Viscoelastic effects on early stage of spinodal decomposition in dynamically asymmetric polymer blends

Spinodal decomposition induced by a rapid pressure change was investigated for a dynamically asymmetric polymer blend [deuterated polybutadiene (DPB)/polyisoprene (PI)] with a composition of 50/50 wt/wt by using time-resolved small angle neutron scattering. The time change in the scattered intensity distribution with wave number (q) during the spinodal decomposition was found to be approximated by the Doi-Onuki theory [M. Doi and A. Onuki, J. Phys. II 2, 1631 (1992)]. The theoretical analysis yielded the q dependence of the Onsager kinetic coefficient which is characterized by the q(-2) dependence at qxive > 1 with the characteristic length xive being much larger than the radius of gyration of DPB or PI. The estimated xive agrees well with that obtained previously in the relaxation processes induced by pressure change within the one phase region for the same blend.     

Dynamic nuclear polarization system for the SANS-J-II spectrometer at JAEA

We have developed a dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) system for the SANS-J-II spectrometer at the JRR-3 atomic research reactor of Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). The DNP system is composed of a split-type horizontal superconducting magnet (3.3 T), a Gunn oscillator as a microwave source (94 GHz), and a cryostat (1.2 K). In particular, a sample cell with 40 in inner diameter and the magnet with a field homogeneity of 5×10⁻⁵ in a volume of 25 mm×8 mm were employed to polarize samples with a diameter of 20 mm for the ultra small-angle scattering experiment using the magnetic lens installed at the SANS-J-II spectrometer [S. Koizumi, H. Iwase, J. Suzuki, T. Oku, R. Motokawa, H. Sasao, H. Tanaka, D. Yamaguchi, H.M. Shimizu, T. Hashimoto, J. Appl. Crystallogr. 40 (2007) s474]. We obtained the proton polarization |P|=32% in the polyethylene doped with 2,2,6,6-tetra-methyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO).     

Radiolabeling and biodistribution of 62Cu-dithiocarbamate--an application for the new 62Zn/62Cu generator

The newly developed 62Zn/62Cu generator system has made available the production of the short-lived 62Cu (T1/2 = 9.8 min) positron radionuclide, eluted as 62Cu-glycine. In the search for 62Cu labeled radiopharmaceuticals for positron CT (PET) brain diagnostic studies, two ligands N,N-diethyl- and N,N-dimethyl-dithiocarbamic acid (DDC and DmDC) were selected, based on their Cu chelating abilities and the neutral lipophilic character of their copper chelates. In the present work, an in vitro study with non-radioactive Cu-glycine showed that both ligands easily formed the stable, neutral Cu-DDC and Cu-DmDC chelates (1:2 metal-ligand complexes) based on the ligand exchange reaction. Then the 62Zn/62Cu generator eluate, the 62Cu-glycine was used for the radiolabeling of DDC and DmDC. The following HPLC analysis revealed that the ligand exchange reaction proceeded rapidly; the radiochemical purities of 62Cu-DDC and 62Cu-DmDC were extremely high (non-detectable 62Cu-glycine) and both chelates were more lipophilic than 62Cu-glycine. The mouse biodistribution of both radiolabeled compounds, 62Cu-DDC and 62Cu-DmDC indicated a brain accumulation of 2.8 and 5.3 times higher than 62Cu-glycine, 15 min post injection, respectively. The brain accumulation observed with both 62Cu-DDC and 62Cu-DmDC might be due to their stable, neutral and lipophylic character; the latter enhanced by the presence of the methylated side chains. The gathered results indicated the applicability of dithiocarbamic acid derivatives in the production of new 62Cu-labeled compounds using the 62Zn/62Cu generator system based on the ligand exchange reaction with 62Cu-glycine eluate. Further studies with Cu-dithiocarbamic acid derivatives for development of new generator-produced 62Cu positron radiopharmaceuticals can be recalled.     

