Two‐Dimensional Phosphorus Oxides as Energy and Information Materials

Phosphorene is a rising star in electronics. Recently, 2D phosphorus oxides with higher stability have been synthesized. In this study, we theoretically explored the structures and properties of 2D phosphorus oxides. We found that the structural features of P_xO_y vary with the oxygen content. When the oxygen content is low, the most stable P_xO_y material can be obtained by the adsorption of O atoms on phosphorene. Otherwise, stable structures are no longer based on phosphorene and will contain P–O–P motifs. We found that P₄O₄ has a direct band gap (about 2.24 eV), good optical absorption, and high stability in water, so it may be suitable for photochemical water splitting. P₂O₃ adopts two possible stable ferroelectric structures (P₂O₃‐I and P₂O₃‐II) with electric polarization perpendicular and parallel to the lateral plane, respectively, as the lowest‐energy configurations, depending on the layer thickness. We propose that P₂O₃ could be used in novel nanoscale multiple‐state memory devices.     

Bulk and surface structure and high-temperature thermoelectric properties of inverse clathrate-III in the Si-P-Te system

The creation of thermoelectric materials for waste heat recovery and direct solar energy conversion is a challenge that forces the development of compounds that combine appreciable thermoelectric figure‐of‐merit with high thermal and chemical stability. Here we propose a new candidate for high‐temperature thermoelectric materials, the type‐III Si_172?xP_xTe_y cationic clathrate, in which the framework is composed of partially ordered silicon and phosphorus atoms, whereas tellurium atoms occupy guest positions. We show that the utmost stability of this clathrate (up to 1500 K) in air is ensured by the formation of a nanosized layer of phosphorus‐doped silica on the surface, which prevents further oxidation and degradation. As‐cast (non‐optimized) Si‐P‐Te clathrates display rather high values of the thermoelectric figure‐of‐merit (ZT=0.24–0.36) in the temperature range of 700–1100 K. These ZT values are comparable to the best values achieved for the properly doped transition‐metal‐oxide materials. The methods of the thermoelectric efficiency optimization are discussed.     

Radioimmunoassay of Plasma 16a-Hydroxyprogesterone

Abstract

This report describes a radioimmunoassay method for the measurement of unconjugated 16a-hydroxyprogesterone (16a-P) in plasma. Utilizing an antiserum against 16a-P combined with a one step celite microcolumn chromatographic system, we have measured this steroid accurately in small a liquors of plasma from both male and female subjects. The mean value ± S.D. for nine adult male subjects was 0.69 ± 0.16 ng/ml. Plasma 16a-P was significantly higher (p <0.01) during the luteal (1.20 ± 0.24 ng/ml) than during the follicular phase (0.57 ± 0.18 ng/ml).     

Influence of the Absolute Configuration of NPE‐Caged Cytosine on DNA Single Base Pair Stability

Photolabile protecting groups are a versatile tool to trigger reactions by light irradiation. In this study, we have investigated the influence of the absolute configuration of the 1‐(2‐nitrophenyl)ethyl (NPE) cage group on a 15‐base‐pair duplex DNA. Using UV melting, we determined the global stability of the unmodified and the selectively (S)‐ and (R)‐NPE‐modified DNA sequences, respectively. We observe a differently destabilizing effect for the two NPE stereoisomers on the global stability. Analysis of the temperature dependence of imino proton exchange rates measured by NMR spectroscopy reveals that this effect can be attributed to decreased base pair stabilities of the caged and the 3′‐neighbouring base pair, respectively. Furthermore, our NMR based structural models of the modified duplexes provide a structural basis for the distinct effect of the (S)‐ and the (R)‐NPE group.     

