Crystal water molecules as magnetic tuners in molecular metamagnets exhibiting antiferro-ferro-paramagnetic transitions

We studied the effects of the number of crystal water molecules on the magnetic behavior of {[Ni(en)(2)](3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)·xH(2)O}(n) (1-3) (where en = ethylenediamine and x = 3, 2, or 0) coordination polymers by (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetization measurements. Magnetic phase diagrams constructed for all three compounds indicate that they behave as metamagnets exhibiting very rare field-induced antiferro-ferro-paramagnetic transitions. The number of crystal water molecules has a major effect on the Néel temperature, critical field, and magnetic hardness of the compounds in the ferromagnetic state. Moreover, the systems behave as molecular magnetic sponges, changing their magnetic properties due to the controllable and reversible dehydration/hydration process.     

Solid-state photoluminescence sensitization of Tb3+ by novel Au2Pt2 and Au2Pt4 cyanide clusters

The syntheses are reported for two novel Tb(3+) heterotrimetallic cyanometallates, K(2)[Tb(H(2)O)(4)(Pt(CN)(4))(2)]Au(CN)(2)·2H(2)O (1) and [Tb(C(10)N(2)H(8))(H(2)O)(4)(Pt(CN)(4))(Au(CN)(2))]·1.5C(10)N(2)H(8)·2H(2)O (2) (C(10)N(2)H(8) = 2,2'-bipyridine). Both compounds have been isolated as colorless crystals, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction has been used to investigate their structural features. Crystallographic data (MoKα, λ = 0.71073 ?, T = 290 K): 1, tetragonal, space group P4(2)/nnm, a = 11.9706(2) ?, c = 17.8224(3) ?, V = 2553.85(7) ?(3), Z = 4; 2, triclinic, space group P1, a = 10.0646(2) ?, b = 10.7649(2) ?, c = 17.6655(3) ?, α = 101.410(2)°, β = 92.067(2)°, γ = 91.196(2)°, V = 1874.14(6) ?(3), Z = 2. For the case of 1, the structure contains Au(2)Pt(4) hexameric noble metal clusters, while 2 includes Au(2)Pt(2) tetrameric clusters. The clusters are alike in that they contain Au-Au and Au-Pt, but not Pt-Pt, metallophilic interactions. Also, the discrete clusters are directly coordinated to Tb(3+) and sensitize its emission in both solid-state compounds, 1 and 2. The Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of 1 show broad excitation bands corresponding to donor groups when monitored at the Tb(3+) ion f-f transitions, which is typical of donor/acceptor energy transfer (ET) behavior in the system. The compound also displays a broad emission band at ～445 nm, assignable to a donor metal centered (MC) emission of the Au(2)Pt(4) clusters. The PL properties of 2 show a similar Tb(3+) emission in the visible region and a lack of donor-based emission at room temperature; however, at 77 K a weak, broad emission occurs at 400 nm, indicative of uncoordinated 2,2'-bipyridine, along with strong Tb(3+) transitions. The absolute quantum yield (QY) for the Tb(3+) emission ((5)D(4) → (7)F(J (J = 6-3))) in 1 is 16.3% with a lifetime of 616 μs when excited at 325 nm. In contrast the weak MC emission at 445 nm has a quantum yield of 0.9% with a significantly shorter lifetime of 0.61 μs. For 2 the QY value decreases to 9.3% with a slightly shorter lifetime of 562 μs. The reduced QY in 2 is considered to be a consequence of (1) the slightly increased donor-acceptor excited energy gap relative to the optimal gap suggested for Tb(3+) and (2) Tb(3+) emission quenching via a bpy ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) excited state.     

Solvent and central metal effects on the photophysical and photochemical properties of 4-benzyloxybenzoxy substituted phthalocyanines

The synthesis and characterization of new peripherally tetra-4-benzyloxybenzoxy substituted metal-free, zinc and lead phthalocyanines are described for the first time in this study. The influence of various organic solvents and the nature of the central metal ion on the spectroscopic, photophysical and photochemical properties has been investigated. General trends are described for photodegradation, singlet oxygen and fluorescence quantum yields, and fluorescence lifetimes of these compounds in different solvents. Photophysical and photochemical properties of phthalocyanine compounds are very useful for photodynamic therapy applications. Especially high singlet oxygen quantum yields are very important for Type II mechanism. The studied phthalocyanine compounds showed good singlet oxygen generation and these compounds show potential as Type II photosensitizers. The fluorescences of the studied compounds are effectively quenched by 1,4-benzoquinone in different solvents.     

