A novel method for the synthesis of (Z)-α-selenyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones via acylation of (E)-α-selanylvinylstannanes

The (E)-α-selenylvinylstannanes react with acyl halides in presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh₃)₄ to give the corresponding (Z)-α-selenyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones in good yield.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the separation of the optical isomers of γ,γ′-di-tert.-butyl- -γ-carboxyglutamic acid and -γ-carboxyglutamic acid

The chemical synthesis of γ,γ′-tert.-butyl-γ-carboxyglutamic acid is accompanied by extensive racemization, and very careful resolution is needed to obtain and -γ,γ′-di-tert.-butyl-γ-carboxyglutamic acids in high chiral purity. A novel method was devised for the separation of enantiomers of γ,γ′-di-tert.-butyl-γ-carboxyglutamic acid and γ-carboxyglutamic acid, applying precolumn derivatization with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrophenyl-5- -alanine amide and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β- -glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate as chiral reagents, with subsequent reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of diastereomeric compounds. The effects of organic modifiers, of the mobile-phase composition and of the pH on the separation of the diastereomers were investigated.     

Highly enantioselective reduction of achiral ketones with NaBH4/Me3SiCl catalyzed by (S)-α,α-diphenylpyrrolidinemethanol

The reducing agent prepared from sodium borohydride, trimethylsilyl chloride and a catalytic amount of (S)-α,α-diphenylpyrrolidinemethanol has been successfully applied to the enantioselective reduction of ketones. The optically active secondary alcohols were obtained in excellent enantiomeric excess and almost quantitative chemical yield.     

Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of β-blockers: (S)-propranolol and (S)-naftopidil

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of β-adrenergic blockers (S)-propranolol and (S)-naftopidil with >98% ee using an l-proline-catalyzed α-aminoxylation of an aldehyde as a key step is described.     

Transport through a slab membrane governed by a concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient: Part IV. D(C)/D0=1+(αC)−β(αC)

Using the specific functional form D(C)/D₀=1+(αC)−β(αC)² an investigation has been made of (isothermal) transport through a slab membrane under ‘simple’ boundary conditions and governed by a diffusion coefficient, D(C), which, with increasing concentration, at first increases, passes through a maximum value and finally decreases. The flux, integral diffusion coefficient and concentration profile characteristic of steady-state permeation have been evaluated; special attention has been paid to the positions of such profiles in relation to the corresponding linear distribution associated with a constant diffusion coefficient.The corresponding transient-state transport has been studied within a framework of the time-lag ‘early-time’ and ‘ ’ procedures. Expressions for the ‘adsorption’ and ‘desorption’ time-lags are given. The concentration-dependence of these time-lags, of the (four) integral diffusion coefficients derived from them and of the arithmetic-mean time-lag ratios have been considered in some detail. The ‘early-time’ and ‘ ’ finite-difference procedures have likewise been employed to derive four further integral diffusion coefficients, so enabling a comparison to be made of the nine integral coefficients pertaining to established experimental techniques.Particular interest attaches to the situation for which n≡β(αC₀)=1 (where C₀ is the ingoing or upstream concentration of diffusant) resulting in D(C₀) being symmetrical about C₀/2. Some consideration has been given, in general, to features of transient-state transport when governed by a symmetrical D(C).     

Orthorhombic–orthorhombic phase transitions in Nd2NiO4+δ (0.067≤δ≤0.224)

Variation of the phases of Nd₂NiO_4+δ with the excess oxygen concentration δ has been examined at room temperature in the range 0.067≤δ≤0.224 using the X-ray powder diffraction technique. The phases observed at room temperature are orthorhombic-I (0.21<δ≤0.224), orthorhombic-IV (0.175<δ≤0.21), orthorhombic-II (0.15<δ≤0.175), orthorhombic-II+quasi-tetragonal-I (0.10<δ≤0.15), and quasi-tetragonal-I (0.067<δ≤0.10).     

