Entrapment of a Pseudo‐Tetrahedral CoII Center by Thioether Sulfur Bound {Co2(μ‐L)} Fragments: Synthesis,Field‐Induced Single‐Ion Magnetism and Catechol Oxidase Mimicking Activity

Simultaneous incorporation of both Co^II and Co^III ions within a new thioether S‐bearing phenol‐based ligand system, H₃L (2,6‐bis‐[{2‐(2‐hydroxyethylthio)ethylimino}methyl]‐4‐methylphenol) formed [Co₅] aggregates [Co^IICo^III₄L₂(μ‐OH)₂(μ_1,3‐O₂CCH₃)₂](ClO₄)₄?H₂O ( 1 ) and [Co^IICo^III₄L₂(μ‐OH)₂(μ_1,3‐O₂CC₂H₅)₂](ClO₄)₄?H₂O ( 2 ). The magnetic studies revealed axial zero‐field splitting (ZFS) parameter, D/hc=?23.6 and ?24.3 cm^?1, and E/D=0.03 and 0.00, respectively for 1 and 2 . Dynamic magnetic data confirmed the complexes as SIMs with U_eff/k_B=30 K ( 1 ) and 33 K ( 2 ), and τ₀=9.1×10^?8 s ( 1 ), and 4.3×10^?8 s ( 2 ). The larger atomic radius of S compared to N gave rise to less variation in the distortion of tetrahedral geometry around central Co^II centers, thus affecting the D and U_eff/k_B values. Theoretical studies also support the experimental findings and reveal the origin of the anisotropy parameters. In solutions, both 1 and 2 which produce {Co^III₂(μ‐L)} units, display solvent‐dependent catechol oxidation behavior toward 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol in air. The presence of an adjacent Co^III ion tends to assist the electron transfer from the substrate to the metal ion center, enhancing the catalytic oxidation rate.     

NaCu(II)4] cluster from alkali template assembly of two asymmetric end-on azido-bridged [Cu(II)2] units

The cluster [NaCu4L2(N3)2](ClO4) [1; H3L is 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[3'-aza-4'-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)prop-4'-en-1'-yl]-1,3-imidazolidine] has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 is formed by the template assembly of two [Cu2L(N3)] neutral fragments through their weak oxophilic interactions with a central Na+ cation as observed in metallacrowns. The cluster exhibits a combination of ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions. End-on N3- bridging of copper ions within the [Cu(II)2] units facilitates stabilization of S = 1 magnetic subunits that mutually cancel via antiferromagnetic coupling as mediated by the O...Na+...O bridges.     

Binary α-Fe2O3–Co3O4 nanostructures for advanced oxidation process: Role of synergy for enhanced catalysis

Iron and its binary oxides are meticulously exploited for environmental remediations. However, only limited studies have been carried out on the degradation of industrial organics by advanced oxidation process. In this study, iron oxide, cobalt oxide, and iron–cobalt binary oxides were synthesized by a modified hydrothermal method as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from wastewaters. The oxide nanostructures were characterized by different analytical techniques. Studying the effects of various parameters such as catalyst dose, MB concentration, and H₂O₂ concentration, the reaction conditions were optimized to enhance the removal of MB dye. The results revealed that α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ shows much higher activity than both Co₃O₄ and α-Fe₂O₃ for the degradation of MB at room temperature and beyond. The binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ shows degradation efficiency of 96.4% at 65 °C within 60 min. Furthermore, the binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ catalyst retains its activity for up to four successive cycles. A probable mechanism is also proposed, involving the generation of ‧OH radical as well as Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ or Co²⁺/Co³⁺ redox couple of the binary α-Fe₂O₃–Co₃O₄ catalyst.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial studies of some palladium complexes with an octamethyl tetraazacyclotetradecadiene ligand and isomers of its reduced form

