Observation of the pi...H hydrogen-bonded ternary complex, (C(2)H(4))(2)H(2)O, using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy

FTIR absorption spectra of water-containing ethene:Ar matrices, with compositions of ethene up to 1:10 ethene:Ar, have been recorded. Systematically increasing the concentration of ethene reveals features in the spectra consistent with the known 1:1 ethene:water complex, which subsequently disappear on further increase in ethene concentration. At high concentrations of ethene, new features are observed at 3669 and 3585 cm(-1), which are red-shifted with respect to matrix-isolated nu(3) and nu(1) O-H stretching modes of water and the 1:1 ethene:water complex. These shifts are consistent with a pi...H interaction of a 2:1 ethene:water complex of the form (C(2)H(4)...H-O-H...C(2)H(4)). The analogous (C(2)D(4))(2)H(2)O complex shows little shifting from positions associated with (C(2)H(4))(2)H(2)O, while the (C(2)H(4))(2)D(2)O isotopomer shows large shifts to 2722.3 and 2617.2 cm(-1), having identical nu(3)(H(2)O)/nu(3)(D(2)O) and nu(1)(H(2)O)/nu(1)(D(2)O) values when compared with monomeric water isotopomers. Features at 3626.1 and 2666.2 cm(-1) are also observed and are attributed to (C(2)H(4))(2)HDO. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level for each isotopomer are presented, and the predicted vibrational frequencies are directly compared with experimental values. The interaction energy for the formation of the 2:1 ethene:water complex from the 1:1 ethene:water complex is also presented.     

Evolution of near‐surface deformed layers during hot rolling of AA3104 aluminium alloy

In the present study, controlled reheating and breakdown rolling experiments have been carried out and the thickness, structure and uniformity of the resultant near‐surface deformed layer have been characterised by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. High aspect ratio rolling, coupled with an increased rolling speed and rough and worn roll surfaces results in a high degree of interaction between the work roll and work pieces. This generates a shingled surface appearance with a high population of transverse surface cracks and a relatively thick near‐surface deformed layer. In contrast, relatively low aspect ratio rolling, coupled with a reduced rolling speed and freshly ground work roll surfaces generates a relatively thin near‐surface deformed layer. The thickness of the near‐surface deformed layer varies across the alloy surface and is directly related to the shingles, the surface cracks and the distribution of coarse intermetallics. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anodic film formation on binary Al?Mg and Al?Ti alloys in nitric acid

Nitric acid is commonly used for surface treatments of aluminium alloys. It is used to clean the surfaces after alkaline etching; it has application in chemical polishing and is also used for electrograining. The majority of these treatments undergo the application of anodic polarisation that results in formation of anodic oxide film. However, little is known about the behaviour of aluminium containing magnesium or titanium in solid solution under such conditions. To reveal the effects of magnesium and titanium alloying additions on anodic film formation in nitric acid, Al‐1800 ppm Mg and Al‐800 ppm Ti alloys were investigated. It was found that porous alumina film developed on the surfaces with reduced efficiency of 40%, due to the reactive nature of nitric acid to alumina. The presence of magnesium and titanium in aluminium had little influence on the efficiency of film growth, as confirmed by the relatively similar thicknesses of oxide formed on binary alloys and aluminium. However, incorporation of magnesium ions into the alumina film led to development of a high‐population density of localised voids near the alloy/film interface. An increased titanium content was found in the film regions close to the alloy/film interface, indicating its oxidation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enrichment,incorporation and oxidation of copper during anodising of aluminium–copper alloys

Porous anodic oxides generated on copper‐containing aluminium alloys are less regular than anodic oxides generated on pure aluminium. Specifically, a porous oxide morphology comprising layers of embryo pores, generated by a cyclic process of oxide film growth and oxygen evolution, is generally observed. In this work, the relation between the oxidation behaviour of copper during anodising and the specific porous oxide film morphology was investigated by electrochemical techniques, transmission electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). It was found that the anodising potential determines the oxidation behaviour of copper, and the latter determines the porous oxide morphology. At low voltage, relatively straight pores with continuous cell walls were obtained on Al? Cu alloys, but selective oxidation of aluminium atoms resulted in the occlusion of copper‐containing metallic nanoparticles in the anodic film. At higher potentials, copper oxidation promoted oxygen evolution within the barrier layer, and generation of a less regular film morphology. RBS, performed on Al? Cu alloy specimens, revealed a high volume fraction of copper atoms in the anodic films generated at low potentials and a reduced amount of copper atoms in the anodic oxide films generated at high potentials. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct detection of membrane channels from gels using water-in-oil droplet bilayers

We form planar lipid bilayers between an aqueous droplet and a hydrogel support immersed in a lipid-oil solution. By scanning the bilayer over the surface of an SDS-PAGE gel, we are able to directly detect membrane proteins from gels using single-channel recording. Using this technique, we are able to examine low levels of endogenous protein from cell extracts without the need for over-expression. We also use droplet bilayers to detect small molecules from hydrogels. The bilayers show enhanced stability compared to conventional planar lipid bilayers, and both bilayer size and position can be controlled during an experiment. Hydrogel scanning with droplet bilayers provides a new method for the discovery and characterization of ion channels with the potential for high-throughput screening.     

