An ESR study of radiation damage of bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin at low temperature: Selective hydrogen addition to benzene-ring-forming cyclohexadienyl-type radical

In the γ-irradiated aromatic epoxy resin, diglycidylether of bisphenol A cured with diaminodiphenylmethane, the cyclohexadienyl-type radical is produced as one of the main radical species. Although both the resin and the hardener contain benzene rings, it is concluded that the cyclohexadienyl-type radical is formed by selective addition of the OH hydrogen to the benzene ring on the resin side. The selectivity is accounted for in terms of electron capture by the benzene ring followed by proton transfer from the OH group which is located in front of the benzene ring. This reaction scheme is further supported by the effect of the addition of an electron scavenger on the radical yield as well as by the photobleaching behavior of the radicals involved.     

Self-assembly patterning of colloidal crystals constructed from opal structure or NaCl structure

We developed a novel self-assembly process to fabricate an orderly array of particle wires constructed from a close-packed colloidal crystal without preparation of patterned templates. A substrate was immersed vertically into a SiO2 colloidal solution, and the liquid surface moved downward upon evaporation of solution. Particles formed a mono-/multiparticle layer, which was cut by the periodic drop-off of solution. The orderly array of particle wires was successfully fabricated, showing the suitability of the self-assembly process for the fabrication of nano-/microstructures constructed from nano-/microparticles or blocks. The mechanism of the assembly process and control of thickness, width, and interval of particle wires were further discussed. Moreover, an array of particle wires constructed not from close-packed face-centered cubic (or hexagonal close packed) structure but from two kinds of particles was realized to fabricate an array of particle wires with NaCl structure by this self-assembly process.     

Studies on antiallergic agents. I. Synthesis and antiallergic activity of novel pyrazine derivatives.

Various pyrazine derivatives were synthesized and their antiallergic activity was examined. The inhibitory activity on allergic histamine release of the compounds bearing a 5-tetrazolyl group was more potent than that of the corresponding carboxyl derivatives. The introduction of -CONH- or -NHCO- between the pyrazine ring and the 5-tetrazolyl group as a spacer greatly enhanced the activity. N-(1H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrazinecarboxamide (I-3) was estimated to exhibit nearly the same potency as disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). The structure-activity relationship among various derivatives modified by introducing some substituents onto the 3-, 5- or 6-position of the pyrazine ring of I-3 was investigated. The activity remained unchanged or was reduced when such substituents as methyl, chloro, methoxy, methylamino and dimethylamino were introduced at the 3- or 5-position. In contrast, 6-substitution with various alkylamino groups more or less increased the activity. Among them, the 6-dimethylamino (I-17c) and 6-(1-pyrrolidinyl) (I-34) derivative were proved to be most potent. The IC50 values (concentration which produces 50% inhibition of the allergic histamine release) of I-17c and I-34 were determined to be 4.7 x 10(-10) and 4.6 x 10(-10) M, respectively. These two compounds produced a potent inhibitory activity on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rat, not only by the intravenous route (ED50 = 0.0096 mg/kg for both compounds) but also by the oral route (ED50 = 0.19 and 0.18 mg/kg, respectively). On the other hand, when the pyrazine ring of some representative compounds was replaced with a pyridine ring, the inhibitory activity on histamine release was significantly reduced.     

Synthesis of Urea‐Tethered Disaccharides in Water

A new method for the synthesis of urea‐linked disaccharides in aqueous media has been developed. The key feature of our approach is two strained Steyermark‐type gluco‐ and galactopyranosyl oxazolidinones. Each oxazolidinone is attached to a pyranose ring in a di‐equatorial trans‐annulation framework. Reaction of these oxazolidinones with 4‐aminohexopyranose in water proceeded smoothly to afford the urea‐tethered cellobiose and lactose analogues. The galactose‐type oxazolidinone proved to be more reactive than the glucose‐type, which is explained by the presence of an axial hydroxy group at C4 in the former.     

A free energy calculation study of the effect of H-->F substitution on binding affinity in ligand-antibody interactions

