An Anti CuO2‐type Metal Hydride Square Net Structure in Ln2M2As2Hx (Ln=La or Sm,M=Ti,V, Cr,or Mn)

Using a high pressure technique and the strong donating nature of H⁻, a new series of tetragonal La₂Fe₂Se₂O₃‐type layered mixed‐anion arsenides, Ln₂M₂As₂H_x, was synthesized (Ln=La or Sm, M=Ti, V, Cr, or Mn; x≈3). In these compounds, an unusual M₂H square net, which has anti CuO₂ square net structures accompanying two As³⁻ ions, is sandwiched by (LaH)₂ fluorite layers. Notably, strong metal–metal bonding with a distance of 2.80 Å was confirmed in La₂Ti₂As₂H_2.3, which has metallic properties. In fact, these compounds are situated near the boundary between salt‐like ionic hydrides and transition‐metal hydrides with metallic characters.     

Development of the carboxamide protecting group, 4-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-2-methoxybenzyl

The new carboxamide protecting group, 4-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-2-methoxybenzyl (SiMB), has been developed. While this SiMB group can be removed using mild basic desilylation methods, it can also be deprotected under strongly acidic or oxidative conditions. An application of this group to simple carboxamide groups, as well as to more complex and acid-sensitive adenosine derivatives containing a cyclophane scaffold, was also demonstrated.     

Regression-based model of skin diffuse reflectance for skin color analysis

A simple regression-based model of skin diffuse reflectance is developed based on reflectance samples calculated by Monte Carlo simulation of light transport in a two-layered skin model. This reflectance model includes the values of spectral reflectance in the visible spectra for Japanese women. The modified Lambert Beer law holds in the proposed model with a modified mean free path length in non-linear density space. The averaged RMS and maximum errors of the proposed model were 1.1 and 3.1%, respectively, in the above range.     

Synthesis of macrocyclic terpenoids by intramolecular cyclization VII. Total synthesis of (±)-cubitene

Stereoselective total synthesis of (±)-cubitene, a diterpene isolated from termite soldiers, and its stereisomer has been achieved utilizing the anion-induced intramolecular cyclization.     

Biomimetic transformations of germacradienes. Stereospecific conversion of hedycaryol phenyl sulfides to cadinanes

E,E- and 2Z,6E-hedycaryol phenyl sulfides were converted by [2.3]sigmatropy of their sulfoxides to the same allyl alcohol which in turn afforded cadinane derivatives stereospecifically by the action of acids.     

Nickel-catalysed bis-allylation of internal alkynes with triallylindium

The Ni-catalysed reaction of triallylindium with internal alkynes underwent bis-allylation to afford octa-1,4,7-trienes in high yield.     

Preparation of Y2O3:Eu thin films by excimer-laser-assisted metal organic deposition

Europium-doped yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃:Eu) thin films were successfully deposited on quartz and ITO/glass substrates by excimer-laser-assisted metal organic deposition (ELAMOD) at low temperatures. The effects of laser wavelength and thermal temperature on the films’ crystallinity and photoluminescence properties were investigated. Films irradiated by an ArF laser at 80 mJ/cm² and 400–500°C were highly crystallized compared with those prepared by thermal MOD. In contrast, when the film was irradiated by a KrF laser at 500°C, no crystalline Y₂O₃:Eu was formed. The Y₂O₃:Eu film irradiated by the ArF laser at 80 mJ/cm² and 500°C showed typical PL spectra of Eu³⁺ ions with cubic symmetry and a ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition at ∼612 nm. The PL intensity at 612 nm was much higher for the film prepared with ELAMOD than for that prepared by the thermal-assisted process, and the photoemission intensity of the film prepared with ELAMOD strongly depended on the substrate material.