Synthesis, properties, and redox behavior of mono-, bis-, and tris[1,1,4,4,-tetracyano-2-(1-azulenyl)-3-butadienyl] chromophores binding with benzene and thiophene cores

Mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(1-azulenylethynyl)benzene and mono- and bis(1-azulenylethynyl)thiophene derivatives 5-10 have been prepared by Pd-catalyzed alkynylation of ethynyl arenes with 1-iodoazulene derivative or the 1-ethynylazulene derivative with tetraiodobenzene and iodothiophenes under Sonogashira-Hagihara conditions. Compounds 5-10 reacted with tetracyanoethylene in a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction to afford the corresponding 1,1,4,4,-tetracyano-2-(5-isopropyl-3-methoxycarbonyl-1-azulenyl)-3-butadienyl chromophores 12-16 in excellent yields, except for the reaction of the tetrakis(1-azulenylethynyl)benzene derivative. 1,1,4,4,-Tetracyano-2,3-bis(1-azulenyl)butadiene (17) was also prepared by the similar reaction of bis(1-azulenyl)acetylene (11) with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). The redox behavior of novel azulene derivatives 12-17 was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which revealed multistep electrochemical reduction properties. Moreover, a significant color change was observed by visible spectroscopy under electrochemical reduction conditions.     

Charge-Segregated Stacking Structure with Anisotropic Electric Conductivity in NIR-Absorbing and Emitting Positively Charged π-Electronic Systems

Squarylium-based π-electronic cation with an augmented dipole was synthesized by methylation of zwitterionic squarylium. The cation formed various ion pairs in combination with anions, and the ion pairs exhibited distinct photophysical properties in the dispersed state, ascribed to the formation of J- and H-aggregates. The ion pairs provided solid-state assemblies based on cation stacking. It is noteworthy that complete segregation of cations and anions was observed in a pseudo-polymorph of the ion pair with pentacyanocyclopentadienide as a π-electronic anion. In the crystalline state, the ion pairs exhibited photophysical properties and electric conductivity derived from cation stacking. In particular, the charge-segregated ion-pairing assembly induces an electric conductive pathway along the stacking axis. The charge-segregated mode and fascinating properties were derived from the reduced electrostatic repulsion between adjacent π-electronic cations via dipole–dipole interactions.     

Annual variations of the elemental concentrations of PM10 in ambient air of Nagoya City as determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS.

PM10 samples were collected at an urban site of Nagoya City during September, 2003, to August, 2004, and annual variations of the concentrations of the elements in PM10 samples were examined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The annual concentration variations of ca. 30 elements in ambient air were in the range from sub-ng m(-3) to several microg m(-3). From an evaluation by the enrichment factors of the elements, elements such as Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Ti, Mn, Ba, Sr, Ce, La, Nd, Co, Cs, and Pr, in PM10 samples were found to have originated mostly from natural sources, while the elements such as S, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Sb, Sn, Cd, Bi, W, Tl, and In originated from anthropogenic emission sources. Furthermore, in seasonal variations of the elemental concentrations of PM10 samples in ambient air, the elements originated mostly from natural sources provided significantly high concentrations in spring during the "Kosa" period (the dust season from March to May). On the other hand, the elements mainly from anthropogenic emission sources provided relatively higher concentrations in autumn and winter, which may be explained by the fact that the urban atmospheric structure is stabilized by the temperature-inversion layer formed over the city in those seasons. In addition, all of the elements provided significantly low concentrations in the summer, due to the dilution effect of the oceanic winds as well as due to the convection of air mass up to the high levels.     

Binary amorphous solids consisting of 2,4,6-triarylphenoxyl radicals and their dimers

Although molecular amorphous materials represent an important area of research in solid-state chemistry, studies pertaining to these systems have been restricted almost exclusively to amorphous solids based on a single molecule. In this study, we found that, while the 2,4,6-bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)phenoxyl radical (2_M) and its dimer (2_D) did not give single-component amorphous solids, they rapidly formed the corresponding binary amorphous solid IIa following their condensation from benzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate solutions. The formation of IIa could be attributed to the good solubilities of 2_M and 2_D in these solvents and the high packing efficiencies of these amorphous solids. IIa was also obtained when crystals of 2_D (IIb) were ground together. The solid-state formation of IIa would not only involve the locational exchange of 2_M and 2_D, but would also involve chemical exchanges.     

