A comparative study of fluorine substituents for enhanced stability of flexible and ITO‐free high‐performance polymer solar cells

Two low‐band gap polymer series based on benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) and dithienylbenzothiadiazole, with different numbers of fluorine substituents on the 2,3,1‐benzothiadiazole unit, have been synthesized and explored in a comparative study of the photochemical stability and operational lifetime in flexible large area roll‐coated bulk heterojunction solar cells. The two polymer series have different side chains on the BDT unit, namely 2‐hexyldecyloxy (BDT_HDO) ( P1–P3 ) or 2‐hexyldecylthiophene (BDT_THD) ( P4–P6 ). The photochemical stability clearly shows that the stability enhances along with the number of fluorine atoms incorporated on the polymer backbone. Fabrication of the polymer solar cells based on the materials was carried out in ambient atmosphere on a roll coating/printing machine employing flexible and indium‐tin‐oxide‐free plastic substrates. Solar cells based on the P4–P6 series showed the best performance, reaching efficiencies up to 3.8% for an active area of 1 cm², due to an enhanced current compared to P1–P3 . Lifetime measurements, carried out according to international summit on OPV stability (ISOS), of encapsulated devices reveals an initial fast decay for P1–P6 in the performance followed by a much slower decay rate, still retaining 40–55% of their initial performance after 250 h of testing under ISOS‐L‐1 conditions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 893–899     

Incommensurate Phase in Λ-cobalt (III) Sepulchrate Trinitrate Governed by Highly Competitive N−H⋅⋅⋅O and C−H⋅⋅⋅O Hydrogen Bond Networks**

Phase transitions in molecular crystals are often determined by intermolecular interactions. The cage complex of [Co(C₁₂H₃₀N₈)]³⁺ ⋅ 3 NO₃⁻ is reported to undergo a disorder-order phase transition at T_c1 ≈133 K upon cooling. Temperature-dependent neutron and synchrotron diffraction experiments revealed satellite reflections in addition to main reflections in the diffraction patterns below T_c1. The modulation wave vector varies as function of temperature and locks in at T_c3≈98 K. Here, we demonstrate that the crystal symmetry lowers from hexagonal to monoclinic in the incommensurately modulated phases in T_c1<T<T_c3. Distinctive levels of competitions: trade-off between longer N−H⋅⋅⋅O and shorter C−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds; steric constraints to dense C−H⋅⋅⋅O bonds give rise to pronounced modulation of the basic structure. Severely frustrated crystal packing in the incommensurate phase is precursor to optimal balance of intermolecular interactions in the lock-in phase.     

A comparative study of CE-SDS,SDS-PAGE,and Simple Western: Influences of sample preparation on molecular weight determination of proteins

The development of capillary electrophoresis, especially CE-SDS devices, has led CE-SDS to become an established tool in a wide range of applications in the analysis of biopharmaceuticals and is increasingly replacing its method of origin, SDS-PAGE. The goal of this study was to evaluate the comparability of molecular weight (MW) determination especially by CE-SDS and SDS-PAGE. For ensuring comparability, model proteins that have little or no posttranslational modifications and an IgG antibody were used. Only a minor influence of sample preparation conditions, including sample buffer, temperature conditions, and different reducing agents on the MW determination were found. In contrast, the selection of the MW marker plays a decisive role in determining the accurate apparent MW of a protein. When using different MW markers, the deviation in MW determination can exceed 10%. Interestingly, CE-SDS and 10% SDS-PAGE hardly differ in their trueness of MW determination. The trueness in relation to the reference MW for each protein was calculated. Although the trueness values for the model proteins considered range between 1.00 and 1.11 using CE-SDS, they range between 0.93 and 1.03 on SDS-PAGE, depending on the experimental conditions chosen.     

Physicochemical properties of SARS-CoV-2 for drug targeting,virus inactivation and attenuation,vaccine formulation and quality control

The material properties of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its proteins are discussed. We review the viral structure, size, rigidity, lipophilicity, isoelectric point, buoyant density and centrifugation conditions, stability against pH, temperature, UV light, gamma radiation, and susceptibility to various chemical agents including solvents and detergents. Possible inactivation, downstream, and formulation conditions are given including suitable buffers and some first ideas for quality-control methods. This information supports vaccine development and discussion with competent authorities during vaccine approval and is certainly related to drug-targeting strategies and hygienics. Several instructive tables are given, including the pI and grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) of SARS-CoV-1 and -2 proteins in comparison. SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 are similar in many regards, so information can often be derived. Both are unusually stable, but sensitive at their lipophilic membranes. However, since seemingly small differences can have strong effects, for example, on immunologically relevant epitope settings, unevaluated knowledge transfer from SARS-CoV-1 to SARS-CoV-2 cannot be advised. Published knowledge regarding downstream processes, formulations and quality assuring methods is, as yet, limited. However, standard approaches employed for other viruses and vaccines seem to be feasible including virus inactivation, centrifugation conditions, and the use of adjuvants.     

