Addition–fragmentation chain transfer: Molecular weight distributions and retardation in the system methyl methacrylate/methyl α‐(bromomethyl)acrylate

A detailed investigation of addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) in the free‐radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of methyl α‐(bromomethyl)acrylate (MBMA) was carried out to elucidate mechanistic details with efficient macromonomer synthesis as an underlying goal. Advanced modeling techniques were used in connection with the experimental work. Curve fitting of simulated and experimental molecular weight distributions with respect to the rate coefficient for addition of propagating radicals to MBMA (k_add) over 60–120 °C resulted in E_add = 21.7 kJ mol^?1 and A_add = 2.18 × 10⁶ M^?1 s^?1 and a very weak temperature dependence of the chain‐transfer constant (E_add ≈ E_p). The rate coefficient for fragmentation of adduct radicals at 60 °C was estimated as k_f ≈ 39 s^?1 on the basis of experimental data of the MMA conversion and the concentration of 2‐carbomethoxy‐2‐propenyl end groups. The approach developed is generic and can be applied to any AFCT system in which copolymerization does not occur and in which the resulting unsaturated end groups do not undergo further reactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2640–2650, 2004     

Enantioselective spiro ene-carbocyclization of 1,6-enynes catalyzed by tropos rhodium(I) complex with skewphos ligand

A tropos rhodium(I) complex having skewphos ligand is shown to be a highly enantioselective catalyst for asymmetric ene-type carbocyclization of 1,6-enynes with tri-substituted olefins to control quaternary stereogenic centers or spiro-rings.     

Basic study of the gelation of dimethacrylate‐type crosslinking agents

An investigation was made of the gelation of dimethacrylate‐type crosslinking agents in view of an application for separation media. The study mainly centered on a crosslinking agent, glycerol dimethacrylate (GDMA), which is relatively hydrophilic because of a hydroxyl group in the middle of its structure. The gelation of GDMA was compared with that of other hydrophobic crosslinking agents such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 1,6‐hexanediol dimethacrylate. The diluents used in the study were toluene, toluene with methanol, and cyclohexanol. The gelation was observed in real time with a charge coupled device camera and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Also, the separated dry gels were extensively characterized with scanning electron microscopy, BET (N₂ absorption and desorption isotherm), and Fourier transform infrared. DLS analysis showed a stronger molecular interaction of GDMA gelation in toluene, whereas this interaction was much weaker in an alcoholic solvent such as toluene with methanol or cyclohexanol. This indicated that GDMA gelation might proceed through hydrogen bonding as well as a crosslinking reaction of vinyl groups. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 949–958, 2006     

Pressure response of Raman spectra of water and its implication to the change in hydrogen bond interaction

In situ Raman spectroscopic measurements of water in the region of OH vibration were conducted up to 0.4 GPa at 23 and 52 degrees C. The frequencies of the decomposed OH stretching bands initially decreased with increasing pressure, reached a minimum at 0.15 GPa and increased up to 0.3 GPa and then decreased, which corresponds to the variations of the strength of hydrogen bonding. This variation was observed at 23 degrees C, but not at 52 degrees C, which suggests a change in pressure dependence on the hydrogen bond interaction between these two temperatures. Based on the equilibration model between hydrogen-bonded and nonhydrogen-bonded molecules, the present experimental results indicate that the pressure variation of the viscosity depends on the ratio of hydrogen-bonded molecules, rather than the strength of hydrogen bonding between molecules.     

Photodimerization of benzene -photochromism of layered dithiacyclophane-

A novel cage compound was obtained by irradiation of a quadruple-layered dithiacyclophane and showed thermally reverse reaction.     

Constituents of holothuroidea.9. Isolation and structure of a new ganglioside molecular species from the sea cucumber Holothuria pervicax

A new ganglioside molecular species, HPG-7 (1) was obtained from the polar fraction of the chloroform/methanol extract of the sea cucumber, Holothuria pervicax. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, the structure of 1 was determined, and the major component was 1-O-[alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminosyl) - (2-->11)-(N-glycolyl-alpha-D-neuraminosyl)-(2-->4)-(N-acetyl -alpha-D- neuraminosyl)-(2-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-(2S,3S,4R)-2-[(2R)-2- hydroxytetracosanoylamino]-14-methyl-hexadecane-1,3,4-triol. This is the first report on the isolation and structure elucidation of trisialo-ganglioside from sea cucumber. 1 showed neuritogenic activity toward the rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC-12 cell.     

Three-way-output response system by electric potential: UV-vis, CD, and fluorescence spectral changes upon electrolysis of the chiral ester of tetracyanoanthraquinodimethane

The newly prepared tetracyanoanthraquinodimethane (TCNAQ) derivatives 1a,b with a chiral auxiliary are good electron acceptors and exhibit weak circular dichroism (CD) based on the absorption of TCNAQ. The twin-type electron acceptor 1c with two TCNAQ units shows larger ellipticity by exciton coupling. UV-vis, CD, and fluorescence spectra were changed drastically upon electrochemical reduction of 1c, which demonstrates the unprecedented three-way-output response system.     

Ab initio calculations of isomerization reaction of diphosphene 1-sulfide to thiadiphosphirane

Ab initio Calculations of the isomerization reaction of diphosphene 1-sulfide (2′) to thiadiphosphirane (3′) suggest that the energy barrier of the reaction in the ground state is 25 kcal/mol and that 2′ lies 21 kcal/mol above 3′, while the calculations show that there exists one local minimum on the lowest triplet energy surface.