Zooxanthellamide Cs: vasoconstrictive polyhydroxylated macrolides with the largest lactone ring size from a marine dinoflagellate of Symbiodinium sp

Zooxanthellamide Cs (ZAD-Cs), C(128)H(220)N(2)O(53)S(2) (ca. 2.7 kDa), was obtained from a cultured marine dinoflagellate of the genus Symbiodinium as an inseparable isomeric mixture of polyhydroxylated 61- to 66-membered macrolides. The chemical structures of the components were clarified by detailed 2D NMR analysis to be the macrolactonized analogues of zooxanthellamide A (ZAD-A), which had been previously isolated from the same microalgae. Chemical lability of ZAD-Cs suggests that ZAD-A is an artifact derived from ZAD-Cs during the isolation steps. Three of the components possess the largest (63-, 64-, and 66-membered) ring sizes found to date among the natural macrolides. ZAD-Cs exhibited higher vasoconstrictive activity than that of the zooxanthellatoxins, the first vasoconstrictive macrolides from Symbiodinium sp. The structure-activity relationship suggests that the huge macrolactone structure is important for biological activity. The relationship between the structures of the polyol metabolites and the phylogenetic systematics of Symbiodinium sp. is also discussed.     

Ti-Mo heterobimetallic thiacalix[4]arene complex containing an unusual alpha-agostic micro2-eta5:eta2-cyclopentadienyl ligand

A stepwise reaction of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TC4A-(OH)(4)) with [CpTiCl3]-NEt(3) and cis-[Mo(N(2))(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(4)] afforded a new Ti-Mo heterobimetallic complex [TC4A-(O)(4)Ti(micro2-C(5)H(5))MoH(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] which shows an unusual alpha-agostic micro2-eta5:eta2-coordination of a cyclopentadienyl ligand.     

Cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes: asymmetric multistep preparation of a hydrindane framework in water with polymeric catalysts

[Reaction: see text] Cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes proceeded smoothly in water under heterogeneous conditions in the presence of a palladium complex supported on polystyrene-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer resin to give the corresponding cyclopentanes with a high level of chemical greenness. Multistep asymmetric synthesis of a hydrindane framework was achieved via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric pi-allylic alkylation, propargylation, and cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes, where all three steps were performed in water with recyclable polymeric catalysts.     

2,6-Diphenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dichalcogenophenes: a new class of high-performance semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors

2,6-Diphenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dichalcogenophenes including thiophene, selenophene, and tellurophene analogues as organic semiconductors for field-effect transistors were effectively synthesized in three steps from commercially available 1,4-dibromobenzene. All three benzodichalcogenophenes acted as good p-type semiconductors, and particularly the selenophene analogue, 2,6-diphenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']diselenophene, showed high FET mobility of 0.17 cm2 V-1 s-1.     

Transition-Metal Complexes with Nano-Sized Phosphine and Pyridine Ligands-Catalysis,Fluxional Behavior and Molecular Recognition

Nano-sized phosphine and pyridine ligands having tetraphenylphenyl-, m-terphenyl-, poly(benzylether) moieties were synthesized. These ligands showed a remarkable effect on homogeneous transition metal catalyzed reactions. Pd(II) complexes with tetraphenylphenyl substituted pyridine ligands show high catalytic activities for oxidation of ketones suppressing Pd black formation and maintains the catalytic activity for a long time. Rh(I) complex catalysts with m-terphenyl substituted phosphine ligands showed remarkable rate acceleration in the hydrosilylation of ketones. In addition, several phosphinocalixarene ligands were synthesized and their coordination studies with Pd(II), Pt(II), Ru(II), Ir(I), and Rh(I) metals were documented. Ir(I) and Rh(I) cationic complexes with a 1,3,5-triphosphinocalix[6]arene ligand showed dynamic behavior with size-selective molecular recognition.     

