Archive for the ‘Hot Article’ Category

“Naked-eye” detection of chirality

Chiral analysis continues to receive considerable attention since enantiomers often differ in their pharmacological activity and pharmacokinetic profile.

In this NJC letter, Haibing Li and co-workers from Central China Normal University at Wuhan (P.R. China) report a colorimetric sensor that displays a selective and strong response to L-histidine resulting from the agglomeration of silver nanoparticles. The authors believe that the self-assembly of nanoparticles into clusters is an effective approach to improve the sensitivity of chiral detection.

colorimetric amino acid detection

“Chiral colorimetric recognition of amino acids based on silver nanoparticle clusters” Yao Sun, Liang Zhang and Haibing Li, New J. Chem., 2012, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ40098G.

Interested to know more? Why not read by accessing the full article now! This “Hot article” will be FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks.
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NJC’s Most Cited Papers from 2011

Hurry! These articles are free to access until 5th June 2012…

“Preparation of graphene-TiO2 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity”
K. Zhou, Y.  Zhu, X. Yang, X. Jiang and C. Li
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(2), 353–359. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00623h — 30 cites

“Development of luminescent iridium(III) polypyridine complexes as chemical and biological probes”
K. K.-W. Lo, S. P.-Y. Li and K. Y. Zhang
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(2), 265-287. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00478bPerspective review — 21 cites

“Facile synthesis of an ultramicroporous MOF tubular membrane with selectivity towards CO2
S. Aguado, C.-H. Nicolas, V. Moizan-Basle, C. Nieto, H. Amrouche, N. Bats, N. Audebrand and D. Farrusseng
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(1), 41-44. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00667j — 16 cites

“Multifunctional ligands in transition metal catalysis”
R.H. Crabtree
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(1), 18-23. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00776eFocus review — 12 cites

“Fabrication of free-standing graphene/polyaniline nanofibers composite paper via electrostatic adsorption for electrochemical supercapacitors”
S. Liu, X. Liu, Z. Li, S. Yang and J. Wang
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(2), 369-374. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00718h — 10 cites

“Guest-induced gate-opening of a zeolite imidazolate framework”
S. Aguado, G. Bergeret, M. P. Titus, V. Moizan, C. Nieto-Draghi, N. Bats and D. Farrusseng
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(3), 546-550. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00836b — 9 Cites

“Application of ferrocene and its derivatives in cancer research”
C. Ornelas
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(10), 1973-1985. DOI: 10.1039/c1nj20172gPerspective review — 8 cites

“Synthesis, characterisation and ethylene oligomerization behaviour of N-(2-substituted-5,6,7-trihydroquinolin-8-ylidene)arylaminonickel dichlorides”
J. Yu, X. Hu, Y. Zeng, L. Zhang, C. Ni, X. Hao and W.-H. Sun
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(1), 178-183. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00516a — 8 cites

“Rare earths: jewels for functional materials of the future”
S. V. Eliseeva and J.-C. G. Bünzli
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(6), 1165-1176. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00969ePerspective review — 7 cites

“Tapping the near-infrared spectral region with bacteriochlorin arrays”
J. S. Lindsey, O. Mass and C.-Y. Chen
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(3), 511-516. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00977fFocus review — 7 cites

“A fluorometric/colorimetric dual-channel Hg2+ sensor derived from a 4-amino-7-nitro-benzoxadiazole (ANBD) fluorophore”
Z. Xie, K. Wang, C. Zhang, Z. Yang, Y. Chen, Z. Guo, G.-Y. Lu and W. He
New J. Chem., 2011, 35(3), 607-613. DOI: 10.1039/c0nj00773k — 7 cites


Citation data were taken from Thomson Reuters’ Web of Science® on May 22, 2012.

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A facile strategy to prepare nitrogen and boron doped monolayer graphene from solid precursors.

In this NJC paper, Honglie Shen et al (Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, China) report a facile strategy to prepare a nitrogen and boron doped monolayer of graphene from urea and boric acid as solid precursors.

This approach is shown to be efficient, producing graphene with excellent optical and electrical performances at relatively low cost.

