Anion control of isomerism, crystal packing and binding properties in a mononuclear zinc complex

The coordination chemistry of the tetradentate pyridyl N-donor ligand cis-3,5-bis-[2-pyridinyleneamin]-trans-hydroxycyclohexane (DDOP) has been investigated with zinc(II) nitrate and triflate. The resulting complexes, [Zn(DDOP)(H₂O)(NO₃)](NO₃) (1), and [Zn(DDOP)(H₂O)(OTf)](OTf) (2) differ not only in their counterions, but also the arrangement of the axial ligands and their solid state hydrogen bonded networks. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to assess the difference in binding properties exhibited by the two zinc complexes at physiological pH in an aqueous environment. A series of coordinating amino acids were found to preferentially bind to the mononuclear zinc triflate (1) complex over the corresponding nitrate (2) assembly, with histidine exhibiting a two centre binding mode.     

Positive ion pair cooperativity exhibited for the binding of phosphate under physiological conditions

The synthesis of a heteroditopic receptor which exhibits positive cooperativity for the binding of phosphate ion pairs under physiological conditions. Optimised complementarity between crown ether host and metal guest leads to increased binding affinity, Ka.     

Novel coordination polymers and structural systematics in the hydrothermal M,M' trans-3(-3-pyridyl)acrylic acid system

The bifunctional ligand trans-3-(3-pyridyl)acrylic acid has been utilized to promote the formation of a novel hetero-metallic [Cu3(C8H6NO2)6Nd2(NO3)6] (1) and two homometallic: [Nd(C8H6NO2)3H2O] (2) and [Cu(C8H6NO2)2] x H2O (3) metal organic framework (MOF) materials. The philosophy here is that a mixture of hard (Nd3+) and softer metal cations will show preference for the carboxylic and pyridyl functional groups, respectively. As such, a 3-D topology 1 has emerged as a stable, heterometallic structure. Efforts to explore structural systematics in this system have led to the synthesis of homometallic end members and hence the formation of a 2-D coordination polymer 2, and a 1-D coordination polymer 3. Presented is an analysis of the effect of a second metal centre on coordination environment, overall structure formation, thermal and luminescence properties.     

Magnetoresistance in point contacts of the Heusler alloy Co2Cr0.6Fe0.4Al

Following a recent report predicting half-metallicity of Co₂Cr_0.6Fe_0.4Al, we have examined point contacts of this material. Large magnetoresistances (up to 80%) have been observed at room temperature in small fields (10 mT). Magnetostriction in these fields is negligible. A spin polarisation of 81% is inferred. Mössbauer spectra show that 90% of the iron is ordered. The magnetisation of the alloy is 3.65μ_B per formula unit, and its Curie temperature is 665 K.     

碱金属钾对Ni基催化剂纤维素水蒸气气化活性的影响

采用两段式催化气化方式研究了生物质热解气化过程中碱金属的挥发对Ni基催化剂活性的影响。实验结果表明,负载K盐的纤维素水蒸气催化气化过程中,K挥发后会在催化剂表面沉积,而少量K的存在和表面沉积不但能够提高镍基催化剂的抗积炭能力,而且有助于提高其催化活性,产生更多的氢气。然而纤维素中K的浓度过大,将会抑制Ni基催化剂的效果;K在催化剂上的沉积随催化剂循环次数的增加而增加,K的含量愈高,对催化剂的抑制效果愈明显,从而缩短了催化剂的使用寿命。     

Dielectric constant and microwave conductivity of the vanadium bronze Na0.33V2O5

Measurements of the dielectric constant and microwave conductivity are reported for the vanadium bronze Na_0.33V₂O₅. The dielectric constant is highly anisotropic and very large parallel to the highly conducting direction, while the conductivity is strongly dispersive. The results can be consistently interpreted by considering Na_0.33V₂O₅ as a quasi-one-dimensional conductor in which, at low temperatures, a pseudo-gap opens in the open-electron density of states due to inter-site correlations.     

Quantification of appetite suppressing steroid glycosides from Hoodia gordonii in dried plant material, purified extracts and food products using HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS methods

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV and HPLC-Mass Spectrometry (MS) methods were developed for the quantitative analysis of the family of Hoodia gordonii steroid glycosides with appetite suppressing properties in dried plant material, in purified and enriched extracts and in various prototype food-products fortified with H. gordonii extracts. For solid materials, e.g. dried plants or for non-fatty foods, extraction of the steroid glycosides is performed using methanol. For products where the steroid glycosides are present in an oil matrix, direct injection of the oil after dilution in tetrahydrofuran is applied. The HPLC separation is performed on an octyl-modified reversed-phase column in the gradient mode with UV detection at lambda = 220 nm. Quantification is performed against an external calibration line prepared using either one of the pure steroid glycosides or geranyl-tiglate. Short- and long-term repeatabilities of the methods are better than 3 and 6%, respectively. Recoveries are better than 85%, even in the analysis of the least abundant steroid glycosides in a complex yoghurt drink. Linearity is better than 3-4 orders of magnitude and the detection limits are below approximately 2 microg g(-1) for the individual steroid glycosides in dried plant material and food products. HPLC-MS is used to confirm that the steroid glycosides contain the characteristic steroid core, the carbohydrate chain and the tigloyl group.