Effect of core-shell micelle formation on the redox properties of phenothiazine-labeled poly(ethyl glycidy ether)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)

Redox properties of phenothiazine-labeled poly(ethyl glycidy ether)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PT-EGE_n-b-EO_m) are reversibly changed by core-shell micelle formation. In the temperature range higher than the critical micellization temperature (cmt), the anodic potential of PT group positively shifts and concomitantly its anodic current decrease, or levels off compared to those of the reference polymer PT-EO_m without the thermo-responsive EGE_n segment. The former alteration is caused by incorporation of hydrophobic PT groups into a core of the micelle and the latter by the decrease in the diffusion coefficient of PT groups due to formation of the core-shell micelles. The cmt value and the temperature-dependent alteration in the redox properties strongly depend on the polymer structure, especially the length of thermo-responsive EGE_n segment. The electrochemically determined hydrodynamic radii of the polymer aggregates seem to be overestimated, compared to the values reported for the aggregates of other thermo-responsive polymers with similar molecular weights, implying the presence of electrochemically inactive PT groups in the copolymers having longer thermo-responsive segments.     

Phase Measurement Algorithm in Wavelength Scanned Fizeau Interferometer

Wavelength scanned interferometry allows the simultaneous measurement of top surface shape and optical thickness variation of a transparent object consisting of several parallel surfaces. Interference signals from these surfaces can be separated in frequency space, and their phases are detected by discrete Fourier analysis. However, these signal frequencies are shifted from the detection frequency by the refractive index dispersion of the object and a nonlinearity of the wavelength scanning. The Fourier analysis is sensitive to the detuning of the signal frequency and suffers from the multiple-beam interference noise. Conventional error-compensating algorithms cannot be applied to an object consisting of more than three reflecting surfaces. We derive a new 2N-1 sample error-compensating algorithm, which allows the phase detection of any order of harmonic frequency among the interference signals. The new algorithm suppresses the effect of signal frequency detuning as well as the multiple-beam interference noise and can be applied to the measurement of complex objects consisting of more than three reflecting surfaces.     

Chiral discrimination of a helically organized crown ether array parallel to the helix axis of polyisocyanate

The asymmetric polymerization of 4′‐isocyanatobenzo‐18‐crown‐6 with the lithium amide of (S)‐(2‐methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine successfully proceeded to afford end‐functionalized poly(4′‐isocyanatobenzo‐18‐crown‐6) with (S)‐(2‐methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine (polymer 2 ). In the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of 2 , a clear positive Cotton effect was observed in the range of 240–350 nm corresponding to the absorption of the polymer backbone, indicating that 2 partially formed a one‐handed helical structure, which was preserved by the chirality of (S)‐(2‐methoxymethyl)pyrrolidine bonding to the terminal end in 2 . In the titration experiments for the CD intensity of 2 in the presence of D ‐ and L ‐Phe·HClO₄ (where Phe is phenylalanine), a small but remarkable difference was observed in the amount of the chiral guest needed for saturation of the CD intensity and in the saturated CD intensity, indicating that the extremely stable, one‐handed helical part should exist in the main chain of 2 , which was not inverted even when the unfavorable chiral guest for the predominant helical sense, L ‐Phe·HClO₄, was added. In addition, helical polymer 2 exhibited a chiral discrimination ability toward racemic guests; that is, the guests were extracted from the aqueous phase into the organic phase with enantiomeric excess. The driving force of the chiral discrimination ability of 2 should certainly be attributed to the one‐handed helical structure in 2 . © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 325–334, 2006     

Crystallization in poly(n-octadecyl methacrylate) monolayers

The crystallization kinetics of poly(n-octadecyl methacrylate) has been studied at the air–water interface. The rate of the crystallization has been measured by the decrease in the area of monolayers with time at various temperatures and surface pressures. The crystallization isotherms have been analyzed by the general mathematical treatment of the kinetics of phase changes, and the results show linear growth to be dominant. The variation of the rate constant with temperature and pressure has been illustrated by the difference in the supersaturation defined by introducing the equilibrium pressure-area isotherms.     

