Amino Acid Assisted Incorporation of Dye Molecules within Calcite Crystals

Biomineralisation processes invariably occur in the presence of multiple organic additives, which act in combination to give exceptional control over structures and properties. However, few synthetic studies have investigated the cooperative effects of soluble additives. This work addresses this challenge and focuses on the combined effects of amino acids and coloured dye molecules. The experiments demonstrate that strongly coloured calcite crystals only form in the presence of Brilliant Blue R (BBR) and four of the seventeen soluble amino acids, as compared with almost colourless crystals using the dye alone. The active amino acids are identified as those which themselves effectively occlude in calcite, suggesting a mechanism where they can act as chaperones for individual molecules or even aggregates of dyes molecules. These results provide new insight into crystal–additive interactions and suggest a novel strategy for generating materials with target properties.     

Realignment of Nanocrystal Aggregates into Single Crystals as a Result of Inherent Surface Stress

Crystallization by particle attachment is widely observed in both natural and synthetic environments. Although this form of nonclassical crystallization is generally described by oriented attachment, random aggregation of building blocks to give single‐crystal products is also observed, but the mechanism of crystallographic realignment is unknown. We herein reveal that random attachment during aggregation‐based growth initially produces a nonoriented growth front. Subsequent evolution of the orientation is driven by the inherent surface stress applied by the disordered surface layer and results in single‐crystal formation by grain‐boundary migration. This mechanism is corroborated by measurements of orientation rate versus external stress, which demonstrated a predictive relationship between the two. These findings advance our understandings about aggregation‐based growth via nanocrystal blocks and suggest an approach to material synthesis that takes advantage of stress‐induced coalignment.     

Lattice Shrinkage by Incorporation of Recombinant Starmaker-Like Protein within Bioinspired Calcium Carbonate Crystals

The biological mediation of mineral formation (biomineralization) is realized through diverse organic macromolecules that guide this process in a spatial and temporal manner. Although the role of these molecules in biomineralization is being gradually revealed, the molecular basis of their regulatory function is still poorly understood. In this study, the incorporation and distribution of the model intrinsically disordered starmaker-like (Stm-l) protein, which is active in fish otoliths biomineralization, within calcium carbonate crystals, is revealed. Stm-l promotes crystal nucleation and anisotropic tailoring of crystal morphology. Intracrystalline incorporation of Stm-l protein unexpectedly results in shrinkage (and not expansion, as commonly described in biomineral and bioinspired crystals) of the crystal lattice volume, which is described herein, for the first time, for bioinspired mineralization. A ring pattern was observed in crystals grown for 48 h; this was composed of a protein-enriched region flanked by protein-depleted regions. It can be explained as a result of the Ostwald-like ripening process and intrinsic properties of Stm-l, and bears some analogy to the daily growth layers of the otolith.     

Growth Actuated Bending and Twisting of Single Crystals

Crystals of a variety of substances including elements, minerals, simple salts, organic molecular crystals, and high polymers forgo long‐range translational order by twisting and bending as they grow. These deviations have been observed in crystals ranging in size from nanometers to centimeters. How and why so many materials choose dramatic non‐crystallographic distortions is analyzed, with an emphasis on crystal chemistries that give rise to stresses operating either on surfaces of crystallites or within the bulk.     

Green Synthesis of Calcium Carbonate Uniform Microspheres Using Vegetables

We report a novel strategy for the green synthesis of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) microspheres by using four vegetables: potato, cucumber, aubergine, and carrot. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffractometry and/or Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the spherical calcite crystals are obtained in the presence of potato, cucumber and aubergine extracts, while uniform vaterite and calcite mixed microspheres are produced with the extracts of carrot. The possible formation mechanism of the CaCO₃ microspheres by using vegetables is also discussed, suggesting that the biomolecules especially proteins may induce and control the nucleation and growth of CaCO₃ crystals. CaCO₃ is an important biomineral and inorganic material. Uniform particles have numerous important applications in many areas. Therefore, this study is very significant not only for expanding the scope of crystal engineering, but also for biomineralization research and green synthesis of functional inorganic materials.     

