Interaction of highly charged ions with carbon-based materials using Kobe EBIS

Interaction of highly charged ions (HCIs) with surfaces produce various specific phenomena as a consequence of the potential energy that HCI possesses. In the present study, we have observed photon emission, structural, magnetic, and electronic modification on various carbon-based materials such as carbon nanotube by the impact of HCIs using an electron beam ion source named Kobe EBIS installed at the Kobe University. In order to study the potential effect, HCIs of Ar^q+ (q = 6–16) with the intensity of 0.1–1 nA are projected on the surface with a constant kinetic energy (16 keV). For photon emission measurements, we observed spatial and spectral distribution of visible light emission from the surface during irradiation with HCIs. On the other hand, the structural modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) irradiated with HCIs has been analyzed using a transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Irradiation effects on the resistivity of single MWCNT supported on micrometer scale bridge pattern were also measured. We have also measured magnetic structure of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite irradiated with HCIs using electron spin resonance at low temperature. At the present paper, we will review our recent experimental results on the interaction of HCI with various carbon-based materials.     

Nickel-catalyzed reductive cleavage of aryl alkyl ethers to arenes in absence of external reductant

The reductive cleavage of the C–O bonds of aryl ethers has great potential in organic synthesis. Although several catalysts that can promote the reductive cleavage of aryl ethers have been reported, all such systems require the use of an external reductant, e.g., hydrosilane or hydrogen. Here, we report the development of a new nickel-based catalytic system that can cleave the C–O bonds of ethers in the absence of an external reductant. The hydrogen atom required in this new reductive cleavage reaction is provided by the alkoxy group of the substrate, which serves as an internal reductant. The absence of an external reductant enables the unique chemoselectivity, i.e., the selective reduction of an alkoxy group over alkenes and ketones.     

Pipette tip biosensors for bacterial double-stranded DNA using bioluminescence induced by zinc finger luciferase

The authors describe a pipette type of biosensor for detecting target genes and using a zinc finger protein fused to luciferase (ZF luciferase). The ZF protein binds to a specific DNA sequence, and the target double-stranded (ds) DNA can be detected by monitoring the enzymatic activity of ZF luciferase. A small avidin-immobilized reaction plate is placed on a plastic pipette tip (referred to as Biologi tip). The dsDNA detection procedures are carried out by using a programmable dispensing robot equipped with a photodetector. These procedures include (a) the aspiration of an analyte to capture the biotinylated target dsDNA (a product of a polymerase chain reaction) on the small reaction plate inside the pipette tip, (b) the introduction of ZF luciferase and luciferin into the pipette tip, and (c) migration of the pipette tip to the detection port to measure bioluminescence on the small reaction plate. The emission originating from luciferase activity is observed on the reaction plate containing immobilized biotin-tagged target dsDNA, whereas plates containing non-target or biotinylated single-stranded DNA only do not yield a signal. The intensity of emission increases proportionally to the concentration of dsDNA, and the detection limit of the target dsDNA is as low as 62 pM. An actual genomic DNA sample from Escherichia coli O157 was successfully detected by this automatic analyzer using the Biologi tip equipped with a reaction plate. This indicates that this system has a large potential for practical applications, including in particular point-of-care analyses in hygiene control, food safety testing, and clinical diagnosis.

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Graphical abstract A pipette-type biosensor was developed to detect target genes using a luciferase-fused zinc finger protein, where a small NeutrAvidin-immobilized reaction plate was placed on the tip, and the biotinylated target double-stranded DNA was detected by monitoring the bound luciferase activity.

     

Practical Synthesis of 2-Iodosobenzoic Acid (IBA) without Contamination by Hazardous 2-Iodoxybenzoic Acid (IBX) under Mild Conditions

We report a convenient and practical method for the preparation of nonexplosive cyclic hypervalent iodine(III) oxidants as efficient organocatalysts and reagents for various reactions using Oxone^® in aqueous solution under mild conditions at room temperature. The thus obtained 2-iodosobenzoic acids (IBAs) could be used as precursors of other cyclic organoiodine(III) derivatives by the solvolytic derivatization of the hydroxy group under mild conditions of 80 °C or lower temperature. These sequential procedures are highly reliable to selectively afford cyclic hypervalent iodine compounds in excellent yields without contamination by hazardous pentavalent iodine(III) compound.     

Extended ensemble molecular dynamics study of cellulose I–ethylenediamine complex crystal models: atomistic picture of desorption behaviors of ethylenediamine

Cellulose - Cellulose I crystals swell on exposure to ethylenediamine (EDA) molecules to form a cellulose I–EDA complex, and successive extraction of EDA molecules converts the complex...     

Cellulose-synthesizing machinery in bacteria

Cellulose - Cellulose is produced by all plants and a number of other organisms, including bacteria. The most representative cellulose-producing bacterial species is Gluconacetobacter xylinus, an...     

Microwave-Accelerated Selective Acylation of (Hydroxyalkyl)phenols Using Acid Chlorides

Highly selective acylation of the alcoholic hydroxy group can be achieved with (hydroxyalkyl)phenols carrying both alcoholic and phenolic hydroxyls by the use of the most common acylating agents, acid chlorides, under microwave irradiation.     

Synthesis and Cation-Binding Properties of (1→6)-2,5-Anhydro-D-glucitol with 3,4-Di-O-Pentyl and Decyl Groups by Cyclopolymerization of 1,2:5,6-Dianhydro-D-mannitols

Abstract

The cyclopolymerizations of 1,2:5,6-dianhydro-3,4-di-O-pentyl-D-mannitol (1b) and 1,2:5,6-dianhydro-3,4-di-O-decyl-D-mannitol (1c) were carried out using BF₃OEt₂ and t-BuOK. All the resulting polymers consisted of cyclic constitutional units, i.e., the extent of cyclization was 100%. The polymer structures for the polymerization with t-BuOK were (1→6)-2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-pentyl-D-glucitol (2b) and (1→6)-2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-decyl-D-glucitol (2c), whereas those with BF₃O-decyl₂ comprised 2,5-anhydro-D-glucitols as major units along with other cyclic ones. These polymers were soluble in n-hexane, CHCl₃, and THF, but insoluble in water, which differs from the amphiphilic solubility of (1→6)-2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol (2a). The cation-binding properties of 2b and 2c were examined using alkali-metal picrates in order to compare them with those of 2a. The extraction yields for each cation decreased in the order of 2c < 2b < 2a. Every polymer exhibited a similar cation-binding selectivity in the order Cs⁺ > Rb⁺ > K⁺ ? Na⁺ > Li⁺. The ratio of K⁺ and Na⁺, K⁺/Na⁺, was 4.6 for 2a, 5.1 for 2b, and 7.1 for 2c in the increasing order 2a < 2b > 2c.