N‐(2‐Bromoethyl)‐4‐piperidino‐1,8‐naphthalimide and N‐(3‐bromopropyl)‐4‐piperidino‐1,8‐naphthalimide

N‐(2‐Bromoethyl)‐4‐piperidino‐1,8‐naphthalimide, C₁₉H₁₉BrN₂O₂, (I), and N‐(3‐bromopropyl)‐4‐piperidino‐1,8‐naphthalimide, C₂₀H₂₁BrN₂O₂, (II), are an homologous pair of 1,8‐naphthalimide derivatives. The naphthalimide units are planar and each piperidine substituent adopts a chair conformation. This study emphasizes the importance of π‐stacking interactions, often augmented by other contacts, in determining the crystal structures of 1,8‐naphthalimide derivatives.     

Coordination properties of new bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligands: a highly active dizinc complex in phosphate diester hydrolysis

The synthesis and characterization of three new bis([9]aneN(3)) ligands, containing respectively 2,2'-bipyridine (L(1)), 1,10-phenanthroline (L(2)), and quinoxaline (L(3)) moieties linking the two macrocyclic units, are reported. Proton binding and Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) coordination with L(1)-L(3) have been studied by potentiometric titrations and, for L(1) and L(2), by spectrophotometric UV-vis measurements in aqueous solutions. All ligands can give stable mono- and dinuclear complexes. In the case of L(1), trinuclear Cu(II) complexes are also formed. The stability constants and structural features of the formed complexes are strongly affected by the different architecture and binding properties of the spacers bridging the two [9]aneN(3) units. In the case of the L(1) and L(2) mononuclear complexes, the metal is coordinated by the three donors of one [9]aneN(3) moiety; in the [ML(2)](2+) complexes, however, the phenanthroline nitrogens are also involved in metal binding. Finally, in the [ML(3)](2+) complexes both macrocyclic units, at a short distance from each other, can be involved in metal coordination, giving rise to sandwich complexes. In the binuclear complexes each metal ion is generally coordinated by one [9]aneN(3) unit. In L(1), however, the dipyridine nitrogens can also act as a potential binding site for metals. The dinuclear complexes show a marked tendency to form mono-, di-, and, in some cases, trihydroxo species in aqueous solutions. The resulting M-OH functions may behave as nucleophiles in hydrolytic reactions. The hydrolysis rate of bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) was measured in aqueous solution at 308.1 K in the presence of the L(2) and L(3) dinuclear Zn(II) complexes. Both the L(2) complexes [Zn(2)L(2)(OH)(2)](2+) and [Zn(2)L(2)(OH)(3)](+) and the L(3) complex [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+) promote BNPP hydrolysis. The [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+) complex is ca. 2 orders of magnitude more active than the L(2) complexes, due both to the short distance between the metal centers in [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+), which could allow a bridging interaction of the phosphate ester, and to the simultaneous presence of single-metal bound nucleophilic Zn-OH functions. These structural features are substantially corroborated by semiempirical PM3 calculations carried out on the mono-, di-, and trihydroxo species of the L(3) dizinc complex.     

The structure and extinction of nonpremixed methane/nitrous oxide and ethane/nitrous oxide flames

Knowledge of combustion of hydrocarbon fuels with nitrogen-containing oxidizers is a first step in understanding key aspects of combustion of hypergolic and gun propellants. Here an experimental and kinetic-modeling study is carried out to elucidate aspects of nonpremixed combustion of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ethane (C₂H₆) and N₂O. Experiments are conducted, at a pressure of 1 atm, on flames stabilized between two opposing streams. One stream is a mixture of oxygen (O₂), nitrogen (N₂), and N₂O, and the other a mixture of CH₄ and N₂ or C₂H₆ and N₂. Critical conditions for extinction are measured. Kinetic-modeling studies are performed with the San Diego Mechanism. Experimental data and results of kinetic-modeling show that N₂O inhibits the flame by promoting extinction. Analysis of the flame structure shows that H radicals are produced in the overall chain-branching step 3H₂ + O₂ ? 2H₂O + 2H, in which molecular hydrogen is consumed. Hydrogen is also consumed in the overall step N₂O + H₂ ? N₂ + H₂O where stable products are formed. Inhibition of the flames by N₂O is attributed to competition between these two overall steps.     

High-peak-power second-harmonic generation of single-stage Yb-doped fiber amplifiers

A high-peak-power and high-repetition-rate fiber laser architecture is successfully demonstrated using a single-stage fiber amplifier. Nonlinear optical effects in a fiber amplifier degrade the monochromaticity of amplified laser pulses. In general, it is difficult for a non-monochromatic laser pulse to realize high-order harmonic generation with bulk nonlinear optical crystals. To overcome this problem, a single-stage amplifier architecture and a gain fiber with a high cladding absorption coefficient are employed. Furthermore, single-stage amplification enables the use of a multi-longitudinal mode electro-optically (EO) Q-switched micro seed laser. This architecture can generate a peak power of 100 kW at 50 kHz and an average power of 10 W. A second-harmonic conversion efficiency of 51% is obtained using this architecture and a LiB₃O₅ (LBO) crystal.     

Copper(II)-selective membrane electrodes based on some recently synthesized mixed aza-thioether crowns containing a 1,10-phenanthroline sub-unit

Three different mixed aza-thioether crowns containing a 1,10-phenanthroline sub-unit were investigated to characterize their abilities as copper(II) ion carriers in PVC-membrane electrodes. The electrode based on L1 exhibited a Nernstian response for Cu²⁺ ions over a wide concentration range (2×10⁻¹ to 1×10⁻⁵ M) with a limit of detection of 8.0×10⁻⁶ M (0.5 p.p.m.). The response time of sensor is 15 s, and the membrane can be used for more than 3 months without observing any deviation. The electrode revealed comparatively good selectivities with respect to many alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions, and could be used in a pH range of 2.5–5.5. It was applied to the direct determination and potentiometric titration of the copper(II) ion.     

Bifunctional ligands based on the DOTA-monoamide cage

Efficient routes to DOTA-monoamide ligands bearing amino, hydroxyl, aldehyde and maleimido groups are described. These functional groups, which can be spaced at will from the coordination cage, will readily react with suitable groups of targeting moieties. Bioconjugates obtained in this way can be used for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications.