Cross surface ambipolar charge percolation in molecular triads on mesoscopic oxide films

We report on cross surface ambipolar charge percolation within a monolayer of a molecular triad adsorbed on semiconducting or insulating mesoscopic metal oxide films. The triad consists of a triphenlyamine (TPA) donor and a perylenemonoimide (PMI) acceptor connected by a bithiophene (T2) bridge. The self-assembled PMI-T2-TPA monolayer exhibits p-type or n-type conduction depending on the potential that is applied to the conducting glass (FTO) electrode supporting the oxide films. Cross surface electron transfer is turned on at around -1.24 V (vs Fc+/Fc) where the PMI moiety is electroactive. The color of the film changes from red to blue during the reduction of the PMI. By contrast, lateral hole transfer is turned on at around 0.8 V (vs Fc+/Fc) where the TPA moiety becomes electroactive. The stepwise oxidation of the T2-TPA units at 0.79 and 1.28 V (vs Fc+/Fc) is associated with a color change of the film from red to black. Cyclic voltammetric as well as chronocoulometric and spectroelectrochemical measurements were applied to determine the percolation threshold for cross surface charge transfer and the diffusion coefficients for the electron and hole hopping process. The effect of oxide surface states on the lateral charge motion was also investigated.     

A first synthesis of thiophene dendrimers

[structure: see text] Thiophene dendrons and dendrimers were designed and synthesized using a convergent approach. Metal-mediated coupling reactions were used in the synthesis. A rational approach allowed the formation of alphaalpha, betabeta, and alphabeta linkages between the dendrons and thiophene units.     

Solubility Measurements of Surfactants and Dissolution of Cytochrome c in 1,1,1,2‐Tetrafluoroethane Modified with Organic Solvents

The solubilities of four surfactants, sodium bis‐2‐ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate (AOT), cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide, and n‐dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride in liquid refrigerant 1,1,1,2‐tetrafluoroethane (R134a) modified with methanol, ethanol, and 2‐propanol were measured. The measurements were performed under 25 and 50 bar at 25 °C. The solubility of AOT was as high as 92 mM in R134a with addition of 2% ethanol. Cytochrome c molecules were then verified to be soluble in the AOT‐containing and ethanol‐modified R134a solution. Accordingly, liquid R134a is suggested as a potential extraction solvent for hydrophilic compounds.     

RNA Methylation m6A: A New Code and Drug Target?

The m⁶A‐RNA modification is a dynamic and reversible process, which has emerged as a new RNA code for the regulation of gene expression. The functional network of methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and binding proteins (readers) modulate the level of m⁶A modification. Dysfunction of RNA methylation has been associated with various fundamental biological processes and human diseases. Herein, we briefly introduce an understanding‐enabled manipulation on m⁶A‐RNA modification with an emphasis on the use of small‐molecule intervention.      

Strong Attraction of Caffeine to the Mercurous Dumbbell in the Salt [Hg2(Caf)2](ClO4)2(H2O)2

Colourless single crystals of the caffeine adduct of mercurous perchlorate dihydrate, [Hg₂(Caf)₂](ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₂, were grown from aqueous solutions of mercurous perchlorate and caffeine by isothermal evaporation at ambient temperature. The crystal structure (monoclinic, P2₁/n, Z = 4, a = 1628.0(2), b = 780.4(1), c = 2229.6(3) pm, β = 99.84(1)°, R₁(all data) = 0.0894) contains [trans‐Caf‐Hg‐Hg‐Caf]²⁺ cations with a Hg‐Hg distance of 250.88(6) pm, Hg‐N (bond) distances of 214.4(6) and 215.1(6) pm and Hg‐Hg‐N angles of 176.9(2) and 165.1(2)°, respectively. These cations are attached via weak Hg‐O contacts to dimers which are further arranged to leave large channels into which one crystal water molecule is included. The second water molecule and the two perchlorate anions are weakly attracted to one Hg atom.     

Sonochemical synthesis of mass single-crystal PbS nanobelts

Based on sonochemical technique, large-scale PbS nanobelts are successfully synthesized in the mixed solution of PbCl₂ and Na₂S₂O₃. These nanobelts are characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electronic diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and high-resolution TEM. The as-synthesized PbS nanobelts have width of about 80 nm, length up to several millimeters, and width-to-thickness ratio of about 5. In addition, the growth mechanism of PbS nanobelts is suggested.     

