Focusing with two-dimensional angular-symmetric circular acoustic lenses

Focusing properties of an acoustic lens based on a modified triangular sonic crystal slab whose columns are aligned on concentric arcs of equal radial distance are investigated. Capability of focusing normally-incident plane waves is demonstrated by means of Finite Element Method. Focusing mechanisms are discussed on the basis of band structures and equifrequency contours considering a model where triangular lattice is elongated along ΓK direction. Focusing behavior of the proposed lens is argued to arise from negative refractions at the air-lens interfaces accompanied by index guiding in its interiors. Wavelength-order confinement in the transverse direction is observed. Double focusing is attributed to geometrical effects and contribution of self guiding is discussed. Possibility of occurrence of birefraction at the input face of the lens together with positive refraction at the output face is also discussed.     

Reversible Single Molecular Switch Operating at 300 K on a Surface

A single 4‐pyridylazobenzene molecule is observed at room temperature on a Si(111)‐B surface by using scanning tunnel microscopy. The reversible conformational switching of this molecule is induced by tunneling electrons and observed at room temperature. This process is based on an intramolecular rotation of a single phenyl group without isomerization of the N?N double bond.     

Reaction of difluoronitroacetyl fluoride with ketones

Conclusions A method was developed for the preparation of -diketones that contain the CF₂NO₂ grouping.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2350–2351, October, 1973.     

Cyclopropanation of 3-(2-Oxo-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-chromen-3-yl-carbonyl)-2<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-chromen-2-one with Zinc Enolates Derived from 1-Aryl-2,2-dibromoalkanones

Zinc enolates derived from 1-aryl-2,2-dibromoalkanones react with 3-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-ylcarbonyl)-2H-chromen-2-one to give 1-alkyl-1-aroyl-1a-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-ylcarbonyl)-1a, 7b-dihydrocyclopropa[c]-chromen-2(1H)-ones as a single stereoisomer.__________Translated from Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2005, pp. 131–133.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shchepin, Russkikh, Uzun, Silaichev.     

Recognition-mediated assembly of nanoparticles into micellar structures with diblock copolymers

Polystyrene-based diblock copolymers, featuring diaminotriazine functionality on one of the blocks were used to assemble complementary uracil-functionalized nanoparticles into micellar aggregates. The size of these self-assembled aggregates was controlled by block length, as determined in solution (using dynamic light scattering), and in thin films (using transmission electron microscopy).     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption of some dyestuffs and p-nitrophenol by chitosan and MCM-chitosan from aqueous solution

The effect of initial concentration, temperature, and shaking rate on the adsorption of three dyestuffs [orange II (O-II), crystal violet (CV), and reactive blue 5 (RB5)] and an ideal adsorbate, p-nitrophenol (PNP), by chitosan (Sigma C-3646) and the effect of temperature on the adsorption of O-II and CV by monocarboxymethylated chitosan (MCM-chitosan) were investigated. Kinetic data obtained for the adsorption of each dyestuff and PNP by chitosan and of O-II and CV by MCM-chitosan at different temperatures were applied to the Lagergren equation, and adsorption rate constants (k(ads)) at these temperatures were determined. These rate constants related to the adsorption of O-II and RB5 by chitosan and of O-II by MCM-chitosan were applied to the Arrhenius equation, and activation energies (E(a)) were determined. In addition, the isotherms for adsorption, at different temperatures, of each dyestuff and PNP by chitosan and of O-II and CV by MCM-chitosan were also determined. These isothermal data were applied to linear forms of isotherm equations that they fit, and isotherm constants were calculated. Because the isotherm curves obtained for the adsorption of O-II and CV by chitosan and of CV by MCM-chitosan fit the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, b constants were applied to thermodynamic equations, and thermodynamic parameters (delta G, delta H, and delta S) were calculated. Lastly, chitosan and MCM-chitosan were compared with respect to the ability to take up the dyestuffs and PNP.     

Enantioseparation of aromatic amino acids using CEC monolith with novel chiral selector,N‐methacryloyl‐l‐histidine methyl ester

A new type of polymethacrylate‐based monolithic column with chiral stationary phase was prepared for the enantioseparation of aromatic amino acids, namely d ,l ‐phenylalanine, d ,l ‐tyrosine, and d ,l ‐tryptophan by CEC. The monolithic column was prepared by in situ polymerization of butyl methacrylate (BMA), N‐methacryloyl‐l ‐histidine methyl ester (MAH), and ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) in the presence of porogens. The porogen mixture included DMF and phosphate buffer. MAH was used as a chiral selector. FTIR spectrum of the polymethacrylate‐based monolith showed that MAH was incorporated into the polymeric structure via in situ polymerization. Some experimental parameters including pH, concentration of the mobile phase, and MAH concentration with regard to the chiral CEC separation were investigated. Single enantiomers and enantiomer mixtures of the amino acids were separately injected into the monolithic column. It was observed that l ‐enantiomers of aromatic amino acids migrated before d ‐enantiomers. The reversal enantiomer migration order for tryptophan was observed upon changing of pH. Using the chiral monolithic column (100 μm id and 375 μm od), the best chiral separation was performed in 35:65% ACN/phosphate buffer (pH 8.0, 10 mM) with an applied voltage of 12 kV in CEC. SEM images showed that the chiral monolithic column has a continuous polymeric skeleton and large through‐pore structure.     

Controlled Synthesis of Substituted Benzobasketene Derivatives

The addition of benzyne to trans‐7,8‐dibromobicyclo[4.2.0]octa‐2,4‐diene ( 6 ) led to the formation of dibromide 7 . The dehydrobromination of 7 followed by replacement of the Br‐atom with a CN substituent gave 9 . Photolysis of 9 in acetone at 254 nm yielded the desired monosubstituted benzobasketene derivative 10 . Bromination of monobromide 8 followed by dehydrobromination furnished the symmetrically substituted dibromo compound 15 . Further bromination of 7 followed by dehydrobromination resulted in the formation of the dibromides 20 and 21 . Substitution of the Br‐atoms in 15, 20 , and 21 with CN substituents and photolysis of the formed dicarbonitriles 16, 23 , and 24 gave the target benzobasketene‐dicarbonitriles 17, 25 , and 26 , respectively.     

Responsive hydrogels from the intramolecular folding and self-assembly of a designed peptide

A general peptide design is presented that links the pH-dependent intramolecular folding of beta-hairpin peptides to their propensity to self-assemble, affording hydrogels rich in beta-sheet. Chemical responsiveness has been specifically engineered into the material by linking intramolecular folding to changes in solution pH, and mechanical responsiveness, by linking hydrogelation to self-assembly. Circular dichroic and infrared spectroscopies show that at low pH individual peptides are unstructured, affording a low-viscosity aqueous solution. Under basic conditions, intramolecular folding takes place, affording amphiphilic beta-hairpins that intermolecularly self-assemble. Rheology shows that the resulting hydrogel is rigid but is shear-thinning. However, quick mechanical strength recovery after cessation of shear is observed due to the inherent self-assembled nature of the scaffold. Characterization of the gelation process, from the molecular level up through the macroscopic properties of the material, suggests that by linking the intramolecular folding of small designed peptides to their ability to self-assemble, responsive materials can be prepared. Cryo-transmission electron and laser scanning confocal microscopies reveal a water-filled porous scaffold on both the nano- and microscale. The environmental responsiveness, morphology, and peptidic nature make this hydrogel a possible material candidate for biomedical and engineering technology.