Formation of Hierarchical Pore Structure in Silica Gel

By inducing a phase separation parallel to the sol-gel transition of alkoxy-derived silicate systems, gels with well-defined macroporous structure can be prepared. Depending on the post-gelation treatment such as aging and solvent exchange, the final pore structure in the nanometer range of dried and heat-treated gels exhibits a considerable variation. With an aim of completely controlling the hierarchical pore structure in the discrete size ranges of nanometers and micrometers, systematic experimental studies have been performed. The macroporous nature of the wet gels allows an efficient solvent exchange process compared with conventional gels only with mesopores. In addition, the surface chemistry of the wet gel skeleton affects the mesopore formation process by the solvent exchange to a great extent. The median size of mesopores larger than 5 nm can be controlled by adjusting the basic solvent exchange conditions such as pH value, temperature and bath ratio for any kind of macroporous silica gel. On the other hand, the control of pore volume independent of the mesopore size is possible only in the system incorporated with the micelle-forming surfactant. Some examples of the effects of controlled mesopores on the analytical performance of monolithic-type chromatographic columns are also presented.     

Monolithic Silica Columns for HPLC,Micro‐HPLC,and CEC

Two types of monolithic silica columns derivatized to form an ODS phase, one prepared in a fused silica capillary (SR‐FS) and the other prepared in a mold and clad with an engineering plastic (poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone) (SR‐PEEK), were evaluated. The column efficiency and pressure drop were compared with those of a column packed with 5‐μm ODS‐silica particles and of an ODS‐silica monolith prepared in a mold and wrapped with PTFE tubing (SR‐PTFE). SR‐FS gave a lower pressure drop than a column packed with 5‐μm particles by a factor of 20, and a plate height of 20 μm at a linear velocity below 1 mm/s. SR‐PEEK showed higher flow‐resistance than the other monolithic silica columns, but they still showed a minimum plate height of 8–10 μm and a lower pressure drop than popular commercial columns packed with 5‐μm particles. The evaluation of SR‐FS columns in a CEC mode showed much higher efficiency than in a pressure‐driven mode.     

Photoinduced Atom Transfer Radical Addition/Cyclization Reaction between Alkynes or Alkenes with Unsaturated α-Halogenated Carbonyls

We have developed a photochemical ATRA/ATRC reaction that is mediated by halogen bonding interactions. This reaction is caused by the reaction of malonic acid ester derivatives containing bromine or iodine with unsaturated compounds such as alkenes and alkynes in the presence of diisopropylethylamine under visible light irradiation. As a result of various control experiments, it was found that the formation of complexes between amines and halogens by halogen-bonding interaction occurs in the reaction system, followed by the cleavage of the carbon–halogen bonds by visible light, resulting in the formation of carbon radicals. In this reaction, a variety of substrates can be used, and the products, cyclopentenes and cyclopentanes, were obtained by intermolecular addition and intramolecular cyclization.     

Syntheses and thermostabilities of N-[4-(N′-substituted aminocarbonyl)phenyl]maleimide polymers

Three types of novel N-[4-(N′-substituted aminocarbonyl)phenyl] maleimide (RPhMI: N-substituent (R) = phenyl, cyclohexyl, and cyclododecyl) were synthesized and homopolymerized under several conditions. In the copolymerizations of RPhMI (M₁) with styrene (ST; M₂) or methyl methacrylate (MMA; M₂), monomer reactivity ratios and Alfrey-Price Q, e values were determined. All homopolymers decomposed without softening and melting points. The initial degradation temperatures (T_d) of poly(RPhMI)s were over 320°C. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of RPhMI copolymers were much higher than those of N-phenylmaleimide (PhMI)–ST, PhMI–MMA, N-cyclohexylmaleimide (CHMI)–ST, and CHMI–MMA copolymers. Thermal stability of the terpolymers of RPhMI with ST and acrylonitrile (AN) was higher than that of ST–AN copolymers, i.e., AS resin. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2001–2012, 1998     

Efficient Transformation of Polymer Main Chain Catalyzed by Macrocycle Metal Complexes via Pseudorotaxane Intermediate

Post-synthesis modification of polymers streamlines the synthesis of functionalized polymers, but is often incomplete due to the negative polymer effects. Developing efficient polymer reactions in artificial systems thus represents a long-standing objective in the fields of polymer and material science. Here, we show unprecedented macrocycle-metal-complex-catalyzed systems for efficient polymer reaction that result in 100 % transformation of the main chain functional groups presumably via a processive mode reaction. The complete polymer reactions were confirmed in not only intramolecular reaction (hydroamination) but also intermolecular reaction (hydrosilylation) by using Pd- and Pt-macrocycle-catalyzed systems. The most fascinating feature of the both reactions is that higher-molecular-weight polymers reach completion faster. Various studies suggested that the reactions occur in the catalyst cavity via the formation of a supramolecular complex between the macrocycle catalyst and polymer substrate like pseudorotaxane, which should be of characteristic of the efficient polymer reactions progressing in a processive mode.     

Relationship between the distortion of polyene chains from planarity and the Raman activity of the in-phase CH out-of-plane wag

The relationship between the distortion of polyene chains from planarity and the Raman activity of the in-phase CH out-of-plane wag is examined by performing density functional theory calculations. The vibrational wavenumbers, vibrational modes, Raman activities and infrared absorption intensities of several oligoene (or polyene) molecules are calculated for model structures having various kinds of distortion around the CC double and/or single bond(s). The results of calculations show that the molecular distortion induces the Raman activity of the in-phase CH out-of-plane wag which should be Raman-inactive for the planar structure. The Raman activity of the in-phase CH out-of-plane wag is particularly enhanced when the molecule is uniformly helical. The origin of a weak Raman band at about 1010 cm⁻¹ of trans-polyacetylene is discussed on the basis of the calculated results.     

Measurement of image sensor tilt based on amplitude and phase of image

Optical Review - In this study, we present a new method for measuring the tilt of an image sensor to the lens. The assembly accuracy of the lens and image sensor units has a significant influence...     

A Redox-Responsive Ferrocene-Based Capsule Displaying Unusual Encapsulation-Induced Charge-Transfer Interactions

A ferrocene-based capsule is spontaneously and quantitatively formed in water by the assembly of bent amphiphiles carrying two ferrocene units. The disassembly and assembly of the new organometallic capsule, with a well-defined and highly condensed ferrocene core, are demonstrated by chemical redox stimuli in a fully reversible fashion under ambient conditions. In contrast to previously reported multiferrocene assemblies, only the present capsule efficiently encapsulates typical organic/inorganic dyes as well as electron-accepting molecules in water. As a result, unusual host-guest charge-transfer (CT) interactions, displaying relatively wide absorption bands in the visible to near-infrared region (λ=650–1350 nm), are observed upon the encapsulation of acceptors (i.e., chloranil and TCNQ). The resultant encapsulation-induced CT interactions can be released by a redox stimulus through the disassembly of the capsule.