"O-acyl isopeptide method" for peptide synthesis: synthesis of forty kinds of "O-acyl isodipeptide unit" Boc-Ser/Thr(Fmoc-Xaa)-OH

The O-acyl isopeptide method has recently received attention as an efficient synthetic method for peptides. Herein, forty kinds of "O-acyl isodipeptide unit" Boc-Ser/Thr(Fmoc-Xaa)-OH (1-40) were effectively synthesized in two-steps without epimerization. The O-acyl isodipeptide units are important building blocks to enable the routine use of the O-acyl isopeptide method.     

Immunological Evaluation of Co-Assembling a Lipidated Peptide Antigen and Lipophilic Adjuvants: Self-Adjuvanting Anti-Breast-Cancer Vaccine Candidates

Co-assembling vaccines composed of a lipidated HER2-derived antigenic CH401 peptide and either a lipophilic adjuvant, Pam₃CSK₄, α-GalCer, or lipid A 506, were evaluated as breast cancer vaccine candidates. This vaccine design was aimed to inherit both antigen multivalency and antigen-specific immunostimulation properties, observed in reported self-adjuvanting vaccine candidates, by using self-assembly and adjuvant-conjugated antigens. Under vaccination concentrations, respective lipophilic adjuvants underwent co-assembly with lipidated CH401, which boosted the anti-CH401 IgG and IgM production. In particular, α-GalCer was responsible for the most significant immune activation. Therefore, the newly developed vaccine design enabled the optimization of adjuvants against the antigenic CH401 peptide in a simple preparatory manner. Overall, the co-assembling vaccine design opens the door for efficient and practical self-adjuvanting vaccine development.     

Isomerization of spirobenzopyrans bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups in acidic aqueous solutions

Spirobenzopyrans, which are well known as photochromic compounds, exist as thermodynamically stable protonated ring-opened isomers (protonated merocyanine form, McH) in an acidic aqueous solution in the dark. In the present study, we investigated effects of substitution of the spirobenzopyrans on a ring-opening behavior in an aqueous system. We prepared five polymerizable spirobenzopyrans that are substituted with a methoxy group or a nitro group at the 6'- or 8'-positions and without a substituent. These monomers were copolymerized with N,N-dimethylacrylamide to evaluate the spirobenzopyrans in aqueous solution. Correlation between ring-opening rates and the kind and position of the substitution can be summarized as follows: the substitution of an electron-donating methoxy group and the substitution at the 8'-position increased the ring-opening rate, whereas the substitution of an electron-withdrawing nitro group decreased the rate. The effects of the substitution can be explained by changes in the electron density of the oxygen atom of the spirobenzopyrans.     

Catalytic conversion of cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in high yields via a two-step process

As a key renewable chemical for plastics and fine chemicals, the preparation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from biomass is an important research topic. Cellulose, although abundant in nature, is difficult to convert to 5-HMF in good yields due to its recalcitrant and heterogeneous nature. In this work, we show an efficient two-step process for converting microcrystalline cellulose into 5-HMF with ionic liquids under mild conditions. In the first step, high glucose yields of above 80% could be obtained from the cellulose hydrolysis by a strong acidic cation exchange resin in 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([EMIM][Cl]) with gradual addition of water. In the second step, the resin was separated from the reaction mixture and CrCl₃ was added which lead to a 5-HMF yield of 73% based on cellulose substrate. The strategy can allow practical conversion of biomass into bio-derived products.     

Microwave spectroscopy of platinum monofluoride and platinum monochloride in the X 2Π(3/2) states

Platinum monofluoride (PtF) and platinum monochloride (PtCl) were detected in the gas phase using a source-modulated microwave spectrometer. The PtF and PtCl radicals were generated in a free space cell using the sputtering reaction from a platinum sheet placed on the inner surface of a stainless steel cathode through a dc glow discharge plasma of CF(4) and Cl(2), respectively, diluted with Ar. Rotational transitions were measured in the region between 150 and 313 GHz. Rotational, centrifugal distortion, and several fine- and hyperfine-structure constants were determined by a least-squares analysis. The observed fine-structure spectral patterns indicate that both PtF and PtCl radicals have the (2)Π(3/2) electronic ground states, while the related cyanide PtCN and hydride PtH radicals have the (2)Δ(5/2) electronic ground states.