The solid-state E/Z-photoisomerization of 1,2-dibenzoylethene

The E/Z-photoisomerization of trans-1,2-dibenzoylethene (DBE) in the confinement of its crystal lattice proceeds readily, but not as a single crystal to single crystal process which was claimed previously by others. This model for the Z-->E isomerization at the 11-12 double bond of the retinal moiety in the crystal-like confinement of rhodopsin was investigated in view of the fact that the precise geometric features are crucial for a better understanding of the postulated twist mechanism. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) monitored long-range anisotropic molecular movements if trans-DBE was photoisomerized, but cis-DBE was unreactive even at the extreme sensitivity of AFM. The crystal lattices of both isomers cannot accommodate a rotational mechanism but at best the twist mechanism with the large groups not leaving their planes. The unidirectional solid-state photochemistry derives from the crystal packing of cis-DBE which exhibits severe 3D-interlocking. Thus, trans-DBE molecules are not formed in the cis-lattice, because their moving away would be prohibited. Conversely, photochemically formed cis-DBE molecules escape the foreign trans-DBE lattice easily along its glide planes, as is experimentally observed by AFM. These findings are reminiscent of the escape of 11-trans-retinal from the rhodopsin array in the vision cascade.     

Phase equilibrium and p s-T-x diagrams of the Ln2S3-LnS2 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm-Er) systems

A new methodology is proposed and the phase equilibrium is investigated in the Ln₂S₃-LnS₂ systems, in which the low-temperature behavior of nonstoichiometric phases is controlled by the kinetics of the ordering of defects. It is shown that, under equilibrium conditions, the phase equilibrium in the systems is represented not only by a polysulfide with a wide homogeneity region, but also by several (or one) phases of constant irrational compositions combined in the homologous series Ln_nS_2n?1 (n = 3, 4, 7, 8, and 10). The formation of sulfur vacancies and isolated [S₂]^2? ions (which compensate the charge) in the anionic S^2? layer is the basic mechanism of changing the composition of the members of the series. On the basis of structural data, the possible mechanisms of the ordering of defective LnS_2?x polysulfides are examined and it is shown that the formation of stable or metastable phases is a kinetics-controlled process. The role of p _s-T-x diagrams in the interpretations of complex structures of metastable phases from the point of view of attainment of the equilibrium state is discussed.     

THE FLUORESCENCE DECAY OF REDUCED NICOTINAMIDES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION AFTER EXCITATION WITH A UV-MODE LOCKED Ar ION LASER

Abstract— The fluorescence decay kinetics of the reduced nicotinamides NMNH, NADH and NADPH in aqueous solution were investigated using an Ar ion laser, mode locked in the UV, as source of excitation and single photon counting electronics in the detection system allowing for a time resolution in the picosecond range. Analysis of the experimental fluorescence decay showed that the dinucleotides did not follow a single exponential decay law. Good fitting was accomplished with a sum of two exponentials. The mononucleotide fluorescence decay was a single exponential for at least 95% of its amplitude.
The heterogeneity in lifetimes of the fluorescence of the dinucleotides was interpreted in terms of an exciplex mechanism.     

Partial Saturated Vapor Pressure of Sodium Nitrite Over the System NaNO2-KNO3

The partial pressure of sodium nitrite in the system NaNO₂-KNO₃ was measured at 798, 823, and 848 K. The dependence of the logarithm of the NaNO₂ pressure on inverse temperature is presented. Coefficients A and B of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation and the partial molar heats of vaporization are calculated. The activity and activity coefficient of sodium nitrite are determined. The dependences of ac- tivity and activity coefficient of sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate are presented as functions of composition of the NaNO₂-KNO₃ system. The consistency of the activity coefficients is verified using the Redlich-Kister integral.     

