technology can be used to measure the photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR) of purple sulfur bacteria (Thermochromatium tepidum, Chromatiaceae). Previous studies showed that PAM technology could be used to estimate photosynthesis in purple nonsulfur bacteria and so PAM technology can be used to estimate photosynthesis of both kinds of purple photosynthetic bacteria. The absorptance of Thermochromatium films on glass fiber disks was measured and used to calculate actual ETR. ETR vs Irradiance (P vs E) curves fitted the waiting‐in‐line model (ETR = (ETR_max × E/E_opt) × exp (1?E/E_opt)). Yield (Y) was only ≈ 0.3–0.4. Thermochromatium saturates at 325 ± 13.8 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1 or ≈15% sunlight and shows photoinhibition at high irradiances. A pond of Thermochromatium would exhibit classic surface inhibition. Photosynthesis is extremely low in the absence of an electron source: ETR increases in the presence of acetate (5 mol m^?3) provided as an organic carbon source and also increases in the presence of sulfite (3 mol m^?3) but not sulfide and is only marginally increased by the presence of Fe²⁺. Nonphotochemical quenching does occur in Thermochromatium but at very low levels compared to oxygenic photo‐organisms or Rhodopseudomonads.     

Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVA+UVB) on Young Gametophytes of Gelidium floridanum: Growth Rate,Photosynthetic Pigments,Carotenoids, Photosynthetic Performance,and Ultrastructure

This study investigated the effects of radiation (PAR+UVA+UVB) on the development and growth rates (GRs) of young gametophytes of Gelidium floridanum. In addition, photosynthetic pigments were quantified, carotenoids identified, and photosynthetic performance assessed. Over a period of 3 days, young gametophytes were cultivated under laboratory conditions and exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at 80 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1 and PAR+UVA (0.70 W m^?2)+UVB (0.35 W m^?2) for 3 h per day. The samples were processed for light and electron microscopy to analyze the ultrastructure features, as well as carry out metabolic studies of GRs, quantify the content of photosynthetic pigments, identify carotenoids and assess photosynthetic performance. PAR+UVA+UVB promoted increase in cell wall thickness, accumulation of floridean starch grains in the cytoplasm and disruption of chloroplast internal organization. Algae exposed to PAR+UVA+UVB also showed a reduction in GR of 97%. Photosynthetic pigments, in particular, phycoerythrin and allophycocyanin contents, decreased significantly from UV radiation exposure. This result agrees with the decrease in photosynthetic performance observed after exposure to ultraviolet radiation, as measured by a decrease in the electron transport rate (ETR), where values of ETRmax declined approximately 44.71%. It can be concluded that radiation is a factor that affects the young gametophytes of G. floridanum at this stage of development.     

Photosynthesis Assessment in Microphytobenthos Using Conventional and Imaging Pulse Amplitude Modulation Fluorometry

Imaging pulse amplitude modulated (Imaging‐PAM) fluorometry is a breakthrough in the study of spatial heterogeneity of photosynthetic assemblages. However, Imaging and conventional PAM uses a different technology, making comparisons between these techniques doubtful. Thereby, photosynthetic processes were comparatively assessed using conventional (Junior PAM and PAM 101) and Imaging‐PAM on intertidal microphytobenthos (MPB; mud and sand) and on cork oak leaves. Lower values of α (initial slope of the rETR, relative photosynthetic electron transport rate) vs E (incident photosynthetic active radiation) curve), ETR_max (maximum relative ETR), E_k (light saturation parameter) and F_v/F_m (maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II of dark‐adapted samples) were obtained using the Imaging‐PAM. The level of discrepancy between conventional and Imaging‐PAM systems was dependent on the type of sample, being more pronounced for MPB muddy sediments. This may be explained by differences in the depth integration of the fluorescence signal related to the thickness of the photosynthetic layer and in the light attenuation coefficients of downwelling irradiance. An additional relevant parameter is the taxonomic composition of the MPB, as cyanobacteria present in sandy sediments rendered different results with red and blue excitation light fluorometers. These findings emphasize the caution needed when interpreting chlorophyll fluorescence data of MPB communities.     

