Atmospheric pressure laser desorption/ionization using a 6–7 µm‐band mid‐infrared tunable laser and liquid water matrix

Due to the characteristic absorption peaks in the IR region, various molecules can be used as a matrix for infrared matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (IR‐MALDI). Especially in the 6–7 µm‐band IR region, solvents used as the mobile phase for liquid chromatography have absorption peaks that correspond to their functional groups, such as O–H, CO, and CH₃. Additionally, atmospheric pressure (AP) IR‐MALDI, which is applicable to liquid‐state samples, is a promising technique to directly analyze untreated samples. Herein we perform AP‐IR‐MALDI mass spectrometry of a peptide, angiotensin II, using a mid‐IR tunable laser with a tunable wavelength range of 5.50–10.00 µm and several different matrices. The wavelength dependences of the ion signal intensity of [M + H]⁺ of the peptide are measured using a conventional solid matrix, α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and a liquid matrix composed of CHCA and 3‐aminoquinoline. Other than the O–H stretching and bending vibration modes, the characteristic absorption peaks are useful for AP‐IR‐MALDI. Peptide ions are also observed from an aqueous solution of the peptide without an additional matrix, and the highest peak intensity of [M + H]⁺ is at 6.00 µm, which is somewhat shorter than the absorption peak wavelength of liquid water corresponding to the O–H bending vibration mode. Moreover, long‐lasting and stable ion signals are obtained from the aqueous solution. AP‐IR‐MALDI using a 6–7 µm‐band IR tunable laser and solvents as the matrix may provide a novel on‐line interface between liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New diarylheptanoids from Amomum muricarpum ELMER

Two new diarylheptanoids, designated muricarpones A and B, together with three known diarylheptanoids, 1,7-di-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one, 1-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one, and 1,7-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-4-hepten-3-one, were isolated from the rhizomes of Amomum muricarpum ELMER (Zingiberaceae). Their structures were determined using spectroscopic analyses.     

Model study for large deformation of physical polymeric gels

A model for large deformation of polymer gels with physical cross-linking is developed and shown to be in good agreement with experimental stress-strain curves which show strain hardening in intermediate strains followed by strain softening in large deformations near the yield strain. The model takes into account the coil-helix transition equilibrium and allows for the distribution of the end-to-end distance. The gel is considered to be formed by long flexible chains and crystalline zones acting as junctions of the chains. The number of segments contained in a flexible chain is variable due to the equilibrium between the two regions. As the end-to-end distance increases due to the deformation, more and more segments are reeled out from the junction zone. Finally, one end of the chain is librated from the junction and the chain becomes dangling. The appearance of dangling chains causes the strain softening because they cease to contribute to the elasticity. From the parameter dependence of the stress-strain relations, it was found that the yield behavior depends strongly on the distribution of end-to-end distance. The yield strain is approximately given by the ratio of the upper limit of the number of segments and the average end-to-end distance. The standard deviation of the end-to-end distance affects significantly the width of the peak in the stress-strain curve, thus determining the degree of strain softening.     

Myrseguinosides A-E, five new glycosides from the fruits of Myrsine seguinii

Chemical investigation of the 1-BuOH soluble fraction of the dried fruits of Myrsine seguinii (Myrsinaceae) led to the isolation of five new glycosides, named myrseguinosides A-E (1-5), together with eight known compounds (6-13). The absolute structures of the new glycosides were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical analyses to be a monoterpene glucoside (1), two flavonol glycosides (2, 3), and two oleanane-type triterpene saponins (4, 5). Myrseguinosides B (2), D (4), and E (5) exhibited 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and growth inhibitory activity toward human cancer cells, respectively.     