Changes in binding affinity to catalytic antibody 6D9 of chloramphenicol phosphonate derivatives (CPDs) containing H or F were investigated by performing free energy calculations based on molecular dynamics simulations. We calculated the binding free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes (DeltaDeltaG, DeltaDeltaH, and -TDeltaDeltaS) attributable to H-->F substitution by comparing results for CPDs containing a trifluoroacetylamino group (CPD-F) or an acetylamino group (CPD-H). The calculated DeltaDeltaG, DeltaDeltaH, and -TDeltaDeltaS values were -2.9, -6.3, and 3.5 kcal mol(-1) and close to experimental values observed for a series of similar ligands, chloramphenicol phosphonates with F and H (-1.4, -3.5, and 2.1 kcal mol(-1)). Therefore, CPD-F binds more strongly to 6D9 than does CPD-H. To clarify the origin of the large difference in DeltaDeltaG, we apportioned the calculated values of DeltaDeltaG and DeltaG for the associated and dissociated states into contributions from various atomic interactions. We found that the H-->F substitution increased the binding affinity mainly by decreasing the hydration free energy and not by increasing favorable interactions with the antibody. The decreased hydration free energy of the ligand was mainly due to unfavorable coulombic interactions between the trifluoroacetylamino group and solvent waters, which increased the free energy of the dissociated state (by about 3.7 kcal mol(-1)). Also, the trifluoroacetylamino group slightly increased the free energy level of the associated state (about 0.8 kcal mol(-1)) because favorable van der Waals interactions compensated for unfavorable coulombic interactions with antibody atoms. In addition, the enthalpy and entropy changes, DeltaDeltaH and -TDeltaDeltaS (computationally -6.3 and 3.5 kcal mol(-1)), originated mainly from a decrease in hydration free energy in the dissociated state. The CPD-F and CPD-H ligands had substantially different structures in the dissociated and complexed states.     

Parallel synthesis of tandem Ugi/Diels-Alder reaction products on a soluble polymer support directed toward split-pool realization of a small molecule library

A series of parallel reactions were carried out for the tandem Ugi/Diels-Alder reaction on our MPEG-O-CH₂- platform. Ninety-six out of a 100 entries were successful to give complex heterotricycles. The stereoselectivity was found not to be influenced by the building blocks used for amine and carboxylic acid components. An unexpected side pathway was found but was suppressed by employing appropriate reaction conditions. The reaction was also performed on solid phase, by which a larger library is potentially realized by employing the split-pool method.     

Recent progress of high-power negative ion beam development for fusion plasma heating

A negative-ion-based neutral beam injector (N-NBI) has been constructed for JT-60U. The N-NBI is designed to inject 500 keV, 10 MW neutral beams using two ion sources, each producing a 500 keV, 22 A D⁻ ion beam. In the preliminary experiment using one ion source, a D⁻ ion beam of 13.5 A has been successfully accelerated with an energy of 400 keV (5.4 MW) for 0.12 s at an operating pressure of 0.22 Pa. This is the highest D⁻ beam current and power in the world. Co-extracted electron current was effectively suppressed to the ratio of Ie/I_D⁻ < 1. The highest energy beam of 460 keV, 2.4 A, 0.44 s has also been obtained. To realize 1 MeV class NBI system for ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), demonstration of ampere class negative ion beam acceleration up to 1 MeV is an important mile stone. To achieve the mile stone, a prototype accelerator and a 1 MV, 1 A test facility called MeV Test Facility (MTF) were constructed. Up to now, an H⁻ ion beam was accelerated up to the energy of 805 keV with an acceleration drain current of 150 mA for 1 s in a five stage electrostatic multi-aperture accelerator.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and ferrimagnetic property of MnPS3 intercalated with nickel(II) cyclopolyamine complex cations

Two new intercalation compounds were prepared by the reactions of Ni(II) cyclopolyamine complex cations with a preintercalate Mn_1−xPS₃K_2x(H₂O)_y, respectively, through “ion exchange” process. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The lattice spacing increased 0.567 and 1.093 nm with respect to the pristine MnPS₃. Ferrimagnetism of the intercalates was confirmed by SQUID experiment with T_c at 40 and 33 K, respectively.     

Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on oxazolidinone antibacterial agents. 1. Conversion of 5-substituent on oxazolidinone

A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study on 5-substituted oxazolidinones as an antibacterial agent is described. The oxazolidinones, of which 5-acetylaminomethyl moiety was converted into other functions, were prepared and evaluated for antibacterial activity. Elongation of the methylene chain (8) and conversion of the acetamido moiety into guanidino moiety (12) decreased the antibacterial activity. The replacement of carbonyl oxygen (=O) by thiocarbonyl sulfur (=S) enhanced in vitro antibacterial activity. Especially, compound 16, which had the 5-thiourea group, showed 4-8 stronger in vitro activity than linezolid. Our SAR study revealed that the antibacterial activity was greatly affected by the conversion of 5-substituent.     

Synthesis and reactivities of 10-S-3 trithiadiazapentalene derivatives

1,3-Bis(p-substituted-phenylthiocarbamoyl)-2-imidazolidinethiones 3a-f reacted with bromine to give trithiadiazapentalene derivatives 5a-f , bearing the exocyclic C-N double bonds, in moderate yields. The molecular structure of 5b was elucidated by the X-ray crystallographic analysis. The treatment of 5b-f with hydrochloric acid gave the ring-opening products, 1,3-bis(p-substituted-phenylthiocarbamoyl)-2-imidazo-lidinones 9b-f , accompanied by the production of elemental sulfur. Reduction of 5b , 5d , and 5e with sodium borohydride gave the ring-opening compounds, 1,3-bis(p-substituted-phenylthiocarbamoyl)-2-imidazolidines 13b , 13d , and 13e respectively.