Isolation ofΔ9(11)-sterols from the sea cucumber psolusfabricii. Implications for holothurin biosynthesis

- 14α-Methyl-5α-cholest-9(11)-en-3β-ol ($\text{2}$) and 4α,14α-dimethyl-5α-cholest-9(11)-en-3β-ol ($\text{3}$) have been isolated from the sea cucumber $\text{Psolus}$$\text{fabricii}$ and characterised by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry. Lanost-9(11)-en-3β-ol ($\text{4}$) has also been tentatively identified. The relevance of this series of Δ⁹⁽¹¹⁾-sterols to holothurin biosynthesis is briefly discussed.     

Stereochemical consequence in the elimination of β-hydroxyalkylsilanes: Stereoselective formation of (Z)- and (E)-alkylidene-γ-butyrolactones

Titanium(IV) chloride-mediated reaction of 4,5-dihydro-2-(trimethylsiloxy)-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan (1a) with acetaldehyde gave $\text{diastereomerically pure}$ (3S^*, 1′R^*)-4,5-dihydro-3-(1′hydroxyethyl)-3-(trimethylsilyl)-2(3$\text{H}$)furanone (2a), which afforded selectively either (Z)- or (E)-α-ethylidene-γ-butyrolactone (3a) under proper conditions. Facile isomerization of 2a into $\text{diastereomerically pure}$ (3S^*, 1′R^*)-4,5-dihydro-3-&{1′-(trimethylsiloxy)ethyl}-2(3$\text{H}$)furanone (4) suggests an intriguing stereochemical outcome from 2a to (E)-3a via an enolate of 4.     

A stereochemical and positional isotope exchange study of the mechanism of activation of tyrosine by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothernwphilus catalyses the activation of [¹⁸O₂]-tyrosine by adenosine 5$\text{[}\text{?}$(R)α-¹⁷O]triphosphate with inversion of configuration at P_α. It also catalyses positional isotope exchange in adenosine5$\text{[}\text{?}$(β-¹⁸O₂]triphosphate in the presence of tyrosine, but not in its absence or in the presence of the competitive inhibitor tyrosinol. Together these results imply that the enzyme catalyses an associative “in line” displacement of pyrophosphate from P_α of ATP by tyrosine.     

A novel synthesis of carbacyclin analogs via a stereoselective introduction of 15α-hydroxy group

(+/-)-6,9α-Methanoprostaglandin I₃, ($\text{2}$) and (+/-)-5,6-dihydro-6,9α-methano-6β-prostaglandin I₃, ($\text{4a}$) have been synthesized using a new method for the stereoselective introduction of the 15α-hydroxy group via a stereoselective electrophilic addition of phenyl-sulfenyl chloride to the enol ether ($\text{6}$) and ($\text{23}$) respectively.     

Plectranthoic acid A & B, two new triterpenoids from Plectranthus rugosus

Two new triterpenoid acids, designated as plectranthoic acid A and plectranthoic acid B, have been isolated from P. rugosus and are characterised as (20-S)-3α-hydroxy-18α,19α-$\text{H}\text{-}$-urs-12-en-30β-oic acid and (14-S)-3α-hydroxy-18α, 19α $\text{H}\text{-}$-urs-12-en-27α-oic acid.     

4,6-Thioanhydro-hexopyranosides,synthesis and chemical behaviour of methyl 2-0-p-toluenesulfonyl-4,6-thioanhydro-α-d-gulopyranoside

Methyl 4-0-benzoyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside ($\text{1}$, Figure 1) was converted, via the corresponding ditosylate $\text{2}$, into methyl 2,3-di-0-p-toluenesulfonyl-4-0-benzoyl-6-S-acetyl-6-thio-α-D-glucopyranoside ($\text{3}$) by a selective nucleophilic displacement of 6-bromo-group with thioacetate. Unexpectedly, on treating the compound $\text{3}$ with an excess of sodium methoxide in benzene-methanol (1:1) at room temperature, methyl 2-0-p-toluenesulfonyl-4,6-thioanhydro-α-D-gulopyranoside ($\text{4}$) was obtained in a yield of 84%. In order to determine the structure of the relatively unstable oily product $\text{4}$, some stable crystalline derivatives ($\text{5}$, $\text{6}$ and $\text{7}$) were prepared. Detailed analysis of the ¹H-NMR-spectra (200 MHz) of $\text{6}$ and $\text{7}$ gave the conclusive evidence for the structure of $\text{4}$ A self-imposing mechanism of the clean and smooth transformation of $\text{3}$ to $\text{4}$ is proposed, involving: a) formation of $\text{9}$ (Figure 2) as a crucial intermediate and b) a highly regioselective epoxide opening in $\text{9}$ (at C-4) by an intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the mercaptide anion from C-6.     