Ductile-to-ductile transition in dispersely filled composites based on thermoplastic polymers

The fracture mechanism for rubber-filled composites based on gutta-percha, LDPE, medium-density PE, and rubber particles has been studied. An increase in the concentration of filler particles leads to a change in the stress-strain behavior of the composites from neck propagation to homogeneous plastic deformation. For the filled composites, the criterion for the ductile-to-ductile transition is the equality of yield and draw stresses. The critical concentration of rubber particles at the ductile-to-ductile transition is controlled by the ratio between the yield stress of matrix polymer and the neck propagation stress. Transition from neck propagation to homogeneous plastic flow of the material is accomplished under two conditions: the breaking strength of the polymer matrix should be higher than the yield stress, and stretching of the composite should not be accompanied by the formation of diamond cracks. The latter condition is fulfilled when the dimensions of rubber particles are below a certain critical value, which is determined by the ductility of the matrix.     

NdFeO3 as a new electrocatalytic material for the electrochemical monitoring of dopamine

A new electrochemical sensor, based on NdFeO₃ nanoparticles as electrocatalytic material, was proposed here for the detection of dopamine (DA). NdFeO₃ nanoparticles were first synthesized by a simple thermal treatment method and subsequent annealing at high temperature (700 °C). The prepared electrocatalytic material has been characterized in detail by SEM-EDX, XRD, and Raman techniques. Characterization results display its sheet-like morphology, constituted by a porous network of very small orthorhombic NdFeO₃ nanoparticles. NdFeO₃ electrocatalytic material was then used to modify the working electrode of screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). Electrochemical tests demonstrated that NdFeO₃– modified screen-printed carbon electrode (NdFeO₃/SPCE) exhibited a remarkable enhancement of the dopamine electrooxidation, compared to the bare SPCE one. The analytical performance of the developed sensor has been evaluated for the detection of this analyte by means of the square-wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. The modified electrode showed two linear concentration ranges, from 0.5 to 100 μM and 150 to 400 μM, respectively, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.27 μM (at S/N = 3), and good reproducibility, stability, and selectivity. Additionally, we also report an attempt made to propose the modified sensor for the simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid (UA). The procedure was also applied for the determination of dopamine in spiked real samples. So, this paper reports for the first time the use of a modified NdFeO₃ screen-printed electrode for developing an electrochemical sensor for the quantification of important biomolecules.

Graphical abstract

     

Investigation of the electronic structure of the TCNQ-TTF system. I. TCNQ and TTF monomers and dimers in the all-valence-electron approximation

Closed-shell and DODS CNDO/2 calculations have been performed for neutral and charged TCNQ and TTF monomers and different dimers. For the sake of comparison the calculation have also performed for the corresponding TCNE molecules.The most important result obtained indicates a large splitting of the lowest unfilled level of TCNQ in going from the monomer to the stacked (TCNQ)₂ dimer. The same holds true for the HOMO level of the (TTF)₂ dimer. This indicates that one should expect a broad conduction band for the neutral poly (TCNQ) chain and a broad valence band for the neutral poly (TTF) chain. In order to test the quality of the CNDO/2 approximation scheme a comparison is attempted with existing experimental findings as well as with some MINDO results and available theoretical predictions within different approximation schemes.     

Mass spectrometric study of 4-azafluorenes

The dissociative ionization of 4-azafluorene and its methyl and phenyl derivatives was investigated. The relative intensity of the [M — CH₃]⁺ ion peak depends on the position of the CH₃ group in the 4-azafluorene ring. It was established that the loss of an RCN particle (R=H, CH₃, and C₆H₅) for unsubstituted 4-azafluorene takes place from the M⁺ and [M — H]⁺ ion, exclusively from the [M — H]⁺ ion for the methyl-substituted compounds, and from the [M — H]⁺ and [H — 2H]⁺ fragments for the phenyl-substituted derivatives. Randomization of the deuterium ions in the 9,9-d₂-4-azafluorene molecular ion was observed.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 246–250, February, 1978.     

Spectres de Masse de Derives de l'Atractyloside. Determination du Nombre de Substituants par Combinaison d'Acetylation et de Silylation

Different transformations of the functions fixed on a heterocyclic molecule were made. It is thus possible to quickly determine the number of functions of each type present in the molecule: e.g. (i) all the functions are silylated and (ii) the alcohols are acetylated whilst the sulfates and acids are silylated. Mass spectra of atractylate, apoatractylate and gummiferine have been studied and the substituents are counted and enumerated.