Chiral Ammonium Betaine‐Catalyzed Highly Stereoselective Aza‐Henry Reaction of α‐Aryl Nitromethanes with Aromatic N‐Boc Imines

A highly stereoselective aza‐Henry reaction of α‐aryl nitromethanes with aromatic N‐Boc imines was established by using C₁‐symmetric chiral ammonium betaine as a bifunctional organic base catalyst. Various substituted aryl groups for both imines and nitromethanes were tolerated in the reaction, and a series of precursors for the synthesis of unsymmetrical anti‐1,2‐diaryl ethylenediamines was provided.     

Highly bent crystals formed by restrained π-stacked columns connected via alkylene linkers with variable conformations

A reproducible formation of strongly bent crystals was accomplished by structurally restraining macrocyclic π-conjugated molecules. The model π-units consist of two 9,10-bis(2-thienylethynyl)anthracenes with a strong propensity for stacking, which are connected in a macrocyclic fashion via two alkylene linkers. The correlation between the crystalline morphology and the macrocyclic structures restrained by a variety of flexible alkylene linker combinations was systematically studied. Bent crystals were obtained only with specific alkylene linkers of appropriate chain length. The alkylene linkers can adopt different conformations in the crystal packing, so as to fill voids within the macrocycle. The ability to form several similar molecular structures with different alkylene conformations gives rise to contaminations of different crystalline phases within a single crystal, and it is these phase contaminations which are responsible for the bending of the crystals.     

Olefin Polymerization Catalyzed by Double‐Decker Dipalladium Complexes: Low Branched Poly(α‐Olefin)s by Selective Insertion of the Monomer Molecule

Dipalladium complexes of a cyclic bis(diimine) ligand with a double‐decker structure catalyze polymerization of ethylene and α‐olefins and copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐hexene. The polymerization of 1‐hexene yields a polymer that is mainly composed of the hexamethylene unit formed by 2,1‐insertion of the monomer into the palladium–carbon bond, followed by chain‐walking (6,1‐insertion). The polymerization of 4‐methyl‐1‐pentene proceeds by 2,1‐insertion with a selectivity of 92–97 %, and affords the polymer with methyl and 2‐methylhexyl branches. 2,1‐Insertion occurs selectively in all of the polymerization reactions of α‐olefins catalyzed by the dipalladium complexes. Ethylene polymerization with the catalyst at 100 °C lasts over 24 h, whereas the monopalladium–diimine catalyst loses its activity within 8 h at 60 °C. Polyethylene obtained by the dipalladium catalyst is less‐branched and has a higher molecular weight compared to that of the monopalladium catalyst under the same conditions. Copolymerization of ethylene with 1‐hexene affords solid products with melting points and molecular weights that vary depending on the polymerization time, suggesting formation of a block and/or gradient copolymer.     

Preparation of low-surface-energy poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate] microparticles and its application to liquid marble formation

We demonstrate the successful preparation of stable liquid marbles from various liquids. This is accomplished by using low-surface-energy poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate] (PFA-C(8)) as microparticles. The PFA-C(8) microparticles were prepared by the spontaneous self-organized microparticulation of PFA-C(8). The physical properties remained intact in the polymer morphology as confirmed by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The extremely low surface energy of PFA-C(8) provides a high solid-liquid spreading coefficient (S(S/L)) value for various combinations of liquids. As a result, liquid marbles were obtained from various liquids, unlike the case with other fluorine polymer particles such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and poly(vinilydene fluoride) (PVDF). These results suggest that the technique is widely applicable for preparing novel functional materials.     

Prolongation of the active lifetime of a biomolecular motor for in vitro motility assay by using an inert atmosphere

Over the last few decades, the in vitro motility assay has been performed to probe the biophysical and chemo-mechanical properties as well as the self-organization process of biomolecular motor systems such as actin-myosin and microtubule-kinesin. However, aggression of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and concomitant termination of the activity of biomolecular motors during investigation remains a drawback of this assay. Despite enzymatic protection that makes use of a combination of glucose, glucose oxidase, and catalase, the active lifetime of biomolecular motors is found to be only a few hours and this short lifetime restricts further study on those systems. We have solved this problem by using a newly developed system of the in vitro motility assay that is conducted in an inert nitrogen gas atmosphere free of ROS. Using microtubule-kinesin as a model system we have shown that our system has prolonged the active lifetime of the biomolecular motor until several days and even a week by protecting it from oxidative damage.     

