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X-ray nanoscopy of cobalt Fischer–Tropsch catalysts at work

Cobalt Fischer–Tropsch catalysts have been investigated in both 2-D and 3-D, by scientists in the Netherlands and the US, using in situ hard X-ray transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM). The FischerTropsch process is an important step in the production of liquid fuels from natural gas, biomass or coal.

Tomographic elemental mapping revealed the 3-D distribution of cobalt over the catalyst particles showing that cobalt is heterogeneously concentrated in the centre of the catalyst particles. 2-D chemical mapping allowed them to follow the chemical composition of the catalyst particles under reaction conditions.

This is the first time that this particular catalyst has been observed at the single particle level under reaction conditions, allowing the team to get a true picture of the deactivation of the catalyst which will provide information to help improve the catalyst’s productivity.

‘HOT’ Communication – read for free today:

X-ray Nanoscopy of Cobalt Fischer-Tropsch Catalysts at Work
Korneel Cats , Inés González-Jiménez , Yijin Liu , Johanna Nelson , Douglas van Campen , Florian Meirer , Ad M.J. van der Eerden , Frank M F de Groot , Joy C. Andrews and Bert Weckhuysen
Chem. Commun., 2013, DOI: 10.1039/C3CC00160A

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Gold nanoparticles reveal fingerprints

Gold nanoparticles capped with mercaptocarboxylic acids, followed by silver precipitation, have been used to develop latent fingerprints on paper as high quality negative images. Scientists writing in the journal ChemComm say that the effect stems from hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic group and the paper cellulose.

Recovering fingerprints from paper is a common task for forensic scientists, but often the developed marks are faint. A common approach, therefore, is to use a developing agent that sticks to the clean paper substrate, rather than the fingerprint itself, yielding a reversed image.

The technique described in this study is much less affected by sweat composition, and could improve the yield of latent fingerprints.

Read the ‘HOT’ ChemComm article today for free:

A novel approach to fingerprint visualization on paper using nanotechnology: reversing the appearance by tailoring the gold nanoparticles’ capping ligands
Sanaa Shenawi , Nimer Jaber , Joseph Almog and Daniel Mandler
Chem. Commun., 2013, DOI: 10.1039/C3CC41610K

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Porous organic polymers filter toxins from the air

In a search for the next generation of filtration materials, for use in devices such as gas masks, a group of US scientists has synthesised a series of porous organic polymers (POPs) bearing metal-catecholate groups. By changing the molecular building blocks the researchers were able to tailor the materials to hydrogen bond to, and consequently remove, different toxins, such as ammonia.

POPs are very similar in nature to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) but do not suffer from such instability, particularly towards water, making them ideal for use as filters in real-word environments.

Read this ‘HOT’ Communication now:

Removal of airborne toxic chemicals by porous organic polymers containing metal–catecholates
Mitchell H. Weston , Gregory W. Peterson , Matthew A. Browe , Paulette Jones , Omar K. Farha , Joseph T. Hupp and SonBinh T. Nguyen
Chem. Commun., 2013,49, 2995-2997

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23rd International Symposium: Synthesis in Organic Chemistry

The deadline for submitting poster abstracts for the 23rd International Symposium: Synthesis in Organic Chemistry is fast approaching – 11 March 2013.

The Synthesis in Organic Chemistry conference is the flagship event of the RSC’s Organic Division. This conference will provide an international showcase for the core area of organic chemistry – synthesis – covering all aspects of contemporary organic synthesis and providing a forum for the ever more exciting methodologies and strategies that continue to emerge.

Don’t miss out – reserve your poster presentation space for a chance to showcase your own work, and register early to take advantage of the £50 saving on the standard fee.

Remember too that there are a limited number of bursaries on offer for students and younger members of the RSC in the early stages of their career – worth £150.

Make sure you take the opportunity to join us to hear outstanding speakers across the many themes of the symposium in an extremely stimulating programme of plenary and keynote lectures.

