The first genuine observation of fluorescent mononuclear phthalocyanine aggregates

An initial photophysical study of a tetra-solketal-substituted zinc phthalocyanine is reported; at low temperature this compound exhibits very strong aggregation, and a new red shifted emission peak is observed, lambda max approximately 750 nm, attributed to a fluorescent phthalocyanine dimer.     

Characterization of single- and double-stranded DNA on gold surfaces

Single- and double-stranded deoxy ribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules attached to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold surfaces were characterized by a number of optical and electronic spectroscopic techniques. The DNA-modified gold surfaces were prepared through the self-assembly of 6-mercapto-1-hexanol and 5'-C(6)H(12)SH -modified single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Upon hybridization of the surface-bound probe ssDNA with its complimentary target, formation of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) on the gold surface is observed and in a competing process, probe ssDNA is desorbed from the gold surface. The competition between hybridization of ssDNA with its complimentary target and ssDNA probe desorption from the gold surface has been investigated in this paper using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, chronocoulometry, fluorescence, and polarization modulation-infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The formation of dsDNA on the surface was identified by PM-IRRAS by a dsDNA IR signature at approximately 1678 cm(-)(1) that was confirmed by density functional theory calculations of the nucleotides and the nucleotides' base pairs. The presence of dsDNA through the specific DNA hybridization was additionally confirmed by atomic force microscopy through colloidal gold nanoparticle labeling of the target ssDNA. Using these methods, strand loss was observed even for DNA hybridization performed at 25 degrees C for the DNA monolayers studied here consisting of attachment to the gold surfaces by single Au-S bonds. This finding has significant consequence for the application of SAM technology in the detection of oligonucleotide hybridization on gold surfaces.     

Dihydrogen complexes of rhodium: [RhH2(H2)x (PR3)2]+ (R = Cy, iPr; x = 1, 2)

Addition of H2 (4 atm at 298 K) to [Rh(nbd)(PR3)2][BAr(F)4] [R = Cy, iPr] affords Rh(III) dihydride/dihydrogen complexes. For R = Cy, complex 1a results, which has been shown by low-temperature NMR experiments to be the bis-dihydrogen/bis-hydride complex [Rh(H)2(eta2-H2)2(PCy3)2][BAr(F)4]. An X-ray diffraction study on 1a confirmed the {Rh(PCy3)2} core structure, but due to a poor data set, the hydrogen ligands were not located. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/DZVP level support the formulation as a Rh(III) dihydride/dihydrogen complex with cis hydride ligands. For R = iPr, the equivalent species, [Rh(H)2(eta2-H2)2(P iPr3)2][BAr(F)4] 2a, is formed, along with another complex that was spectroscopically identified as the mono-dihydrogen, bis-hydride solvent complex [Rh(H)2(eta2-H2)(CD2Cl2)(P iPr3)2][BAr(F)4] 2b. The analogous complex with PCy3 ligands, [Rh(H)2(eta2-H2)(CD2Cl2)(PCy3)2][BAr(F)4] 1b, can be observed by reducing the H2 pressure to 2 atm (at 298 K). Under vacuum, the dihydrogen ligands are lost in these complexes to form the spectroscopically characterized species, tentatively identified as the bis hydrides [Rh(H)2(L)2(PR3)2][BAr(F)4] (1c R = Cy; 2c R = iPr; L = CD2Cl2 or agostic interaction). Exposure of 1c or 2c to a H2 atmosphere regenerates the dihydrogen/bis-hydride complexes, while adding acetonitrile affords the bis-hydride MeCN adduct complexes [Rh(H)2(NCMe)2(PR3)2][BAr(F)4]. The dihydrogen complexes lose [HPR3][BAr(F)4] at or just above ambient temperature, suggested to be by heterolytic splitting of coordinated H2, to ultimately afford the dicationic cluster compounds of the type [Rh6(PR3)6(mu-H)12][BAr(F)4]2 in moderate yield.     

Determination of selected neurotransmitter metabolites using monolithic column chromatography coupled with chemiluminescence detection

The oxidation of selected clinically important neurotransmitter metabolites with acidic potassium permanganate in the presence of polyphosphates evokes chemiluminescence of sufficient intensity to enable the sensitive determination of these species. Limits of detection for 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), vanilmandelic acid (VMA; α,4-dihydroxy-3-methoxybenzeneacetic acid), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were between 5 × 10⁻⁹ and 4 × 10⁻⁸ M, using flow-injection analysis methodology. In addition, we demonstrate the rapid determination of homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid in human urine - without the need for extraction procedures - using monolithic column chromatography with chemiluminescence detection.     

Some reactions of tetrafluoroethylene oligomers

As part of a programme to prepare and evaluate a series of perfluoro- chemicals for use as inert fluids, the fluorinations of some tetrafluoroethylene oligomers over cobalt (III) fluoride have been studied.Fluorination of perfluoro-3,4-dimethylhex-3-ene (tetramer) and perfluoro-4-ethyl-3,4-dimethylhex-2-ene (pentamer) over CoF₃ at 230°C and l45°C respectively afforded the corresponding saturated fluorocarbons however, at 250°C, pentamer gave predominantly the saturated tetramer. The thermal behaviour of these saturated fluorocarbons alone and in the presence of bromine and toluene has been studied.Pyrolysis of pentamer over glass beads at 500°C gave perfluoro-1,2,3- trimethylcyclobutene and isomers of perfluoro-2,3-dimethylpenta-1,3- diene. Under similar conditions perfluoro-2-(1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl). 3-methylpent-1-ene (hexamer) gave perfluoro-1-methyl-2-(1-methyl- propyl)-cyclobut-1-ene and perfluoro-2-methyl-3-(1-methylpropyl)-buta- 1,3-diene.These reactions and the structural elucidation of the products will be discussed.     

