A new hydrogen storage system based on the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, employing a single iridium catalyst, has been developed. Efficient hydrogen storage using relatively small amounts of solvent compared with previous systems was achieved by this new system. Reversible transformations between 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2,5-dimethylpiperazine, accompanied by the uptake and release of three equivalents of hydrogen, could be repeated almost quantitatively at least four times without any loss of efficiency. Furthermore, hydrogen storage under solvent-free conditions was also accomplished.

The direct anodic oxidation of non-phenolic lignin model compounds was investigated to understand their basic behaviors. The results of cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies of monomeric model, such as 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethanol, are interpreted as the oxidation for C a -carbonylation did not proceed in the reaction without a catalyst, but a base promotes this reaction. Indeed, the bulk electrolyses of the monomeric lignin model compounds with 2,6-lutidine afforded the corresponding C a -carbonyl compounds in high yields (60-80%). It is suggested that deprotonation at C a -H in the ECEC mechanism (Eselectron transfer and Cschemical step) is important for C a -carbonylation. In the uncatalyzed bulk electrolysis of a b-O-4 model dimeric compound, 4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycerol-b-guaiacyl ether, the corresponding C a -carbonyl compound was not detected but as a result of C a -C b cleavage 4-O-ethylvanillin was found in 40% yield. In the electrolysis reaction in the presence of 2,6-lutidine (as a sterically hindered light base), the reaction stopped for a short time unexpectedly. These results indicate the different electrochemical behavior of simple monomeric model compounds and dimeric b-O-4 models. The conclusion is that direct electrooxidation is unsuitable for C a -carbonylation of lignin.

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The N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI)-mediated indirect electro-oxidation of non-phenolic lignin model compounds has been investigated for selective C a -carbonylation of lignin. A cyclic voltammogram of NHPI in 0.1 M LiClO 4 /CH 3 CN with 2,6-lutidine interpreted that NHPI can act as a mediator in the indicated process in the range 0.5-0.8 V vs. Ag/Ag q . The corresponding C a -carbonyl compounds was obtained in high yields (85-97%) in the case of the monomer 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) ethanol in 0.1 M LiClO 4 /CH 3 CN or 0.1 M LiClO 4 /(CH 3 CN/H 2 Os7/3) with a small amount of 2,6-lutidine at 0.7 V vs. Ag/Ag q . The processing of the dimeric lignin model compound (4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycerol-b-guaiacyl ether) also gave the corresponding C a -carbonyl compound in high yield (88-92%). The reaction proceeds through hydrogen atom transfer in the NHPI-mediated electro-oxidation. On the other hand, the direct electrooxidation and indirect electro-oxidation mediated by ABTS w2,29-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)x of the dimeric compound preferentially gave the corresponding C a -C b cleavage product in low or moderate yields (5-40%). The conclusion is that NHPI is an excellent mediator for selective C a -carbonylation of non-phenolic b-O-4 structures in lignin in electronic mediator system.

ObjectiveTo evaluate sexual function after treatment using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Testicular Cancer 26 (EORTC QLQ‐TC26) questionnaire in Japanese testicular cancer (TC) survivors in a multi‐institutional, cross‐sectional study.MethodsThis study enrolled TC survivors who visited any of eight high‐volume institutions in Japan from 2018 to 2019. After obtaining informed consent, participants completed the EORTC QLQ‐TC26 questionnaires. We evaluated sexual function after treatment for TC using the EORTC QLQ‐TC26 and analyzed the impact of treatment on sexual function in TC survivors.ResultsA total of 567 TC survivors responded to the EORTC QLQ‐TC26. Median age at the time of response was 43 years (interquartile range [IQR] 35–51 years), and median follow‐up period after treatment was 5.2 years (IQR 2.2–10.0 years). Sexual function, particularly ejaculatory function, was significantly lower after post‐chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC‐RPLND) than after Surveillance or Chemotherapy groups (p < 0.05). In the PC‐RPLND group, nerve‐sparing procedure preserved postoperative ejaculatory function after RPLND compared with the non‐nerve‐sparing and offered improved ejaculatory function with time. On multivariate analysis, RPLND was a significant predictor of post‐treatment ejaculatory dysfunction, particularly without nerve‐sparing (odds ratio 3.0, 95% CI 1.2–7.7, p < 0.05). In addition, TC survivors with nerve‐sparing RPLND had higher sexual activity than those without.ConclusionThis survey of the EORTC QLQ‐TC26 showed that sexual function and activity in TC survivors after RPLND was reduced in the absence of nerve‐sparing techniques.