Crystal Structure and Solution Behavior of a Novel Enantiopure Helical Coordination Polymer Based on Binaphthyl-bisbipyridine Ligand

An enantiopure helical coordination polymer AgPF6·(R)-3 as crystalline solid was synthesized by the self-assembly of chiral binaphthyl-based ligand(R)-6,6'-di[6-(2,2'-bipyridyl)]-2,2'-diethoxyl-1,1'-binaphthalene [(R)-3] and Ag+ ion.The single crystal structural analysis indicates that this polymer exhibits an infinite cylindric single-stranded M-helical structure with local Λ configuration at each tetrahedral metal center.However,the extended structure is dissociated into some oligomeric fragments in solution.The 1H NMR spectra of complex AgPF6·(R)-3 show that the ligand possesses a good C2 symmetry,and the chemical shifts of the protons depend on the concentration and temperature.In addition,there are rapid dynamic exchanges among some oligonuclear fragments in the solution of AgPF6·(R)-3.     

A Novel Anti-Inflammatory d-Peptide Inhibits Disease Phenotype Progression in an ALS Mouse Model

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterised by selective neuronal death in the brain stem and spinal cord. The cause is unknown, but an increasing amount of evidence has firmly certified that neuroinflammation plays a key role in ALS pathogenesis. Neuroinflammation is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders and has been implicated as driver of disease progression. Here, we describe a treatment study demonstrating the therapeutic potential of a tandem version of the well-known all-d-peptide RD2 (RD2RD2) in a transgenic mouse model of ALS (SOD1*G93A). Mice were treated intraperitoneally for four weeks with RD2RD2 vs. placebo. SOD1*G93A mice were tested longitudinally during treatment in various behavioural and motor coordination tests. Brain and spinal cord samples were investigated immunohistochemically for gliosis and neurodegeneration. RD2RD2 treatment in SOD1*G93A mice resulted not only in a reduction of activated astrocytes and microglia in both the brain stem and lumbar spinal cord, but also in a rescue of neurons in the motor cortex. RD2RD2 treatment was able to slow progression of the disease phenotype, especially the motor deficits, to an extent that during the four weeks treatment duration, no significant progression was observed in any of the motor experiments. Based on the presented results, we conclude that RD2RD2 is a potential therapeutic candidate against ALS.     

STUDY ON FLUORESCENCE BEHAVIOUR OF EU~(3+) CONTAINING POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)

Fluorimetry has been used to characterize ionomers synthesized by copolymerization ofmethyl mehacrylate, methacrylic acid and europium methacrylate (EMA). Under excita-tion of UV light at 375 nm no seif-quenching was found in fluorescence of EMA containingionomers at 615nm within the concentration range of 1.6×10~(-2) to 11.49×10~(-2) mol%.This means that the distance between two Eu~(3+) ions is larger than 5nm. In the sameconcentration range seif-quenching took place in europium octanoate (EOA) containingpoly(methyl methacrylate) in which EOA was doped as an additive.     

新型大位阻取代茂钛,锆化合物的合成及其谱学性质

通过１－环庚烯基锂与６，６－二烷基富烯发生环外双键的加成反应形成的大取代茂锂试剂与ＭＣｌ４（Ｍ＝Ｔｉ，Ｚｒ）反应，合成了１２个含或不含手性碳的大位阻取代茂金属有机化合物，并研究了它们的１ＨＮＭＲ，ＥＩＭＳ和ＩＲ．     

Effect of Phosphorus Content on Thermal Behaviour of Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol-A/phosphorus Containing Amines

Curing of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) with phosphorus containing amide amines i.e. bis[3(3’-aminobenzamido phenyl)]methyl phosphine oxide (MB),bis[3(4’-aminobenzamido phenyl)]methyl phosphine oxide (PB), tris[3(3’-aminobenzamidophenyl)] phosphine oxide (MT) and tris[3(4’-aminobenzamido phenyl)] phosphine oxide (PT)and conventionally used curing agent 4,4’-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (D) was studied by DSC. The amines MB, PB, MT and PT were synthesised in the laboratory and were characterized by determining elemental composition, melting point, and amine equivalent. Structural characterization was done by ¹H-NMR and FTIR. The onset temperature of curing depended on the nucleophilicity of the amines and was in the orderMT≈MB<PT<PB<D. The exothermic peak temperatures were in the orderD>PB>PT>MT≈MB. The char residue of cured epoxy resin was significantly higher when phosphorus was incorporated in the cured network. Using mixed amine formulations based on amine D and P-containing amines and the molar ratio of these amines could easily control the curing characteristics. A linear relationship between char yield and P-content was observed in such formulations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Studies of structural,dielectric relaxor and electrical characteristics of lead-free double Perovskite:Gd2NiMnO6

