Rational Development of Remote C−H Functionalization of Biphenyl: Experimental and Computational Studies

A simple and efficient nitrile-directed meta-C−H olefination, acetoxylation, and iodination of biaryl compounds is reported. Compared to the previous approach of installing a complex U-shaped template to achieve a molecular U-turn and assemble the large-sized cyclophane transition state for the remote C−H activation, a synthetically useful phenyl nitrile functional group could also direct remote meta-C−H activation. This reaction provides a useful method for the modification of biaryl compounds because the nitrile group can be readily converted to amines, acids, amides, or other heterocycles. Notably, the remote meta-selectivity of biphenylnitriles could not be expected from previous results with a macrocyclophane nitrile template. DFT computational studies show that a ligand-containing Pd–Ag heterodimeric transition state (TS) favors the desired remote meta-selectivity. Control experiments demonstrate the directing effect of the nitrile group and exclude the possibility of non-directed meta-C−H activation. Substituted 2-pyridone ligands were found to be key in assisting the cleavage of the meta-C−H bond in the concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD) process.     

Lanthanide modulation of the orientation of macromolecules induced by purple membrane.

Addition of Tb3+ to purple membrane (PM) suspensions changes the orientation of the menbrane normal from parallel to perpendicular with respect to the magnetic field. Residual dipolar couplings measured in protein L in the presence of PM are scaled by a factor of -1/2. NMR line broadening and cross-correlation effects induced by the addition of PM are partially reversed by Tb3+ but not by Tm3+ that has no effect on the orientation of PM. This is interpreted as the result of anisotropically restricted motion of protein L in the transiently PM-bound form.     

Experimental results on radiative muon capture in complex nuclei

Experimental results for the radiative muon capture branching ratio in several nuclei and the photon-muon spin asymmetry in⁴⁰Ca are reported. For the measurements a two arm Nalspectrometer was used. Apart from²⁶O and⁴⁰Ca, where we confirm previous results of our group, new data on¹²C,²⁶Fe,¹⁶⁵Ho and²⁰⁹Bi are presented. No available theoretical models explain all the data consistently. The preliminary results for the asymmetry measurements, obtained using a stroboscopic method are in agreement with previous measurements and with theoretical calculations.Presented at the symposium Mesons and Light Nuclei, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, May 27–June 1, 1985.     

Photochemistry of iminium salts : Electron transfer mechanisms for singlet quenching and photoaddition of n-electron donating alcohols and ethers

Several aspects of past and current studies in the area of iminium salt photochemistry are discussed. Investigations of olefin-iminium salt photoaddition and photocyclization reactions are reviewed and conclusions about electron-transfer pathways for fluorescence quenching and reaction are discussed. The results of recent studies of alcohol and ether photoaddition to 2-phenyl-1-pyrrolinium salts are presented. These C-C bond forming processes occur in moderate yields to produce β-amino alcohol or ether products. In addition, alcohols and ethers serve as efficient quenchers of pyrrolinium salt fluorescence. Rate constants for quenching appear to be dependent upon both the oxidation potential of the alcohols and ethers and the availability of C-H bond α to oxygen. This data along with deuterium isotope effects on quenching combine to suggest a common mechanism for both fluorescence quenching and photoaddition. The nature of this mechanism is tested using the comparative quenching effeciencies of the tertiary alcohols t-butyl alcohol and 1,2,2-trimethyl-1-cyclopropanol. The latter alcohol having a weak C-C bond adjacent to the hydroxyl function quenches the fluorescence of 2-phenyl-1-pyrrolium salts at a rate two orders of magnitude greater than for t-butyl alcohol. The observations made are interpreted in terms of a sequential electron-proton transfer mechanism for quenching and photoaddition. Lastly, the relationship of iminium salt photochemical studies to other investigations of electron-transfer photochemistry is discussed.     

