Formation Thermodynamics of Binary and Ternary Lanthanide(III) Complexes with 1,10-Phenanthroline and Chloride in N,N-Dimethylformamide

Formation thermodynamics of binary and ternary lanthanide(III) (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Tm, Lu) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and the chloride ion have been studied by titration calorimetry and spectrophotometry in N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF) containing 0.2 mol-dm^–3 (C₂H₅)₄NClO₄ as a constant ionic medium at 25°C. In the binary system with 1,10-phenanthroline, the Ln(phen)³⁺ complex is formed for all the lanthanide(III) ions examined. The reaction enthalpy and entropy values for the formation of Ln(phen)³⁺ decrease in the order La > Ce > Nd, then increase in the order Nd < Eu < Gd < Dy, and again decrease in the order Dy > Tm > Lu. The variation is explained in terms of the coordination structure of Ln(phen)³⁺ that changes from eight to seven coordination with decreasing ionic radius of the metal ion. In the ternary Ln³⁺-Cl^–-phen system, the formation of LnCl(phen)²⁺, LnCl₂(phen)⁺, and LnCl₃(phen) was established for cerium(III), neodymium(III), and thulium(III), and their formation constants, enthalpies, and entropies were obtained. The enthalpy and entropy values are also discussed from the structural point of view.     

Temperature-dependence of mechanical and morphological properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene cross-linked by electron beam irradiation

Cross-linking of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene was performed with electron-beam irradiation in the range of radiation dose from 12 to 96 Mrad under nitrogen. Dry gel films and melt films were used as specimens. Two kinds of cross-linked specimens could be kept at 200°C for a prolonged time in an undeformed state and this tendency was independent of radiation dose. The elongation of the gel films hampered the heat-resistant effect and the drawn specimens were broken at temperatures lower than 175 °C. The elongation of the melt films could not be realized, because of a marked fixation of chains in the fiber network, even at a dose of 12 Mrad.     

Fluorous reverse-phase silica gel-supported Lewis acids as recyclable catalysts in water

Fluorous reverse-phase silica gel (FRPSG)-supported Lewis acids which have fluorous ligands acted as effective catalysts of Baeyer-Villiger and Diels-Alder reactions in water. Direct esterification of carboxylic acid with alcohol in organic media was also catalyzed. The FRPSG-supported Lewis acids could be recycled by simple filtration after the reaction.     

Cover Picture

The cover picture shows how protein matrices can regulate the spatial arrangement and orientation of a heme-based donor (Zn-heme: ZnPP)-sensitizer (Ru²⁺(bpy)₃)-acceptor (cyclic viologen: BXV⁴⁺) triad. A U-shape conformation of the triad without protein matrix changes into a triangle arrangement by incorporation into apocytochrome b₅₆₂ (Cyt-b₅₆₂), or into a further extended conformation by apomyoglobin (Mb) matrix. The electron transfer pathways and the lifetimes of the photoinduced charge-separated states were remarkably affected by the protein wrapping effect.     

Development of fluorous Lewis acid-catalyzed reactions

Organic synthetic methodology in the 21st century aims to conform to the principles of green sustainable chemistry (GSC) and we may expect that in the future, the realization of GSC will be an important objective for chemical industries. An important aim of synthetic organic chemistry is to implement waste-free and environmentally-benign industrial processes using Lewis acids as versatile as aluminum chloride. A key technological objective of our work in this area has been to achieve a "catalyst recycling system that utilizes the high activity and structural features of fluorous Lewis acid catalysts". Thus, we have developed a series of novel fluorous Lewis acid catalysts, namely the ytterbium(III), scandium(III), tin(IV) or hafnium(IV) bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)amides or tris(perfluoro- alkanesulfonyl)methides. Our catalysts are recyclable and effective for acylations of alcohols and aromatics, Baeyer-Villiger reactions, direct esterifications and transesterifications in a fluorous biphasic system (FBS), in supercritical carbon dioxide and on fluorous silica gel supports.     

Tin(IV) bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)amide complex as a highly selective Lewis acid catalyst for Baeyer-Villiger oxidation using hydrogen peroxide in a fluorous recyclable phase

Sn[N(SO₂C₈F₁₇)₂]₄ catalyst was shown to give an excellent yield and selectivity in a fluorous biphasic catalytic system for Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones by 35% aqueous hydrogen peroxide, a green, safe and cheap oxidant. Furthermore, the catalyst was completely recovered and reused in the fluorous immobilized phase without loss of activity.     

Flow injection microbial trichloroethylene sensor

A flow type microbial biosensor for direct measurement of trichloroethylene (TCE) was developed. The unique features of this novel microbial sensor were the use of the TCE degrading bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa JI104, the electrical detection of the chloride ion released by microbial degradation, and flow cell made of glass. Glass cell was used in order to suppress adsorption of TCE and made a closed reaction cell. Vaporization of TCE during the measurement was prevented using closed flow cell. The performance of the sensor was evaluated from following aspects; such as pH of the carrier solution, amount of the immobilized microbe, flow rate and injection volume. The sensor signals were linearly proportional to the concentration of TCE in the range from 0.03 to 2 mgl(-1), which is suitable for the determination of suspected samples to be drinkable water or not. The sensor performance was checked on the real sample, and this system showed good response in ground water, indicating its applicability for the on line monitoring at TCE contaminated areas or hazardous sites.