An indication of magnetic-field-induced superconductivity in a bifunctional layered organic conductor,kappa-(BETS)(2)FeBr(4)

Hybrid systems consisting of the conducting layers of organic donor molecules and the magnetic layers of inorganic anions have been focused on as possible bifunctional materials, whose conducting properties can be tuned by controlling the magnetic state of the anion layers on an application of magnetic field. Here we report the magnetoresistance of the antiferromagnetic organic superconductor, kappa-(BETS)2FeBr4 [BETS = bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene], consisting of the two-dimensional superconducting layers of the BETS semications and the insulating layers of the FeBr4- anions. Due to the metamagnetic nature of the Fe3+ spin system, characteristic resistivity decrease was observed just below the antiferromagnetic superconductor-to-ferromagnetic metal transition at 1.6 T. Furthermore, an indication of the onsets of the magnetic-field-induced superconductivity was discovered around 12.5 T.     

Statistical properties of aggregation with injection

We study a generalized aggregation process in which charged particles diffuse and coalesce randomly on a lattice. For one-dimensional and mean-field models, we show that there exists a statistically-invariant steady state when randomly charged particles are continuously injected. The steady-state charge distribution obeys a power law with the exponent depending both on the type of the injection and on the spatial dimension. The response of the system to a perturbation (i.e., relaxation) is characterized by either a power law decay (t ^– ,1) or a compressed exponential decay [exp(–t ),>1].     

Production of hybrid 16-membered macrolides by expressing combinations of polyketide synthase genes in engineered Streptomyces fradiae hosts

Combinations of the five polyketide synthase (PKS) genes for biosynthesis of tylosin in Streptomyces fradiae (tylG), spiramycin in Streptomyces ambofaciens (srmG), or chalcomycin in Streptomyces bikiniensis (chmG) were expressed in engineered hosts derived from a tylosin-producing strain of S. fradiae. Surprisingly efficient synthesis of compounds predicted from the expressed hybrid PKS was obtained. The post-PKS tailoring enzymes of tylosin biosynthesis acted efficiently on the hybrid intermediates with the exception of TylH-catalyzed hydroxylation of the methyl group at C14, which was efficient if C4 bore a methyl group, but inefficient if a methoxyl was present. Moreover, for some compounds, oxidation of the C6 ethyl side chain to an unprecedented carboxylic acid was observed. By also expressing chmH, a homolog of tylH from the chalcomycin gene cluster, efficient hydroxylation of the 14-methyl group was restored.     

A review of Mg metal-promoted CF bond activation; a reliable synthetic approach to difluorinated organic compounds

The carbon-fluorine bond of a trifluoromethyl group attached to a π system can be activated by metallic magnesium in the system TMSCl-THF or DMF providing a variety of difluorinated compounds via a selective CF bond cleavage. Thus, trifluoromethyl ketones, α,β-unsaturated ketones, esters, imines, and aromatics can be transformed into the corresponding difluoroenol silyl ethers, enamines, and difluoro(trimethylsilyl)methyl aromatics in good to excellent yields, respectively. This protocol enabled us to synthesize β,β-difluoroamino acids, difluoroheterocycles, and functionalized difluoroacetates.     

Mononuclear five-coordinate molybdenum(IV) and -(V) monosulfide complexes coordinated with dithiolene ligands: reversible redox of Mo(V)/Mo(IV) and irreversible dimerization of [MoVS]- cores to a dinuclear [MoV2(mu-S)2]2- Core

A mononuclear five-coordinate molybdenum(IV) monosulfide complex, (Et4N)2[MoS(L)2] (L = cyclohexene-1,2-dithiolate) (1), was obtained and characterized by IR, UV-vis spectroscopic methods, and X-ray crystallography. 1 was oxidized by an equivalent ferrocenium cation to give the corresponding mononuclear molybdenum(V) complex, (Et4N)[MoS(L)2] (2), which was stable for a few minutes under a lower concentration than 0.3 mM and then further dimerized to (Et4N)2[Mo(L)2]2(mu-S)2 (3).     

