Syndiotactic‐specific radical polymerization of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide in the presence of tartrates: A proposed mechanism for the polymerization

Radical polymerization of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) was investigated in the presence of tartrates, such as diethyl L ‐tartrate, diisopropyl L ‐tartrate, and di‐n‐butyl L ‐tartrate, in toluene at low temperatures. Syndiotactic polymers were obtained in the presence of tartrates, whereas isotactic polymers were obtained in the absence of tartrates. The syndiotactic‐specificity increased with increasing amount of tartrates and with decreasing polymerization temperature. NMR analysis suggested that DMAAm and tartrates formed a 1:1 complex through double hydrogen bonding. A mechanism for the syndiotactic‐specific radical polymerization of DMAAm is proposed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1192–1203, 2009     

The effect of the N‐substituent s‐trans to the carbonyl group of N‐methylacrylamide derivatives on the stereospecificity of radical polymerizations

Radical polymerization of N‐methylacrylamide (NMAAm), N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm), and N‐methyl‐N‐phenylacrylamide (MPhAAm) was investigated in toluene at low temperatures. Atactic, isotactic, and syndiotactic polymers were obtained by the polymerization of NMAAm, DMAAm, and MPhAAm, respectively, indicating that the stereospecificity of the radical polymerization of acrylamide derivatives depended on the N‐substituents of the monomer used. From the viewpoint of monomer structure, the origin of the stereospecificity of radical polymerization of NMAAm derivatives is discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6534–6539, 2009     

Development of 1,3a,6a-triazapentalene-labeled enterobactin as a fluorescence quenching sensor of iron ion

1,3a,6a-Triazapentalene (TAP)-labeled enterobactin was developed as an iron ion sensor. 3-Acetylated-TAP was successfully introduced to the catechol ring of enterobactin, a well-recognized siderophore secreted by various Gram-negative bacteria. The fluorescence of TAP-labeled enterobactin decreased gradually as the amount of Fe³⁺ ion as an additive was increased, and 1.2 equiv of Fe³⁺ ion completely quenched the fluorescence. In clear contrast, when other metal ions were used, the fluorescence of TAP-labeled enterobactin remained even at 5.0 equiv.     

Effects of meniscus on the directional growth of potassium niobate single crystals

The study of meniscus effects on the directional growth of single crystals of potassium niobate (KNbO₃) with a [110]_pc oriented seed by the top-seeded-solution-growth technique has been described. The directional growth of KNbO₃ single crystals has been illustrated for different crystallographic orientations of the crystal. Experimental results show that the shape of the solution flux meniscus, which is determined by a number of growth parameters, has a significant effect on growth rates on different 100_pc, 010_pc and 001_pc type surfaces. Findings based on this work enable one to select a dominant growth direction and hence to engineer the geometrical shaping of resultant KNbO₃ single crystals through careful control of growth parameters. Maximum crystal dimensions for the grown KNbO₃ along [100]_pc and [001]_pc achieved in this work are 34.0 and 31.2 mm, respectively.     

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective hydroarylation of alkynes via directed C-H functionalization

The ruthenium-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkynes with benzamides proceeds regio- and stereoselectively through a directed C-H bond cleavage. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate that the reaction involves amide-directed ortho-metalation, carbometalation of alkyne, and protonolysis. Similarly, phenylazoles also add to alkynes regioselectively.     

A Pseudo-Random Frequency Modulation Continuous Wave Coherent Lidar Using an Optical Field Correlation Detection Method

We propose a new detection method for a pseudo-random frequency modulation continuous wave (RM-CW) coherent lidar. The feature of this method is modulation of local beam with a time delayed pseudo-random sequence. Heterodyne detection and correlation detection between the received beam and the local beam are simultaneously carried out in an optical field. In the RM-CW coherent lidar using the optical field correlation detection method, the received equipment is greatly simplified. We carried out preliminary experiments and demonstrated that the new method is effective for detection of a CW coherent lidar.     

Synthesis of caprazamycin analogues and their structure--activity relationship for antibacterial activity

Synthesis of palmitoyl caprazol 7, which possesses a simple fatty acyl side chain at the 3' '-position of the diazepanone moiety, was carried out and their antibacterial activity was evaluated. The key elements of our approach include the improved synthesis of the key 5'-beta-O-aminoribosyl-glycyluridine derivative, installation of the palmitoyl side chain to the cyclization precursor, and the construction of the diazepanone by an intramolecular reductive amination. The second generation synthesis of (+)-caprazol was also established. Palmitoyl caprazol 7 exhibited antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC607 (MIC = 6.25 microg/mL) with potency similar to that of the caprazamycins (CPZs). Palmitoyl caprazol 7 and N6'-desmethyl palmitoyl caprazol 28 also exhibited antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacteria including methyciline-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) strains (MIC = 3.13-12.5 microg/mL).     

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric one-pot transesterification and [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition leading to enantioenriched 3,3-disubstituted phthalides

[structure: see text]. We have developed a cationic rhodium(I)/Solphos complex-catalyzed asymmetric one-pot transesterification and [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diyne esters with tertiary propargylic alcohols leading to enantioenriched tricyclic 3,3-disubstituted phthalides. The present method represents a versatile new route to the synthesis of enantioenriched tricyclic 3,3-disubstituted phthalides in view of the easy access to both coupling partners.     

The microenvironment of DNA switches the activity of singlet oxygen generation photosensitized by berberine and palmatine

The effect of the interaction between DNA and the photosensitizer on photosensitized singlet oxygen (1O2) generation was investigated using DNA-binding alkaloids, berberine and palmatine. These photosensitizers were bound to DNA by electrostatic force. Near-infrared luminescence measurement demonstrated that the photoexcited alkaloids can generate 1O2 only when the photosensitizers are bound to DNA. A fluorescence decay study showed significant enhancement of the lifetime of their photoexcited state with the DNA binding. A calculation study suggested that the electrostatic interaction with DNA inhibits the quenching of the photoexcited state of these alkaloids via intramolecular electron transfer, leading to the prolongation of the lifetime of their excited state. This effect should enhance their intersystem crossing and the yield of energy transfer to molecular oxygen. The results show that the electrostatic interaction with DNA significantly affects the 1O2 generation activity of a photosensitizer. In addition, this interaction may be applied to the control and the design of photosensitizers for medical applications such as photodynamic therapy.