On the Relation Between U q (sl(2)) Vertex Operators and q-Zonal Functions

We show how the states constructed from the action of the modes of bosonized vertex operators that intertwine U modules are related toq -zonal functions.     

Probing the interaction of HTI-286 with tubulin using a stilbene analogue

HTI-286 is a synthetic analogue of the natural product hemiasterlin. HTI-286 is a potent antitumor agent that induces tubulin oligomerization. To investigate the binding stoichiometry and the binding site during this ligand-induced tubulin association, we synthesized an analogue of HTI-286 containing the chromophore stilbene. Using the distinct absorbance of the stilbene analogue, we determined the amounts of inhibitors bound to different tubulin oligomers by analytical ultracentrifugation. Herein we describe our findings based on these experiments. At the ratio of inhibitor to protein equal to or greater than 1, the stilbene analogue induces oligomerization of tubulin to a ring structure. The binding stoichiometry in the ring is one inhibitor per tubulin monomer (defined as an alpha/beta-heterodimer). At the ratio of inhibitor to protein less than 1, tubulin forms multiple intermediates, with the binding stoichiometry less than one inhibitor per tubulin monomer for all intermediates. The stable complex between the inhibitor and tubulin monomer was not detected under our experimental conditions. The binding site of the stilbene analogue does not overlap with the classic tubulin-binding agent, colchicine.     

A mild,rapid and convenient esterification of half esters of malonic acid

A new method for the esterification of half esters of malonic acid with chloroformates is described. The reaction proceeds $\text{via}$ the mixed anhydride followed by spontaneous decarboxylation.     

A study of the surface region of the Mo-V-Te-O catalysts for propane oxidation to acrylic acid

The bulk mixed Mo-V-Te oxides possess high activity and selectivity in propane oxidation to acrylic acid and represent well-defined model catalysts for studies of the surface molecular structure-activity/selectivity relationships in this selective oxidation reaction. The elemental compositions, metal oxidation states, and catalytic functions of V, Mo, and Te in the surface region of the model Mo-V-Te-O system were examined employing low energy ion scattering (LEIS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This study indicated that the surfaces of these catalysts are terminated with a monolayer, which possesses a different elemental composition from that of the bulk. The rates of propane consumption and formation of propylene and acrylic acid depended on the topmost surface V concentration, whereas no dependence of these reaction rates on either the surface Mo or Te concentrations was observed. These findings suggested that the bulk Mo-V-Te-O structure may function as a support for the unique active and selective surface monolayer in propane oxidation to acrylic acid. The results of this study have important practical consequences for the development of improved selective oxidation catalysts by introducing surface metal oxide components to form new surface active V-O-M sites for propane oxidation to acrylic acid.     

Roles of surface Te, Nb, and Sb oxides in propane oxidation to acrylic acid over bulk orthorhombic Mo-V-O phase

The outermost surfaces and subsurface layers of the orthorhombic (M1) Mo-V-O catalysts promoted with Te, Nb, and Sb oxide species at submonolayer surface coverage were examined by low-energy ion scattering (LEIS). This study indicated that the Nb oxide species was preferentially located at the topmost surface, while the subsurface Te and Sb concentrations declined gradually into the bulk. Although the original Mo-V-O catalyst was essentially unselective in propane oxidation to acrylic acid, significant improvement in the selectivity to acrylic acid was observed when Te, Nb, and Sb oxides were present as the surface species at submonolayer coverage. These findings further suggested that the formation of the surface V-O-M bonds (M = Nb, Te, or Sb) was highly beneficial for both the activity and selectivity of the orthorhombic Mo-V-O catalysts in propane oxidation to acrylic acid. The highest selectivity was observed when both Nb and Te (or Sb) oxide species were present at the surface. The selectivity trends established for the surface-promoted Mo-V-O catalyst parallel those found previously for the corresponding bulk Mo-V-M-O catalysts. These results further indicated that the introduction of surface metal oxide species is a highly promising method to prepare well-defined model catalysts for studies of the structure-activity/selectivity relationships as well as optimize the catalytic performance of the bulk mixed Mo-V-M-O catalysts for selective (amm)oxidation of propane.     

