Poly[[aqua­tetra­imidazole­di‐μ‐phthalato‐dicopper(II)] monohydrate]

The title complex, {[Cu₂(C₈H₄O₄)₂(C₃H₄N₂)₄(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n, is a three‐dimensional polymer formed through bridging by phthalate dianions of two different Cu^II cations and a network of O(N)—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The Cu—O and Cu—N inter­action distances are in the ranges 2.0020 (16)–2.4835 (17) and 1.968 (2)–1.9855 (19) Å, respectively. The structure is composed of alternating polymer chains parallel to the c axis, with a shortest Cu⋯Cu distance of 6.3000 (5) Å.     

Lithium dioxobis[trioxoiodato(V)]vanadate,Li[VO2(IO3)2]

The title compound represents a new structure type, in which distorted VO₆ octa­hedra are bridged by iodate groups to form infinite two‐dimensional [VO₂(IO₃)₂]⁻ layers that are separated by octa­hedrally coordinated Li⁺ cations.     

Total internal reflection-based biochip utilizing a polymer-filled cavity with a micromirror sidewall

A total internal reflection (TIR)-based biochip utilizing a polymer-filled cavity with a micromirror sidewall has been designed and fabricated. The implementation of the micromirror sidewall cavity facilitates precise alignment of the excitation light beam into the system. The incident angle of illumination can be easily modified by selecting polymers of different indices of refraction while optical losses are minimized. The design enables the hybrid, vertical integration of a laser diode and a CCD camera, resulting in a compact optical system. Brownian motion of fluorescent microspheres and real-time photobleaching of rhodamine 6G molecules is demonstrated. The proposed TIR-based chip simplifies current TIR optical configurations and could potentially be used as an optical-microfluidic platform for an integrated lab-on-a-chip microsystem.     

Mixed Cationic‐nonionic Surfactants and pH Adjustment Route to Synthesize High‐quality MCM‐48

Using the mixture of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and p‐Octyl polyethylene glycol phenyl ether (OP‐10) as templates, siliceous MCM‐48 materials can be synthesized with low molar ratio of CTAB to silica (0.139:1) and low concentration of mixed surfactants (ca.5%) and within a wide range of OP‐10/CTAB ratio (0.08?0.25). The materials were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction, N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherm, TEM, TG‐DSC and ²⁹Si MAS NMR. Measurements indicated that the use of mixed surfactants allowed better condensation and higher ordering of the cubic mesostructure; at the same time, some properties of these materials were sensitive to the OP‐10/CTAB ratio. It was also found that the reduced pH of the gel which had been crystallized for a certain time gave a highly reproducible synthesis with a high silica yield (about 95%). Furthermore, the reaction mechanism of the synthesis is discussed in detail.     

Process improvement in acetone-butanol production from hardwood by simultaneous saccharification and extractive fermentation

The acetone-butanol production by simultaneous saccharification and extractive fermentation (SSEF) was investigated. In the SSEF employing cellulase enzymes andClostridium acetobutylicum, both glucan and xylan fractions of pretreated aspen are concurrently converted into acetone and butanol. Continuous removal of the fermentation products from the bioreactor by extraction was an important factor that allowed long-term fed-batch operation. The use of membrane extraction prevented the problems of phase separation and extractant loss. Increase in substrate feeding as well as reduction of nutrient supply was found to be beneficial in suppressing the acid production, thereby improving the solvent yield. Because of prolonged low growth conditions prevalent in the fed-batch operation, the butanol-to-acetone ratio in the product was significantly higher at 2.6–2.8 compared to the typical value of two.     

Nonalkaloid Constituents from Stemona japonica

Five new nonalkaloid constituents, a neolignan, japonin A ( 1 ), a macrocyclic lactone, japonin B ( 2 ), a (phenylethyl)benzoquinone, japonin C ( 3 ), a phenanthraquinone, japonin D ( 4 ), as well as a dihydrostilbene, stilbostemin M ( 5 ), were isolated from the roots of Stemona japonica, together with eight known compounds. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses.     

Bis[bis­(methoxy­carbimido)amine‐κ2N,N′]bis­(perchlorato‐κO)copper(II) bis­[bis­(methoxy­carbimido)amine‐κ2N,N′]bis­(methanol‐κO)copper(II) bis­(perchlorate) methanol disolvate

The title compound, [Cu(ClO₄)₂(C₄H₉N₃O₂)₂][Cu(C₄H₉N₃O₂)₂(CH₄O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃OH, comprises two independent Cu^II species lying on different inversion sites. In the Cu complexes, a distorted octa­hedral geometry arises (from basic square‐planar N₄ coordination) from the weak coordination of two perchlorate ions (as Cu—O) in one species and two methanol mol­ecules in the other (also as Cu—O). Inter­actions between the O atoms of the perchlorate anions or methanol groups and the imide or amine NH groups afford an extensive inter­molecular hydrogen‐bonding network.     

Two salts of 5‐sulfosalicylic acid and 3‐aminopyridine

5‐Sulfosalicylic acid (5‐SSA) and 3‐aminopyridine (3‐APy) crystallize in the same solvent system, resulting in two kinds of 1:1 proton‐transfer organic adduct, namely 3‐aminopyridinium 3‐carboxy‐4‐hydroxybenzenesulfonate monohydrate, C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₇H₅O₆S⁻·H₂O or 3‐APy·5‐SSA·H₂O, (I), and the anhydrous adduct, C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₇H₅O₆S⁻ or 3‐APy·5‐SSA, (II). Both compounds have extensively hydrogen‐bonded three‐dimensional layered polymer structures, with interlayer homo‐ and heterogeneous π–π interactions in (I) and (II), respectively.