Highly atom efficient catalytic reactions utilizing water and alcohols as reagents

In this accounts, we describe our recent studies on hydrolysis, alcoholysis, and addition of alcohols to organic molecules. The reactions utilizing water and alcohols as a reagent are one of the most basic and simple reactions. The palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrolysis and alcoholysis of vinyl ethers gave valuable axially chiral 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol and 1,1′-bi-2-phenol derivatives and chiral P-chirogenic compounds in optically active form. The reaction is applied for hydrolytic deallylation of N-allyl amide and allyl esters. The later one was achieved by palladium/ruthenium dual catalysts which is the first example of catalytic irreversible ester hydrolysis. Gold complexes also catalyzed vinyl ether alcoholysis and hydroalkoxylation of olefins. In the later reaction, simple unactivated olefins can be used as substrates and gave the product in 92% yield. The copper-DTBM-SEGPHOS complex catalyzed alcoholysis of azlactones which is the first example showing zero-order kinetic resolution.     

Magnetically recoverable osmium catalysts for dihydroxylation of olefins

We prepared magnetically recoverable osmium catalysts by use of magnetite, quaternary ammonium salts, and potassium osmate(VI), and applied them to the dihydroxylation of olefins. By employing 2 mol% of the magnetic osmium catalyst, the dihydroxylation reaction proceeded smoothly to provide the corresponding vicinal diol in a good chemical yield. The osmium catalyst was readily recovered by use of an external magnet, and was reused repeatedly.     

Osmium tetroxide-promoted catalytic oxidative cleavage of olefins: an organometallic ozonolysis

A mild, organometallic alternative to ozonolysis utilizing oxone and OsO(4) is presented. This is a direct oxidation of olefins via the carbon-carbon cleavage of an osmate ester by the action of oxone. Twenty-four different olefins were converted to their corresponding ketones or carboxylic acids in high yields (>80%). Free alcohols, acetate- and benzyl-protected alcohols, and 1,2-diols were stable under these conditions. This method should be applicable for traditional organic synthesis.     

Effect of Chain Length on Enzymatic Hydrolysis of p-Nitrophenyl Esters in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The effect of chain length on the enzymatic hydrolysis of various p-nitrophenyl esters was investigated. Specifically, the hydrolysis of various esters p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB), p-nitrophenyl caprylate (PNPC), p-nitrophenyl laurate (PNPL), p-nitrophenyl myristate (PNPM) and p-nitrophenyl palmitate (PNPP) was studied in supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) with lipase (Novozym 435). This indicates that the conversion of nitrophenyl esters decreases with increasing chain length. The effect of various parameters such as amount of water added, temperature, and enzyme loading was studied. The optimum temperature for the hydrolysis of PNPB and PNPC was 50°C but was 55°C for PNPL, PNPM, and PNPP in ScCO₂. The reactions were also conducted in acetonitrile as the solvent, and it was found that the reactions reach equilibrium much faster in ScCO₂ than in acetonitrile. The kinetics of the hydrolysis reactions were modeled using a Ping Pong Bi Bi model.     

A recyclable dendritic osmium catalyst for homogeneous dihydroxylation of olefins

A series of osmate (OsO₄²⁻) core dendrimers was prepared by an ion-exchange technique through the mixing of K₂OsO₄ and a bis(quaternary ammonium bromide) core dendrimer, which consisted of poly(benzyl ether) dendron. By employing an osmate core dendrimer as a homogeneous catalyst, dihydroxylation reactions of olefins proceeded rapidly, and the dendritic osmium catalyst was recovered by reprecipitation and then reused. Furthermore, a dendritic effect on the recyclability of a catalyst was observed. In the case of asymmetric dihydroxylation reactions, the corresponding diol was obtained in a high chemical yield with a fair enantiomeric excess (ee). In this case, not only the dendritic osmium catalyst but also the chiral ligand could be recovered by reprecipitation and reused efficiently up to five times.     