Octanuclear and nonanuclear supramolecular copper(II) complexes with linear "tritopic" ligands: structural and magnetic studies

The structures and magnetic properties of self-assembled copper(II) clusters and grids with the "tritopic" ligands 2poap (a), Cl2poap (b), m2poap (c), Cl2pomp (d), and 2pomp (e) are described [ligands derived by reaction of 4-R-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic hydrazide (R = H, Cl, MeO) with 2-pyridinemethylimidate (a-c, respectively) or 2-acetylpyridine (d, R = Cl; e, R = H)]. Cl2poap and Cl2pomp self-assemble with Cu(NO(3))(2) to form octanuclear "pinwheel" cluster complexes [Cu(8)(Cl2poap-2H)(4)(NO(3))(8)].20H(2)O (1) and [Cu(8)(Cl2pomp-2H)(4)(NO(3))(8)].15H(2)O (2), built on a square [2 x 2] grid with four pendant copper arms, using "mild" reaction conditions. Similar reactions of Cl2pomp and 2pomp with Cu(ClO(4))(2) produce pinwheel clusters [Cu(8)(Cl2pomp-2H)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](ClO(4))(8).7H(2)O (3) and [Cu(8)(2pomp-2H)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](ClO(4))(8) (4), respectively. Heating a solution of 1 in MeOH/H(2)O produces a [3 x 3] nonanuclear square grid complex, [Cu(9)(Cl2poap-H)(3)(Cl2poap-2H)(3)](NO(3))(9).18H(2)O (5), which is also produced by direct reaction of the ligand and metal salt under similar conditions. Reaction of m2poap with Cu(NO(3))(2) produces only the [3 x 3] grid [Cu(9)(m2poap-H)(2)(m2poap-2H)(4)](NO(3))(8).17H(2)O (6) under similar conditions. Mixing the tritopic ligand 2poap with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (picd) in the presence of Cu(NO(3))(2) produces a remarkable mixed ligand, nonanuclear grid complex [Cu(9)(2poap-H)(4)(picd-H)(3)(picd-2H)](NO(3))(9).9H(2)O (7), in which aromatic pi-stacking interactions are important in stabilizing the structure. Complexes 1-3 and 5-7 involve single oxygen atom (alkoxide) bridging connections between adjacent copper centers, while complex 4 has an unprecedented mixed micro-(N-N) and micro-O metal ion connectivity. Compound 1 (C(76)H(92)N(44)Cu(8)O(50)Cl(4)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 21.645(1) A, c = 12.950(1) A, and Z = 2. Compound 2 (C(84)H(88)N(36)O(44)Cl(4)Cu(8)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 21.2562(8) A, c = 12.7583(9) A, and Z = 2. Compound 4 (C(84)H(120)N(28)O(66)Cl(8)Cu(8)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I4(1)/a, with a = 20.7790(4) A, c = 32.561(1) A, and Z = 4. Compound 7(C(104)H(104)N(46)O(56)Cu(9)) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 15.473(1) A, b = 19.869(2) A, c = 23.083(2) A, alpha = 88.890(2) degrees, beta = 81.511(2) degrees, gamma = 68.607(1) degrees, and Z = 2. All complexes exhibit dominant intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange coupling, resulting from an orthogonal bridging arrangement within each polynuclear structure.     

Fluorescence Lifetime Spectroscopy of Glioblastoma Multiforme¶

Fluorescence spectroscopy of the endogenous emission of brain tumors has been researched as a potentially important method for the intraoperative localization of brain tumor margins. We investigated the use of time‐resolved, laser‐induced fluorescence spectroscopy for demarcation of primary brain tumors by studying the time‐resolved spectra of gliomas. The fluorescence of human brain samples (glioblastoma multiforme, cortex and white matter: six patients, 23 sites) was induced ex vivo with a pulsed nitrogen laser (337 nm, 3 ns). The time‐resolved spectra were detected in a 360–550 nm wavelength range using a fast digitizer and gated detection. Parameters derived from both the spectral‐ (intensities from narrow spectral bands) and the time domain (average lifetime) measured at 390 and 460 nm were used for tissue characterization. We determined that high‐grade gliomas are characterized by fluorescence lifetimes that varied with the emission wavelength (>3 ns at 390 nm, <1 ns at 460 nm) and their emission is overall longer than that of normal brain tissue. Our study demonstrates that the use of fluorescence lifetime not only improves the specificity of fluorescence measurements but also allows a more robust evaluation of data collected from brain tissue. Combined information from both the spectraland the time domain can enhance the ability of fluorescencebased techniques to diagnose and detect brain tumor margins intraoperatively.     

