A Simple and Short Synthesis of Z-6-Heneicosen-11-One and Z-1,6-Heneicosen-11-One,The Sex Pheromones of Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth

Z-6-Heneicosen-11-one (1) and Z-1,6-Heneicosen-11-one (2) are the sex pheromones of the Douglas-Fir Tussock moth, ‘Orgyia Pseudo Sugata’, isolated^1,2 in 1975 and 1978 respectively. In contrast with other lepidopterous pheromones, which are unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₄ primary alcohols or acetates, these were found to be C₂₁ ketones. The Douglas-Fir Tussock moth is a severe defoliator of the Fir forest; consequently, considerable interest attends the synthesis of these two pheromones. A number of syntheses of these two pheromones have been reported3 amongst which is one of our synthesis using N,N-dimethyl acetone 4 hydrazone as key intermediate.     

Molecule/radical reactions prior to ionization under negative chemical ionization conditions

It is shown that alkyl radical species present in CH₄ or iso-C₄H₁₀ plasma can react with substrate molecules to give [M+C_nH_2n] species. These species become evident especially in negative chemical ionization as [M+C_nH_2n]^?˙ and, less obviously, in positive chemical ionization as [M+C_nH_2n+1]⁺ ions which, for example in natural products chemistry, may be mistaken for a series of homologous compounds present in the sample.     

Chemical synthesis of ComX pheromone and related peptides containing isoprenoidal tryptophan residues

The ComX pheromone is a post-translationally modified oligopeptide that stimulates natural genetic competence controlled by quorum sensing in Bacillus subtilis. Recently, the structure of the ComX_RO-E-2 pheromone produced by strain RO-E-2 was determined. Based on the NMR analysis, a geranyl group is bound to the tryptophan residue, which results in the formation of a tricyclic ring structure. It was proposed that one of the four possible stereochemical isomers was based on a conformational search for model compounds and the assumption that amino acid residues in the natural pheromone have the l-configuration. All possible modified tryptophan residues and the corresponding ComX_RO-E-2 peptides were synthesized to confirm the precise stereochemistry. Here, the synthesis of the modified tryptophan derivatives was reported in detail. It was succeeded in synthesizing four optically active modified tryptophan methyl esters from which the four diastereomeric ComX_RO-E-2 peptides were prepared. Since only one of the four diastereomers was spectroscopically identical to the natural pheromone and exhibited biological activity, the absolute structure of the ComX_RO-E-2 pheromone was able to be established unambiguously. Furthermore, it was noticed that two other bioactive pheromones were present in the culture broth that were co-purified with ComX_RO-E-2 pheromone. These pheromones were presumed to be the N-terminal truncated peptides of ComX_RO-E-2 pheromone, i.e., [2-6]ComX_RO-E-2 and [3-6]ComX_RO-E-2, by LC-MS and NMR analyses. Using Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis, ComX_RO-E-2 pheromone and the [2-6]ComX_RO-E-2 and [3-6]ComX_RO-E-2 peptides were prepared. The synthetic peptides were identical to the natural pheromones and also showed significant biological activity.     

Arylvanadium(III)-Verbindungen. VI. Darstellung und Eigenschaften von Lithium-trimesityl-organyl-vanadaten(III)

Arylvanadium (III) Compounds. VI. Preparation and Properties of Lithium Trimesityl organyl Vanadates Trimesityl vanadium reacts with LiR (R = Ph, o-Tol, Dmop, CH₃, CPh₃) forming complexes Li(thf)₄ VMes₃R. With Li₂C₆H₄ and Li₂C₂ the compounds Li₂(thf) ₈ V(μ-C₆H₄)Mes₆ and Li₂(thf)₈V(μ-C₂)Mes₆ are obtained. All compounds are characterized by their thermal, magnetical, and spectral properties.     

Synthesis and characterization of carbene derivatives of Th@C3v(8)-C82 and U@C2v(9)-C82: exceptional chemical properties induced by strong actinide–carbon cage interaction

