Spectroscopic Properties of Amine‐substituted Analogues of Firefly Luciferin and Oxyluciferin

Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of firefly luciferin and oxyluciferin analogues with an amine substituent (NH₂, NHMe and NMe₂) at the C6' position were studied based on absorption and fluorescence measurements. Their π‐electronic properties were investigated by DFT and TD‐DFT calculations. These compounds showed fluorescence solvatochromism with good quantum yields. An increase in the electron‐donating strength of the substituent led to the bathochromic shift of the fluorescence maximum. The fluorescence maxima of the luciferin analogues and the corresponding oxyluciferin analogues in a solvent were well correlated with each other. Based on the obtained data, the polarity of a luciferase active site was explained. As a result, the maximum wavelength of bioluminescence for a luciferin analogue was readily predicted by measuring the photoluminescence of the luciferin analogue in place of that of the corresponding oxyluciferin analogue.     

Backward Terahertz Radiation from a Two-Color Femtosecond Laser Filament

A change in the quasistatic magnetic susceptibility in thin plates of iron borate (FeBO₃), which is a weak ferromagnet, has been revealed at adsorption of water molecules. The measurements have been performed at room temperature with the use of the magneto-optical Faraday effect. The change of the susceptibility in saturated water vapors is about 30%. The observed effect is reversible. The time of establishing the susceptibility after the introduction of water vapors is 1.5 min, which is twice as large as the time of establishing the susceptibility after the evacuation. The effect is explained by the appearance of uniaxial surface magnetic anisotropy in the basal plane because of the adsorption of water molecules.     

High-Field and Multifrequency ESR Studies at KYOKUGEN in Osaka University

We have developed high-field and multifrequency (HFMF) electron spin resonance (ESR) apparatus for the magnetic fields up to 65 T at frequencies up to about 6 THz. In addition to this pulsed field ESR apparatus, we are making a multifrequency ESR apparatus with very high sensitivity in a static field. We report the results of ESR studies on BaCoV₂O₈ and NiGa₂S₄, followed by recent developments and future plans of our HFMF ESR apparatus.     

Rearrangement of 4,5α-epoxymorphinan derivatives with carbamoylepoxy rings provide novel oxazatricyclodecane structures

We describe the rearrangement of a carbamoylepoxy 4,5α-epoxymorphinan derivative that provided a novel 4,5α-epoxymorphinan derivative with an oxazatricyclodecane structure via an oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane intermediate. We proposed the mechanism of the rearrangement reaction based on results observed in different deprotonation conditions. Epimerization occurred during rearrangement under reversible, but not irreversible, deprotonation conditions. The rearrangement product had a novel fundamental structure with moderate affinities for opioid receptors (K_i (μ)=47.7 nM, K_i (δ)=174.6 nM, and K_i (κ)=248.1 nM). Thus, the rearrangement products might have high potency as opioid ligands.     

Synthesis and properties of bis(pyrazino[2′,3′:4,5]imidazole)-fused 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,4,5,8,9,10-hexaazaanthracenes: a new fluorescent nitrogen-rich heterocycle

Nitrogen-rich heterocycles, bis(pyrazino[2′,3′:4,5]imidazole)-fused 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,4,5,8,9,10-hexaazaanthracenes (BPI-HAAs) were prepared by conventional Pd(OAc)₂/BINAP-catalyzed C-N coupling reactions of 5-aryl-3-bromoaminopyrazines. The BPI-HAA core is a planar structure with aromaticity, and this heterocycle exhibits red fluorescence and moderate electron-accepting characteristics.     

Synthesis of 3,4‐Fused Tricyclic Indoles Using 3‐Alkylidene Indolines as Versatile Precursors

In this personal account, our recent studies of novel synthetic methods of 3,4‐fused tricyclic indole derivatives using 3‐alkylidene indoline derivatives as versatile precursors are discussed. Two types of cascade reactions producing 3,4‐fused tricyclic 3‐alkylidene indolines were developed based on a palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular Heck insertion to an allene‐allylic amination cascade and a platinum‐catalyzed intramolecular Friedel‐Crafts type C?H coupling‐allylic amination cascade. Furthermore, three types of 3,4‐fused tricyclic indoles were accessible from a single 3‐alkylidene indoline precursor via acid‐promoted olefin isomerization or oxidative treatments. The application of the developed methods to the synthesis of natural products bearing a 3,4‐fused tricyclic indole skeleton, (?)‐aurantioclavine, fargesine, and synthetic studies of dragmacidin E are also highlighted.     

Carboxylation of indoles and pyrroles with CO2 in the presence of dialkylaluminum halides

The Lewis acid-mediated carboxylation of arenes with CO₂ has been successfully applied to 1-substituted indoles and pyrroles by using dialkylaluminum chlorides instead of aluminum trihalides. Thus, the carboxylation of 1-methylindoles, 1-benzyl-, and 1-phenylpyrroles proceeds regioselectively with the aid of an equimolar amount of Me₂AlCl under CO₂ pressure (3.0 MPa) at room temperature to afford the corresponding indole-3-carboxylic acids and pyrrole-2-carboxylic acids in 61-85% yields, while the same treatment of 1,2,5-trimethylpyrrole affords the 3-carboxylic acid in 52% yield.