Silk layering as studied with neutron reflectivity

Neutron reflectivity (NR) measurements of ultrathin surface films (below 30 nm) composed of Bombyx mori silk fibroin protein in combination with atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry were used to reveal the internal structural organization in both dry and swollen states. Reconstituted aqueous silk solution deposited on a silicon substrate using the spin-assisted layer-by-layer (SA-LbL) technique resulted in a monolayer silk film composed of random nanofibrils with constant scattering length density (SLD). However, a vertically segregated ordering with two different regions has been observed in dry, thicker, seven-layer SA-LbL silk films. The vertical segregation of silk multilayer films indicates the presence of a different secondary structure of silk in direct contact with the silicon oxide surface (first 6 nm). The layered structure can be attributed to interfacial β-sheet crystallization and the formation of well-developed nanofibrillar nanoporous morphology for the initially deposited silk surface layers with the preservation of less dense, random coil secondary structure for the layers that follow. This segregated structure of solid silk films defines their complex nonuniform behavior in the D(2)O environment with thicker silk films undergoing delamination during swelling. For a silk monolayer with an initial thickness of 6 nm, we observed the increase in the effective thickness by 60% combined with surprising decrease in density. Considering the nanoporous morphology of the hydrophobic silk layer, we suggested that the apparent increase in its thickness in liquid environment is caused by the air nanobubble trapping phenomenon at the liquid-solid interface.     

Dehalogenation of α -haloketones and vic-dibromides with nickel boride

α-Haloketones and $\text{vic}$-dibromides are converted to the corresponding ketones and alkenes respectively with nickel boride generated $\text{in situ}$ from sodium borohydride and nickel chloride.     

2′,6′-Dimethoxyflavone as an Aid to the Crystallization of Benzoic Acids and X-Ray Structure of the Inclusion Compound with 2,4,6-Trimethoxybenzoic Acid

The crystal structure of the inclusion compound formed between 2-6-dimethoxyflavone and 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzoic acid has been investigated by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1, as do inclusion compounds with acetic, propionic, and bromoacetic acids. However, the larger 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzoic acid molecule induces a layered structure.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic examination of various substituted 1,3-dibenzoylmethane, active agents for UVA/UVB photoprotection

We describe the synthesis of eighteen variously substituted 1,3- dibenzoylmethane (1,3-DBM) and their change in absorption spectra depending of the nature of donor or acceptor substituents on one or the two aromatic moieties. These compounds were prepared in two steps starting from the corresponding acetophenones, phenol and benzoyl chlorides. The phenyl benzoate was obtained by condensation of benzoyl chloride with phenol in a classical way. Stirring of the phenyl benzoate and acetophenone in DMSO with powdered sodium hydroxide for a few minutes gave the dibenzoylmethane in yields depending on substituents on the phenyl rings. Changes in absorption of UVA/UVB sunlight of these molecules were observed according to the nature and the position of substituents on the phenyl rings. Molecules 2b (1-phenyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanedione), 2d (1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-l,3-propanedione), 2e (1-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-l,3-propanedione) and 2f (1-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-l,3-propanedione) were the most interesting for cosmetic applications because even after irradiation, they preserve their absorptive in UVA range and also in UVB range The other compounds are too photounstable and so can lose their protective effects. These results showed the lack of phototoxicity of these compounds and the possibility to use them as solar filters. Therefore, variously di- or tri methoxy 1,3-DBM are interesting molecules in term of photoprotection and open new prospects for UVA photostable filters.