One-dimensional octacyanomolybdate-based Cu(II)--Mo(V) bimetallic assembly with a novel rope-ladder chain structure

A new type of one-dimensional cyanide-bridged Cu(II)--Mo(V) bimetallic assembly, [Cu(cyclam)](3)[Mo(CN)(8)](2)x5H(2)O (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), was prepared by self-assembling Mo(CN)(8)(3)(-) and Cu(cyclam)(2+) ions in a 2:3 stoichiometric ratio. The overall molecular view is delineated as a novel rope-ladder chain structure. It displays a dominant ferromagnetic behavior within a pentanuclear Cu(3)Mo(2) unit (J(p) = 3.88 cm(-)(1)). Interunit ferromagnetic interactions (J(c) = -0.03 cm(-)(1)) through a longer magnetic pathway of Cu--Mo and weak antiferromagnetic couplings (zJ' = -0.46 cm(-)(1)) resulting from interchain interactions are obtained.     

Fluorometric assay protocol for protease-catalyzed transesterification reactions in organic solvents

A flourometric assay protocol for a subtilisin-catalyzed transesterification reaction in n-hexane has been developed. The method makes use of a Michael acceptor that forms a fluorescent adduct with thiophenol, one of the products generated in the transesterification reaction. The method may be employed for screening a biocatalyst useful for transesterification reactions in organic solvents and for optimizing the transesterification reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of nanosized TiO2 particles via ultrasonic irradiation and their photocatalytic activity

Summary The photocatalytic degradation of p-nitrophenol has been studied on TiO₂ nano- particles prepared by hydrolysis of titanium tetraisopropoxide using ultrasonication technique coupled with sol-gel method. The titania particles prepared with ultrasonic irradiation shows the higher activity on the photocatalytic decomposition of p-nitrophenol compared to those prepared without ultrasonic irradiation.     

Application of laser photoacoustic spectroscopy for the detection of water vapor near 1.38 μm

Laser photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy is applied for the determination of the trace content of water vapor using a differential Helmholtz resonant (DHR) cell and a narrow bandwidth diode laser operating near 1380 nm. The PA spectroscopy revealed a rich absorption spectra in this wavelength region and the observed result was compared with the HITRAN database. A multipass optical system was also developed by adopting one aluminum-coated flat mirror with a small uncoated spot for the laser introduction to the detection chamber and one aluminum-coated concave mirror. The multipass optical system enabled the enhancement of the PA signal up to eight times when compared to the single pass case. The calibration curve was plotted by measuring PA signals for various pressures of the water vapor. The sensitivity of the PA detection system is estimated as 7.3×10¹² molecules cm⁻³ with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 1.     

m-Phenylene ethynylene sequences joined by imine linkages: dynamic covalent oligomers

Imine metathesis between m-phenylene ethynylene oligomers of various lengths was performed in acetonitrile, a solvent in which oligomers containing eight or more repeat units adopt a compact helical conformation. The equilibrium constants and corresponding free energy change for the imine metathesis reactions were estimated. The results showed that the magnitude of equilibrium shifting measured by the free energy change for the formation of imine-containing oligomers increases linearly below a critical product chain length and grows asymptotically above it. The linear region is ascribed to the constant increase in contact area between monomer units of adjacent helical turns as the product chain grows to the 12-mer. Once the ligation product is 12 units in length, full contact is made between adjacent helical turns. On the other hand, for imine metathesis between oligomers leading to products having more than 12 units, the driving force is the difference between the folding energy of products and that of reactants. The additional stabilizing energy is roughly constant, regardless of the chain length, since the contact area between adjacent helical turns is unchanged. Consistent with the notion that the imine bond only minimally destabilizes the helical conformation, the position of the imine bond in the ligation product has been observed to have no significant effect on the folding stability. The magnitudes of equilibrium shifting are similar for ligation products of the same length but having the imine at various positions along the sequence. This suggests that the imine bond is compatible with the m-phenylene ethynylene backbone, regardless of the position in the sequence. Imine metathesis of m-phenylene ethynylene oligomers could allow a quick access to an unbiased, dynamic library of oligomer sequences joined by imine linkages.     

On the regioselectivity of Pd-catalyzed additions of organoboronic acids to unsymmetrical alkynes

The Pd-catalyzed reaction of unsymmetrical alkynes with organoboronic acids gave a mixture of products and, whose ratios were controlled by the electronic as well as steric effects of the substrates.     

The effect of bridge group on the thermal stability of nitro-substituted aromatic polyamides

The effect of introducing a bridge group into the diamine moiety on the thermal stability of aromatic polyamides substituted with a nitro group in the diamine ring at the ortho position to the amide group was studied. Our present work showed that the bridge group, whether it was electron withdrawing or releasing, did not have a significant effect on the activity of the nitro group for the intramolecular cyclization reaction to poly(benzoxazole)s.     

Piperine from the fruits of Piper longum with inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase and antidepressant-like activity

A bioassay-guided isolation of the ethanol extract from the fruits of Piper longum yielded a known piperidine alkaloid, piperine, as a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. Piperine showed an inhibitory effect against MAO-A (IC50 value: 20.9 microM) and MAO-B (IC50 value: 7.0 microM). Kinetic analyses by a Lineweaver-Burk plot clearly indicated that piperine competitively inhibited MAO-A and MAO-B with Ki values of 19.0+/-0.9 microM and 3.19+/-0.5 microM, respectively. The inhibition by piperine was found to be reversible by dialysis of the incubation mixture. In addition, the immobility times in the tail suspension test were significantly reduced by piperine, similar to that of the reference antidepressant fluoxetine, without accompanying changes in ambulation when assessed in an open-field. These results suggest that piperine possesses potent antidepressant-like properties that are mediated in part through the inhibition of MAO activity, and therefore represent a promising pharmacotherapeutic candidate as an antidepressant agent.     

Synthesis of 2‐(2‐, 3‐, and 4‐pyridyl)benzoxazoles by the reaction of phenolic schiff bases with thianthrene cation radical

2‐(2‐, 3‐, and 4‐Pyridyl)benzoxazole derivatives were prepared in excellent yields by the oxidative cyclization of phenolic Schiff bases with thianthrene cation radical perchlorate in the presence of 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylpyridine.     

Overview on the selective lean NO x reduction by hydrocarbons over Pt-based catalysts

Selective catalytic reduction of NO _x with hydrocarbons (HC-SCR) has received much attention as one of potential technologies for reducing NO _x emissions under lean-burn conditions. Pt/ZSM-5 prepared by sublimation method and Pt/V/MCM-41 catalysts have been introduced for the wider activity temperature window than those Pt catalysts reported previously. The influence of pre-treatment, oxygen concentration, water and SO₂ on the activities of Pt-based catalysts has been discussed. Combinatorial catalysis, which has been developed recently for discovering the practical HC-SCR catalysts quickly, has been introduced too. Finally, the reaction mechanism of HC-SCR over Pt-based catalysts has been briefly discussed.