Novel molecularly imprinted microsphere using a single chiral monomer and chirality-matching (S)-ketoprofen template

We designed and synthesized a cinchonine derivative to be used as a novel chiral monomer. It was employed in a dual role of functional monomer and cross-linking monomer, displaying multi-binding sites for the template (S)-ketoprofen. Monodisperse molecularly imprinted core-shell microspheres were prepared using surface imprinting method on silica gel. The results show a substantial synergistic effect in the enantioselective recognition, confirming our initial hypothesis. Computational simulation of the monomer and template pre-arrangement strongly supports our proposed chiral recognition mechanism for the imprinted microspheres.     

A facile strategy for synthesis of multilayer and conductive organo-silica/polystyrene/polyaniline composite particles

By means of a facilely designed strategy, we successfully fabricated the multilayer and conductive organo-silica/polystyrene/polyaniline (organo-silica/PS/PANi) composite particles. First, organo-silica/PS core/shell composite particles were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization and the vinyl groups located on the surface of organo-silica nanoparticles were used to induce in situ polymerization of styrene. The influence of the route of the addition of styrene on the morphology of organo-silica/PS composite particles was investigated. Then, the coating of organo-silica/PS composite particles with PANi was achieved by virtue of the "Swelling-Diffusion-Interfacial-Polymerization Method" (SDIPM). The whole preparation process was monitored by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and thermogravimetry. As a result, the multilayer and conductive organo-silica/PS/PANi nanocomposites possessed of a uniform size and well-defined morphology, and furthermore, their structure could be well controlled by simply changing the weight ratio of aniline/PS.     

Lanthanide-mediated supramolecular cages and host-guest interactions

The structure and thermodynamic properties of lanthanide complexes with a new tripodal ligand L2 have been elucidated using different physicochemical methods. At stoichiometric ratios, the tetrahedral three-dimensional complexes with lanthanide cations are formed in acetonitrile with good stabilities. Despite minor structural changes comparing to previously investigated tripodal ligands, the resulting assembly exhibits different features revealed with the crystal structure of [Eu(4)L2(4)](OH)(ClO(4))(11) (orthorhombic, Pbcn). Interestingly, the highly charged edifice contains an inner cage encapsulating a perchlorate anion. Such lanthanide mediated cage-like assemblies are rare, and may be of interest for different sensing applications. Indeed, the anionic guest can be exchanged with different anions. The related host-guest equilibria were investigated with NMR techniques. Various aspects of these reactions are qualitatively discussed.     

Exhaustive chlorination of [B12H12]2- without chlorine gas and the use of [B12Cl12]2- as a Supporting anion in catalytic hydrodefluorination of aliphatic C-F bonds

The fully chlorinated closo-dodecaborate salt Cs(2)[B(12)Cl(12)] was prepared in high yield from Cs(2)[B(12)H(12)] and SO(2)Cl(2) in acetonitrile at refluxing temperature. [Ph(3)C](2)[B(12)Cl(12)] was obtained by simple metathesis reactions. Catalytic hydrodefluorination of benzotrifluoride sp(3) C-F bonds was accomplished using [Ph(3)C](2)[B(12)Cl(12)] as a precatalyst and Et(3)SiH as a stoichiometric reagent. Full consumption of the sp(3) C-F bonds in p-FC(6)H(4)CF(3) and C(6)F(5)CF(3) with a turnover number up to 2000 was achieved.     

Structure of the alkali-metal-atom + strontium molecular ions: towards photoassociation and formation of cold molecular ions

The potential energy curves, permanent and transition dipole moments, and the static dipolar polarizability, of molecular ions composed of one alkali-metal atom and a strontium ion are determined with a quantum chemistry approach. The molecular ions are treated as effective two-electron systems and are treated using effective core potentials including core polarization, large gaussian basis sets, and full configuration interaction. In the perspective of upcoming experiments aiming at merging cold atom and cold ion traps, possible paths for radiative charge exchange, photoassociation of a cold lithium or rubidium atom and a strontium ion are discussed, as well as the formation of stable molecular ions.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of low-dimensional heterometallic complexes based on the versatile building block [(Tp)Cr(CN)3]-

Using the tricyano precursor (Bu(4)N)[(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)] (Bu(4)N(+) = tetrabutylammonium cation; Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate), a pentanuclear heterometallic cluster [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Cu(3)(Me(3)tacn)(3)][(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)](ClO(4))(3)·5H(2)O (1, Me(3)tacn = N,N',N'-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), three tetranuclear heterometallic clusters [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Cu(2)(L(OEt))(2)]·2.5CH(3)CN (2, L(OEt) = [(Cp)Co(P(O)(OEt)(2))(3)], Cp = cyclopentadiene), [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(2)(L(OEt))(2)]·4H(2)O (3), and [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(2)(phen)(4)](ClO(4))(2) (4, phen = phenanthroline), and a one-dimensional (1D) chain polymer [(Tp)(2)Cr(2)(CN)(6)Mn(bpy)](n) (5, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 shows a trigonal bipyramidal geometry in which [(Tp)Cr(CN)(3)](-) units occupy the apical positions and are linked through cyanide to [Cu(Me(3)tacn)](2+) units situated in the equatorial plane. Complexes 2-4 show similar square structures, where Cr(III) and M(II) (M = Cu(II) or Mn(II)) ions are alternatively located on the rectangle corners. Complex 5 consists of a 4,2-ribbon-like bimetallic chain. Ferromagnetic interactions between Cr(III) and Cu(II) ions bridged by cyanides are observed in complexes 1 and 2. Antiferromagnetic interactions are presented between Cr(III) and Mn(II) ions bridged by cyanides in complexes 3-5. Complex 5 shows metamagnetic behavior with a critical field of about 22.5 kOe at 1.8 K.     

Flame synthesis of hierarchical nanotubular rutile titania derived from natural cellulose substance

Hierarchical nanotubular rutile titania material was fabricated by facile flame burning of ultrathin titania gel film coated cellulose nanofibres of commercial cellulose substance (filter paper), which possesses efficient photocatalytic performance for degradation of organic dye (methylene blue) under ultraviolet irradiation.     

Metal-organic frameworks for efficient enrichment of peptides with simultaneous exclusion of proteins from complex biological samples

Metal-organic frameworks MIL-53, MIL-100 and MIL-101 demonstrate efficient enrichment of peptides with simultaneous exclusion of proteins from complex biological samples.     

Mesoporous Co3O4 monolayer hollow-sphere array as electrochemical pseudocapacitor material

A Co(3)O(4) monolayer hollow-sphere array with mesoporous walls exhibits high pseudocapacitances of 358 F g(-1) at 2 A g(-1) and 305 F g(-1) at 40 A g(-1), as well as excellent cycling stability for application as pseudocapacitors.     

Molybdenum nitride based hybrid cathode for rechargeable lithium-O2 batteries

Molybdenum nitride/nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (MoN/NGS) are synthesized and used as an alternative O(2) electrode for Li-O(2) batteries. In comparison with electrocatalysts proposed previously, this hybrid cathode exhibits a high discharge potential (around 3.1 V) and a considerable specific capacity (1490 mA h g(-1), based on carbon + electrocatalyst).