Origin of visible-light-driven photocatalysis: A comparative study on N/F-doped and N-F-codoped TiO2 powders by means of experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations

An overall comparative study was carried out on N-doped, F-doped, and N-F-codoped TiO₂ powders (NTO, FTO, NFTO) synthesized by spray pyrolysis in order to elucidate the origin of their visible-light-driven photocatalysis. The comparisons in their experimentally obtained characteristics were based on the analysis of XPS, UV-Vis, PL, NH₃-TPD and ESR spectra. The comparisons in their theoretically predicted properties were based on the analysis of the calculated electronic structures. As the results, N-doping into TiO₂ resulted in not only the improvement in visible-light absorption but also the creation of surface oxygen vacancies. F-doping produced several beneficial effects including the creation of surface oxygen vacancies, the enhancement of surface acidity and the increase of Ti³⁺ ions. Doped N atoms formed a localized energy state above the valence band of TiO₂, whereas doped F atoms themselves had no influence on the band structure. The photocatalytic tests indicated that the NFTO demonstrated the highest visible-light activity for decompositions of both acetaldehyde and trichloroethylene. This high activity was ascribed to a synergetic consequence of several beneficial effects induced by the N-F-codoping.     

Fluorine-doped TiO2 powders prepared by spray pyrolysis and their improved photocatalytic activity for decomposition of gas-phase acetaldehyde

F-doped TiO₂ (FTO) powders were synthesized by spray pyrolysis (SP) from an aqueous solution of H₂TiF₆. The resulting FTO powders possessed spherical particles with a rough surface morphology and a strong surface acidity. The fluorine concentrations in the FTO powders calculated from XPS spectra significantly depended on SP temperature and ranged from 2.76 to 9.40 at.%. The FTO powder prepared at SP temperature of 1173 K demonstrated the highest photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of gas-phase acetaldehyde under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light (vis) irradiations, and it was higher than that of commercial P 25. This high photocatalytic activity was ascribed to several beneficial effects produced by F-doping: enhancement of surface acidity, creation of oxygen vacancies, and increase of active sites. It was interesting to point out that the vis photocatalytic activity of FTO powders was achieved by the creation of surface oxygen vacancies rather than the improvement of optical absorption property of bulk TiO₂ in vis region.     

Bitterness evaluation of medicines for pediatric use by a taste sensor

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bitterness of 18 different antibiotic and antiviral drug formulations, widely used to treat infectious diseases in children and infants, in human gustatory sensation tests and using an artificial taste sensor. Seven of the formulations were found to have a bitterness intensity exceeding 1.0 in gustatory sensation tests (evaluated against quinine as a standard) and were therefore assumed to have an unpleasant taste to children. The bitterness intensity scores of the medicines were examined using suspensions in water or an acidic sports drink. In the case of three macrolide antibiotic formulations containing erythromycin (ERYTHROCIN dry syrup), clarithromycin (CLARITH dry syrup for pediatric), and azithromycin (ZITHROMAC fine granules for pediatric use), the bitterness intensities of suspensions in acidic sports drinks were dramatically enhanced compared with the corresponding scores of suspensions in water. This enhancement could be predicted using the taste sensor. On the other hand, a reduction of bitterness intensity was observed for an acidic sports drink suspension of an amantadine product (SYMMETREL fine granules) compared with an aqueous suspension. This reduction in bitterness could also be predicted using the taste sensor output value. Thus, the taste sensor could predict whether or not suspension in an acidic sports drink would enhance or reduce the bitterness intensity of pediatric drug formulations, compared with suspensions in water.     

Efficient regioselective aldol condensation of methyl ketones promoted by organoaluminum compounds,and its application to muscone synthesis

Regioselective aldol condensation of 2-octanone and 2-butanone at the methyl side proceeded in high yields using a system of dialkylaluminum phenoxide/tertiary amine. The intramolecular aldol condensation of 2,15-hexadecanedione was carried out by the same system, especially di-i-butylaluminum phenoxide/pyridine, to give dehydromuscone in 65% yield. Its hydrogenation afforded muscone (3-methylcyclopentadecanone).     

Novel synthesis of 1,3-dienes from 1-alkenes via /ldene/rd reaction with pummerer rearrangement product: a short synthesis of the sex pheromone of the red bollworm moth

A Pummerer rearrangement product, 4-chlorophenylthiomethyl trifluoroacetate (6), obtained from 4-chlorophenyl methyl sulfoxide (5) and trifluoroacetic anhydride, reacted with 1-alkenes in trifluoroacetic acid to give the ene products 8, which were readily converted into the terminal 1,3-dienes 10 by oxidation and subsequent pyrolysis. Using this method, 9,11-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (12), a sex pheromone of the red bollworm moth, was synthesized.     

Synthesis of 2-, 4- and 5-(2-alkylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-7-alkyloxybenzo[b]furans and their leukotriene B4 receptor antagonistic activity

Variable benzo[b]furan derivatives having (E)- and (Z)-2-alkylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl groups at the 2-, 4- and 5-positions and a carboxylpropoxy or (1-phenyl)ethoxy group at the 7-position were prepared to find novel and selective leukotriene B4(LTB4) receptor antagonists. (E)-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzo[b]furan (4v) showed selective inhibition to the human BLT2 receptor (hBLT2). On the other hand, (E)-2-acetyl-4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)-7-(1-phenylethoxy)benzo[b]furan (7v) inhibited both human BLT(1) receptor (hBLT1) and hBLT2. The (E)-2-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl) group lay on approximately the same plane as the benzo[b]furan ring, whereas the (E)-4-(2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl) group had the torsion angle (45.7 degree) from the benzo[b]furan ring plane. However, the (Z)-(2-alkylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl)benzo[b]furans were inactive. The inhibitory activity depended on the conformation of the 2-diethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl group.     

Simons electrochemical fluorination of substituted homopiperazines(hexahydro-1,4-diazepines) and piperazines

Simons electrochemical fluorination (ECF) of 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-homopiperazine, methyl 4-ethylhomopiperazin-1-ylacetate and 1,4-bis(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4-homopiperazine was studied. For comparison, ECF of three piperazines with a N-(methoxycarbonylmethyl) group(s) was also studied. ECF of 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-homopiperazine gave a low yield of corresponding perfluoro(1,4-dimethyl-1,4-homopiperazine) together with perfluoro(2,6-diaza-2,6-dimethylheptane) as the major product. Corresponding perfluoro(homopiperazines) with mono- and/or di-(fluorocarbonyldifluoromethyl) groups [CF₂C(O)F] at the 1- and/or 4-position were formed in low yields from methyl 4-ethylhomopiperazin-1-ylacetate and 1,4-bis(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4-homopiperazine, respectively. These new seven-membered perfluoro(1,4-dialkyl-1,4-homopiperazines) were accompanied by the formation of mono- and/or di-basic linear perfluoroacid fluorides resulting from the CC bond scission at the 2- and 3-positions of the ring. From mono- and/or di-N-(methoxycarbonylmethyl)-substituted piperazines, corresponding perfluoropeperazines having the acid fluoride group(s) were formed in low yields.     

Dual-mode electrochromism switched by proton transfer: dynamic redox properties of bis(diarylmethylenium)-type dyes

Upon oxidative dimerization of pale yellow Ar2C=CHPh 1 (Ar = 4-Me2NC6H4), deep blue 1,4-dication 2(2+) was obtained as a stable salt, which was transformed into 1 by reductive C-C bond fission; deprotonation of 2(2+) gave intense yellow diene 3, which was interconvertible with violet dication 4(2+) by two-electron transfer, thus exhibiting two distinct modes of electrochromism before and after proton transfer.