Structural control in palladium(II)-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation by new chiral phosphine-phosphite and pyridine-phosphite ligands

The ligands 6-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-4,8-di-tert-butyl-2,10-dimethoxy-5,7-dioxa-6-phosphadibenzo[a,c]cycloheptene, 1, (S)-4-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4a′]dinaphthalene, (S)-2, and (S)-4-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-2,6-bis-trimethylsilanyl-3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalene, (S)-3, (S)-2-(3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalen-4-yloxymethyl)pyridine, (S)-4, and (S)-2-(3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalen-4-yloxy)pyridine, (S)-5, have been easily prepared.The cationic complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(L-L′)]CF₃SO₃ (L–L′=1–(S)-5) and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)(L–L′)]CF₃SO₃ (L–L′=(S)-2–(S)-4) were synthesized by conventional methods starting from the complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂ and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)Cl]₂, respectively. The behavior in solution of all the π-allyl- and π-phenylallyl-(L–L′)palladium derivatives 6–14 was studied by ¹H, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and 2D-NOESY spectroscopy. As concerns the ligands (S)-4 and (S)-5, a satisfactory analysis of the structures in solution was possible only for palladium–allyl complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-4)]CF₃SO₃, 11, and [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-5)]CF₃SO₃, 12, since the corresponding species [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)((S)-4)]CF₃SO₃, 13, and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)((S)-5)]CF₃SO₃, 14, revealed low stability in solution for a long time. The new ligands (S)-2–(S)-5 were tested in the palladium-catalyzed enantioselective substitution of (1,3-diphenyl-1,2-propenyl)acetate by dimethylmalonate. The precatalyst [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-2)]CF₃SO₃ afforded the allyl substituted product in good yield (95%) and acceptable enantioselectivities (71% e.e. in the S form). A similar result was achieved with the precatalyst [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-3)]CF₃SO₃. The nucleophilic attack of the malonate occurred preferentially at allylic carbon far from the binaphthalene moiety, namely trans to the phosphite group. When the complexes containing ligands (S)-4 and (S)-5 were used as precatalysts, the product was obtained as a racemic mixture in high yield. The number of the configurational isomers of the Pd-allyl intermediates present in solution in the allylic alkylation and the relative concentrations are considered a determining factor for the enantioselectivity of the process.     

Orbital control of stereochemistry in acid-catalysed addition reactions of endo -tricyclo[3.2.1.02,4]0ct-6-ene

The reaction of endo-tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]oct-6-ene 1 with methanol in the presence of catalytic amounts of toluene-p-sulphonic acid has been shown to give 2-exo- and endo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c) and (2d) and 2-endo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-ene (13). The formation of 2-exo- methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c), the major product of reaction, has been probed by deuterium labelling experiments and a series of 6-exo-7-exo- dideuterobicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-enes synthesised for ²H, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral analysis in order unambiguously to determine the stereochemistry of proton attack on endo-tricyclo[3.2.1 0^2,4]oct-6-ene (1). The formation of 2-exo-methoxybicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene (2c) has been determined to involve corner protonation of the cyclopropyl moiety and skeletal rearrangement to an allylic cation with a small but measurable memory effect     

Chiral arene ruthenium complexes: Part 3. [Ruthenium(η6-arene)(η4-1,5-cyclooctadiene)] complexes with N or O donor functions in the arene side chain

