Optimization of Aqueous Stability versus π-Conjugation in Tetracationic Bis(triarylborane) Chromophores: Applications in Live-Cell Fluorescence Imaging

The stability of tetracationic triarylboranes in dilute aqueous solution was investigated by tuning the steric demand of the linker in a (para-(N,N,N-trimethylammonio)xylyl)₂B–(linker)–B(para-(N,N,N-trimethylammonio)xylyl)₂ structure. With increasing steric bulk of the linker, namely 1,4-phenylene, 2,2′′′-(3,3′′′-dimethyl)-5,2′:5′,2′′:5′′,5′′′-quaterthiophene, 9,10-anthracenylene, and 4,4′′′-(5′-(3,5-dimethylphenyl))(5′′-(3′′′,5′′′-dimethylphenyl))-2′,2′′-bithiophene, the stability of the compounds increased. The anthracene-based chromophore, compound 3M is water-stable for at least 48 h, is nontoxic to cells and exhibits an exceedingly high fluorescence quantum yield of 0.86 in water making it an ideal candidate for confocal live-cell imaging of lysosomes.     

Nb2Y2X6, a Novel Type of NbIV Compounds with Cross-linked Nb2 and Y2 Dumbbells (Y = Se,Te; X = Br,I)

The compounds Nb₂Se₂Br₆, Nb₂Te₂Br₆, and Nb₂Te₂I₆ were prepared from the elements in sealed quartz ampoulès at 1073 K. The crystalline solids, exhibiting a metallic lustre, are insensitive against moisture and oxygen. All compounds undergo several reversible thermal transitions with temperature (DTA). Beside binary halides only NbYX₃ is present in the gas phase. The structures consist of one-dimensional infinite chains of halogen bridged Nb₂(Y₂)X₄ units containing single side-on bonded Nb₂ and Y₂ dumbbells forming a quasi tetrahedral Nb₂Y₂ cluster (Nb? Nb ? 283.2; 287.5; 293.2 pm; Se? Se ? 230.5 pm; Te? Te ? 267.0; 268.5 pm). The structural and magnetic properties clearly prove the formal oxidation states Nb⁴⁺ and Y^1?, unexpected from stoichiometry. (Structural data: all P2/a (No. 13); Nb₂Se₂Br₆: a = 1254.0(12); b = 689.7(10); c = 662.4(10) pm; β = 98.9(1)°; Z = 2; 1274 hkl; R = 0.066. Nb₂Te₂Br₆: a = 1259.7(13); b = 713.5(9); c = 667.0(9) pm; β = 97.6(1)°; 1557 hkl; R = 0.043. Nb₂Te₂I₆: a = 1347.3(3); b = 742.9(2); c = 714.1(2) pm; β = 98.52(2)°; 1540 hkl; R = 0.026).     

Rheological properties of polymer blends with sphere-in-sphere morphology

The linear viscoelastic behavior of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) blends with PS as the matrix and amounts of PMMA in the range 10–30 wt% was investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a complex morphology which was characterized by the existence of composite particles; the PMMA particles which are enclosed in the PS matrix themselves carry PS inclusions. In order to explain the G* data of these blends a model is presented which consists of a Palierne model for the composite particles and a Palierne model for the whole blend, taking into account composite and neat particles. Simulations show the principal relevance of the assumptions made. Moreover, it is shown that the measurements agree well with the model for the whole measured frequency region and that the fit parameters, the size of the composite particles and the concentration and size of interior particles are in reasonable agreement with data available from TEM. Received: 1 November 1998 Accepted: 5 April 1999     

Comparison of viscous and elastic properties of polyolefin melts in shear and elongation

Viscous and elastic properties of a linear polypropylene (PP) and a long-chain branched low-density polyethylene (LDPE) have been investigated by creep and creep–recovery experiments in shear and elongation. The data obtained verify the ratios between the linear values of the viscosities and the steady-state elastic compliances in shear and elongation predicted by the theory of linear viscoelasticity. In the nonlinear range, no simple correlation between the viscous behaviour in shear and elongation exists. The elongational viscosity of the PP decreases with increasing stress analogously to the shear thinning observed; the linear range extends to higher stresses in elongation than in shear, however. The LDPE shows thinning in shear and strain hardening in elongational flow. For the LDPE, a linear steady-state elastic tensile compliance corresponding to one third of the linear steady-state elastic compliance in shear was determined. For the PP, this theoretically predicted value is approximately reached. Analogous to the viscous behaviour, the linear range extends to higher stresses in elongation than in shear. For both materials, the steady-state elastic compliances in the nonlinear range decrease with increasing stress in shear as well as in elongation. However, the decrease in elongation is more pronounced.     

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