Atomic structure of InAs quantum dots on GaAs

In recent years, the self-assembled growth of semiconductor nanostructures, that show quantum size effects, has been of considerable interest. Laser devices operating with self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) embedded in GaAs have been demonstrated. Here, we report on the InAs/GaAs system and raise the question of how the shape of the QDs changes with the orientation of the GaAs substrate. The growth of the InAs QDs is understood in terms of the Stranski–Krastanow growth mode. For modeling the growth process, the shape and atomic structure of the QDs have to be known. This is a difficult task for such embedded entities.

In our approach, InAs is grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs until self-assembled QDs are formed. At this point the growth is interrupted and atomically resolved scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images are acquired. We used preparation parameters known from the numerous publications on InAs/GaAs. In order to learn more about the self-assemblage process we studied QD formation on different GaAs(0 0 1), (1 1 3)A, and ( )B substrates. From the atomically resolved STM images we could determine the shape of the QDs. The quantum “dots” are generally rather flat entities better characterized as “lenses”. In order to achieve this flatness, the QDs are terminated by high-index bounding facets on low-index substrates and vice versa. Our results will be summarized in comparison with the existing literature.     

Molecular imprinting in ultrathin titania gel films via surface sol-gel process

Recent progresses of molecular imprinting in metal oxide matrices were summarized. Application of the surface sol-gel process to mixtures of organic carboxylic acids and titanium alkoxide provides ultrathin layers of titania gel (10-20 nm thick), in which molecule-sized cavities are kept intact upon removal of the organic templates. The imprinted cavity reflects the structural and functional features of the template molecule, and the enantioselective imprinting of dipeptide isomers is observed. Robustness and flexibility of the ultrathin titania layer is demonstrated by the formation of interconnected titania hollow structures. Possible practical applications and unsolved problems of this technique are discussed.     

A molecular modelling study of the interaction of noradrenaline with theβ 2-adrenergic receptor

Summary A model of the ₂-adrenergic receptor binding site is built from the primary structure of the receptor, experimental evidence for key binding residues and analogy with a homologous protein of partially determined structure. It is suggested that residues Trp-109, Thr-110 and Asp-113 are involved in ligand binding. Noradrenaline is successfully docked into this model, and the results of an INDO molecular orbital calculation on the complex indicate that a charge transfer interaction between Trp-109 and noradrenaline is possible.     

A molecular dynamics study of the pentacyclo-undecane cage amino acid tripeptide

In this paper, we report on the conformational profile of the pentacyclo-undecane (PCU) cage tripeptide carried out by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation using water as an explicit solvent. The MD solution phase studies carried on the model peptide analogues (A)=Ac–Ala–Ala–Ala–NHMe; (B)=Ac–Cage–Cage–Cage–NHMe; (C)=Ac–Ala–Cage–Ala–NHMe and (D)=Ac–Ala–Pro–Ala–NHMe, are used as a complimentary technique to the corresponding gas phase simulated annealing (SA) study previously carried out in our laboratory. No significant structural changes were observed over the MD trajectories. However, the results reported here provide further evidence that the (PCU) cage amino acid exhibits C_7eq, C_7aq, _R and _L conformations, and the theoretical results suggest that the PCU cage amino acid is a strong β-turn inducer. These results support the prediction that when the PCU cage residues are in the (i) and (i+2) positions, the β-turn can be extended in either direction to form anti-parallel β-pleated sheets, thereby forming the basis of the mechanism for the folding back of the chain in a cross-β-turn structure.     

Chiral separation of 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol and its analogue on molecular imprinting monolithic columns by HPLC

Two molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) monolithic columns with (S)-(-)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol and (R)-(+)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol as the templating molecules, respectively, have been prepared by in situ polymerization using 4-vinylpyridine and ethylene dimethacrylate as functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. The columns with good flow-through properties were obtained by changing the molar ratio of the functional monomer and the template molecule. The effects of mobile-phase composition on separation of enantiomers were systematically investigated. The results indicate that hydrophobic interaction in aqueous solution and hydrogen-bonding interaction in ACN between the enantiomers and polymers could play important roles in the retention and resolution. The effects of chromatographic conditions, such as flow rate, column temperature, sample loading, on the enantioseparation were also studied. Further, these two MIP columns show a cross-reactivity.     