Regiospecific introduction of a branched-chain to kanamycin B and stereospecific transformation of the 2,6-diamino-2,6-dideoxy-D-glucopyranosyl moiety into 2,6-diamino-2,3,4,6-tetradeoxy-3-C-methyl-l-arabino or lyxo-hexopyranosyl,or 2-amino-2,3,4,6-tetradeoxy-5-C-methyl-L-threo-hexopyranosyl

4-O-(2,6-diamino-2,3,4,6-tetradeoxy-3-C-methyl-β-L-arabino and lyxo-hexopyranosyl) and 4-O-(2-amino2,3,4,6-tetradeoxy-5-c-methyl-L-threo-hexopyranosyl-6-O-(3-amino-3-decxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-deoxystreptamine ($\text{6}$, $\text{7}$ and $\text{12}$) were synthesized from a kanamycin B derivative ($\text{1}$) by regiospecific methylation and stereospecific hydrogenation followed by removal of masking groups, converting a D-sugar moiety (4-O-glycoside portion) into L-sugar. The usual conformation of $\text{6}$ and $\text{7}$ were determined as boat and skew by 250 MHz PMR spectra respectively.     

Efficient asymmetric synthesis of α-amino acids through hydrogenation of α,β-dehydroamino acid residue in cyclic dipeptides

A series of cyclo (Δaminoacyl-L-Ala) ($\text{4}$) (Δ=α,β-dehydro) were prepared from cyclo(Gly-L-Ala) and corresponding aldehyde, and hydrogenated with Pd black in MeOH. Chiral inductions producing cyclo (L-aminoacyl-L-Ala) ($\text{5}$) from $\text{4}$ were 96–99% in the case of L-Aba (2-aminobutanoic acid), L-Val, L-Leu, and L-App (2-amino-5-phenylpentanoic acid) as an L-aminoacyl moiety in $\text{5}$. Pure L-Leu, L-Aba, and L-App were synthesized in preparative scale from corresponding $\text{4}$ through asymmetric hydrogenation and acid-hydrolysis.     

Evolution structurale d'oxydes isomorphes MeX2O4: Relation entre dilatation,vibrations et rigidite

The neutron diffraction studies at low temperatures of the isomorphic compounds MeX₂O₄ (Pb₃O₄, SnPb₂O₄, NiSb₂O₄, ZnSb₂O₄) are discussed and correlated. Only powdered samples were used. The various thermal expansion tensors (α_a, α_c) of these tetragonal structures are interpreted from the thermal expansion of some MeO or XO bonds, the values of which are compared to simulated values. The relation between the temperature factor $\text{B}$ and the volume V gives the mean elastic constant. From elementary hypothesis, the compressibility is evaluated for each compound with a mean calculated value $\text{χ}\text{= 1.8 ×}$ 10^?11 Pa^?1. The Grüneisen parameters γ might vary from 0.34 to 0.65. From the crystallographic data, the Debye temperatures are evaluated and the anisotropic rigidity is discussed. Knowing χ it is possible to evaluate the s_ij elastic constants indirectly and so to interpret the anisotropic thermal expansion.     

Zur struktur der 3-desoxyoctulosonsäure- (KDO-) region des lipopolysaccharids von Salmonella minnesota Re 595

Spectroscopic data (¹H- and ¹³C-N.m.r.) indicate that the tetrasaccharide αdOclA$\text{p}$(2→4)αdOclA$\text{p}$(2→6)βGIcN$\text{p}$(1→6)GlcN is formed upon hydrazinolysis of the lipopolysaccharide from $\text{Salmonella minnesota}$ Re 595.     

