N,N-dimethyl-selenobenzamide: two solid phases and low-temperature phase change

Two polymorphs (I: mp 49.0–50.0°C; II: mp 80.0–82.0°C) of N,N-dimethyl-selenobenzamide, (CH₃)₂NC(Se)Ph, have been observed. Both I and II can be prepared separately using the same reaction under different conditions. The phase change from phase I to phase II occurs at low temperatures and this has been confirmed by solid state NMR (¹³C), powder X-ray, and single-crystal structural studies. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction study reveals that the lower melting point form (phase I) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with two conformations in the unit cell, while the higher melting point form (phase II) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with one conformation in the unit cell. Theoretical calculations on model clusters using the Universal Forcefield (UFF) show that the total energy of phase I (triclinic form) is 5.9 kcal per mol molecule higher than that of phase II (monoclinic form). Also, the immersion energy which is due to non-bonding interactions, namely Van der Waals and Coulombic (electrostatic) terms, has been calculated using UFF. The Van der Waals terms were very similar in the two crystalline forms (triclinic: −43.1 kcal mol⁻¹; monoclinic: −44.8 kcal mol⁻¹), but the Coulombic terms were significantly different (triclinic: −14.0 kcal mol⁻¹; monoclinic: −31.5 kcal mol⁻¹) and favor the monoclinic form. The triclinic form (phase I) is a kinetically favored metastable phase and upon cooling it changes to the monoclinic form (phase II), a thermodynamically stable phase.     

Continuous flow and flow injection stripping voltammetric determination of silver(I), mercury(II), and bismuth(III) at a bulk modified graphite tube electrode

The epoxy-impregnated graphite tube electrode bulk modified with 2-mercaptobenzoxazole, employed in a wall-jet configuration, was found to be useful for the continuous flow and flow injection stripping voltammetric determinations of Ag^I, Hg^II and Bi^III. For continuous flow, detection limits for Ag^I, Hg^II and Bi^III were 1.8 × 10⁻¹⁰ M, 1.9 × 10⁻⁹ M and 9.5 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively (10 min accumulation, S/N = 3). Precisions for 5.00 × 10⁻⁹ M Ag^I, 1.00 × 10⁻⁸ M Hg^II and 1.00 × 10⁻⁷ M Bi^III were 10.5%, 5.77 % and 7.90% (relative standard deviations, n = 6), respectively. In the case of flow injection stripping, with a 500 μL injection loop, detection limits of 0.59 ng, 2.0 ng and 120 ng were obtained for Ag^I, Hg^II and Bi^III, respectively (S/N = 3). Selected metal ions, inorganic and organic substances were investigated for interferences. The electrode was tested with a certified sample and then applied to the determinations of the metal ions in a urine and a sea-water sample.     

Ionophore Properties of Schiff Base Compounds as Ion Sensing Molecules for Fabricating Cu(II) Ion-Selective Electrodes

Bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)-1,2-diaminoethane (L^I), bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)-1,3-diaminopropane (L^II) and bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)-4,4'-methylendianiline (L^III) were examined as ionophores for fabrication of polyvinylchloride (PVC) membrane Cu(II) ion-selective potentiometric sensors. The optimum composition (%) for the sensors was: 5 L^I, 30 PVC, 6 sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB), 59 ortho-nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE); 4 L^II, 30 PVC, 5 NaTPB, 61 dibutyl phthalate; 6 L^III, 30 PVC, 5 NaTPB, 59 NPOE. The linear response range of the electrodes was 5 × 10^–4–0.05 (L^I), 5 × 10^–4–0.1 (L^II) and 1 × 10^–6–0.01 M (L^III), and the corresponding detection limits were 4 × 10^–4, 4 × 10^–4 and 2 × 10^–7 M, respectively. The sensors were showed rapid response time (≈10 s). Their responses were independent on pH in the range 2.5–5.0 (L^I), 3.2–4.7 (L^II) and 4.0–5.0 (L^III). The selectivity of the prepared electrodes towards copper ions over some mono-, di- and trivalent metal ions was evaluated. The sensors were used as indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of copper ions in aqueous solutions.     

