Host-guest interactions in the supramolecular incorporation of fullerenes into tailored holes on porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticles in molecular photovoltaics

Novel gold nanoparticles modified with a mixed self-assembled monolayer of porphyrin alkanethiol and short-chain alkanethiol were prepared (first step) to examine the size and shape effects of surface holes (host) on porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticles. The porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticles with a size of about 10 nm incorporated C60 molecules (guest) into the large, bucket-shaped holes, leading to the formation of a supramolecular complex of porphyrin-C60 composites (second step). Large composite clusters with a size of 200-400 nm were grown from the supramolecular complex of porphyrin-C60 composites in mixed solvents (third step) and deposited electrophoretically onto nanostructured SnO2 electrodes (fourth step). Differences in the porphyrin:C60 ratio were found to affect the structures and photoelectrochemical properties of the composite clusters in mixed solvents as well as on the SnO2 electrodes. The photoelectrochemical performance of a photoelectrochemical device consisting of SnO2 electrodes modified with the porphyrin-C60 composites was enhanced relative to a reference system with small, wedged-shaped surface holes on the gold nanoparticle. Time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy with fluorescence lifetime measurements suggest the occurrence of ultrafast electron transfer from the porphyrin excited singlet states to C60 or the formation of a partial charge-transfer state in the composite clusters of supramolecular complexes formed between porphyrin and C60 leading to efficient photocurrent generation in the system. Elucidation of the relationship between host-guest interactions and photoelectrochemical function in the present system will provide valuable information on the design of molecular devices and machines including molecular photovoltaics.     

Characterization of mesoporous nanocrystalline TiO2 photocatalysts synthesized via a sol-solvothermal process at a low temperature

Nanocrystalline TiO₂ samples with mesoporous structure were prepared via a solvothermal treatment of surfactant-stabilized TiO₂ sols. The samples were obtained from media of different acidities including nitric acid, deionized water, and ammonia (denoted as HT-1, HT-2 and HT-3, respectively). These samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N₂-sorption (BET surface area), micro-Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activities of the samples were tested by the self-photosensitized degradation of an azo dye, Mordant Yellow 10 (MY), in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The results reveal that all three samples have high surface area and are pure anatase phase. The sample prepared in nitric acid medium possesses the most ideal mesoporous structure and also exhibits a blue shift in the Raman spectrum. All three samples show much higher photocatalytic activity than the commercial P-25. The activity order of the three samples is HT-1>HT-2>HT-3.     

Synthesis of new axially dissymmetric ligand with large perfluoroalkyl groups

A new axially dissymmetric ligand with large perfluoroalkyl groups, 2,2′-bis(1-hydroxy-1H-perfluorooctyl)biphenyl (1c), which could not be obtained by the coupling reaction of the aryl bromide using copper powder, was synthesized successfully by the coupling reaction using Ni(COD)₂. This ligand showed much higher asymmetric induction in the reaction of diethylzinc with benzaldehyde than the trifluoromethyl (1a) or pentafluoroethyl (1b) analogues.     

Microarray-based in vitro evaluation of DNA oligomer libraries designed in silico.

We report on the microarray-based in vitro evaluation of two libraries of DNA oligonucleotide sequences, designed in silico for applications in supramolecular self-assembly, such as DNA computing and DNA-based nanosciences. In this first study which is devoted to the comparison of sequence motif properties theoretically predicted with their performance in real-life, the DNA-directed immobilization (DDI) of proteins was used as an example of DNA-based self-assembly. Since DDI technologies, DNA computing, and DNA nanoconstruction essentially depend on similar prereguisites, in particular, large and uniform hybridization efficiencies combined with low nonspecific cross-reactivity between individual sequences, we anticipate that the microarray approach demonstrated here will enable rapid evaluation of other DNA sequence libraries.     

