Supramolecular architectures with ladder and lamellar topologies using metal-ligand coordination units via C–H···Cl and O–H···Cl hydrogen bonding

New Mn^II/Cu^II/Zn^II complexes [(L¹)MnCl₂] (1), [(L²)CuCl₂]·0.5H₂O (2) and [(L²)ZnCl(H₂O)][ClO₄] (3), containing (2-pyridyl)alkylamine ligands, N-methyl-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L¹) and methyl[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L²), have been prepared and characterized, including X-ray crystallography. The most striking feature of the structures of these complexes is the formation of molecular ladder and lamellar topology through the crystal packing arrangement, determined by both strong O–H···Cl and weak (however, multiple) C–H···Cl hydrogen-bonding interactions, to maintain the neutral/cationic metal-ligand coordination units linked to each other. In 3, additional secondary interactions are observed involving coordinated solvent and the counter-ion. The results presented here demonstrate that (i) the choice of organic ligands to provide flexibility and inherent potential to participate in hydrogen-bonding interactions, (ii) the coordination geometry preferences of metal ions, (iii) the number of metal-bound chloride ion and (iv) the presence of solvent/counter-anion have a great influence on supramolecular network topology.     

Rotational relaxation of neutral red in alkanes: effect of solvent size on probe rotation

Rotational reorientation times of a polar molecule neutral red (NR) have been measured in n-alkanes using steady-state fluorescence depolarization technique. The rotational dynamics of NR in alkanes is described by the Stokes-Einstein-Debye hydrodynamic theory with slip boundary condition. However, we have observed that as the size of the solvent molecule becomes bigger than the size of the solute molecule, the probe molecule experiences reduced friction and the experimentally measured reorientation times are shorter than those predicted by the hydrodynamic theory. These size effects have been analyzed using quasihydrodynamic theories.     

A chemo-enzymatic route to diastereoisomers of 2-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3-butanediol: the dual role of microorganisms

Diastereoisomers (1S,2R,3S)-, (1R,2R,3S)-, (1R,2S,3S)- and (1S,2S,3S)-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3-butanediols were prepared by simple and convenient strategies using two different chemo-enzymatic approaches for the reduction of racemic 2-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione, both involving in situ racemization. The first method comprised a one-pot microbial reduction coupled with a chemical reduction, while in the second method, stepwise chemo-enzymatic reductions were performed.     

Mechanistic study of osmium(VIII) promoted oxidation of crotonic acid by aqueous alkaline solution of potassium bromate

Kinetics and mechanism of the Os(VIII) catalysed oxidation of crotonic acid (CA) by KBrO₃ in alkaline medium have been investigated. Zero order dependence in [KBrO₃] was observed, while first order with respect to CA in its lower concentration range tends to zero order at its higher concentration range. The order in [Os(VIII)] was found to be unity and a positive effect of [OH⁻] was observed. Variation of the ionic strength (μ) and dielectric constant of the medium and addition of Hg(OAc)₂ (used as Br⁻ scavenger) had an insignificant effect on the rate of reaction. Thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated and reported. A suitable mechanism consistent with the observed kinetic results has been suggested and the related rate law deduced.     

Binding and condensation of plasmid DNA onto functionalized carbon nanotubes: toward the construction of nanotube-based gene delivery vectors

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) constitute a class of nanomaterials that possess characteristics suitable for a variety of possible applications. Their compatibility with aqueous environments has been made possible by the chemical functionalization of their surface, allowing for exploration of their interactions with biological components including mammalian cells. Functionalized CNTs (f-CNTs) are being intensively explored in advanced biotechnological applications ranging from molecular biosensors to cellular growth substrates. We have been exploring the potential of f-CNTs as delivery vehicles of biologically active molecules in view of possible biomedical applications, including vaccination and gene delivery. Recently we reported the capability of ammonium-functionalized single-walled CNTs to penetrate human and murine cells and facilitate the delivery of plasmid DNA leading to expression of marker genes. To optimize f-CNTs as gene delivery vehicles, it is essential to characterize their interactions with DNA. In the present report, we study the interactions of three types of f-CNTs, ammonium-functionalized single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SWNT-NH3+; MWNT-NH3+), and lysine-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT-Lys-NH3+), with plasmid DNA. Nanotube-DNA complexes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, PicoGreen dye exclusion, and agarose gel shift assay. The results indicate that all three types of cationic carbon nanotubes are able to condense DNA to varying degrees, indicating that both nanotube surface area and charge density are critical parameters that determine the interaction and electrostatic complex formation between f-CNTs with DNA. All three different f-CNT types in this study exhibited upregulation of marker gene expression over naked DNA using a mammalian (human) cell line. Differences in the levels of gene expression were correlated with the structural and biophysical data obtained for the f-CNT:DNA complexes to suggest that large surface area leading to very efficient DNA condensation is not necessary for effective gene transfer. However, it will require further investigation to determine whether the degree of binding and tight association between DNA and nanotubes is a desirable trait to increase gene expression efficiency in vitro or in vivo. This study constitutes the first thorough investigation into the physicochemical interactions between cationic functionalized carbon nanotubes and DNA toward construction of carbon nanotube-based gene transfer vector systems.     

