Imaging of chemical reactivity and buckled dimers on Si(100)2×1 reconstructed surface with noncontact AFM

We have investigated the force interactions between the Si tip and the Si(100)2×1 reconstructed surface in the noncontact atomic-force microscopy (AFM) measurement. We observed two types of frequency shift curves without and with discontinuity, similar to the Si(111)7×7 surface. The image contrast changes drastically whether the frequency shift curve shows discontinuity or not. In the case of the frequency shift curves without discontinuity, the noncontact AFM images almost reflect the surface topography including dimers and adsorbates. In the case of the frequency shift curves with discontinuity, they reflect strongly the chemical reactivity of surface. Furthermore, in the case of the frequency shift curves without discontinuity, for the first time, the stabilize-buckling of dimers induced by a defect can be observed. This suggests that the force interactions during the noncontact AFM measurement hardly influence the surface dynamics.     

Nonstoichiometric polycondensation I. synthesis of polythioether from dibromomethane and 4,4′-thiobisbenzenethiol

High molecular weight poly(phenylene thioether) ( 3 ) was successfully obtained by the polycondensation of 4,4′-thiobisbenzenethiol ( 1 ) and dibromomethane ( 2 ) with a variety of feed ratios in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) at 75°C. The resulting polymer showed the maximum inherent viscosity (η_inh) of 0.50 dL/g in 4 h when 1.5 equivalents excess of 2 was used. The model reaction using benzenethiol ( 4 ) and dichloromethane ( 5 ) in the presence of DBU in deuterated dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO-d₆) at 25°C indicated that the rate of the second nucleophilic displacement reaction (k₂) is 61 times faster than that of the first one (k₁). The maximum of theoretical molecular weights calculated at various stoichiometric imbalance (S) under the condition of k₂/k₁ = 61 showed a good agreement with the experimental molecular weights at specific polymerization times.     

Aerosol generation and measurement of multi-wall carbon nanotubes

Mass production of some kinds of carbon nanotubes (CNT) is now imminent, but little is known about the risk associated with their exposure. It is important to assess the propensity of the CNT to release particles into air for its risk assessment. In this study, we conducted aerosolization of a multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) to assess several aerosol measuring instruments. A Palas RBG-1000 aerosol generator applied mechanical stress to the MWCNT by a rotating brush at feed rates ranging from 2 to 20 mm/h, which the MWCNT was fed to a two-component fluidized bed. The fluidized bed aerosol generator was used to disperse the MWCNT aerosol once more. We monitored the generated MWCNT aerosol concentrations based on number, area, and mass using a condensation particle counter and nanoparticle surface area monitor. Also we quantified carbon mass in MWCNT aerosol samples by a carbon monitor. The shape of aerosolized MWCNT fibers was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The MWCNT was well dispersed by our system. We found isolated MWCNT fibers in the aerosols by SEM and the count median lengths of MWCNT fibers were 4–6 μm. The MWCNT was quantified by the carbon monitor with a modified condition based on the NIOSH analytical manual. The MWCNT aerosol concentration (EC mass base) was 4 mg/m³ at 2 mm/h in this study.     

Multicomponent Strecker Reaction under High Pressure

For the first time, uncatalyzed, high‐pressure (0.6 GPa) reactions with ketones have proven to be a powerful way to perform the three‐component Strecker synthesis of α‐amino nitriles in high yields. Two types of double Strecker reactions were achieved, but attempts to perform triple Strecker reactions were unsuccessful.     

Hydrogen‐bonded structures of the isomeric 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐carbamoylpyridinium hydrogen chloranilates

In the three isomeric salts, all C₆H₇N₂O⁺·C₆HCl₂O₄⁻, of chloranilic acid (2,5‐dichloro‐3,6‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone) with 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐carbamoylpyridine, namely, 2‐carbamoylpyridinium hydrogen chloranilate (systematic name: 2‐carbamoylpyridinium 2,5‐dichloro‐4‐hydroxy‐3,6‐dioxocyclohexa‐1,4‐dienolate), (I), 3‐carbamoylpyridinium hydrogen chloranilate, (II), and 4‐carbamoylpyridinium hydrogen chloranilate, (III), acid–base interactions involving H‐atom transfer are observed. The shortest interactions between the cation and the anion in (I) and (II) are pyridinium N—H...(O,O) bifurcated hydrogen bonds, which act as the primary intermolecular interaction in each crystal structure. In (III), an amide N—H...(O,O) bifurcated hydrogen bond, which is much weaker than the bifurcated hydrogen bonds in (I) and (II), connects the cation and the anion.     

Particle design of three-component system for sustained release using a 4-fluid nozzle spray-drying technique

We prepared composite particles of acetaminophen (Act) with chitosan (Cht) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) as a carrier using a newly developed 4-fluid nozzle spray-dryer. Cht dissolves in acid solutions and forms a gel, but it is insoluble in alkaline solutions. On the other hand, HPMCP is insoluble in acid solutions, but it dissolves in alkaline solutions. Therefore, we tested a preparation of controlled release composite particles using the characteristics of these carriers. Act and Cht mixtures in prescribed ratios were dissolved in an acid solution. Composite particles of Act and HPMCP in prescribed ratios were dissolved in alkaline solutions. We evaluated the composite particles of the three components (Act, Cht, and HPMCP) by preparing solid dispersions using a 4-fluid nozzle spray-dryer. Observation of particle morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the particles from the spray-drying process had atomized to several microns and had all become spherical. We investigated the physical properties of the composite particles by powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and dissolution rate analysis to clarify the effects of crystallinity on the dissolution rate. Powder X-ray diffraction peaks and the heat of fusion of Act in the spray-dried samples decreased in proportion to the carrier content, indicating that the drug was amorphous. These results indicate that the Act-Cht-HPMCP system formed a solid dispersion. Furthermore, we investigated the interaction between the drug and the carrier using FT-IR analysis. FT-IR spectroscopy of the Act solid dispersions suggested that the Act carbonyl and Cht amino groups formed a hydrogen bond. On the other hand, interaction by hydrogen bond was observed between the carbonyl group of HPMCP with the amino group of Act. In the three-component Act-Cht-HPMCP system, the 4-fluid nozzle spray-dried preparation with a mixing ratio of 1 : 2.5 : 2.5 obtained sustained release preparation in all pH test solutions.     

Stepwise guest adsorption with large hysteresis in a coordination polymer {[Cu(bhnq)(THF)2](THF)}n constructed from a flexible hingelike ligand

Reversible vapochromic behavior of a porous copper(II) coordination polymer {[Cu(bhnq)(THF)2](THF)}n (1; THF = tetrahydrofuran) constructed from a flexible hingelike ligand H2bhnq [2,2'-bis(3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone)] has been investigated by adsorption measurements. The isotherms show large hysteretic and stepwise profiles, suggesting the occurrence of the guest-induced framework transformation. The dynamic coil-like behavior of 1 can be controlled through the change of the hydrogen-bonding interactions caused by the reversible and selective incorporation of guest molecules.