Stereochemical Dichotomy in Two Competing Cascade Processes: Total Syntheses of Both Enantiomers of Spiroxin A

The first total synthesis of the marine antibiotic spiroxin A has been achieved for both enantiomeric forms. The discovery of two competing cascade processes triggered by two orthogonal stimuli, photo‐irradiation or acid/base treatment, enabled the divergent conversion of a single chiral, nonracemic bis‐quinone into both enantiomers of an advanced intermediate en route to both (?)‐ and (+)‐spiroxin A. The mechanism of the enantiodivergence is discussed.     

A Defect‐Free Ring Polymer: Size‐Controlled Cyclic Poly(tetrahydrofuran) Consisting Exclusively of the Monomer Unit

A series of size‐controlled, cyclic poly(tetrahydrofuran)s ( of 4 400–8 600) that consist exclusively of the monomer, i.e., oxytetramethylene, unit ( I ) have been prepared in high yield through the metathesis polymer cyclization of a telechelic precursor having allyl groups, 1 , in the presence of a Grubbs catalyst, and the subsequent hydrogenation of the linking, i.e., 2‐butenoxy, unit in the presence of an Adams' catalyst (PtO₂). A remarkable topology effect has subsequently been observed upon the isothermal crystallization of these two model polymers, showing distinctive spherulite growth rates and spherulite morphologies in comparison with the relevant linear poly(tetrahydrofuran) counterpart that has ethoxy end groups ( II ).

     

Highly sensitive restriction enzyme assay and analysis: a review

Biological assays at the single molecule level are crucial to fundamental studies of DNA-protein mechanisms. In order to cater for high throughput applications, one area of immense research potential is single-molecule bioassays where miniaturized devices are developed to perform rapid and effective biological reactions and analyses. With the success of various emerging technologies for engineering miniaturized structures down to the nanoscale level, supported by specialized equipment for detection, many investigations in the field of life science that were once thought impossible can now be actively explored. In this review, the significance of downscaling to the single-molecule level is firstly presented in selected examples, with the focus placed on restriction enzyme assays. To determine the effectiveness of single-molecule restriction enzyme reactions, simple and direct analytical methods based on DNA stretching have often been reliably employed. DNA stretching can be realized based on a number of working principles related to the physical forces exerted on the DNA samples. We then discuss two examples of a nanochannel system and a microchamber system where single-molecule restriction enzyme digestion and DNA stretching have been integrated, which possess prospective capabilities of developing into highly sensitive and high-throughput restriction enzyme assays. Finally, we take a brief look at the general trends in technological development in this field by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of performing assays at bulk, microscale and single-molecule levels. Figure Minaturization of Restriction Enzyme Assays and DNA Stretching     

Structure of an unsaturated fatty acid with unique vicinal dimethyl branches isolated from the Okinawan soft coral of the genus Sinularia

A new unsaturated fatty acid with unique vicinal dimethyl branches was isolated from the Okinawan soft coral of the genus Sinularia. The structure of the compound was determined based on the results of spectroscopic analysis and chemical conversion. The absolute configuration was deduced by applying the Ohrui-Akasaka method.     

Adaptive Ion-Gel: Stimuli-Responsive,and Self-Healing Ion Gels

Ion gels are an emerging class of polymer gels in which a three-dimensional polymer network swells with an ionic liquid. Ion gels have drawn considerable attention in various fields such as energy and biotechnology owing to their excellent properties including nonvolatility, nonflammability, high ionic conductivity, and high thermal and electrochemical stability. Since the first report on ion gels (published ∼30 years ago), diverse functional ion gels exhibiting impressive physicochemical properties have been reported. In this review, recent developments in functional ion gels that can modulate their physical properties in response to environmental conditions are outlined. Stimuli-responsive ion gels that can adaptively undergo phase transitions in response to thermal and light stimuli are initially discussed, followed by an evaluation of diverse self-healing ion gels that can spontaneously mend mechanical damage through judiciously designed ion-gel networks.     

Formation and characterization of Co(III)-semiquinonate phenoxyl radical species

Co(III) complexes of N(3)O-donor tripodal ligands, 2,4-di(tert-butyl)-6-{[bis(2-pyridyl)methyl]aminomethyl}phenolate (tbuL), 2,4-di(tert-butyl)-6-{[bis(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]aminomethyl}phenolate (tbuL(Mepy)(2)), were prepared, and precursor Co(II) complexes, [Co(tbuL)Cl] (1) and [Co(tbuL(Mepy)(2))Cl] (2), and ternary Co(III) complexes, [Co(tbuL)(acac)]ClO(4) (3), [Co(tbuL)(tbu-cat)] (4), and [Co(tbuL(Mepy)(2))(tbu-SQ)]ClO(4) (5), where acac, tbu-cat, and tbu-SQ refer to pentane-2,4-dionate, 3,5-di(tert-butyl)catecholate, and 3,5-di(tert-butyl)semiquinonate, respectively, were structurally characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. Complexes 3 and 5 have a mononuclear structure with a fac-N(3)O(3) donor set, while 4 has a mer-N(3)O(3) structure. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of complex 3 exhibited one reversible redox wave centered at 0.93 V (vs Ag/AgCl) in CH(3)CN. Complex 5 was converted to a phenoxyl radical species upon oxidation with Ce(IV), showing a characteristic pi-pi* transition band at 412 nm. The ESR spectrum at low temperature and the resonance Raman spectrum of 3 established that the radical species has a Co(III)-phenoxyl radical bond. On the other hand, the CVs showed two oxidation processes at E(1/2) = 0.01 and E(pa) = 0.92 V for 4 and E(1/2a) = 0.05 and E(1/2b) = 0.69 V for 5. The rest potential of 4 (-0.11 V) was lower than the E(1/2) value, whereas that of 5 (0.18 V) was higher, indicating that the first redox wave of 4 and 5 is assigned to the tbu-cat and the tbu-SQ redox process, respectively. One-electron oxidized 4 showed absorption, resonance Raman, and ESR spectra which are similar to those of 5, suggesting formation of a stable Co(III)-semiquinonate species, which has the same oxidation level of 5. The resonance Raman spectrum of two-electron oxidized 4 showed the nu(8a) bands of the semiquinonate and phenoxyl radical, which were absent in the spectrum of one-electron oxidized 5. Since both oxidized species were ESR inactive at 5 K, the former was concluded to be a biradical species containing semiquinonate and phenoxyl radicals coupled antiferromagnetically and the latter to a species with a coordinated quinone.     

Apotirucallane and tirucallane triterpenoids from Cedrela sinensis

Nine new triterpenoids, 1-9, were isolated from the cortex of Cedrela sinensis (Meliaceae), together with six known compounds, sapelin E acetate, grandifoliolenone, azadirone, bourjotinolone A, piscidinol A, and hispidol B. The structures of 1-9 were determined by the 2D NMR experiments, chemical methods, and X-ray crystallography.