New A-ring analogs of the hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3: (2′-hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuro[1,2-a]-25-hydroxyvitamin D3

Conceptually new, enantiomerically pure bicyclic tetrahydrofuro[1,2-a]-A-ring phosphine oxides (+)-4 and (−)-4 were successfully prepared from methyl 2-pyrone-3-carboxylate and (S)- or (R)-2-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-2,3-dihydrofuran, respectively. In addition, (2′-hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuro[1,2-a]-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃3a and 3b as new A-ring-modified analogs of the natural hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ were readily synthesized by using Lythgoe-type coupling of the A-ring phosphine oxides (+)-4 and (−)-4 with C,D-ring ketone (+)-5.     

Synthesis and evaluation of new chiral diols based on the dicyclopentadiene skeleton

The resolution by Lipase PS of rac-5 (from reduction of ketone 6, obtained from dicyclopentadiene with a new environment-friendly synthesis) gives (2S)-5, which was further reduced to the endo(2R)-1a alcohol. The endo(2S)-1b alcohol was obtained from camphor with a multistep synthesis. Pinacol couplings of 3a,b, carried out with Mg/Hg or Corey's general procedure respectively, afforded with high diastereoselectivity the C₂ symmetry diols (2R,2′R)-2a and (2S,2′S)-2b, with endo oriented OH functions. The enantiogenic power of the endo alcohol (2R)-1a and (2S)-1b and of the diols (2R,2′R)-2a and (2S,2′S)-2b was tested towards the LiAlH₄ reduction of acetophenone. The C₂ symmetry appears to play a fundamental role.     

Synthesis, resolution and applications of 3,3′-bis(RO)-MeO-BIPHEP derivatives

A series of optically pure 3,3′-bis(RO)-MeO-BIPHEP derivatives are prepared and used in palladium catalyzed asymmetric transformations. The phosphine oxide of (±)-5 is prepared in four steps from p-methoxyphenol and resolved using the novel resolving reagent chloro(l-menthoxy)dimethylsilane. Subsequent conversions provide catalysts 8 and 9. Ligands 6, 7 and 10 are prepared in six steps from p-methoxyphenol and the phosphine oxides of 6 and 7, and 10 are resolved using di-p-toluoyl- and dibenzoyl-l-tartaric acid, respectively. (R)-3,3′-Bispivalate 8 is superior to the other catalysts in asymmetric Heck reaction with 2,3-dihydrofuran while (R)-(+)-bis(tolyloxy) 10 and (+)-(R)-sugar derivative 9 are better in the Pd-catalyzed polyene cyclization; however, the absolute sense of chirality in the product from the polyene cyclization was reversed to that obtained when (R)-(+)-BINAP and (R)-(+)-MeO-BIPHEP were used.     

Regio- and stereoselective cycloadditions of (1Z,4R,5R)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-3-oxo-5-phenylpyrazolidin-1-ium-2-ides to methyl methacrylate

[3+2] Cycloadditions of (1Z,4R^∗,5R^∗)-1-arylmethylidene-4-benzoylamino-3-oxo-5-phenylpyrazolidin-1-ium-2-ides 1a-e to methyl methacrylate gave the 1-CO₂Me regioisomers 3/3′, exclusively, in 1-67% yields. Stereocontrol was dependent on the ortho-substituents at the 1′-aryl group in dipole 1: ortho-unsubstituted dipoles 1a-c gave the major (1R^∗,3R^∗,5R^∗,6R^∗)-isomers 3a-c, whilst ortho-disubstituted dipoles gave the major (1R^∗,3S^∗,5R^∗,6R^∗)-isomers 3′d,e. The structures of cycloadducts were determined by NMR and X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of (3′R,5′S)-3′-hydroxycotinine using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a nitrone

To synthesize (3′R,5′S)-3′-hydroxycotinine [(+)-1], the main metabolite of nicotine (2), cycloaddition of C-(3-pyridyl)nitrones 3a, 3c, and 15 with (2R)- and (2S)-N-(acryloyl)bornane-10,2-sultam [(2R)- and (2S)-8] was examined. Among them, l-gulose-derived nitrone 15 underwent stereoselective cycloaddition with (2S)-8 to afford cycloadduct 16, which was elaborated to (+)-1.     

