A Synthesis of (+)-Oblongolide

The absolute configuration of natural oblongolide is reassigned as (3aS,5aR,7S,9aS,9bS)-3a,5a,6,7,8,9,9a,9b-octahydro-7,9b-dimethylnaphtho[1,2-c]furan-1(3H)-one 2 by a 7-stage synthesis of its enantiomer 1 from (+)-citronellol involving a regioselective reduction and an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction (IMDA) as the key steps. (+)-Citronellol was converted into methyl (2E,4E,10E)-(S)-(+)-11-tert-butoxycarbonyl-7-methyl-undeca-2,4,10-trienoate 7 by sequential Lemieux-Johnson oxidation, Wittig reaction, pyridinium chlorochromate oxidation, and Wadsworth-Emmons-Homer alkenation. A regioselective reduction of the methoxycarbonyl group in 7 afforded tert-butyl (2.E,8E,10E)-(S)-(+)-2,6-dimethyl-12-hydroxy-dodeca-2,8,10-trienoate 8 from which (+)-oblongolide was readily obtained via an IMDA reaction.     

Electrochemical reactions of redox cofactors in Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center proteins in lipid films.

Cyclic voltammetry of thin films made from the lipid dimyristoylphosphatidyl choline and reaction centers from the purple bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides on pyrolytic graphite electrodes in bromide-free pH 8 buffers at 4 degrees C revealed an oxidation peak at 0.98 V and a reduction peak at -0.17 V vs. NHE. No reverse CV peaks were found, suggesting chemical irreversibility. The reduction peak disappeared for reaction centers depleted of quinones, suggesting that the peak represents reduction of this cofactor. The oxidation peak showed a catalytic current increase in the presence of small amounts of ferrous cytochrome c, and decreased by 85% when illuminated by visible light, suggesting assignment to the primary donor (P) cofactor. While oxidized primary donor P(+) is destroyed upon electrochemical formation in the film, reaction of ferrous cyt c with P(+) suggests its persistence in the films on the microsecond time scale.     

Electronic effect on protonated hydrogen-bonded imidazole trimer and corresponding derivatives cationized by alkali metals (Li(+), Na(+), and K(+))

The electronic effects on the protonated hydrogen-bonded imidazole trimer (Im)(3)H(+) and the derivatives cationized by alkali metals (Li(+), Na(+), and K(+)) are investigated using B3LYP method in conjunction with the 6-311+G( *) basis set. The prominent characteristics of (Im)(3)H(+) on reduction are the backflow of the transferred proton to its original fragment and the remoteness of the H atom from the attached side bare N atom. The proton transfer occurs on both reduction and oxidation for the corresponding hydrogen-bonded imidazole trimer. For the derivatives cationized by Li(+), (Im)(3)Li(+), the backflow of the transferred proton occurs on reduction. The electron detachment from respective highest occupied molecular orbital of (Im)(3)Na(+) and (Im)(3)K(+) causes the proton transferring from the fragment attached by the alkali metal cation to the middle one. The order of the adiabatic ionization potentials of (Im)(3)M(+) is (Im)(3)H(+)>(Im)(3)Li(+)>(Im)(3)Na(+)>(Im)(3)K(+); the order of (Im)(3)M indicates that (Im)(3)H is the easicst complex to be ionized. The polarity of (Im)(3)M(+) (M denotes H, Li, Na, and K) increases on both oxidation and reduction. The (Im)(3)M(+) complexes dissociate into (Im)(3) and M(+) except (Im)(3)H(+), which dissociates preferably into (Im)(3) (+) and H atom, while the neutral complexes [(Im)(3)M] dissociate into (Im)(3) and M. The stabilization energy of (Im)(3)Li(2+), (Im)(3)Na(2+), and (Im)(3)K(2+) indicate that their energies are higher as compared to those of the monomers.     

Direct synthesis of palladium porphyrins from acyldipyrromethanes

[reaction: see text] Palladium porphyrins are valuable photosensitizers and luminescent agents in biology and materials chemistry. New methodology is described wherein a 1-acyldipyrromethane is converted into the palladium chelate of a trans-A(2)B(2) porphyrin via a one-flask reaction. The reaction entails self-condensation of the 1-acyldipyrromethane in refluxing ethanol containing KOH (5-10 mol equiv) and Pd(CH(3)CN)(2)Cl(2) (0.6 mol equiv) exposed to air. This direct route to palladium porphyrins is more expedient than the four steps of the traditional synthesis: (1) reduction of the 1-acyldipyrromethane; (2) acid-catalyzed condensation; (3) oxidation of the porphyrinogen intermediate; and (4) metal insertion. The new synthesis requires neither acid nor DDQ and formally entails only a 2e(-) + 2H(+) oxidation overall versus the traditional multistep synthesis which requires a 2e(-) + 2H(+) reduction per each 1-acyldipyrromethane (4e(-) + 4H(+) overall) followed by a 6e(-) + 6H(+) oxidation. The analogous reaction of a 1,9-diacyldipyrromethane and a dipyrromethane also gives the palladium porphyrin. Seven palladium porphyrins have been prepared in yields of 25-57%. The direct route also can be used with Cu(OAc)(2).H(2)O to give the copper porphyrin albeit in low yield. In summary, this methodology readily affords palladium porphyrins directly from acyldipyrromethanes.     

