Synthesis and H NMR spectroscopic properties of substituted (η-tetraarylcyclobutadiene)(η-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt metallocenes

The reaction of diarylacetylenes with CoCl(PPh₃)₃ and sodium cyclopentadienylide or sodium carbomethoxycyclopentadienylide gave (η⁴-tetra-arylcyclobutadiene)(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt and (η⁴-tetra-arylcyclobutadiene)(η⁵-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)cobalt, respectively, where aryl = para-XC₆H₄ (X = CF₃, F, MeO). The reaction was unsuccessful for the synthesis of (η⁴-tetra(para-methoxyphenyl)cyclobutadiene)(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt, which was synthesised instead from dicarbonyl(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt. In all of the examples starting with CoCl(PPh₃)₃ an intermediate (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)- or (η⁵-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)(triphenylphosphine)-2,3,4,5-tetraarylcobaltacyclopentadiene complex was isolated, and two examples were characterised by X-ray crystallography. Heating the (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)- or (η⁵-carbomethoxycyclopentadienyl)(triphenylphosphine)-2,3,4,5-tetraarylcobaltacyclopentadiene complexes resulted in clean conversion to the corresponding metallocenes. The influence of the para-aryl substituents on the ¹H NMR of the cyclopentadienyl moiety is tabulated, together with the influence of a range of R substituents in (η⁴-tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)(η⁵-RC₅H₄)cobalt (R = CO₂Me, CH₂OH, Me, CHO, CCH, CO₂H, CN, CONHR¹, 2-oxazolinyl, NH₂, NHAc, HgCl, Br, I, SiMe₃, SnMe₃, Ph).     

Diphosphoryl-functionalized Polyoxometalates: Structurally and Electronically Tunable Hybrid Molecular Materials

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a new class of hybrid Wells–Dawson polyoxometalate (POM) containing a diphosphoryl group (P₂O₆X) of the general formula [P₂W₁₇O₅₇(P₂O₆X)]⁶⁻ (X=O, NH, or CR¹R²). Modifying the bridging unit X was found to impact the redox potentials of the POM. The ease with which a range of α-functionalized diphosphonic acids (X=CR¹R²) can be prepared provides possibilities to access diverse functionalized hybrid POMs. Compared to existing phosphonate hybrid Wells–Dawson POMs, diphosphoryl-substituted POMs offer a wider tunable redox window and enhanced hydrolytic stability. This study provides a basis for the rational design and synthesis of next-generation hybrid Wells–Dawson POMs.     

Recent Advances and Future Perspectives of Metal-Based Electrocatalysts for Overall Electrochemical Water Splitting

Recently, the growing demand for a renewable and sustainable fuel alternative is contingent on fuel cell technologies. Even though it is regarded as an environmentally sustainable method of generating fuel for immediate concerns, it must be enhanced to make it extraordinarily affordable, and environmentally sustainable. Hydrogen (H₂) synthesis by electrochemical water splitting (ECWS) is considered one of the foremost potential prospective methods for renewable energy output and H₂ society implementation. Existing massive H₂ output is mostly reliant on the steaming reformation of carbon fuels that yield CO₂ together with H₂ and is a finite resource. ECWS is a viable, efficient, and contamination-free method for H₂ evolution. Consequently, developing reliable and cost-effective technology for ECWS was a top priority for scientists around the globe. Utilizing renewable technologies to decrease total fuel utilization is crucial for H₂ evolution. Capturing and transforming the fuel from the ambient through various renewable solutions for water splitting (WS) could effectively reduce the need for additional electricity. ECWS is among the foremost potential prospective methods for renewable energy output and the achievement of a H₂-based economy. For the overall water splitting (OWS), several transition-metal-based polyfunctional metal catalysts for both cathode and anode have been synthesized. Furthermore, the essential to the widespread adoption of such technology is the development of reduced-price, super functional electrocatalysts to substitute those, depending on metals. Many metal-premised electrocatalysts for both the anode and cathode have been designed for the WS process. The attributes of H₂ and oxygen (O₂) dynamics interactions on the electrodes of water electrolysis cells and the fundamental techniques for evaluating the achievement of electrocatalysts are outlined in this paper. Special emphasis is paid to their fabrication, electrocatalytic performance, durability, and measures for enhancing their efficiency. In addition, prospective ideas on metal-based WS electrocatalysts based on existing problems are presented. It is anticipated that this review will offer a straight direction toward the engineering and construction of novel polyfunctional electrocatalysts encompassing superior efficiency in a suitable WS technique.     