Photosynthetic Activity in Marine and Brackish Water Strains of Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus radicans (Phaeophyceae) at Different Light Qualities

This study investigates the effects of different light qualities on the photosynthetic capacity of the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus, from the Norwegian Sea, and Fucus radicans and F. vesiculosus, from the Bothnian Sea. The electron transport rates (ETR) obtained for F. vesiculosus from the Norwegian Sea showed significantly higher levels of light saturation compared with both species of algae from the Bothnian Sea. The maximum of ETR values for the Norwegian Sea strain showed no significant changes due to varying light quality compared with the initial values. For F. vesiculosus, from the Bothnian Sea, treatment with blue light showed an effect after 1 week of 30 and 90 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1 (P < 0.01), and for F. radicans from the Bothnian Sea, at the irradiance of 90 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1 and 1 week (P < 0.01). After 1 week in the Bothnian Sea species and after 2 weeks in F. vesiculosus from the Norwegian Sea, the photosynthetic efficiency (α) was significantly higher regardless of light quality and irradiance compared with the initial values. Variation in light quality and irradiance had minor effects on the F_v:F_m values of the three algal strains studied.     

Mapping Grape Berry Photosynthesis by Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging: The Effect of Saturating Pulse Intensity in Different Tissues

Grape berry development and ripening depends mainly on imported photosynthates from leaves, however, fruit photosynthesis may also contribute to the carbon economy of the fruit. In this study pulse amplitude modulated chlorophyll fluorescence imaging (imaging‐PAM) was used to assess photosynthetic properties of tissues of green grape berries. In particular, the effect of the saturation pulse (SP) intensity was investigated. A clear tissue‐specific distribution pattern of photosynthetic competence was observed. The exocarp revealed the highest photosynthetic capacity and the lowest susceptibility to photoinhibition, and the mesocarp exhibited very low fluorescence signals and photochemical competence. Remarkably, the seed outer integument revealed a photosynthetic ability similar to that of the exocarp. At a SP intensity of 5000 μmol m^?2 s^?1 several photochemical parameters were decreased, including maximum fluorescence in dark‐adapted (F_m) and light‐adapted (F'_m) samples and effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ_II), but the inner tissues were susceptible to a SP intensity as low as 3200 μmol m^?2 s^?1 under light‐adapted conditions, indicating a photoinhibitory interaction between SP and actinic light intensities and repetitive exposure to SP. These results open the way to further studies concerning the involvement of tissue‐specific photosynthesis in the highly compartmentalized production and accumulation of organic compounds during grape berry development.     

INTERCONVERSION OF BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL c AGGREGATES IN SOLID FILMS UPON ORGANIC VAPOR TREATMENT

Bacteriochlorophyll c (BChl c) solid films were prepared from a carbon tetrachloride solution on CaF₂ plates as artificial aggregates. Effects of organic vapor such as acetone and tetrahydrofuran (THF) on the BChl c films were studied by absorption and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Two major homologs (R[E,E]BChl c_F and R[P,E]BChl c_F) and one minor homolog (S[I,E]BChl c) isolated from the green photosynthetic bacterium Chlorobium limicola strain 6230 were examined for the experiments. The BChl c polymeric aggregates absorbing at739–753 nm similar to those in the chlorosome were induced for all homologs upon the treatment of BChl c solid film with acetone vapor. The 13¹-keto C=O stretching band in the R[E,E]BChl c_F solid film showed a downward shift from 1651 cm^?1to 1643 cm^?1 with a concomitant shift of the 3¹-OH stretching bands from 3337 and 3238 cm^?1 to 3163 cm^?1. It was suggested that the lower aggregates brought about by Mg…O=C(13¹) and (3¹)O…O=C(13¹) bonds were transformed into the higher aggregates strongly hydrogen-bonded in a Mg…(3¹)O-H…O=C(13^l) interaction. They were transformed to a monomer-like form absorbing at 667 nm upon exposure to THF vapor and were reversibly converted to the higher aggregates upon removal of THF molecules in vacuo.     

