Organoboron luminophores with extremely strong dual–phase emissions

Developing efficient dual–phase emission emitters upon organoboron luminophores remains a formidable challenge due to the ubiquitous self–absorption and deleterious π-π interactions from aromatic structure. Here, a new family of benzothiazole–enolate–based organoboron luminophores (HN1–4) with effective dual–phase emission was constructed. HN4 showed almost the highest quantum yield (QY) among this type of compound so far. The three-ring–fused rigid skeleton and moderate intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect ensured that HN4 could give rise to extremely strong emission in any solution (QY up to 99%). X-ray crystallographic analysis showed that the twisted core structure constructed by the boronic coordination of two penta-fluorobenzene of HN4 was responsible for intense emission in the solid state (QY up to 68%). Besides, HN4 exhibited a unique response to mechanical force accompanied by a reversible change of the QY. We believe that this strategy provides beneficial inspiration and methodology to design materials with high emissive quantum yield that can be used in a variety of luminescent events.     

Application of alkoxy-λ6-sulfanenitriles as strong alkylating reagents

Alkoxy-λ⁶-sulfanenitriles were found to be versatile alkylating reagents toward various nucleophiles bearing at least one proton such as methanol, phenol, thiophenols, carboxylic acids, p-toluenesulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid, and primary and secondary amines. Reactivity of the alkoxy group of the λ⁶-sulfanenitriles showed an opposite trend to the usual S_N2 character, i.e. Me ( 1a ), Pr ( 1b ), and Bu ( 1d ) ≪ i-Pr ( 1c ). In the presence of p-TsOH, alkyl tosylates were predominantly formed instead of the alkylation products of nucleophiles. In addition, even a sterically hindered substrate, neopentyloxy-λ⁶-sulfanenitrile, was found to undergo an S_N2 reaction toward thiophenol without any rearrangement product to give neopentyl phenyl sulfide in good yield. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:193–198, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20006     

Short strong hydrogen bonds: can they explain enzymic catalysis?

It has been proposed that some remarkable enzymic catalytic effects can be explained by the existence of unusually strong hydrogen bonds within the enzyme's active site. Although such hydrogen bonds may be short, and may have unusual properties, there is no evidence that unusually strong hydrogen bonds exist in solution or in enzyme active sites. Thus there is no basis for invoking strong hydrogen bonds to explain enzymic rate enhancements.     

Novel mesoporous silica-perfluorosulfonic acid hybrids as strong heterogeneous Brønsted catalysts

Perfluorinated sulfonic acids have been immobilised into mesoporous silica frameworks by a one-step process, representing the first example of the successful incorporation of charged silanes using this route, and have been shown to be excellent catalysts for Br?nsted acid catalysed transformations.     

Engineering a flexible and mechanically strong composite electrolyte for solid-state lithium batteries

Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)have greatly facilitated our daily lives since 1990s[1,2].To meet the ever-increasing demand on energy density,Li metal is seen as the ultimate anode because of its ultra-high specific capacity(3860 m Ah/g)and the lowest electrochemical potential(-3.04 V vs.the standard hydrogen electrode)[3–6].However,issues of Li metal anode,such as Li dendrite formation and large volume change during plating/stripping。     

Nature of the strong basicity of superbases,unsolvated hydroxide ions?

The basicity of so-called superbases is ascribed to the presence of free, i.e., naked, hydroxide ions. Infrared spectroscopic studies of various KOH (and KOCH₃) crown ether dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 and dibenzo-18-crown-6) and Sr(OH)₂ cryptand(222) solutions in polar (methanol, chloroform) and non-polar solvents (toluene, n-heptane) revealed that unsolvated OH⁻ ions are not present in such strong basic solutions. Formation of potassium crown ether complexes shown by the i.r. bands at 1095–1102 and 990–995 cm⁻¹ (dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6) is always accompanied (and only possible if) by that of methoxide ions (i.r. band at 1050–1060 cm⁻¹). The presence of solvated OH⁻ ions cannot be excluded.     

