Photodegradation mechanisms in poly(2,6-butylenenaphthalate-co-tetramethyleneglycol) (PBN-PTMG), Part III: Photodegradation induced by the carbonyl group in n, π excited states

In order to identify the initiation step in the photodegradation of poly(2,6-butylenenaphthalate)-block-poly(tetramethyleneglycol) (PBN-PTMG), we undertook its photolysis with monochromatic irradiation. We discuss the initiation reaction on the basis of the analytical results for the PBN-PTMG in the presence or absence of 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone as a UV absorber, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone as a UV absorber, β-carotene as a quencher of singlet oxygen or methylene blue as a photosensitiser, respectively.The PBN-PTMG containing 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone exhibits better resistance to the incident light of ca. 370 nm corresponding to the absorption of the n, π^* transition of the carbonyl group in the PBN block than the PBN-PTMG containing 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone. The PBN-PTMG containing β-carotene shows similar photodegradation tendencies as that of the PBN-PTMG without β-carotene. In contrast, the PBN-PTMG with methylene blue is not degraded by monochromatic radiation in the range λ = 600-690 nm. These facts indicate that singlet oxygen does not participate in the initiation reaction of the photodegradation of the PBN-PTMG. Therefore, we concluded that the photodegradation of the PBN-PTMG is induced through the hydrogen abstraction by carbonyl groups in n, π^* excited states.     

Effect of type of peroxide on cross-linking of poly(l-lactide)

Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) was cross-linked with various types of peroxides under constant mole ratios of peroxide-derived radicals to PLLA during reactive extrusion. Peroxides were classified into three groups according to their decomposition rates (Group I: fast, Group II: moderate and Group III: slow) and comparisons were performed within each group. Cross-linking behavior was readily understood in terms of free radical efficiency and hydrogen abstraction ability of radicals. In the case of Groups II and III, the weight-average molecular weight (M_w) of cross-linked PLLA increased with overall hydrogen abstraction ability, because slow decomposition caused uniform cross-linking in molten PLLA. In Group I, M_w and gel fraction were higher than other groups despite Group I's lower hydrogen abstraction ability, leading to the conclusion that peroxide decomposition localized in solid PLLA caused partial cross-linking because of rapid decomposition. Furthermore, the efficiency of peroxide-induced cross-linking was investigated using the Charlesby-Pinner equation.     

Hydrogen peroxide formation following the vacuum ultraviolet photodissociation of water ice films at 90 K

The production of gaseous OH radicals from the 300-350 nm photodissociation of H(2)O(2) that was photolytically produced on a water ice surface following the 157 nm photolysis of water ice at 90 K was directly monitored using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. The translational energy distribution estimated by the time-of-flight spectrum of the OH products is represented by a Maxwell-Boltzmann energy distribution with a translational temperature of 3750+/-250 K. The rotational temperature was estimated by a spectral simulation to be 225+/-25 K. Surface defects produced by HCl deposition on the water ice contributed to the higher production rate of H(2)O(2) in the 157 nm photoirradiation of water ice while surface coverage caused by CD(3)OH deposition decreased the H(2)O(2) production rate.     

Mechanistic studies on the catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reaction with dihydroisoquinolines and development of oxidative Mannich-type reactions starting from tetrahydroisoquinolines

Detailed mechanistic studies on our recently reported asymmetric addition reactions of malonates to dihydroisoquinolines (DHIQs) catalyzed by chiral Pd(II) complexes were carried out. It was found that an N,O-acetal was generated in situ by the reaction of DHIQ with (Boc)2O, and cooperative action of the Pd(II) complex as an acid-base catalyst allowed the formation of a chiral Pd enolate and a reactive iminium ion via alpha-fragmentation. The iminium ion was also accessible via oxidation with DDQ as an oxidant, and a catalytic asymmetric oxidative Mannich-type reaction was achieved with tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) as starting materials. This oxidation protocol was applicable to N-acryloyl-protected THIQs, allowing the efficient synthesis of optically active tetrahydrobenzo[a]quinolizidine derivatives via intramolecular Michael reaction.     

Characterization of orphan monooxygenases by rapid substrate screening using FT-ICR mass spectrometry

Characterization of orphan enzymes, for which the catalytic functions and actual substrates are still not elucidated, is a significant challenge in the postgenomic era. Here, we describe a general strategy for exploring the catalytic potentials of orphan monooxygenases based on direct infusion analysis by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR/MS). Eight cytochromes P450 from Bacillus subtilis were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and subjected to a reconstitution system containing appropriate electron transfer components and many potential substrates. The reaction mixtures were directly analyzed using FT-ICR/MS, and substrates of the putative enzymes were readily identified from the mass spectral data. This allowed identification of previously unreported CYP109B1 substrates and the functional assignment of two putative cytochromes P450, CYP107J1 and CYP134A1. The FT-ICR/MS-based approach can be easily applied to large-scale screening with the aid of the extremely high mass resolution and accuracy.     

Non-reductive decyanation reactions of disubstituted malononitrile derivatives promoted by NaHMDS

A new method for achieving the decyanation of disubstituted malononitrile derivatives without using reducing agents has been developed. Treatment of a six-membered malononitrile derivative with NaHMDS followed by methanol afforded the corresponding acetonitrile derivative in high yield. The present method was applicable to the decyanation reactions of a variety of malononitriles including four- and five-membered compounds as well as acyclic ones.     

Hierarchical CaCO3 Chromatography: A Stationary Phase Based on Biominerals

In biomineralization, acidic macromolecules play important roles for the growth control of crystals through a specific interaction. Inspired by this interaction, we report on an application of the hierarchical structures in CaCO₃ biominerals to a stationary phase of chromatography. The separation and purification of acidic small organic molecules are achieved by thin‐layer chromatography and flash chromatography using the powder of biominerals as the stationary phase. The unit nanocrystals and their oriented assembly, the hierarchical structure, are suitable for the adsorption site of the target organic molecules and the flow path of the elution solvents, respectively. The separation mode is ascribed to the specific adsorption of the acidic molecules on the crystal face and the coordination of the functional groups to the calcium ions. The results imply that a new family of stationary phase of chromatography can be developed by the fine tuning of hierarchical structures in CaCO₃ materials.     

A convenient synthesis of 2-substituted indoles by the reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenyl isocyanides with organolithiums

The reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenyl isocyanides, readily available by dehydration of the respective N-[2-(chloromethyl)phenyl]formamides, with organolithiums produced 2-substituted indoles in satisfactory yields through addition of organolithiums to the isocyano carbon followed by intramolecular substitution reaction of the resulting imidoyl anion intermediates.