Synchronized sailing of two camphor boats in polygonal chambers

The synchronized self-motion of two camphor boats on polygonal water chambers was investigated. The two boats synchronously moved depending on the number of corners in the polygon by changing the distance between the two boats through the corners. We regard the self-motion of a camphor boat as an oscillator; i.e., one cycle on the polygonal chamber corresponds to 2pi. Phase-locked synchronization at a phase difference of 2pi/3, which corresponds to the length of one side of the chamber, was observed with a triangular chamber. Two types of synchronized motion at phase differences of pi/2 and pi, which correspond to the length of one and two sides of the chamber, respectively, were observed with a square chamber. These characteristic features of synchronized self-motion were qualitatively reproduced by a numerical calculation that regarded the surface tension as the driving force and the number of corners in the chamber as a velocity-regulating mechanism. We believe that the present system may be a simple model of synchronization which depends on the geometry of the system.     

Meso-tetrakis[o-(N-methyl)pyridinium]porphyrin ensembles with axially coordinated cyclodextrin-penetrating phenethylimidazole: reversible dioxygen-binding in aqueous DMF solution

alpha-Cyclodextrin (alpha CD)-penetrating 2-methyl-1-phenethylimidazole coordinates to the zinc(II) and iron(II) complexes of meso-tetrakis[o-(N-methyl)pyridinium] porphyrinate, giving non-covalently linked alpha CD-porphyrin ensembles; the iron(II) complex can reversibly bind and release dioxygen in aqueous DMF solution.     

Determination of cadmium in river water by sequential metal vapor elution analysis

Determination of cadmium in river water by sequential metal vapour elution analysis (column temperature; > 1500 K) with argon and hydrogen carrier gas and with atomic absorption spectrometric detection is described. The column is made of a molybdenum capillary tube (i.d. 1.22 mm) and the temperature is 1760 K. The cadmium vapor was separated from those of calcium, iron and sodium. The calibration graph was linear up to 15 μ/ml. Relative standard deviations of 0.8–4.3% were obtained in the range 1 to 15 μ/ml. Cadmium in spiked samples (river water) was determined. The results were in good agreement with the amount spiked.     

Proton-ionizable crown compounds. 11. Synthesis of macrocyclic ligands containing two sulfonamide groups and chloro substituents or pyridine subcyclic units and a preliminary study of cation transport by three of these ligands

Five new macrocyclic ligands each containing two sulfonamide groups have been prepared. Three of these compounds contain one or two chloro substituents and the other two have one or two pyridine subcyclic units. A seventeen-membered ring ligand (4) was found to be an excellent transport agent for all alkali metal cations in a water-methylene chloride-water bulk liquid membrane system when the pH of the source phase was 13 or higher. The chlorine-substituted analog (5) was a poor transport agent for the alkali metal cations possibly because the chlorine atom blocked entry to the macrocycle cavity. An open-chain analog containing two sulfonamide groups was particularly effective in transporting cesium ions.     

Excited states of phosphorescent platinum(II) complexes containing N wedge C wedge N-coordinating tridentate ligands: spectroscopic investigations and time-dependent density functional theory calculations

The absorption and emission spectra of the Pt(II) complexes containing N wedge C wedge N-coordinating tridentate ligands, platinum(II) 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene chloride [Pt(dpb)Cl] and platinum(II) 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)toluene chloride [Pt(dpt)Cl], together with their corresponding free ligands, 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene (dpbH) and 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)toluene (dptH), have been analyzed by density functional theory (DFT) for the ground state and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) for the excited states. T(1)(A(1)) and S(1)(B(2)) of the complexes (in C(2)(v) symmetry) were assigned on the basis of the calculated excitation energies as well as comparison of the experimental spectroscopic properties and the calculated states' characteristics. The calculated excitation energies for T(1) and S(1) of the complexes as well as those for T(1) of the free ligands were in good agreement with their observed values within 600 cm(-1). The d-pi* characters of the excited states were evaluated from the change in electron densities between the ground and excited states by Mulliken population analysis; values of 25% for T(1) and 32% for S(1) were obtained for both complexes. The calculated values of d-pi* character were found to be consistent with the reported emission lifetimes as well as the observed emission energy shifts from the corresponding free ligands. Most spectroscopic properties of the complexes and the free ligands, which include solvatochromic shift, Stokes shifts, methyl substitution shifts, and emission spectra profiles, were well explained from the calculation results.     

Facile S-alkyl thiocarbamate synthesis by a novel DBU-assisted carbonylation of amines with carbon monoxide and sulfur

A novel DBU-assisted carbonylation of amines with carbon monoxide and sulfur has been developed for the synthesis of S-alkyl thiocarbamates. In the presence of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), S-alkyl thiocarbamates are synthesized in excellent yields from amines, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and alkyl halides under mild conditions (1 atm, 20°C). In the absence of DBU, however, no formation of S-alkyl thiocarbamate is observed. The present DBU-assisted carbonylation can also be applied to new synthetic methods for benthiocarb and orthobencarb (herbicides) and carbamoyl chlorides.     

Highly active, immobilized ruthenium catalysts for oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. Preparation and use in both batch and flow systems

A novel, highly active immobilized ruthenium catalyst, which can be successfully used in oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, has been developed. In contrast to most immobilized catalysts, the Ru catalyst has activity that is higher than that of the original non-immobilized catalyst. In a batch system, the Ru catalyst was recovered and reused several times without loss of activity. The catalyst was also applied to a flow system, in which excellent conversions and yields were demonstrated. No leaching of Ru was observed in both cases.     

Chemical release control: Carbamates of 3-vinylphenyl and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl isocyanates and perfume and herbicide alcohols

Polymerizable carbamates were synthesized from 3-vinylphenyl and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl isocyanates and perfume and herbicide alcohols, such as 2-phenethyl alcohol, citronellol, geraniol, 1-menthol, borneol, and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)- and 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)ethyl alcohols. Copolymerization of these carbamate monomers and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone with AIBN in dioxane gave respective copolymers. Hydrolyses of both monomers and copolymers, however, required severe acid conditions, although different chemical structures gave different hydrolytic behaviors.     

Molecular modeling study of species-selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha agonist; possible mechanism(s) of human PPARalpha selectivity of an alpha-substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivative (KCL)

In order to investigate the reason why phenylpropanoic acid derivative (KCL), a potent, human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha-selective agonist, shows this selectivity, we analyzed the binding modes of KCL and a related compound to the ligand-binding domain of human PPARalpha and rat PPARalpha by means of computer-aided molecular modeling. We concluded that the characteristic specificity of KCL is due to a specific hydrophobic contact between the hydrophobic tail part (the 4-trifluoromethyl group) and the key amino acid Ile272 located on the helix three region of the human PPARalpha ligand binding domain. We propose a possible binding mode of KCL with the ligand-binding domain of human PPARalpha. This binding model should offer important insights for further structural design of subtype-selective PPARalpha agonists for the treatment of altered metabolic homeostasis, such as dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes.     

A highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of internal olefins via an elimination of trimethylstannyl group

Internal reaction of secondary alkyltin(IV) compounds having thionium ion gave internal trans olefins with high yield and regio- and stereoselectivity via 1,5- or 1,6-transfer of a hydride β to the trialkylstannyl group.