Loss of CO from the molecular ions of o-, m- and p-anisoyl fluorides,CH3OC6H4COF,with fluorine atom migration

Loss of CO from the molecular ions ([CH₃OC₆H₄COF]⁺˙) of o-, m- and p-anisoyl fluorides has been investigated by mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrometry. This reaction involves fluorine atom migration from the carbonyl group to the benzene ring. In the cases of o- and p-anisoyl fluorides, the fluorine atom migrates via a three-membered transition state to form the molecular ions ([CH₃OC₆H₄F]⁺˙) of o- and p-fluoroanisoles, respectively. On the other hand, in the case of m-anisoyl fluoride, the fluorine atom migrates from the carbonyl group to the benzene ring via a three- or four-membered transition state.     

Organization of polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase for in vitro polymerization as revealed by atomic force microscopy

Individual polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase molecules from Ralstonia eutropha (PhaCRe) were directly visualized on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) by atomic force microscopy (AFM). PhaCRe molecule was observed as a spherical particle of 2.9 +/- 0.4 nm in height and 28 +/- 4 nm in width. In vitro polymerization reaction on HOPG was carried out for 5 min by reacting the PhaCRe molecules with (R)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA monomers. The reaction product was then observed after the removal of water solution. Several PhaCRe molecules associated with each other to form an assembly, which was attached to a fibrillar structure of ca. 0.2-0.3 nm in height. The fibrillar structure that elongated from the PhaCRe assembly was interpreted as the poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] polymer chain. High resolution AFM suggested that the PhaCRe assembly was composed of 3-4 subunits of PhaCRe molecules. This was further supported by SDS-PAGE analysis of the cross-linked PhaCRe enzyme. These results suggest that more than two subunits of PhaCRe are necessary for the in vitro polymerization of PHB molecular chains.     

Preparation of Phosphinated Polymer‐Incarcerated Palladium and Its Application to C?N and C?C Bond‐Forming Reactions

Phosphinated polymer‐incarcerated (PI) Pd catalysts were prepared by immobilization of palladium with phosphinated polymers by using the PI method. The phosphinated PI Pd catalysts showed good catalytic activity without externally added phosphine ligands in the amination of aryl halides for C N bond‐forming reactions, as well as in Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira coupling. No leaching of palladium from the immobilized Pd was observed by fluorescence X‐ray analysis. Furthermore, it was found that immobilization of Pd by the PI process facilitated the suppression of poisoning of the metal by amines. These effects can be ascribed to stabilization of the catalyst by both the phosphine moieties and the benzene rings in the swollen polymer support. The phosphinated PI Pd catalysts could also be recovered by simple filtration and reused several times without leaching of palladium in both the amination and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions.     

MNDO MO theoretical study of electronic structure and homolytic dissociation of perfluoroalkanoyl peroxides

The MNDO molecular orbital method was applied to alkanoyl peroxides and the effect of fluorination on the electronic structure and the rate of the homolytic 0-0 cleavage of alkanoyl peroxides were analyzed. The fluorine atom introduced at the carbon atom makes the peroxy 0-0 bond long and the dihedral angle between two COO planes large. The analysis of two-atom energy and its components energies has shown that the rate of the 0-0 cleavage correlates well with the destabilization of the resonance energy of the 0-0 bond and not with the electrostatic energy. The effect of elongation of the perfluoroalkyl group is also well elucidated by the two-atom energy. The perfluoroalkyl group lowers the σ*(0-0) anti-bonding orbital considerably, and this fully explains the observed rate of induced decomposition of perfluoroalkanoyl peroxides with benzene.     

Toward the Total Synthesis of Onchidin,a Cytotoxic Cyclic Depsipeptide from a Mollusc

The total synthesis of onchidin ( 1 ), a cytotoxic, C₂‐symmetric cyclic decadepsipeptide from a marine mollusc, according to the published structure, is described. A novel β‐amino acid, (2S,3S)‐3‐amino‐2‐methyl‐7‐octynoic acid (AMO), was efficiently prepared in high yield with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity based on a catalytic asymmetric three‐component Mannich‐type reaction with a chiral zirconium catalyst. The formation of sterically unfavorable N‐methyl amide and hindered ester bonds were successfully demonstrated, and final macrocyclization was achieved at a secondary‐amide site. Completion of the synthesis of 1 suggested that a revision of the structure of the natural product is required. Two diastereomers were also synthesized as candidates for the actual structure of onchidin. Furthermore, efficient solid‐phase methods were employed for the combinatorial synthesis of other derivatives to clarify the real structure of onchidin. The solid‐phase assembly of a pentadepsipeptide containing all the building blocks was established followed by dimeric cyclization in solution.     

