History of voltammetry in Russia

The paper considers the evolution of electroanalytical methods in the former Soviet Union and Russia for more than 50 years, including the establishment of scientific research centers, the development of new methods, and the formation of scientific schools. The history of voltammetry (VA) can be conventionally subdivided into two periods, the history of polarography (from the late 1930s to 1981–1987) and the history of VA in different versions. The material is obtained from original publications, reviews, and proceedings of specialized conferences. The role of academicians V.I. Vernadsky and A.P. Vinogradov in the formation and development of VA in the former Soviet Union is noted. It is shown that the first work on polarography in the former Soviet Union was published by E.N. Varasova, a colleague of Vernadsky and a former student of J. Heyrovsky and the translator of his first monograph. The statistics of conferences on polarography and conferences on electrochemical methods of analysis is presented; the high scientific and experimental level of Russian research centers is demonstrated; and the role of the school of electrochemistry established by A.N. Frumkin is shown.     

Introduction for the special issue on the Antwerp Conferences

Quality management of laboratory medicine has become a hot topic at many conferences. Also, many national and international organizations have created working groups and committees with the task of working out standards, guidelines or recommendations for quality management of medical laboratories. We have observed that there is a great deal of interest not only from professional and scientific organizations directly involved in medical laboratory tests, but also from accreditation and certification bodies, from test laboratories in general, from in vitro diagnostic devices (IVD) manufacturers and their associations, and from other medical laboratory suppliers. However, we found that all these parties were discussing from their own point of view, without taking into account the position of other involved partners and that there was a need for creating a discussion forum for quality management in clinical laboratories. So in 1995, we started the Antwerp conferences on quality (r)evolution in clinical laboratories. The aim was to bring together all concerned partners and to establish a forum for brainstorming, independently of any pressure group. The leitmotif for the Antwerp conferences (Fig. 1) is a chain model showing the interfaces and relationships between all the partners involved in laboratory tests. During the conferences, this chain model has been examined from different angles and a summary of the concepts evolving from the discussions can be found in the conference abstracts and conference review reports in this journal. A Selection of ideas emerging from these conferences are presented below. Received: 5 October 1998 · Accepted: 20 October 1998     

Symposium overview the Shell Conference on computer-aided molecular modelling

The Shell Conference on ... series began in 1985 and meetings are held approximately twice a year. The idea behind the conferences is to bring together invited scientists from both universities and industry, and representatives from different Shell Research laboratories, to create a forum to discuss the future directions of the chosen research area. These meetings have embraced a wide range of topics of interest to Shell Research as a whole.This particular conference, organised by the Analytical Department of the Koninklijke/ShellLaboratorium, Amsterdam (KSLA), was held on 4–6 October, 1987 at Hoenderloo in the Netherlands. The aim was to review the state-of-the-art and to discuss the future of molecular modelling and design. The programme itself consisted of a series of presentations on prescribed topics, panel discussions, and software and hardware demonstrations. Many of the presentations given consisted of overviews, experiences, advice and predictions for the future. The panel sessions, which involved the speakers within that session and a discussion leader who summarised some of the points made in an introduction, encouraged even further discussion and speculation. This overview attempts to catch the flavour of the meeting and convey some personal views that were expressed and conclusions drawn.     

锂电诺奖与科学精神

2019年诺贝尔化学奖授予了约翰·古迪纳夫、斯坦利·惠廷厄姆和吉野彰三位科学家,以表彰他们在锂离子电池领域做出的重要贡献。经过40余年的发展,锂离子电池已经被广泛应用于人类生产、生活的方方面面,这离不开全世界千千万万科技工作者的创造、探索和实践。本文结合此次锂电诺奖特别是古迪纳夫教授的故事,阐述创新、求实、交叉、合作的科学精神及其对科学研究和人才培养的重要性。     

Facets of the Tetsuo Nozoe Legacy Immortalized in an Enduring Series of International Symposia on Novel Aromatic Compounds (ISNA)

Note from the Editor: According to Robert K. Merton (1988), “Invisible college” is a term used “to designate the informal collectives of scientists interacting in their research on similar problems, these groups being generally limited to a size ‘that can be handled by interpersonal relationships.’ ” Invisible colleges can be highly competitive, even ugly in their priority races, or they can be congenial, even enthusiastically supportive to its members. In the community of organic chemists who studied novel aromatic chemistry in the 1950s–1990s, one man—Tetsuo Nozoe—is largely responsible for bringing together researchers from across the world and setting the tone of brotherhood. Larry Scott, today a senior scholar of that invisible college, warmly shares the spirit of Tetsuo Nozoe with each of us in the following essay. Jeffrey I. Seeman Guest Editor University of Richmond Richmond, Virginia 23173, USA E‐mail: jseeman@richmond.edu     

