Synthesis of γ-lactones from easily and accessible reactants catalyzed by Cu–MnOx catalysts

The mechanism of the oxidative [3+2] cycloaddition of alkenes with anhydrides using oxygen as an oxidant to synthesize γ-lactones has been studied using a heterogeneous dual copper-manganese–based catalyst. The cyclization takes place through two coexisting reaction mechanisms, the involvement of different reaction intermediates and a clear synergistic effect between copper and manganese. In fact it appears that CuO clusters dispersed on the surface of a manganese-based oxide increase the redox capability of manganese ions and leads to an increase in the release of oxygen from the surface.     

Stability of phosphinidenes--are they synthetically accessible?

The relative stability of different singlet phosphinidenes (R-P) has been investigated by using isodesmic reactions. The energies of these reactions with several R groups were calculated with DFT and ab initio methods at different levels of theory. The best stabilising effect on the phosphinidene centre is exhibited by the R'2C=N-group, resulting in a singlet ground state. The analysis of the electron density in the parent H2C=N-P, indicates a considerable double bond character of the PN bond. Further tuning of the C=N pi-bond polarity is possible by variation of the R' substituents. Using trimethylsilyl substituents or incorporating the carbon atom in a pi-withdrawing pentafulvene ring the stabilization and the computed singlet triplet separation increases. The thermodynamics and the kinetics of dimerisation reactions of the most stabilised R'2C=N-P indicates that these compounds are likely synthetic targets.     

A sequence-based computational model for the prediction of the solvent accessible surface area for α-helix and β-barrel transmembrane residues

Predicting the solvent accessible surface area (ASA) of transmembrane (TM) residues is of great importance for experimental researchers to elucidate diverse physiological processes. TM residues fall into two major structural classes (α-helix membrane protein and β-barrel membrane protein). The reported solvent ASA prediction models were developed for these two types of TM residues respectively. However, this prevents the general use of these methods because one cannot determine which model is suitable for a given TM residue without information of its type. To conquer this limitation, we developed a new computational model that can be used for predicting the ASA of both TM α-helix and β-barrel residues. The model was developed from 78 α-helix membrane protein chains and 24 β-barrel membrane protein. Its prediction ability was evaluated by cross validation method and its prediction result on an independent test set of 20 membrane protein chains. The results show that our model performs well for both types of TM residues and outperforms other prediction model which was developed for the specific type of TM residues. The prediction results also proved that the random forest model incorporating conservation score is an effective sequence-based computational approach for predicting the solvent ASA of TM residues.     

Efficient asymmetric protonation of enolates with readily accessible chiral α-sulfinyl alcohols

The efficient asymmetric protonation of lithium enolates of 2-alkylcycloalkanones (87–96% ee) with readily accessible chiral α-sulfinyl alcohols is described. Optimal stereoselection is achieved for each lithium enolate at a different reaction temperature in the range −40 to −100°C.     

High-affinity DNA targeting using readily accessible mimics of N2'-functionalized 2'-amino-α-L-LNA

N2'-Pyrene-functionalized 2'-amino-α-L-LNAs (locked nucleic acids) display extraordinary affinity toward complementary DNA targets due to favorable preorganization of the pyrene moieties for hybridization-induced intercalation. Unfortunately, the synthesis of these monomers is challenging (~20 steps, <3% overall yield), which has precluded full characterization of DNA-targeting applications based on these materials. Access to more readily accessible functional mimics would be highly desirable. Here we describe short synthetic routes to a series of O2'-intercalator-functionalized uridine and N2'-intercalator-functionalized 2'-N-methyl-2'-aminouridine monomers and demonstrate, via thermal denaturation, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy experiments, that several of them mimic the DNA-hybridization properties of N2'-pyrene-functionalized 2'-amino-α-L-LNAs. For example, oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ONs) modified with 2'-O-(coronen-1-yl)methyluridine monomer Z, 2'-O-(pyren-1-yl)methyluridine monomer Y, or 2'-N-(pyren-1-ylmethyl)-2'-N-methylaminouridine monomer Q display prominent increases in thermal affinity toward complementary DNA relative to reference strands (average ΔT(m)/mod up to +12 °C), pronounced DNA-selectivity, and higher target specificity than 2'-amino-α-L-LNA benchmark probes. In contrast, ONs modified with 2'-O-(2-napthyl)uridine monomer W, 2'-O-(pyren-1-yl)uridine monomer X or 2'-N-(pyren-1-ylcarbonyl)-2'-N-methylaminouridine monomer S display very low affinity toward DNA targets. This demonstrates that even conservative alterations in linker chemistry, linker length, and surface area of the appended intercalators have marked impact on DNA-hybridization characteristics. Straightforward access to high-affinity building blocks such as Q, Y, and Z is likely to accelerate their use in DNA-targeting applications within nucleic acid based diagnostics, therapeutics, and material science.     