High Electron Mobility of Amorphous Red Phosphorus Thin Films

Black phosphorus (BP) has been gathering great attention for its electronic and optoelectronic applications due to its high electron mobility and high I_ON/OFF current switching ratio. The limitations of this material include its low synthetic yield and high cost. One alternative to BP is another type of phosphorus allotrope, red phosphorus (RP), which is much more affordable and easier to process. Although RP has been widely used in industry for hundreds of years and considered as an insulating material, in this study, we demonstrate through field‐effect transistors (FET) measurements that amorphous red phosphorus (a‐RP) films are semiconductive with a high mobility of 387 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and a current switching ratio of ≈10³, which is comparable to the electronic characteristics previously reported for BP. The films were produced via a thermal evaporation method or a facile drop‐casting approach onto Si/SiO₂ substrates. We also report a study of the oxidation process of the films over time and a method to stabilize the films via doping a‐RP with metal oxides. The doped films retain stability for one thousand I–V cycles, with no signs of degradation.     

Optimizing Antimicrobial Peptide Dendrimers in Chemical Space

We used nearest‐neighbor searches in chemical space to improve the activity of the antimicrobial peptide dendrimer (AMPD) G3KL and identified dendrimer T7 , which has an expanded activity range against Gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria including Klebsiellae pneumoniae, increased serum stability, and promising activity in an in vivo infection model against a multidrug‐resistant strain of Acinetobacter baumannii. Imaging, spectroscopic studies, and a structural model from molecular dynamics simulations suggest that T7 acts through membrane disruption. These experiments provide the first example of using virtual screening in the field of dendrimers and show that dendrimer size does not limit the activity of AMPDs.     

Phosphine Oxide-Functionalized Terthiophene Redox Systems

Main group systems capable of undergoing controlled redox events at extreme potentials are elusive yet highly desirable for a range of organic electronics applications including use as energy storage media. Herein we describe phosphine oxide-functionalized terthiophenes that exhibit two reversible 1e⁻ reductions at potentials below −2 V vs Fc/Fc⁺ (Fc=ferrocene) while retaining high degrees of stability. A phosphine oxide-functionalized terthiophene radical anion was synthesized in which the redox-responsive nature of the platform was established using combined structural, spectroscopic, and computational characterization. Straightforward structural modification led to the identification of a derivative that exhibits exceptional stability during bulk 2 e⁻ galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling and enabled characterization of a 2 e⁻ redox series. A new multi-electron redox system class is hence disclosed that expands the electrochemical cell potential range achievable with main group electrolytes without compromising stability.     

Phosphorus mononitride: A difficult case for theory

Phosphorus nitride (PN) is the simplest molecule formed solely by phosphorus and nitrogen. It represents an interesting model for materials, where phosphorus is directly attached to nitrogen. Nevertheless, both theoretical and experimental studies often provide an incomplete picture on the structural, electronic, and spectral properties of PN. Theoretical predictions often suffer from insufficient level of theory, incomplete basis set, or from neglecting several effects, for example, zero-point vibrational correction (ZPVC). Therefore, we performed an extensive benchmark study on structural, electronic, and spectral properties of PN at the Hartree-Fock, density functional theory (DFT), or even the coupled-cluster levels. We paid special attention to the basis set effect. We tested three variants of Dunning's aug-cc-pVXZ basis sets with the size from double-ζ to sextuple-ζ, as well as Jensen's aug-pc-n, aug-pcJ-n, and aug-pcSseg-n basis sets, where n = 1-4. Obtained energetics, PN distance, dipole moment, vibrational frequencies, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters were extrapolated to the complete basis set limit (CBS) using three- or two-parameter formulas. The ³¹P NMR shieldings estimated with the aug-cc-pVXZ and aug-cc-pV(X + d)Z basis sets strongly depend on the basis set size providing scattered convergence patterns toward CBS. The Hartree-Fock self-consistent field (HF-SCF) NMR parameters evinced similar behavior as the coupled-cluster data. The only smooth convergence was achieved using the aug-cc-pCVXZ basis sets that include core-valence effects. The KT3 functional underestimated the phosphorus CBS shieldings by about 12 ppm compared to coupled cluster with singles and doubles (CCSD) (T). Nevertheless, KT3 unambiguously surpasses the HF-SCF and CCSD levels that provide ³¹P shieldings that are lower by about 150 ppm and 24 ppm compared to CCSD(T). The convergence of nitrogen shieldings was regular for all basis set hierarchies and all theoretical methods. Relativistic and vibrational effects on selected properties were also discussed.     

