Size-specific reactions of copper cluster ions with a methanol molecule

Chemisorption of a methanol molecule onto a size-selected copper cluster ion, Cu(n)+ (n = 2-10), and subsequent reactions were investigated in a gas-beam geometry at a collision energy less than 2 eV in an apparatus based on a tandem-type mass spectrometer. Mass spectra of the product ions show that the following two reactions occur after chemisorption: dominant formation of Cu(n-1)+(H)(OH) (H(OH) formation) in the size range of 4-5 and that of Cu(n)O+ (demethanation) in the size range of 6-8 in addition to only chemisorption in the size range larger than 9. Absolute cross sections for the chemisorption, the H(OH) formation, and the demethanation processes were measured as functions of cluster size and collision energy. Optimized structures of bare copper cluster ions, reaction intermediates, and products were calculated by use of a hybrid method (B3LYP) consisting of the molecular orbital and the density functional methods. The origin of the size-dependent reactivity was explained as the structural change of cluster, two-dimensional to three-dimensional structures.     

Addition to electron deficient olefins of alpha-oxy carbon- centered radicals, generated from cyclic ethers and acetals by the reaction with alkylperoxy- lambda(3)-iodane

Thermal decomposition of 1-tert-butylperoxy-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one in cyclic ethers and acetals at 50 degrees C generates alpha-oxy carbon-centered radicals, which undergo an addition reaction with vinyl sulfones and unsaturated esters.     

The power of the likelihood ratio test for additional information in a multivariate linear model

Summary This paper deals with the likelihood ratio test for additional information in a multivariate linear model. It is shown that the power of the likelihood ratio test procedure has a monotonicity property. Asymptotic approximations for the power are also obtained.     

Circumventing air bubbles in microfluidic systems and quantitative continuous-flow PCR applications

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an essential part of research based on genomics or cell analysis. The development of a microfluidic device that would be suitable for high-temperature-based reactions therefore becomes an important contribution towards the integration of micro-total analysis systems (μTAS). However, problems associated with the generation of air bubbles in the microchannels before the introduction of the assay liquid, which we call the “initial start-up” in this study, made the flow irregular and unstable. In this report, we have tried to address these problems by adapting a novel liquid-flow method for high-temperature-based reactions. A PDMS-based microfluidic device was fabricated by soft-lithography techniques and placed on a cartridge heater. The generation of the air bubbles was prevented by introducing the fluorinated oil, an inert and highly viscous liquid, as the cap just before the introduction of the sample solutions into the microchannels. The technique was applied for continuous-flow PCR, which could perform PCR on-chip in a microfluidic system. For the evaluation of practical accuracy, plasmid DNA that serves as a reference molecule for the quantification of genetically modified (GM) maize was used as the template DNA for continuous-flow PCR. After PCR, the products were collected in a vial and analyzed by gel electrophoresis to confirm the accuracy of the results. Additionally, quantitative continuous-flow PCR was performed using TaqMan technology on our PCR device. A laser detection system was also used for the quantitative PCR method. We observed a linear relationship between the threshold cycle (Ct) and the initial DNA concentration. These results showed that it would be possible to quantify the initial copies of the template DNA on our microfluidic device. Accurate quantitative DNA analysis in microfluidic systems is required for the integration of PCR with μTAS, thus we anticipate that our device would have promising potential for applications in a wide range of research.     

Nickel-catalyzed [3+1+1] cycloaddition reactions of alkenyl Fischer carbene complexes with methylenecyclopropanes

Methylenecyclopentanones were synthesized by the nickel-catalyzed [3+1+1] cycloaddition reactions of alkenyl Fischer carbene complexes with methylenecyclopropanes. The methylenecyclopropane was transformed into the C(2)-symmetric bis-cyclopentapyridazine derivative by reacting with p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazine.     

Fluorescence methods for studying molecular motions

The characteristics of photoluminescence are affected by the molecular motions in the local environment of the excited molecule. Hence, by knowing the lifetime of the excited state, various relaxation times of the molecular motions can be estimated from the emission characteristics. In the present paper the effect of the molecular motions manifested in the fluorescence emission, such as the rotational depolarization of fluorescence, the internal quenching of fluorescence due to internal rotation, and the inter-and intramolecular excimer formation, are reviewed and the possible applications of such phenomena to the study of molecular motions in polymer systems are discussed. The application of fluorescence methods provide unique information about the molecular motions in the nanosecond range in polymer solutions, melts, and solids.     

Recognition of dicarboxylates in aqueous acetonitrile by a dinuclear zinc(II) complex of 2,2’-binaphthalene-based receptor

Molecular recognition of dicarboxylates by a dinuclear zinc(II) complex of 2,2?-binaphthalene bearing di(2-pyridyl)aminomethyl groups at 8- and 8?-positions ([Zn₂L]⁴⁺) by UV-vis and fluorescence spectral titrations in an aqueous solvent was investigated. In a series of α,ω-dicarboxylate, receptor [Zn₂L]⁴⁺ showed the highest binding affinity for succinate and UV-vis and fluorescence changes were also largest upon the addition of this guest. In a series of phthalate derivatives, phthalate was strongly bound by [Zn₂L]⁴⁺. The characteristic UV-vis and fluorescence changes strongly depend on the dihedral angle of two naphthyl groups of the complex [Zn₂L]⁴⁺· dicarboxylate estimated by spectral titrations and DFT calculations.     

Edge-defined film-fed growth of Yb:YVO4 single crystal plates

The applicability of the edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) technique for Yb_xY_(1−x)VO₄ (x=0.05, 0.1 and 1) was approved by successful growth of crystals up to 80 mm in length as the thin plates. Low-angle grain boundaries and the crystal coloration as main defects were found. Optimal seed orientation was suggested on the strength of vanadate crystal plate morphology. Optical properties, chemical composition and the crystalline quality were investigated.