Synthesis and characterization of di- and trivalent pyrazolylborate β-diketonates and cyanometalates

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of a series of di- and trivalent hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate (Tp*) cyanomanganates are described. Treatment of tris(acetylacetonate)manganese(III) [Mn(acac)(3)] with KTp* and tetra(ethyl)ammonium cyanide affords [NEt(4)][(Tp*)Mn(II)(κ(2)-acac)(CN)] (1), as the first monocyanomanganate(II) complex; attempted oxidation of 1 with iodine affords {(Tp*)Mn(II)(κ(2)-acac(3-CN))}(n) (2) as a one-dimensional chain and bimetallic {[NEt(4)][(Tp*)Mn(II)(κ(2)-acac(3-CN))](2)(μ-CN) (3) as the major and minor products, respectively. A fourth complex, [NEt(4)][(Tp*)Mn(II)(η(2)-acac(3-CN))(η(1)-NC-acac)] (4), is obtained via treatment of Mn(acac(3-CN))(3) with KTp* and [NEt(4)]CN, while [NEt(4)](2)[Mn(II)(CN)(4)] (5) was prepared from manganese(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate and excess [NEt(4)]CN. Tricyanomanganate(III) complexes, [cat][(Tp*)Mn(III)(CN)(3)] [cat = NEt(4)(+), 7; PPN(+), 8], are prepared via sequential treatment of Mn(acac(3-CN))(3) with KTp*, followed by [NEt(4)]CN, or [cat](3)[Mn(III)(CN)(6)] with (Tp*)SnBu(2)Cl. Magnetic measurements indicate that 1, 2, and 4 contain isotropic Mn(II) (S = (5)/(2); g = 2.00) centers, and no long-range magnetic ordering is found above 1.8 K. Compounds 7 and 8 contain S = 1 Mn(III) centers that adopt singly degenerate spin ground states without orbital contributions to their magnetic moments.     

Thiophosphorosulfenyl bromides and iodides — synthesis and characterization

The reaction of diphenyltin bis(dithiophosphates) with N-bromo- and N-iodosuccinimides afforded corresponding thiophosphorosulfenyl bromides and iodides, which reacted with a variety of nucleophiles such as thiol, dithiocarboxylic acid, amine and olefin to give novel unsymmetrical disulfides, sulfenamides and dithiophosphoric acid esters.     

Automatically and electronically controllable hydrogel based valves and microvalves – design and operating performance

This paper describes automatically and electronically controlled valves and microvalves based on smart hydrogels. The operating performance of such devices will be discussed in dependence on various design parameters. Furthermore, it will be shown that hydrogel based valves are showing an outstanding possibility of miniaturization, a leakage free switching behavior up to a pressure drop of 8.4 bar, and a pronounced particle tolerance.     

Syntheses and characterizations of trinuclear and dinuclear “half-sandwich” zirconocene phosphates and phosphonates

A series of six-coordinate “half-sandwich” zirconocene phosphates and phosphonates have been synthesized by the reaction of Cp₂ZrCl₂ with (diphenyl-, dibenzyl-)phosphate and methylphenylphosphinic acid under different conditions. All of the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy. Except for complex 3, the structures of complexes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The structure analyses reveal that complexes 1, 2, and 3 are trinuclear complexes with fascinating μ₃-oxygen bridging ligands, central to a Zr–O backbone (Cp₂ZrCl₂:ligand is 1:1) while complexes 4, 5, and 6 are centrosymmetric dinuclear complexes built up about the trapezoidal Zr₂(μ₂-OH)₂ unit (Cp₂ZrCl₂:ligand is 1:2).     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of mono- and (±)-1,2-dialkylferrocenes and alkylferrocenium hexafluorophosphates in aqueous and micellar media

Absract Simple methods have been developed for the preparation of a series ofn-alkylferrocenes H(CH₂) _n Fc (n = 3, 5–8, or 12) based on Friedel-Crafts acylation of ferrocenes followed by reduction of the corresponding ketones with Zn amalgam. The properties of H(CH₂) _n Fc and the corresponding ferrocenium ions in micellar aqueous solutions and the behavior of water-soluble cations H(CH₂) _n Fc⁺ in the absence of micelles were studied by cyclic voltammetry. In all cases, the formal redox potentials of ferrocenes (E ^o) increase linearly asn increases up to 8. Whether micelles are present or not, the corresponding correlation equation has the following form:E ^o= + n, where = 29 mV in all cases. The synthesis of (±)-1-ethyl-2-methylferrocene from racemic -dimethylaminoethylferrocene is reported.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2575–2581, October 1996.     

