Inclusion of DNA into organic gelator fibers made of amphipathic molecules and its controlled release

When methyl 4,6-O-(p-nitrobenzylidene)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (p-NO(2)Glu) was dissolved in water, p-NO(2)Glu molecules self-assembled to form a fiber (elemental fiber), and as a result, the solution became a partially transparent gel. When an equal (or more) amount of DNA was added to the gel, a white and crystalline gel was obtained. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy coupled with TEM and confocal microscopy suggested that DNA was included in the gel fibers made of p-NO(2)Glu molecules. The results imply that p-NO(2)Glu molecules are self-assembled to form an elemental fiber and these elemental fibers and DNA are twisted together to form higher hierarchic fibers. When the complexed gel made of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and p-NO(2)Glu was added to E. coli T7 S30 extract solution, the pDNA had less expression ability compared with naked one. When we added methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCyD), the expression rate was recovered with increasing added amount of MbetaCyD. The present paper shows inclusion and controlled release of DNA from a novel supporting material of DNA and that technology could play an important role in the development of localized approaches to gene therapy.     

General matrix formula for the weight-average molecular weights of crosslinked polymer systems

On the basis of the first-order Markovian statistics, we propose a general matrix formula for the weight-average molecular weight of crosslinked polymer systems, explicitly given by M̄_w = M̄_w,0 + WX₀ (I − X)⁻¹ S_f . This equation is valid for both step and chain-growth polymerizations, including those in a nonequilibrium state irrespective of the reactor types used. In the context of the present theory, the onset of gelation is simply stated as a point at which the largest eigenvalue of the matrix X reaches unity (i.e., det( I − X ) = 0). The present theory provides a unified point of view for various types of gelling systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 36: 2423–2433, 1998     

Transformation of β-Nitro Alcohols to the Corresponding Nitro Imines with Lithium Hexamethyldisilazide (LHMDS) via Sequential Retro Nitro-Aldol–Nitro-Mannich Reaction

β-Nitro alcohols were converted to the corresponding nitro imines in the presence of lithium hexmethyldisilazide (LHMDS) in one pot. The formal transformation of the hydroxy to imino group proceeded in a sequence of the retro nitro-aldol reaction of β-nitro alcohols and the double nitro-Mannich reaction of the resulting aldimines and nitro alkane dianions.     

Optimal design of coating material for nanoparticles and its application for low-temperature interconnection

Metal nanoparticles need coating material so as to avoid aggregating to each other. On the contrary, there are occasions when the coating materials are required to be removed. Here, a theoretical model to relate removability of coating materials to their molecular structure is suggested. The model is used to find an optimum coating material, secondary amine, for use in low-temperature interconnection material. An interconnection made of methyloctylamine-coated silver nanoparticles was formed between a pair of copper electrodes by heating and pressurizing the nanoparticles and electrodes at 250 °C and 2.5 MPa, respectively, for 150 s. Shear strength and thermal conductivity of the formed interconnection were 17.8 MPa and 219 W/mK, respectively. This thermal conductivity value is greater than that obtained using Pb–Sn and silver solders.     

Transition States of Binap–Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation: Theoretical Studies on the Origin of the Enantioselectivity

By using the hybrid IMOMM(B3LYP:MM3) method, we examined the binap–Rh^I‐catalyzed oxidative‐addition and insertion steps of the asymmetric hydrogenation of the enamide 2‐acetylamino‐3‐phenylacrylic acid. We report a path that is energetically more favorable for the major enantiomer than for the minor enantiomer. This path follows the “lock‐and‐key” motif and leads to the major enantiomeric product via an energetically favorable binap–dihydride–Rh^III–enamide complex. Our theoretical results are consistent with the mechanism that takes place via Rh^III dihydride formation, that is, oxidative addition of H₂ followed by enamide insertion.     

Solid state-specific and chiral lattice-controlled asymmetric photoisomerization of 3-substituted propyl cobalt complexes, and direct observation of the intermediate complex

Solid state-specific and chiral lattice-controlled asymmetric photoisomerization of 3-cyanopropyl cobaloxime complexes coordinated with chiral axial ligand, 1a-h, was found to occur with moderate to relatively high enantioselectivities (∼91%ee), even though the reaction proceeds through radical species. The enantioselectivities at a lower temperature (−78 °C) are extremely enhanced as compared to those at room temperature, in most cases.The configuration of the major enantiomer of the isomerized product is predictable from the shape of the reaction cavity, drawn based on the crystal structure of the starting material. The structure (including absolute configuration) of the intermediate 2-cyanopropyl complex was directly observed by X-ray crystallographic analyses of a single-crystal-to-single-crystal reaction of (S)-1-cyclohexylethylamine-coordinated 3-cyanopropyl cobaloxime, 1e.     

