Palladium nanoparticles captured onto spherical silica particles using a urea cross-linked imidazolium molecular band

Palladium nanoparticles were captured onto spherical silica particles using a molecular band composed of imidazolium chloride and urea moieties to form raspberry-like Pd@SiO2 composites, which can be recovered and reused without any loss of catalytic activity in Suzuki-Miyaura coupling.     

Heterogenization of a chiral bis(oxazoline) catalyst by grafting onto silica

[reaction: see text] We report here the first heterogenization of a bis(oxazoline) ligand on an inorganic (silica) surface. The activity and enantioselectivity of this new material as a catalyst for the Diels-Alder reaction were checked, and it was shown that under certain conditions enantioselectivities similar to those of the homogeneous catalyst are reached. It was also shown that under these conditions the catalyst can be recycled without loss of activity or selectivity.     

Vibrational dephasing time of a molecular subgroup investigated by ultrashort coherent probing techniques

Normal vibrational modes which are broadened by a distribution of frequencies are coherently excited via transient stimulated Raman scattering. The dephasing time of a subgroup of molecules is observed using a new selective k-vector technique. In this way, one studies the homogeneous linewidth of an inhomogeneously broadened vibrational band. Results are reported on CH-stretching modes of methanol and ethylene glycol.     

A cation-exchange material for protein separations based on grafting of thiol-terminated sulfopropyl methacrylate telomers onto hydrophilized monodisperse divinylbenzene particles

A strong cation-exchange separation material has been prepared from monodisperse divinylbenzene particles modified by a "grafting to" approach, utilizing as anchoring points epoxy groups introduced onto the surface of the particles via oxidation of residual vinyl groups. The grafted chains consisted of thiol-terminated telomers of sulfopropyl methacrylate prepared by iniferter mediated polymerization, and grafting was performed by reaction of the corresponding thiolate anion with the surface epoxy groups. Attachment through epoxy moieties that were subsequently converted into 2,3-propanediol groups increased the hydrophilicity of the polymeric particles and incubation experiments showed no signs of the proteins denaturing on the column during an extended contact time of 1 h at room temperature. The performance of the grafted material was demonstrated by the chromatographic separation of cytochrome C, lysozyme, myoglobin, and ribonuclease A, in a cation-exchange mode.     

Rapid fabrication of core-shell silica particles using a multilayer-by-multilayer approach

Monodisperse silica core-shell particles with a high surface area and large pore size were rapidly prepared via a multilayer-by-multilayer (ML-b-ML) process, with 6-7 layers of silica nanoparticles deposited per coating cycle onto an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte in 0.1 M NH(4)NO(3) at pH 2.7. The resultant porous shells show much greater porosity compared to particles obtained by the traditional layer-by-layer process.     

Generation of a mesoporous silica MSU shell onto solid core silica nanoparticles using a simple two-step sol-gel process

Silica core-shell nanoparticles with a MSU shell have been synthesized using several non-ionic poly(ethylene oxide) based surfactants via a two step sol-gel method. The materials exhibit a typical worm-hole pore structure and tunable pore diameters between 2.4 nm and 5.8 nm.     

Self-assembled monolayers and preorganization of organosilanes prior to surface grafting onto silica: a quantum mechanical study

Quantum chemical calculations have been carried out on the grafting of chain organosilane compounds on SiO(2)-hydroxylated solid surfaces. It is shown that a single molecule interacting with the surface lies flat to it, inhibiting further homogeneous film growth. This adsorption exhibits two molecule/surface interactions: a covalent bond on one side of the molecule and a hydrogen bond on the other side. We then investigate the possible preorganization of the molecules before grafting due to the presence of water molecules either in the gas/liquid phase or near the surface. This gives rise to the formation of dimerized chains. We then demonstrate that this preorganization process prevents subsequent lying flat of the molecules to the substrate after grafting. Energetics and associated configurations of the overall deposition process are discussed in detail and provide new insights on the understanding of the formation of self-assembled homogeneous organic films on microelectronics-type substrates.     

Assessment by XPS and electrochemical techniques of two molecular organosilane films prepared on stainless‐steel surfaces

The ability of silane groups to chemosorb on mechanically polished stainless‐steel surfaces has been investigated. Accordingly, tridecafluoro‐1,1,2,2‐tetrahydrooctyltrichlorosilane and the tridecafluoro‐1,1,2,2‐tetrahydrooctyltriethoxysilane, two organosilanes of similar chain length terminated with hydrophobic non‐reactive functions, have been tested as probe molecules. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization, optical microscopy imaging, electrochemistry and contact angle measurements have been performed to characterize bare and modified samples. Results reported in this work show the influence of time of immersion and coupling agent reactive group on self‐assembled monolayer formation. It emerges that silanization by triethoxysilanes in millimolar solutions is not suitable for producing chemically bonded organic films with high density. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical characterization of alpha-oxohydrazone ligation on colloids: toward grafting molecular addresses onto biological vectors

