Phase transitions and molecular properties of new divinyl and diepoxy compounds

The aim of this paper is to compare some physical properties of six new divinyl and diepoxy compounds. The compounds differ in the length of the rigid central segments. Optical observations and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the existence of a mesophase in five compounds and enabled the determination of the phase transition temperatures. The wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements of samples aligned in a magnetic field and the optical observations allowed the identification of the mesophase types. In four compounds a nematic mesophase was detected during both heating and cooling. In one case two higher ordered phases were observed during cooling. The analysis of WAXS images and the positions and shapes of the scattering intensity peaks suggests a smectic B-crystal E transition. Using the data obtained in WAXS measurements carried out in the nematic phase, the lengths of the molecules and the average nearest neighbour distances were estimated. The average intermolecular distances and the layer spacings were also estimated for the SmB and E phases. The lengths of the molecules were also calculated by means of theoretical ab initio methods. The results obtained are in very good agreement with the experimental data.     

Reversible Control over Molecular Recognition in Surface‐Bound Photoswitchable Hydrogen‐Bonding Receptors: Towards Read–Write–Erase Molecular Printboards

The synthesis of an anthracene‐bearing photoactive barbituric acid receptor and its subsequent grafting onto azide‐terminated alkanethiol/Au self‐assembled monolayers by using an Cu^I‐catalyzed azide–alkyne reaction is reported. Monolayer characterization using contact‐angle measurements, electrochemistry, and spectroscopic ellipsometry indicate that the monolayer conversion is fast and complete. Irradiation of the receptor leads to photodimerization of the anthracenes, which induces the open‐to‐closed gating of the receptor by blocking access to the binding site. The process is thermally reversible, and polarization‐modulated IR reflection–absorption spectroscopy indicates that photochemical closure and thermal opening of the surface‐bound receptors occur in 70 and 100 % conversion, respectively. Affinity of the open and closed surface‐bound receptor was characterized by using force spectroscopy with a barbituric‐acid‐modified atomic force microscope tip.     

A Comparative Study of Biocathodes Based on Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Buckypapers Modified with Three Different Multicopper Oxidases

14 Single‐ and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes from different sources were characterized in detail, and the characteristics obtained were carefully analyzed. The carbon material with the highest capacitance, and also other superior properties (“Taunit‐M” from “NanoTechCenter”, Russia), was chosen for further modification and fabrication of buckypaper based electrodes. These electrodes were biomodified with plant and fungal laccases, as well as fungal bilirubin oxidase. The designed biocathodes were investigated in simple buffers and also in a complex physiological fluid (human serum). Biocathodes based on immobilized fungal laccase were bioelectrocatalytically inactive in chloride containing media at neutral pH. In spite of the quite high current densities realized using biodevices based on plant laccase and fungal bilirubin oxidase, the limited thermal stability of the enzymes renders the biocathodes inadequate for practical applications in implanted situations.     

Polarographic determination of α-amylase activity

The enzyme α-amylase splits blue starch in fragments bearing electroactive groups which exhibit two waves in the pulse polarograms. This behaviour is the basis of the polagraphic determination of bacterial and human serum α-amylase activity. The differential pulse mode is more sensitive by a factor of 25 as compared with normal pulse polarography. With serum α-amylase, protein adsorption disturbs the determination of low activities.     

Ferroelectric liquid crystal composites based on the porous stretched polyethylene films

Electro-optically active polymer–liquid crystal composites based on ferroelectric liquid crystals and stretched porous polyethylene films were developed. The alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystals incorporated into the porous polyethylene films with average porous diameter of around 200 nm was observed and studied. It was shown experimentally that these samples containing ferroelectric liquid crystals are flexible electro-optical films exhibiting a saturation electric field near 2·10⁷ Vm^?1 and a response time of about 30 μs under the action of the saturation field. A simple theoretical model of ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules' complete reorientation in electric fields inside pores of the films has been proposed and confirmed experimentally.     

Catalytic Activity of Amines Hydrochlorides,Intramolecular Catalysis and Stereoselectivity of Phosphorylation of Hydroxylcontaining Nucleophiles with P(III)-N-Ethylanilines

Abstract

The effect of acid-base properties of amines hydrochlorides (AH) on their catalytic activity in methanolysis of P(III)-N-ethylaniline has been studied. The analysis of Bronsted correlation equation was indicative of general acid catalysis and it was thus confirmed, that general regularities had place during alcoholysis of P(III)-amines under catalysis with AH. In addition, the increasing of alcohol polarity leads to the increasing of proton transfer degree (α) from acid catalysts to phospho(III)amine substrate and to the increasing of the positive charge at the phosphorus in the transition state. Besides, the comparison of α values indicates that in more polar methanol (in comparison with tbutanol) the catalysis is more sensitive to the acidity change of used catalysts.     

Synthesis and Thermal Transformations of 1-Polyfluoro-Alkyl-2-Trialkylsilylethyl Esters of Phosphorus Acids

Abstract

We have studied the phosphorylation of 1-polyfluorólkyl-2-trialkylsilylethanols (I) with phosphorus acids chlorides.