Polymerization of (o-methylphenyl)acetylene and polymer characterization

(o-Methylphenyl)acetylene polymerized with high yields in the presence of W and Mo catalysts. W catalysts were more active than the corresponding Mo catalysts. The weight-average molecular weight of the polymer formed with W(CO)₆–CCl₄–hv reached 8 × 10⁵, being higher than the maximum value (ca. 2 × 10⁵) for poly(phenylacetylene). The polymer had the structure $\rlap{--} [{\rm CH} \hbox{=\hskip-1pt=} {\rm C}(o - {\rm CH}_3 {\rm C}_6 {\rm H}_4 )\rlap{--} ]_n $. The stereochemical structure of the main chain could be determined by ¹³C-NMR; the cis content varied in a range of 41–61% depending on the polymerization conditions. The present polymer was thermally more stable than poly(phenylacetylene) according to thermogravimetric analysis. Interestingly, this polymer possessed deeper color than poly(phenylacetylene), and showed a fairly strong absorption in the visible region.     

Thermal degradation behavior of poly(4-hydroxybutyric acid)

Thermal degradation behavior of poly(4-hydroxybutyric acid) (P(4HB)) was investigated by thermogravimetric and pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometric analyses under both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Based on the thermogravimetric analysis, it was found that two distinct processes occurred at temperatures below and above 350 °C during the non-isothermal degradation of P(4HB) samples depending on both the molecular weight and the heating rate. From ¹H NMR analysis of the residual P(4HB) molecules after isothermal degradations at different temperatures, it was confirmed that the ω-hydroxyl chain-end was remained unchanged in the residual P(4HB) molecules at temperatures below 300 °C, while the ω-chain-end of P(4HB) molecules was converted to 3-butenoyl units at temperatures above 300 °C. In contrast, the majority of the volatile products evolved during thermal degradation of P(4HB) was γ-butyrolactone regardless of the degradation temperature. From these results, it is concluded that during the thermal degradation of P(4HB), the selective formation of γ-butyrolactone via unzipping reaction from the ω-hydroxyl chain-end predominantly occurs at temperatures below 300 °C. At temperatures above 300 °C, both the cis-elimination reaction of 4HB unit and the formation of cyclic macromolecules of P(4HB) via intramolecular transesterification take place in addition to unzipping reaction from the ω-hydroxyl chain-end. Finally, the primary reaction of thermal degradation of P(4HB) at temperatures above 350 °C progresses by the cyclic rupture via intramolecular transesterification of P(4HB) molecules with a release of γ-butyrolactone as volatile product. Moreover, we carried out the thermal degradation tests for copolymer of 93 mol% of 4HB with 7 mol% of 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3HB) to examine the effect of 3HB units on thermal stability of P(4HB).     

Kinetic determination of trace cobalt(II) by visual autocatalytic indication

A highly sensitive and simple visual autocatalytic method has been developed for the determination of trace cobalt. The cobalt ion released by the oxidative decomposition of inert bis[2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-sulfopropyl-amino-phenolato] cobaltate (Co(III)-5-Br-PAPS) with peroxomonosulfate acts as a catalyst for the oxidative degradation of the complex. Thus a definite time lapse of degradation is observed by the sudden disappearance of colored Co(III) complexes. The degradation time varies inversely with the logarithm of the initial concentration of cobalt(II). The determination range of cobalt(II) was from 3x10(-9) to 2x10(-7) M in the presence of 5x10(-6) M of 5-Br-PAPS. The relative standard deviation of the spot size method (10 mul) was 3.5% at 1x10(-7) M cobalt(II). This autocatalytic indicator reaction system has been successfully applied for the visual determination of urinary cobalt.     