Discotic liquid crystals derived from polycyclic aromatic cores: from the smallest benzene to the utmost graphene cores

ABSTRACT

Past decades we have witnessed many breakthroughs in research on liquid crystals (LCs) as well as significant amplification in the application of LCs. LCs are currently attracting great attention of scientists from all over the world where various researches have been implemented on the varied facets of LCs. In this review we present some recent developments in the field of discotic liquid crystals (DLCs). A large number of DLCs from various aromatic cores have been realised. However, due to paucity of space only DLCs derived from four main aromatic cores, benzene, triphenylene, hexabenzocoronene and graphene, are covered here. An outlook on these emerging two-dimensional organic semiconductor materials with relevant scientific application background has been presented.     

International computer networks and new possibilities for scientific cooperation in crystallography

Global computer networks remove geographical and territorial limitations from free exchange of information. Electronic mail, interactive communications, and data servers help scientists keep in contact with each other and with other research groups by exchanging the latest scientific news and taking part in electronic conferences. The international community of crystallographers is actively involved in the system of computer communications. This is due to the large crystallographic database and collaborative efforts of crystallographers aimed at developing the necessary service systems and standards for electronic representation of crystallographic texts. Computer networks give Russian scientists access to foreign structural databases. L. Ya. Karpov Physicochemical Research Institute. Translated fromZhurnal Struktumoi Khimii, Vol. 35, No. 5, pp. 153–157, September–October, 1994. Translated by O. Kharlamova     

女化学家艾达·诺达克

德国女化学家艾达·诺达克的亲身经历对理解她那个时代的女科学家具有重要的参照作用和价值。二战前后的德国禁止为已婚妇女提供带薪岗位,女科学家也不例外。在此背景下,婚前的几年包括婚后的30余年里艾达·诺达克与丈夫沃尔特·诺达克长期合作,以此赢得从事科学研究的机会和环境。婚后的艾达·诺达克几乎一直"无薪",甚至无明确的科研岗位,由此导致了不必要的歧视。尽管如此,艾达·诺达克依然取得了重要的科学成就,在铼元素的发现和核裂变预见方面的贡献尤为显著。艾达·诺达克虽获得了一些荣誉和一定的认可,但对她的认识和理解还需继续深入。     

Structure,dynamics and thermodynamics of small particles and inorganic clusters

This invited review attempts to draw together recent advances in the structural characterisation of clusters and our theoretical understanding of dynamics, especially coexistence phenomena. It is now possible to characterise the potential energy surface of a small cluster in great detail, both in terms of local minima and transition states. A selection of results is collected includingab initio calculations on main group ligated clusters and a wide variety of systems bound by model analytic potentials. Useful comparisons may be made between the rearrangement mechanisms supported by the various potential energy surfaces. Furthermore, knowledge of transition states enables us to explain the results of dynamical simulations in great detail, and make comparisons with thermodynamic models. For larger systems, however, the number of stationary points is daunting, yet progress is still possible in terms of the underlying potential energy surface using the harmonic superposition approximation.     

Foreword

The world of catalysis has grown and broadened greatly. The necessity of catalytic technology in solving the contemporary environmental and industrial problems is obvious. Catalysis will be even more important in the next century in relation to global preservation and the supply of energy and resources. What we now need are truly innovative and useful catalysts and what we lack is the methodology of how to make those catalysts. We may have to admit that, in spite of a large number of published papers, there are many mere trial-and-error type repetitions and very few new and significant findings or concepts. This is due to the very complex nature of catalysts, industrial catalysts in particular. It is not easy to find the right way to proceed. One positive step to assist in finding the right way may be to promote a close and quick exchange of information and new concepts worldwide. We now start a new journal from Japan affiliated with the Catalysis Society of Japan: Catalysis Surveys from Japan. The main aim of this new journal is to disseminate as early as possible the important findings or movements from Japan which possibly lead to new concepts for the design of useful catalysts. Rapid, invited, short reviews or accounts from academia and industry will constitute the major part of Catalysis Surveys from Japan. Surveys of recent progress and activities in catalytic science and technology and related areas in Japan will be covered regularly as well. The journal will be issued twice a year. We would appreciate it if colleagues around the world who read the articles in Catalysis Surveys from Japan would send us critical comments. If requested and deemed appropriate, the comments will be included in the journal. We will be very happy if this small, new journal stimulates global communication between scientists and engineers in the world of catalysis, and assists in the development of innovative useful catalysts.     

