Quantitative Assessment of B−B−B,B−Hb−B,and B−Ht Bonds: From BH3 to B12H122−

We report the thermodynamic stabilities and the intrinsic strengths of three-center-two-electron B−B−B and B−H_b−B bonds ( : bridging hydrogen), and two-center-two-electron B−H_t bonds ( : terminal hydrogen) which can be served as a new, effective tool to determine the decisive role of the intermediates of hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions of borohydride. The calculated heats of formation were obtained with the G4 composite method and the intrinsic strengths of B−B−B, B−H_b−B, and B−H_t bonds were derived from local stretching force constants obtained at the B3LYP-D2/cc-pVTZ level of theory for 21 boron-hydrogen compounds, including 19 intermediates. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) was used to deepen the inside into the nature of B−B−B, B−H_b−B, and B−H_t bonds. We found that all of the experimentally identified intermediates hindering the reversibility of the decomposition reactions are thermodynamically stable and possess strong B−B−B, B−H_b−B, and B−H_t bonds. This proves that thermodynamic data and intrinsic B−B−B, B−H_b−B, and B−H_t bond strengths form a new, effective tool to characterize new (potential) intermediates and to predict their role for the reversibility of the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions.     

Structure and stability of B6, B,and B clusters

We investigated various isomers of B₆, B, and B clusters with ab initio [Hartree–Fock (HF), MP2)] and density functional theory (DFT) methods. Ten B₆ isomers, 6 B isomers, and 6 B isomers are determined to be local minima on their potential energy hypersurfaces by the HF, B3LYP, B3PW91, and MP2 methods. Fourteen of these structures are first reported. The most stable neutral B₆ cluster is the capped pentagonal pyramid (C_5v), in agreement with the results reported previously. Hexagon B (C_2h) isomer and fan‐shaped B (C_2v) isomer are found to be the most stable on the cationic and anionic energy hypersurfaces, respectively. Natural bond orbital analysis suggests that there are three‐centered bonds in the most stable B₆ neutral and ionic clusters. The multicentered bonds are responsible for the special stability of the lowest‐energy isomer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 269–278, 2003     

Total syntheses of variolin B and deoxyvariolin B

Two alternative synthetic routes have been developed for the preparation of variolin B and deoxyvariolin B. The strategy is based on the preparation of the core tricyclic ring common to all variolins, pyrido[3',2':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidine, followed by a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction to give the tetracyclic system.     

Total synthesis of siphonarin B and dihydrosiphonarin B

The spirocyclic core of the siphonarins was constructed by a directed cyclization of a linear triketone, prepared using a Sn(II)-mediated aldol coupling and Swern oxidation at C9 and C13. To circumvent a facile retro-Claisen pathway generating a baconipyrone-type ester, a Ni(II)/ Cr(II)-mediated coupling reaction with vinyl iodide was used to complete the first synthesis of siphonarin B and dihydrosiphonarin B. A stable isomeric spiroacetal was also prepared which could not be equilibrated to the siphonarin skeleton.     

Thermal degradation of B-group vitamins: B1, B2 and B6

The thermal behaviour of vitamins B₁, B₂ and B₆ under non-isothermal conditions and dynamic air atmosphere was studied. According to our study, it was determined that the most stable compound is vitamin B₂. A kinetic analysis of the thermodegradation process using four different data processing methods (Friedman, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose and modified NPK) was performed. The NPK was the only method that made it possible to evaluate the contribution to the reaction rate of the temperature and conversion, respectively. The results obtained from kinetic analysis were corroborated with the molecular architecture of the studied compounds.     

Formal Total Synthesis of Stevastelins B and B3

The formal total synthesis of stevastelins B and B3 ( 2 and 4 , resp.) have been accomplished employing a highly enantiomerically controlled Lewis acid catalyzed non‐aldol approach to obtain the syn aldol product and temperature controlled hydroboration oxidation reaction to construct four consecutive stereogenic centers. The other key reactions include Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, macrolactonization, and macrolactamization towards building the core skeleton 2 and 4 .     

Dielectric characterization of B3 and B4 phases

Dielectric measurements on two samples formed from banana-shaped molecules with terminal alkyl or alkyloxy groups were carried out in a frequency range between 10^-3 Hz and 10 MHz. Both samples exhibit B₂ and B₃ phases; one of them has a B₄ state as well. As usual, two ranges of relaxation were detected in the B₂ phase, the fast reorientation about the long axes of the molecules and a slow collective process. Only one dielectrically active low frequency process could be separated in the B₃ and B₄ phases; this is probably related to the dynamics of superstructures. The high frequency limit of the dielectric constants gives a hint that neither phase is a classical solid. A quite strong increase in the conductivity at the transition into the B₃ phase is critically discussed.     

