Synthesis of 5-alkylidene-2,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones based on cyclizations of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with oxalyl chloride

The acid-mediated reaction of amines with γ-alkylidenebutenolides, readily available by cyclization of 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with oxalyl chloride, allows a convenient synthesis of a variety of 5-alkylidene-2,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones. The configuration of the exocyclic double bond of the products depends on the substitution pattern of the products.     

Global Convergence of a Nonlinear Programming Method Using Convex Approximations

The method of moving asymptotes (MMA) and its globally convergent extension SCP (sequential convex programming) are known to work well for certain problems arising in structural optimization. In this paper, the methods are extended for a general mathematical programming framework and a new scheme to update certain penalty parameters is defined, which leads to a considerable improvement in the performance. Properties of the approximation functions are outlined in detail. All convergence results of the traditional methods are preserved.     

Recent Chemistry Based on the [RuCp(CH3CN)3]+ Cation: Reappraisalof an Old Precursor

Summary.  This article gives an overview of recent chemistry based on the tris-acetonitrile complex [RuCp(CH₃CN)₃]⁺. Due to the labile nature of the CH₃CN ligands, substitution reactions are a dominant feature of this complex. Important derivatives are the highly reactive complexes [RuCp(PR ₃)(CH₃CN)₂]⁺ which are a source of the 14e⁻ fragment [RuCp(PR ₃)]⁺. These species are catalytically active in the redox isomerization of allyl alcohols to give aldehydes and ketones. Furthermore, the cationic complex [RuCp(κ¹(P),η²-PPh₂CH₂CH₂CH*CH₂)(CH₃CN)]PF₆ derived from the reaction of [RuCp(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ with PPh₂CH₂CH₂CH*CH₂ is a model compound for studying coupling reactions of olefins and acetylenes. In addition, [RuCp(CH₃CN)₃]⁺ is a valuable precursor for the synthesis of configurationally stable chiral three-legged piano-stool ruthenium complexes. These are currently being intensively investigated as Lewis acid catalysts in asymmetric synthesis. Received May 31, 2000. Accepted June 13, 2000     

Correlated flares in models of a magnetized “canopy”

A model of the Lu-Hamilton kind is applied to the study of critical behavior of the magnetized solar atmosphere. The main novelty is that its driving is done via sources undergoing a diffusion. This mimics the effect of a virtual turbulent substrate forcing the system. The system exhibits power-law statistics not only in the size of the flares, but also in the distribution of the waiting times.