Room-Temperature Phosphorescence from a Series of 3-Pyridylcarbazole Derivatives

Exploration of pure metal-free organic molecules that exhibit strong room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is an emerging research topic. In this regard, unveiling the design principles for an efficient RTP molecule is an essential, but challenging, task. A small molecule is an ideal platform to precisely understand the fundamental role of each functional component because the parent molecule can be easily derivatized. Here, the RTP behaviors of a series of 3-pyridylcarbazole derivatives are presented. Experimental studies in combination with theoretical calculations reveal the crucial role of the n orbital on the central pyridine ring in the dramatic enhancement of the intersystem crossing between the charge-transfer-excited singlet state and the locally excited triplet states. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies apparently indicate that both the pyridine ring and fluorine atom contribute to the enhancement of the RTP because of the restricted motion owing to weak C−H⋅⋅⋅N and H⋅⋅⋅F hydrogen-bonding interactions. The single crystal of the fluorine-substituted derivative shows an ultra-long phosphorescent lifetime (τ_P) of 1.1 s and a phosphorescence quantum yield (Φ_P) of 1.2 %, whereas the bromine-substituted derivative exhibits τ_P of 0.15 s with a Φ_P of 7.9 %. We believe that this work provides a fundamental and universal guideline for the generation of pure organic molecules exhibiting strong RTP.     

The structural changes in crystalline cellulose and effects on enzymatic digestibility

The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose I achieves almost complete digestion when sufficient enzyme loading as much as 20 mg/g-substrate is applied. However, the yield of digestion reaches the limit when the enzyme dosage is decreased to 2 mg/g-substrate. Therefore, we have performed three pretreatments such as mercerization, dissolution into phosphoric acid and EDA treatment. Transformation into cellulose II hydrate by mercerization and dissolution into phosphoric acid were not sufficient because substrate changed to highly crystalline structure during saccharification. On the other hand, in the case of crystalline conversion of cellulose I to III_I by EDA, almost perfect digestion was achieved even in enzyme loading as small as 0.5 mg/g-substrate, furthermore, hydrolyzed residue was typical cellulose I. The structural analysis of substrate after saccharification provides an insight into relationships between cellulose crystalline property and cellulase toward better enzymatic digestion.     

Absolute configuration of pterocidin,a potent inhibitor of tumor cell invasion from a marine-derived Streptomyces

During the course of screening natural products for the inhibitors of tumor cell invasion, pterocidin, a linear polyketide with a δ-lactone terminus, was rediscovered from a Streptomyces strain of a marine sediment-origin. A series of J-based configuration analyses and NOESY analysis, coupled with chemical derivatization and chiral anisotropy analysis, established the absolute stereochemistry of five asymmetric centers in this compound.     

Tentative Comparison of Tube Radial Distribution Chromatography and CZE

Tube radical distribution chromatography (TRDC) uses an untreated open tubular capillary tube and a ternary mixture of solvents (water and hydrophilic/hydrophobic organic solvents) as a carrier solution. A model analyte mixture comprising 1-naphthol, 1-naphthoic acid, 1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, and 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid was examined by the TRDC and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) systems that comprised mainly a capillary tube and a detector. In the TRDC system the elution order of analytes could be changed by altering the component ratios of the solvents, whereas in the CZE system the elution order was changed by altering the electroosmotic flow direction. The experimental data obtained provide clues about the features and utility of TRDC as a new separation method.     

First-principles calculations of stable local structures and electronic structures of magnesium secondary battery cathode materials,MgCo2−xMnxO4 (x = 0, 0.5), in second charged state after first discharge

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The stable structures associated with the second charge of MgCo2−xMnxO4 (x = 0, 0.5), where Mg is removed from the stable first-discharge...     

Sonochemical coating of magnetite nanoparticles with silica

Magnetite nanoparticles were coated with silica through the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) under ultrasonic irradiation. The ultrasonic irradiation was used to prevent the agglomeration of the magnetite particles and accelerate the hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS. TEM, DLS, XRF, VSM, TG and sedimentation test were used to characterize the silica-coated magnetite particles. The dispersibility of silica-coated magnetite particles in aqueous solution was improved significantly and the agglomerate particle size was decreased to 110 nm. It was found that the agglomerate particle size of silica-coated magnetite particles was mainly decided by the coating temperature and the pH value in the silica-coating process. The weight ratio of silica in silica-coated magnetite particles was mainly decided by the pH value in the silica-coating process. The dispersibility of silica-coated magnetite particles was mainly decided by the agglomerate particle size of the suspension. The oxidation of magnetite particles in air was limited through the coated silica. The magnetism of silica-coated magnetite particles decreased slightly after silica-coating.     

Asymmetric Catalysis with Bis(hydroxyphenyl)diamides/Rare‐Earth Metal Complexes

A series of asymmetric catalysts composed of conformationally flexible amide‐based chiral ligands and rare‐earth metals was developed for proton‐transfer catalysis. These ligands derived from amino acids provide an intriguing chiral platform for the formation of asymmetric catalysts upon complexation with rare‐earth metals. The scope of this arsenal of catalysts was further broadened by the development of heterobimetallic catalytic systems. The cooperative function of hydrogen bonding and metal coordination resulted in intriguing substrate specificity and stereocontrol, and the dynamic nature of the catalysts led to a switch of their function. Herein, we summarize our recent exploration of this class of catalysts.     

Synthesis of chiral 2-(anilinophenylmethyl)pyrrolidines and 2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine and their application to enantioselective borane reduction of prochiral ketones as chiral catalysts

Chiral diamines, 2-(anilinophenylmethyl)pyrrolidines and 2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine, were prepared from N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)pyrrolidine or (S)-proline as a starting material, respectively. These chiral diamines were efficient for the catalytic enantioselective borane reduction of acetophenone. Using (S)-2-(anilinodiphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine, chiral secondary alcohols were obtained from prochiral ketones with good to excellent enantiomeric excesses (up to 98% ee).