In the current communication, structural, microstructural, dielectric, relaxor, impedance, AC conductivity, and electrical modulus characteristics of double perovskite Gd₂NiMnO₆ (synthesized by a solid state reaction route) as a function of temperature (25–125 °C) and frequency (1 kHz–1MHz) have mainly been reported. From preliminary X-ray structural analysis, it is found that the crystal structure of the material is monoclinic. In temperature dependence of dielectric constant analysis, relaxor behaviour of the material was observed. Such type of behaviour is described by modified Curie–Weiss law and a Vogel–Fulcher law. From Nyquist plots, the existence of grain and grain boundary effect in the material is observed. The non–Debye type of relaxation is confirmed from the complex impedance spectroscopy. From the impedance data, the determined grain resistance reduces with increment of temperature showing negative temperature co-efficient of resistance (NTCR)-type nature of the material which also confirmed from conductivity analysis. Again, non-Debye type of relaxation phenomena is observed from the analysis of modulus spectroscopy which is also proved by complex impedance plot. From these result it may be concluded that this material may be used for different high temperature applications.     

Aufbau und Abbau von (NH4)[BF4] und H3N‐BF3

Production and Decomposition of (NH₄)[BF₄] and H₃N‐BF₃ (NH₄)[BF₄] is produced as single crystals during the reaction of elemental boron and NH₄HF₂ (B : NH₄HF₂ = 1 : 2) and NH₄F (B : NH₄F = 1 : 4), respectively, in sealed copper ampoules at 300 °C. The crystal structure (baryte type, orthorhombic, Pnma, Z = 4) was redetermined at ambient temperature (a = 909.73(18), b = 569.77(10), c = 729.47(11) pm, R_all = 0.0361) and at 140 K (a = 887.3(2), b = 574.59(12), c = 717.10(12) pm, R_all = 0.0321). Isolated (NH₄)⁺ and [BF₄]^— tetrahedra are the important building units. The thermal behaviour of (NH₄)[BF₄] was investigated under inert (Ar, N₂) and reactive conditions (NH₃) with the aid of DTA/TG and DSC measurements and with in‐situ X‐ray powder diffraction as well. Finally, (NH₄)[BF₄] is decomposed yielding NH₃ and BF₃, BN is not produced under the current conditions. Colourless single crystals of H₃N‐BF₃ were prepared directly from the components NH₃ and BF₃. The crystal structure was determined anew at 293 and 170 K (orthorhombic, Pbca, Z = 8, a = 815.12(10), b = 805.91(14), c = 929.03(12) pm, R_all = 0.0367; a = 807.26(13), b = 800.48(10), c = 924.31(11) pm, R_all = 0.0292, T = 170 K). The crystal structure contains isolated molecules H₃N‐BF₃ in staggered conformation with a B‐N distance of 158 pm. The thermal behaviour of H₃N‐BF₃ was studied likewise.     

Synthesis and characterization of some Cr(III), Fe(III) and Zr(IV) compounds with substituted o-hydroxy benzophenone

This work presents our data concerning the synthesis and characterization of some Cr(III), Fe(III) and Zr(IV) complexes with substituted (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-phenyl-methanone - C₁₄H₁₂O₃, denoted by (L1). The synthesis of these complex compounds was performed using melted urea as reaction medium. The obtained complexes have been studied by chemical analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Based on the data resulting from the thermal behaviour of the studied complex compounds, the kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition reactions have been determined. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Double Yielding in a Styrene/Butadiene Star Block Copolymer

Summary: The morphology and tensile deformation behaviour of a highly asymmetric styrene/butadiene star block copolymer (polystyrene (PS) content = 74%) containing random PS‐co‐PB (polybutadiene) copolymer as a rubbery phase were investigated. The existence of double yielding, similar to that observed in some semicrystalline polymers, was detected in this nanostructured amorphous polymer. The observed phenomenon may be correlated with two different micromechanical processes taking place at the initial stage of deformation.

The stress‐strain curve of the star block copolymer prepared here (each curve represents a different method). The two yield points are clearly visible (labelled I and II).     

Polarity and steric effect of the lateral substituent on the mesophase behaviour of some newly prepared liquid crystals

Eight homologous series of 2- (or 3-) substituted phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_a–h) were prepared in which, within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies between 6, 8, 10 and 12 carbons, while the other substituent, X, is a laterally attached polar group that alternatively changed from CH₃, H, F, Br and CN. Compounds prepared were characterised by infrared and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and their mesophase behaviour investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and identified by polarised light microscopy. The results were discussed in terms of polarity and steric effects. The stability of the mesophase was correlated once with the dipolar anisotropy of the whole molecule and another with the dipolar anisotropy of the substituent, X. A comparative study was made between the investigated compounds and their previously prepared linear 4-substituted isomers, namely 4-substituted phenyl 4?-(4?-alkoxy phenylazo) benzoates (In_i–k).