Polymerization of methyl methacrylate under ultrasonic irradiation. Part IV. Effect of ultrasonic irradiation on Grignard catalyst and stereoregularity of the polymers produced in dioxane–tetrahydrofuran mixed solvent

Two series of polymerization of methyl methacrylate with Grignard reagent in dioxane—tetrahydrofuran mixed solvent was carried out under ultrasonic irradiation. In series A, catalyst was added to the mixture of monomer and solvent, and in series B, catalyst was previously mixed with solvent. The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on Grignard catalyst and the microstructure in reacting sites were discussed on the basis of the stereoregularity of the polymers produced. The stereoregularity of the polymers in series A was higher than that in series B. The effect of ultrasonic irradiation on the stereoregularity was completely reversed in series A and B and it increased in the former and decreased in the latter. It was, therefore, assumed that ultrasonic irradiation affected the microstructure in the reacting sites in series A, while it increased the relative amount of R₂Mg which gave polymers with poor stereoregularity in series B.     

Estimation of electrophoretic mobilities of red blood cells in 1-G and microgravity using a miniature capillary electrophoresis unit

Electrophoretic mobilities of red blood cells (RBCs) were measured in microgravity using a home-made capillary electrophoresis unit, which consisted of two small reservoirs of 0.6 mL and a fused-silica capillary tubing with 2 cm in length and 50 num in inner diameter. Migration of RBCs was observed by a microscope at 1000 times magnification and recorded on a videotape. The experiments were performed during stays in microgravity (about 0.01 G), which lasted 20 s and were attained by parabolic flights of an aircraft. On average, the electrophoretic mobilities of RBCs determined in microgravity were about 30% higher than those measured at 1-G condition irrespectively whether the cells were suspended in saline or serum during measurements. This difference might be explained as being mainly due to the cell floating in microgravity. Morphological changes of RBCs may contribute partly to the difference, while the variation in viscosity of the medium under microgravity could play only a minor role.     

Studies on stable free radicals. XIX. Copolymerization of N-oxyl biradical with α-chloro-p-xylylene

Copolymerization of N-oxyl biradical with α-chloro-p-xylylene was carried out by varying the feed ratio of α,α′-dichloro-p-xylene which was the precursor of α-chloro-p-xylylene. The structures of the obtained copolymers were determined spectroscopically. The results that the N-oxyl attacked the carbon-bearing chlorine atom of α-chloro-p-xylylene suggest a nucleophilic reactivity of N-oxyl radical. The copolymerization process was also discussed.     

Theoretical (DFT, GIAO-NMR, NICS) study of carbocations (M+H)+, dications (M2+) and dianions (M2-) from dihydro-dicyclopenta[ef,kl]heptalene (dihydro-azupyrene), dihydro-dicyclohepta[ed,gh]pentalene, and related bridged [14]annulenes

The annulenium ions of protonation, the two-electron oxidation dications, and the two-electron reduction dianions derived from dihydro- and dimethyldihydro derivatives (cis and trans) of dicyclopenta[ef,kl]heptalene (azupyrene) (1) and dicyclohepta[ed,gh]pentalene (2), which are the nonalternant isomers of pyrene, were studied by density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d), 6-31+G(d,p), or 6-31++G(d,p) levels. Charge delocalization modes in the energetically most favored annulenium ions, as well as in the singlet and triplet dications and dianions, were assessed based on gauge-including atomic orbital (GIAO) Deltadelta](13)C values and via changes in natural population analysis (NPA) charges. Relative aromaticity/antiaromaticity in the annulenes were gauged via nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) and DeltaNICS. Annulenium ions of monoprotonation, the dications, and dianions derived from bismethano- and propanediylidene [14]annulenes were also studied by DFT for comparison with the cis-dihydro isomers derived from . Computed GIAO NMR data and the optimized geometries were compared with the experimental data when available, and the optimized geometries were compared with the X-ray data if known. A basis-set dependency study of the computed GIAO chemical shifts was also undertaken. The present DFT work represents the first detailed comparative theoretical study of charged annulenes derived from the dihydro derivatives of and .     

Study of flow rate in pressurized gradient capillary electrochromatography using splitter and separation of peptides using an Amide stationary phase

A pressurized gradient capillary electrochromatograph using a splitter was constructed. The variation in flow rate during gradient elution was investigated and separations of peptides using an Amide stationary phase were demonstrated. The flow rate, which is one of the important factors to control chromatographic behavior, was increased during the gradient elution, and the mismatching of mobile phase between the column and the resistance tubing derived three variation patterns in the flow rate. The electrophoretic migration in electrochromatography could enhance in separation of peptides. The separated peak number of tryptic digest of bovine serum albumin was increased from 30 to 40 by the application of +5 kV.     

Generation of functionalized asymmetric benzynes with TMP-zincates. Effects of ligands on selectivity and reactivity of zincates

We have developed new methods for preparing functionalized benzynes through deprotonative zincation as a key reaction using R2Zn(TMP)Li, and we also describes dramatic ligand effects on the benzyne formation. Deprotonative zincation of various meta-substituted bromobenzenes with Me2Zn(TMP)Li proved effective for the one-pot generation of various 3-functionalized benzynes, particularly those electrophilic substituents such as ester, amide, and cyano. On the other hand, zincation with tBu2Zn(TMP)Li, followed by electrophilic trapping (with I2) proved a powerful tool for the preparation of 1,2,3-trisubstituted aromatic compounds.8 The resultant 1,2,3-trisubstituted benzenes are available as precursors for generation of 3-substituted benzynes by halogen-zinc exchange reactions with Me3ZnLi. These methods offer far greater generality than previous methods for the synthesis of functionalized asymmetric benzynes, and should be of value in new syntheses of various natural products and functional materials. In addition, these results underline the utility of spectator ligands on the central metal of ate complexes as a tunable functionality in the development of new ate complex-promoted reactions.     

trans-2,2'-Bi(1-phenyladamantylidene): the most twisted biadamantylidene

The Grignard coupling of 2,2-dibromo-1-phenyladamantane gave trans-2,2'-bi(1-phenyladamantylidene) (1-Ph). Single-crystal X-ray analysis indicated that 1-Ph has a 23.2 degrees twisted double bond, which is much more distorted than that of parent 2,2'-biadamantylidene (1-H) and that of the ethyl-substituted derivative (1-Et). A cyclic voltammogram showed a reversible electron oxidation wave at 0.87 V vs Fc/Fc(+), which is 0.19 V lower than 1-H, indicating a significant increase in the HOMO energy level due to the distortion. The reaction of 1-Ph with 0.9 equiv of bromine gave an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation product, while bromination of 1-H and 1-Me has been reported to give a bridged bromonium ion and a rearranged product, 2-(1-methyl-2-adamantylidene)-4-bromotricyclo[5,3,1,0(3.9)]undec-4-ene, respectively.     

Evaluation of chiral bidentate ligand–metal complexes in asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrones with 3-alkenoyl-2-oxazolidinones

For evaluation of a chiral C₂-symmetric bis(oxazoline) ligand, its Lewis acid complexes-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of nitrones with electron-deficient dipolarophiles, 3-(2-alkenoyl)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones, have been investigated and it was found that the cycloadditions using a Cu(II)-bis(oxazoline) complex under optimized reaction conditions induced extremely high enantioselectivity.     

Multifold curdlan gel formation by dialysis into aqueous solutions of metal salts

We have found that the dialysis of curdlan dissolved in alkaline solution into aqueous solutions of metal salts yielded multifold gel structures. Aqueous sodium chloride and potassium chloride as well as pure water induced isotropic gels. Aqueous calcium salts induced liquid crystalline gel with refractive index gradient/amorphous gel alternative structure. Aqueous salts of trivalent aluminum and ferric cations induced a rigid liquid crystalline gel, which shrank above a threshold concentration of each salt. On the other hand, Liesegang ring-like pattern was observed with aqueous solutions of mixed salts of calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. The patterns have been classified to discuss the mechanism of forming the variety of structures.     

Three bits eight states photochromic recording and nondestructive readout by using IR light

A photochromic polymer film containing three different diarylethene derivatives, that is, 1,2-bis(3,5-dimethyl-2-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (1), 1,2-bis(2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (2), and 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (3) was prepared. Upon UV irradiation, the three derivatives changed to their closed-ring isomers having different colors, yellow, red, and blue. They showed different spectra not only in UV/Vis region but also in the IR spectral region. Upon irradiation with visible light of appropriate wavelengths, each closed-ring isomer was selectively bleached, and three bits eight states recording was performed. The eight states could be read out nondestructively by using IR light of appropriate wavenumbers.