Photonic band gap effect in one-dimensional plasma dielectric photonic crystals

Propagation of electromagnetic waves in one-dimensional plasma dielectric photonic crystals, the superlattice structure consisting of alternating plasma and dielectric materials, is studied theoretically using transfer matrix method. Numerical calculation is presented for plasma-air finite and infinite periodic structures. The results of photonic band gap characteristics are discussed in terms of plasma density, plasma width, and number of unit cells (N).     

Structurally perturbed chiral Bragg reflectors for elliptically polarized light

The structure of an inorganic chiral medium represented as a stack of identical form-birefringent layers that twist steadily with increasing thickness is perturbed by realigning a fraction of each layer to a fixed direction. Experimental results show that the resulting chiral-birefringent composite medium exhibits Bragg resonance with elliptically polarized light, and simulations indicate that Bragg reflectors can be designed for any polarization including linear.     

Pd-catalyzed C-C bond-forming reactions of thymidine mesitylene sulfonate

Facile synthesis of C-4 aryl pyrimidinone nucleoside analogues from an easily prepared O4-arylsulfonate derivative of thymidine is reported. Two O4-arylsulfonylthymidine precursors, (4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl and (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonyl, were prepared and analyzed for their stabilities. Of the two, the latter possessed suitable stability as well as reactivity for Pd-catalyzed C-C bond-forming reactions with a variety of arylboronic acids. These reactions at the C-4 position are nontrivial in comparison with similar reactions at the C-5 position of pyrimidine nucleosides, with hydrolysis of the arylsulfonate precursor being a competing reaction in some cases. There are pronounced solvent influences in these reactions, but successful reactions can be attained by careful control of conditions. Many reactions proceeded efficiently at room temperature, and electron-deficient arylboronic acids can also be cross-coupled under suitable conditions. Desilylation of these products was also nontrivial, and various conditions were tested. Finally, antiviral screening was performed with the C-4 aryl pyrimidinone nucleoside analogues, but none possessed any interesting activity. The study represents the first successful synthesis of C-4 aryl pyrimidinone nucleoside analogues by cross-coupling of arylboronic acids with an arylsulfonate derived from a pyrimidine nucleoside, as well as antiviral testing of this new class of compounds.     

Base Modifications of Nucleosides via the Use of Peptide-Coupling Agents,and Beyond

Several naturally occurring purine and pyrimidine nucleosides contain an amide linkage as part of the heterocyclic aglycone. Enolization of the amide and conversion to leaving groups at the amide carbon atom permits base modification by addition-elimination types of processes. Although a number of methods have been developed over the years for accomplishing such conversions, the present Personal Account describes efforts from the Lakshman laboratories. Facile activation of the amido groups in nucleobases can be achieved with peptide-coupling agents. Subsequent reaction with nucleophiles then accomplishes the base modifications. In many cases, the activation and displacement steps can be done as two-step, one-pot processes, whereas in other cases, discrete storable activated nucleosides can be isolated for subsequent displacement reactions. Using such an approach a wide range of nucleoside base modifications is readily achievable. In many instances, mechanistic investigations have been conducted so as to understand the activation process.