Efficient vibrational relaxation of O2(X 3sigma(g)-, nu = 8) by collisions with CF4

A laser flash photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique has been employed to study the relaxation kinetics of vibrationally excited O2(X 3sigma(g)-. The time-resolved LIF excited B 3sigma(u)(-)-X 3sigma(g)- system has been recorded and analyzed by the integrated-profiles method. The rate coefficient for vibrational relaxation of O2(X 3sigma(g)-, nu = 8) by collisions with CF(4), [1.4 +/- 0.3(2sigma)] x 10(-11) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), indicates that CF4 is an efficient relaxant of O2(X 3sigma(g)- and that the propensity rule for O2 relaxation suggested by Mack et al. (J. A. Mack, K. Mikulecky and A. M. Wodtke, J. Chem. Phys., 1996, 105, 4105) has been observed experimentally.     

Origin of the π‐Facial Stereoselectivity in the Addition of Nucleophilic Reagents to Chiral Aliphatic Ketones as Evidenced by High‐Level Ab Initio Molecular‐Orbital Calculations

Ab initio molecular‐orbital (MO) calculations were carried out, at the MP2/6‐311++G(d,p)//MP2/6‐31G(d) level, to investigate the conformational Gibbs energy of alkyl 1‐cyclohexylethyl ketones, cyclo‐C₆H₁₁CHCH₃? CO? R (R=Me, Et, iPr, and tBu). In each case, one of the equatorial conformations was shown to be the most stable. Conformers with the axial CHCH₃COR group were also shown to be present in an appreciable concentration. Short C? H???C?O and C? H???O?C distances were found in each stable conformation. The result was interpreted on the grounds of C? H???π(C?O) and C? H???O hydrogen bonds, which stabilize the geometry of the molecule. The ratio of the diastereomeric secondary alcohols produced in the nucleophilic addition to cyclo‐C₆H₁₁CHCH₃? CO? R was estimated on the basis of the conformer distribution. The calculated result was consistent with the experimental data previously reported: the gradual increase in the product ratio (major/minor) along the series was followed by a drop at R=tBu. The energy of the diastereomeric transition states in the addition of LiH to cyclo‐C₆H₁₁CHCH₃? CO? R was also calculated for R=Me and tBu. The product ratio did not differ significantly in going from R=Me to tBu in the case of the aliphatic ketones. This is compatible with the above result calculated on the basis of the conformer distribution. Thus, the mechanism of the π‐facial selection can be explained in terms of the simple premise that the geometry of the transition state resembles the ground‐state conformation of the substrates and that the nucleophilic reagent approaches from the less‐hindered side of the carbonyl π face.     

New neolignans and lignans from Vietnamese medicinal plant Machilus odoratissima NEES

Four new natural neolignans and lignans, which were given the trivial names odoratisols A-D (1-4), together with (-)-licarin A, kachirachirol B, obovatifol, and machilin-I were isolated from the air-dried bark of the Vietnamese medicinal plant Machilius odoratissima NEES (Lauraceae). Their absolute structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including circular dichroism spectra.     

Radical-scavenging activities of new megastigmane glucosides from Macaranga tanarius (L.) MULL.-ARG

Four new megastigmane glucosides, named macarangiosides A-D (2-5), together with mallophenol B, lauroside E, methyl brevifolin carboxylate, and hyperin and isoquercitrin as a mixture were isolated from the leaves of Macaranga tanarius (L.) MULL.-ARG. (Euphorbiaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical analyses. Macarangioside A-C (2-4) and mallophenol B were galloylated on glucose moiety and possessed the potent 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity.     

Temperature scaling of quantum Hall plateau transition in bilayer systems

We have investigated the scaling behavior of the quantum Hall plateau transition in double quantum well systems with different interlayer tunneling strengths. The scaling behavior of the localization property is found to be similar between the case when the relevant Landau level (LL) is non-degenerate and the case when two LLs associated with the two layers are accidentally degenerate. In both cases, the scaling exponent κ0.4 close to the canonical value is obtained, and it is unaffected by the in-plane magnetic field which changes the interlayer tunneling strength.