Nitrile‐functionalized Hg(II)‐ and Ag(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis,crystal structures,nuclease and DNA binding activities

Various nitrile‐functionalized benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene carbene complexes of Hg(II) and Ag(I) were synthesized by the interaction of 1‐benzyl/1‐butyl‐3‐(cyano‐benzyl)‐3 H‐benzimidazol‐1‐ium mono/dihexafluorophosphate with Hg(OAc)₂/Ag₂O in acetonitrile. Two of the benzimidazolium salts were structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. Structures of reported compounds were characterized by ¹ H, ¹³C NMR, FT‐IR, UV–visible spectroscopic techniques, and molar conductivity and elemental analyses. For bis‐benzimidazolium salt, dinuclear Hg(II)– and Ag(I)–carbene complexes were obtained. Nuclease activity and binding interactions of the synthesized benzimidazolium salts and their Ag(I)–carbene complexes with DNA were studied using agarose gel electrophoresis and, absorption spectroscopy and viscosity measurements, respectively. Ag(I)–carbene complexes showed higher DNA binding activity compared to their respective benzimidazolium salts. However, a benzimidazolium salt and two of the Ag(I) complexes showed remarkably higher nuclease activity both, in the presence and absence of an oxidizing agent. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of Power Modulation on Ozone Production Using an AC Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Oxygen

The measurements of electro-optical discharge characteristics and concentration of produced ozone were performed to evaluate the efficiency of ozone production in an AC surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) in pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure. The discharge was driven in an amplitude-modulated regime with a driving AC frequency of 1 kHz, variable discharge duty cycle of 0.01–0.8 and oxygen flow rate of 2.5–10 slm. We observed asymmetric SDBD behaviour as evidenced by the variation in the ratio of the O^I/O₂ ⁺ emission intensities registered during the positive/negative half-periods and complemented by the transferred charge measurements through the Lissajous figures. We also found a strong dependence of O₃ concentration on the discharge duty cycle. The highest calculated ozone production yield reached 170 g/kWh with a corresponding energy cost of about 10 eV/molecule when combining the lowest inspected duty cycle with the lowest AC high voltage amplitude.     

FTIR studies of iron-carbonyl intermediates in allylic alcohol photoisomerization

The 532 or 355 nm laser-induced photoisomerization of allylic alcohols to aldehydes catalyzed by [Fe(3)(CO)(12)] or [Fe(CO)(4)PPh(3)] in hexane was investigated. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectra of iron-carbonyl intermediate species such as [Fe(CO)(5)], [Fe(CO)(4)(R-C(3)H(4)OH)], and more importantly the pi-allyl iron-carbonyl hydride species [FeH(CO)(3)(R-C(3)H(3)OH)] (R=H, Me, Ph) were recorded during the catalytic process using [Fe(3)(CO)(12)] as the catalytic precursor. When [Fe(CO)(4)PPh(3)] was photolyzed with 355 nm, [FeH(CO)(3)(R-C(3)H(3)OH)] was also generated indicating the common occurrence of the species in these two systems. The pi-allyl hydride species is long believed to be a key intermediates and its detection here lends support to the pi-allyl mechanism of the photoisomerization of allyl alcohols.     

Reduction of <Superscript>68</Superscript>Ge activity containing liquid waste from <Superscript>68</Superscript>Ga PET chemistry in nuclear medicine and radiopharmacy by solidification

PET with ⁶⁸Ga from the TiO₂- or SnO₂- based ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga generators is of increasing interest for PET imaging in nuclear medicine. In general, radionuclidic purity (⁶⁸Ge vs. ⁶⁸Ga activity) of the eluate of these generators varies between 0.01 and 0.001%. Liquid waste containing low amounts of ⁶⁸Ge activity is produced by eluting the ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga generators and residues from PET chemistry. Since clearance level of ⁶⁸Ge activity in waste may not exceed 10 Bq/g, as stated by European Directive 96/29/EURATOM, our purpose was to reduce ⁶⁸Ge activity in solution from >10 kBq/g to <10 Bq/g; which implies the solution can be discarded as regular waste. Most efficient method to reduce the ⁶⁸Ge activity is by sorption of TiO₂ or Fe₂O₃ and subsequent centrifugation. The required 10 Bq per mL level of ⁶⁸Ge activity in waste was reached by Fe₂O₃ logarithmically, whereas with TiO₂ asymptotically. The procedure with Fe₂O₃ eliminates ≥90% of the ⁶⁸Ge activity per treatment. Eventually, to simplify the processing a recirculation system was used to investigate ⁶⁸Ge activity sorption on TiO₂, Fe₂O₃ or Zeolite. Zeolite was introduced for its high sorption at low pH, therefore ⁶⁸Ge activity containing waste could directly be used without further interventions. ⁶⁸Ge activity containing liquid waste at different HCl concentrations (0.05–1.0 M HCl), was recirculated at 1 mL/min. With Zeolite in the recirculation system, ⁶⁸Ge activity showed highest sorption.     