2-Silyl group effect on the reactivity of cyclopentane-1,3-diyls. Intramolecular ring-closure versus silyl migration

Generation of singlet and triplet 2-silylcyclopentane-1,3-diyls and their reactivity have been investigated in the thermal and photochemical denitrogenation of 2,3-diaza-7-silylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. 5-Silylcyclopentene (silyl migration product) is quantitatively obtained, while 5-silylbicyclo[2.1.0]pentane (intramolecular ring-closure product) is not detected in the denitrogenation reactions. Deuterium labeling studies clarify that 5-silylcyclopentene is formed by a suprafacial [1,2] silyl migration in singlet 2-silylcyclopentane-1,3-diyl. UDFT calculations closely reproduce the observed reactivity of the singlet diradical: The enthalpic barriers of the intramolecular ring-closure are calculated to be DeltaH++exo468 = 5.8 kcal/mol and DeltaH++endo468 = 6.7 kcal/mol, which are much higher than the energy barrier for the [1,2] silyl migration, DeltaH++468 = 2.7 kcal/mol. The notable effect of the silyl group on raising the energy barrier of the intramolecular cyclization is rationalized by an electronic configuration of the lowest singlet state of 2-silylcyclopentane-1,3-diyls.     

Alternating copolymer of thiophene andN‐(phenylethynyl)pyrrole. New π‐conjugated alternating five‐membered ring copolymer and its packing structure

An alternating copolymer, Copoly‐1 , of thiophene and N‐(phenylethynyl)pyrrole was prepared by palladium‐catalyzed polycondensation. Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that Copoly‐1 formed a stacked packing structure with doubly‐running polymer main chains. Optical data support the molecular and packing structures of Copoly‐1 . © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2219–2224, 2005     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

Spectroscopic identification of the CO-H2O 2-1 cluster trapped in an argon matrix

The infrared spectra of the carbon monoxide-water cluster as well as the CO monomer and dimer in an argon matrix at cryogenic temperatures have been reinvestigated on the basis of the isotope substitution experiment with 12CO and 13CO. Lines due to the CO-H2O 2-1 cluster in the matrix have been unambiguously identified in the CO and OH stretching regions. The isotope effect on the vibrational frequency of the cluster is observed in the CO stretching vibration but neither in the symmetric nor antisymmetric OH stretching vibrations. Each of the two vibrational lines due to the two CO vibrations of the CO-H2O 2-1 cluster is examined by comparing the expected spectral features at a 12CO/13CO ratio on a simulation with those observed experimentally. The migration of the trapped molecules (CO and H2O) in the matrix is discussed, in which the observed spectral change with the deposition temperature from 14 K to 30 K is explained.     

Computer-aided structure elucidation methods

Computer-aided structure elucidation methodology is discussed. Major processes involved in computer-aided structure elucidation systems are partial-structure elucidation, structure generation, and structure examination. For the three representative systems CONGEN, CASE, and CHEMICS, these processes are examined. There are four necessary conditions for automated chemical structure elucidation systems: reliability, width of application, ease of modification and portability.     

Marstomentosides O-T polyoxypregnane glycosides from Marsdenia tomentosa

Thirteen pregnane glycosides were isolated from fresh leaves of Marsdenia tomentosa collected in the Fukuyama district. Of these, six were glycosides previously obtained from the same plant collected in the Fukuoka district and one from another Asclepiadaceous plant. The structures of the six new glycosides were determined by spectrometric method.     

LIGHT-INDUCED SYNTHESIS OF ANTHOCYANIN IN CARROT CELLS IN SUSPENSION—IV. THE ACTION SPECTRUM

Abstract— Using carrot cell suspension in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-depleted culture medium, fluence-response curves for the formation of anthocyanin were determined at various wavelengths from 250 to 800 nm. In the fluence-response curves at wavelengths between 260 and 330 nm, the response showed a sharp fluence-dependent increase after the fluence exceeded threshold level at the respective wavelength. Such a sharp increase in response was not observed by light at 450 nm or longer wavelengths, although the response obtained by higher fluence of such light was always higher than that in the dark control. Action spectra determined at the sharp increasing phase of the response showed the single peak at 280 nm which equals the absorption maximum of UV-B photoreceptor.
Although red (R)-light alone had a minor effect on anthocyanin accumulation, it modulated the action of UV-B light. That is, when carrot cells were irradiated with R-light either before or after UV-B irradiation, anthocyanin formation was greatly enhanced above the level enhanced by UV-B light alone. The most effective wavelength for this enhancement was 660 nm. The effect of R-light on the anthocyanin formation of the UV-B irradiated cells was reversed by immediately following it with far-red light, suggesting the involvement of phytochrome in the R-effect.