Shape-persistent octanuclear zinc salen clusters: synthesis, characterization, and catalysis

We describe a selective and template-controlled synthesis of a series of Zn(8) metal complexes based on a bis-nucleating salen ligand scaffold. Our results, a combination of X-ray analysis and solution studies, show that discrete, shape-persistent metal clusters can be prepared in high yield. Their activity in organic carbonate catalysis is a function of the metal-connecting fragment present in the exterior of the cluster complex. The high stability of the clusters has been confirmed by (1)H, (13)C (DEPTQ) and DOSY NMR, gel permeation chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry.     

A short desymmetrization protocol for the coordination environment in bis-salphen scaffolds

A remarkable short preparation of desymmetrized bis-salphen scaffolds is presented. The protocol consists of an hydroxide-mediated hydrolysis of Lewis acidic bis-Zn(salphen) complexes yielding C(s)-symmetric diimine/amine salts that can be selectively transformed into bis-salphens with dissymmetric substitution patterns within each salphen unit under mild conditions. These isolated nonsymmetrical bis-salphen derivatives do not show signs of imine scrambling or decomposition due to a metal template effect. A possible rationale is provided for the formation and isolation of one of the intermediate bis-phenolate salts, and the hypothesis involves H-bond directed hydrolysis of the nearest located imine bond across the bis-salphen scaffold.     

Open-shell spherical aromaticity: the 2N2 + 2N + 1 (with S = N + ½) rule

4N Baird's rule represented the extension of Hückel's 4N + 2 rule to triplet state systems. In this work we extend the 2(N + 1)(2) Hirsch rule for spherical aromatic species to open-shell spherical compounds and we provide evidence that those spherical species having a same-spin half-filled last energy level with the rest of the levels being fully-filled, i.e., those having 2N(2) + 2N + 1 electrons and S = N + ?, are aromatic.     

Multiplexed arrays of chemosensors by parallel dip-pen nanolithography

Miniaturized combined arrays of three different pH indicators allowing for sensitive, robust and broad-range acidity detection are prepared by parallel dip-pen nanolithography, which proves the potential of this technique to fabricate multiplexed platforms at the micro- and nanoscale that can act as sensors.     

Environmentally-safe bimetallic Ag@Co magnetic nanocomposites with antimicrobial activity

In this communication we describe the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the bactericide activity of a superparamagnetic bimetallic Ag/Co polymeric nanocomposite material for the treatment of bacteria contaminated aqueous solutions.     

Carleson Measures,Riemann–Stieltjes and Multiplication Operators on a General Family of Function Spaces

Let μ be a nonnegative Borel measure on the unit disk of the complex plane. We characterize those measures μ such that the general family of spaces of analytic functions, F(p, q, s), which contain many classical function spaces, including the Bloch space, BMOA and the Q _s spaces, are embedded boundedly or compactly into the tent-type spaces ${T^{\infty}_{p, s}(\mu)}$ . The results are applied to characterize boundedness and compactness of Riemann–Stieltjes operators and multiplication operators on F(p, q, s).     

Optical forces induced by metal nanoparticle clusters

The strong field localization generated between closely placed metal particles excited by electromagnetic radiation induces intense forces on small polarizable objects. In this study we investigate the optical forces that can be generated in the vicinity of metal nanoparticle clusters using fully electrodynamic numerical simulations. The influence of the cluster configuration as well as of the excitation parameters is analyzed.     

Investigation of endogenous corticosteroids profiles in human urine based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The accurate and precise measurement of endogenous corticosteroids in urine is a powerful tool to understand the biochemical state in several diseases. In this study, a rapid, accurate, and sensitive method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for the quantification of 67 endogenous gluco- and mineralo-corticosteroids and progestins has been developed and validated. Sample preparation, chromatographic separation, and mass spectrometric detection were optimized. Urine samples (0.5 mL) were hydrolyzed with β-glucuronidase and the released analytes were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction. The chromatographic separation was performed in 20 min after redisolution of the extract. MS behavior of endogenous corticosteroids was evaluated in order to select the most specific precursor ion ([M+H]⁺, [M+NH₄]⁺, or [M+H-nH₂O]⁺) for the detection. MS/MS determination was performed under selected reaction monitoring mode using electrospray ionization in positive mode. The method was shown to be linear (r > 0.99) in the range of endogenous concentrations for all studied metabolites. Limits of detection (LOD) below 1 ng mL⁻¹ were typically obtained for analytes with a 3-oxo-4-ene structure whereas LODs below 15 ng mL⁻¹ were common for the rest of analytes. Recoveries were higher than 80% and intra-assay precisions below 20%, evaluated at three concentration levels, were found for most steroids. No significant or moderate matrix effect, ranging from 54 to 155%, was observed for most of the analytes. The applicability of the method was confirmed by analyzing 24 h urine samples collected from twenty healthy volunteers and comparing the results with previously established normal ranges. The wide coverage of corticosteroid metabolism, together with short analysis time, low sample volume, simple sample preparation, and satisfactory quantitative results make this method useful for clinical purposes.     

Elucidating the 2D Magnetic Topology of the ‘Metal–Radical’ TTTA⋅Cu(hfac)2 System

The TTTA ? Cu(hfac)₂ polymer ( 1 ; in which TTTA=1,3,5‐trithia‐2,4,6‐triazapentalenyl, and hfac=(1,1,1,5,5,5)‐hexafluoroacetylacetonate) is one of the most prominent examples of the rational use of the ‘metal–radical’ synthetic approach to achieve ferromagnetic interactions. Experimentally, the magnetic topology of 1 could not be fully deciphered. Herein, the first‐principles bottom‐up procedure was applied to elucidate the nature and strength of the magnetic J_AB exchange interactions present in 1 . The computed J_AB values give rise to a 2D magnetic topology of ferromagnetic dimers (+11.9 cm^?1) coupled through weaker antiferromagnetic interactions (?3.0 and ?3.2 cm^?1) in two different spatial directions. The hitherto unknown origin of the antiferromagnetic interdimer interactions is thus unveiled. By using the 2D magnetic topology, the agreement between calculated and experimental χT(T) data is extraordinary. In the metal–radical TTTA ? Cu(hfac)₂ compound, the computational model transcends the local dimer cluster model owing to strong interactions between metal centers and organic radicals, thereby creating a de facto biradical. In addition, it is shown that the magnetic topology cannot be inferred from the polymeric [TTTA ??? Cu(hfac)₂]_n crystal motif, that is, from its chemical coordination pattern. Instead, one should think in terms of magnetic building blocks, namely, the de facto biradicals.     

A Self‐Improved Water‐Oxidation Catalyst: Is One Site Really Enough?

The homogeneous catalysis of water oxidation by transition‐metal complexes has experienced spectacular development over the last five years. Practical energy‐conversion schemes, however, require robust catalysts with large turnover frequencies. Herein we introduce a new oxidatively rugged and powerful dinuclear water‐oxidation catalyst that is generated by self‐assembly from a mononuclear catalyst during the catalytic process. Our kinetic and DFT computational analysis shows that two interconnected catalytic cycles coexist while the mononuclear system is slowly and irreversibly converted into the more stable dinuclear system: an extremely robust water‐oxidation catalyst that does not decompose over extended periods of time.