Preparation, XRD and Raman spectroscopic studies on new compounds RE2Hf2O7 (RE=Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu, Y): Pyrochlores or defect-fluorite?

A series of compositions with the general formula RE₂Hf₂O₇ (RE=Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Y and Lu) was prepared by a standard solid-state route and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. As per theoretical modeling reported in literature, some of these materials were predicted to exist in pyrochlore lattice. However, a careful X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopic and synchrotron radiation-XRD study revealed that under the experimental conditions used in the present investigation, out of all the RE₂Hf₂O₇ samples only Dy₂Hf₂O₇ has got a tendency to form a pyrochlore structure. All the other (Ho, Er, Tm, Lu, Y) hafnates crystallize in a defect-fluorite structure. In order to further ascertain these inferences, a few more RE₂Hf₂O₇ samples (La, Nd, Sm) i.e., with larger RE³⁺ ions were also prepared and the results were compared.     

Graph theoretical procedure for obtaining analytical expressions of eigenspectra of linear chains and cycles with alternant vertex weights and same edge weight: Application to some complicated graphs

A graph theoretical procedure for obtaining eigenvalues of linear chains and cycles having alternant vertex weights (h₁, h₂, h₁, h₂, h₁, h₂, …) and the same edge weight (k) have been developed. The eigenvalues of some complicated graphs, such as graphs of linear polyacenes, methylene‐substituted linear polyacenes and cylindrical polyacene strips, stack graphs, and reciprocal graphs have been shown to be generated in closed analytical forms by this procedure. Many such graphs represent chemically important molecules or radicals. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Honeycomb nets with interpenetrating frameworks involving iminodiacetato-copper(II) blocks and bipyridine spacers: syntheses, characterization, and magnetic studies

Three coordination polymers of copper(II), viz. ([Cu(ida)(4,4'-bipyH)]ClO(4))( proportional, variant ) (1), ([Cu(2)(ida)(2)(micro-4,4'-bipy)].2H(2)O)( proportional, variant ) (2), and [Cu(2)(ida)(2)(bpa)]( proportional, variant ) (3) have been synthesized by the process of self-assembly using Cu(ida) [ida = iminodiacetate(2-)] as the building block and 4,4'-bipyridyl and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpa) as linkers. Crystals of 1 are orthorhombic, of space group Pna2(1), with a = 13.8956(12) A, b = 16.3362(16) A, c = 7.3340(12), and Z = 4. Both compounds 2 and 3 crystallize in monoclinic space group P2(1)/a with a = 10.1887(8) A (9.6779(10) A for 3), b = 8.0008(11) A (9.1718(10) A), c = 11.6684(9) A (12.9144(12) A), beta = 98.307(11) degrees (102.796(18) degrees ), and Z = 2 (2). Compound 1 has a zigzag chain structure with an extensive hydrogen-bonded network while compounds 2 and 3 are honeycomb (6,3) nets with interpenetrating structures. Variable temperature (2-300 K) magnetic study indicates the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions (J = 0.82 +/- 0.01 cm(-)(1)) in 1 and ferromagnetic in 2 (J = -0.45 +/- 0.05 cm(-)(1)) and 3 (J = -0.21 +/- 0.02 cm(-)(1)). The extent of planarity of the bridging "Cu-O-C-O-Cu" moiety, acting as the super-exchange pathway between the neighboring copper centers, probably controls the sign of the magnetic exchange coupling in these compounds.     

Enhanced magnetic anisotropy of nickel nanosheet prepared in Na-4 mica

Nanosheets of nickel with thickness equal to 0.6 nm have been grown within the interlayer spaces of Na-4 mica. The sheets are made up of percolative clusters of nanodisks. Magnetization characteristics indicate a superparamagnetic behavior with a blocking temperature of 428 K. The magnetic anisotropy constant as extracted from the coercivity data has been found to be higher than that of bulk nickel by two orders of magnitude. This is ascribed to a large aspect ratio of the nickel nanophase. The Bloch exponent is also found to be considerably different from that of bulk nickel because of a size effect. The Bloch equation is still found to be valid for the two dimensional structures.     

Hierarchical Order Parameters for Macromolecular Assembly Simulations I: Construction and Dynamical Properties of Order Parameters

Macromolecular assemblies often display a hierarchical organization of macromolecules or their sub-assemblies. To model this, we have formulated a space warping method that enables capturing overall macromolecular structure and dynamics via a set of coarse-grained order parameters (OPs). This article is the first of two describing the construction and computational implementation of an additional class of OPs that has built into them the hierarchical architecture of macromolecular assemblies. To accomplish this, first, the system is divided into subsystems, each of which is described via a representative set of OPs. Then, a global set of variables is constructed from these subsystem-centered OPs to capture overall system organization. Dynamical properties of the resulting OPs are compared to those of our previous nonhierarchical ones, and implied conceptual and computational advantages are discussed for a 100ns, 2 million atom solvated Human Papillomavirus-like particle simulation. In the second article, the hierarchical OPs are shown to enable a multiscale analysis that starts with the N-atom Liouville equation and yields rigorous Langevin equations of stochastic OP dynamics. The latter is demonstrated via a force-field based simulation algorithm that probes key structural transition pathways, simultaneously accounting for all-atom details and overall structure.     

Flower-shaped ZnO nanoparticles as an efficient, heterogeneous and reusable catalyst in the synthesis of N-arylhomophthalimides and benzannelated isoquinolinones

A simple and green protocol, developed utilizing an efficient, heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst, i.e. zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs)-mediated synthesis of N-arylhomophthalimides and benzannelated isoquinolinones, is reported. The structures of the desired products were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS techniques. The ZnO NPs exhibited excellent catalytic activity and the proposed methodology is capable of providing the desired products in good yield and purity.     

Peptide‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) biohybrids by grafting‐from ring‐opening polymerization: Synthesis,aggregation, and crystalline properties

Well‐defined peptide‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (Pep‐PCL) biohybrids were successfully synthesized by grafting‐from ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (CL) using designed amine‐terminated sequence‐defined peptides as macroinitiators. MALDI‐TOF‐MS and ¹H NMR analyses confirmed the successful attachment of peptide to the PCL chain. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurement showed that the Pep‐PCL biohybrids with controllable molecular weights and low polydispersities (PDI <1.5) were obtained by this approach. The aggregation of Pep‐PCL hybrid molecules in THF solution resulted in the formation of micro/nanospheres as confirmed through FESEM, TEM, and DLS analyses. The circular dichroism study revealed that the secondary structure of peptide moiety was changed in the peptide‐PCL biohybrids. The crystallization and melting behavior of Pep‐PCL hybrids were somewhat changed compared with that of neat PCL of comparable molecular weight as revealed by DSC and XRD measurements. In Pep‐PCL biohybrids, extinction rings were observed in the PCL spherulites, in contrast with the normal spherulite morphology of the neat PCL. There was a substantial decrease (4–5 folds) in the spherulitic growth rate after the incorporation of peptide moiety at the end of PCL chain as measured by polarizing optical microscopy. Pseudomonas lipase catalyzed enzymatic degradation was studied for Pep‐PCL hybrids and neat PCL. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Validated Simultaneous High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatographic Analysis of Ursolic Acid, β-Sitosterol,Lupeol and Quercetin in the Methanolic Fraction of Ichnocarpus frutescens

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous quantitative determination and validation of...