Non-symmetric bent-core mesogens with one terminal vinyl group

Two series of non-symmetric banana-shaped compounds, both with one alkyl and one alkenyl terminal tail, have been synthesized and studied. Both series were compared with the corresponding series with two saturated terminal alkyl tails. All the compounds have a bent central 1,3-phenylene bis(4-benzoyloxy)benzoate core; their mesophases were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and switching current response experiments. In all four series one of the terminal tails is varied from OC₈H₁₇ to OC₁₆H₃₃. The other terminal tails are OC₁₁H₂₃, O(CH₂)₉CH = CH₂, OC₁₀H₂₁ and O(CH₂)₈CH = CH₂. The short-tailed compounds show monotropic or enantiotropic B₁ phases and the long-tailed compounds the B₂ phase. The introduction of one terminal vinyl group slightly lowers the transition temperatures. The introduction of a second terminal vinyl group further suppresses the liquid crystalline properties. All compounds with B₂ phases have layer spacings that suggest a tilt of ∼45° of the bent molecules in the layers, and their switching behaviour is antiferroelectric.     

Thermal Analysis Studies on Human Skin and Skin Barrier Modulation by Fatty Acids and Propylene Glycol

The thermal behaviour of human stratum corneum (SC) with various hydration levels was studied using differential thermal analysis DSC within the temperature range of –130 to 120°C. SC containing 20% water, resembling the intact condition, shows thermal transitions at around –20°C (representing water in skin), –10, 40, 70°C (representing skin lipids), 85°C (representing protein-associated lipids) and 100°C (representing skin protein). Dehydration of SC causes the transitions at –20 and 100°C to be invisible. Lipid extraction followed by dehydration eliminates all transitions. Further hydration produces a transition of water at around 0°C with a huge change in enthalpy. The perturbation effects of penetration enhancers fatty acids (FA) and propylene glycol (PG) were studied using DTA on SC after pretreatment with PG alone and FA/PG. The application of PG alone shifted the transitions at 70 and 85°C to lower temperatures. Additionally, the application to dehydrated stratum corneum removes the transitions at –10°C. Saturated fatty acids, e.g. nonanoic and decanoic acids, exert barely noticeable effects on the thermal behaviour of SC suggesting that they easily mix with the skin lipids. Thermal analysis also revealed that the cis-9- and 13-isomers of octadecenoic acid (monounsaturated fatty acids) form a separate domain containing mostly the pure fatty acids within the SC lipids and suppress the lipid transitions at 70/80°C. Polyunsaturated fatty acids linoleic and -linolenic acids — form separate domains but do not completely suppress the SC lipid transitions at 70/80°C as monounsaturated acids do. This study suggests different ways of perturbation by various fatty acids.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Reactivity of Gold Nanoparticles Towards Benzimidazole‐2‐ylidene Ligands

The reactivity of benzimidazol‐2‐ylidenes with respect to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been investigated using a combined experimental and computational approach. First, the grafting of benzimidazol‐2‐ylidenes bearing benzyl groups on the nitrogen atoms is described, and comparisons are made with structurally similar N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) bearing other N‐groups. Similar reactivity was observed for all NHCs, with 1) the erosion of the AuNPs under the effect of the NHC and 2) the formation of bis(NHC) gold complexes. DFT calculations were performed to investigate the modes of grafting of such ligands, to determine adsorption energies, and to rationalize the spectroscopic data. Two types of computational models were developed to describe the grafting onto large or small AuNPs, with either periodic or cluster‐type DFT calculations. Calculations of NMR parameters were performed on some of these models, and discussed in light of the experimental data.     

Diacetylenes with Ionic‐Liquid‐Like Substituents: Associating a Polymerizing Cation with a Polymerizing Anion in a Single Precursor for the Synthesis of N‐Doped Carbon Materials

Imidazolium‐ and benzimidazolium‐substituted diacetylenes with bromide or nitrogen‐rich dicyanamide and tricyanomethanide anions were synthesized and used as precursors for the preparation of N‐doped carbon materials. On pyrolysis under argon at 800 °C both halide precursors afforded graphite‐like structures with nitrogen contents of about 8.5 %. When the dicyanamide and tricyanomethanide precursors were thermolyzed at the same temperature, graphite‐like structures were obtained that exhibit nitrogen contents in the range 17–20 wt %; thereby, the benefit of associating a polymerizing cation with a polymerizing anion in a single precursor was demonstrated. On pyrolysis at 1100 °C the nitrogen contents of the latter pyrolysates remain high (ca. 6 wt %). Adsorption measurements with krypton at 77 K indicated that the materials are nonporous. The highest electrical conductivity was observed for a pyrolysate with one of the lowest nitrogen contents, which also has the highest degree of graphitization. Thus, the quest for N‐rich carbons with high electrical conductivities should include both maximization of the nitrogen content and optimization of the degree of graphitization. Crystallographic investigation of the precursors and spectroscopic characterization of the pyrolysates prepared by heating at 220 °C indicate that construction of the final carbon framework does not involve the intermediate formation of a polydiacetylene.