Polymerization of para-xylylene derivatives (parylene polymerization). I. Deposition kinetics for parylene N and parylene C

Kinetic aspects of parylene N [unsubstituted poly(para-xylylene)] and Parylene C [monochlorosubstituted poly(para-xylylene)] were studied. The conversion of starting material (dimer of either p-xylylene or chloro-para-xylylene) to polymer is quantitative (ca. 100%). Consequently, the total polymer formed in a closed system is directly proportional to the amount of dimer charged. However, the percentage of the total amount of polymer formed which deposits on substrate surfaces, placed in the deposition chamber, as well as the polymer film growth rate are dependent on operational factors such as the temperature of the substrate, sublimation of dimer temperature, flow pattern of the reactive species, etc. Parylene C, being a heavier and more polar molecule, has the tendency to deposit easily in the deposition chamber compared to the deposition of Parylene N. Parylene C also has a higher ceiling temperature for deposition than Parylene N. This situation has been investigated from the viewpoint of excess thermal energy which hinders polymer formation (deposition) due to the exceedingly high entropy change necessary for polymer deposition to occur. The addition of a cool (i.e., room temperature) inert gas was shown to increase the deposition of Parylene N on substrate surfaces placed in the deposition chamber. The deposition increase and acceleration of deposition (film growth) rate were found to be related to the size and molecular weight of the inert gas pressure maintained in the system. The accelerating effect is explained by the increase in third-body collisions to dissipate the excess thermal energy of the reactive species.     

Fouling and protein adsorption effect of low-temperature plasma treatment of membrane surfaces

Adsorption of proteins and the effect of the chemical nature of membrane surfaces on protein adsorption were investigated using¹⁴C-tagged albumin and several microporous membranes (polyvinilydene fluoride, PVDF; nylon; polypropylene, PP; and polycarbonate, PC). The membrane surfaces were modified by exposing them to low-temperature plasma of several different monomers (n-butane, oxygen, nitrogen alone or as mixtures) in a radiofrequency plasma reactor. Transients in the permeability of albumin solutions through the membranes and changes in flux of distilled water through the membranes before and after adsorption of albumin were used to investigate the role of protein adsorption on membrane fouling. The results show that the extent of adsorption of albumin on hydrophobic membranes was considerably more than that on hydrophilic membranes. The hydrophilic membranes were susceptible to electrostatic interactions and less prone to fouling. A pore-blocking model was successfully used to correlate the loss of water flux through pores of defined geometry     

A novel method for atomic absorption spectroscopy based on the analyte-Zeeman effect

A new type of atomic absorption spectrometry using the Zeeman effect of sample materials is proposed. A magnetic field was applied to the sample vapor in the direction perpendicular to the propagation of light emitted from an atomic spectral source. Absorption of radiation polarized perpendicular and parallel to the magnetic field was observed alternatively. The absorption difference was proportional to the true atomic absorption, and was not interfered with by any other molecular absorption and light scattering, i.e., background absorption. The background absorption could be monitored at exactly the same wavelength as an atomic absorption line. Suitable magnetic field strength was found for each line of the various elements.     

Molecular structures of endo[4+2]π and exo[6+4]π cycloadducts via cycloaddition reaction of n-ethoxycarbonylazepine with 2,5-dimethoxycarbonyl-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienone

The cycloaddition reaction of N-ethoxycarbonyl-1H-azepine with 2,5-dimethoxycarbonyl-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienone gave anti-endo [4+2]π and exo [6+4]π cycloadducts. These structures were fully identified by X-ray crystallographic techniques. Mechanism for their cycloaddition reactions are also discussed.     

Novel phenoxyalkylamine derivatives. VII. Synthesis and pharmacological activities of 2-alkoxy-5-[(phenoxyalkylamino)alkyl]benzenesulfonamide derivatives.

To find a novel alpha-blocker with high alpha-blocking selectivity against dopamine D2-receptor affinity, we performed structural modification of the alkylene chains and the substituents on two benzene rings of 2-alkoxy-5-[(phenoxyalkylamino)alkyl]benzenesulfonamide derivatives. The modification of the alkylene chain between the amino moiety in the center of the molecule and the benzene ring (ring A) was found to be the most significant. 5-[2-[[2-(5-Fluoro-2-methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]amino]propyl]-2- methoxybenzenesulfonamide (II-4), which possesses 1-methylethyl as the alkylene chain, exhibited high alpha-blocking selectivity as well as potent alpha-blocking activity.     