Biologically important tetraaza-macrocyclic ligand 3,10-C-meso-3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14-octamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,11-diene dihydroperchlorate, Me₈[14]diene·2HClO₄ (L₁·2HClO₄) was synthesized by the condensation of 1,2-diaminopropane with acetone in presence of quantitative amount of HClO₄ and three isomeric ligands designated as L_A, L_B and L_C were separated by the reduction of L₁·2HClO₄ with NaBH₄ and fractional crystallization from xylene. The nitrato, nitro, bromido, and iodido complexes of palladium with diene ligand L₁ were prepared by the interaction of L₁·2HClO₄ with K₂[Pd(NO₃)₄], K₂[Pd(NO₂)₄], K₂[PdBr₄], and K₂[PdI₄] (prepared by the reactions with PdCl₂ with KNO₃, KNO₂, KBr, and KI, respectively), respectively. The bromide and iodido complexes of L_A were prepared by the axial substitution reactions with [PdL_ACl₂]Cl₂. By contrast, similar complexes of other isomeric ligands L_B and L_C were prepared by axial addition reactions of [PdL^?][PdCl₄] (L′?=?L_B or L_C) with KBr and KI, respectively. The complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis: IR, ¹H-NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis, and magnetic and molar conductivity data. The antifungal and antibacterial activities of these compounds have been studied against some phyto-pathogenic fungi and bacteria.     

Irreducible Brillouin conditions and contracted Schrödinger equations for n-electron systems. IV. Perturbative analysis

The k-particle irreducible Brillouin conditions IBCk and the k-particle irreducible contracted Schr?dinger equations ICSEk for a closed-shell state are analyzed in terms of a M?ller-Plesset-type perturbation expansion. The zeroth order is Hartree-Fock. From the IBC2(1), i.e., from the two-particle IBC to first order in the perturbation parameter mu, one gets the leading correction lambda2(1) to the two-particle cumulant lambda2 correctly. However, in order to construct the second-order energy E(2), one also needs the second-order diagonal correction gammaD(2) to the one-particle density matrix gamma. This can be obtained: (i) from the idempotency of the n-particle density matrix, i.e., essentially from the requirement of n-representability; (ii) from the ICSE1(2); or (iii) by means of perturbation theory via a unitary transformation in Fock space. Method (ii) is very unsatisfactory, because one must first solve the ICSE3(2) to get lambda3(2), which is needed in the ICSE2(2) to get lambda2(2), which, in turn, is needed in the ICSE1(2) to get gamma(2). Generally the (k+1)-particle approximation is needed to obtain Ek correctly. One gains something, if one replaces the standard hierarchy, in which one solves the ICSEk, ignoring lambda(k+1) and lambda(k+2), by a renormalized hierarchy, in which only lambda(k+2) is ignored, and lambda(k+1) is expressed in terms of the lambdap of lower particle rank via the partial trace relation for lambda(k+2). Then the k-particle approximation is needed to obtain E(k) correctly. This is still poorer than coupled-cluster theory, where the k-particle approximation yields E(k+1). We also study the possibility to use some simple necessary n-representability conditions, based on the non-negativity of gamma(2) and two related matrices, in order to get estimates for gammaD(2) in terms of lambda2(1). In general these estimates are rather weak, but they can become close to the best possible bounds in special situations characterized by a very sparse structure of lambda2 in terms of a localized representation. The perturbative analysis does not encourage the use of a k-particle hierarchy based on the ICSEk (or on their reducible counterparts, the CSEk), it rather favors the approach in terms of the unitary transformation, where the k-particle approximation yields the energy correct up to E(2k-1). The problems that arise are related to the unavoidable appearance of exclusion-principle violating cumulants. The good experience with perturbation theory in terms of a unitary transformation suggests that one should abandon a linearly convergent iteration scheme based on the ICSEk hierarchy, in favor of a quadratically convergent one based on successive unitary transformations.     

Module structure of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) may provide bases for its complex role in the visual cycle – <Emphasis Type="Italic">structure/function study of Xenopus IRBP</Emphasis>

Background  

Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein's (IRBP) remarkable module structure may be critical to its role in mediating the transport of all-trans and 11-cis retinol, and 11-cis retinal between rods, cones, RPE and Müller cells during the visual cycle. We isolated cDNAs for Xenopus IRBP, and expressed and purified its individual modules, module combinations, and the full-length polypeptide. Binding of all-trans retinol, 11-cis retinal and 9-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy monitoring ligand-fluorescence enhancement, quenching of endogenous protein fluorescence, and energy transfer. Finally, the X-ray crystal structure of module-2 was used to predict the location of the ligand-binding sites, and compare their structures among modules using homology modeling.     

