Styrene-methyl acrylate copolymers and acrylate homopolymers in solution

Molecular weight determinations by light scattering and osmometry and intrinsic viscosity measurements were made in various solvents on fractions of styrene–methyl acrylate copolymers with different compositions and on acrylate homopolymers prepared by free-radical reaction. Relations between intrinsic viscosity [η] and molecular weight M thus established are compared with those reported by other authors. 2-Methylcyclohexanol was found to be a theta solvent for the copolymers and both parent homopolymers, and isoamyl acetate was a theta solvent for poly(methyl acrylate). From theta point viscosity data obtained with these solvents, unperturbed chain dimensions were estimated. The results are compared with the unperturbed dimensions estimated from the [η]–M relations obtained in good solvents. On the basis of the experimental data it was found that the unperturbed dimension depends linearly on the copolymer composition, in contrast to the case of styrene–methyl methacrylate copolymers. Composition dependences of the theta temperature and of the parameter describing the long-range interactions between nonadjacent segments in polymer chains were investigated. The result implies that long-range interactions between monomeric units never disappear even when those between the same monomeric units vanish. The Huggins constant for copolymer is discussed in terms of the excluded volume variable.     

Mechanisms of electron injection from retinoic acid and carotenoic acids to TiO2 nanoparticles and charge recombination via the T1 state as determined by subpicosecond to microsecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy: dependence on the conjugation length

To examine the mechanisms of electron injection to TiO2 in retinoic acid (RA) and carotenoic acids (CAs), including RA5, CA6, CA7, CA8, CA9, and CA11 having the number of conjugated double bonds n = 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11, respectively, their subpicosecond time-resolved absorption spectra were recorded free in solution and bound to TiO2 nanoparticles in suspension. The time-resolved spectra were analyzed by singular-value decomposition (SVD) followed by global fitting based on an energy diagram consisting of the 3A(g)(-), 1B(u)(-), 1B(u)(+), and 2A(g)(-) singlet excited states, whose energies had been determined as functions of 1/(2n + 1) by the use of carotenoids with n = 9-13. It was found that electron injection took place from both the 1B(u)(+) and 2A(g)(-) states in RA5, CA6, CA7, and CA8, whereas only from the 1B(u)(+) state in CA9 and CA11. The electron-injection efficiencies were determined, by the use of the relevant time constants determined by the SVD and global-fitting analyses, to be in the following order: RA5 approximately CA6 < CA7 > CA8 > CA9 > CA11. To determine the mechanism of charge recombination via the T(1) state, submicrosecond time-resolved absorption spectra of RA5, CA6, CA7, and CA8 bound to TiO2 nanoparticles in suspension were recorded. The SVD and global-fitting analyses lead us to a new scheme, which includes the formation of the D(0)(*+) - T(1) complex followed by transformation to both the D(0)(*+) and T(1) states. On the other hand, their one-electron oxidation potentials were determined, and their singlet and triplet levels were scaled to the conduction band edge (CBE) of TiO2. The T(1) level was lower than, but closest to, the CBE in RA5, and it became lower in the order RA5, CA6, CA7, and CA8. Consistent with the energy gap between the CBE and the T(1) levels, the generation of the T(1) state (or in other words, charge recombination) decreased in the order RA5 > CA6 > CA7 > CA8.     

First total synthesis of mytiloxanthin

The first total synthesis of mytiloxanthin 2 was accomplished via the cyclopentyl ketone 7 prepared by stereoselective rearrangement of the epoxide 4a.     

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Optically Active beta-D-glucopyranosides of 3-Hydroxy-7,8-didehydro-beta-ionol

A stereocontrolled synthesis of optically active beta-D-glucopyranosides 1-4 of 3-hydroxy-7,8-didehydro-beta-ionol utilizing an asymmetric transfer hydrogenation to alpha,beta-acetylenic ketones catalyzed by chiral ruthenium complexes as the key step is described.     

