Non-Achievability of Metal-Insulator Transition in Two-Dimensional Systems

We present a simple demonstration of the nonfeasibility of metal-insulator transition in an exactly two-dimensional （2D） system. The Hartree-Fock potential in the 3D system is suitably modified and presented for the 2D case. The many body effects are included in the screening function, and binding energies of a donor are obtained as a function of impurity concentration so as to find out the possible way leading metal-insulator transition in the 2D system. While solving for the binding energy for a shallow donor in an isolated well of a GaAs/Ga1-x Als As superlattice system within the effective mass approximation, it leads to unphysical results for higher concentrations. It shows that the phase transition, the bound electron entering into the conduction band whereby （H）min=0, is not possible beyond this concentration. The results suggest thai a phase transition is impossible in 213 systems, supporting the scaling theory of localization. The results are compared with the existing data available and discussed in the light of existing literature.     

IR and raman spectra of two layered aluminium phosphates Co(en)3Al3P4O16.3H2O and

The FT IR and FT Raman spectra of Co(en)3Al3P4O16.3H2O (compound I) and [NH4]3[Co(NH3)6]3[Al2 (PO4)4]2.2H2O (compound II) are recorded and analysed based on the vibrations of Co(en)(3)3+, Co(NH3)(6)3+, NH4, Al-O-P, PO3, PO2 and H2O. The observed splitting of bands indicate that the site symmetry and correlation field effects are appreciable in both the compounds. In compound I, the overtone of CH2 deformation Fermi resonates with its symmetric stretching vibration. The NH4 ion in compound II is not free to rotate in the crystalline lattice. Hydrogen bonding of different groups is also discussed.     

Analytical procedures for quantification of peptides in pharmaceutical research by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Peptide quantification by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) combines the high resolving power of reversed-phase (RP) chromatography with the excellent selectivity and sensitivity of mass spectrometric detection. On the basis of comprehensive practical experience in the analysis of small molecules, pharmaceutical research is developing technologies for analysis of a growing number of peptidic drug candidates. This article is a detailed review of procedures based on LC–MS techniques for quantitative determination of peptides. With the focus on pharmaceutical applications several technologies for sample preparation, various aspects of peptide chromatography, important characteristics of ESI–MS, selectivity of MS-detection modes, the large variability of internal standards, and modern instrumentation are discussed. The demand for reliable, robust, sensitive, and accurate methods is discussed using numerous examples from the literature, complemented by experiments and results from our laboratory.     

31P and 1h NMR as probes of domain alignment in a rigid crystalline surfactant mesophase

A viscous reverse hexagonal surfactant mesophase containing bis(2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) and alpha-phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), with comparable volume fractions of isooctane and water, was characterized by Fourier transform (31)P and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Shear alignment was reflected through both (31)P NMR and (1)H NMR spectra. A complicated (31)P spectrum was observed as a result of superposition of chemical shifts according to the distribution of crystalline domains prior to shear. The initially disordered samples with polydomain structures become macroscopically aligned after Couette shear. (31)P NMR chemical shift anisotropy characteristics are used to elucidate orientation of the hexagonal phase. Interestingly, (1)H NMR spectra exhibit spectral changes upon shear alignment closely corresponding with that of (31)P NMR spectra. These observations complement the findings of mesophase alignment obtained using SANS and imply that (31)P and (1)H NMR spectroscopy can be used as probes to define microstructure and monitor orientation changes in this binary surfactant system. This is especially beneficial if these mesophases are used as templates for materials synthesis.     

Novel binding of beryllium to dicarboxyimidazole-based model compounds and polymers

The ligand 4,5-dicarboxyimidazole (H(2)DCI) and its methyl derivative 1-methyl-4,5-dicarboxyimidazole (H(2)MDCI) have been shown to bind to Be(II) forming a zwitterionic species that has been structurally characterized. A new dicarboxyimidazole-based polymer has been prepared and its Be-binding properties have been studied using NMR ((1)H and (9)Be) and fluorescence spectroscopy; it represents a rare example of beryllium binding to a polymer. Models of the mononuclear and polymeric Be(II)-binding sites have been studied using density functional theory (DFT), and the (9)Be NMR chemical shifts of these model materials have been calculated for the purpose of direct comparison to experimentally observed values. Differences in the binding modes of the mononuclear and polymeric species are discussed.     

Rotaxanated conjugated sensory polymers

Two highly emissive conjugated polymers with tethered rotaxane repeat units are reported. Hydrogen bonding between acidic alcohols and the N-heteroaromatic groups in the rotaxanes attenuates polymer fluorescence. In addition, the rotaxane groups create precise three-dimensional pockets for metal binding, which results in fluorescence quenching. Exposing thin films of Zn-doped polymers to alcohol vapors reverses the quenching by up to 25%.