Edge spreading lithography and its application to the fabrication of mesoscopic gold and silver rings

A new form of edge lithography, edge spreading lithography (ESL), has been demonstrated and applied to the formation of coinage metal rings. In this process, alkanethiols are delivered from a flat PDMS stamp to the surface of a metal film through a two-dimensional array of spherical silica colloids. The thiols further spread on the metal surface, forming highly ordered SAMs in the form of a ring pattern. Following lift-off of beads, the pattern in the SAMs can be transferred into the metal film through wet chemical etching, with SAMs serving as the resist. The dimensions of the rings can be readily controlled by several parameters such as the beads diameter, the concentration of the thiol solution, and the contact time between the stamp and the silica beads.     

X-ray crystal structures of [XF(6)][Sb(2)F(11)] (X = Cl, Br, I); (35,37)Cl, (79,81)Br, and (127)I NMR studies and electronic structure calculations of the XF(6)(+) cations

The single-crystal X-ray structures of [XF(6)][Sb(2)F(11)] (X = Cl, Br, I) have been determined and represent the first detailed crystallographic study of salts containing the XF(6)(+) cations. The three salts are isomorphous and crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with Z = 4: [ClF(6)][Sb(2)F(11)], a = 11.824(2) A, b = 8.434(2) A, c = 12.088(2) A, beta = 97.783(6) degrees , V = 1194.3(4) A(3), R(1) = 0.0488 at -130 degrees C; [BrF(6)][Sb(2)F(11)], a = 11.931(2) A, b = 8.492(2) A, c = 12.103(2) A, beta = 97.558(4) degrees , V = 1215.5(4) A(3), R(1) = 0.0707 at -130 degrees C; [IF(6)][Sb(2)F(11)], a = 11.844(1) A, b = 8.617(1) A, c = 11.979(2) A, beta = 98.915(2) degrees , V = 1207.8(3) A(3), R(1) = 0.0219 at -173 degrees C. The crystal structure of [IF(6)][Sb(2)F(11)] was also determined at -100 degrees C and was found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/m with Z = 4, a = 11.885(1) A, b = 8.626(1) A, c = 12.000(1) A, beta = 98.44(1), V = 1216.9(2) A(3), R(1) = 0.0635. The XF(6)(+) cations have octahedral geometries with average Cl-F, Br-F, and I-F bond lengths of 1.550(4), 1.666(11) and 1.779(6) [-173 degrees C]/1.774(8) [-100 degrees C] A, respectively. The chemical shifts of the central quadrupolar nuclei, (35,37)Cl, (79,81)Br, and (127)I, were determined for [ClF(6)][AsF(6)] (814 ppm), [BrF(6)][AsF(6)] (2080 ppm), and [IF(6)][Sb(3)F(16)] (3381 ppm) in anhydrous HF solution at 27 degrees C, and spin-inversion-recovery experiments were used to determine the T(1)-relaxation times of (35)Cl (1.32(3) s), (37)Cl (2.58(6) s), (79)Br (24.6(4) ms), (81)Br (35.4(5) ms), and (127)I (6.53(1) ms). Trends among the central halogen chemical shifts and T(1)-relaxation times of XF(6)(+), XO(4)(-), and X(-) are discussed. The isotropic (1)J-coupling constants and reduced coupling constants for the XF(6)(+) cations and isoelectronic hexafluoro species of rows 3-6 are empirically assessed in terms of the relative contributions of the Fermi-contact, spin-dipolar, and spin-orbit mechanisms. Electronic structure calculations using Hartree-Fock, MP2, and local density functional methods were used to determine the energy-minimized gas-phase geometries, atomic charges, and Mayer bond orders of the XF(6)(+) cations. The calculated vibrational frequencies are in accord with the previously published assignments and experimental vibrational frequencies of the XF(6)(+) cations. Bonding trends within the XF(6)(+) cation series have been discussed in terms of natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses, the ligand close-packed (LCP) model, and the electron localization function (ELF).     

Probing the Conformational Changes in the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of 2‐Acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐glucopyranosides

The isoquinuclidines 7 and 8 were synthesised and tested as inhibitors of hexosaminidases from jack beans and from bovine kidney. These isoquinuclidines mimick the ^1,4B‐conformer of a N‐acetyl‐glucosamine‐derived β‐d‐ glucopyranoside; they are competitive inhibitors with K_i values from 0.014 to 0.30 μM . The strong inhibition of these enzymes agrees with the hypothesis that the enzymatic hydrolysis of 2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosides proceeds via a boat‐like conformer with a pseudo‐axial scissile glycosidic bond and a pseudo‐axial acetamido substituent optimally oriented to effect an intramolecular substitution of the aglycon.     