Arene ruthenium(0) complexes with carbonyl side chain functionalities like [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₅COR)(η⁴-COD)] or [Ru(η⁶-o-C₆H₄{R¹}COR)(η⁴-COD)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene; R=H, CH₃; R¹=H, CH₃, OCH₃) are easily accessible by replacing the naphthalene ligand of [Ru(η⁶-naphthalene)(η⁴-COD)] (1) through an arene exchange reaction. These carbonyl species are susceptible to standard organic reactions of the carbonyl function, thus allowing the introduction of dangling side chains bearing highly polar functions like hydroxyl or amino groups. Aldol reaction of [Ru(o-C₆H₄{CH₃}COCH₃)(COD)] (3) with (−)-menthylchloroformate in the presence of LDA (LDA=lithium diisopropylamide) leads to a diastereomeric mixture of [Ru(menthyl-{3-oxo-3-η⁶-o-tolyl}propionate)(COD)] (10). However, treatment of 3 with LDA and o-tolylaldehyde or benzaldehyde affords the unexpected products [Ru(1-η⁶-o-tolyl-3-o-tolylpropan-1-one)(COD)] (11) and [Ru(1-η⁶-o-tolyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one)(COD)] (12). A diastereoselective addition (88% de) of deprotonated menthylacetate to [Ru(o-tolylaldehyde)(COD)] (4) results in the formation of [Ru(menthyl 3-η⁶-o-tolyl-3-hydroxypropionate)(COD)] (13). Racemic planar-chiral aldehyde complexes 2 and 4 react with amines giving the imination products in good yield. In case of reaction between 2 and (R)-N-amino-2-(methoxymethyl)-pyrrolidine (RAMP), diastereomeric [Ru(N-[[η⁶-(2-methylphenyl]methylene]-(R)-2-(methoxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinamine)(COD)] (17) is formed. The diastereomers (R,R)-17 and (S,R)-17 have been separated by fractional crystallisation. Asymmetric arene ruthenium complexes with a defined planar-chiral configuration are thus accessible. Reduction of [Ru(3-η⁶-phenyl-(R)-methylbutyrate)(COD)] (7) with LiAlH₄ yields the chiral γ-alcohol [Ru(3-η⁶-phenyl-(R)-1-butanol)(COD)] (18). A Wittig olefination converts the aldehyde complex 4 into a mixture of E- and Z-isomeric [Ru(1-η⁶-o-tolyl-2-phenylethylene)(COD)] 21a and 21b, which were separated again by fractional crystallisation.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties of complexes based on [Ni(L-L)3]2+ complex cations with dimethylderivatives of 2,2′-bipyridine and TCNQ

From the aqueous-methanolic systems Ni(NO₃)₂ – LiTCNQ – 5,5′-dmbpy and Ni(NO₃)₂ – LiTCNQ – 4,4′-dmbpy three novel complexes [Ni(5,5′-dmbpy)₃](TCNQ)₂ (1), [Ni(4,4′-dmbpy)₃](TCNQ)₂ (2) and [Ni(4,4′-dmbpy)₃]₂(TCNQ-TCNQ)(TCNQ)₂∙0.60H₂O (3), were isolated in single crystal form. The new compounds were identified using chemical analyses and IR spectroscopy. Single crystal studies of all samples corroborated their compositions and have shown that their ionic structures contain the complex cations [Ni(5,5′-dmbpy)]²⁺ (1) or [Ni(4,4′-dmbpy)]²⁺ (2 and 3). The anionic parts of the respective crystal structures 1–3 are formed by TCNQ^⋅- anion-radicals and in 3 also by a σ-dimerized dianion (TCNQ-TCNQ)^2- with a C-C distance of 1.663(5) Å. The supramolecular structures are governed by weak hydrogen bonding interactions. The variable-temperature (2–300 K) magnetic studies of 1 and 3 confirmed the presence of magnetically active Ni(II) atoms with S = 1 and TCNQ^⋅- anion-radicals with S = 1/2 while the (TCNQ-TCNQ)^2- dianion is magnetically silent. The magnetic behavior was described by a complex magnetic model assuming strong antiferromagnetic interactions between some TCNQ^⋅- anion-radicals.     

Functionalized cyclopalladated compounds with bidentate Group 15 donor atom ligands: the crystal and molecular structures of [{Pd[5-(COH)C6H3C(H)NCy-C2,N](Cl)}2(μ-Ph2PRPPh2)] (R=CH2CH2, Fe(C5H4)2], [Pd{5-(COH)C6H3C(H)NCy-C2,N}(Ph2PCH2PPh2-P,P)][PF6] and [Pd{5-(COH)C6H3C(H)N(Cy)-C2,N}(Ph2PCH2CH2AsPh2-P,As)][PF6]

