Synthesis and structural characterization of a fully conjugated macrocyclic tetraaza(14)-membered Schiff base and its bivalent metal complexes

A novel 14-membered macrocyclic Schiff base derived from 3-cinnamalideneacetoacetanilide and o-phenylenediamine acts as a tetradentate and strongly conjugated ligand to form a cationic solid complex with CuCl₂/NiCl₂/CoCl₂/ZnCl₂. The ligand and the complexes were characterized by the usual spectral and analytical techniques. The main i.r. band of the macrocyclic Schiff base was compared to that of its metal complexes. The C=N bands are shifted to the lower wave number. The cyclic voltammogram of the copper complex shows that the macrocyclic ligand is able to stabilize the copper(III) oxidation state. The e.s.r. spectra of the copper complex in DMSO solution at room temperature and liquid N₂ temperature were recorded and their salient features thoroughly discussed. The antimicrobial screening tests were also recorded and gave good results in the presence of metal ions in the ligand system.     

Formation of nanostructured polymer filaments in nanochannels

We describe the use of hard etching methods to create nanodimensional channels and their use as templates for the formation of polymer filament arrays with precise dimensional and orientational control in a single integrated step. The procedure is general as illustrated by the radical, coordination, and photochemical polymerizations that were performed in these nanochannels. The nanochannel templates (20 nm high, 20-200 nm wide, and 100 mum long) were fabricated by the combined use of electron-beam lithography and a sacrificial metal line etching technique. Radical polymerization of acrylates, metal-catalyzed polymerization of norbornene, and photochemical polymerization of 1,4-diiodothiophene were carried out in these nanochannels. The polymers grown follow the dimensions and orientation of the channels, and the polymer filaments can be released without breaking. The approach opens up the possibility of just-in-place manufacturing and processing of patterns and devices from nanostructured polymers using well-established polymer chemistry.     

A short,three-component total synthesis of 12-hydroxyeicosa-5,8,14(Z), 10(E)-tetraenoic acid (12-HETE) via the corresponding ketone

A highly effective synthesis of (±)-12-HETE (1) from the components 2, 3 and 6 is described which employs a new class of cuprate reagents.     

Effects of glucose,glutamine, and malate on the metabolism of spodoptera frugiperda clone 9 (sf9) cells

Optimal design and operation of bioreactors for insect cell culture is facilitated by functional relations providing quantitative information on cellular metabolite consumption kinetics, as well as on the specific cell growth rates (μ_G). Initial specific consumption rates of glucose, malate, and oxygen, and associated changes in μ_G, were measured forSpodoptera frugiperda clone 9 (Sf9) cells grown in batch suspension culture in medium containing 7–35 mM glucose, 0–16 mM malate, and 4–16 mM glutamine. The initial specific glucose consumption rate (q _G ) could be described by a modified Michaelis-Menten equation treating malate as a “competitive” inhibitorK ₁ = 6.5 mM) and glutamine as a “noncompetitive” inhibitorK _I = 14 mM) ofq _G , with aK _m of 7.1 mM for glucose. All three carbon sources were found to increase μ_G in a saturable manner, and a modified Monod equation was employed to describe this relationship (μ_Gmax = 0.047 h^-1). The initial specific oxygen consumption rate (q_O2) in Sf9 cells could be related to μ_G by the maintenance energy model, and it was calculated that, under typical culture conditions, about 15–20% of the cellular energy demand comes from functions not related to growth. Fitted parameters in mathematical expression for μg: K₄, Monod constant for glucose (mM); K₅, modified Monod constant for malate (mM); K₆, Monod constant for glutamine (mM); m_o2, specific consumption rate of oxygen by the cells under zero-growth conditions (nmol/cell/h); q_F, initial specific fumarate production rate (nmol/cell/ h);q _G , initial specific glucose consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); q_Gmax, maximum initial specific glucose consumption rate (nmol/cell/h);q _M , initial specific malate consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); q_o2, initial specific oxygen consumption rate (nmol/cell/h); Y_o2, cell yield on oxygen (cells/nmol); μ, initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1); μ_g, initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1); μG_max, maximum initial specific cell growth rate (h^-1).     

Optically switchable liquid crystal photonic structures

Photo-optic materials offer the possibility of light controlled photonic devices, intelligent and environmentally adaptive optical materials. One strategy for creating these materials is the combination of structure formation through holographic photopolymerization and the variable optical properties of liquid crystals. Holographically patterned, polymer stabilized liquid crystals (HPSLCs) have proven to be useful optical materials. By incorporating photo-optic, azobenzene-derived liquid crystal blends into such material systems, we have generated practical photoresponsive optical materials.     

Synthesis and Structure of a Molecular Zinc Phosphate [(C12H8N2Zn)2(HPO4)(H2PO4)2]

A hydrothermal reaction of a mixture of ZnCO₃, phosphoric acid, 1, 10‐phenanthroline in H₂O gave rise to large plates of a new zinc phosphate, [(C₁₂H₈N₂Zn)₂(HPO₄)(H₂PO₄)₂], I . The structure consists of ZnO₃N₂ distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal and PO₄ tetrahedral units linked through their vertices to give rise to a zero‐dimensional molecular solid (monomer). The structure of the monomer appears to be similar to the secondary building unit (SBU) 4 = 1, commonly found in many fibrous zeolites. To our knowledge, this is the first time this building unit has been isolated. The structure, with a unique composition, is stabilized by hydrogen bond interactions between the terminal —OH groups forms a one‐dimensional molecular wire and also by strong π…π interactions between the 1, 10‐phenanthroline units. Photoluminescence studies show that there is a ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (LMCT). Crystal data: orthorhombic, space group = Fdd2 (no. 43), a = 40.4669(1), b = 7.4733(2), c = 17.4425(5)Å, V = 5274.9(2)ų, Z = 8.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structures of two zero-dimensional zinc phosphate polymorphs

Two polymorphs of zero-dimensional zinc phosphate with the formula, ⁰_∞[Zn(2,2′-bipy)(H₂PO₄)₂], have been synthesized employing hydrothermal technique and their structure determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both the structures consists of ZnO₃N₂ distorted trigonal-bipyramidal and PO₂(OH)₂ tetrahedral units linked through their vertices giving rise to a zero-dimensional molecular zinc phosphate. The structures are stabilized by extensive hydrogen bond interactions between zero-dimensional monomers. The structures display subtle differences in their packing created by hydrogen bond interactions. Crystal data: polymorph I, triclinic, space group (No. 2), , , , α=67.32(3)°, β=81.67(3)°, γ=69.29(3)°, , Z=2; polymorph II, triclinic, space group (No. 2), , , , α=97.37(2)°, β=100.54(2)°, γ=100.98(2)°, , Z=2.     

Linear dichroism and fluorescence polarization of diphenyl polyenes in stretched polyethylene films

A study of the linear diehroism and fluorescence polarization of diphenylpolyenes (C₆H₅—(CH=CH)_n—C₆H₅) with n = 1,2,3,4,6,8 in stretched polyethylene films shows that the polyenes orient in the anisotropic matrix with their transition dipole (emission and absorption, π → π^*) aligned with the direction of stretch. The maximum dichroic ratio is observed for 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), with n = 3, whereas the values are substantially lower for n < 3 or n > 3. The high orientation of DPH and poor alignment of the higher polyenes may be accounted for in terms of the growing flexibility of the polyene chains with increasing chain length. The results justify the use of DPH as a convenient fluorescence probe for biological and synthetic membranes.