Mechanistic Aspects of a Highly Active Dinuclear Zinc Catalyst for the Co‐polymerization of Epoxides and CO2

The dinuclear zinc complex reported by us is to date the most active zinc catalyst for the co‐polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and carbon dioxide. However, co‐polymerization experiments with propylene oxide (PO) and CO₂ revealed surprisingly low conversions. Within this work, we focused on clarification of this behavior through experimental results and quantum chemical studies. The combination of both results indicated the formation of an energetically highly stable intermediate in the presence of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. A similar species in the case of cyclohexene oxide/CO₂ co‐polymerization was not stable enough to deactivate the catalyst due to steric repulsion.     

Synthesen von Mannich-Basen von Hydroxy-indolen. 3. Mitteilung über synthetische Indol-Verbindungen [1]

The reactivity of hydroxy-indoles under the conditions of the Mannich-reaction has been studied. The electrophilic side-chain enters in each case in a position ortho to the phenolic group. 4-Hydroxy-indole is substituted in the 5-, 5-hydroxy-indole in the 4-, 6-hydroxy-indole in the 7-, and 7-hydroxy-indole probably in the 6-position. The structures of the Mannich bases from 4-, 5- and 6-hydroxy-indole have been confirmed by comparison of the hydroxy-methyl-indoles obtained by reductive desamination with hydroxy-methyl-indoles prepared by unambiguous total synthesis.     

Formation constants for the complexes of levulinate and acetate with manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and hydrogen ions

Formation constants are reported for the levulinate complexes of manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) at 25 degrees in 0.1M chloride medium. In addition, results are presented for the corresponding acetate complexes for comparison. Protonation constants for the two ligands are also reported.     

Self-propelled droplets

Self-propelled droplets are a special kind of self-propelled matter that are easily fabricated by standard microfluidic tools and locomote for a certain time without external sources of energy. The typical driving mechanism is a Marangoni flow due to gradients in the interfacial energy on the droplet interface. In this article we review the hydrodynamic prerequisites for self-sustained locomotion and present two examples to realize those conditions for emulsion droplets, i.e. droplets stabilized by a surfactant layer in a surrounding immiscible liquid. One possibility to achieve self-propelled motion relies on chemical reactions affecting the surface active properties of the surfactant molecules. The other relies on micellar solubilization of the droplet phase into the surrounding liquid phase. Remarkable cruising ranges can be achieved in both cases and the relative insensitivity to their own ‘exhausts’ allows to additionally study collective phenomena.     

Polyphenolics with Strong Antioxidant Activity from Acacia nilotica Ameliorate Some Biochemical Signs of Arsenic-Induced Neurotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Mice

Neurotoxicity is a serious health problem of patients chronically exposed to arsenic. There is no specific treatment of this problem. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathological process of neurotoxicity. Polyphenolics have proven antioxidant activity, thereby offering protection against oxidative stress. In this study, we have isolated the polyphenolics from Acacia nilotica and investigated its effect against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice. Acacia nilotica polyphenolics prepared from column chromatography of the crude methanol extract using diaion resin contained a phenolic content of 452.185 ± 7.879 mg gallic acid equivalent/gm of sample and flavonoid content of 200.075 ± 0.755 mg catechin equivalent/gm of sample. The polyphenolics exhibited potent antioxidant activity with respect to free radical scavenging ability, total antioxidant activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Administration of arsenic in mice showed a reduction of acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain which was counteracted by Acacia nilotica polyphenolics. Similarly, elevation of lipid peroxidation and depletion of glutathione in the brain of mice was effectively restored to normal level by Acacia nilotica polyphenolics. Gallic acid methyl ester, catechin and catechin-7-gallate were identified in the polyphenolics as the major active compounds. These results suggest that Acacia nilotica polyphenolics due to its strong antioxidant potential might be effective in the management of arsenic induced neurotoxicity.     

Die wandernden Schlieren in elektronenoptischen Bildern von hochisolierenden Einkristallen,insbesondere Molybdänoxyd

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

The glass transition of thin polymer films: some questions,and a possible answer

The European Physical Journal E - A simple and predictive model is put forward explaining the experimentally observed substantial shift of the glass transition temperature, T g, of sufficiently...