有机污染物水解速度常数与腐殖质浓度定量关系的建立及验证

水解是有机污染物转化降解的重要途径.天然水体中的腐殖质影响有机化合物的水解速度常数,使之与蒸馏水缓冲系统中的测定值有较大差别.本文推导并验证了腐殖质浓度与水解速度常数的定量关系,测定了腐殖质与有机化合物的缔合系数.     

Die 1,3-dipolare Cycloaddition von Acetylendicarbonsäure-estern an 2-Methyl-4-phenyl-chinazolin-3-oxid

The 1,3-dipolar addition of acetylenedicarboxylic esters (IX and X) to 2-methyl-4-phenyl-quinazoline 3-oxide (VIII) in benzene/methanol and benzene/ethanol, respectively, gives the esters XI and XII of 3-amino-3-phenyl-2-(2-acetamidophenyl)-acrylic acid as main products and the esters XIII and XIV of 2-methyl-4-phenyl-5H-benzo[d][1,3]diazepin-5-carboxylic acid as by-products. The constitutions of XI and XII are elucidated by acid hydrolysis to the 2-phenylindole-3-carboxylic esters VI and VII, respectively, and by ozonolysis of XII to give benzamide and ethyl o-acetamido-mandelate (IV). The alkaline hydrolysis of XI or XII gives the enamine derivative XVIII, which is hydrolysed by acid to oxindole and benzoic acid. The structure elucidation of XIII and XIV is based on spectroscopic data together with thc formation of XV by alkaline hydrolysis. Mechanisms arc proposed for the reaction paths.     

First lipase catalysed resolution of epoxy enol esters

We report the first enzyme-catalysed kinetic resolution of epoxy enol esters. The lipase-promoted hydrolysis of these compounds provided α-hydroxyketones or α-hydroxyaldehydes (arising from the spontaneous rearrangement of the epoxy enols) and the residual esters with moderate to good enantioselectivity (E up to 100).     

Chemical and Electrochemical Asymmetric Dihydroxylation of Olefins in I(2)-K(2)CO(3)-K(2)OsO(2)(OH)(4) and I(2)-K(3)PO(4)/K(2)HPO(4)-K(2)OsO(2)(OH)(4) Systems with Sharpless' Ligand

Iodine-assisted chemical and electrochemical asymmetric dihydroxylation of various olefins in I(2)-K(2)CO(3)-K(2)OsO(2)(OH)(4) and I(2)-K(3)PO(4)/K(2)HPO(4)-K(2)OsO(2)(OH)(4) systems with Sharpless' ligand provided the optically active glycols in excellent isolated yields and high enantiomeric excesses. Iodine (I(2)) was used stoichiometrically for the chemical dihydroxylation, and good results were obtained with nonconjugated olefins in contrast to the case of potassium ferricyanide as a co-oxidant. The potentiality of I(2) as a co-oxidant under stoichiometric conditions has been proven to be effective as an oxidizing mediator in electrolysis systems. Iodine-assisted asymmetric electro-dihydroxylation of olefins in either a t-BuOH/H(2)O(1/1)-K(2)CO(3)/(DHQD)(2)PHAL-(Pt) or t-BuOH/H(2)O(1/1)-K(3)PO(4)/K(2)HPO(4)/(DHQD)(2)PHAL-(Pt) system in the presence of potassium osmate in an undivided cell was investigated in detail. Irrespective of the substitution pattern, all the olefins afforded the diols in high yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses. A plausible mechanism is discussed on the basis of cyclic voltammograms as well as experimental observations.     

Investigation of Hydrolysis in Poly（ethylene terephthalate） by FTIR-ATR

The hydrothermal aging of poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) was investigated at 70 95 °C. A new method to investigate the hydrolysis degree of PET by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was proposed. The spectra during the hydrothermal aging were measured using attenuated total reflection accessory(ATR). Peak resolving of carbonyl regions was performed, and the ratio of two groups of bands representing carboxylic acids and esters respectively were calculated to show the hydrolysis degree of ester groups in PET. The acid/ester ratio shows exactly the same trend as the average chain scission number per unit mass at various temperatures and thus can be used as a parameter to characterize the hydrolysis and random chain scission of PET. This method related to the hydrolysis mechanism directly, is simple, fast and convenient compared to the traditional methods such as viscometry, end-group titration and size exclusion chromatography(SEC). It may also be useful in hydrolysis characterization of other polyesters.     

