Overtone spectroscopy of some benzaldehyde derivatives

Overtone spectrum of o, m and p-nitrobenzaldehydes and p-chlorobenzaldehyde has been studied in 2000–12000 cm⁻¹ region. Vibrational frequencies and anharmonicity constants for aryl as well as alkyl CH stretch vibrations have been determined. We have also determined the internuclear distances for the aryl CH bond in the different molecules. The small variation observed in these distances is an indication of the substitution effect. It is observed that in the case of p-disubstituted benzens, the shift in aryl CH bond is proportional to sum of the Hammet σ of the substituents. However in the case of o-disubstituted benzenes it is only 80% of the para-substituted shift.     

Extremes of nuclear structure

With the advent of medium and large gamma detector arrays, it is now possible to look at nuclear structure at high rotational forces. The role of pairing correlations and their eventual breakdown, along with the shell effects have showed us the interesting physics for nuclei at high spins — superdeformation, shape co-existence, yrast traps, alignments and their dramatic effects on nuclear structure and so on. Nuclear structure studies have recently become even more exciting, due to efforts and possibilities to reach nuclei far off from the stability valley. Coupling of gamma ray arrays with ‘filters’, like neutron wall, charged particle detector array, gamma ray total energy and multiplicity castles, conversion electron spectrometers etc gives a great handle to study nuclei produced online with ‘low’ cross-sections. Recently we studied, nuclei in mass region 80 using an array of 8 germanium detectors in conjunction with the recoil mass analyser, HIRA at the Nuclear Science Centre and, most unexpectedly came across the phenomenon of identical bands, with two quasi-particle difference. The discovery of magnetic rotation is another highlight. Our study of light In nucleus, 107In brought us face to face with the ‘dipole’ bands. I plan to discuss some of these aspects. There is also an immensely important development — that of the ‘radioactive ion beams’. The availability of RIB, will probably very dramatically influence our ‘conventional’ concept of nuclear structure. The exotic shapes of these exotic nuclei and some of their expected properties will also be touched upon.     

Preparation, structural analysis and dielectric properties of Bi x La1−x FeO3 perovskite

Rare earth element substituted bismuth ferrites (BiFeO₃) are of enormous importance as magnetoelectric materials. The polycrystalline samples of Bi _x La_1−x FeO₃ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were prepared by solid-state reaction using standard ceramic method. The single-phase formation of these compounds was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The samples with x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 are found to be orthorhombic while the sample with x=0.8 is triclinic. The dielectric constant (ε′) and dissipation factor (tan δ) were measured in the frequency range 100 Hz to 1 MHz at room temperature and as a function of temperature at certain fixed frequencies (1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz, 1 MHz). All the samples showed dielectric dispersion. The dielectric constant with temperature shows a broad peak; the peak temperature shifts with frequency which reflects the relaxor-type behavior. The peak above 600 K in the measured temperature range corresponds to antiferromagnetic ordering temperature (Néel temperature). The broadness of the peak changes with composition. The ac conductivity as well as ε′ are found to be maximum for the sample x=0.2 at room temperature.     

A mononuclear cobalt(II) hydroxo complex: synthesis,molecular structure,and reactivity studies

A novel Co(II) hydroxo complex Co{HB(3-^tBu-5-ⁱPrpz)₃}(OH) 4 {where HB(3-^tBu-5-ⁱPrpz)₃ = hydrotris(3-tert-butyl-5-isopropylpyrazol-l-yl)borate} has been prepared and its molecular structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. This complex is mononuclear with distorted tetrahedral geometry. The reaction of CO₂ with Co{HB(3-^tBu-5-ⁱPrpz)₃}(OH) resulted in the formation of a μ-carbonato bridged binuclear complex [Co{HB(3-^tBu-5-ⁱPrpz)₃}]₂(CO₃) wherein the carbonate group is bound to both metal centers in an asymmetrical manner. In order to explore the role of labile metal complexes in promoting ester hydrolysis, complexes [Co{HB(3,5-ⁱPr₂pz)₃}]₂(OH)₂ and Co{HB(3-^tBu-5-ⁱPrpz)₃}(OH) have been used as catalysts in the hydrolysis of both carboxylate as well as phosphate esters. The product of 4-nitrophenylacetate hydrolysis with Co{HB(3-^tBu-5-ⁱPrpz)₃}(OH) was isolated as four coordinate Co{HB(3-^tBu-5-ⁱPrpz)₃}(OC₆H₄-4-NO₂) 6, whereas the reaction of 4-nitrophenyltrifluoroacetate with [Co{HB(3,5-ⁱPr₂pz)₃}]₂(OH)₂ resulted the formation of the six coordinate Co{HB(3,5-ⁱPr₂pz)₃}(OC₆H₄-4-NO₂)(MeCN)₂ species. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Electrochemical behavior of carbonic precursor with Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>nanostructured material in hybrid battery system

