Helical structures of N-alkylated poly(p-benzamide)s

Poly(p-benzamide)s 1 bearing a chiral side chain on the nitrogen atom were synthesized by chain-growth polycondensation methodology. The polyamides exhibited well-defined molecular weights with narrow polydispersities. Solutions of the polyamides in several organic solvents (CH(3)CN, CHCl(3), and CH(3)OH) showed dispersion type CD signals characteristic of coupled-oscillator and much larger as compared with the corresponding monomer. The CD signals were dependent on the temperature and molecular weight of the polyamides but independent of the solvent, as far as examined. An exciton model analysis of the absorption and CD spectra provided a clear-cut picture for the secondary structure of these polyamides in solution that the N-alkylated poly(p-benzamide)s possess a right-handed helical conformation ((P)-helix). In the solid states, the results of X-ray crystallographic analysis of 4-(methylamino)benzoic acid oligomers substantiated that they have a helical conformation with three monomer units per turn.     

UCST‐type phase transition driven by protein‐derived polypeptide employing gelatin and chitosan

Here, we describe the thermosensitive reversible phase transition behaviors of polyelectrolyte complex composed of gelatin and chitosan (G/C complex). An aqueous dispersion of the G/C complexes showed a clear upper critical solution temperature (UCST) at around 30°C. The thermosensitive phase transition behavior showed excellent reversibility and large thermal hysteresis as a usual phenomenon based on the intra‐ and inter‐molecular interaction change. A high correlation was observed between the UCST of the G/C complex and the helix‐melting temperature of gelatin by circular dichroism, which suggested that the phase transition of the G/C complex corresponded to the secondary structure (helix‐coil) transition of gelatin. Notably, the UCST of the G/C complex shifted to lower temperatures in the presence of urea, which is well known to destabilize gelatin, whereas the addition of salt led to the dissolution of the G/C complex. It is envisaged that the results of this study will have a significant impact on the fabrication of UCST‐type thermosensitive materials, which can be utilized under aqueous physiological conditions using well‐known biopolymers. This protein‐derived functional material, which responds to the secondary structure transition, could also be used for the development of novel UCST‐type thermosensitive biomaterials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of oxygen on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene

The effects of oxygen on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene were studied at a temperature of 30°C.; the pressure was 400 kg./cm.², the dose rate was 1.9 × 10⁵ rad/hr.; and oxygen content was from 1–2000 ppm. The main product was solid polymer, and no liquid product was found. The gaseous products were hydrogen, acetylene, higher hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, aldehydes, and acids. Several kinds of carbonyls similar to those formed in γ-ray oxidized polyethylene were observed in the polymer. The polymer yield and the degree of polymerization decreased markedly with increasing oxygen content, while the amount of carbonyls in the polymer increased. The number of moles of polymer chain and the amounts of hydrogen and acetylene were found to be almost independent of the oxygen content. The polymerization of pure ethylene was not affected by carbon dioxide and formic acid. On addition of acetaldehyde, the polymer yield and the degree of polymerization decreased markedly, while the number of moles of polymer chain increased. In the polymerization of ethylene containing oxygen, both the rate of oxygen consumption and the carbonyl content of the polymer increased, while the inhibition period decreased by the addition of acetaldehyde. It was found that the degree of polymerization after the inhibition period is almost independent of the reaction time in the presence of acetaldehyde, while it increases with the time in the absence of acetaldehyde.     

Titanium alkoxide complex of functionalized conjugated dienes. A versatile bis-anionic template for stereoselective construction of carbon frameworks

1,3-Butadiene-2-carboxylates were treated with a titanium(II) alkoxide reagent, Ti(O-i-Pr)4/2i-PrMgCl, to generate diene-titanium alkoxide complexes, the presence of which was verified by hydrolysis and deuteriolysis to give the corresponding monoolefins or their bis-deuterated counterpart. These diene complexes underwent successive addition to an aldehyde (as the first electrophile) and iodine (as the second one) in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner to give the corresponding iodo alcohol. Optically active 1,3-butadiene-2-carboxylates afforded the same adducts of high asymmetric induction. Besides these electron-deficient dienes, electron-rich 2-siloxy-1,3-butadienes also participated in the formation of the titanium complex, which led to the preparation of functionalized enol silyl ethers through regio- and stereoselective coupling with carbonyl compounds and hydrolytic workup.     

Photochemical synthesis of heteroatom-containing polycyclic aromatic compounds

Anthra[2,1-b]furan, anthra[2,1-b]benzo[d]furan, anthra[2,1-b]thiophene, anthra[1,2-b]thiophene, anthra[2,1-b]benzo[d]thiophene, anthra[2,1-b]pyrrole and naphtho[2,3-c]carbazole derivatives were synthesized in fairly good yields by a one-pot photocycloaddition reaction of 2,3-disubstituted 1,4-naphthoquinone with 1,1-diarylethylene. This is the first reported synthesis of these aromatic compounds.     

Effect of acetylene on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene

The effects of acetylene on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene were studied from the viewpoint of the gaseous products and polymer structure. The experiments were carried out under a pressure of 400 kg/cm²; the temperature was 30°C; the does rate was 1.1 × 10⁵ rad/hr; and the acetylene content was 0–20%. The solid polymer was obtained in the polymerization of ethylene containing 2.2% acetylene, while the monomer containing 19.7% acetylene gave a yellowish viscous oil. The polymer yield and molecular weight decreased remarkably with acetylene content. The main gaseous product was hydrogen, and trace amounts of butane, butene-1, butadiene-1,3, and benzene and its derivatives were also observed. The rate of formation of hydrogen was almost independent of acetylene content and there was no difference in acetylene contents before and after the irradiation was found. The infrared spectra of the polymers showed the presence of vinylidene, trans-vinylene, and terminal vinyl unsaturations, 1,4-disubstituted benzene, and carbonyl groups. The contents of trans-vinylene, terminal vinyl, and methyl groups increased with acetylene content, and that of vinylidene was independent of acetylene content. The monomer reactivity ratios of ethylene and acetylene were evaluated as 45.5 and 66.0, respectively. On the basis of the results, the effects of acetylene on the γ-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene were discussed.     