Synthesis and structure of complexes of phosphorus pentachloride with 4‐dimethylaminopyridine and n‐methylimidazole

Complexes of phosphorus pentachloride with 4‐dimethylaminopyridine and N‐methylimidazole were synthesized. The molecular structure of the phosphorus pentachloride complex with N‐methylimidazole was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In the cationic part of the complex, the phosphorus atom possesses four P Cl bonds within the range 2.109–2.148 Å and two cis‐P–N bonds (1.811 and 1.832 Å) with N‐methylimidazole and exhibits slightly distorted octahedral coordination with angles at phosphorus atom in the range 87.57°–91.50°. The relative stability of the cis and trans conformations of the complex was studied by DFT calculations. The chemical properties and reactivity of the compounds obtained are determined; their utility as condensing agents in the synthesis of amides from acids and amines was shown. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:171–177, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20392     

Thermal characterization of social vespid silk

In this paper we try to establish a link between the microclimate in the wasp nest and the structure and thermal stability of vespid silk. We suggest that there are at least two types of water that is absorbed by the silk of Oriental hornets, namely, surface water and intrinsic structural water. The release of both types of water was found to be reversible. The enthalpy values of the endothermic peaks associated with the release of water from different silk samples do not differ substantially and are in the range of 106 to 130 J g^-1 for the Vespa orientalis male larvae silk (sample #1), Paravespula germanica (yellowjacket) worker larvae silk (#3) and Vespa orientalis nest envelope(#4). For the Vespa orientalis worker larvae silk (sample #2), however, it is twice as large (228 J g^-1). This is in agreement with the increased total amount of absorbed water. The silk studied has a fibrilar structure with interconnecting surfaces overlying entire regions. It is assumed that the initial water loss stems from water evaporation from the coat of the fibers - a daily occurrence in the hornets' nest. Heating to above 70°C may result in structural changes in the silk core. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Some INDO calculations of 1J(PC) and 1J(PF) values

INDO parameterized calculations, employing phosphorus s, p and d valence orbitals, are reported for values of ¹J(PC) and ¹J(PF) relating to phosphorus in formal tri- and pentavalent states. The ¹J(PC), interactions are mainly controlled by the contact term. Thus, trivalent phosphorus compounds have negative values for ¹J(PC), whereas those for pentavalent phosphorus are positive due to the s lone-pair effect. The inclusion of phosphorus 3d orbitals is shown to be important for an understanding of the processes contributing to ¹J(PF) interactions. ¹J(PF) values are shown to be negative for both tri- and pentavalent phosphorus compounds. The contact and orbital interactions are significant for the trivalent phosphorus molecules, whereas in the pentavalent phosphorus case ¹J(PF) is dominated by the orbital term.     

Low loss second‐order non‐linear optical crosslinked polymers based on a phosphorus‐containing maleimide

A series of crossslinked organic and organic/inorganic polymers based on maleimide chemistry have been investigated for second‐order non‐linear optical (NLO) materials with excellent thermal stability and low optical loss. Two reactive chromophores (maleimide‐containing azobenzene dye and alkoxysilane‐containing azobenzene dye) were incorporated into a phosphorus‐containing maleimide polymer, respectively. The selection of the phosphorus‐containing maleimide polymer as the polymeric matrices provides enhanced solubility and thermal stability, and excellent optical quality. Moreover, a full interpenetrating network (IPN) was formed through simultaneous addition reaction of the phosphorus‐containing maleimide, and sol‐gel process of alkoxysilane dye (ASD). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) results indicate that the inorganic networks are distributed uniformly throughout the polymer matrices on a nano‐scale. The silica particle sizes are well under 100 nm. Using in situ contact poling, the r₃₃ coefficients of 2.2–17.0 pm/V have been obtained for the optically clear phosphorus‐containing NLO materials. Excellent temporal stability (100°C) and low optical loss (0.99–1.71 dB/cm; 830 nm) were also obtained for these phosphorus‐containing materials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural Evolution of Pt,Au and Cu Anodes by Electrolysis up to Contact Glow Discharge Electrolysis in Alkaline Electrolytes**