Diverse reactions of nitroxide-radical adducts of silylene, germylene, and stannylene

The results of the thermolysis of 1:2 adducts of stable group-14 element divalent compounds [R₂M:, R₂=1,1,4,4-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)butane-1,4-diyl; 1b, M=Ge; 1c, M=Sn] to TEMPO radical are discussed in detail. Whereas the thermal reactions of the 1:2 adducts [R₂M(OR^′)₂, R^′=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-N-yl; 3b, M=Ge; 3c, M=Sn] are understood to proceed by the initial homolysis of an M-O bond to give the corresponding aminoxy-substituted group-14 element radicals [R₂(R^′O)M; 2b, M=Ge; 2c, M=Sn] and TEMPO, the subsequent reactions of 2b and 2c were remarkably different to each other; 2b favors the N-O bond fission (path b) to give the corresponding germanone, while 2c prefers the M-O bond fission (path a) to give stannylene (1c). In combining with our previous results for aminoxysilyl radical (2a) [R₂(R^′O)Si], the origin of the remarkable differences in the reactivity among group-14 element radicals 2a-2c is discussed on the basis of the theoretical calculations for model reactions.Improved syntheses of the precursor dichlorogermane and dichlorostannane of germylene (1b) and stannylene (1c), respectively, are described in Section 3.     

Synthetic access to optically active isoflavans by using allylic substitution

A general approach to the (S)- and (R)-isoflavans was invented, and efficiency of the method was demonstrated by the synthesis of (S)-equol ((S)-3), (R)-sativan ((R)-4), and (R)-vestitol ((R)-5). The key step is the allylic substitution of (S)-6a (Ar¹=2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃) and (R)-6b (Ar¹=2,4-(BnO)₂C₆H₃) with copper reagents derived from CuBr·Me₂S and Ar²-MgBr (7a, Ar²=4-MeOC₆H₄; 7b, 2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃; 7c, 2-MOMO-4-MeOC₆H₃), furnishing anti S_N2′ products (R)-8a and (S)-8b,c with 93-97% chirality transfer in 60-75% yields. The olefinic part of the products was oxidatively cleaved and the Me and Bn groups on the Ar¹ moieties was then removed. Finally, phenol bromide 9a and phenol alcohols 9b,c underwent cyclization with K₂CO₃ and the Mitsunobu reagent to afford (S)-3 and (R)-4 and -5, respectively.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolizidines. Part 8. Enantiospecific synthesis of looking-glass analogues of hyacinthacine A5 from DADP

(1R,2S,3S,5R,7aR)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine[(−)-3-epihyacinthacine A₅, 1a] and (1S,2R,3R,5S 7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine[(+)-3-epihyacinthacine A₅, 1b] have been synthesized either by Wittig's or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmond's (HWE's) methodology using aldehydes 4 and 9, both prepared from (2S,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine (2, partially protected DADP), and the appropriate ylides, followed by cyclization through an internal reductive amination process of the resulting α,β-unsaturated ketones 5 and 10, respectively, and total deprotection.     

High asymmetric induction using a diastereomeric mixture of axially dissymmetric ligands

We have reported that our new axially dissymmetric ligand with two chiral centers, (R_a)-2,2′-bis[(R)-1H-1-hydroxyperfluorooctyl]biphenyl ((R_a)-(R)₂-1c, or tentatively called as (R_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7), worked as a good asymmetric inducer for the reaction of benzaldehyde with diethylzinc. Now, a mixture of (R_a)-(R)₂- and (S_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7 even in 1:4 ratio (−60% de) was found to give nearly the same asymmetric induction as pure (R_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7 of the corresponding molar percents. This result suggests that both isomers do not form complex and that (R_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7 accelerates the reaction and induces high asymmetry, while (S_a)-(R)₂-1c does not accelerate the reaction significantly and does not induce asymmetry at all. This ligand of low ee, (R_a)-(R)₂-PFCAB-7 of 20% ee, did not show appreciable asymmetric amplification, suggesting no formation of heterochiral complex.     

