Enantioselective synthesis of β-hydroxyisobutyric acid: a useful synthon in the synthesis of polypropionate-type natural products

The aldol reaction of formaldehyde with the dicyclopentylborinyl enolate derived from $\text{S}$-(or $\text{R}$-) 1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-l-cyclohexylbutan-2-one, followed by desilylation and sodium meta-periodate oxidation, provides $\text{R}$-(or $\text{S}$-) β-hydroxyisobutyric acid.     

Application of self-consistent HMO theory to heteroconjugated molecules

Substantial improvement of the self-consistent HMO theory, as recently developed by one of us, is made in the parametrization for heterobonds. The theory is extensively applied to a large scale of heteroconjugated molecules including rather complicated ones which are biologically important. The calculated molecular geometries and the wavelengths of optical absorption spectra are found to be in good agreement with experimental values. Examining the effect of inclusion of the -technique to this theory, we find that the calculated values of molecular geometries, electronic spectra and ionization potentials are little affected for most molecules. Dependences of the absorption wavelength and the adiabatic potential on the molecular geometry are also investigated.     

Total synthesis of (±)-spirolaurenone

The total synthesis of (±)-spirolaurenone is described. The synthesis also confirms the assigned absolute configuration to C-2 of the sesquiterpene.     

Synthesis of optically active alkynyl alcohols and α-hydroxy esters by microbial asymmetric hydrolysis of the corresponding acetates

Asymmetric hydrolysis of the acetates of racemic alkynyl alcohols and α-hydroxy esters by Bacillus subtilis var. Niger afforded optically active acetates and alcohols in 7–90% optical purities. The both enantiomers of optically pure mandelie acid were prepared by this microbial method.     

Complexability of o-bisguanidinobenzenes with arsenic and phosphoric acids in solution and solid states, and the potential use of their immobilized derivatives as solid base ligands for metal salts and arsenic acid

The role of o-bisguanidinobenzenes (BGBs) as new Brønsted base ligands for arsenic and phosphoric acids was examined. In solution state, complexation was evaluated by Job’s plot in ¹H NMR experiment, indicating a 1:1 complex formation, whereas in solid state crystalline structures of complexes obtained were addressed by X-ray crystallographic analysis and/or solid state ¹³C NMR experiment, in which 1:2 complexes between the BGB and the acid components were normally formed. Based on these results, Merrifield and Hypogel^® resin-anchored BGBs were designed and prepared as the corresponding polymer-supported host ligands. Evaluation of their coordination ability with metal salts (ZnCl₂ and CoCl₂) and arsenic acid in aqueous media by ICP-MS showed that the latter Hypogel^® resin-anchored BGBs acted as effective immobilized base ligands.