Study on the optical properties of 4,4'-bis-(2-(substituted-styryl))biphenyl and 1,4-bis-(2-(substituted-styryl))benzene

The maximum absorption wavelengths (lambda(a-max)), absorption coefficient (epsilon), maximum emission wavelengths (lambda(e-max)), fluorescent quantum yields (phi(f)), and second-order nonlinear polarizations (beta(xxx)) of seventeen 4,4'-bis-(2-(substituted-styryl))biphenyl and three 1,4-bis-(2-(substituted-styryl))benzene were measured. The results showed that some of this series of compounds possess high fluorescent quantum yields in DMF, such as, 2 (0.801), 3 (0.680), 5 (0.565), 15 (0.538) 16 (0.848), 18 (2.175), 19 (1.314) and 20 (1.060), as compared with quinine-sulfuric acid. They could be used as fluorescent whiteners and fluorescent colorants. Some of these compounds were of a high beta(xxx) values, such as in DMSO, 2 (29.00/10(-30) m(5)c(-1)), 3 (25.29/10(-30) m(5)c(-1)), 8 (21.79/10(-30) m(5)c(-1)) and 9 (24.08/10(-30) m(5)c(-1)). Electron-withdrawing substituent NO(2), which is attached to the two terminal phenyl rings could cause lambda(a-max) obviously to be shorter, but it made lambda(e-max) change longer. Electron-donating substituent at two end benzene rings, such as OCH(3), N((CH(3))(2)), even Cl, could make lambda(a-max) and lambda(e-max) longer, and the larger the electron-donating ability of the substituent, the longer the lambda(a-max) and lambda(e-max). This influence of 4-position substituent on lambda(a-max) or lambda(e-max) is obviously larger than that of 2-position substituent, and the action of substituent on 2-position is larger than that of substituent on 3-position. The values of lambda(a-max) and lambda(e-max) of biphenyl compounds 2 or 3 were respectively close to these values of corresponding benzene compounds 18 or 19.     

Study on second harmonic generation of 9-benzylidene-substituted-10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridines

Eight 9-benzylidene-substituted-10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine derivatives were synthesized from acridine as starting material and were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Ms and elemental analysis. The second harmonic generation (SHG) values of these compounds were determined in powder using Nd:YAG as a laser source, as compared with urea powder, and the values of second-order polarizabilities (betaxxx), the values of the composite magnitude (betaCTmicrog) of molecular hypersusceptibilities and their moment of these compounds were obtained by the solvatochromic method under ground state for everyone. The results showed that SHG value of 10 is higher than that of urea; the betaCTmicrog of 5 (107.8 x 10(-30) esu) is lower than that of 4-nitro-N,N-dimethylaniline (30 x 10(-30) esu); the betaCTmicrog of 7 (350.8 x 10(-30) esu) and 10 (244.6 x 10(-30) esu) are higher than that of 4-nitro-N,N-dimethylaniline; the betaCTmicrog of 8 (3553 x 10(-30) esu), 11 (1187 x 10(-30) esu) and 12 (1163 x 10(-30) esu) are much more higher than that of 4-nitro-N,N-dimethylaniline. The results demonstrated that this series of compounds possesses good second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) property. The regular relationship could not be obtained between electronegativity of substituents (R) attached to benzylidene ring and SHG values or betaCTmicrog values although the Rs are different in electronegativity and should make an effect on the extent of intramolecular electron-transfer and would consequently influence SHG or betaCTmicrog. The electron-withdrawing ability of R from benzylidene ring played an important role on lambdamax of these compounds.     

