Properties of amorphous silicon films: Dependence on deposition rate

We have measured the d.c. conductivity at 300 K, the spin density and the optical absorption in amorphous silicon films deposited at rates between 0.4 and 10 Å/sec. It is found that all these quantities reduce sharply as the deposition rate is decreased. The data are compared to the heat treatment behavior reported recently. The possibility of oxygen contamination is discussed.     

The anomalous magnetisation of amorphous metglas 2826-A

Magnetisation measurements made on the amorphous ferromagnet Metglas 2826-A, (T_C = 254.5 K), in the temperature range 4.2 ≤ T ≤ 450 K indicate that it obeys the static scaling law hypothesis over an unusually wide temperature range. Analysis of the data give for the critical exponents δ = 5.07, β = 0.41, γ = 1.67. Moreover, above T_C a superparamagnetic model is discussed.     

Non-hazardous synthesis of isocephosphorin intermediates via α-vinylamino-β-lactams

The reaction of a Schiff Base derived from veratrylamine and cinnamaldehyde with (α-methyl-β-alkoxycarbonyl)-vinylamino acetic acid (from glycine and an acetoacetate ester) in presence of a chloroformate ester and triethylamine constitutes a safe synthesis of α-vinylamino β-lactams that can be converted by literature methods to known intermediates for the synthesis of isocephalosporins and analogs.     

Zirconium(IV) compounds as efficient catalysts for synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonates

Zirconium(IV) compounds are reported as excellent catalysts for a three-component one-pot reaction of an amine, an aldehyde or a ketone, and a di/trialkyl/aryl phosphite to form alpha-aminophosphonates under solvent-free conditions at rt. Among the various zirconium compounds, ZrOCl2 x 8 H2O and ZrO(ClO4)2 x 6 H2O were most effective. The reactions were faster with dialkyl/diaryl phosphites than with trialkyl/triaryl phosphites. No O-Me cleavage occurs with aryl methyl ether and methyl ester groups. alpha,beta-Unsaturated carbonyl moiety does not undergo conjugate addition with the phorphorous moiety.     

NBS mediated protocol for the synthesis of N-bridged fused heterocycles in water

A facile and environmental friendly protocol for the synthesis of N-bridged fused bicyclic compounds such as imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines, and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, from commercially available starting materials has been developed. The reaction proceeds via NBS mediated in situ formation of α-brominated intermediate of corresponding aromatic ketones, 1,3-diketones, β-keto esters, followed by trapping with suitable nucleophiles to provide these versatile imidazole fused bicyclic heterocycles in good yields under metal-free conditions.     

Rapid mixing of sub-microlitre drops by magnetic micro-stirring

We demonstrate rapid mixing of sub-microlitre droplets (250 nl) using miniaturized magnetic stir bars (400 μm × 200 μm × 15 μm). The stir bars are fabricated using laser micromachining and placed on the substrate on which the drops are manipulated. They are activated by an externally applied magnetic field and used in combination with on-demand drop merging in enthalpy arrays. This technique results in a 10-fold increase in mixing rate, and a mixing time constant of about 2 s. Drop mixing times are measured by F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and verified by thermodynamic measurements of binding and enzymatic reactions.     

Novel Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of 3‐Substituted 5‐bromo‐7‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐[3,4‐b]‐benzothiazoles

