Synthesis of N-acyl-N,O-acetals from N-aryl amides and acetals in the presence of TMSOTf

Secondary amides undergo in situ silyl imidate formation mediated by TMSOTf and an amine base, followed by addition to acetal acceptors to provide N-acyl-N,O-acetals in good yields. An analogous, high-yielding reaction is observed with 2-mercaptothiazoline as the silyl imidate precursor. Competing reduction of the acetal to the corresponding methyl ether via transfer hydrogenation can be circumvented by the replacement of CY₂NMe with 2,6-lutidine under otherwise identical reaction conditions.     

BF3·Et2O catalyzed diastereoselective nucleophilic reactions of 3-silyloxypiperidine N,O-acetal with silyl enol ether and application to the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-febrifugine

The asymmetric BF₃·Et₂O catalyzed nucleophilic reactions of 3-silyloxypiperidine N,O-acetal 10 with silyl enol ethers derived from ketones are described. (+)-Febrifugine 1, an antimalarial alkaloid, was successfully synthesized based on this nucleophilic substitution. In addition, N,O-acetal 10 was synthesized from l-benzyl glutamate in 11 steps.     

Synthesis of an O-acyl isopeptide by using native chemical ligation to efficiently construct a hydrophobic polypeptide

By using dimethylformamide to suppress the O-to-N acyl migration, we efficiently synthesized an O-acyl isopeptide by native chemical ligation of a peptide-thioester and a Cys-O-acyl isopeptide. The reaction mixture was then loaded onto an octadecylsilane reverse-phase HPLC column, and the isopeptide was purified by using a linear gradient of CH₃CN in 0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid. The recovery rate of the O-acyl isopeptide was considerably higher than that of the corresponding native polypeptide. Synthesis of O-acyl isopeptides via native chemical ligation, with O-to-N acyl migration as the final step to give the native form, has potential as an efficient method of constructing hydrophobic polypeptides.     

On the conformational characteristics of the O,O,O-trimethyl selenophosphate molecule

Spectroscopic and theoretical studies were carried out for O,O,O-trimethyl selenophosphate molecule. DFT structural and vibrational calculations were performed at 6-311++G^∗∗ level. Ar/matrix-FTIR spectra were recorded. A coexistence of different conformers with C₃ and C₁ symmetries was detected at different temperatures. Spectral evidence of a lower energy C_s conformer was found. These conclusions are consistent with the results from DFT calculations. A tentative assignment of the features observed in the Ar/matrix-FTIR spectra is proposed.     

Y(OTf)3 as a highly efficient catalyst in Ferrier Rearrangement for the synthesis of O- and S-2,3-unsaturated glycopyranosides

By using Y(OTf)₃ as the catalyst, a series of 2,3-unsaturated-glucosides have been synthesized from 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal, 3,4-di-O-acetyl-l-rhamnal, and 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-glucal under mild reaction conditions in good yields with high anomeric selectivities. It was found that, in this reaction, 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-glucal behaved differently from the other two glucals when it was reacted with phenol, O-benzyl glucoside instead of O-phenyl glucoside formed as the sole product. An explanation is given for this phenomenon.     

The first total synthesis of trichostatin D

Trichostatin D and 6-epi-trichostatin D have been stereoselectively synthesized through a remote stereoinduction with a chiral vinylketene silyl N,O-acetal and glycosylation of hydroxyimide under Mitsunobu conditions.     

Solvothermal Synthesis of Superfine Li1−xMn2O4−σ Powders

Superfine Li_1−xMn₂O_4−σ powders were successfully synthesized by the alcohol-thermal method using 0.01 mol of MnO₂, 0.01mol of LiOH·H₂O, and 0.06mol of NaOH as starting materials at 160-200°C. The products are characterized by XRD, TEM, ED, BET, and ICP. Results show that the Li_0.74Mn₂O_3.74 powder prepared at 200°C has an average size of 180 nm with BET surface areas of 16.44 m²/g. A possible formation mechanism is proposed. It was concluded that the alcohol acts not only as the solvent but also as the reducing agent in the synthesis of Li_1−xMn₂O_4−σ powders. The effects of reaction temperature and the contents of NaOH and LiOH on the formation of single phase Li_1−xMn₂O_4−σ were investigated.     

