Electrochromic properties of WO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:P thin films

WO₃ and WO₃:P (5 mol% H₃PO₄) thin films were prepared using the sol-gel route and the electrochromic properties of the films were investigated using in situ spectroelectrochemical methods. The measurements were performed in propylene carbonate solution with 0.1 M LiClO₄ as electrolyte. During the cathodic polarization at –0.8 V a blue coloration is observed with a reversible variation between 14% and 84% of the transmittance at λ=633 nm. The kinetics for the bleaching process is faster for the WO₃:P film than for the undoped WO₃ film. Electronic Publication     

High performance liquid chromatography post-column chemiluminescence determination of sulfonamide residues in milk at low concentration levels using bis[4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl] oxalate as chemiluminescent reagent

The determination of seven sulfonamides by means of HPLC with chemiluminescence detection is proposed for the first time. The analytes are derivatized with fluorescamine, separated and subsequently they participate in the post-column chemiluminescence (CL) peroxyoxalate system using imidazole as a catalyst. Among the different peroxyoxalates tested, bis[4-nitro-2-(3,6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl] oxalate provides higher sensitivities and stabilities, avoiding precipitation problems. A rigorous optimization of the significant variables by means of experimental designs has been developed in order to reconcile the chromatographic conditions with the CL reaction. The method provides detection limits in the low microgl(-1) range and has been satisfactorily applied to the analysis of spiked raw milk samples.     

The influence of the purine 2-amino group on DNA conformation and stability-II: Synthesis and physical characterization of d[CGT(2-NH2)ACG], d[CGU(2-NH2)ACG], and d[CGT(2-NH2)AT(2-NH2)ACG]

Synthesis of an N-protected derivative of 2-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine (dA') from 2'-deoxyguanosine is reported. The syntheses of several oligodeoxynucleotides containing this modified nucleoside are described, together with physical characterization via melting studies and CD conformational analysis. As expected, the 2-amino group is seen to add to the duplex stability. Although the sequence d(TA')₃ was found to undergo a salt-induced conformational transition, mixed sequences such as d(CGTA'CG) did not display this behavior. All guanine residues present in these sequences were O⁶ protected, either with the cyanoethyl group or the 4-nitrophenylethyl group, to eliminate guanine degradation during phosphorylation and condensation reactions. Procedures for the introduction and removal of these O⁶ protecting groups are described.     

Time-dependent pump-probe spectra of NeBr2

Time- and frequency-resolved pump-probe measurements on NeBr2 have been performed to better characterize its fragmentation dynamics on the B electronic state for vibrational levels in the energy region of the transition from direct vibrational predissociation to intramolecular vibrational relaxation dynamics. Above nu'=20 of the Br2 stretching mode, it was observed that the dependence of lifetime on the vibrational quantum number deviates from the energy-gap law by leveling off in the range of 10 psE transitions of the complex. These transitions are shifted 20 cm(-1) to lower energy from the free Br2 resonances, indicating an E state Ne-Br2 bond energy of 82 cm(-1). Measurements of NeBr2 vibrational predissociation via the delta nu=-2 channel were also performed for nu'=27, 28, and 29. The closing of the delta nu=-1 channel leads to an increase in the lifetimes of these vibrational levels. A new Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet pumped dual optical parametric oscillator/optical parametric amplifier system is described that allows us to conveniently record time-delayed pump-probe spectra with 2-cm(-1) spectral resolution and 15-ps time resolution.     

Revealing structural effects: electrochemical reactions of butanols on platinum

Spectroelectrochemical studies on the reactivity of butanol isomers on Pt electrodes in perchloric acid medium led to the observation of structural effects that result from the different arrangements of atoms in the organic molecules. The use of differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) to detect volatile products showed that all four isomers react on the electrode, though different product yields were observed for each compound. In spite of the differences in the electrochemical behaviour of the butanol isomers, a series of general processes accounts for the results obtained. The formation of strongly adsorbed residues by a dehydration process leading to the formation of a C=C bond was proposed for all isomers. Electroreduction of the adsorbates produces C(4) and C(3) alkanes, and the latter reveal the existence of a fragmentation process. The C(4) hydrocarbons can be formed by hydrogenation of these residues and by hydrogenolysis of alcohol molecules in the bulk solution which react at the electrode with adsorbed hydrogen. On the other hand, CO(2) is formed during electrooxidation of the adsorbed species. Partial-oxidation products containing a carbonyl group were detected from 0.2 M solutions of 1-butanol, isobutyl alcohol and sec-butyl alcohol. The tertiary alcohol tert-butyl alcohol only reacts in its adsorbed state.     

