Enantioselective radical cyclizations: a new approach to stereocontrol of cascade reactions

Stereocontrol in a cascade radical addition-cyclization-trapping reaction was achieved by a new approach, which utilizes a hydroxamate ester moiety as a coordinating chiral Lewis acid tether between two radical acceptors. A remarkable feature of this reaction is the construction of three bonds and tertiary and quaternary stereogenic centers through both inter- and intramolecular carbon-carbon bond-forming processes. The chiral Lewis acid mediated reaction of oxime ethers also proceeded smoothly with good enantio- and diastereoselectivities, indicating the usefulness of the cascade approach for the asymmetric synthesis of various gamma-lactams.     

Decomposition kinetics of calcite: a new approach to the old problem

In addition to the results of our own experiments on the decompositions of calcite crystals under high-vacuum (10⁻⁸ bar) and low-vacuum (10⁻² bar) conditions, some data reported in the literature were used for the determination of the E parameters by the second- and third-law methods and discussion of the self-cooling effect on the results of these determinations. Analysis of these data supports the advantages of the third-law method compared with the second-law (and Arrhenius-plots) methods in relation to reliability of results obtained. The experimental values of the E parameters, obtained by different technique and under different conditions by the third-law method, are in excellent agreement with the theoretically predicted values based on the mechanism of congruent decomposition of CaCO₃ into gaseous species CO₂ and CaO with the simultaneous condensation of low-volatility CaO molecules. Indeed, the experimental values of the E parameters in the equimolar and isobaric modes of decomposition, obtained in this work under optimal conditions, are equal to 261 and 493 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively whereas the theoretical values at these temperatures equals to 253 and 505 kJ mol⁻¹. The application of the third-law method allowed to support the enormous influence of self-cooling on the results obtained by the usual second-law and Arrhenius-plots methods accepted in thermal analysis. The role of this effect is increased dramatically in the experiments performed under high-vacuum conditions. Contrary to the second-law method, the third-law method appears to be rather insensitive to reactant self-cooling in the process of decomposition and to the presence of gaseous product (CO₂) in the reactor.     

Photochemistry of stilbenyl-pyrroles: a new approach to indole and isoindole derivatives

A new 2-{2-[2-(4-methylphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl}pyrrole (11) was prepared and transformed by a photochemical reaction furnishing two cyclised products 4,5-dihydro-4-(p-methylphenyl)benzo[g]indole (12) and 4H-4-(p-methylbenzyl)pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindole (13), and a reduction product, 2-{2-[2-(4-methylphenyl)ethyl]phenyl}pyrrole (14).     

Tandem silylformylation-allyl(crotyl)silylation: a new approach to polyketide synthesis

Tandem intramolecular silylformylation-allyl(crotyl)silylation reactions have been developed that allow the highly efficient synthesis of polyketide fragments. The substrates are subjected to Rh(I)-catalyzed silylformylation to afford β-(diallyl)silyl aldehydes which undergo spontaneous uncatalyzed allylsilylation. This unusual spontaneous allylsilylation reaction is driven by strain release Lewis acidity, which arises from the ∼95° O-Si-C bond angle in the oxasilacyclopentane product of the silylformylation reaction. The methodology has been developed both for alkene and alkyne substrates, may be used to establish as many as three stereocenters, and has been shown to be amenable to use in an iterative fashion.     

Furan ring opening-isochromene ring closure: a new approach to isochromene ring synthesis

A new approach toward the synthesis of 1H-isochromenes based on the recyclization of the furan ring in the corresponding ortho-hydroxymethylbenzylfurans is described.     

Cooperative self-assembling in statistical copolymers: a new approach to high-temperature thermoplastic elastomers

Based on previous work, where it was shown that 4-urazoylbenzoic acid (U4A) groups, which are attached statistically to polybutadiene, form ordered supramolecular arrays in the unpolar polymer matrix, the present work describes the synthesis of a new molecular building block capable of self-assembling in the unpolar polymer matrix. 5-Urazoylisophthalic acid (U35A) groups attached to 1,4-polybutadiene chains cause the formation of a thermoplastic elastomer of improved properties. The clusters of functional groups show an endothermic transition. The melting temperature increases for low levels of modification from 130°C up to 190°C. The mechanical properties (stress–strain and dynamic mechanical) reveal excellent rubbery characteristics and a rubbery plateau which is considerably flatter than those of technical grade thermoplastic elastomers. The IR data indicate that the U35A groups are tetrafunctional with respect to supramolecular self-assembling. Based on detailed knowledge of the structure of the self-assembled domains in U4A groups, a model is developed which describes the observed material properties qualitatively.     

Continuous addition of reagent technique: a new approach to differential reaction-rate methods

The potential of the continuous addition of reagent technique in differential reaction-rate methods was evaluated. The approach was tested on the simultaneous determination of copper and iron through their fast complex-formation reaction with pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone. Mixtures of these metal ions at the sub-μg ml^?1 level with copper/iron ratios from 5:1 to 1:2 can be analysed with a precision (relative standard deviation) of 0.25 and 0.45%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of both metals in serum samples with a purpose-designed reaction mini-chamber.     

