Electronic Structures and Spectra of the Bases and Base Pairs of Nucleic Acids

The present paper covers electronic structures and spectra of the bases and the base pairs of nucleic acids calculated by using the INDO/S method. For free bases we give the energy levels of ground states and transition energies of low-lying excited states and discuss the band characters. The results indicate that the calculated spectra are in good agreement with experimental values. On the other hand, our calculations for A-T and G-C pairs are very beneficial to understanding hydrogen bond properties of these pairs.

COVID-19 mortality paradox(United States vs Africa):Mass vaccination vs early treatment

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)mortality rate in 55 African countries is almost 4.5 times lower than in the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)despite Africa having over 4.2 times more people.This mortality paradox is also evident when comparing Nigeria,a heavily populated,poorly vaccinated and weakly mandated country to Israel,a small,highly vaccinated and strictly mandated country.Nigeria has almost 4 times lower COVID mortality than Israel.In this Field of Vision perspective,I explain how this paradox has evolved drawing upon my academic,clinical and social experience.Since April 2020,I’ve developed and been using the Egyptian immune-modulatory Kelleni’s protocol to manage COVID-19 patients including pediatric,geriatric,pregnant,immune-compromised and other individuals suffering from multiple comorbidities.It’s unfortunate that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is still evolving accompanied by more deaths.However in Africa,we’ve been able to live without anxiety or mandates throughout the pandemic because we trust science and adopted early treatment using safe,and effective repurposed drugs that have saved the majority of COVID-19 patients.This article represents an African and Egyptian tale of honor.

Surface Acidity of Amorphous Aluminum Hydroxide

The surface acidity of synthetic amorphous AI hydroxide was determined by acid/base titration with several complementary methods including solution analyses of the reacted solutions and XRD characterization of the reacted solids. The synthetic specimen was characterized to be the amorphous material showing four broad peaks in XRD pattern. XRD analyses of reacted solids after the titration experiments showed that amorphous AI hydroxide rapidly transformed to crystalline bayerite at the alkaline condition （pH〉10）. The solution analyses after and during the titration Ksp=^aAl^3＋/aH^＋^3 ,was 10^10.3. The amount of consumption of added acid or base during the titration experiment was attributed to both the protonation/deprotonation of dissolved AI species and surface hydroxyl group. The surface acidity constants, surface hydroxyl density and specific surface area were estimated by FITEQL 4.0.

Boosting the polysulfide confinement in B/N–codoped hierarchically porous carbon nanosheets via Lewis acid–base interaction for stable Li–S batteries

Carbon materials have shown remarkable usefulness in facilitating the performance of insulating sulfur cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries owing to their excellent conductivity and porous structure. However,the anxiety is the poor affinity toward polar polysulfides due to the intrinsic nonpolar surface of carbon.Herein, we report a direct pyrolysis of the mixture urea and boric acid to synthesize B/N–codoped hierarchically porous carbon nanosheets(B–N–CSs) as efficient sulfur host for lithium–sulfur battery. The graphene–like B–N–CSs provides high specific surface area and porous structure with abundant micropores(1.1 nm) and low–range mesopores(2.3 nm), thereby constraining the sulfur active materials within the pores. More importantly, the codoped B/N elements can further enhance the polysulfide confinement through strong Li–N and B–S interaction based on the Lewis acid–base theory. These structural superiorities significantly suppress the shuttle effect by both physical confinement and chemical interaction, and promote the redox kinetics of polysulfide conversion. When evaluated as the cathode host, the S/B–N–CSs composite displays the excellent performance with a high reversible capacity up to 772 m A h g–1 at 0.5 C and a low fading rate of ^0.09% per cycle averaged upon 500 cycles. In particular, remarkable stability with a high capacity retention of 87.1% can be realized when augmenting the sulfur loading in the cathode up to 4.6 mg cm^(-2).

