Inductive effect-assisted chain-growth polycondensation. synthetic development from para- to meta-substituted aromatic polyamides with low polydispersities

The polycondensation of m-(octylamino)benzoic acid esters (1) with base was investigated in order to extend the synthesis of well-defined condensation polymers from para-substituted polymers to meta-substituted ones. We expected that the aminyl anion of 2 would deactivate the ester moiety at the meta position of 2 owing to the strong inductive effect of the anion, resulting in, not self-polycondensation, but chain-growth polycondensation. The methyl ester monomer 1a polymerized with lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) in the presence of phenyl benzoate (3a) as an initiator at 0 degrees C to afford a polymer with a low polydispersity, but the product contained a small amount of self-condensation polymer. On the other hand, the polymerization of the ethyl ester monomer (1b) with phenyl 4-methylbenzoate (3b) proceeded through chain polymerization without self-polycondensation. The Mn values of the polymers increased linearly in proportion to the [1b]0/[3b]0 ratio, and the Mw/Mn ratios remained narrow over the entire [1b]0/[3b]0 range. Furthermore, a block copolymer of N-alkylated poly(m-benzamide) and poly(p-benzamide) with a low polydispersity was synthesized by the monomer addition method under this polymerization condition.     

Photocatalytic activity of R3MO7 and R2Ti2O7 (R=Y, Gd, La; M=Nb, Ta) for water splitting into H2 and O2

The photocatalytic activities of R3MO7 and R2Ti2O7 (R=Y, Gd, La; M=Nb, Ta) strongly depended on the crystal structure. Overall, photocatalytic water splitting into H2 and O2 proceeded over La3TaO7 and La3NbO7, which have an orthorhombic weberite structure, Y2Ti2O7 and Gd2Ti2O7, which have a cubic pyrochlore structure, and La2Ti2O7, which has a monoclinic perovskite structure. All of these materials are composed of a network of corner-shared octahedral units of metal cations (TaO6, NbO6, or TiO6); materials without such a network were inactive. The octahedral network certainly increased the mobility of electrons and holes, thereby enhancing photocatalytic activity.     

Regiocontrolled intramolecular cyclizations of carboxylic acids to carbon-carbon triple bonds promoted by acid or base catalyst

We systematically investigated, for the first time, the relationship between regioselectivity and acid/base effects in the cyclization reactions between carboxylic acids and carbon-carbon triple bonds. We found novel acid- and base-promoted cyclizations to selectively give isocoumarin or pyran-2(2H)-one and phthalide or furan-2(5H)-one skeletons, respectively, and established a catalytic version of regioselective heterocyclic ring synthesis. Density functional theory calculations and application to a short route to thunberginol A were also described. [reaction: see text].     

Design of Photostable,Activatable Near‐Infrared Photoacoustic Probes Using Tautomeric Benziphthalocyanine as a Platform

Near‐infrared (NIR) imaging techniques have attracted significant attention for biological and medicinal applications due to the ability of NIR to penetrate deeply into tissues. However, there are very few stable, activatable molecular probes that can utilize NIR light in the wavelength range beyond 800 nm. Herein, we report a new activatable NIR system for photoacoustic imaging based on tautomeric benziphthalocyanines (BPcs). We found that the existence of a free hydroxyl group is crucial for NIR absorption of BPcs. Synthesized water‐soluble hydroxy BPcs exhibited high photostability and no fluorescence, which are desirable features for photoacoustic imaging. We synthesized BPcs in which the free hydroxyl group was masked by an esterase‐labile or an H₂O₂‐labile group. The photoacoustic signals of these hydroxy‐masked BPcs were increased upon NIR excitation at 880 nm in the presence of esterase or H₂O₂, respectively. These are rare examples of activatable probes utilizing NIR light at around 900 nm.     

