Highly Selective Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides with Acyclic 1,3‐Dienes

The first examples of the catalytic asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with acyclic activated 1,3‐dienes (and 1,3‐enynes) are described. Under copper catalysis, a selective cycloaddition at the terminal γ,δ‐C?C bond is observed. In addition, depending on the ligand used, either the exo or the endo adduct can be obtained with high selectivity. Under appropriate reaction conditions, the acyclic 1,6‐addition product is detected, suggesting a stepwise mechanism. The resulting C4‐alkenyl‐substituted pyrrolidines are suitable substrates for further access to polycyclic systems, as highlighted by the preparation of hexahydrochromeno[4,3‐b]pyrrole and the tetracyclic core of the alkaloid gracilamine.     

Beyond Stereoselectivity,Switchable Catalysis: Some of the Last Frontier Challenges in Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Esters

Metal‐based catalysts and initiators have played a pivotal role in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters, thanks to their high activity and remarkable ability to control precisely the architectures of the resulting polyesters in terms of molar mass, dispersity, microstructure, or tacticity. Today, after two decades of extensive research, the field is slowly reaching maturity. However, several challenges remain, while original concepts have emerged around new types or new applications of catalysis. This Review is not intended to comprehensively cover all of these aspects. Rather, it provides a personal overview of the very recent progress achieved in some selected, important aspects of ROP catalysis—stereocontrol and switchable catalysis. Hence, the first part addresses the development of new metal‐based catalysts for the isoselective ROP of racemic lactide towards stereoblock copolymers, and the use of syndioselective ROP metal catalysts to control the monomer sequence in copolymers. A second part covers the development of ROP catalysts—primarily metal‐based catalysts, but also organocatalysts—that can be externally regulated by the use of chemical or photo stimuli to switch them between two states with different catalytic abilities. Current challenges and opportunities are highlighted.     

Directing-Group-Free C7-Alkylations of N-Alkylindoles Mediated by Cationic Zirconium Complexes: Role of Brønsted Acid for Catalytic Manifold

Highly position selective alkylations of N-alkylindoles at C7-positions have been enabled by cationic zirconium complexes. The strategy provides a straightforward access to install alkyl groups at C7-positions of indoles without a complex directing group. Mechanistic studies provided support for the importance of Brønsted acids in the catalytic manifold.     

非线性光纤方向耦合器孤子动力特性分析

利用变分方法,导出了双曲正割型光孤子在非线性光纤耦合器中传输时满足的动力学方程组,分析了该方程组的平衡点性态,讨论了光孤子的开关特性.指出参数|β|<2π.是能实现完全的开关操作的必要条件.     

Convex functions, subdifferentiability and renormings

This paper through discussing subdifferentiability and convexity of convex functions shows that a Banach space admits an equivalent uniformly [locally uniformly, strictly] convex norm if and only if there exists a continuous uniformly [locally uniformly, strictly] convex function on some nonempty open convex subset of the space and presents some characterizations of super-reflexive Banach spaces. Supported by NSFC