A tong-like fluorescence sensor for metal ions: perfect conformational switch of hinge sugar by pyrene stacking

Carbohydrates are among the potential materials for molecular devices, since they are abundant natural resources. However, their rigidity has restricted their use for movable devices. Hinge sugars, 2,4-diamino-2,4-dideoxy-xylopyranosides, shed light on the use of carbohydrates as movable components, as demonstrated by the motion by which all four equatorial substituents can change to an axial orientation in synchronization with a chelation-driven 4C1-1C4 ring flip. In this study, we synthesized a tong-like metal ion sensor, 1,3-di-O-pyrenylmethylated hinge sugar (1), and its model compound, methyl 2,4-di-O-pyrenecarbonyl-xylopyranoside (2), to extend the abilities of hinge sugars as molecular components. From observations of the solvent-dependent conformational and fluorescent behavior of 2, we found that the pyrene stacking assists the 1C4 formation of xylopyranoside by 1.7 kcal mol(-1). We also found that compound 1 produced excimer fluorescence by chelation to Pt2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Mg2+ or Mn2+, and unexpectedly by addition of acids. 1H NMR measurements ascribed this behavior to the 4C1-1C4 ring flip of hinge sugar in response to chelation or protonation at N2, and revealed rapid and perfect 1C4 formation in the case of Zn2+. These findings will extend the scope of hinge sugars as movable components.     

Aza-Reformatsky-type reaction of alpha-iodomethyl ketone O-alkyl oximes promoted by titanium tetraiodide

Titanium tetraiodide promotes an aza-Reformatsky-type reaction of alpha-iodomethyl ketone O-alkyl oximes with carbonyl compounds to give beta-hydroxy ketone O-alkyl oximes in good to high yields.     

In- or in(I)-employed diastereoselective Reformatsky-type reactions with ketones: 1H NMR investigations on the active species

An efficient In- or In(I)-based stereoselective C-C bond formation is reported; the diastereoselective Reformatsky-type reactions of ketones. The predominant formations of anti isomers, confirmed by the X-ray structure analyses of ester derivatives of respective alcohols 9a(1)() and 13a(1)(), conclusively revealed the stereochemistry of the reaction path. (1)H NMR investigations revealed the formation of two types of alpha-metalated transient species from alpha-halo esters with In or In(I) halides. [reaction: see text]     

Hydrolysis of alkenyl esters and ethers catalyzed by metal complexes

[reaction: see text] Various kinds of transition metals catalyzed the hydrolysis of alkenyl esters and ethers under buffer-free, high concentration conditions compared to usual biocatalysts. Hydrolytic kinetic resolution of cis-2-tert-butylcyclohexyl vinyl ether was achieved by chiral (salen)Co complexes with good selectivity (k(rel) = 10.0).     

Reaction-phase-selective inter- and intramolecular photochemical reaction of 2-pyridone derivatives

Phase-selective photochemical reaction of 2-pyridone derivatives was examined. Irradiation of 1 in benzene mainly gave rearrangement products 2. However, intermolecular [4 + 4] photocycloaddition proceeded quantitatively in the solid state, affording photodimers 3. An effective pi-pi stacking and dipole-dipole interaction between two pyridone moieties might play important roles in an effective arrangement of 1 for photodimerization in their crystal structures. [reaction: see text]