Syntheses of Theaspirone and Vitispirane via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Oxaspirocyclization

Total syntheses of theaspirone (A and B) and vitispirane (A and B) are described. The key step in the syntheses is the palladium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular oxaspirocyclization of diene alcohol 4 to either vitispirane or the allylic alcohol 9. The outcome of the oxaspirocyclization is very much dependent on the solvent employed. In water-acetic acid (4:1) a 1:1 mixture of the diastereomeric alcohols 9A and 9B was exclusively formed. In water with 8 equiv of a strong non-nucleophilic acid, vitispiranes A and B (1:1) were obtained. An alternative procedure to obtain vitispirane with the use of LiCl and K(2)CO(3) is described. In the latter reaction vitispirane B is formed preferentially. This result is explained by an equilibrium between the two possible pi-allyl complexes 5A and 5B, the kinetically favored 5B being transformed into vitispirane 3B before isomerization to 5A occurs.     

Comparative dielectric and thermotropic properties of liquid crystalline polyesters as a function of mesogen group and flexible thioether group length

Two polyesters containing rigid biphenyl and hydroquinone bisbenzoate groups and presenting flexible thioether moieties with different lengths (14 elements in the flexible group) have been carried out using a reaction of the Michaël type. The properties of these polyesters have been compared to those of polyesters of the same type presenting shorter flexible groups (11 elements). All these polymers present thermotropic properties: the biphenyl ones are smectic and the bisbenzoate ones are nematic. The biphenyl polyesters present two types of dielectric relaxations: α and β. The bisbenzoate ones show three relaxations, α and two β (β and β^′). The lengthening of the flexible group increases significantly the flexibility of the molecular chains.     

2,8'-disubstituted-1,1'-binaphthyls: a new pattern in chiral ligands

The title binaphthyls 19 and 26, which are the positional isomers of 2-methoxy-2'-(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (MOP, 19) and 2-amino-2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (NOBIN, 26), have been synthesized by Suzuki coupling as the key step (10 + 15-->18), followed by functional group transformations, involving C-P and C-N bond formation (18-->19 and 18-->23). Racemic intermediate 22 was resolved by co-crystallization with N-benzylcinchonidinium chloride and the absolute configuration determined by X-ray crystallography. These novel binaphthyls are configurationally stable and, as such, potentially usable as chiral ligands in asymmetric reactions. Michael addition of the glycine-derived enolate 40 to methyl acrylate, carried out in the presence of (R)-(-)-27 as the chiral phase-transfer catalyst, afforded L-glutamic acid (S)-(+)-43 of 92% ee (after hydrolysis of the primary product).     

Influence des charges nucléaires effectives σ et π sur les calculs LCAO-MO-SCF-π

Application of the LCAO-MO-SCF- method to conjugated hydrocarbons leads with the effective nuclear Slater's charges, Z_eff = Z_eff = 3.25 to electronic transitions higher than experimental ones by about 50%.We show that in the case of all trans linear polyenes and fulvene, one may obtain satisfying results by the same method, without any reference to experience, by taking Z_eff = 3.0 Z_eff = 3.55. There the effective nuclear charges are near of these of the valence state of carbon V ₄1s²t₁t₂t₃2pt_z:Z_eff = 2.971 Z_eff = 3.382 [10].     

Flow-through microdispenser for interfacing micro-HPLC to Raman and mid-IR spectroscopic detection

A flow-through microdispenser has been coupled to a micro HPLC separation system and used as a solvent elimination interface for Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopic detection of the separated compounds. Using the microdispenser picoliter sized droplets can be generated and deposited on an appropriate target placed on a computerized x, y-stage. Evaporation of volatile solvent and buffer is rapid and allows analysis of the obtained dry deposits by various techniques. Due to the destruction free character of Raman and FTIR spectroscopy they can be applied sequentially to interrogate the same deposit. In the reported application five phenolic acids typically present in wine have been separated on a C-18 column technique using a mixture of water, methanol and acetic acid as mobile phase. For spectrum acquisition infrared and Raman microscopes have been used. The spectra recorded from the dried deposits of the separated compounds agreed well with the reference spectra of corresponding components.     