Synthesis and N-functionalization of isoxazolidines: a new approach to nucleoside analogues

A straightforward synthetic approach for the preparation of non N-functionalized isoxazolidines from BF₃-catalyzed 1,3-cycloaddition reactions between methyl glyoxylate oxime and alkenes is described. Subsequently, isoxazolidines were N-functionalized with three chemically active groups (2-chloroethyl, cyanomethyl and 2-acetoxyethyl), thus allowing the preparation of a wide array of N-functionalized isoxazolidines. The compounds were characterized by means of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. X-ray analysis was used for stereochemical elucidation.     

Facile zeolite induced Fischer-indole synthesis: a new approach to bioactive natural product rutaecarpine

Starting from glutaric anhydride (5) we have demonstrated an elegant six-step practical synthesis of bioactive natural product rutaecarpine (1a) via o-amidoglutaranilic acid formation, esterification, chemoselective ester reduction, intramolecular dehydrative cyclizations, hydrazone formation and zeolite induced Fischer-indole synthesis with 53% overall yield. The conditions employed in the present synthesis are mild, efficient and general.     

Use of temporary tethers in the intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions of tetrahydrophthalimide derivatives: a new approach to complex tricyclic lactones

The intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions of a series of alkenols tethered to ethanolamine, l-(+)-valinol and R-(−)-2-phenylglycinol derived 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimides via a carbonate or silicon linkage have been examined. These [2+2] photocycloadditions gave the corresponding cyclobutanes in high yield with complete endo control in all cases and with diastereoselectivities as high as 8:1 with the chiral tethers. The cleavage of the temporary tethers by either desilylation or hydrolysis provided the endo diols. Cleavage of the ethanolamine linkage by reduction/hydrolysis precipitated an acid-catalysed fragmentation/ring expansion sequence to generate complex tricyclic lactones.     

A new approach to 4-alkylthio-1,3-dithiole-2-thione: an unusual reaction of a zinc complex of 1,3-dithole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate

[see reaction]. A new and facile approach to 4-alkylthio-1,3-dithiole-2-thione starting from easily accessible reactants was described. This approach was based on the unusual reaction of a zinc complex of 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate with electrophilic reagents in the presence of 3-picolyl chloride hydrochloride/or 4-picolyl chloride hydrochloride/or pyridine hydrochloride.     

Reductive dimerization of dithianylium salts and fluorodesulfuration: a new synthetic approach to tetrafluoroethylene substructures

The reductive dimerization of dithianylium ions, followed by oxidative fluorodesulfuration, opens a convenient access to a variety of 1,2-disubstituted tetrafluoroethylene derivatives. A similar method leads to hexafluorodiacetyl, a potential building block for fluorinated heterocycles.     

Mass transport in Triton X series nonionic surfactant solutions: a new approach to solute-solvent interactions

Densities, viscosities and tracer diffusion coefficients for solutions of the nonionic surfactants Triton X-45, X-114, X-100 and X-102 in water (except for Triton X-45) and methanol, and for Triton X-100 in three water-methanol mixtures have been measured at 298.15 K and 308.15 K. The activation energy for viscous flow and the contributions to it from solute and solvent have been calculated. Comparison of the Gibbs energies of these systems shows the roles of polyoxyethylene chains of Triton X molecules in the interactions between solute and solvent, and also the effects of solvents on the inter-actions for different solutes. The viscosityB coefficients are positive for all of the surfactant solutions, and the temperature coefficients ofB are negative. In the non-micellar solutions in methanol, values ofB are small and the temperature coefficient ofB is nearly zero. In water-methanol mixtures the critical micelle concentration becomes larger as the methanol content increases up to 40% w/w; micelles are not formed at higher methanol concentrations. TheB coefficient decreases with increasing proportion of methanol in the solvent, and the temperature coefficient ofB changes from a fairly large positive value at low methanol contents to a small negative value at 80% w/w methanol.     

A new approach to detect a set of SNP-SNP markers: Combining ARMS-PCR with SNaPshot technology

Microhaplotypes are a new promising type of forensic genetic marker. Without the interference of stutter and high mutation rates as for STRs, and with short amplification lengths and a higher degree of polymorphism than single SNP, microhaplotypes composed of two SNPs, SNP–SNP, have a strong application potential. Currently, the most common method to detect microhaplotypes is massive parallel sequencing. However, the cost and extensive use of instruments limit its wide application in forensic laboratories. In this study, we screened 23 new SNP–SNP loci and established a new detection method by combining a multiplex amplification refractory mutation system-based PCR (ARMS-PCR) and SNaPshot technology based on CE. First, we introduced an additional deliberate mismatch at the antepenultimate base from the 3′ end of primers when designing ARMS-PCR for SNP 1 (the first SNP of the SNP–SNP). Then, single base extension primers for SNaPshot assay were designed next to the position of SNP 2 (the second SNP). Finally, 15 loci were successfully built into four panels and these loci showed a relatively high level of polymorphism in the Southwest Chinese Han population. All the loci had an average probability of informative genotypes (I value) of 0.319 and a combined discrimination power of 0.999999999. Therefore, this new detection system will provide a valuable supplement to current methods.