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Zur Charakterisierung von amphiphilen Blockcopolymeren aus N-Vinylpryrrolidon und Vinylacetat
(2009)
Prototypes for homoaromaticity in cations, neutral molecules, and anions are theoretically studied at the MP2 level of theory. For the global minimum structures on the potential energy surface both 1H/13C chemical shifts and spatial magnetic properties as through space NMR shieldings (TSNMRS) were calculated by the GIAO perturbation method. The TSNMRS are visualized as iso-chemical-shielding surfaces (ICSS) of different sign and size. Coincident experimental and computed 1H/13C chemical shifts afforded the possibility to decide from the TSNMRSs at hand on both the existence and the size of homoaromaticity in the molecules studied.
The anisotropic effects of the phenyl, alpha- and beta-naphthyl moieties in four series of 1,3-oxazino[4,3- a]isoquinolines on the H-1 chemical shifts of the isoquinoline protons were calculated by employing the Nucleus Independent Chemical Shift (NICS) concept and Visualized as anisotropic cones by a through-space NMR shielding grid. The signs and extents of these spatial effects on the H-1 chemical shifts of the isoquinoline protons were compared with the experimental H-1 NMR spectra. The differences between the experimental delta (H-1)/ppm values and the calculated anisotropic effects of the aromatic moieties are discussed in terms of the steric compression that occurs in the Compounds studied.
Covalently crosslinked PEI hydrogels are efficient templates for calcium phosphate mineralization in SBF. In contrast to the PEI hydrogels, non-crosslinked PEI does not lead to calcium phosphate nucleation and growth in SBF. The precipitate is a mixture of brushite and hydroxyapatite. The PEI/calcium phosphate composite material exhibits a sponge like morphology and a chemical composition that is interesting for implants. Cytotoxicity tests using Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae show that both the non-mineralized and mineralized hydrogels have a very low cytotoxicity. This suggests that next generation PEI hydrogels, where also the degradation products are non-toxic, could be interesting for biomedical applications.
Ultrafast electronic excitations of small sodium clusters and the onset of electron thermalization
(2009)
In this paper we report simulations of the ultrafast laser excitation and relaxation of the correlated valence electrons of a Na-8 cluster. The aim is twofold: first, while the total energy stays constant when the exciting laser pulse is over, we observe that the entropy computed from the reduced one electron density matrix rises on a much longer time scale. We discuss whether this can be understood as the onset of the thermalization of a finite system. Second, we describe this process with eight different methods of wavefunction-based electronic structure theory, which have been adapted for an explicitly time-dependent description. Their respective advantages and limitations for the simulation of the excitation and subsequent relaxation are explained.
Two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging of intracellular chloride in cockroach salivary glands
(2009)
Tuning the thickness of polymer brushes grafted from nonlinearly growing multilayer assemblies
(2009)
A new versatile method for tuning the thickness of surface-tethered polymer brushes is introduced. It is based on the combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer deposition and surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. To control the thickness of the brushes, the nonlinear growth of certain polyelectrolyte multilayer systems is exploited. The method is demonstrated to work with different polyelectrolytes and different monomers. The relevance for applications is demonstrated by cell adhesion experiments oil grafted thermoresponsive polymer layers with varying thickness.
An efficient method for the numerical solution of a non-Markovian, open-system density matrix equation of motion in coordinate representation is developed. We apply the scheme to model simulations of the laser-assisted O+H -> OH association reaction in an environment. The suggested approach is based on the application of the time-evolution operator to the "closed-system" part of the overall Hamiltonian and transformation of the open-system equation of motion to the Heisenberg picture suitable for numerical propagation. A dual role of the system-environment coupling with respect to the infrared (ir) laser-driven association of OH is demonstrated: the association probability is increased due to the coupling at relatively weak laser fields, but decreased at strong laser fields. Moreover, at a certain strength of the ir laser field, the association probability does not depend on the strength of the system-bath coupling at all.
An approach to the correlated quantum dynamics of electrons and nuclei is proposed. It is an ab initio method, based on a multi-configuration expansion of the full molecular wave function. The objective of this development is to be able to describe the correlated motion of electrons in molecules beyond the fixed-nuclei approximation. Neither potential energy surfaces nor diabatic couplings need to be calculated, and Pulay forces do not appear. The method is illustrated by application to the 12 + 1 dimensional LiH molecule.
Six new bifunctional bis(trithiocarbonate)s were explored as RAFT agents for synthesizing amphiphilic triblock copolymers ABA and BAB, with hydrophilic "A" blocks made from N-isopropylacrylamide and hydrophobic "B" blocks made from styrene. Whereas the extension of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) by styrene was not effective, polystyrene macroRAFT agents provided the block copolymers efficiently. End group analysis by H-1 NMR spectroscopy supported molar mass analysis and revealed an unexpected side reaction for certain bis(trithiocarbonate)s, namely a fragmentation to simple trithiocarbonates while extruding ethylene-trithiocarbonate. The amphiphilic block copolymers with short polystyrene blocks are directly soluble in water and self-organize into thermo-responsive micellar aggregates.
Linear amphiphilic diblock and ternary triblock copolymers were synthesized by the RAFT method in two successive steps using a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macrochain transfer agent, butyl or 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyl acrylate. The diblock and the triblock copolymers, which consist of a hydrophilic, a lipophilic, and a short fluorophilic block, self-assemble in water into spherical micellar aggregates. Imaging by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) revealed that the micellar cores of the aggregates made from these "triphilic" copolymers can undergo local phase separation to form a unique ultrastructure. In these multicompartment micelles, it appears that extended nonspherical domains, presumably made of nanocrystallites of the fluorocarbon block, are embedded in the hydrocarbon matrix forming the spherical micellar core. This novel internal structure of a micellar core is attributed to the mutual incompatibility of the fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon side chains in combination with the tendency of the used fluorocarbon acrylate monomer to undergo side-chain crystallization.
Four new primary aminonaphthols (4, 5, 9 and 10) were synthesized from 1- or 2-naphthol and 1- or 2- naphthaldehyde via naphthoxazines in modified Mannich condensations. Simple ring-closure reactions of these aminonaphthols with paraformaldehyde, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, phosgene or 4-chlorophenyl isothiocyanate led to new heterocyclic derivatives. In these transformations, either an sp2 or an sp3 carbon was inserted between the hydroxy and amino groups. The effects of substituents and the naphthyl ring on the conformation were investigated by means of NMR measurements, employing both dipolar and scalar couplings. The structures were confirmed by DFT quantum chemical calculations involving computed coupling constants, intramolecular distances between nuclei and the relative energies of the preferred conformers.
The synthesis of six analogs of N,N;-diacetylchitobiose is reported, including a novel transglycosylation reaction for the preparation of S-aryl thioglycosides. The conformations of the compounds were studied by a combination of NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling, using force field calculations. In the case of the S-aryl thioglycosides with exclusively S-glycosidic linkages, dihedral angles of the disaccharidic S-glycosidic bonds, ;; and ;; and of the S-arylglycoside bonds, ; and ;, were found to be similar, whereas they were different in mixed glycosides and in a thiazoline derivative. An adequate correlation between the calculated H,H-distances of the local minima and the measured NOE contacts was achieved by applying population-weighted averages over participating conformers based on weighted relative energies.
Mesoporous silica monoliths were prepared by the sol - gel technique and. lled with 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium [Emim]-X (X = dicyanamide [N(CN)(2)], ethyl sulfate [EtSO4], thiocyanate [SCN], and triflate [TfO]) ionic liquids (ILs) using a methanol-IL exchange technique. The structure and behavior of the ILs inside the silica monoliths were studied using X-ray scattering, nitrogen sorption, IR spectroscopy, solid-state NMR, and thermal analysis. DSC finds shifts in both the glass transition temperature and melting points (where applicable) of the ILs. Glass transition and melting occur well below room temperature. There is thus no conflict with the NMR and IR data, which show that the ILs are as mobile at room temperature as the bulk (not confined) ILs. The very narrow line widths of the NMR spectra suggest that the ILs in our materials have the highest mobility reported for confined ILs so far. As a result, our data suggest that it is possible to generate IL/silica hybrid materials (ionogels) with bulk-like properties of the IL. This could be interesting for applications in, e.g., the solar cell or membrane fields.
This work is focused on the influence of an ionic liquid (IL), i.e. ethyl-methylimidazolium hexylsulfate, on the spontaneous formation of microemulsions with ionic surfactants. The influence of the ionic liquid on Structure formation in the optically clear phase region in water/toluene/pentanol mixtures in presence of the cationic surfactant CTAB was studied in more detail. The results show a significant increase of the transparent phase region by adding the ionic liquid. Conductometric investigations demonstrate that adding the ionic liquid can drastically reduce the droplet- droplet interactions in the L-2 phase. H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) diffusion coefficient measurements in combination with dynamic light scattering measurements clearly show that inverse microemulsion droplets still exist, but the droplet size is decreased to 2 nm. A more detailed characterisation of the isotropic phase channel by means of conductivity measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS), H-1 NMR and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (SEM), allows the identification of a bicontinuous sponge phase between the L-1 and L-2 phase. When the poly(ethyleneimine) is added, the isotropic phase range is reduced drastically, but the inverse microemulsion range still exists.