Mass transfer of a neutral solute in polyelectrolyte grafted soft nanochannel with porous wall

A soft nanochannel involves a soft interface that contains a polyelectrolyte layer (PEL) sandwiched between a rigid surface and a bulk electrolyte solution. Mass transfer of a neutral solute in a combined electroosmotic and pressure driven flow through a polyelectrolyte grafted charged nanochannel with porous wall is presented in this work. Assuming the PEL as fixed charged layer and PEL-electrolyte interface as a semi-penetrable membrane, analytical solutions were obtained for potential distributions (for small wall potential). Velocity profiles were also derived in the same domains, for both inside and outside the PEL. Convective-diffusive species balance equation was semi-analytically solved inside the PEL. Expression of length averaged Sherwood number was also obtained and effects of different parameters, namely, drag parameter (α), Debye parameter , and PEL thickness were studied in detail. The variation of permeate concentration and permeation flux across the porous wall was obtained.     

Irreducible Brillouin conditions and contracted Schrödinger equations for n-electron systems. III. Systems of noninteracting electrons

We analyze the structure and the solutions of the irreducible k-particle Brillouin conditions (IBCk) and the irreducible contracted Schr?dinger equations (ICSEk) for an n-electron system without electron interaction. This exercise is very instructive in that it gives one both the perspective and the strategies to be followed in applying the IBC and ICSE to physically realistic systems with electron interaction. The IBC1 leads to a Liouville equation for the one-particle density matrix gamma1=gamma, consistent with our earlier analysis that the IBC1 holds both for a pure and an ensemble state. The IBC1 or the ICSE1 must be solved subject to the constraints imposed by the n-representability condition, which is particularly simple for gamma. For a closed-shell state gamma is idempotent, i.e., all natural spin orbitals (NSO's) have occupation numbers 0 or 1, and all cumulants lambdak with k> or =2 vanish. For open-shell states there are NSO's with fractional occupation number, and at the same time nonvanishing elements of lambda2, which are related to spin and symmetry coupling. It is often useful to describe an open-shell state by a totally symmetric ensemble state. If one wants to treat a one-particle perturbation by means of perturbation theory, this mainly as a run-up for the study of a two-particle perturbation, one is faced with the problem that the perturbation expansion of the Liouville equation gives information only on the nondiagonal elements (in a basis of the unperturbed states) of gamma. There are essentially three possibilities to construct the diagonal elements of gamma: (i) to consider the perturbation expansion of the characteristic polynomial of gamma, especially the idempotency for closed-shell states, (ii) to rely on the ICSE1, which (at variance with the IBC1) also gives information on the diagonal elements, though not in a very efficient manner, and (iii) to formulate the perturbation theory in terms of a unitary transformation in Fock space. The latter is particularly powerful, especially, when one wishes to study realistic Hamiltonians with a two-body interaction.     

A compact microfluidic geometry for multiplexing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

We have previously reported a novel approach to implementing multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in connected microchannels by exploiting the slow diffusion of the enzyme reaction product across the different assay segments. This work builds on that report by implementing the noted assay in segments arranged along the circumference of a circular channel layout to reduce the footprint size and sample volume requirement. Using the current design, a 5-plex cytokine ELISA was demonstrated in a 1.5 × 1.5-cm region, which corresponded to a reduction in the footprint area by about a factor of 3 compared to that reported in our previous study. Additionally, the selective coating of our assay segments with the target molecules was realized in this work using electroosmosis instead of hydrodynamic flow as was the case in the previous report. This aspect of our experimental design is particularly significant as it permits the use of cross-sectional channel dimensions significantly shorter than those employed in the current work. Moreover, the use of an electric field for coating purposes enables the integration of functionalities such as electrokinetic preconcentration of analyte molecules during the sample incubation period that can further enhance the capabilities of our assay method.