Copper(II)-mediated chiral helicity amplification and inversion of meta-ethynylpyridine polymers with metal coordination sites

meta-Ethynylpyridine polymers bearing metal coordination sites associate with alkyl glycoside guests to show induced circular dichroism (ICD) bands. The addition of a Cu(II) ion changed the intensity or the sign of these ICD bands. The changes suggested chiral helicity amplification or inversion of the polymers by Cu(II)-mediated cross-linking at the coordinating side chains.     

Extracting the underlying effective free energy landscape from single-molecule time series--local equilibrium states and their network

We present a new self-consistent procedure to construct a multidimensional effective free energy landscape from a scalar single molecule time series, when single molecules experience the landscape within a given timescale of "observation." The theory is based on a framework we recently developed to extract a set of local equilibrium states (LESs) and their network from a scalar time series, such as distance between dye molecules tagged in a biomolecule. We scrutinize the appropriateness of the assumptions of local equilibration and local detailed balance among LESs at the single molecule level within the given timescale, rather than postulating them a priori. The self-consistent procedure in this article incorporates the effect of local correlation of the system dynamics inside potential basins, and the effect of finiteness of the sampled data points in assigning the boundary between different LESs. We propose a new simple scheme to assign the dimensionality of the energy landscape from a single molecule time series. We also address the question of what the molecules actually "feel" from the underlying landscape at the single molecule level.     

An in situ quick XAFS spectroscopy study on the formation mechanism of small gold nanoparticles supported by porphyrin-cored tetradentate passivants

We previously reported that a porphyrin-cored tetradentate passivant, which has two disulfide straps over one face of the porphyrin plane, can produce monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles, 2-4 nm in size, by the one-pot reduction of HAuCl(4) in DMF. The resulting nanoparticles are smaller than those prepared using the same S/Au molar ratio of a monodentate passivant. To examine the formation mechanism of small gold nanoparticles, the formation of gold nanoparticles in the presence of porphyrin-cored tetradentate passivants or a structurally related monodentate passivant was studied by time-resolved quick X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that all of Au ions in solution are reduced to compose small Au clusters, i.e. nuclei, just after the NaBH(4) reduction of HAuCl(4) in both cases, but their size varied with the initial S/Au molar ratios and structure of the passivants. Thus, the size of Au nuclei was kinetically controlled by the passivants. Interestingly, the porphyrin-cored tetradentate passivant could stabilize smaller gold nanoparticles, 2-4 nm in size, but it was less efficient in trapping the Au nuclei formed at a very early stage, in comparison to the monodentate passivant.     

Role of local and electronic structural changes with partially anion substitution lithium manganese spinel oxides on their electrochemical properties: X-ray absorption spectroscopy study

The electronic and local structures of partially anion-substituted lithium manganese spinel oxides as positive electrodes for lithium-ion batteries were investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). LiMn(1.8)Li(0.1)Ni(0.1)O(4-η)F(η) (η = 0, 0.018, 0.036, 0.055, 0.073, 0.110, 0.180) were synthesized by the reaction between LiMn(1.8)Li(0.1)Ni(0.1)O(4) and NH(4)HF(2). The shift of the absorption edge energy in the XANES spectra represented the valence change of Mn ion with the substitution of the low valent cation as Li(+), Ni(2+), or F(-) anion. The local structural change at each compound with the amount of a Jahn-Teller Mn(3+) ion could be observed by EXAFS spectra. The discharge capacity of the tested electrode was in the order of LiMn(2)O(4) > LiMn(1.8)Li(0.1)Ni(0.1)O(4-η)F(η) (η = 0.036) > LiMn(1.8)Li(0.1)Ni(0.1)O(4) while the cycleability was in the order of LiMn(1.8)Li(0.1)Ni(0.1)O(4-η)F(η) (η = 0.036) ≈ LiMn(1.8)Li(0.1)Ni(0.1)O(4) > LiMn(2)O(4). It was clarified that LiMn(1.8)Li(0.1)Ni(0.1)O(4-η)F(η) has a good cycleability because of the anion doping effect and simultaneously shows acceptable rechargeable capacity because of the large amount of the Jahn-Teller Mn(3+) ions in the pristine material.     

Rhodium-catalyzed synthesis of germoles via the activation of carbon-germanium bonds

The rhodium-catalyzed reaction of 2-germylphenylboronic esters with alkynes in the presence of a rhodium(I) catalyst is established as a modular method for the synthesis of an array of benzogermole derivatives. The reaction proceeds through the activation of C(sp(3))-Ge bonds. The mechanism of this new bond activation process is discussed based on the activation aptitude of alkyl and aryl substituents on germanium.     

Three-component synthesis of cyclic enaminones via ketene cyclization

Cyclic six-membered enaminones were synthesized from three components (bromodiazoacetone, primary amine, and alkyne) in high yields via aza-Michael addition, Wolff rearrangement, and nucleophilic ketene cyclization.     

Highly efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides catalyzed by indium tribromide system

A novel, efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonates from the reaction of epoxides and 1 atom of CO₂ under mild conditions (no solvent, 1 atom, room temperature) was achieved in good yields by using indium catalyst system.     

Asymmetric α-2-tosylvinylation of in situ-generated N-2-tosylvinyl proline-derived ammonium ylides

Asymmetric α-2-tosylvinylation of N-substituted proline esters using ethynyl tolyl sulfone as an electrophile was shown to proceed in good yield with high enantioselectivities without the addition of any bases. The reaction proceeds via the formation of N-2-tosylvinyl ammonium ylides.     

One-pot synthesis of selenoureas and selenocarbamates via selenation of isocyanates with bis(dimethylaluminum) selenide

Isocyanates were efficiently selenated by the reaction with bis(dimethylaluminum) selenide to give the corresponding isoselenocyanates. One-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical selenoureas and selenocarbamates was achieved in high yields by the subsequent addition of amines and alcoholates to the reaction mixture.