A new ionic compound (C5H6NO)(2)[CU2(mu-O2CH)(4)(O2CH)(2)], 1 formed of 4-hydroxypyridinium cations and a complex anion was synthesized. The anion is a paddle-wheel dicopper carboxylate complex with four syn,syn-bridging and two axial anionic methanoato ligands. The XRD structure determination of 1 reveals that the molecular structure is stabilized by two H-bonds between the cations and the axial paddle-wheel anions (N-H center dot center dot center dot O 2.755(3), O-H center dot center dot center dot O 2.489(2) angstrom). The compound exhibits a very strong (2J = 500 cm(- 1)) intra-binuclear anti ferromagnetic interaction noticed already at room temperature attributed to the methanoato intra-binuclear bridges. The typical EPR S = 1 spin system signals of the dicopper paddle-wheel complexes at 90 and 450- 700 mT are found in the room temperature spectrum, but they are poorly seen in the 110 K spectrum. These signals are of very low intensity and are accompanied by a dominant signal at 320 mT, all closely related to a very strong anti ferromagnetic interaction present in 1.
The competition between REE, alkaline earth and d-transition metals for organic matter binding sites is still an open field of research; particularly, the mechanisms governing these phenomena need to be characterized in more detail. In this study, we examine spectroscopically the mechanisms of competitive binding of Eu(III)/Cu(II) and Eu(III)/ Ca(II) pair to Gorleben humic acid (HA), as previously proposed in the framework of the NICA-Donnan model. The evolution of time-resolved laser induced luminescence spectra of humic-complexed Eu(Ill) showed two strikingly different environments for a comparable bound proportion for Cu(II) and Ca(II). Cu(II) seems to compete more effectively with Eu(III) inducing its release into the Donnan phase, and into the bulk solution as free Eu3+. This is evidenced both by the shapes of the spectra and by the decrease in the luminescence decay times. In contrast with that, Ca(II) induces a modification of the HA structure, which enhances the luminescence of humic-bound Eu(III), and causes a minor modification of the chemical environment of the complexed rare earth ion.
Species-related luminescence-structure relationships in europium-exchanged mesoporous material
(2009)
Europium exchanged into a mesoporous material (Zeotile-1) was extensively characterized with respect to the Si/ Al ratio and surface silylation by using time-resolved emission spectroscopy. Qualitative as well as quantitative details of the europium species-related luminescence-structure relationships were obtained and discussed such as the decay associated spectra, local distortion and structure of the bonding environment, crystal-field strength, radiative relaxation rates, and the quantum efficiency. Thus, two europium species were found in the parent as well as in the silylated materials: one species located on the internal surface and the second inside the 2-2.5 nm pores. The species located on the internal surface is characterized by photoluminescence decay times of 105 mu s <tau < 125 mu s, an asymmetry value R of 0.6 < R < 0.8, and a quantum efficiency of 2%-2.5%. Upon silylation, the photoluminescence decay times, the asymmetry values, and the quantum efficiency were increased to 160 mu s <tau < 180 mu s, 1.7 < R < 2.1, and similar to 4%, respectively. Following silylation, the number of water molecules is reduced in the first coordination shell of the europium species located on the internal surface from eight to nine to about five. On the other hand, the europium species located inside the pores showed a much longer photoluminescence decay time (460 mu s <tau < 560 mu s) and a much higher asymmetry ratio (5 < R < 6.5). The related photoluminescence efficiency was 26%-30%. An average of one up to two water molecules in the first coordination shell of the europium species located inside the pores was estimated for both parent and silylated materials.
The influence of the reaction medium (organic solvents, water, ionic liquids, supercritical CO2) on the propagation rate in radical polymerizations has very different causes, e.g., hindered rotational modes, hydrogen bonding or electron pair donor/acceptor interactions. Depending on the origin of the solvent influence propagation rate coefficients, k(P), may be enhanced by up to an order of magnitude associated with changes in the pre-exponential or the activation energy of k(P). In contrast, non-specific interactions, size and steric effects lead to rather small changes in the vicinity of the radical chain end and are reflected by modest variations in k(P).
The influence of the reaction medium (organic solvents, water, ionic liquids, supercritical CO2) on the propagation rate in radical polymerizations has very different causes, e.g., hindered rotational modes, hydrogen bonding, or electron pair donor / acceptor interactions. Depending on the origin of the solvent influence propagation rate coefficients, kp, may be enhanced by up to an order of magnitude associated with changes in the pre-exponential or the activation energy of kp. Contrary, non-specific interactions, size and steric effects lead to rather small changes in the vicinity of the radical chain end and are reflected by modest variations in kp.
Silica is an important mineral in biology and technology, and many protocols have been developed for the synthesis of complex silica architectures. The current report shows that silsesquioxane nanoparticles carrying polymer arms on their surface are efficient templates for the fabrication of silica particles with a star- or raspberry-like morphology. The shape of the resulting particles depends on the chemistry of the polymer arms. With poly(N,N- dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) arms, spherical particles with a less electron dense core form. With poly {[2- (methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium iodide} (PMETAI), star- or raspberry-like particles form. Electron microscopy, electron tomography, and small-angle X-ray scattering show that the resulting silica particles have a complex structure, where a silsequioxane nanoparticle carrying the polymer arms is in the center. Next is a region that is polymer-rich. The outermost region of the particle is a silica layer, where the outer parts of the polymer arms are embedded. Time- resolved zeta-potential and pH measurements, dynamic light scattering, and electron microscopy reveal that silica formation proceeds differently if PDMAEMA is exchanged for PMETAI.
The BLUF (blue-light sensing using flavine) domain of the AppA photoreceptor protein from Rhodobacter sphaeroides was modelled by using quantum chemical chromophore plus amino acid models at the (TD-)B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. The models were based on NMR structures, and further refined by CHARM force field molecular dynamics simulations. The goal is to explain the total redshift by about 10 nm in the UV/Vis spectra of BLUF domains after illumination, and to relate it to structural changes. For this purpose UV/Vis spectra of the available NMR structures were calculated and related to geometrical features. In particular, the hydrogen network embedding the central chromophore is discussed. Specifically, the position of a conserved glutamine, Q63, is found to be important in agreement with findings from previous works. Additionally, however, we find a systematic dependence also on the geometry of a conserved serine, S41. Based on a series of calculations with known structures and with artificial structural models, we argue that indeed the light-induced switching of both Q63 and S41 is necessary to explain the full similar to 10 nm redshift in the light (signalling) state of serine containing BLUF domains. Following or accompanying the double switching, two structurally highly important residues W104 and M106 exchange places, but do not affect the overall UV/ Vis properties of the chromophore.
A theoretical model for the selective subsurface absorption of atomic hydrogen in a Pd(111) surface by infrared (IR) laser pulses is presented. The dynamics of the adsorbate is studied within the reduced density matrix approach. Energy and phase relaxation of the hydrogen atom are treated using the semigroup formalism. The vibrational excitation leading to subsurface absorption is performed using rationally designed pulses as well as IR laser pulses optimized on- the-fly. It is shown that dissipation can be used as a tool to transfer population to an otherwise inaccessible state via a mechanism known as "laser distillation." We demonstrate that when the reaction path is generalized from a reduced one-dimensional to full three-dimensional treatment of the system, the laser control strategy can prove very different.
The enantiomerically pure C-2-syrnmetrical hexa-1,5-diene-3,4-diol is selectively monopropargylated. The products undergo ring-closing enyne metathesis to give exclusively dihydropyrans as single stereoisomers. An unprotected hydroxy group is identified as the factor controlling the ring-size selectivity.
Regulation of respiration and fermentation to control the plant internal oxygen concentration
(2009)
Plant internal oxygen concentrations can drop well below ambient even when the plant grows under optimal conditions. Using pea (Pisum sativum) roots, we show how amenable respiration adapts to hypoxia to save oxygen when the oxygen availability decreases. The data cannot simply be explained by oxygen being limiting as substrate but indicate the existence of a regulatory mechanism, because the oxygen concentration at which the adaptive response is initiated is independent of the actual respiratory rate. Two phases can be discerned during the adaptive reaction: an initial linear decline of respiration is followed by a nonlinear inhibition in which the respiratory rate decreased progressively faster upon decreasing oxygen availability. In contrast to the cytochrome c pathway, the inhibition of the alternative oxidase pathway shows only the linear component of the adaptive response. Feeding pyruvate to the roots led to an increase of the oxygen consumption rate, which ultimately led to anoxia. The importance of balancing the in vivo pyruvate availability in the tissue was further investigated. Using various alcohol dehydrogenase knockout lines of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), it was shown that even under aerobic conditions, alcohol fermentation plays an important role in the control of the level of pyruvate in the tissue. Interestingly, alcohol fermentation appeared to be primarily induced by a drop in the energy status of the tissue rather than by a low oxygen concentration, indicating that sensing the energy status is an important component of optimizing plant metabolism to changes in the oxygen availability.