A stereoselective synthesis of β,γ-disubstituted allylic alcohols of z-configuration

Reaction of alkyllithiums $\text{1}$ with isoprene epoxide $\text{2}$ gives β,γ-disubstituted allylic alcohols $\text{3}$ of Z-configuration. The reaction of π-lithiotricyclene as alkyllithium gives α-santalol $\text{5}$, which is one of the main constituents in East Indian sandalwood oil.     

Total synthesis of cucurbitaxanthin A, cycloviolaxanthin and capsanthin 3,6-epoxide by applying a regioselective ring opening of tetrasubstituted epoxides

The synthesis of 3,6-epoxy carotenoids cucurbitaxanthin A 1, cycloviolaxanthin 2 and capsanthin 3,6-epoxide 3, was accomplished via the C(15)-3,6-epoxides 20e and 20f, prepared by the regioselective ring opening of the 3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxides 10e and 10f.     

A note on limitations of standard thermodynamics

Recently, as a common foundation of various branches in science, thermodynamics is getting fresh notice. One of the reasons are long‐range forces that may have far‐reaching consequences for the applicability of standard thermodynamics. In this paper we trace these consequences in connection with gravity, particle physics, condensed matter physics, and plasma physics. We point on scenarios (like hot plasmas of elementary particles in the early universe) where usually the applicability of standard thermodynamics is not even questioned. Therefore we wish to attract the reader's attention to such cases and mention some first steps towards non‐standard thermodynamics. It is, however, too early to propose final solutions at the present stage. We wish to provoke thoughts about the “old” thermodynamics from a modern perspective.     

Rapid determination of 4‐aminobutyric acid and L‐glutamic acid in biological decarboxylation process by capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry

4‐Aminobutylic acid (GABA) is a monomer of plastic polyamide 4. Bio‐based polyamide 4 can be produced by using GABA obtained from biomass. The production of L ‐glutamic acid (Glu) from biomass has been established. GABA is produced by decarboxylation of Glu in biological process. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with derivatization is generally used to determine the concentration of GABA and Glu in reacted solution samples for the efficient production of GABA. In this study, we have investigated the rapid determination of GABA and Glu by capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry (CE‐MS) without derivatization. The determination was achieved with the use of a shortened capillary, a new internal standard for GABA, and optimization of sheath liquid composition. Determined concentrations of GABA and Glu by CE‐MS were compared with those by pre‐column derivatization HPLC with phenylisothiocyanate. The determined values by CE‐MS were close to those by HPLC with pre‐column derivatization. These results suggest that the determination of GABA and Glu in reacted solution is rapid and simplified by the use of CE‐MS.     

Understanding the Biosynthesis of Paxisterol in Lichen-Derived Penicillium aurantiacobrunneum for Production of Fluorinated Derivatives

The U.S. endemic lichen (Niebla homalea)-derived Penicillium aurantiacobrunneum produced a cytotoxic paxisterol derivative named auransterol (2) and epi-citreoviridin (6). Feeding assay using ¹³C₁-labelled sodium acetate not only produced C-13-labelled paxisterol but also confirmed the biosynthetic origin of the compound. The fluorination of bioactive compounds is known to improve pharmacological and pharmacokinetic effects. Our attempt to incorporate the fluorine atom in paxisterol and its derivatives using the fluorinated precursor sodium monofluoroacetate resulted in the isolation of 7-monofluoroacetyl paxisterol (7). The performed culture experiment, as well as the isolation and structure elucidation of the new fluorinated paxisterol, is discussed herein.     

Real-time measurement of a thickness of a thin coating by means of sheet laser

An ingenious optical method was developed for measuring the thickness of a coating directly and in real time at a measuring frequency of a few tens of Hz. The basic optical arrangement is very simple, and consists of a semiconductor laser, two cylindrical lenses, and a silicon photodiode array or CCD camera. The range of measurable thickness is roughly between λ and 100λ, where λ is a wavelength of the laser light, and its measuring error is a few percent. The previously developed method for measuring the thin film in air, which can be analyzed theoretically, can also be applied for estimating the thickness of a coating on the substratum within an error of 2%.