Neutral strange particle exclusive production in charged current high-energy antineutrino interactions

The cross section of the quasi-elastic reactions \(\bar v_\mu p \to \mu ^ + \Lambda (\Sigma ^0 )\) in the energy range 5–100 GeV is determined from Fermilab 15′ bubble chamber antineutrino data. TheQ ² analysis of quasi-elastic Λ events yieldsM _A=1.0±0.3 GeV/c² for the axial mass value. With zero µΛ K ⁰ events observed, the 90% confidence level upper limit \(\sigma (\bar v_\mu p \to \mu ^ + \Lambda {\rm K}^0 )< 2.0 \cdot 10^{ - 40} cm^2 \) is obtained. At the same time, we found that the cross section of reaction \(\bar v_\mu p \to \mu ^ + \Lambda {\rm K}^0 + m\pi ^0 \) is equal to \(\left( {3.9\begin{array}{*{20}c} { + 1.6} \\ { - 1.3} \\ \end{array} } \right) \cdot 10^{ - 40} cm^2 \) .     

Selective,Transition Metal-free 1,2-Diboration of Alkyl Halides,Tosylates, and Alcohols

Defunctionalization of readily available feedstocks to provide alkenes for the synthesis of multifunctional molecules represents an extremely useful process in organic synthesis. Herein, we describe a transition metal-free, simple and efficient strategy to access alkyl 1,2-bis(boronate esters) via regio- and diastereoselective diboration of secondary and tertiary alkyl halides (Br, Cl, I), tosylates, and alcohols. Control experiments demonstrated that the key to this high reactivity and selectivity is the addition of a combination of potassium iodide and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA). The practicality and industrial potential of this transformation are demonstrated by its operational simplicity, wide functional group tolerance, and the late-stage modification of complex molecules. From a drug discovery perspective, this synthetic method offers control of the position of diversification and diastereoselectivity in complex ring scaffolds, which would be especially useful in a lead optimization program.     

Neue Oxonium-Bromochalkogenate(IV) — Darstellung,Struktur und Eigenschaften von [H3O][TeBr5] · 3C4H8O2 und [H3O]2[SeBr6]

New Oxonium Bromochalcogenates(IV) — Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of [H₃O][TeBr₅] · 3 C₄H₈O₂ and [H₃O]₂[SeBr₆] Dark red crystals of the composition [H₃O][TeBr₅] · 3 C₄H₈O₂ ( 1 ) were isolated from a saturated solution of TeBr₄ in 1,4-dioxane containing a small amount of water. In this compound (space group P2₁/m, a = 8.922(4) Å, b = 13.204(7) Å, c = 9.853(5) Å, β = 91.82(4)° at 150 K) a square pyramidal [TeBr₅]^? anion has been isolated for the first time. The coordination sphere of the anion is completed to a distorted octahedron by weak interaction with a dioxane molecule of the cationic system. The [H₃O]⁺ cations are connected to chains by dioxane molecules. At room temperature the compound is stable only in its mother liquor. Crystalline [H₃O]₂[SeBr₆] ( 2 ) (space group Fm3m, a = 10.421(1) Å at 170 K) is a bromoselenous acid of high symmetry. The [H₃O]⁺ ion is only weakly coordinated by Br atoms of the anion. The anions are isolated octahedral [SeBr₆]^2? units. The structure is isotypic to the K₂[PtCl₆] structure. Despite being a halogenochalcogen(IV) acid, 2 exhibits a remarkable thermal stability. Both oxonium compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure analyses. Vibrational spectra of 2 are reported.     

