Synthesis of 7‐acetyloxy‐3,7‐dimethy1‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐isochromene‐6,8‐dione and its analogues

7‐Alkanoyloxy‐3,7‐dimefhyl‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐isochromene‐6,8‐diones 12‐15 were synthesized in 69‐16% yields from the reaction of 2,4‐dihydroxy‐3‐methyl‐6‐(2‐oxopropyl)benzaldehyde 11 with p‐toluenesulfonic acid in various carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and heptanoic acid followed by oxidation with lead tetraacetate. On the other hand, (±)‐daldinin A 5 (oleate) was not obtained using oleic acid as a medium. In the cases of heptanoic acid and oleic acid, esters 16 and 17 were produced in 23 and 9% yields, respectively. 6,8‐Dihydroxy‐3,7‐dimethyl‐2‐benzopyrylium p‐toluenesulfonate 31 is considered as the intermediate for the production of 12‐15. Overall yields of isochromenes 12‐15 were 26‐6% starting from 2‐methylresorcinol for seven steps.     

Electrostatic energies stored in dipolar films and analysis of decaying process of a large surface potential of Alq3 films

The decaying process of a large surface potential of as-deposited Alq₃ film was analyzed with consideration of electrostatic energies stored in the film. The analysis includes the cooperative molecular field effect and it shows that the derived equilibrium condition of dipolar films with electron traps supports the concept of the alignment of Fermi-level of metal and surface Fermi-level of dipolar films. The potential decay of Alq₃ films on Al electrodes by photo-exposure is explained due to detrapping of trapped electrons that are immediately transported to the injected electrodes along with the disordering of polar structure of Alq₃ films.     

Fluorescence-based temperature sensing using erbium-doped optical fibers with 1.48 μm pumping

Temperature sensing using 1.54 μm fluorescence at the transition between the energy levels⁴I_15/2 (ground state) and⁴I_13/2 generated in an erbium-doped fiber with 1.48 μm pumping is proposed. The fluorescence has a peculiar spectral profile that possesses two peaks around 1.530 μm and 1.552 μm wavelengths. The temperature-dependent fluorescence is investigated in the temperature range between -50°C and 90°C. The power ratio between the two peaks increases with an increase in temperature. The sensitivity of the ratio is 0.007/°C on average in the measured temperature range. The total fluorescence power and the absorption loss at λ = 1480 nm in the fiber decrease as the temperature increases. Optical fiber temperature sensing immune from the fluctuation in pumping power can be performed using the peak power ratio and/or the absorption loss.     

Crystal Structure of the Isopropylzinc Alkoxide of Pyrimidyl Alkanol: Mechanistic Insights for Asymmetric Autocatalysis with Amplification of Enantiomeric Excess

Asymmetric amplification during self‐replication is a key feature that is used to explain the origin of homochirality. Asymmetric autocatalysis of pyrimidyl alkanol in the asymmetric addition of diisopropylzinc to pyrimidine‐5‐carbaldehyde is a unique example of this phenomenon. Crystallization of zinc alkoxides of this 5‐pyrimidyl alkanol and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis of the alkoxide crystals reveal the existence of tetramer or higher oligomer structures in this asymmetric autocatalytic system.     

Identification and Purification of the CPD Photolyase in Vibrio parahaemolyticus RIMD2210633

Photoreactivation is an error‐free mechanism of DNA repair, utilized by prokaryotes and most eukaryotes and is catalyzed by specific enzymes called DNA photolyases. Photoreactivation has been reported in Vibrio parahaemolyticus WP28; however, information on photolyases in V. parahaemolyticus (V.p) strains has not been reported. This study examined the photoreactivation in V.p RIMD2210633. The photolyase responsible for repairing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) in DNA was identified, and the corresponding gene was determined as VPA1471. The protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and was purified for functional assessment in vitro. The mRNA level and protein expression level of this gene increased after ultraviolet A (UVA) illumination following ultraviolet C (UVC) irradiation. In vitro experiments confirmed that the protein encoded by VPA1471 could reduce the quantity of CPD in DNA. We designated the corresponding gene and protein of VPA1471 phr and Phr, respectively, although the function of two other photolyase/cryptochrome family members, VPA0203 and VPA0204, remains unclear. UV (ultraviolet) irradiation experiments suggest that these two genes possess some photorepairing ability. Therefore, we hypothesize that VPA0203 and VPA0204 encode (6‐4) photolyase in V. parahaemolyticus RIMD2210633.     

The first total synthesis and structural determination of antibiotics K1115 B1s (alnumycins)

K1115 B₁, isolated from the broth of Streptomyces species, was found to be a mixture of stereoisomers. Authors synthesized all stereoisomers of K1115 B₁ by convergent synthesis coupling a rhamnose derivative, an isobenzofuranone, and a chiral tetraol. Comparison of ¹H NMR spectra and optical rotations made it clear that the absolute structures of K1115 B_1α (the major isomer) and K1115 B_1β (the minor isomer) were (1R, 17S)- and (1R, 17R)-configurations, respectively. The optical rotations of the stereoisomers revealed that alnumycin, reported as the identical structure with K1115 B₁, might be another mixture of stereoisomers.     

Alkene isomerization/enamide-ene and diene metathesis for the construction of indoles, quinolines, benzofurans and chromenes with a chiral cyclopropane substituent

A synthetic method for bicyclic heterocycles, such as indole, benzofuran and chromene derivatives bearing a chiral cyclopropane at the 2-position, was established using isomerization of a terminal olefin and enamide-ene or diene metathesis. This route can also be applied to chiral 2-cyclopropylquinoline synthesis (both cis and trans).