Check out the event website to find out more – http://rsc.li/os23

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A new way to look at cancer cell detection

A novel cancer cell detection method, based on the interaction between daunomycin (DAN – an anticancer drug used in chemotherapy) and cell membrane components, has been developed by scientists in South Korea.

The method uses the electrochemical and fluorescence behaviour of DAN and uses an aptamer probe immobilised on a conducting polymer-gold nanoparticle composite film.

he aptamer sensor probes using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The method differentiates between cancerous and non-cancerous cells at low concentrations (0.01μM).

Read the ‘HOT’ Communication in full:

Cancer cell detection based on the interaction between an anticancer drug and cell membrane components
Pranjal Chandra , Hui-Bog Noh and Yoon-Bo Shim
Chem. Commun., 2013, DOI: 10.1039/C2CC38235K

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Early Alzheimer’s diagnosis compound

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and, as there is no cure, early diagnosis is crucial for treatment to be effective. To this end, UK and US scientists have developed a labelled tracer compound that binds to plaques closely associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) so that the plaques can be picked up by a medical imaging technique.

The tracer compound is a [18F]-labelled barbiturate and is used with the imaging technique positron emission tomography (PET). Although other radiolabelled compounds have been used as PET tracers, using [18F]-labelled barbiturates for molecular imaging in AD has distinct advantages, such as good blood-brain barrier crossing ability, metabolic stability and easy accessibility.

Tree that looks like a face with some leaves blowing away to represent memory loss in Alzheimer's diseaseAs Alzheimer’s disease advances, symptoms can include confusion, irritability and aggression, and long-term memory loss © Shutterstock

 Matteo Zanda at the University of Aberdeen and colleagues, in conjunction with Pfizer in the US, developed several fluorinated barbiturate analogues. The key to developing an effective molecular imaging radiotracer is the ability to distinguish between a healthy individual and someone suffering from a neurological disease, such as AD, they say. Barbiturates have a strong capacity for forming structures with biopolymers and are effective metal ion chelators. As such, the team thought that they would bind to AD-related plaques, which consist of the biopolymer β-amyloid and metal cations, such as Zn(II) and Cu(II).

See the Chemistry World story in full or read the Chem Comm article:

18 F-barbiturates are PET tracers with diagnostic potential in Alzheimer’s disease
Elisa Calamai , Sergio Dall’Angelo , David Koss , Juozas Domarkas , Timothy J. McCarthy , Marco Mingarelli , Gernot Riedel , Lutz F. Schweiger , Andy Welch , Bettina Platt and Matteo Zanda
Chem. Commun., 2013,49, 792-794
DOI: 10.1039/C2CC38443D

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ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship: Nomination Deadline Friday 7 December

We are delighted to invite nominations for ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship 2013. The lectureship, which is awarded annually, will recognise an emerging scientist in the early stages of their independent academic career. 

 Deadline for Nominations: 7 December 2012
Nominate now

To qualify
To be eligible for the ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship, the candidate should have completed their PhD on or after 5th September 2004.

The candidate should also have published at least one article in ChemComm during the course of their independent career. 

Award details
The recipient of the award will be invited to present a lecture at three different locations over a 12 month period. It is expected that at least one of the locations will be a conference. The recipient will receive a contribution of £1500 towards travel and accommodation costs. S/he will also be presented with a certificate and be asked to contribute a ChemComm Feature Article.

Nominations
Those wishing to make a nomination should send the following details to the ChemComm Editorial Office by 7th December 2012

  • Recommendation letter, including the name, contact details and website URL of the nominee.  
  • A one page CV for the nominee, including their date of birth, summary of education and career, list of up to five independent publications, total numbers of publications and patents and other indicators of esteem and evidence of independence.
  • A copy of the candidate’s best publication to date (as judged by the nominator).
  • Two supporting letters of recommendation from two independent referees. These should not be someone from the same institution or the candidate’s post doc or PhD supervisor.

The nominator and independent referees are requested to comment on the candidate’s presenting skills. 