The chloro-bridged dinuclear compound [{Pd[5-(COH)C₆H₃C(H)N(Cy)-C2,N]}(μ-Cl)]₂ (1), reacts with tertiary diphosphines in 1:1 molar ratio to give [{Pd[5-(COH)C₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N](Cl)}₂(μ-Ph₂PRPPh₂)] (R: CH₂, 2; CH₂CH₂, 3; (CH₂)₄, 4; (CH₂)₆, 5; Fe(C₅H₄)₂, 6; trans-CHCH, 7; C≡C, 8). Treatment of 1 with Ph₂PCH₂CH₂AsPh₂ (arphos) gives the dinuclear complex [{Pd[5-(COH)C₆H₃C(H)N(Cy)-C2,N](Cl)}₂(μ-Ph₂PCH₂CH₂AsPh₂)] (9). The reaction of 1 with tertiary diphosphines or arphos in 1:2 molar ratio in the presence of NH₄PF₆ yields the mononuclear compounds [Pd{5-(COH)C₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N}(Ph₂PRPPh₂-P,P)][PF₆] (R: (CH₂)₄, 10; (CH₂)₆, 11; Fe(C₅H₄)₂, 12; 1,2-C₆H₄, 13; cis-CHCH, 14; NH, 15) and [Pd{5-(COH)C₆H₃C(H)N(Cy)-C2,N}(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂AsPh₂-P,As)][PF₆] (16). ¹H-, ³¹P-{¹H}- and ¹³C-{¹H}-NMR, IR and mass spectroscopic data are given. The crystal structures of compounds 3, 6, 9 and 16 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

One-pot efficient synthesis of novel fused pentacyclic indolopyridobenzimidazoles and pyridoimidazopyridoindoles from the reaction of pyranoindolones with 1,2-diaminobenzenes and 2,3-diaminopyridines

The synthesis of a number of novel, fully conjugated, planar pentacyclic 5H-indolo[3′,2′:4,5]pyrido[1,2-a][1,3]benzimidazoles (8) and 11H-pyrido[3″,2″:4′,5′]imidazo[1′,2′:1,6]pyrido[3,4-b]indoles (12) by a one-pot reaction of pyranoindolones with substituted o-phenylenediamines or 2,3-diaminopyridines is described. In the case of 2,3-diaminopyridines the reaction proceeds regioselectively affording only regioisomers 12. Structural assignments of the new compounds as well as complete assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR signals were based on the analysis of their ¹H and ¹³C NMR (1D and 2D), IR, MS and elemental analysis data. Plausible mechanisms are proposed.     

Chiral solvating properties of (S)-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione

In CDCl₃ solution, enantiopure (S)-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione (S)-1a formed diastereomeric CO⋯H–N hydrogen-bonded associates with racemic (RS,Z)-1-benzyl-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]piperazine-2,5-diones 2a and 2b, (RS)-tert-butyl pyroglutamate (RS)-2c and (RS)-N-benzoylalanine methyl ester (RS)-2d. This resulted in splitting (doubling) of the characteristic signals in the ¹H NMR and ¹³C spectra of racemic compounds 2a–d in the presence of 1 equiv of (S)-1a. The formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers in CDCl₃ solution was studied by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and 2D NMR and confirmed by the intermolecular NOE observed between the hydrogen-bonded amide protons from each of the monomeric units, (S)-1a and 2a–c. On the other hand, a slightly different binding mode was proposed for association of (S)-1a with alaninamide (RS)-2d. Enantiomer compositions of known (weighed) mixtures of both enantiomers of tert-butyl pyroglutamate 2c were re-determined by ¹H NMR in the presence of (S)-1a in CDCl₃. The experimental values were in good agreement with the theoretical values, thus indicating the potential applicability of (S)-1a and related diketopiperazines as chiral solvating agents in NMR spectroscopy.     

Two new Ni(II) Schiff base complexes: X-ray absolute structure determination,synthesis of a N-labelled complex and full assignment of its H NMR and C NMR spectra

The Ni(II) complex of the Schiff base of (S)-N-(2-benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)-1-benzylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide and glycine (1) [GKCl] and the hemihydrate of the Ni(II) complex of the Schiff base of (S)-N-(2-benzoylphenyl)-1-benzylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide and 2-aminoisobutiric acid (2) [Me₂GK] were prepared and their absolute structures determined. The conformations of the complexes and their hydrogen bonding are discussed in detail. In complex 2, the repulsion between the benzyl group and an equatorial methyl group should affect the conformation of the benzyl group, distribution of the π-electron density in this group and distortion of the internal coordination sphere, while for complex 1, only minor conformational changes were expected. ¹H and ¹³C NMR data for the ¹⁵N-labelled complex 2 were acquired and fully assigned in order to study the influence of π-electron density of the benzyl group to the long-range ¹³C–¹⁵N and ¹³C–¹³C spin–spin interactions.     

