Uranium oligomerization in chloride-based high temperature melts: in situ XAS studies

In situ EXAFS spectroscopic studies of uranium compounds in high temperature alkali chloride melts indicate the presence of oligomeric species. An investigation into UCl(3) and UCl(4) dissolved in LiCl reveals long range ordering of uranium atoms in the molten state which is not maintained on quenching. Studies of uranium dioxide dissolved in LiCl-KCl eutectic with HCl exhibit long range ordering in both molten and quenched states, and the EXAFS data can be modeled using multiple coordination shells.     

A convenient precursor to 3,4-didehydropyridine

The preparation of 3-(3,3-dimethyltriazen-l-yl)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid (5), a convenient shelf-stable precursor to 3,4-didehydropyridine, is described.     

Low-Field NMR Relaxation Analysis of High-Pressure Ethane Adsorption in Mesoporous Silicas

Understanding the behaviour of short-chain hydrocarbons confined to porous solids informs the targeted extraction of natural resources from geological features, and underpins rational developments in separation, storage and catalytic conversion processes. Herein, we report the application of low-field (12.7 MHz) ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurements to characterise ethane dynamics within mesoporous silica materials exhibiting mean pore diameters between 6 and 50 nm. Our measurements provide NMR-based adsorption isotherms within the range 25–50 bar and at ambient temperature, incorporating the ethane condensation point (40.7 bar at our experimental temperature of 23.6 °C). The quantitative nature of the acquired data is validated via a direct comparison of NMR-derived excess adsorption capacities with ex situ gravimetric ethane adsorption measurements, which are demonstrated to agree to within 0.2 mmol g⁻¹ of the observed ethane capacity. NMR relaxation time distributions are further demonstrated as a means to decouple interparticle and mesopore dominated adsorption phenomena, with unexpectedly rapid relaxation rates associated with interparticle ethane gas confirmed via a direct comparison with NMR self-diffusion analysis.     

Morphology transformation of thermosensitive metronidazol by spray freeze-drying

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Spray freeze-drying (SFD) is an effective method for reducing the size of thermosensitive organic substances that are sparingly soluble in water....     

Fast‐Track,One‐Step E. coli Detection: A Miniaturized Hydrogel Array Permits Specific Direct PCR and DNA Hybridization while Amplification

A timesaving and convenient method for bacterial detection based on one‐step, one‐tube deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization on hydrogel array while target gene amplification is described. The hydrogel array is generated by a fast one‐pot synthesis, where N,N′‐dimethylacrylamide/polyethyleneglycol(PEG₁₉₀₀)‐bisacrylamide mixture polymerizes via radical photoinitiation by visible light within 20 min concomitant with in situ capture probe immobilization. These DNA‐functionalized hydrogel droplets arrayed on a planar glass surface are placed in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mixture during the thermal amplification cycles. The bacterial cells can be implemented in a direct PCR reaction, omitting the need for prior template DNA extraction. The resulting fluorescence signal is immediately detectable after the end of the PCR (1 h) following one short washing step by microscopy. Therefore a valid signal can be reached within 1.5 h including 10 min for pipetting and placement of the tubes and chips. The performance of this novel hydrogel DNA array was successfully proven with varying cell numbers down to a limit of 10¹Escherichia coli cells.

     