Thermodynamic interpretation of domain structure in solvent-cast films of A–B type block copolymers of styrene and isoprene

Electron microscopic textures of A–B type block copolymers of styrene and isoprene cast from several solvents were investigated by means of the osmium tetroxide fixation technique. The two-phase structure, i.e., the semimicro heterogeneous structure due to the microphase separation of block segments, was observed to change systematically with the fraction of block segments and the kind of solvent. Three types of fundamental domain structure were found. With the assumption that domain structure originates from micellar structure at a critical concentration in relatively dilute solution during solvent casting, the formation of the three types of domain structure and the sizes of their elements were treated in terms of the equilibria governing the formation of micelles at the critical concentration. This analysis takes into account such thermodynamic and molecular parameters as the incompatibility between the A and B segments, the solvation of the segments, the casting temperature, the total chain length of the block copolymer, and the weight fraction composition of the block copolymer. It was concluded that the block segments are preferentially oriented along the direction perpendicular to the interface between the two phases. This particular orientation-aggregation of the block segments must make the bulk properties of the block copolymer much different from those of merely mechanical mixtures of the corresponding homopolymers, even if the same semimicro heterogeneous structures are formed in the mechanical mixtures.     

Syntheses and Properties of (Nitronyl nitroxide)-substituted Tri-phenylamine ortho-Bridged by Two Oxygen and Sulfur Atoms

A nitronyl nitroxide unit ( NN ) was linked with a triphenylamine-based condensed polycyclic skeleton DOTT to form a radical substituted donor NN - DOTT . X-ray crystal structure analysis demonstrated a flat bowl shape of the DOTT unit. EPR spectra showed the localization of electron spin on the NN unit. Chemical oxidation of the DOTT unit produced radical-substituted radical cation salts NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ SbF₆⁻ and NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ FeBr₄⁻ that are stable under ambient conditions. The magnetic behavior of NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ SbF₆⁻ is characterized by the strong intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction between NN and DOTT ⁺. The X-ray structural analysis of NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ FeBr₄⁻ shows planar structure of DOTT and 1D mixed-stack column of NN-DOTT ⁺ and FeBr₄⁻. Magnetic measurements established that NN - DOTT ⁺ ⋅ FeBr₄⁻ undergoes magnetic phase transition into a weak ferromagnet at 7 K.     

A guanine-substituted nitronyl nitroxide radical forming a one-dimensional ferromagnetic chain

A stable guanine-substituted nitronyl nitroxide radical 1 has been synthesized and characterized. The single-crystal structure analyses and magnetic susceptibility measurements exhibit a one-dimensional architecture of guanine base resulting from carbonyl-amino hydrogen bonds in the solid state, giving a 1D ferromagnetic chain of the radical moieties.     

Zwitterionic pi-radical involving EDT-TTF-imidazole and F4TCNQ: redox properties and self-assembled structure by hydrogen-bonds and multiple S...S interactions

The reaction between an imidazole-functionalized EDT-TTF and F(4)TCNQ produced a zwitterionic pi-radical, which formed a self-assembled structure by the cooperation of hydrogen-bonds and multiple S...S interactions and exhibited three-step oxidation processes and a high electrical conductivity as a single-component organic molecule.     

Singlet biradical character of phenalenyl-based Kekulé hydrocarbon with naphthoquinoid structure

[reaction: see text] A new Kekulé polycyclic hydrocarbon with a singlet biradical index of 50% was synthesized. The singlet biradical character was assessed with UV and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, SQUID magnetic susceptibility measurement, and quantum chemical calculations.     

Hexaazaphenalene derivatives: one-pot synthesis, hydrogen-bonded chiral helix, and fluorescence properties

Symmetric hexaazaphenalenes (R = phenyl and tert-butyl) have been synthesized by one-pot condensations of corresponding amidine hydrochlorides with tricyanomethanide. The hexaazaphenalenes are linked with each other by a N-H···N hydrogen-bonding interaction in the crystalline states. Interestingly, a planar and achiral tert-butylated derivative was crystallized in a chiral space group with assembly of one-handed helical hydrogen-bonded chains. Hexaazaphenalenyl anions were isolated as air- and water-stable tetraethyl ammonium salts.