A massively parallel electrochemical approach to the miniaturization of organic micro- and nanostructures on surfaces

This paper describes a simple and convenient strategy for reducing the dimensions of organic micro-and nanostructures on metal surfaces. By varying electrochemical desorption conditions, features patterned by dip-pen nanolithography or micro contact printing and made of linear alkanethiols or selenols can be gradually desorbed in a controlled fashion. The process is referred to as electrochemical whittling because the adsorbate desorption is initiated at the exterior of the feature and moves inward as a function of time. The whittling process and adsorbate desorption were studied as a function of substrate morphology, adsorbate head and tail groups, and electrolyte solvent and salt. Importantly, one can independently address different nanostructures made of different adsorbates and effect their miniaturization based upon ajudicious selection of adsorbate, applied potential, and supporting electrolyte. Some of the physical and chemical origins of these observations have been elucidated.     

Cs+ -selective membrane electrodes based on ethylene glycol-functionalized polymeric microspheres

A new strategy for improving the robustness of membrane-based ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) is introduced based on the incorporation of microsphere-immobilized ionophores into plasticized polymer membranes. As a model system, a Cs⁺-selective electrode was developed by doping ethylene glycol-functionalized cross-linked polystyrene microspheres (P-EG) into a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix containing sodium tetrakis-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] borate (TFPB) as the ion exchanger. Electrodes were evaluated with respect to Cs⁺ in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and dynamic response. ISEs containing P-EG and TFPB that were plasticized with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) yielded a linear range from 10⁻¹ to 10⁻⁵ M Cs⁺, a slope of 55.4 mV/decade, and a lower detection limit (log a_Cs) of −5.3. In addition, these membranes also demonstrated superior selectivity over Li⁺, Na⁺, and alkaline earth metal ion interferents when compared to analogous membranes plasticized with bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DOS) or membranes containing a lipophilic, mobile ethylene glycol derivative (ethylene glycol monooctadecyl ether (U-EG)) as ionophore.     

A two-color-change, nanoparticle-based method for DNA detection

Herein, we describe the detailed synthesis of Ag/Au core-shell nanoparticles, the surface-functionalization of these particles with thiolated oligonucleotides, and their subsequent use as probes for DNA detection. The Ag/Au core-shell nanoparticles retain the optical properties of the silver core and are easily functionalized with thiolated oligonucleotides due to the presence of the gold shell. As such, the Ag/Au core-shell nanoparticles have optical properties different from their pure gold counterparts and provide another “color” option for target DNA-directed colorimetric detection. Size-matched Ag/Au core-shell and pure gold nanoparticles perform nearly identically in DNA detection and melting experiments, but with distinct optical signatures. Based on this observation, we report the development of a two-color-change method for the detection and simultaneous validation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in a DNA target using Ag/Au core-shell and pure gold nanoparticle probes.     

A self-assembling protein template for constrained synthesis and patterning of nanoparticle arrays

Self-assembling biomolecules that form highly ordered structures have attracted interest as potential alternatives to conventional lithographic processes for patterning materials. Here, we introduce a general technique for patterning nanoparticle arrays using two-dimensional crystals of genetically modified hollow protein structures called chaperonins. Constrained chemical synthesis of transition metal nanoparticles is initiated using templates functionalized with polyhistidine sequences. These nanoparticles are ordered into arrays because the template-driven synthesis is constrained by the nanoscale structure of the crystallized protein. We anticipate that this system may be used to pattern different classes of nanoparticles based on the growing library of sequences shown to specifically bind or direct the growth of materials.     