Arenes with various alkyl side-chains were synthesized in high yields and excellent regioselectivities. Starting from toluic and naphthoic acids, the carboxylate group was conveniently substituted by alkyl halides by Birch reduction and subsequent decarbonylation. The method is characterized by inexpensive starting materials and reagents, and methylation of arenes was realized. Besides simple alkyl substituents, the scope of arene functionalization was extended by benzyl, fluoro, amino, and ester groups. We were able to control the alkylation of 1-naphthoic acid during Birch reduction by the addition of tert-butanol. This allowed the regioselective synthesis of mono and bis-substituted naphthalenes from the same starting material.
Laser flash photolysis is applied to study the recombination reaction of lophyl radicals in ionic liquids in comparison with dimethylsulfoxide as an example of a traditional organic solvent. The latter exhibits a similar micropolarity as the ionic liquids. The ionic liquids investigated are 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (1), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (2), and 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium tetafluoroborate (3). The recombination of the photolytic generated lophyl radicals occur significantly faster in the ionic liquids than expected from their macroscopic viscosities and is a specific effect of these ionic liquids. On the other hand, this reaction can be compared with the macroscopic viscosity in the case of dimethylsulfoxide. Activation parameters obtained for lophyl radical recombination suggest different, anion-dependent mechanistic effects. Quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory provide a deeper insight of the molecular properties of the lophyl radical and its precursor. Thus, excitation energies, spin densities, molar volumes, and partial charges are calculated. Calculations show a spread of spin density over the three carbon atoms of the imidazolyl moiety, while only low spin density is calculated for the nitrogens.
Radical additions to glycals : synthesis and transformations of 2-functionalized carbohydrates
(2009)
Quinoxalines XV : convenient synthesis and structural study of pyrazolo[1,5-alpha]quinoxalines
(2009)
A series of aryloxymethylquinoxaline oximes, hitherto unknown and synthesized from the corresponding aldehydes, afforded in only one step pyrazolo[1,5-;]quinoxalines in the presence of acetic anhydride at high temperatures. A formal [3,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement was proposed as the mechanistic rationale for this unprecedented transformation. Saponification with potassium hydroxide furnished the free phenol derivatives which were studied by NMR spectroscopy and accompanying theoretical DFT calculations, establishing intramolecular hydrogen bonding and the spatial magnetic properties. Additionally, mass spectrometric fragmentation was investigated by B/E-linked scans and collision-induced dissociation experiments. The fragmentation pattern devoted a new gas phase rearrangement process, which proved to be unique and characteristic for pyrazolo[1,5-;]quinoxalines.
Molecular photoswitches are attracting much attention lately mostly because of their possible applications in nano technology, and their role in biology. One of the widely studied representatives of photochromic molecules is azobenzene (AB). With light, by a static electric field, or with tunneling electrons this specie can be "switched" from the flat and energetically more stable trans form, into the compact cis form. The back reaction can be induced optically or thermally. Quantum chemical calculations, mostly based on density functional theory, on the AB molecule, AB derivatives and related systems are presented. All the calculations were done for isolated species, however, with implications for latest experimental results aiming at the switching of surface mounted ABs. In some of these experiments, it is assumed that the switching process is substrate mediated, by attaching an electron or a hole to the adsorbate forming short-lived anion or cation resonances. Therefore, we calculated also cationic and anionic ABs in this work. An influence of external electric fields on the potential energy surfaces, was also studied. Further, by the type, number and positioning of various substituent groups, systematic changes on activation energies and rates for the thermal cis-to-trans isomerization can be enforced. The nature of the transition state for ground state isomerization was investigated. Applying Eyring's transition state theory, trends in activation energies and rates were predicted and are, where a comparison was possible, in good agreement with experimental data. Further, thermal isomerization was studied in solution, for which a polarizable continuum model was employed. The influence of substitution and an environment leaves its traces on structural properties of molecules and quantitative appearance of calculated UV/Vis spectra, as well. Finally, an explicit treatment of a solid substrate was demonstrated for the conformational switching, by scanning tunneling microscope, of a 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) molecule at a Si(001) surface, treated by a cluster model. At first, we studied energetics and potential energy surfaces along relevant switching coordinates by quantum chemical calculations, followed by the switching dynamics using wave packet methods. We show that, in spite the simplicity of the model, our calculations support the switching of adsorbed COD, by inelastic electron tunneling at low temperatures.
Quantum chemical calculations of various azobenzene (AB) derivatives have been carried out with the goal to describe the energetics and kinetics of their thermal cis -> trans isomerization. The effects of substituents, in particular their type, number, and positioning, on activation energies have been systematically studied with the ultimate goal to tailor the switching process. Trends observed for mono- and disubstituted species are discussed. A polarizable continuum model is used to study, in an approximate fashion, the cis -> trans isomerization of azobenzenes in solution. The nature of the transition state(s) and its dependence on substituents and the environment is discussed. In particular for push-pull azobenzenes, the reaction mechanism is found to change from inversion in nonpolar solvents to rotation in polar solvents. Concerning kinetics, calculations based on the Eyring transition state theory give usually reliable activation energies and enthalpies when compared to experimentally determined values. Also, trends in the resulting rate constants are correct. Other computed properties such as activation entropies and thus preexponential rate factors are in only moderate agreement with experiment.
C-13 chemical shifts of alkynes, published to date, were computed at the DFT (B3LYP/6-311G*) level of theory and compared with the experimental delta values, and the agreement was employed as a measure of quality for the underlying structures. For the corresponding global minima structures, thus obtained, the occupation quotients of antibonding pi* and bonding pi orbitals (pi*(C C)/pi(C C)) and the bond lengths (d(C C)) of the central C C triple bond were computed and correlated to each other. The linear dependence obtained for the two push-pull parameters d(C C) and pi*(C C)/pi(C C) quantifies changes in the push-pull effect of substituents while deviations from the best line of fit indicate and ascertain quantitatively to what extend the inductive (+/-l) substituent effect changes with respect to the bond length of the C C triple bond.
In this paper, we describe our synthesis of four key building blocks for the total synthesis of psymberin (1) and its C4 epimer (2). Despite early difficulties in processing material to the advanced intermediate stage, we have been successful in developing high-yielding syntheses for the pyran core, natural side chain, 4-epi side chain, and aryl fragments of the molecule. Our findings from the optimization process are presented herein.
Amphiphilic alkyl-poly(ethyleneimine)s (alkyl-PEI) with different degrees of polymerization have been produced by alkaline hydrolysis of alkyl-poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline). Potentiometric titration of the alkyl-PEI shows the influence of the alkyl chain and the degree of polymerization on the titration curves and hence on the polymer conformation. Karl Fischer titration has been used to determine the water content in the polymers. Subsequent X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements prove the existence of different hydration states of the PEI even under dry storage conditions. Upon cooling from hot aqueous Solutions, hydrogels form. The gelation concentration decreases with increasing degree of polymerization of the PEI segment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM and cryo-SEM) of the hydrogels reveal an alkyl-PEI fibrous network composed of fan-like units. DSC shows that the percentages of bound and free water in the hydrogels depend on the concentration of polar amino groups.
Polymer-modified bicontinuous microemulsions used as a template for the formation of nanorods
(2009)
This article is focused on the characterization of the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-induced bicontinuous microemulsion of the pseudo-ternary system sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)/xylene-pentanol/water by means of differential scanning calorimetry, rheology, and conductometry. The influence of the polymer concentration (cp) and the molecular weight (Mw) on the microstructure of the microemulsion was investigated using Cryo scanning electron microscopy. It was found that an increase of cp influences the structure of the sponge-like phase significantly. These polymer-modified microemulsions can be used as a template phase for the formation of BaSO4 nanorods, where individual nanoparticles (5nm in size) are ordered along the polymer backbone.
This paper is focused on the influence of added polyampholyte, namely poly(N,N;-diallyl-N,N;- dimethyl-alt-maleamic carboxylate) on the inverse micellar phase range of the pseudo-ternary system consisting of toluene-pentanol (1:1)/SDS/water in dependence on the pH value and the temperature. Investigations on phase behavior have revealed that a greater extension in direction to the water-rich corner can be found at pH 4 compared to pH 9. In order to understand changes in the microstructure, polymer-surfactant interactions in dependence on pH have been examined by means of diffusion-ordered spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, as well as conductivity measurements. The results have proven that the present microemulsion consists of water-in-oil droplets, with the polyampholyte located more in the inner core of the water droplets at pH 9 rather than at the interphase of the surfactant film at pH 4.
