Unprecedented Cobalt‐Catalyzed Isomerization Reactions to Single Skipped 2,4,7‐Trienes Applied in the Synthesis of Urushiol

The cobalt‐catalyzed isomerization of 1,3‐dienes to 2Z,4E‐dienes was realized for the very challenging substrates with an additional double bond in the side chain. An isomerization to the conjugated 3,5,7‐triene derivative was not observed, which is in stark contrast to observations with many other isomerization catalysts. Accordingly, the synthesis of the natural product urushiol, which has a sensitive 2Z,4E,7Z‐triene subunit in the side chain, was investigated. The O‐protected urushiol derivative was generated selectively without isomerization to the conjugated 3,5,7‐triene or Z/E‐isomerization of the double bond at position 7.     

Poly(allyl glycidyl ether)-A versatile and functional polyether platform

Allyl glycidyl ether, polymerized from potassium alkoxide/naphthalenide initiators under both neat and solution conditions was shown to be a highly-controlled process. In both cases, molar masses (10-100 kg/mol) were determined by the reaction stoichiometry, and low polydispersity indices (1.05-1.33) could be obtained with a full understanding of the dominant side reaction, isomerization of the allyl side chain, being developed. The degree of isomerization of allyl to cis-prop-1-enyl ether groups (0 - 10 % mol.) was not correlated to the molar mass or polydispersity of the polymer but was dictated by the polymerization temperature. This allows the extent of isomerization to be reduced to essentially zero under either melt or solution conditions at polymerization temperatures of less than 40 °C.     

Photoisomerization of the Graft Copolymer of Starch and Azo-dye

Optical data storage materials are mainly based on organic molecules. To be suited for as an optical data storage material, molecules have to be photochromatic, they must be capable of being reversibly switched be. tween two spectroscopically distinct forms by use of light[1].Photoisome rization (trans ～cis) of azoaromatic compounds has been investigated extensively using UV-Vis spectroscopy. In 1972[2], the isomerization of various azobenzenes bound on the side chain or within the main chain of poly (methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate),polystyrene, a polyamide, and polyester had. been demonstrated. There are three processes: a trans-cis photochemical isomerization, a cis-trans photochemical isomerization, and a cis-trans thermal isomerization, which occurs due to the higher stability of the trans configuration, since that pioneering study, two main directions of research developed and are very active in the eurrent literature.     

Experimental determination of conformational isomerization energy thresholds in serotonin

Stimulated emission pumping-population transfer (SEP-PT) and hole-filling (SEP-HF) spectroscopies were used to determine the energy thresholds to isomerization between thirteen reactant-product conformer pairs in the biomolecule serotonin (SERO). Serotonin is a close structural analog of tryptamine (TRA), differing in having a hydroxyl group in the 5 position of the indole ring. A previous spectroscopic study (LeGreve; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129 (13), 4028) identified eight conformational isomers of SERO, whose interconversion involves motion of the 3-ethylamine side chain, the 5-OH group, or both. In the cases in which only an ethylamine side chain reorientation occurred, the barriers were found to be similar to, but systematically somewhat smaller than, those in TRA, which has been studied by similar methods (Dian; et al. Science 2004, 303 (5661), 1169; Clarkson; et al. J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122 (21), Art. No. 214311). In most cases, the experimental thresholds are well reproduced by calculated transition states separating the conformational wells; however, tunneling effects may artificially reduce the thresholds observed for isomerization of SERO(A,Gpy(out)) and SERO(B,Gpy(up)) into SERO(C,Gph(out)). The A --> A' isomerization involving only the OH rotation from anti to syn was found to be 721-761 cm-1, in accordance with the calculated classical barrier. For isomerizations in which the ethylamine side chain reorients as does the OH group, the barriers to isomerization were consistent with sequential rather than concerted motion of both groups. Finally, some evidence for mode-specific effects in the product quantum yields near threshold is presented.     

The photoreaction mechanism in the bacterial blue light receptor BLUF according to metadynamics modeling

The mechanism of chemical transformations in the blue light photoreceptor domains (BLUF) implies the isomerization of the glutamine side chain. The Helmholtz energy profiles for the side-chain isomerization of the tautomeric form of glutamine in the BLUF domain of the bacterial protein AppA were calculated using metadynamics and the potentials that were obtained using quantum mechanics-molecular mechanics approximation (QM/MM).     

Stereospecific cyclopropane ring-opening of petrosterol. A possible biomimetic process.

Acid-catalyzed isomerization of the petrosterol side chain ($\text{1}$) proceeds stereospecifically to yield the naturally occurring 26-dehydro-25-epiaplysterol side chain ($\text{2}$); in addition, a 1.5-hydride shift leading to 22-dehydro-25-epiaplysteryl acetate ($\text{3}$) has also been observed.     

Radiation Degradation of Poly(olefin Sulfone)s: A Volatile Product Study

The predominant degradation reaction in the γ-irradiation of nine poly(olefin sulfone)s was found to be C-S bond scission with elimination of SO₂ and olefin. The extent of depolymerization, measured by the yields of the two comonomers, increased over five irradiation temperatures from 0 to 150° C and could be correlated with the ceiling temperature. Thus G (total volatile products) increased from 10 to 10,000 over this temperature range. Minor radiolysis products included the alkanes corresponding to (1) loss of the side chain group and (2) scavenging of the side chain radical by monomer olefin. There was a deficiency of olefin relative to SO₂, except at high temperatures, and isomerization of the product olefin in some cases. These observations are attributed to reactions of radiation-induced polymeric cations.     

Mechanistic study of trans⇆cis isomerization of the substituted azobenzene moiety bound on a liquid‐crystalline polymer

A mechanistic study of the trans?cis isomerization of the azobenzene moiety in a side‐chain liquid‐crystal polymer system was carried out with six liquid‐crystalline polymethacrylates in which different electron‐withdrawing substituents were attached to the para‐positions of the azobenzene chromophores. Compared to the non‐nitro‐substituted azo polymers, the nitro‐substituted azo polymers exhibited two quite different behaviors: an extraordinarily high reaction rate of the thermal cis–trans isomerization and an unexpected composition of cis–trans isomers obtained from the photochemical trans–cis isomerization process. A potential energy profile for the isomerization process was established on basis of the structures of the proposed transition states and was employed to elucidate the reaction mechanism. The results confirmed that the nitro‐substituted azo polymer system proceeded via a rotation mechanism in either direction of the trans?cis isomerization reaction, whereas the non‐nitro‐substituted species were more likely to follow an inversion mechanism. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2296–2307, 2001     

Relationship of photochemical and dynamic behavior of an amorphous photochromic polymer containing azobenzene moieties in the side group

An amorphous copolymer with photochromic azobenzene moieties in the side chain is investigated by UV/Vis and real time dielectric spectroscopy. The aim of this study is to monitor both the reversible E/Z isomerization of the dyes and the influence of the photoreaction onto the matrix. The change of the absorbance and of the dielectric function is measured for the E/Z and the Z/E isomerization. To compare the results model functions are fitted to the measured data and the obtained parameters compared for both experiments. So a correlation between the two spectroscopic methods is established. This analysis leads to a model of the molecular mechanism which is based on excess free volume generated by the photoreaction.     

“Monte Carlo kinetics” for the simulation of photoreactions in polymers

We present a new method for describing photokinetics in the liquid crystalline or amorphous glassy state of polymers. A stochastic model has been developed in order to simulate the ordering process in azo side chain polymers which is induced by photoselective isomerization cycles. The dependence of the reorientation process on photochemical and thermal transition rate constants as well as the influence of matrix rigidity and cooperative interactions between the side chains is explained. With additional information about the molecular polarizabilities, the optical properties of the system, e.g. the evolution of birefringence, can be evaluated directly by this method.     

异三尖杉酯碱侧链酸的合成

本文报道了异三尖杉酯碱侧链酸(3)的立体选择性合成。(R,R)-(+)-酒石酸先制成酒石酸二甲酯缩丙酮(8), 然后经烷基化、构型转换、催化加氢、碱性水解、部分酯化和酸性水解, 首次成功地得到了预期产物3。     

Synthesis,characterization, and photoresponsive behavior of new azobenzene‐containing polyethers

Two new polyethers, bearing azobenzene moiety in the side chain, were synthesized in excellent yields by means of anionic polymerization of 4‐glycidyloxyazobenzene and 4‐cyano‐4′‐glycidyloxyazobenzene (leading to azo‐P1 and azo‐P2 polymers, respectively) with the system polyiminophosphazene base t‐Bu‐P₄/3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenol as initiator. The polymers were characterized with respect to their molecular weights, structure, and calorimetric features. The polyether bearing cyanoazobenzene group in the side chain was found to exhibit nematic phase up to 200 °C. E–Z isomerization of both polymers in tetrahydrofuran solution, after irradiating with UV light at 364 nm for 15 min, was investigated by means of UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. In the case of glycidylic monomers as well as the resulting polymers, E–Z isomerization was also investigated by means of ¹H NMR, by direct irradiation in the NMR probe in deuterated 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane solution. By this technique, in the case of 4‐cyano‐4′‐glycidyloxyazobenzene, it was found that irradiation led to a photostationary state corresponding to an amount of Z isomer equal to 25%. For azo‐P1 polymer, Z–E or “reverse” isomerization was investigated at 60, 70, or 80 °C directly in the NMR probe; as expected, the process followed a first‐order rate law. The kinetic constants as well as the activation energy for the process were determined in this temperature range. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5426–5436, 2009     

Sterols with Cyclopropane-Containing Side Chains: Synthesis and Acid Isomerization

To test the eventual involvement of sterols with a cyclopropane containing side chain in bio-methylation processes, 24,25-methanocholest-5-en-3β-ol ( 5 ) and 24,25-methano-26-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol ( 6 ) were synthesized. Together with the naturally occurring cyclopropane petrosterol ( 1 ), they were submitted to acid isomerization to provide chemical models for some of their potential metabolites.     

Reaction of 2-(1-methyl-2-butenyl)anilines with polyphosphoric acid

Conclusions Cyclization of 2-(1-methyl-2-butenyl)anilines in polyphosphoric acid proceeds with isomerization of the side chain and leads to indolines and indanes in high yields.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 839–842, April, 1985.     

New insight into the synthesis of a novel azo-based optically active polyamidoamine side chain dendritic polyester architectural photoswitch

[reaction: see text] A novel chiral polyamidoamine side chain dendritic polyester 4 has been synthesized and found to be a photoresponsive system undergoing reversible E/Z photochemical/thermal isomerization of azo units. Thorough characterization (IR,UV-vis, NMR, FAB-MS, elemental analysis, optical rotation, etc.) were performed to ascertain the structures of dendrimers 2, 3, and 4. The intrinsic viscosity of 4 at 36 degrees C in CHCl(3) was found to be 0.48 dl/g.     

Discovery of a Cryptic Intermediate in Late Steps of Mithramycin Biosynthesis

MtmOIV and MtmW catalyze the final two reactions in the mithramycin (MTM) biosynthetic pathway, the Baeyer–Villiger opening of the fourth ring of premithramycin B (PMB), creating the C3 pentyl side chain, strictly followed by reduction of the distal keto group on the new side chain. Unexpectedly this results in a C2 stereoisomer of mithramycin, iso‐mithramycin (iso‐MTM). Iso‐MTM undergoes a non‐enzymatic isomerization to MTM catalyzed by Mg²⁺ ions. Crystal structures of MtmW and its complexes with co‐substrate NADPH and PEG, suggest a catalytic mechanism of MtmW. The structures also show that a tetrameric assembly of this enzyme strikingly resembles the ring‐shaped β subunit of a vertebrate ion channel. We show that MtmW and MtmOIV form a complex in the presence of PMB and NADPH, presumably to hand over the unstable MtmOIV product to MtmW, yielding iso‐MTM, as a potential self‐resistance mechanism against MTM toxicity.     

Studies on thermotropic liquid crystalline polyphosphates containing photoreactive dual mesogens

A series of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyphosphates, containing photochromic molecules of stilbene in the backbone and substituted azobenzene in the side chain, were synthesized respectively. The inherent viscosity measurements were determined for all the polymers. The stability and char yield, T_g, T_m and T_i were investigated by thermal analysis. Polarizing optical microscopy of all the polymers exhibited birefringent melts with liquid crystalline behaviour. Variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction techniques were performed for confirmation of textures. UV-visible photolysis studies investigated the simultaneous behaviour of reactivity rates of crosslinking of stilbene units and isomerization, caused by azobenzene units in the main chain/side chain LCPs. Photoisomerization kinetics demonstrated the switching time rates for the trans-cis conversion of the azobenzene unit. A model polymer was synthesized and compared for the effect of stilbene in the main chain. Dipole moment values were calculated for the simulated low molecular mass of the pendant substituents to predict the polarity using MOPAC 3D Pro.     

离子液体中Lewis酸催化葡萄糖和果糖脱水制备5-羟甲基呋喃甲醛

在离子液体中采用不同的Lewis酸催化葡萄糖和果糖脱水制备5-羟甲基呋喃甲醛(5-HMF).结果表明,CrCln和SnCln均可高效催化葡萄糖转化为5-HMF.另外,Lewis酸的酸性越强,其催化果糖转化为5-HMF的产率越高.镧系金属氯化物在反应中表现出较好的催化活性和产物选择性.同时还研究了离子液体结构对催化反应的...     

Synthesis and characterization of side-chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing 4-alkanyloxyphenyl trans-4-alkylcyclohexanoate side groups

The synthesis and characterization of nine polysiloxanes containing 4-alkanyloxyphenyl trans-4-alkylcyclohexane side groups are described. Six monomers which contain a pentenyloxy of a hexenyloxy flexible spacer display a nematic mesophase, while the other three monomers which contain an undecenyloxy flexible spacer display nematic, smetic A and smectic E mesophases. All synthesized polymers present two smectic mesophases except one containing 4-hexanyloxyphenyl trans-4-n-butylcyclohexanoate side groups presents one smectic mesophase and one containing 4-undecanyloxyphenyl trans-4-n-pentylcyclohexanoate side groups presents three smectic mesophases. Trans-cis isomerization of mesogens and side chain crystallization did not occur for any of the synthesized polymers.     

Photo-dimerization of a chalcone-based side chain polymer for the alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystals

The alignment and optical properties of ferroelectric liquid crystal cells, having alignment films of a chalcone-based side chain polymer treated by linearly polarized UV irradiation were investigated. The long absorption band of the UV/Vis spectra gradually decreased and the FTIR spectra shifted as the irradiation times increased, indicating that cyclo-addition and isomerization reactions of the chalcone-based side chains occurred. UV dichroism demonstrated anisotropic changes in the alignment films, with a maximum at low exposure energy (0.5 J cm^-2). Liquid crystal molecules were aligned perpendicular to the polarization direction of the linearly polarized UV radiation. The azimuthal anchoring energy of liquid crystal E7 on a chalcone-based side chain polymer surface increased with exposure energy. Well aligned defect-free cells and high contrast ratio were achieved with irradiation of longer than 5 min; the geometric conditions for a stable C2 structure may be satisfied at low temperature with slowly cooling.