Investigation of Pd content in C–Pd films for hydrogen sensor applications

Nanocomposite carbonaceous-palladium (Nc-C-Pd) films were synthesized by physical vapor deposition method (PVD). Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that they were composed of carbonaceous matrix containing Pd nanograins. Nc-C-Pd films were also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis. The content of Pd in films synthesized at different PVD conditions was determined based on TG measurements. Technological parameters of PVD process affected C/Pd ratio. FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic absorption bands for the precursors of carbonaceous-palladium samples (fullerene C₆₀ and palladium acetate). The influence of hydrogen on electrical properties of the films was tested by measuring their resistance in the presence of hydrogen (1% H₂/N₂).     

A multi-reference coupled-cluster study on the potential energy surface of N2 including ground and excited states: spin projections and wavefunction overlaps

This article reports on the calulation of 12 low lying states of the nitrogen molecule along its dissociation using the multi-reference exponential wavefunction ansatz (Hanrath in J Chem Phys 123:84102, 2005), the single-reference formalism multi-reference coupled cluster (Oliphant and Adamowicz in J Chem Phys 94:1229, 1991), and MRCI methods. Spin projection errors and state overlap errors are calculated and allow an analysis of the wavefunction with respect to properties different from correlation energies. Both criteria are very sensitive to errors in the wavefunction. Due to its lack of Fermi vacuum invariance the errors are more significant for the single-reference formalism based approach.     

Application of microbioreactors in fermentation process development: a review

Biotechnology process development involves strain testing and improvement steps aimed at increasing yields and productivity. This necessitates the high-throughput screening of many potential strain candidates, a task currently mainly performed in shake flasks or microtiter plates. However, these methods have some drawbacks, such as the low data density (usually only end-point measurements) and the lack of control over cultivation conditions in standard shake flasks. Microbioreactors can offer the flexibility and controllability of bench-scale reactors and thus deliver results that are more comparable to large-scale fermentations, but with the additional advantages of small size, availability of online cultivation data and the potential for automation. Current microbioreactor technology is analyzed in this review paper, focusing on its industrial applicability, and directions for future research are presented.     

Generation and stereoselective transformations of 3-phenylcyclopropene

A convenient and inexpensive approach to the generation of 3-phenylcyclopropenes is described. Reaction of these compounds with a range of dienophiles and dipolarophiles led to the stereoselective formation of [4+2]- and [3+2]-cycloadducts, which were exclusively exo-3-phenyl-cis-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropanes. Efficient trapping of 1-lithio-3-phenylcyclopropene with different electrophiles is also discussed. Ab initio calculations suggest that the lowest energy conformation of 3-phenylcyclopropene has the plane of the benzene ring perpendicular to the cyclopropene π-bond but with a low rotation barrier.     

Synthesis of aryliminoacetonitriles under FVT conditions or by dehydrogenation of arylaminoacetonitriles: an NMR and UV-photoelectron spectroscopy study

The synthesis of [(E)-arylimino]-acetonitriles 3 has been described. It was found that the title compounds can be obtained on the three ways, namely by: (i) dehydrogenation of arylaminoacetonitriles 1, (ii) thermal fragmentation of 1-aryl-4-cyano-β-lactams 4 and (iii) retro-ene reaction of (allyl-p-methoxyphenyl-amino)-acetonitrile (7a) under FVT conditions. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of compounds 3, 5 and 6, and all their precursors 1 and 4, were recorded and analysed in detail using chemical shifts δ_H and δ_C [from GIAO DFT B3LYP/6-31(d) calculations] and J-couplings predicted at the DFT B3LYP/IGLO-II level. Also, UV-photoelectron spectra of 4a,d and 3a,d were measured and analysed considering the theoretical evaluation of their ionisation potentials.     

Synthesis and topology of [2+2] calix[4]resorcarene-based chiral cavitand-salen macrocycles

Chiral diastereomeric cavitand-salen macrocycles have been synthesized by the high-dilution condensation of a tris-(quinoxaline-bridged)-diformyl-calix[4]resorcarene with (1R,2R)-diphenylethylenediamine. The reaction produced a couple of diastereoisomers, consisting of two cavitand cavities bis-bridged by two chiral diimino moieties, which differ in a convergent (C-shaped) or divergent (S-shaped) orientation of the two cavities.     

Ruthenium piano-stool complexes bearing imidazole-based PN ligands

A variety of piano-stool complexes of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) with imidazole-based PN ligands have been synthesized starting from the precursor complexes [CpRu(C₁₀H₈)]PF₆, [CpRu(NCMe)₃]PF₆ and [CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl]. PN ligands used are imidazol-2-yl, -4-yl and -5-yl phosphines.Depending on the ligand and precursor different types of coordination modes were observed; in the case of polyimidazolyl PN ligands these were κ¹P-monodentate, κ²P,N-, κ²N,N- and κ³N,N,N- chelating and μ-κP:κ²N,N-brigding. The solid-state structures of [CpRu(1a)₂Cl ]·H₂O (5^.H₂O) and [{CpRu(μ-κ²-N,N-κ’¹-P-2b)}₂](C₆H₅PO₃H)₂(C₆H₅PO₃H₂)_2, a hydrolysis product of the as well determined [{CpRu(2b)}₂](PF₆)₂^.2CH₃CN (7b^.2CH₃CN) were determined (1a = imidazol-2-yldiphenyl phosphine, 2b = bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)phenyl phosphine, 3a = tris(imidazol-2-yl)phosphine). Furthermore, the complexes [CpRu(L)₂]PF₆ (L = imidazol-2-yl or imidazol-4-yl phosphine) have been screened for their catalytic activity in the hydration of 1-octyne.     

Hydroindene-derived chiral synthons from carotol and their cytotoxicity

Ten enantiomerically pure hydroindene-derived compounds obtained by the transformation of (+)-carotol, the main constituent of carrot seed essential oil, were examined for their ability to inhibit the growth of myeloid leukaemia (HL-60) cancer cell lines. All compounds showed significant activity, which was comparable to the most active volatile organic compounds, such as trans–trans-farnesol, citral and nerolidol. Based on the bioactivity and molecular modelling, a 3D QSAR pharmacophore model was generated.     

Micro-solid oxide fuel cells: status,challenges, and chances

Abstract  Micro-solid oxide fuel cells (micro-SOFC) are predicted to be of high energy density and are potential power sources for portable electronic devices. A micro-SOFC system consists of a fuel cell comprising a positive electrode-electrolyte-negative electrode (i.e. PEN) element, a gas-processing unit, and a thermal system where processing is based on micro-electro-mechanical-systems fabrication techniques. A possible system approach is presented. The critical properties of the thin film materials used in the PEN membrane are discussed, and the unsolved subtasks related to micro-SOFC membrane development are pointed out. Such a micro-SOFC system approach seems feasible and offers a promising alternative to state-of-the-art batteries in portable electronics. Graphical abstract  Graphical Abstract text