Methods for physical separation and characterization of soil organic matter fractions

Turnover of soil organic matter (SOM) is coupled to the cycling of nutrients in soil through the activity of soil microorganisms. Biological availability of organic substrate in soil is related to the chemical quality of the organic material and to its degree of physical protection. SOM fractions can provide information on the turnover of organic matter (OM), provided the fractions can be related to functional or structural components in soil. Ultrasonication is commonly used to disrupt the soil structure prior to physical fractionation according to particle size, but may cause redistribution of OM among size fractions. The presence of mineral particles in size fractions can complicate estimations of OM turnover time within the fractions. Densiometric separation allows one to physically separate OM found within a specific size class from the heavier-density mineral particles. Nutrient contents and mineralization potential were determined for discrete size/density OM fractions isolated from within the macroaggregate structure of cultivated grassland soils. Eighteen percent of the total soil C and 25% of the total soil N in no-till soil was associated with fine-silt size particles having a density of 2.07-2.21 g/cm3 isolated from inside macroaggregates (enriched labile fraction or ELF). The amount of C and N sequestered in the ELF fraction decreased as the intensity of tillage increased. The specific rate of mineralization (mug net mineral N/mug total N in the fraction) for macroaggregate-derived ELF was not different for the three tillage treatments but was greater than for intact macroaggregates. The methods described here have improved our ability to quantitatively estimate SOM fractions, which in turn has increased our understanding of SOM dynamics in cultivated grassland systems.

Expression, purification and spectral characterization of p21(Waf1/Cip1)

p21(Waf1/Cip1), best known as a broad-specificity inhibitor of cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase complexes, can interact with various target proteins, and this ability relies on its structural plasticity. Therefore, studies on the structural properties of p(21) are very important to understand its structure-function relationship. However, detailed studies on its secondary structure and biophysical properties have been comparatively sparse. A human p(21) gene was cloned into the temperature expression vector pBV220 and transformed into Escherichia coli strain JM109.

Two-phase synthesis of shape-controlled colloidal zirconia nanocrystals and their characterization

We have developed a two-phase approach for the synthesis of shape-controlled colloidal zirconia nanocrystals, including spherical-, teardrop-, rod-, and rice grain-shaped particles. We found that the key factors for controlling the shape were the reaction time, the nature of the capping agent, and the monomer concentration. We have analyzed the morphologies, crystallinity, optical properties, and structural features of the as-prepared ZrO2 nanoparticles by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, X-ray powder diffraction, and UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The possible nucleation and growth process is also discussed.

Synthesis and characterization of Gd(OH)(3) nanobundles

Gd(OH)(3) nanobundles, which consisted of bundle-like nanorods, have been prepared through a simple and facile hydrothermal method. The crystal, purity, morphology and structural features of Gd(OH)(3) nanobundles are investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). A possible formation mechanism of Gd(OH)(3) nanobundles is briefly discussed.

Synthesis, characterization, properties and crystal structure of heterometallic 1D coordination polymers {[CuLZn center dot CuLZn(H2O)]center dot H2O}(n)

Copper-zinc heterometallic 1D chain coordination polymer has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, and IR spectra etc. The crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The title complex is 1 D chain coordination polymer with the chemical formula {[CuLZn center dot CuLZn(H2O)]center dot H2O}(n), where H4L=N-(2-hydroxybenzamido)-N'-(3-carboxylsalicylidene)ethylenediamine. Its structural unit is comprosed of two tetranuclear cycles formed by two dissymmetrical tetranuclear units. These units polymerized each other to form 1 D chain coordination polymer.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a new layered heterometallic coordination polymer {[(CuL) Sr-2(H2O)center dot Sr-2(H2O)(7)]center dot 2H(2)O center dot 0.5CH(3)OH}(n)

A copper-strontium heterometallic coordination polymer was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectra. The crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The title complex is a 2 D coordination polymer with the chemical formula [[(CuL)(2)Sr (H2O) center dot Sr-2 ((HO)-O-2)(7)]center dot 2H(2)O center dot 0.5CH(3)OH](n), where H4L = N-(2-hydroxybenzamido)-N'-(3-carboxylsalicylidene) ethylenediamine. Its structural unit is comprised of two adjacent units, which polymerized with each other to form a new layered heterometallic coordination polymer.