New mild and specific chemical strategies have been developed recently for the selective coupling of biological macromolecules. Among them, the hydrazone ligation strategy offers high chemoselectivity and versatility. We intended to use hydrazone ligation to target the controlled release of therapeutic agents by biological vectors (multilamellar vesicles called onion vectors). An accurate measure of ligation bond stability was needed to ensure that the ligation bond would stand long exposures to physiological conditions. In this study, we have completed a kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of hydrazone formation on a model reaction. The mechanism of the reaction in solution as well as in different self-organized systems (micelles, liposomes and multilamellar vesicles) was investigated. In solution, submicromolar stability was achieved as well as half-lives of several weeks. The kinetics and stability were both enhanced in colloidal media thanks to autoassociation effects. The results were expanded to the realistic case of RGD-peptide coupling to onion vectors. The RGD grafted onion vectors were then tested for their ability to bind endothelial cells in vitro.     

Toward a better pharmacophore description of P-glycoprotein modulators, based on macrocyclic diterpenes from Euphorbia species

Multidrug resistance related to the increased expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) by cancer cells is the major contributor for the failure of chemotherapeutic treatments. Starting from pharmacophores and data already published and in macrocyclic diterpenes isolated from Euphorbia species, a comprehensive study of pharmacophore definitions of features was performed in order to obtain a new improved four-point pharmacophore able to detect literature and in-house modulators and simultaneously specific enough to avoid the detection of most nonactive molecules in a universe of 152 (literature), 74 (in-house), and 46 (inactive) molecules. This pharmacophore detects 84.2% of the molecules described in the literature, along with 100% detection of in-house isolated compounds and 19.5% of false positives. The importance of the hydrophobic and electron acceptor moieties as essential features for recognition of different molecules by the P-gp drug-binding site is clarified. The best combination of acceptor, donor, hydrophobic, and aromatic characteristics that contribute for the increased selectivity shown by the described pharmacophore is evaluated, and the protonation state of the molecules is also addressed.     

Incorporation of a molecular hinge into molecular tweezers by using tandem cycloadditions onto 5,6-dimethylenenorbornene

Site-selective 1,3-dipolar coupling at the norbornene pi-bond of 5,6-dimethylenenorbornene 1 yields cycloadducts with an end-fused 1,3-diene system which have been reacted with N=N (or C=C) dienophiles to produce ribbon molecules, in which the internal diazacyclohexene (or cyclohexene) subunits are capable of acting as conformational hinges. Direct coupling of 5,6-dimethylenenorbornene with 1,3,4-oxadiazoles or dual coupling with bis(cyclobutene epoxides) afforded bis(1,3-dienes) that diastereoselectively react with dienophiles to produce new, conformationally mobile, molecular tweezers.     

Quantitative investigation of a hybrid Ziegler-Natta catalyst support prepared by grafting di(n-butyl)magnesium onto partially dehydroxylated silica

MgCl(2)-modified silica is an important component of some Ziegler-Natta catalysts used in the manufacture of polyethylene. Information about the structure of the dispersed magnesium sites formed by the reaction of di-n-butylmagnesium (nBu(2)Mg) with silica was sought to provide a basis for understanding their subsequent interactions with transition-metal or co-catalyst components. From infrared spectra and elemental analysis, we deduced that nBu(2)Mg reacts with porous silica in two ways: about half (47%, 0.99 mmol g(-1)) is grafted through protonolysis by surface hydroxyl groups (≡SiOH), whereas the other half (53%, 1.11 mmol g(-1)) reacts directly with siloxane bonds (≡SiOSi≡). In the (29)Si and (13)C CP/MAS NMR spectra of Sylopol-2100 silica pretreated at 500 °C then modified with nBu(2)Mg at room temperature, both alkylsilicon and alkylmagnesium sites are evident. The alkylmagnesium-modified silica surface is proposed to contain dimers and/or tetramers with the empirical formula [≡SiOMg(nBu)](n). Upon exposure of nBu(2)Mg-modified silica to anhydrous HCl, alkanes are liberated, hydroxyl groups are regenerated, and water is formed. The appearance of water suggests condensation of hydroxyl group pairs, induced by the coordinatively unsaturated nanoclusters (MgCl(2))(n) that arise by ligand exchange on the silica-supported n-butylmagnesium oligomers.     

