Modeling steps and kinks on the surface of calcite

This work presents modeling results on the cleavage face of calcite as well as on steps and isolated kinks on this face. We used static lattice energy minimization and interatomic potentials fitted to bulk properties. The energy needed to cleave a bulk calcite crystal along the [1 0 (-)1 4] plane was calculated to be 0.59 J m(-2) in agreement with previous studies using the same potentials. The perfect surface reconstructs in the top few atomic layers, but its symmetry corresponds to the bulk termination. By contrast, the (1 0 (-)1 4) surface with cleavage steps present reconstructs to form a (2 x 1) super cell. This may help explain experimental observations of (2 x 1) symmetry on calcite surfaces. The energy required to form a monatomic obtuse step is calculated to be 1.3 x 10(-10) J m(-1) and for the acute step, 2.4 x 10(-10) J m(-1), suggesting that obtuse steps dominate on cleaved surfaces. Along the two types of steps, a total of 16 kink geometries exist. We calculated kink defect energy with two different approaches: one where kink pairs were added onto infinitely long steps and one where kinks were placed inside pits on a cleavage surface. Calculations on infinitely long steps show that for vacuum conditions, kink pairs possess roughly identical formation energy, about 1.2-2.2 eV, so based on energetics one cannot expect significant differences in kink site frequency     

Highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of fluvirucinine A1 via Zr-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination of alkenes (ZACA)-lipase-catalyzed acetylation tandem process

ZACA-lipase-catalyzed acetylation tandem process has been shown to proceed satisfactorily with either TBS-protected 4-penten-1-ol or 3-buten-1-ol to provide the corresponding enantiomerically pure (R)-2-ethyl-1-alkanols. Either (R)-5 or (R)-6 was converted to 3 in seven steps. The other fragment 4 was synthesized in nine steps from (-)-(S)-citronellol. Conversion of 3 and 4 into 99% pure fluvirucinine A1 was achieved in four steps via amidation-ring closing metathesis, the overall yield in the longest linear sequence being 34% (13 steps).     

Total synthesis of dispyrin, purpurealidin E, and aplysamine-1

Bromotyrosine alkaloids dispyrin (1), purpurealidin E (2), and aplysamine-1 (3) isolated from marine sponge, were synthesized from commercially available tyramine (4) as a common starting material. The overall yield was 18%, 39%, and 22% for 1 from 4 in 5 steps, 2 in 5 steps, and 3 in 6 steps, respectively.     

Synthesis of (-)-quinocarcin by directed condensation of alpha-amino aldehydes

An enantioselective synthesis of the natural antiproliferative agent quinocarcin was achieved by the directed condensation of optically active alpha-amino aldehyde intermediates. Condensation of the N-protected alpha-amino aldehyde 1, prepared in eight steps (19% yield) from (R,R)-pseudoephedrine glycinamide, with the C-protected alpha-amino aldehyde derivative 2, prepared in seven steps (34% yield) from (R,R)-pseudoephedrine glycinamide, afforded the corresponding imine in quantitative yield. Without isolation, direct treatment of this imine intermediate with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and hydrogen cyanide led to cleavage of the fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) protective group followed by addition of cyanide (Strecker reaction) to form the bis-amino nitriles 3 as a mixture of diastereomers, in 91% yield. Treatment of the diastereomers 3 with trimethylsilyl cyanide and zinc chloride in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol at 60 degrees C led to stepwise cyclization to form the tetracyclic product 4 (42% yield from 1 and 2). The latter intermediate was transformed into (-)-quinocarcin (1) in five steps (45% yield). The yield of quinocarcin was 19% from 1 and 2 (7 steps), and 4% from pseudoephedrine glycinamide (15 steps).     

An asymmetric synthesis of (+)-grandisol, a constituent of the aggregation pheromone of the cotton boll weevil, via a kinetic resolution

A novel approach to the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-grandisol, (1R, 2S)-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclobutaneethanol, involves the use of catalytic kinetic resolution of a primary allylic alcohol, [(1RS, 5SR)-5-methylbicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-2-yl] methanol. The allylic alcohol is prepared in four steps from simple achiral materials involving the use of a modified Shapiro reaction. The resolved alcohol (95% ee) is then reduced in two steps to the corresponding methyl alkene, (1S,5R)-2,5-dimethylbicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene. This alkene is converted to (+)-grandisol (95% ee), in three steps, by modified literature procedures.     

