Archive for July, 2013

Meet Our Authors from the July 2013 issue of NJC

Professor at the University of Milan

Angelo enjoying a hearty meal.

Our first featured author is (retired) Professor Angelo Gavezzotti of the University of Milan (Italy), working in the broad area of the physical chemistry of solid state materials.

Angelo is no stranger to NJC; after publishing several articles in the first years of the journal, when it was still known as Nouveau Journal de Chimie, he has recently returned as an author. In his article published in the July issue, he goes from static crystallography to the evolution and dynamics in organic crystals studied by computer simulation. This 5-year project included force field development and the writing of a new Monte Carlo simulation code, both of which had to be calibrated to organic crystals. The application of an order parameter bias to the MC code allowed it to be used to study dynamics and crystallisation.

Angelo Gavezzotti's favorite place

Angelo's favorite place in the Trentino

Equilibrium structure and dynamics of organic crystals by Monte Carlo simulation: critical assessment of force fields and comparison with static packing analysis” by Angelo Gavezzotti, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 2110-2119. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00181D

To show us his favourite place on earth, Angelo didn’t look far: it is the Rifugio Larcher al Cevedale in the Trentino region of Italy.

Professor at Lorestan University

Mohsen Adeli

Our next guest is Professor Mohsen Adeli, who is in the chemistry department of Lorestan University in Khoramabad (Iran). His research deals with the organic chemistry and synthesis of nano materials applied to nanomedecine.

In his NJC Letter, short carbon nanotubes have been connected together using dendritic copolymers to produce very long and flexible CNTs. This process seems to be a promising strategy to avoid the fibrosis-like hazards of carbon nanotubes

Preparation of long supramolecular carbon nanotubes” by Mohsen Adeli, Ebrahim Mehdipour and Siamak Beyranvand, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1871-1873. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ41156G

Our last author is Verónica Paredes-Garcia, who is in the Chemical Sciences Department of the University Andres Bello in Santiago (Chile). Her research activities are focused on the synthesis, structural and magnetic characterization of polymetallic systems based on carboxylate ligands and transition metal ions, with a recent emphasis on polyfunctional 3d-4f inorganic materials.

The contribution from the research group in which Verónica works correlates the structural characteristics and magnetic properties of an iron 3D network compound, showing the contribution of basic science to the design of new metal-containing materials. The research was motivated by the fact that solvothermal synthesis allows materials with new and fascinating topologies and novel properties to be obtained.

Professor at the University Andres Bello

Véronica on a recent trip to Easter Island

Structural and magnetic characterization of the tridimensional network [Fe(HCO2 )3]n·nHCO2H” by Verónica Paredes-García, Ignacio Rojas, Rosa Madrid, Andres Vega, Efrén Navarro-Moratalla, Walter Cañón-Mancisidor, Evgenia Spodine and Diego Venegas-Yazigi. New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 2120-2127. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00023K

Verónica likes to travel all over the world: she qualifies Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) as an amazing place that merits a visit.

Thanks to Véronica, Mohsen and Angelo for taking a few minutes to talk about themselves and their work!

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NJC poster prize at 5th ECCLS

We are delighted to present the recent poster prizes awarded at the 5th European Conference on “Chemistry for Life Sciences” (5th ECCLS) in Barcelona, that gathers an ensemble of scientists at the crossroads between chemistry, biology, biophysics and material science.

Two young scientists Montserrat Serra-Batiste and Sven Hofmann received NJC Poster Prizes that reward creative and multidisciplinary research works in the chemical sciences.

Montserrat Serra-Batiste is a postdoctoral researcher in the group of the Prof. Ernest Giralt at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona (Spain) working under the supervision of Dr. Natàlia Carulla since September 2010.

Montserrat’s winning poster dealt with well-defined Aß42 oligomers in a biomimetic membrane environment. The idea project started with the idea of Dr Natàlia Carulla of stabilizing Aß oligomers by using an environment similar to what this peptide have in vivo. Different conditions have been testing by different techniques in order to get a stable and homogeneous preparation of Aß oligomers. As a result, an Aß42 hexamer (named (Aß42)6Membrane) has been stabilized which adopts extensive ß-sheet secondary structure and exhibits specific Aß42-Aß42 interactions. Preparation of (Aß42)6Membrane should open the possibility to explore more in deep the role of Aß oligomers in Alzheimer’s disease.

Her future plans include working with Natàlia to characterize the structure and the biological relevance of this Aß42 hexamer and contribute in solving the puzzle of Alzheimer’s disease. Besides research activities Montserrat loves cooking and dancing.

The award-winning poster of Sven Hofmann was entitledCarbaboranes in Short Neuropeptide Y Analogs – Redirecting BiologicalActivity”. Carbaboranes are icosahedral boron-carbon clusters mimicking phenyl rings. In particular, they present a three-dimensional hydrophobic structure and are capable of providing a special type of hydrogen bonding, the so-called proton-hydride bonding. Their unique chemical properties are perfectly suited for improving the biological activity of small bioactive molecules but also of peptide analogs.

