One-electron photooxidation and site-selective strand cleavage at 5-methylcytosine in DNA by sensitization with 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone-tethered oligonucleotides

Photosensitized one-electron oxidation was applied to discriminate a specific base site of 5-methylcytosine (mC) generated in DNA possessing a partial sequence of naturally occurring p53 gene, using a sensitizing 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ) chromophore tethered to an interior of oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) strands. Photoirradiation and subsequent hot piperidine treatment of the duplex consisting of mC-containing DNA and NQ-tethered complementary ODN led to oxidative strand cleavage selectively at the mC site, when the NQ chromophore was arranged so as to be in close contact with the target mC. The target mC is most likely to be one-electron oxidized into the radical cation intermediate by the sensitization of NQ. The resulting mC radical cation may undergo rapid deprotonation and subsequent addition of molecular oxygen, thereby leading to its degradation followed by strand cleavage at the target mC site. In contrast to mC-containing ODN, ODN analogs with replacement of normal cytosine, thymine, adenine, or guanine at the mC site underwent less amount of such an oxidative strand cleavage at the target base site, presumably due to occurrence of charge transfer and charge recombination processes between the base radical cation and the NQ radical anion. Furthermore, well designed incorporation of the NQ chromophore into an interior of ODN could suppress a competitive strand cleavage at consecutive guanines, which occurred as a result of positive charge transfer. Thus, photosensitization by an NQ-tethered ODN led to one-electron oxidative strand cleavage exclusively at the target mC site, providing a convenient method of discriminating mC in naturally occurring DNA such as human p53 gene as a positive band on a sequencing gel.     

Shape‐Selective Alkylation of Naphthalene over Zeolites: Steric Interaction of Reagents with Zeolites

Steric interaction of reagents with zeolites was studied in isopropylation, sec‐butylation, and tert‐butylation of naphthalene (NP) over several large‐pore zeolites to elucidate the mechanism of selective catalysis. Selectivities for dialkylnaphthalene (DAN) isomers were influenced by the type of zeolite and bulkiness of alkylating agent. Selective formation of β,β‐ and 2,6‐diisopropylnaphthalene (DIPN) occurred only over H‐mordenite (MOR) in the isopropylation of NP using propene; bulky transition states of α,α‐ and α,β‐DIPN are excluded because of steric restriction by the channels, resulting in selective formation of β,β‐ and 2,6‐DIPN. However, low selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DIPN were observed over the zeolites, SSZ‐24 (AFI), SSZ‐55 (ATS), and SSZ‐42 (IFR) with 12‐membered‐ring (12‐MR) pore entrances of one‐dimensional channels, CIT‐5 (CFI), UTD‐1 (DON), and SSZ‐53 (SFH) with 14‐membered‐ring (14‐MR) pore entrances of one‐dimensional channels, and Y‐zeolite (FAU), zeolite β (BEA), and CIT‐1 (CON) with 12‐MR pore entrances of three‐dimensional channels, because their channels are too large for the exclusion of bulky isomers. Catalysis over these zeolites occurs under kinetic and/or thermodynamic control, resulting in predominant formation of α,α‐ and α,β‐DIPN at lower temperatures and an increase of the stable isomer β,β‐DIPN at higher temperatures. The selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DAN were enhanced with the increase in bulkiness of alkylating agents: 1‐butene for sec‐butylation and 2‐methylpropene for tert‐butylation. In particular, β,β‐di‐tert‐butylnaphthalene (DTBN) was selectively formed in the tert‐butylation. The selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DAN were enhanced even in large channels: the transition states of the least bulky isomers only fit the channels because other bulky isomers are excluded by steric restriction of the channels. However, tert‐butylation over FAU, BEA, and CON had selectivities for 2,6‐DTBN of around 50–60%, although selectivities for β,β‐DTBN were almost 100% selectivity; these zeolites can hardly recognize the differences between 2,6‐ and 2,7‐DTBN. The results indicate that the fitting of the least bulky isomers to zeolite channels, leading to the exclusion of other bulky isomers, is essential for highly shape‐selective catalysis.     

