A novel strategy for fluorescence enhancement in the solid-state: affording rigidity to fluorophores packing

Solid-state fluorescence enhancement was achieved by preparation of rigid packing that was afforded by disposition of benzylamine into tubulate spaces, serving as a powerful and useful strategy for the enhancement.     

Infrared and Raman Spectra and lattice Vibrations of Some Ionic Crystals: Fluorides and Oxides

The infrared and Raman spectra of so-called ionic crystals have been subjects of many investigations by chemists as well as by physicists. These spectra have been interpreted on the basis of a dynamical theory on the long-lattice vibrations of the optical branches by Born and Huang [l]. An interpretation of the optically active lattice vibrations of crystals yields important information regarding the interionic interactions in the crystal. The interatomic interactions in the ionic crystals are divided into the short-range repulsive and long-range electrostatic interactions, while those in the molecular crystals arise primarily from the short-range repulsive ones.     

Construction of isostructural hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks: limitations and possibilities of pore expansion

The library of isostructural porous frameworks enables a systematic survey to optimize the structure and functionality of porous materials. In contrary to metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), a handful of isostructural frameworks have been reported for hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) due to the weakness of the bonds. Herein, we provide a rule-of-thumb to develop isostructural HOFs, where we demonstrate the construction of the third and fourth generation of isostructural HAT-based HOFs (TolHAT-1 and ThiaHAT-1) by considering three important structural factors, that are (1) directional H-bonding, (2) shape-fitted docking of the HAT core, and (3) modulation of peripheral moieties. Their structural and photo-physical properties including HCl vapor detection are presented. Moreover, TolHAT-1, ThiaHAT-1, and other isostructural HOFs (CPHAT-1 and CBPHAT-1) were thoroughly compared from the viewpoints of structures and properties. Importantly, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation proves to be rationally capable of evaluating the stability of isostructural HOFs. These results can accelerate the development of various isostructural molecular porous materials.

The library of isostructural porous frameworks enables a systematic survey to optimize the structure and functionality of porous materials.     

[2.2.2.2](2,7)‐1‐Bromonaphthalenophane from a Desymmetrized Building Block Bearing Electrophilic and Masked Nucleophilic Functionalities

In search of 2,7‐ethylene‐bridged naphthalenophanes with desymmetrized naphthalene cores as inherently chiral cyclophanes, nucleophilic substitution of 1‐bromo‐7‐(bromomethyl)‐2‐[(trimethylsilyl)methyl]naphthalene, a desymmetrized building block bearing an electrophilic group (CH₂Br) and a masked nucleophilic functionality (CH₂TMS) which can be activated by fluoride anion, was examined. As a result, in contrast to the case of parent naphthalenophanes wherein the smallest [2.2]naphthalenophane was obtained as the major product, only [2.2.2.2](2,7)‐1‐bromonaphthalenophane was obtained albeit in low yields, whereas the corresponding [2.2]‐ or [2.2.2]naphthalenophanes were not obtained. Though the [2.2.2.2]‐1‐bromonaphthalenophane can adopt four idealized geometries of different symmetry, among which three are inherently chiral, theoretical calculations predict that three conformers have almost equal energy and may equilibrate in solution. The X‐ray crystallographic study shows that it adopts a C₂ conformation with anti,anti,anti orientation of the C?Br bonds at least as a major component in crystal.     

Antiadhesive Nanosomes Facilitate Targeting of the Lysosomal GlcNAc Salvage Pathway through Derailed Cancer Endocytosis

Activated endocytosis of extracellular macromolecules and their intracellular trafficking to lysosomes is an essential metabolic mechanism in cancer cells during their rapid proliferation. Cancer cells reuse a vast amount of N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) supplied from the GlcNAc salvage pathway for the accelerated synthesis of a pivotal uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐GlcNAc. A method to inactivate key glycosidases in lysosomes could critically contribute to the development of potent anticancer therapy. Here we demonstrate that “nanosomes” made of core metals covered by an antiadhesive mixed self‐assembled monolayer allow for avoiding nonspecific surface protein corona and targeted molecular delivery through activated endocytosis. Nanosomes carrying suicide substrates showed that lysosomal glycosidases such as β‐hexosaminidase and β‐galactosidase in cancer cells are promising targets for novel anticancer therapeutic nanomedicine that induce apoptotic cell death through lysosomal membrane permeabilization. The advantage of this method is evident because multivalent surface loading by antiadhesive nanosomes makes it possible to highlight “weak interactions” such as carbohydrate–lectin interactions independent of surface protein corona.     

Far‐ and Deep‐Ultraviolet Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor

Plasmonics in the UV region has been widely focused because of the higher energy and the abundant electronic resonances compared to the conventional visible plasmonics. Recently, we have investigated the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of the Al film, aiming for the application as refractive index sensors. Utilizing the UV lights, we expect three advantages: high sensitivity, material selectivity, and surface selectivity. By using an original attenuated total reflectance spectroscopic instrument, Al‐SPR angle and wavelength were investigated with changing environments on the Al film. Al film thickness and materials of prisms on which Al was evaporated were also important factors for the SPR properties. By optimizing the conditions, the Al film worked as a sensor both in air and in liquids. In addition, our established system expands the plasmonics into an even higher energy region than 200 nm, while the UV‐plasmonics have been studied in the wavelength region longer than 200 nm.     

Source/drain engineering for MOSFETs with embedded-Si:C technology

Embedded silicon carbon alloy (e-Si:C) technology for source and drain (S/D) is expected to improve nMOSFET drive current. The distribution and activation characteristics of arsenic in Si:C film and the interfacial solid-phase reaction of the Ni/Si:C system were studied with the aim of achieving the maximum improvement of the characteristics of e-Si:C S/D. It was clarified that the active carrier concentration of Si:C decreased with increasing carbon concentration compared to the control Si. There is concern that the low doping activation in Si:C increases series resistance of e-Si:C S/D nMOSFETs and degrades the performance gain expected from the strain effect.