Enantioselective synthesis of (--)-gilbertine via a cationic cascade cyclization

Described is the first enantioselective synthesis of (-)-gilbertine (2), a member of the uleine-type family, and the determination of the absolute configuration of this natural product is reported. The key step employs a cationic cascade reaction for a tetrahydropyrane and piperidine ring formation and the construction of the pentacyclic framework in one step. The synthetic strategy utilizes the Shibasaki reaction to build up the first stereogenic center. A formylation reaction of a 3-substituted cyclohexanone derivative was achieved, giving only the desired regioisomer. The Japp-Klingemann Fischer indole protocol was used successfully as a convergent synthetic approach for the construction of the desired tetrahydrocarbazole (20). Furthermore, an unexpected behavior of this 2,3-disubstituted cyclohexanone derivative during an epimerization process was investigated, resulting in different chemical behavior of the enantiomers and the racemate. The diastereomeric resolution was achieved via the cationic cascade reaction, demonstrating the versatility of this approach. Significantly, the synthetic 17-step sequence was easy to execute, giving (-)-gilbertine in 5.5% overall yield.     

Going-down functors, the Künneth formula, and the Baum-Connes conjecture

We study the connection between the Baum-Connes conjecture for a locally compact group G with coeefficient A and the Künneth formula for the K-theory of tensor products by the corresponding crossed product . The main tool for this is obtained by an application of a general reduction procedure which allows us to analyze certain functors connected to the topological K-theory of a group in terms of their restrictions to compact subgroups. We also discuss several other interesting applications of this method, including a general extension result for the Baum-Connes conjecture.     

Syntheses and characterization of two dioxygen-reactive dinuclear macrocyclic schiff-base copper(I) complexes

The dinuclear copper(I) complex [Cu(2)L(1)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1, L(1) = 3,6,9,17,20,23-hexaazatricyclo[23.3.1.1]triaconta-1(29),2,9,11(30),12(13),14,16,23,25,27-decaene) has been structurally characterized. As previously described, intramolecular ligand hydroxylation (at the aromatic ring) was observed when 1 was reacted with dioxygen. A stopped-flow analysis of the reaction of 1 with dioxygen under different conditions did not allow a "dioxygen intermediate" to be spectroscopically detected. Detailed NMR and electrochemical data on 1 are also presented and evaluated for the first time. No copper(II) complexes of L(1) could be characterized due to hydrolysis of the compounds. In contrast, complex 2-differing from 1 only in an increase in the size of the chelate rings-did not undergo intramolecular hydroxylation when it was oxidized. The crystal structure of 2 is also described.     

Biologically active metabolites from fungi, 17. 8-alpha-acetoxyverrol,a new member of the trichothecene sesquiterpenes

8-alpha-Acetoxyverrol (4), the first open chain example of the trichothecenes with oxygenation at C-8, was isolated from cultures of Aphanocladium spectabile. The compound doses the biosynthetic gap to the macrocyclic verrucarins.     

Intramolecular Baylis-Hillman Reaction: A Pathway to Substituted Coumarins

The acrylate ester of salicylaldehyde, in the presence of DABCO, affords a crystalline coumarin salt. Formation of this derivative confirms a vital intermediate in the mechanism of the reaction. Salicylaldehyde, suitably protected, reacts with methyl acrylate to afford a novel coumarin not unlike the vasodilator chromonar.     

Synthesis of (+)-(S)-Streptenol A and Biomimetic Synthesis of (2R,4S)- and (2S,4S)-2-(Pent-3-enyl)piperidin-4-ol

(+)-(S)-Streptenol A is synthesized by coupling a 1,3-dithiane with an optically pure epoxide. The absolute configuration of (+)-(S)-streptenol A is thereby correlated with that of (S)-malic acid. Stereoselective reduction of an oxime that could easily be prepared from streptenol A gave the (3S,5R)- and (3S,5S)-aminostreptenols, and after cyclization, configurationally pure 2,4-functionalized piperidine alkaloids.     

Recent progress in quantitative and high spatial resolution AES

Progress in high resolution Auger electron spectroscopy (HR-AES or scanning Auger microscopy, SAM) during the past few years is characterized by the use of efficient field emission electron sources, parallel detection capabilities and improved data acquisition, storage and processing, thus enhancing spatial resolution (to about 10 nm), signal to noise figure and quantification of elements in different chemical bonding states, e.g. by routinely using factor analysis. Optimized ion sputtering facilities, particularly sample rotation, enable depth profiling with high, depth independent resolution. The basic features of SAM are discussed with respect to EPMA (electron probe micro-analysis), emphasizing fundamental limitations and future developments.