Synthesis, geometrical and absolute configuration of the tris(S-arginine)cobalt(III) trinitrate isomers and synthesis and molecular structure of (-)589-anti(N)-Δ-cis(N),cis(O)-Λ-cis(N),cis(O)-di-μ-hydroxo-tetrakis(S-arginine)dicobalt(III) tetranitrate tetrahydrate

In a direct synthesis reaction of the tris(aminocarboxylato)cobalt(III) complexes with S-arginine all four theoretically possible tris(S-arginine)cobalt(III) diastereomers were obtained as tripositive complex ions. Besides, one out of 24 theoretically possible isomers of di-μ-hydroxo-tetrakis(S-arginine)dicobalt(III) tetrapositive ion was obtained. Geometrical and absolute configurations of the tris(S-arginine)cobalt(III) isomers were determined by electronic and CD spectroscopy. The molecular structure of the (-)₅₈₉-anti(N)-Δ-cis(N),cis(O)-Λ-cis(N),cis(O)-di-μ-hydroxo-tetrakis(S-arginine)dicobalt(III) ion was solved by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The complexes obtained represent the first examples of cationic aminocarboxylato complexes of this type. For the first time the formation of the di-μ-hydroxo-tetrakis(aminocarboxylato)dicobalt(III) complex has been observed as a reaction concurrent to the formation of tris(aminocarboxylato)cobalt(III) complexes. Finally, the stereoselectivity of S-arginine in the tris(S-arginine)cobalt(III) isomers synthesis was discussed.     

Neutron diffraction study of the β′ and γ phases of LiFeO2

The β, β′, γ and α phases of LiFeO₂, synthesized as powders, were annealed at different temperatures and characterized by X-ray measurements. The β′ and γ modifications were also studied by time-of-flight neutron diffraction (ISIS Facility, UK). The structure of the β′ phase was refined in the monoclinic C2/c space group (a=8.566(1), b=11.574(2), c=5.1970(5) Å, β=146.064(5)°) to wR_p=0.071–0.080 (data from four counter banks). Fe and Li atoms are ordered over two of the four independent sites, and partially disordered over the other two. The ordered Li has a distorted tetrahedral coordination. The γ structure was refined at RT (a=4.047(1), c=8.746(2) Å) and at 570 °C (a=4.082(3), c=8.822(6) Å) in the I4₁/amd symmetry, showing full order with Li in octahedral coordination at RT, and in a split-atom configuration at high temperature. On annealing, the β′ polymorph was found to transform to γ at 550 °C, thus suggesting that it is a metastable phase. Electrostatics is discussed as the driving force for the α→β′→γ ordering process of LiFeO₂.     

Competitive adsorption of -α-lysophosphatidylcholine/β-lactoglobulin mixtures at the interfaces of foams and foam lamellae

The stability of foams formed with the protein β-lactoglobulin as a function of increasing concentration of the lipid analogue -α-lysophosphatidylcholine were investigated using a microconductivity technique. The drainage, surface diffusion and thickness properties of thin liquid films (foam lamallae) were also studied using optical microscopy including epi-illumination, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and film interferometry techniques. In addition, the surfactant binding properties of the protein were examined. The addition of small quantities of -α-lysophosphatidylcholine to β-lactoglobulin (molar ratio, R < 7:1) increased the foam stability, whereas a slightly higher concentration of surfactant in the mixture (R = 10) caused foam destabilisation. The explanation of these observations is based on changes in the composition and structure of the adsorbed interfacial layers of the thin films caused by competitive displacement of the protein by the surfactant.     

Partial electro-neutralisation of -α-p-hydroxyphenylglycine in sulphuric acid medium

In the industrial synthesis of -α-p-hydroxyphenylglycine the separation of amino acid is carried out by precipitation. During this process, a mother liquor is produced with a high salt content (2 M phosphates and sulphates) and an amino acid concentration of 0.11–0.12 M. The disposal of this mother liquor causes an environmental problem and an economic loss. The salt content of this mother liquor can be reduced in 70% of the initial by means of an electrodialysis process previously carried out by us, with only an amino acid loss of 15% of the initial. To improve and simplify this process, an electro-electrodialysis process (a membrane electrolysis process; the electrode processes and the transport process across the membrane are used) has been developed in which as a first step, the electro-neutralisation of solutions containing sulphuric acid and -α-p-hydroxyphenylglycine is studied. The sulphuric acid content is reduced to 87% of the initial, without detected loss of amino acid. The final solution is posteriorly neutralised by working up the pH of the solution for precipitating the amino acid, and a mother liquor with approximately 0.10 M -α-p-hydroxyphenylglycine and a low salt content (0.08 M Na₂SO₄) is produced. This mother liquor with low salinity can be recirculated again to a new electro-electrodialysis process.     

