Synthesis of homobimetallic molybdenum(VI) complex of bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)malonoyldihydrazone and its reaction with electron and proton bases

The diamagnetic dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex [(MoO₂)₂(CH₂L)(H₂O)₂]H₂O (1) has been isolated in solid state from reaction of MoO₂(acac)₂ with bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)malonoyldihydrazone (CH₂LH₄) in 3:1 molar ratio in ethanol at higher temperature. The reaction of the complex (1) with electron donor bases gives diamagnetic molybdenum(VI) complexes having composition [Mo₂O₅(CH₂LH₂)]·2A·2H₂O (where A = pyridine (py, 2), 2-picoline (2-pic, 3), 3-picoline (3-pic, 4), 4-picoline (4-pic, 5)). Further, when the complex (1) is allowed to react with protonic bases such as isonicotinoylhydrazine (inhH₃) and salicyloylhydrazine (slhH₃), reduction of molybdenum(VI) centre occurs leading to isolation of homobimetallic molybdenum(V) complexes [Mo₂(CH₂L)(inh)₂(H₂O)₂] (6) and [Mo₂(CH₂L)(slh)₂] (7), respectively. The composition of the complexes has been established by analytical, thermo-analytical and molecular weight data. The structure of the molybdenum(VI) complexes (1)–(5) has been established by electronic, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral studies while those of the complexes (6) and (7) by magnetic moment, electronic, IR and EPR spectral studies. The dihydrazone is coordinated to the metal centres in staggered configuration in complex (1) while in anti-cis configuration in complexes (2)–(7). The complexes (6) and (7) possess magnetic moment of 2.95 and 3.06 BM, respectively, indicating presence of two magnetic centre in the complexes per molecule each with one unpaired electron on each metal centre without any metal–metal interaction. The electronic spectra of the complexes are dominated by strong charge transfer bands. All of the complexes involve six coordinated molybdenum centre with octahedral arrangement of donor atoms except in the complex (6), in which the molybdenum centre has rhombic arrangement of ligand donor atoms. The probable mechanism for generation of oxo-group in the complexes (2)–(5) involving coordinated water molecule has been proposed.     

Exploring the chemical enhancement for surface-enhanced Raman scattering with Au bowtie nanoantennas

Single metallic bowtie nanoantennas provide a controllable environment for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of adsorbed molecules. Bowties have experimentally measured electromagnetic enhancements, enabling estimation of chemical enhancement for both the bulk and the few-molecule regime. Strong fluctuations of selected Raman lines imply that a small number of p-mercaptoaniline molecules on a single bowtie show chemical enhancement >10(7), much larger than previously believed, likely due to charge transfer between the Au surface and the molecule. This chemical sensitivity of SERS has significant implications for ultra-sensitive detection of single molecules.     

Chaos in atomic force microscopy

Chaotic oscillations of microcantilever tips in dynamic atomic force microscopy (AFM) are reported and characterized. Systematic experiments performed using a variety of microcantilevers under a wide range of operating conditions indicate that softer AFM microcantilevers bifurcate from periodic to chaotic oscillations near the transition from the noncontact to the tapping regimes. Careful Lyapunov exponent and noise titration calculations of the tip oscillation data confirm their chaotic nature. AFM images taken by scanning the chaotically oscillating tips over the sample show small, but significant metrology errors at the nanoscale due to this "deterministic" uncertainty.     

Poly(amideimide)s containing pendant pentadecyl chains: Synthesis and characterization

A new aromatic diacylhydrazide monomer viz., 4-[4′-(hydrazinocarbonyl)phenoxy]-2- pentadecylbenzohydrazide was synthesized starting from cardanol, which in turn is obtainable from cashew nut shell liquid - a renewable resource material. A series of new poly(amideimide)s containing flexibilizing ether linkages and pendant pentadecyl chains was synthesized from 4-[4′-(hydrazinocarbonyl)phenoxy]-2-pentadecylbenzohydrazide and commercially available aromatic dianhydrides, viz., benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, benzophenone-3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride and 4,4′-(hexafluoro isopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride by a two-step solution polycondensation in N,N-dimethylacetamide via the poly(hydrazide acid) intermediate. Inherent viscosities of poly(amideimide)s were in the range 0.60-0.64 dL/g in N,N-dimethylacetamide at 30 ± 0.1 °C. Poly(amideimide)s could be solution cast into tough, transparent and flexible films from their N,N-dimethylacetamide solutions. The solubility of poly(amideimide)s was significantly improved by incorporation of pendant pentadecyl chains and were found to be soluble in N,N-dimethylacetamide, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, pyridine and m-cresol at room temperature or upon heating. Wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns of poly(amideimide)s revealed a broad halo at around 2θ = ∼19° suggesting that polymers were amorphous in nature. In the small-angle region, diffuse to sharp reflections of a typically layered structure resulting from the packing of pentadecyl side chains were observed. The temperature at 10% weight loss (T₁₀), determined by TGA in nitrogen atmosphere, of poly(amideimide)s was in the range of 388-410 °C indicating their good thermal stability. Glass transition temperatures of poly(amideimide)s were in the range 162-198 °C. It was observed that the plasticization effect of attached pentadecyl side chains induced the depression of T_g.     

Influence of Catalyst on the Formation of 5(10)-Ene Ketals From Estra-4-en-3-ones

The effect of catalyst on formation of isomeric ketals from 19-nortestosterone and 19-nor-ethisterone is reported. Regioselectivity has been achieved with metal hydrides as catalyst, reported for the first time, to give 5(10)-ene ketals.