Toward the Total Synthesis of Bryostatin 11: Stereoselective Construction of the C13-Exocyclic Enoate in the C1–C16 Fragment

We have utilized a spiroketal template in an approach to the C1–C16 fragment of bryostatin. The stereoselective construction of an exocyclic enoate at C13 and insertion of a vinyl group on C15 were accomplished by using Peterson–Yamamoto olefination and copper-catalyzed addition of vinyl magnesium bromide, respectively.      

Recent strategic advances for the activation of benzylic C–H bonds for the formation of C–C bonds

Alkylarenes, obtained from abundant hydrocarbon feedstock sources, are an attractive starting material for the formation of complex molecular architectures. Conventional activation strategies of the relatively inert sp³-hybridized benzylic C–H bonds usually require relatively harsh conditions and are difficult to apply to the synthesis of fine chemicals. The present review describes recent strategic advances for the activation of benzylic C–H bonds for the catalytic formation of C–C bonds. In particular, two activation methods, i.e., strategies that generate benzylic radicals or benzyl anions, are discussed.     

Simulation of the random scission of C–C bonds in the initial stage of the thermal degradation of polyethylene

We performed molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the initial stage of the thermal degradation of polyethylene, which is dominated by the random scission reaction. The simulations were initiated from structures that were taken from previously equilibrated snapshots of the amorphous polymer and of a free-standing thin film. Isolated chains were also used for comparison. Our systems were coupled to a thermal heat bath, and the effect of different coupling constants was studied. Rate of random scission increases as the strength of the temperature coupling increases. Rates of reaction are almost similar in thin films and the bulk, whereas the rates are much faster in isolated chains. Expansion of the free-standing thin film accompanies degradation, producing fragments of various sizes. Chains of higher molecular weights than the initial chains can be produced due to recombination of fragments during the expansion of thin films. The polydispersity index of the resulting fragments is higher in thin films compared to the bulk. The bonds at the low density portion of the thin films have a higher probability of being broken.     

On the Reactivity of Phosphaalumenes towards C−C Multiple Bonds

Heterocycles containing group 13 and 15 elements such as borazines are an integral part of organic, biomedical and materials chemistry. Surprisingly, heterocycles containing P and Al are rare. We have now utilized phosphaalumenes in reactions with alkynes, alkenes and conjugated double bond systems. With sterically demanding alkynes 1,2-phosphaalumetes were afforded, whereas the reaction with HCCH or HCCSiMe₃ gave 1,4-phosphaaluminabarrelenes. Using styrene saturated 1,2-phosphaalumates were formed, which reacted further with additional styrene to give different regio-isomers of 1,4-aluminaphosphorinanes. Using ethylene, a 1,4-aluminaphosphorinane is obtained, while with 1,3-butadiene a bicyclic system containing an aluminacyclopentane and a phosphirane unit was synthesized. The experimental work is supported by theoretical studies to shed light on the mechanism governing the formation of these heterocycles.     

A synthetic approach to the phorboxazoles – A strategy for the synthesis of the C1–C19 polyketide fragment

A synthetic approach to the C1–C19 polyketide fragment of the phorboxazoles is disclosed here. While an initial two-directional approach was efficient, it did not proceed in a high enough yield to justify moving forward. A subsequent successful strategy for the generation of the C11–C15 pyrans of both of the phorboxazoles was achieved, and the installation of the C9 stereocenter was able to be demonstrated. Furthermore, an efficient route for the preparation of the C1–C8 fragment with suitable functionality to allow for elaboration into the complete C1–C19 fragment, with the capricious C2–C3 Z-geometry installed, was also achieved.     

Early introduction of the amino group to the C27–C35 building block of Eribulin

A new synthetic strategy towards the C27–C35 subunit of Eribulin (1) has been devised to include a protected 1,2-amino alcohol at C34–C35. Early introduction of the C35 amino group in the synthesis of 1 increases the efficiency of the route. This new approach can be accomplished on a multi-gram scale and allows for the successful synthesis of Eribulin.     

