A new synthesis of δ-lactones from oxetanes

Oxetanes were reacted with lithium enolates generated from esters or amides in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate to give δ-hydroxyesters or amides in high yield, which were hydrolyzed and converted to δ-lactones.     

Asymmetric radical polymerization of butadiene 1-carboxylic acid

Optically active S(?)-α-phenethylammonium butadiene 1-carboxylate was prepared and polymerized in methanol, using azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The optical rotation, optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism spectra of the polymers, before and after removal of chiral amine, have demonstrated that the asymmetric induction occurred in the main chain. An asymmetric inductive polymerization mechanism is discussed.     

Oscillating frequency of piezoelectric quartz crystal in solutions

Oscillating frequencies of a piezoelectric crystal were measured in various solutions. One side of the crystal surface was coated with a silicon sealant. This coating was useful for measuring the oscillation of crystals in solutions for a wide range of products of density (?) and viscosity (η) and in electrolyte solutions. For measurement in solutions, the frequency change depended on the circuit used, whereas for measurements in air the circuit did not influence the frequency change. All experimental data showed that the frequency change from pure water, ΔF_w, followed ΔF_w = ? K(√?η ? √?_wη_w) except for electrolyte and polymer solutions, where K is a proportionality constant, η_w the density of pure water and η_w the viscosity of water.