Crystal structures of artificial metalloproteins: tight binding of FeIII(Schiff-Base) by mutation of Ala71 to Gly in apo-myoglobin

Apo-myoglobin (apo-Mb) and apo-A71GMb were successfully reconstituted with FeIII(salophen) (1) (salophen = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenilenediamine), Fe(III)(3,3'-Me2-salophen) (2), and FeIII(5,5'-t-Bu2-salophen) (3). The crystal structure of 2.apo-A71GMb shows the tight binding of the complex in the Mb cavity, while in wild-type apo-Mb it is highly disordered due to the steric repulsion with Ala71. Furthermore, the structure of 2.apo-A71GMb suggests a possible accommodation of a small substrate in the cavity. In fact, the cyanide association rate constant of 2.apo-A71GMb is 216-fold larger compared to that of 2.apo-Mb. These results provide us principles for the noncovalent fixation of synthetic metal cofactors at the desired positions in protein matrixes.     

The role of the ice rules in the thermal properties of potassium dihydrogen phosphate

Calorimetric properties of potassium dihydrogen phosphate are examined by analysis of the heat capacity data taken from the literature and from a recent measurement. The analysis is based on an extensive use of harmonic heat capacity functions to separate the effect of the phase transition from the vibrational contribution. The transition enthalpy and entropy derived are 421 J mol^–1 and 3.79 J K^–1 mol^–1, respectively. Characteristic temperatures of the lattice vibrations including the Debye temperature (254±18) K were determined. The transition entropy, exceeding the value compatible with the ice-rules, is consistent with the temperature dependence of the heat capacity. The implication of the result is discussed by comparison with the hydrogen bond networks in copper formate tetrahydrate and thallium dihydrogen phosphate.Dedicated to Professor Bernhard Wunderlich on the occasion of his 65th birthdayContribution No. 113 from Microcalorimetry Research Center.     

Photochemical reactions. 133rd Communication. Photochemistry of epoxydienes of the ionone series: Influence of a methyl group at the diene side chain on the oxirane cleavage

On triplet excitation (λ > 280 nm, acetone), the epoxydiene (E)- 2 undergoes (E)/(Z)-isomerization exclusively, leading to the conformers (Z)- 2A and (Z)- 2B . On singlet excitation (λ = 254 nm), apart from (Z)- 2A + B , the cyclobutenes 3A + B are formed. However, the epoxydiene (E)- 2 does not undergo reactions leading to carbene and C,O-bond cleavage products, which are normally observed on singlet and triplet excitation, respectively, of the epoxydienes of the ionone series.     

Electrochemical synthesis of layered manganese oxides intercalated with tetraalkylammonium ions

Thin films of birnessite-type layered manganese oxides with various interlayer spacings have been prepared on a platinum electrode by a one-step electrochemical procedure. The process involves a potentiostatic oxidation of aqueous Mn(2+) ions at around +1.0 V (Ag/AgCl) in the presence of tetraalkylammonium cations with different alkyl chain lengths. X-ray diffraction indicates that the films deposited with tetrabutylammonium (TBA), tetrapropylammonium (TPA), and tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions are composed of a single phase where unhydrated tetraalkylammonium ions are accommodated as a monolayer between manganese oxide layers. The interlayer spacing of the products increases in an order of TEA < TPA < TBA. The film deposited with tetramethylammonium (TMA) is a mixture of two phases relating to hydrated and unhydrated guest cations, the former being predominant probably as a result of less hydrophobic property of TMA compared to that of other tetraalkylammonium ions. The TBA(+)-intercalated Mn oxide film-coated electrode exhibits a good charge/discharge property in a KCl solution between 0 and +0.8 V. In this case, TBA(+) ions between the Mn oxide layers are rapidly replaced with K(+) in solution by ion exchange, accompanying a shrinkage of the interlayer. The incorporated K(+) ions as well as protons play an important role in the electrochemical conversion between Mn(4+) and Mn(3+) in the oxide layer. In the TBACl solution, the interlayer TBA(+) ions can be excluded electrochemically during the positive-going scan, concomitant with the oxidation of Mn(3+) sites. This causes an anodic current and the accompanying shrinkage of the interlayer. On the reverse scan, however, the compressed interlayer does not allow the incorporation of bulky TBA(+) ions from the electrolyte, with virtually no cathodic current observed. Such an obvious difference in electrochemical behavior between the two electrolytes can be recognized by considering that most of the Mn oxide surface is present inside the layered structure, not on the external surface. This indicates that the layered structure is formed over the entire film.