1H-NMR study of polyisoprenes

¹H-NMR spectra of polyisoprene were assigned using polymers of isoprene-1,1,4,4-d₄, isoprene-1,1,5,5,5-d₅, and isoprene-4,4-d₂ polymerized with various catalysts. The methylene-proton signal at 2.1 ppm in cis-1,4 - and trans-1,4-polyisoprenes was divided into H₄- and H₁-proton signals; H₄ resonated at 2.21 ppm in both cis-1,4 and trans-1,4 units whereas H₁ resonated at 2.05, 2.21, and 2.15 ppm. Splitting due to the dyad sequences of 1,4 and 3,4 units was apparent. The methine-proton (H₃) in a 3,4 unit showed a broad peak centered around 1.5 ppm in C₆D₆. The overlapping of this signal with the methyl-proton signals at 1.73 and 1.63 ppm resulted in some uncertainty in the determination of the microstructure of polyisoprene which contained a considerable amount of 3,4 unit.     

Two new acylated flavanone glycosides from the leaves and branches of Phyllanthus emblica

Two new acylated flavanone glycosides, (S)-eriodictyol 7-O-(6"-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and (S)-eriodictyol 7-O-(6"-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) were isolated from the leaves and branches of Phyllanthus emblica together with a new phenolic glycoside, 2-(2-methylbutyryl)phloroglucinol 1-O-(6"-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), as well as 22 known compounds. Their structures were determined by spectral and chemical methods.     

Stereoselective synthesis of procyanidin B3-3-O-gallate and 3,3″-di-O-gallate, and their abilities as antioxidant and DNA polymerase inhibitor

A simple method for the synthesis of procyanidin B3 substituted with a galloyl group at the 3 and 3″ position is described. Condensation of a benzylated catechin-3-O-gallate electrophile with a nucleophile, catechin and catechin-3-O-gallate, proceeded smoothly and stereoselectively to afford the corresponding dimer gallates, procyanidin B3-3-O-gallate and procyanidin B3-3,3″-di-O-gallate, in good yields. Further, their antioxidant activities on UV-induced lipid peroxide formation, DPPH radical scavenging activity and inhibitory activity of DNA polymerase were also investigated. Among three procyanidin B3 congeners (procyanidin B3, 3-O-gallate and 3,3″-di-O-gallate), the 3,3″-di-O-gallate derivative showed the strongest antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. Interestingly, the 3-O-gallate derivative was the strongest inhibitor of mammalian DNA polymerase with IC₅₀ value of 0.26 μM, although it showed the weakest antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. It became apparent that the presence of a galloyl group at the C-3 position in the proanthocyanidin oligomer was very important for biological activity, however, the antioxidant activity of these compounds was not parallel to the DNA polymerase inhibitory activity.     

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.     

Molecular orbital study for Na, Mg, and Al adsorption on the Si (111) surface

We investigated the interactions between the Si(111) surface and the Na, Mg, and Al atoms using cluster model calculations. Calculations were performed at levels of complete-active-space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) and multi-reference singly and doubly excited configuration interaction (MRSDCI) calculations using the model core potential method. Our calculations revealed that the most favorable sites of Na, Mg, and Al adsorption on Si(111) are on top (T₁), bridge (B₂), and 3-fold filled (T₄) sites, respectively. The nature of chemical bonds between these metal atoms and the dangling bonds of the surface Si atoms are found to be essentially covalent.     

Novel alkenylative cyclization using a ruthenium catalyst

Novel alkenylative cyclization of enyne was developed using Cp*RuCl(cod) under ethylene gas at room temperature.     

Selective formation of AAB- and ABC-type heterotrimeric alpha-helical coiled coils

The alpha-helical coiled coils have a representative amino acid sequence of (abcdefg)(n) heptad repeats. We previously reported that two peptides named IZ-2A and IZ-2W formed an (IZ-2A)(2)/IZ-2W heterotrimer with an Ala-Ala-Trp interaction in the hydrophobic core. In this paper, we describe the selective formation of AAB- and ABC-type heterotrimers. To increase the selectivity of the AAB-type heterotrimeric formation, Lys residues at the f position were mutated to either an Ala or a Gln residue to form IZ-2A(fA) or IZ-2W(fQ). Separately, both IZ-2A(fA) and IZ-2W(fQ) have a random structure at pH 7 and 20 degrees C. However, together IZ-2A(fA) and IZ-2W(fQ) form a 2:1 complex with a thermal transition midpoint (Tm) of 48 degrees C. This procedure was applied to prepare the ABC-type heterotrimer, in which two sets of Ala-Ala-Trp interactions were designed in the hydrophobic core. Interhelical interaction between the e and g positions and the alpha-helical propensity of the amino acid at the f position were also considered in the design. The resultant three peptides selectively formed the ABC-type heterotrimer with a Tm of 51 degrees C. Other peptide combinations had random coil properties.     

Determination of chemical form of antimony in contaminated soil around a smelter using X-ray absorption fine structure.

Only limited information is available about the behavior of antimony (Sb) in contaminated soils. However, understanding the behavior of Sb in contaminated soils is important, because the toxicity or solubility of this element depends on its chemical state. In this study, we investigated the levels of Sb and the chemical forms of Sb in the soil around a smelter using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra. The highest Sb concentration in the contaminated soil was 2900 mg/kg dry soil. According to Sb-K edge X-ray absorption near edge (XANE) spectra, the Sb in the soil was in the form of Sb(V) compounds. The similarity of extended XAFS (EXAFS) spectra suggests that Sb speciation was independent of the sampling site, which indicates that Sb or Sb2O3 emitted from the smelter was converted into Sb(V) compounds in the soil.