Reactions of ionized dibutyl ether

The reactions of ionized di-n-butyl ether are reported and compared with those of ionized n-butyl sec-butyl and di-sec-butyl ether. The main fragmentation of metastable (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂)₂O^+. is C₂H₅? loss (?85%), but minor amounts (2–4%) of CH₃?, C₄H₇?, C₄H₉?, C₄H₁₀ and C₄H₁₀O are also eliminated. In contrast, C₂H₅? elimination is of much lower abundance (20 and 4%, respectively) from metastable CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃^+. and [CH₃CH₂(CH₃)CH]₂O^+., which expel mainly C₂H₆ and CH₃? (35–55%). Studies on collisional activation spectra of the C₆H₁₃O⁺ oxonium ions reveal that C₂H₅? loss from (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂)₂O^+. gives the same product, (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂ ⁺O?CHCH₃) as that formed by direct cleavage of CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃^+.. Elimination of C₂H₅? from (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂)₂O^+. is interpreted by means of a mechanism in which a 1,4-H shift to the oxygen atom initiates a unidirectional skeletal rearrangement to CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃^+., which then undergoes cleavage to CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂⁺O?CHCH₃ and C₂H₅?. Further support for this mechanism is obtained from considering the collisional activation and neutralization-reionization mass spectra of the (C₄H₉)₂O^+. species and the behaviour of labelled analogues of (CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂)₂O^+.. The rate of ethyl radical loss is suppressed relative to those of alternative dissociations by deuteriation at the γ-position of either or both butyl substituents. Moreover, C₂H₅? loss via skeletal rearrangement and fragmentation of the unlabelled butyl group in CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂CD₂CH₃^+. occurs approximately five times more rapidly than C₂H₄D? expulsion via isomerization and fission of the labelled butyl substituent. These findings indicate that the initial 1,4-hydrogen shift is influenced by a significant isotope effect, as would be expected if this step is rate limiting in ethyl radical loss.     

A new type of ionophore family utilizing the cation-olefinic pi interaction: theoretical study of [n]beltenes

The possible utilization of [n]beltenes as a new family of ionophores, which exhibit a cation-olefinic pi type of interaction in contrast to the cation-aromatic pi type of interaction exhibited by [n]collarenes, has been investigated using both ab initio calculations and molecular dynamic simulations. Like [n]collarenes, n ethene groups are linked by -CH(2)- linkages in the [n]beltenes. Our calculations indicate that these [n]beltenes exhibit strong binding affinities and high selectivity for alkali metal cations ([5]beltene to Li(+), [6]beltene to Na(+), [7]beltene to Na(+) and K(+), [8]beltene to K(+) and Rb(+), and [9]beltene to Cs(+) and Rb(+)). Compared to [n]collarenes, [n]beltenes are expected to have a finer ion selectivity because their cavity sizes can be varied with integral number n, while that of the former can be varied with an even number n. Suitable substituents could be employed to enhance both the binding and specificity of various sizes of [n]beltenes to different cations, as well as to increase the solubility.     

Nanoscale size effect of magnetic nanocrystals and their utilization for cancer diagnosis via magnetic resonance imaging

Since the use of magnetic nanocrystals as probes for biomedical system is attractive, it is important to develop optimal synthetic protocols for high-quality magnetic nanocrystals and to have the systematic understanding of their nanoscale properties. Here we present the development of a synthetically controlled magnetic nanocrystal model system that correlates the nanoscale tunabilities in terms of size, magnetism, and induced nuclear spin relaxation processes. This system further led to the development of high-performance nanocrystal-antibody probe systems for the diagnosis of breast cancer cells via magnetic resonance imaging.     