Platinum(IV) complexes with purine analogs. Studies of molecular structure and antiproliferative activity in vitro

A series of tetrachloride platinum(IV) compounds of the general formulae PtCl₄L₂, where L = 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (tp) (1), 5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dmtp) (2), 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dbtp) (3) and 5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(4H)-one (HmtpO) (4) have been prepared and characterized by thermal analysis, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR and IR spectroscopy. Spectral data suggest that the triazolopyrimidines act as a monodentate ligand via the nitrogen atom N(3). The preliminary assessments of antitumor properties of the four complexes were evaluated as in vitro antiproliferative activity against three cell lines: HL-60 human acute promyelocytic leukemia, SW707 rectal adenocarcinoma and HCV29T bladder cancer. PtCl₄(dbtp)₂ exhibits high cytotoxic activity against all human cell lines, whereas the other complexes are only moderately active.     

One- and two-dimensional NMR study of structure of 1,2-disubstituted p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene containing amide fragment

The structure of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-dihydroxy-26,28-bis[N-(4′-nitrophenyl)aminocarbonylmethoxy] thiacalix[4]arene I was examined by 1D and 2D (NOESY) ¹H and ¹³C NMR methods in a CDCl₃ solution using numerical simulation (semi-empirical quantum-chemical calculations, PM3 method). Compound I was found to exist in the 1,2-alternate conformation, where bulky substituents OCH₂C(O)· NHPhNO₂ are in the endo-position relative to the macrocycle cavity.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing phosphine-pyrazolyl based tripod ligands

Phosphine-pyrazolyl based tripod ligands ROCH₂C(CH₂Pz)₂(CH₂PPh₂) (R = H, Me, allyl; Pz = pyrazol-1-yl) were efficiently synthesized and characterized. Reactions of these ligands with [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ afforded complexes of the type [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂](L) (6-8) in which the ligands exhibit κ¹-P-coordination to the metal center. Complex [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂{Ph₂PCH₂C(CH₂OH)(CH₂Pz)₂}] (6) underwent chloride-dissociation in CH₂Cl₂/MeCN to give complex [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene){κ²(P,N)-Ph₂PCH₂C(CH₂OH)(CH₂Pz)₂}][Cl] (9). Complexes 6-9 demonstrated poor to moderate catalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone. All these complexes were fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and their molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallographic study.     

The synthesis of novel hexa-C-labelled glucosinolates from [C6]-d-glucose

An isotopically labelled building block, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-β-d-[¹³C₆]glucopyranose (4), is obtained from the commercially available [¹³C₆]-d-glucose. This hexa-¹³C-labelled thioglucose can be employed to make any glucosinolate (8) for use as an internal standard for isotopic dilution LCMS analysis. Herein three typical glucosinolates in their hexa-¹³C-labelled form: [glucose-¹³C₆]gluconasturtiin, [glucose-¹³C₆]sinigrin and [glucose-¹³C₆]glucoerucin are synthesised by coupling the isotopically labelled thioglucose (4) with the corresponding hydroximoyl chlorides followed by sulfation with pyridine sulfur trioxide and deacetylation with a catalytic amount of potassium methoxide, respectively.     

Hexacoordinate triphenylantimony(V) complex with tridentate bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl)-amine ligand: Synthesis,NMR and X-ray study

The oxidative addition reaction of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone (IBQ) to triphenylantimony(III) proceeds with the migration of hydroxyl-proton to a nitrogen atom to form tridentate O,N,O′-coordinated bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl)-amine ligand. In accordance with ¹H, ¹³C, DEPT NMR data, the new hexacoordinate complex [bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl)-amine]triphenylantimony(V), [(AP-AP)H]SbPh₃ (1) in solution has a C_s symmetry plane leading to the equivalence of two O,N-chelate o-aminophenolato moieties. The molecular structure of 1 · acetone was studied by a single-crystal X-ray. Compound 1 was found to be air-stable both in solid and in solution. Its oxidation by PbO₂ leads to paramagnetic [4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl)-o-iminobenzosemiquinolato]triphenylantimony(V), [(AP-ISQ)]SbPh₃ (2).     