13C chemical shifts of the push;pull oligoalkynes Don-(C;C)n-Acc (n = 1;4; Don = morpholino; Acc = COMe, COOMe) were computed at the DFT (B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory compared with the experimental ; values and the agreement employed as a measure of quality for the underlying structures. For the global minima structures, the occupation quotients of antibonding ;* and bonding ; orbitals (;*C;C/ ;C;C) and the bond lengths (dC;C) of the various C;C triple bonds were also computed and correlated to each other. The linear dependence obtained for the two parameters dC;C and ;*C;C/ ;C;C quantifies changes in ;-delocalization induced by the push;pull effect of the substituents and 1,3-conjugation (1,3,5- and 1,3,5,7-, respectively) of the C;C bonds in the oligoalkynes studied. A critical comparison of the push;pull effect, attenuated with increasing n, and the conjugative stabilization of the oligoalkynes, increasing with n, as concluded from dC;C and ;*C;C/;C;C of the oligoalkynes and the reference compounds Me-(C;C)n-Me, Don-(C;C)n-Me, and Me-(C;C)n-Acc), respectively (Don = morpholino; Acc = COMe, COOMe), is affiliated.
Films of anthracene carboxylic acids were irradiated through photomasks and oxidized at the exposed regions by singlet oxygen upon sensitization. The efficiency of a photomask to protect the material underneath was investigated by optical and infrared spectroscopy. As the thickness of the film is reduced, the efficiency of the mask drops. This is explained by the migration of singlet oxygen at the solid-air interface, which in turn reacts at the masked area. For films with a thickness of < 15 nm, the efficiency of the mask approaches zero: sufficient efficiency is achieved at thicknesses > 100 nm. From the investigations, it will become clear that the contrast between the irradiated and masked area of an image is affected by reduction of the film thickness. On the other hand, the resolution of an image, which relates to the minimum feature size of an image, is not dependent on the thickness of the film. The contributions of "inside" and "outside" reactions are examined separately, and it quantitative approximation of the spatial range of both modes of the oxygenation is given. We set tip an approximate relation between mask efficiency and experimental conditions comprising internal and external oxygen diffusion, film thickness, and mask dimensions. These results give it deeper insight into the limits of resolution and contrast in singlet oxygen lithography.
Simple tripeptides are scaffolds for the synthesis and further assembly of peptide/silver nanoparticle composites. Herein, we further explore peptide-con trolled silver nanoparticle assembly processes. Silver nanoparticles with a pH-responsive peptide coating have been synthesized by using a one-step precipitation/coating route. The nature of the peptide/silver interaction and the effect of the peptide oil the formation of the silver particles have been studied via UV/Vis, X-ray photoelectron, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopies as well as through electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering and powder Xray diffraction with Rietveld refinement. The particles reversibly form aggregates of different sizes in aqueous solution. The state of aggregation call be controlled by the solution pH value. At low pH values, individual particles are present. At neutral pH values, small clusters form and at high pH values, large precipitates are observed.
Di-nor-benzofuran neolignan aldehydes, Delta(7)-3,4-methylenedioxy-3'-methoxy-8',9'-dinor- 4',7-epoxy-8,3'-neolignan-7'-aldehyde (ocophyllal A) 1, Delta(7)-3,4,5,3'-tetramethoxy- 8',9'-dinor-4',7-epoxy-8,3'-neolignan-7'-aldehyde (ocophyllal B) 2, and macrophyllin-type bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans (7R, 8R, 3'S, 4'S, 5'R)-Delta(8)'-4'-hydroxy-5'- methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-2',3'.4',5'-tetrahydro-2'-oxo-7.3',8.5'-neolignan (ocophyllol A) 3, (7R, 8R, 3'S, 4'S, 5'R)-Delta 8'-4'-hydroxy-3,4,5'-trimethoxy- 2',3',4',5'-tetrahydro-2'-oxo-7.3',8.5'-neolignan (ocophyllol B) 4, (7R, 8R, 3'S, 4'S, 5'R)-Delta(8)'-4'-hydroxy-3,4,5,5'-tetramethoxy- 2',3',4',5'-tetrahydro-2'-oxo-7.3',8.5'-neolignan (ocophyllol C) 5, as well as 2'-epi-guianin 6 and (+)-licarin B 7, were isolated and characterized from leaves of Ocotea macrophylla (Lauraceae). The structures and configuration of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Inhibition of platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets were tested with neolignans 1-7. Although compound 6 was the most potent PAF-antagonist, compounds 3-5 showed some activity.
In the first section of the thesis graphitic carbon nitride was for the first time synthesised using the high-temperature condensation of dicyandiamide (DCDA) – a simple molecular precursor – in a eutectic salt melt of lithium chloride and potassium chloride. The extent of condensation, namely next to complete conversion of all reactive end groups, was verified by elemental microanalysis and vibrational spectroscopy. TEM- and SEM-measurements gave detailed insight into the well-defined morphology of these organic crystals, which are not based on 0D or 1D constituents like known molecular or short-chain polymeric crystals but on the packing motif of extended 2D frameworks. The proposed crystal structure of this g-C3N4 species was derived in analogy to graphite by means of extensive powder XRD studies, indexing and refinement. It is based on sheets of hexagonally arranged s-heptazine (C6N7) units that are held together by covalent bonds between C and N atoms. These sheets stack in a graphitic, staggered fashion adopting an AB-motif, as corroborated by powder X-ray diffractometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. This study was contrasted with one of many popular – yet unsuccessful – approaches in the last 30 years of scientific literature to perform the condensation of an extended carbon nitride species through synthesis in the bulk. The second section expands the repertoire of available salt melts introducing the lithium bromide and potassium bromide eutectic as an excellent medium to obtain a new phase of graphitic carbon nitride. The combination of SEM, TEM, PXRD and electron diffraction reveals that the new graphitic carbon nitride phase stacks in an ABA’ motif forming unprecedentedly large crystals. This section seizes the notion of the preceding chapter, that condensation in a eutectic salt melt is the key to obtain a high degree of conversion mainly through a solvatory effect. At the close of this chapter ionothermal synthesis is seen established as a powerful tool to overcome the inherent kinetic problems of solid state reactions such as incomplete polymerisation and condensation in the bulk especially when the temperature requirement of the reaction in question falls into the proverbial “no man’s land” of classical solvents, i.e. above 250 to 300 °C. The following section puts the claim to the test, that the crystalline carbon nitrides obtained from a salt melt are indeed graphitic. A typical property of graphite – namely the accessibility of its interplanar space for guest molecules – is transferred to the graphitic carbon nitride system. Metallic potassium and graphitic carbon nitride are converted to give the potassium intercalation compound, K(C6N8)3 designated according to its stoichiometry and proposed crystal structure. Reaction of the intercalate with aqueous solvents triggers the exfoliation of the graphitic carbon nitride material and – for the first time – enables the access of singular (or multiple) carbon nitride sheets analogous to graphene as seen in the formation of sheets, bundles and scrolls of carbon nitride in TEM imaging. The thus exfoliated sheets form a stable, strongly fluorescent solution in aqueous media, which shows no sign in UV/Vis spectroscopy that the aromaticity of individual sheets was subject to degradation. The final section expands on the mechanism underlying the formation of graphitic carbon nitride by literally expanding the distance between the covalently linked heptazine units which constitute these materials. A close examination of all proposed reaction mechanisms to-date in the light of exhaustive DSC/MS experiments highlights the possibility that the heptazine unit can be formed from smaller molecules, even if some of the designated leaving groups (such as ammonia) are substituted by an element, R, which later on remains linked to the nascent heptazine. Furthermore, it is suggested that the key functional groups in the process are the triazine- (Tz) and the carbonitrile- (CN) group. On the basis of these assumptions, molecular precursors are tailored which encompass all necessary functional groups to form a central heptazine unit of threefold, planar symmetry and then still retain outward functionalities for self-propagated condensation in all three directions. Two model systems based on a para-aryl (ArCNTz) and para-biphenyl (BiPhCNTz) precursors are devised via a facile synthetic procedure and then condensed in an ionothermal process to yield the heptazine based frameworks, HBF-1 and HBF-2. Due to the structural motifs of their molecular precursors, individual sheets of HBF-1 and HBF-2 span cavities of 14.2 Å and 23.0 Å respectively which makes both materials attractive as potential organic zeolites. Crystallographic analysis confirms the formation of ABA’ layered, graphitic systems, and the extent of condensation is confirmed as next-to-perfect by elemental analysis and vibrational spectroscopy.
