Transmission electron microscopy and X-Ray diffraction analysis of aluminum-induced crystallization of amorphous silicon in alpha-Si:H/Al and Al/alpha-Si:H structures.

Solid phase crystallization of plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor-deposited (PECVD) amorphous silicon (alpha-Si:H) in alpha-Si:H/Al and Al/alpha-Si:H structures has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Radiative heating has been used to anneal films deposited on carbon-coated nickel (Ni) grids at temperatures between 200 and 400 degrees C for TEM studies. alpha-Si:H films were deposited on c-Si substrates using high vacuum (HV) PECVD for the XRD studies. TEM studies show that crystallization of alpha-Si:H occurs at 200 degrees C when Al film is deposited on top of the alpha-Si:H film. Similar behavior was observed in the XRD studies. In the case of alpha-Si:H deposited on top of Al films, the crystallization could not be observed at 400 degrees C by TEM and even up to 500 degrees C as seen by XRD.     

Influence of PCL and PHBV on PLLA Thermal and Mechanical Properties in Binary and Ternary Polymer Blends

PLLA, PCL and PHBV are aliphatic polyesters which have been researched and used in a wide range of medical devices, and all three have advantages and disadvantages for specific applications. Blending of these materials is an attractive way to make a material which overcomes the limitations of the individual polymers. Both PCL and PHBV have been evaluated in polymer blends with PLLA in order to provide enhanced properties for specific applications. This paper explores the use of PCL and PHBV together with PLLA in ternary blends with assessment of the thermal, mechanical and processing properties of the resultant polymer blends, with the aim of producing new biomaterials for orthopaedic applications. DSC characterisation is used to demonstrate that the materials can be effectively blended. Blending PCL and PHBV in concentrations of 5–10% with PLLA produces materials with average modulus improved by up to 25%, average strength improved by up to 50% and average elongation at break improved by 4000%, depending on the concentrations of each polymer used. PHBV impacts most on the modulus and strength of the blends, whilst PCL has a greater impact on creep behaviour and viscosity. Blending PCL and PHBV with PLLA offers an effective approach to the development of new polyester-based biomaterials with combinations of mechanical properties which cannot be provided by any of the materials individually.     

SOME HETEROCYCLIC PHOSPHOROCHLORIDATES AND THE FORMATION OF OTHER HETEROCYCLIC ORGANOPHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS

Abstract

Pyrrolidine, morpholine, and β-hydroxyethylmorpholine have been phosphorylated with phosphorus oxychloride, phenylphosphorodichloridate, p-chlorophenylphosphorodichloridate and thiophosphoryl chloride. The resultant phosphorodichloridates have been condensed with a wied range of nucleophilic reagents, e.g. amines, hydrazines, phenols and isobutanol. Piperazine with phosphorus oxychloride (2 mols) gave the N(1) N(4)-diphosphorotetrachloridate, which was characterized as the tetracyclohexylamidate. β-Hydroxyethylpiperazine was similarly phosphorylated to the N,O-diphosphorotetrachloridate which was characterized as the tetraphenylhydrazidate.

Condensation of pyrrolidine (2 mols) with phosphorus oxychloride (1 mol) afforded N,N′-dipyrrolidinophosphorochloridate which was reacted with phenylhydrazide and sodium azide. The phosphoroazide with triphenylphosphine afforded the corresponding triphenylphosphinimine. N-Phenyl N′-pyrrolidinophosphorochloridate with aqueous pyridine gave the corresponding pyrophosphoramide and the stability of the pyrophosphoramide towards hydrolysis was examined. 1,2-Cyclohexanediol was phosphorylated with phenylphosphorodichloridate and thiophosphorylchloride. Trans-4-t-Butylcyclohexyl N,N′-diphenylhydrazinophosphorothioate by reaction with formaldehyde gave a tetra-azaphosphorine P-sulfide. Trans-4-t-Butylcyclohexyl N-phenyl N′-phenylphosphorodiamidic hydrazide reacted with 1,4-dibromobut-2-ene to give a 1,2-diazahex-4-ene.     