Assignment of C NMR spectrum for blepharismin C based on biosynthetic studies

Blepharismins, toxic pigments of the ciliate Blepharisma japonicum, are polycyclic ring-condensed compounds. Assignment of ¹³C NMR signals for blepharismin C, a major constituent of blepharismins, was achieved by analyses of the HMQC, HMBC, and INADEQUATE spectra of ¹³C-enriched samples obtained by feeding experiments using sodium [1-¹³C], [2-¹³C], and [1,2-¹³C₂]acetates.     

Electrostatic forces that determine O,O-trans versus O,S-cis conformers in the aminated porphyrin complexes of Cd(N-NHCO-2-C4H3O-tpp)(OAc) and Cd(N-NHCO-2-C4H3S-tpp)(OAc)

Two new diamagnetic, mononuclear and aminated porphyrin complexes of O,O-trans-Cd (3-trans) and O,S-cis-Cd (4-cis) have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of (acetato)(N-2-furancarboxamido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)cadmium(II) [Cd(N-NHCO-2-C₄H₃O-tpp)(OAc); 3-trans] and (acetato)(N-2-thiophenecarboxamido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)cadmium(II) [Cd(N-NHCO-2-C₄H₃S-tpp)(OAc); 4-cis] were determined. The coordination sphere around Cd²⁺ is a distorted square-based pyramid in which the apical site is occupied by a bidentate chelating OAc⁻ group for 3-trans and 4-cis. The plane of three pyrrole nitrogen atoms [i.e., N(1), N(2), N(4) for 3-trans and N(1), N(2), N(3) for 4-cis] strongly bonded to Cd²⁺ is adopted as a reference plane 3N. The N(3) and N(4) pyrrole rings bearing the 2-furancarboxamido (Fr) and 2-thiophenecarboxamido groups in 3-trans and 4-cis, respectively, deviate mostly from the 3N plane, thus orienting separately with a dihedral angle of 33.4° and of 31.0°. In 3-trans, Cd²⁺ and N(5) are located on different sides at 1.06 and −1.49 Å from its 3N plane, while in 4-cis, Cd²⁺ and N(5) are also located on different sides at 1.04 and −1.53 Å from its 3N plane. An attractive electrostatic interaction between the Cd²⁺ and O(4)⁻ atoms in furan stabilizes the O,O-trans conformer of 3. A repulsive electrostatic interaction between Cd²⁺ and S(1)⁺ destabilizes the O,S-trans conformer of 4. Both of these repulsive and the mutually attractive interactions between S(1)⁺ and O(3)⁻ atoms favor the O,S-cis rotamer of 4 both in the vapor phase and in low polarity solvents. NOE difference spectroscopy, HMQC and HMBC were employed for the unambiguous assignment of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR resonances of 3-trans and 4-cis in CDCl₃ at 20 and −50 °C.     

Synthesis of labelled dihydroartemisinic acid

[15-¹³C²H₃]-Dihydroartemisinic acid (2a), [15-C²H₃]-dihydroartemisinic acid (2b) and [15-¹³CH₃]-dihydroartemisinic acid (2c) have been obtained in good yield and high isotopic enrichment by a reconstructive synthesis from artemisinin. These labelled compounds were designed to be used in biosynthetic experiments to determine the origins of artemisinin and other sesquiterpene natural products from Artemisia annua.     