Influence of strong heterocoordination on surface properties of Li–Pb melts

The influence of the strong heterocoordination tendency of the Li–Pb liquid alloy on its surface properties has been studied using a statistical thermodynamic model based on compound formation and that based on the layered structure near the interface. In addition to the already proposed saltlike structure Li₄Pb compound formed in the liquid alloy, the study shows that the compound Li₃Pb also has a profound influence on the thermodynamic properties of the liquid alloy. The surface study suggests that the formed compounds in the liquid alloy segregate to the surface about 0.8 atomic fraction of Li. The calculated surface tension of the liquid alloy exhibits a pronounced hump above equiatomic composition.     

Clˉ as the halogen bond acceptor: studies on strong halogen bonds

The Clˉ anion as the halogen bond acceptor, the diiodotetrafluoroethane I(CF₂)₂I and its derivatives I(MF₂)_nI (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn) as the halogen bond donor, and the strong halogen bonds could be formed. The halogen bonds between I(MF₂)_nI and Clˉ have been designed and investigated by Moller–Plesset perturbation/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations together with the aug-cc-pVDZ-pp basis set for iodine and stannum. The halogen bonds in the I(MF₂)_nI???Clˉ complexes are strong, which are apparently related to the group IV elements, becoming stronger along the sequence of M = Si, C, Ge, Sn. Accompanied with increasing number (n) of MF₂ unit, the halogen bonds (M = Si, Ge, Sn) also become stronger. The energy decomposition analyses reveal that the exchange energy contributes most in forming these halogen-bonded interactions. In the meantime, the electrostatic energy is also a significant factor for the I???Clˉ interactions. The halogen bonds of I(MF₂)nI???Clˉ(M = C, Ge, Sn) belong to partial-covalent interactions, while they are noncovalent interactions when M = Si.     

Magnetic single-component molecular conductors exhibiting strong π-d interactions

Single-component molecular conductors [M(tmdt)₂] (tmdt = trimethylenetetrathiafulvalenedithiolate; M = Ni, Au, Pt, Cu), exhibit a variety of electromagnetic properties, which originate from the differences of the metal’s d-orbitals role in the band structure formation. The [Au(tmdt)₂] crystal undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at 110 K, while maintaining a metallic state at lower temperatures. The Au analog has a high magnetic transition temperature as compared to traditional magnetic molecular conductors due to the strong three-dimensional (3-D) structure and the contribution of the metal d-orbitals. The single-component molecular conductor, [Cu(tmdt)₂], with π- and d-like frontier orbitals is isostructural with other metallic [M(tmdt)₂] systems (M = Ni, Pt, Au). The Cu(tmdt)₂ molecule is planar, which strikingly contrasts the tetrahedral coordination of Cu(dmdt)₂ (dmdt = dimethyltetrathiafulvalenedithiolate) with similarly extended TTF type ligands. Interestingly, unlike other [M(tmdt)₂] with metallic behavior, [Cu(tmdt)₂] shows semiconducting behavior at room temperature (σ(RT) = ∼7 S cm⁻¹). The RT conductivity increased linearly with increased pressure to 110 S cm⁻¹ at 15 kbar despite the compressed pellet sample. The magnetic susceptibility indicates one-dimensional (1-D) Heisenberg behavior with J = 117 cm⁻¹ and shows antiferromagnetic ordering at 13 K. The [Cu(tmdt)₂] is a new multi-frontier π-d system, which introduces a d(σ)-type frontier orbital around the Fermi level of the π-like metal bands.     

Catecholamine analysis with strong cation exchange column liquid chromatography–peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction detection

A liquid chromatography–chemiluminescence detection method was developed and validated for the determination of catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) in mouse brains. Chromatography was performed on a strong cation exchange column (150 × 2.0-mm id) using an isocratic mobile phase of 65 mM potassium acetate/75 mM potassium phosphate (95:5, pH 3.5) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min following post-column fluorescence derivatization of catecholamines with ethylenediamine and peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence reaction detection. The recovery of catecholamines added to mouse brain samples was more than 95.0%, while intra- and inter-day precision of the assay were <4.8%. The validated method was used to determine norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations in mouse brains without prior sample purification.     

