Stacking Control by Molecular Symmetry of Sterically Protected Phthalocyanines

The synthesis and characterization of two phthalocyanine (Pc) structural isomers, 1 and 2, in which four 2,6-di(hexyloxy)phenyl units were attached directly to the 1,8,15,22- or 1,4,15,18-positions of the Pc rings, are described. Both Pcs 1 and 2 exhibited low melting points, i.e., 120 and 130 °C respectively, due to the reduction in intermolecular π-π interaction among the Pc rings caused by the steric hindrance of 2,6-dihexyloxybenzene units. The thermal behaviors were investigated with temperature-controlled polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and absorption spectral analyses. Pc 1, having C_4h molecular symmetry, organized into a lamellar structure containing lateral assemblies of Pc rings. In contrast, the other Pc 2 revealed the formation of metastable crystalline phases, including disordered stacks of Pcs due to rapid cooling from a melted liquid.     

Fabrication of Self‐Oscillating Micelles with a Built‐In Oxidizing Agent

Various biological behaviors are fueled by “respiration”, which is an example of catabolism. So far, we have reported various self‐oscillating soft materials exhibiting bioinspired dynamic movements. These autonomous polymer systems are driven by the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction, which is analogous to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle that is an integral part of respiration. However, in the BZ reaction, the external addition of an oxidizing agent is necessary to initiate the oxidation process, which is realized by intracellular moieties such as ubiquinone in living systems. Herein, we realized self‐oscillating micelles that are driven without the external addition of an oxidizing agent. This was achieved by embedding the oxidizing source into the structure of the self‐oscillating AB diblock copolymers. This strategy introduces a new function equivalent to intracellular oxidizing moieties, and is useful for the design of completely autonomous bioinspired materials.     

Triallylstannyllithium-allyllithium as an initiator for the anionic reversible chain transfer polymerization of 1,3-butadiene

The anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene using a novel metalloidal anion initiator, triallylstannyllithium (TALi)-allyllithium (ALi), was studied. The TALi-ALi initiated anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene gave the star polymer along with the linear polybutadiene (PBD). The star polymer consisted of three PBD branches and a central tin atom. What is striking is a fact that the number-average molecular weights (M_n) and molecular weight distribution of three PBD branches and linear PBD were almost identical. A reversible chain transfer polymerization mechanism, which includes the equilibrium between tri(macroallyl)-stannyllithium and macroallylic anion, is proposed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Proton Conduction at High Temperature in High-Symmetry Hydrogen-Bonded Molecular Crystals of RuIII Complexes with Six Imidazole-Imidazolate Ligands

A new H-bonded crystal [Ru^III(Him)₃(Im)₃] with three imidazole (Him) and three imidazolate (Im⁻) groups was prepared to obtain a higher-temperature proton conductor than a Nafion membrane with water driving. The crystal is constructed by complementary N−H⋅⋅⋅N H-bonds between the Ru^III complexes and has a rare Icy-c* cubic network topology with a twofold interpenetration without crystal anisotropy. The crystals show a proton conductivity of 3.08×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 450 K and a faster conductivity than those formed by only HIms. The high proton conductivity is attributed to not only molecular rotations and hopping motions of HIm frameworks that are activated at ∼113 K, but also isotropic whole-molecule rotation of [Ru^III(Him)₃(Im)₃] at temperatures greater than 420 K. The latter rotation was confirmed by solid-state ²H NMR spectroscopy; probable proton conduction routes were predicted and theoretically considered.     

Ion chromatographic system with a novel switching suppression device

Ion chromatography (IC) has been a powerful tool for measuring ionic species in environmental samples such as tap, river and drain waters. Suppressor modules (membrane and disposable column types) have been used for reducing the background of a baseline. A new type of suppressor device, which has a suppressor resin and switching valve was developed. Fresh ionic resin is introduced into a groove for each analysis to perform the suppression of the working eluent. The eluent composition for obtaining higher sensitivity and better resolutions among ionic species and carbonate ion was also investigated. Although carbonate buffers are used for ion separation in general, the separation of carbonate ion from other ions was not achieved. A borate eluent resulted in good resolutions and higher sensitivity. A new column was also developed for obtaining higher column efficiency and resolution. The optimization of anion separation using a new IC system (IC-2001) that consists of a new suppressor device, an anion-exchange column (TSKgel SuperIC-Anion, 150x4.6 mm), an autosampler, a conductivity cell and a pump in a compact module is described.     

Syntheses, structures and antimicrobial activities of water-soluble silver(I)-oxygen bonding complexes with chiral and racemic camphanic acid (Hca) ligands

Water-soluble, relatively light-stable, chiral and achiral silver(I) complexes [[Ag(2)(ca)(2)]](n) and [[Ag(2)(ca)(2)(Hca)(2)]](n)(R- and S-Hca =(1R,4S)- and (1S,4R)-4,7,7-trimethyl-3-oxo-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-carboxylic acid, respectively) prepared from the reaction of Ag(2)O with chiral and racemic Hca in 1:2 and 1:4 molar ratios were characterized by elemental analysis, TG/DTA, FTIR, and solution ((1)H, (13)C and (109)Ag) and solid-state ((13)C) NMR spectroscopy. Crystallography revealed that unique 2(1) helical polymer and zigzag structures were formed on self-assembly of the dimeric units in the crystals of [[Ag(2)(S-ca)(2)]](n) and three [[Ag(2)(ca)(2)(Hca)(2)]](n). In the crystal of [[Ag(2)(S-ca)(2)]](n) two 2(1) helices and a loop were observed in the stair-like polymer structure, whereas zigzag and a loop were seen in the crystals of three [[Ag(2)(ca)(2)(Hca)(2)]](n). Carbon NMR spectra in the solid state and in D(2)O indicated that these polymeric structures were loosely bound and fast ligand-exchange reactions took place in aqueous solution. The complexes, [[Ag(2)(ca)(2)]](n) and [[Ag(2)(ca)(2)(Hca)(2)]](n), showed a wide spectrum of effective antimicrobial activity as anticipated for weak silver(i)-O bonding complexes. Similar antimicrobial activity of [[Ag(2)(ca)(2)]](n) and [[Ag(2)(ca)(2)(Hca)(2)]](n) against selected microorganisms suggested that ligand exchangeability played an important role as well as the coordination geometry of the silver(i) ion.     

Synthesis of Bioactive Organic-Inorganic Hybrids with γ-Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane

Bioactive organic-inorganic hybrids were synthesized through sol-gel processing starting from -methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. NMR-spectroscopic studies showed the presence of silanol groups (Si–OH) and Si–O–Si bonds. In vitro tests of the hybrids for bioactivity with a simulated body fluid (Kokubo solution) indicated that only calcium-containing hybrids could form apatite on their surfaces. Thus the presence of calcium ions was no less important to deposit apatite than the formation of silanol groups or Si–O–Si bonds.