Self-association of uracil in aqueous solution. Study of dilute solutions by normal and second derivative UV absorption spectroscopy.

Normal and second derivative UV absorption spectra of dilute aqueous solution (5x10⁻⁶ − 5x10⁻³ M) of uracil at neutral pH have been registered. Concentration dependence of spectral parameters, molar absorptivity, maxima position, full width at half-height (FWHH) and band asymmetry at ∼202 nm and 258 nm have been studied. Both bands show hyper- and hypo-chromic effects as concentration increases. These effects indicate the formation of different aggregates due to uracil-water interactions and stacking self-association. From the isodesmic model, the apparent self-association constants have been obtained :

from the first and second hypochromic effects, respectively.     

Near-wall velocities of particles suspended in shear flow and a streamwise electric field

Particles with a diameter of ∼0.5 µm in a dilute (volume fractions φ_∞ < 4 × 10⁻³) suspension assemble into highly elongated structures called “bands” under certain conditions in combined Poiseuille and electroosmotic flows in opposite directions through microchannels at particle-based Reynolds numbers Re_p < < 1. The particles are first concentrated near, then form “bands” within ∼6 µm of, the channel wall. The experiments described here examine the near-wall dynamics of individual “tracer” particles during the initial concentration, or accumulation, of particles, and the steady-state stage when the particles have formed relatively stable bands at different near-wall shear rates and electric field magnitudes. Surprisingly, the near-wall upstream particle velocities are found to be consistently greater in magnitude than the expected values based on the particles being convected by the superposition of both flows and subject to electrophoresis, which is in the same direction as the Poiseuille flow. However, the particle velocities scale linearly with the change in electric field magnitude, suggesting that the particle dynamics are dominated by linear electrokinetic phenomena. If this discrepancy with theory is only due to changes in particle electrophoresis, electrophoresis is significantly reduced to values as small as 20%–50% of the Smoluchowski relation, or well below previous model predictions, even for high particle potentials.     

Kinetics of replacement of bridging ligands in a diruthenium(II,III) cation

Tetrakis-μ-propionatodiruthenium(II,III) cation reacts with oxalate, in acidic aqueous solution (0.10 M LiCF₃SO₃, [H⁺] 0.01 M at 29.4°C) in a two-phase process. An initial rapid change results in a small decrease in absorbance. This is ascribed to replacement of one propionate ligand by oxalate. A subsequent slower reaction, of which the rate is proportional to added oxalate concentration (k_bi 1.3 M⁻¹ s⁻¹), corresponds to a relatively large increase of absorbance at 475 nm, the absorbance maximum of the product. The data indicate formation of a bis(μ-oxalato)bis(μ-propionato)diruthenium(II,III) anion with a formation constant K_f > 2 x 10⁴ M⁻¹ and an extinction coefficient of 1.3 x 10³ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 475 nm. A third, much slower, change results in decomposition of that product. The occurrence of replacement of bridging ligands under mild conditions indicates that tris-μ-carboxylatodiruthenium(II,Ill) species (otherwise unknown) function as kinetic intermediates.     

Thin polymer films on semiconductors: From their protection to the realization of molecular electronic devices

When homogeneously grafted as thin films on small band-gap inorganic semiconductors (n-GaAs, n-CdS), organic conjugated polymers such as poly-methylthiophene afford interesting new structures. In their doped conducting state, these polymer films bring a long-term protection of these semiconductors against their photocorrosion in aqueous medium, and the subsequent inclusion of metallic aggregates in these films allows increased catalytic activity for achieving photoelectrochemical reactions. In their undoped semiconducting state, they lead to the realization of “organic-on-inorganic” p-n junctions which show very low leakage current and high allowed current density. As photovoltaic cell, an energy conversion efficiency of 17.5% has been obtained under 100 mW.cm⁻² irradiation with a p-PMeT/n-GaAs cell. The larger number of work already devoted to organic conjugated polymers such as polyacetylene, polypyrrole, polythiophene, has shown that these compounds can be switched between a doped oxidized state, with a nearly metallic conductivity, σ ∼ 10²-10³S.cm⁻¹, and an undoped neutral state which presents semiconducting properties, σ ∼ 10⁻⁷ -10⁻⁹ S. cm⁻¹. Either as free standing film or grafted on an electrode, these polymers exhibit interesting organic electrode properties which have been widely characterized. On the other hand much less is known on their behavior when deposited on inorganic semiconductors. In the following, this area will be discussed on two examples, the protection of narrow band-gap semiconductors against their photo-degradation in aqueous solution, and the new junction properties presented by “organic-on-inorganic” electronic devices.     

