[2 + 2] Photodimerization of the acenaphthylene ruthenium complex [(C5Me4CH2OMe)Ru(η6-C12H8)]+

The [2 + 2] photodimerization of the complex [(C₅Me₄CH₂OMe)Ru(η⁶-C₁₂H₈)]⁺ under visible-light irradiation leads to a mixture of the head-to-head heptacyclene products [(μ-η⁶: η⁶-C₂₄H₁₆)Ru₂(C₅Me₄CH₂OMe)₂]²⁺ (syn- and anti-) with the predominant formation of the syn-isomer; the structures of both isomers were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of New Heteroatomic Podands from Ethyl 2-[(2-Aminophenylamino)Methylidene]-3-Oxoalkanoates and Thiophene-2,5-Dicarboxaldehyde

Condensation of two moles of ethyl 2-[(2-aminophenylamino)methylidene]-3-oxo-3-(polyfluoroalkyl)propionates with 2,5-thiophene-dicarboxaldehyde results in new heteroatomic podands. X-ray data showed that in the solid state these molecules arrange in two independent chelating fragments of b-amino enone type, thiophene fragment being a spacer.     

The unique structure of [(C4H9)4N]3[Pb(NO3)5]—one step forward in understanding transport properties in tetra-n-butylammonium-based solid electrolytes

Structural Chemistry - The crystal and molecular structure of tris(tetrabutylammonium) pentanitratoplumbate(II) was determined and characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction and...     

Ultrathin functional films of titanium(IV) oxide

Chemistry and physics of thin semiconducting layers of various types are subjects of intense research. Especially when nanotechnology methods such as self-assembly are involved, amazing structural and/or functional properties may appear. Also modern physical methods using variously organized plasma arrangements are able to produce uniform structures with distinctive functionality. In this review, based virtually on our own work, discussions on the preparation, structure, morphology, and function of titanium(IV) oxide nanoscopic thin films are presented. It was shown that structurally and functionally similar titanium(IV) oxide films can be prepared via completely different preparation techniques. Function tests were arranged as “primary”, covering the assessment of the light induced charge separation efficiency, and “secondary”, based on photocatalytic surface oxidations.     

Biosynthesis of Quantum Dots (CdTe) and its Effect on Eisenia fetida and Escherichia coli

Biosynthesis belongs to one of the new possibilities of nanoparticles preparation, whereas its main advantage is biocompatibility. In addition, the ability of obtaining the raw material for such synthesis from the soil environment is beneficial and could be useful for remediation. However, the knowledge of mechanisms that are necessary for the biosynthesis or effect on the bio-synthesizing organisms is still insufficient. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effect of quantum dots (QDs) not only on a model organism of collembolans, but also on another soil organism—earthworm Eisenia fetida—and in also one widespread microorganism such as Escherichia coli. Primarily, we determined 28EC₅₀ as 72.4 μmol L⁻¹ for CdTe QDs in collembolans. Further, we studied the effect of QDs biosynthesis in E. fetida and E. coli. Using determination of QDs, low-molecular thiols and antioxidant activities, we found differences between both organisms and also between ways how they behave in the presence of Cd and/or Cd and Te. The biosynthesis in earthworms can be considered as its own protective mechanism; however, in E. coli, it is probably a by-product of protective mechanisms.