Ultrafast Photoswitching in a Copper‐Nitroxide‐Based Molecular Magnet

Molecular compounds with photoswitchable magnetic properties have been intensively investigated over the last decades due to their prospective applications in nanoelectronics, sensing and magnetic data storage. The family of copper‐nitroxide‐based molecular magnets represents a new promising type of photoswitchable compounds. We report the first study of these appealing systems using femtosecond optical spectroscopy. We unveil the mechanism of ultrafast (<50 fs) spin state photoswitching and establish its principal differences compared to other photoswitchable magnets. On this basis, we propose potential advantages of copper‐nitroxide‐based molecular magnets for the future design of ultrafast magnetic materials.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reaction of ozone with 1, 1-disubstituted alkenes

The gas-phase reaction of ozone with eight alkenes including six 1,1-disubstituted alkenes has been investigated at ambient T (285–298 K) and p = 1 atm. of air. The reaction rate constants are, in units of 10⁻¹⁸ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, 9.50 ± 1.23 for 3-methyl-1-butane, 13.1. ± 1.8 for 2-methyl-1-pentene, 11.3 ± 3.2 for 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene), 7.75 ± 1.08 for 2,3,3-trimethyl-1-butene, 3.02 ± 0.52 for 3-methyl-2-isopropyl-1-butene, 3.98 ± 0.43 for 3,4-diethyl-2-hexene, 1.39 ± 17 for 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentene, and >370 for (cis + trans)-3,4-dimethyl-3-hexene. For isoprene, results from this study and earlier literature data are consistent with: k (cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 5.59 (+ 3.51, &minus 2.16) × 10⁻¹⁵ e^{(−3606±279/RT)}, n = 28, and R = 0.930. The reactivity of the other alkenes, six of which have not been studied before, is discussed in terms of alkyl substituent inductive and steric effects. For alkenes (except 1,1-disubstituted alkenes) that bear H, CH₃, and C₂H₅ substituents, reactivity towards ozone is related to the alkene ionization potential: In k<(10⁻¹⁸ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹) = (32.89 ± 1.84) − (3.09 ± 0.20) IP (eV), n = 12, and R = 0.979. This relationship overpredicts the reactivity of C_≥3 1-alkenes, of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes, and of alkenes with bulky substituents, for which reactivity towards ozone is lower due to substituent steric effects. The atmospheric persistence of the alkenes studied is briefly discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Antibacterial Activity of Pharmaceutical-Grade Rose Bengal: An Application of a Synthetic Dye in Antibacterial Therapies

Rose bengal has been used in the diagnosis of ophthalmic disorders and liver function, and has been studied for the treatment of solid tumor cancers. To date, the antibacterial activity of rose bengal has been sporadically reported; however, these data have been generated with a commercial grade of rose bengal, which contains major uncontrolled impurities generated by the manufacturing process (80–95% dye content). A high-purity form of rose bengal formulation (HP-RBf, >99.5% dye content) kills a battery of Gram-positive bacteria, including drug-resistant strains at low concentrations (0.01–3.13 μg/mL) under fluorescent, LED, and natural light in a few minutes. Significantly, HP-RBf effectively eradicates Gram-positive bacterial biofilms. The frequency that Gram-positive bacteria spontaneously developed resistance to HP-RB is extremely low (less than 1 × 10⁻¹³). Toxicity data obtained through our research programs indicate that HP-RB is feasible as an anti-infective drug for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) involving multidrug-resistant (MDR) microbial invasion of the skin, and for eradicating biofilms. This article summarizes the antibacterial activity of pharmaceutical-grade rose bengal, HP-RB, against Gram-positive bacteria, its cytotoxicity against skin cells under illumination conditions, and mechanistic insights into rose bengal’s bactericidal activity under dark conditions.     

Simple synthesis of endo-2-bromo-5-thiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane

A brief synthesis of endo-2-bromo-5-thiabicyclo [2.1.1]hexane ( 9 ) has been developed involving conversion of 3-cyclopentenol ( 6 ) to 3-thioacetoxycyclopentene ( 7 ), bromination of this giving trans-1,2-dibromo-4-thioacetoxycyclopentane ( 8 ), and treatment of the latter with base. Compound 9 is oxidized to its S-oxide 10 and S, S-dioxide 11 . Comparative ¹³C and ¹H NMR data are given for 9–11 .     

