Br-radical-mediated [3+2] annulation: synthesis of 2-bromomethyl-substituted alkenylcyclopentanes by the reaction of alkenylcyclopropanes with allyl bromides under photo irradiation

A radical chain addition of allyl bromides 2 to alkenylcyclopropanes 1 resulted in [3+2] annulation to give 2-bromomethylalkenylcyclopentanes 3 in good yields(16 examples). In this reaction, two kinetically fast radical reactions, cyclopropylcarbinyl radical-ring-opening and 5-exo-radical cyclization, preceded the β-fragmentation of a bromine radical to make the formal cycloaddition possible.     

Optoelectronic oscillator using a LiNbO3 phase modulator for self-oscillating frequency comb generation

Optical frequency comb generation by using a novel optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) is proposed and demonstrated with the emphasis placed on self-oscillating operation. In the OEO, a wideband LiNbO3 phase modulator is driven with a large-amplitude radio-frequency (RF) feedback signal to generate a deeply phase-modulated light wave; accordingly, an optical frequency comb with a bandwidth greater than the RF signal is generated by self-oscillation. Although it generates multifrequency components, the OEO exhibits characteristics of a single-mode oscillator. Its operation is stable and self-starting. An optical frequency comb with a 120 GHz bandwidth and 9.95 GHz frequency spacing was successfully generated by self-oscillation at a single frequency.     

Superconducting fullerene nanowhiskers

We synthesized superconducting fullerene nanowhiskers (C(60)NWs) by potassium (K) intercalation. They showed large superconducting volume fractions, as high as 80%. The superconducting transition temperature at 17 K was independent of the K content (x) in the range between 1.6 and 6.0 in K-doped C(60) nanowhiskers (K(x)C(60)NWs), while the superconducting volume fractions changed with x. The highest shielding fraction of a full shielding volume was observed in the material of K(3.3)C(60)NW by heating at 200 °C. On the other hand, that of a K-doped fullerene (K-C(60)) crystal was less than 1%. We report the superconducting behaviors of our newly synthesized K(x)C(60)NWs in comparison to those of K(x)C(60) crystals, which show superconductivity at 19 K in K(3)C(60). The lattice structures are also discussed, based on the x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses.     

Development of Paper Actuators Based on Carbon-Nanotube-Composite Paper

We propose a unique soft actuator—a paper actuator—based on carbon-nanotube-composite paper (CNT-composite paper), which is a composite of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and paper. CNT-composite paper has highly efficient properties because of the contained CNTs, such as high electrical conductivity and semiconducting properties. We are considering using CNT-composite paper for various devices. In this study, we successfully developed a paper actuator. We determined the structure of the paper actuator by referencing that of bucky-gel actuators. The actuator operates using the force generated by the movement of ions. In addition to making the paper actuator, we also attempted to improve its performance, using pressure as an index and an electronic scale to measure the pressure. We investigated the optimal dispersant for use in paper actuators, expecting the residual dispersant on the CNT-composite paper to affect the performance differently depending on the type of dispersant. Referring to research on bucky-gel actuators, we also found that the addition of carbon powder to the electrode layers is effective in improving the pressure for paper actuators. We believe that the paper actuator could be used in various situations due to its ease of processing.     

A single-electron circuit as a discrete dynamical system

A single-electron circuit can be operated as a discrete dynamical system because it changes its internal state discontinuously because of electron tunneling. To confirm this idea, we designed a sample circuit for discrete dynamical operation and confirmed by computer simulation that the circuit successfully generated a sequence of discrete-time outputs by following a return map. The concept of discrete dynamical systems will be useful in developing new functional systems that consist of quantum devices and nanostructures.     

A new synthesis of medium-membered lactones via intramolecular condensation of α(-chlorosulfides containing an ester group and allylsilanyl moiety

Medium-membered lactones (8～11 membered rings) were obtained in good yields by EtAlCl₂-promoted intramolecular condensation of α-chlorosulfides containing an ester group and allylsilanyl moiety without the need for high dilution conditions.     

Revisiting the Bromination of CH Bonds with Molecular Bromine by Using a Photo‐Microflow System

The photobromination of C?H bonds by using molecular bromine was reinvestigated under microfluidic conditions. The continuous‐flow method suppressed the production of dibrominated compounds and effectively produced the desired monobrominated products with high selectivity. Rapid bromination of benzylic substrates containing a photoaffinity azide group was achieved without any decomposition.     

Spectral analysis for intrinsic time processes

This paper discusses an estimation procedure for the spectral density of intrinsic time processes because there has been no argument of the spectral analysis for subordinated processes. Such processes have been proposed in a variety of contexts to describe asset price behavior. They are used when the movement of prices is tied to the number of market transactions, trading volume or the more illusive concept of information arrival. We develop the asymptotic theory for an estimated spectral density of intrinsic time processes and elucidate the asymptotics, which show some interesting structures. Also, numerical studies are given to confirm the results.