Silylation of water glass. I. Solvent extraction and trimethylsilylation of silicic acid

Homogeneous trimethylsilylation of silicic acid in nonaqueous media was studied. The silylation process consisted of three steps: acidification of sodium silicate, solvent extraction. and trimethylation of silicic acid. Sodium silicate was first acidified with dilute sulfuric acid to form silicic acid: extraction followed with hydrophilic organic solvents. The Silicic acid obtained was finally allowed to react with trimethylchlorosilane to give trimethylsilylates with molecular weights of 1000–12,000. Optimum conditions for each step have been intensively sought to achieve trimethylsilylates in high yield. The trimethylsilylates exhibited excellent thermal stability and surface properties, such as water repellency and antifoaming properties, comparable to those of conventional polydimethylsiloxanes.     

Effects of Cathode and Anode on Deposition of Trimethylsilane in Glow Discharge

DC cathodic polymerization of trimethylsilane (TMS) was carried out in plasma reactors with and without using anode assembly. In DC cathodic polymerization, the TMS plasma polymers are mainly deposited on the cathode (substrate) surface. As a result, fast deposition of TMS plasma polymers was easily achieved in DC cathodic polymerization as compared with AF or RF plasma polymerization. DC cathodic polymerization without using anode assembly has its advantageous features that the size and number of substrates (as cathodes) are not restricted by the size and the location of anode assembly. It was found that the maximum deposition rate on the cathode surfaces was obtained without anode assembly. The DC cathodic polymerization of TMS was conducted also in a large volume reactor with multiple cathodes (substrates). The same deposition mechanisms for DC cathodic polymerization with a single cathode also apply to the multiple cathodes. Uniform deposition on each cathode could be obtained with appropriate spacing of multiple cathodes and by adjusting the operational parameters, which are based on the current density and the system pressure.     

Two-dimensional network formation of cardiac myocytes in agar microculture chip with 1480 nm infrared laser photo-thermal etching

We have developed a new method that enables agar microstructures to be used to cultivate cells and that allows cell network patterns to be controlled. The method makes use of non-contact three-dimensional photo-thermal etching with a 1480 nm infrared focused laser beam, which is strongly absorbed by water and agar gel, to form the shapes of agar microstructures. It allows microstructures to be easily formed in an agar layer within a few minutes, with cell-culture holes formed by the spot heating of a 100 mW laser and tunnels by the tracing of a 100 microm s(-1), 40 mW laser. We cultivated rat cardiac myocytes in adjacent microstructures and observed synchronized beating in them 90 min after they had made physical contact. Our results indicate that the system can make and use microstructures for cell-network cultivation in a minimal amount of time without any expensive microfabrication facilities or complicated procedures.     

Streptonigrin and lavendamycin partial structures. Preparation of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone-6′-carboxylic acid: A probe for the minimum,potent pharmacophore of the naturally occurring antitumor-antibiotics

The preparation of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone-6′-carboxylic acid (4) constituting a potential minimum, potent pharmacophore of streptonigrin (1) and lavendamycin (2) , two structurally-related naturally-occurring antitumor-antibiotic, is detailed. In contrast to observations associated with streptonigrin and lavendamycin in which the C-6′ acid potentiates the antitumor, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity of the naturally-occurring, substituted 7-aminoquinoline-5,8-quinone AB ring systems, the C-6′ carboxylic acid of 4 diminishes the observed antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone.     

A potentiometric microbial sensor based on immobilized escherichia coli for glutamic acid

The sensor consists of immobilized E. coli (which contains glutamate decarboxylase) and a carbon dioxide gas-sensor. Continuous introduction of sample solution into a flow system incorporating the sensor gives a potential which increases until a steady state is reached after 5 min. Measurements can also be made with only a 1- or 3-min introduction period with little loss of sensitivity. Calibration plots of mV measurements vs. logarithmic glutamic acid concentration are linear in the range 100–800 mg l^-1. The sensor is highly selective, stable and reproducible. It has been applied to the determination of glutamic acid in fermentation broths.