Photoluminescent Fe3O4/carbon nanocomposite with magnetic property

Fe(3)O(4)/carbon nanocomposite has been prepared by a facile chemical method, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The fluorescent and magnetic properties of the sample were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and vibrating-sample magnetometer, respectively. The results indicate that the Fe(3)O(4)/carbon nanocomposite exhibit good photoluminescent (emission ranging from 425 to 550 nm) and strong magnetic (saturation magnetization of 44.2 emu/g) properties.     

Microhydration effects on the electronic spectra of protonated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: [naphthalene-(H2O)(n = 1,2)]H+

Vibrational and electronic spectra of protonated naphthalene (NaphH(+)) microsolvated by one and two water molecules were obtained by photofragmentation spectroscopy. The IR spectrum of the monohydrated species is consistent with a structure with the proton located on the aromatic molecule, NaphH(+)-H(2)O. Similar to isolated NaphH(+), the first electronic transition of NaphH(+)-H(2)O (S(1)) occurs in the visible range near 500 nm. The doubly hydrated species lacks any absorption in the visible range (420-600 nm) but absorbs in the UV range, similar to neutral Naph. This observation is consistent with a structure, in which the proton is located on the water moiety, Naph-(H(2)O)(2)H(+). Ab initio calculations for [Naph-(H(2)O)(n)]H(+) confirm that the excess proton transfers from Naph to the solvent cluster upon attachment of the second water molecule.     

Preparation of ethyl 2-aryl 2,3-alkadienoates via palladium-catalyzed selective cross-coupling reactions

Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl iodides containing not only an electron-donating group but also an electron-withdrawing group on the aryl ring with organoindium reagents generated in situ from indium and ethyl 4-bromo-2-alkynoates produced selectively ethyl 2-aryl-2,3-alkadienoates in good yield.     

Biliverdin reductase A in the prevention of cellular senescence against oxidative stress

Biliverdin reductase A (BLVRA), an enzyme that converts biliverdin to bilirubin, has recently emerged as a key regulator of the cellular redox cycle. However, the role of BLVRA in the aging process remains unclear. To study the role of BLVRA in the aging process, we compared the stress responses of young and senescent human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducer, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). H2O2 markedly induced BLVRA activity in young HDFs, but not in senescent HDFs. Additionally, depletion of BLVRA reduced the H2O2-dependent induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in young HDFs, but not in senescent cells, suggesting an aging-dependent differential modulation of responses to oxidative stress. The role of BLVRA in the regulation of cellular senescence was confirmed when lentiviral RNAi- transfected stable primary HDFs with reduced BLVRA expression showed upregulation of the CDK inhibitor family members p16, p53, and p21, followed by cell cycle arrest in G0-G1 phase with high expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase. Taken together, these data support the notion that BLVRA contributes significantly to modulation of the aging process by adjusting the cellular oxidative status.     

Synthesis, structures and luminescent properties of Co(II) and Ni(II) metal-organic frameworks with semirigid diphthalic ligands

A series of transition metal coordination polymers [Co(H₃L)₂(4,4′- bpy)(H₂O)₂]_n?n(4,4′-bpy) (1), [Ni(H₂L)(4,4′-bpy)(H₂O)₂]_n (2), [Co₂(L)(phen)₂(H₂O)₄]_n?(H₂O)_2n (3), and [Ni₂(L)(phen)₂(H₂O)₄]_n?(H₂O)_2n (4) have been assembled from a semirigid multicarboxylate ligand 3,3′-(1,4-phenylenebis(oxy))diphthalic acid (H₄L) with the help of 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) ligand or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligand. X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis reveals that complex 1 crystallizes in the space group of P − 1 and displays a one-dimensional (1D) chain structure constructed from 4,4′-bpy ligand and H₃L ligand, which was further interlinked to form a three-dimensional network via hydrogen bonds. In complex 2, Ni(II) atoms are coordinated by L ligand in monodentate fashion to form alternate left- and right-helices, which are further bridged together by the coordination interactions between Ni(II) atoms and 4,4′-bpy, leading to a 2-fold (4, 4)-connected interpenetrating network. Isostructural complexes 3 and 4 belong to the space group P − 1 and display a 1D chain structure constructed from phen and L ligands, which was further interlinked to form a 2D plane via π–π interactions. In addition, their thermal and luminescent properties were also investigated.     

Isolation and structural characterization of the elusive 1:1 adduct of hydrazine and carbon dioxide

A solid hydrazine was isolated as a crystalline powder by reacting aqueous hydrazine with supercritical CO(2). Its structure determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction shows a zwitterionic form of NH(3)(+)NHCO(2)(-). The solid hydrazine is remarkably stable but is as reactive as liquid hydrazine even in the absence of solvents.     

Dense ceramic catalytic membranes and membrane reactors for energy and environmental applications

Catalytic membrane reactors which carry out separation and reaction in a single unit are expected to be a promising approach to achieve green and sustainable chemistry with less energy consumption and lower pollution. This article presents a review of the recent progress of dense ceramic catalytic membranes and membrane reactors, and their potential applications in energy and environmental areas. A basic knowledge of catalytic membranes and membrane reactors is first introduced briefly, followed by a short discussion on the membrane materials including their structures, composition and strategies for material development. The configuration of catalytic membranes, the design of membrane reaction processes and the high temperature sealing are also discussed. The performance of catalytic membrane reactors for energy and environmental applications are summarized and typical catalytic membrane reaction processes are presented and discussed. Finally, current challenges and difficulties related to the industrialization of dense ceramic membrane reactors are addressed and possible future research is also outlined.     

Native and fluorescent dye-dependent single-DNA molecule microchip dynamics as measured by differential interference contrast microscopy

In a free solution of 10.0 mM Gly-Gly (pH 8.2), the flow directions of native-DNA and DNA molecules intercalated with the fluorescent dye YOYO-1 were reversed in the microchip channel. These results clearly showed that in a confined space and under specific environmental conditions, the fluorescent dye modified the original properties and behavior of the native-DNA molecule.     

Synthesis and characterization of a thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole-based copolymer for high performance polymer solar cells

A highly processable, new semiconducting polymer, PCDTTz, based on alternating thiazolothiazole and carbazole units was synthesized. The new polymer exhibited a field-effect carrier mobility of up to 3.8 × 10(-3) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and bulk heterojunction solar cells made from PCDTTz produced a power conversion efficiency of 4.88% under AM 1.5 G (100 mW cm(-2)) conditions.