Catalytic oxidation of H2 by N2O in the gas phase: O-atom transport with atomic metal cations

Twenty-five atomic cations, M (+), that lie within the thermodynamic window for O-atom transport catalysis of the oxidation of hydrogen by nitrous oxide, have been checked for catalytic activity at room temperature with kinetic measurements using an inductively-coupled plasma/selected-ion flow tube (ICP/SIFT) tandem mass spectrometer. Only 4 of these 25 atomic cations were seen to be catalytic: Fe (+), Os (+), Ir (+), and Pt (+). Two of these, Ir (+) and Pt (+), are efficient catalysts, while Fe (+) and Os (+) are not. Eighteen atomic cations (Cr (+), Mn (+), Co (+), Ni (+), Cu (+), Ge (+), Se (+), Mo (+), Ru (+), Rh (+), Sn (+), Te (+), Re (+), Pb (+), Bi (+), Eu (+), Tm (+), and Yb (+)) react too slowly at room temperature either in their oxidation with N 2O to form MO (+) or in the reduction of MO (+) by H 2. Many of these reactions are known to be spin forbidden and a few actually may lie outside the thermodynamic window. Three alkaline-earth metal monoxide cations, CaO (+), SrO (+), and BaO (+), were observed to favor MOH (+) formation in their reactions with H 2. A potential-energy landscape is computed for the oxidation of H 2 with N 2O catalyzed by Fe (+)( (6)D) that vividly illustrates the operation of an ionic catalyst and qualitatively accounts for the relative inefficiency of this catalyst.     

内吸性杀菌剂三唑醇(酮)立体异构体的研究(Ⅱ)

确定了拆分三唑醇A、B两非对称异构体所形成的非对映中间体的结构,并得到100%光学纯的三唑醇右旋A体。经X-射线法等确定其绝对构型为(+)1R,2s,由Jones氧化反应得到100%光学纯的三唑酮右旋体,利用格氏氢转移反应对右旋三唑酮进行不对称还原得三唑醇的不同光学异构体。对小麦叶锈病的生物活性测定表明三唑醇中(-)-A-1S,2R的生物活性最高;三唑酮中,左右旋体的活性相当。     

One-step versus stepwise mechanism in protonated amino acid-promoted electron-transfer reduction of a quinone by electron donors and two-electron reduction by a dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide analogue. Interplay between electron transfer and hydrogen bonding

Semiquinone radical anion of 1-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-2,5-benzoquinone (TolSQ(*-)) forms a strong hydrogen bond with protonated histidine (TolSQ(*-)/His x 2 H(+)), which was successfully detected by electron spin resonance. Strong hydrogen bonding between TolSQ(*-) and His x 2 H(+) results in acceleration of electron transfer (ET) from ferrocenes [R2Fc, R = C5H5, C5H4(n-Bu), C5H4Me] to TolSQ, when the one-electron reduction potential of TolSQ is largely shifted to the positive direction in the presence of His x 2 H(+). The rates of His x 2 H(+)-promoted ET from R2Fc to TolSQ exhibit deuterium kinetic isotope effects due to partial dissociation of the N-H bond in His x 2 H(+) at the transition state, when His x 2 H(+) is replaced by the deuterated compound (His x 2 D(+)-d6). The observed deuterium kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD) decreases continuously with increasing the driving force of ET to approach kH/kD = 1.0. On the other hand, His x 2 H(+) also promotes a hydride reduction of TolSQ by an NADH analogue, 9,10-dihydro-10-methylacridine (AcrH2). The hydride reduction proceeds via the one-step hydride-transfer pathway. In such a case, a large deuterium kinetic isotope effect is observed in the rate of the hydride transfer, when AcrH2 is replaced by the dideuterated compound (AcrD2). In sharp contrast to this, no deuterium kinetic isotope effect is observed, when His x 2 H(+) is replaced by His x 2 D(+)-d6. On the other hand, direct protonation of TolSQ and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ) also results in efficient reductions of TolSQH(+) and PQH(+) by AcrH2, respectively. In this case, however, the hydride-transfer reactions occur via the ET pathway, that is, ET from AcrH2 to TolSQH(+) and PQH(+) occurs in preference to direct hydride transfer from AcrH2 to TolSQH(+) and PQH(+), respectively. The AcrH2(*+) produced by the ET oxidation of AcrH2 by TolSQH(+) and PQH(+) was directly detected by using a stopped-flow technique.     