Fluorescence quenching in molecular recognition by hydrogen bonding

Steady-state fluorescence and single photon timing have been used to study the effect of the presence of hydrogen bonding on the intermolecular quenching of pyrene covalently linked to a guanine-like receptor I by an aliphatic amine (N,N-dimethylpropylamine) covalently linked to cytosine derivative II. By comparing the fluorescence quenching of I by II with that of 10methylpyrene (1-MP) by triethylamine (TEA), as a model system in which no hydrogen bonding can occur, one could possibly analyze the effect of the hydrogen bonding between receptor and substrate as a quenching as it leads to a higher local concentration of donor and acceptor. While the quenching of I by II was observed with an apparent rate constant k_q of (1.78 ± 0.10) × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and (8.72 ± 0.42) × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ in toluene and acetonitrile, respectively, no quenching could be observed in methanol. Upon excitation of 1-MP, no quenching by II could be detected in the same concentration range as used in the quenching of I. Quenching of I and of 1-MP by TEA (⩾ 10⁻² M) in toluene leads to exciplex formation with maxima centred at 540 and 514 nm, respectively. The rate constants of exciplex formation and dissociation of I with TEA were analyzed using a global compartmental analysis. The following values were obtained for the rate constants: k₀₁ = (9.70 ± 0.01) × 10⁶ s⁻¹, k₂₁ = (1.12 ± 0.003) × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, k₀₂ = (5.24 ± 0.01) × 10⁷ s⁻¹ and k₁₂ = (7.74 ± 0.08) × 10⁶ s⁻¹. Quenching of I by TEA in the presence of III, a hydrogen-bonding system without an alkyl amine substituent, leads to exciplex formation centred at 538 nm. The rate constant values for the exciplex formation and dissociation of I with TEA in the presence of III were: k₀₁ = (9.32 ± 0.08) × 10⁶ s⁻¹, k₂₁ = (9.32 ± 0.003) × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, k₀₂ = (6.16 ± 0.03) × 10⁷ s⁻¹ and k₁₂ = (21.90 ± 0.3) × 10⁶ s⁻¹. The apparent rate constants k_q for this system was (7.26 ± 0.56) × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The observed decrease in the rate of exciplex formation of I with TEA in the presence of III could suggest that the guanine-like moiety in I forms hydrogen bonds with the cytosine-like moiety and this could decrease the electron affinity of I. The rate constant of exciplex dissociation increased, indicating that the exciplex is less stable in the presence of III. Because of the single exponential decay of I in the presence and absence of II and of the agreement between steady-state and transient fluorescence measurements, the information available for quantitative analysis of the association between I and II is limited.     

Electrochemically Deposited Porous Graphene−Polypyrrole−Polyphenol Oxidase for Dopamine Biosensor

We report a method for the fabrication of glassy carbon electrode modified porous graphene-polypyrrole-polyphenol oxidase (GCE−PG−PPy−PPO) modified electrode for the determination dopamine. The optimization of pH, concentration and detection limit of dopamine was employed by amperomatric technique. The detection limit of dopamine was found to be in a linear range of 2×10⁻⁸ to 4.6×10⁻⁵ M and lower limit detection is 4×10⁻⁹ M. Michealis – Menten constant (Km) and the activation energy were calculated as 31.32 μM and 37.4−Kj mol⁻¹, respectively. The developed biosensor was used to quantify the dopamine in human urine sample.     

