Lewis Acid Promoted Single C–F Bond Activation of the CF3 Group: SN1′-Type 3,3-Difluoroallylation of Arenes with 2-Trifluoromethyl-1-alkenes

Activation of the sp³ C−F bond in 2-trifluoromethyl-1-alkenes was accomplished through treatment with a Lewis acid. In the presence of an equimolar amount of EtAlCl₂, the (trifluoromethyl)alkenes readily underwent an S_N1′-type reaction with arenes through a Friedel–Crafts-type mechanism via elimination of a fluoride ion to afford 3,3-difluoroallylated arenes in good yields. This selective activation of one C−F bond of the CF₃ group provides a synthetic method for accessing biologically and synthetically important 1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes.     

Synthesis and structure activity relationship studies of benzothieno[3,2-b]furan derivatives as a novel class of IKKbeta inhibitors

As a novel class of IKKbeta inhibitors, a series of tricyclic furan derivatives was designed and synthesized based on the structure of known thiophene IKKbeta inhibitors. Among the various fused furan derivatives synthesized, a benzothieno[3,2-b]furan derivative 13a displayed potent inhibitory activity towards IKKbeta in enzymatic and cellular assays. The potent inhibitory activity originates from an intramolecular non-bonded S...O interaction which was confirmed by the X-ray structure of JNK3 with 16k. The introduction of further substituents on the core structure led to the discovery of the 6-alkoxy derivatives, which possessed a comparable IKKbeta inhibitory activity to 13a and an improved metabolic stability. Among these, appropriately lipophilic compounds 16a, h, i, and 13g (log D>2) were found to possess good oral bioavailability.     

Spectroscopic Applications of Integrated Tunable Solid-State Dye Laser

A novel type of tunable laser is developed that integrates dye-doped plastics laser waveguides with a distributed feedback structure. The waveguide matrix is dye doped poly-hydroxyethylmethacrylate:methylmethacrylate, and a single-mode waveguide is achieved by refractive index control. The wavelength coverage is over 560-1100 nm using a frequency doubled Nd:YAG microchip laser. The miniaturizing of the optical-pumped solid-state dye laser extended the lifetime to more than million shots and decreased the required laser threshold energy to less than 1 $mUJ. Novel type spectroscopic applications using the multiple wavelength laser array chip are also proposed and demonstrated.     

Production cross sections of 14C in aluminum by nuclear spallation reactions

Although the estimation of ¹⁴C radioactivity is very important from a radiation safety viewpoint at high-intensity and high-energy accelerator facilities, it is very difficult, since there is little information concerning the production cross sections by high-energy nuclear reactions. In this work, the ¹⁴C production cross section was measured for the nuclear spallation reaction of aluminum with 12-GeV protons. The chemical separation method of ¹⁴C was also studied.     

Visualization of the Heterogeneity of Cerium Oxidation States in Single Pt/Ce2Zr2Ox Catalyst Particles by Nano‐XAFS

The cerium oxidation states in single catalyst particles of Pt/Ce₂Zr₂O_x (x=7 to 8) were investigated by spatially resolved nano X‐ray absorption fine structure (nano‐XAFS) using an X‐ray nanobeam. Differences in the distribution of the Ce oxidation states between Pt/Ce₂Zr₂O_x single particles of different oxygen compositions x were visualized in the obtained two‐dimensional X‐ray fluorescent (XRF) mapping images and the Ce L_III‐edge nano X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (nano‐XANES) spectra.     

Characteristics of water veil and verification of its healing effect by visualization of mind

A very thin water veil like a thin transparent sheet of vinyl has been produced by shaping a double-disk nozzle in such a way to accelerate the water flow inside the nozzle. Comparison of the simulated shape of the water veil with that of the experiment shows that they are almost identical. Human mind can be refreshed and relaxed by being inside of this water veil. In this paper, the application of water veil to healing mind and body is examined. The analysis of the brain wave data using the emotion spectrum analysis method (ESAM) elicited that the water veil is very useful to recover freshness and effective in healing mind and body.