Raman microscopy of selected tungstate minerals

A series of tungstate bearing minerals including scheelite, stolzite, ferberite, hübnerite, wolframite, russellite, tungstenian wulfenite and cuprotungstite have been analyzed by Raman microscopy. The results of the Raman spectroscopic analysis are compared with published data. These minerals are closely related and often have related paragenesis. Raman microscopy enables the selection of individual crystals of these minerals for spectroscopic analysis even though several of the minerals can be found in the same matrix because of the pargenetic relationships between the minerals. The Raman spectra are assigned according to factor group analysis and related to the structure of the minerals. These minerals have characteristically different Raman spectra. The nu1(Ag) band is observed at 909 cm(-1) and although the corresponding nu1(Bu) vibration should be inactive a minor band is observed around 894 cm(-1). The bands at 790 and 881 cm(-1) are associated with the antisymmetric and symmetric Ag modes of terminal WO2. The band at 695 cm(-1) is interpreted as an antisymmetric bridging mode associated with the tungstate chain. The nu4(Eg) band was absent for scheelite. The bands at 353 and 401 cm(-1) are assigned as either deformation modes or as r(Bg) and delta(Ag) modes of terminal WO2. The band at 462 cm(-1) has an equivalent band in the infrared at 455 cm(-1) assigned as delta(as)(Au) of the (W2O4)n chain. The band at 508 cm(-1) is assigned as nu(sym)(Bg) of the (W2O4)n chain.     

Anticyanobacterial phenolic constituents from the aerial parts of Eupatorium fortunei Turcz

Four thymol derivatives and two phenolic compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Eupatorium fortunei. The new structures were elucidated to be 7,8,9-trihydroxythymol (1), and 8,10-didehydro-7,9-dihydroxythymol (2) by means of MS and NMR analysis. The known compounds were identified as 8,9,10-trihydroxythymol (3), 10-acetoxy-8,9-dihydroxythymol (4), o-coumaric acid (5) and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)benzaldehyde (6). Compound 3 showed strongest inhibitory effect on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa in comparison with CuSO₄.     

Li-ion batteries from LiFePO4 cathode and anatase/graphene composite anode for stationary energy storage

Li-ion batteries made from LiFePO₄ cathode and anatase TiO₂/graphene composite anode were investigated for potential application in stationary energy storage. Fine-structured LiFePO₄ was synthesized by a novel molten surfactant approach whereas anatase TiO₂/graphene nanocomposite was prepared via self-assembly method. The full cell that operated at 1.6 V demonstrated negligible fade even after more than 700 cycles at measured 1 C rate. While with relative lower energy density than traditional Li-ion chemistries interested for vehicle applications, the Li-ion batteries based on LiFePO₄/TiO₂ combination potentially offers long life and low cost, along with safety, all which are critical to the stationary applications.     

One‐Step Pyro‐Synthesis of a Nanostructured Mn3O4/C Electrode with Long Cycle Stability for Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Batteries

A nanostructured Mn₃O₄/C electrode was prepared by a one‐step polyol‐assisted pyro‐synthesis without any post‐heat treatments. The as‐prepared Mn₃O₄/C revealed nanostructured morphology comprised of secondary aggregates formed from carbon‐coated primary particles of average diameters ranging between 20 and 40 nm, as evidenced from the electron microscopy studies. The N₂ adsorption studies reveal a hierarchical porous feature in the nanostructured electrode. The nanostructured morphology appears to be related to the present rapid combustion strategy. The nanostructured porous Mn₃O₄/C electrode demonstrated impressive electrode properties with reversible capacities of 666 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 33 mA g^?1, good capacity retentions (1141 mAh g^?1 with 100 % Coulombic efficiencies at the 100^th cycle), and rate capabilities (307 and 202 mAh g^?1 at 528 and 1056 mA g^?1, respectively) when tested as an anode for lithium‐ion battery applications.     

Chemical Constituents of the Leaves of Artocarpus integer

Chemistry of Natural Compounds -     

Two new cycloartanes from the leaves of Combretum quadrangulare growing in Vietnam and their biological activities

Two new cycloartanes, combretanones G and H (1 and 2), were isolated from the leaves of Combretum quadrangulare. Their structures were elucidated by applying a set of spectroscopic methods, while their relative configurations were determined using DFT-NMR chemical shift calculations and subsequent assignment of DP4 probabilities. Compounds 1 and 2 are C-23/C-24 stereoisomers of the previously-reported euphonerin E. Both exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines. Compound 2 was shown to be a potent antiparasitic. Our results confirm the traditional medicinal uses of Combretum quadrangulare in Vietnam.     

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Diterpenes from Euphorbia antiquorum Growing in Vietnam

Bioactive-guided phytochemical investigation of Euphorbia antiquorum L. growing in Vietnam led to the isolation of five ent-atisanes, one seco-ent-atisane, and one lathyrane (ingol-type). The structures were elucidated as ent-1α,3α,16β,17-tetrahydroxyatisane (1), ethyl ent-3,4-seco-4,16β,17-trihydroxyatisane-3-carboxylate (2), ent-atisane-3-oxo-16β,17-acetonide (3), ent-3α-acetoxy-16β,17-dihydroxyatisane (4), ent-16β,17-dihydroxyatisane-3-one (5), calliterpenone (6), and ingol 12-acetate (7). Their chemical structures were unambiguously determined by analysis of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high resolution mass spectrometry, as well as by comparison with literature data. Among them, 1 is a new compound while 2 is an ethylated artifact of ent-3,4-seco-4,16β,17-trihydroxyatisane-3-carboxylic acid, a new compound. Isolates were evaluated for alpha-glucosidase inhibition. Compound 3 showed the most significant inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ value of 69.62 µM. Further study on mechanism underlying yeast alpha-glucosidase inhibition indicated that 3 could retard the enzyme function by noncompetitive.     

Detection and study of Rb I Rydberg states

We describe the details of an experiment using an atomic beam of rubidium which allowed us to detect by field ionization techniques the np Rydberg states from n = 28 up to n = 78, to detect also ns and nd states using a Stark mixing, and for all of these detected states to check the classical law E_c = [16n^*4]^?1 concerning the critical ionizing electric field E_c. It turns out that for n as high as 65 this law is quite well verified.     

Ultrafast manipulation of antiferromagnetism of NiO

Photoexcitation of antiferromagnetic NiO leads to ultrafast reorientation of Ni2+ spins due to change of the magnetic anisotropy. Recovery of the magnetic ground state occurs as coherent oscillation of the antiferromagnetic order parameter between hard- and easy-axis states manifesting itself as quantum beating. The coherence time is approximately 1 ns with the beating frequency being determined by the anisotropy energy.