Development of highly active and selective novel Pd based acetoxylation catalysts and prevention of catalyst deactivation by Bi modification

A first approach to successful prevention of catalyst deactivation while simultaneously achieving extremely high selectivity of benzyl acetate (> or = 95%) at significantly high toluene conversion (> 70%) by gas phase acetoxylation over novel Pd-Sb-Bi/TiO2 catalysts.     

Blind data restoration with an extracted filter function

A method for performing blind deconvolutions on degraded images and data has been developed. The technique uses a power law relation applied to the Fourier transform of the degraded data to extract a filter function. This filter function closely resembles the point-spread function of the system and can be used to restore and enhance higher-frequency content. The process is noniterative and requires only that the point-spread function be space invariant and the transfer function be real. The algorithm has been validated by direct comparisons by use of a pseudoinverse filter with known transfer functions.     

Paradigms lost?

Thomas Kuhn (1957, 1962) explored the issues of paradigm shifts, scientific revolutions, and the relationship between them. Written before the techniques and practices of the complexity sciences were developed, Kuhn described what he termed the Copernican Revolution as the last scientific revolution signifying a paradigmatic shift in society. We will explore whether New Science approaches in nonlinear dynamics and complexity research signify postmodern science perspectives, and examine the role of New Science in what may be the on-going evolution of the next paradigm shift.     

Immobilization of proteins on carboxylic acid functionalized nanopatterns

The immobilization of proteins on nanopatterned surfaces was investigated using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ex situ infrared reflectance–absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). The AFM-based lithography technique of nanografting provided control of the size, geometry, and spatial placement of nanopatterns within self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Square nanopatterns of carboxylate-terminated SAMs were inscribed within methyl-terminated octadecanethiolate SAMs and activated using carbodiimide/succinimide coupling chemistry. Staphylococcal protein A was immobilized on the activated nanopatterns before exposure to rabbit immunoglobulin G. In situ AFM was used to monitor changes in the topography and friction of the nanopatterns in solution upon protein immobilization. Complementary studies with ex situ IRAS confirmed the surface chemistry that occurred during the steps of SAM activation and subsequent protein immobilization on unpatterned samples. Since carbodiimide/succinimide coupling chemistry can be used for surface attachment of different biomolecules, this protocol shows promise for development of other aqueous-based studies for nanopatterned protein immobilization.     

Nanografting versus solution self-assembly of alpha,omega-alkanedithiols on Au(111) investigated by AFM

The solution self-assembly of alpha,omega-alkanedithiols onto Au(111) was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). A heterogeneous surface morphology is apparent for 1,8-octanedithiol and for 1,9-nonanedithiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) prepared by solution immersion as compared to methyl-terminated n-alkanethiols. Local views from AFM images reveal a layer of mixed molecular orientations for alpha,omega-alkanedithiols, which evidence surface structures with heights corresponding to both lying-down and standing-up orientations. For dithiol SAMs prepared by solution self-assembly, the majority of alpha,omega-alkanedithiol molecules chemisorb with both thiol end groups bound to the Au(111) surface with the backbone of the alkane chain aligned parallel to the surface. However, AFM images disclose that there are also islands of standing molecules scattered throughout the surface. To measure the thickness of alpha,omega-alkanedithiol SAMs with angstrom sensitivity, methyl-terminated n-alkanethiols with known dimensions were used as molecular rulers. Under conditions of spatially constrained self-assembly, nanopatterns of alpha,omega-alkanedithiols written by nanografting formed monolayers with heights corresponding to an upright configuration.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of glucopyranosylamide films on gold

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of glucose derivatives on gold have been prepared from alpha- and beta-glucopyranosylamide derivatives. The glucosyl conjugates were synthesized stereoselectively via the in situ generation of glucosyl isoxazolines followed by treatment with thiopyridyl esters. The resulting film structures were characterized by atomic force microscopy, reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The experimental data indicated that alpha- or beta-linked glucopyranosylamide derivatives with free hydroxyl groups attach to gold via the thiol linker. Both derivatives form monolayer films with high packing densities--comparable to those typically observed for alkanethiol monolayers on gold. Acetate analogues of these conjugates do not form SAMs on gold; they form multilayered films under identical deposition conditions.     

Sponge‐Like Behaviour in Isoreticular Cu(Gly‐His‐X) Peptide‐Based Porous Materials

We report two isoreticular 3D peptide‐based porous frameworks formed by coordination of the tripeptides Gly‐L ‐His‐Gly and Gly‐L ‐His‐L ‐Lys to Cu^II which display sponge‐like behaviour. These porous materials undergo structural collapse upon evacuation that can be reversed by exposure to water vapour, which permits recovery of the original open channel structure. This is further confirmed by sorption studies that reveal that both solids exhibit selective sorption of H₂O while CO₂ adsorption does not result in recovery of the original structures. We also show how the pendant aliphatic amine chains, present in the framework from the introduction of the lysine amino acid in the peptidic backbone, can be post‐synthetically modified to produce urea‐functionalised networks by following methodologies typically used for metal–organic frameworks built from more rigid “classical” linkers.     

Synthesis and Analysis of the Structure,Diffusion and Cytotoxicity of Heterocyclic Platinum(IV) Complexes

We have developed six dihydroxidoplatinum(IV) compounds with cytotoxic potential. Each derived from active platinum(II) species, these complexes consist of a heterocyclic ligand (H_L) and ancillary ligand (A_L) in the form [Pt(H_L)(A_L)(OH)₂]²⁺, where H_L is a methyl‐functionalised variant of 1,10‐phenanthroline and A_L is the S,S or R,R isomer of 1,2‐diaminocyclohexane. NMR characterisation and X‐ray diffraction studies clearly confirmed the coordination geometry of the octahedral platinum(IV) complexes. The self‐stacking of these complexes was determined using pulsed gradient stimulated echo nuclear magnetic resonance. The self‐association behaviour of square planar platinum(II) complexes is largely dependent on concentration, whereas platinum(IV) complexes do not aggregate under the same conditions, possibly due to the presence of axial ligands. The cytotoxicity of the most active complex, exhibited in several cell lines, has been retained in the platinum(IV) form.     

Rapid capacitive detection of femtomolar levels of bisphenol A using an aptamer-modified disposable microelectrode array

A label-free and single-step method is reported for rapid and highly sensitive detection of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous samples. It utilizes an aptamer acting as a probe molecule immobilized on a commercially available array of interdigitated aluminum microelectrodes. BPA was quantified by measuring the interfacial capacitance change rate caused by the specific binding between bisphenol A and the immobilized aptamer. The AC signal also induces an AC electrokinetic effect to generate microfluidic motion for enhanced binding. The capacitive aptasensor achieves a limit of detection as low as 10 fM(2.8 fg ⋅ mL ^− 1) with a 20 s response time. The method is inexpensive, highly sensitive, rapid and therefore provides a promising technology for on-site detection of BPA in food and water samples.

A. AC electrokinetics effect plays a vital role in BPA detection by introducing microfluidic movement to accelerate the molecular transport to the electrode surface.

B. The ACEK capacitive aptasensor has a limit of detection as low as 10 fM (2.8 fg ⋅ mL ^− 1) with a 20-s response time.