Synthesis of α,α-disubstituted amino acids based on tandem reaction of dehydroamino acid derivatives

The formation of all-substituted sp³-hybridized carbon-center was investigated via tandem reaction of dehydroamino acid derivatives. The diethylzinc-promoted reaction of dehydroamino acid derivatives with acid anhydride or π-allyl palladium complex proceeded smoothly to afford α,α-disubstituted amino acids via a radical and anionic carbon-carbon bond-forming processes. The tandem reductive reaction of N-phthaloyl dehydroalanine also proceeded effectively by using Bu₃SnH and Pd(PPh₃)₄.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of formic and oxalic acids by quinolinium fluorochromate

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of formic and oxalic acids by quinolinium fluorochromate (QFC) have been studied in dimethylsulphoxide. The main product of oxidation is carbon dioxide. The reaction is first-order with respect to QFC. Michaelis-Menten type of kinetics were observed with respect to the reductants. The reaction is acid-catalysed and the acid dependence has the form: k_obs =a +b[H⁺]. The oxidation of α-deuterioformic acid exhibits a substantial primary kinetic isotope effect (k_H/k_D = 6.01 at 303 K). The reaction has been studied in nineteen different organic solvents and the solvent effect has been analysed using Taft’s and Swain’s multiparametric equations. The temperature dependence of the kinetic isotope effect indicates the presence of a symmetrical cyclic transition state in the rate-determining step. Suitable mechanisms have been proposed.     

Banana pulp extract mediated synthesis of Cu2O nanoparticles: An efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the ipso-hydroxylation of arylboronic acids

A green and facile novel procedure has been developed for the synthesis of Cu₂O nanoparticles within a very short reaction time using banana pulp extract as a reducing agent. The synthesized nanoparticles are well characterized by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and powder XRD (X-ray Diffraction) methods. An environmental benign and highly efficient protocol for the ipso-hydroxylation of aryl and hetero arylboronic acids using bio-fabricated Cu₂O nanoparticles as a catalyst and aqueous H₂O₂ as an oxidant has also been developed. The main advantages of this protocol are the base free reaction condition, reusable and heterogeneous catalytic system, and short reaction time with excellent yields.     

Density Functional Theory Mechanistic Study of Boron‐Catalyzed N‐Alkylation of Amines with Formic Acid: Formic Acid Activation by Silylation Reaction

New methodology for the alkylation of amines is an intriguing issue in both academia and industry. Recently, several groups reported the metal‐free B(C₆F₅)₃‐catalyzed N‐alkylation of amines, but the mechanistic details of these important reactions are unclear. Herein, a computational study was performed to elucidate the mechanism of the N‐alkylation of amines with formic acid catalyzed by the Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ in the presence of hydrosilane. We found that the reaction started with the activation of formic acid through a novel model. Then, the high electrophilicity of the C center of the formic acid unit and the nucleophilic character of the amine resulted in a C?N coupling reaction. Finally, two sequential silyl‐group and H^? transfer steps occurred to generate the final product. Upon comparing the reaction barrier and the hydrogenation of indole, our mechanism is more favorable than that proposed by the group of Yu and Fu.     

Catalytically active hybrid complex of fullerene C60 and vitamine B12

The reaction of hydroxycobinamide, a catalytically active derivative of vitamin B₁₂, with an amino acid derivative of fullerene C₆₀ affords a hybrid complex. The catalytic activity of the complex is demonstrated by the autoxidation reaction.     

Kinetics of oxidation of butene-1 to butanone in aqueous solution in the presence of ions Pd2+ and Mo-V-phosphoric heteropoly acid

Oxidation of butene-1 to butanone in the presence of homogeneous catalysts (PdSO₄ + HPA-x), where HPA-x = H_3+xPV_xMo_12-xO₄₀, 1 ￡ x ￡ 4, was investigated. This reaction is found to be of the 1st order with respect to C₄H₈, and of the 0.64th order with respect to Pd. The reaction rate does not depend on the HPA-x concentration and pH of the solution. The activation energy of the reaction is variable. A kinetic expression of the reaction is obtained for 303-343 K. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation of Polyester Polyol from Epoxidized Palm Olein

In this work, polyester polyols with high weight average molecular weight (M_w) (M_w?10000–15000) were prepared from epoxidized palm olein (EPO_o) and a series of dicarboxylic acids (C₆–C₁₂) at elevated temperature under non‐catalyzed condition. The optimal reaction conditions were determined as 180°C for 4 h. Longer carbon chain length of dicarboxylic acids was more reactive when reacted with EPO_o. The physical appearance of the product was observed as liquid at room temperature. This palm oil‐based polyester polyol is proposed as starting material for flexible polyurethane. For reaction monitoring purposes, FTIR was used while ¹H NMR analysis was carried out to characterize the important functional groups of the products. The effects of reaction time and temperature on the M_w of the reaction mixture were also studied by GPC.     

