New chromophores from click chemistry for two-photon absorption and tuneable photoluminescence

New multipolar derivatives built from triazole moieties that combine full transparency and strong TPA in the visible region as well as fully tuneable fluorescence have been designed; such chromophores open a new route for optical limiting.     

Hydrothermal synthesis in the system Ni(OH)(2)-NiSO(4): nuclear and magnetic structures and magnetic properties of Ni(3)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)

We present the synthesis, characterization by DT-TGA and IR, single crystal X-ray nuclear structure at 300 K, nuclear and magnetic structure from neutron powder diffraction on a deuterated sample at 1.4 K, and magnetic properties as a function of temperature and magnetic field of Ni(3)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2). The structure is formed of chains, parallel to the c-axis, of edge-sharing Ni(1)O(6) octahedra, connected by the corners of Ni(2)O(6) octahedra to form corrugated sheets along the bc-plane. The sheets are connected to one another by the sulfate groups to form the 3D network. The magnetic properties measured by ac and dc magnetization, isothermal magnetization at 2 K, and heat capacity are characterized by a transition from a paramagnet (C = 3.954 emu K/mol and theta = -31 K) to a canted antiferromagnet at T(N) = 29 K with an estimated canting angle of 0.2-0.3 degrees. Deduced from powder neutron diffraction data, the magnetic structure is modeled by alternate pairs of Ni(1) within a chain having their moments pointing along [010] and [010], respectively. The moments of Ni(2) atoms are oppositely oriented with respect to their adjacent pairs. The resulting structure is that of a compensated arrangement of moments within one layer, comprising one ferromagnetic and three antiferromagnetic superexchange pathways between the nickel atoms.     

Water‐Soluble Triarylborane Chromophores for One‐ and Two‐Photon Excited Fluorescence Imaging of Mitochondria in Cells

Three water‐soluble tetracationic quadrupolar chromophores comprising two three‐coordinate boron π‐acceptor groups bridged by thiophene‐containing moieties were synthesised for biological imaging applications. Compound 3 containing the bulkier 5‐(3,5‐Me₂C₆H₂)‐2,2′‐(C₄H₂S)₂‐5′‐(3,5‐Me₂C₆H₂) bridge is stable over a long period of time, exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield and strong one‐ and two‐photon absorption (TPA), and has a TPA cross section of 268 GM at 800 nm in water. Confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy studies in live cells indicated localisation of the chromophore at the mitochondria; moreover, cytotoxicity measurements proved biocompatibility. Thus, chromophore 3 has excellent potential for one‐ and two‐photon‐excited fluorescence imaging of mitochondrial function in cells.     

Synchronous and asynchronous optimized Schwarz methods for one‐way subdivision of bounded domains

Convergence of both synchronous and asynchronous optimized Schwarz algorithms for the shifted Laplacian operator on a bounded rectangular domain, in a one‐way subdivision of the computational domain, with overlap, is shown. Convergence results are obtained under very mild conditions on the size of the subdomains and on the amount of overlap. A couple of results are also given, relating the convergence rate of the asynchronous method to changes in the size of the domain. Numerical experiments illustrate the theoretical results.     

Photophysics,Electrochemistry and Efficient Electrochemiluminescence of Trigonal Truxene-Core Dyes

We synthesized and characterized a series of dyes built from a spirofluorene or truxene core. The quadrupolar spirofluorene system is the initial building unit for the design and preparation of more complex star-shaped dyes consisting of a truxene core bearing three di- or triphenylamine moieties with or without a thiophene connector. Their photophysical, electrochemical, and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties were first investigated in solution. Structure/activity relationships were derived and rationalized by comparing the quadrupolar system and trigonal truxene-core derivatives using computational studies. The photophysical and redox characteristics are drastically tuned by the introduction of a thiophene bridge and electron-donor substituents at their terminal branches. These comparative studies show the essential role of the stability of both radical cations and anions to obtain efficient ECL dyes. The stabilization of the radicals is directly related to the charge delocalization due to the π-conjugation by the thiophene bridge. The brightest ECL is achieved by annihilation and coreactant (benzoyl peroxide) pathways with the blue-emitting truxene dye, which is 2- and 4.5-times greater than that of the quadrupolar compound and reference [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ emitter, respectively. Such an extensive study on these extended π-conjugated molecules presenting different core structures may guide the design and synthesis of new ECL dyes with a strong efficiency.     

On the interfacial chemistry of aryl diazonium compounds in polymer science

This review emphasises the role of aryl diazonium compounds as a new class of coupling agents for grafting polymer thin layers onto carbon, diamond, metals, metal oxides, alloys, semi-conductors, ceramics, and polymers. Physical and chemical methods are first reported for anchoring aryl layers to the surfaces, then the review concentrates on the modification of the above substrates by thin polymer films via a range of the “grafting from” and “grafting onto” strategies. Some applications are described which highlight the important role that diazonium salts will continue to play in the near future in the polymer and surface sciences.     

Clay and DOPA containing polyelectrolyte multilayer film for imparting anticorrosion properties to galvanized steel

A facile and green approach is developed to impart remarkable protection against corrosion to galvanized steel. A protecting multilayer film is formed by alternating the deposition of a polycation bearing catechol groups, used as corrosion inhibitors, with clay that induces barrier properties. This coating does not affect the esthetical aspect of the surface and does not release any toxic molecules in the environment.