The critical importance of size on thermoresponsive nanoparticle transition temperatures: gold and micelle-based polymer nanoparticles

The synthesis and application of thermally-responsive macromolecules and nanoparticles relies on the underpinning control of their transition temperatures. The present study shows that two structurally diverse classes of nanoparticle have very strong diameter-dependent responses to temperature-stimuli, demonstrating that the exact size of the nanostructure can significantly impact its performance.     

PaDEL‐DDPredictor: Open‐source software for PD‐PK‐T prediction

ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity)‐related failure of drug candidates is a major issue for the pharmaceutical industry today. Prediction of PD‐PK‐T properties using in silico tools has become very important in pharmaceutical research to reduce cost and enhance efficiency. PaDEL‐DDPredictor is an in silico tool for rapid prediction of PD‐PK‐T properties of compounds from their chemical structures. It is free and open‐source software that, has both graphical user interface and command line interface, can work on all major platforms (Windows, Linux, and MacOS) and supports more than 90 different molecular file formats. The software can be downloaded from http://padel.nus.edu.sg/software/padelddpredictor . © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Photocatalytic formulations for protein fibers: experimental analysis of the effect of preparation on compatibility and photocatalytic activities

In this article, we report an optimization study of a photocatalytic self-cleaning sol–gel formulation. In particular we studied the effect of formulation preparation time on the formation of anatase titanium dioxide sol and its compatibility to protein keratin-type wool fibers. The sols were formed by a low temperature sol–gel process. The nucleated anatase was characterized by UV–vis transmission, particle size distribution, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The compatibility between the formulations and wool fibers is evaluated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, UV transmission, and mechanical properties. The photocatalytic self-cleaning activity of coated fibers and its reproducibility are also discussed.     

Reaction of [M(CO)4] (M = Ir, Rh) with cyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate - Ring opening and coupling of cyclopropenyl ligands to form dinuclear metal complexes

Reaction of the iridium tetracarbonylate [PPN][Ir(CO)₄] (1a) with triphenylcyclopropenyl tetrafluoroborate [C₃Ph₃][BF₄] afforded two dinuclear species Ir₂(CO)₄(μ,η¹:η²-C₃Ph₃)(μ,η²:η³-C₃Ph₃) (2) and Ir₂(CO)₄(μ,η⁴:η⁴-C₆Ph₆) (3a) resulting from the ring opening and in the latter case, coupling of the resulting acyclic, propenyl ligands. The analogous reaction with [PPN][Rh(CO)₄] (1b) afforded only the rhodium analogue for 3a.     

An Adjustable Pure Dispersion Slope Compensating-Module without Center Wavelength Shift Based on Strain-Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings

We demonstrate an adjustable pure dispersion slope compensating-module based on strain-chirped fiber Bragg gratings.The center wavelength of the module is preserved while the pure dispersion slope is tuned.     

Advances in modulation spectroscopy: State-of-art photoreflectance metrology

In this paper, technological advances of modulation spectroscopy are presented, exploiting the sensitivity, room-temperature resolution, as well as the rapid and non-contact (non-destructive) nature of laser-induced photoreflectance (PR). A novel method of asynchronous (switching) modulation is presented to overcome laser-induced non-PR background effects, which limit or even obscure the complex (phase) PR response. The solid-state, acousto-optic based method may even be employed for non-uniform samples, and moreover, exhibits evidence for improved signal-to-noise level. Also presented is a novel optical design in order to achieve multiple, independent and simultaneous spectral acquisition, including auto-calibration. Results are demonstrated for heavily doped n-type and p-type GaAs substrates, and also technologically important HBT device structures, with further applications also emphasised for HEMTs, LEDs, etc. The results demonstrate the importance and role of PR as a successful commercial metrology tool for existing state-of-art, as well as next generation semiconductor characterisation and statistical-process-control (SPC) equipment.