Bump-like structure in differential KS regeneration cross sections at high energy

We point out that there might have been seen a structure in differential K_S regeneration cross sections in nuclei near the diffraction-like minimum. A few neutrons in the peripheral region which behave incoherently with the majority of nucleons can account for the observed structure. The number of neutrons is estimated to be 1.16 for Pb.     

Regiocontrolled intramolecular cyclizations of carboxylic acids to carbon-carbon triple bonds promoted by acid or base catalyst

We systematically investigated, for the first time, the relationship between regioselectivity and acid/base effects in the cyclization reactions between carboxylic acids and carbon-carbon triple bonds. We found novel acid- and base-promoted cyclizations to selectively give isocoumarin or pyran-2(2H)-one and phthalide or furan-2(5H)-one skeletons, respectively, and established a catalytic version of regioselective heterocyclic ring synthesis. Density functional theory calculations and application to a short route to thunberginol A were also described. [reaction: see text].     

Design of Photostable,Activatable Near‐Infrared Photoacoustic Probes Using Tautomeric Benziphthalocyanine as a Platform

Near‐infrared (NIR) imaging techniques have attracted significant attention for biological and medicinal applications due to the ability of NIR to penetrate deeply into tissues. However, there are very few stable, activatable molecular probes that can utilize NIR light in the wavelength range beyond 800 nm. Herein, we report a new activatable NIR system for photoacoustic imaging based on tautomeric benziphthalocyanines (BPcs). We found that the existence of a free hydroxyl group is crucial for NIR absorption of BPcs. Synthesized water‐soluble hydroxy BPcs exhibited high photostability and no fluorescence, which are desirable features for photoacoustic imaging. We synthesized BPcs in which the free hydroxyl group was masked by an esterase‐labile or an H₂O₂‐labile group. The photoacoustic signals of these hydroxy‐masked BPcs were increased upon NIR excitation at 880 nm in the presence of esterase or H₂O₂, respectively. These are rare examples of activatable probes utilizing NIR light at around 900 nm.     

Total Biosynthesis of Melleolides from Basidiomycota Fungi: Mechanistic Analysis of the Multifunctional GMC Oxidase Mld7

Mushroom terpenoids are biologically and chemically diverse fungal metabolites. Among them, melleolides are representative sesquiterpenoids with a characteristic protoilludane skeleton. In this study, we applied a recently established hot spot knock-in method to elucidate the biosynthetic pathway leading to 1α-hydroxymelleolide. The biosynthesis of the sesquiterpene core involves the cytochrome P450 catalyzing stepwise hydroxylation of the Δ⁶-protoilludene framework and a stereochemical inversion process at the C5 position catalyzed by short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family proteins. The highlight of the biosynthesis is that the flavoprotein Mld7 catalyzes an oxidation-triggered double-bond shift accompanying dehydration and acyl-group-assisted substitution with two different nucleophiles at the C6 position to afford the Δ⁷-protoilludene derivatives, such as melleolide and armillarivin. The complex reaction mechanism was proposed by DFT calculations. Of particular importance is that product distribution is regulated by interaction with the cell membrane.     

Silylmetalation of alkenes

Silylmetalation of alkenes is challenging due to the low reactivity of the substrates. In contrast, carbometalation of alkenes has been realized through several innovative methods, including activation of the reagent and the substrate. A similar approach could be applicable to silylmetalation of alkenes, and we have recently developed a bimetal activation method using zincate complexes for this purpose. Here, we describe how the silylzincation of alkenes was achieved. First, the strategies for carbometalation of alkenes will be summarized. Secondly, the history and development of silylzincation chemistry are briefly described. Then the details of our findings related to two types of silylzincation of alkenes, as well as recent progress in mechanistic studies, are discussed. The key point in the silylzincation of alkenes proved to be the bimetal activation of the substrate. One metal (copper or titanium) strongly coordinates and activates the alkene moiety, and the other metal (zinc) acts as the electron acceptor from the silyl group by way of the alkene moiety. This dual activation concept is expected to be applicable to other combinations of metals, as well as to new types of reactions.     

Trans-selective asymmetric aziridination of diazoacetamides and N-Boc imines catalyzed by axially chiral dicarboxylic acid

Axially chiral dicarboxylic acid (R)-1d catalyzed reaction of diazoacetamides and N-Boc imines provided a novel organocatalytic means for the formation of enantiomerically enriched N-Boc protected trans aziridines.     

Accurate fluorescent polymeric thermometers containing an ionic component

Fluorescent polymeric thermometers consisting of only N-alkylacrylamide and fluorescent components show rather low temperature resolution in their functional ranges (ca. 15-50 degrees C) because of the occurrence of intermolecular aggregation, which causes hysteresis in their fluorescence response to changes in temperature. By adding an ionic component to prevent such intermolecular aggregation, we obtained four fluorescent polymeric thermometers that offer high temperature resolution (<0.2 degrees C). Each new fluorescent polymeric thermometer covered the temperature range, 9-33 degrees C, 30-51 degrees C, 49-66 degrees C or 4-38 degrees C.     

Ligand-activated lithium-mediated zincation of N-phenylpyrrole

Metalation of N-phenylpyrrole by using an in situ mixture of ZnCl(2)TMEDA (0.5 equiv; TMEDA=N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine) and LiTMP (1.5 equiv; TMP=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino) was optimized. The reaction carried out at room temperature in THF resulted in incomplete metalation (56 % conversion) and selectivity (mixture of 2-iodo and 2,2'-diiodo derivatives in an 86:14 ratio after trapping with iodine). By using diethyl ether (DEE), toluene, or hexane instead of THF, low conversions of 17, 38, or 23 % were observed, respectively, but the formation of the diiodide was avoided. When hexane was used as solvent, strong lithium-complexing ligands such as [12]crown-4 and N,N'-dimethylpropylideneurea (DMPU) inhibited the reaction whereas more (hemi)labile ligands (TMEDA>THF approximately DME) favored it. This result shows that a temporary accessibility of lithium to interact with the rest of the base and/or the substrate is a prerequisite for an efficient metalation. A 75 % yield of 2-iodo-N-phenylpyrrole was obtained after reaction with the base in the presence of five equivalents of TMEDA for two hours at room temperature, and subsequent trapping with iodine. We were able to successfully replace the spare TMP with a less expensive butyl group.     

Reverse photochromic behavior of an iron-magnesium complex

We have obtained a novel heterobimetallic iron-magnesium complex, (THF)4Mg(mu-Br)2FeBr2 (THF = tetrahydrofuran), which showed reverse photochromism in THF. The response exhibited in this system is associated with d-orbital splitting of the Fe atom and a change in the molecular aggregation state (dimerization).