Pigment-Protein Interactions in the Antenna-Reaction Center Complex of Heliobacillus mobilis

Membrane fragments of Heliobacillus (Hc.) mobilis were characterized using resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy in order to determine the configuration of the neurosporene carotenoid, the pigment-protein interactions of the bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) g molecules, and the Chl a-like chlorin pigments present in the antenna-reaction center complex constituting the photosynthetic apparatus. Using 363.8 nm excitation, the Raman contributions of the BChl g molecules were selectively resonantly enhanced over those of the carotenoid and the Chl a-like chlorin pigments. The RR spectrum of BChl g in these membranes excited at 363.8 nm exhibits bands at 1614 and 1688 cm^?1, which correspond to a C_aC_m methine bridge stretching mode and a keto carbonyl group stretching mode, respectively. Both of these bands are 16 cm^?1 wide (full width at half maximum, FWHM), indicating that a sole population of BChl g molecules is being enhanced at this excitation wavelength. The observed frequency of the C_aC_m stretching mode (1614 cm^?1) indicates that the bulk of BChl g molecules is pentacoordinated with only one axial ligand to the central Mg atom while that of the keto carbonyl stretching mode (1668 cm^?1) indicates that these groups are engaged in a hydrogen bond. This homogeneous population of BChl g molecules bound to the heliobacterial core polypeptides is in contrast to the heterogeneous population of Chl a molecules bound to the core polypeptides of the reaction center of photosystem I of Synechocystis 6803 as observed by the inhomogeneously broadened C₉ keto carbonyl band in its RR spectrum. The RR spectrum of the Chl a-like chlorin pigments in Hc. mobilis excited at 441.6 nm exhibits a broad keto carbonyl band (43 cm^?1 FWHM) with components at 1665, 1683 and 1695 cm^?1, indicating several populations of these pigments differing in their protein interactions at the level of the keto carbonyl group. Fourier transform (FT) pre-RR spectroscopic measurements of intact whole cells and membrane fragments at room temperature using 1064 nm excitation indicate that high quality vibrational spectra of the BChl g molecules can be obtained with no photodegradation. Low-temperature FT Raman spectra excited at 1064 nm reveals an inhomogeneously broadened 1665 cm^?1 band corresponding to the C₉ keto carbonyl stretching mode. Spectral deconvolution and second derivative analysis of this band reveal that it is comprised of components at 1665, 1682 and 1695 cm^?1, the latter two most likely arising from BChl g photoconversion products. Excitation using 885 nm to enhance the preresonance effect of the BChl g molecules yields an FT Raman spectrum where the keto carbonyl band at 1665 cm^?1 is narrow, as is the case in the Soret RR spectra, reflecting a sole population of BChl g molecules, which are engaged in an H bond. The RR spectrum of the neurosporene molecule in Hc. mobilis membranes excited at 496.5 nm is compared to that of 1,2-dihydroneurosporene bound in a cis configuration in reaction centers of Rhodopseudomona viridis and to that of the same carotenoid in its all-trans configuration extracted from these reaction centers in the presence of light. The similarity of this latter RR spectrum with that of neurosporene in the Hc. mobilis membranes indicates that it is bound in an all-trans configuration.     

Seasonal Impacts of Solar UV Radiation on Photosynthesis of Phytoplankton Assemblages in the Coastal Waters of the South China Sea

We carried out experiments to evaluate seasonal changes in the impacts of UV radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) on photosynthetic carbon fixation of phytoplankton assemblages. Surface water samples were obtained in the coastal area of the South China Sea, where chlorophyll a ranged 0.72–3.82 μg L⁻¹. Assimilation numbers (photosynthetic carbon fixation rate per chl a) were significantly higher during summer 2005 than those in spring and winter 2004. The mean values obtained under photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were 2.83 (spring 2004), 4.35 (winter 2004) and 7.29 μg C (μg chl a)⁻¹ h⁻¹ (summer 2005), respectively. The assimilation numbers under PAR + UVR were 1.58, 2.71 and 5.28 μg C (μg chl a)⁻¹ h⁻¹, for spring, winter and summer, respectively. UVR induced less inhibition of photosynthesis during summer 2005 than during the other seasons, in spite of the higher UVR during summer. The seasonal differences in the productivity and photosynthetic response to UV were mainly due to changes in water temperature, while irradiance and vertical mixing explained >80% of the observed variability. Our data suggest that previous studies in the SCS using UV-opaque vessels might have overestimated the phytoplankton production by about 80% in spring, 61% in winter and 38% in summer.     