Chemical functionalization of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) is essential for the application of these novel carbon materials. Actinide EMFs, a new EMF family member, have presented unique molecular and electronic structures but their chemical properties remain unexplored. Here, for the first time, we report the chemical functionalization of actinide EMFs, in which the photochemical reaction of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂ and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ with 2-adamantane-2,3′-[3H]-diazirine (AdN₂, 1) was systematically investigated. The combined HPLC and MALDI-TOF analyses show that carbene addition by photochemical reaction afforded three isomers of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad and four isomers of U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad (Ad = adamantylidene), presenting notably higher reactivity than their lanthanide analogs. Among these novel EMF derivatives, Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(I, II, III) and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(I, II, III) were successfully isolated and were characterized by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy. In particular, the molecular structures of first actinide fullerene derivatives, Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(I) and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(I), were unambiguously determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography, both of which show a [6,6]-open cage structure. In addition, isomerization of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(II), Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(III), U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(II) and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(III) was observed at room temperature. Computational studies suggest that the attached carbon atoms on the cages of both Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad(I) and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad(I) have the largest negative charges, thus facilitating the electrophilic attack. Furthermore, it reveals that, compared to their lanthanide analogs, Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂ and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ have much closer metal–cage distance, increased metal-to-cage charge transfer, and strong metal–cage interactions stemming from the significant contribution of extended Th-5f and U-5f orbitals to the occupied molecular orbitals, all of which give rise to their unusual high reactivity. This study provides first insights into the exceptional chemical properties of actinide endohedral fullerenes, which pave ways for the future functionalization and application of these novel EMF compounds.

Photochemical reaction of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂ and U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ with 2-adamantane-2,3′-[3H]-diazirine (AdN₂, 1) afforded three isomers of Th@C_3v(8)-C₈₂Ad and four isomers of U@C_2v(9)-C₈₂Ad (Ad = adamantylidene), respectively.     

Tannins from Betel Nuts

From the acetone extract of fresh-betel nuts, two procyanidin pentamers, two procyanidin tetramers and three procyanidin trimers, along with (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin A-l, procyanidin B-l, procyanidin B-2, and procyanidin B-7 were isolated. Based on ₁H NMR and ₁₃C NMR spectral data as well as the results of thiolysis degradation, the chemical structures of two series of oligomeric arecatannins A and B have been established. The arecatannins from betel nuts were found to be condensed-type tannins which possess (-)-epicatechin unit and (+)-catechin units. All arecatannins had C₄-C₈ linked (-)-epicatechin in the upper units whereas the (+)-catechin in the terminal unit had C₄-C₈ or C₄-C₆ linkage.     

Pyrolysis of vegetable oil soaps—Palm, olive, rapeseed and castor oils

Saponified, palm, olive, rapeseed and castor oils were pyrolysed (at 750 °C for 20 s) by pyrolysis gas chromatography with mass selective and flame ionisation detection (Py-GC/MSD and FID) to clarify their thermochemical behaviours. The liquefiable compounds recovered from palm, olive and rapeseed oils mainly contained linear alkenes (up to C₁₉) and alkanes (up to C₁₇), both similar to those found in gasoline (C₄-C₁₀) and diesel fuel (C₁₁-C₂₂) boiling range fractions of petroleum, whereas in the case of castor oil a significant amount of undesired oxygen-containing products (e.g., ketones and phenols) were formed. The obtained data on reaction mechanisms can also be utilised in applications where various biofuels are produced, for example, from the extractive-derived by-product (tall oil) of kraft pulping.     

Biological-chemical treatment of soils contaminated with exploration and production wastes

Oil-gas exploration and production (E&P) soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) have been tested for degradation by two different treatments: biological and chemical. Biological treatment includes the use of native microorganisms for transformation of the various hydrocarbons found in E&P soils. Degradation of TPH of 80 and 86%, was achieved for two different soils, respectively in control experiments. The effect of growth stimulants such as glucose, acetic acid, and valeric acid was examined on TPH degradation. Incorporation of inducer (valerate) enhanced the degradation up to 89 and 93%, for the two soils, respectively. A large portion (> 41%) of contaminant in one soil was comprised of compounds in the carbon range of C₁₀-C₁₆ and < 7% constituted carbon range of C₂₄-C_28. The degradation of C₁₀-C₁₆ compounds was higher (> 98%) as compared to C₂₄-C₂₈ compounds (< 75%). Likewise, the degradation rate was also higher (58 mg/kg/d) for lower compounds as compared to higher carbon range compounds (6.7 mg/kg/d). Experiments conducted on chemical treatment included the effect of chelators on stabilization of H₂O₂, comparative studies between buffer and water (used for soil preparation), and the effect of pH on TPH degradation. The rate of oxygen evolution from H₂O₂ was significantly reduced with use of either chelated iron or phosphate buffer using naphthelene as a model compound. Chemical treatment demonstrated a higher degradation of TPH from contaminated soils at pH 4.0 as compared to a pH of 7.0. More degradation was obtained with slurry prepared in phosphate buffer as compared to deionized water.     

