Solid-phase organic synthesis of 2-tridecanyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-tridecanyl-1,4-naphthodiol that form redox-active micelles and vesicles

The solid-phase synthesis of new amphiphilic compounds is reported. It is based on a newly designed 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative that contains polar and nonpolar groups and self-assembles into micelles or vesicles in water depending on the concentration. They also display redox-active properties

DNA-inks for 3-D Printing: DNA Composites for the Rapid Prototyping of Scaffold in Bioengineering Applications

Rapid-prototyping has become an incredible technique that manufactures three-dimensional objects with intricate complexity down to 8µm of resolution. We are developing materials that can be used by rapid-prototyping instruments to make scaffolds for bioengineering applications. Our molecular design involves the polymerization of a (vinylbenzyl)trimethyl-ammonium chloride and DNA solution. Upon UV illumination, the composite polymerizes and forms DNA-hybrid materials. The end result becomes a ductile transparent material with a thin cross-section. The synthesis, characterization and application of rapid prototyping will be described. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Light Scattering Detector (LDS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Infrared Spectroscopy indicate the structure, characteristics, and the presence of the DNA-polymer. Analyses that test the mechanical properties of the scaffolds will be discussed

Hydrogen physisorption in a Cu(II) metallacycle

The interaction of molecular hydrogen with a novel microporous dinuclear Cu(II) complex, [bis-μ-di(4-pyridyl)methanol-1,4,7-triazacyclononane copper(II)] triflate (1), and its derivatives formed from oxidation and solvent removal was studied with 2H NMR and density functional theory (DFT). The Cu-complex 1 was characterized with X-ray diffraction methods and consists of a dinuclear macrocycle that forms one-dimensional channels of 9.55 Å in diameter. 2H NMR studies of deuterium gas adsorption by 1 suggest that physisorption condensation of D2 occurs within two distinct microenvironments: in the interior and in-between the microtubular structures. The assignment of NMR resonances to specific adsorption sites is supported by spectral decomposition and analysis of the line widths and integrated signal intensities of the components. The dynamics of the system are probed by spin-lattice relaxation time measurements and spectral hole-burn experiments as a function of temperature and pressure. NMR and DFT calculations suggest that hydrogen uptake is mediated through interactions with the Cu(II) centers via dipole-ion interactions. © 2010 American Chemical Society

Single-crystal to single-crystal phase transitions of bis(N-phenylisonicotinamide)silver(I) nitrate reveal cooperativity properties in porous molecular materials

Two single-crystal to single-crystal phase transitions in trans- $[Ag(NPI)_2](NO_3).2CH_3OH (1a)$, (NPI = N- phenylisonicotinamide) were characterized with X-ray crystallography; the first transition is reversible and arises from a desolvation transition induced by vacuum and generated 1b; the second transition was induced by heat at $140^oC$ and generated 1c