Influence of the Lanthanide Ion and Solution Conditions on Formation of Lanthanide Wells–Dawson Polyoxotungstates

Lanthanide complexes of polyoxometalates, including the α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁ ¹⁰⁻ ligand, have been pioneered by Michael T. Pope, to whom this paper is dedicated. Examination of the solid-state and solution behavior of lanthanide complexes of the α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁ ¹⁰⁻ ligand are reported here to identify trends that will facilitate rational synthesis of hybrid organic lanthanide polyoxometalate complexes. Therefore, combining our data with that obtained by Pope and others a number of trends come into view. It is clear that there are two structural types for the 1:1 or 2:2 [Ln(H₂O)_X(α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁)]₂ ¹⁴⁻ species. The early lanthanides show a “cap to cap” structure that allows the Ln ion to be 9 coordinate and accommodates the longer bond lengths. The mid-late lanthanides show a “cap to belt” structure that allows the lanthanides to be 8 coordinate; this structural type is appropriate for the shorter bond lengths of the later lanthanides. The 1:1⇌1:2 equilibrium, that was observed by Pope for the Ce(III) analog is prevalent for the early- mid lanthanides. This equilibrium is slightly dependent on pH; however, cations have a major influence on this equilibrium. Larger, poorly hydrated cations appear to favor the 1:2 species for the early to mid lanthanides. Cations do not appear to influence the equilibrium for the later lanthanides; for all counterions, the 1:1 species was stable with no trace of the 1:2 species. Stability constants, K1 and K2, for the early to mid lanthanides were measured in this study by a competitive method and compared well with other published stability constant determinations. We suggest that the stability constants are not only dependent on the strength of interaction of the Ln with the α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁ ¹⁰⁻ ligand, but are also significantly influenced by the medium. The medium may bias the equilibria of the early-mid lanthanides and later lanthanides. The log K₁/log K₂ ratios are very close, suggesting that it is difficult to separate the 1:1 and 1:2 Ln: α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁ ¹⁰⁻ species.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material for this article is available at and is accessible for authorized users.This paper is dedicated to Professor Michael T. Pope in honor of his substantial and sustained contributions to polyoxometalate chemistry and his inspiration to scientists working in the field.     

Comparison of denuder and impinger sampling for determination of gaseous toluene diisocyanate (TDI)

An air-sampling method employing denuders coated inside with a chemisorptive stationary phase has been evaluated for analysis of the hazardous gaseous 2,4 and 2,6 isomers of toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The denuder stationary phase consisted of polydimethylsiloxane (SE-30) to which dibutylamine (DBA) was added as a reagent for derivatization of TDI. The accuracy and precision of sampling by means of denuders were shown to differ only slightly from those of the established impinger method. The denuder method was, however, also shown to be suitable for long-term measurements (up to 8 h). The limit of determination (LOD) of the method, including LC-APCI-MS-MS analysis, was found to be 1.9 microg m(-3) and 1.2 microg m(-3) for 2,4- and 2,6-TDI, respectively, for short-term measurements (15 min). Significant lower LOD was obtained for long-term measurements. This is well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 8-h TWA (time-weighted average) exposure limit, which is 40 microg m(-3) for the sum of the TDI isomers. The denuder method was also found to be robust and easy to handle. The samplers can be prepared several days before sampling with no loss in performance. The contents of denuders should, on the other hand, be extracted immediately after sampling to prevent degradation of the isocyanate derivatives formed.     

Synthesis of 1-deoxy-D-galactohomonojirimycin via enantiomerically pure allenylstannanes

1-Deoxy-D-galactohomonojirimycin was synthesized in seven steps from optically pure allenylstannane 4 and L-lactate-derived aldehyde 5 in 48% overall yield. The key step was the Lewis acid catalyzed reaction of 4 and 5 to give the syn-amino alcohol in excellent yield and very high diastereoselectivity.