Study of the decay B0(B- 0)-->rho+rho-, and constraints on the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle alpha

Using a data sample of 89 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B Factory at SLAC, we measure the B0(B (0))-->rho(+)rho(-) branching fraction as [30+/-4(stat)+/-5(syst)]x10(-6) and a longitudinal polarization fraction of f(L)=0.99+/-0.03(stat)+0.04-0.03(syst). We measure the time-dependent-asymmetry parameters of the longitudinally polarized component of this decay as C(L)=-0.17+/-0.27(stat)+/-0.14(syst) and S(L)=-0.42+/-0.42(stat)+/-0.14(syst). We exclude values of alpha between 19 degrees and 71 degrees (90% C.L.).     

A homologous series of regioselectively tetradeprotonated group 8 metallocenes: new inverse crown ring compounds synthesized via a mixed sodium-magnesium tris(diisopropylamide) synergic base

Subjecting ferrocene, ruthenocene, or osmocene to the synergic amide base sodium-magnesium tris(diisopropylamido) affords a unique homologous series of metallocene derivatives of general formula [(M(C(5)H(3))(2))Na(4)Mg(4)(i-Pr(2)N)(8)] (where M = Fe (1), Ru (2), or Os (3)). X-ray crystallographic studies of 1-3 reveal a common molecular "inverse crown" structure comprising a 16-membered [(NaNMgN)(4)](4+) "host" ring and a metallocenetetraide [M(C(5)H(3))(2)](4-) "guest" core, the cleaved protons of which are lost selectively from the 1, 1', 3, and 3'-positions. Variable-temperature NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that 1, 2, and 3 each exist as two distinct interconverting conformers in arene solution, the rates of exchange of which have been calculated using coalescence and EXSY NMR measurements.     

Diffraction techniques for nonlamellar phases of phospholipids

A neutron diffraction method applicable to nonlamellar phases of substrate-supported lipid membranes is described and validated. When prepared on a flat substrate, the resulting nonlamellar phases have layered symmetry which provides some advantages over powder diffraction for detailed structure determination. This approach recently led to the detection of a rhombohedral phase and a distorted hexagonal phase of lipids. Here the determination of intensity and phase information for such phases is demonstrated by application to the hexagonal phase of diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPhPC). The hexagonal symmetry is used to verify the data reduction procedure for the intensities of the diffraction peaks. Diffraction intensities measured while varying the D2O/H2O ratio in the relative humidity was used to solve the phase problem. The neutron scattering length density distribution of the hexagonal phase was constructed and analyzed to elucidate the packing of the lipid molecules. The structure of DPhPC in the hexagonal phase is of interest in connection with its stalk structure in the rhombohedral phase. We also found that the incorporation of tetradecane into the DPhPC hexagonal phase is limited, similar to the case for dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine.     

Structure of 4-[4-(Dimethylamino)-Phenylazo] Benzeneboronic Acid and Its Cyclic Esters with D-Glucose: A Computational Study

We present results from a computational study of 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-phenylazo] benzene boronic acid (DABBA) (the 4'-boronic acid isomer of the aminoazobenzene dye N,N-dimethylaminoazobenzene) and its associated anion, as well as, several cyclic esters formed from these azoborates and various conformers of D-glucose. Azo dyes that also contain one or more boronic acid functional groups are of practical importance in the development of chemical sensors for saccharide recognition because of their ability to induce a visible color change upon binding. The lowest-energy DABBA:D-glucose esters found in this investigation consistently involved at least one of the exocyclic hydroxymethyl groups on the D-glucose moiety rather than vicinal cis or trans diol arrangements of hydroxyl groups on the ring.     

Quad quantum cascade laser spectrometer with dual gas cells for the simultaneous analysis of mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke

A compact, fast response, infrared spectrometer using four pulsed quantum cascade (QC) lasers has been applied to the analysis of gases in mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) cigarette smoke. QC lasers have many advantages over the traditional lead-salt tunable diode lasers, including near room temperature operation with thermoelectric cooling and single mode operation with improved long-term stability. The new instrument uses two 36 m, 0.3 l multiple pass absorption gas cells to obtain a time response of 0.1s for the MS smoke system and 0.4s for the SS smoke system. The concentrations of ammonia, ethylene, nitric oxide, and carbon dioxide for three different reference cigarettes were measured simultaneously in MS and SS smoke. A data rate of 20Hz provides sufficient resolution to determine the concentration profiles during each 2s puff in the MS smoke. Concentration profiles before, during and after the puffs also have been observed for these smoke constituents in SS smoke. Also, simultaneous measurements of CO(2) from a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzer are obtained for both MS and SS smoke. In addition, during this work, nitrous oxide was detected in both the MS and SS smoke for all reference cigarettes studied.     