Differential Pulse Polarography for a First‐Order EC Process and Its Diagnostic Parameters

Theoretical expressions for differential pulse polarography (DPP) for a reversible electron transfer coupled with an irreversible follow‐up first‐order chemical reaction (E_rC_i) is derived approximately. The peaks as given by the current expressions are analyzed in terms of several parameters such as a ratio of anodic‐to‐cathodic peak‐currents (i_p^a/i_p^c), a separation of peak‐potentials (E_p^c?E_p^a), and a ratio of anodic‐to‐cathodic half‐peak‐widths (W_1/2^a/W_1/2^c) in order to characterize the E_rC_i process and distinguish it from other types of electrode processes. The anodic peak is found to be more susceptible to the post kinetics than the cathodic peak. The new parameter of W_1/2^a/W_1/2^c ratio is much more sensitive to the post kinetics than the peak separation (E_p^c?E_p^a). The peak current ratio (i_p^a/i_p^c) and the peak‐width ratio (W_1/2^a/W_1/2^c) have comparable sensitivities to the kinetics. Hence, W_1/2^a/W_1/2^c ratio is a better diagnostic parameters than (E_p^c?E_p^a) which has a poor sensitivity. This phenomenon is different from cyclic voltammetry (CV) in which E_p^c?E_p^a is as sensitive as i_p^a/i_p^c. The new criteria for EC with DPV is tested and successfully applied to several Co(III) complex systems, including coenzyme B₁₂. The homogeneous rate constant (k) for the follow‐up step is estimated from the measurements of the experimental values of the parameters. The present treatment is valid quantitatively at lower values of k, yielding relatively larger errors for higher k values (k>10 s^?1).     

Oxygen bridged Homobinuclear Mn(II) compounds with Anthranilic acid: Theoretical calculations,oxidation and catalase activity

Two new homobinuclear manganese compounds with mixed ligands, [Mn₂(μ_1,1–2‐NH₂C₆H₄COO)₂(phen)₄](ClO₄)2(CH₃OH) ( 1 ), and [Mn₂(μ_1,3–2‐NH₂C₆H₄COO)₂(bipy)₄](ClO₄)2 ( 2 ) (NH₂C₆H₄COOH = anthranilic acid, bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, phen = 1,10‐ phenanthroline) were synthesized and thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV and single crystal X‐ray crystallography. X‐ray structure analysis shows that in the mono‐ and bidentate carboxylate bridged compounds, Mn–Mn distances of 1 and 2 are 3,461 Å, and 4,639 Å, respectively. The energy of the compounds was determined with a DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculation on B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) optimized geometry by using the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) basis set. These compounds acts as biomimetic catalyst and show catalase‐like activity for the hydrogen peroxide dismutation at room temperature in different solvents with remarkable activity (TOF, Turnover frequency = mol of subst./(mol of cat. × time)) up to 12640 h^?1 with 1 , and 17910 h^?1 with 2 in Tris–HCl buffer). Moreover, the catalytic activity of 1 and 2 has been studied for oxidation of alcohols (cinnamyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, 1‐octanol and 1‐heptanol) and alkenes (cyclohexene, styrene, ethyl benzene, 1‐octene and 1‐hexene) in a homogeneous catalytic system consisting t‐butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant in acetonitrile. Both compounds exhibited very high activity in the oxidation of cyclohexene to cyclohexanone (~80% selectivity, ~99% conversion in 1 h, TOF = 243 h^?1 and 226 h^?1) and cinnamyl alcohol to cinnamaldehyde (~64% selectivity) as the main product with very high TOF value (9180 h^?1 and 13040 h^?1 in the first minute of reaction) (~100% conversion in 0.5 h) with TBHP at 70 °C in acetonitrile, for 1 and 2 , respectively.     

Photoacclimation Responses of the Brown Macroalga Sargassum Cymosum to the Combined Influence of UV Radiation and Salinity: Cytochemical and Ultrastructural Organization and Photosynthetic Performance

The photoacclimation responses of the brown macroalga Sargassum cymosum were studied to determine its cytochemical and ultrastructural organization, as well as photosynthetic pigments and performance. S. cymosum was cultivated in three salinities (30, 35 and 40 psu) under four irradiation treatments: PAR‐only, PAR + UVA, PAR + UVB and PAR + UVA + UVB. Plants were exposed to PAR at 70 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1, PAR + UVB at 0.35 W m^?2 and PAR +UVA at 0.70 W m^?2 for 3 h per day during 7 days in vitro. Growth rate was not significantly affected by any type of radiation or salinity. The amount of pigments in S. cymosum was significantly influenced by the interaction of salinity and radiation treatments. Compared with PAR‐only, UVR treatments modified the kinetics patterns of the photosynthesis/irradiance curve. After exposure to UVR, S. cymosum increased cell wall thickness and the presence of phenolic compounds. The number of mitochondria increased, whereas the number of chloroplasts showed few changes. Although S. cymosum showed insensitivity to changes in salinity, it can be concluded that samples treated under four irradiation regimes showed structural changes, which were more evident, but not severe, under PAR + UVB treatment.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ni (II) complexes supported by phenoxy/naphthoxy‐imine ligands with pendant N‐ and O‐donor groups and their use in ethylene oligomerization

