Generation and Characterization of the Charge-Transferred Diradical Complex CaCO2 with an Open-Shell Singlet Ground State.

The CaCO2 complex is generated via the reaction of excited-state calcium atom with carbon dioxide in a solid neon matrix. Infrared absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations reveal that the complex has a planar four-membered ring structure with a strongly bent CO2 ligand side-on coordinated to the calcium center in an η2-O, O manner. The complex has an open-shell singlet ground state, which can be described as the bonding interactions between a Ca+ (4s1) cation in the doublet ground state and a doublet ground state CO2- anion. The analysis of the bonding situation suggests that the Ca-O2C bonds have a large (75%) electrostatic character. The covalent (orbital) interactions come from the coupling of the unpaired electrons of Ca+ and CO2- giving rise to electron-sharing bonding and a stronger contribution from dative bonding (Ca+)←(CO2-). The atomic orbitals (AOs) of Ca+ that are engaged in the covalent bonds are the 4s AO for the electron-sharing bonds and the 3d AOs for the dative bonds. This is further evidence for the assignment of the heavier alkaline-earth atoms as transition metals rather than main-group elements.

Carbon Dioxide Activation by Alkaline-Earth Metals: Formation and Spectroscopic Characterization of OCMCO3 and MC2O4 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) in Solid Neon.

The reactions of alkaline-earth metal atoms (Ca, Sr, and Ba) with carbon dioxide are investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy in solid neon. The ground-state metal atoms react with two carbon dioxide molecules to produce the oxalate complexes MC2O4 and the carbonate-carbonyl complexes OCMCO3 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) spontaneously on annealing. The species are identified by the effects of isotopic substitution on their infrared spectra as well as density functional calculations. Bonding analyses reveal that the attractive forces between M2+ and (CO3)2- or (C2O4)2- in the OCMCO3 and MC2O4 complexes come mainly from electrostatic attraction, but covalent orbital interactions also play an important role, which are dominated by the ligand-to-metal donation bonding. The calcium, strontium, and barium metal centers in these complexes use their ns and predominately (n - 1)d atomic orbitals for covalent bonding that mimic transition metals.

Covalent Bonding Between Be+ and CO2 in BeOCO+ with a Surprisingly High Antisymmetric OCO Stretching Vibration.

The cationic complex BeOCO+ is produced in a solid neon matrix. Infrared absorption spectroscopic study shows that it has a very high antisymmetric OCO stretching vibration of 2418.9 cm-1, which is about 71 cm-1 blue-shifted from that of free CO2. The quantum chemical calculations are in very good agreement with the experimental observation. Depending on the theoretical method, a linear or quasi-linear structure is predicted for the cation. The analysis of the electronic structure shows that the bonding of Be+ to one oxygen atom induces very little charge migration between the two moieties, but it causes a significant change in the σ-charge distribution that strengthens the terminal C-O bond, leading to the observed blue shift. The bonding analysis reveals that the Be+ ← OCO donation results in strong binding due to the interference of the wave function and a charge polarization within the CO2 fragment and hybridization to Be+ but only negligible charge donation.

CO-Induced Dinitrogen Fixation and Cleavage Mediated by Boron.

The boron atoms react with carbon monoxide and dinitrogen forming the end-on bonded NNBCO complex in solid neon or in nitrogen matrices. The NNBCO complex rearranges to the (η2 -N2 )BCO isomer with a more activated side-on bonded dinitrogen ligand upon visible light excitation. (η2 -N2 )BCO and its weakly CO-coordinated complexes further isomerize to the NBNCO and B(NCO)2 molecules with N-N bond being completely cleaved under UV light irradiation. The geometries, energies and vibrational spectra of the molecules are calculated with quantum chemical methods and the electronic structures are analyzed with charge- and energy-partitioning methods.

Generation and Characterization of the C3 O2 - Anion with an Unexpected Unsymmetrical Structure.

The carbon suboxide anion C3 O2 - is generated in solid neon matrix. It is characterized by infrared absorption spectroscopy as well as quantum chemical calculations to have a planar Cs structure where two CO groups with significantly different bond lengths and angles are attached in a zigzag fashion to the central carbon atom. Bonding analysis indicates that it is best described by the bonding interactions between a neutral CO in a triplet excited state and a doublet excited state of CCO- .

In Situ Assessment of Donghu Lake China Using Rare Minnow (Gobiocypris rarus).