The role of copper(II) ions in the oxidation of 5-hydroxy-6-methyluracil in the ground and electronically excited states with molecular oxygen in aqueous solutions

A spectral fluorescence study of photoinduced reactions in aqueous solutions has been carried out in order to examine the mechanisms of the oxidation of 5-hydroxy-6-methyluracil (I) in the ground and electronically excited states by molecular oxygen in the presence of copper(II) chloride. It has been found that 5,5,6-trihydroxy-6-methylpyrimidine-2,4-dione (II) is formed upon the photolysis of I. The spectral parameters (λ_max) and the quantum yields (φ) of fluorescence (FL) of compounds I (φ = 8 × 10^–4; λ_max = 362 nm) and II (φ = 17 × 10^–4; λ_max = 306, 330 nm) have been determined. A reaction scheme was proposed, according to which the photooxidation of I occurs through the steps of the generation of the radical cation I ^?+ and the superoxide anion О ₂ ^?- with the subsequent formation of 5,5,6-trihydroxy-6-methylpyrimidine-2,4-dione. The catalytic and inhibitory effects of Cu(II) ions on the oxidation of 5-hydroxy-6-methyluracil in the ground and electronically excited states, respectively, by the oxygen radical anion О ₂ ^?- have been revealed.     

Dissipation of chlortetracycline in the aquatic environment: Characterization in terms of a generalized multiphase pseudo–zero-order rate law

The kinetics of the dissipation of chlortetracycline in the aquatic environment was studied over a period of 90 days using microcosm experiments and distilled water controls. The distilled water control experiments, carried out under dark conditions as well as exposed to natural sunlight, exhibited biphasic linear rates of dissipation. The microcosm experiments exhibited triphasic linear rates of degradation both in the water phase (2.7 × 10⁻², 7 × 10⁻³, 1.3 × 10⁻³ μg g⁻¹ day^–1) and the sediment phase (3.4 × 10⁻², 6 × 10⁻³, 1 × 10⁻³ μg g⁻¹ day^–1). The initial slow rate of dissipation in the dark control (3 × 10⁻³ μg g⁻¹ day^–1) was attributed to a combination of evaporation and hydrolysis, whereas the subsequent fast rate (1.8 × 10⁻³ μg g⁻¹ day^–1) was attributed to a combination of evaporation, hydrolysis, and microbial degradation. For the sunlight-exposed control, the initial slow rate of dissipation (1.5 × 10⁻³ μg g⁻¹ day^–1) was attributed to a combination of evaporation, hydrolysis, and photolysis, whereas the subsequent fast rate was attributed to a combination of evaporation, hydrolysis, photolysis, and microbial degradation (5.1 × 10⁻³ μg g⁻¹ day^–1). The initial fast rate of dissipation in the water phase of the microcosm experiment is attributed to a combination of evaporation, hydrolysis, photolysis, and microbial degradation, whereas all subsequent slow rates in the water phase and all rates of degradation in the sediment phase are attributed to microbial degradation of the colloidal and sediment particle adsorbed antibiotic. A multiphase zero-order kinetic model is presented that takes into account (a) dissipation of the antibiotic via evaporation, hydrolysis, photolysis, microbial degradation, and adsorption by colloidal and sediment particles and (b) the dependence of the dissipation rate on the concentration of the antibiotic, type and count of microorganisms, and type and concentration of colloidal particles and sediment particle adsorption sites within a given aquatic environment.     

Simultaneous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug electrodetection on nitrogen doped carbon nanodots and nanosized cobalt phthallocyanine conjugate modified glassy carbon electrode

Nitrogen doped carbon nanodots (NDCNDs) and nanosized cobalt tetra aminophenoxy phthalocyanines (CoTAPhPcNPs) modified glassy carbon electrodes have been successfully used in the simultaneous detection of aspirin (ASA), ibuprofen (IBU) and indomethacin (INDO). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to probe the nature of the synthesized nanomaterials. Sequential deposition of the nanomaterials on the glassy carbon electrode yielded CoTAPhPcNPs-NDCNDs-GCE with remarkable electrocatalytic performance. Electro-oxidation of the drugs at the electrode surface was first order. This work demonstrates the synergic effect of the two nanomaterials towards simultaneous electrocatalytic detection of the drugs. Superior detection limits of ASA, IBU and INDO being 9.66 × 10⁻⁹ M, 4.19 × 10⁻⁹ M and 7.2 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively, were obtained using differential pulse voltammetry. The developed sensor could detect two of the three (ibuprofen and indomethacin) simultaneously at significantly different potentials and exhibited remarkable reproducibility after a regeneration step.     