A series of new Ni(II) complexes of general formula Ni{ZNO} Br ( 2a‐i ) (ZNO = phenoxy/naphthoxy‐imine with pendant N‐ and O‐donor groups) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, ESI‐HRMS, and by X‐ray crystallography for 2e . In the solid state, 2e features a monomeric structure with κ³ coordination of the monoanionic naphthoxy‐imine‐quinoline ligand onto the nickel center. Upon activation with MAO, both classes of nickel catalysts were able to produce selectively 1‐butene (81.5–92.1 wt%) with turnover frequencies (TOFs) varying from 3,100 to 24,300 mol(C₂H₄) mol (Ni)^?1 h^?1. Nickel precatalysts bearing phenoxy‐imine ligands were much more active than its naphthoxy analogous under the same conditions. The use of a mixture of cocatalysts (MAO/TMA or MAO/TiBA) resulted in poor activities; however the presence of TiBA in the milieu led to a significant improvement on selectivity for 1‐hexene (25.5 wt%). Under optimized conditions ([Ni] = 10 μmol, 30 °C, oligomerization time = 5 min, 20 bar ethylene, [Al]/[Ni] = 600), precatalyst 2c led to TOF = 59,900 mol(C₂H₄) mol(Ni)^?1 h^?1 and selectivity for 1‐butene of 89.5 wt%.     

Chelation versus Binucleation: Metal Complex Formation with the Hexadentate all‐cis‐N1,N2‐Bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine

The hexadentate ligand all‐cis‐N¹,N²‐bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (L^e) was synthesized in five steps with an overall yield of 39 % by using [Ni(taci)₂]SO₄?4 H₂O as starting material (taci=1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol). Crystal structures of [Na_0.5(H₆L^e)](BiCl₆)₂Cl_0.5?4 H₂O ( 1 ), [Ni(L^e)]‐ Cl₂?5 H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu(L^e)](ClO₄)₂?H₂O ( 3 ), [Zn(L^e)]CO₃?7 H₂O ( 4 ), [Co(L^e)](ClO₄)₃ ( 5 c ), and [Ga(H_?2L^e)]‐ NO₃?2 H₂O ( 6 ) are reported. The Na complex 1 exhibited a chain structure with the Na⁺ cations bonded to three hydroxy groups of one taci subunit of the fully protonated H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ ligand. In 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 c , a mononuclear hexaamine coordination was found. In the Ga complex 6 , a mononuclear hexadentate coordination was also observed, but the metal binding occurred through four amino groups and two alkoxo groups of the doubly deprotonated H_?2(L^e)^2?. The steric strain within the molecular framework of various M(L^e) isomers was analyzed by means of molecular mechanics calculations. The formation of complexes of L^e with Mn^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, and Cd^II was investigated in aqueous solution by using potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration experiments. Extended equilibrium systems comprising a large number of species were observed, such as [M(L^e)]²⁺, protonated complexes [MH_z(L^e)]^2+z and oligonuclear aggregates. The pK_a values of H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ (25 °C, μ=0.10 m ) were found to be 2.99, 5.63, 6.72, 7.38, 8.37, and 9.07, and the determined formation constants (log β) of [M(L^e)]²⁺ were 6.13(3) (Mn^II), 20.11(2) (Cu^II), 13.60(2) (Zn^II), and 10.43(2) (Cd^II). The redox potentials (vs. NHE) of the [M(L^e)]^3+/2+ couples were elucidated for Co (?0.38 V) and Ni (+0.90 V) by cyclic voltammetry.     