Mechanistic investigation of CO2 hydrogenation by Ru(II) and Ir(III) aqua complexes under acidic conditions: two catalytic systems differing in the nature of the rate determining step

Ruthenium aqua complexes [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru(II)(L)(OH(2))](2+) {L = bpy (1) and 4,4'-OMe-bpy (2), bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-OMe-bpy = 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine} and iridium aqua complexes [Cp*Ir(III)(L)(OH(2))](2+) {Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5), L = bpy (5) and 4,4'-OMe-bpy (6)} act as catalysts for hydrogenation of CO(2) into HCOOH at pH 3.0 in H(2)O. The active hydride catalysts cannot be observed in the hydrogenation of CO(2) with the ruthenium complexes, whereas the active hydride catalysts, [Cp*Ir(III)(L)(H)](+) {L = bpy (7) and 4,4'-OMe-bpy (8)}, have successfully been isolated after the hydrogenation of CO(2) with the iridium complexes. The key to the success of the isolation of the active hydride catalysts is the change in the rate-determining step in the catalytic hydrogenation of CO(2) from the formation of the active hydride catalysts, [(eta(6)-C(6)Me(6))Ru(II)(L)(H)](+), to the reactions of [Cp*Ir(III)(L)(H)](+) with CO(2), as indicated by the kinetic studies.     

Application of an electrochemical membrane reactor to the thermochemical water splitting IS process for hydrogen production

The Bunsen reaction (SO₂ + I₂ + 2H₂O = H₂SO₄ + 2HI) in the thermochemical IS process to produce hydrogen was successfully employed using an electrochemical membrane reactor. H₂SO₄ and HI were concentrated in the anode side and the cathode side of the reactor, respectively. I₂ is the dominant bulk of the recycling chemicals in this process, and I₂ concentration at the outlet of the reactor was reduced ca. 93% by using this technique. The electric energy consumption for the reaction was about 50% smaller by reducing the concentration of I₂ indicating that the IS process can be operate efficiently at low I₂ concentration. The reaction was carried out for 4 h, and the HI concentration was increased by 26%. This amount was the same within 10% as the values calculated from the total loaded electricity. In order to decrease the overpotential at the anode side, small amount of HI was added to the anode side solution. The total voltage was reduced by 0.03 V by the addition of HI.     

Removal of boron(III) by N-methylglucamine-type cellulose derivatives with higher adsorption rate

To obtain adsorbents for boron(III) derived from a natural polymer, two forms (powder and fiber) of N-methylglucamine-type cellulose derivatives were newly synthesized. After the graft polymerization of two forms of cellulose with vinyl monomer having epoxy groups, the N-methylglucamine-type cellulose derivatives were obtained by the reaction of the grafted cellulose with N-methylglucamine. The adsorption capacities of the cellulose derivatives for boron(III) were the same levels as that of a commercially available N-methylglucamine-type polystyrene resin. However, the cellulose derivatives adsorbed boron(III) more quickly than the polystyrene resin. The adsorption and desorption of boron(III) with a column method using the cellulose fiber were achieved at a higher flow rate than that using the polystyrene resin. In addition, the boron(III), adsorbed on the cellulose fiber column, was quantitatively recovered with dilute hydrochloric acid in 20- and 200-fold increased concentrations. Consequently, it was found that the cellulose derivatives were superior to the polystyrene resin as adsorbents for boron(III) for treatment of a large quantity of wastewater.     

RAFT Miniemulsion Polymerization Kinetics, 1 – Polymerization Rate

The polymerization kinetics of a RAFT‐mediated radical polymerization inside submicron particles (30 < D_p < 300 nm) is considered. When the time fraction of active radical period, ϕ_A, is larger than ca. 1%, the polymerization rate increases with reducing particle size, as for the cases of conventional emulsion polymerization. The rate retardation by the addition of RAFT agent occurs with or without intermediate termination in zero‐one systems. For the particles with D_p < 100 nm, the statistical variation of monomer concentration among particles may not be neglected. It was found that this monomer‐concentration‐variation (MCV) effect may slow down the polymerization rate. An analytical expression describing the MCV effect is proposed, which is valid for both RAFT and conventional miniemulsion polymerizations.