Near-infrared chiro-optical effects in metallogels

A series of novel metallogelators containing near-IR nickel-bis(dithiolene) absorbers were rationally designed and synthesized. Robust gel networks are formed by right handed helical 1D-nanofibers which generate strong and remarkable chiro-optical effects in the near-infrared region.     

DOTAGA-anhydride: a valuable building block for the preparation of DOTA-like chelating agents

A DOTA derivative that contains an anhydride group was readily synthesized by reacting DOTAGA with acetic anhydride and its reactivity was investigated. Opening the anhydride with propylamine led to the selective formation of one of two possible regioisomers. The structure of the obtained isomer was unambiguously determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, including COSY, HMBC, and NOESY techniques. This bifunctional chelating agent offers a convenient and attractive approach for labeling biomolecules and, more generally, for the synthesis of a large range of DOTA derivatives. The scope of the reaction was extended to prepare DOTA-like compounds that contained various functional groups, such as isothiocyanate, thiol, ester, and amino acid moieties. This versatile building block was also used for the synthesis of a bimodal tag for SPECT or PET/optical imaging.     

Ab initio molecular dynamics studies of tetrasulfur. Dynamics coupling the C2v open and D2h closed forms of S4

Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations were performed on the closed D(2h) and open C(2v) isomers of tetrasulfur. After a careful calibration of the electronic structure method, the calculations were done using the BPW91/aug-cc-pVTZ method. This combination of method/basis set adequately reproduces the relative benchmark CCSD(T) energy difference [Matus, M.; Dixon, D.; Peterson, K. A.; Harkless, J. A. W.; Francisco, J. S. J. Chem. Phys. 2007, 127, 174305] between these two isomers and, crucially, the fact that the D(2h) structure is a transition state linking two equivalent (mirror images) C(2v) isomers. The trajectories show that the symmetric open C(2v) isomers interconvert when passing through the D(2h) closed transition state structure and that, unlike tetraoxygen, no three-dimensional structures arise. The dynamic vibrational analysis yields peaks in good agreement with the static CCSD(T) harmonic frequencies and explains higher peaks as overtones, thus showing that unlike previous AIMD DFT-based approaches, carefully calibrated exchange-correlation functionals can produce reliable molecular dynamics results for complex PESs as the one corresponding to the lowest singlet of S(4).     

Positive Homotropic Allosteric Receptors for Neutral Guests: Annulated Tetrathiafulvalene–Calix[4]pyrroles as Colorimetric Chemosensors for Nitroaromatic Explosives

The study of positive homotropic allosterism in supramolecular receptors is important for elucidating design strategies that can lead to increased sensitivity in various molecular recognition applications. In this work, the cooperative relationship between tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)‐calix[4]pyrroles and several nitroaromatic guests is examined. The design and synthesis of new annulated TTF‐calix[4]pyrrole receptors with the goal of rigidifying the system to accommodate better nitroaromatic guests is outlined. These new derivatives, which display significant improvement in terms of binding constants, also display a positive homotropic allosteric relationship, as borne out from the sigmoidal nature of the binding isotherms and analysis by using the Hill equation, Adair equation, and Scatchard plots. The host–guest complexes themselves have been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses and studied by means of UV‐spectroscopic titrations. Investigations into the electronic nature of the receptors were made by using cyclic voltammetry; this revealed that the binding efficiency was not strictly related to the redox potential of the receptor. On the other hand, this work serves to illustrate how cooperative effects may be used to enhance the recognition ability of TTF‐calix[4]pyrrole receptors. It has led to new allosteric systems that function as rudimentary colorimetric chemosensors for common nitroaromatic‐based explosives, and which are effective even in the presence of potentially interfering anions.     

Cyclization of Zincated α‐N‐Homoallylamino Nitriles: A New Entry to Enantiopure 2,3‐Methanopyrrolidines

Stereoselective cyclization of zincated α‐N‐homoallylamino nitriles has been developed. Following treatment with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) and transmetalation with zinc bromide, α‐N‐(1‐phenylethyl)‐N‐homoallylamino nitriles lead to 2,3‐methanopyrrolidines in moderate to good yields (up to 66 %) and excellent selectivities (up to >98:2). With substrates derived from α‐branched homoallylic amines, a stereospecific inversion of the homoallylic stereogenic center was observed. To account for this, a mechanistic rationale involving the formation of zincioiminium ions from zincated α‐amino nitriles is put forward. 2,3‐Methanopyrrolidines should then arise from a sequence involving an aza‐Cope rearrangement providing a configurationally stable (2‐azoniaallyl)zinc species that then undergoes a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction.     

Millimeter-Wave Signal Generation and Harmonic Upconversion Through PM-IM Conversion in Chirped Fiber Gratings

A novel technique for generating millimeter-wave signals through phase-to-intensity modulation conversion in chirped fiber gratings is proposed and demonstrated. Experimental results on generating a 28 G Hz signal using harmonics orders from 7th to 10th are provided. Excellent phase-noise performance (87 dBc Hz @ 10KHz) is demonstrated. It is also demonstrated that this technique may be efficiently used for harmonically upconverting intermediate frequency signals to the millimeter-wave band. Bit-error-rate measurements for different modulation format (QPSK MQAM) signals, which were upconverted employing the PM-IM conversion technique, show very good performance (< 10 ^{- 9}) and transparency to the modulation format.     

Effects of DNA on the growth and optical properties of luminescent organic microcrystals

The reprecipitation method, which is a solvent-exchange process, was used to prepare free-standing microcrystals from an organic fluorescent dye, 4-n-octylamino-7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole. Calf thymus DNA was introduced as an additive into the reprecipitation medium, strongly accelerating the process. The reprecipitation kinetics was monitored by UV/vis absorption spectroscopy, and the analysis of the rate constants allowed the role played by the additive to be clarified. DNA was also found to affect the shape and size of the dye microcrystals obtained. In particular, its presence induced the formation of a new type of microcrystal that displays original two-color fluorescence. The emission properties were first analyzed on the suspensions, using a traditional fluorimeter, and then on individual microcrystals by means of a space- and time-correlated photon-counting photomutiplier installed on a microscope. The study on single microcrystals suggests that the dual coloration observed originates from the reabsorption of the blue component of the emitted light, whereas the remaining red component propagates through the microcrystal body and is scattered by the edges. However, the color of the other types of microcrystals can be explained only by specific arrangements of molecules at the surface of the crystal.     

Adsorbed layer structure of cationic gemini and corresponding monomeric surfactants on mica

We report a comprehensive study of the adsorbed layer morphologies of cationic gemini surfactants of the type dodecanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dimethylalkylammonium bromide) and their corresponding monomers, dimethyldodecylalkylammonium bromide, on mica using atomic force microscopy soft-contact imaging. As in the bulk, aggregate curvature of the adsorbed geminis is found to increase with increasing spacer length, but the adsorbed aggregate curvature also increases in the presence of CsCl and CsBr. The monomeric surfactants exhibit an unexpected transition from globular adsorbed aggregates to a bilayer when the alkyl side chain reaches butyl, and this transition is also sensitive to added electrolyte.