Microdetermination of halogens in organic compounds

Summary Safford andStragand have described a method for the microdetermination of halogens using a silver-gauze-absorbent. The procedure is very simple, but unfortunately the results are not precise enough to enable the method to be recommended.The method has been modified. The sample is burned in an atmosphere of oxygen using a platinum catalyst, and the halogen formed is quantitatively absorbed on electrolytic silver wool in a special absorption-funnel, which is then weighed. The method is precise and accurate (standard deviation of the results: 0.12 per cent). Silver wool presents a much greater surface than silver-gauze and absorbs on an average 160 mg of chlorine per gram, i. e. forty or fifty times as much as a piece of silvergauze of the same dimensions. The charge in an absorption-funnel therefore has a long life for routine analysis of halogen compounds. The operating temperature range of the silver-wool is wide, so that precise control is not neccessary. The method compares favourably in accuracy, precision and simplicity with established methods.

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Zusammenfassung Safford undStragand veröffentlichten eine Methode zur Mikro-Halogenbestimmung mit Hilfe eines Silberdrahtnetzes als Absorptionsmittel. Dieses Verfahren ist sehr einfach, aber seine Resultate leider nicht genau genug, um es zu empfehlen. Die Methode wurde daher modifiziert. Die Substanz wird in einer Sauerstoff-Atmosphäre über einem Platinkontakt verbrannt, das Halogen quantitativ in einem besonderen Absorptionsröhrchen über elektrolytischer Silberwolle absorbiert und dann gewogen. Diese Methode ist genau und verläßlich (mittlere Abweichung der Resultate: 0,12%). Silberwolle bietet eine viel größere Oberfläche als Silberdrahtgeflecht und absorbiert durchschnittlich 160 mg Chlor pro Gramm, das heißt 40- bis 50mal mehr als Silberdrahtgeflecht gleichen Ausmaßes. Die Füllung eines Absorptionsr öhrchens reicht daher für viele Serienanalysen von Halogenverbindungen. Das geeignete Temperaturbereich für Silberwolle ist groß, eine genaue Kontrolle daher nicht nötig. Die Genauigkeit und Einfachheit der Methode ist auch im Vergleich mit bekannten Analysenverfahren durchaus zufriedenstellend.

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Résumé Safford etStragand ont décrit une méthode de microdosage des halogènes par fixation sur toile d'argent. La technique en est très simple mais elle ne permet pas d'obtenir des résultats de précision suffisante. Elle a été modifiée par les auteurs.La prise d'essai est brûlée en atmosphère d'oxygène en présence d'un catalyseur de platine et les halogènes formés sont quantitativement fixés sur de la laine d'argent électrolytique dans un tube d'absorption spécial qui est ensuite pesé. La méthode est précise et exacte (l'écart type des résultats est égal à 0,12 pour cent). La laine d'argent présente une surface beaucoup plus élevée que la toile d'argent et fixe en moyenne environ 160 mg de chlore par gramme, soit, pour le même encombrement, quarante à cinquante fois plus que la toile d'argent. Il en résulte une longue durée de la charge du tube d'absorption lors d'analyses en série des composés halogénés. La température de la laine d'argent peut varier dans un large domaine de sorte qu'il n'est pas nécessaire d'en assurer une régulation précise. La méthode se compare favorablement aux méthodes classiques quant à son exactitude, sa précision et sa simplicité.

     

STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF BROWN MEMBRANE BY X-RAY DIFFRACTION, CIRCULAR DICHROISM AND ABSORPTION SPECTRA

Abstract— Time course of formation and crystallization of bacteriorhodopsin upon the addition of retinal to brown apo-membrane has been studied by X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and absorption spectra. The rate of formation of bacteriorhodopsin decreases markedly at low pH (4.8) and low temperature (5°C). Furthermore, the formation of bacteriorhodopsin does not proceed in fully dried membranes. The half-time of the increase of exciton CD band is about 70s at 17°C and pH 7.0, and is comparable to that of the formation of bacteriorhodopsins (∼48s). The crystallization of bacteriorhodopsin proceeds to a large extent within 30 min at pH 7.0 and 5°C.
The bilobed CD band of the brown holo-membrane attributed to exciton coupling of bacteriorhodopsin molecules becomes negligibly small at pH 4.8, even though X-ray diffraction pattern indicates the lattice structure to be similar to that of the native purple membrane.     

Growth temperature dependence in molecular beam epitaxy of gallium arsenide

Epitaxial layers of GaAs were grown on GaAs(100) at substrate temperatures ranging from 400° to 600°C by molecular beam epitaxy. Surface structures of the substrate and the epitaxial layers were investigated by means of low-energy electron diffraction. Two new structures of c(4 × 4) and c(8 × 8) were observed from layers grown at the low temperature of 400°C. The electrical and optical properties of layers doped with Si were investigated by measurement of Hall effect and photoluminescence as a function of growth temperature. It is found that a semi-insulating layer is grown below a critical temperature, and the layer is useful as a buffer layer for GaAs FET's. Variation of carrier concentration was observed near the interface between layers grown at different temperatures under a constant Sn beam flux. The effect is attributed to defect-induced segregation of Sn.