Copper-linked hexaniobate lindqvist clusters-variations on a theme

Four new one-dimensional materials and one dimer complex based on the linkage of [Nb6O19] clusters and [CuLx] (L=ethylenediamine (en), NH3, H2O) assemble under ambient conditions. These phases include the following: Rb4[Cu(en)2(H2O)2]3[(Nb6O19H2)2Cu(en)2].24H2O (1), space group P; [Cu(en)2(H2O)2]2[(Nb6O19H2)Cu(en)2].14H2O (2), space group P; Rb2[Cu(NH3)2(H2O)4][Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2]2{[Nb6O19][Cu(NH3)]2}(2).6H2O (3), space group P; {[Nb6O19][Cu(NH3)2(H2O)]2[Cu(H2O)4]2}.3H2O (4), space group P2/n; and {[Nb6O19][Cu(NH3)2(H2O)]2[Cu(H2O)4]2} (5), space group C2/m. All structures have been solved by single-crystal methods, and compounds 1-5 were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform IR, chemical analysis, and magnetic measurements. It has been demonstrated that the conformation, charge, and geometry of the [Nb6O19]-[CuLx] chains can be modulated by varying the type and amount of the [CuLx]2+ species. The charge balance is provided by mixed Rb+/[CuLx]2+ or [CuLx]2+ cations only for structures 1-3, whereas 4 and 5 are neutral chains with no counterions. There are weak antiferromagnetic Cu2+-Cu2+ interactions in all phases. Compounds 2-5 represent the first examples in which the [Nb6O19] Lindqvist ion forms extended solids rather than dimers or decorated monomers when reacted with transition-metal, cationic complexes.     

205T1-NMR and UV-Visible spectroscopic determination of the formation constants of aqueous thallium(I) hydroxo-complexes

The hydrolysis of T1(I) has been studied at 25°C using²⁰⁵T1-NMR spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry in aqueous solutions with ionic strengths maintained by NaC10₄ at 2, 4, 6, and 8M. The formation constant and the spectral characteristics for the hydroxo complex, T10Hℴ have been determined. At high hydroxide ion concentrations there is clear evidence from the UV-Vis data for the formation of a T1(OH)₂-species. The spectrum and an estimated formation constant for this second hydroxo complex are also reported.     

Protonation and sodium ion-pairing of the sulfite ion in concentrated aqueous electrolyte solutions

A protocol has been developed for the reliable titration of aqueous sulfite solutions which minimizes photodecomposition effects. This procedure has been used to measure the protonation constants of the sulfite ion in aqueous solution by glass electrode potentiometry at 25.0‡C and ionic strengths (I) from 0.1 to 5.0M in NaCI media and atI = 1.0M in KC1 and Me₄NCl media. These measurements provided evidence of weak but significant ionpairing between SO2/3 -and Na⁺ with a formation constant of logK _Na = 0.431 in 1.0M Me₄NCl. This was in very good agreement with the value logK _Na = 0.410 measured directly by Na⁺ ion-selective electrode potentiometry. Evidence is also presented for an extremely weak association of K⁺ and SO ₂ ³ -with logK _k = 0.22 in 1.0M Me₄NCl.     

Ternary and binary copper(II) complexes: synthesis,characterization, ROS-inductive,proteasome inhibitory,and anticancer properties

Three ternary copper(II) complexes, [Cu(phen)(L-phe)Cl]·2H₂O, [Cu(phen)(L-leu)Cl]·4½H₂O, and [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl]·3H₂O, and four binary copper(II) complexes, [Cu(phen)Cl₂]_, Cu(L-phe)₂·½H₂O, Cu(L-leu)₂·½H₂O, and Cu(L-tyr)₂·H₂O (where phen = 110-phenanthroline, L-phe = L-phenylalanine, L-tyr = L-tyrosine, L-leu = L-leucine and Cl^- = chloride), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, UV–visible, fluorescence spectroscopy), magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, and lipophilicity measurement. X-ray diffraction determination of a single crystal of [Cu(phen)(L-tyr)Cl] showed two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, each with the same distorted square pyramidal geometry about copper(II). p-Nitrosodimethylaniline assay revealed that the three ternary complexes were better inducers of reactive oxygen species over time than binary complexes, CuCl₂, and free ligands. All the copper(II) complexes in this series inhibited the three proteolytic activities in the order Trypsin-like > Caspase-like > Chymotrypsin-like. In terms of anticancer properties, the copper(II)-phen complexes had GI50 values of less than 4 μM against MCF-7, HepG2, CNE1 and A549 cancer cell lines, more potent than cisplatin.