Integrated, electrically contacted NAD(P)+-dependent enzyme-carbon nanotube electrodes for biosensors and biofuel cell applications

Integrated, electrically contacted beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide- (NAD(+)) or beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate- (NADP(+)) dependent enzyme electrodes were prepared on single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) supports. The SWCNTs were functionalized with Nile Blue (1), and the cofactors NADP(+) and NAD(+) were linked to 1 through a phenyl boronic acid ligand. The affinity complexes of glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) with the NADP(+) cofactor or alcohol dehydrogenase (AlcDH) with the NAD(+) cofactor were crosslinked with glutaric dialdehyde and the biomolecule-functionalized SWCNT materials were deposited on glassy carbon electrodes. The integrated enzyme electrodes revealed bioelectrocatalytic activities, and they acted as amperometric electrodes for the analysis of glucose or ethanol. The bioelectrocatalytic response of the systems originated from the biocatalyzed oxidation of the respective substrates by the enzyme with the concomitant generation of NAD(P)H cofactors. The electrocatalytically mediated oxidation of NAD(P)H by 1 led to amperometric responses in the system. Similarly, an electrically contacted bilirubin oxidase (BOD)-SWCNT electrode was prepared by the deposition of BOD onto the SWCNTs and the subsequent crosslinking of the BOD units using glutaric dialdehyde. The BOD-SWCNT electrode revealed bioelectrocatalytic functions for the reduction of O(2) to H(2)O. The different electrically contacted SWCNT-based enzyme electrodes were used to construct biofuel cell elements. The electrically contacted GDH-SWCNT electrode was used as the anode for the oxidation of the glucose fuel in conjunction with the BOD-SWCNT electrode in the presence of O(2), which acted as an oxidizer in the system. The power output of the cell was 23 muW cm(-2). Similarly, the AlcDH-SWCNT electrode was used as the anode for the oxidation of ethanol, which was acting as the fuel, with the BOD-SWCNT electrode as the cathode for the reduction of O(2). The power output of the system was 48 microW cm(-2).     

On the gas-phase Co(+)-mediated oxidation of ethane by N2O: a mechanistic study

The potential energy surface (PES) corresponding to the Co(+)-mediated oxidation of ethane by N(2)O has been investigated by using density functional theory (DFT). After initial N(2)O reduction by Co(+) to CoO(+), ethane oxidation by the nascent oxide involves C-H activation followed by two possible pathways, i.e., C-O coupling accounting for ethanol, Co(+)-mediated β-H shift giving the energetically favorable product of CoC(2)H(4)(+) + H(2)O, with minor CoOH(2)(+) + C(2)H(4). CoC(2)H(4)(+) could react with another N(2)O to yield (C(2)H(4))Co(+)O, which could subsequently undergo a cyclization mechanism accounting for acetaldehyde and oxirane and/or a direct H-abstraction mechansim for ethenol. Loss of oxirane and ethenol is hampered by respective endothermicity and high kinetics barrier, whereas acetaldehyde elimination is much energetically favorable. CoOH(2)(+) could facilely react with N(2)O to form OCoOH(2)(+), rather than Co(OH)(2)(+) or CoO(+).     

Orchestration of concurrent oxidation and reduction cycles for stereoinversion and deracemisation of sec-alcohols

Black and white are opposites as are oxidation and reduction. Performing an oxidation, for example, of a sec-alcohol and a reduction of the corresponding ketone in the same vessel without separation of the reagents seems to be an impossible task. Here we show that oxidative cofactor recycling of NADP (+) and reductive regeneration of NADH can be performed simultaneously in the same compartment without significant interference. Regeneration cycles can be run in opposing directions beside each other enabling one-pot transformation of racemic alcohols to one enantiomer via concurrent enantioselective oxidation and asymmetric reduction employing defined alcohol dehydrogenases with opposite stereo- and cofactor-preference. Thus, by careful selection of appropriate enzymes, NADH recycling can be performed in the presence of NADP (+) recycling to achieve overall, for example, deracemisation of sec-alcohols or stereoinversion representing a possible concept for a "green" equivalent to the chemical-intensive Mitsunobu inversion.     

