Evaluation of Photocatalytic Activity of Transparent Anatase Nanocrystals-Dispersed Silica Films Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process with Hot Water Treatment

Anatase nanocrystals were precipitated mainly at the surface of the silica-titania gel films with hot water treatment, whereas the addition of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in the films led to the dispersion of anatase nanocrystals in the whole of the films after the treatment. Both films with and without PEG showed high photocatalytic activities for acetaldehyde, NO _x and stearic acid in the gas-solid system, and for methylene blue and potassium iodide in the liquid-solid system. The addition of PEG improved the photocatalytic activities of the resultant films due to the smaller anatase crystallites and the porous film structure. The residual silica under-layer of the superficially anatase-precipitated films is expected to act as a protective one for an organic polymer substrate against the photocatalytic degradation.     

Reactions of hydropolysilanes with alcohols catalysed by tris(triphenylphosphine)chlororhodium

[RhCl(PPh₃)₃] is a very effective catalyst for the cleavage of Si-Si bonds by alcohols.     

Phase separation in the formation of hollow particles by suspension polymerization for divinylbenzene/toluene droplets dissolving polystyrene

Phase-separation behavior within polymerizing divinylbenzene/toluene droplet dissolving polystyrenes (PS) was investigated to clarify the formation mechanism of the hollow polymer particles by suspension polymerization. No hollow particles were obtained at a low content of low-molecular-weight PS where phase separation occurred at high conversion. On the other hand, hollow particles were obtained at a high content of high-molecular-weight PS where phase separation occurred at low conversion. The phase separation in an early stage of the polymerization, which was promoted by the presence of PS and cross-links of polydivinylbenzene, was a key factor for the formation of the hollow structure.     

Preparation of Titania Nanosheet-Precipitated Coatings on Glass Substrates by Treating SiO2-TiO2 Gel Films with Hot Water Under Vibrations

Titania nanosheet-precipitated coatings have been prepared by treating SiO₂-TiO₂ gel films on glass substrates with hot water at 90°C under vibration. Longitudinal vibrations at about 6 Hz during the treatment enhanced the formation of titania nanosheet. The titania nanosheet consisted of several layers with a spacing of about 0.6 nm and was identified as hydrated titania with a lepidocrocite-type structure. The morphology of the titania nanosheet-precipitated coatings is probably achieved by lowering of the concentration of hydrolyzed titania species at the surface due to rapid water flow driven by the vibrations. The coatings were transparent in the visible range and showed high photocatalytic activity and antifogging property.     

Palladium-catalyzed oxidation of alcohols via their allyl carbonates under neutral conditions

Treatment of alkyl allyl carbonates derived from various alcohols with a palladium catalyst in MeCN affords ketones and aldehydes in high yields. This new method of oxidation of alcohols can be applied to various alcohols except simple primary alcohols.     

Production of polyacrylonitrile particles by precipitation polymerization in supercritical carbon dioxide

Polyacrylonitrile particles were produced by precipitation polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) without any colloidal stabilizer in supercritical carbon dioxide as a polymerization medium at about 30 MPa for 24 h at 65 °C at different initiator concentrations (0.8–45.2 mmol/l) and at different AN concentrations (10–40% w/v). An increase in the initiator concentration led to increases in the conversion and in the degree of coagulation and to a decrease in the molecular weight. At AN concentration of 20% w/v, micron-sized, relatively monodisperse polyacrylonitrile particles with clean and uneven surfaces were produced.     

Metal-insulator transition in VnO2n−1

Research on phase relationships and structure studies by electron diffraction confirm V_nO_2n?1 (n = 3–9) phases between V₂O₃ and VO₂. Metal-insulator phase transitions have been found in all phases but V₃O₅ and V₇O₁₃. Electrical, magnetic and thermodynamic properties associated with the transitions are reported for sintered samples or for single crystals prepared by a vapor-transport method. The results are collated and reviewed in summarized form.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed formation of aryl(diphenyl)phosphine oxides by reactions of propargylic alcohols with diphenylphosphine oxide

1,1-Diaryl-1-penten-4-yn-3-ols react with diphenylphosphine oxide in the presence of a thiolate-bridged diruthenium complex as a catalyst and give high yields of aryl(diphenyl)phosphine oxide products via an initial substitution followed by a cyclization at the produced allene intermediate. [reaction: see text]     

Novel Host Compounds, 1,1′-Binaphthyl-2,2′-Dihydroxy-5,5′- and 6,6′-Dicarboxylic Acid, which Trap Guest Molecules Tightly in their Inclusion Crystals

The host compounds 1,1’-binaphthyl-2,2′-dihydroxy-5,5′-dicarboxylic acid (1) and 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-dihydroxy-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid (2) have been synthesized, and their inclusion properties have been studied. Inclusion complexes formed by 1 and 2 with volatile guests such as acetone and methanol release the guests only at much higher temperatures than their boiling points. The crystal structures of the inclusion complexes have been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data and show different host lattices.     

Cyclic dimer of a fused porphyrin zinc complex as a novel host with two pi-electronically coupled binding sites

Upon complexation with 4,4[prime or minute]-bipyridine, a cyclic dimer of a fused porphyrin zinc complex, having two pi-electronically coupled binding sites, shows a strong negative cooperativity in the second guest binding, to allow stepwise formation of 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 inclusion complexes.