Nitrogen and boron doped monolayer graphene by chemical vapor deposition using polystyrene, urea and boric acidNitrogen and boron doped monolayer graphene by chemical vapor deposition using polystyrene, urea and boric acid Tianru Wu,  Honglie Shen,  Lei Sun,  Bin Cheng,  Bin Liu and Jiancang Shen, New J. Chem., 2012, Advance Article DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ40068E

Interested in reading further? Why not download the full article now, FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks!

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How to improve the performance of carbon nanotubes-glycerol nanofluids

J. Hao et al. (China) report the influence of polyvinyl alcohol on the thermal conductivity and the fluidity (sol-gel transition behavior) of carbon nanotubes-glycerol nanofluids.

carbon nanotubes-glycerol nanofluids

The thermal conductivity, stability, fluidity, and rheological properties were investigated by using various characterization techniques. The additional polyvinyl alcohol could amazingly reduce the viscosity of the nanofluids while the thermal conductivity was mostly maintained, even slightly further increased.

It suggests the as-prepared nanofluids may be applicable in energy transfer systems and thus pushes one step further towards real application of CNT based nanofluids.

A gel–sol transition phenomenon of oxidation multi-walled carbon nanotubes–glycerol nanofluids induced by polyvinyl alcohol by Baogang Wang, Wenjing Lou, Xiaobo Wang and Jingcheng Hao, New J. Chem., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ20977B.

Interested to know more? Why not read the full article now and let us know your thoughts and comments below!

This Hot Article will be free to access for a period of 4 weeks.

To stay up-to-date with the latest NJC developments, sign up to its free table-of-contents email alert!

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Novel PMMA composites with 1D coordination Cu-organic polymer

This NJC Hot paper provided by Julie P. Harmon and co-workers (University of South Florida and Florida Southern College, USA) details a new method for enhancing polymer physical properties through inclusion of a coordination polymer into a polymer matrix.

Cu-TMDP-PMMA composites

A series of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites with a novel one dimensional coordination polymer copper-4,4’-trimethylenedipyrine (Cu-TMDP) were prepared. The CU-TMDP was sonicated in a methyl methacrylate monomer and polymerized in situ. The thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of Cu-TMDP-PMMA composites were measured by different techniques. This novel material has potential applications requiring particular mechanical properties.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) composites of copper-4,4′-trimethylenedipyridine by Shisi Liu, Ramakanth Ananthoji, Sungyub Han, Bernard Knudsen, Xiao Li, Lukasz Wojtas, Justin Massing, Carmen Valdez Gauthier and Julie P. Harmon, New J. Chem., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ20745A

Highly rated by the reviewers and the editorial office alike, this ‘Hot Article’ will be FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks.

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Easy manipulation of surface properties

In their NJC paper, Mark G. Moloney and co-workers (University of Oxford, UK) showed that derivatisation of polystyrene by carbene insertions followed by diazonium coupling provides access to materials with similar bulk properties, but with various surface chemical characteristics. The controlled modification of chemical functionality at the surface results in changes in macroscopic polymer behaviour such as wettability and protein binding. These results are of immediate relevance for the design of new biomaterial and drug delivery devices.

post-polymerisation modification


“Post-polymerisation modification of surface chemical functionality and its effect on protein binding”
Cleo Choong , J. S. Foord , Jon-Paul Griffiths , Emily M. Parker , Luo Baiwen , Meghali Bora and Mark G. Moloney, New J. Chem., 2012, Advance Article.DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ00002D.

Interested to know more? Why not read by accessing the full article now! This “Hot article” will be FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks.

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HOT Articles: NJC’s latest selection!

Potentiometry to study the reversible redox chemistry of polyoxometalates.

In this Hot article, Alisa Rudnitskaya and co-workers (Aveiro University, Portugal) report on the use of potentiometric chemical sensors for the study of redox reactions of vanadium containing Keggin-type polyoxomolybdates, H5[PVV2Mo10O40]11H2O and K4[PVVMo11O40]6H2O.

