A Formal Total Synthesis of (+)-Methyl Trachyloban-18-oate and (+)-Methyl 16-Oxo-17-norkauran-18-oate: Regio- and Diastereoselective Preparation of Methyl (13S)-13-Hydroxyisoatisiren-18-oate from (−)-Abietic Acid

A novel preparation of methyl (13S)-13-hydroxyisoatisiren-18-oate ( 4 ), a key-intermediate in a synthesis of (+)-methyl trachyloban-18-oate ((+)- 1 ), from (?)-abietic acid, is described. Since (?)- 1 has been previously converted into (?)-methyl 16-oxo-17-norkauran-18-oate ((?)- 16 ), our preparation of 4 constitutes also a formal total synthesis, from (?)-abietic acid, of (+)- 16 . Key steps in this approach were the allene photoaddition to podocarp-8(14)-en-13-one ( 5 ) and the conversion of the endo-toluene-4-sulfonate 11 into the exo-benzoate 12b .     

Spin forbidden chemical reactions of transition metal compounds. New ideas and new computational challenges

Many reactions of transition metal compounds involve a change in spin. These reactions may proceed faster, slower--or at the same rate as--otherwise equivalent processes in which spin is conserved. For example, ligand substitution in [CpMo(Cl)2(PR3)2] is faster than expected, whereas addition of dinitrogen to [Cp*Mo(Cl)(PMe3)2] is slow. Spin-forbidden oxidative addition of ethylene to [Cp*Ir(PMe3)] occurs competitively with ligand association. To explain these observations, we discuss the shape of the different potential energy surfaces (PESs) involved, and the energy of the minimum energy crossing points (MECPs) between them. This computational approach is of great help in understanding the mechanisms of spin-forbidden reactions, provided that accurate calculations can be used to predict the relevant PESs. Density functional theory, especially using gradient-corrected and hybrid functionals, performs reasonably well for the difficult problem of predicting the energy splitting between different spin states of transition metal complexes, although careful calibration is needed.     

Quantitative analysis of relative protein contents by Western blotting: comparison of three members of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in slow and fast rat skeletal muscle

We have developed a method for accurate quantitative analysis and statistical comparison of the relative contents of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) in skeletal muscle. This method was applied to compare DGC contents in slow (soleus) and in fast (extensor digitorum longus, EDL) rat skeletal muscles. The quantitative analysis combines a modified bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay with Western blotting and enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL). This combination allows the use of high levels of detergents and reducing reagents essential for extracting DGC. In addition, the evaluation of the total amount of proteins in each sample makes it possible to have a reference and to accurately compare relative protein levels without using a specific standard. With a large gradient gel, we could concomitantly compare two groups (n = 9) and quantify all protein contents differing highly in their molecular masses (from 35 kDa to 427 kDa). Each experiment was triplicated and normalized; the two muscles were compared using the Mann-Whitney test (P<0.001) to establish their protein content. The DGC relative levels for the slow muscle soleus and the fast muscle EDL differed significantly: dystrophin, beta-dystroglycan, and gamma-sarcoglycan levels were 130%, 110% and 120% higher in the soleus, respectively. The differences observed in the expression level of cytoskeletal associated protein (dystrophin) and transmembranous anchorage components may correspond to a physiological response of the muscle fibers to duration, magnitude, and frequency of the imposed mechanical loading.     

Synthesis of fused purinoquinazolines. Three new heterocyclic ring systems

The Ullmann reaction of 8-aminotheophylline or 8-aminocaffeine with 2-chlorobenzoic acid and of 8-bromotheophylline with ethyl-2-aminobenzoate afforded derivatives of three new heterocyclic systems: purino[7,8-α]quinazoline-5,9,11(6H,8H,10H)-trione, purino[8,9-b]quinazoline-2,4,11(1H,3H,5H)-trione and purino[8,7-b]quinazoline-2,4,6(1H,3H,11H)-trione, respectively.     

