Total synthesis and morphogenesis-inducing activity of (±)-thallusin and its analogues

Total synthesis of (±)-thallusin was achieved using Hg(OTf)₂·PhNMe₂-induced olefin cyclization, and Suzuki coupling with a pyridylboronic acid derivative. Hg(OTf)₂ also acted as a catalyst to isomerize the double bond into the more thermodynamically stable isomer when treated in toluene. Synthetic (±)-thallusin as well as an analogue showed morphogenesis-inducing activity.     

In operando quantitation of Li concentration for a commercial Li‐ion rechargeable battery using high‐energy X‐ray Compton scattering

Compton scattering is one of the most promising probes for quantitating Li under in operando conditions, since high‐energy X‐rays, which have high penetration power, are used as the incident beam and the Compton‐scattered energy spectrum has specific line‐shapes for each element. An in operando quantitation method to determine the Li composition in electrodes has been developed by using line‐shape (S‐parameter) analysis of the Compton‐scattered energy spectrum. In this study, S‐parameter analysis has been applied to a commercial coin cell Li‐ion rechargeable battery and the variation of the S‐parameters during the charge/discharge cycle at the positive and negative electrodes has been obtained. By using calibration curves for Li composition in the electrodes, the change in Li composition of the positive and negative electrodes has been determined using the S‐parameters simultaneously.     

Crystallization‐Induced Emission of Azobenzene Derivatives

Most azobenzene derivatives are utilized as well‐defined photoresponsive materials, but their emission properties have not been of great interest as they are relatively poor. Here, we report crystallization‐induced emission (CIE) based on the suppression of the photoisomerization of azobenzene derivatives. Although these molecules show negligible emission in solution, their microcrystals exhibit intense emission from the azobenzene moieties as a result of CIE. Upon rapid precipitation, fine particles with low crystallinity were kinetically formed and underwent CIE over time with a concomitant increase in crystallinity. Furthermore, we demonstrated “photocutting” of an emissive single crystal using a strong laser by a combination of CIE behavior and photomelting based on the photoisomerization of the azobenzene moiety. Our results regarding the CIE behavior of azobenzene derivatives in addition to their photoisomerization can provide a new platform for developing photoresponsive luminescent materials.     

A simple but remarkably effective device for forming the C8-C14 polycyclic ring system of halichondrin B

A simple device consisting of two ion-exchange columns, two alumina-based filters, and a pump (Figure 1) was assembled to form the C8-C14 polycyclic ring system present in the halichondrin B class of marine natural products. The effectiveness of this device was tested for three substrates. In each case, the desired polycyclic ketal 3, 5, or 7 was obtained almost quantitatively in a single operation.     

Decay estimates for dissipative wave equations in exterior domains

Consider the initial boundary value problem for the linear dissipative wave equation (□+∂_t)u=0 in an exterior domain . Using the so-called cut-off method together with local energy decay and L² decays in the whole space, we study decay estimates of the solutions. In particular, when N?3, we derive L^p decays with p?1 of the solutions. Next, as an application of the decay estimates for the linear equation, we consider the global solvability problem for the semilinear dissipative wave equations (□+∂_t)u=f(u) with f(u)=|u|^α+1,|u|^αu in an exterior domain.     

Structural study of Si(1 1 1)-6 × 1-Ag surface using surface X-ray diffraction

The surface structure of Si(1 1 1)-6 × 1-Ag was investigated using surface X-ray diffraction techniques. By analyzing the CTR scattering intensities along 00 rod, the positions of the Ag and reconstructed Si atoms perpendicular to the surface were determined. The results agreed well with the HCC model proposed for a 3 × 1 structure induced by alkali-metals on a Si(1 1 1) substrate. The heights of the surface Ag and Si atoms did not move when the surface structure changed from Si(1 1 1)-√3 × √3-Ag to Si(1 1 1)-6 × 1-Ag by the desorption of the Ag atoms. From the GIXD measurement, the in-plane arrangement of the surface Ag atoms was determined. The results indicate that the Ag atoms move large distances at the phase transition between the 6 × 1 and 3 × 1 structures.