Oxidative coupling of alcohols and amines to an imine over Mg-Al acid-base bifunctional oxide catalysts

A series of Mg‐Al mixed oxide catalysts are prepared and introduced as efficient irreducible catalysts for the oxidative coupling of alcohols and amines to imine.The structure and surface properties of Mg‐Al oxides are modulated by changing the Mg/Al ratios,calcination temperature and treatment with probe molecules.Detailed characterization,including X‐ray diffraction,27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy,N2‐adsorption,NH3‐temperature‐programmed desorption,CO2‐temperature‐programmed desorption and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy are carried out to determine the physicochemical properties of these catalysts.The Mg‐Al oxides with Mg/Al=3exhibit the highest activity in the reaction,which possess a large number of surface weak basic sites and a relatively small number of weak acidic sites.The role of the acidic and basic sites in the reaction process is systematically investigated,and are shown to serve as adsorption and activation sites for amines and alcohols,respectively.Under the synergistic effect of these acid‐base centers,the oxidative coupling process successfully occurs on the surface of Mg‐Al mixed oxides.Compared with the acidic sites,the weak basic sites play a more important role in the catalytic process.The acidic sites are the catalytic centers for the benzyl alcohol activation,which control the reaction rate of the oxidative coupling reaction.

Acetalization of carbonyl compounds with 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanedio catalyzed by novel carbon based solid acid catalyst

The synthesis of 2, 4-diisopropyl-5,5-dimethy1- 1.3-dioxane through the acetalization of isobutyraldehyde with 2, 2, 4-trimethy1-1,3-pentanediol （TMPD） catalyzed by the novel carbon based acid was first carried out. High conversion （≥98%） and specific selectivity were obtained using the novel carbon based acid, which kept high activity after it was reused 5 times. Moreover. the catalyst could be used to catalyze the acetalization and ketalization of different aldehydes and ketones with superior yield. The yield of several products was over 90%. The novel heterogeneous catalyst has the distinct advantages of high activity, strikingly simple workup procedure, non-pollution, and reusability, which will contribute to the success of the green process greatly.

Spectroscopic study on variations in illite surface properties after acid-base titration

FT IR, Raman microscopy, XRD, 29 Si and 27 Al MAS NMR, were used to investigate changes in surface properties of a natural illite sample after acid base potentiometric titration. The characteristic XRD lines indicated the presence of surface Al Si complexes, preferable to Al(OH) 3 precipitates. In the microscopic Raman spectra, the vibration peaks of Si O and Al O bonds diminished as a result of treatment with acid, then increased after hydroxide back titration. The varied ratio of signal intensity between IV Al and VI Al species in 27 Al MAS NMR spectra, together with the stable BET surface area after acidimetric titration, suggested that edge faces and basal planes in the layer structure of illite participated in dissolution of structural components. The combined spectroscopic evidence demonstrated that the reactions between illite surfaces and acid leaching silicic acid and aluminum ions should be considered in the model description of surface acid base properties of the aqueous illite.

Synthesis and Characterization of Lanthanum Complexes with Amino Acid Schiff Base

Six new complexes of lanthanum with amino acid Schiff base ligands, A-F, were prepared in methanol-aqueous solution. The composition and properties of the title complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, infrared, electronic spectra, H-1 NMR, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Some Diorganotin Complexes of N-(3,5-Dibromosalicylidene)-α-amino Acid and their Diphenyltin Dichloride Adducts

The title complexes, R′2Sn(3,5-Br2-2-OC6H2CH=NCHRCOO), and their diphenyltindichloride adduct, R′2Sn(3,5-Br2-2-OC6H2CH=NCHRCOO)?SnPh2Cl2, were synthesized and char-acterized by elemental analysis, IR, H and C NMR and X-ray single crystal diffraction. The 1 13structural features of the compounds were described.