Rotational band crossings in the actinides

In the actinides bothi _13/2 protons andj _15/2 neutrons are close to the Fermi surface. At rapid rotation these high-j particles will unpair and align their orbital angular momentum along the axis of rotation giving rise tos-bands that cross the ground-state band. Coulomb excitation of the odd nuclei ₂₃₇ ⁹³ Np (established up to the 45/2⁺ state) and ₂₃₅ ⁹² U (established up to the 51/2^? state) provides specific information about these band crossings: From the saturating alignment of the odd high-j particle in both nuclei at intermediate rotational frequencies we find the aligned angular momentum of thei _13/2 protons-band to be 6.6? while the corresponding value for thej _15/2 neutrons-band is 5.5?. At more rapid rotation above ?ω=0.18 MeV we observe additional alignment in²³⁵U. This is ascribed to the interaction of the protons-band. From the gradual onset of the additional alignment we deduce that forZ=92 the protons-band interacts strongly with the ground-state band and from a comparison of the actual amount of alignment with the full value of 6.6? we estimate the crossing to occur around ?gw _c ^p =0.25 MeV.     

Covalent binding of human serum albumin and ovalbumin by chloramine-T and chemical modification of the proteins

The covalent binding of ³⁵S-chloramine-T to human resum albumin (HSA) and ovalbumin is described. At pH 6.5, up to 24 chloramine-T molecules were found to be covalently bound per molecule of HSA; with ovalbumin the binding was only 5–7 molecule per protein molecule. Binding was accompanied by extensive modification of methionine, cysteine, histidine, tyrosine and lysine. Three new peaks appeared in the amino acid profiles of the modified proteins; two were identified as 1-aminoadipic acid (oxidation of lysine) and 3-chlorotyrosine. The most sites for covalent binding are lysine residues.     

A study of electronic structures of Pt3M (M=Ti,V,Cr,Fe,Co,Ni) polycrystalline alloys with valence-band photoemission spectroscopy

The surface valence-band densities of states (DOS) of Pt(3)M (M=Ti,V,Cr,Fe,Co,Ni) polycrystalline alloys were investigated with ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. Upon annealing the ion-sputter-cleaned alloys at high temperatures, the observed valence-band DOS spectra clearly show the modified electronic structures on the surfaces suggesting the surface segregation of Pt as predicted in thermodynamic models. The measured d-band centers and widths for the annealed alloy surfaces show qualitatively the same trend as predicted by density-functional-theory calculations based on the model of a Pt "skin" on the topmost surface layer and a subsurface layer enriched in the 3d transition metal.     

Infrared spectra of aluminum hydrides in solid hydrogen: Al2H4 and Al2H6

The reaction of laser-ablated Al atoms and normal-H(2) during co-deposition at 3.5 K produces AlH, AlH(2), and AlH(3) based on infrared spectra and the results of isotopic substitution (D(2), H(2) + D(2) mixtures, HD). Four new bands are assigned to Al(2)H(4) from annealing, photochemistry, and agreement with frequencies calculated using density functional theory. Ultraviolet photolysis markedly increases the yield of AlH(3) and seven new absorptions for Al(2)H(6) in the infrared spectrum of the solid hydrogen sample. These frequencies include terminal Al-H(2) and bridge Al-H-Al stretching and AlH(2) bending modes, which are accurately predicted by quantum chemical calculations for dibridged Al(2)H(6), a molecule isostructural with diborane. Annealing these samples to remove the H(2) matrix decreases the sharp AlH(3) and Al(2)H(6) absorptions and forms broad 1720 +/- 20 and 720 +/- 20 cm(-1) bands, which are due to solid (AlH(3))(n). Complementary experiments with thermal Al atoms and para-H(2) at 2.4 K give similar spectra and most product frequencies within 2 cm(-1). Although many volatile binary boron hydride compounds are known, binary aluminum hydride chemistry is limited to the polymeric (AlH(3))( solid. Our experimental characterization of the dibridged Al(2)H(6) molecule provides an important link between the chemistries of boron and aluminum.     

EPR studies on the thiophenodithiazolyl radical, C4H2S3N

Selective chlorination of thiophene-2,3-dithiol with SO(2)Cl(2) generates the corresponding sulfenyl chloride, 2,3-C(4)H(2)S(SCl)(2). Subsequent condensation with Me(3)SiN(3) yields the thiophenodithiazolylium salt [C(4)H(2)S(3)N]Cl, [TDTA]Cl. The structure of the cation, TDTA+, was established by X-ray diffraction as both its AsF(6)(-) and HSO(4)(-) salts. Reduction of [TDTA]Cl with Ag powder yields the radical TDTA* which was characterised by X- and Q-band (9 and 34 GHz) EPR and ENDOR studies. The spin density distributions estimated from the EPR/ENDOR measurements were found to be in very good agreement with those determined by DFT (B3LYP/6-31G*) indicating that ca 10% of the spin density is delocalised onto the thiophene ring. Comparison of the spin density distributions in TDTA* and the isoelectronic trithiatriazapentalenyl radical C(2)S(3)N(3), TTTA*, indicates that replacement of N by C-H leads to a localisation of the spin density on the dithiazolyl ring.