Vibrational spectra of Te(OH)6.2NH4H2AsO4 and Te(OH)6.2(NH4)2HAsO4

IR and Raman spectra of Te(OH)₆.2NH₄H₂AsO₄.(NH₄)₂HAsO₄ (compound I) and Te(OH)₆.2(NH₄)₂HAsO₄ (compound II) are recorded and analysed. The symmetry of different groups and the vibrational interaction between them are discussed. The observed spectra suggest the existence of HAsO²⁻₄ in II and coexistence of HAsO²⁻₄ and H₂AsO⁻₄ in I. The ammonium ion is found to execute hindered rotation in the lattice in both the compounds.     

Synthesis of open-framework iron phosphates, [C5N2H14]2[FeIII2F2(HPO4)4]·2H2O and [C5N2H14][FeIII4(H2O)4F2(PO4)4], with one- and three-dimensional structures

The hydrothermal syntheses and structures of two new open-framework iron phosphates, [C₅N₂H₁₄]₂[Fe^III₂F₂(HPO₄)₄]·2H₂O, I, and [C₅N₂H₁₄][Fe^III₄(H₂O)₄F₂(PO₄)₄], II, are presented. While the structure of I consist of FeO₄F₂ octahedra and HPO₄ terahedra linked to form one-dimensional structure, that of II consist of FeO₄(H₂O)₂, FeO₄(H₂O)F, FeO₄F₂ and PO₄ units connected to give rise to a three-dimensional structure. The structure of I resembles the naturally occurring mineral tancoite while II resembles the iron phosphate, ULM-12, [C₆N₂H₁₄][Fe₄(PO₄)₂F₂(H₂O)₃]. Magnetic susceptibility studies indicate anti-ferromagnetic behavior in both the compounds with T_N=200 and 175 K for I and II, respectively. Crystal data: I, monoclinic, space group=P2₁/n (no. 14). a=7.2261(6), b=16.5731(14), c=11.0847(10) Å, β=97.265(2)°, V=1316.8(2) Å³, Z=4, ρ_calc=1.952 g cm⁻¹, μ_(MoKα)=1.446 mm⁻¹, R₁=0.0448 and wR₂=0.1141 for 1882 data [I>2σ(I)]; for II, monoclinic, space group=P2₁/n (no. 14). a=9.9691(3), b=12.4013(3), c=17.3410(3) Å, β=103.762(1)°, V=2082.32(9) Å³, Z=4, ρ_calc=2.576 g cm⁻¹, μ_(MoKα)=3.162 mm⁻¹, R₁=0.0510 and wR₂=0.1064 for 2979 data [I>2σ(I)].     

Photophysical insights on quantum dots-zinc porphyrazine system studied in solution

The present study reports spontaneous interaction of a quantum dots, namely, CdS_xSe_1-x/ZnS (QD) with zinc porphyrazine (1) in toluene. It is observed from steady state fluorescence measurements that photoluminescence of QD suffers quenching by 1. Time resolved fluorescence measurements reveal small change in the lifetime of QD (16.10 ns) following it interaction with 1 (15.77 ns). The magnitude of k_q for QD-1 system, i.e., k_q ​= ​5.25 ​× ​10¹² ​L⋅mol⁻¹⋅sec⁻¹ (evaluated from the stern-volmer plot) establishes that photoexcited QD undergoes decay by 1 according to static quenching mechanism. The results emerging from above study confirm that QD-1 system may be judiciously applied as an energy storage material in near future.     

A series of open-framework tin(II) phosphates: A[Sn4(PO4)3] (A=Na,K, NH4)

A new series of isostructural open-framework tin(II) phosphates with general formula A[Sn₄(PO₄)₃], where A=Na, K, NH₄, has been synthesized by hydrothermal methods. The crystal structures of NaSn₄(PO₄)₃ (I) and KSn₄(PO₄)₃ (II) have been solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Both phases crystallize in the trigonal space group R3c (#161) with Z=6 and cell parameters a=9.5508(13) Å, c=24.083(3) Å for I, and a=9.7124(11) Å, c=24.363(3) Å for II. The structure consists of a negatively charged [Sn₄(PO₄)₃]⁻ framework with channels running parallel to the a- and b-axes where the charge compensating A⁺ cations are located. An interesting feature is that half of the channels are empty due to the specific geometry of the SnO₃ units—the lone electron pair of the tin atoms “protrudes” in these channels thus preventing the insertion of A⁺. The new phases have also been characterized by infrared and thermogravimetric analyses.     

