Some aspects of AFM nanomechanical probing of surface polymer films

We analyzed how the approach developed for the microindentation of non-uniform elastic solids can be adapted to analyze the atomic force microscopy (AFM) probing of ultrathin (1-100 nm thick) polymer films on a solid substrate, as well as polymer films with a multilayered structure. We suggested that recent Johnson's modification of the contact mechanics model that included a viscoelastic contribution could also be utilized to analyze rate-dependent loading data for polymer surfaces. The graded model proposed for microindentation experiments was modified allowing to account not only for variable elastic moduli within different layers but also for the gradient of properties between layers within a transition zone. Two examples of a recent application of this model for molecularly thick hyperbranched polymer monolayers (<3 nm thick) and tri-layered polymer films (20-40 nm thick) tethered to a solid substrate were presented and discussed. In both cases, complex shapes of both loading curves and elastic modulus depth profiles obtained from experimental AFM data were successfully fitted by the graded model with realistic structural parameters.     

Drastic difference in lifetimes of the charge-separated state of the formanilide-anthraquinone dyad versus the ferrocene-formanilide-anthraquinone triad and their photoelectrochemical properties of the composite films with fullerene clusters

A long-lived charge-separated (CS) state, which can be observed even at 900 mus after laser excitation, has been attained in the formanilide-anthraquinone dyad (FA-AQ) in dimethyl sulfoxide, whereas the CS lifetime is shortened significantly to 20 ps in the ferrocene-formanilide-anthraquinone triad (Fc-FA-AQ). Such a drastic decrease in the CS lifetime by the addition of a ferrocene moiety to the FA-AQ dyad is ascribed to a decrease in the driving force of back electron transfer and an increase in the reorganization energy of electron transfer despite the longer charge-separation distance. The FA-AQ dyad and the Fc-FA-AQ triad have been employed as components of photovoltaic cells, where composite molecular nanoclusters of the FA-AQ dyad or the Fc-FA-AQ triad with fullerene (C60) are assembled onto a SnO2 electrode using an electrophoretic method. The composite films of the Fc-FA-AQ triad exhibit 10 times smaller values of an incident photon-to-photocurrent efficiency (IPCE) as compared with those of the FA-AQ dyad in accordance with a drastic decrease of the CS lifetime by addition of a ferrocene moiety to the FA-AQ dyad.     

Doping-addition of arylsulfenyl chlorides to the tricyclo[4,2,2,02,5]deca-3,7,9-triene system: skeletal rearrangements and serendipitious products

“doping-addition” of 2-NO₂C₆H₄SCl to the tricyclo[4,2,2,0^2,5]deca-3,7,9-triene system

occurs to give unusual products: (i) rearranged caged cyclopropane

and (ii) the stable cross-perchlorate

.     

Bis(η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-and(ηcyclopentadienyl) (η-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-platinium dications: Pt(IV) metallocenes

Reaction of [Pt₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂(η-Br)₃]³⁺(Br⁻)₃ with C₅R₅H (R = H,Me) in the presence of AgBF₄ gives the first platinocenium dications, [Pt(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁵-C₅R₅)]²⁺(BF₄⁻ )₂. On electrochemical reduction, [pt(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]²⁺ yields [Pt(η⁴-C₅Me₅H)(η²-C₅Me₅)]+ BF₄⁻. kw]Cyclopentadienyl; Metallocenes; Platinum; Electrochemistry     

Synthesis and some heterocyclisation reactions of CF2H- and CF2Cl-substituted 1,1-dicyanoethylenes

New CF₂X-analogues of 1,1-dicyano-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)ethylene (1) (X=H, Cl) were synthesised by the condensation of polyfluoroketones with malononitrile followed by dehydration using thionyl chloride (or phosphorus pentoxide). The heterocyclisation reactions of new CF₂X-analogues of 1,1-dicyano-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)ethylene with amidines, 5-aminopyrazoles and 3-methyl-2-pyrazolin-5-ones were systematically investigated.     