The imide-dipeptides that show strong and stable β-sheet-like interactions compared with natural sequence

In this Letter, we report solution behavior of two imide-dipeptides containing l-alanine and l-leucine residues. In contrast to natural sequence, the imide-dipeptidyl backbone contains distinct features: self-pairing H-bonds, topochemical symmetry, a peptide polindron sequence, and different orientations of side chains. The solution behavior in chloroform reveals that both the imide-dipeptides adopt β-folding conformations and form β-sheet-like assembly. Most surprisingly, they form more stable and stronger H-bonds than the natural counterpart, and thus show different H-bonding patterns from the natural sequence.     

Synthesis of aromatic substituted B ← N embedded units with good stability and strong electron-affinity

Two chemically stable B ← N embedded units were synthesized, namely, BNIDT-Ph and BNIDT-Th, with aromatic phenyl (Ph) or thiophene (Th) groups, respectively, attached to the four coordination boron (B) atom. Single crystal data revealed that BNIDT-Ph and BNIDT-Th show obvious π-π interactions (3.83 vs. 3.79 Å) and B ← N dipole-dipole interactions (6.51 vs. 6.67 Å). BNIDT-Ph and BNIDT-Th exhibit strong electronic affinities of 3.70 and 3.81 eV, respectively. Fluorescence quenching was found between PBDB-T and the B ← N embedded molecules in solution, indicating exciton dissociation. These B ← N embedded molecules are potentially useful to further construct novel n-type semiconductors.     

He 2++ molecular ion in a strong time-dependent magnetic field: a current-density functional study

The He molecular ion exposed to a strong ultrashort time‐dependent (TD) magnetic field of the order of 10⁹ G is investigated through a quantum fluid dynamics (QFD) and current‐density functional theory (CDFT) based approach using vector exchange‐correlation (XC) potential and energy density functional that depend not only on the electronic charge‐density but also on the current density. The TD‐QFD‐CDFT computations are performed in a parallel internuclear‐axis and magnetic field‐axis configuration at the field‐free equilibrium internuclear separation R = 1.3 au with the field‐strength varying between 0 and 10¹¹ G. The TD behavior of the exchange‐ and correlation energy of the He is analyzed and compared with that obtained using a [B‐TD‐QFD‐density functional theory (DFT)] approach based on the conventional TD‐DFT under similar computational constraints but using only scalar XC potential and energy density functional dependent on the electronic charge‐density alone. The CDFT based approach yields TD exchange‐ and correlation energy and TD electronic charge‐density significantly different from that obtained using the conventional TD‐DFT based approach, particularly, at typical magnetic field strengths and during a typical time period of the TD field. This peculiar behavior of the CDFT‐based approach is traced to the TD current‐density dependent vector XC potential, which can induce nonadiabatic effects causing retardation of the oscillating electronic charge density. Such dissipative electron dynamics of the He molecular ion is elucidated by treating electronic charge density as an electron‐“fluid” in the terminology of QFD. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011     

Effect of γ-irradiation on conductivity of cadmium-mercury-tellurium single crystals in weak and strong electric fields

The effect of γ-radiation on electrical conductivity of Cd _x Hg_{1 ? x} Te (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.95) single crystals in weak and strong electric fields has been investigated. It has been shown that at relatively low fields in which charge carriers are still warm, the dependence (Δσ/σ₀) ～ E ² is observed because of the dominance of scattering on acoustic lattice vibrations with the increasing electric field strength; with a further increase in the field strength, the carriers become hot and the dependence of σ upon E becomes linear. The effect of irradiation by Γ-rays on the dependence of σ upon E in these samples is explained by a significant concentration of the intrinsic impurity centers in the crystals and their redistribution with the increasing radiation dose.     