Electrophilic fluorinating reagent mediated synthesis of fluorinated alpha-keto Ethers,benzil, and 6,6'-dialkoxy-2,2'-bipyridines

Interactions of various fluorinated and nonfluorinated alcohols with trans-stilbene in the presence of electrophilic reagents were studied. Under neat conditions, reactions of trans-stilbene (1) with fluorinated alcohols, R(f)OH (R(f) = CF3CH2-, CFH2CH2-, CF3CF2CH2-, CF2H(CF2)3CH2-, (CF3)2CH-, (CF3)3C- (2a-f) in the presence of an electrophilic reagent, 1-(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate) (Selectfluor) or N,N-difluoro-2,2'-bipyridinium bis(tetrafluoroborate) (MEC-31), gave alpha-keto ethers (3a-f) and benzil (4) in good to moderate yields. alpha-Keto ether and benzil formation was very much dependent on the reaction time, the degree of fluorination of the alcohols, and whether a solvent such as CH3CN, DMF or DMA was utilized. In solution, alpha-keto ethers and benzil did not form. Interestingly, under neat conditions, nonfluorinated alcohols, ROH (R = CH3-, CH3CH2-, CH3CH2CH2-, CH3CH2CH2CH2-, CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2-) (5g-k) did not react with trans-stilbene in the presence of MEC-31 but gave 6,6'-dialkoxy-2,2'-bipyridines (6g-k), regioselectively, in excellent isolated yields. On the other hand, fluorinated alcohols did not react with MEC-31. Reaction of MEC-31 with an excess of diethylene glycol (7) gave the bipyridine derivative (8) in 88% isolated yield. Reaction of 8 either with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) or bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminosulfur trifluoride (Deoxofluor) readily produced the corresponding difluoro derivative (9) in 85% isolated yield. All new compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analysis.     

Untersuchungen über die diamagnetische Suszeptibilität einiger Organo (imino-oxy)silane

Diamagnetic susceptibilities of trimethyl(imino-oxy)silanes,Me ₃SiON CMeR, and dimethyldi(imino-oxy)silanes,Me ₂Si(ON CMeR)₂, containing Si–O bonds are reported. _M of these silicon compounds has been calculated theoretically from the method ofBaudet et al. and a good agreement has been obtained between the observed _M values and the corresponding calculated values. _Si in these compounds has been calculated graphically and the lower values have been explained on the basis of back-bonding to the silicon atom from the oxygen lone pair.     