Vibrational (i.r. and Raman) spectra and conformational studies of 1-formyl-3-thiosemicarbazide

The i.r. and Raman spectra (30–4000 cm⁻¹) of 1-formyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (FTSC) and deuterated ftsc-d₄, have been studied. Most of the vibration modes reveal pairs of bands and show strong temperature dependence. A band group {ν(NNH₂)} at ∼ 1100 cm⁻¹ exhibits well resolved doublet (1095 and 1112 cm⁻¹) structure below 100 k. The intensity in the 11 12 cm⁻¹ band decreases regularly (band disappears at 150 K) with the rise in temperature. Two new bands at 955 and 1070 cm⁻¹ appear while measured above 400 K. The system eventually exists in several conformers in simultaneous equilibria. Moreover, a few bands {e.g. ν(CO), ν(CS) and ν(CH)} that show strong intensifies in i.r. exhibit weak (or zero) intensifies in the Raman and vice-versa. The features (characteristic of u and g vibration species) could be explained by a C_2h pseudo symmetry space group proposed for the system. Both the FTSC and FTSC-d₄ represent strong molecular associations. This favours the maximum abundance in the dimer stabilized conformers.     

The sedimentation behaviour of semi-dilute solutions of poly(methyl methacrylate)

Sedimentation coefficients S of poly(methyl methacrylate) for a broad range of molecular weights M and concentrations 1 · 10⁻⁴ >; c >; 2 · 10⁻¹ (c in g ml⁻¹) in the good solvent acetone at 20°C and the theta solvent acetonitrile at 35°C are reported. The results in the dilute regime are discussed in connection with those reported on poly(methyl methacrylate) and the many data available for polystyrene. Both sets of experimental results are compared with the scaling theory. The predictions of the theory are mostly fulfilled as limiting slopes for lower concentrations and high molecular weights and require in good solvents experiments with very high M >; 3 · 10⁷.     

The potentiometric determination of stability constants of sulfite and cobalt(II) in ionic strength 2.0 M (NaClO4). Use of the matrix method

Determination of the stability constants for the system Co(II)/SO₃²⁻, was made potentiometrically using SO₃²⁻/HSO₃⁻ as buffers. Computation and matrix methods lead to the following overall stepwise constants: β₁ = 4.3 x 10² M⁻¹, β₂ = 2.2 x 10⁴ M⁻² and β₃ = 3.0 x 10⁶ M⁻³. The partial constants (M⁻¹) obtained were: K₁ = 4.3 x 10², K₂ = 51 and K₃ = 1.4 x 10². The HSO₃⁻ competition was eliminated by using the extrapolation procedure.     

Two-dimensional near-infrared correlation spectroscopy studies of polymer blends I: Composition-dependent spectral variations of blends of atactic polystyrene and poly[2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether]

Generalized two-dimensional (2D) near-infrared (NIR) correlation spectroscopy has been applied to study the conformational changes and molecular interactions in blends of atactic polystyrene (PS) and poly[2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether] (PPE). NIR diffuse reflectance spectra have been measured for PS, PPE and their blends of different compositions, i.e., PS/PPE=90/10, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70, 10/90. The 2D synchronous correlation analysis of these composition-dependent NIR spectral variations separates the bands of PS from those of PPE. The 2D asynchronous analysis identifies spectral features indicative of the conformational changes or the specific interaction of PS and PPE. It can also detect “blend bands” whose origin is attributed to the formation of the polymer blends. Two “blend bands” of PS are identified at 6887 and 4836 cm⁻¹, and three “blend bands” of PPE are observed at 5752, 5679 and 4647 cm⁻¹. These “blend bands” are due to vibrations of the aromatic rings of PS or PPE and of the CH₃ of PPE. Thus, not only the aromatic rings of PS and PPE but also the CH3 groups of PPE play important roles in the formation of the blends.     

Application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to mechanistic electrochemistry: Oxidation of iodide at gold electrodes

The electrooxidation of dilute (1 mM) iodide at the gold-aqueous interface has been examined by rotating disk voltammetry combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in order to identify the surface species formed and hence to shed light on the electrooxidation mechanism. Marked changes in the SER spectra occur upon shifting the electrode potential through the region where faradaic current flows, the characteristic 123 and 158 cm⁻¹ bands associated with adsorbed iodide being supplemented and eventually supplanted by bands at 110, 145 and 160–175 cm⁻¹, the latter two being especially intense. The new bands are assigned to higher polyiodides and molecular iodine. The latter species appears to be the major interfacial product associated with faradaic current flow. Iodide forms an irreversibly adsorbed and electroinactive layer at gold in the absence of solution iodide, as evidenced by the survival of the 123 and 158 cm⁻¹ SERS bands even at far positive potentials under these conditions. The results obtained for dilute iodide solutions are compared and contrasted with those obtained at higher iodide concentrations. For the latter conditions, the observed “surface” Raman spectra arise from resonance enhancement of the thick insoluble iodine films and solution triiodide formed in the convective diffusion layer rather than from SERS of species present in the double layer. Criteria for distinguishing between these two possibilities for systems involving such electrogenerated species are described.     