Synthesis and properties of cross-conjugated ��,�ء�-bis-dimethylamino ketones and dinitriles with N-acetyl- and N-benzylpiperidine cycles

Reactions of N-acetyl- and N-benzyl-4-piperidones with aminal of ??-dimethylaminoac-rolein yielded ketocyanines bearing piperidine cycle. Reaction of 3-dimethylamino-1,1,3-trimethoxypropane with 1-acetylpiperidin-4-ylidenemalononitrile in the presence of ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄), resulted in cross-conjugated ??,???-dimethylamino dinitrile. Protonation of ketocyanines bearing N-acetyl- and N-benzyl-piperidine cycles with Et₂O·HBF₄ (1 equiv.) furnished piperidinium salts, while protonation of the latter with Et₂O·HBF₄ (2 equiv.) afforded doubly charged 4-hydroxypolymethine salts. Unlike protonation, reaction of 3,5-bis(3-dimethylaminoprop-2-enylidene)-1-acetylpiperidin-4-one with Me₂SO₄ involved only the oxygen atom and led to a singly charged 4-methoxypolymethine salt. Methylation of 3,5-bis(3-dimethylaminoprop-2-enylidene)-1-benzylpiperidin-4-one with Me₂SO₄ (1 equiv.) involved cyclic nitrogen atom and resulted in piperidinium salt; heating of the latter with the excess of Me₂SO₄ afforded doubly charged bis-methoxysulfonate. Starting from 4-methoxytetrahydropyridinium salts, meso-methoxythiapentacarbocyanine dyes were synthesized.     

Di- and Trinuclear σ-Aryl Iron and Manganese Complexes

Reactions of p- and m-diiodobenzenes, p,p'-diiodobiphenyl, and 1,3,5-triiodobenzene with anions derived from dicarbonyl(cyclopentadienyl)iron and pentacarbonylmanganese, catalyzed by palladium complexes, provide a successful route to mono-, di-, and trinuclear -aryl iron and manganese complexes.     

Identification and Determination of Nicorandil and its Degradation Products by HPLC and GC/MS

Nicorandil [N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-nicotinamide nitrate NIC] is a novel kind of compound in the treatment of angina pectoris. NIC can be degraded easily in storage. The degradation products include N-(2-hydroxyethy) nicotinamide (HN), nitrate ion (NI), and ni…     

Cloning and Sequencing of Trichosanthin Gene and Its Expression in Escherichia coli and Tobacco Plant

A Trichosanthin gene was cloned from Trichosanthes kirilowii genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nucleotide sequence data indicated that we obtained the coding region of the mature Trichosanthin peptide as well as its signal peptide at the N-terminus. Comparisons of our sequence with the previously reported nucleotide sequences of this gene showed 99.25% homology, yet there were notable differences between the previously reported amino acid sequence and our deduced result. This gene was subcloned into a highlevel expression plasmid (pJLA502) of E. coli under the control of a P_RP_L promoter, and we observed the gene product after temperature induction. The gene was further cloned into plant intermediate vector pE3 under the control of a CaMV 35S promoter, and transferred into a tobacco genome using the agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer system. Western blotting analysis of the protein extracted from Escherichia coli and transgenic tobacco plants proved that the Trichosanthin gene has been     

Photoinduced intermolecular and intramolecular actions between eosin and porphyrin

Two dyads of eosin and porphyrin linked with a semi-rigid (-CH2phCH2-) or flexible (-(CH2)4-) bridge and their reference model compounds were synthesized and characterized The intermoleccular interaction and intramolecular photoinduced singlet energy transfer and electron transfer were studied by their absorp tion spectra,fluorescence emission,excitation spectra and fluorescence lifetime The model compounds,ethyl ester of eosm (EoEt) and porphyrin (PorEt),could form complexes in the ground state.When the eosin moieties in dyads were excited,they could transfer some singlet energy to the porphyrins; in the meantime,they could also ndsce electron transfer between two chromophores.Exciting the porphyrin moieties in dyads could induce electron transfer from eosin moieties to porphyrin moieties.The efficiencies (EnT,ET) and rate constants (kEnT,kET) were related to the polarity of solvents and mutual orientation of the two chromophores in dyads.     

Synthesis and Sweetness of Pseddo-β-D and L-Frdctopyranose

Abstract

Pseudo-β-D (D-2) and L-fructopyranose (L-2), 1(S) and (1R)-(1,2/-3,4)-4-C-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-cyclohexanetetrol, have been synthesized, starting from optically active endo-adducts of furan and acrylic acid, following the modified procedure used for the preparation of the racemic modification. It has been demonstrated that the D and L-enantiomers are nearly as sweet as D-fructose, and the former is somewhat sweeter than the latter.     

Short and efficient hemisynthesis of α-eudesmol and cryptomeridiol

The aerial part of Dittrichia viscosa yielded two sesquiterpenes, isocostic acid (1) and ilicic acid (2), on multigram scale. These acids are appropriate starting materials for short and facile syntheses of α-eudesmol (5) and cryptomeridiol (6), natural products featuring anti-Alzheimer and anti-spasmodic properties. Compounds 5 and 6 were obtained in three steps in overall yields of 70% and 52%, respectively.     

Generation and Dienophilic reactivity of α-oxoselenoaldehydes and ketones

The reaction of elemental selenium with sulfur ylides stabilized by electron-withdrawing substituent(s) affords a facile method for generation of functionalized selenocarbonyl compounds, which can be effectively trapped by Diels-Alder reaction with 1,3-dienes.