Mode-locking dynamics of synchronously-pumped colour-centre lasers

A theoretical model has been developed for studying the steady-state pulse shaping dynamics of a synchronously-pumped colour-centre laser. A wide range of results is presented detailing effects on the mode-locking process of pump pulse power and width, laser bandwidth, cavity mismatch and, stochastic noise. From the results, we identify conditions which lead to the formation of single and multiple pulses. We show this can be understood on the basis of a simple scaling law between the principal laser parameters.     

Mode-locking of quasi-continuous lasers

A simple rate-equation theory is developed which indicates that the combination of nonlinear amplification and nonlinear absorption may be responsible for ultrashort pulse generation in a mode-locked quasi-continuous laser system in the absence of commensurately short relaxation times. It is tentatively proposed that this mechanism is responsible for picosecond pulse generation in the mode-locked dye laser.     

Fifth harmonic generation mechanisms in a two-species system

The fundamental mechanisms of high harmonic generation in a two-species system are examined. The “quasi-molecular” contribution is shown to be implicity included in the cascade interaction (ω + ω + ω → 3ω; 3ω + ω + ω → 5ω in the fifth harmonic case). This cascade process will normally be dominant if the two species are suitably selected.     

Coordination,oligomerisation and transfer hydrogenation of acetylenes by some ruthenium and osmium carboxylates: Crystal and molecular structures of bis(trifluoroacetato)carbonyl-(methanol) bis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) and (1,4-diphenylbut-1-en-3-yn-2-yl)trifluoroacetato-(carbonyl) bis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II)

The hydrides [MH(O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] (M = Ru or Os) react with disubstituted acetylenes PhCCPh and PhCCMe to afford vinylic products [M{C(Ph)CHPh}(O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] and [M{C(Ph)CHMe}(O₂CCF₃)(CO) (PPh₃)₂]/[M{C(Me)CHPh}(O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] respectively. Acidolysis of these products with trifluoroacetic acid in cold ethanol liberates cis-stilbene and cis-PhHCCHMe respectively thus establishing the cis-stereochemistry of the vinylic ligands. The complexes [M(O₂CCF₃)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂] formed during the acidolysis step undergo facile alcoholysis followed by β-elimination of aldehyde to regenerate the parent hydrides [MH(O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] and thereby complete a catalytic cycle for the transfer hydrogenation of acetylenes. The molecular structure of the methanol-adduct intermediate, [Ru(O₂CCF₃)₂(MeOH)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] has been determined by X-ray methods and shows that the coordinated methanol is involved in H-bonding with the monodentate trifluoroacetate ligand [MEO-H---OC(O)CF₃; O...O = 2.54 Å]. The hydrides [MH(O₂CCF₃)(CO) (PPh₃)₂]react with 1,4-diphenylbutadiyne to afford the complexes [M{C(CCPh)CHPh} (O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂]. The ruthenium product, which has also been obtained by treatment of [RuH(O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with phenylacetylene, has been shown by X-ray diffraction methods to contain a 1,4-diphenylbut-1-en-3-yn-2-yl ligand. The osmium complexes [Os(O₂CCF₃)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂], [OsH(O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] and [Os{C(CCPh)CHPh}(O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂] all serve as catalysts for the oligomerisation of phenylacetylene. Acetylene reacts with [Ru(O₂CCF₃)₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂] in ethanol to afford the vinyl complex [Ru(CHCH₂)(O₂CCF₃)(CO)(PPh₃)₂].     

Photochemical Mechanisms of Fluorophores Employed in Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy

Decoding cellular processes requires visualization of the spatial distribution and dynamic interactions of biomolecules. It is therefore not surprising that innovations in imaging technologies have facilitated advances in biomedical research. The advent of super-resolution imaging technologies has empowered biomedical researchers with the ability to answer long-standing questions about cellular processes at an entirely new level. Fluorescent probes greatly enhance the specificity and resolution of super-resolution imaging experiments. Here, we introduce key super-resolution imaging technologies, with a brief discussion on single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). We evaluate the chemistry and photochemical mechanisms of fluorescent probes employed in SMLM. This Review provides guidance on the identification and adoption of fluorescent probes in single molecule localization microscopy to inspire the design of next-generation fluorescent probes amenable to single-molecule imaging.     