An improved synthesis of the C42–C52 segment of ciguatoxin 3C

In our previously reported method for the construction of the IJKLM-ring of ciguatoxin 3C (CTX3C), the lengthy synthetic process for the intermediate C42–C52 (L-ring) segment was problematic. Therefore, a new and improved procedure for the C42–C52 segment, having modified protecting groups, was developed. The new route includes a chirality transferring Ireland-Claisen rearrangement for the construction of the vicinal dimethyl branching at C47–48, a one-pot cyclization process for the establishment of the stereocenters at C45 and C46 as well as the γ-hydroxy δ-lactone framework corresponding to the L-ring, and Brown’s asymmetric crotylboration for the installation of the stereocenters at C43 and C44. The new C42–C52 segment was successfully coupled with the previously reported C32–C41 (I-ring) segment to produce the IJKLM-ring.     

Accelerating Ethanol Complete Electrooxidation via Introducing Ethylene as the Precursor for the C−C Bond Splitting

The crucial issue restricting the application of direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) is the incomplete and sluggish electrooxidation of ethanol due to the chemically stable C−C bond thereof. Herein, a unique ethylene-mediated pathway with a 100 % C1-selectivity for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is proposed for the first time based on a well-structured Pt/Al₂O₃@TiAl catalyst with cascade active sites. The electrochemical in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) analysis disclose that ethanol is primarily dehydrated on the surface of Al₂O₃@TiAl and the derived ethylene is further oxidized completely on nanostructured Pt. X-ray absorption and density functional theory (DFT) studies disclose the Al component doped in Pt nanocrystals can promote the EOR kinetics by lowering the reaction energy barriers and eliminating the poisonous species. Strikingly, Pt/Al₂O₃@TiAl exhibits a specific activity of 3.83 mA cm⁻²_Pt, 7.4 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C and superior long-term durability.     

Synthesis of the C29–C37 segment of spongistatin 1

Starting from racemic 2α-methyl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-one the spongistatin E segment has been prepared in nine steps (2.3 steps per stereogenic center) with umpolung of anomeric reactivity at C37. This 3,5-syn-diol sequence completes our methodology to all stereoisomers of 3,5,7-trihydroxy heptanoic ester building blocks functionalized for α-oxyanion chemistry.     

Synthesis of the C1–C13 fragment of eribulin mesylate

Synthesis of the C1–C13 fragment of eribulin mesylate has been accomplished. It features a highly stereoselective construction of a trans-dihydropyran framework using three key reactions: (1) Sharpless epoxidation, (2) regioselective ring opening, and (3) olefin metathesis.     

Synthesis of the C8–C16 fragment of amphidinolide R

An asymmetric synthesis of the C8–C16 fragment with several stereogenic centers of amphidinolide R, is described. The key reaction, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation has provided the basis for generation of the required stereocenters. The target fragment was accomplished in a convergent manner in nine steps (longest linear synthesis of the sequence) and 32% overall yield was obtained starting from 2-butene-1,4-diol.     

Electrochemical and photochemical approaches for the synthesis of the C28–C38 fragment of okadaic acid

Okadaic acid, a potent and selective inhibitor of Protein Phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A), is widely used as a probe for various biochemical processes. We describe herein two innovative methods for the synthesis of the terminal C28–C38 fragment of the natural polyether. Suárez photochemical oxidative cyclization and electrochemical oxidation of malonates to their ketals equivalents have been successfully applied for the assembly of the key spiroketal core.     

Asymmetric synthesis of the C1–C6 portion of the psymberin using an Evans chiral auxiliary

The C1–C6 region of the potent cytotoxic agent psymberin has been synthesized. The key transformations of the synthesis are an auxiliary-controlled addition of a Sn(II)-glycolate enolate to an aldehyde to yield the anti-aldol product and transforming the primary alcohol into a terminal olefin utilizing organoselenium chemistry.     