High-Pressure Synthesis of Fully Occupied Tetragonal and Cubic Tungsten Bronze Oxides

A high-pressure reaction yielded the fully occupied tetragonal tungsten bronze K₃W₅O₁₅ (K_0.6WO₃). The terminal phase shows an unusual transport property featuring slightly negative temperature-dependence in resistivity (dρ/dT<0) and a large Wilson ratio of R_W=3.2. Such anomalous metallic behavior possibly arises from the low-dimensional electronic structure with a van Hove singularity at the Fermi level and/or from enhanced magnetic fluctuations by geometrical frustration of the tungsten sublattice. The asymmetric nature of the tetragonal tungsten bronze K_xWO₃-K_0.6−yBa_yWO₃ phase diagram implies that superconductivity for x≤0.45 originates from the lattice instability because of potassium deficiency. A cubic perovskite KWO₃ phase was also identified as a line phase—in marked contrast to Na_xWO₃ and Li_xWO₃ with varying quantities of x (<1). This study presents a versatile method by which the solubility limit of tungsten bronze oxides can be extended.     

Far‐ and Deep‐Ultraviolet Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor

Plasmonics in the UV region has been widely focused because of the higher energy and the abundant electronic resonances compared to the conventional visible plasmonics. Recently, we have investigated the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of the Al film, aiming for the application as refractive index sensors. Utilizing the UV lights, we expect three advantages: high sensitivity, material selectivity, and surface selectivity. By using an original attenuated total reflectance spectroscopic instrument, Al‐SPR angle and wavelength were investigated with changing environments on the Al film. Al film thickness and materials of prisms on which Al was evaporated were also important factors for the SPR properties. By optimizing the conditions, the Al film worked as a sensor both in air and in liquids. In addition, our established system expands the plasmonics into an even higher energy region than 200 nm, while the UV‐plasmonics have been studied in the wavelength region longer than 200 nm.     

Basic properties of alkaline earth metal oxides and their catalytic activity in the decomposition of diacetone alcohol

The effect of CO₂ adsorption on the catalytic activity of alkaline earth metal oxides in the title reaction reveals that the number of active (basic) sites follows the order MgO>CaO>SrO>BaO, and the order of base strength is MgO

CO₂ , () : MgO>CaO>SrO>BaO, : MgO     

Single-step preparation of topological gels using vinyl-modified β-cyclodextrin as a figure-of-six cross-linker

Herein, we have proposed a single-step preparation of topological gels using vinyl-modified β-cyclodextrin (V-β-CyD) and isoprene. Copolymerization of V-β-CyD and isoprene in an aqueous solution resulted in gelation due to V-β-CyD acting as a novel type of copolymer chain cross-linker. The vinyl moiety of V-β-CyD becomes a part of the copolymer, while the β-CyD moiety of V-β-CyD simultaneously incorporates the isoprene component of the copolymer. V-β-CyD is capable of two different modes of cross-linking at each end, i.e., chemically bonding and mechanically interlocking. Due to the shape of the cross-linking point, we refer to it as figure-of-six cross-linking. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that the gel contained V-β-CyD and isoprene in an approximately 1:0.3 stoichiometry. The relatively high content of β-CyD was reflected in the character of the gel; the gel swelled in dimethylformamide which is a good solvent of β-CyD. A fluorometric analysis using 6-(p-toluidino)-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid showed that the appended β-CyD was able to accommodate guest molecules. Introduction of an additional vinyl monomer into the gel was also successful. Addition of 4-vinylphenylboronic acid to the preparation procedure yielded a sugar-responsive gel that swelled in the presence of d-fructose.     

First total synthesis of cyclic pentadepsipeptides Hikiamides A–C

The first total syntheses of naturally occurring cyclodepsipeptides Hikiamides A–C are described. The key linear pentapeptide precursors, prepared efficiently via Fmoc-solid-phase synthesis, were cyclized in dilute solution to provide the target Hikiamides A–C. The structures of the synthetic Hikiamides A–C were characterized by NMR and HRMS spectroscopy which were in agreement with those of natural products.     

铈掺杂钆镓铝石榴石相玻璃陶瓷的光学及光谱参数

根据X射线衍射图谱对铈掺杂的钆镓铝石榴石相玻璃陶瓷的晶体结构进行分析,采用直径10英寸积分球结合CCD(charge coupled device)探测器系统,对蓝色半导体发光二极管激发下铈掺杂钆镓铝石榴石相玻璃陶瓷的荧光光谱进行测试,解析出样品发光的绝对光谱功率分布,推导出光量子数分布,求得荧光量子产率和组合白光的色坐标及其相关色温。结果表明,所调查的铈掺杂钆镓铝石榴石相玻璃陶瓷在蓝光LED激发下的荧光量子产率为29.2%,所获得组合白光的色坐标x=0.319,y=0.349,相关色温为6 086K。尽管该混晶陶瓷的荧光量子产率稍小于铈掺杂YAG玻璃陶瓷,但其与蓝光LED组合后发光的色温也明显低于后者,从而为舒适型LED照明玻璃陶瓷的进一步优化提供了新思路。