A Japan–UK Collaboration in Organic Synthesis

This invited Team Profile was created by Shuo Wang, Igor Larrosa , Hideki Yorimitsu and Greg Perry . They recently published an article on carboxylic acid salts as dual-function reagents for carboxylation and carbon isotope labeling. This project brought together researchers based in Japan and the UK, and demonstrates how scientists with different cultural backgrounds can work together to build powerful results. “Carboxylic Acid Salts as Dual-Function Reagents for Carboxylation and Carbon Isotope Labeling”, S. Wang, I. Larrosa, H. Yorimitsu, G. J. P. Perry, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023 , e202218371 .     

A new abietane diterpenoid from the roots of Tripterygium regelii

A new abietane diterpenoid, tripterregeline A (1), together with six known diterpenoids (2–7), were isolated from the roots of Tripterygium regelii. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparison with data reported in the literature. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines: HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480 in vitro. Compounds 1–7 showed significant inhibitory effects against various human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.58 to 21.06 μM.     

The purpose and program of the IOC/UNEP/IAEA group of experts on standards and reference materials

Summary A Group of Experts on Standards and Reference Materials (GESREM) has been established by international agencies to improve the availability of standards and reference materials to marine scientists throughout the world. It functions by bringing together the users of such materials with their producers to discuss priorities and to seek resources to meet them. The GESREM has stimulated the production of a global catalog of available reference materials and has defined future actions to promote the availability and proper use of reference materials.     

Dalvelutinoside,a new isoflavone glycoside from the methanol extract of Dalbergia velutina roots

A new isoflavone glycoside, dalvelutinoside (1), together with one known isoflavone (2) and five known isoflavone glycosides (3–7) were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of Dalbergia velutina. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against KB and HeLa cell lines.     

Twenty years of exceptional success: The molecular education and research consortium in undergraduate computational chemistry (MERCURY)

The molecular education and research consortium in undergraduate computational chemistry (MERCURY) consortium, established in 2000, has contributed greatly to the scientific development of faculty and undergraduates. The MERCURY faculty peer-reviewed publication rate from 2001 to 2019 of 1.7 papers/faculty/year is 3.4 times the rate of the physical science faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions. We have worked with over 1000 students on research projects since 2001, and 75% of our undergraduate research students have been under-represented in chemistry, either female or students of color. Approximately half of our alumni attend graduate school for the purpose of obtaining advanced degrees in STEM fields, and two-thirds are female and/or students of color. We have had more than 1600 attendees at 18 MERCURY conferences, including 111 invited speakers, 61 of whom have been female and/or faculty of color. In this paper, the research accomplishments, transformational outcomes, and scientific productivity of the MERCURY faculty are highlighted.     

Daedaleanols A and B,two new sesquiterpenes from cultures of the basidiomycete Daedalea incana

Two new sesquiterpenes, daedaleanols A (1) and B (2), together with three known sesquiterpenes (3–5), were isolated from cultures of the basidiomycete Daedalea incana. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic means. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines.     