Synthesis, oxygenation and catalytic performance of manganese complex with p-aminomethyl benzoic acid Schiff base

The amino acid Schiff base complex (Sal-AMBA-Mn) was prepared with p-amino-methylbenzoic acid, salicylaldehyde and Mn(OAc)2·4H2O. Its structures was characterized with IR and UV spectra. Oxygenation mechanism of the complex in N, N-dimethylformamide solution was investigated. The results show that lower temperature is in favor of the oxygenation, and energy, enthalpy and entropy are -3.8 kJ/mol, -4.2 J/mol and -161.44 J/(mol·K), respectively. In the presence of the manganese complex, dehydroepiandrosterone acetate is effectively oxidized by molecular oxygen and the corresponding enone 7-ketodehydroepiandrosterone acetate is obtained. The yield is 62.1% when the oxidation is carried out under the reaction conditions of 60 ℃, 2 MPa of O2 pressure, C5H5N as a solvent and molar ratio of the substrate to the complex of 1:10.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF VERY WEAK ACID AND BASE BY pH-FIXED TITRATION METHOD

pH-fixed titration method for the determination of weak acids and bases has been studied in this paper.It is not necessary to know the ionization constant of weak acid or base and the concentration of titrant. This method had been applied to determine phenol,4-aminoantipyrine and glycine,whose ionization constants range from 10^(-10)to 10^(-12).The results were satisfactory.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure ofa Bipy Bridged Binuclear Cu^Ⅱ Complex Containing Aminomethanesulfonic Acid [Cu2（Sams）2（Bipy）（H2O）2]·（H2O）

The title complex [Cu2（Sams）2（H2O）2（bipy）]·（H2O） 1 （H2Sams = N-（2-hydroxybenzy） aminomethanesulfonic acid, bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine） has been synthesized by the reaction of Cu- （CH3COO）2·H2O, nESams and 4,4′-bipyridine in aqueous methanol. It was characterized by IR, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis （TGA） and X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21/n with a= 10.9533（17）, b = 8.3408（13）, c = 16.714（3） A^°, β = 101.295（4）°, V = 1494.3（4） A^°3 and Z = 2. The asymmetric unit is comprised of a tridentate Schiff base Sams^2- anionic ligand, a 4,4′-bipyddine and two coordinated water molecules, thus forming a binuclear copper（Ⅱ） complex. The coordination environment at Cu^Ⅱ center is described as a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry. Via intermolecular hydrogen bonds C（10）-H（10）…O（3） and C（13）- H（13）…O（3）, an infinite supramolecular chain is yielded. A number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds greatly contribute to the stabilization of the solid-state structure for 1.

Studies on Zeolite Modified Electrode(Ⅰ)─Ascorbic Acid Sensor Based on Carbon Paste Electrode Containing Fe(Ⅲ)Y Zeolite

A new ascorbic acid sensor constituted of carbon paste and Fe(Ⅲ)Y zeolite was studied.The characters of the sensor such as linear range. potential window、apparen Michaelis constant、response time、stability and accuracy wee investigated. The experimental results indicate that the analytical performance of the sensor is satisfactory.

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Thermoanalysis of Complex of Zn(II) with Aminomethanesulfonic Acid-5-bromosalicylaldelyde Schiff Base

The title complex [Zn（L）（phen）（CH3OH）] （L = C8H6BrO4NS, aminomethanesulfonic acid 5-bromo-salicylaldelyde schiff base; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline） has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction method. The crystal belongs to monoclinic, space group P21/c with a = 1.8712（3）, b = 1.38008（19）, c = 0.83685（12） nm, β = 97.791 （2）°, Mr = 569.72, V = 2.1411 （5） nm^3, Z= 4, Dc = 1.767 g/cm^3,μ = 3.151 mm^-1, F（000） = 1144, the final R = 0.0402 and wR = 0.0885. The central Zn（Ⅱ） is six-coordinated by one nitrogen and two oxygen atoms from the Schiff base, two nitrogen atoms from 1,10-phenanthroline and one oxygen from methanol to form a distorted octahedral coordination geometry.

