Synthetic studies with 13-deoxybaccatin III

An efficient synthesis of 13-epi-7-O-(triethylsilyl)baccatin III from 13-deoxybaccatin III is described. Oxidation of 13-deoxy-7-O-(triethylsilyl)baccatin III with tert-butyl peroxide, followed by reduction with SmI(2), produced 13-epi-7-O-(triethylsilyl)baccatin III in good overall yield. The preparation of 13-oxo-7-O-(triethylsilyl)baccatin III from 13-epi-7-O-(triethylsilyl)baccatin III using tetrapropylammonium perruthenate and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide is also reported.     

Observation of D+(s)K- and evidence for D+(s)pi- final states in neutral B decays

We report the first observation of a B meson decay that is not accessible by a direct spectator process. The channel B(0)-->D(+)(s)K- is found in a sample of 85 x 10(6) BB; events, collected with the Belle detector at KEKB, with a branching fraction B(B(0)-->D(+)(s)K-)=(4.6(+1.2)(-1.1)+/-1.3) x 10(-5). We also obtain evidence for the B0-->D(+)(s)pi(-) decay with branching fraction B(B0-->D(+)(s)pi(-))=(2.4(+1.0)(-0.8)+/-0.7) x 10(-5). This value may be used to extract a model-dependent value of |V(ub)|.     

Compatibilizing effect of polyarylate-polystyrene block copolymer in polyarylate/polystyrene blends

The compatibilizing effect of polyarylate-polystyrene (PAR-PS) block copolymer prepared from macroazo initiator was examined in polyarylate/polystyrene blends from the view-points of morphology, density, and thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties. PARPS block copolymer enhanced the mutual dissolution of the homopolymers. Reduced dispersed-domain size and increased density showed the efficiency of the block copolymer as a compatibilizing agent. Results from mechanical and rheological properties could also be explained by the compatibilizing effect of PAR-PS block copolymer in the blends. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Solution of the Percus-Yevick equation for the Widom-Rowlinson model

The Percus-Yevick equation for the Widom-Rowlinson model is solved exactly in one and three dimensions. In one dimension the direct correlation function is obtained explicitely. In three dimensions only the thermodynamic properties have been obtained so far implicitely in terms of elliptic integrals, and there is a maximum density beyond which the P.Y. equation has no solution and that before that density is ‘critical density’ at which the homogenous state becomes unstable.     

Melampyrosid,ein neus iridoid aus Melampyrum silvaticum L.

From Melampyrum silvaticum L. (Scrophulariaceae) the new Iridoid melampyrosid (2) was isolated beside aucubin (1). The structure of 2 is determined by spectral data and chemical reactions.     

Effect of conformational heterogeneity on excitation energy transfer efficiency in directly meso-meso linked Zn(II) porphyrin arrays

We have investigated the overall excitation energy relaxation dynamics in linear porphyrin arrays as well as the energy transport phenomena by attaching an energy acceptor to one end of a linear porphyrin array by using steady state and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements. We have revealed that the solvation dynamics as well as the conformational dynamics contributes significantly to the energy relaxation processes of linear porphyrin arrays. Consequently, long porphyrin arrays no longer serve as good energy transmission elements in donor-acceptor linked systems due to conformational heterogeneities which provide the non-radiative deactivation channels as energy quenchers.     

Release of N(2) from the carbon nanotubes via high-temperature annealing

Nitrogen (N)-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were heated to 1000 degrees C under an ultrahigh vacuum. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) reveal three different N structures; graphitelike, pyridine-like, and molecular N(2). The vibrationally resolved XANES peaks of N(2) were first observed, suggesting the existence of molecular N(2) as intercalated and trapped forms. The annealing process can decrease the average N content from 6.3 at. % to 3.3 at. %, mainly by releasing molecular N(2). Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) confirms that the annealing releases molecular N(2) from the CNTs.     

Mechanistic divergence of two closely related aldol-like enzyme-catalysed reactions

The analysis of the interaction of threose 4-phosphate and 2-deoxyerythrose 4-phosphate with 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase (DAH7PS) reveals previously unrecognised mechanistic differences between the DAH7PS-catalysed reaction and that catalysed by the closely related enzyme, 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate 8-phosphate synthase (KDO8PS).