Controlling phase formation in solids: rational synthesis of phase separated Co@Fe2O3 heteroparticles and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

A wet chemical approach from organometallic reactants allowed the targeted synthesis of Co@Fe(2)O(3) heterodimer and CoFe(2)O(4) ferrite nanoparticles. They display magnetic properties that are useful for magnetic MRI detection.     

Solvatochromic rotaxane molecular shuttles

A strongly fluorescent bistable rotaxane is described in which the relative position of the macrocyclic ring with respect to a solvatochromic fluorophore gives a strong response in the spectral domain.     

Stopped-flow spectrophotometric study of the kinetics and mechanism of CO₂ uptake by cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(BaraNH₂)(OH₂)₂]+ cation and the acid-catalyzed decomposition of cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(BaraNH₂)OCO₂]- anion in aqueous solution

The kinetics of CO(2) uptake by the cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))(OH(2))(2)]+ complex cation and the acid hydrolysis of the cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))OCO(2)]- complex anion (where BaraNH(2) denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-b-D-arabino-hexopyranoside) were studied using the stopped-flow technique. The reactions under study were investigated in aqueous solution in the 288-308 K temperature range. In the case of the reaction between CO(2) and cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))(OH(2))(2)]+ cation variable pH values (6.82-8.91) and the constant ionic strength of solution (H+, Na+, ClO(4)- = 1.0) were used. Carbon dioxide was generated by the reaction between sodium pyruvate and hydrogen peroxide. The acid hydrolysis of cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))OCO(2)]- was investigated for varying concentrations of H+ ions (0.01-2.7 M). The obtained results enabled the determination of the number of steps of the studied reactions. Based on the kinetic equations, rate constants were determined for each step. Finally, mechanisms for both reactions were proposed and discussed. Based on the obtained results it was concluded that the carboxylation (CO(2) uptake) reactions of cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))(OH(2))(2)]+ and the decarboxylation (acid hydrolysis) of the cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))OCO(2)]- are the opposite of each other.     

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Vibrational Spectra of Coordination Polymers Based on TCE‐TTF

The room‐temperature infrared and Raman spectra of a series of four isostructural polymeric salts of 2,3,6,7‐tetrakis(2‐cyanoethylthio)‐tetrathiafulvalene (TCE‐TTF) with paramagnetic (Co^II, Mn^II) and diamagnetic (Zn^II, Cd^II) ions, together with BF₄^? or ClO₄^? anions are reported. Infrared and Raman‐active modes are identified and assigned based on theoretical calculations for neutral and ionized TCE‐TTF using density functional theory (DFT) methods. It is confirmed that the TCE‐TTF molecules in all the materials investigated are fully ionized and interact in the crystal structure through cyanoethylthio groups. The vibrational modes related to the C?C stretching vibrations of TCE‐TTF are analyzed assuming the occurrence of electron–molecular vibration coupling (EMV). The presence of the antisymmetric C?C dimeric mode provides evidence that charge transfer takes place between TCE‐TTF molecules belonging to neighboring polymeric networks.     

Surface‐Plasmon‐Coupled Emission of Rhodamine 110 in a Silica Nanolayer

The first observation of strong directional surface‐plasmon‐coupled emission (SPCE) of Rhodamine 110 in silica nanofilms deposited on silver nanolayers is reported. The preparation of the material is described in detail. The intensity of SPCE exceeds 10 times that of free space fluorescence and total linear light polarization in the SPCE ring is observed. A new experimental setup and an original data collection method is presented. Our material completely preserves its fluorescence properties for at least eight months.     

Single dibenzoterrylene molecules in naphthalene and 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene crystals: vibronic spectra

Fluorescence excitation spectra of single dibenzoterrylene (DBT) molecules embedded in naphthalene (N) and 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene (2,3-DMN) crystals were studied at 5 K. The frequencies characterizing the vibronic structure of single DBT molecules in an N crystal agree with the theoretical prediction for the isolated DBT molecule. The 'dipolar' disorder encountered in 2,3-DMN crystals leads to a broad distribution of frequencies of the (0,0) lines of single DBT molecules. Moreover, the observed vibronic frequencies and intensities in the spectrum of DBT in 2,3-DMN crystals are slightly different to those in an N crystal. We conclude that the structure of DBT molecules in a 2,3-DMN crystal is disturbed in comparison with isolated DBT and the main change concerns its central tetracene moiety.     

Phase transition induced improvement in H2 desorption kinetics: the case of the high-temperature form of Y(BH4)3

The high-temperature (HT) phase of Y(BH(4))(3) has been prepared by heating of the as mechanochemically synthesised low-temperature (LT) phase of Y(BH(4))(3) to 194-216 °C and subsequent rapid cooling to ambient temperature. Although the differences in the crystal structure and vibrational spectra for these closely-related polymorphs are rather small, yet the NMR MAS (1)H and CP MAS (89)Y spectra reveal clear differences in the chemical shifts for both nuclei. The thermal decomposition process of both forms differs noticeably below 260 °C, decomposition being faster and more facile for the HT phase. The activation energy for thermal decomposition, calculated according to the Kissinger equation, is nearly three times lower for the HT than for the LT polymorph for the first step of the thermal decomposition signalling giant improvement of kinetics of H(2) desorption.     

Electron ionization and electrospray mass spectra of diaryl-substituted enaminoketones and their thio analogs

Electron ionization (EI) and positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of selected diaryl enaminoketones and enaminothiones have been studied. In the EI mass spectra of both classes of compound, molecular ion peaks are accompanied by the peaks corresponding to the [M-H](+) ions. The formation of these ions can be rationalized by a cyclization reaction resulting in the formation of the respective isoxazolium and isothiazolium cations. Under positive ESI conditions, in the spectra recorded for the enaminoketones peaks corresponding to the [M+H](+), [M+Na](+) and [2M+Na](+) ions appeared, while in the spectra recorded for the enaminothiones, peaks corresponding to the [M-H](+) ions were dominant. These ions are most likely formed by oxidation of the neutral enaminothione molecules on the surface of the positively charged stainless steel capillary in the ESI ion source (anodic oxidation).     

Supravital fluorometric apoptosis detection in a single mouse embryo using lab-on-a-chip

Detection of apoptosis is one of the main criteria of preimplantation embryo growth potential assessment. Recent developments in lab-on-a-chip techniques has led to apoptosis detection and monitoring on a single cell or embryo level. However, single embryo apoptosis detection without a change in embryo developmental competence and post-examination "recovery" still remains a challenge. In this paper we present a lab-on-a-chip, co-working with miniaturized optical instrumentation, which allows supravital examination of single embryos for the presence of apoptotic blastomers with full after lab-on-a-chip study "recovery" and maintenance of their further developmental capacity.     

N- Hydroxyphthalimide and transition metal salts as catalysts of the liquid-phase oxidation of 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene with oxygen

The oxidation process of 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene catalysed by N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) or NHPI in combination with Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Fe(II) salts was studied. The effects of the amount of catalyst and the temperature were determined. 1-Methyl-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl hydroperoxide was obtained in a yield of 73 mol% when 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene was oxidised for 3 h at 60°C in acetonitrile as a solvent in the presence of NHPI. 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)ethanone with high selectivity up to 68–75 mol%, but low yield amounting to 11 mol% was obtained when 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl)benzene was oxidised in the presence of the NHPI/Cu(II) system at 120°C.