Sm(OTf)3 as a highly efficient catalyst for the synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated O- and S-pyranosides from glycals and the temperature-dependent formation of 4-O-acetyl-6-deoxy-2,3-unsaturated S-pyranosides and 4-O-acetyl-6-deoxy-3-alkylthio glycals

By using Sm(OTf)₃ as the catalyst, synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated-glycosides has been performed. A series of 2,3-unsaturated glycosides were obtained from 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl–d-glucal or 3,4-di-O-acetyl-l-rhamnal under mild reaction conditions in good yield and high anomeric selectivity. It was found that under certain conditions, reaction of 3,4-di-O-acetyl-l-rhamnal with thiol leads to temperature-dependent formation of C-1-S and C-3-S product. A temperature-dependent profile of the yield of these two products is given.     

Elucidation of methyl tert-butyl ether degradation with Fe/H2O2 by purge-and-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) with Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ was studied by purge-and-trap gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. MTBE was degraded 99% within 120 min under optimum conditions. MTBE was firstly degraded rapidly based on a Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ reaction and then relatively slower based on a Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ reaction. The dissolved oxygen decreased rapidly in the Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ reaction stage, but showed a slow increase in the Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ reaction stage. tert-Butyl formate, tert-butyl alcohol, methyl acetate and acetone were identified as primary degradation products by mass spectrometry. A preliminary reaction mechanism involving two different pathways for the degradation of MTBE with Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ was proposed. This study suggests that degradation of MTBE can be achieved using the Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ process.     

Total synthesis and structure revision of deacetylravidomycin M

Total synthesis of the unnatural enantiomer of deacetylravidomycin M was accomplished. The key steps include, (1) aryl C-glycosidation of the azido-bearing fucosyl acetate 2 by using catalytic Sc(OTf)₃, (2) the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkoxybenzyne bearing an azido sugar to ketene silyl acetal, and (3) the ring expansion reaction of alkoxybenzocyclobutenone. The synthesis revealed that the natural product is not the proposed amine, but the corresponding N-oxide.     

Protecting group migration in the chemistry of 1-t-butyldimethylsilyl-4-hydroxymethyl-2-azetidinone

The alkoxide anion derived from 1-t-butyldimethylsilyl-4-hydroxymethyl-2-azetidinone (1) rearranged at −78°C into amide anion by N-O migration of the silyl protecting group. The occurrence of this intermediate was proved by quenching with benzyl bromide and phenethyl chloroformate, giving respectively N-benzyl (4) and N-(phenethyloxycarbonyl) (6) derivatives of 4-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl-2-azetidinone.     

A new synthesis of key intermediates for the assembly of polycyclic ethers: Yb(OTf)3-promoted formation of O,S-acetals from α-fluorosulfides and alcohols

We report a new reaction for the direct construction of O,S-acetals, key intermediates in the assembly of fused polycyclic ethers. α-Fluorosulfides and secondary alcohols were coupled by the action of Yb(OTf)₃ to generate O,S-acetals in high yield. The neutral and selective nature of the reaction should be useful for synthesizing natural and artificial polyethers with multisensitive functionalities.     

Synthesis and electrical conductivity of perovskite-type PrCo1−xMgxO3

Oxides in the system PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ (x=0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) were synthesized by citrate technique and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. All compounds have a cubic perovskite structure (space group ). The maximum ratio of doped Mg in the system PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ is x=0.2. Further doping leads to the segregation of Pr₆O₁₁ in PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃. The substitution of Mg for Co improves the performance of PrCoO₃ as compared to the electrical conductivity measured by a four-probe electrical conductivity analyzer in the temperature range from 298 to 1073 K. The substitution of Mg for Co on the B site may be compensated by the formations of Co⁴⁺ and oxygen vacancies. The electrical conductivity of PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ oxides increases with increasing x in the range of 0.0-0.2. The increase in conductivity becomes considerable at the temperatures ?673 K especially for x?0.1; it reaches a maximum at x=0.2 and 1073 K. From x>0.2 the conductivity of PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ starts getting lower. This is probably a result of the segregation of Pr₆O₁₁ in PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ , which blocks oxygen transport, and association of oxygen vacancies. A change in activation energy for all PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ compounds (x=0-0.25) was observed, with a higher activation energy above 573 K and a lower activation energy below 573 K. The reasons for such a change are probably due to the change of dominant charge carriers from Co⁴⁺ to Vö in PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ oxides and a phase transition mainly starting at 573 K.     

Rate enhancement by water in a TiCl4-mediated stereoselective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction

A remarkable enhancement in the rate of a TiCl₄-mediated stereoselective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction (VMAR) using vinylketene silyl N,O-acetal 1 was observed in the presence of water.     

