Synthesis, molecular structures, and norbornene addition polymerization activity of the neutral nickel catalysts supported by beta-diketiminato [N, N], ketiminato [N, O], and Schiff-Base [N, O] ligands

A series of neutral nickel complexes [Ni(Ph)(PPh3)(N, O)] with Schiff-base ligands (N, O) [N, O = 5-Me-3-tert-Bu-(Ar-N=CH)C6H2O (1, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3; 2, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)], [Ni(Ph)(PPh3)(N,O)1, with beta-ketiminato ligands (N, O) [N, O = CH3COCHC=(CH3)N-Ar (3, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3; 4, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)] and [Ni(N, N)(PPh3)], and with beta-diketiminato ligands (N, N) [5, N, N = [2,6-i-Pr-2(C6H3)N=C(CH3)](2)CH] have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 4, and 5 have been confirmed by X-ray single-crystal analyses. Although their ligands have similar structures, complex 4 possesses a structure similar to that of four-coordination nickel with complex 1, while complex 5 reveals a rare three-coordination nickel geometry. These compounds show high catalytic activities of up to 3.16 x 10(7) g PNB mol(-1) Ni h(-1) for the addition polymerization of norbornene in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as cocatalyst. Catalytic activities, polymer yield, molecular weights, and molecular weight distributions of polyborbornene have been investigated under various reaction conditions.

beta-cyclodextrin controlled assembling nanostructures from gold nanoparticles to gold nanowires

In this Letter, P-cyclodextrin (P-CD) was employed as stabilizer in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized by the reduction of HAuCl4 by NaBH4 in the presence of P-CD. Varying the ratio of P-Cl) to HAuCl4, isolated gold nanoparticles could be assembled into nanowires. The nanoparticles and nanowires were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV/visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The decreased relative intensity of skeletal and ring vibration in FT-IR spectra and the negative shift of the Au4f(7/2) binding energy in XPS spectra confirmed that beta-CD was chemisorped on An nanoparticles via hydroxyl group.

Synthesis and structural characterization of beta-diketiminate-lanthanide Amides and their catalytic activity for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate and epsilon-caprolactone

The synthesis and catalytic activity of lanthanide monoamido complexes supported by a beta-diketiminate ligand are described. Donor solvents, such as DME, can cleave the chloro bridges of the dinuclear beta-diketiminate ytterbium dichloride {[(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]YbCl(mu-Cl)(3)Yb[(DIPPh)(2)nacnac](THF)} (1) [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac = N,N-diisopropylphenyl-2,4-pentanediimine anion] to produce the monomeric complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]YbCl2(DME) (2) in high isolated yield. Complex 2 is a useful precursor for the synthesis of beta-diketiminate-ytterbium monoamido derivatives. Reaction of complex 2 with 1 equiv of LiNPr2i in THF at room temperature, after crystallization in THF/toluene mixed solvent, gave the anionic beta-diketiminate-ytterbium amido complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]Yb(NPr2i)(mu-Cl)(2)Li(THF)(2) (3), while similar reaction of complex 2 with LiNPh2 produced the neutral complex [(DIPPh)(2)nacnac]Yb(NPh2)Cl(THF) (4). Recrystallization of complex 3 from toluene solution at elevated temperature led to the neutral beta-diketiminate-lanthanide amido complex [{(DIPPh)(2)nacnac}Yb(NPr2i)(mu-Cl)](2) (5). The reaction medium has a significant effect on the outcome of the reaction.

Ethylene-propylene copolymerization with bis(beta-enaminoketonato) titanium complexes activated with modified methylaluminoxane

Ethylene-propylene copolymerization, using [(Ph)NC(R-2)CHC(R-1)O](2)TiCl2 (R-1 = CF3, Ph, or t-Bu; R-2 = CH3 or CF3) titanium complexes activated with modified methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst, was investigated. High-molecular-weight ethylene-propylene copolymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions and a broad range of chemical compositions were obtained. Substituents R-1 and R-2 influenced the copolymerization behavior, including the copolymerization activity, methylene sequence distribution, molecular weight, and polydispersity. With small steric hindrance at R-1 and R-2, one complex (R-1 = CF3; R-2 = CH3) displayed high catalytic activity and produced copolymers with high propylene incorporation but low molecular weight. The microstructures of the copolymers were analyzed with C-13 NMR to determine the methylene sequence distribution and number-average sequence lengths of uninterrupted methylene carbons.