Two-dimensional rhombohedral grid coordination polymers [M(bbbt)(2)(NCS)(2)](n)(M = Co,Mn, or Cd; bbbt = 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl) bis-1H-benzotriazole): synthesis,crystal structures,and third-order nonlinear optical properties

In this paper, treatment of 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl) bis-1H-benzotriazole (bbbt) and KSCN with Co(II), Mn(II), or Cd(II) afforded three two-dimensional rhombohedral grid coordination polymers [M(bbbt)(2)(NCS)(2)](n)(M = Co, 1; Mn, 2; Cd, 3). The two-dimensional rhombohedral grids are parallel to the crystallographic ac plane. The rhombohedral grid consists of 44-membered rings of M(4)(bbbt)(4), and gives the dimensions of 12.913 x 10.764 A for polymer 1, 13.106 x 10.797 A for polymer 2, and 13.256 x 10.870 A for polymer 3. The three polymers' third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were determined by Z-scan technique in DMF solution. The results show that all three polymers show very large NLO absorption and strong NLO refraction properties. The third-order NLO absorptive coefficients alpha(2) are 5.4 x 10(-9) m W(-1) for polymer 1, 5.2 x 10(-9) m W(-1) for polymer 2, and 5.0 x 10(-9) m W(-1) for polymer 3. The alpha(2) values are larger than those of all the reported cluster compounds. The NLO refractive index values n(2) of the three polymers are 5.73 x 10(-19), 3.55 x 10(-19), and 3.07 x 10(-19) m(2) W(-1), respectively. Their hyperpolarizability gamma values are calculated to be 2.40 x 10(-30) esu for polymer 1, 1.52 x 10(-30) esu for polymer 2, and 1.50 x 10(-30) esu for polymer 3. The gamma values are comparable to those of clusters and better than those of organometallic compounds, semiconductors, and fullerene.     

Visible-light photochromism of triarylamine- or ferrocene-bound diethynylethenes that switches electronic communication between redox sites and luminescence

Redox-active ferrocene- and triarylamine-terminated diethynylethene derivatives have been synthesized and their photochromic properties and switching behavior based on through-bond electronic communication between the two redox sites, as well as their emissions, have been examined. Both bis(ferrocenylethynyl)ethene 1 and bis(triarylaminoethynyl)ethene 2 show visible-light photochromism induced by donor-acceptor charge-transfer (CT) transitions from the ferrocene or triarylamine to the diethynylethene moieties. The reversibility and quantum yields of the photochromism of 2 (Phi(E-->Z)=6.1 x 10(-2), Phi(Z-->E)=1.4 x 10(-2)) are far higher than those of 1 (Phi(E-->Z)=8.6 x 10(-6), Phi(Z-->E)=2.5 x 10(-6)). The higher efficiency in 2 may be attributed to the absence of the heavy atom effect and of a low-lying (3)LF state, which are characteristic of ferrocenyl compounds. This proposition is further supported by the fact that bis(ferrocenylbuta-1,3-diynyl)ethene 3, which, unlike 1, is free from steric interference between the two ferrocenyl groups in the Z form, does not show a significant improvement in its photoisomerization quantum yields (Phi(E-->Z)=6.2x10(-5), Phi(Z-->E)=3.4 x 10(-5)). The visible-light photochromism of 1 and 2 is accompanied by a switch in the strength of the electronic communication between the two redox sites in their mixed-valence states (DeltaE(0)' values are 70 and 48 mV for (E)-1 and (Z)-1, and 74 and 63 mV for (E)-2 and (Z)-2). In the case of 2, further evaluations were carried out through intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) band analyses and DFT calculations. We have also demonstrated that steric repulsion between the methyl ester moieties in the Z form is implicated in the reduction in the through-bond electronic communication. Compound 2 exhibits photoluminescence, which is more efficient in the E form than in the Z form, whereas 1 and 3 show no photoluminescence.     