[4+2] Cycloaddition of 1-aminodienes and 2-substituted vinylphosphonates: application to asymmetric synthesis of 3-amino-5-phosphono-1-cyclohexene derivatives

N-Butadienylsuccinimide (1), iso-propyl N-butadienyl-(S)-pyroglutamate (5) and N-butadienyl-(R)-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one (6) reacted with vinylphosphonates, vicinally-substituted (2) by electronwithdrawing groups (CO₂Me, CN, COMe), to furnish [4+2] cycloadducts (3-4,7-10, and 11-14) in moderate to good yields (40-88%). The reactions were highly selective: regioselectivity of 95-100%, endoselectivity of 75-92% and facial selectivity of 80-95%. The major diastereoisomers were fully characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Quantitative evaluation of the biosynthetic pathways leading to δ-aminolevulinic acid from the Shemin precursor glycine via the C5 pathway in Arthrobacter hyalinus by analysis of 13C-labeled coproporphyrinogen III biosynthesized from [2-13C]glycine, [1-13C]acetate, and [2-13C]acetate using 13C NMR spectroscopy

The biosynthetic pathways leading to δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) from the Shemin precursor glycine via the C5 pathway in Arthrobacter hyalinus were quantitatively evaluated by means of feeding experiments with [2-¹³C]glycine, sodium [1-¹³C]acetate, and sodium [2-¹³C]acetate, followed by analysis of the labeling patterns of coproporphyrinogen III (Copro’gen III) (biosynthesized from ALA) using ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Two biosynthetic pathways leading to ALA from glycine via the C5 pathway were identified: i.e., transformation of glycine to l-serine catalyzed by glycine hydroxymethyltransferase, and glycine synthase-catalyzed catabolism of glycine to N ⁵,N ¹⁰-methylene-tetrahydrofolic acid (THF), which reacts with another molecule of glycine to afford l-serine. l-Serine is transformed to acetyl-CoA via pyruvic acid. Acetyl-CoA enters the tricarboxylic acid cycle, affording 2-oxoglutaric acid, which in turn is transformed to l-glutamic acid. The l-glutamic acid enters the C5 pathway, affording ALA in A. hyalinus. A ¹³C NMR spectroscopic comparison of the labeling patterns of Copro’gen III obtained after feeding of [2-¹³C]glycine, sodium [1-¹³C]acetate, and sodium [2-¹³C]acetate showed that [2-¹³C]glycine transformation and [2-¹³C]glycine catabolism in A. hyalinus proceed in the ratio of 52 and 48 %. The reaction of [2-¹³C]glycine and N ⁵,N ¹⁰-methylene-THF, that of glycine and N ⁵,N ¹⁰-[methylene-¹³C]methylene-THF generated from the [2-¹³C]glycine catabolism, and that of [2-¹³C]glycine and N ⁵,N ¹⁰-[methylene-¹³C]methylene-THF transformed the fed [2-¹³C]glycine to [1-¹³C]acetyl-CoA, [2-¹³C]acetyl-CoA, and [1,2-¹³C₂]acetyl-CoA in the ratios of 42, 37, and 21 %, respectively. These labeled acetyl-CoAs were then incorporated into ALA. Our results provide a quantitative picture of the pathways of biosynthetic transformation to ALA from glycine in A. hyalinus.     

A highly efficient synthesis of [1-C, O]- and [1-C, H2]-glycerol for the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways

Labeled glycerol is a widely used biochemical probe to investigate biosynthetic pathways. A highly efficient synthesis of [1-¹³C, ¹⁸O]- and [1-¹³C, ²H₂]-glycerol is described in which the ¹³C label is introduced using cyanide. The ¹⁸O label was introduced by a Pinner synthesis and reduction of the ester 5 allowed incorporation of the ²H labels.     

The effect that 6-tert-butoxyhexyl functionalization has on ethylene polymerization in ansa-zirconocene dichlorides

Ethylene polymerization studies have been carried out with novel precatalysts of the type: [(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)-X(t-BuOC₆H₁₂)Me-(η⁵-C₅H₄)]ZrCl₂ [X=C [1a], Si [2a]], [(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)-XMe₂-(η⁵-(t-BuOC₆H₁₂C₅H₃))] ZrCl₂ [X=C [3a], Si [4a]] in the presence of excess methylalumoxane (MAO) to compare their catalytic activity and to delineate the effect of the 6-t-butoxyhexyl functionality on ethylene polymerization. The precatalysts [1a] and [2a] with the bridge functionality showed higher activity in ethylene polymerization than the corresponding complexes [3a] and [4a] which have it on the Cp ring moiety. On the other hand the silyl bridged complexes [2a] and [4a] produced a higher molecular weight polyethylene than the carbon-bridged one, regardless of the location of functional group.