Regional distribution of manganese,iron, copper,and zinc in the rat brain during development

Manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were determined in the brain regions of normal 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 14-, 21-, 42-, 77-, and 147-day-old Wistar rats using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and their maps were illustrated in color to visually compare the distribution of the elements at various stages of the growth process. Sagittal slices (1-mm thickness) sectioned at the level of the substantia nigra were divided into 18 regions, and the small slice samples were digested in microwave-assisted closed vessels for ICP-MS measurement. Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations increased region-specifically with age, and their distributional maps showed some characteristics. These findings are discussed in terms of needs for these trace elements in the normal brain. Among new findings about their brain distribution, it is especially noteworthy that higher concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Zn were observed in the substantia nigra compared with those in neighboring regions. The mapping method in this work is expected to open up possibilities for screening of the in vivo element–element interrelationships among these essential elements.     

Stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of racemic lactide using aluminum-achiral ligand complexes: exploration of a chain-end control mechanism

Stereoselective polymerization of racemic lactide (rac-LA) was examined using Al-achiral ligand complexes. By introduction of substituents in aromatic rings of Schiff base ligands, a higher selectivity was obtained without any chiral auxiliaries in the catalyst via a chain-end control mechanism. The T(m) values (T(m) 170-192 degrees C) were comparable to or higher than that of homochiral polymer, poly(L-LA) (T(m) 162 degrees C), and a thermally more stable polylactide than poly(L-LA) was prepared from rac-LA.     

Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe双泪永磁合金快淬带的织构与形貌

利用X射线衍射仪和扫描探针显微镜研究了NeFeB系双相永磁合金快淬带的织构与形貌.结果表明,合金快淬带自由面存在择优取向.与三元NdFeB合金相比,复合添加Dy和Ga具有增加合金快淬带织构和细化组织形貌的作用. 关键词：     

C-H activation on a diphosphine and hydrido-bridged diiridium complex: generation and detection of an active IrII-IrII species [(Cp*Ir)2(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)]+

Reaction of [Cp*Ir(micro-H)](2) (5) (Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with bis(dimethylphosphino)methane (dmpm) gives a new neutral diiridium complex [(Cp*Ir)(2)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(2)] (3). Treatment of 3 with methyl triflate at -30 degrees C results in the formation of [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(Me)(IrCp*)][OTf] (6). Warming a solution of above 0 degrees C brings about predominant generation of 32e(-) Ir(II)-Ir(II) species [(Cp*Ir)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(IrCp*)][OTf] (7). Further heating of the solution of 7 up to 30 degrees C for 14 h leads to quantitative formation of a new complex [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-Me(2)PCH(2)PMeCH(2))(micro-H)(IrCp*)][OTf] (8), which is formed by intramolecular oxidative addition of the methyl C-H bond of the dmpm ligand. Intermolecular C-H bond activation reactions with 7 are also examined. Reactions of 7 with aromatic molecules (benzene, toluene, furan, and pyridine) at room temperature result in the smooth sp(2) C-H activation to give [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(Ar)(IrCp*)][OTf] (Ar = Ph (9); Ar = m-Tol (10a) or p-Tol (10b); Ar = 2-Fur (11)) and [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-dmpm)(micro-C(5)H(4)N)(H)(IrCp*)][OTf] (12), respectively. Complex also reacts with cyclopentene at 0 degrees C to give [(Cp*Ir)(H)(micro-dmpm)(micro-H)(1-cyclopentenyl)(IrCp*)][OTf] (13). Structures of 3, 8 and 12 have been confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Ni‐Catalyzed [4+3+2] Cycloaddition of Ethyl Cyclopropylideneacetate and Dienynes: Scope and Mechanistic Insights

A detailed study of the Ni‐catalyzed [4+3+2] cycloaddition reaction between ethyl cyclopropylideneacetate and dienynes has been conducted, resulting in the development of a new method for the synthesis of compounds containing nine‐membered rings. We studied the reactivity of various dienynes, together with their substituent and conformational effects. The mechanism of the reaction was probed by examining the stoichiometric reactions of the Ni complexes and dienynes.