13C n.m.r. studies of organosilanes: II—substituent chemical shift parameters for alkoxysilanes

The ¹³C n.m.r. spectra of forty alkoxysilanes of the general type X_nSi(OR)_4–n (X = CH₃, C₆H₅, H; R = CH₃, C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, i-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₉, i-C₄H₉, s-C₄H₉, n-C₅H₁₁, CH(CH₃)(C₆H₅), C₆H₅) have been recorded and assigned. The chemical shifts of the α-carbon resonances of the alkoxy groups are shown to depend on both the nature of the alkoxy group and the number and type of substituents on the silicon. Regression analyses of the data give empirical substituent chemical shift (SCS) parameters for the silyl substituents. The β-carbon resonances are shown to be dependent on the presence of the silyl group, but not the specific silyl substituents.     

Isolation of individual capsaicinoids from a mixture and their characterization by (13)C NMR spectrometry

Individual compounds were isolated from a laboratory mixture of capsaicinoids by a multi-stage approach. First, the capsaicinoids were fractionated into capsaicins and non-capsaicins by argentation solid phase extraction (SPE) on a silver-charged propyl sulfonate resin. Second, compounds in each fraction were isolated by semi-preparative liquid chromatography on a C₃₀ phase in aqueous methanol. Third, the individual components of the original mixture were concentrated by reversed phased (C₁₈) SPE. The structure of each purified compound was confirmed by ¹³C NMR spectrometry and spectral comparison to known standards, purchased or synthesized locally. The chemical shifts of 15 capsaicinoid standards were measured on a 600 MHz instrument, and their assignments to particular carbons were made by reference to Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer (DEPT) NMR experiments and NMR spectral prediction software.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of heptafluoropropylated fullerenes: C70(n-C3F7)8, C70(n-C3F7)6O, and C70(C3F7)4

Ampoule reactions of C₇₀ with n- and i-C₃F₇I were carried out at 250-310 °C. Two step HPLC separations allowed the isolation of several C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)_4-8 and C₇₀(i-C₃F₇)₄ compounds. Crystal and molecular structures of C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₈-V, C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₆O, C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₄, and three isomers of C₇₀(i-C₃F₇)₄ have been determined by X-ray crystallography using synchrotron radiation. Molecular structures of the new compounds were compared with the known examples and discussed in terms of addition patterns and relative energies of their formation.     

Applications of 95Mo NMR. 5—substituent effects in the 95Mo and 13C NMR spectra of benzyltricarbonyl(η5-cyclopentadienyl)molybdenum(II) derivatives

A systematic study has been made of the effects of substituent induced chemical shifts in [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₃Mo(CH₂C₆H₄R)] compounds. Both ⁹⁵Mo and ¹³C NMR shifts in the aromatic ring are reported. The (η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₃MoCH₂? group is a reasonably strong resonance donor (σ_R° = ?0.21) and weak inductive donor (σ_I = ?0.07). The molybdenum chemical shifts are extremely sensitive to the effects of distant substituents (range c. 40 ppm). Since the shift correlates well with substituent constants in this series, it is suggested that the chemical shift is controlled by the paramagnetic term for this spin 5/2 nucleus.     

Characterization of posticlure and the structure-related sex pheromone candidates prepared by epoxidation of (6Z,9Z,11E)-6,9,11-trienes and (3Z,6Z,9Z,11E)-3,6,9,11-tetraenes