Zinc and Cobalt Complexes Derived from Tetradentate Tripodal Ligands with N2O2 Donorset as Model Compounds for Phosphatases

Starting from the tripodal tetradentate ligands ‐(3,5‐dibromo‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)(2‐hydroxybenzyl)(2‐pyridyl)methylamine (H₂L1), (3,5‐dibromo‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)(2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrobenzyl)(2‐pyridyl)methylamine (H₂L2), and (3,5‐dichloro2‐hydroxybenzyl)(2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrobenzyl)(2‐pyridyl)methylamine (H₂L3) the new isostructural dinuclear zinc compounds [Zn₂(L1)₂]·N(CH₂CH₃)₃ ( 1 ), [Zn₂(L2)₂]·2CH₃OH ( 2 ) and [Zn₂(L3)₂]·C₄H₁₀O ( 3 ) were synthesized. Due to their enzyme‐like trigonal bipyramidal N₂O₃ coordination environment of the zinc ions and the similar Zn···Zn distances the complexes can be considered to be structural models for the active sites in phospholipase C and nuclease P1. With H₂L3 also the dinuclear complex [Co₂(L2)₂(CH₃OH)]·2CH₃OH·0.5C₄H₁₀O ( 4 ) could be prepared. The new compounds were isolated and characterized by single crystal X‐ray crystallography as well as infrared spectroscopy. The cobalt compound 4 was additionally characterized by UV‐Vis spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 11.2814(2), b = 28.6154(2), c = 13.1866(3) Å, β = 96.995(1)°, V = 4225.2(2) ų, Z = 4. 2 and 3 are monoclinic, space group C2/c with a = 23.084(5), b = 9.232(2), c = 21.849(4) Å, &β; = 96.83(3)°, V = 4623(2) ų, Z = 4, and a = 22.7834(3), b = 9.2463(1), c = 21.6351(3) Å, &β; = 97.592(1)°, V = 4517.7(2) ų, Z = 4, respectively. 4 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group I2/a with a = 22.4680(4), b = 20.5517(4), c = 22.8910(6) Å, &β; = 111.938(1)°, V = 9804.7(4) ų, Z = 8. 4 shows an effective magnetic moment of 6.72 μ_B at 300 K which clearly indicates the presence of two cobalt(II) high spin ions with Curie‐Weiss behaviour above 80 K. At lower temperatures a decrease of the effective magnetic moment was observed.     

Isotopic pattern and accurate mass determination in urine drug screening by liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry

An efficient method was developed for toxicological drug screening in urine by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The method relies on a large target database of exact monoisotopic masses representing the elemental formulae of reference drugs and their metabolites. Mass spectral identification is based on matching measured accurate mass and isotopic pattern (SigmaFit) of a sample component with those in the database. Data post-processing software was developed for automated reporting of findings in an easily interpretable form. The mean and median of SigmaFit for true-positive findings were 0.0066 and 0.0051, respectively. The mean and median of mass error absolute values for true-positive findings were 2.51 and 2.17 ppm, respectively, corresponding to 0.65 and 0.60 mTh. For routine screening practice, a SigmaFit tolerance of 0.03 and a mass tolerance of 10 ppm were chosen. Ion abundance differences from urine extracts did not affect the accuracy of the automatically acquired SigmaFit or mass values. The results show that isotopic pattern matching by SigmaFit is a powerful means of identification in addition to accurate mass measurement.     

A series of novel lanthanide polyoxometalates: condensation of building blocks dependent on the nature of rare earth cations

A series of novel lanthanide polyoxomolybdates was synthesized by reaction of lanthanide cations with the Anderson type anion (TeMo(6)O(24))(6-). The polyoxometalates K(6n)(TeMo(6)O(24))(n)[(Ln(H(2)O)(7))(2)(TeMo(6)O(24))](n)[middle dot]16nH(2)O (Ln = Eu, Gd) and K(3n)[Ln(H(2)O)(5)(TeMo(6)O(24))](n)[middle dot]6nH(2)O (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) were characterized by X-ray structure analysis, elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. We found that the solid-state structures of Ln/(TeMo(6)O(24))(6-) compounds are strongly dependent on the lanthanide cations, and therefore represent a rare example for different arrangements of building units depending on the nature of the rare earth cations. While the Eu(3+) and Gd(3+) cations achieve ninefold coordination by seven water molecules and two terminal oxygen atoms of the (TeMo(6)O(24))(6-) anions, the Tb(3+), Dy(3+), Ho(3+) and Er(3+) cations are coordinated by five water molecules, two terminal oxygen atoms and one molybdenum-bridging oxygen atom belonging to the (TeMo(6)O(24))(6-) anion. The europium and gadolinium substituted compounds contain infinite one-dimensional [(Ln(H(2)O)(7))(2)(TeMo(6)O(24))](n) chains; the terbium, dysprosium, holmium and erbium compounds contain infinite one-dimensional [Ln(H(2)O)(5)(TeMo(6)O(24))](n)(3n-) chains.