X-ray diffraction structure of the phosphido-bridged mixed-metal cluster Fe2(CO)6(μ3-PPh)2Pt(dppe)

Treatment of Fe₂(CO)₆(₂-PPhH)₂ with BuLi (2 equiv.), followed by the addition of PtCl₂ (dppe), affords the phosphido-bridged cluster Fe₂(CO)₆(₃-PPh)₂Pt(dppe). The Fe₂Pt cluster was isolated and characterized in solution by IR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, and the molecular structure of Fe₂(CO)₆(₃-PPh)₂Pt(dppe) determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Fe₂(CO)₆(₃-PPh)₂Pt(dppe) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P_bca, a = 17.539(3) Å, b = 21.490(2) Å, c = 22.959(3) Å, V = 8653.5(18) ų, Z = 8, d_calc = 1.670 g cm^–3; R = 0.0644, R_w = 0.0389 for 5040 observed reflections with I > 3(I).     

High-spin alkali trimers on helium nanodroplets: spectral separation and analysis

Electronic excitation spectra of homo- (K(3),Rb(3)) and heteronuclear (K(2)Rb,KRb(2)) alkali trimers in the high-spin quartet state have been investigated in a broad spectral range (10,600-17,400 cm(-1)). Ten new bands showing laser induced fluorescence (LIF) were measured. Due to the pickup statistics, overlapping spectra of all possible oligomers are present at once, complicating the unraveling and assignment of individual spectra. To circumvent the problem, two variations of beam depletion spectroscopy were employed in addition to the conventional analysis of the relation between signal and pickup pressure: A two-laser V-type double resonance scheme combining beam depletion with LIF, and a mass selective beam depletion scheme. In principle, these allow accurate separation of an arbitrary number of overlapping spectra. The benefits and drawbacks of each method are discussed. Assignment to electronic states is achieved by comparison with ab initio complete active space self-consistent field calculations of the excited electronic level structure of the molecules.     

Heteronuclear and homonuclear high-spin alkali trimers on helium nanodroplets

The electronic excitation spectra of all possible homo- and heteronuclear high-spin (quartet) trimers of K and Rb (KxRb(3-x), x=0...3) assembled on the surface of superfluid helium droplets, are measured in the spectral range from 10,600 to 17,400 cm(-1). A regular series of corresponding bands is observed, reflecting the similar electronic structure of all these trimers. For the assignment and separation of overlapping bands, we determine x directly, with mass-selected beam depletion, and indirectly with a V-type double-resonance scheme. The assignment is confirmed by high-level ab initio calculations of the electronic structure of the bare trimers. The level structure is rationalized in terms of harmonic-oscillator states of the three valence electrons in a quantum-dot-like confining potential. We predict that three should be a magic number for high-spin alkali clusters.     

Oxygen sensor nanoparticles for monitoring bacterial growth and characterization of dose–response functions in microfluidic screenings

Microchimica Acta - We are presenting a microfluidic droplet-based system for non-invasive, simultaneous optical monitoring of oxygen during bacterial cultivation in nL-sized droplets using...     

Biorefining: the role of endoglucanases in refining of cellulose fibers

Cellulose - With an annual production of more than 400 million tons, paper is the main product of the largest biorefinery process industrially implemented. Enzymes have been used for pulp refining...