Some new DTPA-N,N″-bis(amides) functionalized by alkyl carboxylates: Synthesis,complexation and stability properties

A new series of DTPA-N,N″-bis(amide) ligands functionalized by alkyl carboxylates on the amide side-arms (1a–1l) and their Gd(III) complexes of the type [Gd(1)(H₂O)] · xH₂O (2a–2l) were synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Potentiality of 2a–2l as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI CA) was investigated by measuring some relevant physicochemical properties such as (i) the protonation constants of 1a–1l, (ii) thermodynamic and conditional stability constants of 2a–2l, (iii) the selectivity (pGd) of 1a–1l for the Gd(III) ion over the endogenous metal ions such as Zn(II), Ca(II), and Cu(II), and (iv) the relaxivities (R₁ and R₂) of 2a–2l in aqueous and aqueous HP-β-CD solutions. Comparative studies reveal that most of new Gd(III) complexes show enhanced thermodynamic stability and selectivity as compared with those of [Gd(DTPA-BMA)(H₂O)] (DTPA-BMA = N,N″-di(methylcarbamoylmethyl)diethylenetriamine-N,N′,N″-triacetate). Also enhanced with 1a–1l (except 1f and 1h) is affinity for Gd(III) as compared with [DTPA-BMA]³⁻ under physiological conditions. The relaxivities (R₁ and R₂) of aqueous solutions of 2a–2l, on the other hand, drop significantly as compared with [Gd(DTPA-BMA)(H₂O)] although they increase dramatically (6–10 fold) in aqueous hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) solutions.     

Formation of 5-phenyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione from molybdenum dithiopropiolato complexes

Molybdenum dithiopropiolato complexes, [(η⁵-C₅R₄R^′)Mo(CO)₂(η²-S₂CCCPh)] (R=H, R^′=Me 1a, R=R^′=H 1b; R=R^′=Me 1c) react with trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMNO · 2H₂O) under mild thermolysis to form 5-phenyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (2). The reaction proceeds through the formation of the oxo-complexes, [(η⁵-C₅R₄R^′)Mo(O)(η³-S₂CCCPh)] (R=H, R^′=Me 3a, R=R^′=H 3b; R=R^′=Me 3c). Direct reaction of 3a-c with TMNO · 2H₂O under thermolysis also results in formation of 2.     

An improved synthesis of ethyl cis-5-iodo-trans-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate, a potent attractant for the Mediterranean fruit fly

Both racemic ethyl 5-iodo-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylate (1), known as Mediterranean fruit fly attractant ceralure B₁, and its (−)-(1R,2R,5R) enantiomer 1a were conveniently synthesized from commercially available racemic trans-6-methyl-3-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid 2 or its (1R,6R) enantiomer 2a. Key steps included an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction using a sultam auxiliary and cyclization of the unwanted trans-5-iodo-trans-2-methylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (8) to the intermediate lactone 7 (or 8a to 7a). The new method may circumvent chromatographic separations and seems amenable to scale-up.     

Acid-catalyzed rearrangement of α-hydroxytrialkylsilanes

Cationic rearrangement of several α-hydroxysilanes is described. Treatment of both (1R,1′R,2′S)-α-hydroxycyclopropylsilane syn-9 and (1S,1′R,2′S)-anti-9 under aqueous H₂SO₄ underwent rearrangement via a common α-silyl cation intermediate A to give a mixture of the ring-opened (R)-vinylsilane 13, the tandem [1,2]-CC bond migration product (1R,2S,1′R)-14, and its 1′S isomer 15. On the other hand, the acidic treatment of (R,E)-α-hydroxyalkenylsilane 8 or (R,Z)-8 was each accompanied with partial racemization to give an enantiomeric isomer of allylic alcohol 23 via a preferential syn-facial S_N2′ reaction, respectively. Both α-hydroxyalkynylsilane 6 and α-hydroxyalkylsilane 12 were inert to the acidic conditions; however, treatment of (R)-α-mesyloxyalkynylsilane 26 under aqueous H₂SO₄ gave a mixture of the optically active rearranged allene 27, α,β-unsaturated ketone 28, and (S)-α-hydroxyalkynylsilane 6 with partial racemization. Comparisons of the reactivities of these α-hydroxysilanes under acidic conditions are also disclosed.     

Salen-ligands based on a planar-chiral hydroxyferrocene moiety: Synthesis, coordination chemistry and use in asymmetric silylcyanation