Chiral Recognition of Dansyl Derivatives with an Amino Acid-Based Molecular Micelle: A Molecular Dynamics Investigation

In this study, the chiral separation mechanisms of Dansyl amino acids, including Dansyl-Leucine (Dans-Leu), Dansyl-Norleucine (Dans-Nor), Dansyl-Tryptophan (Dans-Trp) and Dansyl-Phenylalanine (Dans-Phe) binding to poly-sodium N-undecanoyl-(L)-Leucylvalinate, poly (SULV), were investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) has previously shown that when separating the enantiomers of these aforementioned Dansyl amino acids, the L-enantiomers bind stronger to poly (SULV) than the D-enantiomers. This study aims to investigate the molecular interactions that govern chiral recognition in these systems using computational methods. This study reveals that the computationally-calculated binding free energy values for Dansyl enantiomers binding to poly (SULV) are in agreement with the enantiomeric order produced in experimental MEKC studies. The L-enantiomers of Dans-Leu, Dans-Nor, Dans-Trp, and Dans-Phe binding to their preferred binding pockets in poly (SULV) yielded binding free energy values of -21.8938, -22.1763, -21.3329 and -13.3349 kJ·mol-1, respectively. The D-enantiomers of Dans-Leu, Dans-Nor, Dans-Trp, and Dans-Phe binding to their preferred binding pockets in poly (SULV) yielded binding free energy values of -14.5811, -15.9457, -13.6408, and -12.0959 kJ·mol-1, respectively. Furthermore, hydrogen bonding analyses were used to investigate and elucidate the molecular interactions that govern chiral recognition in these molecular systems.

Preparation of Poly ( L-lactic acid ) / Vermiculites Composites by in situ Copolymerization of Lactic Acid and Hydroxylic Vermiculites

L-lactic acid (L-LA) based copolymer/hydroxylation vermiculites composites (PLLA-co-bis A/HVMTs) were prepared by in situ reaction among L-LA, adipic acid, and hydroxylation lamellar vermiculites (HVMTs) using bisphenol-A epoxy resin as chain extending agent. HVMTs were obtained by sulfuric acid-leaching of lamellar vermiculites (VMTs). The effects of sulfuric acid leaching on the VMTs structure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance(29Si NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR, FE-SEM, and TGA were used to characterize the reaction activity of HVMTs. The results indicated that VMTs with increased hydroxyl groups had been successfully obtained and could react with -COOH of the reaction system. The amount of L-LA based copolymer grafted on the surface of HVMTs was more than 22%. The onset decomposition temperature of L-LA based copolymer grafted on the surface of HVMTs was 30℃ higher than that of free L-LA based copolymer.

Preparation and Properties of Vegetable-Oil-Based Thioether Polyol and Ethyl Cellulose Supramolecular Composite Films

Ethyl cellulose(EC),an important biomass-based material,has excellent film-forming properties.Nevertheless,the high interchain hydrogen bond interaction leads to a high glass transition temperature of EC,which makes it too brittle to be used widely.The hydroxyl group on EC can form a supramolecular system in the form of a non-covalent bond with an effective plasticizer.In this study,an important vegetable-oil-based derivative named dimer fatty acid was used to prepare a novel special plasticizer for EC.Dimer-fatty-acid-based thioether polyol(DATP)was synthesized and used to modify ethyl cellulose films.The supramolecular composite films of DATP and ethyl cellulose were designed using the newly-formed van der Waals force.The thermal stability,morphology,hydrophilicity,and mechanical properties of the composite films were all tested.Pure EC is fragile,and the addition of DATP makes the ethyl cellulose films more flexible.The elongation at the break of EC supramolecular films increased and the tensile strength decreased with the increasing DATP content.The elongation at the break of EC/DATP(60/40)and EC/DATP(50/50)was up to 40.3%and 43.4%,respectively.Noticeably,the thermal initial degradation temperature of the film with 10%DATP is higher than that of pure EC,which may be attributed to the formation of a better supramolecular system in this composite film.The application of bio-based material(EC)is environmentally friendly,and the novel DATP can be used as a special and effective plasticizer to prepare flexible EC films,making it more widely used in energy,chemical industry,materials,agriculture,medicine,and other fields.