Freezing of Lennard-Jones fluid in cylindrical nanopores under tensile conditions

We have shown the Lennard-Jones (LJ) phase diagram for a slit-shaped nanopore by molecular simulations and thermodynamically predicted the results with no adjustable parameter. With this success, LJ phase diagrams are predictable. In this study, the freezing of an LJ CH₄ capillary condensate under a tensile condition in a nonstructural carbon nanopore with a cylindrical geometry was examined using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. We employ a unit cell in contact with a bulk vapor phase, which is useful for the determination of the bulk vapor pressure in equilibrium with the molecules in a pore. The MD simulation results show liquid-solid (amorphous) phase transitions with a variation in the bulk vapor pressure. The frozen particles are arranged in concentric circular regions along the wall similar to those reported by Maddox and Gubbins. The freezing points are determined from the variations in density, enthalpy, arrangement, and structural functions. The obtained liquid-solid coexistence points are found to exhibit a significant dependence of the freezing point on the equilibrium bulk vapor pressure, forming an extraordinarily skewed curve on the p-T diagram, in contrast to the bulk phase coexistence that is represented by an almost vertical line. The origin of the significant dependence is considered to be the Laplace effect on the capillary condensate similar to the case with a slit-shaped pore. A simple model, which the authors earlier presented for slit-shaped nanopores, successfully predicted the p-T relation of the freezing point for cylindrical nanopores as well.     

New cyclic tellurides. Synthesis, reaction and ligand properties of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxa-4-tellura-2,6-disilacyclohexane (C6H16OSi2Te). X-Ray structure determination of C6H16OSi2TeI2

A new tellurium-containing heterocyclic compound, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxa-4-tellura-2,6-disilacyclohexane (C₆H₁₆OSi₂Te) (1), has been prepared by treatment of 1,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane with sodium telluride. Mononuclear and dinuclear palladium complexes of this telluride have been prepared by the reaction of 1 with PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ and Na₂PdCl₄, respectively. The following new derivatives of 1 have also been produced: C₆H₁₆OSi₂TeI₂ (2), C₆H₁₆OSi₂TeBr₂, C₆H₁₆OSi₂TeCl₂, C₆H₁₆OSi₂Te(CH₃)I, and C₆H₁₆OSi₂Te(CH₂Ph)Br. IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and mass spectral data of these new compounds are reported and discussed. ¹H NMR studies revealed that in CDCl₃ solution both telluronium salts reductively eliminate alkyl halide. The crystal structure of compound 2 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P2₁/c, with four molecules in a unit cell of dimension a 12.960(3), b 8.846(2), c 13.754(4) Å, β 92.44(2)°, R = 0.049, and R_w = 0.067 for 3599 unique reflections with |F₀| > 3σ(F₀). The compound forms a six-membered ring of a slightly displaced boat type. The geometry about the Te atom is pseudo-octahedral, with two carbon atoms (Te-C = 2.156(7) and 2.137(6) Å) and two iodine atoms of the neighbouring molecules (weak intermolecular bonds, Te · I = 3.769 and 3.806 Å) in the equatorial positions and two iodine atoms (Te-I = 2.909(1) and 2.913(1) Å) in the axial positions.     

Determination of arsenic species and arsenosugars in marine samples by HPLC–ICP–MS

Arsenic-speciation analysis in marine samples was performed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ICP–MS detection. Separation of eight arsenic species—As^III, MMA, DMA, As^V, AB, TMAO, AC and TeMAs⁺—was achieved on a C₁₈ column with isocratic elution (pH 3.0), under which conditions As^III and MMA co-eluted. The entire separation was accomplished in 15 min. The HPLC–ICP–MS detection limits for the eight arsenic species were in the range 0.03–0.23 μg L⁻¹ based on 3σ for the blank response (n=5). The precision was calculated to be 2.4–8.0% (RSD) for the eight species. The method was successfully applied to several marine samples, e.g. oysters, fish, shrimps, and marine algae. Low-power microwave digestion was employed for extraction of arsenic from seafood products; ultrasonic extraction was employed for the extraction of arsenic from seaweeds. Separation of arsenosugars was achieved on an anion-exchange column. Concentrations of arsenosugars 2, 3, and 4 in marine algae were in the range 0.18–9.59 μg g⁻¹. This paper was presented at the European Winter Conference 2005     

Molecular interactions between lipid bilayers and a water-soluble polymer

Molecular interactions between lipid bilayers (liposomes) and chondroitin sulfate C (CS), a water soluble polymer, have been investigated in terms of zeta-potential, particle size, microscopic-viscosity, microscopic-polarity of liposomes and permeability of calcein. Microscopic morphology is dramatically changed by the addition of CS to the positively charged liposomes (Pos.L), while it is not changed by the addition to uncharged liposomes (Unc.L) or negatively charged liposomes (Neg.L). The absolute value of the particle size of Pos.L increases with the addition of CS, while the zeta- potential of Pos.L decreases. Permeability of Pos.L decreases with an increase in the concentration of CS. Phase transition temperature of Pos.L is changed after the addition of CS. These values, however, are not changed for the other liposomes by the addition of CS. The results of gel filtration chromatography show that CS is absorbed on the Pos.L surface. Microscopic viscosity is also increased by the addition of CS to Pos.L due to the adsorption of CS.