Synthesis and reactivity of new heterodinuclear iron/rhenium Cx complexes of the formula (η-C5Me5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CC)n(η-dppe)Fe(η-C5Me5) (n = 3, 4): Redox properties and a dicobalt hexacarbonyl adduct

We report in this communication the synthesis and characterization of two Fe/Re heterodinuclear complexes 3_n of formula (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Re(NO)(PPh₃)(CC)_n(η²-dppe)Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅) (n = 3, 4) as well as the hexacarbonyl dicobalt adduct (4) of the hexatriynediyl complex 3₃. We show by cyclic voltammetry that the “electronic communication” between the organometallic endgroups and thereby the thermodynamic stability of the corresponding mixed-valent (MV) parent 3_n⁺ is strongly influenced by bridge extension or by complexation of the [Co₂(CO)₆] fragment. In the case of the hexatriynediyl complex, the MV complex 3₃⁺ or 4 can be isolated by performing the chemical oxidation of 3₃ at low temperature. Spectroscopic studies of this compound and of other stable oxidized redox congeners should now help us to unravel how bridge extension modifies the electronic communication between the different redox-active endgroups in this family of unsymmetrically-substituted polyynediyl compounds.     

The use of selenophenyl galactopyranosides for the synthesis of α and β-(1→4)-C-disaccharides

Methyl α-C-lactoside {β-D-Gilp-C-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-OMe} and its α anomer were expeditiously synthesized by radical coupling of various selenophenyl galactopyranosides onto methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-deoxy-4-C-methylene-α-D-xylo-hexopyranoside, which aretemporarily connected through a silaketal tether.     

A simple route to syn α-Amino-β-Hydroxy esters by C-2 regioselective opening of a, β-Epoxy esters with metal halides

α,β-Epoxy esters are opened by NaX (X = I, Br) in a regio and stereoselective fashion to β-hydroxy-α-halo esters, which represent suitable precursors of syn α-amino-β-hydroxy esters and β-hydroxy esters.     

1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides on enantiomerically pure (E)-γ-alkoxy-α,β-unsaturated esters.

Enantiomerically pure (E)-γ-alkoxy-α,β-unsaturated esters were reacted with azomethine ylides obtained from glycine imines in the presence of LiBr and diazabicycloundecene (DBU), to afford tetrasubstituted pyrrolidines with complete regiocontrol and fair to excellent diastereoselectivity (only two diastereoisomers formed in up to 96: 4 diastereoisomeric ratio). The results are compared with those of other 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, and the origin of stereocontrol is discussed.     

Stereoselectivity of the Diels-Alder Reaction of (E)-γ-Oxo-α,β-Unsaturated Thioesters with Cyclopentadiene

The stereoselectivity of the Diels-Alder reaction of (E)-γ-oxo-α,β-unsaturated thioesters 3a-3d with cyclopentadiene is greatly enhanced in the presence of Lewis acids favoring the endo acyl isomers 4a-4d . In the absence of Lewis acid, Diels-Alder reaction of 3a-3d with cyclopentadiene at 25 °C gave two adducts 4a-4d and 5a-5d in a ratio of 1:1 respectively. In the presence of Lewis acids, Diels-Alder reaction of 3a-3d with cyclopentadiene gave 4a-4d and 5a-5d in ratios of 75-94:25-6 respectively. The stereoelectivity was enhanced to ratios of 95-98:5-2 with lowering the reaction temperature. The stereochemistry of the cycloadducts 4 and 5 was confirmed by iodocyclization. Reaction of the endo-thioester 5c with I₂ in aqueous THF at 0 °C gave the novel methylthio group rearranged product 6c in 80% yield, the first example of iodo-lactonization of endo-thioesters. Reaction of the endo-acyl isomer 4b with I₂ under the same reaction conditions gave an isomeric mixture of 7b and 8b in 1:2 ratio. The stereochemistry of the thioester group in 8b was proved by X-ray single-crystal analysis. The solvent effect on the endo selectivity of (Z)-γ-oxo-α,β-unsaturated thioester 2b was also examined.     

Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane trimethylphosphine alkyl and η-cyclopentadienyl compounds of rhodium(I); P{H} two dimensional δ/J resolved and Overhauser effect nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Neutral mononuclear tertiary phosphine rhodium(I) complexes of the formula RhX(PMe₃)(dppm), X = Cl, CH₂SiMe₃, CH₂CMe₃, CH₂CMe₂Ph, η⁵-C₅H₅, DPPM = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, RhCl(PPh₃)(dppm), RhX(dppm)₂, X = Cl, Me and Rh(η⁵-C₅H₅(dppm) have been synthesised. In Rh(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PMe₃)(dppm), the dppm ligand is unidentate according to ³¹P{¹H} NMR and X-ray data.The ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectral parameters of RhX(PR₃)(dppm) have been determined by a combination of two dimensional δ/J resolved spectroscopy and heteronuclear nuclear Overhauser effect difference spectroscopy (NOEDS) in conjunction with iterative analysis of the one dimensional spectra.     

