N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes as Efficient Organocatalysts for CO2 Fixation Reactions

Getting a fix : N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and NHC–CO₂ adducts serve as potent organocatalysts for carbonate synthesis by the addition of a CO₂ unit to propargylic alcohols or epoxides under mild and solvent‐free reaction conditions (see scheme). The enhanced Lewis basicity of imidazol‐2‐ylidenes bearing electron‐donating alkyl groups on the nitrogen atoms leads to utilizing CO₂ as a nucleophilic fragment in the chemical fixation processes.

     

Phase-separation and distribution of phenyl groups for PhTES-TEOS coatings prepared on polycarbonate substrate

Phenyltriethoxysilane (PhTES) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) coatings [xPhTES·(100 − x)TEOS (mol%)] (x = 0 − 80) were prepared on polycarbonate (PC) substrate, and adhesion, surface hardness and distribution of phenyl groups were studied. The coatings with more than 60 mol% of PhTES showed good adhesion (≈ 100%), and the pencil hardness of PC substrate (4B) improved to 2B or B after the coatings. Bulk gels with the same compositions were also prepared, and distribution of phenyl groups were estimated using fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy (KBr method for bulk gels and attenuated total reflection (ATR) method for coatings). A significant difference for the distribution of phenyl groups was clearly observed between bulk gels and coatings, suggesting PC substrate affects the distribution of phenyl groups in coatings. The adhesion and FTIR results revealed that there is an interaction caused by π-electrons between benzene rings on PC substrate and phenyl groups of PhTES-TEOS coatings. It was found that the adhesion was strongly correlated with the phenylsilsesquioxane networks formed around PC substrate side.     

Emittance measurement & optimization for the photocathode RF gun with laser profile shaping

The Laser Undulator Compact X-ray source(LUCX) is a test bench for a compact high brightness X-ray generator,based on inverse Compton Scattering at KEK,which requires high intensity multi-bunch trains with low transverse emittance.A photocathode RF gun with emittance compensation solenoid is used as an electron source.Much endeavor has been made to increase the beam intensity in the multi-bunch trains.The cavity of the RF gun is tuned into an unbalanced field in order to reduce space charge effects,so that the field gradient on the cathode surface is relatively higher when the forward RF power into gun cavity is not high enough.A laser profile shaper is employed to convert the driving laser profile from Gaussian into uniform.In this research we seek to find the optimized operational conditions for the decrease of the transverse emittance.With the uniform driving laser and the unbalanced RF gun,the RMS transverse emittance of a 1 nC bunch has been improved effectively from 5.46 πmm.mrad to 3.66 πmm.mrad.     

Near-infrared fluorescent probes: a next-generation tool for protein-labeling applications

The development of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes over the past few decades has changed the way that biomolecules are imaged, and thus represents one of the most rapidly progressing areas of research. Presently, NIR fluorescent probes are routinely used to visualize and understand intracellular activities. The ability to penetrate tissues deeply, reduced photodamage to living organisms, and a high signal-to-noise ratio characterize NIR fluorescent probes as efficient next-generation tools for elucidating various biological events. The coupling of self-labeling protein tags with synthetic fluorescent probes is one of the most promising research areas in chemical biology. Indeed, at present, protein-labeling techniques are not only used to monitor the dynamics and localization of proteins but also play a more diverse role in imaging applications. For instance, one of the dominant technologies employed in the visualization of protein activity and regulation is based on protein tags and their associated NIR fluorescent probes. In this mini-review, we will discuss the development of several NIR fluorescent probes used for various protein-tag systems.

This minireview describes the development of NIR chemical probes for various protein-tag systems.     

Screening of Promising Chemotherapeutic Candidates from Plants against Human Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (VII): Active Principles from Thuja occidentalis L.

During the screening of novel chemotherapeutic candidates from plants against adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, we identified that the extracts of Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) showed potent anti-proliferative activity in MT-1 and MT-2 cells. Therefore, we attempted to isolate the active components from this plant. We isolated and identified 32 compounds (1–32; eight lignans, 18 terpenoids, and six flavonoids) from the extracts of the leaves and cones. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Several of the isolated compounds inhibited the growth of both cell lines. Lignans showed more potent activity than other classes of compounds. A comparison of the activities of compounds 1–8 revealed that the presence of a trans-lactone (linkage of C-6 to C-7) correlated with increased activity. Diterpenes showed moderate activity, and the presence of a ketone moiety at the C-7 position correlated with increased activity in compounds 12–21. In addition, biflavones showed moderate activity, and the presence of methoxy functions appeared to influence the activity of these compounds. Several lignans were lead compound of anti-cancer reagent (etoposide). In conclusion, not only lignans, but also diterpenes and/or biflavones, may be promising candidates for the treatment of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.     

