4‐[2‐(3‐Methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]‐N‐methylpyridinium tetraphenylborate

In the title compound, C₁₅H₁₆NO⁺·C₂₄H₂₀B⁻, the pyridinium ring of the cation makes a dihedral angle of 4.3 (2)° with the benzene ring. Each is rotated in the same direction with respect to the central C—CH=CH—C linkage, by 10.0 (2) and 7.8 (2)°, respectively. The anions have a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry. The most interesting feature of the structure is that the anions form a honeycomb‐like hexagonal structure down the b axis through C—H...π interactions. The hexagon is constructed from six BPh₄⁻ anions. The cations interact in a head‐to‐tail fashion along [010], forming chains, and pack antiparallel inside the above honeycomb‐like structure through C—H...π interactions.     

A low molecular weight hydrogel which exhibits electroosmotic flow and its use as a bioreactor and for electrochromatography of neutral species

A low molecular weight hydrogel which exhibits electroosmotic flow is described, and its use for separation and biocatalytic applications that require passage of a solvent stream through the gel is demonstrated.     

Direct growth of novel alloyed PtAu nanodendrites

A novel nanostructure of a PtAu catalyst, alloyed PtAu nanodendrites, has been synthesized via a reproducible single-step hydrothermal co-reduction of Pt and Au inorganic precursors and shows exceptionally high catalytic activity towards the electrooxidation of formic acid.     

Structure determination and characterization of two rare-earth molybdenum borate compounds: LnMoBO(6) (Ln = La, Ce)

The structural, optical, and electronic properties of two rare-earth molybdenum borate compounds, LnMoBO(6) (Ln = La, Ce), have been investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, and spectral measurements, as well as calculations of energy band structures, density of states, and optical response functions by the density functional method. The title compounds, which crystallize in monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, possess a similar network of interconnected [Ce(2)(MoO(4))(2)](2+) chains and [BO(2)](-) wavy chains. Novel 1D molybdenum oxide chains are contained in their three-dimensional (3D) networks. The calculated results of crystal energy band structure by the density functional theory (DFT) method show that the solid-state compound LaMoBO(6) is a semiconductor with indirect band gaps.     

Determination of trace chlorine dioxide based on the plasmon resonance scattering of silver nanoparticles

A plasmon resonance scattering (PRS) method for chlorine dioxide is reported based on the oxidization of silver nanoparticles (NPs) by it, in pH 9.1 ammonia-ammonium nitrate buffer solutions. Silver NPs exhibit strong PRS signals at 470nm, and can be oxidized by ClO(2), which results in PRS quenching at 470nm. It was found that the PRS quenching intensity is proportional to the concentration of chlorine dioxide over the range of 0.0011-0.185microg/mL, with a detection limit (3sigma) of 0.00050microg/mL and the correlation coefficient of 0.9995. The method is simple, rapid and cost effective. It was applied to the determination of chlorine dioxide in drinking water, with satisfactory results.     

Electrochemical pesticide sensitivity test using acetylcholinesterase biosensor based on colloidal gold nanoparticle modified sol-gel interface

Based on the change in electrochemical behavior of enzymatic activity induced by pesticide, a novel electrochemical method for investigation of pesticide sensitivity using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor was developed. The sol-gel-derived silicate network assembling gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-SiSG) provided a biocompatible microenvironment around the enzyme molecule to stabilize its biological activity and prevented them from leaking out of the interface. The composite was characterized using atomic force microscopy and proved to be chemically clean, porous and homogeneous. AuNPs promoted a conductive pathway for electron transfer and improved electrochemical reactions at a lower potential. Typical pesticides such as monocrotophos, methyl parathion and carbaryl were selected for pesticide sensitivity tests. Due to the inhibitions of pesticides, the electrochemical responses of substrate on AChE-sensors decreased greatly. The inhibition curves showed good correspondence with the results by UV spectrophotometry assay. The proposed electrochemical pesticide sensitivity test exhibited high sensitivity, desirable accuracy, low cost and simplified procedures. This method could be developed as a conventional method to select efficient enzyme inhibitors and investigate toxic compounds against to enzyme.     

Synthesis of soluble oligo- and polymeric pentacene-based materials

Functionalization of pentacene at the 6- and 13-positions affords versatile building blocks for oligomer and polymer formation. Di- and trimeric materials are synthesized using unsymmetrical building block 18, while symmetrical diol monomer 17 allows for the synthesis of polymers. The materials reported herein are soluble in common organic solvents and air-stable. UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic properties have been investigated. Solid-state X-ray crystallography of building blocks 17 and 19 shows that these derivatives can π-stack with significant acene face-to-face interactions with spacing of less than 3.5 Å.     

Phenol Inhibition and Restoration of the Bioactivity of Anaerobic Granular Sludge

Inhibition and restoration of different concentrations of phenol on the bioactivity of anaerobic granular sludge were investigated with laboratory-scale equipment. It indicated that phenol concentration lower than 50 mg/l show no inhibitory effect on bioactivities of granular sludge. However, methane productivity, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content, and coenzyme F(420) activity were decreased by varying degrees when phenol concentration adopted for inhibition ranged between 50 and 400 mg/l. Noticeably, methane productivity could be fully or partly restored in case the phenol was removed after 24 h of phenol inhibition.     

Observation and calculation of the Cs2 2 3Delta(1g) and b 3Pi(0u) states

The Cs(2) 2 (3)Delta(1g) and b (3)Pi(0u) states have been observed by infrared-infrared double resonance spectroscopy for the first time. 221 2 (3)Delta(1g)<--A (1)Sigma(u) (+)<--X (1)Sigma(g) (+) double resonance lines have been assigned to transitions into the 2 (3)Delta(1g) v=6-13 vibrational levels. Resolved fluorescence into the b (3)Pi(0u) v(')=0-48 levels has been recorded. Molecular constants and potential energy curves are determined by the global fit of the entire set of the experimental data. Theoretical potential energy curves of the 2 (3)Delta(g) and b (3)Pi(u) states have been determined in the framework of the pseudopotential method and are compared with the experimental results.     

Synthetic studies on Et-743. Assembly of the pentacyclic core and a formal total synthesis

A formal total synthesis of the potent anticancer agent Et-743 is described. The tetrahydroisoquinoline core is stereoselectively constructed using a novel radical cyclization of a glyoxalimine. Further elaboration of this core rapidly accessed the pentacyclic core of Et-743, but a mixture of regiosisomers was obtained in the key Pictet-Spengler ring closure. A known advanced intermediate in the synthesis of Et-743 was intercepted, constituting a formal synthesis of the molecule.