A critical study of the application of ultraviolet spectroscopy to the self-association of adenine,adenosine and 5′-AMP in aqueous solution

UV spectra of adenine, adenosine and 5′-AMP in aqueous solution have been measured over the concentration range 1 × 10⁻⁶−5 × 10⁻² M. The apparent molar absorptivity of these compounds changes upon concentration, showing two hypochromic effects at c < 5 × 10⁻³ M and c &>; 5 × 10⁻³ M, respectively, which may be explained in terms of self-association.A method for calculating self-association constants from these experimental data is developed, based on an association model in which the first hypochromic effect is interpreted in terms of formation of dimers, with an equilibrium constant K₂, and the second effect is interpreted in terms of formation of polymers, with an equilibrium constant K_n. The value of K₂ is of the order of magnitude of 10⁴ for the three compounds. The value of K_n is dependent on the model chosen for the analysis of the second effect, having an order of magnitude of 10².The features of the self-association model are discussed, as well as the method for calculating self-association parameters from experimental data.     

Trapping of photogenerated group IV radicals by TEMPO: Potential new organometallic initiators for “living” free radical polymerization

A series of trialkyl and triaryl organometallic radicals from group IV generated by hydrogen abstraction by tert‐butoxyl radical from the parent hydrides have been examined using laser flash photolysis. The rate constants for the trapping of the metal‐centered radicals by the persistent radical TEMPO were measured and were found to be large and similar to those of the carbon‐centered radical systems, yet below the diffusion controlled limit. The metal‐centered radicals were found to be efficiently trapped by TEMPO and would appear to be candidates suitable for “living” free radical polymerization similar to carbon analogue stoichiometric initiators. The radical trapping rate constants for the trialkyl series (M = Si, Ge, Sn) were found to be 8.9 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Si), 7.2 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Ge), and 6.2 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Sn), respectively. The triaryl (Ph₃M•) series gave slightly slower rates of 1.6 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Si), 3.4 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Ge), and 1.9 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Sn), respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 238–244, 2000     

Pulse radiolysis studies of the reactions of bromine atoms and dimethyl sulfoxide–bromine atom complexes with alcohols

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)–Br complexes were generated by pulse radiolysis of DMSO/bromomethane mixtures and the formation mechanism and spectral characteristics of the formed complexes were investigated in detail. The rate constant for the reaction of bromine atoms with DMSO and the extinction coefficient of the complex were obtained to be 4.6×10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 6300 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at the absorption maximum of 430 nm. Rate constants for the reaction of bromine atoms with a series of alcohols were determined in CBrCl₃ solutions applying a competitive kinetic method using the DMSO–Br complex as the reference system. The obtained rate constants were ∼10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, one or two orders larger than those reported for highly polar solvents. Rate constants of DMSO–Br complexes with alcohols were determined to be ∼ 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. A comparison of the reactivities of Br atoms and DMSO–Br complexes with those of chlorine atoms and chlorine atom complexes which are ascribed to hydrogen abstracting reactants strongly indicates that hydrogen abstraction from alcohols is not the rate determining step in the case of Br atoms and DMSO–Br complexes.     

Electronic absorption spectra of M2L6 compounds containing metal-metal triple bonds of σ2π4 configuration

The electronic absorption spectra of compounds containing metal-metal triple bonds of σ²π⁴ valence electronic configuration are presented and discussed. The lowest-energy transition of M₂L₆ compounds (M = Mo or W, L = CH₂Bu^t or OBu^t) is expected to be the dipole-allowed π → π* (e_u → e_g) transition. This appears to be the case for M₂(CH₂Bu^t)₆ and M₂(OBu^t)₆ compounds, in which the lowest energy absorption bands occur between 26,000 and 28,000 cm⁻¹ (ε = 1.1 x 10³-1.8 x 10³ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). For M₂(NMe₂)₆ compounds, the lowest energy absorption is not the π → π* transition but is assigned instead to a LMCT transition originating from nitrogen lone-pair orbitals, N_1p → π*, observed at 30,800 cm⁻¹ (ε = 1.4 x 10⁴-1.9 x 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The π → π* transition is not observed in these compounds, but is presumably masked by the more intense LMCT. These assignments are derived from Xα-SW calculations performed and described by other authors (Bursten et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1980, 102, 4579).     

Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond. 25. Water–uracil complexes in excited n → π states

Hydrogen bonding of uracil with water in excited n → π* states has been investigated by means of ab initio SCF -CI calculations on uracil and water–uracil complexes. Two low-energy excited states arise from n → π* transitions in uracil. The first is due to excitation of the C₄? O group, while the second is associated with excitation of the C₂? O group. In the first n → π* state, hydrogen bonds at O₄ are broken, so that the open water–uracil dimer at O₄ dissociates. The “wobble” dimer, in which a water molecule is essentially free to move between its position in an open structure at N₃? H and a cyclic structure at N₃? H and O₄ in the ground state, collapses to a different “wobble” dimer at N₃? H and O₂ in the excited state. The third dimer, a “wobble” dimer at N₁? H and O₂, remains intact, but is destabilized relative to the ground state. Although hydrogen bonds at O₂ are broken in the second n → π* state, the three water–uracil dimers remain bound. The “wobble” dimer at N₁? H and O₂ changes to an excited open dimer at N₁? H. The “wobble” dimer at N₃? H and O₄ remains intact, and the open dimer at O₄ is further stabilized upon excitation. Dimer blue shifts of n → π* bands are nearly additive in 2:1 and 3:1 water:uracil structures. The fates of the three 2:1 water:uracil trimers and the 3:1 water:uracil tetramer in the first and second n → π* states are determined by the fates of the corresponding excited dimers in these states.     

A Fluorescent Probe for Al3+ Based on Calix[4]arene Containing Salicylaldehyde-Derived Schiff Base

Two novel fluorescent probes L1 and L2 for recognizing Al³⁺ have been prepared by cooperating salicylaldehyde-derived Schiff base groups onto the upper rim of the calix[4]arene. Of these probes, L2 is the most effective at recognizing Al³⁺, displaying a highly selective fluorescence “on” response with an emission wavelength at 478 nm and a Stokes shift of 88 nm. Additionally, probe L2 can form a 1 : 1 coordination complex with Al³⁺ with a binding constant of 2.6×10¹⁰ M⁻¹. Furthermore, its fluorescence intensity exhibits a good linear relationship with Al³⁺ concentration within the range of 2.0×10⁻⁵ M to 1.4×10⁻⁴ M, and the probe has a low detection limit of 4.36×10⁻⁷ M.     

Observations of the near-wall accumulation of suspended particles due to shear and electroosmotic flow in opposite directions

On the basis of previous studies, the particles in a dilute (volume fractions φ_∞ < 4 × 10^–3) suspension in combined Poiseuille and electroosmotic “counterflow” at flow Reynolds numbers Re ≤ 1 accumulate, then assemble into structures called “bands,” within ∼6 μm of the channel wall. The experimental studies presented here use a small fraction of tracer particles labeled with a different fluorophore from the majority “bulk” particles to visualize the dynamics of individual particles in a φ_∞ = 1.7 × 10^–3 suspension. The results at two different near-wall shear rates and three electric field magnitudes E show that the near-wall particles are concentrated about 150-fold when the bands start to form, and are then concentrated about 200-fold to a maximum near-wall volume fraction of ∼0.34. The growth in the near-wall particles during this accumulation stage appears to be exponential. This near-wall particle accumulation is presumably driven by a wall-normal “lift” force. The observations of how the particles accumulate near the wall are compared with recent analyses that predict that suspended particles subject to shear flow and a dc electric field at small particle Reynolds numbers experience such a lift force. A simple model that assumes that the particles are subject to this lift force and Stokes drag suggests that the force driving particles toward the wall, of O(10^–17 N), is consistent with the time scales for particle accumulation observed in the experiments.     

Kinetics of dehydrohalogenation of N-chloro-3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]octane in alkaline medium. NMR and ES/MS evidence of the dimerization of 3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]oct-2-ene

The formation of 3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]oct-2-ene in the course of the synthesis of N-amino-3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]octane using the Raschig process results from the following two consecutive reactions: chlorine transfer between the monochloramine and the 3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]octane followed by a dehydrohalogenation of the substituted haloamine. The kinetics of the reaction were studied by HPLC and UV as a function of temperature (15 to 44°C), and the concentrations of NaOH (0.1 to 1 M) and the chlorinated derivative (1 to 4×10⁻³ M). The reaction is bimolecular (k=103×10⁻⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; ΔH^0#=89 kJ mol⁻¹; and ΔS^0#=−33.6 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) and has an E2 mechanism. The spectral data of 3-azabicyclo[3,3,0]oct-2-ene were determined. IR, NMR, and ES/MS analysis show dimerization of the water-soluble monomer into a white insoluble dimer. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 129–136, 1998.     