Variations in the concentrations of vanadyl ions (VO2+) during the redox reactions of POMs were followed in the real-time. Apparently, release of vanadyl from the coordination sphere of reduced di-substituted POM occurred as the response to the presence of molecular oxygen. The use of potentiometry for this purpose is innovative, and the work provides an additional perspective in ongoing efforts to understand the reversible redox chemistry of these complexes when used in catalytic aerobic oxidation.

Studies on the redox turnover of polyoxometalates using potentiometric chemical sensors by Alisa Rudnitskaya,  Jose A. F. Gamelas,  Dmitry V. Evtuguin and Andrey Legin; New J. Chem., 2012, Advance Article; DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ21053C, Paper

Sensing properties of NiO-doped SnO2 polyhedra

The next Hot article provided by Chinese researchers (Z. Lou, L. Wang, T. Fei and T.  Zhang, Jilin University) describes the preparation, characterisations and application novel NiO-doped SnO2 polyhedra.

According to the authors, this hydrothermal synthesis of uniform NiO-doped SnO2 polyhedra is a facile, mild, and low-cost method to fabricate micro- and nanostructures. The application of the material in the field of resistive sensors for the revelation of ethanol has also been proposed: the main result is an enhancement of the response and recovery times in comparison with pure SnO2 based sensors. The effect of NiO doping on the response and response–recovery time towards ethanol is also discussed.

Enhanced ethanol sensing properties of NiO-doped SnO2 polyhedra by Zheng Lou, Lili Wang, Teng Fei and Tong Zhang, New J. Chem., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ21030D, Paper

Interested to know more? Why not read by accessing the full articles now and let us know your thoughts and comments below! These “Hot articles” will be free to access for a period of 4 weeks.

To stay up-to-date with the latest NJC developments, sign up to its free table-of-contents email alert!

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Read NJC’s Themed Issue on Dendrimers

If you work with dendrimers, or are interested in learning more about these fascinating molecules, then don’t miss NJC‘s themed issue on dendrimers that has recently been published on-line (February 2012 issue).

Guest-edited by renowned expert Jean-Pierre Majoral, this Dendrimers II issue follows our highly successful first Dendrimers issue of July 2007. In his editorial prefacing this latest issue, Jean-Pierre defines the concept of “dendrimer space” (click to read it free)

The three short and topical Focus reviews look at dendrimers as bactericides, in biomedical applications and in neurodegenerative diseases. The ten longer Perspective reviews cover the synthesis and properties of dendrimers, materials that incorporate dendrimers, and a variety of applications of dendrimers in biology and medicine.

Eighteen original research works complete the issue. I’ve selected five of these contributions, highly ranked by the reviewers, as Hot Papers; these will be free to access during the month of February (just click on the DOIs below).

• 5 Hot Papers

The biodistribution of maltotriose modified PPI dendrimers, with particular attention to the BBB crossing, was studied in a collaboration of Polish and German groups, revealing that the dendrimers were able to enter rat’s important organs, including the brain.

“The biodistribution of maltotriose modified poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers conjugated with fluorescein—proofs of crossing blood–brain–barrier” by A. Janaszewska, B. Ziemba, K. Ciepluch, D. Appelhans, B. Voit, B. Klajnert and M. Bryszewska, New J. Chem., 2012, 36, 350-353. DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20444K

The group of Rainer Haag (Freie Universität Berlin) looked at fluorous polyglycerol dendrons and dendrimers, which are used to form highly stable aggregates in the micro- to nanometer range in water.

Supramolecular behavior of fluorous polyglycerol dendrons and polyglycerol dendrimers with perfluorinated shells in water” by M. Zieringer, M. Wyszogrodzka, K. Biskup and R. Haag, New J. Chem., 2012, 36, 402-406. DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20741E

Steven Zimmerman (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign), in collaboration with Rainer Haag, used hyperbranched polyglycerols to solubilize perylenediimide (PDI) and improve its fluorescent properties.

