A neutral xenon-containing radical,HXeO

We report an open-shell species containing xenon, HXeO ((2)Sigma), prepared by UV photolysis of H(2)O/Xe or N(2)O/HBr/Xe solid mixtures at 7 K and subsequent thermal mobilization of oxygen atoms at >/=30 K. The H-Xe stretching absorption of HXeO in solid Xe is at 1466.1 cm(-1), and it shifts to 1070.3 cm(-1) upon deuteration. The extensive ab initio calculations indicate that HXeO is intrinsically stable, owing to significant ionic and covalent contributions to its bonding. The formation of HXeO ((2)Sigma) radicals in these experiments suggests extensive stabilization and thermal mobility of singlet ((1)D) oxygen atoms in solid Xe and holds promises for the stability of the HKrO and HArO species.     

Atomic layer deposition chemistry: recent developments and future challenges

New materials, namely high-k (high-permittivity) dielectrics to replace SiO(2), Cu to replace Al, and barrier materials for Cu, are revolutionizing modern integrated circuits. These materials must be deposited as very thin films on structured surfaces. The self-limiting growth mechanism characteristic to atomic layer deposition (ALD) facilitates the control of film thickness at the atomic level and allows deposition on large and complex surfaces. These features make ALD a very promising technique for future integrated circuits. Recent ALD research has mainly focused on materials required in microelectronics. Chemistry, in particular the selection of suitable precursor combinations, is the key issue in ALD; many interesting results have been obtained by smart chemistry. ALD is also likely to find applications in other areas, such as magnetic recording heads, optics, demanding protective coatings, and micro-electromechanical systems, provided that cost-effective processes can be found for the materials required.     

Preparation of hindered piperidine and its copolymerization with propylene over a supported high activity ziegler–natta catalyst

A new polymerizable stabilizer 4-(hex-5-enyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine is prepared. This sterically hindered piperidine was copolymerized with propylene over a fourth generation TiCl₄/MgCl₂ Ziegler–Natta catalyst, using Al(C₂H₅)₃ as cocatalyst and diphenyldimethoxysilane, DMS, as external electron donor. The copolymer exhibited high thermo-oxidative stability even after exhaustive extraction with n-heptane.     

Sensitization of Tb3+ luminescence with Ce3+ in LaOBr: Tb3+, Ce3+

Luminescence emission and uv-excitation properties of LaOBr: Tb³⁺, LaOBr: Ce³⁺, and LaOBr: Tb³⁺, Ce³⁺ phosphors were studied. The visible emission spectra of La_0.995Tb_0.005OBr consists of⁵D_3,4 →⁷F_3–6 transitions in the wavelength range of 410–630 nm. The excitation of the Tb³⁺ ion gives a broad 4f → 5d transition band at 254 nm and weaker4f → 4f transition lines above 300 nm. The uv-excitation and emission of La_0.995Ce_0.005OBr at 290, 315, 355 (excitation), and 440 nm (emission) originate from transitions between the 4f-ground state and the four crystal field components of the5d²D excited state. The sensitization of Tb³⁺ luminescence in LaOBr with Ce³⁺ at varying concentrations is described and discussed. With increasing Ce³⁺ concentration the ⁵D₃ →⁷F transitions of Tb³⁺ quench totally and the⁵D₄ →⁷F transitions begin to quench gradually. The excitation spectrum of the⁵D₄ →⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ consists of four bands due to Tb³⁺ and Ce³⁺, of which the three Ce³⁺ bands increase in intensity and the Tb³⁺ band decreases as the Ce³⁺ concentration is increased.     

Characterisation of organic compounds in aerosol particles from a Finnish forest by on-line coupled supercritical fluid extraction–liquid chromatography–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

During the European Union project Quantification of Aerosol Nucleation in the European Boundary Layer (QUEST), which began in spring 2003, atmospheric aerosol particles were collected in a Finnish Scots pine forest using a high-volume sampler. The organic compounds in the filter samples were then analysed by on-line coupled supercritical fluid extraction–liquid chromatography–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SFE–LC–GC–MS). The sample was first extracted by SFE. During LC the extracts were fractionated into three fractions according to polarity. The final separation was carried out by GC–MS. A fraction volume as high as 840 L was transferred to the GC, using the partial concurrent eluent evaporation technique. The same instrumentation, with an in-situ SFE derivatisation method, was used to analyse organic acids. Major compounds such as n-alkanes and PAH were analysed quantitatively. Their concentrations were lower than those usually observed in urban areas or in other forest areas in Europe. The wind direction was one of the most important factors affecting changes in the daily concentrations of these compounds. Scots pine needles were analysed with the same system to obtain reference data for identification of biogenic compounds in aerosol particles. Other organic compounds found in this study included hopanes, steranes, n-alkanals, n-alkan-2-ones, oxy-PAH, and alkyl-PAH; some biogenic products, including oxidation products of monoterpenes, were also identified.     