Condensation of the O-protected hydroxyferrocene carbaldehyde (S_p)-1 with suitable diamines, followed by liberation of the hydroxyferrocene moiety leads to a new type of ferrocene-based salen ligands (3). While the use of ethylenediamine in the condensation reaction yields the planar-chiral ethylene-bridged ligand [(S_p,S_p)-3a], reaction with the enantiomers of trans-1,2-cyclohexylendiamine gives rise to the corresponding diastereomeric cyclohexylene-bridged systems [(S,S,S_p,S_p)-3b and (R,R,S_p,S_p)-3c], which feature a combination of a planar-chiral ferrocene unit with a centrochiral diamine backbone. Starting with the ferrocene-aldehyde derivative (R_p)-1, the enantiomeric ligand series (3d/e/f) is accessible via the same synthetic route.The (S_p)-series of these newly developed N₂O₂-type ligands was used for the construction of the corresponding mononuclear bis(isopropoxy)titanium (4a/b/c), methylaluminum (5a/b/c) and chloroaluminum-complexes (6a/b/c), which were isolated in good yields and identified by X-ray diffraction in several cases. The aluminum complexes (5/6) were successfully used in the Lewis-acid catalyzed addition of trimethylsilylcyanide to benzaldehyde, yielding the corresponding cyanohydrins in 45-62% enantiomeric excess.     

Synthesis and ring opening reactions of 2-glyco-1,4-dimethyl-3-nitro-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes

The high-pressure asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions of d-galacto- (1a) and d-manno-3,4,5,6,7-penta-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-1-nitrohept-1-enitol (1b) with 2,5-dimethylfuran (2) afforded mixtures of cycloadducts, from which the (2S,3R)-3-exo-nitro (3a and 3b), (2R,3S)-3-exo-nitro (4a and 4b), and (2R,3S)-1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-penta-O-acetyl-1′-C-(1,4-dimethyl-3-endo-nitro-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-exo-yl)-d-galacto-pentitol (5b) were isolated pure. Deacetylation of these compounds led to new chiral mono-, bi-, and tricyclic ethers, being their asymmetric centers arising from the chiral inductor used in the cycloaddition reaction. A ring opening mechanism through a 1-nitro-1,3-cyclohexadiene intermediate has been proposed.     

Total synthesis of natural (+)-hyacinthacine A6 and non-natural (+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A1 and (+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A6

Naturally occurring (1S,2R,3R,5R,7aR)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine [(+)-hyacinthacine A₆, 2] together with unnatural (1S,2R,3R,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine [(+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A₁, 3] and (1S,2R,3R,5S,7aS)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-5-methylpyrrolizidine [(+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A₆, 4] have been synthesized from a DALDP derivative [5, (2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine], as the homochiral starting material. The synthetic process employed took advantages of Wittig methodology followed by internal lactamization, in the case of (+)-7a-epi-hyacinthacine A₁ (3), and reductive amination for (+)-hyacinthacine A₆ (2) and (+)-5,7a-diepi-hyacinthacine A₆ (4).     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of titanium(IV) and zirconium(IV) amides with chiral biphenyldiamine-based ligands

A new series of titanium(IV) and zirconium(IV) amides have been prepared from the reaction between M(NMe₂)₄ (M = Ti, Zr) and C₂-symmetric ligands, (R)-2,2′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (2H₂), (R)-2,2′-bis(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (3H₂), (R)-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphinoylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (4H₂), (R)-2,2′-bis(methanesulphonylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (5H₂), (R)-2,2′-bis(p-toluenesulphonylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (6H₂), and C₁-symmetric ligands, (R)-2-(diphenylthiophosphoramino)-2′-(dimethylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (7H) and (R)-2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)-2′-(dimethylamino)-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (8H), which are derived from (R)-2,2′-diamino-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl. Treatment of M(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv. of N₄-ligand, 2H₂ or 3H₂ gives, after recrystallization from an n-hexane solution, the chiral zirconium amides (2)Zr(NMe₂)₂ (9), (3)Zr(NMe₂)₂ (11), and titanium amide (3)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (10), respectively, in good yields. Reaction of Zr(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv of diphenylphosphoramide 4H₂ affords the chiral zirconium amide (4)Zr(NMe₂)₂ (12) in 85% yield. Under similar reaction conditions, treatment of Ti(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv. of sulphonylamide ligand, 5H₂ or 6H₂ gives, after recrystallization from a toluene solution, the chiral titanium amides (5)Ti(NMe₂)₂·0.5C₇H₈ (13·0.5C₇H₈) and (6)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (15), respectively, in good yields, while reaction of Zr(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv. of 5H₂ or 6H₂ gives the bis-ligated complexes, (5)₂Zr (14) and (6)₂Zr (16). Treatment of M(NMe₂)₄ with 2 equiv. of diphenylthiophosphoramide ligand 7H or N₃-ligand 8H gives, after recrystallization from a benzene solution, the bis-ligated chiral zirconium amides (7)₂Zr(NMe₂)₂ (17) and (8)₂Zr(NMe₂)₂ (19), and bis-ligated chiral titanium amide (8)₂Ti(NMe₂)₂ (18), respectively, in good yields. All new compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. The solid-state structures of complexes 10, 12, 13, and 17-19 have further been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The zirconium amides are active catalysts for the asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes, affording cyclic amines in good to excellent yields with moderate ee values, while the titanium amides are not.     