Multiplexed hybridizations of positively charge-tagged peptide nucleic acids detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a novel class of DNA analogues in which the entire sugar-phosphate backbone is replaced by a pseudopeptide counterpart. Owing to its neutral character and the consequent lack of electrostatic repulsion, PNA exhibits very stable heteroduplex formation with complementary nucleic acid that is essentially ionic strength independent and enables hybridization under minimum salt conditions. This feature as well as its superior ion stability and easy ionization compared to DNA renders PNA very attractive for hybridization-based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) applications. We have developed an approach to DNA characterization that takes advantage of multiplexed PNA hybridizations analyzed by MALDI-TOFMS. Our motivation was the further development of oligonucleotide fingerprinting, an efficient technique for cDNA and genomic DNA library characterization. Through positive 'charge-tagging' of PNA the efficiency of detection in MALDI-TOFMS was considerably enhanced permitting an unparalleled degree of multiplexing. Results from the simultaneous hybridization of 21 charge-tagged PNA hexamer oligonucleotides showed that genomic DNA and cDNA clones are successfully characterized on the basis of their hybridization profiles. The degree of multiplexing achieved may render a significant increase in throughput and hence efficiency of oligonucleotide fingerprinting possible.     

Synthesis and Evaluation as Glycosidase Inhibitors of Isoquinuclidines Mimicking a Distorted β‐Mannopyranoside

Racemic and enantiomerically pure manno‐configured isoquinuclidines were synthesized and tested as glycosidase inhibitors. The racemic key isoquinuclidine intermediate was prepared in high yield by a cycloaddition (tandem Michael addition/aldolisation) of the 3‐hydroxy‐1‐tosyl‐pyridone 10 to methyl acrylate, and transformed to the racemic N‐benzyl manno‐isoquinuclidine 2 and the N‐unsubstituted manno‐isoquinuclidine 3 (twelve steps; ca. 11% from 10 ). Catalysis by quinine of the analogous cycloaddition of 10 to (?)‐8‐phenylmenthyl acrylate provided a single diastereoisomer in high yield, which was transformed to the desired enantiomerically pure D ‐manno‐isoquinuclidines (+)‐ 2 and (+)‐ 3 (twelve steps; 23% from 10 ). The enantiomers (?)‐ 2 and (?)‐ 3 were prepared by using a quinidine‐promoted cycloaddition of 10 to the enantiomeric (+)‐8‐phenylmenthyl acrylate. The N‐benzyl D ‐manno‐isoquinuclidine (+)‐ 2 is a selective and slow inhibitor of snail β‐mannosidase. Its inhibition strength and type depends on the pH (at pH 4.5: K_i=1.0 μM , mixed type, α=1.9; at pH 5.5: K_i=0.63 μM , mixed type, α=17). The N‐unsubstituted D ‐manno‐isoquinuclidine (+)‐ 3 is a poor inhibitor. Its inhibition strength and type also depend on the pH (at pH 4.5: K_i=1.2?10³ μM , mixed type, α=1.1; at pH 5.5: K_i=0.25?10³ μM , mixed type, α=11). The enantiomeric N‐benzyl L ‐manno‐isoquinuclidine (?)‐ 2 is a good inhibitor of snail β‐mannosidase, albeit noncompetitive (at pH 4.5: K_i=69 μM ). The N‐unsubstituted isoquinuclidine (?)‐ 2 is a poor inhibitor (at pH 4.5: IC₅₀=7.3?10³ μM ). A comparison of the inhibition by the pure manno‐isoquinuclidines (+)‐ 2 and (+)‐ 3 , (+)‐ 2 /(?)‐ 2 1 : 1, and (+)‐ 3 /(?)‐ 3 1 : 1 with the published data for racemic 2 and 3 led to a rectification of the published data. The inhibition of snail β‐mannosidase by the isoquinuclidines 2 and 3 suggests that the hydrolysis of β‐D ‐mannopyranosides by snail β‐mannosidase proceeds via a distorted conformer, in agreement with the principle of stereoelectronic control.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ge(II), Sn(II), and Pb(II) Monoamides with -NH2 Ligands

The synthesis and characterization of the first divalent germanium, tin, and lead monoamide derivatives of the parent amide group -NH(2) are presented. They have the general formula (ArMNH(2))(2) (M = Ge, Ar = Ar'(C(6)H(3)-2,6-Pr(i)(2)) or Ar* (C(6)H(3)-2,6(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)(3))); M = Sn, Ar = Ar*; M = Pb, Ar = Ar*). For germanium and tin, they were obtained by reacting the corresponding terphenyl halides of the group 14 elements with liquid ammonia in diethyl ether. The lead amide derivative (Ar*PbNH(2))(2) was synthesized by reaction of LiNH(2) with Ar*PbBr in diethyl ether. The compounds were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopies and by X-ray crystallography in the case of the (Ar'GeNH(2))(2) or (Ar*SnNH(2))(2) derivatives. They possess dimeric structures with two -NH(2) groups bridging the germanium and tin centers. For lead, the reaction with ammonia led to isolation of a stable ammine complex of formula Ar*PbBr(NH(3)) which was characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopies and by X-ray crystallography. It is the first structural characterization of a divalent lead ammine complex.     

Vibrational structure of endohedral fullerene Sc3N@C78 (D3h'): evidence for a strong coupling between the Sc3N cluster and C78 cage.

