Studies on the synthesis of the azocino[4,3‐b]indole framework and related compounds

An efficient method for the synthesis of C‐4 position alkylated azocino[4,3‐b]indole 13 and 18 is described. Reduction of compounds 5, 6, 7 and 8 yielded the corresponding alcohols. Compounds 5, 6, 7 and 8 were synthesized through several steps starting from 1 . The resulting alcohols underwent acid catalyzed ring closure to give tetracyclic azocino[4,3‐b]indole 9, 10, 11 and 12 . Finally, compounds 9 and 17 were alkylated at C‐4 position to the corresponding products 13 and 18 . The structure of the compounds 13 and 18 has been confirmed by X‐ray single crystal analysis.     

TOF-SIMS investigation of degradation pathways occurring in a variety of organic photovoltaic devices - the ISOS-3 inter-laboratory collaboration

The present work is the fourth (and final) contribution to an inter-laboratory collaboration that was planned at the 3rd International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability (ISOS-3). The collaboration involved six laboratories capable of producing seven distinct sets of OPV devices that were degraded under well-defined conditions in accordance with the ISOS-3 protocols. The degradation experiments lasted up to 1830 hours and involved more than 300 cells on more than 100 devices. The devices were analyzed and characterized at different points of their lifetimes by a large number of non-destructive and destructive techniques in order to identify specific degradation mechanisms responsible for the deterioration of the photovoltaic response. Work presented herein involves time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) in order to study chemical degradation in-plane as well as in-depth in the organic solar cells. Various degradation mechanisms were investigated and correlated with cell performance. For example, photo-oxidation of the active material was quantitatively studied as a function of cell performance. The large variety of cell architectures used (some with and some without encapsulation) enabled valuable comparisons and important conclusions to be drawn on degradation behaviour. This comprehensive investigation of OPV stability has significantly advanced the understanding of degradation behaviour in OPV devices, which is an important step towards large scale application of organic solar cells.     

Evaluation of infection imaging potential of <Superscript>131</Superscript>I-labeled imidazolium salt

Effective antimicrobial compounds are necessary due to increased resistance of antibiotics against microorganisms causing infectious diseases. In this study, imidazolium-TFSI salt [ITFSI: octyl-bis(3-methylimidazolium)-di(bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide)] was labeled with ¹³¹I with high efficiency. In vitro uptake experiments of ¹³¹I-ITFSI showed high uptake in gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. ¹³¹I-ITFSI was also evaluated for comparison between bacterial infection and sterile inflammation by in vivo studies. The biodistribution results revealed that ¹³¹I-ITFSI might be used as a nuclear imaging agent for detection of bacterial infection.     

Highly Active Cobalt Sulfide/Carbon Nanotube Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution at Soft Interfaces

Hydrogen evolution at polarized liquid–liquid interfaces [water/1,2‐dichloroethane (DCE)] by the electron donor decamethylferrocene (DMFc) is catalyzed efficiently by the fabricated cobalt sulfide (CoS) nanoparticles and nanocomposites of CoS nanoparticles formed on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CoS/CNT). The suspended CoS/CNT nanocomposite catalysts at the interface show a higher catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) than the CoS nanoparticles due to the high dispersity and conductivity of the CNT materials, which can serve as the main charge transport pathways for the injection of electrons to attain the catalytic sites of the nanoparticles. The reaction rate increased more than 1000‐fold and 300‐fold by using CoS/CNT and CoS catalysts, respectively, when compared to a non‐catalyzed reaction.     

Synthesis,characterization, and crystal structure of 6,7a-dichloro-3a-hydroxyoctahydro-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-indene-2,5-diyl diacetates

The first syntheses and characterizations of 6,7a-dichloro-3a-hydroxyoctahydro-1H-indene-2,5-diyl diacetates were successfully obtained starting from indan-2-ol. Epoxidation of 2 was carried out using mCPBA in methylene chloride followed by acetylation using acetyl chloride to furnish the diacetates. The structures of all synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods.     