Applying a voltage to metal electrodes in contact with aqueous electrolytes results in the electrolysis of water at voltages above the decomposition voltage and plasma formation in the electrolyte at much higher voltages referred to as contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE). While several studies explore parameters that lead to changes in the I–U characteristics in this voltage range, little is known about the evolution of the structural properties of the electrodes. Here we study this aspect on materials essential to electrocatalysis, namely Pt, Au, and Cu. The stationary I–U characteristics are almost identical for all electrodes. Detailed structural characterization by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical approaches reveal that Pt is stable during electrolysis and CGDE, while Au and Cu exhibit a voltage-dependent oxide formation. More importantly, oxides are reduced when the Au and Cu electrodes are kept in the electrolysis solution after electrolysis. We suspect that H₂O₂ (formed during electrolysis) is responsible for the oxide reduction. The reduced oxides (which are also accessible via electrochemical reduction) form a porous film, representing a possible new class of materials in energy storage and conversion studies.     

Enzyme‐Responsive Polymeric Vesicles for Bacterial‐Strain‐Selective Delivery of Antimicrobial Agents

Antimicrobial resistance poses serious public health concerns and antibiotic misuse/abuse further complicates the situation; thus, it remains a considerable challenge to optimize/improve the usage of currently available drugs. We report a general strategy to construct a bacterial strain‐selective delivery system for antibiotics based on responsive polymeric vesicles. In response to enzymes including penicillin G amidase (PGA) and β‐lactamase (Bla), which are closely associated with drug‐resistant bacterial strains, antibiotic‐loaded polymeric vesicles undergo self‐immolative structural rearrangement and morphological transitions, leading to sustained release of antibiotics. Enhanced stability, reduced side effects, and bacterial strain‐selective drug release were achieved. Considering that Bla is the main cause of bacterial resistance to β‐lactam antibiotic drugs, as a further validation, we demonstrate methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA)‐triggered release of antibiotics from Bla‐degradable polymeric vesicles, in vitro inhibition of MRSA growth, and enhanced wound healing in an in vivo murine model.     

Ab initio investigation of tautomeric stability,molecular structure,and internal rotation of methylphosphonic dicyanide,methoxydicyanophosphine, and their isocyano analogs

The equilibrium geometric parameters and structures of the transition states of internal rotation for MeP(O)(CN)₂, McOP(CN)₂, and their isocyano analogs, MeP(O)(NC)₂ and MeOP(NC)₂, have been calculated by theab initio SCF method and with inclusion of electron correlation effects according to the second-order Muuller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). At both levels the 6-31G* basis set has been used. The estimation of relative stability of these tautomeric forms depends largely on the calculation level. The total energies of the cyanides calculated by the MP2 method are 25–30 kcal mol^–1 lower than those of the corresponding isocyanides. The oxo-tautomeric forms containing four-coordinate phosphorus are 15–25 kcal mol^–1 more stable than the three-coordinate phosphorus aci-derivatives. The internal rotation potential curves of the aci-forms are characterized by a deep minimum for thetrans-arrangement of the methoxy group and phosphorus lone electron pair. Two additional less clearly pronounced minima are located symmetrically on both sides of the weak maximum, which corresponds to thecis-arrangement. The equilibrium oxo-form structures have a staggered configuration of the methyl group with respect to the phosphorus atom bonds.Translated from izvestiyaAkademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1104–1115, May, 1996.     

Ultra‐Long Crystalline Red Phosphorus Nanowires from Amorphous Red Phosphorus Thin Films

Heating red phosphorus in sealed ampoules in the presence of a Sn/SnI₄ catalyst mixture has provided bulk black phosphorus at much lower pressures than those required for allotropic conversion by anvil cells. Herein we report the growth of ultra‐long 1D red phosphorus nanowires (>1 mm) selectively onto a wafer substrate from red phosphorus powder and a thin film of red phosphorus in the present of a Sn/SnI₄ catalyst. Raman spectra and X‐ray diffraction characterization suggested the formation of crystalline red phosphorus nanowires. FET devices constructed with the red phosphorus nanowires displayed a typical I–V curve similar to that of black phosphorus and a similar mobility reaching 300 cm² V^?1 s with an I_on/I_off ratio approaching 10². A significant response to infrared light was observed from the FET device.     