Determination of silica coating efficiency on metal particles using multiple digestion methods

Nano-sized metal particles, including both elemental and oxidized metals, have received significant interest due to their biotoxicity and presence in a wide range of industrial systems. A novel silica technology has been recently explored to minimize the biotoxicity of metal particles by encapsulating them with an amorphous silica shell. In this study, a method to determine silica coating efficiency on metal particles was developed. Metal particles with silica coating were generated using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process with a silica precursor tetramethylsilane (TMS) added to the shielding gas. Microwave digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) were employed to solubilize the metal content in the particles and analyze the concentration, respectively. Three acid mixtures were tested to acquire the appropriate digestion method targeting at metals and silica coating. Metal recovery efficiencies of different digestion methods were compared through analysis of spiked samples. HNO₃/HF mixture was found to be a more aggressive digestion method for metal particles with silica coating. Aqua regia was able to effectively dissolve metal particles not trapped in the silica shell. Silica coating efficiencies were thus calculated based on the measured concentrations following digestion by HNO₃/HF mixture and aqua regia. The results showed 14-39% of welding fume particles were encapsulated in silica coating under various conditions. This newly developed method could also be used to examine the silica coverage on particles of silica shell/metal core structure in other nanotechnology areas.     

Synthesis of composite particles through emulsion polymerization based on silica/fluoroacrylate-siloxane using anionic reactive and nonionic surfactants

The composite particles with core/shell structure resulting from the combination of silica seed and hydrophobic copolymer (dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFMA), gamma-methacryloxypropyltriisopropoxidesilane (MAPTIPS), methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate) were synthesized by emulsion polymerization. The amount of the silica seeds, concentration of reactive surfactant, as well as the addition of DFMA and MAPTIPS, have strong influences on the morphology of composite particles. It has been shown that it would be possible to produce stable organic/inorganic composite particles with inhomogeneous core/shell structure encapsulated by hydrophobic fluorinated acrylate even though using unmodified silica particles and admixture of anionic and nonionic surfactants. However, there was an obvious difference on the morphologies of core-shell structure whether the DFMA and MAPTIPS were added or not. It was concluded that two kinds of polymerization approaches might coexist in the presence of DFMA and MAPTIPS for raw silica. One clear advantage of this process is that there is only one silica bead for each composite particle. This kind of stable core-shell structural hybrid latex is useful for preparing high performance hydrophobic coating.     

Autonomous movement of silica and glass micro-objects based on a catalytic molecular propulsion system

A general approach for the easy functionalization of bare silica and glass surfaces with a synthetic manganese catalyst is reported. Decomposition of H(2)O(2) by this dinuclear metallic center into H(2)O and O(2) induced autonomous movement of silica microparticles and glass micro-sized fibers. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to rationalise movement of particles driven by H(2)O(2) decomposition to O(2) and water (recoil from O(2) bubbles, ([36,45]) interfacial tension gradient([37-42]), it is apparent in the present system that ballistic movement is due to the growth of O(2) bubbles.     

A kinetic study on grafting of maleic anhydride onto a thermoplastic elastomer

Maleation of a thermoplastic elastomer, styrene-[ethylene-butylene]-styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer, was carried out by a solution grafting reaction with maleic anhydride initiated by dicumyl peroxide. The reaction products from the graft reaction in xylene, commonly chosen as the solvent for maleation graft reactions, were identified using liquid chromatograph (LC), IR, and ¹³C-NMR. Side products from the graft reaction were identified by the LC analysis and, it was concluded that xylene affected the graft reaction through its active methyl groups. Reaction mechanisms were investigated by performing free radical kinetics analysis. The reaction orders and the apparent rate constant were estimated. It was concluded that a proper choice of the solvent might favor better graft efficiency. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Chromatographic evaluation using basic solutes of the silanol activity of stationary phases based on poly(methyloctylsiloxane) immobilized onto silica

The chromatographic behaviors of some basic solutes were evaluated on stationary phases based on poly(methyloctylsiloxane) immobilized onto silica (PMOS-SiO(2)). The test solutes present both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. Evaluations of the pH effect used 80:20 v/v methanol/buffered mobile phase over the pH range of 5-11.5 with inorganic buffers such as borate, carbonate and phosphate and with organic buffers such as citrate, tricine and triethylamine. Evaluations in acidic mobile phases used 50:50 v/v and 30:70 v/v methanol/buffer (pH 2.5; 20 mmol/L) mobile phases. The buffer concentration effect used 65:35 v/v methanol/phosphate (pH 7; 20 and 100 mmol/L) mobile phases. The results are compared with those obtained with two chemically bonded stationary phases. The immobilized phases show greater contributions from an ion-exchange mechanism than do the commercial phases. The results indicate that the silanol activity of PMOS-SiO(2) stationary phases can be adequately evaluated by using appropriate basic probes and mobile phases having different pH, using different buffers.