One-dimensional ion transport in self-organized columnar ionic liquids

New fan-shaped ionic liquids forming columnar liquid crystalline phases have been prepared to obtain one-dimensional ion-transporting materials. The ionic liquids consist of two incompatible parts: an imidazolium-based ionic part as an ion-conducting part and tris(alkyloxy)phenyl parts as insulating parts. Two compounds having octyl and dodecyl chains have been synthesized. Self-assembly of these materials leads to the formation of thermotropic hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline states at room temperature. Anisotropic one-dimensional ionic conductivities have been successfully measured by the cells having comb-shaped gold electrodes. The self-organized columns have been aligned macroscopically in two directions by shearing perpendicular and parallel to the electrodes. The ionic conductivities parallel to the column axis are higher than those perpendicular to the axis. The incorporation of lithium salts in these columnar materials leads to the enhancement of the ionic conductivities and their anisotropy. These materials would be useful for anisotropic transportation of ions at the nanometer level.     

Aggregated structure analysis of polymer-protected platinum/ruthenium colloidal dispersions using EXAFS, HRTEM, and electron diffraction measurements

Polymer-protected platinum/ruthenium colloidal dispersions were prepared by refluxing mixed solutions of hexachloroplatinic(IV) acid and ruthenium(III) chloride in a mixture of ethanol/water (1/1 v/v) in the presence of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone). The electronic spectra and transmission electron micrographs suggested that the colloidal dispersions are almost composed of the mixture of the small monometallic Pt and Ru clusters over all the ratio of Pt/Ru compositions. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure analyses and high resolution electron microprobe analyses indicated that no Pt/Ru alloy clusters exist in the dispersions, and the aggregation occurs between small monometallic Pt clusters (diameter ca. 15 A) and partially oxidized Ru microclusters (diameter less than 10 A). Electron diffraction measurements also suggested that the diffraction pattern of aggregated Pt/Ru cluster particles prepared by the simultaneous reduction of Pt and Ru ions is the same as that of the physical mixture of the small monometallic Pt and Ru clusters separately prepared. Therefore, it can be concluded that the aggregated Pt/Ru cluster particles, with 10 to 60 A in diameter, are built up by small monometallic Pt clusters and partially oxidized Ru microclusters, and that Pt/Ru alloy clusters are not formed.     

Synthesis and two-electron redox behavior of diazuleno[2,1-a:1,2-c]naphthalenes

The Diels-Alder reaction of di-2-azulenylacetylene with tetraphenylcyclopentadienone afforded 7,8,9,10-tetraphenyldiazuleno[2,1-a:1,2-c]naphthalene in one pot via autoxidation of the presumed 1,2-di-2-azulenylbenzene derivative. In contrast, a similar reaction of bis(1-methoxycarbonyl-2-azulenyl)acetylene with tetraphenylcyclopentadienone gave the 1,2-di-2-azulenylbenzene derivative. The following cyclodehydrogenation reaction of the benzene derivative with iron(III) chloride afforded diazuleno[2,1-a:1,2-c]naphthalene 6,11-bismethoxycarbonyl derivative. The redox behavior of these novel diazuleno[2,1-a:1,2-c]naphthalenes was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). These compounds exhibited two-step oxidation waves at +0.22 to +0.71 V upon CV, which revealed the formation of a radical cation and dication stabilized by the fused two azulene rings under the electrochemical oxidation conditions. Since the 1,2-di-2-azulenylbenzene derivative was oxidized at higher oxidation potentials (+0.83 and +1.86 V), the fusion of the two azulene rings to naphthalene increased electron-donating properties because of the formation of a closed-shell dicationic structure. Formation of the radical cation was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy under the electrochemical oxidation conditions, although no evidence was obtained for the presumed dication under the conditions of the UV-vis spectroscopy measurement.     

Asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino acids: indium-mediated reactions of glyoxylic oxime ether in aqueous media

The indium-mediated allylation and alkylation reactions of the Oppolzer camphorsultam derivative of glyoxylic oxime ether proceeded with excellent diastereoselectivity in aqueous media, providing a variety of enantiomerically pure alpha-amino acids.     

Detection of a metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP-1) by fluorescent probes having dansyl and thiol groups

A fluorescent probe for the detection of a metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP-1), N-[2-(5-dimethylaminonaphthalen-1-ylsulfonylamino)ethyl]-3- mercaptopropionamide (Dansyl-C2SH), 1, was designed based on combining the inhibitory function of mercaptocarboxylate and a fluorophore. The binding of 1 to IMP-1 was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Compound 1 can act as fluorescent probe for detecting IMP-1 selectively.