Separation of N2@C60 and N@C60

We describe the HPLC separation and identification of N@C60 and N2@C60. These species were observed after eleven sequential HPLC separations. Their retention times are in the same range as those of the other noninteractive endohedral species of C60, such as noble gas endohedral C60. The separation factors of these endohedrals were evaluated by using a mixture of hexane/toluene as eluent. We note that this is the first evidence for the N2@C60 molecule existing in the form of endohedral C60 complex.     

Remarkable effect of pore size on the catalytic activity of mesoporous silica for the acetalization of cyclohexanone with methanol

The catalytic activity of mesoporous silica (MCM-41) for the acetalization of cyclohexanone shows a volcano-shaped dependence on the pore diameter. The diameter of the cyclohexanone molecule is ca. 0.75 nm, while its acetalization with methanol was well accelerated on MCM-41 with a pore diameter of approximately 1.9 nm, and smaller or larger pores were not suitable for the catalysis. The catalytic activity was independent of the Al concentration.     

Isolation of (E)-9,10-dihydroxy-2-decenoic acid from royal jelly and determination of the absolute configuration by chemical synthesis

(E)-9,10-Dihydroxy-2-decenoic acid 1 was isolated as a new compound from royal jelly. The planar structure was deduced by spectroscopic analyses, whereas the absolute configuration was established by chemical synthesis of both enantiomers of 1. The natural product was revealed to be ca. 3.5:1 mixture of (R)- and (S)-acids by comparison of 1 with authentic samples.     

Influence of defects on the luminescence in KI

Quenching of exciton luminescence caused by coloration with u.v.-irradiation in KI and KI:Tl has been studied. Reduction in the luminescence intensity by coloration is found to depend on the coloration temperature as well as on the concentration of Tl⁺ ions. Evidences are shown that the defects with which excitons interact are vacancies and V-centers.     

Submillimeter wave ESR measurements of metamagnetic Y2Cu2O5

Submillimeter wave ESR system in Kobe University is presented. It covers the frequency region from 60 to 383GHz and can apply the pulsed magnetic field up to 30T. The measurement of Y₂Cu₂O₅ single crystals using our system is presented.     

Novel method for solving the quantum nonlinear dynamics of photons: use of a classical input

In order to investigate the nonlinear dynamics of photons, one must in principle solve a quantum many-particle problem, which usually requires intensive computation. In this study, we show that the spatial wave function of photons after nonlinear interaction can be obtained with less computation by assuming a classical input pulse and calculating a correlation function in the output field. This method is particularly useful when nonlinear optical media have many mechanical degrees of freedom, where quantum many-particle problems become extremely difficult.     

Formal total synthesis of aspergillide A

The formal total synthesis of aspergillide A 1 is described. The cross-metathesis of enone 6 with 6-hepten-2-ol derivative 5 provided E-olefin 15 corresponding to the C₄-C₁₄ backbone of 1. The CBS asymmetric reduction of 15 gave allyl alcohol 16, which was transformed into β-alkoxyacrylate 4 which had a formyl group. SmI₂-induced reductive cyclization of 4 gave a 2,6-syn-2,3-trans THP derivative 3 in good yield. After methoxymethylation of 3, the resulting compound 19 was submitted to desilylation and hydrolysis, to afford Fuwa’s key intermediate 2 for the total synthesis of 1.     

Structural revision of peribysins C and D

Structural revision of the cell-adhesion inhibitory eremophilane sesquiterpenoid peribysins C and D is reported. A CAST/CNMR system is utilized in the reinvestigation of ¹³C NMR chemical shift values and structures, and geometric analyses with molecular and quantum mechanics calculations, and revalidation of NMR data support the revised structures.     

Structural determination of montanacin D by total synthesis

The first total syntheses of acetogenin 3 and its 4 S,8 R-isomer are described. The key step involves intermolecular metathesis of an alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone carrying a tetrahydropyranyl lactone with a tetrahydrofuran derivative. Compound 3 has spectroscopic and physical data consistent with those of natural montanacin D, suggesting that the absolute configuration of the natural product is as shown in 3.