Electrochemical-coupling layer-by-layer (ECC-LbL) assembly

Electrochemical-coupling layer-by-layer (ECC-LbL) assembly is introduced as a novel fabrication methodology for preparing layered thin films. This method allows us to covalently immobilize functional units (e.g., porphyrin, fullerene, and fluorene) into thin films having desired thicknesses and designable sequences for both homo- and heteroassemblies while ensuring efficient layer-to-layer electronic interactions. Films were prepared using a conventional electrochemical setup by a simple and inexpensive process from which various layering sequences can be obtained, and the photovoltaic functions of a prototype p/n heterojunction device were demonstrated.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-lysergic acid, (+)-lysergol, and (+)-isolysergol by palladium-catalyzed domino cyclization of allenes bearing amino and bromoindolyl groups

Enantioselective total synthesis of the biologically important indole alkaloids (+)-lysergol, (+)-isolysergol, and (+)-lysergic acid is described. Key features of these total synthesis include (1) a facile synthesis of a chiral 1,3-amino alcohol via the Pd(0)- and In(I)-mediated reductive coupling reaction between L-serine-derived 2-ethynylaziridine and formaldehyde; (2) the Cr(II)/Ni(0)-mediated Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi (NHK) reaction of an indole-3-acetaldehyde with iodoalkyne; and (3) Pd(0)-catalyzed domino cyclization of an allene bearing amino and bromoindolyl groups. This domino cyclization enabled direct construction of the C/D ring system of the ergot alkaloids skeleton, as well as the creation of the C5 stereogenic center with transfer of the allenic axial chirality to the central chirality.     

In vivo multimode Raman imaging reveals concerted molecular composition and distribution changes during yeast cell cycle

In vivo time-lapse Raman imaging reveals highly dynamic and concerted changes in concentration and distribution of phospholipids and proteins during and after cell division of a single living Schizosaccharomyces pombe cell.     

Operation of micro and molecular machines: a new concept with its origins in interface science

A landmark accomplishment of nanotechnology would be successful fabrication of ultrasmall machines that can work like tweezers, motors, or even computing devices. Now we must consider how operation of micro- and molecular machines might be implemented for a wide range of applications. If these machines function only under limited conditions and/or require specialized apparatus then they are useless for practical applications. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the access of functionality of the molecular or nanoscale systems by conventional stimuli at the macroscopic level. In this perspective, we will outline the position of micro- and molecular machines in current science and technology. Most of these machines are operated by light irradiation, application of electrical or magnetic fields, chemical reactions, and thermal fluctuations, which cannot always be applied in remote machine operation. We also propose strategies for molecular machine operation using the most conventional of stimuli, that of macroscopic mechanical force, achieved through mechanical operation of molecular machines located at an air-water interface. The crucial roles of the characteristics of an interfacial environment, i.e. connection between macroscopic dimension and nanoscopic function, and contact of media with different dielectric natures, are also described.     

Mechanism of Back Electron Transfer in an Intermolecular Photoinduced Electron Transfer Reaction: Solvent as a Charge Mediator

Back electron transfer (BET) is one of the important processes that govern the decay of generated ion pairs in intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer reactions. Unfortunately, a detailed mechanism of BET reactions remains largely unknown in spite of their importance for the development of molecular photovoltaic structures. Here, we examine the BET reaction of pyrene (Py) and 1,4‐dicyanobenzene (DCB) in acetonitrile (ACN) by using time‐resolved near‐ and mid‐IR spectroscopy. The Py dimer radical cation (Py₂^.+) and DCB radical anion (DCB^.?) generated after photoexcitation of Py show asynchronous decay kinetics. To account for this observation, we propose a reaction mechanism that involves electron transfer from DCB^.? to the solvent and charge recombination between the resulting ACN dimer anion and Py₂^.+. The unique role of ACN as a charge mediator revealed herein could have implications for strategies that retard charge recombination in dye‐sensitized solar cells.