In this work, rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) was applied as a sentinel organism and set in cages at control and test sampling sites in Donghu Lake for 4 weeks in March, June, September, and December 2016 to assess the biological toxicity of in situ water. Sampling for active biomonitoring and physicochemical variables was performed weekly. The control was obtained from the outdoor pool of the Institute of Hydrobiology, China. Superoxide dismutase, lipoperoxidation, metallothioneins, acetylcholinesterase activity, and Vtg mRNA expression were determined as biomarkers during the field exposure period. Survival and growth also were monitored to evaluate the overall physiological condition of the fish. The seasonal changes of organic pollutants and trace metals (As, Hg, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in surface water were determined. The integrated biomarker response (IBR) index was applied to summarize biomarker responses and correlate stress levels with concentrations of organic pollutants and trace metals in the surface water. Results indicated that complex pollution by persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals was present in Donghu Lake and that the in situ exposed organisms were stressed. Moreover, the complex pollution of Donghu Lake in summer and autumn was more serious than that in spring and winter. Active biomonitoring combined with IBR analysis enabled good discrimination among different exposure seasons. The proposed protocol with caged rare minnow revealed marked biological effects caused by the investigated Lake and a useful approach that can easily be extended to monitor water pollution.

Reversible Redox Switching of Concurrent Luminescence and Visual Color Change Based on Lanthanide Metallogel.

The development of reversible redox supramolecular gels capable of concurrent luminescence switch and visible color change with the facile redox process has always been an intriguing challenge. A redox-responsive supramolecular lanthanide metallogel with strong luminescence and yellow color is obtained via coordination interaction between 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) and europium (Eu3+). Upon the addition of TiO2 to the prepared gel (DNSA/Eu3+ gel), the oxidation process of the gel (DNSA/Eu3+/TiO2 gel) can be easily achieved by UV irradiation. The DNSA/Eu3+/TiO2 gel exhibits a concurrent reversible "on-off" luminescence and color change in response to redox stimuli. The DNSA/Eu3+/TiO2 gel shows a concurrent quench of luminescence and a color change from yellow to red when the gel was stimulated by the reductant. Upon UV irradiation, the luminescence and color of the reduced DNSA/Eu3+/TiO2 gel restored to its initial state due to the strong oxidation ability of hydroxyl radicals derived from photocatalytic oxidation of TiO2. The results of UV-vis and mass spectroscopy indicated that the reversible redox responsiveness of DNSA/Eu3+/TiO2 gel depends on the reversible oxidation-reduction reactions of DNSA. Moreover, DNSA/Eu3+/TiO2 gel remains stable because the morphology of the gel had no change during the redox process. Exemplarily, the application of DNSA/Eu3+/TiO2 gels to achieve luminescent patterning was investigated. The results demonstrated that the prepared metallogel has potential applications in the fields of writable materials, anticounterfeiting, sensors, and others.

Decomposition of Sulfonyl Azide Isocyanate and Sulfonyl Diazide: The Oxygen-Shifted Curtius Rearrangement via Sulfonyl Nitrenes.

Sulfonyl azide isocyanate, (OCN)S(O)2N3, was prepared and characterized by IR (gas, matrix-isolation), Raman (liquid), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Upon flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) at ca. 1000 K, gaseous (OCN)S(O)2N3 decomposes completely and yields fragments N2, SO2, SO3, NCN, N3, NCO, CO, CN, and NO. In contrast, the azide splits off N2 and furnishes a transient triplet sulfonyl nitrene intermediate (OCN)S(O)2N upon a 266 nm laser irradiation in solid Ne-matrix at 2.8 K. Subsequent photolysis of the nitrene with visible light (λ = 380-450 nm) results in oxygen-shifted Curtius rearrangement to a novel nitroso sulfoxide (OCN)S(O)NO. For comparison, the photodecomposition of the closely related sulfonyl diazide O2S(N3)2 in a solid Ar matrix was also studied. Upon an ArF excimer laser (193 nm) photolysis, O2S(N3)2 decomposes and yields N2, SO2, and OSNNO via the intermediacy of an elusive sufonyl nitrene N3S(O)2N. Further visible light irradiation (λ > 395 nm) leads to depletion of N3S(O)2N and OSNNO and concomitant formation of SO2 and N2. The identification of the intermediates in cryogenic matrixes by IR spectroscopy was supported by 15N-labeling experiments and quantum chemical calculations. The mechanism for the decomposition of both sulfonyl azides (OCN)S(O)2N3 and O2S(N3)2 was discussed on the basis of the observed intermediates and the calculated potential energy profiles.

Spectroscopic Identification of H2 NSO and syn- and anti-HNSOH Radicals.

