HXeOBr in a xenon matrix

We report on a new noble-gas molecule HXeOBr prepared in a low-temperature xenon matrix from the HBr and N(2)O precursors by UV photolysis and thermal annealing. This molecule is assigned with the help of deuteration experiments and ab initio calculations including anharmonic methods. The H-Xe stretching frequency of HXeOBr is observed at 1634 cm(-1), which is larger by 56 cm(-1) than the frequency of HXeOH identified previously. The experiments show a higher thermal stability of HXeOBr molecules in a xenon matrix compared to HXeOH.     

Some Remarks on SLE Bubbles and Schramm’s Two-point Observable

Simmons and Cardy recently predicted a formula for the probability that the chordal SLE_8/3 path passes to the left of two points in the upper half-plane. In this paper we give a rigorous proof of their formula. Starting from this result, we derive explicit expressions for several natural connectivity functions for SLE_8/3 bubbles conditioned to be of macroscopic size. By passing to a limit with such a bubble we construct a certain chordal restriction measure and in this way obtain a proof of a formula for the probability that two given points are between two commuting SLE_8/3 paths. The one-point version of this result has been predicted by Gamsa and Cardy. Finally, we derive an integral formula for the second moment of the area of an SLE_8/3 bubble conditioned to have radius 1. We evaluate the area integral numerically and relate its value to a hypothesis that the area follows the Airy distribution.     

PEGylated Luminescent Gold Nanoclusters: Synthesis,Characterization, Bioconjugation,and Application to One‐ and Two‐Photon Cellular Imaging

Biocompatible, near‐infrared luminescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) are synthesized directly in water using poly(ethylene glycol)‐dithiolane ligands terminating in either a carboxyl, amine, azide, or methoxy group. The ≈1.5 nm diameter AuNCs fluoresce at ≈820 nm with quantum yields that range from 4–8%, depending on the terminal functional group present, and display average luminescence lifetimes approaching 1.5 μs. The two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross‐section and two‐photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) properties are also measured. Long‐term testing shows the poly(ethylene glycol) stabilized AuNCs maintain colloidal stability in a variety of media ranging from saline to tissue culture growth medium along with tolerating storage of up to 2 years. DNA and dye‐conjugation reactions confirm that the carboxyl, amine, and azide groups can be utilized on the AuNCs for carbodiimide, succinimidyl ester, and Cu^I‐assisted cycloaddition chemistry, respectively. High signal‐to‐noise one‐ and two‐photon cellular imaging is demonstrated. The AuNCs exhibit outstanding photophysical stability during continuous‐extended imaging. Concomitant cellular viability testing shows that the AuNCs also elicit minimal cytotoxicity. Further biological applications for these luminescent nanoclustered materials are discussed.     

Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Nickel, Palladium, and Platinum Oxide Anions

The 364-nm negative ion photoelectron spectra of XO and OXO molecules (X=Ni, Pd, and Pt) are reported. The spectra yield the electron affinities (EAs): EA(NiO)=1.455±0.005 eV; EA(PdO)=1.672±0.005 eV; EA(PtO)=2.172±0.005 eV; EA(ONiO)=3.043±0.005 eV; EA(OPdO)=3.086±0.005 eV; EA(OPtO)=2.677±0.005 eV. In addition, for the diatomics, transitions from the anion X?²Π_3/2 and X?′²Π_1/2 states into neutral X?³Σ⁻, ³Π, and for NiO and PdO, ¹Π, are assigned. Several states have been reassigned from those in the existing literature. Anion ²Π_3/2-²Π_1/2 spin-orbit splittings are measured, as are neutral ³Π₂-³Π₁ spin-orbit splittings: the XO ³Π ₂-³Π₁ splittings increase from 405±30 cm⁻¹ (NiO) to 805±30 cm⁻¹ (PdO) to 3580±40 cm⁻¹ (PtO). A bond length shortening of 0.03±0.01 Å is measured upon electron detachment from NiO⁻, resulting in an anion bond length of 1.66±0.01 Å. The bond length does not change upon electron detachment from PdO⁻ using 3.4-eV photons. The Pt-O bond length decreases by 0.035±0.010 Å in the ³Π₁←²Π_3/2 transition. The spectrum of OPtO displays a significantly more extended vibrational progression than those of ONiO or OPdO, and the O-Pt bond length is found to decrease by 0.07±0.01 Å upon electron detachment. The spectra support the view that the Ni-O bond is largely ionic, the Pd-O bond is somewhat less so, and the Pt-O bond displays a substantial covalent character.     