Synthesis, characterization and fabrication on a glassy carbon electrode of a tetra-iron substituted sandwich-type pentadecatungstodiarsenate heteropolyanion

A novel sandwich-type compound, Na-12[Fe-4(H2O)(2)(As2W15O56)2].41H(2)O, has been synthesized. The compound was well-characterized by means of IR, UV-vis, W-183 NMR and elemental analyses. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic, P (1) over bar symmetry group. The structure of the compound is similar to that of Na-16[M-4(H2O)(2)(As2W15O56)(2)].nH(2)O (M = Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Cd), and consists of an oxo-aqua tetranuclear iron core, [(Fe4O14)-O-III(H2O)(2)], sandwiched by two trivacant alpha-Wells-Dawson structural moieties, alpha-[As2W15O56]. Redoxelectrochemistry of the compound has been studied in buffer solutions at pH = 4.7 using polarography and cyclic voltammetry ( CV). The compound exhibited four one-electron couples associated with the Fe(III) center followed by three four-electron redox processes attributed to the tungsten-oxo framework. The compound-containing monolayer and multilayer films have been fabricated on a 4-aminobenzoic acid modified glassy carbon electrode surface by alternating deposition with a quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) partially complexed with [Os(bpy)(2)Cl](2+/-). CV, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to characterize the multilayer films.

Photochemical synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystal structure of dodecamolybdophosphate tetrabutylammonium heteropoly blue (Bu4N)(4)[PMo12O40]center dot 2DMF center dot H2O

In this paper, we will report the preparation of a mixed-valence polyoxometalate compound (Bu4N)(4)[PMo12O40].2DMF.H2O (TBA = tetrabutylammonium; DMF = N,N-dimethyl formamide). The title compound has been photochemically synthesized and characterized by using elemental analysis, IR, solid diffusion reflectance electronic spectra, ESR spectra, XPS, CV and X-ray single-crystal analysis. The crystal lographic data are as follows: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 14.124(3), b = 17.481(4), c = 22.744(5) Angstrom, beta = 101.66(3)degrees, V = 5500(2) Angstrom(3), C70H160Mo12N6O43P, M-r = 2956.29, Z = 2, D-c = 1.785 g/cm(3), F(000) = 2970 and mu(MoKalpha) = 1.412 mm(-1). The structure has been refined to R = 0.0638 and wR = 0.1975 by full-matrix least-squares methods. The title compound is composed of four tetrabutylammonium cations, one [(PMoMo11O40)-Mo-V](4-) heteropoly anion, two N,N-dimethyl formamide and one H2O molecule.

Synthesis, characterization and molecular structure of a novel asymmetrical half-sandwich binuclear iron carborane complex Cp ' Fe-2(2)(CO)(3)(Se2C2B10H10)

The half-sandwich methylcyclopentadlenyl iron carbonyl complex reacted with 1,2-dilithium diselenolate carborane Li2Se2C2B10H10 (1) which was produced by the insertion of element Se into 1, 2-dilithium carborane to give a half-sandwich binuclear iron carborane complex Cp'Fe-2(2)(CO) 3Se2C2B10H10 (3). X-ray structural analysis of complex 3 reveals that one of the iron atoms is chiral.

Synthesis and characterization of tris(cyclopentylcyclopentadienyl)lanthanide complexes (C5H9C5H4)(3)NdBrLi(THF)(3) and (C5H9C5H4)(3)SmTHF

