Cycloaddition reaction of 1,3-butadiene with a symmetric Si adatom pair on the Si(111)7x7 surface

We first found experimentally a cycloaddition reaction of a molecule on a symmetry Si pair, 1,3-butadiene on the Si adatom pair of Si(111)7x7, while up to now only asymmetric Si pairs were reported to be involved in cycloaddition reactions on Si surfaces. As the symmetry of a Si pair is expected to influence significantly a cycloaddition product and a reaction pathway, the [4+2]-like cycloaddition product of 1,3-butadiene on the Si adatom pair is suggested to form through a concerted reaction pathway in comparison to a stepwise reaction pathway, which is favorable in the formation of the [4+2]-like cycloaddition product on the asymmetric Si pair (the Si adatom-restatom pair).     

Cell-permeable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles for apoptosis imaging

Here, we report for the first time cell-permeable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles consisting of a polymer conjugated to a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence (Cy5.5)-linked effector caspase-specific peptide. The close spatial proximity of the NIR fluorochromes in polymeric nanoparticles results in an autoquenched state, but polymer nanoparticles give rise to strong NIR fluorescence signal under apoptotic cells. Thus, the smart polymeric nanoparticle developed here is an attractive probe for real-time imaging of apoptosis in single cells.     

Studies of the generation and pericyclic behavior of cyclic pentadienyl carbanions. Alkylation reactions as an efficient route to functionalized cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]octenes

Carbolithiation has been studied with alkyllithium reagents in a series of six- through nine-membered 3-methylene-1,4-cycloalkadienes, efficiently producing the corresponding cyclic pentadienyl carbanions. These pentadienyl anions display unique reactivity, depending on ring size. Cyclooctadienyl anions readily undergo disrotatory electrocyclization to cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]octenyl systems, which are trapped with a variety of electrophiles to stereoselectively provide functionalized cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]octenes. The carbolithiation and electrocyclization processes are examined using low-temperature (1)H NMR experiments. An expedient synthesis of a linear triquinane illustrates this methodology. Electrocyclization of the corresponding cyclononadienyl anion requires unusually high temperatures (120 degrees C), and computational studies provide insights into this change in reactivity. Cycloheptadienyl and cyclohexadienyl anions, generated via carbolithiation, provide functionalized cycloheptadienes and cyclohexadienes upon electrophilic capture. Trapping experiments reveal that the cycloheptadienyl anions are transformed to heptatrienyl anions. A series of experiments have been designed to explore evidence for the feasibility of equilibration of open and closed anionic systems, and these studies report the first isolation of a cis-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexene derived from electrocyclization of a cyclohexadienyl carbanion.     

Direct nitric oxide detection in aqueous solution by copper(II) fluorescein complexes

A series of FL(n) (n = 1-5) ligands, where FL(n) is a fluorescein modified with a functionalized 8-aminoquinoline group as a copper-binding moiety, were synthesized, and the chemical and photophysical properties of the free ligands and their copper complexes were investigated. UV-visible spectroscopy revealed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry for the Cu(II) complexes of FL(1), FL(3), and FL(5) in pH 7.0 buffered aqueous solutions. The reactions of FL(2) or FL(4) with CuCl(2), however, appear to produce a mixture of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes, as suggested by Job's plots. These binding modes were modeled by the synthesis and X-ray crystal structure determination of Cu(II) complexes of 2-[(quinolin-8-ylamino)methyl]phenol (modL), employed as a surrogate of the FL(n) ligand family. Two kinds of crystals, [Cu(modL)(2)](BF(4))(2) and [Cu(2)(modL')(2)(CH(3)OH)](BF(4))(2) (modL' = 2-[(quinolin-8-ylamino)methyl]phenolate), were obtained. The structures suggest that one oxygen and two nitrogen atoms of the FL(n) ligands most likely bind to Cu(II). Introduction of nitric oxide (NO) to pH 7.0 buffered aqueous solutions of Cu(FL(n)) (1 microM CuCl(2) and 1 microM FL(n)) at 37 degrees C induces an increase in fluorescence. The fluorescence response of Cu(FL(n)) to NO is direct and specific, which is a significant improvement over commercially available small molecule-based probes that are capable of detecting NO only indirectly. The NO-triggered fluorescence increase of Cu(FL(5)) occurs by reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) with concomitant dissociation of the N-nitrosated fluorophore ligand from copper. Spectroscopic and product analyses of the reaction of the FL(5) copper complex with NO indicated that the N-nitrosated fluorescein ligand (FL(5)-NO) is the species responsible for fluorescence turn-on. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of FL(5) versus FL(5)-NO reveal how N-nitrosation of the fluorophore ligand brings about the fluorescence increase. The copper-based probes described in the present work form the basis for real-time detection of nitric oxide production in living cells.     