Catalytic Conversion of 2-Naphthol to 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone Under Mild Conditions

Introduction 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ), existing in natural plants,1,2 is popularly separated and purified as dye or pigment. Recent research results show that, with the function to prevent the formation of protein coenzyme of HIV-I, HNQ can inhibit HIV virus from copying and propagating,3,4 HNQs derivatives and di-chloroallyl lawsone are also the inhibitor for RNA syn-thesis of cancer.5 It is well known that there is a rela-tionship between the side chain attached to HNQ an…     

Morphology and thermal properties of a PC/PE blend with reactive compatibilization

Reactive compatibilization of immiscible polymers is becoming increasingly important and hence a representative study of a polycarbonate/high density polyethylene (PC/HDPE) system is the focus of this paper. A grafted copolymer PC‐graft‐ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid (PC‐graft‐EAA) was generated as a compatibilizer in situ during processing operation by ester and acid reaction between PC and ethylene‐acrylic acid (EAA) in the presence of the catalyst dibutyl tin oxide (DBTO). As the polyethylene (PE) matrix does not play any part during the synthesis of the copolymer and since PC and EAA are also immiscible, to simplify the system, the influence of this copolymer formation at the interface between PC and EAA on rheological properties, phase morphology, and crystallization behavior for EAA/PC binary blends was first studied. The equilibrium torque increased with the DBTO content increasing in EAA/PC blends on Haake torque rheometer, indicating the in situ formation of the graft copolymer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of cryogenically fractured surfaces showed a significant change at the distribution and dispersion of the dispersed phase in the presence of DBTO, compared with the EAA/PC blend without the catalyst. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies suggested that the heat of fusion of the EAA phase in PC/EAA blends with or without DBTO reduced with the formation of the copolymer compared with pure EAA. Then morphological studies and crystallization behavior of the uncompatibilized and compatibilized blends of PC/PE were studied as functions of EAA phase concentration and DBTO content. Morphological observations in PC/PE blends also revealed that on increasing the EAA content or adding the catalyst DBTO, the number of microvoids was reduced and the interface was intensive as compared to the uncompatibilized PC/PE blends. Crystallization studies indicated that PE crystallized at its bulk crystallization temperature. The degree of crystallinity of PE phase in PC/PE/EAA blends was also reduced with the addition of EAA and DBTO compared to the uncompatibilized blends of PC/PE, indicating the decrease in the degree of crystallinity was more in the presence of PC‐graft‐EAA. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New One-dimensional Zn(II) Nitronyl Nitroxide Complex Bridged by Pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylate Anion

1 INTRODUCTION The synthesis and study of transition metal com- pounds incorporating organic free radicals directly bound to their coordination sphere are a major re- search aim in the field of molecular magnetism[1]. Exceptional stability, ease of chemical modification and versatility in their coordination properties have made nitroxide free radicals one of the most attrac- tive spin carriers for the design of molecular magne- tic materials[2, 3]. The structures and magnetic prope- rties …     

Antioxidative effects of flavonols and their glycosides against the free-radical-induced peroxidation of linoleic acid in solution and in micelles

The antioxidative effect of flavonols and their glycosides against the peroxidation of linoleic acid has been studied in homogeneous solution (tBuOH/H(2)O, 3:2) and in sodium dodecyl sulfate and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide micelles. The peroxidation was initiated thermally by the water-soluble initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, and the reaction kinetics were studied by monitoring the formation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides. The synergistic antioxidant effect of the flavonols with alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) was also studied by following the decay kinetics of alpha-tocopherol and the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical. Kinetic analysis of the antioxidative process demonstrates that the flavonols are effective antioxidants in solution and in micelles, either alone or in combination with alpha-tocopherol. The antioxidative action involves trapping the initiating radicals in solution or in the bulk-water phase of the micelles, trapping the propagating lipid peroxyl radicals on the surface of the micelles, and regenerating alpha-tocopherol by reducing the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical. It was found that the antioxidant activity of the flavonols and their glycosides depends significantly on the position and number of the hydroxy groups, the oxidation potential of the molecule, and the reaction medium. The flavonols bearing ortho-dihydroxy groups possess significantly higher antioxidative activity than those without such functionalities, and the glycosides are less active than their parent aglycones. The activity of the flavonols is higher in micelles than in solution, while the activity of alpha-tocopherol is lower in micelles than in solution. This is because the predominant factor for controlling the activity is the hydrogen-bonding interaction of the antioxidant with the micellar surface in the case of hydrophilic flavonols, while it is the inter- and intramicellar diffusion in the case of lipophilic alpha-tocopherol.