The simplest aminosulfinyl radical H2 NSO has been generated in the gas phase through flash vacuum pyrolysis of CF3 S(O)NH2 at approximately 1000 K. Upon UV light irradiation (365 nm), 1,3-H migration occurs in H2 NSO and furnishes an elusive N-amidyl radical HNSOH in syn and anti conformations in cryogenic matrices (N2 or Ar, 15 K). Further 266 nm laser irradiation results in dissociation of HNSOH to H2 O and SN and concomitant reformation of H2 NSO in trace amount. The identification of H2 NSO, syn-HNSOH, and anti-HNSOH by matrix-isolation IR spectroscopy is supported by high-level quantum chemical computations.

Phosphine-Mediated Sequential Annulation Reaction: Access to Functionalized Benzofurans and 4,5-Dihydrobenzofurans.

A new strategy for the facile access to multi-functionalized benzofurans and 4,5-dihydrobenzofurans has been explored. The advantages of the present protocol include readily obtainable starting materials, mild and metal-free conditions, expedient and practical processes, excellent yields, and easy scale-up. The reaction demonstrated high efficiency to construct two rings in a single step. The zwitterionic intermediate generated from the conjugated attack of PPh3 to the ene-yne-ketone was proposed to be the key intermediate toward these valuable scaffolds.

The decomposition of benzenesulfonyl azide: a matrix isolation and computational study.

The thermal-decomposition and photo-decomposition of benzenesulfonyl azide, PhS(O)2N3, have been studied by combining matrix-isolation IR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. Upon flash vacuum pyrolysis at 800 K, the azide splits off molecular nitrogen and exclusively furnishes phenylnitrene (PhN) and SO2 in the gas phase. In contrast, the azide favors stepwise photodecomposition in solid Ar and Ne matrices at 2.8 K. Specifically, the UV laser photolysis (193 and 266 nm) of PhS(O)2N3 results in the formation of the key nitrene intermediate PhS(O)2N in the triplet ground state, which undergoes pseudo-Curtius rearrangement into N-sulfonyl imine PhNSO2 under subsequent visible light irradiation (380-450 nm). Further fragmentation of PhNSO2 into SO2 and PhN followed by ring-expansion to didehydroazepine also occurs upon visible light irradiation. The preference of the stepwise mechanism for the decomposition of PhS(O)2N3 is supported by quantum chemical calculations using DFT B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) and CBS-QB3 methods.

The hypothiocyanite radical OSCN and its isomers.

A biologically relevant reactive sulfur species (RSS), the hypothiocyanite radical OSCN, is generated in the gas phase through flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) of trifluoromethyl sulfinyl cyanide CF3S(O)CN at ca. 1000 K. Upon UV light irradiation (365 nm), OSCN rearranges to novel isomers OSNC and SOCN, and further visible light irradiation (400 ± 20 nm) leads to reverse isomerization. The identification of OSCN, OSNC, and SOCN in cryogenic matrices (Ar and N2, 2.8 K) with IR spectroscopy is supported by quantum chemical calculations up to the CCSD(T)-F12/VTZ-F12 level. The potential energy surface for the interconversion of OSCN isomers and their bonding properties are computationally explored by using the CCSD(T)-F12/VTZ-F12 and EDA-NOCV methods, respectively.

Analysis and improvement of accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution of the coherent gradient sensing method.

The coherent gradient sensing (CGS) method, one kind of shear interferometry sensitive to surface slope, has been applied to full-field curvature measuring for decades. However, its accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution have not been studied clearly. In this paper, we analyze the accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution for the CGS method based on the derivation of its working principle. The results show that the sensitivity is related to the grating pitch and distance, and the accuracy and resolution are determined by the wavelength of the laser beam and the diameter of the reflected beam. The sensitivity is proportional to the ratio of grating distance to its pitch, while the accuracy will decline as this ratio increases. In addition, we demonstrate that using phase gratings as the shearing element can improve the interferogram and enhance accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution. The curvature of a spherical reflector is measured by CGS with Ronchi gratings and phase gratings under different experimental parameters to illustrate this analysis. All of the results are quite helpful for CGS applications.

Bifunctional-Phosphine-Catalyzed Sequential Annulations of Allenoates and Ketimines: Construction of Functionalized Poly-heterocycle Rings.

A highly stereoselective sequential annulation reaction between γ-substituted allenoates and ketimines was reported. By using bifunctional N-acyl aminophosphine catalysts, poly-heterocycle rings were obtained with high stereocontrol in good to excellent yields. The desired products have four contiguous stereogenic centers (one quaternary and three tertiary carbon centers), and only one isomer was obtained in all reactions.