NH4OH-Based pretreatment for improving the nutritional quality of single-cell protein (SCP)

The potentiality of treatments with NH₄OH solutions for improving the quality of protein concentrates fromCandida utilis biomass was studied. The effects of NH₄OH concentration, reaction time, and temperature on both biomass recovery and composition of processed samples (including nucleic acid and protein contents) were studied. The results obtained were used to develop empirical models providing a quantitative interpretation of the interrelationships among the variables involved. Additional discussion of the reaction selectivity is provided. Under selected conditions, 96% of nucleic acid removal was achieved with 88% protein recovery. The treated cells were high in vitro digestibility and showed an amino acid profile similar to that of untreated biomass.     

BiX3 and FeX3‐Promoted Prins Cyclization of Enol Ethers in CH2Cl2

The Prins cyclization of enol ethers has been realized by employing BiX₃ (or FeX₃) as catalyst and TMSX (X=Br, Cl) as the halogen source. The presence of a tiny amount of water in the solvent dichloromethane played a key role for the reaction to proceed. The reaction is believed to be catalyzed by Lewis acid‐assisted Brønsted acids, which were generated in situ from MX₃ and water in the solvent.     

Alteration of the physicochemical properties of catalysts based on aqueous solutions of Mo-V-P heteropoly acids in redox processes

Selective catalytic oxidation of various organic substrates with O₂ in the presence of aqueous solutions of Mo-V-P heteropoly acids (HPA) is carried out via two stages in separate reactors. In stage (1), a substrate is oxidized into a desired product while HPA is reduced. The reduced form of HPA is oxidized with O₂ in stage (2). A set of the physicochemical properties of the homogeneous catalyst has been found to alter continuously during these redox processes. Using a solution of the modified high-vanadium HPA (H₁₂P₃Mo₁₈V₇O₈₅), we demonstrate that the density, viscosity, and pH of this solution reach their maxima after reaction (1) and attain their minima after reaction (2). On the contrary, the redox potential of the solution is minimum after reaction (1), and maximum after reaction (2). All alterations of the physicochemical properties of the catalyst are found to be completely reversible.     

Benzylidene Acetal Protecting Group as Carboxylic Acid Surrogate: Synthesis of Functionalized Uronic Acids and Sugar Amino Acids

Direct oxidation of the 4,6‐O‐benzylidene acetal protecting group to C‐6 carboxylic acid has been developed that provides an easy access to a wide range of biologically important and synthetically challenging uronic acid and sugar amino acid derivatives in good yields. The RuCl₃–NaIO₄‐mediated oxidative cleavage method eliminates protection and deprotection steps and the reaction takes place under mild conditions. The dual role of the benzylidene acetal, as a protecting group and source of carboxylic acid, was exploited in the efficient synthesis of six‐carbon sialic acid analogues and disaccharides bearing uronic acids, including glycosaminoglycan analogues.     

Tertiary-Amine-Initiated Synthesis of Acyl Fluorides from Carboxylic Acids and CF3SO2OCF3

A convenient method for deoxyfluorination of aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids with CF₃SO₂OCF₃ in the presence of a suitable base at room temperature has been developed. The reaction allows a straightforward access to a variety of acyl fluorides and proves that CF₃SO₂OCF₃ is an effective deoxyfluorination reagent for carboxylic acids. The method features simplicity, expeditiousness, high efficiency, ease of handling, good functional group tolerance, a wide range of substrates, excellent yields of products, compatibility of many amine initiators, use of environmentally friendly reagents, and effortless removal of byproducts. This reaction represents the first utilization of trifluoromethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as a fluorination reagent.     

REACTIONS OF ARSINIC AND ARSONIC ACIDS WITH H2S AND H2Se: CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF 1,4-DIPHENYL-1,4-DIARSA-2,3,5-TRISELENACYCLOPENTANE

Abstract

The reactions of a series of arsinic and arsonic acids with hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen selenide have been investigated. The various arsinic acids were found to produce a variety of products, but the reaction was characterized by the reduction of arsenic(V) to arsenic(III), loss of hydroxyl groups bonded to arsenic and, to a lesser degree, the rupture of arsenic-carbon bond(s). Phenylcarboxymethylarsinic acid yielded, on reaction with H₂S or H₂Se, 1,4-diphenyl-1,4-diarsa-2,3,5-trichalocogenapentanes, where the chalcogen atom is S or Se. Arsonic acids yielded as final products compounds having a range of stoichiometries ranging from RAsS to R-7As₂S₃. 1,4-Diphenyl-1,4-diarsa-2,3,5-triselenacyclopentane consists of a non-planar, five-membered ring in which the As–C bond distances are 1.962 Å, the As—Se bond distances are 2.388 Å and the Se—Se bond distance is 2.334 Å. The bond distances are very close to those which are expected for single, covalent bonds.     

