Pd@SnO2 and SnO2@Pd Core@Shell Nanocomposite Sensors

Pd@SnO₂ and SnO₂@Pd core@shell nanocomposites are prepared via a microemulsion approach. Both nanocomposites exhibit high‐surface, porous matrices of SnO₂ shells (>150 m² g^?1) with very small SnO₂ crystallites (<10 nm) and palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (<10 nm) that are uniformly distributed in the porous SnO₂ matrix. Although similar by first sight, Pd@SnO₂ and SnO₂@Pd are significantly different in view of their structure with Pd inside or outside the SnO₂ shell and in view of their sensor performance. As SMOX‐based sensors (SMOX: semiconducting metal oxide), both nanocomposites show a very good sensor performance for the detection of CO and H₂. Especially, the Pd@SnO₂ core@shell nanocomposite is unique and shows a fast response time (τ₉₀ < 30 s) and a very good response at low temperature (<250 °C), especially under humid‐air conditions. Extraordinarily high sensor signals are observed when exposing the Pd@SnO₂ nanocomposite to CO in humid air. Under these conditions, even commercial sensors (Figaro TGS 2442, Applied Sensor MLC, E2V MICS 5521) are outperformed.     

Polymers with Special Properties Through Ordered Structures

The material properties of polymers depend on both the structure and morphology of the bulk polymer and on the primary structure of the macromolecules. It is a challenge to specifically control the supermolecular structure of polymeric systems by the architecture of the individual macromolecule as it is realized, for example, in biopolymers.     

Physical Dimensions/Units and Universal Constants: Their Invariance in Special and General Relativity

The theory of physical dimensions and units in physics is outlined. This includes a discussion of the universal applicability and superiority of quantity equations. The International System of Units (SI) is one example thereof. By analyzing mechanics and electrodynamics, it naturally leads one, besides the dimensions of length and time, to the fundamental units of action $\mathfrak{h}$, electric charge q, and magnetic flux ?. Also, $q\times ?=\text{action}$ and $q/?=1/\text{resistance}$ are known. These results of classical physics suggests to look into the corresponding quantum aspects of q and ? (and also of $\mathfrak{h}$): The electric charge occurs exclusively in elementary charges e, whereas the magnetic flux can have any value; in specific situations, however, in superconductors of type II at very low temperatures, ? appears quantized in the form of fluxons (Abrikosov vortices). And $\mathfrak{h}$ leads, of course, to the Planck quantum h. Thus, one is directed to superconductivity and, because of the resistance, to the quantum Hall effect. In this way, the Josephson and the quantum Hall effects come into focus quite naturally. One goal is to determine the behavior of the fundamental constants in special and in general relativity.     

SUBSTITUENT EFFECTS ON CONFORMATIONAL EQUILIBRIA IN THIANE-1-N-ARYL-SULFIMIDES

Abstract

Compounds of the general type shown have been synthesized and their conformational equilibria 13 have been established by low temperature ¹³C nmr spectroscopy.     

How preparation and modification parameters affect PB‐PEO polymersome properties in aqueous solution

The effect of formation and modification methods on the physical properties of polymersomes is critical for their use in applications relying on their ability to mimic functional properties of biological membranes. In this study, we compared two formation methods for polymersomes made from polybutadiene‐polyethylene oxide diblock copolymers: detergent‐mediated film rehydration (DFR) and solvent evaporation (SE). DFR‐prepared polymersomes showed a three times higher permeability compared to SE‐prepared polymersomes as revealed by stopped‐flow light scattering. SE‐prepared polymersomes broke down faster to structures <50 nm diameter when processed with extrusion, which was more pronounced at 5 mg mL^?1, compared to 10, 20, and 25 mg mL^?1. Our results indicate that the bilayer of SE‐prepared polymersomes has a lower apparent fluidity. We also investigated the role of n‐octyl‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (OG), a detergent typically used for reconstitution of membrane proteins into lipid bilayers. Specifically, we compared dialysis and biobeads for OG removal to investigate the influence of these methods on bilayer conformation and polymer rearrangement following detergent removal. There was no significant difference found between method, temperature, or time within each method. Our findings provide insight on how biocompatible polymersome production affects the physical properties of the resulting polymersomes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1581–1592     

ON THE REARRANGEMENT OF N-ARYL SULFIMIDES

Abstract

N-Aryl-S,S-dialkylsulfimides, 1, with R¹ = alkyl other than CH₃, have been rearranged by heating in ethanol yielding o-alkylthiomethyl-anilines, 2, as main products. Isomeric o-methylthioalkyl-anilines, 14, are formed in minor amounts only. Reactions of sulfimides, 1, with R¹ = CH₃, with certain alkylating or acylating agents yielded o-methylthiomethylated, N-alkylated or -acylated products 9. Mechanistic considerations are discussed. The rearrangement of sulfimides 1 has been assumed to occur via [2,3]-sigmatropic reactions of intermediate azasulfonium ylids 3. Attempts to resolve (+)-camphor-10-sulfonates of N-aryl sulfimides failed, but optically active N-aryl sulfimides could be obtained by reaction of anilines with optically active sulfoxides and P₄O₁₀. Optically active 2,6-disubstituted sulfimides, 1, could be rearranged in ethanolic KOH to yield optically active cyclohexadienimines 12, indicating a transfer of asymmetry from sulfur to carbon and supporting the assumption of a sigmatropic rearrangement.     

SYNTHESIS OF SOME NEW 4-AMINO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE DERIVATIVES AS POTENTIAL ANTI-HIV AND ANTI-HBV

Some novel [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazolylisoindole-1,3-dione 2a–c were prepared by heating 4-amino-5-aryl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones 1a–c with different (1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl) carboxylic acids in POCl₃. Compounds 2a, b were hydrolyzed using HCl to yield [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazolyl-alkylamines 3a, b. Coupling 1a, c with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide (ABG) afforded the corresponding S-glucosides 4a, b, which on oxidation with KMnO₄ gave the corresponding sulfone 5. Treatment 1b, c with diphenyl diazomethane afforded benzhydrylsulfanyltriazolylamines 7a, b. 1,8-Bis-(4-chloro-phenyl)-bis[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-c-,4′,3′-e][1,2,4,5]dithiadiazine 8 was formed by oxidation of 1b with lead tetracetate. Compound 1c reacted with morpholine in the presence of KI and I₂ to give the triazolodisulfide ⁹ El-Barbary, A. A., Fahmy, M., El-Badawi, M., El-Brembaly, K. and El-Brollosi, N. R. 1991. Rev. Roum. Chim., 36(619) [Google Scholar].     

TETRATHIAFULVALENE S-OXIDE: A FATAL “DONOR IMPURITY” IN THE ORGANIC METAL TTF-TCNQ

Abstract

Tetrathiafulvalene S-oxide (TTF-ox) was first detected by mass spectrometry in samples of Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) which had been exposed to oxygen. Pure TTF-ox was prepared by peracid oxidation of TTF and isolated as a relativly stable solid. Physical data will be presented.