Photosynthetic hydrogen production

Among various technologies for hydrogen production, the use of oxygenic natural photosynthesis has a great potential as can use clean and cheap sources—water and solar energy. In oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms electrons and protons produced from water and redirected by the photosynthetic electron-transport chain via ferredoxin to the hydrogen-producing enzymes hydrogenase or nitrogenase. By these enzymes, e^? and H⁺ recombine and form molecular hydrogen. Hydrogenase activity can be very high but is extremely sensitive to the photosynthetically evolved O₂ that leads to reduced and unstable H₂ production. However, presently, several approaches are developed to improve the energetic efficiency to generate H₂. This review examines the main available pathways to improve the photosynthetic H₂ production.     

A novel synthetic route for the total synthesis of (±)-uleine

In this study, a new synthetic route for the total synthesis of (±)-uleine is described. The important step in the synthesis of this alkaloid consists of an intramolecular cyclization of the D ring of the azocino[4,3-b]indole skeleton. Reduction of (N-methyl){3-β-ethyl-4-oxo-2,3,4,9-tetrahydrospiro[1H-carbazole-1,2′(1,3)dithiolane]-2-yl}-2-acetamide with borane yielded the corresponding (N-methyl){3-β-ethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,4,9-tetrahydrospiro[1H-carbazole-1,2′(1,3)dithiolane]-2-yl}-2-acetamide, which underwent acid-catalyzed ring closure to produce azocino[4,3-b]indole core. Finally, the synthesis of (±)-uleine was completed through several steps from the azocino[4,3-b]indole core.     

Application of colloidal palladium modifier for the determination of As, Sb and Pb in a spiked sea water sample by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Colloidal palladium was used as a chemical modifier for analysis of complex samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. In order to demonstrate high potential of the modifier, optimization of the time–temperature program of the atomizer was limited with only pyrolysis and atomization temperatures. Fixed palladium modifier masses were applied (6 μg for pure analyte solutions and 15 μg for matrix-containing solutions). It was shown that in the presence of colloidal palladium, interference-free determinations of As, Sb and Pb are possible up to at least 450 μg of chloride ion, or 40 μg of sulfate ion (as their sodium salts) in the atomizer. Colloidal palladium was used for the direct determination of As, Sb and Pb in a spiked sea water sample (from Bosphorus channel near Istanbul) by means of the calibration graphs prepared with pure analyte solutions. The detection limits for As, Sb and Pb in a sea water matrix calculated according to 2σ criteria are 5.4, 3.6 and 1.1 ng ml⁻¹, respectively (for sample volume 10 μl). In unspiked sea water, the contents of As, Sb and Pb were found to be below the detection limits. Recoveries of spiked analytes (25 and 50 ng ml⁻¹) were in the region of 98–112% depending on the nature of analyte and the concentration of spike.     

On the stability of a variety of organic photovoltaic devices by IPCE and in situ IPCE analyses - the ISOS-3 inter-laboratory collaboration

This work is part of the inter-laboratory collaboration to study the stability of seven distinct sets of state-of-the-art organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices prepared by leading research laboratories. All devices have been shipped to and degraded at RIS?-DTU up to 1830 hours in accordance with established ISOS-3 protocols under defined illumination conditions. In this work, we apply the Incident Photon-to-Electron Conversion Efficiency (IPCE) and the in situ IPCE techniques to determine the relation between solar cell performance and solar cell stability. Different ageing conditions were considered: accelerated full sun simulation, low level indoor fluorescent lighting and dark storage. The devices were also monitored under conditions of ambient and inert (N(2)) atmospheres, which allows for the identification of the solar cell materials more susceptible to degradation by ambient air (oxygen and moisture). The different OPVs configurations permitted the study of the intrinsic stability of the devices depending on: two different ITO-replacement alternatives, two different hole extraction layers (PEDOT:PSS and MoO(3)), and two different P3HT-based polymers. The response of un-encapsulated devices to ambient atmosphere offered insight into the importance of moisture in solar cell performance. Our results demonstrate that the IPCE and the in situ IPCE techniques are valuable analytical methods to understand device degradation and solar cell lifetime.