Unexpected Macrocyclic Multinuclear Zinc and Nickel Complexes that Function as Multitasking Catalysts for CO2 Fixations

Unique self‐assembled macrocyclic multinuclear Zn^II and Ni^II complexes with binaphthyl‐bipyridyl ligands (L) were synthesized. X‐ray analysis revealed that these complexes consisted of an outer ring (Zn₃L₃ or Ni₃L₃) and an inner core (Zn₂ or Ni). In the Zn^II complex, the inner Zn₂ part rotated rapidly inside the outer ring in solution on an NMR timescale. These complexes exhibited dual catalytic activities for CO₂ fixations: synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO₂ and temperature‐switched N‐formylation/N‐methylation of amines with CO₂ and hydrosilane.     

Interaction of highly charged ions with carbon-based materials using Kobe EBIS

Interaction of highly charged ions (HCIs) with surfaces produce various specific phenomena as a consequence of the potential energy that HCI possesses. In the present study, we have observed photon emission, structural, magnetic, and electronic modification on various carbon-based materials such as carbon nanotube by the impact of HCIs using an electron beam ion source named Kobe EBIS installed at the Kobe University. In order to study the potential effect, HCIs of Ar^q+ (q = 6–16) with the intensity of 0.1–1 nA are projected on the surface with a constant kinetic energy (16 keV). For photon emission measurements, we observed spatial and spectral distribution of visible light emission from the surface during irradiation with HCIs. On the other hand, the structural modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) irradiated with HCIs has been analyzed using a transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Irradiation effects on the resistivity of single MWCNT supported on micrometer scale bridge pattern were also measured. We have also measured magnetic structure of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite irradiated with HCIs using electron spin resonance at low temperature. At the present paper, we will review our recent experimental results on the interaction of HCI with various carbon-based materials.     

Direct through anionic,cationic, and radical active species: Terminal carbon–halogen bond for “controlled”/living polymerizations of styrene

In this work, we examined the synthesis of novel block (co)polymers by mechanistic transformation through anionic, cationic, and radical living polymerizations using terminal carbon–halogen bond as the dormant species. First, the direct halogenation of growing species in the living anionic polymerization of styrene was examined with CCl₄ to form a carbon–halogen terminal, which can be employed as the dormant species for either living cationic or radical polymerization. The mechanistic transformation was then performed from living anionic polymerization into living cationic or radical polymerization using the obtained polymers as the macroinitiator with the SnCl₄/n‐Bu₄NCl or RuCp^*Cl(PPh₃)/Et₃N initiating system, respectively. Finally, the combination of all the polymerizations allowed the synthesis block copolymers including unprecedented gradient block copolymers composed of styrene and p‐methylstyrene. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 465–473     

N-Doping of Polyaromatic Capsules: Small Cavity Modification Leads to Large Change in Host–Guest Interactions

To gain insight into the host functions of a nanocavity encircled by both polyaromatic panels and heteroatoms, nitrogen-doped polyaromatic capsules were successfully synthesized from metal ions and pyridine-embedded, bent anthracene-based ligands. The new capsules display unique host–guest interactions in the isolated cavities, which are distinct from those of the undoped analogues. Besides the inclusion of Ag⁺ ions, the large absorption change of fullerene C₆₀ and altered emission of a BODIPY dimer are observed upon encapsulation by the present hosts. Moreover, the N-doped capsule exhibits specific binding ability toward progesterone and methyltestosterone, known as a natural female and synthetic male hormone, respectively, in water.     

Single-step preparation of topological gels using vinyl-modified β-cyclodextrin as a figure-of-six cross-linker

Herein, we have proposed a single-step preparation of topological gels using vinyl-modified β-cyclodextrin (V-β-CyD) and isoprene. Copolymerization of V-β-CyD and isoprene in an aqueous solution resulted in gelation due to V-β-CyD acting as a novel type of copolymer chain cross-linker. The vinyl moiety of V-β-CyD becomes a part of the copolymer, while the β-CyD moiety of V-β-CyD simultaneously incorporates the isoprene component of the copolymer. V-β-CyD is capable of two different modes of cross-linking at each end, i.e., chemically bonding and mechanically interlocking. Due to the shape of the cross-linking point, we refer to it as figure-of-six cross-linking. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that the gel contained V-β-CyD and isoprene in an approximately 1:0.3 stoichiometry. The relatively high content of β-CyD was reflected in the character of the gel; the gel swelled in dimethylformamide which is a good solvent of β-CyD. A fluorometric analysis using 6-(p-toluidino)-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid showed that the appended β-CyD was able to accommodate guest molecules. Introduction of an additional vinyl monomer into the gel was also successful. Addition of 4-vinylphenylboronic acid to the preparation procedure yielded a sugar-responsive gel that swelled in the presence of d-fructose.     

Synthesis and properties of functional dyes with squaraine–naphthalene diimide hybrid structure

Naphthalene diimides (NDIs) are promising candidate for electron acceptors due to their low-lying HOMOs and LUMOs. The functinalization of soluble NDIs at the 2,6-position affects the absorption and electrochemical properties. In this study, NDI-based hybrid dyes NDI-SQ-A, B fused with squaraine chromophore were designed and synthesized in order to elucidate the effects of the substitution on their optical and electrochemical properties. These dyes were successfully synthesized by Stille coupling reactions using 3-stannylcyclobutenediones and brominated NDI derivative, followed by a condensation reaction. DFT calculation predicts that the present dyes adopt distorted structures coming from a steric hindrance between semisquaraine and NDI moieties. The hybrid dyes show low-lying LUMOs due to the introduction of electron-deficient NDI moiety and broad absorption spectra in the far-red region. The absorption spectra of their thin films were bathochromically shifted relative to those in solution, indicating that hybrid dyes formed J aggregates.     

Novel indoline dye tetrabutylammonium carboxylates attached with a methyl group on the cyclopentane ring for dye-sensitized solar cells

(2R,3aR,8bR)- and (2S,3aS,8bS)-2-Methyl indoline dye tetrabutylammonium carboxylates exhibited the highest conversion efficiency among four regio and stereo isomers. These indoline dyes also showed higher conversion efficiency than DN350.     

Iron-catalyzed enyne cross-coupling reaction

In the presence of 0.5-1 mol % of FeCl(3) with lithium bromide as a crucial additive, alkynyl Grignard reagents, prepared from the corresponding alkynes and methylmagnesium bromide, react with alkenyl bromides or triflates to give the corresponding conjugated enynes in high to excellent yields. The reaction shows wide applicability to various terminal alkynes and alkenyl electrophiles.