Kinetics studies of aqueous phase reactions of Cl atoms and Cl2(-) radicals with organic sulfur compounds of atmospheric interest

A laser flash photolysis-long path UV-visible absorption technique has been employed to investigate the kinetics of aqueous phase reactions of chlorine atoms (Cl) and dichloride radicals (Cl2(-)) with four organic sulfur compounds of atmospheric interest, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; CH3S(O)CH3), dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2; CH3(O)S(O)CH3), methanesulfinate (MSI; CH3S(O)O-), and methanesulfonate (MS; CH3(O)S(O)O-). Measured rate coefficients at T = 295 +/- 1 K (in units of M(-1) s(-1)) are as follows: Cl + DMSO, (6.3 +/- 0.6) x 10(9); Cl2(-) + DMSO, (1.6 +/- 0.8) x 10(7); Cl + DMSO2, (8.2 +/- 1.6) x 10(5); Cl2(-) + DMSO2, (8.2 +/- 5.5) x 10(3); Cl2(-) + MSI, (8.0 +/- 1.0) x 10(8); Cl + MS, (4.9 +/- 0.6) x 10(5); Cl2(-) + MS, (3.9 +/- 0.7) x 10(3). Reported uncertainties are estimates of accuracy at the 95% confidence level and the rate coefficients for MSI and MS reactions with Cl2(-) are corrected to the zero ionic strength limit. The absorption spectrum of the DMSO-Cl adduct is reported; peak absorbance is observed at 390 nm and the peak extinction coefficient is found to be 5760 M(-1) cm(-1) with a 2sigma uncertainty of +/-30%. Some implications of the new kinetics results for understanding the atmospheric sulfur cycle are discussed.     

Photochemistry of neutral isonitrile gold(I) complexes: modulation of photoreactivity by aurophilicity and pi-acceptance ability

This work demonstrates for the first time that aurophilicity and ligand pi-acceptance ability sensitize the photoreactivity of Au(I) complexes. Photolysis of LAu(I)Cl (L = RNC or CO) complexes leads to free L, Au(III), and Au(0) photoproducts. Solutions of (p-tosyl)CH(2)NCAuCl in dichloromethane undergo significant oligomerization leading to dimers and trimers with formation constants of 1.61 x 10(3) and 6.61 x 10(3) M(-1), respectively, representing the highest values reported to date for complexes that exhibit aurophilic association in solution. The photoproduct quantum yield (Phi) varies with the LAu(I)Cl concentration in solution. For (p-tosyl)CH(2)NCAuCl, metallic gold forms with Phi = 0.0065 and 0.032 in 4.0 x 10(-5) and 4.0 x 10(-3) M dichloromethane solutions, respectively. Meanwhile, irradiation of t-BuNCAuCl primarily produces t-BuNCAuCl(3) with Phi = 0.0045 and 0.013 for 5.0 x 10(-5) and 5.0 x 10(-3) M dichloromethane solutions, respectively. For Au(CO)Cl, metallic gold forms with Phi = 0.013 and 0.065 upon irradiation of 8.0 x 10(-5) and 8.0 x 10(-3) M dichloromethane solutions, respectively. Hence, *[LAuX](n) oligomeric species are more photoreactive than monomeric species. The results also demonstrate intuitive control of Phi via modulation of the pi-acceptance ability of L, as both follow CO > (p-tosyl)CH(2)NC > (alkyl)NC in LAuCl, a trend that is also commensurate with the relative long-term photosensitivity of the corresponding solids and solutions. A new method for preparing stable small gold nanoparticles is described based on the fundamental findings above. Thus, photolysis of different concentrations of LAuX in solutions containing a primary amine-terminated dendrimer leads to clear solutions exhibiting tunable visible plasmon absorptions of gold nanoparticles; these solutions maintain their colors and stability indefinitely. TEM measurements for representative samples prepared by photolysis of (p-tosyl)CH(2)NCAuCl solutions give rise to spherical nanoparticles as small as 5 nm.     