Determination of the structural features of a long-lived electron-transfer state of 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion

Extensive efforts have been devoted to developing electron donor-acceptor systems that mimic the utilization of solar energy that occurs in photosynthesis. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows how absorbed photon energy is stabilized in those compounds by structural changes upon photoinduced electron transfer (ET). In this study, structural changes of a simple electron donor-acceptor dyad, 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium cation (Acr(+)-Mes), upon photoinduced ET were directly observed by laser pump and X-ray probe crystallographic analysis. The N-methyl group in Acr(+) was bent, and a weak electrostatic interaction between Mes and a counteranion in the crystal (ClO(4)) was generated by photoinduced ET. These structural changes correspond to reduction and oxidation due to photoinduced ET and directly elucidate the mechanism in Acr(+)-Mes for mimicking photosynthesis efficiently.     

"Inverse sodium hydride": a crystalline salt that contains H(+) and Na(-)

A crystalline salt has been synthesized that contains H(+) and Na(-) rather than the usual hydride oxidation states of H(-) and Na(+). The key is irreversible encapsulation of H(+) within the cage of 3(6)adamanzane (Adz). The internal proton is kinetically inert to reduction by Na(-) in solution in NH(3)-MeNH(2) mixtures. Synthesis of the sodide is accomplished by a metathesis reaction between Na and AdzH(+)X(-) in which X(-) is a sacrificial anion such as glycolate, isethionate, or nitrate. Reduction or deprotonation of the sacrificial anion forms insoluble byproducts and AdzH(+)Na(-) in solution. After solvent removal, the sodide is dissolved in dimethyl ether and transferred through a frit into a separate chamber for crystallization. The compound was characterized as the sodide by analysis, NMR spectra, and optical absorption spectroscopy.     

Platinum nanoparticles have an activity similar to mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase

This study was designed to examine if platinum nanoparticles have an activity similar to mitochondrial complex I, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase. Platinum nanoparticles were prepared by a citrate reduction of H(2)PtCl(6) and protected by citrate itself and pectin (CP-Pt). Time- and dose-dependent decreases in NADH and a time-dependent increase in NAD(+) were observed in the presence of 50muM CP-Pt; these observations were made using a spectrophotometric method in which the maximum absorption spectra at 340 and 260nm were used for NADH and NAD(+), respectively. The required platinum concentration in CP-Pt to achieve a 50% oxidation of NADH for 3h was approximately 20muM, and this NADH oxidation did not require oxygen as an electron acceptor. We also verified NAD(+) formation using an NAD(+)/NADH quantification kit. The absorption peak shift from 278 to 284nm of 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (CoQ(1)) was observed by incubating CoQ(1) with CP-Pt in an aqueous buffer. A further analysis with HPLC revealed the reduction of CoQ(1) to CoQ(1)H(2) by CP-Pt. As a whole, platinum nanoparticles have an NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase-like activity. This suggests that platinum nanoparticles are a potential medicinal substance for oxidative stress diseases with suppressed mitochondrial complex I.     

Effect of Ti3+ on TiO2-supported Cu catalysts used for CO oxidation

In this paper, we have shown that Cu/TiO(2) catalysts are highly active in CO oxidation. For instance, a 3.4% Cu/TiO(2) catalyst exhibits a higher turnover rate for the effective removal of CO in air than 3-5% Pt/TiO(2) and 20% Cu/ZnO/Al(2)O(3) catalysts. A small amount of Cu(+) species is formed during the calcination treatment at 225 °C, which is the main active phase for the CO oxidation. However, it is proposed that some highly dispersed CuO can also form in the TiO(2) lattice during the calcination treatment. Furthermore, a strong electron interaction between Cu(2+) in highly dispersed CuO and Ti(3+) on rutile TiO(2) (Cu(2+)+Ti(3+)→Cu(+)+Ti(4+)) has been shown to occur. Overall, the reduction of Cu(+) is a major factor that contributes to the reaction rate of the CO oxidation.     

Gold nanoparticles deposited on SiO2/Si100: correlation between size,electron structure,and activity in CO oxidation

Nanosize gold particles were prepared by Ar(+) ion implantation of 10-nm thick gold film deposited onto a SiO(2)/Si(100) wafer possessing no catalytic activity in the CO oxidation. Along with size reduction the valence band of the gold particles and the actual size were determined by ultraviolet- and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS, XPS) and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The catalytic activity was determined in the CO oxidation. Energy distribution of the photoelectrons excited from 5d valence band of gold was strongly affected by Ar(+) implantation. This variation was interpreted by the redistribution of the valence band density of states (DOS). The intrinsic catalytic activity of the gold particles increased with decreasing size. When an Au/FeO(x) interface was created by FeO(x) deposition on large gold nanoparticles, a significant increase in the rate of the CO oxidation was observed. These data can be regarded as an experimental verification of the correlation between the catalytic activity and valence band density of states of gold.     

