Linear and non-linear optical properties of 2,5-disubstituted pyrroles supported by a catalyst-free SiO2 sonogel network

The preparation and optical characterization of pyrrole based sol-gel hybrid materials generated by ultrasonic irradiation (Sonogel composites) are presented in this work. Pyrrole compounds were recently synthesized in our group by a modification of the Schulte-Reisch reaction; these molecular systems were dissolved at different concentrations in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and optimally embedded into a catalyst-free SiO₂ sonogel network. For this purpose, we exploited the novel catalyst-free (CF) sonolysis route to produce highly pure sol-gel glasses, generated via sonochemical reactions. This approach has been recently developed in our research group and has been successfully implemented to develop several hybrid composites for optical applications. By this method, homogeneous and stable solid-state hybrid samples suitable for optical characterization can be produced. The high porosity exhibited by the sonogel matrix allowed us to prepare several pyrrole doped composites with variable dopant concentration. The linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of these amorphous hybrid structures were determined by absorption- and photoluminescent (PL)-spectroscopies, and by the optical third harmonic generation (THG) techniques, respectively. The implemented catalyst-free sonolysis route produced SiO₂-host networks of high chemical and optical purity, suitable for optical and photonic applications.     

Additional synthesis on thiophene-containing trisubstituted methanes (TRSMs) as inhibitors of M. tuberculosis and 3D-QSAR studies

Abstract

We earlier reported thiophene-containing trisubstituted methanes (TRSMs) as novel cores carrying anti-tubercular activity, and identified S006-830 as the phenotypic lead with potent bactericidal activity against single- and multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). In this work, we carried out additional synthesis of several TRSMs. The reaction scheme essentially followed the Grignard reaction and Friedel–Crafts alkylation, followed by insertion of a dialkylaminoethyl chain. We also performed microbiological evaluations including in vitro screening against the virulent strain M. tb H37Rv, cytotoxicity assessment in the Vero C-1008 cell line, and 3D-QSAR studies with comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA). CoMFA and CoMSIA models yielded good statistical results in terms of q² and r² values, suggesting the validity of the models. It was concluded that a para-substituted benzene ring with bulkier electron-donating groups and aminoalkyl chains are required for higher inhibitory capacity against M. tuberculosis. We believe that these insights will rationally guide the design of newer, optimal, TRSMs.     

Classical study of and collisions in intense laser fields

In this paper, ion-atom and ion-ion collisions in the presence of intense laser fields are qualitatively studied by Classical Trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) simulations. It is found that in contrast to the field-free collisions, the colliding ion and the target nucleus could absorb energy from the applied laser fields when the electrons escape from the collision system. This result is explained in terms of Coulomb explosion induced by the enhanced ionization at the so-called critical internuclear distance. Also, the corresponding energy gain cross-sections are evaluated. Received: 7 October 1998 / Received in final form: 28 January 1999     

Formation of ordered micro-porous membranes

Regular micro-porous polymeric membranes have recently been discovered by rapidly evaporating a solution of CS₂ containing poly(p-phenylene)-block-polystyrene [#!ref1!#]. 1,2-dichloroethane (a chlorated solvent in which polystyrene gel phase has never been observed) is also found to produce ordered structures, which definitively excludes eventual effect of the gelation process during the membrane formation. The observation of the solution surface during the solvent evaporation reveals the growing of micron-sized water droplets trapped at the surface and forming compact aggregates. The study of the solution/water interface shows that the water droplets profile is in agreement with the pore shape observed in the membranes. Moreover, the copolymer was found to precipitate at the interface, forming a layer encapsulating the droplets and preventing their coalescence. In that way, the final structure results from the droplets stacking under the action of large surface currents. Finally, we argue that the decisive element in the formation of ordered structures is the ability of the polymer to precipitate at the solution/water interface, which seems to be related the star-polymer microstructure. Received: 18 August 1998     

Infrared-laser-pulse control of bond- and state-selective excitation, dissociation and space quantization: application to a three-dimensional model of HONO2 in the ground electronic state

