Low temperature magnetic ordering of a series of structurally characterized chloroferrates

Iron-57 Mössbauer spectroscopic results for a new series of related chloroferrate salts of complex ammonium cations are presented. In particular, spectra of materials based on FeCl ₄ ^– , FeCl ₅ ^2– , FeCl ₆ ^– , [FeCl₅(H₂O)]^2–, and [FeCl₅(CH₃OH)]^2– anions are discussed relative to the systematics of their isomer shifts, coordination numbers, and low temperature 3D critical ordering temperatures. The following specific systems have been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy and definitively characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis: [CH₃NH ₃ ⁺ ]₄[FeCl₆]^3–[Cl^–](A), [Me₂N(-CH₂CH₂)₂NMe ₂ ⁺ ][FeCl ₅ ^2– ] (B), [H₃NCH₂CH₂NH ₃ ²⁺ ][FeCl₅·H₂O^2–], (C), and [NH₃(CH₂)₆NH ₃ ²⁺ ]₄[(FeCl ₆ ^3– )(FeCl ₄ ^– )ClCl ₄ ^– ] (D). The spectral data for these complexes are considered in the light of results of previous studies for systems such as [K₂FeCl₅·H₂O], [Co(NH₃)₆][FeCl₆], diamethyltriethylenediammoniumpentachloroferrate (E), and the related [FeCl₅·CH₃OH]^2– salt (F). The critical 3D ordering temperatures are 1.45, 6.80, 3.45, and 1.22K forA, B, C, andD, respectively.     

Study of the thermal decomposition on Pt(II) complexes with cycloalkanespiro-5′-hydantoins

The thermal decomposition of the Pt(II) complexes with cyclobutane-and cycloheptanespiro-5′-hydantoins were studied by TG and DTA techniques. The Pt(II) complex with cyclobutanespiro-5′hydantoin (PtCBH) was stable up to 115°C (388 K) and Pt(II) complex with cycloheptanespiro-5′-hydantoin (PtCHTH) was stable up to 150°C (423 K). After the thermal decomposition of PtCBH the solid residue was platinum, while the decomposition of PtCHTH gave a mixture of platinum carbides (PtC₂, Pt₂C₃).     

On the Use of a H2–O2 Gas Target in Muonic Hydrogen Atom Hyperfine Splitting Experiments

We propose a substantial improvement of the experimental method for the measurement of the hyperfine splitting of the ground state of muonic hydrogen described in earlier papers [1,2]. By further developing the idea to use the diffusion of the muon hydrogen atoms as a signature of laser-induced hyperfine transitions, we suggest a technique based on the energy dependence of the rate of muon transfer to oxygen in the thermal region, and demonstrate its efficiency and significant practical advantages. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quantum dot-conjugated hybridization probes for preliminary screening of siRNA sequences

In the present study, we describe the design and fabrication of quantum dot-conjugated hybridization probes and their application to the development of a comparatively simple and rapid procedure for the selection of highly effective small-interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences for RNA interference (RNAi) in mammalian cells, for example, siRNAs with high accessibility and affinity to the respective mRNA target. A single-stranded siRNA was conjugated with a quantum dot and used as a hybridization probe. The target mRNA was amplified in the presence of Cy5-labeled nucleotides, and Cy5-mRNA served as a hybridization sample. The formation of siRNA/mRNA duplexes during a comparatively short hybridization time (1 h) was used as a criterion for the selection of highly effective, target-specific siRNA sequences. The accessibility and affinity of the siRNA sequence for the target mRNA site were determined by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between a quantum dot (donor) and a fluorescent dye molecule (Cy5, acceptor) localized at an appropriate distance from each other when hybridization occurred. The FRET signal was observed only when there was high accessibility between an antisense siRNA and a sense mRNA and did not appear in the case of mismatch siRNAs. Moreover, the amplitude of the FRET signal significantly correlated with the specific effect of siRNA on the expression of the target mRNA and protein, determined in native cells by RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis, respectively.     

Palladium(II) complexes with 5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione

Two new palladium(II) complexes with 5-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione(mpyh) were synthesized: cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Cl₂]·H₂O and cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Br₂]·2H₂O. The molecular formulae of the complexes were confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR spectra and DTA study. The ligand is coordinated to the palladium ion with N-atom of the pyridine ring. The spectroscopic data indicate a square planar geometry with two N-pyridine atoms and two halogene anions in cis position. The final product of the thermal decomposition of cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Cl₂]·H₂O is metallic Pd, whereas for cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Br₂]·2H₂O the residue consists of metallic Pd and C. The cytotoxic effects of the complexes were examined in vitro on some human tumor cell lines. The cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Cl₂]·H₂O proved to be more active as compared to the cis-[Pd(mpyh)₂Br₂]·2H₂O.     

Single quantum dot-micelles coated with silica shell as potentially non-cytotoxic fluorescent cell tracers

The present study describes a stabilization of single quantum dot (QD) micelles by hydrophobic silica precursors and an extension of the silica layer to form a silica shell around the micelle. The obtained product consists of up to 92% of single nanocrystals (CdSe, CdSe/ZnS, or CdSe/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots) in the silica micelles, coated with silica shell. The thickness of silica shell could vary, starting from 3 to 4 nm. Increasing the shell thickness increases the photoluminescent characteristics of QDs in aqueous solution. The silica-shelled single CdSe/ZnS QD micelles possess a high quantum yield in aqueous solution, a controlled small size, sharp photoluminescence spectra (fwhm approximately 30 nm), an absence of aggregation, and a high transparency. The presence of a hydrophobic layer between the QD and silica shell ensures an incorporation of other hydrophobic molecules (with interesting properties) in the close proximity of nanocrystal. Thus, it is possible to combine the characteristics of hybrid material with the priority of small size. The nanoparticles are amino functionalized and ready for conjugation. A comparatively good biocompatibility is demonstrated. The nanoparticles show ability for intracellular delivery and are noncytotoxic during long-term incubation with viable cells in the absence of light exposure, which makes them appropriate for cell tracing and drug delivery.     

Quantum dot-based western blot technology for ultrasensitive detection of tracer proteins

The present study describes two quantum dot-based Western blotting protocols for ultrasensitive detection of "tracer" proteins in cell lysates.     

Precise size control and synchronized synthesis of six colors of CdSe quantum dots in a slow-increasing temperature gradient

The present study describes a simultaneous and highly reproducible large-scale synthesis of six (and more) colors of size-homogeneous and highly luminescent CdSe quantum dots in a single reaction, controlled by a slow-increasing temperature gradient. The described protocol allows a precise control and a synchronized isolation of aliquots of CdSe nanocrystals with defined sizes, avoiding disturbance of the growth of nanocrystals (existing in the reaction mixture) to the isolation of the next aliquot. The obtained quantum dot fractions are of high quality (in 95% size-homogeneous) and have sharp photoluminescence spectra (fwhm approximately 30 nm), quantum yields of 45-70% (in organic solvent), and a lack of aggregation in organic solvents. The method is environmentally friendly as it ensures almost complete utilization of the precursors and productive yield approximately 95%.