Rod-like liquid crystals of organic transition metal complexes. I. Reversible transformation between blue smectogen and red nematogen

Two novel types of transition-metal-containing liquid crystals, bis(p-n-koxydithiobenzoato)nickel(II) (abbreviated as (C_nO-DTB)₂Ni), and (p-n-alkoxydithiobenzoato)(p-n-alkoxyperthiobenzoato)nickel(II) (abbreviated as (C_nO-DTB)(C_nO-PTB)Ni), were synthesized. It was found that the (C_nO-DTB)₂Ni complex for n = 8 has smectic H and C mesophases, and that the (C_nO-DTB)₂Ni complexes for n = 4 and 8 easily transform into the corresponding monoperthio complexes, _nO-PTB)Ni, by heating at temperatures between 230°C and 285°C. It was confirmed that the transformation originates from an intermolecular reaction between the (C_nO-DTB)₂Ni complexes at high temperatures, and that the origin of the extra sulphurs in the resulting (C_nO-DTB)(C_nO-PTB)Ni complexes is the neighbouring (C_nO-DTB)₂Ni complexes. Interestingly, each of the (C_nO-DTB)(C_nO-PTB)Ni complexes (n = 4 and 8), has nematic mesophase and exhibits a unique double melting behaviour via the nematic phase, which is the first example in liquid crystals. The reversible transformation between the blue smectic rod-like (C_nO-DTB)₂Ni complex and the red nematic Λ-like (C_nO-DTB)(C_nO-PTB)Ni complex is possible.     

Reactions of lithium tributyl heteroaryl borates with allylic bromides in the presence of copper(I) cyanide

The reaction of various lithium tributylheteroarylborates with allylic bromides in the presence of copper(I) cyanide furnished the regioselective allylation at the heteroaryl ring.     

Protective effects of various Chinese traditional medicines against experimental cholestasis

In a previous paper, we reported that methanol extracts obtained from 13 Chinese traditional medicines showed remarkable choleretic effects in normal rats. This paper examines the protective effects against experimental cholestasis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) in rats. No medicines, including sodium dehydrocholate and 1-phenylpropanol which are used clinically as choleretic drugs, inhibited the decrease of bile flow induced by CCl4. On the other hand, Intinko-to, Saiko-seikan-to and Bohu-tusyo-san revealed marked improvement of the dysfunction in bile secretion induced by ANIT. These three medicines inhibited the decrease of excretion of bile acid or bilirubin in the bile. They also exerted a protective effect against the alterations of serum components induced by ANIT, i.e., of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and the concentration of serum bilirubin. These results indicate that methanol extracts of Intinko-to, Saiko-seikan-to and Bohu-tusyo-san demonstrate not only choleretic effects but also improvement of cholestasis and liver parenchymal injury in rats.     

New Magneto-Optical Effect in Co-Doped CuGeO3

We report the anomalous effect of the polarization dependence of electron paramagnetic resonance absorption in CuGeO₃ doped with 2% of Co. While the resonance line of Cu²⁺ chains is independent of the microwave polarization in the Faraday geometry, the resonant mode of Co impurity exhibits a strong polarization dependence for all directions of the external magnetic field. Possible reasons of such behavior are discussed. Authors' address: Alexey V. Semeno, Department of Low-Temperature and Cryogenic Engineering, A. M. Prokhorov General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov ulitsa 38, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation     

Molecular distortion effect on ff-emission in a Pr(III) complex with 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline.

The electronic and structural behaviour of a Pr(III) complex with 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, [Pr(bathophen)(2)(NO(3))(3)], is investigated with respect to the effect of configuration changes on the Pr(III) centre. [Pr(bathophen)(2)(NO(3))(3)] luminesces from the excited states of the ligand and the metal ion. The fluorescence, ff-emission ((1)D(2)-->(3)H(4)), and phosphorescence bands appear at 394, 608.2 and 482 nm, respectively, in the solid state. In acetonitrile, the complex also shows multiple emissions. From the time-resolved emission and the lifetime measurements, the excitation energy-transfer in [Pr(bathophen)(2)(NO(3))(3)] is clarified, that is, the upper excited triplet level of the ligand acts as an energy donor, while the (1)D(2) levels of Pr(III) is the acceptor. Additionally, the emission phenomena of the complex can be modified by molecular distortion, particularly by rotation of the phenyl groups in the ligand.     

Printed circuit rat-race-type directional couplers for larger power-split ratio

Two different types of 5/2-wavelength rat-race-type directional couplers with a remarkably increased power-split ratio for a realizable ring-impedance, in particular which are useful for millimeter-wave circuits suffering from the severe restriction on the usable impedance range, are described. Experimental corroboration is provided in the microwave region (at 8 GHz).     

Full automatic synthesis of [<Superscript>18</Superscript>F]THK-5351 for tau protein PET imaging in Alzheimer’s disease patients: 1 year experience

[¹⁸F]THK-5351, a new candidate for tau protein imaging, is based on an aryl quinoline structure. We report the full automatic synthesis using disposable cassettes under pH controlled [¹⁸F]fluorination. After the trapping of 88.5 ± 21.9 GBq of [¹⁸F]fluoride, it was eluted with potassium methansulfonate (KOMs) (pH 7.8)/K₂₂₂. After drying, 3 mg of the precursor was added to 1 mL DMSO and subjected to [¹⁸F]fluorination at 110 °C for 10 min. After hydrolysis, the final product was purified by HPLC. The overall radiochemical yield was 31.9 ± 11.1% (n = 22), satisfying all quality control criteria. It was stable for up to 6 h with high radiochemical purity as 99.8 ± 0.5%.