Intercomparison of the Asaro-Perlman and Brookhaven archaeological ceramic analytical standards

Two fundamentally different standardization systems, widely used in the neutron activation analysis of archaeological ceramics and of other materials, have been intercompared using procedures of high precision. The results should permit data standardized under either system to be transformed to the opposite system. The two systems are generally known as the Asaro-Perlman standard and the BNL Six-Rocks standard.     

Determination of Isobutanol in Phosphoric Acid by Gas Chromatography

Isobutanol in phosphoric acid was detected by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Samples with high content (>100 μg/ml) of isobutanol were diluted with a n-pentanol aqueous solution and the diluted solutions were directly injected into the GC column for the determination of isobutanol. For lower content samples, isobutanol was preconcentrated by vacuum distillation or CCl₄ extraction followed by activated alumina adsorption. In whole GC measurements, n-pentanol was used as an internal standard. The flame ionization detector is capable of detecting quantities of isobutanol as small as 5×10^?8g. With preconcentration, isobutanol at the concentration of 0.4 μg/ml or lower can be determined.     

Transition Metal Cation Salts in Organic Synthesis

Reaction of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) with (η⁴-1,3-cyclohexadiene)Fe(CO)₃ complexes bearing functionalized side chains at C-5, under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide, gives bridged bicyclo[3,2,1]octene and bicyclo[3,3,1]nonene systems after electrophilic quenching. Under the same reaction conditions, intramolecular cyclization of acyclic (η⁴- 1,3-butadiene)Fe(CO)₃ complexes with functionalized side chains at the terminal position of the diene ligands furnishes fused bicyclo[3.3,0]octanone and bicyclo[4.3.0]nonanone derivatives after acid quenching. The addition of a variety of the highly functionalized zinc-copper reagents RCu(CN)ZnI to the (η⁷-cycloheptatrienyl)Cr(CO) gives (η⁶-cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene)Cr(CO)₃ complexes with a functionalized side-chain at the C-7 position of the ring. Intramolecular cyclization of ester-subsbtuted adducts using lithium diisopropylamide generates fused bicyclo[5.3.0]decane and bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane derivatives. The addition of a variety of the highly functionalized zinc-copper reagents RCu(CN)Znl to the (η⁴-cyclohexa-1,3-diene)Mo(CO)₂(Cp) at the terminus of the coordinated diene ligand gives [Mo(π-allyl)(CO)₂(Cp)](Cp = cyclopentadienyl) complexes with the functionalized side-chain at the C-4 position of the ring. Intramolecular cyclization of the (π-allyl)molybdenum complex containing a pendant propanoic acid unit generates the δ-lactone derivative.     

The β-Carboline Analog Mana-Hox Causes Mitotic Aberration by Interacting with DNA

Mana-Hox, an analog of beta-carbolines with anticancer activity, induces aberrant mitosis and delays mitotic exit. However, the cellular target is not known. In this study, we visualized the intracellular localization of Mana-Hox. Mana-Hox rapidly penetrated into cells (within 1 min) and concentrated on disorganized metaphase chromosomes after 13 hr of exposure. We demonstrated that Mana-Hox is a noncovalent DNA binder that can interact with DNA through intercalation and/or through minor groove binding. Furthermore, Mana-Hox also inhibits topoisomerase II relaxation activity in vitro, suggesting that Mana-Hox could perturb mitotic chromosome decatenation. Overall, Mana-Hox binding to DNA plays a critical role in the induction of aberrant mitosis and contributes to its anticancer activity.     

A Theoretical Investigation of Surface‐enhanced Sum‐frequency Generation

Following the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), we shall investigate the possibility of observing surface‐enhanced sum‐frequency generation (SESFG), which refers to the transformation of ordinary vibrational SFG (i.e. singly resonant) into SESFG. Two mechanisms of SESFG will be studied; one is due to the transformation of singly‐resonant vibrational SFG into doubly resonant vibrational SFG (that is, both vibrationally resonant and Raman‐scattering resonant) and the other is due to the enhancement of the polarizability in addition to the original vibrational resonance in vibrational SFG.     

