Accurate Gaussian basis sets for the H2O molecule generated with the molecular improved generator coordinate Hartree–Fock method

The molecular improved generator coordinate Hartree–Fock (MIGCHF) method is used to generate accurate basis sets of primitive Gaussian-type functions for the H₂O molecule. Sequences of increasing size atom centered basis sets are employed to explore the accuracy that can be achieved with this method. Using the O(24s14p8d5f2g1h);H(22s9p5d2f1g) basis set, the HF and second-order electron correlation energies of the H₂O ground state at the experimental geometry are computed as −76.0674680 and −0.3491935 hartree, respectively. The HF energy is in error by 20 μhartree and the second-order correlation energy corresponds to 96.5% of an estimate of the limiting value. The relevance of the present calculations is to show the accuracy that can be achieved in studies of small polyatomic molecules with the MIGCHF method.     

Synthesis of novel analogs of aromatic peptide nucleic acids (APNAs) with modified conformational and electrostatic properties

Aromatic peptide nucleic acid analogs having an N-(2-aminobenzyl)glycine backbone (APNA 1) were previously identified as promising new leads for the design of polyaromatic DNA mimics. Structural modifications of 1, which lock the aromatic backbone into a unique conformation, while maintaining the same space distribution between the nucleobases as in 1, were investigated. The electrostatic potential of the aromatic backbone was also modified in an attempt to improve the solubility of these compounds in aqueous media and to evaluate how the quadrapole of the aromatic backbone may influence the biophysical properties of the APNA oligomers. PNA hexamers containing a single monomer insert of each new APNA monomer were used to explore the hybridization properties of these analogs with poly rA and poly dA. Preliminary results indicated that these modifications do not seriously alter the molecular recognition properties of APNAs towards DNA and RNA.     

Tetramethyldisilan-1,2-diyl-verbrückte Dicyclopentadienyl-und Diindenylmetalldichloride der 4. Gruppe – Kristallstruktur von

Tetramethyldisilane-1,2-diyl bridged Dicyclopentadienyl and Diindenyl Metal Dichlorides of the Group 4 Metals – Crystal Structure of Dicyclopentadienyl and diindenyl metal dichlorides of the type Cp′? SiMe₂SiMe₂? Cp′MCl₂ (Cp′ = C₅H₄, M = Ti ( 1 ), Zr ( 2 ), Hf ( 3 ); Cp′ = C₉H₇, M = Zr ( 4 ), Hf ( 5 )) were synthesized and characterized by means of their ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si-n.m.r., MS, and IR spectra. The crystal structure of 2 was determined.     

Characterization and separation of Al13 species using gel-filtration chromatography

A polyaluminum chloride (PAC) sample was prepared using a slow alkaline titration method. The Bio-Gel P-100 gel column chromatographic technique was used to separate and characterize the various forms of aluminum present in the prepared PAC solution. The effluents from a gel column were monitored using online chemical method: Al-Ferron timed complexation spectrophotometry and by ²⁷Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Effects of different experimental conditions such as eluent flow rate, ionic strength and pH on separation of Al₁₃ were investigated. Experimental results indicated that molecule size exclusion was not the only parameter affecting the column chromatographic separation efficiency of Al₁₃ but molecule charge as well. Reducing the eluent flow rate, increasing the ionic strength and suitable pH resulted in increase in the separation efficiency. Experimental results clearly indicated that by varying the experimental conditions, it is possible to produce pure Al₁₃ species using a gel column chromatographic technique.     

Acetylation and molecular mass effects on barrier and mechanical properties of shortfin squid chitosan membranes

Chitosan samples with different N-deacetylation levels were obtained from β-chitin under heterogeneous alkali conditions. Oxidative depolymerisation was performed to attain low-acetylated chitosan samples with different molecular mass. Water vapour permeability, membrane swelling and tensile mechanical properties were analysed in plasticized self-supporting chitosan membranes. The main purpose was to describe unambigously the effect of the biopolymer molecular mass and acetylation degree on these properties. Commercially available chitosan samples derived from α-chitin were also studied for comparison. The equilibrium degree of swelling in water and the water vapour permeability increase by increasing the molecular mass or the degree of acetylation. Regarding the effect on the mechanical properties, generally harder and tougher membranes were obtained for chitosans with higher molecular mass or lower acetylation degree. These observations are tentatively explained based on the different structural characteristics of the polymer and can lead to a better understanding of the tools necessary to tailor a specific type of chitosan membrane.     

Effects of polystyrene-encapsulated magnesium hydroxide on rheological and flame-retarding properties of HIPS composites

In this study, polystyrene (PS)-encapsulated magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) was successfully prepared by in situ polymerization of styrene on the surface of Mg(OH)₂ in a high-speed mixer. A large amount of PS chemically bonded on Mg(OH)₂ surface was confirmed by means of FT-IR, TGA and SEM. A series of composites of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) were prepared by melt blending in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The effects of PS-encapsulated filler on the properties of HIPS composites were studied by SEM, rheology and combustion tests (horizontal burning tests and cone calorimetry). The dispersion and adhesion patterns of PS-encapsulated Mg(OH)₂ in HIPS matrix were investigated through FT-IR and SEM. The experimental results demonstrated that comparing to the composites containing untreated filler, the rheological and flame retardant properties of those containing PS-encapsulated filler were found to be significantly improved. This improvement is mostly attributed to a better dispersion of the encapsulated filler and a strong adhesion between the filler and matrix.     

Thermal investigation of iron(III) and manganese(II,III) complexes of dianils derived from 6-formylkhellin

Manganese and iron complexes of Schiff bases derived from 6-formylkhellin were prepared and characterized. Complexes of o-phenylenediamine derivative (ligand (I)) are monomeric or dimeric whereas those of p-phenylenediamine derivative (ligand (II)) are polymeric. The complexes obtained are characterized by a lower magnetic moment values. The complexes also have different solvent of crystallization with different nature of interaction. The thermal behaviour of the ligands and their metal complexes was investigated by means of DTA, TG, IR and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Ligand (I) shows different thermal behaviour from that of ligands (II) and (III). The complexes of ligand (II) give abnormal oxides as a final product during their thermal decomposition. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of dipole moment in the ground and excited state by experimental and theoretical methods of N-nonyl acridine orange

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of N-nonyl acridine orange are determined at room temperature (298 K) in cyclohexane, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, chlorobenzene and dichloromethane. The ground state of dipole moment was obtained by impedance measurements using Guggenheim-Debeye's method. The experimental excited state dipole moment of N-nonyl acridine orange was determined using Bakhshiev's and Kawski-Chamma-Viallet's formulae and solvent polarity parameter proposed by Reichardt. These experimental results were completed with theoretical results using quantum chemical methods. The experimental (muexp=10.76 D) and theoretical (mucal=9.9 D) dipole moments in the ground and excited state (muexp*=14.56 D) were compared.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted isoxazolidines via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of α-2-methoxyaryl nitrones with nitrostyrenes and chalcones have been investigated. The regiochemistry and stereochemistry of the resultant cycloadducts have been determined with the help of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. β-Nitrostyrenes add to nitrones to give two geometrical isomers, while the β-methyl-β-nitrostyrene gives a single isomer in relatively low yield. The chalcones give a single cycloadduct upon 1,3-dipolar addition.