Studies on thermally induced structural changes in silicon based polymers by positron annihilation

Temperature dependence of positron annihilation lifetime spectra of polysilanes such as, poly(methyl-n-propylsilane) (PMPrS) and poly(di-n-hexylsilane) (PDHS) has been investigated. The τ₃ in PMPrS is seen to increase monotonically around the solid–liquid transition temperature. The transition temperature and free volume are observed to depend on the molecular weight and/or packing of the backbones. For PDHS, a sharp change in τ₃ and I₃ is seen at the solid–solid transition temperature. Free volume radius probability density functions, above and below the transition temperature, are presented in PMPrS and PDHS. Positron studies are complimented by conventional thermal analysis studies.     

Site symmetry and crystal field splittings of Ce 3+ in LiLuF 4 and LiSr 0.8 Ca 0.2 AlF 6

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Ce 3+ in LiLuF 4 (LLF) and LiSr 0.8 Ca 0.2 AlF 6 (LSCAF) observed at low temperatures (<20 v K) show that the Ce 3+ centers have tetragonal and pseudo-trigonal symmetry with ( g , g )=(2.751, 1.467) and (2.14, 0.80), respectively. The EPR lines of Ce 3+ in LSCAF are inhomogeneously broadened by different Ce 3+ configurations which correspond to the random occupation of the second nearest neighbor cation sites by Ca 2+ and Sr 2+ and/or charge compensators. These EPR results indicate that the Ce 3+ centers in LLF and LSCAF are associated with substitution of Ce 3+ for Lu 3+ with eight-fold coordination and Sr 2+ /Ca 2+ with six-fold coordination, respectively. Fourier transform infrared absorption has been used to measure transitions between the 2 F 5/2 ground state and the 2 F 7/2 multiplet of Ce 3+ in LLF at 10 v K. The optical absorption and luminescence of Ce 3+ :LLF and Ce 3+ :LSCAF in the UV range are strongly polarized. The energy levels and polarization dependence of the optical transitions can be accounted for in terms of the crystal field potential experienced by the Ce 3+ ions under the action of the different point group symmetries.     

Stabilizing the monodromy of an open book decomposition

We prove that any mapping class on a compact oriented surface with non-empty boundary can be made pseudo-Anosov and right-veering after a sequence of positive stabilizations.      

Laccase‐catalyzed polymerization of lignocatechol and affinity on proteins of resulting polymers

For the synthesis of a new biologically functional polymer from a natural resource by an environment‐friendly method, the laccase‐catalyzed polymerization of a lignin‐based macromonomer, lignocatechol, was carried out for the first time in ethanol–phosphate buffer solvent system to give crosslinked polymers in good yields. Lignocatechol was prepared by the phase separation system of lignin and catechol in aqueous sulfuric acid. The copolymerization was also performed with urushiol to afford the corresponding copolymers in high yields. The polymerization mechanism was estimated by the IR and pyrolysis GC‐MS measurements, suggesting that the polymerization proceeded mainly at the catechol ring through a quinone radical intermediate. The thermal properties were measured by the DSC, TG, and TMA analyses, indicating that the polymers had high thermal stabilities because of the crosslinked structures. In addition, it was found that the resulting polymers had the affinity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and glucoamylase. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 824–832, 2009     

Stereoselective synthesis of trans olefins by the reaction of Wittig reagents with selenium. Formation of selenocarbonyl compounds.

Wittig reagents were successfully changed to symmetrical olefins when treated with elemental selenium. The reaction proceeds through a selenocarbonyl intermediate, which existence was confirmed by Diels-Alder reaction.     

One-pot stereospecific construction of cis-clerodane skeleton by means of doubly stereocontrolled cyclization: Total synthesis of linaridial

Doubly stereocontrolled cyclization of the allylsilane derivative 1 followed by trapping of the enolate with ClCH₂SMe gives in one-pot manner the decalone derivatve 5 in which all of the four contiguous diastereomeric centers of -clerodane skeleton have been secured. The total synthesis of linaridial 4 have been accomplished from 5.     

A novel anthracene-based fluorescent colorimetric sensor for the simple naked-eye diagnosis of methylmalonic aciduria

A novel molecular sensor using anthracene bearing two amidopyridines emits blue fluorescence in the presence of succinic acid and green fluorescence in the presence of malonic acid, and its fluorescence intensity increased upon binding. Using this molecular sensor, we succeeded in detecting the difference of one carbon atom between succinic acid and malonic acid with the naked-eye. Furthermore, when methylmalonic acid was dissolved in urine to provide a model system for methylmalonic aciduria, the fluorescence changed from blue to green, and methylmalonic acid was successfully detected with the naked-eye.     

Non-extractable photoinitiators based on thiol-functionalized benzophenones and thioxanthones

Non-extractable photoinitiators could be advantageous for use in biological, electronic, and food packaging applications. Therefore, thioxanthone and benzophenone derivatives were synthesized from 1,6-hexane dithiol and chlorinated benzophenone or thioxanthone. The efficiency of thiol-functionalized photoinitiators in combination with amine co-initiators was compared to benzophenone and isopropylthioxanthone with amine co-initiators, and the cleavage of photoinitiator 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one in acrylic resins. The reaction kinetics were analyzed using photo-differential scanning calorimetry and real-time FTIR. Coating physical properties were evaluated by pendulum and pencil hardness, steel-wool scratch and mandrel bend tests. The non-extractable photoinitiators had higher absorbance than their benzophenone or isopropylthioxanthone counterparts due to the sulfide substitution on the phenyl ring, and the free thiol groups reacted with the acrylate by either an amine catalyzed Michael addition or a free-radical chain process. The combination of thiol-functionalized photoinitiators with secondary amines provides an efficient photoinitiator system that is locked into the photopolymerized network and cannot be extracted with typical solvents.