Nonequilibrium 2-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid monolayers: effect of electrolytes

2-Hydroxyacids display complex monolayer phase behavior due to the additional hydrogen bonding afforded by the presence of the second hydroxy group. The placement of this group at the position α to the carboxylic acid functionality also introduces the possibility of chelation, a utility important in crystallization including biomineralization. Biomineralization, like many biological processes, is inherently a nonequilibrium process. The nonequilibrium monolayer phase behavior of 2-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid was investigated on each of pure water, calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate crystallizing subphases as a precursor study to a model calcium carbonate biomineralizing system, each at a pH of ～6. The role of the bicarbonate co-ion in manipulating the monolayer structure was determined by comparison with monolayer phase behavior on a sodium chloride subphase. Monolayer phase behavior was probed using surface pressure/area isotherms, surface potential, Brewster angle microscopy, and synchrotron-based grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and X-ray reflectivity. Complex phase behavior was observed for all but the sodium chloride subphase with hydrogen bonding, electrostatic and steric effects defining the symmetry of the monolayer. On a pure water subphase hydrogen bonding dominates with three phases coexisting at low pressures. Introduction of calcium ions into the aqueous subphase ensures strong cation binding to the surfactant head groups through chelation. The monolayer becomes very unstable in the presence of bicarbonate ions within the subphase due to short-range hydrogen bonding interactions between the monolayer and bicarbonate ions facilitated by the sodium cation enhancing surfactant solubility. The combined effects of electrostatics and hydrogen bonding are observed on the calcium carbonate crystallizing subphase.     

Comparative X-ray structural study of laterally mono-ethyl substituted 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetra-methoxycalix[4]arene and its non-substituted parent compound including guest free and solvated forms. Chemical straightening of guest channels

Three solvate crystal structures of the laterally ethyl substituted tetra-tert-butyltetramethoxycalix[4]arene 1 [(1·THF (1a), 1·CHCl₃ (1b) and 1·CH₂Cl₂ (1c)] are compared to the corresponding solvent-free structure (1) using single crystal X-ray structure determination, isostructurality and molecular isometricity calculations. To study the effect of the lateral substitution, the laterally non-substituted host with the guest THF (2a) is also included to the comparison. The calixarene molecules in the different structures all adopt the partial cone conformation with different affection of the respective guest molecules, always being positioned interstitially. Depending on the lateral substitution and the size of the included guests, the molecular conformation of the calix[4]arene shows small differences relating to the alignment of the arene units. The channels disposable of the solvent guest molecules in the crystal structures straighten as the effect of lateral substitution of the host calix[4]arene. The orthorhombic crystal structures of 1a–c are isostructural irrespective of the included solvent molecules, while 1 and 2a crystallise in the same monoclinic space group.     

Deployable cryogenic cross-dispersing unit for simultaneous zJHK spectroscopy

Optical Review - A modular cryogenic cross-disperser MOBIUS for the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) is being developed to produce a simultaneous zJHK spectrum with a single LUCI, the LBT Utility...