Two-dimensionally well-ordered multilayer structures in thin films of a brush polypeptide

In this study, we report the first production of two-dimensionally well-ordered molecular multilayers (i.e., with a well-defined molecular lamellar structure) based on the antiparallel beta-sheet chain conformation in thin films of a brush polypeptide, poly(S-n-hexadecyl-dl-homocysteine) (PHHC), through the use of a simple spin-coating process and the quantitative structural and property analysis of the thin films using a grazing incidence X-ray scattering technique combined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. These analyses provide detailed information about the structure and molecular conformation of the self-assembled lamellae in the PHHC thin film, which is not easily obtained using conventional techniques. Moreover, we used the in situ measurements carried out at various temperatures and the data analyses to establish mechanisms for the evolution of the self-assembled lamellar structures in the film and for their melting. In addition, we propose molecular structure models of the PHHC polymer molecules in the thin film at various temperatures.     

Spectral study on the interaction of cryptophane-A and neutral molecules CHnCl4-n (n=0, 1, 2)

Cryptophane-A was synthesized from vanillin by a three-step method and its spectroscopic properties in different organic solvents were determined. Two absorption bands at about 240-250 and 280-290 nm were observed for cryptophane-A. A fluorescence emission peak was obtained at 320-330 nm using a solution of approximately 10(-5)M cryptophane-A. The interaction of cryptophane-A with chlorinated compounds CH(n)Cl(4 - n) (n=0, 1, 2) in dioxane and ethyl acetate solvents were studied in detail by fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. The results show that cryptophane-A is well suited for inclusion of CH(2)Cl(2) to form a stable 1:1 complex and the binding constant was estimated to be 19+/-2M(-1). These results were also confirmed by (1)H NMR and CPK models. Larger similar molecules such as CHCl(3) and CCl(4) are unable to enter the cavity of cryptophane-A because of their bigger sizes. However, the fluorescence emission of cryptophane-A can be efficiently quenched by CHCl(3) and CCl(4), following the Stern-Volmer relationship.     

Asymmetric dehydration of β-hydroxy esters and application to the syntheses of flavane derivatives

Catalytic asymmetric dehydration of β-aryl or alkyl substituted β-hydroxy esters via kinetic resolution has been investigated. A brief survey of 10 different chiral ligands is conducted to examine the effects of chiral ligand structure on selectivity of the dehydration. The kinetic resolution of a variety of rac-β-hydroxy tert-butyl esters in the presence of prolinol chiral ligand 2 and BrZnCH₂CO₂-t-Bu can provide highly enantioenriched β-hydroxy esters 14-21 with selectivity factors ranging from 11 to 66. Also, application of this asymmetric synthetic methodology to the preparation of enantioenriched flavane derivatives 25-29 is demonstrated.