A Convenient Synthesis of β-Amino Acid

We have reported the reductive cleavage of azlactones¹ and phenylhydrazones² of carbonyl compounds in the presence of a suitable catalyst. In this paper a general method involving a one step synthesis of β-amino acid^3,4, in good yield, through catalytic reduction of oximes of α-β-unsaturated acid is reported. This method involves the reaction of α, β-unsaturated acid with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium acetate. Markovnikov's rule is followed in the synthesis of oximes of α, β-unsaturated acids.     

Highly efficient deprotection of phenolic tetrahydropyranyl and methoxymethyl ethers and sequel cyclization to indanones using Sn(IV)Cl4 catalyst

Sn(IV)Cl₄ catalyst provided a rapid and efficient deprotection method for the phenolic THP and MOM ethers and sequel intramolecular Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of THP and MOM protected chalcone epoxides under mild conditions. The reaction took 2–3 min to give the products in excellent yield (90–98%) at 0 °C without affecting the other functional groups.     

Formation of a Single-Crystal Aluminum-Based MOF Nanowire with Graphene Oxide Nanoscrolls as Structure-Directing Agents

An innovative strategy is proposed to synthesize single-crystal nanowires (NWs) of the Al³⁺ dicarboxylate MIL-69(Al) MOF by using graphene oxide nanoscrolls as structure-directing agents. MIL-69(Al) NWs with an average diameter of 70±20 nm and lengths up to 2 μm were found to preferentially grow along the [001] crystallographic direction. Advanced characterization methods (electron diffraction, TEM, STEM-HAADF, SEM, XPS) and molecular modeling revealed the mechanism of formation of MIL-69(Al) NWs involving size-confinement and templating effects. The formation of MIL-69(Al) seeds and the self-scroll of GO sheets followed by the anisotropic growth of MIL-69(Al) crystals are mediated by specific GO sheets/MOF interactions. This study delivers an unprecedented approach to control the design of 1D MOF nanostructures and superstructures.     

Nutraceutical Role of Polyphenols and Triterpenes Present in the Extracts of Fruits and Leaves of Olea europaea as Antioxidants,Anti-Infectives and Anticancer Agents on Healthy Growth

There is currently a worldwide consensus and recognition of the undoubted health benefits of the so-called Mediterranean diet, with its intake being associated with a lower risk of mortality. The most important characteristics of this type of diet are based on the consumption of significant amounts of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, which provide, in addition to some active ingredients, fiber and a proportion of vegetable protein, together with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as the main sources of vegetable fat. Fish and meat from poultry and other small farm animals are the main sources of protein. One of the main components, as already mentioned, is EVOO, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and to a lesser extent in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The intake of this type of nutrient also provides an important set of phytochemicals whose health potential is widely spread and agreed upon. These phytochemicals include significant amounts of anthocyanins, stilbenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes of varying complexities. Therefore, the inclusion in the diet of this type of molecules, with a proven healthy effect, provides an unquestionable preventive and/or curative activity on an important group of pathologies related to cardiovascular, infectious, and cancerous diseases, as well as those related to the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this review is therefore to shed light on the nutraceutical role of two of the main phytochemicals present in Olea europaea fruit and leaf extracts, polyphenols, and triterpenes, on healthy animal growth. Their immunomodulatory, anti-infective, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-carcinogenic capabilities show them to be potential nutraceuticals, providing healthy growth.     

Efforts toward the total synthesis of (-)-kendomycin

[structure: see text] The synthesis of an advanced component leading to (-)-kendomycin is described. The synthetic scheme features the application of asymmetric conjugate addition methodology for the early generation of the C13-C14 (E)-trisubstituted olefin, providing an efficient assembly of the ansa chain. Condensation reactions probe two strategies for attachment of the aromatic system.     

Determination of zinc(II) in biological samples by anodic stripping voltammetry

The use ofN-benzyltrimethylammonium methoxide as a digesting solvent, for the determination of zinc(II) in biological samples using anodic-stripping voltammetry is reported. It was found possible to determine zinc directly in biological samples containing such metals as copper(II), lead(II), iron(III), arsenic(III) and selenium(IV). The results for zinc in bovine liver and oyster tissue are reported.