Light-driven molecular hinge: a new molecular machine showing a light-intensity-dependent photoresponse that utilizes the trans-cis isomerization of azobenzene

[reaction: see text] A new class of molecular machine exhibits a hingelike motion upon photoirradiation. The motion (close and open) can be operated by alternate irradiation with UV and visible light. The trans/trans and cis/cis isomers are thermally stable at 40 degrees C, and the photochemical closure reaction (from trans/trans to cis/cis isomer) is dependent on the intensity of the light used because of the short-lived intermediate (trans/cis isomer).     

Benzyne-induced ring opening reaction of thiiranes. Efficient synthesis of phenyl vinyl sulfides

A series of thiiranes react with benzyne to provide an efficient synthesis of phenyl vinyl sulfides. The reaction is stereospecific, thus producing cis-(phenylthio)-stilbene from cis-2,3-diphenylthiirane and trans-(phenylthio)stilbene from trans-2,3-diphenylthiirane.     

Changes in electronic structure upon lithium insertion into the A-site deficient perovskite type oxides (Li,La)TiO3

Investigation on variation of the electronic structure accompanying the electrochemical lithium insertion into the perovskite type oxide, (Li,La)TiO3, has been carried out by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). During the electrochemical lithium insertion, titanium ion reduced its oxidation state from Ti4+ to Ti3+, while La3+ does not contribute to the reduction reaction resulting from Ti K-edge and La L3-edge XAS, respectively. Furthermore, O K-edge XAS showed marked spectral changes with electrochemical lithium insertion, indicating the electronic structure around oxide ion affected by lithium insertion reaction. From the XAS measurement, we have concluded the variation observed in O K-edge XAS was related to the strong interaction with inserted Li ion. To confirm this, first-principles band calculations were performed for the perovskite structure before and after electrochemical lithium insertion. The calculated results showed that the electron originated from inserted Li transferred to neighboring oxide ion locally as well as to Ti ion. This may be due to local neutralization effect of Li to reduce the electrostatic interaction in the crystal.     

Effect of amount of monomer on radiation-induced polymerization of styrene adsorbed on silica gel

The effect of amount of monomer on radiation-induced polymerization of styrene adsorbed on silica gel was investigated with the monomer amounting from less than monolayer adsorption to more than the equilibrium adsorption. The rate of graft polymerization and the molecular weight of the polymer changed with the amount of monomer adsorbed on silica gel. Maximum grafting efficiency was obtained at monolayer adsorption. The molecular weight of graft polymer was higher than that of homopolymer in both radical and cationic polymerizations, and the ratio in molecular weight of graft polymer to that of homopolymer tends to be unity with increasing amount of adsorbed monomer. These results can mainly be explained in terms of the number of initiating species (radical and cation) that change in relation to the amount of adsorbed monomer. Propagation and termination change with amount of adsorbed monomer in relation to the molecular mobility of adsorbed monomer. A very high-molecular-weight graft polymer is formed only with a small amount of adsorbed monomer in the initial stage. The grafting percent with a large amount of adsorbed monomer increased after most of the monomer has been polymerized. Secondary effect of radiation on the graft and homopolymers due to energy transfer from silica gel is suggested from the complicated phenomena in the later stage of the reaction.     

On the absolute Riesz summability of orthogonal series

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Physical and Chemical Properties of Four-Membered Bis(triphenylphosphane)platinum(II) Sulfenato Thiolato Complexes

The reaction of isolable dithiirane 1-oxides with (Ph 3 P) 2 Pt( m 2 -C 2 H 4 ) provided the title complexes in high yields. 31 P NMR spectroscopy of the phosphine ligands of the complexes and x-ray crystallographic analysis of a complex were reported.     

Dibenzylmagnesium-Initiated Anionic Oligomerizations of trans-Stilbene, 1,1-Diphenylethylene,and α-Methylstyrene in Hexamethylphosphortriamide

trans-Stilbene, 1, 1-diphenylethylene, and α-methylstyrene were allowed to react with dibenzylmagnesium to form their oligomers in hexamethylphosphortriamide (HMPA). One and two molecules of stilbene and 1, 1-diphenylethylene were incorporated into the magnesium carbon bond, and the carbanions obtained in HMPA were stable in analogy with the anionic living polymer having alkali cation as the gegenion in eithers. Intense coloration was observed during the reaction between α-methylstyrene and dibenzylmagnesium as well as in the case of stilbene and 1, 1-diphenylethylene. The low molecular weight products which were formed after a long time in the reaction between α-methylstyrene and dibenzylmagnesium were found to have no magnesium-carbon bond. It was considered that the cleavage of the propagating chain occurred gradually after the rapid propagation had proceeded to consume the monomer.     

Superconducting Properties in Metallic Phase of NbS3

Metallic phase of NbS₃ was synthesized by heating the crystal of semiconducting NbS₃. Metallic NbS₃ undergoes superconducting transition around 2 K. The analysis of the angular dependence of the upper critical magnetic field suggests that the effect of filmy or fibrous morphology plays an important role in the superconducting properties.     

Thermal and evolved gas analyses of the oxidation of a cellulose/copper(II) oxide mixture

Cellulosic biomass is a promising alternative energy resource from the viewpoint of sustainability. The use of waste materials as cellulosic biomass could additionally contribute to a recycling society. It is thus essential to develop safer processes in order to expand utilization of cellulosic biomass as a useful resource in the future. For example, in some cases, construction wastes contain wood preservatives, including metal oxides that can act as catalysts for the oxidation of organic materials. Copper(II) oxide (CuO) is a major component in wood preservatives and is known to catalyze the oxidation of cellulose. There is, therefore, possibility for spontaneous ignition within large piles of wood chips from construction wastes. In this study, we focused on the thermal behavior of a cellulose/CuO mixture, measured using a Calvet-type heat flux calorimeter. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography were applied to analyze the oxidative decomposition gases of the cellulose/CuO mixture, and a reaction mechanism was proposed. It was revealed that CuO promotes the oxidative decomposition of cellulose and increases the quantity of the gases that evolved from cellulose with a catalytic cycle. The influence of CuO on oxidation of cellulose is greater at lower temperatures and spontaneous ignition, fires, and explosions are likely to increase when wood chips containing CuO are stored for long periods of time.