Fate of the Oxygen Atoms in the Diol‐Dehydratase‐Catalyzed Dehydration of meso‐Butane‐2,3‐diol

¹⁸O‐Substituted propane‐1,2‐diols and meso‐butane‐1,2‐diols were synthesized and fed to growing cells of Lactobacillus brevis. Propan‐1‐ol and butan‐2‐ol, prepared from such diols through diol‐dehydratase‐catalyzed dehydration followed by intracellular reduction, were analyzed for their ¹⁸O‐content. For each propane‐1,2‐diol enantiomer, partial retention or complete loss of the isotope appeared to be related to the mode of substrate binding. Specific retention of the O‐atom linked to the (R)‐configured C‐atom of meso‐butane‐1,2‐diol indicates that the diol dehydratase handles this substrate like (R)‐propane‐1,2‐diol.     

Novel and Stereospecific Synthesis of (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐Trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol from D‐Mannitol

A stereospecific synthesis of (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol from D ‐mannitol has been developed. The reaction of 2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐glyceraldehyde with 2,4,5‐trifluorophenylmagnesium bromide gave [(4R)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl](2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)methanol in 65% yield as a mixture of diastereoisomers (1 : 1). The Ph₃P catalyzed reaction of the latter with C₂Cl₆ followed by reduction with Pd/C‐catalyzed hydrogenation gave (2S)‐3‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)propane‐1,2‐diol with >99% ee and 65% yield.     

Synthesis and Absolute Configuration at C(8) of ‘p‐Menthane‐3,8,9‐triol’ Derived from (–)‐Isopulegol

Two diastereoisomers of the new, potentially insecticidal ‘p‐menthane‐3,8,9‐triol’ (=(2S)‐ and (2R)‐ 2‐[(1R,2R,4R)‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐methylcyclohexyl]propane‐1,2‐diol; (8S)‐ and (8R)‐ 1 ), have been synthesized from (–)‐isopulegol by both conventional dihydroxylation and catalytic Sharpless dihydroxylation (Scheme). The absolute configuration at C(8) of the corresponding orthoformate adduct (8S)‐ 3a was determined by ¹H‐NMR and X‐ray crystallographic analysis (Figure).     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Thermo‐Sensitive Copolymer of N‐Isopropylacrylamide and Dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6‐diacrylamide

Summary: A series of novel, thermo‐sensitive copolymers with different molar ratios of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and hydrophobic cis‐dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6‐diacrylamide (cis‐DBCAm) were prepared via free‐radical copolymerization. cis‐DBCAm with polymerizable end groups was successfully synthesized by reacting the corresponding amino crown ether with acryloyl chloride. The copolymers were characterized by FT‐IR and elemental analysis, and the thermo‐sensitivities of the copolymers were evaluated by measuring their lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) in the absence or presence of various metal ions. The results indicated that incorporation of cis‐DBCAm lowered LCSTs, and that the LCSTs of the copolymers decreased with the increase in cis‐DBCAm content in the copolymers. When the cavities of the crown ether units captured either K⁺ or Cs⁺ ions, the LCST of the respective copolymer–metal ion complex was further decreased, whereas the capture of Na⁺ or Li⁺ ions did not have a significant influence on the LCSTs of the copolymers.

Incorporation of cis‐DBCAm into PNIPAM resulted in a lower LCST. The LCST was decreased more when the cavities of the crown ether units captured K⁺ ions.     

1H NMR spectra of ethane‐1,2‐diol and other vicinal diols in benzene: GIAO/DFT shift calculations

The proton NMR spectra of several 1,2‐diols in benzene have been analysed so as to associate each magnetically nonequivalent proton with its chemical shift. The shifts and coupling constants of the OH and methylene protons of ethane‐1,2‐diol have been determined in a wide range of solvents. The conformer distribution and the proton NMR shifts of these 1,2‐diols in benzene have been computed on the basis of density functional theory. The solvent is included using the integral–equation–formalism polarizable continuum model implemented in Gaussian 09. Relative Gibbs energies for all stable conformers are calculated at the Perdew, Burke and Enzerhof (PBE)0/6‐311 + G(d,p) level, and shifts are calculated using the gauge‐including atomic orbital method with the PBE0/6‐311 + G(d,p) geometry but using the cc‐pVTZ basis set. Previous calculations on ethane‐1,2‐diol and propane‐1,2‐diol have been corrected and extended. New calculations on tert‐butylethane‐1,2‐diol, phenylethane‐1,2‐diol, butane‐2,3‐diols (dl and meso) and cyclohexane‐1,2‐diols (cis and trans) are presented. Overall, the computed NMR shifts are in good agreement with experimental values for the OH protons but remain systematically high for CH protons. Some results based on the Gaussian 03 solvation model are included for comparison. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Highly Efficient Chemoselective Cyclocondensation of threo‐(1S,2S)‐2‐Amino‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1,3‐propanediol with Ketones and Isomerization of the Condensates

A convenient procedure for highly efficient chemoselective cyclization of threo‐(1S,2S)‐2‐amino‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)propane‐1,3‐diol with some ketones was described. The structures of the condensates were elucidated on the basis of the IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and mass spectra. Ring‐ring tautomerism in 2‐aminopropane‐1,3‐diol chemistry is reported for the first time.     

