A new route to 3-alkyl-2,5-di-t-butyl-2,4-cyclopentadienones from 4-alkyl-2,6-di-t-butylphenols

Base-catalyzed reaction of 5-acylmethyl-2,5-di-$\text{t}$-butyl-4-oxa-2-cyclopentenones selectively derived from 4-alkyl-2,6-di-$\text{t}$-butylphenols $\text{via}$ three steps involving oxygenation, acetylation, and acid-treatment gave 3-alkyl-2,5-di-$\text{t}$-butyl-2,4-cyclopentadienones in excellent yield.     

Direct Synthesis of Oxygenates from Water and Methane via Dielectric-barrier Discharge

In this investigation, a clean, atomic economic and direct synthesis of oxygenates (methanol, ethanol) form water and methane via dielectric-barrier discharge was developed at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure. The effect of discharge voltage on this process was studied. The results showed that the conversion of water can be as high as 7%, the selectivity of methanol and ethanol can be as high as 100%.     

Base-labile tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group on phenols

Phenols are deprotected with weak bases from their tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) derivatives. Boc deprotection with bases can avoid side reactions during the deprotection with acids. We note the lability of the Boc to bases and are able to utilize it as a new cleavage condition for synthetic studies.     

Determination of clethodim and its oxidation metabolites in crops by liquid chromatography with confirmation by LC/MS

A method was developed for determination of the herbicide clethodim (C0) and its oxidation metabolites clethodim sulfoxide (C1) and clethodim sulfone (C2) in agricultural products. Upon extraction, both C0 and C1 were oxidized to C2 by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, and C2 was determined by liquid chromatography (LC). The C2 peak was confirmed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). Recoveries of C0 from radish, tomato, onion, sweet potato, kidney bean, carrot, cabbage, and lettuce ranged from 91 to 118% following fortification at 0.05-1.0 ppm. The detection limit of C2 in crops was 0.01 ppm (S/N > 3). The fortified samples of onion, sweet potato, kidney bean, and carrot were confirmed by LC/MS (ESI), and the peak of C2 was detected.     

Synthesis of 3-epi-6,7-dideoxyxestobergsterol A

3-Epi-6,7-dideoxyxestobergsterol A (2), an analogue of xestobergsterol A, has been synthesized from dehydroepiandrosterone (3) in 15 steps. The key synthetic intermediate, 15beta,16alpha-dioxypregn-17(20)E-ene derivative 8, was prepared from the corresponding 15beta,16beta-epoxide 6 by treating with acetic acid and titanium tetraisopropoxide. The 23-oxo side chain was constructed stereoselectively by orthoester Claisen rearrangement of 8 followed by introduction of an isobutyl group. Basic treatment of the 15,23-diketone 12 followed by deprotection gave the title compound 2.     

Synthesis and antiallergic activity of N-[4-(4-diphenylmethyl-1-piperazinyl)butyl]-1,4-dihydro-4-oxopyridine-3 - carboxamides

A new series of oxopyridinecarboxamide derivatives 3a--g and 5a were synthesized and evaluated for their antiallergic activity. 1,4-Dihydro-7-methyl-4-oxo-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxamides 3a and 5a exhibited potent antiallergic activity (inhibitory rates of 80.7 and 88.3%, respectively, at 20 mg/kg, p.o.) in the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test and also exhibited much more potent in vitro inhibitory activity than caffeic acid against the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). Their in vitro antihistamine activity, however, was weaker than that of ketotifen. Compounds 3a and 5a are viewed as promising candidates for antiallergic agents.     

Stepwise Synthesis of Fullerene Cyclopentadienide R(5)C(60)(-) and Indenide R(3)C(60)(-). An Approach to Fully Unsymmetrically Substituted Derivatives

Fullerene cyclopentadienide (PhCH(2))(2)Ph(3)C(60)(-) and indenide (PhCH(2))(2)PhC(60)(-), each bearing two different organic groups, were efficiently synthesized through regioselective reactions of 1,4-(PhCH(2))(2)C(60) with an organocopper reagent (PhMgBr/CuBr.SMe(2)) or a Grignard reagent (PhMgBr) followed by deprotonation with KO(t)()Bu.