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Chiral Lewis base-assisted Brønsted acids (Chiral LBBAs) have been designed as new organocatalysts for biomimetic enantioselective cyclization. A salt of a chiral phosphonous acid diester with FSO(3)H catalyzes the enantioselective cyclization of 2-geranylphenols to give the desired trans-fused cyclized products with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to 98:2 dr and 93% ee).

As a part of the sequential courtship behavior of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, females feed on the nuptial secretion from the male tergal glands. The pheromonal secretion, consisting mainly of oligosaccharides and phospholipids, strongly elicits a feeding response in virgin females. The phospholipids were composed of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. Their fatty acid compositions were determined by chromatographic and enzymatic methods. Although an authentic blend of phospholipids (1,2‐dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine and 1,2‐dioleoylphosphatidylcholine) showed a marginal phagostimulant activity, addition of the blend to an authentic blend of oligosaccharides (maltose and maltotriose) strongly enhanced the activity to nearly the level of the crude extract. These results indicate that the nuptial feeding behavior is elicited by a synergistic action between phospholipids and oligosaccharides.

Flowering plants attract pollinators via various stimuli such as odor, color, and shape. Factors determining the foraging behavior of pollinators remain a major theme in ecological and evolutionary research, although the floral traits and cognitive ability of pollinators have been investigated for centuries. Here we show that the autofluorescence emitted from pollen and anthers under UV irradiation may act as another attractant for flower-visiting insects. We have identified fluorescent compounds from pollen and anthers of five plant species as hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives. The fluorescent compounds are also shown to quench UV energy and exhibit antioxidant activity, indicating a function as protectants of pollen genes from UV-induced damage. A two-choice assay using honeybees in the field demonstrated that they perceived the blue fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent compounds and were attracted to it. This result suggested that the fluorescence from pollen and anthers serves as a visual cue to attract pollinators under sunlight.