Diarylamino groups as photostable auxofluors in 2-benzoxazolylfluorene, 2,5-diphenyloxazoles, 1,3,5-hexatrienes, 1,4-distyrylbenzenes,and 2,7-distyrylfluorenes

The relationship of structure to optical spectral properties was determined for five types of fluors in a search for an optimum-wavelength shifter to be used as part of the detection systems for high-energy particles from accelerators. In a search for photostable fluors to serve as waveshifters in plastic fibers it was found that the wavelengths of interest, absorption max 410 +/- 10 nm and fluorescence emission max 480 +/- 20 nm, along with other properties, such as high solubility and short fluorescence decay time, could be obtained from fluorophors composed of aromatic rings and vinyl groups only by using amino groups as auxochromes to give bathochromic shifts of wavelengths. Since primary, monoalkyl, and dialkylamino groups were not sufficiently photostable, a number of fluorophores bearing diarylamino groups were investigated. Syntheses of the fluors made use of the Buchwald amination, an improved version of the Emmons-Horner reaction, and other common reactions. The fluor types were the following: a 2-benzoxazolyl-7-(4-diarylamino)fluorene 7, 2-(4-cyanophenyl)-5-(4-aminophenyl)oxazoles 14 and 20, 1,3,5-hexatrienes 24a-d and 26a-c, 1,4-distyrylbenzenes 31d-g and 32a-e, and 2,7-distyrylfluorenes 40a,d-e. The unsymmetrical fluors 7, 14, and 20 were not as bright as the best hexatrienes, distyrylbenzenes, and distyrylfluorenes, which were all symmetrical. Where the 1,6-diaryl-1,3,5-hexatrienes 24a-d had high fluorescence quantum yield (Phi(f)), the 1,1,6,6-tetraryl-1,3,5-hexatrienes 26a-c had both lower epsilon and Phi(f). Where the 1,4-distyrylbenzenes 31d-g had high Phi(f), the 1,4-bis(2-phenylstyryl)benzenes 32a-e had Phi(f) = 0. Diarylamino groups as auxofluors conferred higher photochemical stability than dialkylamino groups on similar fluorophores. The 1,4-distyrylbenzenes 31d,e and the 2,7-distyrylfluorenes 40d,ehad the most desirable properties overall, which included fast decay times of 2 ns. Computer simulations predicted absorption and emission wavelengths fairly well, but were of little help for the prediction of brightness, stability, Phi(f), or decay time.     

Photophysical properties of glucoconjugated chlorins and porphyrins and their associations with cyclodextrins

Glucoconjugated analogues of the meta-hydroxyphenyl porphyrin (m-THPP) and meta-hydroxyphenyl chlorin (m-THPC) has been recently synthesized. The characteristics of their triplet states have been determined with regard to their involvement in the photodynamic (PDT) efficiency. In the case of porphyrin derivatives, triplet quantum yields (Phi(T)) were ranging from 0.42 to 0.55 and triplet life times (tau(T)) from 1 to 5 micros. High reaction rate constants (k(q)) with molecular oxygen (k(q): 1.2-1.6 x 10(9)s(-1)) have been found. The triplet lifetimes of chlorin derivatives were about four times higher than those of porphyrins whereas the Phi(T) and k(q) values remained quite similar. Singlet oxygen yields of glucosylated and non-glucosylated porphyrins and chlorins were not significantly different within experimental errors (Phi(Delta)((1)O(2)): 0.41-0.58). Furthermore, it has been shown that glucoconjugated photosensitizers could undergo associations with the methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (Me-beta-CD) which exhibit high triplet lifetimes and singlet oxygen yields ranging from 0.27 to 0.48.     

Radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA-2G) and 6-acyl-AA-2G

The radical scavenging activity of the stable derivatives, which are O-substituted at the C-2 position of ascorbic acid (AA), against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was evaluated in buffer under different pH conditions, and compared with those of AA and alpha-tocopherol. AA was shown to have 50% radical scavenging ability (EC50) at a concentration of 2.2 x 10(-5) M against 0.1 mM DPPH in 60% ethanol. Ascorbyl 6-palmitate, a lipophilic AA derivative which has a free endiol group and is therefore unstable, also showed potent radical scavenging activity with EC50 of 2.9 x 10(-5) M. A typical lipophilic antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol gave a similar EC50 value as that of AA. In contrast, ascorbyl 2,6-dipalmitate, AA 2-phosphate and AA 2-sulfate exhibited negligible scavenging activity. On the other hand, 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) and a series of 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids (6-Acyl-AA-2G) themselves exhibited the radical scavenging activity of EC50: 6.1 x 10(-5) M and 4.4 x 10(-5)-5.9 x 10(-5) M, respectively, although their activities were lower than that of AA. Among 6-Acyl-AA-2G derivatives, the EC50 values tended to decrease with increasing length of their acyl carbon group. Increasing pH of the buffer resulted in decrease in the scavenging activity of all compounds tested as expected. We speculate that the difference in the radical scavenging activity of derivatives O-substituted at the C-2 position of AA may be ascribed to the linkage type of the substituent group to the endiol-lactone resonance system and the degree of dissociation of the C-3 proton.     

Study on the second-order optical behavior of 4-(substituted-benzylidene)-2-phenyl-4H-oxazol-5-one

The maximum absorption wavelengths (lambda(a-max)), absorption coefficient (epsilon), maximum emission wavelengths (lambda(e-max)) of 4-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethylene-2-phenyl-4H-oxazol-5-one (1), 4-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-2-phenyl-4H-oxazol-5-one (2) and 4-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzylidene)-2-phenyl-4H-oxazol-5-one (3) were measured, their second-order nonlinear polarization values (beta(xxx)) were determined by solvatochromic method. Although the spectral nature (lambda(a-max), epsilon, lambda(e-max)) and beta(xxx) values of 1, 2 and 3 were close to each other in the same solvent, the second-order harmonic generation (SHG) value of sample 1 is higher obviously than that of sample 2 or 3 in solid state. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique indicated the reason why the SHG value of 1 is higher.     

1,3-二硫杂环戊烯-2-硫酮-4,5-二巯基类复合物在不同波长下的三阶非线性光学性质

合成了两种新的金属双噻吩类复合物:(苄基三乙基铵)双(1,3-二硫杂环戊烯-2-硫酮-4,5-二巯基)-金(BTEAADT)和(苄基三乙基铵)双(1,3-二硫杂环戊烯-2-硫酮-4,5-二巯基)-镍(BTEANDT).采用Z扫描方法,在皮秒脉冲下,分别测试了两种材料的乙腈溶液在532和1064nm的三阶非线性光学特性.Z扫描的结果表明,BTEAADT的乙腈溶液在532nm具有反饱和吸收效应,在1064nm非线性吸收效应可以忽略且在两种波长都有自散焦效应,三阶非线性折射率为负值.BTEANDT的乙腈溶液在532nm非线性吸收效应可以忽略,在1064nm具有饱和吸收效应且在两种波长都有自聚焦效应,三阶非线性折射率为正值.分析了造成这种差异的原因.经过计算得到了两种材料在532和1064nm的三阶非线性折射率,三阶非线性吸收系数,三阶非线性极化率和超极化率.BETAADT的非线性折射率在532nm为-1.685×10-18m2·W-1,在1064nm为-1.459×10-18m2·W-1;BTEANDT的非线性折射率在532nm为1.452×10-18m2·W-1,在1064nm为7.311×10-18m2·W-1.两种材料的三阶非线性吸收系数,三阶非线性极化率和超极化率的数量级分别是10-11m·W-1,10-13esu和10-31esu.结果表明这两种材料在非线性光学领域有潜在的应用价值.     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new progesterone esters as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors

