Characterization of tension and normally lignified wood cellulose inPopulus maximowiczii

We have investigated unlignified tension wood and normally lignified wood celluloses inPopulus maximowiczii with particular reference to the composition of two crystalline phases I/I (triclinic/ monoclinic). Four independent techniques, which enable us to detect the two phases, CP/MAS¹³C NMR, Fourier transform infrared microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction were applied. Because of the low crystallinity of wood celluloses, particularly in the case of celluloses in the lignified cell wall, no single method was decisive enough to be able to determine the composition of the two phases as one can with highly crystalline materials. The I dominant structure (monoclinic crystal type) was, however, preferred for both tension and normal wood celluloses.     

Synthesis and antiulcer activity of optical isomers of 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl]propionic acid (rebamipide).

The enantiomers of 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl] propionic acid [(+/-)-1, rebamipide, OPC-12759], a new antiulcer agent that enhances mucosal resistance, were synthesized from optically active alpha-amino acid derivatives of 2(1H)-quinolinone. The key intermediates, alpha-amino acid derivatives, were prepared by asymmetric synthesis and optical resolution. The (+)-1 was about 1.7 times as potent as the (-)-isomer in antiulcer activity against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers.     

Enantioselectively catalyzed oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine by N-lauroyl L or D-histidine-Cu(II) complex in CTABr micelles.

In order to investigate the enzyme model reaction the oxidation of 3,4-dihydihydroxy-L-phenylalanine(L-DOPA) was carried out using optically active catalyst, N-lauroyl L or D-histidine-Cu(II) complex(L or D-LauHis-Cu(II)), showing appreciable enantioselectivity in the presence of the mixed micelles with CTABr.     

2,6-Diphenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dichalcogenophenes: a new class of high-performance semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors

2,6-Diphenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dichalcogenophenes including thiophene, selenophene, and tellurophene analogues as organic semiconductors for field-effect transistors were effectively synthesized in three steps from commercially available 1,4-dibromobenzene. All three benzodichalcogenophenes acted as good p-type semiconductors, and particularly the selenophene analogue, 2,6-diphenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']diselenophene, showed high FET mobility of 0.17 cm2 V-1 s-1.     

Temperature dependence of fractionation of hydrogen isotopes in aqueous sodium chloride solutions

The D/H ratios of hydrogen gas in equilibrium with aqueous sodium chloride solutions of 2, 4 and 6 molalities were determined within the range 10 to 95°C, using a hydrophobic platinum catalyst. With each of the different sodium chloride concentrations, the hydrogen isotope effect between the solution and pure water changes linearly with the square of the reciprocal temperature. On the basis of the results for hydrogen isotope fractionation observed in this study, and those of hydrogen isotope fractionation between pure water and vapor, it is concluded that the structure of the aqueous sodium chloride solution does not change significantly with temperature. The hydrogen isotope effect is evidently different from the results of vapor pressure isotope effects (VPIE) on sodium chloride solutions measured on separated isotopes. The difference between the present work and the VPIE studies is probably due to a non-ideal behavior in a mixture of isotopic water molecules and/or to a H₂O-D₂O disproportionation reaction in sodium chloride solutions. The distinction between the latter two mechanisms can not be differentiated at present.     

Positional Order and Disorder of Symmetric and Unsymmetric BEDT-STF Salts

The symmetric (s-) and unsymmetric (us-) BEDT-STF (=bis(ethylenedithio)diselenadithia-fulvalene) salts were prepared, and their crystal structures and electrical resistivities were investigated. Four us-BEDT-STF salts have the positional disorder of the Se atoms in the STF framework in crystals, whereas three s-BEDT-STF salts have no disorder. When κ-(us-BEDT-STF)₂GaCl₄ and κ-(cis-s-BEDT-STF)₂GaCl₄ are compared, the latter without the positional disorder of the Se atoms is more conductive than the former one with the disorder.     

Polyether-bridged sexithiophene as a complexation-gated molecular wire for intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer

The porphyrin-sexithiophene-fullerene triad 2, where the two central thiophene units of the sexithiophene spacer are bridged with a crown-ether-like polyether chain, undergoes efficient intramolecular electron transfer from the photoexcited porphyrin moiety to the fullerene through the sexithiophene. However, complexation with a sodium cation in the crown ether ring causes complete suppression of electron transfer as a result of a drastic conformational change of the sexithiophene backbone. Furthermore, decomplexation resumes the photoinduced electron transfer. This on/off switching phenomenon indicates that the polyether-bridged sexithiophene can function as a complexation-gated molecular wire.     

Effect of Electrode Pattern on the Column Structure and Yield Stress of Electrorheological Fluids

For electrorheological (ER) suspensions, the aggregate structures of particles were observed in electric fields by the use of transparent cells with different electrode patterns. Although the suspension is dispersed to noninteracting particles without electric fields, many aggregates are formed on the electrode surface in electric fields. Since the dipole–dipole interactions cause chain structures of particles and equilibrium conformations of chains are always aligned with electric field, the aggregates indicate the presence of columns spanning the electrode gap. The particle concentration in columns which are developed between parallel-plate electrodes is about 22 vol %. In striped electrodes, the particles construct striped aggregates along the electrodes and no particles remain in the insulating region. The particle concentration in striped aggregates is about 35 vol %. The nonuniformity of electric field is responsible for the high particle concentration. The increase in particle concentration of column lead to the high yield stress of electrified suspension. Therefore, the ER performance of suspension as an overall response can be improved by the electrode design.     

3,4-Thienylene-ethynylene Oligomers

Several well-defined 3,4-thienylene-ethynylene oligomers with different chain lengths have been synthesized and characterized. X-Ray crystallographic analyses proved their unique, totally helical conformations.     

Effect of Amines on the Selective Bromination of Some β-Substituted-2-Butenoic Esters

The effect of amines on the selective bromination of some β-substituted-2-butenoic esters is described. The bromination of methyl (Z)-4-t-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-methylbutenoate 2 in the presence of DIPEA (N, N-diisopropylethylamine) and the successive treatment of the obtained dibromide with potassium t-butoxide afford the desired Z bromide selectively. But the corresponding E bromide forms exclusively when 2, 6-di-t-butyl-4-methylpyridine is used in the bromination.