Shape analysis of the velocity distribution in supersonic Ar beams: Comparison between experiment and theory

The shape parameters of the velocity distribution for beam densityF(v) = C($\text{v}\text{α}$)² exp[?($\text{v}\text{?}\text{u}\text{α}$)²]

from a supersonic expansion of Ar are determined both experimentally via time-of-light(TOF) analysis and computationally by solving the Boltzmann equation for a radial flow field via the method of moments. TOF spectra are recorded by means of the detection of metastable Ar atoms. This technique eliminates velocity discrimination in the detection process. Significance test and a sensitivity analysis for the experimental and theoretical results are included. The agreement of measured and calculated shape parameters is very good. Small-angle scattering of particles, travelling with small relative velocity along the same stream line, is still effective beyond the transition region to free molecular flow and continues to modify the distribution function. A primitive model that correlates the shape parameters c₃ and c₄ with the terminal speed ratio and describes their variation with the distance from the nozzlee is developed.     

Structure cristalline du phosphatoantimonate K3Sb3P2O14

K₃Sb₃P₂O₁₄ crystallizes in the rhombohedral system, space group $\text{R}\text{3}\text{m}$ with a = 7.147(1) Å, c = 30.936(6) Å, Z = 3. The structure was determined from 701 reflections collected on a Nonius CAD4 automatic diffractometer with $\text{Mo}\text{K}\text{α}$ radiation. The final R index and the weighted R_w index are 0.033 and 0.042, respectively. The structure is built up from layers of SbO₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra sharing corners. The potassium ions are situated between the (Sb₃P₂O₁₄)^3? covalent layers.     

The convenient route to cd fragment for the synthesis of vitamin D3 relatives

The efficient degradation of $\text{1}$ to the α-methylene ketone $\text{4}$ is described. Compound $\text{4}$ was then converted to the allylic alcohol $\text{8a}$ - the precursor of vitamin D³ relatives.     

Two-photon spectra of gases by three-wave mixing

We show that the two-photon resonances in the third-order susceptibility can be exploited to yield two-photon spectra of molecular gases at moderately high spectral resolution. This form of spectroscopy does not depend on the occurrence of processes (such as fluorescence of photoionization) leading to indirect methods of two-photon absorption. The method is direct and leads in principle to values for a two-photon cross section. Comparisons of two-photon and coherent anti-Stokes Raman resonances leads to ratios of Raman and two-proton cross sections independent of the laser powers and spatial characteristics. The technique is documented with rotationally resolved spectra of SO₂ and NO. A value for |α_xxα_yy| of 1.5 × 10^?52 cm⁶ was measured for the O₁₂ (6$\text{built:1}\text{2}$) component of the (A)²Σ ← (X)² Π_{$\text{1}\text{2}$} transition of nitric oxide.     

Action of tert-butyl azidoformate on the conjugate bases of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9H-carbazole and other indole derivatives

tert-Butyl azidoformate ($\text{2}$) reacts with the conjugate bases of $\text{3a}$, $\text{7a}$, $\text{9}$ (R¹ = R² = CH₃), and $\text{9}$ (R¹ = CH₃, R² = H) to give products [$\text{4}$, $\text{8}$, $\text{12}$, and $\text{14}$, respectively] in addition to the expected N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)indole derivatives.     

Study of the pyrolysis of polystyrenes: I. Kinetics of thermal decomposition

The pyrolysis of polystyrene, studied by isothermal thermogravimetry in the temperature range 300–400°C, obeys the kinetic law dα/dτ = k(1 - α)[1 - α)^2b]^{$\text{1}\text{2}$} or dα/dτ = k(1 - α)tanh β, expressions in which b depends on temperature and (cosh β)^{$\text{1}\text{3}$} = 1 - α.In order to establish the validity of this law in the very large range 0.10 < α < 0.95, it was assumed that the pyrolysis is carried out in three steps: random initiation, depolymerization and termination by disproportionation or combination. In the kinetic expression the term tanh β is proportional to the concentration of radicals and represents the setting up of the steady state. The activation energies obtained for every step agree very well with those given in the literature, whereas the apparent activation energy of the global mechanism was found to be about 43 kcal mol^?1.     

