A Structurally Robust Chiral Borate Ion: Molecular Design,Synthesis, and Asymmetric Catalysis

Catalysis by chiral weakly‐coordinating anions (WCAs) remains underdeveloped due to the lack of a molecular design strategy for exploiting their characteristics, such as the non‐nucleophilic nature. Here, we report the development of a chiral borate ion comprising an O,N,N,O‐tetradentate backbone, which ensures hitherto unattainable structural robustness. Upon pairing with a proton, the hydrogen borate acts as an effective catalyst for the asymmetric Prins‐type cyclization of vinyl ethers, providing access to structurally and stereochemically defined dihydropyrans. The key to selectivity control is the distinct ability of the borate ion to discriminate the prochiral faces of the acyclic oxonium ion intermediate and dictate the regiochemical outcome. We anticipate that this study paves the way for exploring the untapped potential of WCA catalysis for selective chemical synthesis.     

Hydrophobic Monomers Recognize Microenvironments in Hydrogel Microspheres during Free-Radical-Seeded Emulsion Polymerization

The three-dimensional structure of nanocomposite microgels was precisely determined by cryo-electron micrography. Several nanocomposite microgels that differ with respect to their nanocomposite structure, which were obtained from seeded emulsion polymerization in the presence of microgels, were used as model nanocomposite materials for cryo-electron micrography. The obtained three-dimensional segmentation images of these nanocomposite microgels provide important insights into the interactions between the hydrophobic monomers and the microgels, that is, hydrophobic styrene monomers recognize molecular-scale differences in polarity within the microgels during the emulsion polymerization. This result led to the formation of unprecedented multi-layered nanocomposite microgels, which promise substantial potential in colloidal applications.     

Injectable Polypeptide Hydrogel Depot System for Assessment of the Immune Response–Inducing Efficacy of Sustained Antigen Release Alone

Vaccines typically contain an antigen, delivery system (vehicle), and adjuvant, all of which contribute to inducing a potent immune response. Consequently, design of new vaccines is difficult, because the contributions and interactions of these components are difficult to distinguish. Here, it is aimed to develop an easy‐to‐use, non‐immunogenic, injectable depot system for sustained antigen release that will be suitable for assessing the efficacy of prolonged antigen exposure per se for inducing an immune response. This should mimic real‐life infections. Recombinant elastin‐like polypeptides with periodic cysteine residues (cELPs) are selected, which reportedly show little or no immunogenicity, as carriers and tetanus toxoid (Ttd) as an antigen. After subcutaneous injection of the mixture, cELP rapidly forms a disulfide cross‐linked hydrogel in situ, within which Ttd is physically incorporated, affording a biodegradable antigen depot. A series of Ttd‐containing hydrogels is examined. A single injection induces high levels of tetanus antibody with high avidity for at least 20 weeks in mice. The chain length of cELP proves critical, whereas differences in hydrophobicity has little effect, although hydrophilic cELPs are more rapidly biodegraded. This system's ability to distinguish the contribution of sustained antigen release to antibody induction should be helpful for rational design of next‐generation vaccines.     

Three-dimensional visualization of columnar vortices in rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection

Journal of Visualization -  To enrich the three-dimensional experimental details of vortex structures in rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection, we established a technique...     

Redox-Induced Modulation of Exchange Interaction in a High-Spin Ground-State Diradical/Triradical System

A triplet ground-state diradical molecule, bis(nitronyl nitroxide)-substituted diphenyldihydrophenazine ( 1 ^..), that can be converted into a one-electron oxidized species, 1 ^{… +} , in the quartet ground state has been developed. Surprisingly, these species, 1 ^.. and 1 ^{… +} , can be used under ambient conditions because they are reasonably stable under aerobic conditions, even in solution. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities reveal that 1 ^.. and 1 ^{… +} are in the triplet state, with a weak exchange interaction (J₁/k_B = +3.1 K) and quartet ground state with a strong exchange interaction (J₂/k_B = +160 K), respectively. The interconversion between the neutral and one-electron oxidized species can be realized through electrochemical reactions. Significantly different absorption bands in the near-IR region newly appeared in the electronic spectra acquired during electrochemical oxidation/reduction.     

Total Synthesis of Terpioside B

The first total synthesis of terpioside B ( 1 ) has been accomplished. Key steps include the stereoselective installments of a set of challenging 1,2-cis-glycosidic linkages. Thus, α(1,4)-linked d -galactoside was effectively constructed from a 1,2-anhydrogalactose donor and an unprotected 1,6-anhydrogalactose acceptor by using a boron-mediated aglycon delivery (BMAD) method. In addition, α-l -fucofuranosides were stereoselectively and simultaneously constructed by remote group-assisted 1,2-cis-α-stereoselective glycosylations.     

Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of (Pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl)–(Nitronyl Nitroxide)/(Iminonitroxide)‐Dyads

Unlike extensively studied diradicals linked by π‐conjugated systems, only a few studies have investigated weakly coupled diradicals linked by an sp³ carbon atom. Herein, we prepared pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl–(nitronyl nitroxide)‐dyad 5 and pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl–iminonitroxide‐dyad 6 . From the observed temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, 5 and 6 were determined to be in singlet ground states with 2J_intra/k_B=?35.2 K and ?13.6 K, respectively. From these results and theoretical calculations of related diradicals, the spin‐polarization model counting the small spin density of the sp³ carbon atom could be used as a spin‐prediction model.     

Total synthesis of kehokorins A and B

The total synthesis of a dibenzofuran rhamnoside, kehokorin A, and its aglycone, kehokorin B, was achieved via a route including Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling followed by Ullmann ether synthesis to form a dibenzofuran, stepwise bromination at C7 of the dibenzofuran, a second Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling to install a 4-methoxyphenyl group at C7, and rhamnosylation.     

Stereochemical Dichotomy in Two Competing Cascade Processes: Total Syntheses of Both Enantiomers of Spiroxin A

The first total synthesis of the marine antibiotic spiroxin A has been achieved for both enantiomeric forms. The discovery of two competing cascade processes triggered by two orthogonal stimuli, photo‐irradiation or acid/base treatment, enabled the divergent conversion of a single chiral, nonracemic bis‐quinone into both enantiomers of an advanced intermediate en route to both (?)‐ and (+)‐spiroxin A. The mechanism of the enantiodivergence is discussed.