Phospholipases Induce Melanogenesis in Organ-Cultured Skin

Guinea pig skin becomes more pigmented following exposure to UV rays. This melanization was accompanied by enhanced intensity of tyrosinase-staining and increased number of tyrosinase-positive melanocytes (MEL^ty+), with resultant enhancement of melanin synthesis. To clarify the regulatory mechanism for melanization following UV irradiation, organ-cultured guinea pig skins have been used to examine their melanogenic responses to exogenous stimulation. This organ culture system responded well to UV irradiation, by increasing melanogenic activity. Also, in this system, phospholipases (PL), arachidonic acid, interleukin-1α and melanocytestimulating hormone, but not endothelin-1 or phosphatidylinositol-specific PLC (PI-PLC), stimulated melanogenesis to various extents as indicated by the number of MEL^ty+ and morphological changes. Among them, the PLA₂ and PLD were found to have a potent stimulatory property for melanocytes. They might affect melanocytes directly or indirectly through an effect on keratinocytes. These results suggest that PLA₂ and PLD play a key role in epidermal hyperpigmentation after UV irradiation or inflammation.     

Proteomic LC-MS systems using nanoscale liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

Current nano-scale liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS) approaches in proteome research are reviewed from an analytical perspective. For comprehensive analysis of cellular proteins, analytical methods with higher resolution, sensitivity, and wider dynamic range are required. Miniaturized LC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry is currently one of the most versatile techniques. In this review, the current status of nanoLC-MS/MS systems as well as data management systems is addressed. In addition, the future prospects for complete proteomics are discussed.     

Light emission from chlorine atoms formed in the dissociative excitation of HCI in a flowing afterglow of discharged argon

Light emission from Cl(5p) atoms (near 440 nm) produced in the reaction of HCl in a discharged flow of argon was investigated with a flowing-afterglow apparatus. Ionic species, most probably argon ions in metastable states, Ar^+M, were found to be responsible for the Cl(5p) production in the dissociative excitation of HCl.     

The molecular structure of chlorothiomethoxymethyl-bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) methylenechloride solvate at −160°C

The precise molecular structure of [PdCl(CH₂SCH₃)(PPh₃)₂] has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data collected at ?160°C. The CH₂Cl₂ solvated crystal ([PdCl(CH₂SCH₃)(PPh₃)₂ · CH₂Cl₂]) belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, with four formula units in a cell of dimensions: a 14.973(3), b 15.333(3), c 17.377(3) Å and β 115.77(1)° at ?160°C. The structure was solved by the conventional heavy atom method and refined by the least-squares procedure to R = 0.035 for observed reflections. The geometry around the palladium atom is square-planar. The phosphorus atoms of the two triphenylphosphine ligands are mutually trans. The CH₂SCH₃ group is bonded to the palladium atom only through the PdC σ-bond and the sulfur atom is not bonded to the metal atom (PdC(1) 2.061(3), SC(1) 1.796(3), SC(2) 1.817(5), Pd?S 2.973(1) Å, PdC(1)S 100.64(14)° and C(1)SC(2) 101.28(18)°). The structure is in contrast to that of [PdCl(CH₂SCH₃)(PPh₃)], in which both the carbon and sulfur atoms of the CH₂SCH₃ group are bonded to the palladium atom.     

Ethylene and propylene polymerization behavior of a series of bis(phenoxy–imine)titanium complexes

This contribution reports ethylene and propylene polymerization behavior of a series of Ti complexes bearing a pair of phenoxy–imine chelate ligands. The bis(phenoxy–imine)Ti complexes in conjunction with methylalumoxane (MAO) can be active catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene. Unexpectedly, this C₂ symmetric catalyst produces syndiotactic polypropylene. ¹³C NMR spectroscopy has revealed that the syndiotacticity arises from a chain-end control mechanism. Substitutions on the phenoxy–imine ligands have substantial effects on both ethylene and propylene polymerization behavior of the complexes. In particular, the steric bulk of the substituent ortho to the phenoxy–oxygen is fundamental to obtaining high activity and high molecular weight for ethylene polymerization and high syndioselectivity for the chain-end controlled propylene polymerization. The highest ethylene polymerization activity, 3240 kg/mol-cat h, exhibited by a complex having a t-butyl group ortho to the phenoxy–oxygen, represents one of the highest reported to date for Ti-based non-metallocene catalysts. Additionally, the polypropylene produced exhibits a T_m, 140 °C, and syndioselectivity, rrrr 83.7% (achieved by a complex bearing a trimethylsilyl group ortho to the phenoxy–oxygen) that are among the highest for polypropylenes produced via a chain-end control mechanism. Hence, the bis(phenoxy–imine)Ti complexes are rare examples of non-metallocene catalysts that are useful for the polymerization of not only ethylene but also propylene.