cis,cis-[(bpy)2RuVO]2O4+ catalyzes water oxidation formally via in situ generation of radicaloid RuIV-O*

The mechanism of the catalytic oxidation of water by cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(OH(2))](2)O(4+) to give molecular dioxygen was investigated using Density Functional Theory (DFT). A series of four oxidation and four deprotonation events generate the catalytically competent species cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(V)O](2)O(4+), which breaks the H-OH bond homolytically at the rate determining transition state to give a hydroperoxo intermediate. Our calculations predict a rate determining activation barrier of 25.9 kcal/mol in solution phase, which is in reasonable agreement with the previously reported experimental estimate of 18.7-23.3 kcal/mol. A number of plausible coupling schemes of the two metal sites including strong coupling, weak ferromagnetic and weak antiferromagnetic coupling have been considered. In addition, both high-spin and low-spin states at each of the Ru(V)-d(3) centers were explored and we found that the high-spin states play an important mechanistic role. Our calculations suggest that cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(V)O](2)O(4+) performs formally an intramolecular ligand-to-metal charge transfer when reacting with water to formally give a cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(IV)O*](2)O(4+) complex. We propose that the key characteristic of the diruthenium catalyst that allows it to accomplish the most difficult first two oxidations of the overall four-electron redox reaction is directly associated with this in situ generation of two radicaloid oxo moieties that promote the water splitting reaction. A proton coupled metal-to-metal charge transfer follows to yield a Ru(V)/Ru(III) peroxo/aqua mixed valence complex, which performs the third redox reaction to give the superoxo/aqua complex. Finally, intersystem crossing to a ferromagnetically coupled Ru(IV)/Ru(III) superoxo/aqua species is predicted, which will then promote the last redox event to release triplet dioxygen as the final product. A number of key features of the computed mechanism are explored in detail to derive a conceptual understanding of the catalytic mechanism.     

Coating on a Cold Substrate Largely Enhances Power Conversion Efficiency of the Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cell

Spin‐coating a mixture solution of P3HT and PCBM on a cold substrate largely enhanced the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. This concept was based on the abrupt decrease in the solubility of P3HT as solution temperature decreased. The selective precipitation of P3HT on the PEDOT:PSS‐coated cold substrate facilitated a desirable rich composition of P3HT at the interface with the PEDOT:PSS layer. The high crystallinity of P3HT suppressed the movement of PCBM during thermal annealing, preventing aggregation of PCBM. The morphological excellence of the pristine film gave a comparable PCE to that made by the conventional fabrication process. After thermal annealing, the device made via coating on a cold substrate showed above 30% increase in PCE from the BHJ solar cells made by the conventional method.

     

Demonstration comparing sound wave attenuation inside pipes containing bubbly water and water droplet fog

This paper describes a demonstration and explanation of sound absorption in water due to bubbles, and in air due to a fog of water droplets. It is suitable for 10-12 year olds, but the paper indicates where further exploration of the simplifications in the explanations provided for that age range would allow the demonstration to be used for undergraduate and Masters-level teaching. Applications to submarines, the space shuttle, and neutron generators are described. The demonstration is designed for transportation in a family-sized car.     

