Volume element for loop diagram in the string picture of dual models

Using perturbation theory and the vertex function for the joining and separation of strings, we calculate the momentum-independent part of the orientable loop diagram in the string picture of the orbital dual model. The calculation is done for the case where spacetime has the critical dimensionality.     

Two-dimensional self-assembly of 1-pyrylphosphonic acid: transfer of stacks on structured surface

Strong hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking between 1-pyrylphosphonic acid (PYPA) molecules were exploited to create self-assembled two-dimensional supramolecular structures. Polycrystalline films of these laminate crystalline PYPA bilayers were easily deposited onto the solid supports through a simple spin-coating technique. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy reveal that processing parameters, such as solvent, concentration, and surface of the substrate, are critical factors in determining the final morphology of the stacked film. Robust laminate structures could be obtained only when short alkyl chain protic solvents (methanol or ethanol) and a nonhydrophobic substrate surface were used. Polycrystalline films were formed through the nucleation and growth of PYPA molecules into laminate structures at the air/solvent interface before they land on the substrate during the spin-coating process. These films possess good mechanical properties and were easily transferred onto a SiO2/Si substrate that was patterned with Au electrodes without breaking their crystalline structures. The successful transfer of the laminate crystals allows us to probe their electrical properties through a field effect transistor device. A gating effect on the charge transport of the stacked films indicates that PYPA laminate crystal possesses p-typed semiconductor characteristics.     

Ultrasonic velocities, densities, viscosities, electrical conductivities, Raman spectra, and molecular dynamics simulations of aqueous solutions of Mg(OAc)2 and Mg(NO3)2: Hofmeister effects and ion pair formation

The ultrasonic velocities, densities, viscosities, and electrical conductivities of aqueous solutions of magnesium nitrate and magnesium acetate have been measured from dilute to saturation concentrations at 0 < or = t/degrees C < or = 50. The temperature derivative of the isentropic compressibility, kappa(s), became zero at 2.28 and 2.90 mol kg(-1) for Mg(OAc)2 and Mg(NO3)2 solutions, respectively, at 25 degrees C. The total hydration numbers of the dissolved ions were estimated to be, respectively, 24.3 and 19.2 at these concentrations. Differences in kappa(s) for various M2+ salts, using the present and literature data, correlated with reported M2+-OH2 bond lengths and to a lesser extent with cationic charge densities (ionic radii). The influence of anions on kappa(s) appears to follow the Hofmeister series and also correlates approximately with the anionic charge density. Substantial differences between Mg(OAc)2(aq) and Mg(NO3)2(aq) occur with respect to their structural relaxation times (derived from compressibility and viscosity data) and their electrical conductivities. These differences were attributed to a much greater ion association in Mg(OAc)2 solutions. Raman spectra recorded at 28 degrees C confirmed the presence of various types of contact ion pairs including mono- and bidentate complexes in Mg(OAc)2(aq). In Mg(NO3)2(aq), only noncontact ion pairs appear to be formed even at high concentrations. The experimental results are supported by molecular dynamics simulations, which also reveal the much stronger tendency of OAc- compared to NO3- to associate with Mg2+ in aqueous solutions. The simulations also allow an evaluation of the ion-ion and ion-water radial distribution functions and cumulative sums and provide a molecular picture of ion hydration in Mg(OAc)2(aq) and Mg(NO3)2(aq) at varying concentrations.     

Scandium trifluoromethanesulfonate as a recyclable catalyst for efficient methoxymethylation of alcohols

Scandium triflate [Sc(OTf)₃] has been found to be a recyclable catalyst for mild highly efficient methoxymethylation of a variety of alcohols using formaldehyde dimethyl acetal (FDMA).     

Regioselective synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted 1-alkyl pyrrolo[2,3-b] quinoxalines through palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction of chalcones and evaluation of their anti-bacterial activities

The regioselective synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-aryl-3-acyl pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines through palladium-catalyzed Heck coupling reaction/heteroannulation was reported. The reaction of N-alkyl/benzyl-3-chloroquinoxaline-2-amines with chalcones catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂ in the presence of KO^tBu, as the base, in DMSO afforded the desired products in good-to-high yields. The MIC and MBC determinations revealed that these compounds could be used in the future research works for the development of antibiotics.     