Racemization in stepwise solid-phase peptide synthesis at elevated temperatures

The present work is an attempt to assess racemization in stepwise solid-phase peptide synthesis at elevated temperatures (SPPS-ET), a high-speed approach in which peptide elongation occurs at 55-75 °C. This attempt was based on the notion that a high propensity for this side reaction would hamper employment of this alternative approach and would dampen interest in its further development. Simple peptide models were synthesized using customized protocols for classical SPPS or SPPS-ET. Systematic analyses of the resulting crude peptides by reversed-phase HPLC, ion-exchange HPLC, capillary electrophoresis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed low diastereomeric byproduct contents. These results indicate that, from the standpoint of racemization, classical SPPS and SPPS-ET protocols were equivalent. Therefore, further studies employing SPPS-ET protocols are justified.     

Cyclic Voltammetric Study of the Oxidation of Catechols in the Presence of Cyanide Ion

Electrochemical oxidation of catechols has been studied in the presence of cyanide ion as nucleophile in aqueous solution, by means of cyclic voltammetry and controlled‐potential coulometry. The results indicate that the participation of catechols in the Michael reaction with cyanide ion to form the corresponding o‐dihydroxybenzonitrile. Based on an EC mechanism, the homogeneous rate constants were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammetric responses with the digital simulated results.     

Investigation of glow discharge plasma for surface modification of polypropylene

Material surface properties of polymers, plastics, ceramics and textiles can be modified by atmospheric or low‐pressure glow discharge plasma. The aim of the present work is to study the surface modification of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film in order to improve its hydrophilic and wetting properties. In this article we used low‐pressure, low‐temperature oxygen plasma for the surface treatment of BOPP. Scanning electron microscopy indicates that plasma treatment causes mainly physical changes by creating microcraters and roughness on the surface and increasing surface friction. Attenuated total reflectance infrared spectra show oxygen‐containing groups such as ? OH at 3513 cm^?1 and C?O at 1695 cm^?1. Microscopic investigations of water droplets on BOPP (treated, untreated) show that the interfacial adhesion of treated surfaces is increased. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

两个Pd(II)的异亚硝基乙酰丙酮亚胺配合物的合成和表征

合成了两个异亚硝基乙酰丙酮亚胺Pd(II)配合物，Pd(o-BrC_6H_4-IAI)_2 (1) 和Pd(C_6H_5CH_2-IAI)_2 (2)（IAI = isonitrosoacetylacetoneimino），用IR和 Raman光谱对两个配合物进行了表征，并测定了配合物1的晶体结构。配合物1晶体 属单斜晶系，空间群为P2_1/c，晶胞参数：a = 0.8013(2) nm，b = 1.8775(4) nm，c = 0.7905(2) nm，β = 98.22(3)°，V = 1.1770(5) nm~3，Z = 2，D_c = 1.892 g·cm~(-3)，F(000) = 656，R = 0.0663。在这两个配合物中，二齿 Schiff碱配体的异亚硝基（肟基）的N原子和亚胺的N原子与Pd(II)配位，形成反式 的PdN_4平面正方形配位构型。     

Synthesis of Thiourea Derivatives on Soluble Polymeric Support

A modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been developed as the soluble polymeric supports for liquid phase synthesis of novel thiourea derivatives.In each step of the sequence,the PEG-bound products were precipitated in cold Et2O and the unreacted materials and by-products were removed by simple filtration.The progress of reaction,purity of the isolation and the structure of the PEG-bound products were easily monitored by TLC,IR and ^1H NMR spectra.Representative thiourea derivatives were obtained in moderate yields with excellent purity from this modified PEG-bound product by the cleavage with 50% TFA/H2O.     

{(MesGa)3[GaP(H)Mes](PMes)4}, Ein phosphorsubstituiertes Ga?P-Heterocuban

{(MesGa)₃[GaP(H)Mes](PMes)₄}, a Phosphorus-substituted Ga? P-Heterocubane A mixture of MesGaCl₂/GaCl₃ (ratio 3:1) reacts with 5 equivalents of MesPLi₂ in THF at ?78°C to the title compound {(MesGa)₃[GaP(H)Mes](PMes)₄} ( 1 ) by use of the “dilution principle”. 1 can be obtained in 30% yield. Recrystallization of 1 from DME and toluene, respectively, gives 1 · 0.5 DME and 1 · toluene. 1 was characterized by NMR-, IR-, and MS-techniques. According to the X-ray structure determination of 1 · toluene, 1 has a heterocubane structure, one corner of which is substituted with an P(H)Mes group.