Design of silicone rubber according to requirements based on the multi-objective optimization of chemical reactions

The explicit expression between composition and mechanical properties of silicone rubber was derived from the physics of polymer elasticity, the implicit expression among material composition, reaction conditions and reaction efficiency was obtained from chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, and then an implicit multi-objective optimization model was constructed. Genetic algorithm was applied to optimize material composition and reaction conditions, and the finite element method of cross-linking reaction processes was used to solve multi-objective functions, on the basis of which a new optimization methodology of crosslinking reaction processes was established. Using this methodology, rubber materials can be designed according to pre-specified requirements.

The synthesis and catalytic activity of poly(bis(imino)pyridyl) iron(II) metallodendrimer

The first and second generation carbosilane dendrimers with silicon hydride terminated were synthesized, and then reacted with bis(imino)pyridyl containing allyl [4-CH2==CHCH2-2,6-(Pr2C6H3N)-Pr-i==CMe(C5H3N)MeC==N(2,6-'Pr2C6H3)], in the presence of H2PtCl6 as a hydrosilylation catalyst, to afford the first and second generation carbosilane supported ligands. Complexation reactions with FeCl(2)(.)4H(2)O give rise to iron-containing carbosilane dendrimers with FeCl2 moieties bound on the periphery. The metallodendrimers were used as catalyst precursors, activated with modified methylaluminoxane, for the polymerization of ethylene. In the case of low Al/Fe molar ratio, the metallodendrimers display much higher catalytic activity towards ethylene polymerization and produce much higher molecule weight polyethylenes than the corresponding single-nuclear complex under the same conditions.

Ionic liquid solvent based on cyclic guanidinium cation for nucleophilic displacement reactions

The nucleophilic displacement reaction of n-bromooctane and potassium iodide in ionic liquid based on cyclic guanidinium cation(2) was investigated. The kinetic reasult shows that the rate of the reaction is enhanced in ionic liquid (2). The same reaction in [bmim][PF6](1)(where bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) was also studied. It was found that as a reaction medium ionic liquid (2) is better than (1) for nucelophilic displacement reactions.

Probing the kinetics of single molecule protein folding

We propose an approach to integrate the theory, simulations, and experiments in protein-folding kinetics. This is realized by measuring the mean and high-order moments of the first-passage time and its associated distribution. The full kinetics is revealed in the current theoretical framework through these measurements. In the experiments, information about the statistical properties of first-passage times can be obtained from the kinetic folding trajectories of single molecule experiments ( for example, fluorescence). Theoretical/simulation and experimental approaches can be directly related. We study in particular the temperature-varying kinetics to probe the underlying structure of the folding energy landscape. At high temperatures, exponential kinetics is observed; there are multiple parallel kinetic paths leading to the native state. At intermediate temperatures, nonexponential kinetics appears, revealing the nature of the distribution of local traps on the landscape and, as a result, discrete kinetic paths emerge. At very low temperatures, exponential kinetics is again observed; the dynamics on the underlying landscape is dominated by a single barrier.

Coordination reactions in the extraction of cerium(IV) and fluorine(I) by DEHEHP from mixed nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid solutions

The coordination reactions during the solvent extraction of cerium(IV) and fluorine(l) from mixed nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid solutions by di-(2-ethylhexyl)-2-ethylhexylphosphonate, L (DEHEHP) in heptane have been investigated. The extraction data have been analyzed by graphical methods taking into account all plausible species extracted into the organic phase. Different variables influencing the extraction of Ce(IV), such as the concentrations of nitrate ions, hydrofluroric acid, nitric acid, and extractant have been studied. The results demonstrate that DEHEHP can extract not only Ce(NO3)(4) as Ce(NO3)4.2L and HF as HF (.) H2O (.) L, but both together as Ce(HF)(NO3)(4) (.) L. The extraction equilibrium equations are determined according to slope analysis and IR spectra. The equilibrium constants of the extracted complexes have been calculated, taking into account complexation between the metal ion and inorganic ligands in the aqueous phase and all plausible complexes extracted into the organic phase. It is also shown that boric acid, which was added into the mixed solutions to complex with F(I) is not extracted by DEHEHP, and neither does it affect the extraction of cerium(IV) and HF, nor change the extraction mechanism.

