Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Zr3N4 and Hf3N4 Powders from Metal Dialkylamides

A simple process to synthesize Zr₃N₄ and nitrogen‐rich Hf₃N₄ powders via ammonolysis of metal dialkylamides, i.e. Zr(NEt₂)₄ and Hf(NEt₂)₄, at temperatures below 700 °C is presented. The obtained nitrides have a rhombohedrally distorted NaCl‐type structure, which has previously been reported only for nitrogen‐rich films of these nitrides. Regardless of the atmosphere (N₂ and He), the Zr₃N₄ starts to decompose above about ～ 650 °C and achieves the highest decomposition rate at about 900 °C, finally yielding the mononitride ZrN. Both Zr₃N₄ and Hf₃N₄ powders are nanocrystalline with the crystal size of about 2 nm.     

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of 2-aryl-3-hydroxyquinolones, a new class of dyes displaying dual fluorescence

A series of 2-aryl-3-hydroxyquinolones (3HQs) with different electron donating aryl substituents at the position 2 were synthesized. Their absorption and fluorescence properties were studied in solvents of medium and high polarity. Almost all the synthesized 3HQs display dual fluorescence in the tested solvents, in line with an excited state intramolecular proton transfer reaction. For N-methyl substituted compounds, the intensity ratio of the two emission bands was found to be exquisitely sensitive to solvent polarity, with a two orders of magnitude change from toluene to dimethylsulfoxide. Consequently, these compounds appear as prospective polarity fluorescent labels for proteins and nucleic acids.     

The role of attractive interactions in rod-sphere mixtures

We present a computer simulation study of binary mixtures of prolate Gay-Berne particles and Lennard-Jones spheres. Results are presented for three such rod-sphere systems which differ from each other only in the interaction between unlike particles. Both the mixing-demixing behavior and the transitions between the isotropic and any liquid crystalline phases are studied for each system, as a function of temperature and concentration ratio. For systems which show macroscopic demixing, the rod-sphere interaction is shown to give direct control over interfacial anchoring properties, giving rise to the possibility of micellar phase formation in the case of homeotropic anchoring. Additionally, it is shown that on incorporating high concentrations of spheres into a system of rods with weak demixing properties, microphase-separated structures can be induced, including bicontinuous and lamellar arrangements.     

Virtual Screening in Search for a Chemical Probe for Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2)

We elaborate new models for ACE and ACE2 receptors with an excellent prediction power compared to previous models. We propose promising workflows for working with huge compound collections, thereby enabling us to discover optimized protocols for virtual screening management. The efficacy of elaborated roadmaps is demonstrated through the cost-effective molecular docking of 1.4 billion compounds. Savings of up to 10-fold in CPU time are demonstrated. These developments allowed us to evaluate ACE2/ACE selectivity in silico, which is a crucial checkpoint for developing chemical probes for ACE2.     

Numerical simulation of wind turbine rotors aerodynamics

The report covers the typical aspects of numerical simulation of aerodynamics and dynamics of wind turbines rotors such as selection of initial mathematical model and model of turbulence, selection of the numerical method, verification and testing of developed CFD codes, post-processing and visualization of obtained results. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) electrochemiluminescent determination of ethyl formate

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry - Ethyl formate is extensively used as food flavor, fungicide, and larvicide. It naturally exists in coffee, fruits, honey, brandy, and rum as well as dust...     

Electronic Structures and Chiroptical Properties of Post‐functionalized Helicene Quinones

The synthesis of redox‐active p‐ and o‐quinones 2‐phenylamino‐4‐phenylimino[6]helicene‐1‐one 1 , 2‐phenylamino[6]‐helicene‐1,4‐dione 2 , and 4‐phenyl[6]helicene‐1,2‐dione 3 in their enantiopure forms by post‐functionalization of (P)‐ and (M)‐1,2‐dimethoxy[6]helicene is presented. Structural characterization in solution and in the solid state was accomplished by 2D NMR spectroscopy methods and X‐ray diffraction analysis, respectively. Interpretation of electrochemical redox data was accompanied by a detailed orbital picture, derived from DFT calculations. The electronic structures of compounds 1 – 3 were investigated by UV/Vis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy, complemented by TD‐DFT calculations. Quinones 1 – 3 were chemically reduced to study the EPR signatures of their respective radical anions. DFT methods were used for the atom assignment of the hyperfine coupling constants. The results are discussed within the context of electrochromic chiral switches and molecular recognition.