Flexible ureasil hybrids with tailored optical properties through doping with metal nanoparticles

Hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites containing uniform distributions of metal nanoparticles have been prepared by mixing a preformed nanoparticle colloid with the precursors of a ureasil, prior to the sol-gel transition. These nanocomposites possess not only high optical quality and optical features dictated by the size and shape of the nanoparticle dopants but also a high degree of flexibility, which can largely enhance the range of applications in practical devices. The deposition of a uniform silica shell on the nanoparticle surface prior to the sol-gel transition was found to be required to maintain the colloidal stability during the process and, thus, to retain the optical properties in the final nanocomposite material. This method can be readily extended to other materials, such as semiconductor and magnetic nanoparticles.     

A study of two-electron quantum dot spectrum using discrete variable representation method

A variational method called discrete variable representation is applied to study the energy spectra of two interacting electrons in a quantum dot with a three-dimensional anisotropic harmonic confinement potential. This method, applied originally to problems in molecular physics and theoretical chemistry, is here used to solve the eigenvalue equation to relative motion between the electrons. The two-electron quantum dot spectrum is determined then with a precision of at least six digits. Moreover, the electron correlation energies for various potential confinement parameters are investigated for singlet and triplet states. When possible, the present results are compared with the available theoretical values.     

Determination of degree of conversion as a function of depth of a photo-initiated dental restoration composite—III application to commercial Prodigy Condensable™

In this third work, we evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) versus depth of dental filling composite named Prodigy Condensable™ using infrared spectroscopy. Confirming previous results, there was a gradual reduction of DC with increasing depth but the composite exhibited extreme values of DC, an upper value (45.9%) on the surface and a lower one (6.1%) at a depth of 5 mm. The composite presented the worst performance among materials studied. The composite formulation was 80% of inorganic fillers and BisfenolA/dimethacrylate (BisGMA) (18%)/triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (TEGDMA) (2.0%) as monomers. As stated before, type/ratio/viscosity of monomers and type, amount, size and size distribution of fillers all together had an important role in the cure reaction contributing to the final performance of the composite.     

Thiocarbonyl rhodium complexes with tricyclohexylphosphine and other nitrogen and phosphorus donor ligands

Summary The preparation of the covalent Rh(OCIO₃)(CS)(PCy₃)₂ and Rh(OClO₃)(CS)(PPh₃)(PCy₃) perchlorato complexes is described, These complexes react with mono- or bidentate nitrogen donor ligands to give new cationic complexes of the [Rh(CS)(PCY₃)₂L]ClO4 and [Rh(CS)(PPh,)(PCy₃)L]ClO₄ types,     

Biological Activity of Flavonoids Copper Complexes

Three flavonoid copper(II) complexes Cu₂(quercetin)(CH₃COO)₃(CH₃OH) ( 1 ), Cu(anthrarufin)(CH₃COO)·1/2H₂O ( 2 ) and Cu(naringin)(OCH₃)(CH₃OH)₂ ( 3 ) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic absorption and EPR (X‐band) spectroscopy. The complexes have a strong protective action over the Δsod1 mutant of S. cerevisiae against reactive oxygen radicals generated by an external source of free radicals (H₂O₂ or the superoxide‐generating, menadione). On the other hand, the complexes cleave DNA efficiently even in the absence of reducing agents. The main reactive oxygen species responsible for the DNA strand cleavage have been determined using radical scavengers. A probably mechanism of the DNA damage is proposed.     

Electrochromic properties of WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:P thin films

WO₃ and WO₃:P (5 mol% H₃PO₄) thin films were prepared using the sol-gel route and the electrochromic properties of the films were investigated using in situ spectroelectrochemical methods. The measurements were performed in propylene carbonate solution with 0.1 M LiClO₄ as electrolyte. During the cathodic polarization at –0.8 V a blue coloration is observed with a reversible variation between 14% and 84% of the transmittance at λ=633 nm. The kinetics for the bleaching process is faster for the WO₃:P film than for the undoped WO₃ film. Electronic Publication     

High performance liquid chromatography post-column chemiluminescence determination of sulfonamide residues in milk at low concentration levels using bis[4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl] oxalate as chemiluminescent reagent

The determination of seven sulfonamides by means of HPLC with chemiluminescence detection is proposed for the first time. The analytes are derivatized with fluorescamine, separated and subsequently they participate in the post-column chemiluminescence (CL) peroxyoxalate system using imidazole as a catalyst. Among the different peroxyoxalates tested, bis[4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl] oxalate provides higher sensitivities and stabilities, avoiding precipitation problems. A rigorous optimization of the significant variables by means of experimental designs has been developed in order to reconcile the chromatographic conditions with the CL reaction. The method provides detection limits in the low microgl(-1) range and has been satisfactorily applied to the analysis of spiked raw milk samples.     

The influence of the purine 2-amino group on DNA conformation and stability-II: Synthesis and physical characterization of d[CGT(2-NH2)ACG], d[CGU(2-NH2)ACG], and d[CGT(2-NH2)AT(2-NH2)ACG]

Synthesis of an N-protected derivative of 2-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine (dA') from 2'-deoxyguanosine is reported. The syntheses of several oligodeoxynucleotides containing this modified nucleoside are described, together with physical characterization via melting studies and CD conformational analysis. As expected, the 2-amino group is seen to add to the duplex stability. Although the sequence d(TA')₃ was found to undergo a salt-induced conformational transition, mixed sequences such as d(CGTA'CG) did not display this behavior. All guanine residues present in these sequences were O⁶ protected, either with the cyanoethyl group or the 4-nitrophenylethyl group, to eliminate guanine degradation during phosphorylation and condensation reactions. Procedures for the introduction and removal of these O⁶ protecting groups are described.     

Revealing structural effects: electrochemical reactions of butanols on platinum

Spectroelectrochemical studies on the reactivity of butanol isomers on Pt electrodes in perchloric acid medium led to the observation of structural effects that result from the different arrangements of atoms in the organic molecules. The use of differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) to detect volatile products showed that all four isomers react on the electrode, though different product yields were observed for each compound. In spite of the differences in the electrochemical behaviour of the butanol isomers, a series of general processes accounts for the results obtained. The formation of strongly adsorbed residues by a dehydration process leading to the formation of a C=C bond was proposed for all isomers. Electroreduction of the adsorbates produces C(4) and C(3) alkanes, and the latter reveal the existence of a fragmentation process. The C(4) hydrocarbons can be formed by hydrogenation of these residues and by hydrogenolysis of alcohol molecules in the bulk solution which react at the electrode with adsorbed hydrogen. On the other hand, CO(2) is formed during electrooxidation of the adsorbed species. Partial-oxidation products containing a carbonyl group were detected from 0.2 M solutions of 1-butanol, isobutyl alcohol and sec-butyl alcohol. The tertiary alcohol tert-butyl alcohol only reacts in its adsorbed state.