A hydrogel readout for autonomous detection of ions in microchannels

Readouts that work autonomously on colorimetric principles were fabricated inside a microchannel by immobilizing dyes in a hydrogel matrix. Two pH-sensitive dyes (congo red and phenolphthalein) were studied. The response time of the readout varied between 20 s for phenolphthalein and 45 s for congo red dyes. The robustness of the dyed gels was tested at different flow rates (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mL min(-1)). Combinatorial readouts consisting of gels with the different dyes were fabricated and tested. Based on the limits of human perception, the fabrication methodology and the principles of functioning; general design rules for fabricating a readout device are discussed. The simple and low cost fabrication technique combined with autonomous functioning make the readout appropriate for portable microfluidic systems.     

Reactions of e aq' − H and OH with picolinic acid studied by pulse radiolysis

Rate constants for the reaction of the primary species of water radiolysis, viz. e _aq' ^– , H and OH, with picolinic acid have been determined at various pHs. The semi-reduced species exhibits _max at 305 and 350 nm. It is a strong reductant and has two pK_a values of 1 and 5.7. The OH adduct of this compound also exhibits two pK_a s at 2.1 and 5.2. H-atom reaction with picolinic acid gives rise to a mixture of species.     

Facile conversion of lactols to lactones using IBX

Lactols, which are insoluble or only sparingly soluble in most of the organic solvents that are generally employed for oxidation, are converted to lactones using o-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) in a facile manner under modified experimental conditions [EtOAc-DMSO (9:1) mixture at reflux] in good to excellent isolated yields (66-91%).     

Redox reactions of V(III) and Cr(III)picolinate complexes in aqueous solutions

Reactions of e_aq⁻, H-atoms, OH, (CH₃)₂COH, and CO₂⁻ radicals with V(III)picolinate and Cr(III)picolinate have been studied by the pulse radiolysis technique. The spectra of V(II)picolinate, V(IV)picolinate, Cr(II)picolinate, OH adduct of Cr(III)picolinate and Cr(IV)picolinate have been obtained and the rate constants of the reactions of various radicals with V(III) and Cr(III)picolinate have been determined. The implications of these results to the chemical decontamination of nuclear reactor systems are discussed.     

In vitro antimicrobial-activity studies on the mixed ligand complexes of Hg(II) with 8-hydroxyquinoline and salicylic acids

A series of mixed ligand complexes of Hg(II) with the general formula Hg (OX) (SA) (where OX: 8-hydroxyquinoline, SA: salicylic, 5-chloro-, 3,5-dibromo, 3,5-diiodo, 3,5-dinitro, acetyl thiosalicylic acids) are isolated in pure state and characterised by elemental analysis and infrared data. The low molar conductance of the complexes in dimethylformamide indicates non-electrolyte nature. The antimicrobial activity of these complexes against various bacteria and fungi is studied which indicates that in several cases, the mixed ligand complexes possess fairly highly antimicrobial activity than the binary mercury-oxinate. The lipophilic tendency of these complexes and its influence on the antimicrobial activity is critically examined. A probable mechanism for the toxic action of these complexes against various organisms is discussed.     

Helicenes as All‐in‐One Organic Materials for Application in OLEDs: Synthesis and Diverse Applications of Carbo‐ and Aza[5]helical Diamines

A set of eight helical diamines were designed and synthesized to demonstrate their relevance as all‐in‐one materials for multifarious applications in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), that is, as hole‐transporting materials (HTMs), EMs, bifunctional hole transporting + emissive materials, and host materials. Azahelical diamines function very well as HTMs. Indeed, with high T_g values (127–214 °C), they are superior alternatives to popular N,N′‐di(1‐naphthyl)‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐(1,1′‐biphenyl)‐4,4′‐diamine (NPB). All the helical diamines exhibit emissive properties when employed in nondoped as well as doped devices, the performance characteristics being superior in the latter. One of the carbohelical diamines (CHTPA) serves the dual function of hole transport as well as emission in simple double‐layer devices; the efficiencies observed were better by quite some margin than those of other emissive helicenes reported. The twisting endows helical diamines with significantly high triplet energies such that they also function as host materials for red and green phosphors, that is, [Ir(btp)₂acac] (btp=2‐(2′‐benzothienyl)pyridine; acac=acetylacetonate) and [Ir(ppy)₃] (ppy=2‐phenylpyridine), respectively. The results of device fabrications demonstrate how helicity/ helical scaffold may be diligently exploited to create molecular systems for maneuvering diverse applications in OLEDs.     

Strategy and Construction of the Backbone Bistetrahydrofuran System Towards Synthesis of Rollinicin

Rollinicin¹ (I), uvaricin² (II) and cherimoline³ (III), the new antitumour, antibiotic agents, isolated from renewable resources having bistetrahydrofuran ring system in the molecules, have been recently reported. Bates² has postulated that uvaricin has been probably biosynthesised from 1,5,9-trienoic acid derivative. The central portion of I - III, a bistetrahydrofuran ring system, is apparently novel. This prompted us to develop a methodology for the construction of the central bistetrahydro-furan ring system (L) using acetylenic derivatives as the starting materials for the first time. In this communication, we report 4 its result.     

Charge transport and discharge mechanism in (PVC+KClO3) polymer electrolyte films

This paper presents results of the studies on ionic conductivity and transference number measurements on potassium chlorate (KClO₃) complexed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films prepared by solution-cast technique. Temperature dependence of ionic conductivity and transference number data indicated the dominance of ion-type charge transport in these specimens. The magnitude of conductivity increased with increase in the concentration of the salt and temperature. Using this (PVC+KClO₃) electrolyte, solid-state electrochemical cells were fabricated and their discharge profiles were studied under a constant load of 100 kΩ. Several cell profiles associated with these cells were evaluated and are reported.