The di-π-methane rearrangement : The effect of 1,4-diene structure and conformation on the reaction efficiency and stereochemistry

The photochemistry of the stereoisomeric 1,3-dimethyl-3(2-phenylethenyl)cyclohexenes has been explored Direct irradiation of the cis- and trans-β-styrylcyclohexenes leads to di-π-methane rearrangement, producing the endo- and exo-3,7-dimethyl-8-phenybicyclo[5.1.0]oct-2-enes, and cis -trans isomerization, interconverting the 1,4-diene containing substrates. Triplet sensitized photolysis of both substituted cyclohexenes leads exclusively to cis-trans isomerization. Results from low conversion direct irradiations of the cis- and trans-β-styrylcyclohexenes indicate that the singlet rearrangements are stereospecific, and lead to formation of the 8-exo and 8-endo-phenylbicyclic octenes, respectively. The relationship between di-π-methane structure and triplet reaction efficiency, and the effect of conformation on the rearrangement stereochemistry are discussed.     

Solid-phase synthesis of the cyclic lipononadepsipeptide [N-Mst(Ser1), d-Ser4, L-Thr6, L-Asp8, L-Thr9]syringotoxin

An optimized solid-phase strategy for the preparation of the cyclic lipononadepsipeptide [N-Mst(L-Ser1), D-Ser4, L-Thr6, L-Asp8, L-Thr9]syringotoxin is reported. The strategy is based on the use of a mild orthogonal protection scheme and the incorporation of the nonproteinogenic amino acid (Z)-Dhb into the peptide chain as the dipeptide Fmoc-Thr(tBu)-(Z)-Dhb-OH. The didehydrodipeptide was synthesized by a water-soluble carbodiimide-induced beta-elimination of a protected dipeptide containing a residue of Thr with its free hydroxy side chain unprotected.     

Effect of total percent polyacrylamide in capillary gel electrophoresis for DNA sequencing of short fragments. A phenomenological model.

Polyacrylamide capillary gels were prepared with constant (5% C) cross-linker concentration and with total acrylamide concentration ranging from 2.5 to 6% T. At each acrylamide concentration, peak spacing was constant for DNA sequencing fragments ranging from 25 to 250 nucleotides in length. Peak spacing increased linearly with the total acrylamide concentration. The intercept of the retention time vs. fragment length plot was independent of % T. Ferguson plots were constructed for short DNA fragments; the polyacrylamide pore size falls in the 2.5 to 3.5 nm range for the gels studied. Theoretical plate count is independent of total acrylamide concentration; longitudinal diffusion, and not thermal gradients, limit the plate count. A phenomenological model is presented that predicts retention time, plate count, and resolution for sequencing fragments ranging in size from 25 to 250 bases and gels that range from 2.5 to 6% total acrylamide.     

An effective enantioselective approach to the securinega alkaloids: total synthesis of (-)-norsecurinine

[reaction: see text] A highly versatile approach to the enantioselective synthesis of securinega alkaloids is presented. Crucial steps are a palladium-catalyzed enantioselective imide alkylation, a vinylogous Mannich reaction, and a ring-closing metathesis process. Through this strategy, the synthesis of (-)-norsecurinine has been accomplished in nine steps and 11% overall yield.     

Comparison of different derivatization approaches for mercury speciation in biological tissues by gas chromatography/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A novel interface design for coupling gas chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC/ICP-MS) was used to perform mercury speciation in biological tissues. Three derivatization approaches were optimized and compared for this purpose: anhydrous butylation using a Grignard reagent, aqueous ethylation by means of NaEt(4)B and aqueous propylation with NaPr(4)B. The last reagent was synthesized in the laboratory as it is not commercially available. Detection limits obtained by GC/ICP-MS ranged between 100 and 200 fg (as absolute mass) for methylmercury and between 500 and 600 fg for inorganic mercury using a 1 microl injection. Quantification of methyl- and inorganic mercury was carried out by resorting to aqueous calibration, using ethylmercury as internal standard for both propylation and butylation derivatization techniques. For ethylation procedures, a methylpropylmercury solution was used as internal standard. The absence of transmethylation during sample preparation was checked using a 97% enriched (202)Hg inorganic standard. The accuracy of the three derivatization approaches was evaluated by the analysis of the certified reference material DOLT-2 (dogfish liver) from the National Research Council of Canada and certified for methylmercury, with satisfactory results.