Synthesis of the branched-chain sugar aceric acid: a unique component of the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan-II

Described herein is the synthesis of 3-C-carboxy-5-deoxy-L-xylose (aceric acid), a rare branched-chain sugar found in the complex pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan-II. The key synthetic step in the construction of aceric acid was the stereoselective addition of 2-trimethylsilyl thiazole to 5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-L-erythro-pentofuran-3-ulose (2), which was prepared from L-xylose. The thiazole group was efficiently converted into the required carboxyl group via conventional transformations. Aceric acid was also synthesized by dihydroxylation of a 3-C-methylene derivative of 2 followed by oxidation of the resulting hydroxylmethyl group. The C-2 epimer of aceric acid was also synthesized using thiazole addition chemistry, starting from L-arabinose.     

Reactions of hydridosilacyclobutanes with low-valent complexes of iron or platinum

Unstable transition metal compounds formed from hydridosilacyclobutanes are described: 1-methyl-1-silacyclobutane reacts with nonacarbonyldiiron to give the complexes [Fe(CO)₄(H){$\text{Si(Me)CH}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{C}$H₂}] and [$\text{Fe{CH}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{Si}$(H)Me}(CO)₄], and with bis(triphenylphosphine)(ethylene)platinum(0) to give [Pt(H)(PPh₃)₂{$\text{Si(Me)CH}{}_2\text{CH}{}_2\text{C}$H₂}].     

Electropolymerization of aminophthalic acids. I. Polymerization of 4-aminophthalic acid

4-Aminophthalic acid has been polymerized in almost quantitative yield to low molecular weight polymer by electrochemical initiation at a platinum anode. Systems involving the acid, amine salt, and the ammonium salt have been explored; the acid and/or the amine salt of the acid provides the best means of obtaining polymer. Maximum molecular weight is attained in a very short time at low current densities (～2 hr at 50 mA). Thermogravimetric data indicate a temperature stability comparable to polyamide-imide polymers (400°C). Long reaction times and high current densities decrease molecular weight and polymer yield.     

Monocarbaborane anion chemistry. An interesting encapsulation of the Pd2I2(P(C6H(4)-4-Me)3)4]2+ cation by a pair of [PhCB9H4I(C6H4Me)4]- anions

Reaction of the [1-Ph-closo-1-CB9H(4)-6,7,8,9,10-I5]- anion with 4-MeC6H4MgBr in the presence of [PdCl2(PPh3)2] gives the [Pd2I2(P(C6H(4)-4-Me)3)4]2+ salt of the [1-Ph-closo-1-CB9H(4)-10-I-6,7,8,9-(C6H(4)-4-Me)4]- anion, which exhibits an unusual neutral supramolecular assembly in the solid state, in which the dipalladium dication is encapsulated by two four-armed 'tetrapus' anionic units; the anion also has potentialities for four-fold dendrimer construction.     

Assemblies from metallic and semiconducting nanocrystals

Optical properties of nanomaterials such as semiconductor and metal quantum dots are important for sensors and photovoltaic applications. We report on optical, microscopic, and AFM investigations on bulk and single nanoobjects such as metal and semiconducting nanoparticles. Firstly, of special interest is the investigation of Ag metal nanoaggregates formed in zeolites. Here, the defined structure of the zeolite serves both as size directing and a stabilizing agent. The size selected Ag aggregates fluoresce in the zeolite cages even after storage under ambient conditions for almost one year. In addition, single Ag particles escape the cages and can be investigated by fluorescence microscopy also with respect to sensor applications. Secondly, with respect to photovoltaic applications, energy transfer among organic dye molecules and semiconductor quantum dots is of great importance. We report on the extension of the optical absorption of ZnSe quantum dots into the UV regime and investigate excitation energy transfer within self-assembled nanoaggregates of surface functionalized QDs and fluorescent styrylpyridine dyes.     

A shell model for energy transfer in lanthanide elpasolite crystals

Published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spectroscopii, Vol. 62, No. 5, pp. 213–220, September–October, 1995.     

Description of a biofluorescence optical particle counter

A bioaerosol fluorescence detection system is being constructed using an ellipsoid reflector-based optical particle counter. The flux measuring device is to size submicron marine spray aerosol particles smaller than 100 nm in diameter. It will simultaneously non-destructively excite and detect fluorescence from organic matter contained in the aerosol. Chlorophyll-a is the primary fluorophor target, used as a marker for detecting phytoplankton (or derivatives thereof) in the particles. Particles have been sized to 500 nm in diameter and fluorescence detection testing is underway. The device will aid the quantification and identification of this organic material contained in marine spray aerosols, providing improved inputs into climate models and air quality assessments.     

Oscillating viscosity in a lyotropic lamellar phase under shear flow

We report some time-dependent behavior of lyotropic lamellar phase under shear flow. At fixed stress, near a layering instability, the system presents an oscillating shear rate. We build up a new stress versus shear rate diagram that includes temporal behavior. This diagram is made of two distinct branches of stationary states which correspond, respectively, to disordered and ordered multilamellar vesicle phases. When increasing the shear stress, prior to the transition to the ordered structural state, sustained oscillations of the viscosity are recorded. They correspond to periodic structural change of the entire sample between a disordered and a ordered state of multilamellar vesicles.     

Undulation instability under shear: A model to explain the different orientations of a lamellar phase under shear?

We study the effects of a dilation on a sheared smectic A phase. Through a linear analysis, we show that undulation may grow in the direction of the flow and of the vorticity as found in previous works. At higher shear rates, we evidence that the undulation along the flow disappears whereas it persists in the vorticity direction. We determine the stable or unstable zone as a function of the shear rate and of the lamellar spacing. This allows us to draw a theoretical shear diagram of the instability. Finally we compare our results with the orientations found experimentally in a lyotropic lamellar phase under shear. Our diagram describes qualitatively and quantitatively the transition observed at high shear rate. Received 18 October 1999