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     

10-Gbit/s optical receiver using ICs with low-capacitance HBT technology

A 10-Gbit/s optical receiver is developed using low-capacitance HBT IC technology. The HBT allows a cutoff frequency of 45 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency of 70 GHz. The receiver contains an automatic gain-control amplifier IC with a gain of 16 dB, a bandwidth of 10.7 GHz, and a decision-circuit IC with an ambiguity of 66 mVp-p at a data rate of 10 Gbit/s. The sensitivity of this receiver is -26.5 dBm at a bit error rate of 10^-9. Transmission over a 140-km fiber was achieved successfully.     

Synthesis and chiroptical properties of optically active poly(ethynylcarbazole) derivatives: Substituent effect on the helix formation

Novel chiral acetylene monomers containing carbazole, 2‐ethynyl‐9‐[(S)‐2‐methylbutoxycarbonyl]carbazole ( 1 ), 3‐ethynyl‐9‐[(S)‐2‐methylbutoxycarbonyl]carbazole ( 2 ), 2‐ethynyl‐9‐[(S)‐2‐methylbutyl]carbazole ( 3 ), and 2‐ethynyl‐9‐[(S)‐4‐methylhexyl]carbazole ( 4 ) were synthesized and polymerized with [(nbd)RhCl]₂? Et₃N. The corresponding polyacetylenes with number‐average molecular weights ranging from 68,700 to 310,000 were obtained in good yields. Poly( 1 ) exhibited a large specific rotation and an intense Cotton effect in toluene, indicating that it formed a helix with predominantly one‐handed screw sense, while the other three polymers showed no evidence for taking a helical structure. Poly( 1 ) largely decreased the CD intensity upon heating from ?10 to 60 °C. Poly( 1 ) showed a Cotton effect in film state in a manner similar to solution state. No chiral amplification was observed in the copolymerization of 1 with achiral 2‐ethynyl‐9‐tert‐butoxycarbonylcarbazole ( 5 ). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4450–4458, 2007     

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     

Synthesis and properties of poly(phenylacetylenes) having two polar groups or one cyclic polar group on the phenyl ring

Phenylacetylene (PA) derivatives having two polar groups (ester, 2a – d ; amide, 4) or one cyclic polar group (imide, 5a – c ) were polymerized using (nbd)Rh⁺[(η⁶‐C₆H₅)B^?(C₆H₅)₃] catalyst to afford high molecular weight polymers (～1 × 10⁶ – 4 × 10⁶). The hydrolysis of ester‐containing poly(PA), poly( 2a) , provided poly(3,4‐dicarboxyPA) [poly ( 3 )], which could not be obtained directly by the polymerization of the corresponding monomer. The solubility properties of the present polymers were different from those of poly(PA) having no polar group; that is, poly( 2a )–poly( 2d ) dissolved in ethyl acetate and poly( 4 ) dissolved in N,N‐dimethylformamide, while poly(PA) was insoluble in such solvents. Ester‐group‐containing polymers [poly( 2a )–poly( 2d )] afforded free‐standing membranes by casting from THF solutions. The membrane of poly( 2a ) showed high carbon dioxide permselectivity against nitrogen (PCO₂/PN₂ = 62). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5943–5953, 2006     

Noncommutative differential geometry on the quantum SU(2), I: An algebraic viewpoint

We compute the cyclic homology of the coordinate ring A(SL_q(2)) of the quantum algebraic group SL _q (2). We observe a degeneration of the noncommutative de Rham complex. The results are also verified from the point of view of Connes' noncommutative differential geometry.     

Radiocarbon dating of an ancient Japanese document “Minamoto no Yoritomo Sodehan Migyosho” by accelerator mass spectrometry

We measured radiocarbon age of an ancient document “Minamoto no Yoritomo Sodehan Migyosho”. The content tells that it was issued in 1189 by “Minamoto no Yoritomo” known as the virtually first shogun in Japan to grant “Matsugi” family the privilege of controlling craftsmen of foundry industry. Paleographical views, however, suggested that it can be a counterfeit. The radiocarbon dating clarified that the document was written not in the 12th but after the 16th century.