A charge-transfer-induced spin transition in the discrete cyanide-bridged complex [[Co(tmphen)2]3[Fe(CN)6]2

A charge-transfer-induced spin transition (CTIST) is observed in the discrete cyanide-bridged complex, {[Co(tmphen)2]3[Fe(CN)6]2}. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, 57Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility were used collectively to describe the oxidation states of the Co and Fe ions in this cluster as a function of temperature. This pentanuclear complex represents the first example of a CTIST at the discrete molecular level.     

An experimental and kinetic modeling study on the oxidation of 1,3-dioxolane

The modern catalytic or enzymatic advances allow the production of novel biofuel. Among them, 1,3-dioxolane can be produced from formaldehyde and ethylene glycol, both can be obtained from biomass. In this study, the oxidation of 1,3-dioxolane is studied at stoichiometric conditions. The ignition delay times of 1,3-dioxolane/O₂/inert mixtures were measured in a shock tube and in a rapid compression machine at pressures of 20 to 40 bar and temperatures ranging from 630 to 1300 K. The pressure profiles recorded in the rapid compression machine show a first stage of ignition enlightening the influence of the low temperature chemistry of combustion. Furthermore, mole fraction profiles of the stable intermediates produced during the oxidation of 1,3-dioxolane were measured in a jet-stirred reactor at 10 bar. Following these observations, a detailed kinetic model was developed with reaction rate coefficients and thermochemical data calculated by theoretical calculations or estimated by analogies to suitable molecules. In order to get an insight into the most important reaction pathways brute force sensitivity analysis and reaction pathway analysis were performed with the proposed model and discussed. It became clear that in the fuel-in-air case for the alkylhydroperoxide of 1,3-dioxolane the ring opening beta-scission pathway is favored against the further alkane-like second addition to molecular oxygen, which leads to a limited negative temperature coefficient.     

A blue luminescent binuclear cadmium-orotate coordination polymer: synthesis,crystal structure,and thermogravimetric analysis

Assembly of orotic acid (H₃Or, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2,6-dioxo-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic) and Cd(NO₃)·6H₂O yielded a coordination polymer, [(Cd(Hor)·2.5H₂O)₂]_n (1), which has been characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, TGA, and ?uorescence spectra. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses reveal that 1 is a hydrogen-bonded binuclear Cd-orotate coordination polymer in which both Cd²⁺ ions have different coordination environments with identical distorted octahedral geometry. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 7.0209(10) Å, b = 13.974(2) Å, c = 17.541(3) Å, β = 98.842(2)°, V = 1700.5(4) Å, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0269, wR2 = 0.0612, θ_max = 25.960. The emission spectrum of the Cd-complex recorded with 265 nm excitation wavelength reveals the complex has strong blue luminescence with the peak maximum 420 nm (2.95 eV) as a result of the n–π* and π–π* transitions on the H₃Or ligand.     

Chemometric analysis for optimizing derivatization in gas chromatography‐based procedures

This paper focuses on the application of principal component analysis (PCA) to facilitate the optimization of the derivatization of oestrogenic steroids—estrone, 17β‐estradiol, estriol, 17α‐ethinylestradiol and diethylstilbestrol—in order to achieve (1) the complete derivatization of all the hydroxyl groups contained in the structure of the compounds and (2) the greatest effectiveness of this reaction. Six different derivatization reagents were used in this study, whereas 2‐methyl‐anthracene was applied as the internal standard to evaluate the effectiveness of the reactions. The experimental data were subjected to PCA. With PCA, the dimensionality of the original multivariable data set could be reduced and the selection of optimum conditions for derivatization facilitated. The mixture of 99% N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide + 1% trimethylchlorosilane and pyridine (1:1, v/v) at 60 °C for 30 min has been established as the most convenient and efficient means of derivatizing the aforementioned oestrogenic steroids and diethylstilbestrol; the N‐methyl‐N‐(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide + pyridine (1:1, v/v) mixture seems to be a promising alternative. The application of PCA for optimizing the derivatization procedure, proposed for the first time in this study, is particularly useful in the development of multicomponent methods across several chemical classes of compounds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of gallic acid in Alchemilla vulgaris, Allium ursinum, Acorus calamus and Solidago virga-aurea by chip-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography

This study presents the results obtained from qualitative and quantitative analysis of gallic acid from hydro-alcoholic extracts (methanol, ethanol) of plants from Plantae regnum. Plant qualitative analysis was performed using a novel mass spectrometric (MS) method based on fully automated chip-nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI) high capacity ion trap (HCT) while quantitative analysis was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These methods were applied to Alchemilla vulgaris — common lady’s-mantle (aerial part), Allium ursinum — bear’s garlic (leaves), Acorus calamus — common sweet flag (roots), Solidago virga-aurea — goldenrod (aerial part). Obtained results indicated that methanol extracts (96%, 80%) have a gallic acid content ranging between 0.0011–0.0576 mg mL⁻¹ extract while the ethanol extracts (96%, 60%) exhibit a gallic acid concentration that varies between 0.0010–0.0182 mg mL⁻¹ extract.      

Small Noncytotoxic Carbon Nano‐Onions: First Covalent Functionalization with Biomolecules

Small carbon nano‐onions (CNOs, 6–8 shells) were prepared in high yield and functionalized with carboxylic groups by chemical oxidation. After functionalization these nanostructures were soluble in aqueous solutions. 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐5‐(3‐carboxymethoxyphenyl)‐2‐(4‐sulfophenyl)‐2 tetrazolium (MTS) tests showed excellent cytocompatibility of all CNOs analyzed at 30 and 300 μg mL^?1, so these carbon nanostructures can be safely used for biological applications. The first covalent functionalization of oxidized CNOs (ox‐CNOs) with biomolecules, by using biotin–avidin interactions is reported here. Multilayers were prepared on a gold surface by layer‐by‐layer assembly and the process was monitored by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Covalent binding of molecules to the short amine‐terminated organosulfur monolayers was assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using total attenuated reflactance mode (FT‐IR/HATR).