Direct generation of acyclic polypropionate stereopolyads via double diastereo- and enantioselective iridium-catalyzed crotylation of 1,3-diols: beyond stepwise carbonyl addition in polyketide construction

Under the conditions of transfer hydrogenation employing the cyclometalated iridium catalyst (R)-I derived from [Ir(cod)Cl](2), allyl acetate, 4-cyano-3-nitrobenzoic acid, and the chiral phosphine ligand (R)-SEGPHOS, α-methylallyl acetate engages 1,3-propanediol (1a) and 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (1b) in double carbonyl crotylation from the alcohol oxidation level to deliver the C(2)-symmetric and pseudo-C(2)-symmetric stereopolyads 2a and 3a, respectively, with exceptional control of anti-diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. Notably, the polypropionate stereopentad 3a is formed predominantly as 1 of 16 possible stereoisomers. Desymmetrization of 3a is readily achieved upon iodoetherification to form pyran 4. The direct generation of 3a enables a dramatically simplified approach to previously prepared polypropionate substructures, as demonstrated by the synthesis of C19-C27 of rifamycin S (eight steps, originally prepared in 26 steps) and C19-C25 of scytophycin C (eight steps, originally prepared in 15 steps). The present transfer hydrogenation protocol represents an alternative to chiral auxiliaries, chiral reagents, and premetalated nucleophiles in polyketide construction.     

Concise total synthesis of (-)-8-epigrosheimin

A highly efficient route was developed to synthesize (-)-8-epigrosheimin in four steps from aldehyde 2 based on a substrate-controlled method. The key steps of the synthesis included (1) a stereo- and regioselective allylation addition, (2) an intramolecular translactonization, and (3) an aldehyde-ene cyclization.     

Efficient enantiomeric synthesis of pyrrolidine and piperidine alkaloids from tobacco

An enantiomeric synthesis of six piperidine and pyrrolidine alkaloids, (S)-nornicotine 1, (S)-nicotine 2, (S)-anatabine 3, (S)-N-methylanatabine 4, (S)-anabasine 5, and (S)-N-methylanabasine 6, known as natural products in tobacco, was established from a common chiral homoallylic (S)-3-(1-azido-but-3-enyl)-pyridine 15. An intramolecular hydroboration-cycloalkylation of the homoallylic azide intermediate 15 served as the key step in the pyrrolidine ring formation. A ring closing metathesis reaction (RCM) of a diethylenic amine intermediate (S)-allyl-(1-pyridin-3-yl-but-3-enyl)-carbamic acid benzyl ester 20 served as the key step in the piperidine ring formation. From the commercially available 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde 13, a short and convenient enantiomeric synthesis of tobacco alkaloids is described: (S)-nornicotine 1 (5 steps, with an overall yield of 70%), (S)-nicotine 2 (6 steps, 65%), (S)-anatabine 3 (8 steps, 30%), (S)-N-methylanatabine 4 (8 steps, 25%), (S)-anabasine 5 (8 steps, 35%), and (S)-N-methylanabasine 6 (8 steps, 25%).     

An improved asymmetric synthesis of malyngamide U and its 2'-epimer

An accelerated and improved asymmetric synthesis of malyngamide U (1) and its 2'-epimer (2'-epi-1) was accomplished from readily available n-hexanal, ethanolamine and (R)-(-)-carvone. The key steps involved a Johnson-Claisen rearrangement in the synthesis of an unsaturated carboxylic acid 4 and an aldol reaction in the construction of the skeleton of 1 and 2'-epi-1. There are 13 steps in the synthesis, with a 2.7% overall yield for 1 and a 0.4% yield for 2'-epi-1.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of quadrigemine C and psycholeine