Control over wettability of polyethylene glycol surfaces using capillary lithography

We demonstrate that wettability of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) surfaces can be controlled using nanostructures with various geometrical features. Capillary lithography was used to fabricate PEG nanostructures using a new ultraviolet (UV) curable mold consisting of functionalized polyurethane with acrylate group (MINS101m, Minuta Tech.). Two distinct wetting states were observed depending of the height of nanostructures. At relatively lower heights (< 300 nm for 150 nm pillars with 500 nm spacing), the initial contact angle of water was less than 80 degrees and the water droplet easily invaded into the surface grooves, leading to a reduced contact angle at equilibrium (Wenzel state). At relatively higher heights (> 400 nm for 150 nm pillars with 500 nm spacing), on the other hand, the nanostructured PEG surface showed hydrophobic nature and no significant change in contact angle was observed with time (Cassie state). The presence of two wetting states was also confirmed by dynamic wetting properties and contact-angle hysteresis. The wetting transition from hydrophilic (bare PEG surface) to hydrophobic (PEG nanostructures) was described by the Cassie-Baxter equation assuming that enhanced hydrophobicity is due to the heterogeneous wetting mediated by an air pocket on the surface. The measured contact angles in the Cassie state were increased with increasing air fraction, in agreement with the theoretical prediction.     

Correlation of the Rates of Solvolysis of the Benzhydryldimethylsulfonium Ion. Application of the Aromatic Ring Parameter(1)

Values for the specific rates of solvolysis of the benzhydryldimethylsulfonium ion in 34 solvents have been analyzed using various forms of the extended Grunwald-Winstein equation. The specific rates are insensitive toward changes in solvent nucleophilicity (N(T)) values, and they correlate best against a combination of Y(+) values (based on the solvolyses of the 1-adamantyldimethylsulfonium ion) and aromatic ring parameter (I) values. Common-molecule return is observed, being especially powerful in solvents rich in fluoro alcohol; the logarithm of the associated mass law constant correlates inversely with the solvent N(T) values. The product selectivities in ethanol-water mixtures are also consistent with an S(N)1 mechanism for the solvolyses.     

Partially latent interaction in elementary particle formation

In order to surmount unending difficulties currently encountered by strong interaction theory, drastic modifications appear to be needed. A possible modification is conjectured by introducing the concept of quasidynamical strong interaction at very short distances. The feasibility of tightly binding quasidynamical ¯K-N interaction to deliver hyperons is considered. The quasidynamical interaction, if proved correct, may provide an essential interaction mechanism for the formation of strongly interacting particle states.     

Oxidation mechanism of aromatic peroxy and bicyclic radicals from OH-toluene reactions

Theoretical calculations have been performed to investigate mechanistic features of OH-initiated oxidation reactions of toluene. Aromatic peroxy radicals arising from initial OH and subsequent O(2) additions to the toluene ring are shown to cyclize to form bicyclic radicals rather than undergoing reaction with NO under atmospheric conditions. Isomerization of bicyclic radicals to more stable epoxide radicals possesses significantly higher barriers and, hence, has slower rates than O(2) addition to form bicyclic peroxy radicals. At each OH attachment site, only one isomeric pathway via the bicyclic peroxy radical is accessible to lead to ring cleavage. The study provides thermochemical and kinetic data for quantitative assessment of the photochemical production potential of ozone and formation of toxic products and secondary organic aerosol from toluene oxidation.     

Self-assembly and selective guest binding of three-dimensional open-framework solids from a macrocyclic complex as a trifunctional metal building block