临界溶剂化作用对水解反应动力学的影响

用过渡态及Kirkwood介电模型考察近临界水中醋酸甲酯(MeAc)水解动力学.实验结果表明,临界溶剂化作用使本体系在623K附近出现反应活化体积(ΔV^≠)极负值现象,同时反应表观活化能降低至(23.5±8.29)kJ/mol.利用lnkc与反应场的线性关系可修正压力因素对水解动力学的影响,并证实了近临界水介质中MeAc水解S_N2反应机理的可靠性.     

Cross‐Linked Micelles with Enzyme‐Like Active Sites for Biomimetic Hydrolysis of Activated Esters

Enzymes have substrate‐tailored active sites with optimized molecular recognition and catalytic features. Although many different platforms have been used by chemists to construct enzyme mimics, it is challenging to tune the structure of their active sites systematically. By molecularly imprinting template molecules within doubly cross‐linked micelles, we created protein‐sized nanoparticles with catalytically functionalized binding sites. These enzyme mimics accelerated the hydrolysis of activated esters thousands of times over the background reaction, whereas the analogous catalytic group (a nucleophilic pyridyl derivative) was completely inactive in bulk solution under the same conditions. The template molecules directly controlled the size and shape of the active site and modulated the resulting catalyst's performance at different pHs. The synthetic catalysts displayed Michaelis–Menten enzymatic behavior and, interestingly, reversed the intrinsic reactivity of the activated esters during the hydrolysis.     

Acyclic phenylalkanediols as substrates for the study of enzyme recognition: synthesis of substrates and enzymatic resolution via hydrolysis and transesterification

Different racemic or prochiral phenyl alkane (l,n)-diols were synthesized, and their resolution was carried out by two different strategies: enzymatic transesterification with vinyl acetate, or enzymatic hydrolysis of their corresponding diacetates, in both cases catalysed by porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL). The absolute configuration of the optically enriched reaction products was determined by formation of Mosher's esters or by the use of the Benzene Sector and Benzene Chirality Rules as obtained from the Circular Dichroism spectra.     

Direct lactonization of alkenols via osmium tetroxide-mediated oxidative cleavage

[reaction: see text] A highly efficient, mild, and simple protocol is presented for the tandem OsO(4)-mediated oxidative cleavage/oxidative lactonization of alkenols to lactones. The protocol couples the OsO(4)-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of olefins with Oxone as the co-oxidant with the direct oxidation of aldehydes in alcoholic solvents to their corresponding esters.     

污泥厌氧水解/酸化的影响因素及研究进展

污泥厌氧水解/酸化作为一种新型的污泥处置技术,由于具有较好的处理效果,已逐渐成为环境化学研究领域的热点。本文综述了国内外污泥厌氧水解/酸化产酸的研究现状,重点阐述了营养物质在厌氧条件下的化学变化以及pH、温度、氧化还原电位、碳氮比(C/N)、泥龄(SRT)及表面活性剂等对污泥厌氧酸化的影响,对其研究进展进行综述,并指出了污泥厌氧水解/酸化产酸在污泥处置方向的可行性和应用前景。     

Simultaneous GLC determination of fenitrothion,aminocarb and their corresponding hydrolysis products in water

Summary A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of fenitrothion, aminocarb, and their respective hydrolysis products, in water. These hydrolysis products are phenols and they are first derivatized to the corresponding esters with acetic anhydride directly in water. Extraction with methylene chloride successfully recovers the four chemicals which are then analysed by gas liquid chromatography using a nitrogen-phosphorous selective detector.     