A Tandem Mass Spectrometric Method for Singlet Oxygen Measurement

Singlet oxygen, a harmful reactive oxygen species, can be quantified with the substance 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine (TEMP) that reacts with singlet oxygen, forming a stable nitroxyl radical (TEMPO). TEMPO has earlier been quantified with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. In this study, we designed an ultra–high‐performance liquid chromatographic—tandem mass spectrometric (UHPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS) quantification method for TEMPO and showed that the method based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) can be used for the measurements of singlet oxygen from both nonbiological and biological samples. Results obtained with both UHPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS and EPR methods suggest that plant thylakoid membranes produce 3.7 × 10^?7 molecules of singlet oxygen per chlorophyll molecule in a second when illuminated with the photosynthetic photon flux density of 2000 μmol m^?2 s^?1.     

Addition–fragmentation chain transfer: Molecular weight distributions and retardation in the system methyl methacrylate/methyl α‐(bromomethyl)acrylate

A detailed investigation of addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) in the free‐radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of methyl α‐(bromomethyl)acrylate (MBMA) was carried out to elucidate mechanistic details with efficient macromonomer synthesis as an underlying goal. Advanced modeling techniques were used in connection with the experimental work. Curve fitting of simulated and experimental molecular weight distributions with respect to the rate coefficient for addition of propagating radicals to MBMA (k_add) over 60–120 °C resulted in E_add = 21.7 kJ mol^?1 and A_add = 2.18 × 10⁶ M^?1 s^?1 and a very weak temperature dependence of the chain‐transfer constant (E_add ≈ E_p). The rate coefficient for fragmentation of adduct radicals at 60 °C was estimated as k_f ≈ 39 s^?1 on the basis of experimental data of the MMA conversion and the concentration of 2‐carbomethoxy‐2‐propenyl end groups. The approach developed is generic and can be applied to any AFCT system in which copolymerization does not occur and in which the resulting unsaturated end groups do not undergo further reactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2640–2650, 2004     

Four‐, five‐ and six‐coordinated transition metal complexes based on naphthalimide Schiff base ligands: Synthesis,crystal structure and properties

Two bidentate Schiff base ligands (HL¹ = N‐n‐butyl‐4‐[(E)‐2‐(((2‐aminoethyl)imino)methyl)phenol]‐1,8‐naphthalimide; and HL² = N‐n‐butyl‐4‐[(E)‐2‐(((2‐aminoethyl)imino)methyl)‐6‐methoxyphenol]‐1,8‐naphthalimide) with their metal complexes [Cu(L¹)₂] ( 1 ), [Zn(L¹)₂(Py)]₂?H₂O ( 2 ) and [Ni(L²)₂(DMF)₂] ( 3 ) have been synthesized and characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis reveals that complex 1 has a four‐coordinated square geometry, while complex 2 is a five‐coordinated square pyramidal structure and complex 3 is a distorted six‐coordinated octahedral structure. Cyclic voltammograms of 1 indicate an irreversible Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ couple. In vitro antioxidant activity assay demonstrates that the ligands and the two complexes 1 and 3 display high scavenging activity against hydroxyl (HO^?) and superoxide (O₂^??) radicals. Moreover, the fluorescence properties of the ligands and complexes 1 – 3 were studied in the solid state. Metal‐mediated enhancement is observed in 2 , whereas metal‐mediated fluorescence quenching occurs with 1 and 3 .     

Phenacyl–Thiophene and Quinone Semiconductors Designed for Solution Processability and Air‐Stability in High Mobility n‐Channel Field‐Effect Transistors

