Changing the volume of a giant macrocycle: the swelling of the macrocycle with organic solvents

The novel tetrahedral macrocycles 1a-1c have been synthesized. Macrocycles 1a and 1c were revealed to have the property to increase in volume in solution by complexation between the macrocycle and the solvent molecules.     

Dual‐Controlled Macroscopic Motions in a Supramolecular Hierarchical Assembly of Motor Amphiphiles

Three‐dimensional unidirectionally aligned and responsive supramolecular hierarchical assemblies have much potential in adaptive materials for biomedical and soft actuator applications. However, to achieve systematical control of the motion of stimuli‐responsive materials by orthogonal external stimuli and to complete a series of complicated tasks remains a grand challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a novel designed hybrid supramolecular assembly of molecular motor amphiphiles that also serves as a template for iron nanoparticles growth, and as a consequence this soft hybrid material is orthogonally controlled by dual light/magnetic stimuli. Macroscopic motor amphiphile strings, decorated with iron nanoparticles, provide fast response photoactuations and magnet induced movements that allows a precisely controlled cargo transport process.     

A circular dichroism study of the interaction between<Emphasis Type="Italic"> n</Emphasis>-decanoyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylglucamide and surface active agents in mixed micelles

The interaction between MEGA-10 and surface active agents was studied by means of circular dichroism. The molecular ellipticity of MEGA-10 varied with the addition of surface active agents, but its peak wavelength did not. The carbonyl group of MEGA-10 did not interact with the nonionic surface active agents nor the catanionic surfactant (of which the anionic and cationic portions were decanesulfonate and decyltrimethylammonium, respectively). It did, however, interact with the ionic surfactants, and also strongly with the ammonium group and the benzene ring. The interaction between MEGA-10 and ionic surfactant charges did not differ according to the sign of the charge. Circular dichroism spectra are a useful tool for performing research into the interaction between an optically active carbonyl group and an additive.     

Characterization of partial 3-trees in terms of three structures

A characterization of partial 3-trees is given based on the elimination sequence of vertices. It is proved that a partial 3-tree contains a vertex set satisfying either of certain three kinds of neighborhood relations on vertices and that a graph is a partial 3-tree if and only if eliminating such a vertex set results in a partial 3-tree. These results yield anO(n ²) time algorithm to recognize 3-trees.     

Inclusion kinetics of a nucleotide into a cyclodextrin cavity by means of ultrasonic relaxation

To examine a dynamic interaction between nucleotide and cyclic oligosaccharide, ultrasonic absorption measurements were carried out in aqueous solution containing beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) in the frequency range of 0.8-95 MHz. A relaxational absorption was observed in the solution, although it was not found in the individual solution of beta-CD or AMP. From the concentration dependences of AMP on the relaxation time and the maximum absorption per wavelength, the cause of the relaxation was attributed to a perturbation of a chemical equilibrium associated with a complex formation between beta-CD (host) and AMP (guest). The rate constants for the formation and breakup processes of the complex were determined. Also, a standard volume change of the reaction was obtained. From comparisons of the obtained rate and thermodynamic parameters with those for beta-CD and various guests, it has been concluded that the adenine moiety is included in the beta-CD cavity and that the hydrogen bonds may play a role in the complex formation.     

Design of discotic liquid crystal enabling complete switching along with memory of homeotropic and homogeneous alignment over a large area

The alignment control of discotic columnar liquid crystals (LCs), featuring a low motility of the constituent molecules and thus having a large viscosity, is a challenging task. Here we show that triphenylene hexacarboxylic ester, when functionalized with hybrid side chains consisting of alkyl and perfluoroalkyl groups in an appropriate ratio, gives a hexagonal columnar (Col_h) LC capable of selectively forming large-area uniform homeotropic or homogeneous alignments, upon cooling from its isotropic melt or upon application of a shear force at its LC temperature, respectively. In addition to the alignment switching ability, each alignment state remains persistent unless the LC is heated to its melting temperature. In situ X-ray diffraction analysis under the application of a shear force, together with polarized optical microscopy observations, revealed how the columnar assembly is changed during the alignment-switching process. The remarkable behavior of the discotic LC is discussed in terms of its rheological properties.

A columnar liquid crystal consisting of a triphenylene hexacarboxylic ester mesogen and semifluoroalkyl side chains shows complete switching between homeotropic and homogeneous alignments, each of which remains persistent up to its melting point.     

Photochemical welding of silica microspheres to silicone rubber by ArF excimer laser

Transparent fused silica (SiO₂) microspheres 2.5 μm in diameter were photochemically welded to transparent, flexible silicone rubber ([SiO(CH₃)₂]_n) substrate by 193 nm ArF excimer laser induced photochemical modification of silicone into silicon oxide. Single layer of silica microspheres was easily formed on an adhesive silicone rubber before laser irradiation after dropping of silica microspheres dispersed in ethanol and subsequent tape peeling. The welding rate, the percentage of welded microspheres tested by ultrasonic cleaning with ethanol, was examined by varying the single pulse fluence and irradiation time of ArF excimer laser. The welding layer underneath microsphere, silicon oxide, was also found to emit white light of strong intensity under UV light illumination.