Structure de SnPb2O4 à quatre températures: relation entre dilatation et agitation thermiques

The structural study of SnPb₂O₄ oxide, an isomorphic compound belonging to the general family “MeX₂O₄” like Pb₃O₄, is made from accurate X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques on powdered samples. The structural evolution of SnPb₂O₄ is analyzed from 300 to 5 K: no phase transition is observed, contrary to Pb₃O₄, which exhibits a tetragonal → orthorhombic transition at 170 K. The thermal expansion tensor is practically isotropic in this temperature range: the α_a, α_c and α_V coefficients are neighboring those observed in the Pb₃O₄ tetragonal phase at the same temperature. On the other hand, the thermal vibrations are strongly anisotropic, with large amplitudes in the (a, b) plane. In this study the thermal vibrations are connected to the thermal expansion. $\text{B}\text{ab}$ and $\text{B}\text{c}$ temperature factors are considered as functions of the a and c cell parameters. The relation established by Grüneisen between the mean-square amplitudes of vibrations and the thermal volume expansion is discussed. The interatomic distances found show that the bindings are similar to that of Pb₃O₄: only the [Sn⁴⁺O₆] octahedrons are smaller than [Pb⁴⁺O₆] octahedrons.     

Conformational dependence of pyranoid rings 1,2-cis-fused to dioxolane rings on the configuration of the dioxolane rings in acetylated derivati

X-Ray and ¹H N.M.R. studies on pyranoid rings 1,2-$\text{cis}$-fused to dioxolane rings in acetylated $\text{D}$-gluco- and $\text{D}$--galactopyranose derivatives demonstrate that the configuration of the dioxolane ring influences the conformation of the pyranoid ring in the $\text{D}$-gluco but not in the $\text{D}$-galactopyranose series. The crystal structure of 3,4,6-tri-$\text{O}$-acetyl-1,2-$\text{O}$-(R)--(l-cyano-ethylidene)-α-$\text{D}$-glucopyranose ($\text{1}$) and 3,4,6-tri-$\text{O}$-acetyl-1,2-$\text{O}$-($\text{R}$)-(1-cyano-ethylidene)-α-$\text{D}$-galactopyranose ($\text{2}$)have been determined by X-ray analysis. Lattice parameters for $\text{1}$ are a=20.6021 (11), b=8.0438 (2), c=5.5541 (1) Å and β= 95.588 (3)° for a cell with P21 symmetry. These parameters for $\text{2}$ are a=20.3361 (7), b=10.0907 (2), c=18.9115 (5) Å, β =112.399 (2)°, C2, with two crystallographycally independent molecules. The conformation of the pyranoid ring in both compounds can be described as flattened ⁴C₁ and that of the dioxolane ring as distorted E₁. The importance of the torsion angles for describing problems of configuration is remarked and the use of relative configurational angles is stressed. The ¹H N.M.R. spectra of $\text{1}$ and $\text{2}$ and 3,4,6-tri-$\text{O}$-acetyl-1,2-O-(S)- and (R)-ethylidene-α-$\text{D}$-glucopyranose ($\text{5}$ and $\text{7}$), 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl--1,2-O-(S)- and ($\text{R}$)-ethylidene-α-$\text{D}$-galactopyranose ($\text{6}$ and $\text{8}$), and 3,4,6-tri-$\text{O}$-acetyl-1,2-$\text{O}$-($\text{S}$)-and ($\text{R}$)-benzylidene-α-$\text{D}$-glucopyranose ($\text{9}$ and $\text{10}$) have been analyzed by using iterative computer methods and N.O.E. measurements. The results indicate that the major solution conformation of the pyranoid ring of the derivatives in the $\text{D}$-gluco series $\text{1}$, $\text{5}$ and $\text{9}$ may be described as flattened ⁴C₁ and that of $\text{7}$ and $\text{10}$ as ²$\text{S}$₅. The major solution conformation of the pyranoid ring in all compounds in the $\text{D}$-galacto series ($\text{2}$,$\text{4}$,$\text{6}$,$\text{8}$) may be described as flattened ⁴$\text{C}$₁.     

Polyamides with piperazine units in the polymer chain—I: Crystal structure and molecular packing of poly(1,4 piperazine-trans-4-octen-1,8 dioyl)

The crystal structure of poly(1–4 piperazine-trans-4-octen-1,8 dioyl) has been determined from X-ray fibre spectra. The unit cell parameters are: $\text{α=4.54 A; b = 10.00}\text{A}\text{?}\text{; c =13.50}\text{A}\text{?}$ (fibre axis) β = 110°15′ space group P2₁/n. Z =2, d_x = 1.28 g/cm³ (d_obs = 1.23 g/cm³).The chain symmetry is ti. The value of β ≠ 90° is determined by the necessity of suitably packing the neighbouring paraffinic chains and piperazine rings, at the shortest possible distance. The mode of packing of the paraffinic portions of the chains, in the a direction, is reminiscent of the analogous situation met for polyalkenamers (even series).