Synthesis of macrocyclic polystyrene-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers

A series of macrocyclic polystyrene (PS)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) block copolymers and similar block copolymers was synthesized by sequential polymerization of styrene and hexamethyl cyclotrisiloxane (D₃) initiated by a difunctional anionic initiator in THF at −78° followed by coupling with Cl₂SiMe₂ in very dilute (10⁻⁵ – 10⁻⁶ M) solutions. Total molecular weights ranged from about 2–85 × 10³. The formation of monodisperse macrocyclic block copolymers was indicated by the lower (15–30%) hydrodynamic volume of the rings compared to that of the linear block copolymers. Carbon-13 and ²⁹Si NMR likewise supported the absence of linear polymer in the macrocyclic block copolymer. The behavior of second virial coefficient A₂ of the rings and the linears versus temperature was examined by static light scattering in cyclohexane. Below 20° the A₂ for the linear polymer goes negative while that for the cycle remains positive. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) as a function of temperature also reflects that the cyclic polymers remain well solvated even down to 12°C. The DLS autocorrelation functions for the linear triblock however demonstrate the onset of aggregation and phase separation as the temperature is reduced below 20°C.     

On resin synthesis of sulfated oligosaccharides

Sulfated glycans are involved in many biological processes, making well-defined sulfated oligosaccharides highly sought molecular probes. These compounds are a considerable synthetic challenge, with each oligosaccharide target requiring specific synthetic protocols and extensive purifications steps. Here, we describe a general on resin approach that simplifies the synthesis of sulfated glycans. The oligosaccharide backbone, obtained by Automated Glycan Assembly (AGA), is subjected to regioselective sulfation and hydrolysis of protecting groups. The protocol is compatible with several monosaccharides and allows for multi-sulfation of linear and branched glycans. Seven diverse, biologically relevant sulfated glycans were prepared in good to excellent overall yield.

Well-defined sulfated oligosaccharides are important synthetic targets. We present an on resin approach for the synthesis of sulfated glycans with a broad reaction scope that overcomes previous limitations associated with on resin synthesis.     

Improving signal-to-noise ratio for the forensic analysis of glass using micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μXRF) is a standard technique used for the elemental analysis of glass fragments in forensic casework. The glass specimens encountered in casework are usually small (<1 mm), thin fragments that are partially transparent to the exciting X-ray beam. In addition to providing fluorescence from the small glass fragments, the primary beam X-rays can scatter within the chamber and provide noise in the measurements. To reduce scatter from the sample stage, the fragments are typically mounted on a thin plastic film and raised on an XRF sample cup (≤3 cm in height). However, at these heights, there may still be significant scatter from the sample stage, which adversely affects the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the limit of detection (LOD). A plastic mount was designed and 3D-printed in-house to allow fragments to be raised as high as possible from the sample stage, thereby minimizing stage scatter. Most elements detected in glass showed an improvement in the SNR when using the 3D-printed mount for analyses. The greatest improvement (>30%) was observed for lower atomic number elements (Na and Mg) and higher atomic number elements (Sr and Zr). Another simple method to improve SNR is the use of primary beam filters; when using primary beam filters during analyses, elements with characteristic lines in the high-energy range (Rb, Sr, and Zr) showed the greatest improvement (>70%) in SNR. The impact of both strategies for the improvement of SNR is presented here.     

Preparation and reactions of 3-oxa- and 4-oxa-5-hexenyllithiums

Low-temperature lithium–iodine exchange between tert-butyllithium and the appropriate iodide has been used to generate 3-oxa-5-hexenyllithium and a variety of 4-oxa-5-hexenyllithiums. The 3-oxa system is inherently unstable and fragments via facile β-elimination to give the anion of allyl alcohol and ethylene. The 4-oxa-5-hexenyllithiums, in contrast, are stable at low temperatures but undergo novel isomerization upon warming to deliver the lithium salt of a 4-alken-1-ol in the formal equivalent of an unprecedented [1,4]-Wittig rearrangement. The rearrangement is most likely mediated by 5-exo-trig ring closure of the 4-oxa-5-hexenyllithium to a (2-tetrahydrofuranyl)methyllithium followed by rapid opening to the alkoxide.