Size-selective photocatalytic reactions by titanium(IV) oxide coated with a hollow silica shell in aqueous solutions

A novel core-shell composite photocatalyst, commercially available titanium(IV) oxide (TiO(2)) particles directly incorporated into a hollow amorphous silica shell, was fabricated by successive coating of TiO(2) with a carbon layer and a silica layer followed by heat treatment to remove the carbon layer. The composite induced efficient photocatalytic reactions when relatively small substrates were used, such as methanol dehydration and decomposition of acetic acid, without any reduction in the intrinsic activity of original TiO(2), but did not exhibit efficient photocatalytic activity for decomposition of large substrates, methylene blue and polyvinyl alcohol. The unique size-selective properties of the composites are due to their structural characteristics, i.e., the presence of a pore system and a void space in the silica shell and between the shell and medial TiO(2) particles, respectively. The loading of alkylsilyl groups on the surface of the composite led to highly photostable floatability: the floated sample also induced efficient photocatalytic reaction for decomposition of acetic acid while retaining floatation at the gas/water interface.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of isishippuric acid B via intramolecular Michael reaction

The first enantioselective total synthesis of isishippuric acid B bearing a novel 4,5-seco-6-norquadrane skeleton was accomplished from (R)-citronellal with use of a Diels-Alder cycloaddition and an intramolecular Michael addition as the ring-forming steps. Comparison of the optical rotation of the synthetic material with that of the natural product confirmed the absolute configuration of isishippuric acid B to be 1R, 2R, 8R, and 11R.     

Total synthesis of valeriananoids A, B, and C via autocatalytic diastereoselective domino Michael reaction

Natural enantiomers of unique tricyclic sesquiterpenoids, valeriananoids A-C 1-3, have been synthesized starting from bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,5-dione derivative 11, which was obtained by diastereoselective catalytic domino Michael reaction of oxophorone 5 with 8-phenylmenthyl acrylate 10 by LDA or silica-gel-base (NMAP-Li). The tricyclic ring was closed selectively by intramolecular 6-endo-trig mode cyclization of the ketyl radical, which was generated from keto-allylether 25 by either lithium or sodium naphthalenide.     

The structures of three new shishididemniols from a tunicate of the family Didemnidae

Three new serinolipid derivatives, shishididemniols C (1), D (2), and E (3), were isolated as antibacterial constituents of a tunicate of the family Didemnidae. Their planar structures were elucidated by interpretation of NMR and MS data, whereas the absolute stereochemistry was determined by chemical conversions. Shishididemniols C (3), D (4), and E (5) exhibited antibacterial activity against the fish pathogenic bacterium Vibrio anguillarum.     

Elongation factor Tu mutants expand amino acid tolerance of protein biosynthesis system

Nonnatural amino acids have been introduced into proteins using expanded protein biosynthesis systems. However, some nonnatural amino acids, especially those containing large aromatic groups, are not efficiently incorporated into proteins. Reduced binding efficiency of aminoacylated tRNAs to elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) is likely to limit incorporation of large amino acids. Our previous studies suggested that tRNAs carrying large nonnatural amino acids are bound less tightly to EF-Tu than natural amino acids. To expand the availability of nonnatural mutagenesis, EF-Tu from the E. coli translation system was improved to accept such large amino acids. We synthesized EF-Tu mutants, in which the binding pocket of the aminoacyl moiety of aminoacyl-tRNA was enlarged. L-1-Pyrenylalanine, L-2-pyrenylalanine, and DL-2-anthraquinonylalanine, which are hardly or only slightly incorporated with the wild-type EF-Tu, were successfully incorporated into a protein using these EF-Tu mutants.     

Fatty acid chemistry at the oil-water interface: self-propelled oil droplets

Fatty acids have been investigated as boundary structures to construct artificial cells due to their dynamic properties and phase transitions. Here we have explored the possibility that fatty acid systems also demonstrate movement. An oil phase was loaded with a fatty acid anhydride precursor and introduced to an aqueous fatty acid micelle solution. The oil droplets showed autonomous, sustained movement through the aqueous media. Internal convection created a positive feedback loop, and the movement of the oil droplet was sustained as convection drove fresh precursor to the surface to become hydrolyzed. As the system progressed, more surfactant was produced and some of the oil droplets transformed into supramolecular aggregates resembling multilamellar vesicles. The oil droplets also moved directionally within chemical gradients and exhibited a type of chemotaxis.