Tetramidocavitand: strong anion receptor by well-organized four -(CO)N-H?X interactions

Resorcin[4]arene-based tetramidocavitands containing four secondary amide groups on their upper rim showed strong (R = methyl or ethyl) binding properties. The caviplex formation through hydrogen bonds of -(CO)N-H?X⁻ was supported by ¹H NMR and crystal structure analyses. In a mixture of C₂D₂Cl₄/DMSO/D₂O = 5:15:2 at 25 °C, the thermodynamic parameters for caviplex @1, ΔG (kcal mol⁻¹), ΔH (kcal mol⁻¹), and ΔS (cal K⁻¹ mol⁻¹), are −3.7, −8.6, and −16.7, respectively.     

Synthesis of 11β-ether-17α-ethinyl-3,17β-estradiols with strong ER antagonist activities

We have previously found that several families of nonpolar short chain 11 β-ethers and esters of estradiol are selective estrogen receptor modulators(SERMs).Surprisingly,the transformation from potent estrogen to anti-estrogen occurs when the 11β-side chain is increased slightly in length from four to five non-hydrogen atoms.To generate strong antagonists for preclinical development,we have synthesized other similar ER ligands with 11β-ethers and with an additional ethinyl group at the 17α-position in order to slow metabolism of the steroidal moiety.Here we report the synthesis and biological activity of two such compounds(11β-i-PrO-propyl and 11β-t-BuO-propyl ethers) with extremely strong antagonist activities.     

Identification and measurements of strong Brønsted acid site in ultrastable Y (USY) zeolite

By using the IRMS-TPD method in which IR (infrared) and MS (mass spectroscopy) worked together, acid sites of USY (ultrastable Y) zeolite were studied. A new band of OH playing a role of Br?nsted acid was clearly detected on Na2H2-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-treated USY at 3595 cm(-1) during an elevation in temperature after the adsorption of ammonia. MS-measured TPD (temperature-programmed desorption) of NH3 and IR-measured TPD of the NH4+ cation coincided well to show that this zeolite consisted of the Br?nsted acid sites. The MS-TPD profile at higher temperatures corresponded to the IR-TPD of the 3595-cm(-1) band, and therefore, this OH was identified as a strong acid site. From comparison between IR-TPD of OH and MS-TPD, numbers of three kinds of Br?nsted OH (i.e., those in super and sodalite cages of a Y zeolite structure) and created strong Br?nsted acid site were quantified. On the other hand, strength of the Br?nsted acid site DeltaH was determined individually by a simulation method, where the corrected IR-TPD of OH was simulated based on the proposed equation. Thus, a new strong Br?nsted acid site was identified in the EDTA-treated USY, and the amount and strength was measured quantitatively.     

Charge transport and electronic properties of N-heteroquinones: quadruple weak hydrogen bonds and strong π–π stacking interactions

The charge transport and photophysical properties of N-heteroquinones, which can function as n-type organic semiconductors in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with high electron mobility, were systematically investigated using hopping model, band theory, and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The calculated absorption spectra and electron mobility are in good agreement with experimental results. To the studied compounds, subtle structural modifications can greatly reduce the reorganization energy. There are two main kinds of intermolecular interaction forces of the studied compounds in the crystal, which result from intermolecular π–π and hydrogen bonds interactions, respectively. The results of hopping model show that the electron transport properties are mainly determined by pathways containing intermolecular π–π interactions, and hole transport properties are mainly determined by pathways containing intermolecular hydrogen bonds from the standpoint of transfer integral. Moreover, electronic transfer integral value increases with the enhancement of intermolecular overlap corresponding to the overlap extent of π–π packing. Hole transfer integral value decreases with decreasing the number of hydrogen bonds. This means that charge transport properties can be efficiently tuned by controlling the relative positions of the molecules and the number of hydrogen bonds. The analysis of band structure also supports the conclusion of hopping model.     

An environmentally friendly Mukaiyama aldol reaction catalyzed by a strong Brønsted acid in solvent-free conditions

o-Benzenedisulfonimide, a new strong bench-stable Br?nsted acid, has been shown to efficiently catalyze the Mukaiyama aldol reaction of aldehydes or dimethyl acetals with silyl enol ethers under mild solvent-free reaction conditions.