New ylidene and spirocyclopropyl derivatives of cholestanone and dehydroepiandrosterone series and their ability to induce cholesteric mesophase in nematic solvent

New ylidene and spirocyclopropyl derivatives of cholestanone and dehydroepiandrosterone series were synthesized and their structure was determined by X-ray analysis. These compounds may be used as chiral dopants for cholesteric liquid crystal compositions which are applied in bistable displays with low power consumption. The ability of the synthesized substances to induce cholesteric mesophase in 4′-pentyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4-carbоnitrile nematic solvent was examined. The highest values of the helical twisting power |β| (190.0?±?2.3) and (165.5?±?1.9) µm^?1 mol pats^?1 were showed by (E)-2-{[3-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methyldene}-cholestanon and (1S,2S)-1-(1-phenyl-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-yl)-2,16′-spirocyclopropyldehydroepiandrosterone, correspondingly.     

Diastereoselective addition of α-substituted α-amino-H-phosphinates to imines using Yb(OTf)3 as an efficient Lewis acid catalyst

Diastereoselective addition of α-substituted α-amino-H-phosphinates to imines is described. Among Lewis acids, Yb(OTf)₃ was found to be the best catalyst. α,α′-Diaminophosphinic derivatives were obtained with de's ranging from 10 to 95% in the presence of Yb(OTf)₃ as an efficient Lewis acid catalyst. The reaction proceeded with retention of configuration at the phosphorus atom.     

Impact of bulk and surface properties of some biocompatible hydrophobic polymers on the stability of methylene chloride-in-water mini-emulsions used to prepare nanoparticles by emulsification-solvent evaporation

The emulsifying and stabilizing ability of several hydrophobic (insoluble in water and soluble in volatile organic solvents) polymers, such as Eudragit RL, Eudragit RS, PLGA, PCL, and their mixtures, with regard to the methylene chloride (MC)-in-water mini-emulsions, has been compared to the viscosity of MC solutions and to the properties of adsorption and spread monolayers of these polymers.

Eudragits RS and RL contain 2.5 and 5 mol% of pendent cationic trimethylammonium (TMA) groups per 164 g/mol segments, whereas PLGA and PCL contain 1 and 2 polar carbonyl groups per 130 and 114 g/mol, respectively. The electrostatic attraction between the dipoles, formed by TMA groups and the condensed counter ions in the MC solutions, leads to the contraction of macromolecular coils of Eudragits, whereas the PLGA and PCL macromolecules, interacting by low polar carbonyl groups (with dipole moment μ = 2.7 D) retain more extended conformation in MC. This explains why the characteristic viscosities [η] of MC solutions are much lower for the former polymers (0.1 dL/g) with regard to PLGA and PCL solutions whose [η] is equal to 0.3 and 0.6 dL/g, respectively.

The ionization of TMA groups in contact with the water phase leads to the irreversible adsorption of Eudragits at the MC/water interface and to high decrease of the interfacial tension γ (down to 4 mN/m for the 5% MC solutions). Whereas PLGA and PCL possessing low polar carbonyl groups adsorb poorly at the MC/water interface exhibiting γ  28 mN/m. Higher stability of spread monolayers of Eudragits (π*  40 mN/m) with regard to PLGA and PCL (π* < 20 mN/m) correlates well with higher interfacial activity of the former with regard to the later. The higher surface potential ΔV of Eudragits (0.9 V) with regard to PLGA (0.3 V) and PCL (0.4 V) is explained by the formation of electric double layer (DL) by the former, whereas the later contribute to the ΔV only by cumulative dipole moments of carbonyl groups. The experimental values of surface potentials correlate well with the Gouy–Chapman model of the DL and the Helmholtz model of the monolayer.

The ensemble of experimental results leads to the conclusion that higher emulsifying and stabilizing ability of Eudragits with regard to PLGA and PCL is due to higher adsorption activity of the former which form the corona of polymeric chains with ionized TMA groups around the droplets. It can be postulated that Eudragit polymers have good surface active properties which may allow manufacturing of biocompatible nanoparticles by emulsification–solvent evaporation method without surfactants.     

SBA-15-functionalized palladium complex partially confined with ionic liquid: an efficient and reusable catalyst system for aqueous-phase Suzuki reaction

A novel SBA-15 functionalized palladium complex partially confined with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid (Material 4) was found to be a very efficient and reusable catalyst in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl halides including aryl chlorides and heteroaryl halides with different aryl boronic acids under aqueous conditions without any organic co-solvents. Our studies showed that 4 is a more efficient catalyst in comparison with the catalyst not containing IL or catalyst with a higher ratio of IL. The materials were characterized by N(2)-sorption analysis, TGA and transmission electron microscopy before and after catalysis. While our studies showed that the catalyst can be successfully recycled and reused in at least 4 reaction runs, in contrast, several poisoning experiments and kinetic studies provide the notion that homogeneous (dissolved) species are responsible for the observed catalysis.