Different N-C-N formation reactions of aromatic aldehydes and thiohydantoins controlled by Lewis acid promoters

A three-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, acetonitrile, and 2-thiohydantoins promoted by TiCl₄ was discovered, and a different N-C-N bond-forming reaction took place with FeCl₃, AlCl₃ or BF₃·Et₂O as promoter. The thiohydantoin derivatives 1 and 3 were synthesized in moderate to high yields. A plausible mechanism for the formation of 1 and 3 is suggested.     

Synthesis of fluorinated N-aminoaziridines: access to new CF3-peptidomimetics

A series of fluorinated N-aminoaziridines have been synthesized by the PhI(OAc)₂-mediated aziridination procedure. The reaction was carried out with various protected hydrazides and fluorinated alkenes. The reaction was extended to alkenes bearing an amino acid and the ring opening of the CF₃–N-aminoaziridines has been investigated.     

B(C6F5)3‐Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Imines and Related Heteroarenes Using Cyclohexa‐1,4‐dienes as a Dihydrogen Source

The strong boron Lewis acid tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, B(C₆F₅)₃, is shown to abstract a hydride from suitably donor‐substituted cyclohexa‐1,4‐dienes, eventually releasing dihydrogen. This process is coupled with the FLP‐type (FLP=frustrated Lewis pair) hydrogenation of imines and nitrogen‐containing heteroarenes that are catalyzed by the same Lewis acid. The net reaction is a B(C₆F₅)₃‐catalyzed, i.e., transition‐metal‐free, transfer hydrogenation using easy‐to‐access cyclohexa‐1,4‐dienes as reducing agents. Competing reaction pathways with or without the involvement of free dihydrogen are discussed.     

Efficient synthesis of racemic and chiral alkenyl sulfoxides by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki coupling

Alkenyl sulfoxide derivatives are obtained in high yields through a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki/Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of racemic and chiral 1-halo sulfoxides with aryl and alkenyl boronic acids. Chiral substrates react with no loss of optical purity and high optical yields. The reaction takes place with different palladium catalysts, such as Pd(PPh₃)₄ or Pd(OAc)₂/DABCO. Although nitrogen ligands like DABCO lead to an active palladium catalyst, they are less effective than the phosphine ones.     

Catalytic,Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Aminonitriles with a Novel Zirconium Catalyst

Strecker reactions of aldimines with Bu₃SnCN in the presence of the novel chiral zirconium binuclear catalyst 1 provide α-aminonitriles in good yields and with high enantioselectivities. The reaction can be applied to a wide range of substrates. Since both enantiomers of the chiral sources are readily avaibable, both enantiomers of the α-aminonitriles are easily prepared according to this method. L=N-methylimidazole.     

A convenient method to reduce hydroxyl-substituted aromatic carboxylic acid with NaBH4/Me2SO4/B(OMe)3

The reduction of hydroxyl-substituted aromatic carboxylic acid with NaBH₄/Me₂SO₄/B(OMe)₃ is described. Borane is generated by the reaction of NaBH₄ with Me₂SO₄ in THF, which is as efficient as the commercial one. B(OMe)₃ has been successfully applied to increase the reactivity and selectivity of this reaction. The optimum ratio of borane/B(OMe)₃/acid is studied, and a variety of hydroxyl-substituted aromatic acids are reduced in good yields.     

Convenient synthesis of chiral tryptophan derivatives using Negishi cross-coupling

A facile synthetic procedure for chiral tryptophan derivatives using Negishi cross-coupling reaction of serine-derived iodoalanine with 3-haloindole is described. The best result was obtained when the reaction of N-tosyl-3-bromoindole with N-Cbz-iodoalanine methyl ester was carried out by the combination of Pd₂(dba)₃ and sterically hindered ferrocenyl ligand Q-PHOS. This reaction condition not only gave the desired tryptophan derivative as high as 76% yield, but also suppressed the formation of undesired products, the dehalogenated indole and the homodimer of indole, which were difficult to separate. This reaction was extended to the synthesis of various tryptophan derivatives having substituents on the benzene ring. The characteristic of this reaction is the practical biomimetic synthesis of chiral tryptophan derivatives in one-step.