We studied the swelling of polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayers (PEM) in water (H2O) vapors. The PEM were made from polyanion poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and polycation poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)-N-methyl-N-vinylacetamide (pDADMAC-NMVA). While PSS is a fully charged polyanion, pDADMAC-NMVA is a random copolymer made of charged pDADMAC and uncharged NMVA monomer units. Variation of the relative amount of these two units allows for controlling the charge density of pDADMAC-NMVA. The degree of swelling was studied as it function of the relative humidity in the experimental chamber (respectively water concentration in the gas phase) for PEM prepared from PSS and pDADMAC-NMVA with their different charge densities - 100%, 89% and 75%. The films were prepared by means of spraying technique and consisted of six PE couples-PSS/pDADMAC-NMVA. Neutron reflectometry was applied as main tool to observe the swelling process. The technique allows to obtain in a single experiment information about film thickness and amount of water in the film. The experiments were complemented with AFM measurements to obtain the thickness of the films. It was found that the Film thickness increases when the charge density of the polycation decreases. The swelling of the PEM increases with the relative humidity and it depends on the charge density of pDADMAC-NMVA. The swelling behavior is 2-fold, splitting up in a charge dependent mode with relatively little volume increase, and a second mode With high volume expansion, which is independent from charge density of PEM. The "swelling transition" occurs for all samples at a relative humidity about 60% and a volume increase of ca. 20%. The results were interpreted according to the Flory-Huggins theory which assumes a phase separation in PEM network at higher water contents.
We report model quantum simulations for the nitrogen inversion in 2-azabicyclo[1.1.1] pentane derivates controlled by laser pulses proposing to use this class of molecules as molecular switches. The derivatives trans-5- fluoro-2-methyl-2-azabicyclo[1.1.1] pentane and cis-5-fluoro-2-methyl-2-azabicyclo[1.1.1] pentane are investigated by means of density functional theory and quantum wave packet dynamics. The molecules have two stable, i.e. energetically well-separated, conformers along the N-inversion coordinate. In 1D model simulations the transformation from one conformer to the other is accomplished in the electronic ground state by using two overlapping chirped linearly polarized IR laser pulses for the trans-and cis-isomer or alternatively via an electronic excited state employing a pump- dump sequence of ultrashort UV laser pulses.
Getting stuck in: A hydrophobic molecular rod with terminal fluorescent moieties has been synthesized. The insertion of the rod into membranes was investigated and shown to incorporate efficiently into model and biological membranes (see picture; gray C, blue N, red O). Those rods can be used as stable membrane-associated anchors for functionalization of membrane surfaces.
We have performed a 50 ns of molecular dynamics study of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC)/ sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/decanol/water systems. The influence of the cationic polyelectrolyte on the anionic SDS- based lamellar liquid crystalline system was investigated. The main structural parameters have been calculated and compared with experimental data. We obtain two types of PDADMAC conformation, a more folded structure A and a structure B where the PDADMAC molecule is adsorbed at the anionic head groups of the surfactant molecules. The polyelectrolyte- induced coexistence of two lamellar phases at a concentration of 2-3% of PDADMAC is observed, which is in agreement with experimental findings.
Die Kombination von Polymeren mit Peptiden vereint die Eigenschaften beider Stoffklassen miteinander. Dabei können die strukturbildenden Eigenschaften der Peptide genutzt werden, um Polymere zu organisieren. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde ein Polymer-Peptid-Konjugat verwendet, das sich in Wasser zu Bändern anordnet. Die treibende Kraft für diesen Prozess ist die Anordnung des Peptidteils zu β-Faltblattstrukturen. Das Polymer-Peptid-Aggregat besitzt einen Peptidkern mit funktionalen Oberflächen, der lateral von einer Polyethylenoxidschale umgeben ist. Durch Änderung der Peptidsequenz war es bisher möglich, die Eigenschaften dieser Fasern zu variieren. In der Arbeit wird ein modularer Ansatz zur vielfältigen Modifizierung einer Polymer-Peptid-Faser entwickelt. So ist es möglich, die Eigenschaften der Fasern einzustellen, ohne die strukturbildende β-Faltblattsequenz verändern zu müssen. Um weitere Funktionen an den Fasern anzubringen, wurde die 1,3-dipolaren Addition verwendet. Diese Reaktion beschreibt die konzertierte Umlagerung eines Azides mit einem Alkin. Sie ist in den meisten Lösungsmitteln unter hohen Ausbeuten durchführbar. Im Rahmen der Arbeit wird die Erzeugung von Aziden untersucht und auf die Polymer-Peptid-Fasern übertragen. Der Diazotransfer stellte dabei die Methode der Wahl dar, so können Azidgruppen aus Aminen gewonnen werden. Unter Verwendung der 1,3-dipolaren Addition konnten verschiedene alkinfunktionale Moleküle kovalent an die azidfunktionalisierten Polymer-Peptid-Fasern gebunden werden. So wurde ein Fluoreszenzfarbstoff an die Fasern gebunden, der eine Abbildung der Fasern mittels konfokaler Mikroskopie erlaubte. Weiterhin wurden die Eigenschaften der Fasern durch Addition dreier carboxylfunktionaler Moleküle modifiziert. Diese Fasern konnten weiter genutzt werden, um Kalzium zu binden. Dabei variierte die Anzahl der gebundenen Kalziumionen in Abhängigkeit der jeweiligen Fasermodifikation erheblich. Weitere Untersuchungen, die Morphologie von Kalziumcarbonatkristallen betreffend, werden aktuell durchgeführt. Die kovalente Anbringung eines reduzierenden Zuckers an die Polymer-Peptid-Fasern erlaubt die Abscheidung von Silber aus Tollens Reagenz. Durch eine Entwicklung analog zur Schwarz-Weiss-Photographie können in nachfolgenden Arbeiten so Silberdrähte in Nanogröße erzeugt werden. An die azidfunktionalen Fasern können weitere funktionale Moleküle angebracht werden, um die Eigenschaften und das Anwendungsspektrum der Polymer-Peptid-Fasern zu erweitern.
Mixed 1,2-Dümine-1,2-Dithiolate Ligand Complexes : Structure, Proberties and EPR Spectroscopy
(2009)
Due to depleting fossil resources, the ever increasing emission of greenhouse gases and toxic waste, as well as the inefficient utilization of our available resources, we have to implement the principles of green chemistry whenever and wherever possible. Plant oils are already the most important renewable resource for the chemical industry. Due to their inherent double-bond functionality, they offer the possibility of being transformed via several very efficient catalytic processes. Especially, new developments in olefin metathesis allow the chemist to directly polymerize or introduce a variety of functional groups to these renewable resources in an efficient manner. Therefore, olefin metathesis with plant-oil-derived fatty acids and their derivatives can contribute to a sustainable development of our future, since this approach has great potential for the substitution of currently used petrochemicals and a variety of value-added chemical intermediates, especially for the polymer industry, can be derived from these resources in a straightforward fashion. This contribution will address and discuss the most recent developments in this field of research.
In ultra-low-temperature experiments at 4.7 K the luminescence of Eu(III) bound to different hydroxy- and methoxybenzoic acids and to humic substances (HS) was investigated. The benzoic acid derivatives were used as simple model compounds for common metal-binding structures in HS. The Eu(III) luminescence was directly excited by means of a pulsed dye laser, scanning through the D-5(0) -> F-7(0) transition of Eu(III) and subsequently, high-resolution total luminescence spectra (TLS) were recorded. Based on the thorough analysis of the high-resolution TLS conclusions were drawn with respect to the number of different complexes formed and to the symmetry of the complexes. The crystal-field strength parameter N-nu(B-2q) was dependent on the electrostatic forces induced by the ligands as well as on the symmetry of the complexes. The formation of thermodynamically stable complexes was found to be slow even for small model ligands such its 2-hydroxybenzoic acid. Comparison between the model compounds and HS clearly revealed that the carboxylate group is the dominant binding site in HS. Indices for the formation of chelates, e.g. similar to 2- hydroxybenzoic acid, were not found for HS.
Mass spectrometry of aminoglucan oligosaccharides using electrospray ionization MS/MS and MS/MS/MS
(2009)
Macrophyllin-type bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans from the leaves of Pleurothyrium cinereum
(2009)
Four new macrophyllin-type bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignans, (7S,8R,3'S,5'R)-Delta(8')- 5,5',3'-trimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-2',3',4',5'-tetrahydro-2',4'-dioxo- 7.3',8.5'-neolignan (cinerin A), 1, (7R,8R,3'S,4'R,5'R)-Delta(8')-4'-hydroxy- 5,5'-dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-2',3',4',5'-tetrahydro-2'-oxo- 7.3',8.5'-neolignan (cinerin B), 2, (7S,8R,3'R,4'S,5'R)-Delta(8')-4'-hydroxy- 5,5',3'-trimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-2',3',4',5'-tetrahydro-2'-oxo- 7.3',8.5'-neolignan (cinerin C), 3, and (7S,8R,2'RYS,5'R)-Delta(8')-2'-hydroxy- 5,5'-dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-2',3',4',5'-tetrahydro-4'-oxo- 7.3',8.5'-neolignan (cinerin D). 4, along with the known diterpene kaurenoic acid 5, were isolated from the leaves of Pleurothyrium cinercum. The structures and configuration of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Cinerins A-D (1-4) were tested for their inhibition efficacy of platelet activating factor (PAF)- induced aggregation of rabbit platelets. Compound 3 was the most potent PAF antagonist. Compounds 1-5 were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H(37)Rv strain) using the MABA method. Compound 5 induced 91.3% growth inhibition at 50 mu g mL(-1). Compounds 1-5 showed no significant inhibitory activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by the agar-well diffusion method.