4‐Methyl acetanilide ( 1 ) on treatment with bromine in acetic acid, followed by hydrolysis with dilute HCl/NaOH solution, yielded 2‐bromo‐4‐methyl aniline ( 2 ), which on treatment with sodium thiocyanate in acetic acid afforded 2‐amino‐4‐bromo‐6‐methyl benzothiazole ( 3 ). Compound 3 in ethylene glycol was heated at 150°C with 80% hydrazine hydrate to get 4‐bromo‐2‐hydrazino‐6‐methyl benzothiazole ( 4 ). This hydrazino compound 4 on heating with formic acid for 3 h yielded 4‐bromo‐2‐hydrazinoformyl‐6‐methyl benzothiazole ( 5 ). Same compound 4 when heated independently with formic acid for 6 h/urea for 3 h/carbon disulfide in alkali afforded 5‐bromo‐7‐methyl ( 6 )/5‐bromo‐3‐hydroxy‐7‐methyl ( 7 )/5‐bromo‐3‐mercapto‐7‐methyl ( 8 )‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐[3,4‐b]‐benzothiazoles, respectively. Compound 4 on heating with acetic acid/acetic anhydride gave acetyl benzothiazolyl derivative 9 , which on cyclization with orthophosphoric acid yielded 5‐bromo‐3,7‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐[3,4‐b]‐benzothiazole ( 10 ). All these newly synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram ?ve), Bacillus subtilis (Gram +ve), Erwinia carotovora, and Xanthomonas citri using ampicillin, streptomycin, and penicillin as a standard for comparison.     

Novel and efficient method for esterification catalyzed by 1-glycyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride-iron (III) complex

1-Glycyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride-iron (III) complex [[Gmim]Cl?CFe(III)] was found to be a heterogeneous catalyst for an efficient and greener solvent free synthesis of esters by the condensation of carboxylic acids and alcohols with excellent yield at ambient temperature. This operation formulates very interesting, ecological perspective due to simple reaction condition, isolation, and purification of products. In addition, this method features reusability of catalyst, reduced waste, thus making new protocol more environmentally suitable whilst no catalyst leaching was observed.     

Synthesis of transparent silica aerogels with low density and better hydrophobicity by controlled sol–gel route and subsequent atmospheric pressure drying

In the present paper, attempts have been made to produce transparent silica aerogels with low density and better hydrophobicity by controlled sol–gel route and subsequent atmospheric pressure drying. The hydrogels were prepared by hydrolysis and polycondensation of sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) in the presence of acetic acid catalyzed water followed by several washing steps with water, methanol and hexane, respectively. The surface modification of the wet gel was carried out using a mixture of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) in hexane. Since, the sol–gel chemistry provides a straightforward method to control the physical and optical properties of the aerogels, the influence of various sol–gel parameters viz. gel washing time, molar ratios of CH₃COOH/Na₂SiO₃ and HMDS/Na₂SiO₃ and silylation period on the physical and optical properties of the aerogels have been investigated. The aerogels have been characterized by bulk density, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric and Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies and Contact angle measurements.     

Elevations of diffusion anisotropy are associated with hyper-acute stroke: a serial imaging study

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies of human ischemic stroke within 24 h of symptom onset have reported variable findings of changes in diffusion anisotropy. Serial DTI within 24 h may clarify these heterogeneous results. We characterized longitudinal changes of diffusion anisotropy by analyzing discrete ischemic white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) regions during the hyperacute (2.5-7 h) and acute (21.5-29 h) scanning phases of ischemic stroke onset in 13 patients. Mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA) and T2-weighted signal intensity were measured for deep and subcortical WM and deep and cortical GM areas in lesions outlined by a > or =30% decrease in MD. Average reductions of approximately 40% in relative (r) MD were observed in all four brain regions during both the hyperacute and acute phases post stroke. Overall, 9 of 13 patients within 7 h post symptom onset showed elevated FA in at least one of the four tissues, and within the same cohort, 11 of 13 patients showed reduced FA in at least one of the ischemic WM and GM regions at 21.5-29 h after stroke. The fractional anisotropy in the lesion relative to the contralateral side (rFA, mean+/-S.D.) was significantly elevated in some patients in the deep WM (1.10+/-0.11, n=4), subcortical WM (1.13+/-0.14, n=4), deep GM (1.07+/-0.06, n=1) and cortical GM (1.22+/-0.13, n=5) hyperacutely (< or =7 h); however, reductions of rFA at approximately 24 h post stroke were more consistent (rFA= 0.85+/-0.12).