Multichromophoric π‐Conjugation: Modular Design for Gated and Cascade Energy Transfer

Multichromophore arrays allow for cascade energy transfer. As an isoelectronic analogue of indacenyl, bis(triazolo)benzene features a fused tricyclic skeleton that rigidly places two π‐extended triazoles in close proximity. Such triazole‐based fluorophores behave as electronically independent modules in the ground states, but become tightly coupled upon photoexcitation for highly efficient excitation energy transfer (EET) that can be gated by external stimuli. Taking this donor–acceptor fluorophore system a step further, we have designed and implemented a cascade EET. Here, the initial excitation takes part in a circular relay to arrive at the longest‐wavelength emitting site as the final destination. Modularly constructed triazoloarenes should serve as versatile platforms for chemically controlled optical signaling.     

New insights into the extraction of uranium(VI) by an N,N-dialkylamide

This paper presents the methodology developed in order to thoroughly characterise a solvent extraction system containing high solute concentrations. The chemical system selected is N,N-(2-ethylhexyl)isobutyramide (DEHiBA) diluted in one alkane with increasing concentration of uranium(VI). Combining experiments with theoretical calculations allowed a deeper understanding of the extraction mechanism. A thermodynamic study was performed by the classical van't Hoff method and also by direct calorimetry to provide the enthalpies of extraction and specific heats. Dedicated methods like vapour pressure osmometry and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry analysis provide information about the stoichiometry of the extracted species. Spectroscopic investigations with ultraviolet–visible and Fourier transform infrared probed the uranium coordination. Finally, a combination of molecular dynamics simulations, and small and wide-angle X-ray scattering experiments investigated the organisation in the organic phase beyond the molecular scale. It was shown that the high concentrations of uranium extracted have no influence on the stoichiometry of the complexes and the coordination of uranium in the inner sphere. The thermodynamic properties related to the extraction process and obtained with a fine consideration of the activity coefficients showed to be the same as those found with trace concentration. However, an unexpected organisation beyond the molecular scale was observed with an important role of nitrates as bridging ligands which could explain some physico-chemical properties. This approach could be applied to other chemical systems (other N,N-dialkylamides or other cations) to identify the origin of the different affinities between ligands and the difference of selectivity between cations.     

On modifying properties of polymeric melts by nanoscopic particles

We study geometric and energetic factors that partake in modifying properties of polymeric melts via inserting well‐dispersed nanoscopic particles (NP). Model systems are cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene melts including a single atomic clusters of size varied in the range 10–150 atoms (3–7 Å in radius; 0.1–1.5% v/v). We modify the interactions between the chains and the particle by tuning attractive van der Waals interactions. Using molecular dynamics, we study equilibrium fluctuations and dynamical properties at the interface. The NPs move in the polymer matrix in two different regimes corresponding to trapped and free diffusion, depending on the NP size. Furthermore, degree of crowding around the NP by the polymer chains is quantified. Effect of NP size and interaction strength both on volume and volumetric fluctuations is manifested in mechanical properties, quantified here by bulk modulus, K. Tuning NP size and nonbonded interactions results in ～15% enhancement in K by addition of a maximum of 1.5% v/v NP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012     

Probing the Structure of Lysozyme–Carbon‐Nanotube Hybrids with Molecular Dynamics

Lysozyme has been successfully used to solvate carbon nanotubes (CNT). Extensive molecular dynamics simulations show that 1) a favorite site of adsorption exists, 2) the protein–tube interaction region is located far from the active site, 3) two protein helices act as a tweezer that grips the nanotube, 4) a localized protein re‐arrangement hides the tube from the solvent, and 5) aminic and amidic moieties of lysozyme behave similarly to surfactants in the solvation of the tube.     

CPMD Simulation of a Bimolecular Chemical Reaction: Nucleophilic Attack of a Disulfide Bond under Mechanical Stress

Previous single‐molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments showed a change in the reactivity of a bimolecular substitution reaction with a definite force acting on a protein containing disulfide bonds. Using Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations, we analyse the relevant reaction pathways for the breaking of a disulfide bond in the presence of nucleophiles.     

FHIT-Substrate Complexes: a New Paradigm in Reversible Protein Phosphorylation

Fhit is a tumor suppressor protein encoded at the most fragile site in the human genome that is inactivated by genetic deletions early in the development of many cancers. A member of the Histidine Triad (HIT) superfamily of nucleotide-binding proteins, Fhit binds diadenosine triphosphate (ApppA) and cleaves it to produce AMP + ADP. The His96Asn mutation of Fhit, which reduces k_cat by more than a million-fold, does not reduce tumor suppressor activity in a nude mouse assay. Thus, genetic and biochemical evidence suggest that ApppA binding but not cleavage is required for tumor suppression. Crystal structures of Fhit bound to a nonhydrolyzable ApppA analog revealed that Fhit binds two substrates per dimer, presenting all of the phosphates and two of the adenosines on the surface of the protein in place of a deep, positively charged groove in the empty Fhit protein dimer. It is proposed that signaling by Fhit is mediated by presentation of nucleotide substrates to cytosolic effectors.     

Spectroscopy of Hafnium Monohalides

The modern intracavity laser method has been applied to study electronic spectra of the hafnium monohalides molecules. Results of new investigation of HfF and HfBr molecules are presented: the bands at 589.3, 590.6, and 593.1 nm observed in intracavity laser spectra of HfF₄ have been assigned to the bands of HfF or ionized HfF; new molecular constants of the HfBr molecule have been obtained. Spectroscopic studies of HfCl and Hfl molecules are discussed, and the most reliable molecular constants of HfCl, HfBr, and Hfl molecules are recommended.     

锶原子互组跃迁荧光探测系统的研制

锶原子单态和三重态间的互组跃迁(5s2)1S0-(5s5p)3P1辐射率远小于一般的电偶极跃迁,共振跃迁荧光信号微弱。介绍了一种应用于探测该互组跃迁荧光谱的直流偏置探测器。该探测器选用极低输入偏置电流运算放大器作为前置放大,具有信噪比高、增益高、偏置可调等优点。此探测器探测增益为106 V/W量级,-3dB带宽为1MHz。实验中利用该探测器对锶原子互组跃迁(5s2)1S0-(5s5p)3P1微弱共振荧光进行探测,获得信噪比很好的共振荧光谱,且无直流偏置,并由此获得高信噪比的鉴频曲线。应用该探测器观测到了饱和荧光谱线以及对应的鉴频曲线,可用于689nm激光锁频,应用于锶光钟系统。