Resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy of BNB

Triatomic BNB has been produced by laser ablation of a boron nitride rod in a supersonic expansion of helium carrier gas and has been investigated using resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy in the visible region. The B 2Pi(g)-X 2Sigma(u)+ band system has been recorded near 514 nm and is dominated by a strong origin band, which has been rotationally resolved and analyzed. Both the (11)B(14)N(11)B (64% natural abundance) and the (10)B(14)N(11)B (32% natural abundance) isotopic modifications have been analyzed, leading to the spectroscopic constants (and their 1sigma error limits) of B0"(X 2Sigma(u)+)=0.466 147(70), B0'(B 2Pi(g))=0.467 255(75), and A0'(B 2Pi(g))=6.1563(38) cm(-1) for (10)B(14)N(11)B, corresponding to r(B-N)"(X 2Sigma(u)+)=1.312 47(10) A and r(B-N)'(B 2Pi(g))=1.310 92(11) A. Very similar values are obtained for the more abundant isotopomer, (11)B(14)N(11)B: B0"(X 2Sigma(u)+)=0.444 493(69), B0'(B 2Pi(g))=0.445 606(70), A0'(B 2Pi(g))=6.1455(38) cm(-1), corresponding to r(B-N)"(X 2Sigma(u)+)=1.312 41(10) A and r(B-N)'(B 2Pi(g))=1.310 77(10) A. These results are discussed as they relate to Walsh's rules and are compared to results for related molecules.     

Neural network modelling of adsorption isotherms

This paper examines the possibility to use a single neural network to model and predict a wide array of standard adsorption isotherm behaviour. Series of isotherm data were generated from the four most common isotherm equations (Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Toth) and the data were fitted with a unique neural network structure. Results showed that a single neural network with a hidden layer having three neurons, including the bias neuron, was able to represent very accurately the adsorption isotherm data in all cases. Similarly, a neural network with four hidden neurons, including the bias, was able to predict very accurately the temperature dependency of adsorption data.     

Kinetically controlled catalytic formation of zinc oxide thin films at low temperature

We developed a unique method to produce ZnO thin films by kinetically controlled catalytic hydrolysis of a molecular precursor at low temperature, operating in conjunction with the vectorial control of crystal growth. Using a system in which the diffusion of a volatile catalyst into a solution of molecular precursor of the metal oxide limits the rate of hydrolysis and establishes a gradient of catalyst concentration, we investigated the nucleation of textured nanoparticles at the gas-liquid interface and characterized their subsequent growth. Use of this slow diffusion method combined with prediction of molecular species using a partial charge model enables a higher level of organizational control than obtained in other low-temperature synthesis methods, without the use of organic molecules. Various metal oxides and their morphologies and chemical compositions can be tailored for specific applications using this relatively simple approach.     

Rapid separation of three glucosylated resveratrol analogues from the invasive plant Polygonum cuspidatum by high‐speed countercurrent chromatography

Three glucosylated resveratrol analogues (piceid, piceatannol glucoside, resveratroloside) were successfully isolated from the crude MeOH extract of the invasive plant species Polygonum cuspidatum by semi‐preparative high‐speed countercurrent chromatography with a two‐phase solvent system composed of cyclohexane‐ethyl acetate‐methanol‐water (1:5:1:5, v/v/v/v). Piceid (23 mg), resveratroloside (17 mg), piceatannol glucoside (15 mg) of purities over 80% were isolated from 500 mg crude MeOH extract in one step. Subsequent passage over a SPE column was used to quickly bring their purities to over 90%. The purities were determined by HPLC analysis and their structures were elucidated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR), HMBC, ESI‐MS and HR‐MS.     

Antioxidant compounds from Algerian Convolvulus tricolor (Convolvulaceae) seed husks

Seed husk extracts of Convolvulus tricolor L. (Convolvulaceae) afforded six compounds, identified for the first time from this plant: isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1), isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-(6"-acetyl)-galactopyranoside (2), isorhamnetin 3-O-robinobioside (3), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4), gentisic acid 5-O-glucoside (5), and scopoletin (6). Separation of compounds was carried out by CC and CPC. Structural elucidations were performed by HPLC-UV-DAD, HPLC-ESI/MS (negative mode) and NMR.     

Developments in the application of counter-current chromatography to plant analysis

Counter-current chromatography is a very versatile separation technique which does not require a solid stationary phase. It relies simply on the partition of a sample between the two phases of an immiscible solvent system. Some of the more recent applications of the method to the separation of plant-derived natural products are described here. Crude plant extracts and semi-pure fractions can be chromatographed, with sample loads ranging from milligrams to grams. Aqueous and non-aqueous solvent systems are used and the separation of compounds with a wide range of polarities is possible. The technique is complementary to other chromatographic methods and is compatible with gradient systems. The possibilities for solvent selection are almost limitless but some guidelines for the choice of successful systems are presented.     

New method of measuring electric dipole moments in storage rings

A new highly sensitive method of looking for electric dipole moments of charged particles in storage rings is described. The major systematic errors inherent in the method are addressed and ways to minimize them are suggested. It seems possible to measure the muon EDM to levels that test speculative theories beyond the standard model.     

Separation of xanthones and a biphenyl fromKielmeyera coriacea by centrifugal partition chromatography

Summary Eight xanthones and a biphenyl have been isolated from the dichloromethane extract ofKielmeyera coriacea (Guttiferae) stem bark by a combination of centrifugal partition chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex LH-20, with HPLC-UV monitoring of fractions. The structures of the isolated compounds (Figure 1) were established by spectroscopic methods (UV, EI-MS, D/CI-MS,¹H NMR,¹³C NMR).     

Mesostructure from Hydration Gradients in Demosponge Biosilica

Organisms of the phylum Porifera, that is, sponges, utilize enzymatic hydrolysis to concatenate bioavailable inorganic silicon to produce lightweight, strong, and often flexible skeletal elements called spicules. In their optical transparency, these remarkable biomaterials resemble fused silica, despite having been formed under ambient marine biological conditions. Although previous studies have elucidated the chemical mechanisms of spicule formation and revealed the extensive hydration of these glasses, their precise composition and local and medium‐range structures had not been determined. We have employed a combination of compositional analysis, ¹H and ²⁹Si solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and synchrotron X‐ray total scattering to characterize spicule‐derived silica produced by the demosponge Tethya aurantia. These studies indicate that the materials are highly hydrated, but in an inhomogeneous manner. The spicule‐derived silica is, on average, perfectly dense for the given extent of hydration and regions of fully condensed and unstrained Si?O networks persist throughout each monolithic spicule. To accommodate chemical strain and defects, the extensive hydration is concentrated in distinct regions that give rise to mesostructural features. The chemistry responsible for producing spicule silica resembles hydrolytic sol‐gel processing, which offers exceptional control over the precise local atomic arrangement of materials. However, the specific processing involved in forming the sponge spicule silica further results in regions of fully condensed silica coexisting with regions of incomplete condensation. This mesostructure suggests a mechanism for atomistic defect tolerance and strain relief that may account for the unusual mechanical properties of the biogenic spicules.