The vibrational structure of the endohedral cluster fullerene Sc(3)N@C(78) is studied by FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and DFT-based quantum chemical calculations. Remarkably good agreement between experimental and calculated spectra is achieved and a full assignment of the Sc(3)N-based vibrational modes is given. Significant differences in the vibrational structure of the endohedral cluster fullerene Sc(3)N@C(78) and the empty, charged C(78) (6-): 5 (D(3h)') are rationalized by the strong coupling between the Sc(3)N cluster and the fullerene cage. This coupling has its origin in a significant overlap of the Sc(3)N and C(78) molecular orbitals, and causes atomic-charge and bond-length redistributions compared to the neutral C(78) and the C(78) (6-) anion. An ionic model is not sufficient to describe the electronic, geometric and vibrational structure of the Sc(3)N@C(78) nitride cluster fullerene.     

Preparation and Crystal Structures of the Hydrous Mercury Tellurates,HgII(H4TeVIO6) and HgI2(H4TeVIO6)(H6TeVIO6)·2H2O

Single crystals of Hg^II(H₄Te^VIO₆) (colourless to light‐yellow, rectangular plates) and Hg^I₂(H₄Te^VIO₆)(H₆Te^VIO₆)·2H₂O (colourless, irregular) were grown from concentrated solutions of orthotelluric acid, H₆TeO₆, and respective solutions of Hg(NO₃)₂ and Hg₂(NO₃)₂. The crystal structures were solved and refined from single crystal diffractometer data sets (Hg^II(H₄Te^VIO₆): space group Pna2₁, Z = 4, a =10.5491(17), b = 6.0706(9), c = 8.0654(13)Å, 1430 structure factors, 87 parameters, R[F² > 2σ(F²)] = 0.0180; Hg^I₂(H₄Te^VIO₆)(H₆Te^VIO₆)·2H₂O: space group P1¯, Z = 1, a = 5.7522(6), b = 6.8941(10), c = 8.5785(10)Å, α = 90.394(8), β = 103.532(11), γ = 93.289(8)°, 2875 structure factors, 108 parameters, R[F² > 2σ(F²)] = 0.0184). The structure of Hg^II(H₄Te^VIO₆) is composed of ribbons parallel to the b axis which are built of [H₄TeO₆]^2— anions and Hg²⁺ cations held together by two short Hg—O bonds with a mean distance of 2.037Å. Interpolyhedral hydrogen bonding between neighbouring [H₄TeO₆]^2— groups, as well as longer Hg—O bonds between Hg atoms of one ribbon to O atoms of adjacent ribbons lead, to an additional stabilization of the framework structure. Hg^I₂(H₄Te^VIO₆)(H₆Te^VIO₆)·2H₂O is characterized by a distorted hexagonal array made up of [H₄TeO₆]^2— and [H₆TeO₆] octahedra which spread parallel to the bc plane. Interpolyhedral hydrogen bonding between both building units stabilizes this arrangement. Adjacent planes are stacked along the a axis and are connected by Hg₂²⁺ dumbbells (d(Hg—Hg) = 2.5043(4)Å) situated in‐between the planes. Additional stabilization of the three‐dimensional network is provided by extensive hydrogen bonding between interstitial water molecules and O and OH‐groups of the [H₄TeO₆]^2— and [H₆TeO₆] octahedra. Upon heating Hg^I₂(H₄Te^VIO₆)(H₆Te^VIO₆)·2H₂O decomposes into TeO₂ under formation of the intermediate phases Hg^II₃Te^VIO₆ and the mixed‐valent Hg^IITe^IV/VI₂O₆.     

A new palladium catalyst system for the cyanation of aryl chlorides with K4[Fe(CN)6]

The development of a novel Pd-catalyzed synthesis of (hetero)aromatic nitriles from the corresponding aryl chlorides and potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) is described. This novel protocol avoids the use of highly toxic alkali cyanides and proceeds in the presence of small amounts of palladium catalysts. High yields and selectivities of the corresponding aryl nitriles were achieved applying di(1-adamantyl)-1-butylphosphine (cataCXium^® A) as the ligand.     

Investigation of potential-sensitive fluorescent dyes for application in nitrate sensitive polymer membranes

The applicability of various potential-sensitive dyes (PSD) for optical sensing of anions is reported. Specifically, nitrate-responsive polymer membranes have been developed which are composed of a plasticized polymer, an anion exchange catalyst, and a fluorescent dye. On exposure to nitrate, the fluorescence intensity of such membranes increases, while the wavelengths of the excitation and emission maxima remain virtually unchanged. The membranes typically are 2–4 μm thick and exhibit highest sensitivity to nitrate in the 2 to 200 mgl^–1 range. Signal changes on exposure to 100 mmol/l nitrate can be as high as +300%. The detection limit is 0.2 mgl^–1. The cationic PSD octadecyl acridine organe was tested in combination with a tin-organic and an indium-organic anion carrier rather than with tridodecylmethylammonium chloride, but both carriers were found to display no improved selectivity. Received: 2 December 1995 / Revised: 28 March 1996 / Accepted: 5 April 1996