Sven is a graduate student working in the research group of Prof. Annette G. Beck-Sickinger at the University of Leipzig, Leipzig (Germany) since October 2010. Working in the field of chemical modification of peptides to gain receptor subtype selectivity and biological stability, he especially focuses on the synthesis of short functionalized peptide ligands as selective diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

His future plans are not fixed yet. However, he will finish his Ph.D. in 2014 and he will apply for a postdoctoral research position abroad. Outside of the lab, Sven’s favorite activities are running, cycling, athletic sport challenges and travelling.

The two laureates received a one-year subscription to the journal and a RSC book. Our thanks go to the organizers of the conference for their help in organizing these awards, and our deep gratitude to all of the senior scientists who served on the jury to select the two following winners:

NJC wishes them continuing success in their research!

A list of all previous NJC Poster Prize winners can be found here.

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Top ten most accessed articles from April – June 2013

During the months April – June, the following articles are in the Top Ten most accessed:-

1,1′-Diamino-5,5′-azotetrazole: a nitrogen rich compound 
Fang Li, Xiaomin Cong, Zhiming Du, Chunlin He, Linshuang Zhao and Lingqiao Meng   
New J. Chem., 2012,36, 1953-1956 
DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ40109F     

Immobilized Cu(ii) and Co(ii) salen complexes on graphene oxide and their catalytic activity for aerobic epoxidation of styrene 
Zhifang Li, Shujie Wu, Hong Ding, Dafang Zheng, Jing Hu, Xu Wang, Qisheng Huo, Jingqi Guan and Qiubin Kan 
New J. Chem., 2013,37, 1561-1568 
DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00099K     

Towards nanoscaled gold phosphides: surface passivation and growth of composite nanostructures 
Sophie Carenco, Ileana Florea, Ovidiu Ersen, Cédric Boissière, Nicolas Mézailles and Clément Sanchez   
New J. Chem., 2013,37, 1231-1237 
DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ41037D    

A colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for copper ions in aqueous media and its application in living cells 
Huan-Huan Wang, Lin Xue, Zhang-Jian Fang, Guo-Ping Lia and Hua Jiang  
New J. Chem., 2010,34, 1239-1242 
DOI: 10.1039/C0NJ00168F     

Facile synthesis of ultrafine CoSn2 nanocrystals anchored on graphene by one-pot route and the improved electrochemical Li-storage properties 
Bin Feng, Jian Xie, Gao-Shao Cao, Tie-Jun Zhu and Xin-Bing Zhao   
New J. Chem., 2013,37, 474-480 
DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ40894E    

MOFs, MILs and more: concepts, properties and applications for porous coordination networks (PCNs) 
Christoph Janiak and Jana K. Vieth   
New J. Chem., 2010,34, 2366-2388 
DOI: 10.1039/C0NJ00275E     

One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of graphene quantum dots surface-passivated by polyethylene glycol and their photoelectric conversion under near-infrared light 
Jianhua Shen, Yihua Zhu, Xiaoling Yang, Jie Zong, Jianmei Zhang and Chunzhong Li  
New J. Chem., 2012,36, 97-101 
DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20658C     

Preparation of graphene–TiO2 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity 
Kangfu Zhou, Yihua Zhu, Xiaoling Yang, Xin Jiang and Chunzhong Li  
New J. Chem., 2011,35, 353-359 
DOI: 10.1039/C0NJ00623H     

Controlling the morphologies of WO3 particles and tuning the gas sensing properties 
Xiguang Han, Xiao Han, Liang Li and Chao Wang   
New J. Chem., 2012,36, 2205-2208 
DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ40600D     

Exploring hydrogen bonding and weak aromatic interactions induced assembly of adenine and thymine functionalised naphthalenediimides 
Nagarjun Narayanaswamy, M. B. Avinash and T. Govindaraju 
New J. Chem., 2013,37, 1302-1306 
DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00060E     

 Why not take a look at the articles today and blog your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting an article to New Journal of Chemistry? Then why not submit to us today or alternatively email us your suggestions.

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NJC’s July issue published

We are delighted to present this month’s issue: you are guaranteed to find articles of relevance to your specialist interests!

The front cover this month highlights a collaborative research effort between groups at the University of Bath (UK), the University of Birmingham (UK), and the University of Kitakyushu (Japan). The authors have designed a novel electrochemically active sensor film based on pyrene-appended boronic acids on carbon nanoparticles. Peak responses with sensitivity to caffeic acid in the micro-molar range were observed.

Pyrene-anchored boronic acid receptors on carbon nanoparticle supports: fluxionality and pore effects by Katherine Lawrence, Tomoki Nishimura, Peter Haffenden, John M. Mitchels, Kazuo Sakurai, John S. Fossey, Steven D. Bull, Tony D. James and Frank Marken, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1883-1888. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00017F

Efficient chemical and electrochemical methodologies for the oxidation of sulfur organic compounds are featured on this month’s inside cover. The group of Josefina Pons at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona used these new approches to synthesize sulfoxide and sulfone ligands in good yields.

Environmentally benign and selective synthesis of hybrid pyrazole sulfoxide andsulfone ligands by Antonio de León, Jordi García-Antón, Josep Ros, Gonzalo Guirado, Iluminada Gallardo and Josefina Pons, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1889-1894. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00161J

You can access and read the whole issue 7 of NJC here.

Don’t miss a single issue of NJC! Sign up for the free E-Alert to get the table of contents in your mailbox each month.

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