Heavy element nuclear chemistry at JAERI

The present status of heavy element nuclear chemistry research at JAERI (Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute) is reviewed. Production of the transactinide nuclei ²⁶¹Rf and ²⁶²Db via the reactions of ²⁴⁸Cm(¹⁸O,5n) and ²⁴⁸Cm(¹⁹F, 5n), respectively, at the JAERI tandem accelerator is reported. Study of the aqueous chemistry of Rf is being carried out with a newly developed rapid ion-exchange separation apparatus. Anion-exchange behavior of Rf in acidic solution is briefly discussed. Recent experimental results on decay studies of neutron-deficient actinide nuclei using the gas-jet coupled JAERI-ISOL are given. We also discuss characteristics of nuclear deformation properties at scission in symmetric and asymmetric fission of actinides. Prospects for studies in the near future are briefly considered.     

Intramolecular catalysis and cyclization in the reaction of α,ω-diaminooligomethylenes with bifunctional sulphonyl chloride. Effect of chain length on polycondensation reaction

As an elementary reaction of polycondensation reactions, rates of the reaction of 1,5-naphthalenedisulphonyl dichloride, a bifunctional fluorescent reagent, with excess α,ω-diaminooligomethylenes were measured by fluorometry in dilute solution. The rate constant, corresponding to that for the reaction of the first step of the polycondensation between the disulphonyl dichloride and the diamines, depended remarkably on the chain length of the diamines. By using 5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulphonyl chloride, a monofunctional fluorescent reagent, and α-aminooligomethylenes, rates of model reactions between the monoamines and the monosulphonyl chloride, the diamines and the monosulphonyl chloride, as well as the monoamines and the disulphonyl dichloride were measured by fluorometry. The remarkable chain length dependence is explained by intramolecular catalysis by the primary amino group.     

Synthesis and Metal Complex Formation of a Bis(terpyridine) Derivative with a Phenylacetylene Framework

A new bis(terpyridine) derivative with a phenylacetylene framework was synthesized via a stepwise terpyridine construction strategy. The addition of ZnCl₂ to a solution of the bis(terpyridine) in chloroform resulted in UV/vis and ¹H NMR spectral changes because of complex formation.     

A novel action of terpendole E on the motor activity of mitotic Kinesin Eg5

To reveal the mechanism of mitosis, the development of M phase-specific inhibitors is an important strategy. We have been screening microbial products to find specific M phase inhibitors that do not directly target tubulins, and rediscovered terpendole E (TerE) as a novel Eg5 inhibitor. TerE did not affect microtubule integrity in interphase, but induced formation of a monoastral spindle in M phase. TerE inhibited both motor and microtubule-stimulated ATPase activities of human Eg5, but did not affect conventional kinesin from either Drosophila or bovine brain. Although terpendoles have been reported as inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT), the Eg5 inhibitory activity of TerE was independent of ACAT inhibition. Taken together, we demonstrate that TerE is a novel Eg5 inhibitor isolated from a fungal strain.     

A reversible optical change in the AsSeGe glass

A novel reversible change in the optical property, transmission and refractive index, due to light irradiation has been found in the AsSeGe glass film. The change is not related with a usual amorphous-crystalline type transformation; a weak lightr causes an edge shift to longer shorter wavelengths also occur upon heating the sample, which suggests that the shift du to the strong light irradiation is originated from the “heating effect” of light. This was confirmed by an experiment with a sample coated with metal-smoke. The change of optical transmission during the weak light irradiation was measured; it is decreased exponentially with time, and the rate of decrease became larger as the power of irradiationg light increased. Good reversibility of the optical transmission was obtained, which makes the material suitable for erasable (optical) memory medium.