Hydrothermal syntheses, characterizations and crystal structures of three new cadmium (II) amino-diphosphonates: effects of substitute groups on the structures of metal phosphonates

Hydrothermal reactions of cadmium(II) chloride with three amino-diphosphonic acids, C₆H₅CH₂N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂ (H₄L¹), C₆H₅CH₂CH₂N(CH₂PO₃H₂)₂ (H₄L²) and 4-CH₃-C₆H₄CH₂N (CH₂PO₃H₂)₂) (H₄L³) resulted in three new metal amino-diphosphonates, namely, Cd(H₃L¹)₂, 1 Cd(H₃L²)₂·2H₂O 2 and Cd(H₃L³)₂3. In all three complexes, the Cd(II) ion is octahedrally coordinated by six phosphonate oxygen atoms from six ligands. Complexes 1 and 3 have a similar structure in which the CdO₆ octahedra are cross-linked by bridging ligands into a double chain along the c-axis, such double chains are further interlinked via hydrogen bonds between non-coordinated phosphonate oxygen atoms to form 〈100〉 and 〈200〉 layers with the phenyl groups of the ligands orientated toward the interlayer space. The structure of complex 2 features a 〈100〉 cadmium(II) diphosphonate layer. The effects of the substitute groups attached to the amine groups on the structures of the metal phosphonates are also discussed.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new uranyl tungstates M2(UO2)(W2O8) (M=Na, K), M2(UO2)2(WO5)O (M=K, Rb), and Na10(UO2)8(W5O20)O8

The solid-state reactions of UO₃ and WO₃ with M₂CO₃ (M=Na, K, Rb) at 650°C for 5 days result, accordingly the starting stoichiometry, in the formation of M₂(UO₂)(W₂O₈) (M=Na (1), K (2)), M₂(UO₂)₂(WO₅)O (M=K (3), Rb (4)), and Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈ (5). The crystal structures of compounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge-coupled device detector. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. For (1), unit-cell parameters were determined from powder X-ray diffraction data. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, a=12.736(4) Å, b=7.531(3) Å, c=8.493(3) Å, β=93.96(2)°, ρ_cal=6.62(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.64(1) g/cm³, Z=4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pmcn, a=7.5884(16) Å, b=8.6157(18) Å, c=13.946(3) Å, ρ_cal=6.15(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.22(1) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.029 for 80 parameters with 1069 independent reflections; 3, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.083(4) Å, b=28.724(5) Å, c=9.012(4) Å, β=102.14(1)°, ρ_cal=5.83(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=5.90(2) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1471 reflections; 4, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.234(1) Å, b=28.740(3) Å, c=9.378(1) Å, β=104.59(1)°, ρ_cal=6.13(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1452 reflections; 5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=24.359(5) Å, b=23.506(5) Å, c=6.8068(14) Å, β=94.85(3)°, ρ_cal=6.42(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.036 for 306 parameters with 5190 independent reflections. The crystal structure of 2 contains linear one-dimensional chains formed from edge-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by two octahedra wide (W₂O₈) ribbons formed from two edge-sharing WO₆ octahedra connected together by corners. This arrangement leads to [UW₂O₁₀]²⁻ corrugated layers parallel to (001). Owing to the unit-cell parameters, compound 1 probably contains similar sheets parallel to (100). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and the structure consists of bi-dimensional networks built from the edge- and corner-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. This arrangement creates square sites occupied by W atoms, a fifth oxygen atom completes the coordination of W atoms to form WO₅ distorted square pyramids. The interspaces between the resulting [U₂WO₁₀]²⁻ layers parallel to plane are occupied by K or Rb atoms. The crystal structure of compound 5 is particularly original. It is based upon layers formed from UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and two edge-shared octahedra units, W₂O₁₀, by the sharing of edges and corners. Two successive layers stacked along the [100] direction are pillared by WO₄ tetrahedra resulting in sheets of double layers. The sheets are separated by Na⁺ ions. The other Na⁺ ions occupy the rectangular tunnels created within the sheets. In fact complex anions W₅O₂₀¹⁰⁻ are built by the sharing of the four corners of a WO₄ tetrahedron with two W₂O₁₀ dimmers, so, the formula of compound 5 can be written Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈.     

Synthesis and anti-tetrabenazine activity of c-3 analogues of dimethyl-2-phenylmorpholines

A series of analogues of 2-phenylmorpholines with alkyl substituents at the C-3 position were synthesized for anti-tetrabenazine (anti-TBZ) testing in mice. The target compounds were prepared by reaction of (2-bromoalkyl) phenyl ketones 21a-h with the appropriate aminoalcohol 20a-b to form morpholinols 22a-h . Hydride reduction of the morpholinols gave aminodiols 23a-h which were cyclized to morpholines 6, 8, 10–12, 14–16, 18 and 19 by acid catalaysis. Compounds 7, 9, 13 and 17 were prepared by reductive formylation. The smaller straight chain substituents of 6, 8, 12 and 15 , and the beta branching of the iso-butyl group of 16 were well tolerated; anti-tetrabenazine ED_50′s were comparable to compounds 2–5 . The α-branched, N-methylated, and side chain aryl derivatives were less active.     

Directly monitoring the growth of gold nanoparticle seeds into gold nanorods

This paper describes the use of atomic force microscopy to directly image surface-attached 3-5 nm diameter gold nanoparticle seeds before and after seed-mediated growth into gold nanorods (Au NRs) and other shapes (spheres, triangles, and hexagons). Results show that Au NRs form from seeds growing in either one or two directions. A direct correlation exists between seed diameter and NR diameter; small diameter seeds form small diameter NRs. However, correlation between seed diameter and nanostructure shape or NR length is less evident. We describe our results in terms of growth mechanisms proposed in the literature and discuss possible reasons for the large size dispersity observed for surface-grown Au NRs. A better understanding of Au NR and other metal and semiconductor one-dimensional (1D) growth processes is necessary to improve synthesis, tailor their properties, and utilize 1D nanostructures for useful technological applications.     

