Electronic structure of the octachlorodimolybdenum(II) anion using X-ray emission and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies

X-ray emission (Mo Lβ_{2, 15} and Cl Kβ_{1, 3}) and X-ray photoelectron spectra from K₄ [Mo₂ Cl₈] have been combined to give a detailed picture of the electronic structure of the octachlorodimolybdenum(II) anion. Chlorine 3p orbitals form a relatively narrow band which has the same range of ionization energies as the more tightly bound orbitals with molybdenum 4d character. The molecular orbitals of the MoMo quadruple bond can be identified as well as those involved in MoCl bond formation and Cl non-bonding orbitals.     

Growth of copper and palladium on α-Al2O3(0001)

Non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) has been used to image the room-temperature growth of copper and palladium on the (1×1) and terminations of α-Al₂O₃(0001). Three-dimensional (3D) clusters of palladium are observed on both the (1×1) and the terminations, with 3D clusters of copper observed on the reconstructed surface. There is evidence of step-edge-dominated growth of palladium on the termination.     

Gel permeation chromatography with interference refractometry for the rapid assay of polydisperse dextrans in biological fluids

A semi-automatic system incorporating an ultra-sensitive interference refractometer coupled to a dual-column gel permeation apparatus has been devised for measurement of the molecular size distribution of dextrans in small samples of serum and urine. The system was calibrated with seventeen defined dextran fractions with a range of 1200-250,000 weight average molecular weight (Mw). Urine samples were prepared for analysis by passage through small ion-exchange columns; serum was pretreated by precipitation with trichloroacetic acid and centrifuged before the ion-exchange treatment. Internal standard (dextran, 2 X 10(6) Mw) was added to each sample before pretreatment. Data were obtained in a form suitable for computerised analysis.     

Application of P-stereogenic aminophosphine phosphinite ligands in asymmetric hydroformylation

New chiral aminophosphine phosphinite ligands with a stereogenic center at the aminophosphine phosphorus atom were prepared based on (R,S)-ephedrine as the chiral auxiliary and backbone. Substituents at the chiral aminophosphine as well as at the phosphinite phosphorus atom were varied. These new ligands were applied to the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation of vinyl arenes. The enantiomeric excess reached up to 77%. 1H and 31P NMR studies of the Rh complexes under syngas pressure reveal that [HRh(CO)2(PP)] complexes with the NP* moiety in an axial position are responsible for enantioselectivity.     

Aminosilane Functionalized Aligned Fiber PCL Scaffolds for Peripheral Nerve Repair

Silane modification is a simple and cost-effective tool to modify existing biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Aminosilane layer deposition has previously been shown to control NG108-15 neuronal cell and primary Schwann cell adhesion and differentiation by controlling deposition of ─NH₂ groups at the submicron scale across the entirety of a surface by varying silane chain length. This is the first study toreport depositing 11-aminoundecyltriethoxysilane (CL11) onto aligned Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration. Fibers are manufactured via electrospinning and characterized using water contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Confirmed modified fibers are investigated using in vitro cell culture of NG108-15 neuronal cells and primary Schwann cells to determine cell viability, cell differentiation, and phenotype. CL11-modified fibers significantly support NG108-15 neuronal cell and Schwann cell viability. NG108-15 neuronal cell differentiation maintains Schwann cell phenotype compared to unmodified PCL fiber scaffolds. 3D ex vivo culture of Dorsal root ganglion explants (DRGs) confirms further Schwann cell migration and longer neurite outgrowth from DRG explants cultured on CL11 fiber scaffolds compared to unmodified scaffolds. Thus, a reproducible and cost-effective tool is reported to modify biomaterials with functional amine groups that can significantly improve nerve guidance devices and enhance nerve regeneration.