Electron‐transporting organic semiconductors (n‐channel) for field‐effect transistors (FETs) that are processable in common organic solvents or exhibit air‐stable operation are rare. This investigation addresses both these challenges through rational molecular design and computational predictions of n‐channel FET air‐stability. A series of seven phenacyl–thiophene‐based materials are reported incorporating systematic variations in molecular structure and reduction potential. These compounds are as follows: 5,5′′′‐bis(perfluorophenylcarbonyl)‐2,2′:5′,‐ 2′′:5′′,2′′′‐quaterthiophene ( 1 ), 5,5′′′‐bis(phenacyl)‐2,2′:5′,2′′: 5′′,2′′′‐quaterthiophene ( 2 ), poly[5,5′′′‐(perfluorophenac‐2‐yl)‐4′,4′′‐dioctyl‐2,2′:5′,2′′:5′′,2′′′‐quaterthiophene) ( 3 ), 5,5′′′‐bis(perfluorophenacyl)‐4,4′′′‐dioctyl‐2,2′:5′,2′′:5′′,2′′′‐quaterthiophene ( 4 ), 2,7‐bis((5‐perfluorophenacyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐9,10‐phenanthrenequinone ( 5 ), 2,7‐bis[(5‐phenacyl)thiophen‐2‐yl]‐9,10‐phenanthrenequinone ( 6 ), and 2,7‐bis(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐9,10‐phenanthrenequinone, ( 7 ). Optical and electrochemical data reveal that phenacyl functionalization significantly depresses the LUMO energies, and introduction of the quinone fragment results in even greater LUMO stabilization. FET measurements reveal that the films of materials 1 , 3 , 5 , and 6 exhibit n‐channel activity. Notably, oligomer 1 exhibits one of the highest μ_e (up to ≈0.3 cm² V^?1 s^?1) values reported to date for a solution‐cast organic semiconductor; one of the first n‐channel polymers, 3 , exhibits μ_e≈10^?6 cm² V^?1 s^?1 in spin‐cast films (μ_e=0.02 cm² V^?1 s^?1 for drop‐cast 1 : 3 blend films); and rare air‐stable n‐channel material 5 exhibits n‐channel FET operation with μ_e=0.015 cm² V^?1 s^?1, while maintaining a large I_on:off=10⁶ for a period greater than one year in air. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 reveal close herringbone interplanar π‐stacking distances (3.50 and 3.43 Å, respectively), whereas the structure of the model quinone compound, 7 , exhibits 3.48 Å cofacial π‐stacking in a slipped, donor‐acceptor motif.     

Why is Rose Bengal More Phototoxic to Fibroblasts In Vitro Than In Vivo?

Photosensitized protein cross‐linking has been recently developed to seal wounds and strengthen tissue. Although the photosensitizing dye, Rose Bengal (RB), is phototoxic to cultured cells, cytotoxicity does not accompany RB‐photosensitized tissue repair in vivo. We investigated whether the environment surrounding cells in tissue or the high irradiances used for photo–cross‐linking inhibited RB phototoxicity. Fibroblasts (FB) grown within collagen gels to mimic a tissue environment and monolayer cultured FB were treated with RB (0.01–1 mm ) and the high 532 nm laser irradiances used in vivo for tissue repair (0.10–0.50 W cm^?2). Monolayer FB were substantially more sensitive to RB photosensitization: the LD₅₀ was >200‐fold lower than that in collagen gels. Collagen gel protection was associated with increased Akt phosphorylation, a prosurvival pathway. RB phototoxicity in collagen gels was 25‐fold greater at low (0.030 W cm^?2) that at high (0.50 W cm^?2) irradiances. Oxygen depletion at high irradiance only partially accounted for the irradiance dependence of phototoxicity as replacing air with nitrogen only increased the LD₅₀ by four‐fold in monolayers. These results indicate that the lack of RB phototoxicity during in vivo tissue repair results from upregulation of prosurvival pathways in tissue cells, oxygen depletion and irradiance‐dependent RB photochemistry.     

环丙沙星-钨硅多金属氧酸盐的制备及热分解动力学

A new polyoxometalate （CPFX·HCl）3H4SiW12O40·10H2O was prepared from ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and H4SiW12O40·nH2O in aqueous solution, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and DTA-TG-DTG techniques. The IR spectrum confirmed the presence of Keggin structure and the characteristic functional group for ciprofloxacin in the compound. The TG-DTA-DTG curves showed that its thermal decomposition was a four-step process consisting of simultaneous collapse of Keggin type structure. The residue of decomposition was the mixture of WO3 and SiO2, confirmed by X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The decomposition mechanism and nonisothermal kinetic parameters of the polyoxometalate were obtained from an analysis to the TG-DTG curves by the single scanning methods （the Achar method and Coats-Redfern method） and the multiple scanning methods （the Kissinger method, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method and Starink method）. The results indicate that the kinetic equationswith parameters describing the thermal decomposition reaction are dα/dt=6.65×10^6[3（1-α）^2/3]e^-10495.5/T with E=87.26 kJ/mol and A=6.65×10^6 s^-1 for the second step,dα/dt=7.01×10^9（1-α）e^-18770.7/T with E=156.06 kJ/mol and A=7.01×10^9 s^-1 for the third step,dα/dt=9.77×10^43[（1-α）^2]e^-88980.0/T with E=739.78 kJ/mol and A=9.77×10^43 s^-1 for the fourth step.