Synthesis of β‐Hydroxy α‐Sulfanyl Esters by Using Nanocrystalline Magnesium Oxide

Aldol‐type reaction between electron deficient aldehydes and sulfonium salts to afford the corresponding β‐hydroxy α‐sulfanyl esters in moderate‐to‐good yields by using nanocrystalline MgO is described. The sulfanyl group is a useful group for further transformations in organic synthesis. Low R_f‐value isomer is anti‐configured as revealed by X‐ray diffraction study and consistent with the assignment of ¹H‐NMR spectrum.     

Further studies of intramolecular Michael reactions of nitrosoalkenes for construction of functionalized bridged ring systems

A wide variety of stabilized carbanions have been found to participate as nucleophiles in intramolecular Michael-type conjugate additions to in situ generated nitrosoalkenes to form bridged carbocyclic systems. The vinylnitroso platforms for these cyclizations have been prepared via two key steps involving ring-closing metathesis of vinyl chlorides and regioselective conversion of vinyl chlorides to α-chloroketones with sodium hypochlorite in glacial acetic acid/acetone. An alternative approach to preparation of some cyclization substrates has involved use of more reactive enol ethers as precursors to the requisite α-chloroketones. A sulfonamide anion has also been found to be an effective nucleophile in this type of reaction, leading to formation of a 6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane.     

Cucurbit[7]uril: an amorphous molecular material for highly selective carbon dioxide uptake

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), in its amorphous solid state, shows one of the highest CO(2) sorption capacities among known organic porous materials at 298 K and 0.1 and 1 bar. In addition to the highest CO(2) capacity, CB[7] also shows remarkable selectivity of CO(2) over N(2) and CH(4). These properties, along with the existence of readily available precursors, indicate amorphous CB[7] might find applications in recycling CO(2) particularly considering the easy synthesis and potentially low manufacturing costs.     

Gas-induced solid state transformation of an organic lattice: from nonporous to nanoporous

A well-known organic host, tris-o-phenylenedioxycyclotriphosphazene, exists in two polymorphic guest-free forms: the thermodynamic nonporous high-density phase and the kinetic nanoporous low-density phase. Simple pressurization of the high density phase with CO(2) brings a solid-state transformation to the low density phase, resulting in significant expansion of the crystal volume by 23%.     

Intramolecular charge delocalization and nonlinear optical properties of push-pull chromophore 1-(4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridinium) acetic acid bromide monohydrate from vibrational spectra

FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra of the nonlinear optical crystal 1-(4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridinium) acetic acid bromide monohydrate have been recorded and analyzed. The equilibrium geometry, vibrational wavenumbers and the first order hyperpolarizability of the crystal have been calculated with the help of density functional theory computations. The assignments of the vibrational spectra have been carried out with the help of Scaled Quantum Mechanic force field theory. Optimized geometry gives the charge transfer interaction of the pyridine ring and the amino group in the electron-donor side of the nonlinear optic chromophore. Electron–phonon coupling and O–H?O interactions in making the molecule nonlinear optical active have been analyzed based on the vibrational spectral features. The Natural Bond Orbital analysis confirms the occurrence of strong intermolecular O–H?O hydrogen bonding.     

Differentiation of diasteromeric α-sulfanyl-β-amino acid derivatives by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A set of diastereomeric α-sulfanyl-β-amino acid derivatives, which are important building blocks for pharmaceuticals with potent biological activity, are studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The collision induced dissociation (CID) spectra of [M+H](+), [M+NH(4)](+), [M+Na](+) and [M+Li](+) of the diastereomers were studied, among them the CID of [M+Na](+) and [M+Li](+) showed consistent differences in the relative abundance of characteristic ions that enabled distinction of the anti isomers from syn isomers. The decomposition pathways for the diagnostic ions were arrived at based on high-resolution mass spectrometry data, multiple mass spectrometry data, deuterium labeling experiments and the mass shift in accordance with the substituents located at different places. Loss of (R(1)-C(6)H(4)-CH=NH) and (Cat-NH-SO(2)R(2)) from [M+Cat](+), where Cat=Na and Li, and the product ions as a results of McLafferty rearrangement involving either >S=O or >C=O group were found to be diagnostic. The McLafferty rearrangement product ions involving >S=O group were more abundant in syn isomers while those involving >C=O group were more abundant in anti isomer. The selectivity observed in the decomposition of [M+Li](+) ions was found to be similar to that of [M+Na](+) ions, but in few cases the differences are marginal in the decomposition [M+Li](+) ions.     

Asymmetric Michael addition of malonates to enones catalyzed by nanocrystalline MgO

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to cyclic and acyclic enones has been achieved by using nanocrystalline magnesium oxide at −20 °C.     

Simple one‐pot conversion of organic compounds by hydrogen peroxide activated by ruthenium(III) chloride: organic conversions by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ruthenium(III)

The aromatic compounds p‐nitrobenzaldehyde, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, naphthalene, toluene, catechol, quinol, aniline and toluidine dissolved in aqueous acetic acid or aqueous medium were oxidized in quantitative to good yields by 50% H₂O₂ in the presence of traces of RuCl₃ (～10^?8 mol; substrate/catalyst ratio 1488:1 to 341 250:1). Conditions for highest yields, in the most economical way, were obtained. Higher catalyst concentrations decrease the yield. Oxidation in aromatic aldehydes is selective at the aldehydic group only. In the case of hydrocarbons, oxidation results in the introduction of a hydroxyl group with >85% (in the case of toluene) selectivity for the ortho position. Formation of low‐molecular‐weight polyaniline was reduced to 10%, along with 90% formation of higher molecular weight polyaniline. In this new, simple and economical method, which is environmentally safe and requires less time, oxo‐centered carboxylate species of ruthenium(III) in acetic acid medium and hydrated ruthenium(III) chloride in aqueous medium probably catalyze the oxidation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.