(C5H9C5H4)(3)NdBrLi(THF)(4)(1)(C5H9=cyclopentyl) was obtained from the reaction of NdCl3 with C5H9C5H4Na and LiBr (Nd:Na:Li=1:2:1 molar ratio) in THE X-ray crystallography showed that the ten-coordinated neodymium atom is bonded to three cyclopentylcyclopentadienyl(eta(5)) rings and a single bromine atom bridging a lithium which is bonded to three THF molecules. Complex 1 is triclinic, P1 space group with unit dimensions of a= 12.048(2), b= 13.498(3), c= 13.831(3)Angstrom, a = 104.16(3), beta = 104.07(3), gamma =95.96(3)degrees, V=2083.3(7)Angstrom(3), Z=2, D-c=1.35Mg/m(3) and F(000)=874. (C5H9C5H4)(3)SmTHF (2) was synthesized by reaction of anhydrous SmCl3 with C5H9C5H4Na at a molar ratio of 1:3. The structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. The ten-coordinated samarium atom is bonded to three cycloperrtylcyclopentadienyl rings and one oxygen of THF molecule to form a pseudo-tetrahedron. Complex 2 is orthorhombic, Fdd2 space group with unit cell dimensions of a =28.175(5)Angstrom, b =46.24(2) Angstrom, c =9.167(4) Angstrom(3), V=11943(8)Angstrom(3), Z= 16, D-c = 1.38Mg/m(3) and F(000)=5136.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a charge transfer salt based on 1.3-cyclopentadiene tetrabutylammoniumdodecamolybdosilicoate

A charge transfer salt, (Bu4N)(4) (C5H6)[(HSiMo11MoO40)-Mo-VI-O-V] has been photochemically synthesized from (Bu4N)(4)SiMo12O40 and 1.3-cyclopentadiene and Characterized, by elemental analysis, IR spectra, solid diffusion reflectance electronic spectra, CV and ESR. The X-ray crystal structure revealed that the title complex crystal data are as follows: triclinic, space group P (1) over bar, a = 14.347(3), b = 14.423(3), c = 27.158(5) Angstrom, alpha = 96.90(3), beta = 104.18(3), gamma = 98.20(3)degrees, V = 5322(2) Angstrom (3), Z = 2, M-r = 2855. 30, D-c = 1.782g.cm(-3), F(000) = 2860, R = 0.0719, wR = 0.198. The title compound is composed of 1.3-cyclopentadiene, four tetrabutylammonium and [(SiMo11MoO40)-Mo-VI-O-V](4-) anion.

Application of acetone and dimethyl ether chemical ionization reagent gases to structural analysis

Acetone and dimethyl ether( DME) have been shown to be reagent gases of exceptional utitlity and versatility for the characterization of a variety of class of organic compounds. The fragmentation mechanisms of the adduct product ions, formed by ion/molceule reaction of the substrate with the ionized gases, have been studied and substantiated by experiments with acetone-d(6) and DME-d(6).

Electrochemical growth and characterization of polyoxometalate-containing monolayers and multilayers on alkanethiol monolayers self-assembled on gold electrodes

A general strategy has been developed for fabrication of ultrathin monolayer and multilayer composite films composed of nearly all kinds of polyoxometalates (POMs), including isopolyanions (IPAs), and heteropolyanions (HPAs). It involves stepwise adsorption between the anionic POMs and a cationic polymer on alkanethiol (cysteamine and 3-mercaptopropionic acid) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) based on electrostatic interaction. Here a Keggin-type HPA SiMo11VO405- was chosen as a main representative to elucidate, in detail, the fabrication and characterization of the as-prepared composite films. A novel electrochemical growth method we developed for film formation involves cyclic potential sweeps over a suitable potential range in modifier solutions. It was comparatively studied with a commonly used method of immersion growth, i.e., alternately dipping a substrate into modifier solutions. Growth processes and structural characteristics of the composite films are characterized in detail by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), micro-Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (FTIR-RA), and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The electrochemical growth is proven to be more advantageous than the immersion growth. The composite films exhibit well-defined surface waves characteristic of the HPAs' redox reactions. In addition, the composite films by the electrochemical growth show a uniform structure and an excellent stability. Ion motions accompanying the redox processes of SiMo11VO405- in multilayer films are examined by in situ time-resolved EQCM and some results are first reported. The strategy used here has been successfully popularized to IPAs as well as other HPAs no matter what structure and composition they have.

Synthesis and characterization of acetacetic derivatives of flullerene

Acetacetic derivatives of fullerene were obtained by the reaction of C-60 with acetacetic ester, after separation with silica gel column chromatography, in good yields. Fullerenols with 13-15 hydroxyl groups were-isolated as the by-products of this reaction. Detailed experimental conditions and the structural characterizations of these new compounds were discussed.