The effect of the migrating group structure on enantioselectivity in lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of 1-phenylethanol

We have studied the effects of the acyl moiety on the enantioselectivity of three lipases: Candida antarctica B, Pseudomonas cepacia and Candida cylindracea, frequently used in kinetic resolutions by acylation or hydrolysis. The size of the acyl group was examined using various enol esters during the transesterification of 1-phenylethanol and the hydrolysis of the corresponding phenylethylesters. C. antarctica-B lipase showed the highest selectivity in the transesterification of 1-phenylethanol with isopropenyl and vinyl acetate, vinyl decanoate, vinyl laurate, (E > 200). The esters 1-phenyl -ethyl-acetate, decanoate and laurate are also hydrolyzed with high selectivities (E > 150) with CAL-B. The results can be correlated to the three-dimensional form of each lipase. The effect of the migrating group on the reactivity and selectivity of the lipases are discussed for both reactions.     

Catalytic intermolecular C-alkylation of 1,2-diketones with simple olefins: a recyclable directing group strategy

We describe the first example of Rh-catalyzed intermolecular C-alkylation of cyclic 1,2-diketones using simple terminal olefins as alkylating agents. Aminopyridine is employed as a recyclable directing group. First, it reacts with ketones to give enamines and delivers Rh to activate the vinyl C-H bonds in the same pot; second, it can be cleaved off and recovered via hydrolysis. A broad range of olefins can be utilized as substrates, including aliphatic, aromatic olefins and vinyl esters. The efficiency of this method is also demonstrated in the synthesis of a natural flavoring compound, 3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,2-cyclopentadione (one-pot 53% yield vs a previous four-step route 16% yield from the same starting material). This work is expected to serve as a seminal study toward catalytic ketone α-alkylation with unactivated olefins.     

Peptide dithiodiethanol esters for in situ generation of thioesters for use in native ligation

A new approach is described for the general Fmoc-based solid-phase synthesis of C-terminal peptide (thio)esters. One hydroxy group of 2,2-dithiodiethanol (used in large excess) was anchored on trityl resin, and the remaining hydroxy group was loaded with the first amino acid. Standard chain elongation and TFA-based peptide release yielded peptide C-terminal dithiodiethanol esters in good purities. Under standard conditions of native chemical ligation (excess thiol, neutral pH), the dithiodiethanol function is presumably reduced and rearranged (or equilibrated) to the thioester via a 5-membered intermediate. The resulting thioesters are shown to undergo native chemical ligation with N-terminal cysteine peptides. Notably, hydrolysis of the reduced ester is a major competing reaction, especially in the presence of 6 M guanidinium chloride, which is often required for solubilization of large peptide fragments.     

Direct labeling of 5-methylcytosine and its applications

Cytosine methylation is one of the most important epigenetic events, and much effort has been directed to develop a simple reaction for methylcytosine detection. In this paper, we describe the design of tag-attachable ligands for direct methylcytosine labeling and their application to fluorescent and electrochemical assays. The effect of the location of bipyridine substituents on the efficiency of osmium complexation at methylcytosine was initially investigated. As a result, a bipyridine derivative with a substituent at the C4 position showed efficient complexation at the methylcytosine residue of single-stranded DNA in a reaction mixture containing potassium osmate and potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). On the basis of this result, a bipyridine derivative with a tag-attachable amino linker at the C4 position was synthesized. The efficiency of metal complex formation in the presence of the osmate and the synthetic ligand was clearly changed by the presence/absence of a methyl group at the C5 position of cytosine. The succinimidyl esters of functional labeling units were then attached to the bipyridine ligand fixed on the methylcytosine. These labels attached to methylcytosine enabled us to detect the target methylcytosine in DNA both fluorometrically and electrochemically. For example, we were able to fluorometrically obtain information on the methylation status at a specific site by means of fluorescence resonance energy transfer from a hybridized fluorescent DNA probe to a fluorescent label on methylcytosine. In addition, by the combination of electrochemically labeled methylcytosine and an electrode modified by probe DNAs, a methylcytosine-selective characteristic current signal was observed. This direct labeling of methylcytosine is a conceptually new methylation detection assay with many merits different from conventional assays.