Syntheses, structure and ethylene polymerization behavior of beta-diiminato titanium complexes

A series of new titanium complexes bearing beta-diiminato ligands [(Ph)NC(R-1)CHC(R-2)N(Ph)](2)TiCl2 (4a: R-1 = R-2 = CH3; 4b: R-1 = R-2 = CF3; 4c: R-1 = Ph, R-2 = CH3; 4d: R-1 = Ph, R-2 = CF3) has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures reveal that complexes 4a and 4c adopt distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. With modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, complexes 4a-d are active catalysts for ethylene polymerization, and produce high molecular weight polyethylenes. Catalyst activities and the molecular weights of polymers are considerably influenced by the steric and electronic effects of substituents on the catalyst backbone under the same polymerization condition. With the strong electron-withdrawing groups (CF3) at R-1 or/and R-2 position, complexes 4b and 4d show higher activities than complexes 4a and 4c, respectively.

Conformational changes of beta-lactoglobulin induced by anionic phospholipid

Conformational changes of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) induced by anionic phospholipid (dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, DMPG) at physiological conditions (pH 7.0) have been investigated by UV-VIS, circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectra. The experimental results suggest that beta-LG-DMPG interactions cause beta-LG a structural reorganization of the secondary structure elements accompanied by an increase in alpha-helical content, and a loosening of the protein tertiary structure. The interaction forces between beta-LG and DMPG are further evaluated by fluorescence spectra. The fluorescence spectral data show that conformational changes in the protein are driven by electrostatic interaction at first, then by hydrophobic interaction between a protein with a negative net charge and a negatively charged phospholipid.

Effects of reinforcement filler and temperature on the stability of beta-crystal in glass bead filled polypropylene

The effects of crystallization temperature (T,), glass bead content and its size on the, formation of beta-crystal and structural stability of originally formed beta-crystal in glass bead filled polypropylene (PP) were examined. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements indicated that the amount of beta-phase in PP crystals was a function of the crystallization temperature and glass bead content. For a constant crystallization temperature, it was observed that the amount of beta-crystal initially increased with increase in glass bead content up to 30 wt.%, and then decreased slightly with further increase in the filler content. From the DSC data, a disorder parameter (S) was derived to define the structural stability of originally formed beta-crystals. The structural stability of originally formed beta-crystals was enhanced with increase in either the crystallization temperature or the glass bead content. Also, the influence of glass bead size (4-66 mu m) on the formation and stability of beta-crystals in PP/glass bead blends was studied. Large glass bead particles suppressed the formation and decreased the stability of beta-crystals.

Differential proteomic analysis of neonatal cardiomyocytes in response to beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation

beta-Adrenoceptors(beta-ARs) play a critical role in regulating cardiac functions under both physiological and pathological conditions. To further explore the mechanisms through which beta-ARs perform its actions, proteomic approaches were adopted to study the global protein patterns in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes exposed to isoproterenol (ISO). A modified method, "Mirror Images in One Gel", was used to improve the reproducibility and resolution power of two-dimensional electrophoresis. A 2-DE map with a good reproducibility was obtained in which 1281 70 spots were detected and about 1191 +/- 54 spots were matched, with an average matching rate of 92.9%. Nine proteins with significant changes were identified by using peptide mass fingerprinting(PMF) data obtained via MALDI-MS.

Detection and characterization of non-covalent complex between lappaconitine and beta-cyclodextrin by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The non-covalent complexes between lappaconitine (LA) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) have been detected and characterized by electrospray ionization combined with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn). The experimental results showed that only 1:1 non-covalent complex can be formed in different starting molar ratios of LA to beta-CD. Furthermore, the diagnostic fragmentation of the beta-CD-LA complex, with a significant contribution of covalent fragmentation of LA leaving the N-acetyl anthranoyl (AN) moiety inserted to beta-CD, provided the convincing evidence for the formation of non-covalent complex between LA and beta-CD and the cite of LA molecule included to cavity of beta-CD assigned to AN residue.