Theoretical and X-Ray Evidence of Electrostatic Phosphonium anti and gauche Effects

Sulphur, not phosphorus, is the only known third-row element capable of experiencing an electrostatic gauche effect with fluorine. Some six-membered rings containing an endocyclic phosphorus atom and a β-fluorine substituent that can interconvert to axial (gauche relative to phosphorus) and equatorial positions were then analysed. While phosphines do not establish an electrostatic attraction between fluorine and phosphorus, some oxidised forms exhibit surprising stability for the sterically disfavoured axial orientation. Because the nature of this behaviour was not obvious, since an intramolecular hydrogen bond can appear, a phosphonium derivative was further studied and its axial conformation was found to be highly stable. A preference for the gauche arrangement appears even for the acyclic and sterically hindered (2-fluoroethyl)triphenylphosphonium cation. On the other hand, (ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(phosphonium) cations are exclusively in anti conformation due to an (+/+)-electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged phosphonium groups.     

Covalent Structures of Phosphorus: A Comprehensive Theoretical Study

Starting from earlier work by Baudler we introduce a chemical heuristic for the systematic deduction and classification of covalent partial structures of phosphorus in polycyclic phosphanes, phosphorus-rich polycyclic phosphides, and allotropes of phosphorus except the black forms. This approach is used to direct ab initio techniques (which also confirm the rules) in the quest for as yet unknown forms of molecular or macromolecular phosphorus. Based on calculated stabilities of systematically generated structural alternatives we rationalize the stabilities of Hittorf's phosphorus and of molecular P₄, confirm the possible existence of at least one other crystalline allotropic form of phosphorus, and provide insight into the probable structure of amorphous red phosphorus. In total, the combined approach of chemical heuristics and large scale ab initio calculations presented in this work supplies a coherent chemical understanding of covalent polyphosphorus structures.     

SOME HETEROCYCLIC PHOSPHOROCHLORIDATES AND THE FORMATION OF OTHER HETEROCYCLIC ORGANOPHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS

Abstract

Pyrrolidine, morpholine, and β-hydroxyethylmorpholine have been phosphorylated with phosphorus oxychloride, phenylphosphorodichloridate, p-chlorophenylphosphorodichloridate and thiophosphoryl chloride. The resultant phosphorodichloridates have been condensed with a wied range of nucleophilic reagents, e.g. amines, hydrazines, phenols and isobutanol. Piperazine with phosphorus oxychloride (2 mols) gave the N(1) N(4)-diphosphorotetrachloridate, which was characterized as the tetracyclohexylamidate. β-Hydroxyethylpiperazine was similarly phosphorylated to the N,O-diphosphorotetrachloridate which was characterized as the tetraphenylhydrazidate.

Condensation of pyrrolidine (2 mols) with phosphorus oxychloride (1 mol) afforded N,N′-dipyrrolidinophosphorochloridate which was reacted with phenylhydrazide and sodium azide. The phosphoroazide with triphenylphosphine afforded the corresponding triphenylphosphinimine. N-Phenyl N′-pyrrolidinophosphorochloridate with aqueous pyridine gave the corresponding pyrophosphoramide and the stability of the pyrophosphoramide towards hydrolysis was examined. 1,2-Cyclohexanediol was phosphorylated with phenylphosphorodichloridate and thiophosphorylchloride. Trans-4-t-Butylcyclohexyl N,N′-diphenylhydrazinophosphorothioate by reaction with formaldehyde gave a tetra-azaphosphorine P-sulfide. Trans-4-t-Butylcyclohexyl N-phenyl N′-phenylphosphorodiamidic hydrazide reacted with 1,4-dibromobut-2-ene to give a 1,2-diazahex-4-ene.