Multi-C−C/C−N-Coupled Light-Emitting Aliphatic Terpolymers: N−H-Functionalized Fluorophore Monomers and High-Performance Applications

To circumvent costly fluorescent labeling, five nonconventional, multifunctional, intrinsically fluorescent aliphatic terpolymers ( 1 – 5 ) have been synthesized by C−C/C−N-coupled, solution polymerization of two non-emissive monomers with protrusions of fluorophore monomers generated in situ. These scalable terpolymers were suitable for sensing and high-performance exclusion of Cu^II, logic function, and bioimaging. The structures of the terpolymers, in situ attachment of fluorescent monomers, aggregation-induced enhanced emission, bioimaging ability, and super adsorption were investigated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, EPR, FTIR, X-ray photoelectron, UV/Vis, and atomic absorption spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, solid-state fluorescence, fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence lifetime measurements, as well as by isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies. The geometries and electronic structures of the fluorophores and the absorption and emission properties of the terpolymers were examined by DFT, time-dependent DFT, and natural transition orbital analyses. For 1 , 2 , and 5 , the limits of detection were determined to be 1.03×10⁻⁷, 1.65×10⁻⁷, and 1.77×10⁻⁷ m , respectively, and the maximum adsorption capacities are 1575.21, 1433.70, and 1472.21 mg g⁻¹, respectively.     

Molecular spin ladders self-assembly from [Ni(dmit)2]− building blocks: Syntheses,structures and magnetic properties

Two ion-pair compounds, consisting of 1-(4′-R-benzyl)pyridinium ([RBzPy]⁺, R = NO₂ (1) and Br (2)) and [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ (dmit²⁻ = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithion-4,5-dithiolato), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The anions of [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ stack into dimers, which further construct into two-leg ladder through terminal S⋯S interactions in 1, lateral S⋯S interactions in 2. The weak H-bonding interactions of C–H⋯S were observed in 2, while only weak van de Waals interactions between anion and cations in 1. The magnetic susceptibilities measured in 2–300 K indicate AFM exchange interaction domination both two compounds. A peculiar magnetic transition at ∼100 K was observed in 1. An AFM ordering below ∼11 K was found in 2, and the best fit to magnetic susceptibility above 45 K in this compound, using a dimer model with s = 1/2, give rise to Δ/k_B = 36.1 K, zJ = −0.91 K, C = 3.2 × 10⁻³ emu K mol⁻¹ and χ₀ = −4.0 × 10⁻⁶ emu mol⁻¹ with g of 2.0 fixed.     

Structural and electrical characteristics of ALD-HfO2/n-Si gate stack with SiON interfacial layer for advanced CMOS technology

We report the fabrication of an ultra-thin silicon oxynitride (SiON) as an interfacial layer (IL) for n-Si/ALD-HfO₂ gate stack with reduced leakage current. The XRD, AFM, FTIR, FESEM and EDAX characterizations have been performed for structural and morphological studies. Electrical parameters such as dielectric constant (K), interface trap density (D_it), leakage current density (J), effective oxide charge (Q_eff), barrier height (Φ_bo), ideality factor (ƞ), breakdown-voltage (V_br) and series resistance (R_s) were extracted through C-V, G-V and I-V measurements. The determined values of K, D_it, J, Q_eff, Φ_bo, ƞ, V_br and R_s are 14.4, 0.5 × 10 ¹¹ eV⁻¹ cm⁻², 2.2 × 10⁻⁹ A/cm², 0.3 × 10¹³ cm⁻², 0.42, 2.1, −0.33 and 14.5 MΩ respectively. SiON growth prior to HfO₂ deposition has curtailed the problem of high leakage current density and interfacial traps due to sufficient amount of N₂ incorporated at the interface.     

