A general organocatalyst for direct alpha-functionalization of aldehydes: stereoselective C-C, C-N, C-F, C-Br, and C-S bond-forming reactions. Scope and mechanistic insights

The development of a general organocatalyst for the alpha-functionalization of aldehydes, via an enamine intermediate, is presented. Based on optically active alpha,alpha-diarylprolinol silyl ethers, the scope and applications of this catalyst for the stereogenic formation of C-C, C-N, C-F, C-Br, and C-S bonds are outlined. The reactions all proceed in good to high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. Furthermore, we will present mechanistic insight into the reaction course applying nonlinear effect studies, kinetic resolution, and computational investigations leading to an understanding of the properties of the alpha,alpha-diarylprolinol silyl ether catalysts.     

4-Methylumbelliferyl 5-Acetamido-3,4,5-trideoxy-α-D-manno-2-nonulopyranosidonic Acid: Synthesis and Resistance to Bacterial Sialidases

The synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl α-D -glycoside 13 of N-acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid and its behaviour towards bacterial sialidases is described. N-Acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid ( 1 ) was transformed into its methyl ester 2 and then acetylated to give the anomeric pentaacetates 3 and 4 of methyl 4-deoxyneuraminate and the enolacetate 5 (Scheme). A mixture 3/4 was treated with HCl/AcCl to give the glycosyl chloride, which was directly converted into the 4-methylumbelliferyl α-D -glycoside 9 of methyl 7-O,8-O,9-O,N-tetraacetylneuraminate and into the 2,3-dehydrosialic acid 11 . The ketoside 9 was de-O-acetylated to 12 with NaOMe in MeOH. Saponification (NaOH) of the methyl ester 12 followed by acidification gave the free 13 , which was also converted into the sodium salt 14 by passage through Dowex 50 (Na⁺). The 4-deoxy α-D -glycoside 13 is not hydrolyzed at significant rates by Vibrio cholerae and Arthrobacter ureafaciens sialidase. Neither the free N-acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid ( 1 ), nor the α-D -glycoside 13 inhibit the activity of these sialidases.     

Zur Chemie der Selen-Stickstoffverbindungen, 2. Mitt.

Zusammenfassung Darstellung und Eigenschaften von Ammonium-, Kalium-, Silber- und Thalliumsalzen des Triselenimides und der Diimidotriselensäure werden beschrieben, Infrarot-Spektren sowieDebye-Scherrer-Diagramme einiger dieser erstmalig dargestellten Verbindungen werden zu ihrer Charakterisierung mitgeteilt.Mit 3 Abbildungen1. Mitt.:A. Engelbrecht undF. Clementi, Mh. Chem.92, 555 (1961).     

Magnetic, electronic, and structural characterization of nonstoichiometric iron oxides at the nanoscale

We have investigated the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of nonstoichiometric iron oxide nanocrystals prepared by decomposition of iron(II) and iron(0) precursors in the presence of organic solvents and capping groups. The highly uniform, crystalline, and monodisperse nanocrystals that were produced enabled a full structural and compositional survey by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The complex and metastable behavior of nonstoichiometric iron oxide (wüstite) at the nanoscale was studied by a combination of Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic characterization. Deposition from hydrocarbon solvents with subsequent self-assembly of iron oxide nanocrystals into superlattices allowed the preparation of continuous thin films suitable for electronic transport measurements.     

Zur komplexchemie von 4-zentren-π-systemen : XII. Glyoxaldiiminkomplexe: 1H-nmr-spektren und long range-kopplungen

Glyoxaldiimines (I) RN=CHCH=NR show in the NMR a downfield shift of glyoxalic protons (H_gly) when complexed to

(II: M = Mo, W), but increasing high field shifts when going to

(III) and

complexes (IV). In the tungsten complexes II H_glyW coupling satellites are resolved (J(WH) ≈4–6 Hz); in the phosphine compounds III, IV long range PH_gly coupling is clearly visible. Mechanisms of spinspin interaction are briefly discussed in connection with the EPR results on monoanionic radicals of II–IV.     

Development of a very low energy μ+ beam at PSI

At PSI we are investigating the technique of decelerating an existing very intense secondary beam of surface ⁺ (4 MeV) to an energy of 10 eV using appropriate moderators. These ⁺ can then be used as a source of a tertiary beam of low energy muons with tunable kinetic energy between 10 eV and 10 keV.With a 1000 A layer of solid Argon deposited on an Al substrate we obtain a moderation efficiency (with respect to the number of incoming surface ⁺) of the order of 10^–4.Results of our investigations and the present status of the project are presented together with future plans and possibilities.