The nanostructured Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (NVP) cathode material has been synthesized using the sol-gel route for different molar fractions of citric acid as a carbon source during the synthesis. The nanostructured NVP as cores with carbonic shell structures are fabricated with two different citric acid molar ratios. The thermal treatment has been optimized to convert the amorphous carbon shell into graphitic carbon to realize the better electrical conductivity and thus effective electron transfer during the electrochemical charge transfer process. The X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed the rhombohedral crystallographic phase (space group R-3c) with average crystallite size ~28 ± 5 nm. The coin cells are assembled in a hybrid rechargeable electrochemical cell configuration with lithium as a counter electrode and LiPF₆-EC:DEC:DMC (1:1:1 ratio) as the electrolyte. The electrochemical charge/discharge measurements are carried out at C/10 and C/20 rates and the measured specific capacities are 80 and 120 mAhg^?1 for samples with lower and higher citric acid molar ratios, respectively. The studies suggest that NVP can be used as an effective cathode material in hybrid electrochemical cells, and a higher concentration of citric acid may result in the effective carbonic shell for optimal electron transfer and thus enhanced electrochemical performance.     

Cryopreservation of in vitro-grown shoot tips of Crateva nurvala Buch. Ham, an important medicinal tree

Cryopreservation of in vitro axillary shoot tips of Crateva nurvala Buch. Ham, an important medicinal tree, was investigated. Axillary buds (c. 1mm in length) excised from 4-week-old in vitro cultures, were pre-cultured on liquid MS medium supplemented with 0.4 M sucrose for 16 h. These were incubated in 2 M glycerol+0.4 M sucrose for 20 min at 25 degree C before being dehydrated with PVS2 solution for 40 min The dehydrated shoot tips were directly immersed in LN. Following cryopreservation and after rapid warming at 40 degree C, shoot tips were quickly washed with MS+1.2 M sucrose solution for 20 min and then plated on top of filter paper placed on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l-1 BAP, kept in darkness for one day followed by placement of shoots directly on the medium and incubation in darkness for a day more, before transfer of cultures to light. Average survival in terms of normal shoot formation after 4 weeks of plating was 56.6 percent. The rescued shoot tips were bulked up by subsequent nodal cultures and when put onto 0.02 mg l-1 NAA showed a rhizogenic response. Thus, in vitro-grown shoot tips of Crateva nurvala were successfully cryopreserved following the optimization of the PVS2-vitrification protocol.     

Differentiation of neurons from neural precursors generated in floating spheres from embryonic stem cells

Background  

Neural differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells is usually achieved by induction of ectoderm in embryoid bodies followed by the enrichment of neuronal progenitors using a variety of factors. Obtaining reproducible percentages of neural cells is difficult and the methods are time consuming.     

Solution studies on trace metal ion interactions with adenine as primary ligand and 5-halouracils as secondary ligands

The interaction of trace metal ions, viz. Mn^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II and Cd^II with adenine (A) as primary ligand and 5-halouracils, viz. 5-bromouracil (5BrU) and 5-iodouracil (5IU) as secondary ligands (L) has been studied at 25±0.1°C and at constant ionic strength (=0.1M NaNO₃), in an aqueous medium using Bjerrum–Calvin's pH-titration technique as adopted by Irving and Rossotti for binary (ML), and by Chidambaram and Bhattacharya for ternary (MAL) systems respectively. The experimental pH-titration data were analyzed with the aid of the BEST computer program in order to evaluate formation constants of various intermediate complex species formed in binary and ternary systems involving nucleobases (viz. A, 5BrU and 5IU). The relative stability of each ternary complex was compared with that of the corresponding binary complexes in terms of logK values.