Chiral crystals were discovered due to spontaneous resolution when enantiomers of 4-phenyldiazenyl-2-[(R or S)-(1-phenylethyl)-iminomethyl]phenol and its racemic mixture were prepared. Using two ligands per molecule, optically active R,R and S,S enantiomers and meso R,S diastereomer of Cu(II) complexes were prepared. Strong chiral recognition was expected for them. Laccase has attracted attention as a catalyst that reduces oxygen to water in a cathode of biofuel cells, which can be effectively mediated by metal complexes. Furthermore, azobenzene can align perpendicularly to the polarization direction of irradiating linearly polarized ultraviolet light (Weigert effect) as well as to the conventional cis-trans photoisomerization accompanying the shift of redox potential. Thus, we also studied the photo-induced control of cis-trans forms and the alignment of these Cu(II) complexes as a mediator to fit laccase appropriately. We discuss photo-induced control on not only electronically but also sterically-favored redox conditions. The meso(R,S)-form of the Cu(II) complex in cis-form was found to be the best at increasing the current of cyclic voltammetry (CV) among the three R,R and S,S enantiomers and the R,S diastereomer of the Cu(II) complexes.

The title compound is composed of a benzene ring linked to an indazole unit by an N=N bond and has high planarity. The diazenyl group adopts a trans (E) conformation.

The planar achiral title compound has C 2v symmetry and crystallizes in the chiral space group P21.

Facial skin aging is an important psychophysical and social concern, especially in women. We compared facial parameters reflecting aging of the skin in 1999 and 2010 in 86 female volunteers. Then, all subjects applied three Galactomyces ferment filtrate-containing skin care products (G3 products; SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, SK-II Cellumination Essence, and SK-II Skin Signature Cream) twice daily for 12 months (M), with the skin parameters being measured at 2 M, 8 M, and 12 M during this period. Facial skin aging parameters such as wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, and roughness significantly deteriorated during the 11-year interval. This 11-year aging process was associated with reduced hydration and increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Notably, treatment with G3 products significantly and cumulatively increased skin hydration with a correlated reduction of TEWL during the 12 M treatment period. Such treatment also significantly and cumulatively reversed the 11-year facial skin aging in the three parameters of wrinkles, spots, and roughness. These results suggest that facial skin retains the potential to recover from the aging process when it is applied with appropriate cosmetic agents.

Three dinuclear metal complexes (comprised of six-coordinated nNi2L and five-coordinated nCu2L and nZn2L) were confirmed by means of elemental analysis, UV-vis and IR spectra, and single X-ray crystal structural analysis in a spectroscopic study. The stable structures of these nNi2L, nCu2L, and nZn2L complexes in poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA) films were analyzed using UV-vis spectra. The molecular orientation of hybrid PVA film materials after linearly polarized light irradiation was analyzed to obtain the polarized spectra and dichroic ratio. Among the three materials, nNi2L and nZn2L complexes indicated an increasing optical anisotropy that depended on the flexibility of the complexes. We have included a discussion on the formation of the pseudo-crystallographic symmetry of the components in a soft matter (PVA films).