Structure elucidation and NMR spectral assignments of four neolignan glycosides with enantiometric aglycones from Osmanthus ilicifolius

Four new 8-O-4' type neolignan glycosides with enantiometric aglycones, (7S,8R)-erythro-guaiacylglycerol-beta-O-4'-sinapyl ether 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (7R,8S)-erythro-guaiacylglycerol-beta-O-4'-sinapyl ether 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (7S,8R)-erythro- syringylglycerol-beta-O-4'-sinapyl ether 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) and (7R,8S)-erythro- syringylglycerol-beta-O-4'-sinapyl ether 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), were isolated from the leaves of Osmanthus ilicifolius. Their structures were established on the basis of NMR, circular dichroism (CD), MS and chemical data. The NMR assignments for the compounds were carried out using (1)H, (13)C, COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY NMR experiments.     

Dynamical visualization of "coffee stain phenomenon" in droplets of polymer solution via fluorescent microscopy

In the drying process of polymer solution droplets, we propose an experimental procedure for visualizing the solute concentration profile by combining the fluorescent microscopy with the lateral profile observation. We have conducted a dynamical observation of the transport process of the solute polymer toward the edge that causes the "coffee stain phenomenon". We have found that the polymer concentration increases sharply near the edge, while it remains almost constant in the central region until the last stage of drying. The method is useful to understand the dynamical process that occurs near the contact line.     

Rhodium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective codimerization of alkenes and electron-deficient internal alkynes leading to 1,3-dienes

A cationic rhodium(I)/H(8)-BINAP complex catalyzes codimerization of alkenes bearing no alpha-hydrogen and electron-deficient internal alkynes, leading to 1,3-dienes in good yields with moderate to excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. The same complex also catalyzes codimerization of an acrylate and phenyl-substituted electron-rich internal alkynes, leading to 1,3-dienes.     

Liquid enol ethers and acetates as gaseous alkyne equivalents in rh-catalyzed chemo- and regioselective formal cross-alkyne cyclotrimerization

A cationic rhodium(I)/rac-BINAP complex catalyzes chemo- and regioselective formal cross-cyclotrimerizations of alkynes with enol ethers or acetates. Commercially available and cheap liquid enol ethers and acetates could be used as convenient gaseous alkyne equivalents in the present rhodium catalyses.     

Study of density of interface states in MOS structure with ultrathin NAOS oxide

The quality of the interface region in a semiconductor device and the density of interface states (DOS) play important roles and become critical for the quality of the whole device containing ultrathin oxide films. In the present study the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures with ultrathin SiO₂ layer were prepared on Si(100) substrates by using a low temperature nitric acid oxidation of silicon (NAOS) method. Carrier confinement in the structure produces the space quantization effect important for localization of carriers in the structure and determination of the capacitance. We determined the DOS by using the theoretical capacitance of the MOS structure computed by the quantum mechanical approach. The development of the density of SiO₂/Si interface states was analyzed by theoretical modeling of the C-V curves, based on the superposition of theoretical capacitance without interface states and additional capacitance corresponding to the charges trapped by the interface states. The development of the DOS distribution with the passivation procedures can be determined by this method.     

A note on the nucleation with multiple steps: parallel and series nucleation

Parallel and series nucleation are the basic elements of the complex nucleation process when two saddle points exist on the free-energy landscape. It is pointed out that the nucleation rates follow formulas similar to those of parallel and series connection of resistors or conductors in an electric circuit. Necessary formulas to calculate individual nucleation rates at the saddle points and the total nucleation rate are summarized, and the extension to the more complex nucleation process is suggested.     

Formation and oxidation mechanisms of Pd-Zn nanoparticles on a ZnO supported Pd catalyst studied by in situ time-resolved QXAFS and DXAFS

Formation and oxidation processes of PdZn nanoparticles on ZnO were successfully observed by means of in situ time-resolved X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS), and the analysis of data on near-edge (XANES) and extended (EXAFS) structures revealed detailed changes in Pd during both processes. PdZn nanoparticles were formed on ZnO through a two-step scheme under a hydrogen atmosphere. The first process was the formation of metallic Pd nanoparticles, which was quickly finished within 1 s. The second process was the formation of PdZn nanoparticles, which took several tens of minutes. Oxidation of the PdZn nanoparticles also consisted of two processes. Zn atoms were oxidized prior to Pd atoms and the metallic Pd nanoparticles surrounded by ZnO were formed afterwards. Oxidation of the metallic Pd nanoparticles was scarce and very slow. According to the results of kinetic analyses, the metallic Pd surrounded by ZnO was a stable species under the oxidative atmosphere.