New synthetic technology for efficient construction of alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino amides via the Passerini reaction

[reaction: see text] The Passerini reaction of N-protected amino aldehydes, isonitriles, and TFA using pyridine-type bases proceeds under mild conditions and directly affords alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino amide derivatives in moderate to high yields. These adducts are readily hydrolyzed to alpha-hydroxy-beta-amino carboxylic acids. Application of these key intermediates to concise syntheses of P(1)-alpha-ketoamide protease inhibitors is illustrated.     

On the Q2 dependence of parton fragmentation functions

The Q² dependences of parton fragmentation functions are calculated using lowest-order quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The resulting scaling deviations have a simple intuitive form when a suitable valence-sea decomposition is employed for the quark fragmentation functions.     

Vibrational excitation of deuterium fluoride and hydrogen fluoride by atomic and diatomic species

The vibrational excitation of HF and DF and the energy transfer efficiencies for various collision partners were investigated over the temperature and pressure ranges of 1400°K to 4100°K and 0.1 to 0.3 atm, respectively. The extent of excitation was determined as a function of time by continuously monitoring the infrared emission intensity at the center of the 1–0 vibration-rotation band of the molecule. Collisional efficiencies of HF, N₂, O₂, F, Cl, and DF in relaxing HF and of DF, HF, and N₂ in relaxing DF are reported. A comparison with relaxation data for pure HF taken at lower temperature suggests that long-range attractive forces are mechanistically of major importance in the relaxation process. The relatively high efficiency of atomic chlorine in relaxing HF, i.e., (τP)_HF–HF/(τP)_HF–C1 ≥ 5 at 3000°K is discussed in terms of our previous result for atomic fluorine, i.e., (τP)_HF–HF/(τP)_HF–F = 18.     

Oxidation of alkylsilane-based monolayers on gold

The oxidation of alkylsilane monolayers on Au has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy, contact-angle measurements, and scanning tunneling microscopy. Exposure of the monolayers at 298 K to pure O(2) or H(2)O (>5 x 10(-5) Torr and >150 000 L) does not cause oxidation. Ambient atmosphere only causes oxidation if direct sight lines are maintained to the sample. Ozone exposure results in rapid monolayer oxidation. Oxidation initially occurs only at the Si atom, resulting in formation of a cross-linked siloxane monolayer that retains alkyl surface termination. Prolonged ozone exposures result in the oxidation and subsequent loss of the alkyl chain.     

Silver cluster interferences in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry of nonpolar polymers

Potential difficulties associated with background silver salt clusters during matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) of nonpolar polymers are reported. Silver salt cluster ions were observed from m/z 1500 to 7000 when acidic, polar matrices, such as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), all-trans-retinoic acid (RTA) or 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA), were used for the analysis of nonpolar polymers. These background signals could be greatly reduced or eliminated by the use of nonpolar matrices such as anthracene or pyrene. Representative examples of these background interferences are demonstrated during the analysis of low molecular weight nonpolar polymers including polybutadiene and polystyrene. Nonpolar polymers analyzed with acidic, polar matrices (e.g., RTA) and silver cationization reagents can yield lower quality mass spectral results when interferences due to silver clusters are present. Replacing the polar matrices with nonpolar matrices or the silver salts with copper salts substantially improved the quality of the analytical results. In addition, it was found that silver contamination cannot be completely removed from standard stainless steel sample plates, although the presence of silver contamination was greatly reduced after thorough cleaning of the sample plate with aluminum oxide grit. Carry-over silver may cationize polymer samples and complicate the interpretation of data obtained using nonpolar matrices in the absence of added cationization reagents.     

Vibrational excitation of molecules in a lattice due to shock induced molecular deformation

A simple formalism is developed to calculate the rate of internal vibrational excitation of a molecule in a lattice due to abrupt deformation of the bonds of the molecule as a result of the application of a shock pulse to the lattice. The excitation rate is calculated as a function of rise time of the pulse and peak pressure for the case of 1,3,5-trinitro, 1,3,5-triazocyclohexane. It is shown that large vibrational excitation rates can be achieved if the rise time of the shock pulse is in the order of the period of vibration of the bond. The possible role of this process in shock induced chemical reactions in solids is considered.     

Post-lactonization of vinyl polymers containing pendent ester and hydroxymethyl groups

Copolymers of methyl methacrylate with methyl and ethyl α-hydroxymethylacrylate and with α-hydroxymethylstyrene have been prepared with free-radical initiators at temperatures below 80°C. At higher reaction temperatures or under extrusion conditions, alcohol was eliminated and the free hydroxyl content was greatly decreased. All evidence indicates the formation of six-membered lactone groups in this post-polymerization reaction: direct evidence for their formation is lacking, however, since neither infrared nor nuclear magnetic resonance spectra could be used to detect lactonization in this system. The loss of activity from ¹⁴C ester-labeled methyl methacrylate copolymer on heating could be correlated with the extent of lactonization. The degree of lactonization is relatively less with copolymers containing higher amounts of hydroxymethyl groups. The resulting polymers exhibit higher heat distortion temperatures and decreased impact resistance when compared to poly(methyl methacrylate). Attempts were made to incorporate similar lactone structures by cyclocopolymerization with methyl methacrylate of α-methacryloxymethylstyrene or ethyl α-methacryloxymethylacrylate, but only crosslinked polymers or polymers with pendent unsaturation were found.