Short and Divergent Total Synthesis of (+)‐Machaeriol B, (+)‐Machaeriol D, (+)‐Δ8‐THC,and Analogues

Short and highly efficient stereoselective syntheses provide machaeriols and cannabinoids in a divergent approach starting from a common precursor, commercially available (S)‐perillic acid. Key features of the novel strategy are a stereospecific palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative arylation and a one‐pot sequence comprising a stereoselective hydroboration followed by oxidation or reduction of the corresponding intermediary boranes. The divergent approach is convincingly demonstrated by the five‐step syntheses of (+)‐machaeriol B, (+)‐machaeriol D, and related analogues, and the four‐step synthesis of (+)‐Δ⁸‐THC and an analogue.     

Oxidatively induced reactivity of [Fe2(CO)4(κ2-dppe)(μ-pdt)]: an electrochemical and theoretical study of the structure change and ligand binding processes

The one-electron oxidation of the diiron complex [Fe(2)(CO)(4)(κ(2)-dppe)(μ-pdt)] (1) (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2); pdt = S(CH(2))(3)S) has been investigated in the absence and in the presence of P(OMe)(3), by both electrochemical and theoretical methods, to shed light on the mechanism and the location of the oxidatively induced structure change. While cyclic voltammetric experiments did not allow to discriminate between a two-step (EC) and a concerted, quasi-reversible (QR) process, density functional theory (DFT) calculations favor the first option. When P(OMe)(3) is present, the one-electron oxidation produces singly and doubly substituted cations, [Fe(2)(CO)(4-n){P(OMe)(3)}(n)(κ(2)-dppe)(μ-pdt)](+) (n = 1: 2(+); n = 2: 3(+)) following mechanisms that were investigated in detail by DFT. Although the most stable isomer of 1(+) and 2(+) (and 3(+)) show a rotated Fe(dppe) center, binding of P(OMe)(3) occurs at the neighboring iron center of both 1(+) and 2(+). The neutral compound 3 was obtained by controlled-potential reduction of the corresponding cation, while 2 was quantitatively produced by reaction of 3 with CO. The CO dependent conversion of 3 into 2 as well as the 2(+) ? 3(+) interconversion were examined by DFT.     

Effects of a proximal base on water oxidation and proton reduction catalyzed by geometric isomers of [Ru(tpy)(pynap)(OH2)]2+

Basic difference: The importance of a pendent base in promoting proton-coupled electron-transfer reactions with low activation barriers has been discussed for H(+) reduction or H(2) oxidation in acetonitrile. Investigation of the interaction between a base positioned in the second coordination sphere of a complex and a water ligand in water oxidation reactions using geometric isomers of [Ru(tpy)(pynap)(OH(2))](2+) (see picture) gave intriguing results.     

Role of base in the formation of silver nanoparticles synthesized using sodium acrylate as a dual reducing and encapsulating agent

The formation mechanism of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized with a wet-chemical reduction method using sodium acrylate as a dual reducing and capping agent was investigated with various analytical techniques. The time course of the state of the reaction solution was investigated using UV-vis and XAFS spectroscopies which showed that the NP formation rate increased with increasing concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The detailed kinetic analyses reveal that both the reduction rate of Ag ions and the nucleation rate of Ag NPs are dramatically increased with increasing NaOH concentration. XANES analyses imply that another reaction pathway via alternative Ag(+) species, such as Ag(OH)(x), was developed in the presence of NaOH. Consequently, NaOH is found to play an important role not only in creating specific intermediates in the reduction of Ag(+) to Ag(0), but also in accelerating the reduction and nucleation rates by enhancing the oxidation of sodium acrylate, thereby increasing the rate of formation of the Ag NPs.     

Short syntheses of (+)-ferruginol from (+)-dehydroabietylamine

Short syntheses of bioactive (+)-ferruginol in five or six synthetic steps starting from commercially available (+)-dehydroabietylamine are described. The oxygenated function at C12 was introduced via a Friedel-Crafts acylation of N-phthaloyldehydroabietylamine followed by Baeyer-Villiger oxidation. Then, overall deprotection of functional groups, reductive deamination or biomimetic oxidative deamination, and final Wolff-Kishner reduction provided (+)-ferruginol in 21 and 23% overall yields, respectively.