Selective control over the vibrational excitation and space quantization of the dissociation fragments by optimally designed linearly polarized and shaped infrared (IR) laser pulses of the picosecond (ps) and subpicosecond duration is demonstrated by means of quantum-dynamical simulations within the Schr?dinger wave-function formalism for a three-dimensional (3-D) model of HONO₂ in the ground electronic state, wherein the OH and the ON single-bond stretches are explicitly treated, together with the bending angle between them, on the basis of the ab initio defined 3-D potential-energy surface and dipole function. The high-lying zeroth-order vibrational states of the OH bond are prepared selectively both below and above the dissociation threshold of the ON single bond, and demonstrate a quasi-periodic oscillatory behaviour, manifesting intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) on the picosecond timescale. Selective breakage of the ON single bond in HONO₂ with more than 97% probability is demonstrated, along with control of the space quantization of the dissociation fragments: the OH fragments rotating clockwise, OH(c), and anticlockwise, OH(a), are prepared selectively, with the OH(a)/OH(c) branching ratio being as high as 10.975. The results obtained show that optimally designed strong and short IR-laser pulses can compete against IVR and manipulate vibrational excitation and dissociation of polyatomic molecules. Received: 3 November 1999 / Published online: 13 July 2000     

Controlling geometric and electronic properties of highly ordered CuPc thin films

Geometric and electronic properties of ordered copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin films grown on hydrogen- and antimony-passivated Si(1 1 1) surfaces have been studied using near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and photoemission spectroscopy. The H- and Sb-passivations of vicinal Si surfaces resulted in different molecular orientations in thick films, namely upright and near lying molecules, respectively. In the absence of the vicinality, the molecules on the Sb-passivated surface changed towards upright orientation. The work function of the films was monitored during the growth and correlated with the molecular orientation.     

Angle-resolved photoemission of chain-like molecules: the electronic band structure of sexithiophene and sexiphenyl

Here we report the electronic π-band structure of sexithiophene obtained from 6T(010) oriented films. The angle-resolved valence band photoemission results taken parallel and perpendicular to the molecular axis are compared to those of sexiphenyl and interpreted in terms of intra- and inter-molecular band dispersion. We show that the strong photoemission intensity variations with emission angle parallel to the molecular axis are well reproduced by the Fourier transforms of the molecular orbitals of the isolated molecules. These results imply that ARUPS can yield quite detailed information about molecular geometry, both in terms of molecular orientation and internal structure.     

Anion Mass Spectrometry Study of Ion-Pair Photodissociation of CO2 in the XUV Energy 19.70-22.24eV

We demonstrate anion mass spectrometry using the Hefei synchrotron radiation source to investigate the ion-pair dissociation processes of molecules. The efficiency curve of the O^- anionic product via ion-pair dissociations of CO2 is recorded with tunable extreme vacuum ultraviolet photons （energy： 19.70-22.24 eV） and compared with the spectrum available in the literature. The possible dynamics of CO2 ＋ hv → CO^＋＋ O^- in this energy range is discussed.     

Structural Deformation of CO22+ in Intense Femtosecond Laser Fields

The angular distributions of CO^＋ from the dissociation of CO2^2＋ and CO2^＋ in intense femtosecond laser fields （45 fs, about 5 × 10^15 W/cm^2） are studied at a laser wavelength of 800nm based on the time-of-flight mass spectra of CO^＋ fragment ions. The experimental results show that structural deformation occurs in the charge state of CO2^2＋ and the CO^＋ maintains linear geometrical structure.     

Photodissociation Efficiency Spectroscopy Study of the Rydberg Excited Ion-Pair States of Carbon Dioxide

Photodissociation efficiency spectrum of anionic oxygen atom produced via ion-pair dissociations of carbon dioxide is recorded by means of the synchrotron radiation excitation （XUV photon energy 17.40-20.00eV）. The present spectrum is assigned as the Rydberg-like excited ion-pair states, i.e., Tanaka-Ogawa and Henning series, -↑C^2∑g^＋ （CO2^＋） vibrational ground-state and excitation series. Three Rydberg series, npσu, npπu, and nfu, converging to -↑C^2∑g^＋ （0, 0, 0）, show the higher cross sections.