Preparation and characterization of luminescent cubic MCM-48 impregnated with an Eu3+ beta-diketonate complex

We report on the preparation of luminescent silica mesoporous molecular sieves (MCM-48) activated by the europium complex Eu(DBM)(3) . 2H(2)O (where DBM = dibenzoylmethane), using a simple wet impregnation method. Different concentrations of Eu(DBM)(3) . 2H(2)O were introduced into the MCM-48 cubic structure, and the resulting samples were washed with ethanol for different times. UV-Vis absorption measurements and thermogravimetric analysis were used to estimate the amount of Eu complex that has been incorporated within the pores of the MCM-48 host. The various samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance (DR) and fluorescence measurements. The results reveal that Eu complexes have been successfully introduced into the pores of MCM-48 without disrupting the structure. All the impregnated MCM-48 materials show the typical red luminescence of Eu3+ when excited with a UV lamp. Shifts of the absorption maxima were observed in the DR and fluorescence excitation spectra and will be discussed in relation with guest-host interactions between the organic complex and the silica matrix. The decay profiles of the europium luminescence in the different samples were also measured and discussed.

Synthesis, structure and luminescent properties of a new praseodymium(III) complex with beta-diketone

A new tetrakis praseodymium(tu) complex Pr(TFNB)(3)Phen has been synthesized, in which TFNB is 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedione and Phen is 1,10-phenanthroline. Its crystal structure and luminescent spectra were successfully determined and investigated. The typical antenna effect existing in the luminescence of Pr(TFNB)(3)Phen was revealed by the study of the UV-Vis absorption spectra of ligands and the excitation spectrum of Pr(TFNB)(3)Phen.

Temperature dependence of the distribution of the first passage time: Results from discontinuous molecular dynamics simulations of an all-atom model of the second beta-hairpin fragment of protein G

More than 22 000 folding kinetic simulations were performed to study the temperature dependence of the distribution of first passage time (FPT) for the folding of an all-atom Go-like model of the second beta-hairpin fragment of protein G. We find that the mean FPT (MFPT) for folding has a U (or V)-shaped dependence on the temperature with a minimum at a characteristic optimal folding temperature T-opt*. The optimal folding temperature T-opt* is located between the thermodynamic folding transition temperature and the solidification temperature based on the Lindemann criterion for the solid. Both the T-opt* and the MFPT decrease when the energy bias gap against nonnative contacts increases. The high-order moments are nearly constant when the temperature is higher than T-opt* and start to diverge when the temperature is lower than T-opt*. The distribution of FPT is close to a log-normal-like distribution at T* greater than or equal to T-opt*. At even lower temperatures, the distribution starts to develop long power-law-like tails, indicating the non-self-averaging intermittent behavior of the folding dynamics. It is demonstrated that the distribution of FPT can also be calculated reliably from the derivative of the fraction not folded (or fraction folded), a measurable quantity by routine ensemble-averaged experimental techniques at dilute protein concentrations.

Green electroluminescent device with a terbium beta-diketonate complex as emissive center

In this study, a terbium complex, Tb(acac)(3)bath (acac: acetylacetone, bath: 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline), was synthesized and its luminescent properties were investigated compared with the reported terbium complex, Tb(acac)(3)phen (phen: phenanthroline). When it was used as an emitting material in organic electroluminescent (EL) device, the triple-layer-type device with a structure of glass substrate/ITO (indium-tin oxide)/TPD (N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis(3-methylphenyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine)/Tb(acac)(3)bath/Alq(3) (tris (8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum)/Al (aluminum) exhibited bright characteristic emission of terbium ion upon applying DC voltage. An apparent difference was observed between the photoluminescence spectrum and the EL spectrum. The EL device exhibited some characteristics of diode and the maximum luminance of 77 cd/m(2) was obtained at 17 V.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolyester by transesterification

To synthesize the copolyester of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), the transesterification of PHB and PCL was carried out in the liquid phase with stannous octoate as the catalyzer. The effects of reaction conditions on the transesterification, including catalyzer concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time, were investigated. The results showed that both rising reaction temperature and increasing reaction time were advantageous to the transesterification. The sequence distribution, thermal behavior, and thermal stability of the copolyesters were investigated by C-13 NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The transesterification of PHB and PCL was confirmed to produce the block copolymers. With an increasing PCL content in the copolyesters, the thermal behavior of the copolyesters changed evidently. However, the introduction of PCL segments into PHB chains did not affect its crystalline structure. Moreover, thermal stability of the copolyesters was little improved in air as compared with that of pure PHB.