Optical and electronic properties of pure and fully hydrogenated SiC and GeC nanosheets: first-principles study

In this work, the electronic and linear optical properties of pure and fully hydrogenated SiC and GeC nanosheets have been studied using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method within the density functional theory. Our study on SiC and GeC has confirmed their potential applications in electronic devices. The dielectric tensor is derived within the random phase approximation. The dielectric function, reflectivity, energy loss function and refraction index of these nanosheets for parallel (E||X) and perpendicular (E||Z) electric field polarization directions are well described. It is observed that hydrogenated nanosheets have semiconductor behavior with anisotropic optical spectra for both E||X and E||Z polarization direction. Also, hydrogenated nanosheets provide new electronic transitions between their neighboring atoms.     

Laser-assisted generation of self-assembled microstructures on stainless steel

Utilising a Nd:YVO₄ laser (wavelength of 532 nm, pulse duration of 8 ns, repetition rate of 30 kHz) and a Nd:YAG laser (wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse duration of 7 ns, repetition rate of 25 kHz), it was found that during the pulsed laser ablation of metal targets, such as stainless steel, periodic nodular microstructures (microcones) with average periods ranging from ∼30 to ∼50 μm were formed. This period depends on the number of accumulated laser pulses and is independent of the laser wavelength. It was found that the formation of microcones could occur after as little as 1500 pulses/spot (a lower number than previously reported) are fired onto a target surface location at laser fluence of ∼12 J/cm², intensity of ∼1.5 GW/cm². The initial feedback mechanism required for the formation of structures is attributed to the hydrodynamic instabilities of the melt. In addition to this, it has been shown that the structures grow along the optical axis of the incoming laser radiation. We demonstrate that highly regular structures can be produced at various angles, something not satisfactorily presented on metallic surfaces previously. The affecting factors such as incident angle of the laser beam and the structures that can be formed when varying the manner in which the laser beam is scanned over the target surface have also been investigated.     

A facile synthesis of stable phosphorus ylides derived from 3,6‐dibromocarbazole and kinetic investigation of the reactions by UV spectrophotometry technique

Stable crystalline phosphorus ylides were obtained in excellent yields from the 1:1:1 addition reaction between triphenylphosphine and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, in the presence of NH‐acid, such as 3,6‐dibromocarbazole. These stable ylides exist in solution as a mixture of two geometrical isomers as a result of restricted rotation around the carbon–carbon partial double bond, resulting from the conjugation of the ylide moiety with the adjacent carbonyl group. To determine the kinetic parameters of the reactions, they were monitored by UV spectrophotometry. The second‐order fits were drawn, and the values of the second‐order rate constant (k₂) were calculated using standard equations within the program. At the temperature range studied, the dependence of the second‐order rate constant (ln k₂) on reciprocal temperature was in a good agreement with the Arrhenius equation. This provided the relevant plots to calculate the activation energy of all reactions. Furthermore, useful information was obtained from studies of the effect of solvent, structure of reactants (different alkyl groups within the dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates), and also the concentration of reactants on the rate of reactions. The proposed mechanism was confirmed according to the obtained results and a steady‐state approximation and the first step (k₂) of reaction was recognized as a rate‐determining step on the basis of the experimental data. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:723–732, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20501     

Measurements of photoionization cross sections from the 4p, 5d and 7s excited states of potassium

New measurements of the photoionization cross sections from the 4p ²P_1/2,3/2, 5d ²D_5/2,3/2 and 7s ²S_1/2 excited states of potassium are presented. The cross sections have been measured by two-step excitation and ionization using a Nd:YAG laser in conjunction with a thermionic diode ion detector. By applying the saturation technique, the absolute values of the cross sections from the 4p ²P_3/2 and 4p ²P_1/2 states at 355 nm are determined as 7.2±1.1 and 5.6±0.8 Mb, respectively. The photoionization cross section from the 5d ²D_5/2,3/2 excited state has been measured using two excitation paths, two-step excitation and two-photon excitation from the ground state. The measured values of the cross sections from the 5d ²D_5/2 state by two-photon excitation from the ground state is 28.9±4.3 Mb, whereas in the two-step excitation, the cross section from the 5d ²D_3/2 state via the 4p ²P_1/2 state and from the 5d ²D_5/2,3/2 states via the 4p ²P_3/2 state are determined as 25.1±3.8 and 30.2±4.5 Mb, respectively. Besides, we have measured the photoionization cross sections from the 7s ²S_1/2 excited state using the two-photon excitation from the ground state as 0.61±0.09 Mb.     

