ALL-trans β-CAROTENE-5,6-EPOXIDE IN THYLAKOID MEMBRANES

All- trans β-carotene-5,6-epoxide has been found in the thylakoid membranes of spinach and of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus vulcanus Copeland. The epoxide was extracted from the thylakoid membranes with acetone, and was isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structure of the epoxide was identified by means of mass, Raman, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Changes in the amount of the epoxide, as a result of epoxidation and (apparent) de-epoxidation reactions in the membranes, were traced by analysis of extracts on HPLC. In isolated thylakoid membranes, only the epoxidation reaction took place. The reaction was caused by irradiation or by the addition of ferricyanide, suggesting that electron transport reactions in the membranes are involved in the epoxidation. In intact spinach leaves, however, both epoxidation and de-epoxidation took place; the extent of epoxidation correlated with the intensity of light incident on the leaves. The epoxidation and de-epoxidation of all- trans β-carotene are contrasted with those of xanthophylls (in the violaxanthin cycle).     

Optical switching and alignment of antiferroelectric liquid crystals containing an azo group

The optical properties of two kinds of photochromic antiferroelectric liquid crystal (AFLC) containing an azo group have been examined. Depending on the substituting group at the chiral centre, these AFLCs showed different photoinduced phase transitions by Ar⁺ laser light irradiation. This phase transition has led to a new form of optical switching controlled by a bias voltage. In addition, it was found that these AFLCs caused an azimuthal photoalignment effect regulated by linearly polarized Ar⁺ laser light irradiation. These phenomena were applied to image storage.     

Multinuclear magnetic resonance studies of five silver(I) trinuclear pyrazolate complexes

Structural Chemistry - Experimental multinuclear determination of the chemical shifts, especially 15N and 109Ag, of five silver(I) trinuclear pyrazolate complexes, (PzAg)3, coupled with ZORA...     

Silica gel-mediated hydrohalogenation of unactivated alkenes using hydrohalogenic acids under organic solvent-free conditions

Silica gel-mediated hydrochlorination of unactivated alkenes using 35% hydrochloric acid under organic solvent-free conditions proceeded to give the corresponding chlorides in good yields. Hydrobromination or hydriodination using 47% hydrobromic acid or 55% hydriodic acid afforded the corresponding halides, respectively. Silica gel could be recycled five times without any significant loss of activities.     

The Polymerization of 1,3-Dioxolane Catalyzed by Ion Exchange Resin (Polystyrene Sulfonic Acid)

Polystyrene sulfonic acid resin (Amberlyst 15) was found to initiate the cationic polymerization of 1,3-dioxolane easily in bulk at 0 to 50° C, and polymers with a reduced viscosity of 0.1 were obtained. However, this resin showed only low initiator activity for the polymerizations of 2-methyl-1, 3-dioxolane and trioxane.     

Quinone-recognition by Four-point Hydrogen Bonding in Porphyrin System Having Urea Moiety

5,15- cis -bis(Ureidophenyl)porphyrins have significant recognizing ability for p -benzoquinones through four-point hydrogen bonding. Although an unusual temperature-dependence of the complexation is observed with bis( N '-phenylureidophenyl) porphyrin, bis( N '-ethylureidophenyl)porphyrin shows a satisfactorily linear van't Hoff plot and recognizes an electron-rich p -benzoquinone such as tetramethyl- p -benzoquinone more effectively, which is ascribed to the large enthalpy change in the complex.     

Polymer-Supported Bases. 10. Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholines Using Polymer-Supported or Free Acylimidazoles

Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine was synthesized in a good yield by the reaction of L-α-glycerophosphorylcholine with 1-palmitoylimidazole in the presence of DBU. Polymer-supported 1-palmitoylimidazole moiety also could be used as the acylating reagent, though the yield of the choline was moderate.