Understanding the Role of Hyponitrite in Nitric Oxide Reduction

Herein, we review the preparation and coordination chemistry of cis and trans isomers of hyponitrite, [N2O2](2-). Hyponitrite is known to bind to metals via a variety of bonding modes. In fact, at least eight different bonding modes have been observed, which is remarkable for such a simple ligand. More importantly, it is apparent that the cis isomer of hyponitrite is more reactive than the trans isomer because the barrier of N2O elimination from cis-hyponitrite is lower than that of trans-hyponitrite. This observation may have important mechanistic implications for both heterogeneous NOx reduction catalysts and NO reductase. However, our understanding of the hyponitrite ligand has been limited by the lack of a general route to this fragment, and most instances of its formation have been serendipitous

Strange Vibes – Novel Presentation of Prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) has significant variability in its presentation. In this study, we present 2 novel cases of prostatitis in which “buzz” is described as the primary pain symptom. These cases describe patients with the primary complaint of “cell phone–like buzzing” within the perineum, with accompanying urinary symptoms consistent with prostatitis. CP/CPPS is a multifactorial disease within which psychological, inflammatory, neurologic, and neuromuscular etiologies are at play. As in other disease descriptions, a buzzing sensation represents the interaction of multiple pathways that have significant overlay with CP/CPPS. As such, we believe buzzing might represent a new symptom of CP/CPPS

Excitonic and Confinement Effects of 2D Layered (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbBr₄ Single Crystals

Recognition of unusual optoelectronic properties for two-dimensional (2D) layered organic–inorganic lead­(II) halide materials (C_<i>n</i>H_2<i>n</i>+1NH₃)₂PbX₄ (X = I, Br, and Cl) has attracted intense renewed interest in this class of materials. Single crystals of the 2D layered materials (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbBr₄ and pseudo-alloy (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbI₂Br₂ were grown for photophysical evaluation. A 10-carbon alkylammonium cation was selected for investigation to provide strong dielectric screening in order to highlight quantum confinement effects of the anionic (PbX₄^2–) semiconductor layer. Single crystals of the 2D layered (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbBr₄ compound display a characteristic free exciton with a binding energy of ca. 280 meV. Observation of a short photoluminescence lifetime of 2.8 ± 0.2 ns suggests that this electronic transition for the PbBr₄-based layered material has only singlet character. Sheets of (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbBr₄ with thicknesses of a few layers were fabricated, and the dimensions were verified by AFM experiments. Excitonic emissions from (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbBr₄ and (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbI₄ exhibit relatively small spectral shifts from the bulk down to a thickness of five layers indicative of the strong confinement effect of the 10-carbon alkylammonium spacers. Single crystals of the pseudo-alloy (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbBr₂I₂ give an excitonic absorption peak close to that of the tetrabromide (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbBr₄ and an emission peak with a large Stokes shift to a position similar to that of the tetraiodide (C₁₀H₂₁NH₃)₂PbI₄