Giant motion of La atom inside C82 cage

An anomalous charge density distribution of La atom encapsulated in a C₈₂ cage has been revealed for La@C₈₂ by the maximum entropy method (MEM)/Rietveld analysis using synchrotron powder diffraction data. The obtained La atom charge density shows a feature almost like a bowl or a hemisphere, suggesting that the La atom has a giant motion (large amplitude motion) inside the C₈₂ cage at room temperature. From the obtained MEM charge density, the main results are (1) the cage structure of La@C₈₂ (I) has C_2V symmetry; (2) La atom locates at an off-centered position adjacent to a six-membered ring of the carbon cage; (3) the nearest La–C distance is 2.55(8) and (4) the amount of charge transfer from the La atom to the carbon cage is about 3.2 e, which corresponds to the nominal electronic structure, La³⁺@C₈₂³⁻.     

A new biisoflavonoid from the roots of Erythrina variegata

A new biisoflavonoid, biseryvarin A (1a), together with two known compounds were isolated from the roots of Erythrina variegata. The structure of biseryvarin A was established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Biseryvarin A is the first dimeric isoflavonoid possessing isoprenoid groups from the genus Erythrina. Biseryvarin A showed low activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).     

Immunoassay based on a polyclonal antibody for sex steroid hormones produced by a heterogeneous hapten-conjugated immunogen: Estimation of its potentiality and antibody characteristics

A method in which antibodies are produced by using an immunogen heterogeneously conjugated with two or more kinds of haptens having unlike chemical structures against a same carrier protein was offered as an efficient approach for development of antibody to low molecular compounds. To appreciate the potentiality of the approach, 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone were selected as model compounds. The I₅₀ values of antiserum developed were 6 and 8 μg L⁻¹ with the detection limits of 0.02 and 0.15 μg L⁻¹ for E2 and testosterone, respectively. Antiserum owned an interesting characteristic that it was possible to independently analyze E2 and testosterone without mutual interference by making proper use of coating antigens. When using β-estradiol 17-hemisuccuinate (EH) conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a coating antigen, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was very selective to E2 and some estrogen analogues. Therefore, if testosterone coexisted in the ELISA for E2 detection, it showed no interference with it. From these findings, it was suggested that the verified method was an efficient and rational approach in development of polyclonal antibody to low molecular compounds.     

Electrochemical properties of Li symmetric solid-state cell with NASICON-type solid electrolyte and electrodes

All-solid-state phosphate symmetric cells using Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ for both the positive and negative electrodes with the phosphate Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃ as the solid electrolyte were proposed. Amorphous Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃ was added into the electrode to increase the interface area between the active materials and the electrolyte. Any other phases were not formed at the electrode/electrolyte interface even after hot pressing at 600 °C. The discharge capacity was 92 mAh g^? 1 at 22 µA cm^? 2 at 80 °C, and 38 mAh g^? 1 at 25 °C, respectively. Symmetric cell configuration leads to simplify the fabrication process for all-solid-state batteries and will reduce manufacturing costs.     

Effect of calcination temperature on the microstructure of porous TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> film

To obtain porous TiO₂ film, the precursor sol was prepared by hydrolysis of Ti isopropoxide and then complexed with trehalose dihydrate. The porous TiO₂ film was fabricated by the dip-coating technique on glass substrates using this solution. The TiO₂ film was calcined at 500 °C. The maximum thickness of the film from one-run dip-coating was ca. 740 nm. The film was composed of nanosized particle and pores. The porosity of the TiO₂ film was increased by addition of trehalose dihydrate to the sol. The porous TiO₂ films were calcined at different temperatures. The effects of calcination temperature on the microstructure of the porous TiO₂ film were investigated. The porous film prepared from sol containing trehalose still kept the porous structure after calcination at 950 °C. The phase transition temperature of the film from anatase to rutile was shifted from 650 to 700 °C by addition of trehalose to the sol.     

An efficient optical resolution of nitrogen-centered chiral β-hydroxy-tetraalkylammonium salts via complexation with (R)-BINOL

The optical resolution of nitrogen-centered chiral β-hydroxy-tetraalkylammonium bromides is demonstrated by using chiral BINOL as a complexing agent. Determination of the enantiopurities and absolute configurations of the resolved N-chiral tetraalkylammonium salts are described.     

A facile method for the stereoselective preparation of (1E,3E)-4-substituted-1-amino-1,3-dienes via 1,4-elimination

The 1,4-elimination reaction of 1-amino-4-methoxy-(2Z)-alkenes is shown to proceed with high (1E,3E)-stereoselectivities to afford the corresponding 4-substituted-1-amino-1,3-dienes in good yield. The scope and stereochemical features of the synthetic method are described.