Determination of haloalkane dehalogenase activity by capillary zone electrophoresis

A new sensitive method has been developed for the determination of haloalkane dehalogenase activity. The enzymatic reactions were carried out directly in thermostatted autosampler vials and the formation of product - bromide or chloride ions - was monitored by sequential capillary zone electrophoresis runs. The determinations were performed in a 75 microm fused-silica capillary using 5 mM chromate, 0.5 mM tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (pH 8.4) as a background electrolyte, separation voltage 15 kV (negative polarity) and indirect detection at sample wavelength 315 nm, reference wavelength 375 nm for brominated and chlorinated substrates, respectively 0.1 M beta-alanine-HCl (pH 3.50) as a background electrolyte, separation voltage 18 kV (negative polarity) and direct detection at 200 nm for brominated substrates. The temperature of capillary was in both cases 25 degrees C. The method is rapid, can be automated, and requires only small amount of enzyme preparation and substrate.     

Two families of mixed finite elements for second order elliptic problems

Summary Two families of mixed finite elements, one based on triangles and the other on rectangles, are introduced as alternatives to the usual Raviart-Thomas-Nedelec spaces. Error estimates inL ² () andH ^–5 () are derived for these elements. A hybrid version of the mixed method is also considered, and some superconvergence phenomena are discussed.     

Complete 1H and 13C NMR spectral assignment of cis- and trans- 3-(2-[2-(4-methylphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl])sydnones

1H and 13C NMR spectra of cis- and trans-3-(2-[2-(4-methylphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl])sydnones, the first stilbene-substituted mezoionic oxadiazolium rings, were fully assigned combining the information in various solvents, such as deuterated benzene, acetone and chloroform, using 2D NMR techniques.     

Regiocontrolled synthesis of enantiopure 3,3'-thiosubstituted biphenyls

Sulfenylation of 6,6'-dimethoxy-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl, used as a racemic mixture and single enantiomers, by phthalimidesulfenyl chloride afforded the corresponding 3,3'-N,N'-dithiophthalimide with complete regioselectivity. Simple manipulations of the latter compound allowed access to the corresponding bis-thiol or o-thioquinone as useful intermediates for the synthesis of new sulfur-containing open-chain and macrocyclic C(2) enantiopure ligands. The application of this methodology to the preparation of a biphenyl bearing two cysteine units as potential HIV-1 protease inhibitor is also described.     

Anionic Halomolybdate(III) Chemistry. Tetrahydrofuran Loss from [MoX(3)Y(THF)(2)](-) (X, Y = Cl, Br, I), Preparation and Properties of [Mo(3)X(12)](3)(-) (X = Br, I), and Crystal Structure of the Edge-Sharing Trioctahedral [PPh(4)](3)[Mo(3)I(12)

By interaction of MoX(3)(THF)(3) with [Cat]X in THF, the salts [Cat][MoX(4)(THF)(2)] have been synthesized [X = I, Cat = PPh(4), NBu(4), NPr(4), (Ph(3)P)(2)N; X = Br, Cat = NBu(4), PPh(4) (Ph(3)P)(2)N]. Mixed-halide species [MoX(3)Y(THF)(2)](-) (X, Y = Cl, Br, I) have also been generated in solution and investigated by (1)H-NMR. When the tetraiodo, tetrabromo, and mixed bromoiodo salts are dissolved in CH(2)Cl(2), clean loss of all coordinated THF is observed by (1)H-NMR. On the other hand, [MoCl(4)(THF)(2)](-) loses only 1.5 THF/Mo. The salts [Cat](3)[Mo(3)X(12)] (X = Br, I) have been isolated from [Cat][MoX(4)(THF)(2)] or by running the reaction between MoX(3)(THF)(3) and [Cat]X directly in CH(2)Cl(2). The crystal structure of [PPh(4)](3)[Mo(3)I(12)] exhibits a linear face-sharing trioctahedron for the trianion: triclinic, space group P&onemacr;; a = 11.385(2), b = 12.697(3), c = 16.849(2) ?; alpha = 76.65(2), beta = 71.967(12), gamma = 84.56(2) degrees; Z = 1; 431 parameters and 3957 data with I > 2sigma(I). The metal-metal distance is 3.258(2) ?. Structural and magnetic data are consistent with the presence of a metal-metal sigma bond order of (1)/(2) and with the remaining 7 electrons being located in 7 substantially nonbonding orbitals. The ground state of the molecule is predicted to be subject to a Jahn-Teller distortion, which is experimentally apparent from the nature of the thermal ellipsoid of the central Mo atom. The [Mo(3)X(12)](3)(-) ions reacts with phosphines (PMe(3), dppe) to form products of lower nuclearity by rupture of the bridging Mo-X bonds.