Enhanced Thermal Oxidation Stability of Reduced Graphene Oxide by Nitrogen Doping

Nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (N‐doped RGO) samples with a high level of doping, up to 13 wt. %, have been prepared by annealing graphene oxide under a flow of pure ammonia. The presence of nitrogen within the structure of RGO induces a remarkable increase in the thermal stability against oxidation by air. The thermal stability is closely related with the temperature of synthesis and the nitrogen content. The combustion reaction of nitrogen in different coordination environments (pyridinic, pyrrolic, and graphitic) is analyzed against a graphene fragment (undoped) from a thermodynamic point of view. In agreement with the experimental observations, the combustion of undoped graphene turns out to be more spontaneous than when nitrogen atoms are present.     

Numerical solution of the two-dimensional Poincaré equation

This paper deals with numerical approximation of the two-dimensional Poincaré equation that arises as a model for internal wave motion in enclosed containers. Inspired by the hyperbolicity of the equation we propose a discretisation particularly suited for this problem, which results in matrices whose size varies linearly with the number of grid points along the coordinate axes. Exact solutions are obtained, defined on a perturbed boundary. Furthermore, the problem is seen to be ill-posed and there is need for a regularisation scheme, which we base on a minimal-energy approach.     

Inner-valence photoionization of O((1)D): experimental evidence for the 2s(2)2p(4)((1)D)-->2s(1)2p(5)((1)P) transition

Photoionization and autoionization of electronically excited atomic oxygen O((1)D) are investigated in the energy range between 12 and 26 eV using tunable laser-produced plasma radiation in combination with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A broad, asymmetric, and intense feature is observed that is peaking at 20.53+/-0.05 eV. It is assigned to the 2s(2)2p(4)((1)D)-->2s(1)2p(5)((1)P) transition, which subsequently autoionizes by a Coster-Kronig transition, as predicted by the previous theoretical work [K. L. Bell et al., J. Phys. B 22, 3197 (1989)]. Specifically, the energy of the unperturbed transition occurs at 20.35+/-0.07 eV. Its shape is described by a Fano profile revealing a q parameter of 4.25+/-0.8 and a width of gamma=2.2+/-0.15 eV. Absolute photoionization cross section sigma is derived, yielding sigma=22.5+/-2.3 Mb at the maximum of the resonance. In addition, weak contributions to the O((1)D) yield from dissociative ionization originating from molecular singlet oxygen [O(2)((1)Delta(g))] are identified as well. Possible applications of the 2s(2)2p(4)((1)D)-->2s(1)2p(5)((1)P) transition as a state-selective and sensitive probe of excited oxygen in combination with photoionization mass spectrometry are briefly discussed.     

Critical endpoint and analytical phase diagram of attractive hard-core Yukawa spheres

We analytically calculate the gas-liquid critical endpoint (cep) for hard spheres with a Yukawa attraction. This cep is a boundary condition for the existence of a liquid. We use an analytical Helmholtz energy expression for the attractive Yukawa (hard) spheres based on the first-order mean spherical approximation to the attractive Yukawa potential by Tang and Lu (J. Chem. Phys. 1993, 99, 9828). This theory and our analytical simplification of it predict the gas-liquid and fluid-solid phase behavior, as found from computer simulations, very accurately as long as the range 1/kappa of attraction is not too short. We find that the cep is situated at kappasigma approximately 6 and at a contact potential around 2 kT. It follows that a liquid state is only possible when the attraction range is longer than (1/6) of the particle diameter sigma, and the attraction strength is smaller than 2 kT. The liquid region does not span more than 0.6 kT in strength, and there is also a relatively narrow window for the attraction range.     

Palladium complexes with Pd-->B dative bonds: analysis of the bonding in the palladaboratrane compound [kappa4-B(mimBut)3]Pd(PMe3)

The dinuclear complex {[mu-kappa(1),kappa(3)-B(mim(Bu(t)))(3)]Pd}(2), which features a Pd-->B dative bond, may be obtained by the reaction of [Tm(Bu(t))]K with Pd(OAc)(2); treatment of {[mu-kappa(1),kappa(3)-B(mim(Bu(t)))(3)]Pd}(2) with PMe(3) affords the mononuclear boratrane derivative [kappa(4)-B(mim(Bu(t)))(3)]Pd(PMe(3)), for which a molecular orbital analysis indicates that the palladium center possesses a d(8) configuration.     