Quinquagenary of the Scientific Work of Prof. W. Zielenkiewicz

Prof. Wojciech Zielenkiewicz was born in Warsaw on 6 June 1933. He studied chemistry at the Warsaw University and graduated in 1955. His master thesis in the field of nuclear chemistry dealt with the enrichment of bromobenzene by the Szilard-Chalmers method. Since 1955 his professional career has mostly been related to the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) founded in the same year. Initially, Wojciech Zielenkiewicz worked under the supervision of Prof. Wojciech Świętosławski. This cooperation had a powerful influence on Zielenkiewicz both as a researcher and as a person. His strong interest in thermochemistry at that time resulted partly from his research interest and partly from his attraction to one of the students doing her diploma who later became his wife. Zielenkiewicz’s PhD thesis carried out under Świętosławski’s supervision concerned the thermochemistry of cement hydration. For the purposes of this work, Zielenkiewicz constructed his first calorimeter – a labyrinth flow calorimeter which was a modified version of the first such calorimeter constructed by Świętosławski and Malawski in 1935. The calorimeter was applied for the determination of the heat of cement hardening. After his PhD, Zielenkiewicz worked on several other calorimeters for the study of heat of cement hydration with the quasi-adiabatic method as well as on ‘conduction’ calorimeters for the examination of the first phase of cement hydration. This activity resulted in a monograph Calorimetry and Thermochemistry of Cement written in collaboration with T. Krupa and published in 1975. In the following years, his scientific interests were focused mostly on various aspects of the transfer of heat energy in time, i.e. thermokinetics. He constructed a number of calorimeters for this type of measurements and, together with his co-workers, elaborated new numerical methods of determination of thermokinetics. Those methods were assessed at international symposia on thermokinetics organised by Zielenkiewicz in cooperation with the French Association of Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (AFCAT). In this period, he established regular cooperation with scientists from France, Spain, and the USA. Research on thermokinetics includes not only theoretical studies but also experimental works. Most of the experiments conducted at the Department of Calorimetry headed by Prof. Zielenkiewicz were connected with inclusion compounds, particularly Werner complexes as well as porfyrine derivatives. In the last twenty years, Zielenkiewicz conducted research in the scope of biomolecules. The study resulted in the determination of thermodynamic properties of over 60 derivatives of nucleic acid bases and the establishment of new correlations between enthalpic, volume, and structural properties of the compounds examined. His most recent interests concerned the study of enthalpic processes of protein salting. Zielenkiewicz’s long and intensive work in the field of calorimetry and thermokinetics has appeared in numerous books and publications presenting his research results. He is the author of 7 monographs, a number of chapters in a monograph and about 200 scientific publications. They include, among others, Analysis of Course of Heat Effect in n-n Calorimeters, Signal Processing of Calorimetric System, Dynamic Theory (later translated into Russian and published in Russia), Advances in Calorimetry and Thermochemistry, Theory of Calorimetry written together with E. Margas and published in 2002 by Kluwer and the most recent book, Calorimetry, published in 2005. Prof. Zielenkiewicz has also been active as a supervisor. He assisted and supported the realisation of 14 completed PhD theses of the employees at the Institute of Physical Chemistry and is supervising 3 more students of the Institute. Moreover, he has been involved in the realization of several more PhD theses both in Poland and abroad. For many years Prof. Zielenkiewicz combined his activity on research with research coordination. He managed the organizational units of the Polish Academy of Sciences as the Director General of the PAS and as a Deputy Scientific Secretary. For 6 years he was a Scientific Secretary of the Division of Mathematical, Physical and Chemical Sciences of PAS. In the years 1968–2003 he headed the Laboratory and Department of Calorimetry and he was a director of the Institute of Physical Chemistry for 19 years. His directorship in the Institute happened in a very difficult period for Poland, i.e. when the Marshall Law was introduced in 1981. As numerous employees of the Institute were involved in the illegal Solidarity movement at that time, the position of a director of such an institution was extremely uncomfortable and required great abilities in dealing with the communist authorities in such a way as to protect those employees. It must be said that Prof. Zielenkiewicz faced this challenge with success. Prof. Zielenkiewicz was also an initiator of the Polish conferences on calorimetry and thermal analysis. The first one was held over 30 years ago. These conferences created an opportunity for Polish researchers to exchange their opinions and learn about the world research trends. Numerous outstanding scientists were guests at these conferences. Many of them are members of the Polish Society of Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis. Prof. Zielenkiewicz has been awarded many state and foreign medals and distinctions, among others, Wojciech Świętosł;awski’s Medal and the Calvet Award given by the French Association of Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis (AFCAT) as well as the most prominent Polish state orders including the Order of Polonia Restituta (the Knight’s Cross) and the Order of Labour Banner. He is a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Royal Academy of Sciences in Barcelona. Dr. Paweł Gierycz     

A new triterpenoid saponin and a diterpene glucoside from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus

One new triterpenoid saponin orychoside A (1) and one new diterpene glucoside orychoside B (12), together with eleven known compounds, were isolated from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The known compounds were identified by comparison with data reported in the literature. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against the HepG2 and A549 cell lines in vitro. The new compound 1 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against the two cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 7.13 and 8.77 μM, respectively. Compounds 2, 5, 8 and 9 were found to possess obvious cytotoxicity.     

Letter to the Editor Industrial Mixed Acid Nitration

Abstract

Biochemistry — including molecular biology — constituted a major part of Dutch chemical research over the period from 1940 to 1980. However, the Netherlands did not occupy a strong position in that field of research after the Second World War. The present paper seeks to explain the successful development of biochemistry in the Netherlands into an independent discipline of international standing. Formulating the goal of biochemistry as “science for its own sake” played an important role in this development. Post-doctoral positions, senior fellowships and editorships of journals were crucial for biochemistry in the Netherlands in building a network of international contacts that could keep researchers informed about current developments. Westenbrink and Slater were key participants in the development of these networks. These two scientists developed international contacts via fellowships and as editors of major biochemical journals. It was through these forms of communication that the hitherto peripheral Dutch biochemical research community gained a more central position.