Photochemical study of [3(3)](1,3,5)cyclophane and emission spectral properties of [3n]cyclophanes (n = 2-6)

Thephotochemical reaction of [3(3)](1,3,5)cyclophane 2, which is a photoprecursor for the formation of propella[3(3)]prismane 18, was studied using a sterilizing lamp (254 nm). Upon photolysis in dry and wet CH2Cl2 or MeOH in the presence of 2 mol/L aqueous HCl solution, the cyclophane 2 afforded novel cage compounds comprised of new skeletons, tetracyclo[6.3.1.0.(2,7)0(4,11)]dodeca-5,9-diene 43, hexacyclo[6.4.0.0.(2,6)0.(4,11)0.(5,10)0(9,12)]dodecane 44, and pentacyclo[6.4.0.0.(2,6)0.(4,11)0(5,10)]dodecane 45. All of these products were confirmed by the X-ray structural analyses. A possible mechanism for the formation of these photoproducts via the hexaprismane derivative 18 is proposed. The photophysical properties in the excited state of the [3n]cyclophanes ([3n]CP, n = 2-6) were investigated by measuring the emission spectra and determining the quantum yields and lifetimes of the fluorescence. All [3n]CPs show excimeric fluorescence without a monomeric one. The lifetime of the excimer fluorescence becomes gradually longer with the increasing number of the trimethylene bridges. The [3n]CPs also shows excimeric phosphorescence spectra without vibrational structures for n = 2, 4, and 5, while phosphorescence is absent for n = 3 and 6. With an increase in symmetry of the benzene skeleton in the [3(3)]- and [3(6)]CPs, the probability of the radiation (phosphorescence) process from the lowest triplet state may drastically decrease.     

DNA-nanotube artificial ion channels

There is considerable interest in developing chemical devices that mimic the function of biological ion channels. We recently described such a device, which consisted of a single conically shaped gold nanotube embedded within a polymeric membrane. This device mimicked one of the key functions of voltage-gated ion channels: the ability to strongly rectify the ionic current flowing through it. The data obtained were interpreted using a simple electrostatic model. While the details are still being debated, it is clear that ion-current-rectification in biological ion channels is more complicated and involves physical movement of an ionically charged portion of the channel in response to a change in the transmembrane potential. We report here artificial ion channels that rectify the ion current flowing through them via this "electromechanical" mechanism. These artificial channels are also based on conical gold nanotubes, but with the critical electromechanical response provided by single-stranded DNA molecules attached to the nanotube walls.     

Initial oxidation and hydroxylation of the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface by water and hydrogen peroxide

We use density functional theory to investigate the surface chemistry of initial oxidation and hydroxylation of the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface by water and hydrogen peroxide. Comparison of the reaction of water on the Si(100)-2 x 1 and Ge(100)-2 x 1 surfaces shows that the kinetics of oxidation of the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface with water is slower. Our calculations also show that oxidation products on the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface are less thermodynamically stable than on Si. We also investigate two competing dissociation reactions of H2O2 on the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface. We find that dissociative adsorption via cleavage of the OH bond is less exothermic than OO dissociation. Furthermore, interdimer OO dissociation has a lower activation barrier than interdimer or intradimer OH dissociation, although interdimer dissociation products are found to be less stable compared than those formed from intradimer dissociation reactions. Finally, we find that the oxidation products formed from hydrogen peroxide are more stable than those formed from water.     

Elucidation of the structures of 3-alkylthio-, 3-benzylthio-, 2-arylthio- and 2-heteroarylthio-N1-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N4-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamines by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy

Nucleophilic addition of alkyl- and benzylthiols to benzoquinone diimine (1) gave the corresponding 3-alkylthio- or 3-benzylthio-1,4-phenylenediamines (2-5). However, addition of aryl- or heteroarylthiols to 1 formed 2-arylthio- or 2-heteroarylthio-1,4-phenylenediamines (6-14). The structures of 2-14, obtained in 55-91% yields, were confirmed in CDCl3 or DMSO-d6 solution using 1D (NOE difference, coupled 13C NMR spectra, APT and DEPT) and 2D NMR techniques [DQCOSY, NOESY, HETCOR and heteronuclear multiple bond coherence (HMBC)] that resulted in unambiguous proton and carbon NMR resonance assignments. The substituent-induced 13C NMR chemical shift differences were calculated in 2-14 relative to carbon atoms in the model compound N1-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N4-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (DMBPPD) (15) (a reduced form of benzoquinone diimine).     

Benzothiazines in synthesis. Toward the synthesis of pseudopteroxazole

[reaction: see text] The tricyclic benzothiazine 15 was prepared in a straightforward fashion via a completely stereoselective intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation. This compound represents a potential precursor to the antitubercular agent, pseudopteroxazole. Its synthesis proceeded via a completely selective, intramolecular addition of a sulfoximine-stabilized carbanion to an alpha,beta-unsaturated ester, followed by functional group manipulations.