On the applicability of the Kasha—Vavilov rule to C60

Via full correction for the instrumental response function, the fluorescence excitation spectrum of C₆₀ in methylcyclohexane between 240 and 580 nm is shown to match the absorption spectrum. This proves that, in contrast to earlier reports, also after UV excitation into higher S_n states, deactivation proceeds virtually completely via the S₁ state, in accordance with the Kasha—Vavilov rule.     

Synthesis of the C38–C54 spiroketal segment of halichondrin B

Stereoselective synthesis of the C38–C54 segment of a marine metabolite halichondrin B comprising KLM and N rings with a C44 spiroketal including 10 chiral centers is described. The salient features of the synthesis are Carreira’s addition, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and double alkylation of TosMIC strategy and double vinyl coupling reactions.     

Is NMR the tool to characterize the structure of C20 isomers?

We investigate the feasibility of using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift calculations as a tool to provide structural information for C₂₀ fullerene type molecules. NMR chemical shifts are extremely sensitive to the local chemical environment of an atom, reflecting unambiguously its bond lengths and angles as well as its hybridization. Thus, they can distinguish between the different isomers that are candidates for the ground state of this molecule. We calculate the NMR shifts for several C₂₀ isomers and show that NMR constitutes a potential tool to discriminate and identify experimentally a particular C₂₀ molecular conformation, and also the level of theory which best describes the experimental structure.     

Toward the stereoselective synthesis of C1–C23 fragment of spirastrellolide B

A convergent synthesis of the protected C(1)–C(23) fragment 4 of the targeted natural product spirastrellolide B is described. The key step of the synthesis is cross metathesis (CM) and TBAF promoted oxa-Michael to construct tetrahydropyran moiety.     

Gram scale synthesis of the C(1)–C(9) fragment of amphidinolide C

An allylic cis-epoxide prepared by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation was transformed in nine steps and 41% overall yield to the cyclization precursor 4 via a key one carbon homologation. Cobalt-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of 4 gave the trans-THF in 94% yield at gram scale. Subsequent manipulations, including a Still–Gennari olefination, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Corey–Fuchs alkynylation, and Kazmaier hydrostannylation provided the fully functionalized C(1)–C(9) fragment 2 suitable for cross-coupling. The sequence is readily scalable and provides gram quantities of 2.     

Studies towards the total synthesis of altohyrtin A: a convergent approach to the C38–C51 carbon framework

The first pyranose-based approach to the F ring (C38–C43) of altohyrtin A 1 together with a synthetic approach to the C44–C51 chloro diene unit of 1 is described.     

Challenges in measuring the δ13C of the soil surface CO2 efflux

The δ13C of the soil surface efflux of carbon dioxide (δ13CRS) has emerged as a powerful tool enabling investigation of a wide range of soil processes from characterising entire ecosystem respiration to detailed compound-specific isotope studies. δ13CRS can be used to trace assimilated carbon transfer below ground and to partition the overall surface efflux into heterotrophic and autotrophic components. Despite this wide range of applications no consensus currently exists on the most appropriate method of sampling this surface efflux of CO2 in order to measure δ13CRS. Here we consider and compare the methods which have been used, and examine the pitfalls. We also consider a number of analysis options, isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), tuneable diode laser spectroscopy (TDLS) and cavity ring-down laser spectroscopy (CRDS). δ13CRS is typically measured using chamber systems, which fall into three types: closed, open and dynamic. All are imperfect. Closed chambers often rely on Keeling plots to estimate δ13CRS, which may not be appropriate without free turbulent air mixing. Open chambers have the advantage of being able to maintain steady-state conditions but analytical errors may become limiting with low efflux rates. Dynamic chambers like open chambers are complex, and controlling pressure fluctuations caused by air movement is a key concern. Both open and dynamic chambers in conjunction with field portable TDLS and CRDS analysis systems have opened up the possibility of measuring δ13CRS in real time permitting new research opportunities and are on balance the most suited to this type of measurement.