Engineering the promiscuous racemase activity of an arylmalonate decarboxylase

Variant G74C of arylmalonate decarboxylase (AMDase) from Bordatella bronchoseptica has a unique racemising activity towards profens. By protein engineering, variant G74C/V43A with a 20-fold shift towards promiscuous racemisation was obtained, based on a reduced activity in the decarboxylation reaction and a two-fold increase in the racemisation activity. The mutant showed an extended substrate range, with a 30-fold increase in the reaction rate towards ketoprofen. Molecular dynamics simulations and the substrate profile of the racemase indicate that the steric and polar effects of the substrate structure play a more dominant role on catalysis than mere kinetic α-proton acidity. The observation that the conversion of β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids does not lead to a rearrangement to form their α,β isomers indicates a concerted rather than a stepwise mechanism. Interestingly, a substrate bearing a nitro group instead of the carboxylic acid group on the α-carbon atom was also converted by the racemase.     

Experimental and theoretical study on generalized oscillator strengths of the valence-shell electronic excitations in CF4

We report an angle-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) study on the valence-shell electronic excitations in CF(4). Experimentally momentum-transfer-dependent generalized oscillator strengths (GOSs) or GOS profiles for low-lying electronic excitations at 12.6, 13.8, and 14.8 eV are derived from EELS spectra measured at an incident electron energy of 3 keV. We also calculate GOS profiles using theoretical wave functions at the equation-of-motion coupled cluster singles and doubles level. There are good agreements between experiment and theory except for a significant discrepancy at small momentum transfer for the 1t(l) → 3s Rydberg excitation at 12.6 eV. The experimental GOS profile for 1t(l) → 3s exhibits a shape that is typical of a dipole allowed transition, while the excitation is formally dipole forbidden. This symmetry breaking behavior is rationally accounted for by qualitatively analyzing the nature of vibronic coupling effects. For the excitation band at 13.8 eV, a shoulder and extrema are observed in the GOS profile and are then found to be mainly due to the 2(1)T(2) transition. Furthermore, the theoretical GOS profile for the 2(1)T(2) transition exhibits a remarkable oscillatory pattern; its origin is discussed by considering multicenter interference effects. For the 14.8 eV excitation band, the predominant nondipole nature of the underlying transitions are revealed and comparisons with the theoretical calculations show that major contributions to this band come from the 4t(2) → 3p excitation.     

Electron excitation of the Schumann-Runge continuum, longest band, and second band electronic states in O2

We report measurements of differential and integral cross sections for electron excitation of the Schumann-Runge continuum, longest band, and second band electronic states in molecular oxygen. The energy range of the present study is 15-200 eV, with the angular range of the differential cross section (DCS) measurements from 2 to 130°. A generalized oscillator strength analysis is then employed in order to derive integral cross sections (ICSs) from the corresponding DCSs, and these ICSs are compared with relevant energy and oscillator strength scaled Born cross section (BEf-scaling [Y.-K. Kim, J. Chem. Phys. 126, 064305 (2007)]) results determined as a part of this investigation. Interestingly, while the present Schumann-Runge continuum and second band ICSs were in reasonable agreement with the respective BEf-scaling results, agreement for the longest band was poor below 100 eV with a possible reason for this apparently anomalous behavior being canvassed here. Finally, where possible all present data are compared with the results from earlier measurements and calculations with the level of agreement found being very good in some cases and marginal in others.     

Influence of bromoalkyloxy side chain on mesomorphic behavior in heterocyclic 7-(4-bromoalkyloxy)-3-(4′-decyloxyphenyl)-4H- 1-benzopyran-4-ones

A new homologous series of isoflavone-based ethers,7-(4-bromoalkyloxy)-3-(4’-decyloxyprienyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ones were synthesized and characterized.The mesomorphic properties of all homologues were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy(POM).Enantiotropic smectic A(SmA) phase was observed for all homologues.The structure-property study was carried out by comparing the mesomorphic behavior of the homologues with those previously reported analogues.The bromine atom from the alkyloxy side chain of the benzene ring fused to the heterocyclic moiety was found to be capable of changing the mesomorphic properties.