Synthesis of the β-lactam antibiotic (+)- thienamycin via an intermediate π-allyltricarbonyliron lactone complex

The π-allyltricarbonyliron lactone complex (7), formed by reaction of E-1,2-epoxy-2-methyl-6,6-dimethoxyhex-3-ene(5) with co-ordinatively unsaturated iron carbonyl species, was reacted with benzylamine to give a lactam complex (8) by an S_N'-like mechanism. This complex upon oxidation with Ce(IV) afforded cis-3-isopropenyl-4-[(2',2'-dim (9) which was chemically modified into trans-3-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-4-[(2',2-dimethoxy)ethyl] azetidin-2-one (13), a key intermediate previously used in the synthesis of the antibiotic thienamycin. Similar reaction with (S)-(-)--methylbenzylamine afforded a separable mixture of diastereoisomeric iron lactam complexes (16 and 17). These complexes could be individually converted to the corresponding optically active β-lactam derivatives (27 and 28) and, hence, are precursors for the synthesis of either natural (+)-thienamycin or unnatural (-)-thienamycin.     

Exploring the self-assembly of dumbbell-shaped polyoxometalate hybrids,from molecular building units to nanostructured soft materials

The formation of hierarchical nanostructures using preformed dumbbell-like species made of covalent organic–inorganic polyoxometalate (POM)-based hybrids is herein described. In this system, the presence of charged subunits (POM, metal linkers, and counter ions) in the complex molecular architecture can drive their aggregation, which results from a competition between the solvation energy of the discrete species and intermolecular electrostatic interactions. We show that the nature of the POM and the charge of the metal linker are key parameters for the hierarchical nanoorganization. The experimental findings were corroborated with a computational investigation combining DFT and molecular dynamics simulation methods, which outlines the importance of solvation of the counter ion and POM/counter ion association in the aggregation process. The dumbbell-like species can also form gels, in the presence of a poorer solvent, displaying similar nanoorganization of the aggregates. We show that starting from the designed molecular building units whose internal charges can be controlled by redox trigger we can achieve their implementation into soft nanostructured materials through the control of their supramolecular organization.

The formation of hierarchical nanostructures using supramolecular dumbbell-like species made of organic–inorganic polyoxometalate-based hybrids is investigated by combination of SAXS and computational methods.     

Preparation of methyl (1R,2S,5S)- and (1S,2R,5R)-2-amino-5-tert-butyl-cyclopentane-1-carboxylates by parallel kinetic resolution of methyl (RS)-5-tert-butyl-cyclopentene-1-carboxylate

Comparison of the kinetic and parallel kinetic resolutions of methyl (RS)-5-tert-butyl-cyclopentene-1-carboxylate allows for the efficient synthesis of both (1R,2S,5S)- and (1S,2R,5R)-enantiomers of methyl 2-amino-5-tert-butyl-cyclopentane-1-carboxylate.     

Model Calculations of Radiation-Induced Damage in 1-Methyluracil:9-Ethyladenine

Detailed EPR and ENDOR experiments on the cocrystalline complex of 1-methyluracil:9-Ethyladenine (MUEA) have revealed that the major radiation-induced products observed at 10 K on MU are: MUEA1, a radical formed by net hydrogen abstraction from the N1-CH₃ methyl group, MUEA2, the MU radical anion, and MUEA3, the C5 H-addition radical. The following four products were observed on the adenine moiety at 10 K, MUEA4, the N3 protonated adenine anion, MUEA5, the native adenine cation, MUEA6, the amino deprotonated adenine cation, and MUEA7, the C8 H-addition radical formed by net H-addition to C8 of the adenine base. The geometries, energetics, and hyperfine properties of all possible radicals of MU and EA, the native anions and cations, as well as radicals formed via net hydrogen atom abstraction (deprotonated cations) or addition (protonated anions) were investigated theoretically. All systems were optimized using the hybrid Hartree–Fock–density functional theory functional B3LYP, in conjunction with the 6-31G(d,p) basis set of Pople and co-workers. Calculations of the anisotropic hyperfine couplings for all the radicals observed in MUEA are presented and are shown to compare favorably with the experimentally measured hyperfine couplings. The calculated ionizations potentials indicate that EA would be the preferred oxidation site. In MUEA, both the adenine cation and its N4-deprotonated derivative were observed. The calculated electron affinities indicate that MU would be the preferred reduction site. In MUEA radical, MUEA2 is a uracil reduction product, however the protonation state of this radical could not be determined experimentally. Calculations suggest that MUEA2 is actually the C4=O protonated anion.     

