Preparation and characterization of a poly(vinylbenzyl sulfonic acid)‐grafted FEP membrane

In this study, a novel polymer electrolyte membrane, poly(vinylbenzyl sulfonic acid)‐grafted poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (FEP‐g‐PVBSA), has been successfully prepared by simultaneous irradiation grafting of vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) monomer onto a FEP film and taking subsequent chemical modification steps to modify the benzyl chloride moiety to the benzyl sulfonic acid moiety. The chemical reactions for the sulfonation were carried out via the formation of thiouronium salt with thiourea, base‐catalyzed hydrolysis for the formation of thiol, and oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. Each chemical conversion process was confirmed by FTIR, elemental analysis, and SEM‐EDX. A chemical stability study performed with Fenton's reagent (3% H₂O₂ solution containing 4 ppm of Fe²⁺) at 70 °C revealed that FEP‐g‐PVBSA has a higher chemical stability than the poly(styrene sulfonic acid)‐grafted membranes (FEP‐g‐PSSA). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 563–569, 2010     

GENETIC AND MOLECULAR ANALYSES OF UV RADIATION-INDUCED MUTATIONS IN THE FEM-3 GENE OF CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS

The utility of a new target gene (fem-3) is described for investigating the molecular nature of mutagenesis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. As a principal attribute, this system allows for the selection, maintenance and molecular analysis of any type of mutation that disrupts the gene, including deletions. In this study, 86 mutant strains were isolated, of which 79 proved to have mutations in fem-3. Twenty of these originally tested as homozygous inviable. Homozygous inviability was expected, as Stewart and coworkers had previously observed that, unlike in other organisms, most UV radiation-induced mutations in C. elegans are chromosomal rearrangements of deficiencies (Mutat. Res. 249 , 37–54, 1991). However, additional data, including Southern blot analyses on 48 of the strains, indicated that most of the UV radiation-induced fem-3 mutations were not deficiencies, as originally inferred from their homozygous inviability. Instead, the lethals were most likely “coincident mutations” in linked, essential genes that were concomitantly induced. As such, they were lost owing to genetic recombination during stock maintenance. As in mammalian cells, yeast and bacteria, the frequency of coincident mutations was much higher than would be predicted by chance.     

CH Oxidation of Ingenanes Enables Potent and Selective Protein Kinase C Isoform Activation

Ingenol derivatives with varying degrees of oxidation were prepared by two‐phase terpene synthesis. This strategy has allowed access to analogues that cannot be prepared by semisynthesis from natural ingenol. Complex ingenanes resulting from divergent C? H oxidation of a common intermediate were found to interact with protein kinase C in a manner that correlates well with the oxidation state of the ingenane core. Even though previous work on ingenanes has suggested a strong correlation between potential to activate PKCδ and induction of neutrophil oxidative burst, the current study shows that the potential to activate PKCβII is of key importance while interaction with PKCδ is dispensable. Thus, key modifications of the ingenane core allowed PKC isoform selectivity wherein PKCδ‐driven activation of keratinocytes is strongly reduced or even absent while PKCβII‐driven activation of neutrophils is retained.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Barton Decarboxylation and Giese Reactions: A Practical Take on Classic Transforms

Two named reactions of fundamental importance and paramount utility in organic synthesis have been reinvestigated, the Barton decarboxylation and Giese radical conjugate addition. N ‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) based redox‐active esters were found to be convenient starting materials for simple, thermal, Ni‐catalyzed radical formation and subsequent trapping with either a hydrogen atom source (PhSiH₃) or an electron‐deficient olefin. These reactions feature operational simplicity, inexpensive reagents, and enhanced scope as evidenced by examples in the realm of peptide chemistry.     

C-H functionalization logic in total synthesis

In this critical review, the strategic and economic benefits of C-H functionalization logic will be analyzed through the critical lens of total synthesis. In order to illustrate the dramatically simplifying effects this type of logic can potentially have on synthetic planning, we take the reader through a series of case studies in which it has already been successfully applied. In the first section, a chronological look at key historical syntheses will be examined, leading into modern day examples. In the second section, our own experience with applying and executing synthesis with a C-H functionalization "mindset" will be discussed (114 references).     

Practical C-H functionalization of quinones with boronic acids

A direct functionalization of a variety of quinones with several boronic acids has been developed. This scalable reaction proceeds readily at room temperature in an open flask using inexpensive reagents: catalytic silver(I) nitrate in the presence of a persulfate co-oxidant. The scope with respect to quinones is broad, with a variety of alkyl- and arylboronic acids undergoing efficient cross-coupling. The mechanism is presumed to proceed through a nucleophilic radical addition to the quinone with in situ reoxidation of the resulting dihydroquinone. This method has been applied to complex substrates, including a steroid derivative and a farnesyl natural product.     

Preparation of ethyl 2-aryl 2,3-alkadienoates via palladium-catalyzed selective cross-coupling reactions

Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl iodides containing not only an electron-donating group but also an electron-withdrawing group on the aryl ring with organoindium reagents generated in situ from indium and ethyl 4-bromo-2-alkynoates produced selectively ethyl 2-aryl-2,3-alkadienoates in good yield.