Concise total syntheses of variolin B and deoxyvariolin B

The total synthesis of the marine alkaloid variolin B has been achieved in 8 steps and 17% overall yield, starting from commercially available 4-chloro-2-methylthiopyrimidine. The key reaction involves the tandem deoxygenation and cyclization of a triarylmethanol using a combination of triethylsilane and trifluoroacetic acid. In addition, the deoxygenated analogue was prepared in 6 steps and 23% overall yield, starting from the same starting material.     

Roles of vitamins B5, B8, B9, B12 and molybdenum cofactor at cellular and organismal levels

Many efforts have been made in recent decades to understand how coenzymes, including vitamins, are synthesised in organisms. In the present review, we describe the most recent findings about the biological roles of five coenzymes: folate (vitamin B9), pantothenate (vitamin B5), cobalamin (vitamin B12), biotin (vitamin B8) and molybdenum cofactor (Moco). In the first part, we will emphasise their biological functions, including the specific roles found in some organisms. In the second part we will present some nutritional aspects and potential strategies to enhance the cofactor contents in organisms of interest.     

Quantum chemistry study on B14, B,and B14H

The structure of B₁₄, B, and B₁₄H in octahedral symmetry has been investigated by ab initio calculations at the STO-3G and 4–31G levels. The relationship of molecular orbitals among them has been analyzed and it can be found that the number of valence bonding orbitals of high borane obeys the Wade rule. The similarities and difference between boron clusters and carbon clusters are also discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Stereospecific syntheses of coriolin,coriolin B and diketocoriolin B

Routes to the title compounds $\text{via}$ a fully stereospecific total synthesis of dihydrocoriolin are reported.     

Syntheses of all-methylated ellagitannin, isorugosin B and rugosin B

Ellagitannins possess a wide range of biological activities and remarkable structural diversity, which commonly include an axially chiral biaryl unit. This paper describes syntheses of all-methylated versions of isorugosin B and rugosin B, which are regioisomeric, ellagitannin-related compounds. The key features of these syntheses involve the construction of an axially chiral biaryl function on a sugar moiety through a Pd-catalyzed intramolecular biaryl coupling reaction, Bringmann’s atroposelective lactone opening reaction, and a two-step ester formation. This is the first synthetic approach for generating ellagitannins featuring a valoneoyl group.     

The crystal structure of LaIr4B4, ThOs4B4, ThIr4B4 (NdCo4B4-type) and URu4B4, UOs4B4 (LuRu4B4-type)

The crystal structure of LaIr₄B₄ has been refined from single crystal counter data. LaIr₄B₄ is tetragonal,P4₂/n,Z=2, isotypic with NdCo₄B₄, |F|/|F _o|=0.039 for 312 independent reflections [|F _o|>2 (F _o)]. ThIr₄B₄ and ThOs₄B₄ also belong to the NdCo₄B₄-type structure. URu₄B₄ and UOs₄B₄ were found to crystallize with LuRu₄B₄-type structure. The crystal chemistry of (RE)T ₄B₄-phases is discussed and simple geometric relations are shown to exist between them.Dedicated to Prof.B. T. Matthias in celebration of his 60th birthday.     

Costuslactone B

The crystal structure of 4,10,11α‐tri­methyl‐3‐oxocostuslactone, C₁₅H₂₀O₃, a new compound isolated from the dried root of Vladimiria souliei Liarke, has been determined and the compound has been named costuslactone B. The ten‐membered ring takes a slightly distorted boat–chair–chair conformation typical of the substituents.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of reveromycin B and C19-epi-reveromycin B

Our studies toward the total synthesis of the reveromycin family of natural products are described herein. Our synthetic approach is efficient, stereocontrolled, and convergent and has resulted in the first synthesis of reveromycin B (4) and C19-epi-reveromycin B (55). Key steps of this successful strategy include: a modified Negishi coupling (construction of C7-C8 bond) and a Kishi-Nozaki reaction (construction of C19-C20 bond), which were employed in the attachment of the target side chains. The key building blocks for the total synthesis were thus defined as vinyl iodide 6, alkyne 7, and alkyne 8. Our synthesis illustrates the utility of the modified Negishi coupling for the construction of complex dienes, confirms the proposed stereochemistry of reveromycins and paves the way for the preparation of designed analogues for biological study.     

Facile construction of the pentacyclic framework of subincanadine B. Synthesis of 20-deethylenylated subincanadine B and 19,20-dihydrosubincanadine B

[reaction: see text] We describe a facile approach for effectively constructing the pentacyclic framework of subincanadine B. The seven-step assembly of tetracyclic ketone 14 featured Michael addition, Pictet-Spengler cyclization, and Dieckmann condensation. From this key ketone intermediate, two analogues of subincanadine B, i.e., 20-deethylenylated subincanadine B (27) and 19,20-dihydrosubincanadine B (31), were synthesized in four steps, respectively.