Synthesis of 11‐cis‐Retinoids by Hydrosilylation–Protodesilylation of an 11,12‐Didehydro Precursor: Easy Access to 11‐ and 12‐Mono‐ and 11,12‐Dideuteroretinoids

An expeditious, highly efficient approach to 11‐cis‐retinoids was achieved by semihydrogenation of a readily available 11‐yne precursor through a hydrosilylation–protodesilylation protocol. The complete chemo‐, regio‐, and syn‐stereoselectivity of the method also allowed direct access to 11‐ and 12‐monodeutero‐, and 11,12‐dideutero‐11‐cis‐retinoids. The analogous trans series was not accessible by this route, and was synthesized by means of Hiyama coupling.     

Microreactor with integrated temperature control for the synthesis of CdSe nanocrystals

The recent needs in the nanosciences field have promoted the interest towards the development of miniaturized and highly integrated devices able to improve and automate the current processes associated with efficient nanomaterials production. Herein, a green tape based microfluidic system to perform high temperature controlled synthetic reactions of nanocrystals is presented. The device, which integrates both the microfluidics and a thermally controlled platform, was applied to the automated and continuous synthesis of CdSe quantum dots. Since temperature can be accurately regulated as required, size-controlled and reproducible quantum dots could be obtained by regulating this parameter and the molar ratio of precursors. The obtained nanocrystals were characterized by UV-vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The band width of the emission peaks obtained indicates a narrow size distribution of the nanocrystals, which confirms the uniform temperature profile applied for each synthetic process, being the optimum temperature at 270 °C (full width at half maximum = 40 nm). This approach allows a temperature controlled, easy, low cost and automated method to produce quantum dots in organic media, enhancing its application from laboratory-scale to pilot-line scale processes.     

Pluronic F-68 nanodots incorporating pyrimidine chromophores

We report the synthesis of nanosized particles based on bio-compatible polyethylene–polypropylene glycol (pluronic) materials. In aqueous solution, mini-emulsification of pluronic with two pyrimidine chromophores leads to nanoparticles with hydrodynamic radius below 100?nm. We have demonstrated that these probes exhibit a fast and fully reversible solvatochromic behaviour from yellow to purple when decreasing the pH solution. The average acidity constant of both dyes incorporated in pluronic mainly originate from the non-substituted pyrimidine (1,3-diazine) core. The close functionalization of the pyrimidine with pyridyl groups leads to a tridentate ligand suitable for metal cations complexation.

Low-frequency ultrasound induces oxygen vacancies formation and visible light absorption in TiO2 P-25 nanoparticles

Low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS) irradiation induces morphological, optical and surface changes in the commercial nano-TiO₂-based photocatalyst, Evonik-Degussa P-25. Low-temperature electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements performed on this material provided the first experimental evidence for the formation of oxygen vacancies (V_o), which were also found responsible for the visible-light absorption. The V_o surface defects might result from high-speed inter-particle collisions and shock waves generated by LFUS sonication impacting the TiO₂ particles. This is in contrast to a number of well-established technologies, where the formation of oxygen vacancies on the TiO₂ surface often requires harsh technological conditions and complicated procedures, such as annealing at high temperatures, radio-frequency-induced plasma or ion sputtering.Thus, this study reports for the first time the preparation of visible-light responsive TiO₂-based photocatalysts by using a simple LFUS-based approach to induce oxygen vacancies at the nano-TiO₂ surface. These findings might open new avenues for synthesis of novel nano-TiO₂-based photocatalysts capable of destroying water or airborne pollutants and microorganisms under visible light illumination.     

Single photo and electroproduction of pions at EBAC@JLAB

Within the Excited Baryon Analysis Center we have performed a dynamical coupled-channels analysis of the available p(e,e'π)N data in the region of W ≤ 1.6 GeV and Q~2≤ 1.45 (GeV/c)~2. The channels included are γN, πN, ηN, and ππN which has π△, ρN, and σN components. With the hadronic parameters of the model determined in our previous investigations of πN→πN reaction, we have found that the available data in the considered W≤1.6 GeV region can be fitted well by only adjusting the bare γ~*N→N~* helicity amplitudes for the lowest N~* states in P_(33), P_(11), S_(11) and D_(13) partial waves. The meson cloud effect, as required by the unitarity conditions, on the γ~*N→ N~* form factors are examined.     