A New Route to the Synthesis of Barium Carbonate Crystals by the Induction of Bacillus Pasteurii

As one of the soil microorganisms, bacillus pasteurii exhibits good urease-produ-cing ability. A novel method is used to prepare BaCO3 crystals by the induction of bacillus pasteurii. The crystals have been characterized by XRD, SEM and FT-IR. X-ray diffraction analysis quantified that the BaCO3 crystals obtained belong to the orthorhombic crystal system. Examination by scanning electron microscopy identified that the BaCO3 crystals have different morphologies under different preparation conditions. FT-IR indicated that surfactant EDTA had great effect on the morphology of BaCO3 crystals. Different morphology crystals had uniform distribution and integral shape. The forming mechanism and influence of EDTA on the morphology of BaCO3 crystals have been discussed.     

Synthesis and Structure of Mixed Ba12F19ClδBr5–δ Crystals

In the structure Ba₁₂F₁₉Cl₅ [hexagonal space group P6 2m] the two chlorides on the sites Cl(1) and Cl(2) can partially be replaced by bromide ions. Single crystals of the type Ba₁₂F₁₉Cl_δBr_5–δ with a chloride to bromide ratio up to 2 : 3 could be obtained by cooling a flux of 75 mol% BaF₂ and 25 mol% BaX₂ with X = Cl, Br. The crystal quality decreases with increasing bromide concentration. Structural parameters of five selected single crystals with different chloride/bromide ratio were studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The refined total Cl^?/Br^? population ratio in the crystals is close to the one of the flux. The lattice parameters and interatomic distances change in various ways, when the smaller chloride ion is replaced by the bigger bromide ion. The refinements show a statistical disorder on the halide sites with preferential bromide substitution on site Cl(1).     

Stereoselective Synthesis and Crystal Structure Analysis of N-Naphthy1-2-deoxy-α-d-ribopyranosylamine

A new compound N-naphthy1-2-deoxy-α-D-ribopyranosylamine was synthesized and structurally determined.It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system,space group P212121 with a =8.361(2),b=12.432(3),C=12.791(4)A,Z=4,V=1329.6(6)A3,DC=1.295 g/cm3,F(000)= 552,C15H17NO3 and Mr=259.30.All the active hydrogen atoms arc involved in the formation of hydrogen bonds in the molecule.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 1-[4-(Pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-1H-benzotriazole

1 INTRODUCTION Based on the reported 1.65 ? high resolution crystal structure of spinach KARI (ketol-acid reduc- toisomerase) complex[1], we obtained 279 molecules with low binding energy toward KARI from MDL/ ACD 3D database searching, using program DOCK 4.0[2]. These potential structures provide further information for the design of new KARI inhibitors, one of novel derivatives of which as the title com- pound has been synthesized. Its crystal structure will provide us more inf…     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Na2TiO3

The crystal structure of a sodium titanium oxide Na2TiO3 obtained by high temperature solid state reaction method was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, Mr = 141.88, a = 9.885(1), b = 6.4133(8), c = 5.5048(7) , β = 115.50(3)o, V = 314.99(7) 3, Z = 4, Dc = 2.992 g/cm3, λ = 0.71073 , μ = 27.80 cm–1, F(000) = 272, T = 295 K, R = 0.0189 and wR = 0.0512 for 30 variables and 370 contributing unique reflections. The three-dimensional structure in Na2TiO3 is constructed by the TiO(1)4O(2) and NaO(1)3O(2)2 groups. The titanium atoms are grouped in the form of trigonal bipyramid and arranged along the c axis by sharing the edges. The structure is compared with other structures of related A2BO3 compounds.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of NaeTiO3

The crystal structure of a sodium titanium oxide Na2TiO3 obtained by high temperature solid state reaction method was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, Mr = 141.88, a = 9.885（1）, b = 6.4133（8）, c = 5.5048（7） A, β = 115.50（3）°, V = 314.99（7） A^3, Z = 4, Dc = 2.992 g/cm^3, 2 = 0.71073A,μ = 27.80 cm^-1, F（000） = 272, T= 295 K, R = 0.0189 and wR = 0.0512 for 30 variables and 370 contributing unique reflections. The three-dimensional structure in Na2TiO3 is constructed by the TiO（1）4O（2） and NAO（1）3O（2）2 groups. The titanium atoms are grouped in the form of trigonal bipyramid and arranged along the c axis by sharing the edges. The structure is compared with other structures of related A2BO3 compounds.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure Analysis of 5?-O-Tosyl-2,3?-anhydrothymidine

In this paper, 5?-O-tosyl-2,3?-anhydrothymidine has been synthesized and its crystal structure was analyzed. The crystal belongs to the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 5.397(2), b = 6.1886(18), c = 3.507(5) ?, α ?= 87.74(2), β ?= 89.84(4), γ ?= 73.79(2)°, C17H18N2O6S, Mr = 378.39, Z = 1, V = 432.8(3) ?3, Dc = 1.452 g/cm3, F(000) = 198 and Flack = -0.11(14). No intermolecular hydrogen bonds exist in the crystal, and the angle between benzene ring and pyrimidine planes is 32.23°.     