trans-11,12-Epoxy-(6Z,9Z)-6,9-henicosadiene (posticlure) has been identified from a pheromone gland of the lymantriid species, Orgyia postica. Since the diversity of Lepidoptera suggests that some species utilize the structure-related epoxy compound as a sex pheromone component, epoxydienes and epoxytrienes derived from (6Z,9Z,11E)-6,9,11-trienes and (3Z,6Z,9Z,11E)-3,6,9,11-tetraenes with a C₁₉–C₂₁ chain were systematically synthesized and the chemical data were accumulated in order to contribute to a new pheromone research. Peracid oxidation of each triene and each tetraene produced, respectively, a mixture of three epoxydienes (cis-6,7-epoxy-9,11-diene; cis-9,10-epoxy-6,11-diene; and trans-11,12-epoxy-6,9-diene) and four epoxytrienes (cis-3,4-epoxy-6,9,11-triene; cis-6,7-epoxy-3,9,11-triene; cis-9,10-epoxy-3,6,11-triene; and trans-11,12-epoxy-3,6,9-triene). While the 9,10-epoxy compounds were unstable and, interestingly, converted into 9-ketone derivatives after chromatography over SiO₂, each positional isomer was isolated by HPLC equipped with an ODS column, and the chemical structure was determined by NMR analysis. On the GC-MS analysis with a DB-23 column, the positional isomers were also eluted separately and characteristic mass spectra were proposed. By comparing the spectral data of the epoxy compounds with a different carbon chain, diagnostic fragment ions reflecting the chemical structure were determined as follows: m/z 79, 109, 113, and M-114 for the 6,7-epoxydienes; m/z 69, 97, 111, 139, and M-111 for the 9,10-epoxydienes; m/z 57, 79, 109, 136, M-151, and M-111 for the 11,12-epoxydienes; m/z 79, 91, 105, and 119 for the 3,4-epoxytrienes; m/z 79, 124, M-124, M-96, and M-69 for the 6,7-epoxytrienes; m/z 79, 95, 109, 137, and M-108 for the 9,10-epoxytrienes; and m/z 79, 134, M-149, M-109, and M-95 for the 11,12-epoxytrienes.     

(5R,7R)-5-Methylheptadecan-7-ol: a novel sex pheromone component produced by a female lichen moth, Miltochrista calamina, in the family Arctiidae

A methyl-branched heptadecanol was found in the pheromone gland extract of a female lichen moth, Miltochrista calamina (Arctiidae, Lithosiinae). GC-MS analyses of the alcohol and a hydrocarbon derived from it by subsequent treatments with methanesulfonyl chloride and LiAlD₄ in microscale reactions indicated 5-methylheptadecan-7-ol (1) as one possible structure. The four stereoisomers of 1 in a ratio of 4:4:1:1 were prepared from (S)-β-citronellol with 60% ee, and were separated by a combination of achiral and chiral HPLC columns. The absolute configuration of each isomer was determined by the comparison with the chromatographic behaviors of other samples synthesized by a different scheme, which applied the Jacobsen hydrolytic kinetic resolution of racemic 1,2-epoxydodecane to fix the configuration of the 7-hydroxy group. Only the (5R,7R)-isomer attracted male moths; thus, we concluded that M. calamina females secrete (5R,7R)-1 as a sex pheromone, indicating a new chemical class of lepidopteran female sex pheromones.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 4-alkylamino-4'-substituted diphenyldiacetylenes

Various substituted aminodiphenyldiacetylenes of the type with X = C₃H₇, C₅H₁₁, F or NO₂ and R, R' = H, CH₃-C₆H₁₃ were synthesized and their mesomorphic properties determined. Semi-empirical and ab initio quantum chemical calculations using AM1, 421G and 631G* suggested that the amino group would increase the dielectric anisotropy and optical birefringence as compared to the alkyl chain. Mesomorphic properties were found to be poor with the maximum nematic phase range being 44.8°C and many of the compounds having no nematic phase. Both melting temperatures and enthalpies for those having nematic phases were too high to form good eutectic mixtures.     

Constrained phosphite ester complexes of π-cyclopentadienylmolybdenum tricarbonyl halides

The synthesis of complexes of the type π-C₅H₅Mo(CO)₂LX and π-C₅H₅Mo(CO)L₂X, where XCl, Br, or I and LP(OCH₂)₃CR (RCH₃, C₂H₅, or C₃H₇), is reported. Infrared and conductance data verified that all compounds existed as covalent species in solution. Each of the three π-C₅H₅Mo(CO)₂LCl complexes was isolated as an inseparable mixture of cis and trans isomeric forms. Only the trans forms of the remaining π-C₅H₅Mo(CO)₂LX complexes were observed in solution, as indicated by infrared and PMR spectra. All of the π-C₅H₅Mo(CO)L₂X compounds apparently exist in primarily one isomeric form in solution; their PMR spectra, which exhibited a sharp triplet resonance for the ?OCH₂? protons of the phosphite ligands and a single sharp π-C₅H₅ proton signal, indicated a predominantly trans arrangement of the phosphite ligands at room temperature.     

New cerebrosides from the marine sponge Oceanapia sp.

New cerebrosides containing N-acetylglucosamine were isolated from the marine sponge Oceanapia sp. Some of them contain n-and iso-C₁₈-and iso-C₁₉-phytosphingosines N-acylated by n-C_16:0, n-C_17:0, and n-C_18:0 fatty acids, some other are derivatives of iso-and anteiso-C₁₇-,-C₁₈-, and-C₁₉-phytosphingosines N-acylated by long-chain (C₂₄-C²⁸) α-hydroxy acids. The structures of these compounds were determined by NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and by chemical transformations. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 895–899, May, 2006.     