Application of impedance spectroscopy for monitoring colloid Au-enhanced antibody immobilization and antibody-antigen reactions

We used colloidal An to enhance the amount of antibody immobilized on a gold electrode and ultimately monitored the interaction of antigen-antibody by impedance measurement. Self-assembly of 6 nm (diameter) colloidal An onto the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 4-aminothiophenol modified gold electrode resulted in an easier attachment of antibody. The redox reactions of [Fe(CN)(6)](4-)/[Fe(CN)(6)](3-) on the gold surface were blocked due to the procedures of self-assembly of 4-aminothiophenol and antibody immobilization, which were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The interaction of antigen with grafted antibody recognition layers was carried out by soaking the modified electrode into a phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 with various concentrations of antigen at 37 degreesC for 30 min. The antibody recognition layers and their interactions with various concentrations of antigen could be detected by measurements of the impedance change. The results show that this method has good correlation for detection of Hepatitis B virus surface antigen in the range of 0.5-200 mug/l and a detection limit of about 50 ng/l.

Investigation of facilitated ion-transfer reactions at high driving force by scanning electrochemical Microscopy

The kinetics of facilitated ion-transfer (FIT) reactions at high driving force across the water/1,2-dichloroethane (W/DCE) interface is investigated by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The transfers of lithium and sodium ions facilitated by dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) across the polarized W/DCE interface are chosen as model systems because they have the largest potential range that can be controlled externally. By selecting the appropriate ratios of the reactant concentrations (Kr c(M)+/c(DB18C6)) and using nanopipets as the SECM tips, we obtained a series of rate constants (k(f)) at various driving forces (Delta(O)(W) phi(ML+)(0') - Es, Delta(O)(W) phi(ML+)(0') is the formal potential of facilitated ion transfer and Es is the potential applied externally at the substrate interface) based on a three-electrode system. The FIT rate constants k(f) are found to be dependent upon the driving force. When the driving force is low, the dependence of 1n k(f) on the driving force is linear with a transfer coefficient of about 0.3. It follows the classical Butler-Volmer theory and then reaches a maximum before it decreases again when we further increase the driving forces. This indicates that there exists an inverted region, and these behaviors have been explained by Marcus theory.

Synthesis of fluorene-based oligomeric organoboron reagents via Kumada, Heck, and stille cross-coupling reactions

Boronic pinacol ester group is not reactive in Kumada, Heck and Stille coupling reaction conditions. Fluorene-based sophisticated organoboron compounds were synthesized by means of Palladium catalyzed Kumada, Heck and Stille cross-coupling reactions from halofluorenyl boronic esters.

PEG-supported dipyridyl ligand for palladium-catalyzed Suzuki and Suzuki-type reactions in PEG and aqueous media

An air- and water-stable PEG-supported bidentate nitrogen ligand is prepared and its applications in the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki reaction of aryl halides with arylboronic acids in PEG and Suzuki-type reaction of aryl halides with sodium tetraphenylborate in aqueous media are reported. The homogeneous catalyst system is environmentally friendly and offers the advantages of high activity, reusability and easy separation.

Application of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for monitoring allergen-antibody reactions using gold nanoparticle-based biomolecular immobilization method

Gold nanoparticles were used to enhance the immobilization amount and retain the immunoactivity of recombinant dust mite allergen Der f2 immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The interaction between allergen and antibody was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Self-assembled Au colloid layer (Phi = 16 nm) deposited on (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTS)-modified GCE offered a basis to control the immobilization of allergen Der f2. The impedance measurements were based on the charge transfer kinetics of the [Fe(CN)(6)](3-/4-) redox pair, compared with bare GCE, the immobilization of allergen Der f2 and the allergen-antibody interaction that occurred on the electrode surface altered the interfacial electron transfer resistance and thereby slowed down the charge transfer kinetics by reducing the active area of the electrode or by preventing the redox species in electrolyte solution from approaching the electrode. The interactions of allergen with various concentrations of monoclonal antibody were also monitored through the change of impedance response. The results showed that the electron transfer resistance increased with increasing concentrations of monoclonal antibody.