Photomechanical Organic Crystals as Smart Materials for Advanced Applications

Photomechanical molecular crystals are receiving much attention due to their efficient conversion of light into mechanical work and advantages including faster response time; higher Young's modulus; and ordered structure, as measured by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Recently, various photomechanical crystals with different motions (contraction, expansion, bending, fragmentation, hopping, curling, and twisting) are appearing at the forefront of smart materials research. The photomechanical motions of these single crystals during irradiation are triggered by solid-state photochemical reactions and accompanied by phase transformation. This Minireview summarizes recent developments in growing research into photoresponsive molecular crystals. The basic mechanisms of different kinds of photomechanical materials are described in detail; recent advances in photomechanical crystals for promising applications as smart materials are also highlighted.     

Disappearing Enantiomorphs: Single Handedness in Racemate Crystals

Although crystallization is the most important method for the separation of enantiomers of chiral molecules in the chemical industry, the chiral recognition involved in this process is poorly understood at the molecular level. We report on the initial steps in the formation of layered racemate crystals from a racemic mixture, as observed by STM at submolecular resolution. Grown on a copper single‐crystal surface, the chiral hydrocarbon heptahelicene formed chiral racemic lattice structures within the first layer. In the second layer, enantiomerically pure domains were observed, underneath which the first layer contained exclusively the other enantiomer. Hence, the system changed from a 2D racemate into a 3D racemate with enantiomerically pure layers after exceeding monolayer‐saturation coverage. A chiral bias in form of a small enantiomeric excess suppressed the crystallization of one double‐layer enantiomorph so that the pure minor enantiomer crystallized only in the second layer.     

Preparation and Characterization of Single Crystals of MAPO-43 Molecular Sieve

Large single crystals of MAPO-43 molecular sieve have been synthesized hydrothermally using dimethylamine as the template. The typical molar composition of the starting mixture was 1.0P2O5 : 0.54Al2O3: 0.8MgO: 8.5CH3NHCH3: 0.68HF: 180H2O. The sample was characterized by XRD, TGA, DTA and IR.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of （S）-Ethyl-2-（2-methoxy-phenylsulfenamido）-3-（1H-indol-3-yl）propanoate

With an aim to discover novel AHAS inhibitors,the title compound (S)-ethyl-2(2-methoxy-phenylsulfenamido)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoate (C 21 H 22 N 2 O 4 S,M r=398.47) has been synthesized and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.The crystal belongs to orthorhombic,space group P2 1 2 1 2 1 with a=8.078(2),b=12.824(4),c=18.788(6),V=1946.2(10) 3,Z=4,F(000)=840,D c=1.360 mg/m 3,μ=0.197 mm-1,the final R=0.0433 and wR=0.1035 for 3075 observed reflections with I > 2σ(Ⅰ).The absolute structure Flack parameter X of this compound is 0.00(8).A total of 14375 reflections were collected,of which 3431 were independent (R int=0.0437).X-ray analysis reveals that the crystal structure involves two intermolecular N-H···O and one N-H···S intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the neighboring molecules.The crystal structure was compared with our previously reported (S)-methyl 2-(4-R-phenylsulfonamido)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoate (R=H(1) and Cl(2)),which provided some useful information of these compounds.     

Offretite Zeolite Single Crystals Synthesized by Amphiphile-Templating Approach

Offretite zeolite synthesis in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) is reported. The offretite crystals were synthesized with a high crystallinity and hexagonal prismatic shape after only 72 h of hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C. The CTABr has dual-functions during the crystallization of offretite, viz. as structure-directing agent and as mesoporogen. The resulting offretite crystals, with a Si/Al ratio of 4.1, possess more acid sites than the conventional offretite due to their high crystallinity and hierarchical structure. The synthesized offretite is also more reactive than its conventional counterpart in the acylation of 2-methylfuran for biofuel production under non-microwave instant heating condition, giving 83.5% conversion with 100% selectivity to the desired product 2-acetyl-5-methylfuran. Hence, this amphiphile synthesis approach offers another cost-effective and alternative route for crystallizing zeolite materials that require expensive organic templates.