Synthesis and 13C NMR of (trifluoromethyl)hydroxypyrazoles

Reaction of ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate with methylhydrazine produced not only the previously reported 5-hydroxy-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole 1 but also its unknown isomer the 3-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole 4 . The structure assignments are established based on ¹³C nmr spectra. Compound 1 was converted to 5-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolecarboxylic acid 3 in two steps.     

Radiochemical extraction of mercury(II) from acidic chloride solutions using dialkylsulphides

The liquid-liquid extraction behavior of Hg(II) from aqueous acidic chloride solutions has been investigated by tracer techniques using dialkylsulphides (R₂S) namely, dibutylsulphide (DBS) and dioctylsulphide (DOS) as extractants. These extraction data have been analyzed by both graphical and theoretical methods by taking into account complexation of the metal ion in the aqueous phase with inorganic ligands and all plausible complexes extracted into the organic phase. The results clearly indicate that Hg(II) is extracted into xylene as HgCl₂ ^. nDBS/nDOS (where n = 2 and 3). The equilibrium constants of the extracted complexes have been deduced by non-linear regression analysis. The separation possibilities of Hg(II) from other metal ions viz. Ca(II), Mg(II), Ba(II) and Fe((III), which are present in the industrial wastes of the chlor-alkali industry has also been discussed.     

Human neural stem cell growth and differentiation in a gradient-generating microfluidic device

This paper describes a gradient-generating microfluidic platform for optimizing proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in culture. Microfluidic technology has great potential to improve stem cell (SC) cultures, whose promise in cell-based therapies is limited by the inability to precisely control their behavior in culture. Compared to traditional culture tools, microfluidic platforms should provide much greater control over cell microenvironment and rapid optimization of media composition using relatively small numbers of cells. Our platform exposes cells to a concentration gradient of growth factors under continuous flow, thus minimizing autocrine and paracrine signaling. Human NSCs (hNSCs) from the developing cerebral cortex were cultured for more than 1 week in the microfluidic device while constantly exposed to a continuous gradient of a growth factor (GF) mixture containing epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Proliferation and differentiation of NSCs into astrocytes were monitored by time-lapse microscopy and immunocytochemistry. The NSCs remained healthy throughout the entire culture period, and importantly, proliferated and differentiated in a graded and proportional fashion that varied directly with GF concentration. These concentration-dependent cellular responses were quantitatively similar to those measured in control chambers built into the device and in parallel cultures using traditional 6-well plates. This gradient-generating microfluidic platform should be useful for a wide range of basic and applied studies on cultured cells, including SCs.     

Immobilization and electrochemical redox behavior of cytochrome c on fullerene film-modified electrodes

Two different fullerene film-modified electrodes were prepared and used for surface immobilization and electrochemical property investigation of horse heart cytochrome c (cyt c). Both a pristine fullerene film and fullerene-palladium (C(60)-Pd) polymer film-modified platinum, glassy carbon and indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrodes were used. The immobilized cyt c was characterized by piezoelectric microgravimetry at a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), UV-visible absorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The UV-visible spectral studies revealed a small blue shift of both the Soret and Q band of the heme moiety of cyt c, immobilized on the C(60)-Pd polymer film-modified ITO electrode, as compared to the bands of cyt c in solution suggesting that molecules of cyt c are densely packed onto the surface of the modified electrode. The CV studies revealed a quasi-reversible electrode behavior of the heme moiety indicating the occurrence of kinetically hindered electron transfer. A good agreement was found between the values of cyt c electrode surface coverage determined by piezoelectric microgravimetry and cyclic voltammetry. For piezoelectric microgravimetry, these values ranged from 0.5 x 10(-10) to 2.5 x 10(-10) mol cm(-2), depending upon the amount of cyt c present in solution and the time allowed for immobilization, which compared with a value of 3.6+/-0.4 x 10(-10) mol cm(-2) determined by CV. The possible mechanisms of cyt c immobilization on the C(60) film and C(60)-Pd film-modified electrodes are also discussed.     

Stabilization of an excess electron on molecular surfaces by a pair of HF molecules

This work presents the results of solvation of electrons on several hypothetical cyclooctane and cyclohexane molecular surfaces, using the hydrogen fluoride (HF) dimer. These complexes were constructed with extensive OH groups on one side of a hydrocarbon surface (i.e., cyclohexane sheets), which creates hydrogen‐bonded networks that can form, increasing the dipole moment of the system. Concurrently, the hydrogen atoms on the opposite side of the surface form a pocket of positive charge that can attract excess electrons. Two possible orientations for HF dimer solvation on eight molecular surfaces that have been demonstrated to be stable toward electron detachment are examined. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Potentiometric determination of tetraphenylborate with silver nitrate

A simple potentiometric method for determining the tctraphenylborate ion (C₆H₅)₄B- contents of organic amine tetraphcnylborate salts has been developed. The compounds arc dissolved in 1 : 1 aqueous acetone; and the solution is buffered at a pH of 5 with 3M acetic acid and 3M sodium acetate. The resulting solution is then titrated with 0.06N aqueous silver nitrate, using a silver indicating electrode, a glass reference electrode and a Beckman pH meter to indicate EMF changes. Platinum electrodes in conjunction with the Malmstadt automatic titrator can also be used. Good end-points were obtained for all structure types except the primary aromatic amine borates. Values for (C₆H₅)₄B- found were within 2% of theory for 22 compounds so analyzed.