Synthesis of chiral tripeptides by asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydrotripeptides. Remarkable effects of N-protecting groups on stereoselectivity and reactivity

Dehydrotripeptides, X-$\text{C}\text{*}$CH(Rⁱ)-ΔPhe-$\text{C}\text{*}$CH(R^k)COOMe ($\text{3}$: X = ^tBOC-NH,CBZ-NH, CF₃CONH and N₃), were employed for the asymmetric hydrogenation catalyzed by chiral rhodium complexes and it was found that ^tBOC-$\text{3}$ brought about by far the best results. Stereoselective dideuteration of a ^tBOC-$\text{3}$ was successfully performed.     

Formation of ternary ion associates using diprotic acid dyes and its application to determination of cationic surfactants

A sensitive and selective method is described for the determination of cationic surfactants, such as benzethonium, benzalkonium, cetylpyridinium and trimethylstearylammonium, based on the formation and extraction of ternary ion associates with an acid dye (bromophenol blue or bromochlorophenol blue) and quinidine. Quinidine reacts with divalent anionic dyestuffs to form a bulky 11 complex anion, which is extractable into 1,2-dichloroethane as ternary ion associates with cationic surfactants in nearly neutral media. The ternary ion associate gives a blue product. Linearity of the calibration curve is improved and the extractability of the cationic surfactants is enhanced in the presence of quinidine. In addition, many other amines do not interfere with the determination. The blue ion associates can be used for the selective and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of cationic surfactants.     

INDUCTION OF UMUC+ GENE EXPRESSION IN Escherichia coli IRRADIATED BY NEAR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Abstract— The induction of umu + gene expression caused by irradiation with near ultraviolet light (BLB; black light blue) was studied in Escherichia coli K-12 strains with special reference to the effects of SOS repair deficiencies. The umuC + gene expression was measured as the enzymic activity of (J-galactosidase which is regulated by the promoter of the umuC + operon carried in a plasmid DNA carrying a promoter of umuC* operon, a umuD + gene and a umuC +- lacZ + gene fusion. A high induction of the umuC + gene expression was observed in the uvrA cells in the case of BLB or UV irradiation as compared with the parental wild-type cells. Caffeine inhibited the induction of the umuC* gene expression due to BLB or UV irradiation in both strains. There was very little induction in lexA and recA mutants. In contrast with UV irradiation, there was no killing of cells by BLB irradiation in any strain (wild, uvrA, lexA and recA). Possible implications of the present experimental results were discussed.     

First total synthesis of the antitumor compound (-)-kazusamycin A and absolute structure determination

The first total synthesis of kazusamycin A, a potent antitumor compound from an actinomycete, has been achieved, and its absolute structure was determined. Paterson's stereoselective aldol reaction was successfully applied to construct the contiguous chiral centers by using an originally designed optically active 2-acyl-1,3-propanediol derivative.     

Syntheses of 3-acetoacetylaminobenzo[b]furan derivatives having cysteinyl leukotriene 2 receptor antagonistic activity

Novel 3-acetoacetylaminobenzo[b]furan derivatives having a modified triene system at the 3-position were synthesized starting with 3-aminobenzo[b]furans. The enol isomers, 3-[(3-hydroxybut-2-enonyl)amino]benzo[b]furans (), of the 3-acetoacetylaminobenzo[b]furans were obtained as stable isomers owing to formation of a hydrogen bonding between the enol hydroxyl group and the amidocarbonyl group. The planarity of the C-2 substituent through the C-3 side chain suggested the existence of a modified conjugational triene system in the enol compound. Cysteinyl leukotriene 1 and 2 receptor antagonistic activities for these compounds were evaluated. 2-(4-Cyanobenzoyl or ethoxycarbonyl)-3-[(2-cyano-3-hydroxybut-2-enonyl)amino]benzo[b]furans (, ) were moderately active.     

Initial growth of the water layer on (1 x 1)-oxygen-covered Ru(0001) in comparison with that on bare Ru(0001)

The initial growth of a water (D2O) layer on (1 x 1)-oxygen-covered Ru(0001) has been studied in comparison with that on bare Ru(0001) by means of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). Although water molecules adsorbed on both bare and (1 x 1)-oxygen-covered Ru(0001) commonly tend to form hydrogen bonds with each other when mobility occurs upon heating, the TPD and IRAS measurements for the two surfaces exhibit distinct differences. On (1 x 1)-oxygen-covered Ru(0001), most of the D2O molecules were desorbed with a peak at 160 K, even at submonolayer coverage, as condensed water desorption. The vibration spectra of adsorbed D2O also showed broad peaks such as a condensed water phase, from the beginning of low coverage. For submonolayer coverage, in addition, we found a characteristic O-D stretching mode at around 2650 cm(-1), which is never clearly observed for D2O on bare Ru(0001). Thus, we propose a distinctive water adsorption structure on (1 x 1)-oxygen-covered Ru(0001) and discuss its influence on water layer growth in comparison with the case of D2O on bare Ru(0001).     