Thermal degradation of poly(4-chloromethyl-α-acetoxystyrene) and poly(4-chloropropyl-α-acetoxystyrene)

The thermal degradation behaviour of two poly(4-ω-chloroalkyl-α-acetoxystyrene)s has been studied by means of dynamic and isothermal thermogravimetric analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results show that two reactions occur during the first stage of the process. An elimination reaction gives acetic acid as major volatile species and a residue formed of para-substituted polyphenylacetylenes. A depolymerization reaction gives principally the para-substituted acetophenone corresponding to the starting monomer, and explains the low molecular weights of the residues. These two reactions are simultaneous in the case of poly(4-chloromethyl-α-acetoxystyrene), but are distinguishable in the case of poly(4-3-chloropropyl-α-acetoxystyrene). Kinetic parameters of the overall decomposition of these two polymers have been calculated and compared with those of poly(4-2-chloroethyl-α-acetoxystyrene).     

Powder neutron diffraction of α-UB2C (α-UB2C-type)

The crystal structure of α-UB₂C (low temperature modification below T = 1675(25)°C) was determined from powder X-ray data (RT) and powder neutron diffraction data (at 29 K) employing the Rietveld-Young-Wiles profile analysis method. α-UB₂C crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmma with a = 0.60338(3), B = 0.35177(2), C = 0.41067(2) nm, V = 0.0872 nm³, Z = 2. The residuals of the neutron refinement were R₁ = 0.032 and R_F = 0.043. The crystal structure of α-UB₂C is a new structure type where planar nonregular 6³-U-metal layers alternate with planar nonmetal layers of the type (B₆C₂)³. Boron atoms are in a typical triangular prismatic metal surrounding with a tetrakaidekahedral coordination B[U₆B₂C₁], whereas carbon atoms occupy the center points of rectangular bipyramids C[U₄B₂]. The crystal structure of α-UB₂C derives from the high temperature modification β-UB₂C (ThB₂C-type, ), which reveals a similar stacking of slightly puckered metal layers 6³, alternating with planar layers B₆ · (B₆C₃)². The phase transition from β-UB₂C to α-UB₂C is thus essentially generated by carbon diffusion within the B₆ · (B₆C₃)² layers to form (B₆C₂)³ layers.     

Chemoenzymatic and yeast-catalysed synthesis of diastereomeric ethyl γ-phenyl and γ-(n-pyridyl)paraconates

The synthesis of γ-phenyl and γ-(n-pyridyl)paraconates was accomplished by chemical reduction of their respective ketodiester precursors followed by cyclisation of the resulting hydroxy diester intermediates. The cis- and trans-lactones thus obtained were separated and separately subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with HLAP. The cis-lactonic esters had enantiomeric excesses ranging from 94% to 99%, while for the trans-isomers the ee’s ranged from 80% to 93%. The same ketodiester precursors were subjected to reduction with a series of yeasts. The absolute configuration of trans-(−)-2-pyridyl paraconic acid was assigned by means of X-ray analysis of its hydrobromide salt, while the absolute configurations of the other lactones were determined via analysis of their respective CD curves.     

Reaction of [α-(trimethylsilyl)benzyl]ferrocenes with α-ferrocenylbenzyl cations

Although methanolysis of [α-(trimethylsilyl)benzyl]ferrocene (I) and [p-methyl-α-(trimethylsilyl)benzyl]ferrocene (II) in the presence of anhydrous ferric chloride merely gave α-ferrocenylbenzyl methyl ether (III) and p-methyl-α-ferrocenylbenzyl methyl ether (IV), respectively, acid-catalyzed methanolysis of (I) and (II) in the presence of an equimolar amount of (III) or (IV) afforded 1,2-diferrocenyl-l,2-diarylethanes. It is suggested that one electron oxidation of [α-(trimethylsilyl)benzyl]ferrocene by α-ferrocenylbenzyl cation generated from α-ferrocenylbenzyl methyl ether, and subsequent methanolysis of the resulting substituted ferricenium ion may occur to give the two species of α-ferrocenylbenzyl radical, which in turn undergo an approximately statistical coupling.