Synthesis of libraries of thiazole, oxazole and imidazole-based cyclic peptides from azole-based amino acids. A new synthetic approach to bistratamides and didmolamides

Treatment of a 1 : 1 mixture of the thiazole-based amino acids 8a and 8b with FDPP-i-Pr(2)NEt in CH(3)CN gave a mixture of the cyclic trimers 14, 15, 16 and 17 and the cyclic tetramers 19 and 23 in the ratio 2 : 7 : 5 : 8 : 1 : 1 and in a combined yield of 70%. Separate coupling reactions between the bisimidazole amino acid 45 and the thiazole/oxazole amino acids 43a and 42a in the presence of FDPP-i-Pr(2)NEt led to the bisimidazole based cyclic trimers 55 and 57 respectively (54-57%) and to the cyclic tetramer 56 (8-11%). Similar coupling reactions involving the bisthiazole and bisoxazole amino acids 49 and 47 with the imidazole/oxazole/thiazole amino acids 41a, 42a and 43a gave rise to the library of oxazole, thiazole and imidazole-based cyclic peptides 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65. A coupling reaction between the bisthiazole amino acid 49 and the oxazole amino acid 73 led to an efficient (36% overall) synthesis of bistratamide H (67) found in the ascidian Lissoclinum bistratum. Coupling reactions involving oxazolines with thiazole amino acids were less successful. Thus, a coupling reaction between the phenylalanine-based oxazoline amino acid 71a and either the thiazole amino acid 8a or the bisthiazole amino acid 74 gave only a 2% yield of the cyclic hexapeptide didmolamide A (4) found in the ascidian Didemnum molle. Didmolamide B (68) was obtained in 9% yield from a coupling reaction between 74 and the phenylalanine threonine amino acid 72, using either FDPP or DPPA.     

Pharmacokinetic study of intraperitoneally administered troglitazone in mice using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of troglitazone in mouse plasma. Troglitazone and its internal standard (IS), rosiglitazone, were separated on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C(18) column (1.7 microm particle size, 50 x 2.1 mm i.d.) by gradient elution with water and methanol at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The cycle time of each analysis was 2.5 min. Rosiglitazone and troglitazone eluted at 1.13 and 1.57 min, respectively, and were chromatographically resolved from the ion suppression and enhancement zones due to the biological matrix effect. Quantitation of the analytes was performed in electrospray negative ionization mode (ESI -ve) using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) experiments. The weighted (1/x) calibration curve was quadratic over the plasma concentration range 1-2500 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r(2)) of 0.9966. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) of troglitazone in mouse plasma was lower than 1 ng/mL. The inter- and intra-day variations of the assay were lower than 12.1%; the overall accuracy ranged from 86.4-110.2% and recovery from spiked plasma was more than 60%. The developed method was successfully applied to determine troglitazone in mouse plasma after intraperitoneal administration.     

Emissive and Cell‐Permeable 3‐Pyridyl‐ and 3‐Pyrazolyl‐4‐azaxanthone Lanthanide Complexes and Their Behaviour in cellulo

A series of seven emissive europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes was prepared, incorporating a 3‐pyridyl‐4‐azaxanthone or 3‐pyrazolyl‐4‐azaxanthone sensitising moiety within a polydentate macrocyclic ligand. High overall emission quantum yields in aqueous media are attenuated in the presence of protein or certain oxy anions due to displacement of the N,N′‐chelated sensitiser. Nevertheless, these complexes are taken into cells and tend to localise over the first few hours in mitochondria before being trafficked to endosomal compartments. Cell uptake studies, in the presence of competitive inhibitors or promoters of well‐defined uptake pathways, reveal a common uptake mechanism involving macropinocytosis.