A new metal-organic open framework consisting of threefold parallel interwoven (6,3) nets

Threefold parallel interwoven (6,3) nets were assembled from Ni(II) cyclam complex and 1,3,5-tris[2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1-ethynyl]benzene. The network generates triangular voids of effective size ca. 18.4 x 14.7 x 9.5 A. It contains 35% free volume of the crystal volume and is stable up to 300 degrees C.     

Monomeric rhodium(II) catalysts for the preparation of aziridines and enantioselective formation of cyclopropanes from ethyl diazoacetate at room temperature

A family of bis(oxazoline) complexes of coordinatively unsaturated monomeric rhodium(II) (2a,b, 3a,b) are described. These complexes serve as catalysts for cyclopropanation of olefins by ethyl diazoacetate, giving excellent yields (66-94%). Enantioselectivities for the cis product isomers are good (61-84%). The reaction shows an unusual preference for formation of the cis isomers. Catalytic aziridination of N-aryl imines with ethyl diazoacetate is also described.     

Dexamethasone differentiates NG108-15 cells through cyclooxygenase 1 induction

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a key enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostanoids which participate in various cellular functions including apoptosis, mitogenesis, inflammation, immune modulation and differentiation. Moreover, the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone has immune modulating and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Recently, dexamethasone was found to enhance retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of dexamethasone-mediated neuronal differentiation. Immunoblotting and morphological analysis demonstrated that dexamethasone induced neuronal differentiation through COX 1 induction. This phenomenon was inhibited by indomethacin, a COX inhibitor. In addition, the addition of exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a substance produced by the COX-mediated pathway, triggered neurite outgrowth of cells treated with COX inhibitor. Taken together, COX 1 appears to play an important role in dexamethasone-mediated neuronal differentiation.     

Mechanically switchable photonic crystal filter with either all-pass transmission or flat-top reflection characteristics

We theoretically introduce a new type of optical all-pass filter based on guided resonance in coupled photonic crystal slabs. The filter exhibits near-complete transmission for both on- and off-resonant frequencies and yet generates large resonant group delay. We further show that such a filter can be mechanically switched into a flat-top band rejection filter.     

High-yield synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by arc discharge in liquid nitrogen

Synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by arc discharge in liquid nitrogen is reported. As liquid nitrogen substituted both vacuum and cooling systems, high-quality MWNTs were produced at a low cost. The content of the MWNTs can be as high as 70% of the reaction product. Auger-spectroscopy analysis revealed that no nitrogen is incorporated in the MWNTs. This method can be an economical route for the mass production of highly crystalline MWNTs. Received: 5 July 2002 / Accepted: 8 July 2002 / Published online: 10 September 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +82-54/279-8298, E-mail: ce20047@postech.ac.kr     

Acceleration of acid-catalyzed transesterification of 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate by organic solvents

[structure: see text] Transesterification of 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate in the presence of 0.092 M HClO4 is 50-5000 times faster in acetonitrile, 1,4-dioxane, methanol, ethanol, N,N-dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide than in water. This demonstrates the importance of tuning the microenvironments in designing synthetic nucleases.