Characteristics of voltage holding ratio and residual direct current voltage for polymer-sustained-alignment liquid crystal cells formed from mixed monomers containing biphenyl- and benzilketal-groups

Abstract

For improving process efficiency of polymer-sustained-alignment liquid crystal displays (PSA-LCDs), new photo-initiation monomers (PI-monomers), 2-methoxy-2-methacryloyl-oxy-ethoxy-2-phenylacetophenon (2-MMOEP) and 2,2-dimethacryloyl-oxy-ethoxy-2-phenylacetophenon (2,2-DMOEP), were developed and investigated image sticking characteristics. LC cells having PSA layers formed from a monomer 4,4′-dimethacryloyl-oxy-biphenyl (4,4′-DMABiph) and each PI-monomer were fabricated, and voltage holding ratio (VHR) and residual direct current voltage (V_rDC) were clarified as the image sticking characteristics. The VHR and the V_rDC were improved with the LC cells having the PSA layers formed from 4,4′-DMABiph and 2,2-DMOEP owing to large rate constant of polymerization. In contrast, the VHR and the V_rDC were deteriorated with the LC cells having the PSA layers formed from 4,4′-DMABiph and 2-MMOEP. The deterioration of the VHR and the V_rDC was derived from the increase in the concentration of radical and/or ion generated from 2-MMOEP. The results indicate that the number of polymerizable group in the PI-monomer is important, and plural number of polymerizable group in the PI-monomer leads to high VHR and low V_rDC.     

Anomalous magnetic field effects on photochemical reactions in ionic liquid under ultrahigh fields of up to 28 T

The magnetic field effects (MFEs) on photoinduced hydrogen abstraction reactions between benzophenone and thiophenol in an ionic liquid, N,N,N-trimethyl-N-propylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (TMPA TFSI), were studied by a nanosecond laser flash photolysis technique under ultrahigh fields of up to 28 T. Extremely large and anomalous stepwise MFEs were observed for the first time. The escape yield of benzophenone ketyl radical decreased with increasing magnetic field strength (B) at 0 T相似文献   

Fabrication and characterization of high performance cathode supported small-scale SOFC for intermediate temperature operation

A high performance small-scale solid oxide fuel cell supported by a microtubular cathode was successfully developed via the extrusion of a (La_0.8Sr_0.2)_0.97MnO₃ cathode support and subsequent surface coating with a (La_0.8Sr_0.2)_0.97MnO₃–Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 activation layer followed by Sc₂O₃-doped ZrO₂ electrolyte and NiO–Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 anode slurries. The cell was electrochemically evaluated in a humidified hydrogen (3% H₂O) atmosphere, and exhibited a stable open circuit voltage above 1.05 V in the temperature range from 550 to 750 °C. Maximum power densities of 46.5, 163.2 and 452.8 mW cm⁻² were generated at 550, 650 and 750 °C, respectively. The results indicate the realization of a stable and high performance cathode-supported micro SOFC.     

Total Biosynthesis of Melleolides from Basidiomycota Fungi: Mechanistic Analysis of the Multifunctional GMC Oxidase Mld7

Mushroom terpenoids are biologically and chemically diverse fungal metabolites. Among them, melleolides are representative sesquiterpenoids with a characteristic protoilludane skeleton. In this study, we applied a recently established hot spot knock-in method to elucidate the biosynthetic pathway leading to 1α-hydroxymelleolide. The biosynthesis of the sesquiterpene core involves the cytochrome P450 catalyzing stepwise hydroxylation of the Δ⁶-protoilludene framework and a stereochemical inversion process at the C5 position catalyzed by short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family proteins. The highlight of the biosynthesis is that the flavoprotein Mld7 catalyzes an oxidation-triggered double-bond shift accompanying dehydration and acyl-group-assisted substitution with two different nucleophiles at the C6 position to afford the Δ⁷-protoilludene derivatives, such as melleolide and armillarivin. The complex reaction mechanism was proposed by DFT calculations. Of particular importance is that product distribution is regulated by interaction with the cell membrane.     

Silylmetalation of alkenes

Silylmetalation of alkenes is challenging due to the low reactivity of the substrates. In contrast, carbometalation of alkenes has been realized through several innovative methods, including activation of the reagent and the substrate. A similar approach could be applicable to silylmetalation of alkenes, and we have recently developed a bimetal activation method using zincate complexes for this purpose. Here, we describe how the silylzincation of alkenes was achieved. First, the strategies for carbometalation of alkenes will be summarized. Secondly, the history and development of silylzincation chemistry are briefly described. Then the details of our findings related to two types of silylzincation of alkenes, as well as recent progress in mechanistic studies, are discussed. The key point in the silylzincation of alkenes proved to be the bimetal activation of the substrate. One metal (copper or titanium) strongly coordinates and activates the alkene moiety, and the other metal (zinc) acts as the electron acceptor from the silyl group by way of the alkene moiety. This dual activation concept is expected to be applicable to other combinations of metals, as well as to new types of reactions.