The nickel(II) hexaazamacrocyclic complex (1) containing pendant pyridine groups has been synthesized by the one-pot template condensation reaction of amine and formaldehyde. From the self-assembly of 1 with deprotonated cis,cis-1,3,5-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, H2CTC- and CTC3-, three-dimensional supramolecular open-frameworks of [Ni(C20H32N8)][C6H9(COOH)2(COO)]2 x 4H2O (2) and [Ni(C20H32N8)]3[C6H9(COO)3]2 x 16H2O (3), respectively, have been constructed. The solids 2 and 3 are insoluble in all solvents. X-ray crystal structure of 2 indicates that each nickel(II) macrocyclic complex binds two H2CTC- ions in trans position and two pendant pyridine groups of the macrocyclic complex are involved in hydrogen-bonding interactions with the hydroxy groups of H2CTC- belonging to the neighboring macrocyclic complexes, which provides the beltlike one-dimensional chain composed of rectangular synthons. The one-dimensional chains are linked together through lattice water molecules by the hydrogen-bonding interactions to generate two-dimensional networks, which are again connected to each other by the offset pi-pi stacking interactions between the pendant pyridine rings to give rise to a three-dimensional structure in which channels are present. The X-ray crystal structure of 3 indicates that each nickel(II) macrocyclic unit binds two CTC3- ions in trans position and each CTC3- ion coordinates three nickel(II) macrocyclic complexes to form a two-dimensional layer, in which pendant pyridine rings are involved in the hydrogen bonding and the herringbone pi-pi interaction. Between the layers, the pendant pyridine rings belonging to the neighboring layers participate in the offset pi-pi stacking interactions, which gives rise to a three-dimensional network structure. The network creates channels running parallel to the a, b, and c axes, which are filled with guest water molecules. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate that the frameworks of 2 and 3 are deformed upon removal of water guests but restored upon rebinding of water. The host solids 2 and 3 bind [Cu(NH3)4](ClO4)2 in MeCN with a binding constant (Kf) of 210 M(-1) and 710 M(-1), respectively, while they do not bind [Cu(en)2](ClO4)2 (en = ethylenediamine). The dried solids of 2 and 3 do not interact with benzene and toluene, but they differentiate methanol, ethanol, and phenol in toluene solvent with the Kf values of 42, 14, and 12 M(-1), respectively, for 2, and 13, 8.2, and 8.9 M(-1), respectively, for 3. In terms of binding sites for guest molecules, the solid 3 has greater capacity than the solid 2.     

Modulation of the ring size and nuclearity of metallamacrocycles via the steric effect of ligands: preparation and characterization of 18-membered hexanuclear, 24-membered octanuclear, and 30-membered decanuclear manganese metalladiazamacrocycles with alpha- and beta-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazides

Hexanuclear, octanuclear, and decanuclear manganese metalladiazamacrocycles have been prepared by reacting a series of pentadentate ligands, N-acylsalicylhydrazides (N-(3-methylbutanoyl)salicylhydrazide (H(3)3-mbshz), N-(phenylacetyl)salicylhydrazide (H(3)pashz), N-(3,3-dimethylbutanoyl)salicylhydrazide (H(3)3-dmbshz), N-(2-methylpropanoyl)salicylhydrazide (H(3)2-mpshz), N-((R,S)-2-methylbutanoyl)salicylhydrazide (H(3)RS-2-mbshz), N-((S)-2-methylbutanoyl)salicylhydrazide (H(3)S-2-mbshz), and N-(2,2-dimethylpropanoyl)salicylhydrazide (H(3)2-dmpshz)), with manganese(II) acetate tetrahydrate. The self-assembled, supramolecular complexes assume a nearly planar cyclic structure with an -(Mn-N-N)(n) backbone and measure approximately 2.1, approximately 2.3, and approximately 2.6 nm in outer diameters for n = 6, 8, and 10, respectively. The chiralities of the manganese centers on the metalladiazamacrocycle occur in alternating ...LambdaDeltaLambdaDelta... configurations. While beta-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazides (H(3)3-mbshz, H(3)pashz, H(3)3-dmbshz) with a sterically flexible Calpha methylene group yield 18-membered hexanuclear manganese metalladiazamacrocycles of S(6) point group symmetry, alpha-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazides lead to 24-membered octanuclear manganese metalladiazamacrocycles or 30-membered decanuclear manganese metalladiazamacrocycles depending on the size of the N-acyl substituents. The alpha-branched H(3)2-mpshz ligand with the sterically least demanding isopropyl tail at the N-acyl position yields a 24-membered octanuclear manganese metalladiazamacrocycle of S(8) point group symmetry, but other alpha-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazides such as H(3)RS-2-mbshz, H(3)S-2-mbshz, and H(3)2-dmpshz lead to 30-membered decanuclear manganese metalladiazamacrocycles of S(10) point group symmetry. The magnetic properties of the metalladiazamacrocycles are characterized by a weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction, with J(eff) = -8.5 to -3.8 K between the Mn(3+) ion spins with S = 2 in the cyclic system.