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At least 487 records · Page 27

Synthesis of l -[4- 11 C]Asparagine by Ring-Opening Nucleophilic 11 C-Cyanation Reaction of a Chiral Cyclic Sulfamidate Precursor

The development of a convenient and rapid method to synthesize radiolabeled enantiomerically pure amino acids (AAs) as potential positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents for mapping various biochemical transformations in living organisms remains as a challenge. This is especially true for the synthesis of carbon-11 labeled AAs given the short half-life of carbon-11 ( 11 C, t 1/2 = 20.4 min). A facile synthetic pathway to prepare enantiomerically pure 11C-labeled L-asparagine was developed using a partially protected serine as a starting material with a four-step transformation providing a chiral fivemembered cyclic sulfamidate as the radiolabeling precursor. Its structure and absolute configuration were confirmed by X-Ray crystallography. Utilizing a [ 11 C]cyanide nucleophilic ring opening reaction followed by selective acidic hydrolysis and deprotection, enantiomerically pure L-[4- 11 C]asparagine was synthesized. Further optimization of reaction parameters, including base, metal ion source, solvent, acid component, reaction temperature and reaction time, a reliable two-step method for synthesizing L-[4- 11 C]asparagine was presented; within a 45 ± 3 min (n = 5, from end-of-bombardment), the desired enantiomerically pure product was synthesized with the initial nucleophilic cyanation yield of 69 ± 4% (n = 5) and overall two-step radiochemical yield of 53 ± 2% (n = 5) based on starting [ 11 C]HCN, and with radiochemical purity of 96 ± 2% (n = 5).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Non-Oxidative Dehydrogenation Pathways for the Conversion of C 2 -C 4 Alcohols to Carbonyl Compounds

Gold nanoparticles (NPs) supported on hydrotalcite (Au/HT) are highly active and selective catalysts for the continuous, gas-phase, non-oxidative dehydrogenation of bioderived C 2 -C 4 alcohols. Here, a sharp increase in turn over frequency (TOF) is noted when the size of Au NPs is less than 5 nm relating to the strong synergy between metallic Au NPs and the acid-base groups on the support surface. It is demonstrated that catalytic activity depends critically on Au NP size, support composition, and support pretreatments. A reaction pathway elucidated from kinetic isotope effects suggests that the abstraction of β-H by Au NPs (C-H activation) is the rate-determining step in the dehydrogenation of bioderived C 2 -C 4 alcohols.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Studies on Highly Fluxed Iron Ore Pellets Hardened at 1100 °C to 1200 °C

The behaviors of highly fluxed (basicity 2, 4, 6, and 8) iron ore pellets heat hardened in the temperature range 1100 °C to 1200 °C were examined and are reported here. The highly fluxed (basicity 8) pellets exhibited 103 kg/pellet crushing strength and 43.65 pct porosity when heat hardened at 1180 °C. During heat hardening, calcium di-ferrite and calcium ferrite phases were observed; however, when they were heated at 1200 °C, high crushing strength (458.63 kg/pellet) with low porosity (4.57 pct) were noted due to low melting eutectic formation. In this study, it was possible to prepare highly fluxed pellets without sticking at 1180 °C with good strength and porosity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

From C–S–H to C–A–S–H: Experimental study and thermodynamic modelling

It has long been known that the stoichiometry of C–S–H varies with the calcium hydroxide concentration in solution. However, this issue is still far from understood. We revisit it in both experimental and modelling aspects. A careful analysis of the solubility confirms the existence of three different C–S–H phases, defined as Ca{sub 4}H{sub 4}Si{sub 5}O{sub 16}, Ca{sub 2}H{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Ca{sub 6}(HSi{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sub 2}(OH){sub 2}, respectively. The variation of the Ca/Si ratio of the three phases has been described by surface reactions: the increase of the Si content is accounted for by silicate bridging, the increase of calcium content and the surface charge are accounted for by reactions involving silanol groups via deprotonation and complexation with calcium. In the presence of Al in solution, the uptake of Al by C–S–H is experimentally observed. The Al content increases with Al concentration. C–A–S–H formation is modelled by the competition between silicate and aluminate tetrahedra for the bridging of the dimeric silicates in C–S–H.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Charpy impact tests of tungsten fiber–reinforced composite from -150 °C to 1000 °C

Tungsten features a unique combination of properties that makes it a favorable plasma-facing material in fusion reactors. The main drawbacks of tungsten are its brittleness at room temperature and the potential embrittlement during operation. Tungsten fiber–reinforced composites have the potential to overcome these limitations. Charpy impact tests ranging from -150 °C to 1000 °C have been performed. To identify the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature and understand the behavior at high temperature a detailed microscopic investigation was used to identify the transition temperature of fiber and matrix, which was between -100 °C to -50 °C and 1000 °C, respectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Yolk-shell structured Sb@C anodes for high energy Na-ion batteries