In this paper, we report simulations of laser-driven many-electron dynamics by means of the time-dependent configuration interaction singles (TD-CIS) approach. The method is capable of describing explicitly time-dependent phenomena beyond perturbation theory and is systematically improvable. In contrast to most time-dependent density functional methods it also allows us to treat long-range charge-transfer states properly. As an example, the laser-pulse induced charge transfer between a donor (ethylene) and an acceptor molecule (tetracyanoethylene, TCNE) is studied by means of TD-CIS. Also, larger aggregates consisting of several donors and/or acceptors are considered. It is shown that the charge distribution and hence the dipole moments of the systems under study are switchable by (a series of) laser pulses which induce selective, state-to-state electronic transitions.
We report simulations of laser-pulse driven many-electron dynamics by means of a simple, heuristic extension of the time-dependent configuration interaction singles (TD-CIS) approach. The extension allows for the treatment of ionizing states as nonstationary states with a finite, energy-dependent lifetime to account for above-threshold ionization losses in laser-driven many-electron dynamics. The extended TD-CIS method is applied to the following specific examples: (i) state-to-state transitions in the LiCN molecule which correspond to intramolecular charge transfer, (ii) creation of electronic wave packets in LiCN including wave packet analysis by pump-probe spectroscopy, and, finally, (iii) the effect of ionization on the dynamic polarizability of H-2 when calculated nonperturbatively by TD-CIS.
Background & objectives: This paper reports the larvicidal activity of seventeen Tanzanian plant species against the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles larvae. Some of the plants are used traditionally as sources of insecticidal materials. Methods: The crude extracts from the leaves, stem and root barks of the investigated plants were obtained by solvent extraction and then bio-assayed following WHO protocols showed LC50 values 10 to 400 ppm after 24 h exposure. The structures were determined on interpretation of spectroscopic data. Results: The most active extracts were those from the stem and root barks of Annona squamosa, Uvaria faulknerae, U. kirkii and Uvariodendron pycnophyllum, all of which had LC50 values between 10 and 100 ppm. Long-term exposure beyond 24 h also showed more susceptibility of the larvae to the extracts. Larvae deformities by forming tail-like structures were observed for the methanol extracts of Tessmannia martiniana var pauloi. Interpretation & conclusion: The results suggest that the investigated plant extracts are promising as larvicides against An. gambiae s.s. Giles mosquitoes and could be useful leads in the search for new and biodegradable plant derived larvicide products.
The existence of intermolecular or intramolecular N···H;O or N;H···O hydrogen bonding in three series (series 1, substituted 1-aminoalkyl-2-naphthols: R = H, Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr; series 2, substituted 1-;- aminobenzyl-2-naphthols: H, p-OMe, p-F, p-Cl, p-Br, p-NO2, p-Me; series 3, substituted 2-;-aminobenzyl-1-naphthols: R = H, p-Me, p-F, p-Br, p-OMe, m-NO2, m-Br) are studied by NMR spectroscopy and computed at the DFT level of theory [B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)]. The correct nature of the H-bond was assigned unequivocally both experimentally and computationally by potential energy scans rotating the involved dihedral angles. We investigated the effects of substituents on the strength of the H-bond by evaluating the corresponding hyperconjugative stabilization energy nlonepair ; ;*X;H and Hammett substituent constant plots. By this means, steric and electronic substituent effects could be easily quantified and separated.
Cyanine dyes have become widely used fluorescence labels in clinical and biological chemistry. In particular, cyanine dyes with excitation wavelengths lambda(ex) > 600 nm are often used in biological applications. However, aggregation behavior and matrix effects on cyanine fluorescence are not fully understood yet and interfere with the data interpretation. In this study, we analyzed the spectroscopic characteristics of a model system consisting of the biotinylated cyanine dyes DY-635 and DY-647 and their streptavidin conjugates. On the basis of the spectroscopic data, the interaction processes between cyanine dye molecules and proteins are discussed. Binding to streptavidin had a significant influence on both fluorescence and anisotropy decays of the cyanine dyes investigated. In particular, the fluorescence anisotropy was significantly altered, making it a promising detection parameter for bioanalytical applications in connection with the cyanine dyes used in the present study. In order to evaluate the time-resolved anisotropy, the introduction of a sophisticated kinetic model was required to describe the contributions from different fluorescing species properly. The rotational motion of streptavidin-bound dyes was analyzed using the associated anisotropy model, which allowed discrimination between contributions from different microenvironments. The anisotropy decay times increased by a factor of up to 20 due to protein binding.
The self-metathesis of methyl 10-undecenoate as well as its cross-metathesis with methyl acrylate was investigated in detail by a systematic variation of the reaction conditions. Unsaturated ;,;-diesters with a chain length of 20 and 12 carbon atoms were thus obtained, respectively. Four different metathesis catalysts were investigated under solvent-free conditions at catalyst loadings ranging from 0.05 mol% to 1 mol% and at temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 90 °C. In the case of the self-metathesis reactions quantitative conversions were obtained with all catalysts, but the second generation metathesis catalysts revealed high amounts of olefin isomerization side reactions at higher temperatures. Using a small quantity of the hydrogen acceptor 1,4-benzoquinone, the isomerization process was almost completely suppressed. Thus, the second generation catalysts allowed for high conversions at very low catalyst loadings. For the cross-metathesis reaction, an interesting temperature and catalyst loading dependent selectivity was observed with the second generation catalysts. Moreover, due to these optimizations, we were able to run these cross-metathesis reactions with a 1:1 ratio of the reactants and low catalysts loadings. This is an improvement over described literature procedures. Thus, we report on the detailed investigation of the described self- and cross- metathesis reactions leading to practical and optimized reaction conditions for the synthesis of unsaturated ;,;-diesters monomers from renewable raw materials in an efficient catalytic manner.
Hyperpolarizability of donor-acceptor azines subject to push-pull character and steric hindrance
(2009)
The push-pull character of two series of donor-acceptor azines has been quantified by C-13, N-15 chemical shift differences of the partial C(1)=N(1) and N(2)=C(2) double bonds in the central linking C(1)=N(1)-N(2)=C(2) unit and by the quotient of the occupations of the bonding pi and anti-bonding pi* orbitals of these bonds. Excellent correlation of the latter push-pull parameter with the corresponding bond lengths d(C=N) strongly recommend both the occupation quotients pi*/pi and the corresponding bond lengths as reasonable sensors for quantifying the push, pull character along the C=N-N=C linking unit, for the donor-acceptor quality of the two series of azines and for the molecular hyperpolarizability beta(0) of these compounds. Within this context, reasonable conclusions concerning the interplay of steric hindrance in the chromophore, push-pull character and hyperpolarizability of the azines and their application as NLO materials will be drawn.
Intermolecular hydrogen bonding, not hydrophobic interaction, is the driving force for the spontaneous self- assembly of glycosylated polyoxazoline chains into nanotubes in dilute aqueous solution. The structural information is encoded in the relatively simple molecular structure of chains consisting of a tertiary polyamide backbone (hydrogen- accepting) and glucose side chains (hydrogen-donating). The formation of the nanotubes should occur through bending and closing of a 2D hydrogen-bonded layer of interdigitated polymer chains.
The incongruous solvation of polyphosphides and phosphanes or the direct reduction of white phosphorus in liquid ammonia leads to the hydrogen polyphosphides catena-dihydrogen triphosphide, P3H23-, and catena-trihydrogen triphosphide, P3H32-, in the crystalline compounds K-3(P3H2)center dot 2.3NH(3) (1), Rb-3(P3H2)center dot NH3 (2), [Rb(18-crown-6)](2)(P3H3)center dot 7.5NH(3) (3), and [Cs(18-crown-6)](2)(P3H3)center dot 7NH(3) (4).