Reactions of a Ruthenium Complex with Substituted N‐Propargyl Pyrroles

In an investigation into the chemical reactions of N‐propargyl pyrroles 1 a – c , containing aldehyde, keto, and ester groups on the pyrrole ring, with [Ru]?Cl ([Ru]=Cp(PPh₃)₂Ru; Cp=C₅H₅), an aldehyde group in the pyrrole ring is found to play a crucial role in stimulating the cyclization reaction. The reaction of 1 a , containing an aldehyde group, with [Ru]?Cl in the presence of NH₄PF₆ yields the vinylidene complex 2 a , which further reacts with allyl amine to give the carbene complex 6 a with a pyrrolizine group. However, if 1 a is first reacted with allyl amine to yield the iminenyne 8 a , then the reaction of 8 a with [Ru]?Cl in the presence of NH₄PF₆ yields the ruthenium complex 9 a , containing a cationic pyrrolopyrazinium group, which has been fully characterized by XRD analysis. These results can be adequately explained by coordination of the triple bond of the propargyl group to the ruthenium metal center first, followed by two processes, that is, formation of a vinylidene intermediate or direct nucleophilic attack. Additionally, the deprotonation of 2 a by R₄NOH yields the neutral acetylide complex 3 a . In the presence of NH₄PF₆, the attempted alkylation of 3 a resulted in the formation the Fischer‐type amino–carbene complex 5 a as a result of the presence of NH₃, which served as a nucleophile. With KPF₆, the alkylation of 3 a with ethyl and benzyl bromoacetates afforded the disubstituted vinylidene complexes 10 a and 11 a , containing ester groups, which underwent deprotonation reactions to give the furyl complexes 12 a and 13 a , respectively. For 13 a , containing an O‐benzyl group, subsequent 1,3‐migration of the benzyl group was observed to yield product 14 a with a lactone unit. Similar reactivity was not observed for the corresponding N‐propargyl pyrroles 1 b and 1 c , which contained keto and ester groups, respectively, on the pyrrole ring.     

Extended metal-atom chains with an inert second row transition metal: [Ru5(mu5-tpda)4X2] (tpda2- = tripyridyldiamido dianion, X = Cl and NCS)

EMACs (extended metal-atom chains) offer a unique platform for the exploration of metal-metal interactions. There has been significant advances on the synthesis of EMACs, such as lengthening the chains up to 11 metal atoms thus far, integrating naphthyridine moieties for tuning the charge carried at metal centers, and manipulation of metal-metal interactions. However, the metal centers in EMACs hitherto are limited to first row transition metals which are more labile than those relatively inert ones with electrons filled in the 4d and 5d shells. In this Communication, the synthesis, crystallographic, magnetic, and electrical conducting studies of [Ru5(mu5-tpda)4Cl2] and [Ru5(mu5-tpda)4(NCS)2], the first pentanuclear EMACs of second-row transition metal, are reported.     

Quantum Mechanical Calculations for Biomass Valorization over Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)

Metal-organic framework (MOF) in biomass valorization is a promising technology developed in recent decades. By tailoring both the metal nodes and organic ligands, MOFs exhibit multiple functionalities, which not only extend their applicability in biomass conversion but also increase the complexity of material designs. To address this issue, quantum mechanical simulations have been used to provide mechanistic insights into the catalysis of biomass-derived molecules, which could potentially facilitate the development of novel MOF-based materials for biomass valorization. The aim of this review is to survey recent quantum mechanical simulations on biomass reactions occurring in MOF catalysts, with the emphasis on the studies of the catalytic activity of active sites and the effects of organic ligand and porous structures on the kinetics. Moreover, different model systems and computational methods used for MOF simulations are also surveyed and discussed in this review.     

Biocompatible bacteria@Au composites for application in the photothermal destruction of cancer cells

We have successfully transformed the infectious E. coli bacteria into biocompatible bacteria@Au composites for photothermal therapy.