Isoleojaponin, a new Halimane diterpene isolated from Leonurus japonicus.

Leojaponin (2), a labdane diterpene, was isolated from the EtOH extract of the herb of Leonurus japonicus together with a new halimane diterpene named isoleojaponin (1). Isoleojaponin has a new diterpene skeleton with a unique cross-conjugated α,ß-unsaturated ketone system, Their structures were elucidated by physical and spectroscopic analysis, and the relative configuration of the chiral C-9 carbon was determined by a computational method, and analysis of its possible biogenesis pathways.

Highly enantioselective intermolecular cross Rauhut-Currier reaction catalyzed by a multifunctional Lewis base catalyst.

The highly enantioselective intermolecular cross Rauhut-Currier reaction of different active olefins catalyzed by a multifunctional chiral Lewis base was reported. The RC products were obtained in excellent yields (up to 98 %), high chemo- and enantioselectivity (up to 96 % ee). The reaction could be performed on a gram scale using 1 mol % of the multifunctional phosphine catalyst.

Multiwavelength shearing interferometry for measuring the slopes, curvatures, and shapes of thin films/substrate systems.

Multiwavelength shearing interferometry, a full-field, real-time, and vibration-insensitive method with enhanced accuracy, is proposed. Theoretically, the more wavelengths that are used for shearing interferometers, the higher the precision that can be achieved in the measurement of slopes, curvatures, and the shapes of reflective surfaces. A spherical mirror with specified curvature radius is used to calibrate this method, and then the nonuniform deformation and shape of the TiNi film/Si substrate system are obtained experimentally.

Evaluation on the Seal Performance of SMP-Based Packers in Oil Wells.

Packers based on shape memory polymers (SMPs) are an emerging technology that have the advantages of compact structure, easy manufacture, and adaptability to complex wells. This paper proposes a finite element model to simulate the setting process and mechanical response of an SMP packer. The investigated material is an epoxy-based thermal responsive SMP, whose relaxation modulus and thermal expansion coefficient were measured at different temperatures. Based on the experimental data, the model describes the viscoelastic behavior of the SMP using the generalized Maxwell model. The results show that the SMP packer could provide sufficient contact stress under downhole conditions, even after the stress was relaxed. A further parametric study revealed that the most significant factor in sealing effects is the wellbore pressure, followed by the interference between the packer and the annular, the seal length, the pre-compression, and the setting temperature. High downhole pressures require more significant contact stress and increase the risk of slip between the packer and casing wall by promoting shear stress. Increasing the seal length and interference enhances the contact stress and mitigates the shear stress to improve the seal performance. Pre-compression and setting temperatures are minor factors that have little influence on sealability.

Naked-eye sensing and target-guiding treatment of bacterial infection using pH-tunable multicolor luminescent lanthanide-based hydrogel.

In this work, a pH-tunable multicolor luminescent lanthanide-based hydrogel (CS/DEX/CP) was prepared based on lanthanide coordination polymer (CP), dextran aldehyde (DEX) and chitosan (CS). The CP was obtained by the self-assembly of guanosine acid (GMP), ciprofloxacin (CIP), Eu3+, and Tb3+. As-prepared CS/DEX/CP hydrogel could emit blue, green, and red luminescence of CIP, Tb3+, and Eu3+, respectively. It was also found that the luminescence of CS/DEX/CP hydrogel exhibited visual color change in the pH range of 5.5 to 8. Such pH-sensitive hydrogel was multicolor-responsive to protons produced by bacterial growth, therefore, it could provide early warning of bacterial infection by naked-eye. In addition, the increased acidity resulted in not only the degradation of acid-labile Schiff base linkages between DEX and CS, but also the fracture of coordination between CIP and lanthanide ions. As a result, the released CIP and CS showed significantly antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli.

Full-field measurement of nonuniform stresses of thin films at high temperature.

Coherent gradient sensing (CGS), a shear interferometry method, is developed to measure the full-field curvatures of a film/substrate system at high temperature. We obtain the relationship between an interferogram phase and specimen topography, accounting for temperature effect. The self-interference of CGS combined with designed setup can reduce the air effect. The full-field phases can be extracted by fast Fourier transform. Both nonuniform thin-film stresses and interfacial stresses are obtained by the extended Stoney's formula. The evolution of thermo-stresses verifies the feasibility of the proposed interferometry method and implies the "nonlocal" effect featured by the experimental results.