Density functional theory study of the mechanism of the proline-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction

Transition structures associated with the C-C bond-formation step of the proline-catalyzed intermolecular aldol reaction between acetone and isobutyraldehyde have been studies using density functional theory methods at the B3LYP/6-31G** computational level. A continuum model has been selected to represent solvent effects. For this step, which is the stereocontrolling and rate-determining step, four reactive channels corresponding to the syn and anti arrangement of the active methylene of the enamine relative to the carboxylic acid group of l-proline and the re and si attack modes to both faces of the aldehyde carbonyl group have been analyzed. The B3LYP/6-31G** energies are in good agreement with experiment, allowing us to explain the origin of the catalysis and stereoselectivity for these proline-catalyzed aldol reactions. Received: 2 April 2002 / Accepted: 18 July 2002 / Published online: 11 October 2002 Acknowledgements. This work was supported by research funds provided by the Ministerio de Educación y Cultura of the Spanish Government by DGICYT (project PB98–1429). All the calculations were performed on a Cray–Silicon Graphics Origin 2000 of the Servicio de Informática de la Universidad de Valencia. We are most indebted to this center for providing us with computer capabilities. Correspondence to: L. R. Domingo e-mail: domingo@utopia.uv.es     

Carbon dendron nano-chains with π-extended conjugation based on end-capped N,N-dimethylamino in linear 1,4-phenylethynyl or in 1,5-naphthylethynyl subunits: fluorescence analysis

The synthesis of dendrons with the end-capped 5-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthyl-1-ethynyl unit connected to conjugated naphthylethynyl or p-phenylethynyl chains, as the branches of the 1,3,5-substituted benzene core, have been undertaken by heterocoupling reaction between 1,3,5-triiodobenzene and the convenient end-capped 5-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthylacetylene or 5-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthylethynylphenylacetylene in the presence of the palladium-copper catalyst system, in excellent yields. The influence of the alternating naphthylethynyl-phenylethynyl chains on the fluorescence emission radiation, in the dendron structures, has been analyzed.     

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometric study of non-commercial C-4-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines and their oxidized derivatives

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the calcium-channel antagonists C-4-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines, and their corresponding N-ethyl derivatives, is presented. Also, the electrochemical oxidation and the reactivity of the compounds with alkyl radicals derived from 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) were monitored by GC/MS. Mass spectral fragmentation patterns for the C-4-substituted 1,4-dihydropy-ridine parent drugs were significantly different from those of their oxidation products, generated either by electrochemical oxidation or by reaction with alkyl radicals. However, for N-ethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine compounds it was not possible to detect the final products (pyridinium salts) using these experimental conditions.     

Optimizing Cs-exchange in titanosilicate with the mineral pharmacosiderite topology: framework substitution of Nb and Ge

Titanosilicates with complete or partial substitution of Ge or Nb in the framework and having the mineral pharmacosiderite topology were hydrothermally prepared and their ion-exchange properties towards Cs were studied for Ti/Ge/Si, Ti/Si, Nb/Ti/Si and pure Ge phases. The basis for the differences in the ion exchange properties measured as distribution coefficients (K_d) for these materials are detailed via structural characterization using the Rietveld refinement technique on the X-ray powder diffraction data. The differences in affinity towards Cs⁺ result either from the degree of hydration of the exchanger resulting in different coordination environments or the position of cesium ion in the eight-ring channel.     

Determination of lead in the urine of exposed and unexposed adults by extraction and flow-injection/atomic absorption spectrometry

Lead is extracted from urine with ammonium pyrrolidien dithiocrbamate into methyl isobutyl ketone, and 20 μl of the extract is injected into a water carrier stream in a flow-injection/atomic absorption system. The procedure is simple, quick, accurate and reproducible. Recoveries are 96–105%. The mean urine lead contents of 20 unexposed and 20 printing-press lead exposed workers was found to be 39.0 ± 8.3 and 71.7 ± 26.3 μg Pb l^?1, respectively.