Structure elucidation of AK-toxins,host-specific phytotoxic metabolites produced by alternaria kikuchiana tanaka

The structures of two host-specific phytotoxic metabolites, AK-toxin I and II, isolated from culture broth of Alternaria kikuchiana Tanaka (the fungus causing black spot disease of Japanese pear) were determined to be the ester consisting of N-acetyl-β-methyl-phenylalanine and 9,10-epoxy-8-hydroxy-9-methyl-2E, 4Z, 6E-decatrienoic acid ($\text{1}$) and its β-demethyl derivative ($\text{2}$).     

Inclusion-water-cluster in a three-dimensional superlattice of gold nanoparticles

Three-dimensional particle crystals made of dicarboxylic thiolate (MSA)-stabilized gold nanoparticles were formed at an air/water interface. FTIR spectra of this supracrystal showed that three well-resolved peaks existed from 3400 to 3550 cm-1 just falling in a region of OH stretching vibrational mode. Precise analysis showed that all these peaks originated from the water cluster included in the interstice of a particle crystal.     

A Direct Asymmetric Synthesis of Juglomycin A

Juglomycin A has been synthesized in four steps from 5-methoxy-1-naphthol.     

Oxidative cleavage reactions of catechol and phenol to monoester of cis,cis,-muconic acid with the oxidizing systems of O2/CuCl,KOH/CuCl2

Oxidative cleavage reactions of catechol with CuCI to give monoester of cis,cis-muconic acid in pyridine containing alcohol was investigated under various conditions. The same oxidation was carried out also with the systems of KO₂/CuCl₂ and KOH/CuCl₂ in pyridine containing alcohol in the absence of oxygen. Phenol was oxidized with the same oxidizing systems to give the same monoester of muconic acid.     

Synthesis and Odor Evaluation of Stereoisomers of Imine Derivatives in Roasted Spotted Shrimp

All possible stereoisomers of imine derivatives 1 – 4 , which have the characteristic roast odor of seafood, were synthesized. As a result of odor evaluation of all isomers, we found that each isomer has a different and characteristic odor of roasted seafood.     

New chemosensor for larger guests based on modified cyclodextrin bearing seven hydrophobic chains each with a hydrophilic end group

A new chemosensor for larger guests was prepared. The new chemosensor bears hydrophobic units at the primary hydroxy side and a dansyl unit at the secondary hydroxy side of β-cyclodextrin. Due to the hydrophobic units, the new chemosensor is sensitive to large or slender guests such as SDS and insensitive to 1-adamantanol, which is a good guest for the natural β-CD.     

Preparation and properties of poly(imide-oxoisoindolobenzothiadiazine dioxides)

New thermally stable poly(imide-oxoisoindolobenzothiadiazine dioxides) (PIOD) have been prepared by the three-step cyclopolycondensation reaction of diaminobenzenesulfonamides with aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides. The polymerization proceeded through the formation of poly(amic acid-sulfonamides) (PAAS), followed by cyclodehydration to yield polyimide-sulfonamides (PIS), which were subsequently converted to PIOD at 300°C. PAAS having inherent viscosities in the range of 0.1–0.5 in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) were obtained in approximately quantitative yield. PIOD were insoluble in most organic solvents, whereas PAAS and PIS were soluble in NMP and dimethyl sulfoxide. Differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis indicated that PIOD began to decompose at 460°C in air. The cyclodehydration of the model compounds was also investigated.     

Recombinant cell bioassay systems for the detection and relative quantitation of halogenated dioxins and related chemicals

Proper epidemiological, risk assessment and exposure analysis of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, dioxin) and related halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) requires accurate measurements of these chemicals both in the species of interest and in various exposure matrices (i.e. biological, environmental, food and feed). High-resolution instrumental analysis techniques are established for these chemicals, however, these procedures are very costly and time-consuming and as such, they are impractical for large scale sampling studies (i.e. for epidemiological studies and assessment of areas with widespread contamination). Accordingly, numerous bioanalytical methods have been developed for the detection of these chemicals in extracts from a variety of matrices, the majority of which take advantage of the ability of these chemicals to activate the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the AhR signal transduction pathway. Here we review the currently available in vitro AhR-based cell bioassay systems with a focus on recent recombinant reporter gene cell lines that have been developed for detection and relative quantitation of TCDD and related HAHs. Comparison of the relative sensitivities of the various cell bioassays and examples of their use in screening and analysis of environmental, biological, and food and feed samples are presented. Currently available experimental results and validation studies demonstrate the utility of these cell bioassay systems to provide a relatively rapid, accurate, and cost effective screening approach for the detection of TCDD and related HAHs in a variety of environmental, biological, food and feed samples. The availability of these cell bioassay systems will not only facilitate the large scale sampling studies needed for accurate assessment of contamination and exposure to these environmental chemicals, but they provide avenues for the identification of novel classes of TCDD-like chemicals.     

Fluorescence and Laser photolysis studies on 1,2,4,5-tetracy anobenzene CT complexes in micellar solutions

CT complexes of 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene were formed in the inner part of neutral micelles and in the surface region of ionic ones. The excitation of the CT absorption band of these complexes gives broad and structureless CT fluorescence spectra, their lifetimes being relatively short (≈10 ns). Micellar effect upon ionic photodissociation was observed, and their quantum yeild is smaller than that obtained in acetonitrile. These results are quite different from those on another typical excited CT system of pyrene and N,N-dimethylaniline.