A simplified green chemistry approach to the Biginelli reaction using ‘Grindstone Chemistry’

Grindstone Chemistry--a greatly evolved version of Toda’s method of grinding solids together for solvent-free chemical reactions--has been described and its usefulness illustrated by the successful application of this technique to a simplified process for conducting the multi-component Biginelli reaction for the synthesis of physiologically active tetrahydropyrimidinones.     

Selective synthesis of dehydroamino acids from threonines

Dehydropeptides containing dehydroamino acid (ΔAA) are frequently found in natural resources with important biological activity. Herein, we report the selective synthesis of Z- and E-ΔAbu from l- and l-allo-threonine as starting materials through selenation and oxidative elimination. The detailed reaction mechanism of phosphine-assisted selenoether formation is also discussed.     

Microwave-accelerated Claisen rearrangements of allyl tetronates and tetramates

[3,3]-Sigmatropic rearrangements of allyl tetronates and allyl tetramates to give 3-allyltetronic or -tetramic acids, respectively, proceed within 20-60 min under microwave irradiation (300 W, 130-190 °C). Consecutive (homo)sigmatropic [1,5] H-shifts such as oxa-ene reactions are promoted less effectively, which allows the isolation of Claisen intermediates of sigmatropic domino sequences, in contrast to conventional heating.     

Stereological simulations of asymmetric polymerization in channels of bile acid inclusion compounds: A detailed analysis of the monomer arrangements in the channels

We studied simulations by computer graphics to estimate the steric mechanism of the asymmetric polymerization of prochiral diene monomers in channels of inclusion compounds of steroidal bile acids, such as deoxycholic acid (DCA) and cholic acid. We applied a hierarchization method to interpret the crystal structures of bile acids, clarifying that the chiral host molecules associated to form characteristic 2₁-helical assemblies with uneven surfaces. A detailed analysis of the uneven channels in a close-packing state indicated that there were many possible arrangements of the monomers in the channels. The plausible arrangements in the channel could explain a previous study, which showed that the polymerization in the DCA channel yielded chiral polymers with a predominant configuration from prochiral diene monomers, such as 2-methyl-trans-1,3-pentadiene. On the basis of such simulation studies of the arrangements of guest monomers in the channel, we examined a plausible steric mechanism for asymmetric inclusion polymerization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4648–4655, 2004     

PURIFICATION OF L-METHIONINE AND N-ACETYL-D-METHIONINE FROM THE MIXTURE OF ENZYMATICALLY DEACYLATED N-ACETYL-DL-METHIONINE

1. INTRODUCTION Methionine, namely 2-amido-4-thiomethyl butyric acid with a structure of CH3SCH2CH2CHCOOH, is one of the essential amino acids and has two natural enantionmers, D and L-methionine. The mixture of L- and D-isomers can be used as analeptics or nutritive additives to maintain the equilibrium of amino acids of feed [1,2]. L-methionine can release active methyl and accelerate the synthesis of choline, which further speeds up the conversion of the lipid accumulated in liv…     

Self-assembly of Carboxyl Functionalized Polystyrene Nanospheres into Close-packed Monolayers via Chemical Adsorption

The polyacrylic acid functionalized polystyrene nanospheres were synthesized and self-assembled into irregular, densely packed monolayers in non-aqueous media. The polymer nanoparticles were chemically adhered to substrates. The morphologies of the resulting films were investigated. The impact of the volume fraction of alcohol in the mixed solvents on the particle adsorption and fabrication of nanosphere assembled films was examined.     

Solid Phase Synthesis of 2-Substituted 1,3-Oxazin-6-ones Using Resin-bound Cyclic Malonic Acid Ester

A facile solid phase synthesis of 2-substituted 1,3-oxazin-6-ones using polymer-supported Meldrum‘s acid has been reported. Reaction of the resin-bound cyclic malonic acid ester with triethyl orthoformate and subsequent double substitution with amide, afforded the corresponding polymer-supported acylaminomethylene cyclic malonic acid ester, which upon thermal treatment led to 1, 3-oxazin-6-ones in good yields and with high purity.     

Kinetic Parameters of Ion-Exchange Membrane in Amino Acid Solutions

Kinetic parameters of amino acid cations in an MK-40 ion-exchange membrane are calculated from the conductivity data. A theoretical quantum-chemical analysis of experimental activation energies for conduction suggests a mechanism of elementary act of transport of amino acid cations in the membrane.     

An improved synthesis of rhinocerotinoic acid

The stereoselective synthesis of E-rhinocerotinoic acid has been achieved in five steps from (−)-sclareol in an overall yield of 32%. This constitutes a significant improvement on the previous synthesis of this anti-inflammatory compound.