Terahertz-wave generation in a conventional optical fiber

We theoretically propose surface-emitted and collinear phase-matched terahertz (THz)-wave generation in a conventional optical fiber. The third-order nonlinear effect, four-wave mixing (FWM), is used to generate THz waves in an optical fiber. Surface-emitted THz-wave generation via FWM is realized using a single-mode fiber. Perfect phase matching is obtained at ~800 nm and 1.5 microm pumping, and it follows that third-order polarization in an optical fiber has the same phase at any point. In this situation, the optical fiber acts like a phased array antenna of the THz wave. Collinear phase-matching THz waves are obtained under the same conditions as for surface-emitted THz waves, and the THz wave is propagated in the silica cladding of the optical fiber. This is a promising method for realizing a reasonable THz-wave source.     

Silicon nanowire grid polarizer for very deep ultraviolet fabricated from a shear-aligned diblock copolymer template

A silicon (Si) nanowire grid ultraviolet (UV) transmission polarizer has been fabricated, and its performance was measured over the visible to deep UV range. A cylinder-forming polystyrene-b-poly(hexylmethacrylate) diblock copolymer was coated onto an amorphous Si layer supported on a fused silica substrate, then shear aligned and employed as a mask for reactive-ion etching, resulting in a Si grid of 33 nm period and multi-centimeter-squared area. Due to the high plasma frequency and UV reflectance of the deposited Si, this nanowire grid was able to polarize light down into the deep UV, including 193 nm.     

Cross‐sectional structural characterization of the surface of exfoliated HOPG using HRTEM‐EELS

We analyzed the surface atomic structure of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrate exfoliated with adhesive tape, using high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy‐electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (STEM‐EELS). The surface step height of the exfoliated HOPG substrate was determined using high‐angle annular dark‐field‐scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) images and the depth profiles of the EELS spectra of a cross‐sectioned thin foil specimen prepared via focused ion beam milling. The exfoliated surface of the HOPG substrate presented disordered and curved graphene layers. The STEM‐EELS measurements indicated that upon exfoliation, the surface of the HOPG substrate reacted with atmospheric water and oxygen molecules.     

X-ray structural analysis and antitumor activity of new salicylic acid derivatives

Tetrakis-, tris-, bis-, and mono salicylic acid derivatives 1–4 were synthesized by reaction of methyl 2-hydroxy benzoate (methyl salicylate) with 2,2-bis (hydroxymethyl) propane-1,3-diol (pentaerythritol) in the presence of sodium. Yields of different salicyloyloxy derivatives were changed by varying the molar ratios of reactants. For compounds 2 and 3, X-ray structure analysis was performed, as well as molecular energy minimization, to define their conformation in terms of their energy minima. Comparison of crystal and energy minimized structures for these two compounds (2 and 3) revealed that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds play an important role, stabilizing conformation of the most part of the molecule. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of the synthesized derivatives were evaluated in a series of in vitro tests, as well as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 inhibition potency. Tetrakis salicyloyloxy derivative 1 expressed the highest antioxidant potency, tris salicyloyloxy derivative 2 was the best inhibitor of 17βHSD2 enzyme, while bis salicyloyloxy derivative 3 showed strong cytotoxicity against prostate and breast cancer cells with no cytotoxicity against healthy cells.     

Cross‐Conjugated Hexaphyrins and Their Bis‐Rhodium Complexes

A cross‐conjugated hexaphyrin that carries two meso‐oxacyclohexadienylidenyl (OCH) groups 9 was synthesized from the condensation of 5,10‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)tripyrrane with 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde. The reduction of 9 with NaBH₄ afforded the Möbius aromatic [28]hexaphyrin 10 . Bis‐rhodium complex 11 , prepared from the reaction of 10 with [{RhCl(CO)₂}₂], displays strong Hückel antiaromatic character because of the 28 π electrons that occupy the conjugated circuit on the enforced planar structure. The oxidation of 11 with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) yielded complexes 12 and 13 depending upon the reaction conditions. Both 12 and 13 are planar owing to bis‐rhodium metalation. Although complex 12 bears two meso‐OCH groups at the long sides and is quinonoidal and nonaromatic in nature, complex 13 bears 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl and OCH groups and exhibits a moderate diatropic ring current despite its cross‐conjugated electronic circuit. The diatropic ring current increases upon increasing the solvent polarity, most likely due to an increased contribution of an aromatic zwitterionic resonance hybrid.     

Selective Generation of Formamides through Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Catalyzed by Ruthenium Carbonyl Compounds

The selective formation of dialkyl formamides through photochemical CO₂ reduction was developed as a means of utilizing CO₂ as a C₁ building block. Photochemical CO₂ reduction catalyzed by a [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)₂]²⁺ (bpy: 2,2′‐bipyridyl)/[Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺/Me₂NH/Me₂NH₂⁺ system in CH₃CN selectively produced dimethylformamide. In this process a ruthenium carbamoyl complex ([Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(CONMe₂)]⁺) formed by the nucleophilic attack of Me₂NH on [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)₂]²⁺ worked as the precursor to DMF. Thus Me₂NH acted as both the sacrificial electron donor and the substrate, while Me₂NH₂⁺ functioned as the proton source. Similar photochemical CO₂ reductions using R₂NH and R₂NH₂⁺ (R=Et, nPr, or nBu) also afforded the corresponding dialkyl formamides (R₂NCHO) together with HCOOH as a by‐product. The main product from the CO₂ reduction transitioned from R₂NCHO to HCOOH with increases in the alkyl chain length of the R₂NH. The selectivity between R₂NCHO and HCOOH was found to depend on the rate of [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(CONR₂)]⁺ formation.     

Octacyanidorhenate(V) Ion as an Efficient Linker for Hysteretic Two-Step Iron(II) Spin Crossover Switchable by Temperature,Light, and Pressure

A two-step hysteretic Fe^II spin crossover (SCO) effect was achieved in programmed layered Cs{[Fe(3-CNpy)₂][Re(CN)₈]}⋅H₂O ( 1 ) (3-CNpy=3-cyanopyridine) assembly consisting of cyanido-bridged Fe^II-Re^V square grid sheets bonded by Cs⁺ ions. The presence of two non-equivalent Fe^II sites and the conjunction of 2D bimetallic coordination network with non-covalent interlayer interactions involving Cs⁺, [Re^V(CN)₈]³⁻ ions, and 3-CNpy ligands, leads to the occurrence of two steps of thermal SCO with strong cooperativity giving a double thermal hysteresis loop. The resulting spin-transition phenomenon could be tuned by an external pressure giving the room-temperature range of SCO, as well as by visible-light irradiation, inducing an efficient recovery of the high-spin Fe^II state at low temperatures. We prove that octacyanidorhenate(V) ion is an outstanding metalloligand for induction of a cooperative multistep, multiswitchable Fe^II SCO effect.     

Macrocyclic Metal Complexes Bearing Rigid Polyaromatic Ligands: Synthesis and Catalytic Activity

We synthesised palladium and platinum complexes possessing cyclic and acyclic pincer‐type polyaromatic ligands and investigated their structural effect on the catalysis. The pincer‐type bis(6‐arylpyridin‐2‐yl)benzene skeleton was constructed via Kröhnke pyridine synthesis under transition metal‐free conditions on gram‐scale quantity. Ligand structure significantly influenced catalytic activity toward the platinum‐catalysed hydrosilylation of diphenyl acetylenes, despite the ligand‐independence of the conformations and electronic properties of these complexes.