Stereoselective total synthesis of achaetolide and reconfirmation of its absolute configuration

The stereoselective total synthesis of achaetolide 1 has been achieved and its absolute stereochemistry has been reconfirmed to be 3S,6R,7S,9R configuration. Keck allylation, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, and ring closing metathesis are the key steps involved in the target synthesis.     

Conversion of l-rhamnose into ten of the sixteen 1- and 6-deoxyketohexoses in water with three reagents: d-tagatose-3-epimerase equilibrates C3 epimers of deoxyketoses

The efficient isomerization of l-rhamnose [the only cheaply available deoxy hexose] to 1-deoxy-l-psicose, 1-deoxy-d-psicose, 1-deoxy-l-fructose, 1-deoxy-d-fructose, 1-deoxy-l-tagatose, 6-deoxy-l-psicose, 6-deoxy-d-psicose, 6-deoxy-l-fructose, 6-deoxy-d-fructose, and 6-deoxy-l-tagatose is described. The conversion of rhamnose to ten of the sixteen 1- and 6-deoxyketohexoses is accomplished in water in three steps. The range of substrates for d-tagatose-3-epimerase (DTE) is extended to 1- and 6-deoxyketoses. An authentic sample of 6-deoxy-d-psicose is prepared from d-psicose.     

Palladium catalyzed synthesis of quinazolino [1,4] benzodiazepine alkaloids and analogous

A concise synthesis of enantiopure quinazolino [1,4] benzodiazepine was accomplished by palladium-catalyzed N-arylation of amidines with o-bromobenzoates followed by intra molecular cyclization. The strategy was successfully applied to the total synthesis of pyrrolo quinazolino [1,4] benzodiazepine alkaloids such as circumdatin H, J and other analogues.     

Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of 1,3,5-polyols by means of iterative asymmetric epoxidation: their application to the total synthesis of polyrhacitide A

We have developed a pragmatic route to the stereogenic skipped 1,3,5-polyols. The strategic transformation includes an organocatalytic enantioselective asymmetric epoxidation, which is either syn- or anti-selective as genesis of chirality and successive S_N2 opening reaction by an appropriate functionalized nucleophile, followed by hydroboration/oxidation to generate stereoisomers in good yield. The critical intermediate generated en route to this process is employed in the total synthesis of polyrhacitide A.     

Multiple topologies from glycopolypeptide-dendron conjugate self-assembly: nanorods, micelles, and organogels

Glycopolypeptides (GPs) were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of glycosylated N-carboxyanhydride monomer and attached to hydrophobic dendrons at one chain end by "click" reaction to obtain amphiphilic anisotropic macromolecules. We show that by varying polypeptide chain length and dendron generation, an organogel was obtained in dimethylsulfoxide, while nanorods and micellar aggregates were observed in aqueous solutions. Assemblies in water were characterized by electron microscopy and dye encapsulation. Secondary structure of the GP chain was shown to affect the morphology, whereas the chain length of the poly(ethylene glycol) linker between the GP and dendron did not alter rod-like assemblies. Bioactive surface chemistry of these assemblies displaying carbohydrate groups was demonstrated by interaction of mannose-functionalized nanorods with ConA.     

Apical versus equatorial disposition of substituents in tetraoxyphosphoranes bearing a 1,3,2-dioxaphosphocin ring: implications on apicophilicity in trigonal bipyramidal phosphorus