Synthesis,structure and reactivity of novel palladiumdichloride-2,2′-bipyridine with 4,4′-bis(fluorous-ponytail)

With the readily available fluorous alkanols R_fCH₂OH, a series of novel fluorous-ponytailed bpy ligands, 4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy (1a–e), were prepared and treated with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] to result in the corresponding novel Pd complexes [PdCl₂(4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy)] (2a–e) where R_f = n-C₃F₇ (a), HCF₂(CF₂)₃ (b), HCF₂(CF₂)₇ (c), n-C₈F₁₇ (d), n-C₁₀F₂₁ (e). The new ligands and Pd complexes were spectroscopically characterized by multi-nuclei NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F and ¹³C), FTIR and high resolution mass (FAB). The structure for the Pd complex 2b, the first with fluorinated ponytails on bpy and not on phosphine, was also established by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The TGA data of both ligands and Pd complexes indicated that the Pd-complexes were resistant to higher temperatures than the corresponding ligands. The Pd catalysts derived from 2a–c showed an almost quantitative conversion and could be reused for eight runs with Heck reactions, in that the products and unspent reactants were directly removed by distillation. With the highest fluorine content in the series, Pd complex 2e was successfully applied in the Heck reaction using the fluorous biphasic catalysis strategy.     

Enantioselective alkynylation to aldimines catalyzed by chiral 2,2′-di(2-aminoaryloxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl-copper(I) complexes

The enantioselective alkynylation of aldimines with terminal acetylenes catalyzed by chiral Cu(I) complexes with (R)-2,2′-di(2-aminoaryloxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl ligands (7) was examined. Chiral C₂-symmetric N,N-ligands 7, which have primary aniline moieties, were readily prepared from inexpensive (R)-1,1′-binaphthol (BINOL) as a chiral source. In particular, the reaction of N-benzylidenebenzeneamine 1a with phenylacetylene 2a proceeded smoothly in the presence of 5 mol % of (CuOTf)₂·C₆H₅CH₃ and 10 mol % of (R)-7d at room temperature for 24 h, and the corresponding propargylamine 3a was obtained with up to 82% ee.     

Greener fluorous chemistry: Convenient preparation of new types of ‘CF3-rich’ secondary alkyl mesylates and their use for the synthesis of azides, amines, imidazoles and imidazolium salts

2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, and nonafluoro-tert-butyl alcohol were used as precursors for the preparation of the appropriate bis(polyfluoroalkoxymethyl)carbinols [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHOH, 1a-c, R_FH = (a) CF₃CH₂, (b) (CF₃)₂CH, and (c) (CF₃)₃C] and the corresponding mesylates [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHOSO₂CH₃, 2a-c]. This novel design paradigm is introduced to eliminate the persistence and bioaccumulation problems of fluorous chemistry, which are associated with the use of longer linear perfluoroalkyl groups (e.g. R_fn ≥ n-C₈F₁₇, n-C₇F₁₅). Secondary mesylates 2a,b and the primary tosylate [(CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂OTs, 2d] displayed acceptable reactivity towards azide and imidazole nucleophiles to allow the syntheses of novel fluorous azides, which on hydrogenolysis with H₂/Pd-C offered fluorous amines [(R_FHOCH₂)₂CHNH₂, 8a,b], and 1-(polyfluoroalkyl)imidazoles (5a,b,d), respectively, while 2c showed no reactivity due to steric hindrance. The reaction of 8a,b with formaline, glyoxal and hydrochloric acid gave symmetrical 1,3-dialkylated imidazolium chlorides (9a,b), while 5a,b,d were effectively alkylated using n-C₈F₁₇(CH₂)₃I, methyl iodide, 2-bromoethanol, and 2d to yield the corresponding 1,3-dialkylimidazolium iodides, bromides, and tosylates (7aa-ec). Some physical properties of new compounds including mp, bp and solubility patterns were also analyzed; and the fluorophilicity values of 1a-c, and 2a-c were experimentally determined by GC and/or ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy.