Self-tuning and stochastic resonance in a simple threshold system—a filter theory approach

Fully nonlinear filter theory is applied to a simple threshold system, which plays the role of an observer of input signals from a Brownian dynamical system. Our filtering results are discussed within the frameworks of both stochastic resonance and self-tuning of the threshold values, which gathers a lot of attention in relation to information processing in auditory systems.     

Total syntheses of natural tubelactomicins B, D, and E: establishment of their stereochemistries

Total syntheses of the antimicrobial tricyclic 16-membered macrolides, (+)-tubelactomicin B, (+)-tubelactomicin D, and (+)-tubelactomicin E, have been accomplished for the first time with common synthetic approaches. These total syntheses established the relative and absolute configurations of the three tubelactomicins, for which planar structures had solely been reported. The total synthesis of (+)-tubelactomicin D included a newly developed stereoselective intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction for constructing the highly functionalized octahydronaphthalene substructures.     

Three-dimensional metal–organic frameworks: Two Ag(I) coordination polymers of TTF derivatives with axially chiral helical motifs

Two novel 3D coordination polymeric networks based on Ag(I) and TTF derivatives, [Ag₄(tces-TTF)₂(CF₃SO₃)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ (tces = 2,3,6,7-tetra(cyanoethylsulfanyl)) (1) and [Ag₂(bmdt)₂](SbF₆)₂ · acetone (bmdt = 4,5-bis(methylsulfanyl)-1,3-dithiole-2-thione) (2), were synthesized and crystallographically characterized. Both 1 and 2 have axially chiral helical motifs and these helices were assembled in a similar way: spiral up along b axis infinitely. In addition, complex 2 forms a “cds” network with a topology of 6⁵.8. The conductivity of complex 1 was measured at RT with a σ value of 3.47 × 10⁻⁶S cm⁻¹ due to the S?S contacts in the molecules, while 2 is an insulator at RT.     

Palladium doping of magic gold cluster Au38(SC2H4Ph)24: formation of Pd2Au36(SC2H4Ph)24 with higher stability than Au38(SC2H4Ph)24

A phenylethanethiolate-protected Pd(2)Au(36)(SC(2)H(4)Ph)(24) cluster, which is a two-Pd atom-doped cluster of the well studied magic gold cluster Au(38)(SC(2)H(4)Ph)(24), was synthesized in high purity and its stability was investigated. The results demonstrate that Pd(2)Au(36)(SC(2)H(4)Ph)(24) is more stable than Au(38)(SC(2)H(4)Ph)(24) against degradation in solution and core etching by thiols.     

Novel 1D Cu(I) coordination polymers formed by the combination of Cu(I) halides and 4-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine

Three novel 1D Cu(I) coordination polymers [Cu₄X₄(pprd)₂]_n (X = Cl(1), Br(2) and I(3); pprd = 4-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine) were systematically synthesized by Cu(I) halides and the pprd ligand, and they have been characterized by X-ray, IR, and TG-DTA analyses. The molecular structure of complex 1 essentially resembles to that of complex 2. In complexes 1 and 2, four Cu(I) atoms are bridged by four Cl or Br anions to form an eight-membered Cu₄X₄ framework in the twist-chair form. Furthermore, the Cu₄X₄ frameworks are coordinated by the chelate and bridging sites of two pprd ligands to form a unique 1D two-stepped Cu(I) coordination polymer, in which two stairs are formed by the Cu₄X₄ core and two heteroaromatic planes of pprd. In the crystal packing structures, it is interesting that two heteroaromatic planes of pprd are stacking along the b-axis for complex 1 and the a-axis for complex 2. In contrast, four Cu(I) atoms in complex 3 are bridged by four I atoms to form a Cu₄I₄ stepped cubane tetramer. Additionally, the Cu₄I₄ stepped cubane cores are linked by the chelate and bridging sites of two pprd ligands to form an infinite 1D zigzag-chain Cu(I) coordination polymer. The thermal decomposition behaviors for Cu(I)–X/pprd complexes 1, 2 and 3 were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTA). Although the thermal decomposition behaviors of complex 1 were unidentified, those of complexes 2 and 3 were assigned. The mass loss at the first stage of thermal decomposition for polymeric [Cu₄X₄(pprd)₂]_n was identical to the formation of oligomeric [Cu₄X₄(pprd)] by the elimination of one pprd molecule. The mass loss at the next stage was decided to the formation of Cu₄X₄ by the elimination of another pprd molecule.     

Mechanochromic Luminescence (MCL) of Purely Organic Two-Component Dyes: Wide-Range MCL over 300 nm and Two-Step MCL by Charge-Transfer Complexation

Despite recent extensive studies on mechanochromic luminescence (MCL), rational control over the magnitude of the emission-wavelength shift in response to mechanical stimuli remains challenging. In the present study, a two-component donor-acceptor approach has been applied to create a variety of organic MCL composites that exhibit remarkable emission-wavelength switching. Dibenzofuran-based bis(1-pyrenylmethyl)diamine and typical organic fluorophores have been employed as donor and acceptor dyes, respectively. Outstanding wide-range MCL with an emission-wavelength shift of over 300 nm has been achieved by mixing the diamine with 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide. Unprecedented two-step MCL in response to mechanical stimuli of different intensity has also been realized for a two-component mixture with 9,10-anthraquinone. Fluorescence microscopy observations at the single-particle level revealed that the segregation and mixing of the two-component dyes contribute to the stimuli-responsive emission-color switching of the MCL composites.