New spirocyclic (amino/amido)tetraoxyphosphoranes CH(2)(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C(6)H(2)O)(2)P(NRR')(O(2)C(6)Cl(4)) [R = Me, R' = Ph (1), R = R' = i-Pr (2); R = R' = H (3); R = H, R' = Ph (4)] and the isothiocyanatotetraoxyphosphorane CH(2)(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C(6)H(2)O)(2)P(NCS)(O(2)C(6)Cl(4)) (5) have been synthesized. X-ray crystallography for these compounds reveals that -N(Me)Ph, -N(i-Pr)(2), and -NCS groups occupy an apical position whereas -NH(2) and -NHPh groups occupy an equatorial position in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry around phosphorus. These results are in contrast with the common assumption that a sterically bulky and less electronegative substituent [e.g. -N(i-Pr)(2)] should be less apicophilic than a sterically small and more electronegative substituent (e.g. -NH(2)). The possible rationalization for these results is discussed. Variable-temperature ((1)H, (31)P) NMR spectra of these compounds show some unusual features not reported before for pentacoordinate phosphorus. Probable intramolecular processes involving (i) apical-equatorial <--> equatorial-apical exchange, (ii) apical-equatorial <--> equatorial-equatorial exchange, and (iii) boat-chair <--> tub (for the eight-membered ring) interconversion as well as cessation of the P-N bond rotation have been invoked to explain the spectral features.     

Addition products of a P(III)-isothiocyanate to dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates: a spirocyclic phosphinimine and a triphosphorus heterocycle with tetra- and penta-coordinate phosphorus

Treatment of the P(III) isothiocyanate CH2[6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O]2PNCS (1) with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) or diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DEAD) yields the spirocyclic phosphinimines CH2[6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O]2P[NC(S)C(CO2R)C(CO2R)][R=Me (2), Et (3)], in a reaction unlike those of organic isocyanates. From the reaction of 1 with DEAD, a second product, the triphosphorus compound 5, with the composition [2x1+3] but with a completely reorganized structure {CH2[6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O]2P=C(CO2Et)C(CO2Et)=CN-}{CH2[6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O]2P(NCS)}-SC=N-P(S)[(OC6H2-6-t-Bu-4-Me)2CH2] with tetra- and penta-coordinate phosphorus, is also isolated. Structure and reactivity of these compounds are discussed. Addition of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol to 2 or 3 leads to the pentacoordinate phosphorus compounds [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2P(OCH2CF3){C(CO2R)C(CO2R)-C(S)-NH-}][R=Me (6), Et (7)]. The phosphonate [CH2(6-t-Bu-4-Me-C6H2O)2P(O)C(CO2Et)=C(CO2Et)-C(S)-NH2] (8) is obtained by evaporating a solution of 7 in open air.     

Light‐Triggered,Spatially Localized Chemistry by Photoinduced Electron Transfer

It is of immense interest to exert spatial and temporal control of chemical reactions. It is now demonstrated that irradiation can trigger reactions specifically at the surface of a simple colloidal construct, obtained by adsorbing polyethyleneimine on fluorescent colloidal particles. Exciting the fluorescent dye in the colloid affords photoinduced electron transfer to spatially proximal amine groups on the adsorbed polymer to form free radical ions. It is demonstrated that these can be harnessed to polymerize acrylic acid monomer at the particle surface, or to break up colloidal assemblies by cleaving a cross‐linked polymer mesh. Formation of free radical ions is not a function of the size of the colloid, neither is it restricted to a specific fluorophore. Fluorophores with redox potentials that allow photoinduced electron transfer with amine groups show formation of free radical ions.     

Layered inorganic-organic clay-like nanocomposites rearrange to form silsesquioxanes on acid treatment

The formation of talc-like compounds by the condensation of organotrialkoxy silanes with magnesium hydroxide has been recently reported. These represent layered hybrid nanomaterials that have a layer thickness of around 1 nm, have organic moieties covalently linked to the layer surfaces, and are called "organoclays." We show that such compounds are sensitive to acid treatment. When a phenylclay is treated with hydrochloric acid, magnesium leaches out, destroying the layered structure. The extent to which magnesium is leached out is a function of the time of the acid treatment and the concentration of the acid used. Magnesium leaches out rapidly when the concentration of acid used to treat the phenyl-clay is higher, and the extent of structural magnesium that is leached out is also higher for higher acid concentrations. Removal of the magnesium rearranges the structure of the phenyl-clay to form oligomeric phenylsilsesquioxanes. FTIR and NMR suggest that the silsesquioxanes formed by acid treatment of the phenyl-clay comprise a mixture of ladderlike and cagelike structures.