Force-detected ESR Measurements in a Terahertz Range up to 0.5 THz and Application to Hemin

We report a novel force-detected high-frequency electron spin resonance (HFESR) technique using a microcantilever in the terahertz region. In this technique, we attach a tiny sample on the microcantilever end and the ESR signal is detected as the cantilever bending. The bending is sensitively detected by fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometry. We applied this technique to a tiny amount (~16 ng) of metalloporphyrin, a model substance of hemoproteins, and successfully observed ESR signals at multiple frequencies up to 0.5 THz. This result indicates that the sample volume needed in multi-frequency HFESR can be greatly reduced by several orders of magnitude, and our novel technique would be a promising tool for HFESR studies of metalloproteins in the future.     

Chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective transfer deuteration of ketimines by use of benzothiazoline as a deuterium donor: synthesis of optically active deuterated amines

By use of 2-deuterated benzothiazoline as a deuterium donor in combination with a chiral phosphoric acid, the transfer deuteration of ketimine and α-iminoester took place smoothly to give α-deuterated amines in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. The remarkable kinetic isotope effect suggests that carbon-deuterium bond cleavage is the rate-determining step.     

The Proron threshold states in21MG relevant to the rp-process

More than ten new levels have been identified just above the proton threshold in²¹Mg. The lowest s-wave resonant state assumed previously for the calculation of the stellar reaction rate in the rp-process is found to be a bound state, suggesting a serious change for the early stage of the rp-process.     

Electric conductance increases in the deposition of simultaneously evaporated aluminium with organic compounds

Electric conductance and structure of mixtures of organic compound and aluminum were investigated in air at room temperature. The mixtures were prepared by the simultaneous evaporation of A1 and stearic acid (I) or alkyl derivaive of merocyanine dye (II). It was found that both I and II lead to increase in conductivity for free electrons in the mixture up to a value nearly equal to metallic aluminium in spite of the fact that those organic compounds are insulators themselves. These results were explained as the effect of organic compounds on the unhibition of cohesion of evaporated Al.     

Organic solvent-free, enantio- and diastereoselective, direct Mannich reaction in the presence of water

An organocatalyst-mediated, asymmetric Mannich reaction in the presence of water without using organic solvents has been developed. A highly reactive siloxytetrazole hybrid catalyst has been developed for the reaction of dimethoxyacetaldehyde, while the sodium salt of siloxyproline is an effective catalyst of alpha-imino glyoxylate. Excellent enantioselectivity can be realized, and the usage of organic solvents can be reduced compared to the conventional reactions in organic solvents.     

A novel amphiphilic pincer palladium complex: design, preparation and self-assembling behavior

Amphiphilic pincer palladium complexes bearing hydrophilic and hydrophobic side chains on the planar NCN palladium pincer backbone were designed and prepared via the ligand introduction route. The complexes self-assembled under aqueous conditions to form vesicles with bilayer membranes containing palladium species. The catalytic activity of the vesicles in the Miyaura-Michael reaction in water was investigated.