Shapes and noncovalent interactions of oligomers: the rotational spectrum of the difluoromethane trimer

The trimer of difluoromethane, (CH2F2)3, has been characterized by supersonic jet Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The rotational spectrum displays all types (mu(a), mu(b), and mu(c)) of transitions, showing that the adduct does not possess any element of molecular symmetry. The investigation of the three 13C species in natural abundance indicates that the three carbon atoms form a triangle where the C-C distances are 3.648(2), 3.825(8), and 3.942(6) A, respectively. The three subunits are held together by nine CH...F weak hydrogen bonds.     

pH-driven conformational switch of "i-motif" DNA for the reversible assembly of gold nanoparticles

Herein we demonstrate that gold nanoparticles conjugated to "i-motif" DNA behave like a pH dependent switch that undergoes reversible aggregations which can be easily visualized by the naked eye.     

Combinatorial synthesis, reversed-phase and normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography elution data and liquid chromatography/positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectra of methoxylated and glycosylated resveratrol analogues

Analyses of methoxylated and glycosylated stilbenes remain scarce in the literature because of the commercial unavailability of these compounds. Here a library of 22 compounds was synthesized by combinatorial chemistry. Their elution profiles were compared on three different columns (C18, C8, and silica) with those of seven commercial resveratrol analogues and two viniferins. The spectra recorded by liquid chromatography/positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-APCI(+)-MS/MS) are discussed and recommendations made for easier identification of new stilbenes.     

Wavelength-dependent Coulomb explosion in carbon disulphide (CS2) clusters: generation of energetic multiply charged carbon and sulphur ions

A gigawatt laser-induced Coulomb explosion has been observed in carbon disulphide (CS(2)) clusters generating energetic, multiply charged [C](m+) (m = 1-4) and [S](n+) (n = 1-6) atomic ions of carbon and sulphur. The Coulomb explosion shows wavelength dependence. Comparison of these results with our earlier work shows that the polarizability and dipole moment might help in energy absorption from the laser field but they are not mandatory conditions for this low-intensity Coulomb explosion. The results show that in a field of 10(9) W/cm(2), absorption of 266 and 355 nm laser radiation by CS(2) clusters leads to multiphoton dissociation/ionization whereas at 532 nm the whole cluster explodes generating multiply charged atomic ions.     

Highly diastereoselective nucleophilic addition to myrtenal. Straightforward synthesis of an enantiopure scorpionate ligand

The work described here represents the first example in which an efficient and highly diastereoselective nucleophilic 1,2-addition of an organolithium reagent has been performed on a carbonylic prostereogenic center to give an enantiopure scorpionate ligand in only one step.     

Syntheses and characterizations of three low-dimensional chloride-rich zincophosphates assembled about [d-Co(en)(3)](3+) and [dl-Co(en)(3)](3+) complex cations

Three new chloride-rich zincophosphates including two zero-dimensional (0D) clusters [dl-Co(en)3]2[Zn4(H2PO4)2(HPO4)2Cl8] (denoted ZnPO-CJ33) and [d-Co(en)3]2[Zn4(H2PO4)2(HPO4)2Cl8] (denoted ZnPO-CJ34), and one-dimensional (1D) zincophosphate chain [dl-Co(en)3][Zn2(H2PO4)(HPO4)2Cl2] (denoted ZnPO-CJ35) have been solvothermally prepared. ZnPO-CJ33 and ZnPO-CJ34 possess the same cluster structure as the macroanionic [Zn4H6P4O16Cl8]6- unit formed by alternation of ZnOCl3/ZnO3Cl and HPO4/H2PO4 tetrahedra but differ in the countercations. The racemic [dl-Co(en)3]3+ cations are located among the clusters of ZnPO-CJ33, whereas chiral [d-Co(en)3]3+ cations are located among the clusters of ZnPO-CJ34. ZnPO-CJ34 templated by the optically pure chiral [d-Co(en)3]3+ cations is the first chiral monomeric zincophosphate. ZnPO-CJ35 templated by the racemic [dl-Co(en)3]3+ cations possesses a 1D infinite chain structure formed by the alternation of ZnO3Cl and HPO4/H2PO4 tetrahedra. The 1D chain structure of ZnPO-CJ35 can also be viewed as generated from the condensation of 0D clusters of ZnPO-CJ33, with the terminal Cl ions replaced by HPO4 groups. Experimentally, the structural transformation from ZnPO-CJ33 to ZnPO-CJ35 has been investigated.     

Contact instability of thin elastic films on patterned substrates

The free surface of a soft elastic film becomes unstable and forms an isotropic labyrinth pattern when a rigid flat plate is brought into adhesive contact with the film. These patterns have a characteristic wavelength, lambda approximately 3H, where H is the film thickness. We show that these random structures can be ordered, modulated, and aligned by depositing the elastic film (cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane) on a patterned substrate and by bringing the free surface of the film in increasing adhesive contact with a flat stamp. Interestingly, the influence of the substrate "bleeds" through the film to its free surface. It becomes possible to generate complex two-dimensional ordered structures such as an array of femtoliter beakers even by using a simple one-dimensional stripe patterned substrate when the instability wavelength, lambda approximately 3H, nearly matches the substrate pattern periodicity. The free surface morphology is modulated in situ by merely varying the stamp-surface separation distance. The free surface structures originating from the elastic contact instability can also be made permanent by the UV-ozone induced oxidation and stiffening.