Neutron electric dipole moment measurement with a buffer gas comagnetometer

A neutron EDM measurement with a comagnetometer is discussed. For magnetometry, polarized xenon atoms are injected into a cylindrical cell where a cylindrically symmetric magnetic field and an electric field are applied for the EDM measurement. The geometric phase effect (GPE), which originates from particle motion in a magnetic field gradient, is analyzed in terms of the Dyson series. The motion of the xenon atom is largely suppressed because of a small mean free path. The field gradient is controlled by means of NMR measurements, where the false effect of Earth?s rotation is removed. As a result, the GPE is reduced below 10⁻²⁸e cm${10}^{-28}e\text{cm}$.     

Spallation ultracold neutron source of superfluid helium below 1 K

For the production of high-density ultracold neutrons (UCNs), we placed 0.8 K superfluid helium in a cold neutron moderator. We resolved previous heat-load problems in the spallation neutron source that were particularly serious below 1 K. With a proton-beam power of 400 MeV×1 μA, a UCN production rate of 4 UCN cm(-3) s(-1) at the maximum UCN energy of E(c)=210 neV and a storage lifetime of 81 s were obtained. A cryogenic test showed that the production rate can be increased by a factor of 10 with the same storage lifetime by increasing the proton-beam power as well as (3)He pumping speed.     

Application of Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (PESI-MS) to Clinical Diagnosis: Solvent Effect on Lipid Analysis

We have examined several combinations of solvents with the aim of optimizing the ionization conditions for molecular diagnosis of malignant tumours by PESI-MS. Although the best conditions may depend on the actual species in the sample, the optimal conditions for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were achieved by using alcohols. PESI-MS successfully delineated the differential expression of phospholipids (PCs) and triacylglycerols (TAGs) in noncancerous and RCC tissues by using these solvent systems. This study paves the way for the application of PESI-MS in medical samples.     

A Chemo-Enzymatic Expeditious Route to Racemic Dihexanoyl (2R*,3R*,4R*)-Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomycin (DHMEQ), the Precursor for Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of the Potent Nuclear Factor-κB Inhibitor, (2S,3S,4S)-DHMEQ

In order to synthesize the potent nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor, (2S,3S,4S)-dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomycin (DHMEQ), in a large scale, a new route for its corresponding racemic precursor, dihexanoyl (2R*,3R*,4R*)-DHMEQ, was developed. By employing both hydroquinone and benzoquinone intermediates, the total yield, reproducibility, and synthetic steps were improved and the synthetic cost was reduced.     

Polarization and intensity of Compton scattering

X-ray spectra scattered at 90° by acrylic resin plates of various thicknesses are measured. The intensity and polarization of Compton-scattered X-rays are estimated from the spectra. As the thickness of the slab increases, the intensity increases but the polarization decreases. The optimal thickness for a polarized X-ray fluorescence spectrometer is determined, which provides both high intensity and high polarization.     

Exciton migration dynamics in a dendritic molecule: quantum master equation approach using ab initio molecular orbital configuration interaction method

We investigate the exciton migration dynamics in a dendritic molecular model composed of pi-conjugation linear-leg units (acetylenes and diacetylene) and a benzene ring (branching point) using the quantum master equation approach with the ab initio molecular orbital (MO) configuration interaction (CI) method. The efficient migration of exciton from short-length linear legs (acetylenes) to long-length linear leg (diacetylene) via a benzene ring is observed. As predicted in previous studies, the exciton (electron and hole) distributions are relatively well localized in each generation segmented by the meta-branching point (meta-substituted benzene ring) though the electron and hole distributions are delocalized and are somewhat spatially different from each other within each generation. It is found that the excitons localized in the generation composed of short linear legs occupy in higher-lying exciton states, while those in the generation composed of long linear legs do in lower-lying ones. These features suggest the decoupling of pi-conjugation at the meta-branching point. On the other hand, the relaxation effect between exciton states is found to be caused by the exciton-phonon coupling, in which the existence of common configurations (electron-hole pairs) in CI wave functions between adjacent exciton states (having primary distributions on short and long linear-leg regions, respectively) is important for the relaxation between their exciton states. This feature indicates the importance of partial penetration of pi-conjugation through the meta-substituted benzene ring in excited states for such exciton migration.     

Regio- and chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of quinolines catalyzed by a CpIr complex

An efficient method for the transfer hydrogenation of quinolines catalyzed by a Cp^∗Ir complex was developed. A variety of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines were obtained by regio- and chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of quinolines using 2-propanol as a hydrogen source.     

Direct beta-alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols catalyzed by a CpIr complex

A new catalytic system for beta-alkylation of secondary alcohols has been developed. In the presence of [CpIrCl(2)](2) (Cp = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) catalyst and base, the reactions of various secondary alcohols with primary alcohols give beta-alkylated higher alcohols in good to excellent yields without any hydrogen acceptor or hydrogen donor. This reaction proceeds via successive hydrogen-transfer reactions and aldol condensation. [reaction: see text]     

N-Alkylation of amines with alcohols catalyzed by a Cp*Ir complex

A new effective catalytic system consisting of [Cp*IrCl₂]₂/K₂CO₃ (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) for the N-alkylation of primary amines with alcohols has been developed. As an example, the reaction of aniline with benzyl alcohol in the presence of [Cp*IrCl₂]₂ (5.0 mol%Ir) and K₂CO₃ (5.0 mol%) in toluene at 110°C for 17 h gave benzylaniline in an isolated yield of 88%.