Fabrication of Porous Polyimide Membrane with Through-Hole via Multiple Solvent Displacement Method.

Porous polyimide (PI) membranes are widely used in separation processes because of their excellent thermal and mechanical properties. However, the applications of porous PI membranes are limited in the nanofiltration range. In this study, porous PI membranes with through-holes have been successfully fabricated by the novel multiple solvent displacement method.

Enhancement of the Surface Properties on Polypropylene Film Using Side-Chain Crystalline Block Copolymers.

The consumption of polypropylene (PP) has significantly increased over that of other materials because of its light weight, easy molding, and high mechanical strength. However, the applications of PP are limited, owing to the lack of surface properties, especially with respect to adhesive properties and hydrophilicity. In this study, we developed a surface modification method for enhancing the adhesive properties and hydrophilicity on the PP surface using a side-chain crystalline block copolymer (SCCBC).

Tailor-made synthesis of fully alkylated/arylated nicotinates by FeCl-mediated condensation of enamino esters with enones.

A new method for synthesizing polyalkylated/arylated nicotinates is established using a condensation of enamino esters with enones in the presence of FeCl. This method facilitates the introduction of alkyl or aryl groups at any position on demand, which has not been achieved by other procedures.

Formal total synthesis of (-)-taxol through Pd-catalyzed eight-membered carbocyclic ring formation.

A formal total synthesis of (-)-taxol by a convergent approach utilizing Pd-catalyzed intramolecular alkenylation is described. Formation of the eight-membered carbocyclic ring has been a problem in the convergent total synthesis of taxol but it was solved by the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular alkenylation of a methyl ketone affording the cyclized product in excellent yield (97 %), indicating the high efficiency of the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular alkenylation. Rearrangement of the epoxy benzyl ether through a 1,5-hydride shift, generating the C3 stereogenic center and subsequently forming the C1-C2 benzylidene, was discovered and utilized in the preparation of a substrate for the Pd-catalyzed reaction.

Revisiting dimerization of acetoacetamide leading to 4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide.

A commercially purchased acetoacetamide was found to dimerize during storage for several months to afford 4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide. We successfully achieved the quantitative dimerization of acetoacetamide by using an acid catalyst. It was also found that the pyridone formed served as a self-catalyst of the dimerization.