Effect of an electric field on defects in a nematic liquid crystal with variable surface anchoring

We report experimental studies on defects in a nematic liquid crystal with negative dielectric anisotropy mounted in a cell with perfluoropolymer-coated surfaces. The sample exhibits a discontinuous anchoring transition from planar to homeotropic on cooling at zero or a small electric field, and above a cross-over voltage a continuous ‘inverse Freedericksz transition’, at which the director starts tilting in opposite directions at the two surfaces. Defects of strength ±1/2 are either annihilated or expelled when the director tilts. On the other hand, disclination lines of ±1 which end in partial point defects (boojums) at the surfaces in the planar alignment regime acquire point defects of strength ±1 at the midplane of the cell when the director tilts. At a low enough temperature, the homeotropic anchoring becomes strong, and an electric field above the Freedericksz threshold generates the usual umbilic defects, which follow the dynamic scaling laws found in earlier studies.     

Non‐contact evaluation of the electrical conductivity of thin metallic films by eddy current microscopy

An eddy current microscopy technique to evaluate the electrical conductivity of thin metallic films in a non‐contact manner is reported. A narrow track formed in an approximately 100 nm thick Au film was prepared, and a Co–Cr coated magnetic tip was driven to oscillate above the track both with and without current passing through the track. Despite the absence of current, the electromagnetic interaction between the tip and the stray magnetic field from the track gave rise to a phase delay in the probe. This was due to an eddy current being induced within part of the track. Moreover, measurements of the phase change in the probe oscillation for different metallic films with thicknesses of about 100 nm found this to be proportional to the electrical conductivity of the film. Finally, the electrical conductivity of an Al film was evaluated using the eddy current microscopy technique. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and reversible hydration–dehydration system of copolymers bearing a vicinal tricarbonyl structure

Novel copolymers composed of a styrene (St) derivative bearing a vicinal tricarbonyl moiety and various vinyl monomers such as St, methyl methacrylate (MMA), and N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) were synthesized by (1) radical copolymerization of a St derivative with a 1,3‐diketone structure with St, MMA, and NVP and (2) successive oxidation of the resulting copolymers with N‐bromosuccinimide in DMSO to convert their 1,3‐diketone moieties in the side chains into the corresponding vicinal tricarbonyl moieties. Their tricarbonyl moieties were readily hydrated in water‐containing acetone to generate the corresponding copolymers bearing geminal diol structures in the side chains. On the other hand, heating the resulting copolymers bearing the geminal diol structures in vacuo‐enabled successful recovery of the vicinal tricarbonyl moieties to demonstrate the reversible nature of this system. The hydration behavior in powdery state under air atmosphere saturated by water was also investigated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

A Nonenzymatic Kinetic Resolution of (±)-trans-2-Arylcyclohexanols via Esterification Using Polymer-Supported DCC,DMAP, and 3β-Acetoxyetienic Acid

A nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of (±)-trans-2-arylcyclohexanols was carried out by esterification using polymer-supported N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), and 3β-acetoxyetienic acid. The efficiency of the kinetic resolution was comparable to the enzymatic method when arylcyclohexanols bearing a condensed-aromatic ring were used.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communication® to view the free supplemental file.     

Functional 1,3‐benzoxazine bearing 4‐pyridyl group: Synthesis and thermally induced polymerization behavior

1,3‐benzoxazine 1 , bearing 4‐pyridyl moiety on the nitrogen atom, was synthesized from p‐cresol, 4‐aminopyridine, and paraformaldehyde. The efficient synthesis was achieved by adding acetic acid to suppress the strong basicity caused by the presence of 4‐aminopyridine derivatives. Upon heating 1 at 180 °C, it underwent the thermally induced ring‐opening polymerization. The resulting polymer was composed of two types of repeating unit, i.e., (1) Mannich‐type one (‐phenol‐CH₂‐NR‐CH₂‐) that can be expected from the general ring‐opening polymerization of conventional benzoxazines and (2) a typical phenolic resin‐type one (‐phenol‐CH₂‐phenol‐) induced by release of 4‐aminopyridine and paraformaldehyde (unit B). Another structural feature of the polymer was that it possessed a benzoxazine moiety at the chain end. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 410–416     

Aryl-β-C-glucosidation using glucal boronate: application to the synthesis of tri-O-methylnorbergenin

Novel aryl-β-C-glucosidation method using glucal boronate was developed. This protocol can offer several advantages including use of non-toxic, easily handling glucal boronate as a crystalline solid and storable at room temperature for several months. Tri-O-methylnorbergenin (8,10-di-O-methylbergenin), an anti-HIV active bergenin derivative, was concisely synthesized by application of the aryl-β-C-glucosidation method.