Single metal four-electron reduction by U(ii) and masked “U(ii)” compounds

The redox chemistry of uranium is dominated by single electron transfer reactions while single metal four-electron transfers remain unknown in f-element chemistry. Here we show that the oxo bridged diuranium(iii) complex [K(2.2.2-cryptand)]₂[{((Me₃Si)₂N)₃U}₂(μ-O)], 1, effects the two-electron reduction of diphenylacetylene and the four-electron reduction of azobenzene through a masked U(ii) intermediate affording a stable metallacyclopropene complex of uranium(iv), [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][U(η²-C₂Ph₂){N(SiMe₃)₂}₃], 3, and a bis(imido)uranium(vi) complex [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][U(NPh)₂{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃], 4, respectively. The same reactivity is observed for the previously reported U(ii) complex [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][U{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃], 2. Computational studies indicate that the four-electron reduction of azobenzene occurs at a single U(ii) centre via two consecutive two-electron transfers and involves the formation of a U(iv) hydrazide intermediate. The isolation of the cis-hydrazide intermediate [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][U(N₂Ph₂){N(SiMe₃)₂}₃], 5, corroborated the mechanism proposed for the formation of the U(vi) bis(imido) complex. The reduction of azobenzene by U(ii) provided the first example of a “clear-cut” single metal four-electron transfer in f-element chemistry.

Both a masked and the actual complex [U(ii){N(SiMe₃)₂}₃]⁺ effect the reduction of azobenzene to yield a U(vi) bis-imido species providing the first example of a “clear-cut” metal centred four-electron reduction in f-element chemistry.     

Synthesis of novel heterocycles from 2-amino-3-(cyanomethylsulfonyl)thiophene

The synthesis and selected reactions of 2-amino-3-(cyanomethylsulfonyl)thiophene is reported. In particular, cyclization reaction of the versatile aminothiophene yielded a number of novel thieno[3,2-b][1,4]-thiazine 1,1-dioxides, as well as the analogous thieno[2,3-e][1,3,4]thiadiazine 4,4-dioxide. Reaction of the thienothiazine system with hydrazine was subsequently explored, which resulted in either ring-opening of the thiazine and formation of an aminopyrazole or solely ring cleavage depending on the thiazine substituent. Additionally, the synthesis of bis(2-amino-3-thienyl)sulfone and the corresponding bis-acetamide is described.     

The use of nonpolar matrices for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric analysis of high boiling crude oil fractions

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) with nonpolar matrices has been investigated for its applicability to the characterization of atmospheric resid crude oil fractions. The data obtained by use of nonpolar matrices was compared with that from polar matrices as well as from direct LDI-MS and field ionization mass spectrometry. Nonpolar matrices, such as anthracene or 9-cyanoanthracene, yield only a single radical molecular cation upon LDI. Thus, no interfering matrix-related ions are present during the MALDI-TOFMS analysis of the crude oil sample. Nonpolar matrices yield molecular mass distributions from linear mode MALDI-TOFMS that are comparable to distributions found with LDI-MS. An advantage of nonpolar matrices is the increased production of analyte ions, which allows reflectron mode MALDI-TOFMS to be performed. Nonpolar matrices are also shown to be less sensitive to solvent and sample preparation conditions than conventional polar matrices. These results suggest that nonpolar matrices may be favorable alternatives to more traditional polar or acidic matrices commonly used in the MALDI mass spectral characterization of crude oil related samples.     

The boron-catalyzed polymerization of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide. A living polymethylene synthesis

Trialkyl and aryl organoboranes catalyze the polymerization of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide (1). The product of the polymerization is a tris-polymethylene organoborane. Oxidation affords linear telechelic alpha-hydroxy polymethylene. The polymer molecular weight was found to be directly proportional to the stoichiometric ratio of ylide/borane, and polydispersities as low as 1.01-1.03 have been realized. Although oligomeric polymethylene has been the most frequent synthetic target of this method, polymeric star organoboranes with molecular weights of 1.5 million have been produced. The average turnover frequency at 120 degrees C in 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene/toluene is estimated at >6 x 10(6) g of polymethylene (mol boron)(-1) h(-1). The mechanism of the polyhomologation reaction involves initial formation of a zwitterionic organoborane.ylide complex which breaks down in a rate-limiting 1,2-alkyl group migration with concomitant expulsion of a molecule of DMSO. The reaction was found to be first order in the borane catalyst and zero order in ylide. DMSO does not interfere with the reaction. The temperature dependence of the reaction rate yielded the following activation energy parameters (toluene, DeltaH(++) = 23.2 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = 12.6 cal deg/mol, DeltaG(++) = 19.5 kcal/mol; THF, DeltaH(++) = 26.5 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = 21.5 cal deg/mol, DeltaG(++) = 20.1 kcal/mol).