Eu(III) luminescence spectroscopy, both in the steady-state and the time-resolved mode, is an appropriate technique to study the properties of complexes between heavy metal ions and humic substances (HS), which play a key role in the distribution of metal species in the environment. Unfortunately, room temperature luminescence spectra of Eu(III) complexes with aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids - model compounds of HS binding sites - are too broad to fully exploit their potential analytical information content. It is shown that under cryogenic conditions fluorescence-line- narrowing (FLN) is achieved, and the highly resolved spectra provide detailed information on the complexes. Ten model ligands were investigated. Total luminescence spectra (TLS) were recorded, using the D-5(0) -> F-7(0) transition for excitation and the D-5(0) -> F-7(1) and D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transitions for emission. The energy of the excitation transition depends on the ligand involved and the structure and composition of the complex. For most ligands, discontinuities in the high-resolution TLS indicated that more species, i.e. distinct complex structures, coexisted in the sample. Selective excitation was performed to measure the species-associated luminescence decay times tau. The latter strongly depend on nearby OH oscillators from coordinating water molecules or ligand hydroxyl groups. Furthermore, the asymmetry ratios r, defined as the intensity ratio of the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) and D-5(0) -> F-7(1) transitions, were calculated and the variation of the excitation energy E-exc with the splitting of the F-7(1) triplet (Delta E) was determined. which yielded the crystal field strength parameter N-nu(B-2q), as well as the crystal field parameters B-20 and B-22. An in-depth analysis of the results is presented, providing detailed information on the number of coexisting complexes, their stoichiometry, the number of water molecules in the first coordination sphere and their geometry (symmetry point group).
From Supported Paladium to Metal free Catalysts : different approaches in heterogeneous catalysis
(2009)
We present the synthesis of fluorescent acrylamide nanoparticles (FANs) capable of recognizing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in buffered aqueous solutions. Within this important group, we selected naproxen, one of the 2-arylpropionic acids (profens), due to its use for the treatment of moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. The nanosensors were prepared under mild conditions of inverse microemulsion polymerization using aqueous acrylamide as the monomer and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as the crosslinker, employing the surfactants polyoxyethylene-4-lauryl ether (Brij (R) 30) and sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate in hexane. Furthermore, a fluorescent monomer, (E)-4-[4- (dimethylamino)styryl]-1-[4-(methacryloyloxymethyl)benzyl]pyridinium chloride (mDMASP) has been synthesized and incorporated into the nanoparticles. The nanosensors exhibit a broad absorbance at around 460 nm and a structureless fluorescence band with maximum at 590 nm in 0.5 M phosphate buffer (pH=7.2). The recognition process is performed on the basis of ionic interactions which are monitored by the fluorescence increase at 590 nm upon addition of different concentrations of naproxen. The FANs show a size distribution in the range of 20-80 nm, with a hydrodynamic diameter of 34 nm. In order to assess the selectivity of the FANs, a systematic study was conducted on the effect produced by drugs and biomolecules that could interfere with the analysis of naproxen.
The femtosecond-laser-induced, substrate-mediated associative desorption of molecular hydrogen and deuterium from a Ru(0001) surface in the so-called DIMET limit is studied theoretically. Two widely used models, a "quantum nonadiabatic" approach and a "classical adiabatic" one are employed and compared to each other. The quantum model is realized by the Monte Carlo wave packet (MCWP) method in the framework of open-system density matrix theory: The classical approach is realized with the help of (frictional) Langevin dynamics with stochastic forces. For both models the same ground-state potential energy surface is used and the same two-temperature model adopted to describe the hot- electron-driven desorption dynamics. Apart from these common features both models are different. Still, both account well for the main experimental findings (Wagner et al. Phys. Rev. B 2005, 72, 205404). In particular, an isotope effect in desorption probabilities, the energy content of the desorbing molecules, and the scaling of these observables with laser fluence are reproduced and explained. The similarity of the results obtained with both models is traced back to the fact that, in the present case, the photodynamics takes place dominantly in the ground electronic state because the electronically excited state is rapidly quenched. The short lifetime of the excited state has also the effect that photoreaction cross sections are typically very small. An IR+vis hybrid scheme, by which the adsorbate is vibrationally excited by IR photons prior to the heating of metal electrons with the vis pulse, is shown to successfully promote the reaction even for strongly coupled adsorbate-surface systems.
Controlling interactions in synthetic polymers as precisely as in proteins would have a strong impact on polymer science. Advanced structural and functional control can lead to rational design of, integrated nano- and microstructures. To achieve this, properties of monomer sequence defined oligopeptides were exploited. Through their incorporation as monodisperse segments into synthetic polymers we learned in recent four years how to program the structure formation of polymers, to adjust and exploit interactions in such polymers, to control inorganic-organic interfaces in fiber composites and induce structure in Biomacromolecules like DNA for biomedical applications.
Europium ions were introduced in SiO2 and MCM-41 via two different pathways: (1) grafting the europium complexes with two alkoxide structures, 3-(2-imidazolin-1-yl)-propyl-triethoxysilane (IPTES) and aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), and (2) functionalization of the SiO2 support with silicon 4- carboxylbutyltriethoxide followed by subsequent addition of the europium ions. The new materials were characterized using nitrogen adsorption isotherms at -196 degrees C, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, NMR, DR-UV-vis, steady-state emission and excitation, and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Spectral changes found in the time-resolved photoluminscence spectra strongly point to the distribution of europium ions on a range of environments in both SiO2 and MCM-41 supports. The average europium photoluminescence lifetimes decrease within the order: Eu3+-IPTES/SiO2 (550 mu s) > Eu3+-APTMS/SiO2 (425 mu s) > Eu3+-APTMS/MCM-41 (370 mu s) > Eu3+-IPTES/MCM-41 (320 mu s) > Eu3+-CABES/SiO2 (240 mu s). The photoluminescence quantum efficiency has the largest value, of 22%, for Eu3+-IPTES/SiO2, while the most reduced value, of 9%, was measured for Eu3+-CABES/SiO2.
The generation of nanoscale primary poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) particles by rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) is reported. The experimental results show that RESS enables the formation of PVDF particles with median particle diameters ranging from 56 to 226 nm and that the size of PVDF particles can be influenced by polymer properties. The particle size can be decreased either by increasing molar mass, in case of identical polymer end groups, or by increasing the degree of crystallinity, in case of similar molar mass and different end groups.
The effect of the exocyclic conjugation, via d-p orbital interaction and/or negative hyperconjugation (anomeric effect) of the N-S bond, on the inversion of the morpholine ring in some N-arylsulfonyl morpholines is studied by variable-temperature H-1 NMR spectroscopy in different solvents. The observed free energy barriers are 9.2-10.3 kcal mol(-1); the lower values were obtained with increasing conjugation (substituents of higher electron withdrawing power) along the series. The barrier to ring inversion of le was solvent independent. X-ray data of compounds 1b,d reveal the chair conformation of the six-membered ring the flattened pyramidal orientation of the ring nitrogen atom, and the sulfonyl group in equatorial position with the plane containing the C-aryl-S-N bond perpendicular to the plane of the benzene ring. In addition, the sulfonamide group prefers a conformation with the S-C bond antiperiplanar with respect to the nitrogen atom lone pair and the -CH2-N-CH2- moieties in staggered conformation with the S-O bonds of the SO2 group.
The effect of the exocyclic conjugation, via d;p orbital interaction and/or negative hyperconjugation (anomeric effect) of the N;S bond, on the inversion of the morpholine ring in some N-arylsulfonyl morpholines is studied by variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy in different solvents. The observed free energy barriers are 9.2;10.3 kcal mol;1; the lower values were obtained with increasing conjugation (substituents of higher electron withdrawing power) along the series. The barrier to ring inversion of 1e was solvent independent. X-ray data of compounds 1b,d reveal the chair conformation of the six-membered ring, the flattened pyramidal orientation of the ring nitrogen atom, and the sulfonyl group in equatorial position with the plane containing the Caryl;S;N bond perpendicular to the plane of the benzene ring. In addition, the sulfonamide group prefers a conformation with the S;C bond antiperiplanar with respect to the nitrogen atom lone pair and the ;CH2;N;CH2; moieties in staggered conformation with the S;O bonds of the SO2 group.
Using a regioselective strategy for nucleophilic aromatic substitution on polyfluoropyridines, a nonacoordinating precursor was designed that is adequately suited for complexation of lanthanide cations. Further functionalizations afforded numerous applications for near-IR emission, two-photon absorption spectroscopy, or the formation of luminescent gels.
The push,pull effect in two series of disubstituted alkynes was studied at the DFT level [B3LYP/6-311G(d)] by application of the 13C chemical shift differences (GIAO) between the alkyne carbon atoms (Delta delta (C C)), the charge difference between these carbons (Delta q(C C)), the occupation quotient (NBO) of anti-bonding pi*, and bonding pi orbitals (pi*(C C)/pi(C C)) and the bond length (d(C C)) of the C C triple bond. The linear dependence of d(C C) versus pi*(C C)/pi(C C) quantifies changes in the push,pull effect while deviations from the latter correlation indicate and ascertain quantitatively to what extent steric hindrance restricts the strain-less conjugation of the C C triple bond pi- orbitals in the disubstituted alkynes.