In this study we report the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of four new progesterone derivatives; 17alpha-hydroxy-16beta-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione 12, 17alpha-cyclopropylcarbonyloxy-16beta-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione 13, 17alpha-cyclobutylcarbonyloxy-16beta-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione 14, 17alpha-acetoxy-16beta-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione 15 and the pregnatriene compound 17alpha-cyclobutylcarbonyloxy-16beta-methylpregna-1,4,6-triene-3,20-dione 16. The pharmacological effect of these compounds was determined in vivo as well as in vitro. The evaluation in vivo was carried out on gonadectomized male hamsters that were injected subcutaneously daily with testosterone (T) and/or finasteride, or with the novel compounds. At the end of the treatments the animals were sacrificed and the prostates were weighed. It was observed that when testosterone (T) and finasteride or compounds 12-16 were injected together, the weight of the prostate decreased significantly as compared to that of the testosterone-treated animals. The 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity was evaluated in vitro using human prostate homogenates. These experiments showed the following IC50 values: compound 12 (alcohol at C-17) 1.2 x 10(-6) M, 13 (cyclopropyl substituent at C-17) 7.9 x 10(-10) M, 14 (cyclobutyl substituent) 3.2 x 10(-8) M, 15 (acetoxy substituent) 6.3 x 10(-11) M and 16 (cyclobutyl substituent) 3.9 x 10(-6) M. It is evident from these data that when the size of the substituent at C-17 is decreased, the 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity increases. Apparently, in this biological model, the 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity depends upon the steric effect of the substituent at C-17. However, the free alcohol 12 showed much lower 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity.     

A new approach to suppress nonlinearity-transparency trade-off through coordination chemistry: syntheses and spectroscopic study on second-order nonlinear optical properties of a series of square-pyramidal zinc(II) complexes

Five new square-pyramidal coordination compounds L x Zn(acac)(2) (1-5) (acac = acetylacetonate; L is a variety of thiosemicarbazones: p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (1), p-hydroxy-o-methoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (2), p-methoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (4), o-hydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (5)) have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. All of these compounds exhibit pretty wide transparent ranges in the visible region. Their electronic absorption spectra have been studied experimentally, and theoretically by ZINDO/S calculation. The latter has also been utilized to estimate the extent of intramolecular charge transfer. The MOPAC software package has been used to evaluate their first-order molecular hyperpolarizabilities (beta). All beta values of the five coordination compounds are larger than those of the corresponding thiosemicarbazones. And complex 1 shows the largest beta(0) (39.1 x 10(-30) esu) in the series.     

Biotransformation of tetrahydro-alpha-santonins by Absidia coerulea

The fungus, Absidia coerulea was employed to bioconvert tetrahydro-alpha-santonins, 1,2,4alpha,5alpha-tetrahydro-alpha-santonin (1), and its 4-epimer (2), from which 10 products (3-12) were obtained. Furthermore, their structures were determined, based on their chemical and spectroscopic data analyses. Among them, 3-5, 7, 9, 11 and 12 were observed to be seven new compounds. The reactions mainly involved in these bio-process included hydroxylation(s) (C-4, C-11, and C-1), reduction (C-3 ketone to alcohol).     

(Pyridine)pentaamminechromium(III). Synthesis, Characterization, and Photochemistry

The Cr(NH(3))(5)(py)(3+) ion has been obtained by metathesis of Cr(NH(3))(5)(Me(2)SO)(3+) in pyridine, isolated as the perchlorate salt, and characterized by absorption (lambda(max) at 467, 352, and 260 nm) and emission spectra (lambda(max) at 668 nm, tau = 2.0 &mgr;s at 20 degrees C in water) and by the py aquation rate (k = 5 x 10(-)(4) s(-)(1) at 80 degrees C). Ligand-field (LF) band irradiation in acid aqueous solution (10(-)(2) M HClO(4)) induces photoaquation of py (Phi = 0.26) and NH(3) (Phi = 0.16). HPLC indicates that the latter reaction gives rise to both cis- and trans-Cr(NH(3))(4)(py)(H(2)O)(3+), with the predominance of the cis isomer. This is the first Cr(NH(3))(5)X(z+)() species where Phi(x) > Phi(NH)3: the result is compared with the predictions of various photolysis models and is taken as chemical evidence for pi-acceptance by the py ligand. The photostereochemistry is also discussed. The phosphorescence is totally quenched by Cr(C(2)O(4))(3)(3)(-) (k(q) = 2.7 x 10(9) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)), while the photoreactions are only in part. On 470-nm excitation, the Phi(py)/Phi(NH)()3 ratio is approximately 1 and approximately 2 for the unquenchable and the quenchable contributions, respectively. Such a difference, suggesting at least two reactive precursors, can be interpreted in terms of the photochemistry proceeding from either the lowest doublet and quartet excited states or, alternatively, from the (4)E and (4)B(2) states. Irradiation of the very distinct absorption of coordinated pyridine results in both doublet-state emission and loss of py and NH(3). Comparison of this photobehavior with the LF results gives an efficiency of 0.7 for conversion of the py-localized pipi states into the Cr-localized LF states, confirmed by the wavelength dependence of the relative emission yields. Some py release (Phi = 0.03) is concluded to originate in the pipi states.     