Organometallic complexes as hole-transporting materials in organic light-emitting diodes

The use of metal complexes fac-tris(1-phenylpyrazolato-N,C(2)('))cobalt(III) [fac-Co(ppz)(3)], fac-tris(2-phenylpyridinato-N,C(2)(') cobalt(III) [fac-Co(ppy)(3)], and [tris[2-((pyrrole-2-ylmethylidene)amino)ethyl]amine]gallium(III) [Ga(pma)] as materials for hole-transporting layers (HTL) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) is reported. Co(ppz)(3) and Co(ppy)(3) were prepared by following literature procedures and isolated as mixtures of facial (fac) and meridional (mer) isomers. The more stable fac isomers were separated from the unstable mer forms via column chromatography and thermal gradient sublimation. Crystals of fac-Co(ppz)(3) are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 13.6121(12) A, b = 15.5600(12) A, c = 22.9603(17) A, beta = 100.5 degrees, V = 4781.3(7) A(3), and Z = 8. [Tris[2-((pyrrol-2-ylmethylidene)amino)ethyl]amine]gallium [Ga(pma)] was prepared by the reaction of gallium(III) nitrate with the pmaH(3) ligand precursor in methanol. Ga(pma) crystallizes in the cubic space group I3d with cell parameters a = 20.2377(4) A, b = 20.2377(4) A, c = 20.2377(4) A, beta = 90.0 degrees, V = 8288.6(3) A(3), and Z = 16. These cobalt and gallium complexes are pale colored to colorless solids, with optical energy gaps ranging 2.6-3.36 eV. A two-layer HTL/ETL (ETL = electron-transporting layer) device structure using fac-Co(ppz)(3) and fac-Co(ppy)(3) as the HTL does not give efficient electroluminescence. However, the introduction of a thin layer of a hole-transporting material (N,N'-bis(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenylbenzidine, NPD) as an energy "stair-step" and electron/exciton-blocker dramatically improves the device performance. Both fac-Co(ppz)(3) and fac-Co(ppy)(3) devices give external quantum efficiencies higher than 1.0%, with brightness 5000 and 7000 Cd/m(2) at 10 V, respectively. Ga(pma) also functions as an efficient interface layer, giving device performances very similar to those of analogous devices using NPD as the interface layer. Stability tests have been carried out for Co(ppz)(3)/NPD/Alq(3) and Co(ppy)(3)/NPD/Alq(3) devices. While fac-Co(ppy)(3) gave stable OLEDs, the fac-Co(ppz)(3)-based devices had very short lifetimes. On the basis of the experimental results of chemical oxidation of fac-Co(ppz)(3), the major cause for the fast decay of the fac-Co(ppz)(3) device is proposed to be the decomposition of fac-Co(ppz)(3)(+) in the HTL layer during the device operation.     

Reorientation dynamics of nanoconfined water: power-law decay, hydrogen-bond jumps, and test of a two-state model

The reorientation dynamics of water confined within nanoscale, hydrophilic silica pores are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The effect of surface hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions are examined by comparing with both a silica pore with no charges (representing hydrophobic confinement) and bulk water. The OH reorientation in water is found to slow significantly in hydrophilic confinement compared to bulk water, and is well-described by a power-law decay extending beyond one nanosecond. In contrast, the dynamics of water in the hydrophobic pore are more modestly affected. A two-state model, commonly used to interpret confined liquid properties, is tested by analysis of the position-dependence of the water dynamics. While the two-state model provides a good fit of the orientational decay, our molecular-level analysis evidences that it relies on an over-simplified picture of water dynamics. In contrast with the two-state model assumptions, the interface dynamics is markedly heterogeneous, especially in the hydrophilic pore and there is no single interfacial state with a common dynamics.     

Dimethylamine borane dehydrogenation chemistry: syntheses, X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of 18-electron aminoborane and 14-electron aminoboryl complexes

The reactions of Me(2)NH·BH(3) with cationic Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes have been shown to generate the 18-electron aminoborane adduct [Ir(IMes)(2)(H)(2){κ(2)-H(2)BNMe(2))](+) and the remarkable 14-electron aminoboryl complex [Rh(IMes)(2)(H)-{B(H)NMe(2))](+). Neutron diffraction studies have been used for the first time to define H-atom locations in metal complexes of this type formed under catalytic conditions.