A bimodal structure of solution-grown isotactic polypropylene with orthogonally crossed lamellae

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was crystallized from solution on a uniaxially-oriented iPP film. Small-angle x-ray scattering patterns obtained from the sample showed two perpendicularly crossed lameliae 9.3 nm thick that overgrew flat-on and edge-on on the substrate. In the through wide-angel x-ray diffraction pattern (taken with incident x-rays normal to the iPP film surface), strong hkO reflections were arranged in an hkO net pattern indicating that the a-axis of the monoclinic α unit cell was oriented parallel to the chain direction of the substrate. From this, it was concluded that the flat-on lamellae grew with the a-axis parallel to the chain axis of the substrate and with the b-axis parallel to its surface. In the edge wide-angle x-ray diffraction pattern (X-rays incident on the edge of the film), arced, strong 110 and 220 reflections from overgrown crystals were observed on the equator of the fiber pattern of the substrate. This indicated that the edge-on lamellae epitaxially grew with the c-axis aligned parallel to the chain axis of the substrate. The homoepitaxy explains the correlated growth mode between the orthogonally crossed lamellae: they grew epitaxially, the a-axis of one lamella coinciding with the c-axis of the other and the {010} planes in contact. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Characterization of specific noncovalent complexes between guanidinium derivatives and single-stranded DNA by MALDI

Noncovalently bound complexes between highly basic sites of 12 guanidinium compounds and single-stranded DNA were studied using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. 6-Aza-2-thiothymine (ATT) was used as the matrix in the presence of ammonium citrate, and spectra were recorded in the positive ion mode. Detailed control experiments confirmed unambiguously the high selectivity and specificity of the guanidinium moiety for phosphate groups of DNA. The results verify the binding stoichiometry and show preferential binding of hydrophobic binders (pyrene and anthracene guanidinium derivatives) to all sequences examined. In addition, we demonstrate that electrostatic noncovalent interactions are strengthened with phosphorothioate analogs of DNA. These results clearly highlight the structure-directing role of the self-assembling organic species and strongly emphasize the significance of concentration, hydrophobicity, hydrogen-bonding, and pi-pi interactions of the artificial receptor in the formation of these noncovalent complexes. Because of the ability of DNA-binding compounds to influence gene expression, and therefore cell proliferation and differentiation, the interactions described above could be important in providing a better understanding of the mechanism of action of these noncovalent genetic regulators.     

Accelerating effect of glutathione on hydroxylation of phenylalanine by stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Sulfhydryl compounds significantly accelerated the hydroxylation of phenylalanine by stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The reduced form of glutathione (G-SH) was most effective. The hydroxylation reaction in the presence of G-SH was largely prevented by superoxide dismutase and hydroxyl radical scavengers. The results suggest that a much faster production of hydroxyl radical may occur in a reaction mixture containing both G-SH and stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes than in that containing stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes alone.     

Toward Efficient Synthesis of Chiral Zeolites: A Rational Strategy for Fluoride-Free Synthesis of STW-Type Zeolite

The STW-type zeolite is attractive for developing novel enantioselective syntheses/separation of chiral compounds because it is the only chiral zeolitic microporous material whose enantioenriched synthesis has been achieved. In addition to the conventional industries in which zeolites are used, STW should have diverse industrial applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. However, the toxic and caustic fluoride required for synthesizing STW severely hinders its commercialization by mass production. Herein, we report the first example of fluoride-free STW synthesis, in which the two roles of fluoride—formation of a zeolitic framework rich in tetravalent T-atoms and promotion of double 4-membered ring unit formation—were substituted by dry gel conversion and Ge addition, respectively. The STW obtained was highly crystalline, with a similar micropore volume and thermal stability as those of original fluoride-based STW. Our approach is promising not only for the fluoride-free synthesis of enantiomeric STW but also for general fluoride-free syntheses.     

Positive definite matrix approximation with condition number constraint

Positive definite matrix approximation with a condition number constraint is an optimization problem to find the nearest positive definite matrix whose condition number is smaller than a given constant. We demonstrate that this problem can be converted to a simpler one when we use a unitary similarity invariant norm as a metric. We can especially convert it to a univariate piecewise convex optimization problem when we use the Ky Fan p-k norm. We also present an analytical solution to the problem whose metric is the spectral norm and the trace norm.     

Reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities of Plantago-mucilage A, the main mucilage from the seed of Plantago asiatica, and its five modification products.

Five kinds of chemically modified products were prepared from Plantago-mucilage A, the representative mucous polysaccharide isolated from the seed of Plantago asiatica L., and their reticuloendothelial system-potentiating and alkaline phosphatase-inducing activities have been investigated. Both activities were markedly enhanced when the mucilage was de-O-acetylated. The products obtained by periodate oxidation, controlled Smith degradation, and partial acid hydrolysis under the two conditions were not effective. Structural features of the partial hydrolyzates were elucidated, and it was shown that these products lost all O-acetyl groups, all xylose branches and many hexuronosyl arabinose side chains.     

Importance of chiral phase-transfer catalysts with dual functions in obtaining high enantioselectivity in the Michael reaction of malonates and chalcone derivatives

[reaction: see text]. Highly enantioselective Michael addition of diethyl malonate to chalcone derivatives has been achieved under mild phase-transfer conditions by the successful utilization of N-spiro C(2)-symmetric chiral quaternary ammonium bromide 1 as a catalyst, which possesses diarylhydroxymethyl functionalities as a recognition site for the prochiral electrophile. This simple asymmetric Michael addition process was found to be quite effective for various chalcone derivatives, including those with heteroaromatic substituents.