Generation of strong, homochiral bases by electrochemical reduction of phenazine derivatives

Electrochemical reduction of enantiomerically pure amino- and alkoxy-phenazine derivatives forms strongly basic radical anions which give asymmetric induction in the conversion of 3,4-epoxytetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide into the allylic ester with facile regeneration of the phenazine.     

Charge-density-wave transitions in the local-moment magnet Er5Ir4Si10

We report the observation of a new type of charge-density wave (CDW) in the large magnetic-moment rare-earth intermetallic compound, Er5Ir4Si10, which then orders magnetically at low temperatures. Single crystal x-ray diffraction shows the development of a 1D incommensurate CDW at 155 K, which then locks into a purely commensurate state below 55 K. The well-localized Er3+ moments are antiferromagnetically ordered below 2.8 K. We observe very sharp anomalies in the specific heat at 145 and 2.8 K, signifying the bulk nature of these transitions. Our data suggest the coexistence of strongly coupled CDW with local-moment antiferromagnetism in Er5Ir4Si10.     

Vibrational spectra of Na4P2O7·10H2O

The IR and Raman spectra are measured and analysed for sodium pyrophosphate decahydrate. The spectra are interpreted on the basis of P₂O ₇ ⁴⁻ ion and water vibrations. The observed results fit with the features predicted for the factor goup model. The appearance of two sets of frequencies in the stretching and bending regions of water suggests the existence of two kinds of water molecules in the crystal. This is confirmed by deuterium substitution.     

On the representation of integers as sums of an odd number of squares

In a recent work, S. Cooper (J. Number Theory 103:135–162, [1988]) conjectured a formula for r _2k+1(p ²), the number of ways p ² can be expressed as a sum of 2k+1 squares. Inspired by this conjecture, we obtain an explicit formula for r _2k+1(n ²),n≥1. Dedicated to Srinivasa Ramanujan.     

Synthesis,DNA binding,and antimicrobial studies of novel metal complexes containing a pyrazolone derivative Schiff base

A novel series of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and VO(IV) complexes has been synthesized from the Schiff base derived from 4-[(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)amino]-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydropyrazol-3-one and 1,2-diaminobenzene. Structural features were determined by analytical and spectral techniques. Binding of synthesized complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) was studied by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. Experimental results indicate that the complexes are able to form adducts with DNA and to distort the double helix by changing the base stacking. Lower DNA affinity of the VO(IV) complex is caused by the change of coordination geometry by the vanadyl ion resulting in a somewhat unfavorable configuration for the DNA binding. Oxidative DNA cleavage activities of the complexes were studied with supercoiled (SC) pUC19 DNA using gel electrophoresis; the mechanism studies revealed that the hydroxyl radical is likely to be the reactive species responsible for the cleavage of pUC19 DNA by the synthesized complexes. The in vitro antimicrobial screening effects of the investigated compounds were monitored by the disc diffusion method. The synthesized Schiff base complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activity than the respective free Schiff base.     

Acridinedione-functionalized gold nanoparticles and model for the binding of 1,3-dithiol linked acridinedione on gold clusters

The design and synthesis of 1,3-dithiol linked acridinedione functionalized gold nanoparticles (ADDDT-GNP) is described. ADDDT-GNP was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-vis, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. Conformational analysis of 1,3-dithiol ligands using density functional theory (DFT) reveals that they can cap on gold clusters through 1,2-capping mode, in which the two sulfur atoms of the dithiol bind covalently with two adjacent gold atoms on the surface of the cluster. The present study shows that three conformers of the ligand can cap in the 1,2-mode of capping. The triexponential fluorescence decay observed in the capped nanogold complex with fluorophore-labeled 1,3-dithiol may originate from the three conformers of the complex in the 1,2-capping mode.     

Kinetics and adsorption equilibrium in the system aqueous solution of copper ions—granulated activated carbon

The feasibility of using granulated activated carbon for adsorption removal of copper from aqueous solution was studied. The influence of pH, amount of the adsorbent, contact time, and copper concentration on adsorption of copper was investigated. The single-component equilibrium data on copper adsorption were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich—Peterson, Temkin, and Toth adsorption isotherms. The adsorption process was followed by two simplified kinetic models including pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order equations. Kinetic parameters, rate constants, equilibrium sorption capacities, and the corresponding correlation coefficients were calculated and examined for each kinetic model. It was shown that copper adsorption can be described by the pseudo-second-order equation.     

Percolation-enhanced generation of terahertz pulses by optical rectification on ultrathin gold films

Emission of pulses of electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz range is observed when ultrathin gold films on glass are illuminated with femtosecond near-IR laser pulses. A distinct maximum is observed in the emitted terahertz amplitude from films of average thickness just above the percolation threshold. Our measurements suggest that the emission is through a second-order nonlinear optical rectification process, enhanced by the excitation of localized surface plasmon hot spots on the percolated metal film.     

5,5-Diaryldipyrromethanes: syntheses and anion binding properties

A two-step synthesis of 5,5-diaryldipyrromethanes in good yields is described. The adopted synthetic strategy can be used to tune the substituent at the meso-carbon very easily by choosing the Grignard reagent of interest. Further, the influence of the incorporation of various diaryl units at the meso-carbon atom in the inherent anion binding affinities of the dipyrromethanes through hydrogen bonding was discussed.