The Stability of Metal N,N,N′,N′‐Tetrakis(2‐aminoethyl)ethane‐ 1,2‐diamine (=penten) Complexes and the X‐Ray Crystal Structure of [Tl(NO3)(penten)](NO3)2

Complex formation between N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(2‐aminoethyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (penten) and the metal ions Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Tl³⁺ (in 1.00M NaNO₃ and 25°) was investigated by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. These are the first reported values of the stability constants for this ligand with Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Tl³⁺. The X‐ray crystal structure of [Tl(NO₃)(penten)](NO₃)₂ was determined. In this structure, Tl³⁺ shows a coordination number of seven made up of the six N‐donors and one O‐atom of NO.     

Regioselective and 1,2‐cis‐α‐Stereoselective Glycosylation Utilizing Glycosyl‐Acceptor‐Derived Boronic Ester Catalyst

Regioselective and 1,2‐cis‐α‐stereoselective glycosylations using 1α,2α‐anhydro glycosyl donors and diol glycosyl acceptors in the presence of a glycosyl‐acceptor‐derived boronic ester catalyst. The reactions proceed smoothly to give the corresponding 1,2‐cis‐α‐glycosides with high stereo‐ and regioselectivities in high yields without any further additives under mild reaction conditions. In addition, the present glycosylation method was successfully applied to the synthesis of an isoflavone glycoside.     

Synthesis and optical properties of cis‐dibenzothiazolyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8

New crown ether carrying two fluorionophores of cis‐dibenzothiazolyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 was synthesized from cis‐diformyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 and 2‐aminobenzenethiol. The binding behavior and the optical properties of the crown ether were examined through UV‐visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. When complexed with Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ ions, it led to intramolecular charge transfer and caused the changes of the fluorescence spectra. The protonation of the crown ether was also studied. With protonation using CF₃COOH, the absorption bands and the fluorescence spectroscopy changed, the maximal fluorescence wavelengths red shifted and the fluorescence intensity with the maximum at 433 nm enhanced strongly. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Pressure effects on cation migration in 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone radical anion

Pressure effects on the two‐site jumping of sodium and potassium cations in a 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone ion pair have been studied using a high‐pressure EPR technique. The rate constants of the intramolecular and intermolecular migrations for Na⁺ and K⁺ were determined from an EPR spectral simulation. The migration rates were found to be accelerated by increasing the external pressure. Using the pressure dependence of the migration rates, we estimated the activation volumes of the intramolecular (ΔV₁^?) and intermolecular (ΔV₂^?) processes for the Na⁺ and K⁺ migrations: ΔV₁^? = ?5.3 cm³ mol^?1 and ΔV₂^? = ?29 cm³ mol^?1 for Na⁺, and ΔV₁^? = ?8.3 cm³ mol^?1 and ΔV₂^? = ?0.85 cm³ mol^?1 for K⁺. Based on the results, the mechanisms for the two‐site jumping of Na⁺ and K⁺ are discussed in terms of volume. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 397–401, 2001     

trans‐Selective Insertional Dihydroboration of a cis‐Diborene: Synthesis of Linear sp3‐sp2‐sp3‐Triboranes and Subsequent Cationization

The reaction of aryl‐ and amino(dihydro)boranes with dibora[2]ferrocenophane 1 leads to the formation 1,3‐trans‐dihydrotriboranes by formal hydrogenation and insertion of a borylene unit into the B=B bond. The aryltriborane derivatives undergo reversible photoisomerization to the cis‐1,2‐μ‐H‐3‐hydrotriboranes, while hydride abstraction affords cationic triboranes, which represent the first doubly base‐stabilized B₃H₄⁺ analogues.     

