Studies directed toward the total synthesis of discodermolide: asymmetric synthesis of the C1-C14 fragment

[structure: see text] A convergent and stereoselective assembly of the C1-C14 subunit of marine natural product (+)-discodermolide has been completed. The approach employs chiral allylsilane bond construction methodology to establish four of the eight stereogenic centers. Key fragment coupling is achieved via an efficient stereoselective acetate aldol reaction between C1-C6 and C7-C14 subunits.     

Highly selective entry to the azadirachtin skeleton via a Claisen rearrangement/radical cyclization sequence

[formula: see text] A highly diastereoselective, microwave-induced Claisen rearrangement of an appropriately substituted propargylic enol ether allows the formation of the sterically congested C8-C14 bond of azadirachtin. When combined with a radical-mediated cyclization of the corresponding allene, this sequence offers rapid entry to the framework of azadirachtin.     

New phosphate fluorosurfactants for carbon dioxide

Anionic phosphate fluorosurfactants were shown to self-assemble into water-in-carbon dioxide microemulsions. The surfactants, having either two fluorinated chains or one fluorinated chain and one hydrocarbon chain, facilitated significant water uptake in CO2. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements of surfactant/water/CO2 solutions confirmed the presence of nanometer-scale aggregates, indicative of microemulsion formation.     

Anion-exchange separation of metal ions in dimethyl sulphoxide-methanol-hydrochloric acid

The effect of dimethyl sulphoxide on the anion-exchange behaviour of many metals m a methanolic system with hydrochloric acid was explored. Distribution coefficients for 26 elements were determined in a mixed solvent system of dimethyl sulphoxide-methanol-0.6M hydrochloric acid, in which the proportions of dimethyl sulphoxide and methanoi were varied. Lead(II) and silver(I) complexes are soluble in this system. Interesting effects were noted for gold(III), iron(III), molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI). As a measure of the usefulness of the systems studied, 27 anion-exchange separations of two- to four-component mixtures of metal ions were carried out, each with quantitative results.