Where organometallics and dendrimers merge: the incorporation of organometallic species into dendritic molecules

This review will describe the ongoing efforts being made to incorporate organometallic fragments into the framework of dendrimers. While purely dendritic organic molecules are well known and well studied, species incorporating organometallic moieties potentially offer many benefits that are not available to only organic containing dendrimers. For example, catalytic or redox active organometallic functions can be included in the dendritic framework and impart these characteristics onto the dendrimer. This report will give an overview of the latest developments in this field by highlighting selected examples that detail novel synthetic strategies or dendrimer construction methodologies, interesting practical applications or address specific problems associated with organometallic dendrimers.     

Enantioselective Artificial Metalloenzymes Based on a Bovine Pancreatic Polypeptide Scaffold

Site creation : Enantioselective artificial metalloenzymes have been created by grafting a new active site onto bovine pancreatic polypeptide through the introduction of an amino acid capable of coordinating a copper(II) ion. This hybrid catalyst gave good enantioselectivities in the Diels–Alder and Michael addition reactions in water (see scheme) and displayed a very high substrate selectivity.

     

A small molecule discrimination map of the antibiotic resistance kinome

Kinase-mediated resistance to antibiotics is a significant clinical challenge. These enzymes share a common protein fold characteristic of Ser/Thr/Tyr protein kinases. We screened 14 antibiotic resistance kinases against 80 chemically diverse protein kinase inhibitors to map resistance kinase chemical space. The screens identified molecules with both broad and narrow inhibition profiles, proving that protein kinase inhibitors offer privileged chemical matter with the potential to block antibiotic resistance. One example is the flavonol quercetin, which inhibited a number of resistance kinases in vitro and in vivo. This activity was rationalized by determination of the crystal structure of the aminoglycoside kinase APH(2″)-IVa in complex with quercetin and its antibiotic substrate kanamycin. Our data demonstrate that protein kinase inhibitors offer chemical scaffolds that can block antibiotic resistance, providing leads for co-drug design.     

Synthesis of 3- and 4-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one,isomers of inosine containing a bridgehead nitrogen atom

The first synthesis of a purine nucleoside analog containing a bridgehead nitrogen atom is here reported. The direct glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl derivative of s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one has been shown to give 3-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a]pyrimid-7-one (V) and 4-(β-D-ribof'uranosyl)-s-lriazolo[2,3-α]pyrimid-7-one (VII). The nueleoside V may he considered a close analog of inosine in which the nitrogen N₁ and C₅ of inosine have been interchanged. Bro-minalion of the tri-O-acelyl derivative IV gave, after deblocking, 6-bromo-3-(β-D-ribofurnaosyl)-s-triazolo[2,3-a] pyrimid-7-one (IX). Structural assignments of the nucleosides were made on the basis of comparison of the ultraviolet absorption spectral characteristics with 3-methyl-s-triazolo-[2,3-a]pyrimid-7-one (XI) and 4-methyl-s-lriazolo[2,3-a Jpyrimid-7-one (XII) prepared by a standard procedure from 7-methoxy-s-triazolo(2,3-a] pyrimidine (X).     

Biochemical evaluation of sulfur and nitrogen assimilation potential of mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss.) under application of slow-release sulfur fertilizer

Pot experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of a slow sulfur-releasing fertilizer, sulfur glass fritz (SGF 1), on growth, photosynthesis, and sulfur, and nitrogen assimilation potentials of brown mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss. cv. Pusa Jaikisan). Growth as indicated by biomass accumulation slowed down in response to the application of sulfur glass fritz. A similar trend was observed in the case of photosynthesis rate. The activity of two marker enzymes, ATP-sulfurylase and nitrate reductase, showed very low levels of activity, indicating poor assimilation of sulfur and nitrogen by the plant under sulfur glass fritz. It is therefore concluded that the release of sulfur by sulfur glass fritz is too slow and that the initial nonavailability of sulfur to the plants could lead to suboptimization of both sulfur- and nitrogen-assimilating enzymes. These factors may contribute to low rates of photosynthesis and poor growth.