Phosphors?ure

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

A divisibility property for stirling numbers

In this paper we calculate which prime powers p^s divide Δ_{n, m} = g.c.d.{k! S(n, k)|m ≤ k ≤ n} for s < p. Here S(n, k) is a Stirling number of the second kind.     

N-trimethylsilylpyrroles as dienes in the synthesis of 1,4-dihydronaphthalen-1,4-imines and isoindoles

A convenient, general synthetic method for 1,4-dihydronaphthaIen-1,4-imines via the Diels-Alder addition of benzyne to N-trimethylsilylpyrrole is described. The N-trimethylsilyl protecting group protected the product from secondary benzyne reactions and was easily removed. The use of a 1,3-dipolar reagent to convert 1,4-dihydronaphthalen-1,4-imines to isoindoles via a retro-Diels-Alder sequence is illustrated.     

Hydrogels from a water-soluble zwitterionic polythiophene: dynamics under pH change and biomolecular interactions observed using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring

The water-soluble zwitterionic polythiophene, poly(3-((S)-5-amino-5-carboxyl-3-oxapentyl)-2,5-thiophene) hydrochloride (POWT), is a conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) with properties well suited for biochip applications. CPEs readily form hydrogels when exposed to water-based buffer solutions or biomolecule solutions. In this work, we used in situ quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) monitoring to collect information on the interaction between POWT films exposed to buffers with different pH and POWT/DNA chains. Our data show that POWT swells significantly when exposed to low-pH buffers, such as pH 4 acetate, this is seen as an increase in thickness and decrease in viscosity obtained via a Voight-based modeling of combined f and D QCM-D measurements. The magnitude of thickness and viscosity change upon changing from a pH 10 carbonate buffer to pH 4 acetate is 100% increase in thickness and 50% decrease in viscosity. The response of the hydrogel under pH change is well correlated with fluorescence data from POWT films on glass. The state of the hydrogel is important during interaction with biomolecules; illustrated by the observation that a swollen CPE hydrogel adsorbs a higher amount of DNA than a compacted one. In agreement with previous results, the QCM-D data confirmed that the POWT/DNA hydrogel sense complementary DNA specifically and with negligible binding of noncomplementary DNA. These results are important for efficient constructions of biochips in water environments using this class of materials.     

Synthesis and characterisation of Gd2O3 nanocrystals functionalised by organic acids

Nanocrystals of Gd2O3 have been prepared by various methods, using, e.g., trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), diethylene glycol (DEG) or glycine. The crystalline particles were of sizes 5 to 15 nm. Different carboxylic acids, e.g., oleic acid or citric acid, were adsorbed onto the surface of the particles made with DEG. IR measurements show that the molecules coordinate to the Gd2O3 surface via the carboxylate group in a bidentate or bridging manner. The organic-acid/particle complexes were characterised by XRPD, TEM, FTIR, Raman, and XPS.     

Enzymatic degradation of model cellulose films

Enzymatic degradation of model cellulose films prepared by a spin-coating technique was investigated by ellipsometry. The cellulose films were prior to degradation characterized by ellipsometry, contact angle measurements, ESCA (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis) and AFM (atomic force microscopy). At enzyme addition to preformed cellulose films an initial adsorption was observed, which was followed by a total interfacial mass decrease due to enzymatic degradation of the cellulose films. The degradation rate was found to be constant during an extended time of hours, whereafter the degradation leveled off. In parallel to the decreased interfacial mass, the cellulose degradation resulted in a thinner and more dilute interfacial film. At long degradation times, however, there was an expansion of the cellulose film. The enzyme concentration affected the degradation rate significantly, with a faster degradation at a higher enzyme concentration. The effects of pH, temperature, ionic strength and stirring rate in the cuvette were also investigated.