Surface Modification of Fine Particles with a SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Film by Using a Polyhedral-Barrel Sputtering System

Fine particles were modified with a thin film of SnO₂ by using a barrel sputtering system that is a dry process. The conditions for the preparation of SnO₂ were studied by reactive sputtering onto a glass plate substrate. The optimal conditions for the preparation of tetragonal SnO₂ were identified as 60% partial oxygen pressure and 1.0 Pa total gas pressure with the substrate at room temperature. Under the optimized conditions, the surfaces of Al flake particles were modified with a thin film of SnO₂. XRD and SEM/EDS analysis of the prepared samples showed that the Al particle surfaces were uniformly modified by a thin film of SnO₂ in all cases. The film thicknesses were 80, 130, and 180 nm at RF outputs of 195, 350, and 490 W. These measured thicknesses coincided with the values estimated from the interference colors of the samples.     

Thermosensitive biodegradable polydepsipeptide

A poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-like biodegradable thermosensitive polydepsipeptide, poly[Glc-Asn(N-isopropyl)], was synthesized by introducing an isopropyl amide group into poly[Glc-Asn]. Poly[Glc-Asn(N-isopropyl)] was degraded in vitro by cleavage of the ester bonds in the main chain in water at room temperature. The non-toxic nature of the polymer and its degradation products, coupled with a cloud point at 29 degrees C in water, make this polymer attractive for biomedical implant applications.     

Rapid ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of pyranopyrandiones by reconstructive carbonylation of cyclopropenones involving C[bond]C bond cleavage

Pyranopyrandiones were prepared by a novel ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylative dimerization of cyclopropenones via C-C bond cleavage. For example, treatment of dipropylcyclopropenone with a catalytic amount of Ru3(CO)12 and NEt3 in THF under 15 atm of carbon monoxide at 140 degrees C for 20 h gave a novel functional monomer, 3,4,7,8-tetrapropylpyrano[6,5-e]pyran-2,6-dione, in an isolated yield of 81%. Unsymmetrically substituted pyranopyrandiones were also obtained by ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of cyclopropenones with alkynes under similar reaction conditions.     

Measurement of low concentrations of hydrogen in small samples by intermediate neutron moderation

An improved method based on the moderation of intermediate neutrons for the measurement of hydrogen in small samples is described. With the aid of boron and cadmium filters, a space shielded from slow neutrons is set up close to an isotopic neutron source shrouded by water moderator. A BF₃ proportional counter enclosed with a sample cell is placed in this space. The neutron count rate of the counter increases when a hydrogen-containing material is introduced into the cell, due to the moderation of intermediate neutrons passing through the filters. With a 1.3 μg²⁵²Cf neutron source, the lower limit of hydrogen detection for 200 ml samples in 10 min count time is 0.01 wt.%. This method is suitable for measuring the H₂O content of heavy water.     

Molecular Recognition Study on a Supramolecular System. Part 21. Inclusion Complexation Thermodynamics of Aliphatic Alcohols by Organoselenium Modified β-Cyclodextrins

The spectrophotometric titrations have beenperformed at 25–40 °C in aqueous solution to give the complexstability constants and the thermodynamic parametersfor the stoichiometric 1 : 1 inclusion complexation ofvarious aliphatic alcohols withmono[6-(phenylseleno)-6-deoxy]--cyclodextrin (2),mono[6-(o-, m-,p-tolylseleno)-6-deoxy]--cyclodextrin (3–5),mono[6-(p-chloro-phenyl-seleno)-6-deoxy]--cyclodextrin(6), mono[6-(benzylseleno)-6-deoxy]--cyclodextrin (7) and mono[6-(naphthaleneseleno)-6-deoxy]--cyclodextrin(8). On thebasis of the present and previous results, themolecular binding abilities and selectivities forguest aliphatic alcohols of the host -cyclodextrinderivatives (2–8) are discussed comparatively and globallyfrom the thermodynamic point of view. Thethermodynamic parameters obtained are criticalfunctions of the size/shape of aliphatic alcohols, andthe position and type of the substituent introduced tothe aromatic ring of -cyclodextrin's sidearm,which are elucidatedin terms of the conformational, electrostatic,hydrogen-bonding, and hydrophobic effects.     

Synthetic organic chemistry with 2-ethoxy-2-(phenylselenenyl)perfluoroalk-2-enenitrile: application to alpha-cyanoperfluoroacylation of aldehydes

(Z)- and (E)-2-Ethoxyperfluoro-2-(phenylselenenyl)alk-2-enenitriles 2-4 prepared by our original method underwent transmetalation on treatment with n-BuLi or EtMgBr, and the successive reaction with aldehyde and ketones afforded the corresponding allylic alcohols 10a-f, 9a, and 11a,b in good to high yields. Hydrolysis of the alcohols gave alpha-cyano-alpha,beta-unsaturated perfluoroalkyl ketones 13a-c, 13e, 12a, and 15a. alpha-Cyanoperfluoroalkyl ketones were easily converted to alpha,beta-unsaturated 3-aryl-2-cyanoallylic alcohols 18-22 having interesting biological activities and chemical reactivities.