The infrared spectra (600-140 cm−1 of the imidazole,pyrazine and pyrimidine adducts of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) acetylacetonates

Summary The complexes M(acac)₂(imidazole)₂ (M = Co or NO and [M(acac)₂B]_n (M = Co, Ni or Zn; B = pyrazine or pyrimidine) have been prepared and their i.r. spectra determined over the 600–140 cm^–1. range. The metal-oxygen and metal-nitrogen stretching frequencies, (M-O) and v(M-N), are assigned on the basis of the band shifts induced by deuteriation of the adducted base and by substitution of the metal ion. Three or fourv(M-O) bands are observed within the 600-200 cm^–1 range. The twov(M-O) bands of higher frequency are considered to the coupled with internal ligand modes. TwovM-N) bands are observed within the 280–170 cm^–1. range. The metal-ligand stretching frequencies are in good agreement with the values previously established for these vibrations in the [M(imidazole)₆]²⁺ and Ni(acac)₂(pyridine)₂ complexes.     

Universal properties of maps of the circle with ɛ-singularities

Following the work of Collet, Eckmann, and Lanford on the Feigenbaum conjecture, we study the structure of the renormalization transformation introduced in [12] upon maps of the circle with critical points of the formx|x|^?.     

Vibrational population distribution of ground state BaO formed by the reaction Ba + O2

The vibrational population distribution of X ¹Σ(υ′' = 0 through ν′' = 7) BaO formed in the reaction Ba + O₂ at 0.3 torr has been measured by laser induced photoluminescence intensities. On the basis of the assumed similarity between the Ba + O₂ and Ba + N₂O reactions, these data suggest that a population inversion may exist between A ¹Σ(ν′ = 1) and X ¹Σ(υⁿ = 7) BaO formed in the latter reaction at ≈ 16 torr.     

Quantitation of acrylamide in food products by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

A simple and inexpensive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method was developed for the quantitation of acrylamide in various food products. The method involved spiking the isotope-substituted internal standard (1-C13 acrylamide) onto 6.00 g of the food product, adding 40 mL distilled/deionized water, and heating at 65 degrees C for 30 min. Afterwards, 10 mL ethylene dichloride was added and the mixture was homogenized for 30 s and centrifuged at 2700 x g for 30 min, and then 8 g supernatant was extracted with 10, 5, and 5 mL portions of ethyl acetate. The extracts were combined, dried with sodium sulfate, and concentrated to 100-200 microL. Acrylamide was determined by analysis of the final extract on a single quadrupole, bench-top mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization, using a 2 mm id C18 column and monitoring m/z = 72 (acrylamide) and m/z = 73 (internal standard). For difficult food matrixes, such as coffee and cocoa, a solid-phase extraction cleanup step was incorporated to improve both chromatography and column lifetime. The method had a limit of quantitation of 10 ppb, and coefficients of determination (r2) for calibration curves were typically better than 0.998. Acceptable spike recovery results were achieved in 11 different food matrixes. Precision in potato chip analyses was 5-8% (relative standard deviation). This method provides an LC/MS alternative to the current LC/MS/MS methods and derivatization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry methods, and is applicable to difficult food products such as coffee, cocoa, and high-salt foods.     

Molecular imprinting made easy

A simple method of molecular imprinting is presented that uses a single cross-linking monomer N,O-bismethacryloyl ethanolamine (NOBE) along with template, initiator, and solvent. This formulation eliminates the need for additional functional monomers and empirical optimization of relative ratios of functional monomers, cross-linkers, and template. In fact, utilization of NOBE alone often provides molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with higher performance than MIPs incorporating functional monomer (e.g., methacrylic acid).     

Characterization and genetic manipulation of peptide synthetases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in order to generate novel pyoverdines

PvdD, a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, incorporates two L-threonines into the siderophore pyoverdine. A pvdD mutant did not synthesize pyoverdine and lacked a high Mr iron-regulated cytoplasmic protein (IRCP). Analysis of other IRCPs and the P. aeruginosa genome enabled the remaining pyoverdine NRPSs to be identified. The pvdD mutation could be complemented in trans, enabling design of plasmid-based systems for the generation of novel pyoverdines. Introduction of a truncated pvdD gene resulted in attenuated forms of pyoverdine, and introduction of L-threonine-incorporating NRPSs from other organisms restored pyoverdine production to mutant cells. This is the first successful rational in vivo modification of NRPS modules outside of Bacillus subtilis. The systems employed did not allow incorporation of other residues into pyoverdine, indicating that there are multiple elements contributing toward substrate specificity in NRPSs.