An Atomically Precise Au10Ag2 Nanocluster with Red–Near‐IR Dual Emission

A red–near‐IR dual‐emissive nanocluster with the composition [Au₁₀Ag₂(2‐py?C≡C)₃(dppy)₆](BF₄)₅ ( 1 ; 2‐py?C≡C is 2‐pyridylethynyl, dppy=2‐pyridyldiphenylphosphine) has been synthesized. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis reveals that 1 has a trigonal bipyramidal Au₁₀Ag₂ core that contains a planar Au₄(2‐py?C≡C)₃ unit sandwiched by two Au₃Ag(dppy)₃ motifs. Cluster 1 shows intense red–NIR dual emission in solution. The visible emission originates from metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) from silver atoms to phosphine ligands in the Au₃Ag(dppy)₃ motifs, and the intense NIR emission is associated with the participation of 2‐pyridylethynyl in the frontier orbitals of the cluster, which is confirmed by a time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculation.     

Developments in antimicrobial polymers

Effective antimicrobial polymers have been attracting more interests because of the low propensity to cause drug-resistant microorganisms. The recent progresses in antimicrobial polymers are updated according to the action approaches, that is, antimicrobial polymers with free mobility or fixed on surfaces, respectively. Free antimicrobial polymers kill pathogens majorly via electrostatic interaction followed by disruption of the cell membranes; strong antimicrobial activity of primary/secondary amines, new chemical units, and peptides without facial amphiphilicity are highlighted; and the dependences on amphiphilicity, topology, and self-assembly profiles are summarized. Antimicrobial polymers fixed on surfaces kill pathogens via interaction with the cell membranes of pathogens via electrostatic or hydrophobic interaction; approaches to antimicrobial surfaces based on covalently grafting, anchoring, and bulk-mixing of polymers are summarized; and new designs of sustainable antimicrobial surfaces and hydrogels are highlighted. Deep biology understanding and development strategies of materials are suggested for the future. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 632–639     

Diffusion Mechanism of As‐spun Polyacrylonitrile Fiber in a Dimethyl Sulfoxide‐Water Coagulation Bath

In this paper, the diffusion mechanism of as‐spun PAN fiber was investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide‐water by determining the dynamic compositions of the fibers and the diffusion coefficients of solvent and nonsolvent during coagulation. The diffusion process could be divided into two stages. Results showed that the first stage of the diffusion process was the most important during the whole process, which was fundamental to further study on the formation mechanism. Also, compared with wet spinning, the dry‐jet wet spinning method had the advantage of mild coagulating at a high jet‐stretch. At high concentrations, the diffusion coefficients increased and the ratio of solvent diffusion coefficient to nonsolvent diffusion coefficient decreased; an increasing temperature resulted in the increase of both diffusion coefficients with a decrease in their ratios. To some extent, for the PAN‐DMSO‐water system, the more the ratios D_s*/D_n* tended to 1, the more the cross‐section shapes of as‐spun PAN fiber tended to be circular.     

Further Studies on the Anionic Copolymerization of Styrene and Glycidyl Methacrylate in Toluene

Sequential anionic copolymerization of styrene and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was performed with the protection of argon under normal pressure, where styrene, GMA, toluene, THF, n-butyllithium and a small amount of lithium chloride (LiCl) were used as first monomer, second monomer, solvent, polar reagent, initiator and additive, respectively. Polystyrene-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers (PS-b-PGMA) with well-defined structure and narrow molecular weight distribution were prepared by the copolymerization reaction of poly(styryl)lithium with GMA under certain temperatures. The copolymers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and hydrochloric acid-dioxane argentimetric methods. The effects of additives, copolymerization temperature and THF dosage on the copolymerization were studied. No chain transfer reaction of anionic polymerization of styrene in toluene was observed. Slightly broader molecular weight distribution of PS-b-PGMA was observed with the increase the GMA repeat units. Using THF/toluene blend solvent could reduce the polydispersity index (M _w /M _n ) and dissolve the copolymer better than toluene alone. Lower temperature (< -40°C) and LiCl are required to prepare PS-b-PGMA with narrower molecular weight distribution.     