Synthesis of the compounds [Re(CR)(CO)2(η5-C9H7)][BF4] (R = C6H4Me-4 or C6H3Me2-2,6) and the preparation of complexes with FeRe bonds

The salts [Re(CR)CO)₂(η⁵-C₉H₇)][BF₄] [R = C₆H₄Me-4 or C₆H₃Me-2,6; η⁵- C₉H₇ = indenyl] have been prepared and used to synthesize the dimetal compounds [FeRe(μ-CR)(μ-NO)(CO)₄(η⁵-C₉H₇)]. The iron-rhenium species containing a bridging p- tolylmethylidyne ligands react with [Fe₂(CO)₉] or with [Ru(CO)₄(η-C₂H₄)], respectively, to yield the trimetal compounds ([FeMRe(μ₃-CC₆H₄Me-4)(μ-CO)(μ-NO)(CO)₆(η ₅-C₉H₇)] (M = Fe or Ru).     

The preparation and properties of metallofluorene complexes of transition metals.

Metalluorene complexes (π-C₅H₅)M(CO)(C₁₂H₈) (IVa)-(IVc) and (π-C₅H₅) (CO)(C₁₂F₈) (IVd)-(IVf) (M = Co, Rh and Ir) have been prepared from reactions of the appropriate (π-cyclopentadienyl) carbonylmetal diiodides with 2,2′-dilithhiolbiphenyl (IIa) and 2,2′-dilithiooctafluorobiphenyl (IIb), respectively The triphenylphoshine substitution reactions of cobalt compounds (IVa) and (IVd) have also been studied. Reaction of (IIa) and (IIb) with norbornadieneplatinum dichloride result in the preparation of metallocyclic platinum compounds (π-C₇H₈) and (π-C₇H₈)Pt(C₁₂H₈). A reaction of (IIb) with zirconocene dichloride produces (π-C₅H₅)₂Zr(C₁₂F₈), the first example of a ziconium-containing metalofluorene.     

Molecular Structure and Magnetic and Optical Properties of Endometallonitridofullerene Sc3N@Ih-C80 in Neutral,Radical Anion,and Dimeric Anionic Forms

A series of compounds with Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ in the neutral, monomeric, and dimeric anion states have been prepared in the crystalline form and their molecular structures and optical and magnetic properties have been studied. The neutral Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ ⋅ 3 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 1 ) and (Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀)₃(TPC)₂ ⋅ 5 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 2 , TPC=triptycene) compounds both crystallized in a high-symmetry trigonal structure. The reduction of Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ to the radical anion resulted in dimerization to form diamagnetic singly bonded (Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ dimers. In contrast to {[2.2.2]cryptand(Na⁺)}₂(Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ ⋅ 2.5 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 3 ) with strongly disordered components, we synthesized new dimeric phases {[2.2.2]cryptand- (K⁺)}₂(Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ ⋅ 2 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 4 ) and {[2.2.2]cryptand- (Cs⁺)}₂(Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ ⋅ 2 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 5 ) in which only one major dimer orientation was found. The thermal stability of the (Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ dimers was studied by EPR analysis of 3 to show their dissociation in the 400–460 K range producing monomeric Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀^.− radical anions. This species shows an EPR signal with a hyperfine splitting of 5.8 mT. The energy of the intercage C−C bond was estimated to be 234±7 kJ mol⁻¹, the highest value among negatively charged fullerene dimers. The EPR spectra of crystalline (Bu₃MeP⁺)₃(Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀^.−)₃ ⋅ C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 6 ) are presented for the first time. The salt shows an asymmetric EPR signal, which could be fitted by three lines. Two lines were attributed to Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀^.−. Hyperfine splitting is manifested above 180 K due to the hyperfine interaction of the electron spin with the three scandium atoms (a total of 22 lines with an average splitting of 5.32 mT are observed at 220 K). Furthermore, each of the 22 lines is additionally split into six lines with an average separation of 0.82 mT. The large splitting indicates intrinsic charge and spin density transfer from the fullerene cage to the Sc₃N cluster. Both the monomeric and dimeric Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻ anions show an intrinsic shift of the IR bands attributed to the Sc₃N cluster and new bands corresponding to these species appear in the NIR range of their UV/Vis/NIR spectra, which allows these anions to be distinguished from neutral species.