The first total syntheses of higher-order members of the polypyrrolidinoindoline alkaloid family are reported. The synthesis of quadrigemine C (1) and psycholeine (3) begins with synthetic meso-chimonanthine (4), which is synthesized from commercially available oxindole and isatin in 13 steps and 35% overall yield. Double Stille cross coupling of diiodide 7, available in three steps from 4, with vinylstannane 8 produces dibutenanilide 9. Double catalytic asymmetric Heck cyclization of 9 simultaneously installs the two peripheral quaternary stereocenters and desymmetrizes this advanced meso precursor to deliver the chiral, decacyclic intermediate 11 in 62% yield and 90% ee. In two additional steps, 11 is converted to 1, which upon treatment with acid generates 3. The synthesis of quadrigemine C (1), which rigorously confirms its relative and absolute configuration, was executed in 19 linear steps (2% overall yield) from commercially available starting materials.     

Interplay between steps and nonequilibrium effects in surface diffusion for a lattice-gas model of OW(110)

The authors consider the influence of steps and nonequilibrium conditions on surface diffusion in a strongly interacting surface adsorbate system. This problem is addressed through Monte Carlo simulations of a lattice-gas model of OW(110), where steps are described by an additional binding energy EB at the lower step edge positions. Both equilibrium fluctuation and Boltzmann-Matano spreading studies indicate that the role of steps for diffusion across the steps is prominent in the ordered phases at intermediate coverages. The strongest effects are found in the p(2x1) phase, whose periodicity Lp is 2. The collective diffusion then depends on two competing factors: domain growth within the ordered phase, which on a flat surface has two degenerate orientations [p(2x1) and p(1x2)], and the step-induced ordering due to the enhanced binding at the lower step edge position. The latter case favors the p(2x1) phase, in which all adsorption sites right below the step edge are occupied. When these two factors compete, two possible scenarios emerge. First, when the terrace width L does not match the periodicity of the ordered adatom layer (LLp is noninteger), the mismatch gives rise to frustration, which eliminates the effect of steps provided that EB is not exceptionally large. Under these circumstances, the collective diffusion coefficient behaves largely as on a flat surface. Second, however, if the terrace width does match the periodicity of the ordered adatom layer (LLp is an integer), collective diffusion is strongly affected by steps. In this case, the influence of steps is manifested as the disappearance of the major peak associated with the ordered p(2x1) and p(1x2) structures on a flat surface. This effect is particularly strong for narrow terraces, yet it persists up to about L approximately 25Lp for small EB and up to about L approximately 500Lp for EB, which is of the same magnitude as the bare potential of the surface. On real surfaces, similar competition is expected, although the effects are likely to be smaller due to fluctuations in terrace widths. Finally, Boltzmann-Matano spreading simulations indicate that even slight deviations from equilibrium conditions may give rise to transient peaks in the collective diffusion coefficient. These transient structures are due to the interplay between steps and nonequilibrium conditions and emerge at coverages, which do not correspond to the ideal ordered phases.     

Total synthesis of (+/-) tanikolide

The natural polyketide (+/-)-tanikolide (1) was prepared in eight steps starting from hex-5-enol. Key steps in this synthesis are a Sharpless dihydroxylation and a Grignard reaction between an alkyl halogenide and a ketone. The lactonization occurred spontaneously during the oxidation of the primary alcohol function to the carboxy group.     

Efficient and selective synthesis of siphonarienolone and related reduced polypropionates via Zr-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination

[reaction: see text] Siphonarienolone (1) has been synthesized from siphonarienal (3) in 66% over four steps. Synthesis of 3, in turn, has been achieved in two steps (85% combined yield) from 4, prepared from 3-buten-1-ol in seven steps (23% combined yield). Also, a two-step conversion of 3 into siphonarienone (2) is reported.     

Total syntheses of cladoacetals A and B: confirmation of absolute configurations

The first enantioselective syntheses of cladoacetals A (1a, overall yield: 16%) and B (1b, overall yield: 34%) from crotonaldehyde in nine and seven steps, respectively, have been accomplished. Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Suzuki coupling, and acid-catalyzed intramolecular acetalization were the key steps in the syntheses. The absolute configuration of natural (+)-cladoacetal A was affirmed to be 1S,3S,4R, whereas that of (-)-cladoacetal B was affirmed to be 1R,3S,4S.     