1H NMR spectra of alkane‐1,3‐diols in benzene: GIAO/DFT shift calculations

The proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of propane‐1,3‐diol, 2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diol, 2,2‐dimethylpropane‐1,3‐diol, butane‐1,3‐diol, 3‐methylbutane‐1,3‐diol, pentane‐2,4‐diols (dl and meso), 2‐methylpentane‐2,4‐diol and cyclohexane‐1,3‐diols (cis and trans) in benzene have been analysed. The conformer distribution and the NMR shifts of these diols have been computed on the basis of density functional theory, the solvent being included by means of the integral equation formalism phase continuum model (IEFPCM) implemented in Gaussian 09. Relative Gibbs energies of all conformers are calculated at the Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE)0/6‐311 + G(d,p) level, and NMR shifts by the gauge‐including atomic orbital method with the PBE0/6‐311 + G(d,p) geometry and the cc‐pVTZ basis set. Vicinal coupling constants for 1,2‐ and 1,3‐diols are rationalised in terms of relative conformer populations and geometries. The NMR shifts of hydrogen‐bonded protons in individual conformers of alkane‐1,n‐diols show a very rough correlation with the OH?OH distances. The computed overall NMR shifts for CH protons in 1,2‐ and 1,3‐diols are systematically high but correlate very well with the experimental values, with a gradient of 1.07 ± 0.01. Some values for nonequivalent methylene protons in 1,3‐diols are reversed, calculation giving enhanced values for the proton anti to the C? OH bonds. Errors in the NMR shifts computed for the OH protons of nonsymmetrical diols appear to be related to relative populations of conformers where one or other of the OH groups is the donor. Some results based on the second‐order Møller–Plesset approach, the Becke three‐parameter Lee‐Yang‐Parr method and on the IEFPCM solvation model implemented in Gaussian 03 are included. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tunable Reduction of 2,4,6‐Tri(4‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐Triazine: From Radical Anion to Diradical Dianion to Radical Metal–Organic Framework

The reduction of 2,4,6‐tri(4‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (TPT) with alkali metals resulted in four radical anion salts ( 1 , 2 , 4 and 5 ) and one diradical dianion salt ( 3 ). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy reveal that 1 contains the monoradical anion TPT^.? stacked in one‐dimensional (1D) with K⁺(18c6) and 2 can be viewed as a 1D magnetic chain of TPT^.?, while 4 and 5 form radical metal‐organic frameworks (RMOFs). 1D pore passages, with a diameter of 6.0 Å, containing solvent molecules were observed in 5 . Variable‐temperature EPR measurements show that 3 has an open‐shell singlet ground state that can be excited to a triplet state, consistent with theoretical calculation. The work suggests that the direct reduction approach could lead to the formation of RMOFs.     

The complex packing pattern of cis‐1,2‐dimethylcyclobutane‐1,2‐diol

cis‐1,2‐Dimethylcyclobutane‐1,2‐diol, C₆H₁₂O₂, crystallizes with five molecules in the asymmetric unit. Of these, two molecules are the building blocks of columns with a complex hydrogen‐bonding pattern in their hydrophilic core. The walls of the columns are formed by the lipophilic parts of the molecules. The remaining three molecules of the asymmetric unit build columns with a less complex hydrogen‐bonding system. In terms of co‐operativity, the most significant feature is the formation of homodromic rings of six hydroxy functions.     

Synthesis,characterization, X‐ray crystal structure and in vitro antitumour activity of sodium bis(2‐(3′,6′,9′‐trioxadecyl)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane‐1‐carboxylato)triphenylstannate

Sodium bis[2‐(3′,6′,9′‐trioxadecyl)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane‐1‐carboxylato]triphenylstannate, [(CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀‐9‐COO)₂SnPh₃]^? Na⁺, compound 1, was synthesized by the 1:1 condensation of triphenyltin(IV) hydroxide with 2‐(3′,6′,9′‐trioxadecyl)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane‐1‐carboxylic acid and crystallized in the presence of sodium bicarbonate. Its structure was determined by spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X‐ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of trigonal bipyramidal [Sn(Ph)₃(L)₂]^? anions and Na⁺ cations coordinated by oxygen atoms of polyoxaalkyl chains of different stannate anions, forming cation–anion chains elongated along the c axis. Compound 1 is significantly more active in vitro against seven tumour cell lines of human origin than 5‐fluorouracil, cis‐platin, carboplatin, and previously reported organotin carboranecarboxylates, but is less active than organotin polyoxaalkylcarboxylates. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

二（2-乙基己基）二硫代磷酸溶剂萃取铊的热动力学

在Tl₂SO₄＋Na₂SO₄＋二（2-乙基己基）二硫代磷酸＋n-C₈H₁₈＋水体系中， 测定了0.1－2.0 mol•kg^－1离子强度范围内Tl^＋ 的平衡摩尔浓度。水相中电解质Na₂SO₄ 控制溶液离子强度， 有机相中萃取剂取278.15 K至303.15 K范围内的恒定摩尔浓度。通过外推法和多项式近似得到了不同温度下的标准萃取常数K⁰，计算了萃取过程的热动力学量。     

Stereoselective Synthesis of cis,cis‐Configured Perhydroquinoxaline‐5‐Carbonitrile from Cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐ol

cis,cis‐Configured perhydroquinoxaline‐5‐carbonitrile 10 was synthesized stereoselectively by ditosylation of trans,cis‐2,3‐dihydroxycyclohexane‐1‐carbonitrile 4 and subsequent reaction with ethylenediamine. The diol precursor 4 was stereoselectively obtained by regioselective opening of the epoxide 3 with KCN in water avoiding hazardous Et₂AlCN.     