Please note that self nomination is not permitted.

Selection procedure
The ChemComm Editorial Board will draw up a short-list of candidates based on the information provided by the referees and nominator. Short-listed candidates will be asked to provide a supporting statement justifying why they deserve the award. The recipient of the award will then be selected and endorsed by the ChemComm Editorial Board. 

Previous winners

Hiromitsu Maeda 

2012 Professor Hiromitsu Maeda (Ritsumeikan University, Japan) – he’ll be presented with his lecture certificate at ICPOC 21.
2011 Dr Scott Dalgarno (Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK) – Find out about his Emerging Investigator Lecture tour in China.
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Spinks Symposium 2013: Regenerative Medicine – registration open

 28 January 2013 

Chemistry Centre, Burlington House, London

The therapeutic promise of regenerative medicine, as a way to restore aging or damaged tissues and organs, is one of the most exciting areas of medicines research. With the proportion of older people increasing, degenerative and chronic diseases are a major challenge. To move forward, the chemical sciences have a vital role to play in understanding

  • disease mechanisms
  • signalling of stem cells
  • cellular differentiation
  • new methodologies for surface modification

The 2013 Spinks Symposium will explore the critical issues that underpin developments in regenerative medicine and provide a clear understanding of the challenges involved in translating research outputs into application. Particular emphasis will be put on how medicinal chemistry/chemical biology research might provide a springboard to therapeutic development. Researchers from industry, academia and the wider health sciences sectors will join together for this stimulating workshop, including oral presentations discussion groups, flash presentations and a comprehensive poster session.

How can I get involved?

  • Abstracts for the poster programme are now invited. Take full advantage of this exceptional opportunity to present your work and submit before Friday 21st December.
  • Registration is also open and if you would like to benefit from the early bird rates be sure to secure your place before Friday 21st December
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3D donor for organic photovoltaics with improved power efficiency

Scientists in China have developed a 3D donor for organic photovoltaics based on a spiro-fluorene molecule, which exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 4.82%.

Traditional 1D small molecule donors had only reached an efficiency of 1.69%. Small molecule donors have many advantages over conjugated polymer donors: high solubility allowing for high purification, good reproducibly and high charge-carrier mobility (because of its ordered, crystalline nature).

Donors with a 3D structure, including small molecular and dendritic macromolecular structures, have been expected to start a completely new self-assembly approach and more stable morphologies by increasing the dimension of the donor molecules.

Read the ChemComm ‘HOT’ article:

Spiro-fluorene based 3D donor towards efficient organic photovoltaics
Shuying Ma , Yingying Fu , Debin Ni , Jian Mao , Zhiyuan Xie and Guoli Tu
Chem. Commun., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2CC36301A

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Prescription nanoreactors

Scientists in Switzerland have developed a nanoreactor that can synthesise and release the antibiotic cephalexin, which is used to treat bacterial infections.

Lowering the drug dose required to effectively treat a patient would save money and reduce side effects. To achieve this, one area of research is focusing on using a ‘prodrug’ approach in which less toxic substrates, or prodrugs, are given to a patient and are converted to the active drug form by an enzyme only at a specific site.

To maintain its catalytic activity, the enzyme needs to be protected from the surrounding environment, but also be accessible to the prodrug and able to release the final active drug.

Wolfgang Meier and colleagues at the University of Basel have designed a biocompatible nanoreactor that can effectively protect an enzyme. The nanoreactor comprises a copolymer, an outer membrane protein from bacteria cells (OmpF) and the catalyst penicillin acylase. When mixed together, the copolymer self assembles into vesicles forming, along with the membrane protein, a membrane around the catalyst that allows passage of molecules such as a drug and substrates.

Read the whole Chemistry World story or download the full ChemComm article:

Communication Polymer nanoreactors shown to produce and release antibiotics locally
Karolina Langowska , Cornelia G. Palivan and Wolfgang Meier
Chem. Commun., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2CC36345C

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