Mechanism of ketone and alcohol formations from alkenes and alkynes on the head-to-head 2-pyridonato-bridged cis-diammineplatinum(III) dinuclear complex

Reactions of the head-to-head 2-pyridonato-bridged cis-diammineplatinum(III) dinuclear complex having nonequivalent two platinum atoms, Pt(N(2)O(2)) and Pt(N(4)), with p-styrenesulfonate, 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonate, 4-penten-1-ol, and 4-pentyn-1-ol were studied kinetically. Under the pseudo first-order reaction conditions that the concentration of the Pt(III) dinuclear complex is much smaller than that of olefin, a consecutive basically four-step reaction was observed: the olefin pi-coordinates preferentially to the Pt(N(2)O(2)) in the first step (step 1), followed by the second pi-coordination of another olefin molecule to the Pt(N(4)) (step 2). In the next step (step 3), the nucleophilic attack of water to the coordinated olefin triggers the pi-sigma bond conversion on the Pt(N(2)O(2)), and the second pi-bonding olefin molecule on the Pt(N(4)) is released. Finally, reductive elimination occurs to the alkyl group on the Pt(N(2)O(2)) to produce the alkyl compound (step 4). The first water substitution with olefin (step 1) occurs to the diaqua and aquahydroxo forms of the complex, whereas the second substitution (step 2) proceeds either on the coordinated OH(-) on the Pt(N(4)) (path a) or on the coordinatively unsaturated five-coordinate intermediate of the Pt(N(4)) (path b), in addition to the common substitution of H(2)O (path c). The reactions of p-styrenesulfonate and 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonate proceed through paths b and c, whereas the reactions of 4-penten-1-ol and 4-pentyn-1-ol proceed through paths a and c. This difference reflects the difference of the trans effect and/or trans influence of the pi-coordinated olefins on the Pt(N(2)O(2)). The pentacoordinate state in path b is employed only by the sulfo-olefins, because these exert stronger trans effect. The steps 3 and 4 reflect the effect of the axial alkyl ligand (R) on the charge localization (R-Pt(IV)(N(2)O(2))-Pt(II)(N(4))) and delocalization (R-Pt(III)(N(2)O(2))-Pt(III)(N(4))-OH(2)); when R is p-styrenesulfonate having an electron withdrawing group, the charge localization in the dimer is less pronounced and the water molecule on the Pt(N(4)) atom is retained (R-Pt(III)(N(2)O(2))-Pt(III)(N(4))-OH(2)) in the intermediate state. In both routes, the alkyl group undergoes nucleophilic attack of water, and the oxidized products are released via reductive elimination.     

Wormlike micelles and microemulsions in aqueous mixtures of sucrose esters and nonionic cosurfactants

A study of the phase and rheological behavior of sucrose hexadecanoate (C16SE)/cosurfactant/water systems in the presence of solubilized oil, using complementary techniques such as dynamic light scattering and small angle X-ray scattering, is presented. Viscoelastic wormlike micellar solutions are found when a nonionic lipophilic cosurfactant is added to C16SE aqueous systems. Contrary to previous reports, the effect of oil solubilization on these wormlike micelles is not unique and depends on several factors. Linear alkyl chain oils that tend to solubilize in the micellar core have a disrupting effect, decreasing the relaxation time and the viscosity of the systems. This effect is larger as the molecular volume of oil increases and as the solubility of the cosurfactant in oil increases. On the other hand, oils that penetrate in the palisade layer, such as p-xylene, induce micellar growth and have a thickening effect at a given micellar composition. Thermodynamic considerations are used to explain the experimental results.     

Structure and electrochemical properties of carbon aerogels polymerized in the presence of Cu

Copper-loaded organic aerogels were prepared by sol–gel polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde in a solution of Cu(NO₃)₂. Carbon aerogels derived from the heat-treatment of the organic precursor kept their particulate structure, according to TEM observations. The particle size in Cu-loaded carbon aerogel samples becomes larger with a higher concentration of Cu incorporated into their texture, due to the presence of Cu²⁺ rather than the pH conditions in the sol–gel process. The nitrogen adsorption measurement of Cu-loaded samples showed their characteristic pore structure, i.e., a combination of microporosity and mesoporosity both developed in their texture. Especially, their advanced microporosity, which was still found after carbonization at 1273 K, was very unique, considering that micropores in organic aerogels often decreased in size during heat-treatment around this temperature range. This microporosity could be related to their stacking structure of aromatic layers revealed by STAC–XRD analysis, indicating a looser packing of aromatic layers in their structure. Application of Cu-loaded samples to electric double-layer capacitor is also discussed from the viewpoint of the amount of Cu as well as the pore structure of the samples.     

Synthesis of opioid ligands having oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeletons

Two types of novel skeletons were synthesized from morphinan and 4,5-epoxymorphinan derivatives by using stable and unstable sulfur ylide.