聚N—异丙基丙烯酰胺溶液的温度依赖关系

用自由基聚合法合成了聚Ｎ－异丙基丙烯酰胺（ＰＮＩＰＡＡＭ）样品，用乌氏粘度计考查了该聚合物的四氢呋喃（ＴＨＦ）溶液和水溶液的粘度与温度的依赖关系。发现ＰＮＩＰＡＡＭ－ＴＨＦ体系的特性粘数随温度升高而增大，ＰＮＩＰＡＡＭ－Ｈ２Ｏ体系的特性粘数－温度曲线表现出较为复杂的变化规律。并用实验确定的特性粘数对合成样品的分子量进行了表征Ｍｎ＝８．４４×１０＾５ｇ·ｍｏｌ＾－１。     

IMPACT PROPERTIES OF METALLOCENE - CATALYZED ETHYLENE-α-OLEFIN COPOLYMERS

The impact properties of two selected metallocene-catalyzed ethylene-butene copolymers and one conventionalcopolymer were evaluated using Izod impact test. It is found that the metallocene-catalyzed copolymer shows superior impactproperties. This result was explained on the basis of the more homogeneous inter-molecular composition distribution andnarrower molecular weight distribution, which leads to more homogeneous morphology with fewer defects. Stepwisecrystallization improves the impact properties, especially in the crack propagation process, to a large extent. This is due to thedecrease of entanglements by stepwise crystallization, which is advantageous for the chain slip and shear. The polymer withheterogeneous intra-molecular composition distribution exhibits a more evident improvement of impact properties understepwise crystallization.     

Synthesis and in Vitro Evaluation of N-[[4-[2-(Carboxyl)-1-Cycloalken-1-yl]Phenyl]Methyl]Imidazoles as Nonpeptide Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists

A series of nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists was synthesized via palladium-assisted cross coupling of aryl stannane and cycloalkenyl triflates and subsequent alkylation of silyl-protected imidazole. Our compounds, which have a terminal five- to seven-membered cycloalkenyl ring, are compared to DuPont EXP7711, an N-[(2′-carboxybiphenylyl)methyl]imidazole, which has a terminal phenyl moiety. Physicochemical properties of the compounds, such as lipophilicity, steric bulk, conformation, and the relative spatial proximity of the 2-carboxyl and the middle phenyl, are quantitated by computational chemistry. Potency in terms of binding affinity to AT₁ receptors in rat adrenal glomerulosa and rabbit aorta is maximized when the terminal ring is aromatic.     

N,N,N′-Trialkyl-1,8-diaminonaphthalenes: convenient method of preparation from protonated proton sponges and the first X-ray information

A simple procedure for the synthesis of N,N,N′-trialkyl-1,8-diaminonaphthalenes is described. It consists in partial demethylation (dealkylation) of commercially available proton sponge [1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene] and some of its derivatives at heating with HBr-KI-DMF system. Limitation, scope and a possible mechanistic pathway for the reaction are discussed. For isomeric 8-dimethylamino-1-methylamino- and 1-dimethylamino-8-methylamino-4-nitronaphthalenes, X-ray measurements have been conducted. The first examples of complete realkylation reactions in the naphthalene proton sponges are reported.     

Photoelectron Spectra of Nonmetal Compounds and Their Interpretation by MO Models

The results of (low energy) photoelectron spectroscopy render possible a better appreciation of the “Nature of the Chemical Bond”. The application of this new experimental method is demonstrated utilizing representative compounds of the nonmetal elements, and a close symbiosis delineated with molecular orbital models. In particular, general consequences are discussed concerning electron deficiency, σ- and π-interactions, electron pair delocalization, and substituent effects or geometric perturbations. Photoelectron spectroscopic ionization energies permit evaluation of parameters for specified molecular groups, allow correlation with numerous other experimental data, and are didactically valuable in the teaching of general chemistry.