Macroscopic resonant tunneling in the presence of low frequency noise

We develop a theory of macroscopic resonant tunneling of flux in a double-well potential in the presence of realistic flux noise with a significant low-frequency component. The rate of incoherent flux tunneling between the wells exhibits resonant peaks, the shape and position of which reflect qualitative features of the noise, and can thus serve as a diagnostic tool for studying the low-frequency flux noise in SQUID qubits. We show, in particular, that the noise-induced renormalization of the first resonant peak provides direct information on the temperature of the noise source and the strength of its quantum component.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic exploration,biocidal activities,and crystal structures of 3‐(3‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐phenylpropenoic acid and trimethyltin(IV) complex

The ligand, 3‐(3‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐phenylpropenoic acid, [C₁₅H₁₁FO₂] ( I ) was prepared by reacting equimolar amount of phenyl acetic acid with 3‐fluorobenzaldehyde (1:1) using Perkin condensation method. The trimethyltin(IV) carboxylate, [Me₃SnO₂FH₁₀C₁₅] ( II ) was synthesized by refluxing an equimolar (1:1) mixture of trimethyltin chloride and silver salt of the ligand acid, [C₁₅H₁₀FO₂Ag] ( Ia ). The ligand and complex both were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, mass, ¹H NMR, and X‐ray crystallographic data. On the basis of ¹H NMR data, (²J[^117/119Sn, ¹H] and C Sn C bond angle), it is concluded that the environment around the tin atom in solution is tetrahedral. The Infrared spectroscopic results showed that trimethyltin(IV) derivative has 5‐coordinated polymeric structure with bridging carboxylate groups in the solid state, which has been confirmed by the X‐ray crystallographic data. The crystal of ligand acid ( I ) is triclinic with space group Pbar1. However, the crystal of the complex ( II ) is monoclinic with space group C_2/c. The geometry around the tin atom is distorted trigonal bipyramid with O(1) and O(2) atoms in apical positions. The ligand ( I ) and complex ( II ) were also tested for their biocidal activities. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:398–406, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20032     

Photodynamic Therapy with Zinc Phthalocyanine Inhibits the Stemness and Development of Colorectal Cancer: Time to Overcome the Challenging Barriers?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light-based cancer therapy approach that has shown promising results in treating various malignancies. Growing evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in tumor recurrence, metastasis, and cancer therapy resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC); thus, targeting these cells can ameliorate the prognosis of affected patients. Based on our bioinformatics results, SOX2 overexpression is significantly associated with inferior disease-specific survival and worsened the progression-free interval of CRC patients. Our results demonstrate that zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc)-PDT with 12 J/cm² or 24 J/cm² irradiation can substantially decrease tumor migration via downregulating MMP9 and ROCK1 and inhibit the clonogenicity of SW480 cells via downregulating CD44 and SOX2. Despite inhibiting clonogenicity, ZnPc-PDT with 12 J/cm² irradiation fails to downregulate CD44 expression in SW480 cells. Our results indicate that ZnPc-PDT with 12 J/cm² or 24 J/cm² irradiation can substantially reduce the cell viability of SW480 cells and stimulate autophagy in the tumoral cells. Moreover, our results show that ZnPc-PDT with 12 J/cm² or 24 J/cm² irradiation can substantially arrest the cell cycle at the sub-G1 level, stimulate the intrinsic apoptosis pathway via upregulating caspase-3 and caspase-9 and downregulating Bcl-2. Indeed, our bioinformatics results show considerable interactions between the studied CSC-related genes with the studied migration- and apoptosis-related genes. Collectively, the current study highlights the potential role of ZnPc-PDT in inhibiting stemness and CRC development, which can ameliorate the prognosis of CRC patients.