A monochromatic action spectrum for the photoinduction of the UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acid shinorine in the red alga Chondrus crispus

To determine the action spectrum for photoinduction of the ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acid shinorine, specimens of the marine red alga Chondrus crispus were irradiated with monochromatic light of various wavelengths using the Okazaki large spectrograph at the National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan. Fluence response curves were determined for the wavelengths between 280 and 750 nm, by irradiating the algae with monochromatic light for 10 h, followed by 4 h of 25 micromol m(-2) s(-1) photosynthetically active radiation and 10 h darkness. Samples were taken after the second exposure interval. A linear correlation between fluence rate and accumulated shinorine concentration was detected for wavelengths between 350 and 490 nm in the fluence rate range of 20-30 micromol m(-2) s(-1), whereas there was no induction above 490 nm. Below 350 nm a decline in shinorine concentration could be observed at fluence rates above 30 micromol m(-2) s(-1), probably due to an inhibition of photosynthetic activity and a subsequent impairment of shinorine biosynthesis. The constructed action spectrum indicated that the photoreceptors mediating shinorine photoinduction might be an unidentified UV-A-type photoreceptor with absorption peaks at 320, 340 and 400 nm.     

How the pi conjugation length affects the fluorescence emission efficiency

How the pi conjugation length affects the fluorescence emission efficiency is elucidated by examination of the theoretical and experimental relationship between absolute quantum yield (Phi(f)) and magnitude (Api) of the pi conjugation length in the excited singlet state, which provides a novel concept for molecular design for highly fluorescent organic compounds. As a tool to predict Phi(f) from a structural model, (nu(a) - nu(f))1/2 x a3/2 (nu(a): wavenumber of absorption maximum, nu(f): wavenumber of emission maximum, a: molecular radius) could be used instead of Api. The concept should be valuable for potential applications to (1) examination of an excited singlet state structure (for example, coplanarity of excited-state molecules) and (2) molecular design of novel materials, in which the excited singlet state plays an important role, such as highly efficient fluorophores, electroluminescent materials, photoconducting materials, and nonlinear optical materials. A remarkably intense green fluorophore (Phi(f) 0.88, log epsilon 4.72, lambda(em) 527 nm) is created based on this concept, which is of great interest in relation to a green fluorescent protein (Topaz, T203Y type, Phi(f) 0.60, log epsilon 4.98, lambda(em) 527 nm).     

Design, synthesis, linear, and nonlinear optical properties of conjugated (porphinato)zinc(II)-based donor-acceptor chromophores featuring nitrothiophenyl and nitrooligothiophenyl electron-accepting moieties