Enhancing the electrochemical performance of Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 by surface modification with nickel–manganese composite oxide

Li-rich layered Li_1.2Ni_0.2Mn_0.6O₂ has been surface modified by nickel–manganese composite oxide (Ni_0.5Mn_1.5O _x ) to serve as a novel cathode material with novel layered spinel structure for lithium-ion battery. The as-prepared Li_1.2Ni_0.2Mn_0.6O₂ before and after surface modification by Ni_0.5Mn_1.5O _x as well as simply blended Li_1.2Ni_0.2Mn_0.6O₂ with spinel LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄, have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Electrochemical studies indicate that the Ni_0.5Mn_1.5O _x surface modified Li_1.2Ni_0.2Mn_0.6O₂ with peculiar layered spinel character dramatically represented increased discharge capacity, improved cycling stability as well as excellent rate capability at high-voltage even up to 5.0 V.     

A convenient synthesis of 2β,3α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid as a natural diastereoisomer of corosolic acid

2β,3α-Dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid（6） is a naturally occurring diastereoisomer of corosolic acid with glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory activity.A new strategy for the semi-synthesis of 6 was developed.Using the commercially available ursolic acid（1） as the starting materials,6 was synthesized through five facile reactions with a high stereoselectivity and an overall yield of 47.3%.The structure of 6 was confirmed by optical rotation.ESI-MS,¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data.     

Understanding the Initial Decomposition Pathways of the n‐Alkane/Nitroalkane Binary Mixture

Addition of nitroalkanes into n‐alkanes can lower the activation barriers of free‐radical production and accelerate the decomposition of n‐alkanes at relatively low temperatures. Four initial decomposition mechanisms of the n‐butane/nitroethane binary mixture were proposed for the promoting effect and considered theoretically at the B3LYP, BB1K, BMK, MPW1K, and M06‐2X levels with MG3S basis set. Energetics above was compared to high‐level CBS‐QB3 and G4 calculations. Calculated results confirm the feasibility of the four initial decomposition pathways: (I) the C? NO₂ bond rupture of nitroethane to produce ethyl and ·NO₂, (II) HONO elimination from nitroethane followed by decomposition to ·OH and ·NO, (III) rearrangement of nitroethane to ethyl nitrite which further dissociates into CH₃CH₂O· and ·NO, and (IV) direct hydrogen‐abstraction of nitroethane with n‐butane.     

Helical Biphenyl Bisazo Polyurethane: Preparation,Characterization and Analysis of Polymeric Thermo-Optic Switch

The bisazo chromophore molecule (CAAPM) and helical biphenyl bisazo polyurethane (HBBPU) were synthesized. The structures of CAAPM and HBBPU were characterized by FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopic techniques. The measurements of refractive index and thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) of HBBPU were demonstrated at different wavelengths and different temperatures by the ATR technique. By using CCD digital imaging devices, transmission loss of the internal waveguide was measured. The refractive index dispersions and Sellmeyer coefficients of HBBPU were obtained by the Sellmeyer equation. A Y-branched switch based on the thermo-optic effect was proposed and the performance of the switch was simulated. With a branching angle of 0.143° and the FD-BPM method, the result showed that the power consumption of the thermo-optic switch could be only 3.6 mW, and the response time of the switch could reach about 8 ms. This is a significant improvement in reducing power consumption compared with the normal Y-branched polymer thermo-optic switch.     

Detection, quantification, and identification of dermorphin in equine plasma and urine by LC–MS/MS for doping control

Dermorphin is a unique opioid peptide that is 30–40 times more potent than morphine. It was misused and went undetected in horse racing until 2011 when intelligence obtained from a few North American race tracks suggested its use. To prevent such misuse, a reliable analytical method became necessary for detection and identification of dermorphin in post-race horse samples. This paper describes the first liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for such a purpose. Equine plasma and urine samples were pre-treated with ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid and urea prior to solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Oasis MCX cartridges. Resulting eluates were dried under vacuum and analyzed by LC–MS/MS for dermorphin. The matrix effect, SPE efficiency, intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision, and stability of the analyte were assessed. The limit of detection was 10 pg/mL in plasma and 20 pg/mL in urine, and the limit of confirmation was 20 pg/mL in plasma and 50 pg/mL in urine. Dermorphin in plasma is stable at ambient temperature, but its diastereomer is unstable. With isotopically labeled dermorphin as an internal standard, the quantification range was 20–10,000 pg/mL in plasma and 50–20,000 pg/mL in urine. The intra-day and inter-day accuracy was from 91 % to 100 % for the low, intermediate, and high concentrations. The intra-day and inter-day coefficients of variation were less than 12 %. The method differentiates dermorphin from its diastereomer. This method is very specific for identification of dermorphin in equine plasma and urine, as assessed by BLAST search and targeted SEQUEST search, and by MS/MS spectrum library search. The method has been successfully applied to analysis of samples collected following dermorphin administration to research horses and of official post-race samples.