Total syntheses of novel cytocidal beta-carboline alkaloids, oxopropalines D and G

A new type of beta-carboline nucleus, N-methoxymethyl-4-methyl-beta-carboline (4) was synthesized by thermal electrocyclic reaction of a 1-azahexatriene system, involving the indole 2,3-bond. The key compound N-methoxymethyl-1-methoxycarbonyl-4-methyl-beta-carboline (2) was then prepared in a four-step sequence. The total synthesis of oxopropaline G (1e) was achieved from this key compound in four steps. Furthermore, the enantioselective total syntheses of (+)-oxopropaline D (1c) and its enantiomer were also achieved by application of the Sharpless oxidation-procedure in nine steps from 2.     

Regioselective and diastereoselective amination with use of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate: a short and efficient synthesis of (-)-cytoxazone

The total synthesis of (-)-cytoxazone 1 was achieved in six linear steps (34% overall yield) from p-anisaldehyde. The key steps in this route are the regioselective and stereoselective introduction of a N-protected amine group, using the CSI reaction of the anti-1,2-dimethyl ether 3, and the subsequent regioselective cyclization of the N-protected amino diol 13 to give the 2-oxazolidinone unit of (-)-cytoxazone 1. [reaction: see text]     

Efficient total syntheses of phytoalexin and (+/-)-paniculidine B and C based on the novel methodology for the preparation of 1-methoxyindoles

A general route to 2-unsubstituted-1-methoxyindoles, based on our methodology for the synthesis of 1-methoxyindoles, is reported. This synthesis renders accessibility to a variety of natural products possessing the said skeleton. A direct synthesis of phytoalexin (1), (+/-)-paniculidine B (2), and (+/-)-paniculidine C (3) is disclosed based on the methodology. The synthesis of paniculidine B (2) has been achieved from aldehyde 10 in only two steps in 88% yield and in five steps from a methoxyindole compound 8 obtained using our earlier methodology.     

Total synthesis of (-)-leuconicine A and B

Concise asymmetric total syntheses of Strychnos alkaloids (-)-leuconicine A (14 steps, 9% overall yield) and B (13 steps, 10% overall yield) have been accomplished. Key steps include (1) our sequential one-pot spiro-cyclization/intramolecular aza-Baylis-Hillman method to prepare the ABCE framework; (2) a novel domino acylation/Knoevenagel cyclization to prepare the F-ring; and (3) a Heck cyclization to access the D-ring.     

Synthesis of 1-[6-Fluoro-(2S)-3H,4H-dihydro-2H-2-chromenyl]-(1R)-1,2- ethanediol and 1-[6-Fluoro-(2R)-3H,4H-dihydro-2H-2-chromenyl]- (1R)-1,2-ethanediol

Benzopyran compounds possess diverse pharmacological properties such as β-blockade, anticonvulsant and antimicrobial.[1,2] Our interest has been focused on the synthesis of 1-[6-Fluoro-2S]-3H,4H-dihydro-2H-2-chromenyl]-(1R)-1,2-ethanediol (6) and 1-[6-fluoro-(2R)-3H,4H-dihydro-2H-2-chromenyl]-(1R)-1,2-ethanediol (7) which are particularly convenient precursor to (S,R,R,R)-NE (8). 8 containing four asymmetrical carbon atoms was reported to be the most active isomer.[3] Chandrasekhar[4] has reported on the synthesis of 8. The key step to synthesize this compound is to obtain the chiral chromanone 6 and 7. 6 was accomplished in 8 steps by the Clasien rearrangement and a one-pot Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, but the compound 7 was accomplished in 10 steps. Johannes[5] used Zr-catalytic kinetic resolution of allylic ethers and Mo-catalyzed chromene formation to synthesize 8 in 14 steps. However both of the methods request many synthetic steps and expensive reagents.     

Synthesis of santiagonamine

The first total synthesis of santiagonamine (1) is achieved in 12 steps from isovanillin. A palladium-catalyzed Ullmann cross-coupling reaction and a photocyclization are the key steps in the synthesis.