Synthesis of poly(diallyl phthalate) and silica gel polymer hybrids utilizing π–π interactions

We report here the synthesis of homogeneous polymer hybrids of poly(diallyl phthalate) (PDAP) and silica by utilizing π–π interactions. Use of arylalkoxysilanes such as phenyltrimethoxysilane (PhTMOS), phenethyltrimethoxysilane (PhenethylTMOS) and mesityltrimethoxysilane (MesTMOS) as sources for inorganic phases resulted in optically transparent PDAP-silica polymer hybrids in a wide range of organic and inorganic content ratios. On the other hand, alkoxysilanes such as tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS) and i-butyltrimethoxysilane (iBuTMOS) resulted in phase separated, turbid solids. A mixture of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and PhTMOS was also studied for the synthesis of PDAP-silica gel polymer hybrids to control the cross-linking density in the inorganic phase. Homogeneity was found to be improved with an increase in PhTMOS content. These homogeneous PDAP polymer hybrids were found to have high thermal stability which wasachieved by nano-scale dispersion of PDAP in silica through extensiveinterface interactions. The homogeneity of the polymer hybrids was confirmed by SEM and TEM, which demonstrate a nanometer level integration of the organic polymer and the inorganic phase.     

Synthesis of crown ether-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) by radical chain transfer polymerization

Mercapto-16-crown-5 was prepared starting from tetraethyleneglycol and 3-chloro-2-chloromethyl-1-propene. Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of mercapto-16-crown-5 as a chain transfer agent to give crown ether-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate). The end crown group was characterized by IR and ¹H-NMR spectra. Sodium cation was selectively extracted by this crown-containing polymer. The molecular weight of the obtained polymer had influence upon the ability of extraction of sodium cation.     

Smectic layer structure of ferroelectric liquid crystal formed between fine polymer fibres

This paper describes the alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) structures formed between aligned polymer fibres, where the FLC smectic layers are determined by polarising microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The FLC/polymer composite films were formed from a nematic phase FLC/monomer solution using a photopolymerisation-induced phase separation method. It was found that bending of the FLC smectic layers was induced in both the film plane and the cross-sectional plane at the phase transition from smectic A to chiral smectic C of the FLC material. The light transmittance properties of the composite film between crossed polarizers was analysed by light propagation simulation in several optical anisotropic media, based on the evaluated smectic layer model.     

Palladium catalyzed synthesis of tertiary allylamines. Utilization of α-nitro olefins as allylic nitro compounds

Reaction of α-nitro olefins with secondary amines in the presence of palladium(O) catalyst affords allylic amines.     

Total synthesis of haliclamine A, a macrocyclic marine alkaloid related to the key biogenetic intermediate of manzamines

The first total synthesis of haliclamine A (1), a macrocyclic marine alkaloid closely related to the key bisdihydropyridine intermediate 3 of the biogenetically unique manzamine family, has been efficiently achieved via stepwise inter- and intramolecular N-alkylations of 3-alkylpyridine derivatives 26 and 28.     

Ratiometric direct detection of nitric oxide based on a novel signal-switching mechanism

A novel fluorescent probe, which could be the first example of a ratiometric molecular probe for direct monitoring of NO production, has been developed using a 'spin-exchange' mechanism.     

Synthesis of Optically Active P‐Chiral and Optically Inactive Oligophosphines

A series of optically active P‐chiral oligophosphines (S,R,R,S)‐ 2 , (S,R,S,S,R,S)‐ 3 , (S,R,S,R,R,S,R,S)‐ 4 , and (S,R,S,R,S,R,R,S,R,S,R,S)‐ 5 with four, six, eight, and 12 chiral phosphorus atoms, respectively, were successfully synthesized by a step‐by‐step oxidative‐coupling reaction from (S,S)‐ 1 . The corresponding optically inactive oligophosphines 1′ – 5′ were also prepared. Their properties were characterized by DSC, XRD, and optical‐rotation analyses. While optically active bisphosphine (S,S)‐ 1 and tetraphosphine (S,R,R,S)‐ 2 behaved as small molecules, octaphosphine (S,R,S,R,R,S,R,S)‐ 4 and dodecaphosphine (S,R,S,R,S,R,R,S,R,S,R,S)‐ 5 exhibited the features of a polymer. Furthermore, DSC and XRD analyses showed that hexaphosphine (S,R,S,S,R,S)‐ 3 is an intermediate between a small molecule and a polymer. Comparison of optically active oligophosphines 1 – 5 with the corresponding optically inactive oligophosphines 1′ – 5′ revealed that the optically active phosphines have higher crystallinity than the optically inactive counterparts. It is considered that the properties of oligophosphines depend on the enantiomeric purity as well as the oligomer chain length.     

Solution Structure and Behavior of Benzophenone-based Achiral Bisphosphine Ligands in Noyori-Type Ru（Ⅱ）-Catalysts

We herein report on solution structural studies of Ru^Ⅱ catalysts （3a, 9） composed of achiral bisphosphine ligands （4, 8） and the enantiopure 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine （DPEN）. Complete chiral induction from enantiopure （R,R）-DPEN to achiral bisphosphine ligand 3a was observed in solution, with the complex adopting a single, stable and non-fluxional （even at 70 ℃） configuration. The coordination of the C=O moiety in 4 to the cationic Run center is considered to be of key importance in providing the higher thermodynamic and kinetic rotation barrier for the flexible bisphosphine ligand in the complex. The obtained enantioselectivity （91% enantiomeric excess） and sense of chiral induction in the hydrogenation of acetophenone were found to be solely dependent on the chirality of the 1,2-diamine. Consistent with the hydrogenation product, the （R,R）-DPEN induces a M-conformation （fight-handed） chirality for flexible phosphine ligand 4 in the complex, resulting in a 2,2-configuration about the Ru^Ⅱ center.     

Specific oxidation of C-14 oxygenated 4(20),11-taxadienes by microbial transformation

Three C-14 oxygenated taxanes, 2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (1), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-(2-methylbutyryloxy)taxa-4(20),11-diene (2), and yunanaxane (3), major products of callus cultures of Taxus spp., were regio- and stereoselectively hydroxylated at the 7β position by a fungus, Absidia coerulea IFO 4011. Intriguingly, when 1 was co-administered with β-cyclodextrin and incubated with the fungus cell cultures, three other compounds 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-14β-ol (7), 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-1β-ol (8) and 5α,9α,10β,13α-tetraacetoxy-11(15→1) abeotaxa-4(20),11-dien-15-ol (9) were obtained.