Kojiro Shimojo

Thermochromic properties of low-melting ionic uranyl isothiocyanate complexes

Temperature-dependent yellow-to-red colour changes of uranyl thiocyanate complexes with 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations have been studied by different spectroscopic methods and this phenomenon is attributed to changes in the local environment of the uranyl ion, including the coordination number, as well as to cation-anion interactions.

Extraction of rare earth metals by calix[4]arene solubilized in AOT reversed micellar solution

Abstract Extraction of rare earth metals (europium and yttrium) and their separation from zinc were investigated using a novel host compound, p - tert -octylcalix[4]arene carboxyl derivative as an extractant. Extraction behavior of the metals with a typical commercial extractant PC-88A or Versatic 10 was also examined. The cyclic ligand calixarene showed a high selectivity towards rare earth metals compared with PC-88A and Versatic 10. The addition of sodium ion into the feed aqueous solution enhanced the extractability of rare earth metals, and resultantly, improved the selectivity. The drawback of this promising extractant was the poor solubility in organic solvents, especially in nontoxic aliphatic solvents such as isooctane and kerosene. We attempted to solubilize the novel extractant calix[4]arene in isooctane by utilizing reversed micelles formed with an anionic surfactant AOT. p - tert -Butylcalix[4]arene could be dissolved in the AOT–isooctane reversed micellar solution by injecting an adequate amount of water. Furthermore, the extraction of metals from the aqueous solution dissolving sodium ion was conducted by the AOT–isooctane system containing p - tert -butylcalix[4]arene. The excellent extraction and separation of metals was achieved by using calixarene solubilized in the AOT-reversed micellar solution.

Cooperative intramolecular interaction of diazacrown ether bearing β-diketone fragments on an ionic liquid extraction system

A novel extractant beta-diketone-substituted diaza-18-crown-6 demonstrated very efficient extraction of Sr(2+) due to an intramolecular synergistic effect on the ionic liquid extraction system and recovery of Sr(2+) from the ionic liquid was successfully achieved under acidic conditions.

Enzymatic Fabrication of Protein-Decorated Gold Nanoparticles by the Aid of Artificial Peptides with Gold-Binding Affinity

Here, we report a new approach for the biofabrication of protein-immobilized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), using oxidoreductase with gold-binding peptide-tagged recombinant proteins. The reduction of Au ions to Au(0) was achieved using a natural electron-donating cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which was regenerated by the glycerol dehydrogenase (GLD) enzyme. First, we selected the A3 peptide (AYSSGAPPMPPF) as a gold binding moiety. The A3 peptide was introduced to the C-terminus of fusion proteins of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding domains of protein G and protein A. In the presence of the recombinant protein, the GLD-catalyzed cofactor reduction resulted in the efficient in situ fabrication of Au NPs immobilized with the fusion protein. Moreover, the protein-immobilized Au NPs were shown to have IgG binding activity. Although the A3 peptide had the ability to stabilize Au NPs, the results suggested that its binding affinity for Au NPs was unexpectedly weaker than that of His-tag. A cysteine residue was thus introduced to a recombinant protein adjacent to the A3 peptide. Finally, an artificial peptide, comprising A3 sequence with the C-terminal single cysteine residue, enabled the stable display of a fusion protein while maintaining its IgG binding activity through the Au-S bond. This enzyme-assisted one-pot methodology for protein-Au NPs conjugation offers one potent route for the facile fabrication of biomolecule-decorated metal NPs.

Specific Cooperative Effect of a Macrocyclic Receptor for Metal Ion Transfer into an Ionic Liquid

An intramolecular cooperative extraction system for the removal of strontium cations (Sr(2+)) from water by use of a novel macrocyclic receptor (H(2)βDA18C6) composed of diaza-18-crown-6 and two β-diketone fragments in ionic liquid (IL) is reported, together with X-ray spectroscopic characterization of the resulting extracted complexes in the IL and chloroform phases. The covalent attachment of two β-diketone fragments to a diazacrown ether resulted in a cooperative interaction within the receptor for Sr(2+) transfer, which remarkably enhanced the efficiency of Sr(2+) transfer relative to a mixed β-diketone and diazacrown system. The intramolecular cooperative effect was observed only in the IL extraction system, providing a 500-fold increase in extraction performance for Sr(2+) over chloroform. Slope analysis and potentiometric titration confirmed that identical extraction mechanisms operated in both the IL and chloroform systems. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy revealed that the average distance between Sr(2+) and O atoms in the Sr(2+) complex was shorter in IL than in chloroform. Consequently, Sr(2+) was held by H(2)βDA18C6 more rigidly in IL than in chloroform, representing an important factor dominating the magnitude of the intramolecular cooperative effect of H(2)βDA18C6 for Sr(2+). Furthermore, competitive extraction studies with alkaline earth metal ions revealed that the magnitude of the intramolecular cooperative effect depended on the suitability between metal ion size and the cavity size of H(2)βDA18C6. Sr(2+) was successfully recovered from IL by controlling the pH in the receiving phase, and the extraction performance of H(2)βDA18C6 in IL was maintained after five repeated uses.

Recognition of Lysine Residues on Protein Surfaces Using Calixarenes and its Application

A macrocyclic calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative is found to extract lysine-rich protein cytochrome c from aqueous media into organic media through the complexation between the calixarene molecules and lysine residues on the surface of the protein. This article summarizes both the mechanism of protein extraction by the calixarene as well as the potential applications of the extraction process. The extraction process can be used for the purification of proteins through selective extraction and back-extraction under optimized conditions. On the other hand, the extracted protein exhibits enzymatic activity in organic media. The formation of a supramolecular complex by recognizing the residues on a protein surface can be construed as a novel recognition and/or modification method for biomacromolecules.

Role of Tf2N− anions in the ionic liquid–water distribution of europium(III) chelates

The role of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Tf2N−) anions in the ionic liquid–water distribution systems of Eu(III) chelates with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (Htta) was investigated by liquid–liquid distribution and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The extraction constants of neutral Eu(tta)3 and anionic Eu(tta)4− chelates in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([Cnmim][Tf2N]) were determined by analyzing the distribution equilibrium. The effect of the ionic liquids on the distribution constant of the neutral Eu(tta)3 chelate was evaluated by the regular solution theory. The distribution constant of Eu(tta)3 in [Cnmim][Tf2N] was increased dramatically by the solvation effects of Eu(tta)3 in [Cnmim][Tf2N]. TRLFS for [Eu(tta)3(H2O)3] synthesized revealed that the Eu(tta)3 chelate was almost completely dehydrated in a series of [Cnmim][Tf2N] (n = 2–10). The Eu(tta)3 chelate exists as di- or tri-hydrates in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium perchlorate ([C2mim][ClO4]) containing 20 mol dm−3 water, whereas mono-hydrated chelate was formed in [C2mim][Tf2N, ClO4] in the presence of 0.50 mol dm−3 Tf2N− and 20 mol dm−3 water. These results show that the coordinated water molecules of [Eu(tta)3(H2O)3] were replaced by the Tf2N− anions. In fact, an anionic adduct, [Eu(tta)3(Tf2N)]−, was observed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the presence of [C4mim][Tf2N].