“Synthesis and properties of fluorescent dyes conjugated to hyperbranched polyglycerols” by A. T. Zill, K. Licha, R. Haag and S. C. Zimmerman, New J. Chem., 2012, 36, 419-427. DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20476A

In the contribution by Bertrand Donnio and colleagues at the IPCMS in Strasbourg, two libraries of segmented block co-dendritic supermolecules bearing semi-fluorinated chains and lipophilic poly(benzyl ether)-based wedges form unusual liquid crystalline mesophases, whose supramolecular organization is tuned by the dendritic connectivity of both compartments.

“Self-assembly and liquid-crystalline supramolecular organizations of semifluorinated block co-dendritic supermolecules” by I. Bury, B. Heinrich, C. Bourgogne, G. H. Mehl, D. Guillon and B. Donnio, New J. Chem., 2012, 36, 452-468. DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20530G

A self-assembly strategy allowing the generation of homo- and hetero-nuclear metallodendritic materials is the result of a joint effort by several American groups at the University of Akron and Louisiana State University.

“Shape-persistent, ruthenium(II)- and iron(II)-bisterpyridine metallodendrimers: synthesis, traveling-wave ion-mobility mass spectrometry, and photophysical properties” by J.-L. Wang, X. Li, C. D. Shreiner, X. Lu, C. N. Moorefield, S. R. Tummalapalli, D. A. Medvetz, M. J. Panzner, F. R. Fronczek, C. Wesdemiotis and G. R. Newkome, New J. Chem., 2012, 36, 484-491. DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ20799K

Take a look at these hot papers while they are free to all, this month only!

• About the Covers

The paper by J.-L. Wang et al. is also the subject of the outside cover (shown at the top) featuring windmills and dendrimers, while the inside front cover (at right) illustrates the Perspective review by French researchers in Strasbourg and Lyon on dendrimers in medical imaging .

“Dendrimers in nuclear medical imaging” by C. Ghobril, G. Lamanna, M. Kueny-Stotz, A. Garofalo, C. Billotey and D. Felder-Flesch, New J. Chem., 2012, 36, 310-323. DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20416E (available to subscribers only)

We invite you to browse the issue here, and if you are a subscriber, to read more about dendrimers from the world’s experts in the field. Enjoy!

Click to subscribe to NJC.

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Extended azaheterocycles: flat but not dull !

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NJC Hot Articles: now available as Advance Articles on the web.

New dyes for LCD color filters!

In this NJC hot paper the scientists in Korea (Jae Pil Kim and co-workers) report some new phthalocyanine and coronene derivatives designed for dye-based green liquid crystal display (LCD) color filters.  Their thermal stability, optical properties, and solubility as the colorant materials for color filters were also investigated.

In addition, the synthesized six PC dyes and a benzopyrelene dye were successfully applied to the LCD color filters and showed superior optical properties than conventional pigment-based color filters.

Synthesis and characterization of thermally stable dyes with improved optical properties for dye-based LCD color filters by Jun Choi, Se Hun Kim, Woosung Lee, Chun Yoon and Jae Pil Kim, New J. Chem., 2012, Advance Article.

How to reduce the molecular dinitrogen to ammonia?

The problem is a classic of inorganic chemistry and the authors of this NJC hot paper (Chinnappan Sivasankar and co-workers) propose an interesting hypothetical approach to hydrogenating the complex. In general these reactions are mediated by a series of protonation and reduction steps. In this theoretical study, the authors propose a new methodology to reduce the molecular dinitrogen to ammonia in [WF(PH2(CH2)2PH2)N2] complex using some  co-catalysts in organic solvents.

With the help of DFT calculations the thermodynamic feasibility has been studied in three organic solvents (heptane, toluene and THF). The thermodynamic barriers for all the fundamental steps in the proposed catalytic cycle revealed that N2 can be reduced by H2 in all proposed organic solvents and that toluene would be the better choice of solvent than THF and heptane.

Hydrogenation of dinitrogen to ammonia in [WF(PH2(CH2)2PH2)2N2] using H2: Insights from DFT calculations by Perumal Balu, Sambath Baskaran, Venu Kannappan and Chinnappan Sivasankar, New J. Chem., 2012, Advance Article, DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ20929B, Letter.

Interested in reading further? Why not download the full articles now, FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks!

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