Despite great advances in sodium-ion battery developments, the search for high energy and stable anode materials remains a challenge. Alloy or conversion-typed anode materials are attractive candidates of high specific capacity and low voltage potential, yet their applications are hampered by the large volume expansion and hence poor electrochemical reversibility and fast capacity fade. Here, we use antimony (Sb) as an example to demonstrate the use of yolk-shell structured anodes for high energy Na-ion batteries. The Sb@C yolk-shell structure prepared by controlled reduction and selective removal of Sb2O3 from carbon coated Sb2O3 nanoparticles can accommodate the Sb swelling upon sodiation and improve the structural/electrical integrity against pulverization. It delivers a high specific capacity of ~554 mAh•g-1, good rate capability (315 mhA•g-1 at 10C rate) and long cyclability (92% capacity retention over 200 cycles). Full-cells of O3-Na0.9[Cu0.22Fe0.30Mn0.48]O2 cathodes and Sb@C-hard carbon composite anodes demonstrate a high specific energy of ~130 Wh•kg-1 (based on the total mass of cathode and anode) in the voltage range of 2.0-4.0 V, ~1.5 times energy of full-cells with similar design using hard carbon anodes.

Song, Junhua↗

The influence of C s /C c correction in analytical imaging and spectroscopy in scanning and transmission electron microscopy

Aberration correction in scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) owes much to the efforts of a small dedicated group of innovators. Leading that frontier has been Prof. Harald Rose. To date his leadership and dynamic personality has spearheaded our ability to leave behind many of the limitations imposed by spherical aberration (C s ) in high resolution phase contrast imaging. Following shortly behind, has been the development of chromatic aberration correction (C c ) which augments those accomplishments. In this study we will review and summarize how the combination of C s /C c technology enhances our ability to conduct hyperspectral imaging and spectroscopy in today's and future computationally mediated experiments in both thin as well as realistic specimens in vacuo and during in-situ/environmental experiments.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Relationship between the Chemiluminescence Intensity Ratio of C 2 * and CH*, Charge Pressure, and Equivalence Ratio for Gasoline

This work presents the results of an intensity-based fuel–air calibration for a range of charge pressures for gasoline fuel. The radical intensity ratio of diatomic carbon (C 2 *) to methylidene (CH*) was acquired through line-of-sight chemiluminescence imaging at pressures up to 10 bar. Certified gasoline (99% iso-octane, 0.9% n-heptane, and 0.1% other additives) and air are injected into an optically accessible pressure vessel capable of handling pressures up to 200 bar and ignited with an automotive spark plug. Line-of-sight images of C 2 * and CH* are recorded simultaneously on a single image sensor utilizing an intensifier, a high-speed camera, and various optical components to split the light signals associated with C 2 * and CH* (centered at 513 and 427 nm, respectively). The ratio of the signals (C 2 */CH*) are acquired and compared to the measured equivalence ratio of the exhaust gases and charge pressure. The approach allowed for characterization of the behavior of the intensity ratio at various charge pressures for gasoline. Here, the comparison of the intensity ratio (C 2 */CH*), equivalence ratio, and charge pressure resulted in the generation of a correlation map that can be used to calculate equivalence ratio if intensity ratio and charge pressure are known.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Cyclotrimerization of Acetylene in Gas Phase V + (C 2 H 2 ) n Complexes: Detection of Intermediates and Products with Infrared Spectroscopy

Infrared laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry were used to determine the structures of intermediates and products in the single-atom-catalyzed trimerization of acetylene to form benzene. Complexes of the form V + (C 2 H 2 ) n were produced in the gas phase via laser ablation in a pulsed-nozzle source, size-selected with a mass spectrometer, and studied with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed in support of the experiments. Single- and doub le-acetylene complexes form V + (C 2 H 2 ) n metallacycle structures. Three-acetylene complexes exhibit a surprising dependence on the acetylene concentration, forming V + (C 2 H 2 ) 3 and (C 2 H 2 )V + (C 4 H 4 ) tri- and dimetallacycle ion structures at low concentration, and eventually V + (benzene) at higher concentrations. Finally, these observations reveal intermediates along the reaction path of acetylene cyclotrimerization to benzene.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effects of Applied Potential and Water Intercalation on the Surface Chemistry of Ti 2 C and Mo 2 C MXenes

Here, two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, also known as MXenes, represent an attractive class of materials for a multitude of electrochemical and other applications. While single sheets of MXenes have been widely studied theoretically, there have been much fewer studies on layered bulk MXenes, which are more representative of multi- or few-layer MXenes used in actual applications. Herein, we investigate the structural and electronic effects of water intercalation, multiple functional groups and applied potential on layered bulk Ti 2 C and Mo 2 C MXenes using density functional theory. The out-of plane lattice parameter, c, was found to vary significantly with the functional group, and is greatly increased upon intercalation of water. Experimental results confirm the change in lattice constant due to addition or removal of intercalated water. Under zero applied potential, both Ti 2 C and Mo 2 C were found to be functionalized by one monolayer of O; bare MXenes were never found to be stable, regardless of the applied potential. Applying a potential changed the adsorbate coverage, changing the systems from O covered to H covered at negative potentials and, in some cases, giving rise to a metal–insulator transition. Understanding of the effects of surface functionalization and water intercalation of MXenes provides a better insight of their use for catalytic and electronic applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Wetting Behavior of A -block- (B- random -C) Copolymers with Equal Block Surface Energies on Surfaces Functionalized with B- random -C Copolymers