Study on charge transfer reactions at multilayers of polyoxometalates clusters and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (Grotthuss-018)

Multilayers of anionic phosphotungstic acid (PTA) clusters and positively charged protonated poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were assembled by layer-by-layer self-assembled method on Au electrode modified by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA). The effect of the charge of the surface of the multilayer assembly on the kinetics of the charge transfer reaction was studied by using the redox probes [Fe(CN)(6)](3-)/(4-) [Ru(NH3)(6)](2+/3+). The cyclic voltammetry experiments showed that the peak currents and peak-to-peak potential differences changed after assembling different layers on the electrode surface indicating that the charge of the surface has a significant effect on the kinetics of the studied charge transfer reactions. These reactions were studied in more detail by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. When [Fe(CN)(6)](3-/-) was used as the redox label, multilayers that terminated with negatively charged PTA showed a high charge transfer resistance but multilayers that terminated with positively charged PAH showed lower charge transfer resistance. With [Ru(NH3)(6)](2+/3+) as the redox label, the charge transfer resistance at multilayers that terminated with positively charged PAH was much higher than at the multilayer terminated by the negatively charged PTA.

Diffusion and single molecule dynamics on biomolecular interface binding energy landscape

We propose a new approach to study the diffusion dynamics on biomolecular interface binding energy landscape. The resulting mean first passage time (MFPT) has 'U'curve dependence on the temperature. It is shown that the large specificity ratio of gap to roughness of the underlying binding energy landscape not only guarantees the thermodynamic stability and the specificity [P.A. Rejto, G.M. Verkhivker, in: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93 (1996) 8945; C.J. Tsai, S. Kumar, B. Ma, R. Nussinov, Protein Sci. 8 (1999) 1181; G.A. Papoian, P.G. Wolynes, Biopolymers 68 (2003) 333; J. Wang, G.M. Verkhivker, Phys. Rev. Lett. 90 (2003) 198101] but also the kinetic accessibility. The complex kinetics and the associated fluctuations reflecting the structures of the binding energy landscape emerge upon temperature changes. The theory suggests a way of connecting the models/simulations with single molecule experiments by analysing the kinetic trajectories.

Single-molecule dynamics reveals cooperative binding-folding in protein recognition

The study of associations between two biomolecules is the key to understanding molecular function and recognition. Molecular function is often thought to be determined by underlying structures. Here, combining a single-molecule study of protein binding with an energy-landscape-inspired microscopic model, we found strong evidence that biomolecular recognition is determined by flexibilities in addition to structures. Our model is based on coarse-grained molecular dynamics on the residue level with the energy function biased toward the native binding structure ( the Go model). With our model, the underlying free-energy landscape of the binding can be explored. There are two distinct conformational states at the free-energy minimum, one with partial folding of CBD itself and significant interface binding of CBD to Cdc42, and the other with native folding of CBD itself and native interface binding of CBD to Cdc42. This shows that the binding process proceeds with a significant interface binding of CBD with Cdc42 first, without a complete folding of CBD itself, and that binding and folding are then coupled to reach the native binding state.

Blue organic light-emitting diodes based on an oxadiazole-containing organic molecule exhibiting excited state intramolecular proton transfer

A blue organic light-emitting device based on an emissive layer of 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (HOXD), which exhibits excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), was presented. The device had a luminance efficiency of 0.8 cd/A and a maximum brightness of 870 cd/m(2). Our studies indicate that some EL may originate from the triplet excitation state of the enol form of HOXD.