Sorption of 14C, 99Tc, 137Cs, 90Sr, 63Ni, and 241Am onto a rock and a fracture-filling material from the Wolsong low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste repository, Gyeongju, Korea

Sorption experiments for radionuclides such as ¹⁴C, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ⁶³Ni, and ²⁴¹Am were conducted using two different groundwaters (GM-1 and SS-5) and solid materials (granodiorite and fracture-filling material) sampled from the Wolsong low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) repository, Gyeongju, Korea. The distribution coefficients of the radionuclides, K _d’s, were obtained and their sorption properties were discussed for each radionuclide. For all sorbing radionuclides, the K _d values for the fracture-filling material were observed to be higher than those for granodiorite regardless of the groundwater. The K _d values were increased in the sequence ⁹⁹Tc < ¹⁴C < ⁹⁰Sr < ¹³⁷Cs < ⁶³Ni < ²⁴¹Am regardless of sorbent types implying that the sorption of radionuclides onto geological media is affected by their chemical behavior in accordance with geochemical environments. Anionic radionuclides such as ¹⁴C and ⁹⁹Tc showed very low K _d values both for the granodiorite and fracture-filling material. The mineralogical composition of the geological media and groundwater conditions was also observed to be important in the sorption of sorbing radionuclides, especially in the case of strongly sorbing radionuclides.     

Surfactant-free hydrothermal synthesis of highly tetragonal barium titanate nanowires: a structural investigation

Barium titanate nanowires synthesized with a surfactant-free hydrothermal method have been characterized by various techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. The TEM and SEM analyses show the uniform cylindrical nanowires. The Rietveld refinement with synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction showed that the lattice parameters of cubic and tetragonal phases were a (= b = c) = 4.0134 A and a (= b) = 3.9998 A, c = 4.0303 A, respectively. The final weighted R-factor, R(wp), was 6.75% and the goodness of fit indicator was 1.30. The mass fraction of tetragonal and cubic phases based on the refined scale factor for the two phases were 98.4% and 1.6%, respectively, which clearly show the nanowires are tetragonal. The XPS analysis has shown that as-obtained BaTiO3 nanowires were phase pure. The Raman spectra confirm the tetragonal phase of the BaTiO3 nanowires. The dielectric constant measurement shows the shift in the transition temperature (Tc = 105 degrees C) compared to the bulk transition temperature (Tc = 132 degrees C). The dielectric constant at Tc was 174 measured at 1 kHz frequency.     

Directing Foldamer Self-Assembly with a Cyclopropanoyl Cap

The rational design of self-assembling organic materials is extremely challenging due to the difficulty in precisely predicting solid-state architectures from first principles, especially if synthons are conformationally flexible. A tractable model system to study self-assembly was constructed by appending cyclopropanoyl caps to the N termini of helical α/β-peptide foldamers, designed to form both N−H⋅⋅⋅O and C^α−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds, which then rapidly self-assembled to form foldectures (foldamer architectures). Through a combined analytical and computational investigation, cyclopropanoyl capping was observed to markedly enhance self-assembly in recalcitrant substrates and direct the formation of a single intermolecular N−H⋅⋅⋅O/C^α−H⋅⋅⋅O bonding motif in single crystals, regardless of peptide sequence or foldamer conformation. In contrast to previous studies, foldamer constituents of single crystals and foldectures assumed different secondary structures and different molecular packing modes, despite a conserved N−H⋅⋅⋅O/C^α−H⋅⋅⋅O bonding motif. DFT calculations validated the experimental results by showing that the N−H⋅⋅⋅O/C^α−H⋅⋅⋅O interaction created by the cap was sufficiently attractive to influence self-assembly. This versatile strategy to harness secondary noncovalent interactions in the rational design of self-assembling organic materials will allow for the exploration of new substrates and speed up the development of novel applications within this increasingly important class of materials.