Modification of Spatial Coherence by Means of Low-Order Zernike-Mode Adaptive Optics

Spatial coherence of the field modified by low-order adaptive optics is analyzed to establish a theoretical basis for the recent idea of using adaptive optics as a spatial coherence modifier. In this context low-order adaptive optics has the ability to correct some of the low-order aberrations specified by Zernike polynomials. The initial field to be modified is assumed to be a spatially partially coherent one resulting from phase disturbance. It is demonstrated, as in the previous study, that low-order adaptive optics serves to enhance the spatial coherence of the resultant field and that the effect of the enhancement becomes stronger as the spatial coherence of the initially partially coherent field increases. Potential applications of low-order adaptive optics as a spatial coherence modifier are briefly discussed.     

Effect of solvent on the cation-sensitive fluorescence of polyanions bearing 4′-acryloylbenzo-18-crown-6 Units

Changes in the fluorescence intensity of polyanions bearing 4-acryloylbenzo-18-crown-6 units on the addition of cations were studied in a mixed solvent of methanol and water at 30°C. The sensitivity of the change in fluorescence intensities of the polymers toward cations was strongly enhanced compared to that of the corresponding model compound. When alkali metal cations were added, the fluorescence intensity of the polymers decreased in the orders Li⁺>Na⁺>Cs⁺>Rb⁺>K⁺ in a methanol-water (19) mixture and Li⁺>Na⁺>Rb⁺>K⁺Cs⁺ in a methanol-water (91) mixture. Alkaline earth metal cations and alkylamine hydrochlorides decreased the fluorescence intensity of the polymers in a methanol-water (19) mixture. The cation-dependent decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the polymers was affected by the water fraction in a mixed solvent of methanol and water.     

Asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted beta-nitro alcohols and enantiomerically enriched 4,4,5-trisubstituted oxazolidinones

It is demonstrated that alpha,alpha-disubstituted-alpha-nitroketones are reduced to the corresponding trisubstituted nitro alcohols in good to excellent yield and enantiomeric excess by borane-dimethyl sulfide in the presence of a chiral oxazaborolidine catalyst. Reduction of the nitro alcohols to the corresponding amino alcohols and their subsequent conversion to enantiomerically enriched 4,4,5-trisubstituted oxazoldinones is also reported.     

Detection of a metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP-1) by fluorescent probes having dansyl and thiol groups

A fluorescent probe for the detection of a metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP-1), N-[2-(5-dimethylaminonaphthalen-1-ylsulfonylamino)ethyl]-3- mercaptopropionamide (Dansyl-C2SH), 1, was designed based on combining the inhibitory function of mercaptocarboxylate and a fluorophore. The binding of 1 to IMP-1 was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Compound 1 can act as fluorescent probe for detecting IMP-1 selectively.     

Synthesis and photo-induced dissolution of polymers bearing imino sulfonate groups

Novel photosensitive polymers were synthesized by the copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylideneimino p-styrenesulfonate (NISS) and by the ternary polymerization of methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and 9-fluorenylideneiminop-styrene-sulfonate (FISS). NISS and FISS units showed good sensitivity to light of wavelengths below 300 nm and below 366 nm, respectively. Although the polymers were insoluble in aqueous alkaline solutions, on irradiation with UV light they became soluble in aqueous alkaline solutions. A remarkable decrease in molecular weight of the polymers was observed during the photolysis of imino sulfonate groups incorporated into the polymers, which assisted the dissolution of the irradiated polymers.     

Determination of pheophytinatonickel(II) by reversed-phase highperformance liquid chromatography

Summary HPLC determination of pheophytinatonicke(II) (Pheo-Ni) prepared by the replacement of magnesium(II) in chlorophyll with nicke(II) is described. The good separation of PheoNi was obtained by using chemically bonded C₁₈ as the stationary phase and acetone-methanol (50∶50, vol/vol) as the mobile phase. Conventional spectrophotometric method was also used for the determination of PheoNi. For the synthetic samples prepared by mixing (pheophytinato a) nicke(II) [(Pheo-a) Ni] and (pheophytinato b) nicke(II) [(Pheo-b) Ni], analytical values obtained by the spectrophotometric method were very high compared to those obtained by HPLC. In the proposed HPLC method, (Pheo-a) Ni and (Pheo-b). Ni could be determined in the concentration range of 0.028–30μg/ml and 0.038–30μg/ml with relative standard deviations (n=10) of 3.1% and 0.8%, respectively.     

Synthesis of Substituted Phenyl Esters of Amino Acids and Polycondensation in Langmuirblodgett Films

Long-alkyl-chain phenyl esters of β-alanine, glycine, and L-valine were prepared, and their monolayer properties were correlated with their molecular structures. These compounds formed stable monolayers on acidic subphases. In particular, the p-hexadecylphenyl esters of β-alanine and glycine were remarkably stable, and their monolayers could be deposited on calcium fluoride plates as Y-type film by Blodgett's technique. The polycondensation of multilayers under an atmosphere saturated with triethylamine was investigated by changes in the IR spectra. It was determined that the polycondensation proceeded by a first-order reaction mechanism in the initial stage and that the rate in multilayers was faster than that in the bulk crystalline powder. These results suggest that the polycondensation is accelerated by a regular arrangement of the monomer in the multilayers, where the active sites are concentrated and located better for the polycondensation. In the case of the polycondensation in multilayers of the glycine ester, two kinds of condensation proceeded to afford poly(glycine) and 2,5-piperazinedione.     

Synthesis of L-Lysine and L-Glutamic Acid Derivatives with Long Alkyl Chains and Polycondensation of Langmuir-Blodgett Films

Two esters of L-lysine and L-glutamic acid containing long alkyl groups were synthesized and their polycondensation in monolayers and multilayers was investigated. The pressure-area isotherms of the ester of L-lysine depend markedly on the time of residence at the air-water interface. The change of FT-IR spectra of the deposited film, which can be lifted as a Z-type film, indicates that polycondensation can occur in the monolayer at 10°C without any treatment. The spectrum of the film cast from chloroform hardly changed with time. These results lead to the conclusion that a regular arrangement of monomer molecules in the monolayer, where the amino and ester carbonyl groups are concentrated, is more suitable for the polycondensation. The ester of L-glutamic acid can also form stable monolayers which can be easily deposited on a hydrophobic plate as a Y-type film by the Blodgett technique. The polycondensation of multilayers under an atmosphere of triethylamine was investigated by IR spectroscopy. It indicates that the condensation in multilayers proceeds via intermolecular and intramolecular reactions, by which poly(L-glutamate) derivatives and 2-pyrrolidone derivatives are formed, respectively. The condensation in the bulk crystalline powder gives exclusively the 2-pyrrolidone derivative by intramolecular reaction. These results suggest that the monomer molecules in the multilayers are favorably aligned for the intermolecular reaction, in contrast to the situation in the bulk crystalline powder.