Frontier density pattern of dioxins

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations are performed to estimate the electron densities of the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO) of 75 congeners of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and a nonchlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin. Electron densities of HOMO on out of plane π orbitals of 12 carbons and two oxygens in the dioxin structure are used as variables in multivariate statistical analysis. Principal component analysis can classify 76 congeners of dioxins according to the principal component scores. All of the most toxic dioxins are involved in the group that has large negative values for both the first and the third principal component scores.     

Synthesis of a novel 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid derivative

A novel compound, biotinylated 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (BGA), was synthesized. It is a compound of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid linked with biotin. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 266–267, May–June, 2006. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Electrochemical supercapacitors based on novel hybrid materials made of carbon nanotubes and polyoxometalates

We have characterized symmetric solid-state supercapacitors in swagelok cells using film electrodes made of novel hybrid materials based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and phosphomolybdate polyanion (Cs-PMo12) with PVA as binder. These hybrid materials were carried out by Cs-PMo12 adhesion onto previously functionalized CNT, in order to disperse both components at a molecular level and use Cs-PMo12 as energy density enhancer in supercapacitor cells. Our results show high capacitance values (up to 285 F/g at I = 200 mA/g) due to the contribution of Cs-PMo12, which was revealed on the higher energy density values compared to pure CNT electrodes. Additionally, good stability was observed during 500 charge–discharge cycles for most hybrid electrodes. These preliminary results show a new approach to enhance energy density of double layer supercapacitor cells through the introduction of Cs-PMo12, whereas from a material science point of view these materials are innovative, and open the way to search for diverse applications aside from supercapacitors (sensors, catalysts, photovoltaic cells, etc.).     

Theoretical and experimental studies of the electrochemistry of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-aminophenol on a golden electrode

The geometric parameters, vibrational frequencies, and thermochemical values of p-quinonimine (p-AQ) and p-aminophenol (p-AP) were computed ab initio (IIF) and by the density functional theory (DFT) method with the 6-31G(d, p) basis set. Cyclic voltammetry with a golden electrode of p-AP solutions in phosphate buffers at pH 7.30 showed that the standard electrode potential of half reaction for p-QI and p-AP was 0.728 V. The standard electrode potentials of half reactions for p-QI and p-AP were calculated using the free energies and solvation energies of p-QI, p-AP, p-benzoquinone (p-BQ), and hydroquinone (p-HQ). The results showed that the standard electrode potential of half reaction for p-QI and p-AP was 0.743 V at the B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) level and 0.755 V at the HF/6-31G(d, p) level. The standard electrode potentials computed at the B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) and HF/6-31G(d, p) levels were close to their experimental values. The article is published in the original.     

l-Idoseptanosides: substrates of d-glucosidases?

Based on the reported glycosidase inhibitory activities of 1,6-dideoxy-1,6-imino-l-iditol, the corresponding aryl glycosides 4-nitrophenyl α- and β-l-idoseptanoside 7 and 8 were synthesised as possible glycosidase substrates. Despite their inherently larger size, these septanosides were indeed shown to be glycosidase substrates, albeit weak ones. In addition, these two substrate analogues 7 and 8 also demonstrated a remarkable degree of selectivity for β- and α-glucosidases, respectively.     

Chiral NMR discrimination of pyrrolidines using (18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid

The compound (18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid is shown to be an effective chiral NMR solvating agent for determining the enantiomeric excess of chiral pyrrolidines. Enantiomeric discrimination is observed in both the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. The neutral amine is mixed with the crown ether in an NMR tube and a neutralization reaction between the two produces the corresponding ammonium and carboxylate ions. An association of these ions accounts for the chiral recognition. Pyrrolidines with one or two substituent groups α to the nitrogen atom are not inhibited from binding to the crown ether. Chiral discrimination was observed in the NMR spectra of pyrrolidines that have a stereogenic center α or β to the nitrogen atom. Dibasic substrates are likely converted to their diprotonated form in the presence of the crown ether, and both ammonium sites appear to associate with the crown ether moiety.     

Advanced Current Collectors for Alkali Metal Anodes

High-energy-density batteries are in urgent need to solve the ever-increasing energy storage demand for portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and renewable solar and wind energy systems. Alkali metals, typically lithium(Li), sodium(Na) and potassium(K), are considered as the promising anode materials owing to their low electrochemical potential, low density, and high theoretical gravimetric capacities. However, the problem of dendrite growth of alkali metals during their plating/stripping process will lead to low Coulombic efficiencies, a short lifespan and huge volume expansion, eventually hindering their practical commercialization. To resolve this issue, a very effective approach is engineering the anodes on structured current collectors. This review summarizes the development of the alkali metal batteries and discusses the recent advances in rational design of anode current collectors. First, the challenges and strategies of suppressing alkali-metal dendrite growth are presented. Then the special attention is paid to the novel current collector design for dendrite-free alkali metal anodes. Finally, we give conclusions and perspective on the current challenges and future research directions toward advanced anode current collectors for alkali metal batteries.     

Theoretical studies on vibrational spectra of some halides of Group IIB elements

The vibrational spectra of Group IIB elements halides MX2 and their dimers M2X4 (M=Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II); X=F, Cl, Br and I) have been systematically investigated by ab initio RHF and B3LYP methods with LanL2MB, LanL2DZ and SDD basis sets. The optimized geometries, calculated vibrational frequencies are evaluated via comparison with the experimental data. The vibrational frequencies, calculated by these methods with different basis sets, are compared to each other too. The best results can be obtained by RHF/SDD method, with this method, the deviations for MX2 and Hg2X4 are <7%. Some vibrational frequencies of M2X4 that have not been experimentally reported are also predicted.     

An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of some copper(II) tetraaza complexes

A selected series of copper(II) tetraaza complexes, involving open-chain and macrocyclic ligands, has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The binding energy data obtained are interpreted in terms of the structures of these complexes with particular reference to the existence of π-electron delocalisation over metal and ligand, peripheral ring substituents, cation-anion interaction and hydration water. It is apparent that the degree of cation-anion interaction and photoreduction is a function of the existing experimental conditions.     

Separation of helium and hydrocarbon mixtures by a two-membrane column

The permeabilities to pure gases can be directly used in the calculation of mixed gas permeation through a rubbery membrane (silicone rubber), but the permeabilities of cellulose acetate membranes to mixed gases are considerably affected by the presence of hydrocarbons. The efficiency of separation increases with decreasing pressure ratio and reaches a maximum when the pressure ratio becomes zero. The enrichment of the less permeable gas can be easily achieved in a stripper. Combining two strippers made out of two different membranes, highly concentrated products (99%) are continuously obtained at both ends of the column. As a result, the overall separation factors are greatly increased.