New Sn(IV) and Ti(IV) bis(trimethylsilyl)amides in d,l-lactide polymerization, SEM characterization of polymers

Ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide initiated with new chlorotris(bis(trimethylsilyl) amido) tin(IV), tetrakis(bis(trimethylsilyl)amido) tin(IV) and titanium(IV) was investigated. New complexes reveal practically quantitative conversion degrees and produced polymers with higher molecular weight with respect to reference alkoxo-species.The X-ray crystal structure of chlorotris(bis(trimethylsilyl)amido) tin (IV) was investigated. Axial enantiomerism of [SnCl{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃] molecules in solution was studied by high-field dynamic NMR, the value of Gibbs activation energy ΔG^‡ = 59.5 kJ/mol.Field emission SEM investigation of bulk polymer samples and thin films on conductive Al foil revealed a stratified fibrous textures in the bulk polymers, as well as nanoscaled topographical features due to coils and entanglements of individual macromolecules in thin films.     

Surface modification of thermoplastics by atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 and TiO2 thin films

Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ thin films were deposited by atomic layer deposition at 80-250 °C on various polymeric substrates such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). The films were studied with FESEM, EDX, XRD, contact angle measurements and adhesion tests. The film growth rates on the thermoplastics were close to the corresponding growth rates on Si substrates. The adhesion of the films was good on PEEK and poor on PTFE. All coated surfaces showed lower water contact angles than the uncoated thermoplastics. Furthermore, the water contact angles on all TiO₂-coated surfaces decreased upon UV illumination, most efficiently with crystalline TiO₂ coatings.     

Pinosylvin Shifts Macrophage Polarization to Support Resolution of Inflammation

Pinosylvin is a natural stilbenoid found particularly in Scots pine. Stilbenoids are a group of phenolic compounds identified as protective agents against pathogens for many plants. Stilbenoids also possess health-promoting properties in humans; for instance, they are anti-inflammatory through their suppressing action on proinflammatory M1-type macrophage activation. Macrophages respond to environmental changes by polarizing towards proinflammatory M1 phenotype in infection and inflammatory diseases, or towards anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, mediating resolution of inflammation and repair. In the present study, we investigated the effects of pinosylvin on M2-type macrophage activation, aiming to test the hypothesis that pinosylvin could polarize macrophages from M1 to M2 phenotype to support resolution of inflammation. We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce M1 phenotype and interleukin-4 (IL-4) to induce M2 phenotype in J774 murine and U937 human macrophages, and we measured expression of M1 and M2-markers. Interestingly, along with inhibiting the expression of M1-type markers, pinosylvin had an enhancing effect on the M2-type activation, shown as an increased expression of arginase-1 (Arg-1) and mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC1) in murine macrophages, and C-C motif chemokine ligands 17 and 26 (CCL17 and CCL26) in human macrophages. In IL-4-treated macrophages, pinosylvin enhanced PPAR-γ expression but had no effect on STAT6 phosphorylation. The results show, for the first time, that pinosylvin shifts macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype towards M2 phenotype, supporting resolution of inflammation and repair.     

Preparation of β-caryophyllene oxidation products and their determination in ambient aerosol samples

Oxidation of β-caryophyllene with ozone followed by reduction was carried out in dichloromethane. Reaction led to the formation of β-caryophyllene aldehyde (11%, purity 90.8%) and β-nocaryophyllone aldehyde (79%, purity 99%). Compounds were purified and separated by liquid–liquid extraction and flash chromatography. Identifications were achieved by electron-impact and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and precise structures were confirmed by one and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The prepared compounds were used in the analysis of ambient aerosol samples collected during spring 2003 at Hyytiälä, Finland. β-Nocaryophyllone aldehyde was positively identified and quantified in ambient aerosol samples for the first time. The amount of quantified β-nocaryophyllone aldehyde of aerosol origin was 17.4?±?1.0 ng m^?3 of sampled air. Comparison with previous findings led to the conclusion that oxidation products of β-caryophyllene participate in biogenic aerosol formation over boreal forest during late spring.