An extensive series of conjugated (porphinato)zinc(II)-based chromophores featuring nitrothiophenyl and nitrooligothiophenyl electron-accepting moieties has been synthesized using metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions involving [5-bromo-15-triisopropylsilylethynyl-10,20-diarylporphinato]zinc(II) and an unusual electron-rich Suzuki-porphyrin synthon, [5-(4-dimethylaminophenylethynyl)-15-(4',4',5',5'-tetramethyl[1',3',2']dioxaborolan-2'-yl)-10,20-diarylporphinato]zinc(II), with appropriately functionalized aryl and thienyl precursors. These donor-acceptor chromophores feature thiophenyl, [2,2']bithiophenyl, and [2,2';5',2' ']terthiophenyl units terminated with a 5-nitro group; one series of structures features these acceptor moieties appended directly to the porphyrin macrocycle meso-carbon position, while a second set utilizes an intervening meso-ethynyl moiety to modify porphyrin-to-thiophene conjugation. The dynamic hyperpolarizability of these compounds was determined from hyper-Rayleigh light scattering (HRS) measurements carried out at fundamental incident irradiation wavelengths (lambda(inc)) of 800 and 1300 nm; interestingly, measured beta(1300) values ranged from 650 --> 4350 x 10(-30) esu. The combined linear and nonlinear optical properties of these compounds challenge the classical concept of the nonlinearity/transparency tradeoff in charge-transfer chromophores: the magnitude of the molecular hyperpolarizability is observed to vary substantially despite approximately uniform ground-state absorptive signatures for a given porphyrin-to-thiophene linkage topology. These data show that these neutral dipolar molecules can express substantial beta(1300) values; such conjugated, electronically asymmetric porphyrin-thiophene chromophores may thus find utility for electrooptic applications at telecom-relevant wavelengths.     

Gas-phase reactions of NO3 and N2O5 with (Z)-hex-4-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol ('leaf alcohol'), (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-2-en-1-ol and (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol

The night-time atmospheric chemistry of the biogenic volatile organic compounds (Z)-hex-4-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol ('leaf alcohol'), (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-2-en-1-ol and (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol, has been studied at room temperature. Rate coefficients for reactions of the nitrate radical (NO(3)) with these stress-induced plant emissions were measured using the discharge-flow technique. We employed off-axis continuous-wave cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) for the detection of NO(3), which enabled us to work in excess of the hexenol compounds over NO(3). The rate coefficients determined were (2.93 +/- 0.58) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), (2.67 +/- 0.42) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), (4.43 +/- 0.91) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), (1.56 +/- 0.24) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and (1.30 +/- 0.24) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for (Z)-hex-4-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-2-en-1-ol and (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol. The rate coefficient for the reaction of NO(3) with (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol agrees with the single published determination of the rate coefficient using a relative method. The other rate coefficients have not been measured before and are compared to estimated values. Relative-rate studies were also performed, but required modification of the standard technique because N(2)O(5) (used as the source of NO(3)) itself reacts with the hexenols. We used varying excesses of NO(2) to determine simultaneously rate coefficients for reactions of NO(3) and N(2)O(5) with (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol of (5.2 +/- 1.8) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and (3.1 +/- 2.3) x 10(-18) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Our new determinations suggest atmospheric lifetimes with respect to NO(3)-initiated oxidation of roughly 1-4 h for the hexenols, comparable with lifetimes estimated for the atmospheric degradation by OH and shorter lifetimes than for attack by O(3). Recent measurements of [N(2)O(5)] suggest that the gas-phase reactions of N(2)O(5) with unsaturated alcohols will not be of importance under usual atmospheric conditions, but they certainly can be in laboratory systems when determining rate coefficients.     

Interfacial tension of the lipid membrane formed from lipid-fatty acid and lipid-amine systems

Interfacial tension has been determined for phosphatidylcholine-stearic acid and phosphatidylcholine-stearylamine membranes. Phosphatidylcholine, stearic acid and stearylamine were used in the experimental. The interfacial tension values of the pure components are 1.62x10(-3) N/m, - 1.54x10(-2) N/m and 4.40x10(-3) N/m (hypothetical values), respectively. The 1:1 complexes were formed during formation of phosphatidylcholine-stearic acid and phosphatidylcholine-stearylamine membranes. The following parameters describing the complexes were determined: the surface concentrations of the lipid membranes formed from these complexes, A(3)(-1), the interfacial tensions of such membranes, gamma(3) and the stability constants of these complexes, K.