Bis-salicylaldehyde-ethylenediamine as an analytical reagent

Summary Copper has been determined gravimetrically as its bis-salicylaldehyde-ethylenediamine complex of the composition C₁₆H₁₄O₂N₂ · Cu, dried at 100–120° C. The complex is completely precipitated in theph range of 10.5–13.5, adjusted with ammonia or caustic alkali. It is stable in presence of excess ammonia, 0.1 N alkali, ammonium salts and complexing agents as tartrate, citrate, sodium-thiosulphate, fluoride, thiourea, triethanolamine and EDTA. In presence of tartrate and ammonia the ions of alkali metals, alkaline earths, Ag⁺, Tl⁺, Tl³⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pd²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Au³⁺, Pt⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺, Th⁴⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ and anions as VO₃ ^–, MoO₄ ^2–, WO₄ ^2–, CrO₄ ^2–, PO₄ ^3–, AsO₄ ^3– do not interfere. Ni²⁺ and Hg²⁺ are masked by tartrate, EDTA and ammonia; As³⁺, Sb³⁺ and Sn²⁺ are separated using fluoride as the complexing agent; at an alkalinity of 0.1 N caustic alkali in presence of tartrate As³⁺, Sb³⁺, Sn²⁺, Bi³⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ are separated. Fe³⁺ can also be separated using triethanolamine as the masking agent at aph of about 13.0. Copper can be separated from almost all the ions, thus affording a highly selective method for the determination of copper.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird eine gravimetrische Methode zur Bestimmung von Kupfer beschrieben, die auf der Bildung des Bis-salicylaldehyd-äthylendiaminkomplexes beruht. Dieser hat die Zusammensetzung C₁₆H₁₄O₂N₂ · Cu. Die Fällung wird imph-Bereich 10,5–13,5 (mit Ammoniak oder Alkalilauge eingestellt) vorgenommen und der Niederschlag bei 100°–120° C getrocknet. Der Komplex ist beständig in Gegenwart von überschüssigem Ammoniak, 0,1 n Alkali, Ammoniumsalzen sowie Tartrat, Citrat, Natriumthiosulfat, Fluorid, Thioharnstoff, Triäthanolamin und ÄDTA. In Gegenwart von Tartrat und Ammoniak stören nicht: Alkalien, Erdalkalien, Ag⁺, Tl⁺, Tl³⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pd²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Au³⁺, Pt⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺, Th⁴⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ sowie VO₃ ^–, MoO₄ ^2–, WO₄ ^2–, CrO₄ ^2–, PO₄ ^3– und AsO₄ ³⁺. Ni²⁺ und Hg²⁺ können mit Tartrat, ÄDTA und Ammoniak maskiert werden, As³⁺, Sb³⁺ und Sn²⁺ mit Fluorid. In 0,1 n ätzalkalischer Lösung in Gegenwart von Tartrat können As³⁺, Sb³⁺, Sn²⁺, Bi³⁺, Zn²⁺ und Fe³⁺ abgetrennt werden. Fe³⁺ kann ebenfalls mit Triäthanolamin beiph 13,0 maskiert werden. Das beschriebene Verfahren erlaubt somit eine Abtrennung des Kupfers von fast allen anderen Ionen.

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Part I: Singh, B. R., and S. Kumar: Z. analyt. Chem. 185, 211 (1962).     

Surfactant polymer interactions between strongly interacting cationic surfactants and anionic polyelectrolytes from conductivity and turbidity measurements

The interactions between oppositely charged surfactant/polymer mixtures have been studied using conductivity and turbidity measurements. The dependence of aggregation phenomenon on the chain length and head group modifications of conventional cationic surfactants, i.e., hexadecyl- (HTAB), tetradecyl- (TTAB), and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromides (DTAB) and dimeric cationic surfactants, i.e., decyl- (DeDGB) and dodecyldimethylgemini bromides (DDGB), is investigated. It was observed that cationic surfactants induce cooperative binding with anionic polyelectrolytes at critical aggregation concentration (cac). The cac values are considerably lower than the critical micelle concentration (cmc) values for the same surfactant. After the complete complexation, free micelles are formed at the apparent critical micelle concentration (acmc), which is slightly higher in aqueous polyelectrolyte than in pure water. Among the conventional and dimeric cationic surfactants, DTAB and DeDGB, respectively, have been found to have least interactions with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes.     

Electrophoresis simulations using Chebyshev pseudo-spectral method on a moving mesh

We present the implementation and demonstration of the Chebyshev pseudo-spectral method coupled with an adaptive mesh method for performing fast and highly accurate electrophoresis simulations. The Chebyshev pseudo-spectral method offers higher numerical accuracy than all other finite difference methods and is applicable for simulating all electrophoresis techniques in channels with open or closed boundaries. To improve the computational efficiency, we use a novel moving mesh scheme that clusters the grid points in the regions with poor numerical resolution. We demonstrate the application of the Chebyshev pseudo-spectral method on a moving mesh for simulating nonlinear electrophoretic processes through examples of isotachophoresis (ITP), isoelectric focusing (IEF), and electromigration-dispersion in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) at current densities as high as 1000 A/m. We also show the efficacy of our moving mesh method over existing methods that cluster the grid points in the regions with large concentration gradients. We have integrated the adaptive Chebyshev pseudo-spectral method in the open-source SPYCE simulator and verified its implementation with other electrophoresis simulators.