Facilitated Ion‐Transfer of Sodium Cation by (Anthraquinone‐1‐yloxy) methane‐15‐crown‐5 Across the Water/1,2‐Dichloroethane Microinterface

The transfer of sodium cation facilitated by (anthraquinone‐1‐yloxy) methane‐15‐crown‐5 (L) has been investigated at the water/1,2‐dichloroethane microinterface supported at the tip of a micropipette. The diffusion coefficient of (anthraquinone‐1‐yloxy) methane‐15‐crown‐5 obtained was (3.42±0.20)×10^?6 cm² s^?1. The steady‐state voltammograms were observed for forward and backward scans due to sodium ion transfer facilitated by L with 1 : 1 stoichiometry. The mechanism corresponded to an interfacial complexation (TIC) and interfacial dissociation (TID) process. The association constant was calculated to be log β_o=11.08±0.03 in the DCE phase. The association constant of other alkali metals (Li⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺) were also obtained.     

Oxidative and Photochemical Stability of Ionomers for Fuel‐Cell Membranes

To predict hydroxyl‐radical‐initiated degradation of new proton‐conducting polymer membranes based on sulfonated polyetherketones (PEK) and polysulfones (PSU), three nonfluorinated aromatics are chosen as model compounds for EPR experiments, aiming at the identification of products of HO^.‐radical reactions with these monomers. Photolysis of H₂O₂ was chosen as the source of HO^. radicals. To distinguish HO^.‐radical attack from direct photolysis of the monomers, experiments were carried out in the presence and absence of H₂O₂. A detailed investigation of the pH dependence was performed for 4,4′‐sulfonylbis[phenol] ( SBP ), bisphenol A (= 4,4′‐isopropylidenebis[phenol]; BPA ), and [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐diol ( BPD ). At pH ≥ pK_A of HO^. and H₂O₂, reactions between the model compounds and O₂^.? or ¹O₂ are the most probable ways to the phenoxy and ‘semiquinone’ radicals observed in this pH range in our EPR spectra. A large number of new radicals give evidence of multiple hydroxylation of the aromatic rings. Investigations at low pH are particularly relevant for understanding degradation in polymer‐electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). However, the chemistry depends strongly on pH, a fact that is highly significant in view of possible pH inhomogeneities in fuel cells at high currents. It is shown that also direct photolysis of the monomers leads to ‘semiquinone’‐type radicals. For SBP and BPA , this involves cleavage of a C? C bond.     

DPPH (= 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl = 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐(2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl) Radical‐Scavenging Reaction of Protocatechuic Acid Esters (= 3,4‐Dihydroxybenzoates) in Alcohols: Formation of Bis‐alcohol Adduct

Protocatechuic acid esters (= 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoates) scavenge ca. 5 equiv. of radical in alcoholic solvents, whereas they consume only 2 equiv. of radical in nonalcoholic solvents. While the high radical‐scavenging activity of protocatechuic acid esters in alcoholic solvents as compared to that in nonalcoholic solvents is due to a nucleophilic addition of an alcohol molecule at C(2) of an intermediate o‐quinone structure, thus regenerating a catechol (= benzene‐1,2‐diol) structure, it is still unclear why protocatechuic acid esters scavenge more than 4 equiv. of radical (C(2) refers to the protocatechuic acid numbering). Therefore, to elucidate the oxidation mechanism beyond the formation of the C(2) alcohol adduct, 3,4‐dihydroxy‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid methyl ester ( 4 ), the C(2) MeOH adduct, which is an oxidation product of methyl protocatechuate ( 1 ) in MeOH, was oxidized by the DPPH radical (= 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) or o‐chloranil (= 3,4,5,6‐tetrachlorocyclohexa‐3,5‐diene‐1,2‐dione) in CD₃OD/(D₆)acetone 3 : 1). The oxidation mixtures were directly analyzed by NMR. Oxidation with both the DPPH radical and o‐chloranil produced a C(2),C(6) bis‐methanol adduct ( 7 ), which could scavenge additional 2 equiv. of radical. Calculations of LUMO electron densities of o‐quinones corroborated the regioselective nucleophilic addition of alcohol molecules with o‐quinones. Our results strongly suggest that the regeneration of a catechol structure via a nucleophilic addition of an alcohol molecule with a o‐quinone is a key reaction for the high radical‐scavenging activity of protocatechuic acid esters in alcoholic solvents.