Effects of various triamines on cell-free polypeptide synthesis of Escherichia coli and on growth of its polyamine auxotrophs

The effects of various synthetic triamines having a general structure, H2N(CH2)xNH(CH2)yNH2, where x = 2-5 and y = 2-8 (abbreviated, x-y; with 3-4 being spermidine itself), on poly(U)-directed polypeptide synthesis of Escherichia coli and on growth of its polyamine-requiring mutants were examined in comparison with those of spermidine. Except for 2-2 and 2-3, all of the triamines stimulated more or less polypeptide synthesis at suboptimal Mg2+ concentrations, but the Mg2+ concentration required for the maximal stimulatory effect was different for each triamine. The degree of maximal stimulation caused by 3-3 (norspermidine), 4-4 (homospermidine), or 4-5 was nearly comparable with that by spermidine. The acetylspermidines were inactive, however, they inhibited the spermidine-stimulated polyphenylalanine synthesis. Many of the triamines examined reduced the ratio of leucine to phenylalanine incorporation into polypeptides during poly(U)-directed translation, and the degree of this effect did not necessarily correspond with that of the stimulatory effect. Moreover, 2-4, 2-5, 3-3 and 4-4 could stimulate the growth of a polyamine auxotroph of E. coli, MA 261, as effectively as did spermidine. However, 3-3 was the only triamine which could fully replaced spermidine in promoting growth of a mutant strain, KK 101, which is more dependent on polyamines than MA 261. Thus, these results demonstrated that some synthetic triamines were as active as spermidine in eliciting these effects, and also that there were some differences among these effects in the structural requirement for triamine.     

Benzoyl(acetylacetonato)nickel(II) complexes containing tertiary phosphine ligands. Their synthesis,dynamic behavior in solution,and decarbonylation

Carbon monoxide is readily inserted into the phenyl—nickel bond of PhNi(acac)(PR₃)_n to give benzoylnickel complexes, PhCONi(acac)PR₃ (R = Ph, Et, cyclo-C₆H₁₁), which were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, as well as chemical reactions. The reactions of the benzoylnickel complexes with methyl iodide and alcohols give acetophenone and corresponding benzoates, respectively, accompanied by some decomposition reactions. The solid benzoylnickel complexes when heated at elevated temperatures are decarbonylated and biphenyl, benzophenone and carbon monoxide are liberated. The dynamic behavior of the acac ligand in acetone solution was studied and the activation parameters for the acac exchange reactions were obtained. The decarbonylation reaction of the benzoyl complex PhCONi(acac)PPh₃ in acetone was studied by NMR, and found to be first order in the benzoylnickel complex.     

Catalytic asymmetric desymmetrization of cyclic meso-1,3- and 1,4-diols by a phosphinite derivative of quinidine

Asymmetric monobenzoylation reactions of cyclic meso-1,3- and 1,4-diols were catalyzed by a phosphinite derivative of quinidine to afford the corresponding monobenzoylated diol with good yield and enantioselectivity. [reaction: see text]     

Enantioselective O- and N-nitroso aldol synthesis of tin enolates. Isolation of three BINAP-silver complexes and their role in regio- and enantioselectivity

The selective generation of three different silver-BINAP catalysts has been achieved via the proper combination of metal/ligand ratio and/or choice of silver salt. Indeed, the X-ray crystallographic study has been used to gain insight into the structure of the catalyst. After the evaluation of each species, 1:1 (AgX.(R)-BINAP) complex was found to be the real active species in the O-selective nitroso aldol reaction. On the other hand, a systematic survey of solvent has shown that the optimal 2:1 (AgX.(R)-BINAP) complex is the effective catalyst in the N-selective pathway. Thus, a new method of generation of the silver-BINAP catalyst and the synthetic transformations provide not only new insights into the developing area of catalytic enantioselective nitroso aldol synthesis but also clear guidance for the design of an effective catalyst.     

High-resolution proton magnetic resonance and infrared spectra of poly(vinyl formal) and its model compounds

High-resolution proton magnetic resonance and infrared spectra of poly(vinyl formal) were studied in comparison with those of the model formals obtained from stereoisomers of pentane-2,4-diol and heptane-2,4,6-triol in order to learn spectral changes due to differences of the steric structures of the polymer. In the NMR spectrum of transformal obtained from dl diol or dl,dl (syndiotactic) triol, all proton signals were well interpreted by assuming a rapid chair-chair inversion of the formal ring. On the other hand, no such inversion was observed spectroscopically in cis-formal obtained from the meso diol or meso,meso (isotactic) triol, and the cis-formal ring was supposed to take a diequatorial form preferentially. Consequently, dioxymethylene protons gave a single peak (equivalent) in trans-formal and an AB quartet (nonequivalent) in cis-formal. In the spectra of poly(vinyl formal), the dioxymethylene signal was an overlap of the singlet and quartet in dimethylsulfoxide solution. Observations of the spectra of various poly(vinyl formals) obtained from poly(vinyl alcohols) of different tacticities and study of temperature dependence of the signal have shown that the singlet and quartet are attributed to trans- and cis- formals, respectively, in the polymer spectrum also. In the infrared spectra of poly(vinyl formals), the 800 and 785 cm^-1 bands were found to be related to cis- and trans-formal rings respectively. A linear relationship was confirmed between D₇₈₅/D₈₀₀ and trans/cis ratios determined from the peak intensities of the dioxymethylene proton signals.