Synthesis of alkyl (R)-lactates and alkyl (S,S)-O-lactyllactates by alcoholysis of rac-lactide using Novozym 435

Enzymatic alcoholysis of rac-lactide for kinetic resolution was carried out in organic solvents. Effects of organic solvent, reaction temperature, and alcohol as a nucleophile were also investigated in Novozym 435-catalyzed alcoholysis of rac-lactide. Both alkyl (R)-lactate and alkyl (S,S)-O-lactyllactate were simultaneously obtained in high yields (>45%) and high enantiopurities (>97% ee) through Novozym 435-catalyzed ring-opening of rac-lactide and subsequent enantioselective alcoholysis of the resultant alkyl O-lactyllactate.     

Nano-ferrous ferric oxide (nano-Fe3O4): Powerful,reusable, and stable catalyst for N-Boc protection of amines

Nano-ferrous ferric oxide (nano-Fe₃O₄) efficiently catalyzed N-boc protection of amines in high yields and acceptable reaction times. Nano-Fe₃O₄ was applied as an efficient, green, heterogeneous and reusable magnetite catalyst. Clean reaction, simple purification, short reaction time and high yield were some other advantages of this compound.     

Convenient high yield and stereoselective synthesis of O-glycopeptides using N-α-Fmoc-Tyr/Ser[β-d-Glc(OAc)4]OPfp generated in solution

Fmoc-AA-OPfp (AA=Tyr or Ser) (1 equiv) was reacted with β-d-Glc(OAc)₅ (6 equiv) in the presence of BF₃.Et₂O (6 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature for 2 h, and the glycosylation reaction mixture was used directly to couple to the amino group of the peptide resin without isolation and purification of the Fmoc-AA[β-d-Glc(OAc)₄]-OPfp. Moreover, the -OAc protecting groups of glucose was removed just prior to releasing the peptide from the resin using 6 mM NaOMe in 85% DMF-MeOH. The crude product obtained by TFA cleavage contained >90% of the target O-glycopeptide, and the 500 MHz ¹H NMR analysis revealed that the glycosylation reaction was nearly stereoselective (>97% β-anomer). This method is rapid and stereoselective, and can now be exploited for the routine synthesis of O-glycopeptides.     

The effect of element substitution on high-temperature thermoelectric properties of Ca3Co2O6 compounds

Polycrystalline Ca₃Co_1.8M_0.2O₆ (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and Ca_2.7Na_0.3Co₂O₆ were synthesized by solid-state reaction to evaluate the effect of substitution on the thermoelectric properties of Ca₃Co₂O₆. Substitution by Mn, Cu and Na appears to increase carrier density, given that electrical resistivity (ρ) and the Seebeck coefficient (S) were simultaneously reduced. Conversely, Fe substitution seems to reduce carrier density, resulting in a simultaneous increase in S and ρ. Cu and Na substitution resulted in a significant decrease in ρ due to enhancement of grain size and grain boundary connectivity, which could have a strong impact on ρ. Not only the intrinsic substitution effect on the electronic state but also this modification of the microstructure plays an important role in improvement of the thermoelectric power factor, particularly in the case of the Na-substituted sample.     

Synthesis and characterization of La2Mo2O9 obtained from freeze-dried precursors

La₂Mo₂O₉ ceramics have been prepared from freeze-dried precursors and their properties compared to those of lantanum molybdate obtained by conventional solid state (SS) reaction. All materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis (TGA/DTA/DSC and dilatometry) to characterize the phase formation and phase transition. When the freeze-dried method was applied, the synthesis temperature required to obtain dense samples was much lower than that for powders obtained by SS reaction. The morphology and structure of the oxide particle are significantly dependent on the synthesis method. The grain size is smaller, whereas the density of sintered pellets is higher for the freeze-dried precursor powder when compared with the SS reaction method. Impedance spectroscopy was used to measure the electrical conductivity of La₂Mo₂O₉ from 548 to 1123 K, in air, and to characterize the blocking effects of grain boundaries.     

Synthesis of cyclic peptides via O-N-acyl migration

We describe here a novel and convenient synthesis of head-to-tail cyclic peptide avoiding racemization. Linear depsipeptides including a serine residue as the key element for ester bond formation and acyl transfer were synthesized on 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin. After cleavage from the resin, intramolecular head-to-tail cyclization was performed in solution by C-terminal activation of urethane protected O-acyl serine residue. After removal of the N^α-serine protecting group, the final step consisted in O-N-acyl migration reaction on the ‘switch’ or ‘click’ element to restore native cyclic peptides.