Relaxation dynamics of salt‐free polyelectrolyte solutions using flow birefringence and rheometry

Relaxation dynamics of salt‐free, aqueous solutions of sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (NaPSS) were investigated by mechanical rheometry and flow birefringence measurements. Two semidilute concentration regimes were studied in detail for a range of polymer molecular weights. At solution concentrations c < 10 mg mL, limiting shear viscosity η₀ was found to scale with molecular weight and concentration as η₀ ∼ c^0.5M_w over nearly two decades in concentration. At higher solution concentrations, c > 10 mg mL, a change in viscosity scaling was observed η₀ ∼ c^1.5M, consistent with a change from simple Rouse dynamics for unentangled polyions to near‐perfect reptation dynamics for entangled chains. Characteristic relaxation times τ deduced from shear stress and birefringence relaxation measurements following start‐up of steady shearing at high rates reveal very different physics. For c < 10 mg mL, both methods yield τ ∼ c^−0.42M and τ ∼ c⁰M for c > 10 mg mL. Curiously, the concentration scalings seen in both regimes are consistent with theoretical expectations for salt‐free polyelectrolyte solutions undergoing Rouse and reptation dynamics, respectively, but the molecular weight scalings are not. Based on earlier light scattering studies using salt‐free NaPSS solutions, we contend that the unusual relaxation behavior is likely due to aggregation and/or coupled polyion diffusion. Simultaneous stress and birefringence measurements suggest that in concentrated solution, NaPSS aggregates are likely well permeated by solvent, supporting a loose collective of aggregated chains rather than the dense polymer aggregates previously supposed. Nonetheless, polyion aggregates of either variety cannot account for the inverse dependence of relaxation time on polymer molecular weight for c < 10 mg mL. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 825–835, 1999     

Photogeneration and transport studies on differently polymerized n-vinylcarbazole polymers

Photogeneration and transport studies were carried out on carefully purified, poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) samples prepared with different initiators. The results were compared both with those obtained from commercial samples and those reported in the literature. The experimental mobility values obtained [μ] = [cm²/Vsec] were low compared with the “trap free” mobility value, recently reported (μ = 10⁻³cm²/Vsec). The presence of persistent impurities, formed during the polymerization procedure and bound to the polymer backbone, together with the presence of specific structural faults, could explain the rather low observed mobility values. The photoelectric yield for all the samples, except those prepared from EtAlCl₂ (PVK-IV), is about 3 × 10⁻³. The higher value shown by the PVK-IV samples (10⁻²) could be ascribed to a lower concentration of traps for excitons (viz the so-called “second excimer site”).     

Micelles with highly branched nanoporous interior: Solution properties and binding capabilities of amphiphilic copolymers with linear dendritic architecture

This article describes the solution behavior of model amphiphilic linear‐dendritic ABA block copolymers that self‐assemble in aqueous media and form micelles with highly branched nanoporous cores. The materials investigated are constructed of poly(ethylene glycol), PEG, with molecular weight 5,000 or 11,000 as the water‐soluble B block and poly(benzyl ether) monodendrons [G] of second and third generation as the hydrophobic A fragments. The process of self‐assembly in aqueous media and the character of the micellar core are investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy using pyrene as the molecular probe. The data obtained by different methods indicate that the critical micelle concentrations (cmc) for these systems are between 1.1 × 10⁻⁵ and 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L for [G‐2]‐PEG5000‐[G‐2] and between 7.08 × 10⁻⁶ and 7.94 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L for [G‐3]‐PEG11000‐[G‐3]. It is found that the ratio of the first and third vibronic bands (I₁/I₃ ) in the fluorescence spectrum of the encapsulated pyrene changes from 1.77 to 1.32 when the concentration of [G‐2]‐PEG5000‐[G‐2] increases from 1.1 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L to 1.1 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L. For [G‐3]‐PEG11000‐[G‐3] these changes are between 1.77 and 1.17 in the same concentration range. The hybrid copolymers form host‐guest complexes with several polyaromatic compounds (phenanthrene, pyrene, perylene and fullerene, C₆₀) that are stable over extended periods of time (more than 12 months). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2711–2727, 2000