Electroreductive intramolecular coupling of aromatic beta- and gamma-imino esters: a new synthetic method for N-alkoxycarbonyl-2-aryl-3-ones and cis-2-aryl-3-ols of pyrrolidines and piperidines

The electroreduction of aromatic beta- and gamma-imino esters prepared from beta-alanine and GABA in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane and subsequent N-alkoxycarbonylation of the resulting five- and six-membered cyclized amines gave mixed ketals of N-alkoxycarbonyl-2-arylpyrrolidin-3-ones and 2-arylpiperidin-3-ones, respectively. The best result of the electroreductive intramolecular coupling was achieved using Bu(4)NClO(4) as a supporting electrolyte and a Pb cathode in THF. Acid hydrolysis of the mixed ketals afforded N-alkoxycarbonyl-2-arylpyrrolidin-3-ones and 2-arylpiperidin-3-ones in good yields. The reduction of these ketones with NaBH(4) in methanol afforded the corresponding N-alkoxycarbonyl-cis-2-arylpyrrolidin-3-ols and cis-2-arylpiperidin-3-ols diastereospecifically.     

Regioselective synthesis of dihydrofurans from 2,2-dibromo-1,3-diketone and olefin using copper

2,2-Dibromo-1,3-diketones reacted with copper powder and olefin to give 4,5-dihydrofuran derivatives in a highly regioselective fashion.     

Crystal and molecular structure of iso-grayanotoxin II

The crystal and molecular structure of a grayanotoxin derivative, iso-grayanotoxin II, is presented. The crystal is orthorhombic, space group . The molecule is based on a tetracyclic structure consisting of two five-membered, one six-membered, and one seven-membered rings with various conformations.     

Topological bonding formation between an ultra‐high molecular weight linear polymer and a prepolymer at an early stage of free‐radical crosslinking polymerization

The free‐radical crosslinking polymerization of diallyl adipate (DAA) was carried out in the presence of poly(benzyl methacrylate) (poly(BzMA)) as a chemically inactive polymer in order to clarify the topological bonding formation between linear polymer and prepolymer before gelation; we found by chance that even at an early stage of the polymerization, the topological bonding was formed between ultra‐high molecular weight poly(BzMA) and poly(DAA) prepolymer.     

Preparation of amphotropic liquid crystalline poly(alkoxycarbonylphenylene)s

Poly(alkoxycarbonylphenylene)s with long alkoxy groups were prepared by dehalogenative polycondensation of alkyl dichlorobenzoates with nickel bromide/zinc/triphenylphosphine catalyst. The poly(alkoxycarbonyl‐p‐phenylene)s and poly(alkyloxycarbonyl‐m‐phenylene)s are liquid crystalline, although the latter are composed wholly of kinked repeating units. While poly(hexyloxycarbonylphenylene)s exhibit only thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior, poly(dodecyloxycarbonylphenylene)s and poly(hexadecyloxycarbonylphenylene)s show amphotropism.     

Construction of Trinervitane and Kempane Skeletons Based on Biogenetical Routes

Based on the putative biogenesis of trinervitane‐ and kempane‐type diterpenes (Scheme 1), a biogenetic‐type transformation was simulated by cyclization of 7,16‐secotrinervita‐7,11,15‐triene‐2α,3α,17‐triol ( 23 ) and of its 17‐chloro derivative 30 . The requisite substrates were prepared from geranylgeranoic acid chloride 6 (Schemes 2, 4, and 5). Treatment of 30 with AgClO₄ at −20° provided the trinervitantrienediols 32 and 33 in 68 and 5% yields, while kempadienediol 35 was obtained in 50% yield by the same reagent at +20° (Scheme 7). The structures of the cyclization products were elaborated from detailed inspection of NMR spectra including H,H COSY, C,H COSY, and NOESY (Tables 1 and 2). The conformation of 30 and its plausible cyclization intermediate was discussed with the help of physical evidence, including X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Supported Noble Metal Catalysts and Adsorbents with Soft Lewis Acid Functions

Heterogeneous noble metal catalysts exhibit various functions. Although their redox functions have been extensively studied, we focused on their soft Lewis acid functions. Supported Au, Pt, and Pd catalysts electrophilically attack the π-electrons of soft bases such as alkynes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds to perform addition and substitution reactions. Hydroamination, intramolecular cyclization of alkynyl carboxylic acids, isomerization of allylic esters, vinyl exchange reactions, Wacker oxidation, and oxidative homocoupling of aromatics are introduced based on a discussion of the active species and reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, the adsorption of sulfur compounds, which are soft bases, onto the supported AuNPs is discussed. The adsorption and removal of 1,3-dimethyltrisulfane (DMTS), which is the compound responsible for the stale odor of “hine-ka” in alcoholic beverages, particularly Japanese sake, is described.