Molecular modeling calculations using DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory have been performed on diastereomeric complexes formed between chiral carboxylate anions and chiral urea receptors, a combination previously demonstrated to enable enantiodifferentiation by electrochemical sensing. The calculations correctly predicted the stability order of the enantiomers in acetonitrile solution when the distinction between the enantiomers was above the declared threshold reliability value of 1 kcal mol;1 for computations at this level of theory. Thus, the calculations can not only be applied to predict the likely success of undertakings using the analytical method, it can also, provided ;E is sufficient, potentially be used to determine the absolute configuration of chiral analytes with at least the racemate in hand. The previously successful enantiodifferentiations of various amino acids and alcohols using chiral ion mobility spectroscopy (CIMS) with (S)-2-butanol as the chiral selector were also evaluated by DFT calculations. The calculations again correctly predicted the stability order of the enantiomers when the calculated ;E was above the threshold value though cases not providing a value for ;E above the threshold value was problematic for this system. Attempts to address this shortcoming included an expanded conformational evaluation, a broader analytical approach, and an extended basis set.
Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) has made an important contribution to polymer and particle characterization since its invention by Svedberg (Svedberg and Nichols 1923; Svedberg and Pederson 1940) in 1923. In 1926, Svedberg won the Nobel price for his scientific work on disperse systems including work with AUC. The first important discovery performed with AUC was to show the existence of macromolecules. Since that time AUC has become an important tool to study polymers in biophysics and biochemistry. AUC is an absolute technique that does not need any standard. Molar masses between 200 and 1014 g/mol and particle size between 1 and 5000 nm can be detected by AUC. Sample can be fractionated into its components due to its molar mass, particle size, structure or density without any stationary phase requirement as it is the case in chromatographic techniques. This very property of AUC earns it an important status in the analysis of polymers and particles. The distribution of molar mass, particle sizes and densities can be measured with the fractionation. Different types of experiments can give complementary physicochemical parameters. For example, sedimentation equilibrium experiments can lead to the study of pure thermodynamics. For complex mixtures, AUC is the main method that can analyze the system. Interactions between molecules can be studied at different concentrations without destroying the chemical equilibrium (Kim et al. 1977). Biologically relevant weak interactions can also be monitored (K ≈ 10-100 M-1). An analytical ultracentrifuge experiment can yield the following information: • Molecular weight of the sample • Number of the components in the sample if the sample is not a single component • Homogeneity of the sample • Molecular weight distribution if the sample is not a single component • Size and shape of macromolecules & particles • Aggregation & interaction of macromolecules • Conformational changes of macromolecules • Sedimentation coefficient and density distribution Such an extremely wide application area of AUC allows the investigation of all samples consisting of a solvent and a dispersed or dissolved substance including gels, micro gels, dispersions, emulsions and solutions. Another fact is that solvent or pH limitation does not exist for this method. A lot of new application areas are still flourishing, although the technique is 80 years old. In 1970s, 1500 AUC were operational throughout the world. At those times, due to the limitation in detection technologies, experimental results were obtained with photographic records. As time passed, faster techniques such as size exclusion chromatography (SEC), light scattering (LS) or SDS-gel electrophoresis occupied the same research fields with AUC. Due to these relatively new techniques, AUC began to loose its importance. In the 1980s, only a few AUC were in use throughout the world. In the beginning of the 1990s a modern AUC -the Optima XL-A - was released by Beckman Instruments (Giebeler 1992). The Optima XL-A was equipped with a modern computerized scanning absorption detector. The addition of Rayleigh Interference Optics is introduced which is called XL-I AUC. Furthermore, major development in computers made the analysis easier with the help of new analysis software. Today, about 400 XL-I AUC exist worldwide. It is usually applied in the industry of pharmacy, biopharmacy and polymer companies as well as in academic research fields such as biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology and material science. About 350 core scientific publications which use analytical ultracentrifugation are published every year (source: SciFinder 2008 ) with an increasing number of references (436 reference in 2008). A tremendous progress has been made in method and analysis software after digitalization of experimental data with the release of XL-I. In comparison to the previous decade, data analysis became more efficient and reliable. Today, AUC labs can routinely use sophisticated data analysis methods for determination of sedimentation coefficient distributions (Demeler and van Holde 2004; Schuck 2000; Stafford 1992), molar mass distributions (Brookes and Demeler 2008; Brookes et al. 2006; Brown and Schuck 2006), interaction constants (Cao and Demeler 2008; Schuck 1998; Stafford and Sherwood 2004), particle size distributions with Angstrom resolution (Cölfen and Pauck 1997) and the simulations determination of size and shape distributions from sedimentation velocity experiments (Brookes and Demeler 2005; Brookes et al. 2006). These methods are also available in powerful software packages that combines various methods, such as, Ultrascan (Demeler 2005), Sedift/Sedphat (Schuck 1998; Vistica et al. 2004) and Sedanal (Stafford and Sherwood 2004). All these powerful packages are free of charge. Furthermore, Ultrascans source code is licensed under the GNU Public License (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html). Thus, Ultrascan can be further improved by any research group. Workshops are organized to support these software packages. Despite of the tremendous developments in data analysis, hardware for the system has not developed much. Although there are various user developed detectors in research laboratories, they are not commercially available. Since 1992, only one new optical system called “the fluorescence optics” (Schmidt and Reisner, 1992, MacGregor et al. 2004, MacGregor, 2006, Laue and Kroe, in press) has been commercialized. However, except that, there has been no commercially available improvement in the optical system. The interesting fact about the current hardware of the XL-I is that it is 20 years old, although there has been an enormous development in microelectronics, software and in optical systems in the last 20 years, which could be utilized for improved detectors. As examples of user developed detector, Bhattacharyya (Bhattacharyya 2006) described a Multiwavelength-Analytical Ultracentrifuge (MWL-AUC), a Raman detector and a small angle laser light scattering detector in his PhD thesis. MWL-AUC became operational, but a very high noise level prevented to work with real samples. Tests with the Raman detector were not successful due to the low light intensity and thus high integration time is required. The small angle laser light scattering detector could only detect latex particles but failed to detect smaller particles and molecules due to low sensitivity of the detector (a photodiode was used as detector). The primary motivation of this work is to construct a detector which can measure new physico-chemical properties with AUC with a nicely fractionated sample in the cell. The final goal is to obtain a multiwavelength detector for the AUC that measures complementary quantities. Instrument development is an option for a scientist only when there is a huge potential benefit but there is no available commercial enterprise developing appropriate equipment, or if there is not enough financial support to buy it. The first case was our motivation for developing detectors for AUC. Our aim is to use today’s technological advances in microelectronics, programming, mechanics in order to develop new detectors for AUC and improve the existing MWL detector to routine operation mode. The project has multiple aspects which can be listed as mechanical, electronical, optical, software, hardware, chemical, industrial and biological. Hence, by its nature it is a multidisciplinary project. Again by its nature it contains the structural problem of its kind; the problem of determining the exact discipline to follow at each new step. It comprises the risk of becoming lost in some direction. Having that fact in mind, we have chosen the simplest possible solution to any optical, mechanical, electronic, software or hardware problem we have encountered and we have always tried to see the overall picture. In this research, we have designed CCD-C-AUC (CCD Camera UV/Vis absorption detector for AUC) and SLS-AUC (Static Light Scattering detector for AUC) and tested them. One of the SLS-AUC designs produced successful test results, but the design could not be brought to the operational stage. However, the operational state Multiwavelength Analytical Ultracentrifuge (MWL-AUC) AUC has been developed which is an important detector in the fields of chemistry, biology and industry. In this thesis, the operational state Multiwavelength Analytical Ultracentrifuge (MWL-AUC) AUC is to be introduced. Consequently, three different applications of MWL-AUC to the aforementioned disciplines shall be presented. First of all, application of MWL-AUC to a biological system which is a mixture of proteins lgG, aldolase and BSA is presented. An application of MWL-AUC to a mass-produced industrial sample (β-carotene gelatin composite particles) which is manufactured by BASF AG, is presented. Finally, it is shown how MWL-AUC will impact on nano-particle science by investigating the quantum size effect of CdTe and its growth mechanism. In this thesis, mainly the relation between new technological developments and detector development for AUC is investigated. Pioneering results are obtained that indicate the possible direction to be followed for the future of AUC. As an example, each MWL-AUC data contains thousands of wavelengths. MWL-AUC data also contains spectral information at each radial point. Data can be separated to its single wavelength files and can be analyzed classically with existing software packages. All the existing software packages including Ultrascan, Sedfit, Sedanal can analyze only single wavelength data, so new extraordinary software developments are needed. As a first attempt, Emre Brookes and Borries Demeler have developed mutliwavelength module in order to analyze the MWL-AUC data. This module analyzes each wavelength separately and independently. We appreciate Emre Brookes and Borries Demeler for their important contribution to the development of the software. Unfortunately, this module requires huge amount of computer power and does not take into account the spectral information during the analysis. New software algorithms are needed which take into account the spectral information and analyze all wavelengths accordingly. We would like also invite the programmers of Ultrascan, Sedfit, Sedanal and the other programs, to develop new algorithms in this direction.