An efficient Hauser-base electrolyte for rechargeable magnesium batteries

Rechargeable magnesium batteries(RMBs)are considered the promising candidates for post lithium-ion batteries due to the abundant storage,high capacity,and dendrite-rare characteristic of Mg anode.However,the lack of practical electrolytes impedes the development and application of RMBs.Here,through a one-step reaction of LiCl congenital-containing Knochel–Hauser base TMPL(2,2,6,6-tetrame thylpiperidinylmagnesium chloride lithium chloride complex)with Lewis acid AlCl_(3),we successfully synthesized an efficient amino-magnesium halide TMPLA electrolyte.Raman and mass spectroscopy identified that the electrolyte comprises the typical di-nuclear copolymer[Mg_(2)Cl_(3)·6THF]+cation group and[(TMP)2AlCl_(2)]-anion group,further supported by the results of density functional theory calculations(DFT)and the Molecular dynamics(MD)simulations.The TMPLA electrolyte exhibits promising electrochemical performance,including available anodic stability(>2.65 V vs.SS),high ionic conductivity(6.05mS cm^(-1)),and low overpotential(<0.1 V)as well as appropriate Coulombic efficiency(97.3%)for Mg plating/stripping.Both the insertion Mo6S8cathode and conversion Cu S cathode delivered a desirable electrochemical performance with high capacity and good cycling stability based on the TMPLA electrolyte.In particular,when compatible with low cost and easily synthesized Cu S,the Cu S||Mg cell displayed an extremely high discharge capacity of 458.8 mAh g^(-1)for the first cycle and stabilized at 170.2 mAh g^(-1)with high Coulombic efficiency(99.1%)after 50 cycles at 0.05 C.Our work proposes an efficient electrolyte with impressive compatibility with Mg anode and insertion/conversion cathode for practical RMBs and provides a more profound knowledge of the Lewis acid–base reaction mechanisms.

Single-Ni-atoms on nitrogenated humic acid based porous carbon for CO_(2) electroreduction

tWe proposed a facile synthesis of single-Ni-atom catalysts on low-cost porous carbon using a calcina-tion method at the temperatures of 850-1000°C,which were used for CO_(2) electrochemical reduction to CO.The porous carbon was prepared by carbonizing cheap and abundant humic acid.The structural characterizations of the as-synthesized catalysts and their electrocatalytic performances were analyzed.The results showed that the single-Ni-atom catalyst activated at 950°C showed an optimum catalytic performance,and it reached a CO Faradaic efficiency of 91.9% with a CO partial current density of 6.9 mAcm^(-2)at-0.9 V vs.reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE).Additionally,the CO Faradaic efficiency and current density of the optimum catalyst changed slightly after 8 h of continuous operation,suggesting that it possessed an excellent stability.The structure-activity relations indicate that the variation in the CO_(2) electroche-mical reduction performance for the as-synthesized catalysts is ascribed to the combined effects of the increase in the content of pyrrolic N,the evaporation of Ni and N,the decrease in pore volume,and the change in graphitization degree.

The effect of copper valence on catalytic combustion of styrene over the copper based catalysts in the absence and presence of water vapor

Catalysts CuOx/γ,-Al2O3-IH and CuOx/γ/-Al2O3-IM were prepared, characterized, and tested for styrene combustion in the absence and presence of water vapor. The effect of copper valence of the catalysts on the catalytic activity for styrene combustion was discussed using the theory of hard soft acids and bases （HSAB）. The results showed that the existence of water vapor in feed stream inhibited the catalytic activity for styrene combustion due to the competition adsorption of water molecule. HSAB theory confirmed that the local soft acidity of the catalyst CuOx/^-AI203-1H was much stronger than that of the catalyst CuOx/^-AI203-1M because of the higher content of soft acid Cu＋ on its surface, which increased the adsorption ability toward soft base of styrene and reduced the adsorption toward hard base of water vapor, and thus increased the catalytic activity for styrene combustion and weakened the negative influence of water vapor.