A luminol-based micro-flow-injection electrochemiluminescent system to determine reactive oxygen species

A flow injection analysis (FIA) system with electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection has been established. Based on a specially designed flow-through ECL cell with a very simple structure, the system possesses rapid response and high sensitivity. With luminol as the ECL reagent, the response of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was investigated on the developed FIA-ECL system. After optimizing the experimental conditions, such as the electric parameters, the buffer condition and the flow rate, it was demonstrated that the developed FIA-ECL system works well for quantified assays. Compared with reported works, the present results indicate that the developed FIA-ECL system has the lowest limit of detection (S/N = 3) of 3.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol/L for H₂O₂, which is equal to the level of chemiluminescence (CL). The developed system was successfully used to monitor the yield of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) in water vapour during the work of an ultrasonic humidifier with H₂O₂ as index. And the amount of ROSs in some other real samples, including tap water, drinking water and river water was detected with recoveries from 92.0% to 106%.     

Characterization of CdHgTe/CdS QDs for near infrared fluorescence imaging of spinal column in a mouse model

Near infrared (NIR) CdHgTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) were successfully prepared by a green synthetic route. The characteristics such as morphology, size, spectra, stability and toxicity were investigated in detail. The fluorescence wavelength of CdHgTe/CdS QDs could be adjusted to the NIR range (812nm), which made the in vivo NIR imaging possible. The in vivo dynamic biodistribution of CdHgTe/CdS QDs in a mouse model was monitored by an NIR imaging system. Results indicated that CdHgTe/CdS QDs with a diameter of about 5.8nm targeted to spinal column effectively. Further imaging of the dissected spine disclosed that QDs targeted to vertebra rather than spinal cord. The high fluorescence intensity together with targeting effect makes CdHgTe/CdS QDs particular candidates for imaging purposes in experimental animal models of vertebral injury.     

Electrical isolation and characteristics of permanent magnet-actuated valves for PDMS microfluidics

This paper presents a magnetically driven valve via a permanent magnet pressing a spacer against deformable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to fully close a microchannel. Its ability for electrical isolation, time response, and resistance to backpressure are interrogated. Simulation of the valve closing process was commenced along with experimental verification. Effects of PDMS thickness, and dimension and aspect ratio of microchannels were characterized. Up to 10 GΩ electrical isolation was demonstrated, as well as 50-70 ms valve response and ～200 kPa resistible pressure. On-demand actuation for arbitrary flow patterns further quantifies its utility. With advantages of simple fabrication, flexible valving location, and no external power requirement, the on/off valve could be leveraged for proof-of-concept microfluidic devices and other applications.     

New multicomponent cyclization: domino synthesis of pentasubstituted pyridines under solvent-free conditions

An efficient methodology for the synthesis of highly functionalized pyridine derivatives starting from readily available common reactants has been developed under microwave irradiation and solvent-free conditions. The new domino reaction enables successful assembly of five new σ bonds including two C-N bonds in a one-pot operation. A new mechanism has been proposed, which involves a novel reaction and sequence consisting of deprotonation-imine formation-anionic carbonyl addition.     

A salt made of 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and saccharin as an efficient recyclable acylation catalyst: a new bridge between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis

Here, we report insights into the new recyclable catalyst 1, (DMAP·saccharin). The DMAP·saccharin-catalysed acylation of alcohols has been successfully carried out more than 8 times. Only 1 mol% of catalyst 1 efficiently promotes acylation with almost equimolar amounts of acid anhydrides, under both base-free and solvent-free conditions.     

Incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes into ferrocene-modified linear polyethylenimine redox polymer films

In this study, we describe the effects of incorporating single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into redox polymer-enzyme hydrogels. The hydrogels were constructed by combining the enzyme glucose oxidase with a redox polymer (Fc-C(6)-LPEI) in which ferrocene was attached to linear poly(ethylenimine) by a six-carbon spacer. Incorporation of SWNTs into these films changed their morphology and resulted in a significant increase in the enzymatic response at saturating glucose concentrations (3 mA/cm(2)) as compared to films without SWNTs (0.6 mA/cm(2)). Likewise, the sensitivity at 5 mM glucose was significantly increased in the presence of SWNTs (74 μA/cm(2)·mM) as compared to control films (26 μA/cm(2)·mM). We demonstrate that the increase in the electrochemical and enzymatic response of these films depends on the amount of SWNTs incorporated and the method of SWNT incorporation. Furthermore, we report that the presence of SWNTs in thick films allows for more of the ferrocene redox centers to become accessible. The high current densities of the hydrogels should allow for the construction of miniature biosensors and enzymatic biofuel cells.