Approaches to understanding the searching behavior of CrossFire users

Due to the high costs of purchasing, supporting and training users of desktop chemical information systems, it is important to understand users' behavior in order that deficiencies in their search efficiency and effectiveness can be identified and addressed. CrossFire generates comprehensive log files that can be examined to determine the nature of search activity. At GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) a Log File Parser, CrossParse, has been developed in Visual Basic that enables analysis by individual user name, groups of users or the whole user population. Log files can be analyzed for occasions when specific structural features are built, specific types of search are done and how the results are manipulated. CrossParse produces output that can be saved and analyzed within Microsoft Excel. It also allows determination of numbers of active concurrent users on the CrossFire system. CrossParse has been used at GSK (ex-SmithKline Beecham sites) to examine the search behavior of medicinal and synthetic chemists. Additionally, it has been used by MIMAS (Manchester Information and Associated Services) to compare the search behavior of trained and untrained users in the higher education community and to identify any areas where improvements to training can be made. Use of CrossParse in both organizations has allowed identification of areas where users may have difficulties using CrossFire. This will provide valuable feedback to MDL Inc., the authors of the CrossFire application, and guide them in enhancing CrossFire.     

Structure of ions [ZnNCR]+ and [Zn(NCR)2]+ (R = H,CH3) in the gas phase

Structures of [ZnNCR]⁺ and [Zn(NCR)₂]⁺ ions (R = H, Me), which are abundant in the mass spectra of many types of coordination compounds, were studied by the MNDO method. In all cases the most stable isomers correspond to the zinc ion coordinated with the nitrogen(s) of the nitrile ligand. For [Zn(NCR)₂]⁺, the N-Zn-N angles are ～108°.     

Transformation of the Photoacoustic Signal after Treatment of Barley Leaves with Methylviologen or High Temperatures

Abstract— The photoacoustic (PA) signal at the modulation frequency of 35 Hz was studied in MV-treated barley leaves or leaves preheated at different temperatures. Saturating illumination enhanced the magnitude of the PA signal in MV-treated leaves in contrast with the opposite result usually found in untreated intact leaves where saturating illumination abolishes the photobaric component of the PA signal due to oxygen evolution and thus decreases the total PA signal. A linear relationship was found between the changes induced by continuous background light in the negative response of PA signal to saturating light in intact leaves and in the positive response in MV-treated leaves. A linear relationship was also observed in MV-treated leaves between the positive changes in the PA signal and the changes in the rate of electron transport through photosystem II (PSII) calculated from chlorophyll fluorescence data. The conclusion was drawn that only the thermal component contributes to the PA signal measured at low modulated frequency in MV-treated leaves because the enhanced O2 uptake provides a zero net oxygen exchange by superimposing with O2 evolution. The leaves preheated at temperatures above 43°C demonstrated the positive response of the PA signal to saturating light at 35 Hz. In leaves preheated at 41.5°C, the first and second saturating pulses induced the enhancement of PA signal, whereas other pulses decreased the PA signal due to onset of oxygen evolution. The energy storage activity measured in the absence of oxygen evolution in heat-treated leaves is proposed to be associated with cyclic electron transport activities around PSII and PSI.     

Analysis of hot D2O emission using spectroscopically determined potentials

Fourier transform emission spectra of D2O vapor were recorded at a temperature of 1500 degrees C in the wavenumber range 380-1880 cm(-1). 15 346 lines were measured, of which the majority were identified as belonging to D2O. The spectrum was analyzed using variational nuclear motion calculations based on spectroscopically determined potential-energy surfaces. Initial assignments were made using a potential surface obtained by fitting a high accuracy ab initio potential. The new assignments were used to refine the potential surface, resulting in additional assignments. A total of 6400 D2O transitions were assigned and 2144 new D2O energy levels were obtained. Transitions involving the 4nu2 and 5nu2 bending states, with band origins of 4589.30 (+/-0.02) and 5679.6 (+/-0.1) cm(-1), respectively, were assigned for the first time.