Self‐Assembling of Er2O3–TiO2 Mixed Oxide Nanoplatelets by a Template‐Free Solvothermal Route

An easy solvothermal route has been developed to synthesize the first mesoporous Er₂O₃–TiO₂ mixed oxide spherical particles composed of crystalline nanoplatelets, with high surface area and narrow pore size distribution. This synthetic strategy allows the preparation of materials at low temperature with interesting textural properties without the use of surfactants, as well as the control of particle size and shape. TEM and Raman analysis confirm the formation of nanocrystalline Er₂O₃–TiO₂ mixed oxide. Mesoscopic ordered porosity is reached through the thermal decomposition of organic moieties during the synthetic process, thus leading to a template‐free methodology that can be extended to other nanostructured materials. High specific surface areas (up to 313 m² g^?1) and narrow pore size distributions are achieved in comparison to the micrometric material synthesized by the traditional sol–gel route. This study opens new perspectives in the development, by solvothermal methodologies, of multifunctional materials for advanced applications by improving the classical pyrochlore properties (magnetization, heat capacity, catalysis, conductivity, etc.). In particular, since catalytic reactions take place on the surface of catalysts, the high surface area of these materials makes them promising candidates for catalysts. Furthermore, their spherical morphology makes them appropriate for advanced technologies in, for instance, ceramic inkjet printers.     

Dendrimeric Oligo(phenylenevinylene)‐Extended Dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]phospholes—Synthesis,Self‐Organization,and Optical Properties

A boost from the branches : Incorporation of the dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]phosphole system as a core in oligo(phenylenevinylene) dendrimers (an example is shown here) provides materials that exhibit energy‐transfer features relaying incoming photons from the dendrons towards the core, which in turn shows enhanced emission intensity. The optical properties and self‐assembly features of the dendrimers can be impacted by the terminal groups (‐H, ‐CF₃, or ‐NPh₂) employed.

     

基于双间苯-32-冠-10穴醚超分子组装体的设计与构筑

由于具有三维空腔结构及良好的应用前景, 穴醚逐渐成为超分子研究领域的热点之一. 近年来, 我们课题组设计合成了一系列基于双间苯-32-冠-10穴醚主体分子, 并利用这些穴醚分子构筑了不同的超分子组装体. 首先, 将双硫代四硫富瓦烯(STTFS)引入到穴醚的第三个臂上, 成功构筑了具有氧化还原响应性的穴醚主体分子. 该穴醚与客体间的解离-穿环过程可以利用STTFS的氧化态来进行控制; 其次, 设计合成了两种含有P=O官能团桥连的穴醚, 在固态结构中得到了近似线型和Z字型的不同超分子聚[2]准轮烷; 最后, 合成了具有两种不同性质空腔的柱[5]芳烃稠合穴醚主体分子, 该穴醚通过正交作用同时络合两个不同的客体分子. 基于两种不同主客体作用力, 我们构筑了一种新型的超分子聚合物. 以上研究为分子器件和超分子材料的进一步研究奠定了良好的基础.     

On the use of area-averaged void fraction and local bubble chord length entropies as two-phase flow regime indicators

In this work, the use of the area-averaged void fraction and bubble chord length entropies is introduced as flow regime indicators in two-phase flow systems. The entropy provides quantitative information about the disorder in the area-averaged void fraction or bubble chord length distributions. The CPDF (cumulative probability distribution function) of void fractions and bubble chord lengths obtained by means of impedance meters and conductivity probes are used to calculate both entropies. Entropy values for 242 flow conditions in upward two-phase flows in 25.4 and 50.8-mm pipes have been calculated. The measured conditions cover ranges from 0.13 to 5 m/s in the superficial liquid velocity j _f and ranges from 0.01 to 25 m/s in the superficial gas velocity j _g. The physical meaning of both entropies has been interpreted using the visual flow regime map information. The area-averaged void fraction and bubble chord length entropies capability as flow regime indicators have been checked with other statistical parameters and also with different input signals durations. The area-averaged void fraction and the bubble chord length entropies provide better or at least similar results than those obtained with other indicators that include more than one parameter. The entropy is capable to reduce the relevant information of the flow regimes in only one significant and useful parameter. In addition, the entropy computation time is shorter than the majority of the other indicators. The use of one parameter as input also represents faster predictions.     

Adaptive sampling in convergent beams

Numerical calculation of convergent Fresnel patterns through fast Fourier transform usually requires a large number of samples to fulfill the Nyquist sampling condition around the focus. From polynomial decomposition of the wavefront it is possible to determine which polynomial orders are the main contributors to the number of samples. This information can be used to properly modify the initial wavefront and relax the Nyquist condition thus giving a more efficient numerical algorithm.