Fluorescence quenching of thionine by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is shown to quench the fluorescence of thionine. Quenching of thionine is extremely efficient with a half quenching concentration of only 16.1 × 10⁻⁶ M NADH. A Stern—Volmer plot is linear over the NADH concentration range from 1 to 20μM. The corresponding Stern—Volmer quenching constant is 6.2 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and the limit of detection for NADH measurements is 1.6 × 10⁻⁶ M. Process of quenching is attributed to the formation of an exciplex between thionine and NADH. Potential analytical features of this system are discussed.     

Electrochemical monitoring of the interaction of cisplatin with cystine and ascorbic acid

The interaction of cisplatin with cystine (RSSR) and ascorbic acid (AA) has been investigated in aqueous solution at physiological pH, using drug concentration of 0.835×10⁻⁶ M to 46.76×10⁻⁶ M with RSSR concentration of 6.5×10⁻⁵ M by voltammetric techniques. Voltammetric results show that at low drug concentration (<0.835×10⁻⁶ M), the interaction between cisplatin and RSSR occurs slightly, while at higher drug concentrations (≥0.835×10⁻⁶ M), cisplatin binds to RSSR and gives an unseparated-reduction peak at −0.610 V. Based on the voltammetric behaviour of RSSR, it has been suggested that binding of cisplatin to RSSR occurs mainly at the disulphide bond. It has been shown that the interaction of cisplatin with RSSR in the presence of AA is very rapid with regards to the interaction without AA, and a new peak, probably corresponding to the interaction of cisplatin with RSSR and AA is appeared at −0.970 V. The fractional coefficient for the binding of cisplatin to RSSR with or without AA was calculated to be 0.031 and 0.055, respectively.     

A new family of magnetic 2D coordination polymers based on [MV(CN)8]3− (M=Mo,W) and pre-programmed Cu2+ centres

The self-assembly of [M(CN)₈]³⁻ (M=Mo, W) anion and polyamine complexes of Cu^II[Cu(tetren)]²⁺ and [Cu(dien)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ (tetren=tetraethylenepentamine, dien=diethylenetriamine) in acidic aqueous solution gives (tetrenH₅)_0.8{Cu^II ₄[W^V(CN)₈]₄}·7.2H₂O 1, (tetrenH₅)_0.8{Cu^II ₄[Mo^V(CN)₈]₄}·7.2H₂O 2, (dienH₃){Cu^II ₃[W^V(CN)₈]₃}·4H₂O 3 and (dienH₃){Cu^II ₃[Mo^V(CN)₈]₃}·4H₂O 4 2D coordination polymers. All compounds are structure-related: the crystal structures of isomorphous 1–2 and 3–4, respectively, consist of double-layered cyano-bridged {Cu^II[W^V(CN)₈]⁻}_n square grid backbones and non-coordinated fully protonated polyamine countercations as well as H₂O molecules located between the sheets. The magnetic measurements reveal long range ferromagnetic ordering with sharp phase transitions at T_C in range 28–37 K and coercivity in range 30–225 Oe at liquid helium temperature, T=4.3 K.     

The circular dichroism spectra of the cyclodextrin complex with 1,4-benzocyclooctenedione

The assignment of the absorption spectra of 1,4-benzocyclooctenedione (1) is reported by measuring the circular dichroism spectra of the β-cyclodextrin complex with 1. It is concluded from the signs of the circular dichroism bands that the first (16.6 × 10³−27.4 × 10³ cm⁻¹) absorption band is composed of two electronic transitions having perpendicular polarizations with respect to the long axis of 1, the second (27.4 × 10³−35.8 × 10³ cm⁻¹) absorption band has the transition dipole moment parallel to the long axis of 1 and the third (35.8 × 10³−44.3 × 10³ cm⁻¹) absorption band is composed of two electronic transitions having perpendicular and parallel polarizations with respect to the long axis of 1.