Optimizing ligand structure for low-loading and fast catalysis for alkynyl-alcohol and -amine cyclization.

A series of [Ru(Cp/Cp*)(PN)(MeCN)]PF complexes were prepared, in which the steric and electronic properties of the primary coordination sphere were varied (R = Ph, t-Bu, Bn; and Cp vs. Cp*). These complexes were catalytically active in the cyclization of alkyne substrates with an intramolecular nucleophile (amine or alcohol) to produce 5- and 6-membered heterocycles.

A Mass-Producible and Versatile Sensing System: Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Excited by Individual Waveguide Modes.

A plasmonic sensing system that allows the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) by individual waveguide modes is presented conceptually and experimentally. Any change in the local environment of the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) alters the degree of coupling between LSPR and a polymer slab waveguide, which then modulates the transmission-output signal. In comparison to conventional LSPR sensors, this system is less susceptible to optical noise and positional variation of signals.