High-resolution submicron patterning of self-assembled monolayers using a molecular fluorine laser at 157 nm

Using a molecular fluorine laser at 157 nm wavelength, submicron patterning of organosilane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) is demonstrated utilizing mask-contact photolithography. An organosilane, namely, octadecyltrimethoxysilane [ODS, CH(3)(CH(2))(17)Si(OCH(3))(3)], SAM is chemisorbed onto Si substrates covered with a 2 nm thick oxide layer and subsequently patterned using the laser. The optical path of the laser beam and the photomask-sample space are evacuated and then backfilled and purged with nitrogen during laser firing. The resulting pattern is investigated using various measurement techniques. The scanning probe microscopy images show that patterns are transferred to the SAM-covered Si substrates and that 500 nm features are successfully photoprinted in this way.     

Analysis of NAD(P) and NAD(P)H cofactors by means of imprinted polymers associated with Au surfaces:: A surface plasmon resonance study

Crosslinked films consisting of the acrylamide-acrylamidophenylboronic acid copolymer that are imprinted with recognition sites for β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate NADP⁺, and their reduced forms (NAD(P)H), are assembled on Au-coated glass supports. The binding of the oxidized cofactors NAD⁺ or NADP⁺ or the reduced cofactors NADH or NADPH to the respective imprinted sites results in the swelling of the polymer films through the uptake of water. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is employed to follow the binding of the different cofactors to the respective imprinted sites. The imprinted recognition sites reveal selectivity towards the association of the imprinted cofactors. The method enables the analysis of the NAD(P)⁺ and NAD(P)H cofactors in the concentration range of 1×10⁻⁶ to 1×10⁻³ M. The cofactor-imprinted films associated with the Au-coated glass supports act as active interfaces for the characterization of biocatalyzed transformations that involve the cofactor-dependent enzymes. This is exemplified with the characterization of the biocatalyzed oxidation of lactate to pyruvate in the presence of NAD⁺ and lactate dehydrogenase using the NADH-imprinted polymer film.     

Signatures of beta-sheet secondary structures in linear and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy

Using idealized models for parallel and antiparallel beta sheets, we calculate the linear and two-dimensional infrared spectra of the amide I vibration as a function of size and secondary structure. The model assumes transition-dipole coupling between the amide I oscillators in the sheet and accounts for the anharmonic nature of these oscillators. Using analytical and numerical methods, we show that the nature of the one-quantum vibrational eigenstates, which govern the linear spectrum, is, to a large extent, determined by the symmetry of the system and the relative magnitude of interstrand interactions. We also find that the eigenstates, in particular their trends with system size, depend sensitively on the secondary structure of the sheet. While in practice these differences may be difficult to distinguish in congested linear spectra, we demonstrate that they give rise to promising markers for secondary structure in the two-dimensional spectra. In particular, distinct differences occur between the spectra of parallel and antiparallel beta sheets and between beta hairpins and extended beta sheets.     

The Role of Binary and Many-centre Molecular Interactions in Spin Crossover in the Solid State. Part II. Non-ideality Parameters Defined via Binary Molecular Potentials

Summary. Parameters of the formalism [1–6] describing spin crossover in the solid state have been defined via molecular potentials in model systems of neutral and ionic complexes. In the first instance Lennard-Jones and electric dipole–dipole potentials have been used whereas in ionic systems Lennard-Jones and electric point-charge potentials have been used. Electric dipole–dipole interaction of neutral complexes brings about a positive excess energy controlled by the difference of electric dipole moments of HS and LS molecules. Differences of the order of Δμ = 1–2 D cause an abrupt spin crossover in systems with T_1/2 = 100–150 K. Magnetic coupling contributes both to the excess energy and excess entropy, however the overall effect is equivalent to a modest positive excess energy. Ionic systems in the absence of specific interactions are characterised by very small excess energies corresponding to practically linear van’t Hoff plots. Detectable positive and negative excess energies in these systems may arise from interactions of ligands belonging to neighbouring complexes. The HOMO–LUMO overlap in HS–LS pairs can bring about a nontrivial variation of the shape of transition curves. Examples of regression analysis of experimental transition curves in terms of molecular potentials are given.     

Characterisation and cryomagnetic study of a hydrothermally synthesised hydrogen bonded L–M–L type co-ordination polymer

A ligand–metal–ligand type co-ordination polymer [Ni (C₆H₁₂N₄)(NCS)₂(H₂O)₂] _n has been synthesised under controlled hydrothermal conditions. Here 1,3,5,7-tetraazatricyclo[3.3.1]decane [or hexamethylenetetramine (hmt)] has been used as a μ-(N,N′) bidentate spacer molecule. The prepared polymeric complex has been characterised by elemental and spectral analyses. The structure has been confirmed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Magneto-structural correlation has been drawn from cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements (2–300 K) which unequivocally reflects very weak magnetic spin interactions among the long distant octahedral Ni(II) metal centres mediated by hmt and weak hydrogen bonding interactions between the adjacent zigzag one-dimensional polymeric chains carrying into a two-dimensional infinite polymeric framework.     

Dispersion of the local parameters of quasilocalized low-frequency vibrational modes in a low-temperature glass: direct observation via single-molecule spectroscopy

Spectra of single tetra-tert-butylterrylene chromophore molecules embedded in an amorphous polyisobutylene matrix as microprobes were recorded. The individual temperature dependences of the spectral linewidths for the same single molecules (SMs) in a broad temperature interval (1.6 < T < 40 K) have been measured. This enabled us to separate the contributions of tunneling two-level systems and quasilocalized low-frequency vibrational modes (LFMs) to the observed linewidths. The analysis of the T dependences yields the values of LFM frequencies and SM-LFM coupling constants for the LFMs in the local environment of a given chromophore. Pronounced distributions of the observed parameters of LFMs were found. This result can be regarded as the first direct experimental proof of the localized nature of LFMs in glasses.     

Transition metal-catalyzed synthesis and reactivity of N-alkenyl aziridines

[reaction: see text] Straightforward methods for palladium-catalyzed alkenylation of aziridines with alkenyl halides and copper-catalyzed alkenylation of aziridines with alkenyl boronic acids have been developed. This methodology offers attractive alternatives to the known methods requiring activated alkenyl halides and acetylenes. A wide variety of N-alkenyl aziridines containing substituents other than electron-withdrawing substituents such as cyano groups and sulfones have been synthesized in good yields. Furthermore, these N-alkenyl aziridines exhibit quite a different reactivity from conventional enamines, as demonstrated by their reactivity.     

Efficient cross-coupling of functionalized arylzinc halides catalyzed by a nickel chloride-diethyl phosphite system

[reaction: see text] The combination of diethyl phosphite and DMAP as ligands for nickel in an 8:1 THF-N-ethylpyrrolidinone (NEP) mixture allows a very efficient cross-coupling reaction to be performed between various functionalized arylzinc halides and aryl bromides, triflates and activated chlorides. The reaction proceeds at 25 degrees C within 1-48 h and requires only 0.05 mol % of the nickel catalyst.