The sampling limit in fluorescence microscopy

Sampling in fluorescence microscopy is treated using the concept of the three-dimensional (3D) optical transfer function (OTF). The border of the OTF frequency surface defines the required minimum sampling. The shape of the OTF is derived from simple considerations and valid for far-field high numerical aperture, vector theory. Optimal regular sampling is achieved by a hexagonal grid in 2D, and corresponding hexagonal structures, body-centered cubic (bcc) and hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structures, in 3D. As compared to standard (rectilinear grid) sampling a reduction of 13.4% in 2D and 29.3% in 3D can be achieved with optimized sampling. This reduction in data size is also accompanied by an imaging speed improvement, a reduction of sample bleaching, and can lead to imaging with better signal to noise ratio.     

Guided Antitumoural Drugs: (Imidazol-2-ylidene)(L)gold(I) Complexes Seeking Cellular Targets Controlled by the Nature of Ligand L

Three [1,3-diethyl-4-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene](L)gold(I) complexes, 4 a (L=Cl), 5 a (L=PPh₃), and 6 a (L=same N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)), and their fluorescent [4-(anthracen-9-yl)-1,3-diethyl-5-phenylimidazol-2-ylidene](L)gold(I) analogues, 4 b , 5 b , and 6 b , respectively, were studied for their localisation and effects in cancer cells. Despite their identical NHC ligands, the last three accumulated in different compartments of melanoma cells, namely, the nucleus ( 4 b ), mitochondria ( 5 b ), or lysosomes ( 6 b ). Ligand L was also more decisive for the site of accumulation than the NHC ligand because the couples 4 a / 4 b , 5 a / 5 b , and 6 a / 6 b , carrying different NHC ligands, afforded similar results in cytotoxicity tests, and tests on targets typically found at their sites of accumulation, such as DNA in nuclei, reactive oxygen species and thioredoxin reductase in mitochondria, and lysosomal membranes. Regardless of the site of accumulation, cancer cell apoptosis was eventually induced. The concept of guiding a bioactive complex fragment to a particular subcellular target by secondary ligand L could reduce unwanted side effects.     

Analysis of Non-innocence of Phosphaquinodimethane Ligands when Charge and Aromaticity Come into Play

Several phosphaquinodimethanes and their M(CO)₅ complexes (M=Cr, Mo, W) and model derivatives have been theoretically investigated regarding the quest of non-innocence. Computed structural and electronic properties of the P-Me/NH₂ substituted phosphaquinodimethanes and tungsten complexes revealed an interesting non-innocent ligand behaviour for the radical anion complexes with distonic ion character and a strong rearomatization of the middle phenyl ring. The latter was further probed taking also geometric aromaticity (HOMA) and quinoid distortion parameters (HOMQc) into account, as well as NICS(1). Furthermore, the effect of the P-substitution was investigated for real (or plausible) complexes and their free ligands focusing on the resulting aromaticity at the middle phenyl ring and vertical one-electron redox processes. The best picture of ligand engagement in redox changes was provided by representing NICS(1) values versus HOMA and the new geometric distortion parameter HOMQc8.     

Beyond p-Hexaphenylenes: Synthesis of Unsubstituted p-Nonaphenylene by a Precursor Protocol

The synthesis of unsubstituted oligo-para-phenylenes ( OPP ) exceeding para-hexaphenylene—in the literature often referred to as p-sexiphenyl—has long remained elusive due to their insolubility. We report the first preparation of unsubstituted para-nonaphenylenes ( 9PP s) by extending our precursor route to poly-para-phenylenes ( PPP ) to a discrete oligomer. Two geometric isomers of methoxylated syn- and anti-cyclohexadienylenes were synthesized, from which 9PP was obtained via thermal aromatization in thin films. 9PP was characterized via optical, infrared and solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as atomic force microscopy and mass spectrometry, and compared to polymeric analogues. Due to the lack of substitution, para-nonaphenylene, irrespective of the precursor isomer employed, displays pronounced aggregation in the solid state. Intermolecular excitonic coupling leads to formation of H-type aggregates, red-shifting emission of the films to greenish. 9PP allows to study the structure–property relationship of para-phenylene oligomers and polymers, especially since the optical properties of PPP depend on the molecular shape of the precursor.     

Azimuthal Dipolar Rotor Arrays on Surfaces

A set of dipolar molecular rotor compounds was designed, synthesized and adsorbed as self-assembled 2D arrays on Ag(111) surfaces. The title molecules are constructed from three building blocks: (a) 4,8,12-trioxatriangulene (TOTA) platforms that are known to physisorb on metal surfaces such as Au(111) and Ag(111), (b) phenyl groups attached to the central carbon atom that function as pivot joints to reduce the barrier to rotation, (c) pyridine and pyridazine units as small dipolar units on top. Theoretical calculations and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) investigations hint at the fact that the dipoles of neighboring rotors interact through space through pairs of energetically favorable head-to-tail arrangements.     

A Convenient Photocatalytic Fluorination of Unactivated CH Bonds

Fluorination reactions are essential to modern medicinal chemistry, thus providing a means to block site‐selective metabolic degradation of drugs and access radiotracers for positron emission tomography imaging. Despite current sophistication in fluorination reagents and processes, the fluorination of unactivated C? H bonds remains a significant challenge. Reported herein is a convenient and economic process for direct fluorination of unactivated C? H bonds that exploits the hydrogen abstracting ability of a decatungstate photocatalyst in combination with the mild fluorine atom transfer reagent N‐fluorobenzenesulfonimide. This operationally straightforward reaction provides direct access to a wide range of fluorinated organic molecules, including structurally complex natural products, acyl fluorides, and fluorinated amino acid derivatives.     

A Metallic Room‐Temperature Oxide Ion Conductor

Nanoparticles of Bi₃Ir, obtained from a microwave‐assisted polyol process, activate molecular oxygen from air at room temperature and reversibly intercalate it as oxide ions. The closely related structures of Bi₃Ir and Bi₃IrO_x (x≤2) were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and quantum‐chemical modeling. In the topochemically formed metallic suboxide, the intermetallic building units are fully preserved. Time‐ and temperature‐dependent monitoring of the oxygen uptake in an oxygen‐filled chamber shows that the activation energy for oxide diffusion (84 meV) is one order of magnitude smaller than that in any known material. Bi₃IrO_x is the first metallic oxide ion conductor and also the first that operates at room temperature.     

Synthesis and Reaction of the First 1,2‐Oxaphosphetane Complexes

While P^V 1,2‐oxaphosphetanes are well known from the Wittig reaction, their P^III analogues are still unexplored. Herein, the synthesis and reactions of the first 1,2‐oxaphosphetane complexes are presented, which were achieved by reaction of the phosphinidenoid complex [Li(12‐crown‐4)(solv)][(OC)₅W{(Me₃Si)₂HCPCl}] with different epoxides. The title compounds appeared to be stable in toluene up to 100 °C, before unselective decomposition started. Acid‐induced ring expansion with benzonitrile resulted in selective formation of the first complex bearing a 1,3,4‐oxazaphosphacyclohex‐2‐ene ligand.