To form nanopatterns with self-assembled block copolymers (BCPs), it is desirable to have through-film domains that are oriented perpendicular to the substrate. The domain orientation is determined by the interfacial interactions of the BCP domains with the substrate and with the free surface. Here, we use thin films of two different sets of BCPs with A-block-(B-random-C) architecture matched with a corresponding B-random-C copolymer nanocoating on the substrate to demonstrate two distinct wetting behaviors. The two sets of A-b-(B-r-C) BCPs are made by using thiol–epoxy click chemistry to functionalize polystyrene-block-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) with trifluoroethanethiol (TFET) and either 2-mercaptopyridine (2MP) or methyl thioglycolate (MTG). For each set of BCPs, the composition ratio of the two thiols in the BCP (φ 1 ) is found that results in the two blocks of the modified BCP having equal surface energies (Δγ air = 0). The corresponding B-r-C random copolymers were synthesized and used to modify the substrate, and the composition ratio (φ 2 ) values that resulted in the two blocks of the BCP having equal interfacial energy with the substrate (Δγ sub = 0) were determined with scanning electron microscopy. The correlation between each block’s γ sub value and the interaction parameter, χ, is employed to explain the different wetting behaviors of the two sets of BCPs. For the thiol pair 2MP and TFET, the values of φ 1 and φ 2 that lead to Δγ air = 0 and Δγ sub = 0, respectively, are significantly different. A similar difference was observed between the φ 1 and φ 2 values that lead to Δγ air = 0 and Δγ sub = 0 for the BCPs made with the thiol pair MTG and TFET. In the latter case, for Δγ sub = 0 two windows of φ 2 are identified, which can be explained by the thermodynamic interactions of the specific thiol pair and the A-b-(B-r-C) architecture.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sequential Cascade Electrocatalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to C–C Coupled Products

Cascade catalytic processes perform multistep chemical transformations without isolating the intermediates. Here, we demonstrate a sequential cascade pathway to convert CO 2 to C 2+ hydrocarbons and oxygenates in a two-step electrocatalytic process using CO as the intermediate. CO 2 to CO conversion is performed by using Ag, and further conversion of CO to C-C coupled products is performed with Cu. Temporal separation between the two reaction steps is accomplished by situating the Ag electrode upstream of the Cu electrode in a continuous flow reactor. Convection-diffusion simulations and experimental evaluation of the electrodes individually are performed to identify optimal conditions. With the upstream Ag electrode poised at -1 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in a flow of CO 2 -saturated water in aqueous carbonate buffer, over 80% of the CO can be converted on the downstream Cu electrode. When the Ag electrode is on, a supersaturation of CO is achieved near the Cu electrode, which leads to a relative increase in the formation rate of C 2 and C 3 oxygenates as compared to ethylene.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Bulk Production of Any Ratio 12 C: 13 C Turbostratic Flash Graphene and Its Unusual Spectroscopic Characteristics

As graphene enjoys worldwide research and deployment, the biological impact, geologic degradation, environmental retention, and even some physical phenomena remain less well studied. Bulk production of 13 C-graphene yields a powerful route to study all of these questions. Gram scale synthesis of high quality and high purity turbostratic flash graphene with varying amounts of 13 C-enrichment, from 5% to 99% is reported here. Here, the material is characterized by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Notably, an unusual enhancement in the Raman spectroscopic D’ peak is observed, resulting from the modification in vibrational frequency through isotopic enrichment favoring intravalley phonon scattering modes. While the IR absorbance spectrum of graphene is for the most part silent, we prepare here 13 C-enhanced graphene samples that show a large aromatic 12 C= 13 C stretch that reveals this IR-active mode.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Spherical Congeners of Polyaromatic Compounds Approaching C 20 - and C 60 -Fullerene-Type Structures

A series of three symmetric, hollow spherical, and shape-persistent molecular organic cages analogous to C 20 and C 60 were examined by computational modeling, analyzing structural elements, strain indicators, and physical properties relevant for potential applications. The compounds are covalent aromatic cages based on 1,3,5-substituted benzene nodes linked by paraphenylene or para-pyrenylene-connectors, with diameters varying from 2.3 to 4.2 nm. The apertures in the cage interior are varied by virtue of the cage type (C 20 - or C 60 -type cage) and the linear connectors placed between the C 6 H 3 -units. NBO and MESP analyses indicate the presence of electrophilic and nucleophilic sites in the molecular skeleton. In the cages with the phenylene-connectors, the HOMO−LUMO gaps are close to 4.0 eV. In the cage coated with an enlarged polyaromatic spacer (pyrene-unit), the gap is reduced by approximately 0.4 eV.

Aromatic compounds↗