The structural and synthetic implications of the biosynthesis of the calycanthaceous alkaloids, the communesins, and nomofungin

A comparison is made between the calycanthaceous alkaloids, nomofungin, and the communesins using structural and biosynthetic information from studies of the former to shed light on the structural ambiguity of the two latter species. Also, a novel biosynthetic approach for the communesins is presented that involves coupling of tryptamine with the ergot alkaloid aurantioclavine that is suitable for synthetic emulation. Preliminary synthetic studies and intermediates are reported.     

Tribasic lead maleate and lead maleate: synthesis and structural and spectroscopic characterizations

We report on the synthesis and structure of tribasic lead maleate hemihydrate ([Pb4O3]C2H2(CO2)2.(1/2)H2O, TRIMAL) and lead maleate (PbC2H2(CO2)2, PBMAL). The structure of [Pb4O3]C2H2(CO2)2.(1/2)H2O, solved ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data, consists of infinite slabs of edge-sharing OPb4 tetrahedra, of composition [Pb4O3], running along the c axis and linked together into a three-dimensional network by tetradentate maleate anionic ligands. The structure of PbC2H2(CO2)2, solved from single crystal diffraction data, is lamellar and contains double layers of heptacoordinated lead atoms, bonded only to the oxygen atoms of the maleate ligands. In both compounds, lead is in the oxidation state 2+ and the coordination polyhedra around the Pb2+ exhibit a hemidirected geometry and are strongly distorted as a result of the lone pair of electrons. The absence of protons on the acidic portion of the maleate moieties was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and by 1H MAS and 1H-13C CP MAS NMR experiments. The two compounds were further characterized using chemical and thermogravimetric analyses.     

Electrophoretic analysis of electrically trained skeletal muscle.

Sheep latissimus dorsi muscle was electrically trained, thereby inducing fast-to-slow fibre-type transformation. Using a combination of one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis techniques with computer analysis, we have analysed altered expression of contractile protein isoforms at protein and mRNA level over a time course of electrical training extending to 5 months. Myosin heavy chain and regulatory myosin light chain analysis showed predominant expression of their slow isoforms (86% and 92%, respectively) after 3 months of training. At the same time point, however, tropomyosin analysis revealed that the slow isoform of the alpha-subunit accounted for 64% of the total alpha expression. Troponin T isoform switching proceeded more slowly over the same time course than tropomyosin and the thick filament proteins studied. Troponin T analysis revealed 5 fast and 2 slow isoforms in the sheep, of which the second slow isoform only became clearly visible after 5 months' training. At this time point the two slow isoforms were more predominant than their fast counterparts. This suggests that a wide heterogeneity of fast and slow isoform combinations are possible in the thin filament of skeletal muscle.     

Highly active, regioselective, and enantioselective hydroformylation with Rh catalysts ligated by Bis-3,4-diazaphospholanes

Azines made by the reaction of hydrazine with ortho-formylbenzoic acid react with 1,2-diphosphinobenzene and either succinyl chloride or phthaloyl chloride in ca. 30% yield to give rac-bis-3,4-diazaphospholanes bearing benzoic acid groups in the 2 and 5 positions. Condensation of the benzoic acid functionalities with enantiomerically pure amines affords diastereomeric benzoamides which can be separated by flash chromatography. Application of the resolved bis-3,4-diazaphosholanes to Rh-catalyzed enantioselective hydroformylation of styrene, allyl cyanide, and vinyl acetate under mild pressures (20-500 psig of CO/H2) and temperatures (40-120 degrees C) reveals high activities and selectivities for all three substrates. At 60 degrees C and 500 psig syn gas, the best ligand provides outstanding regio- and enantioselectivities (styrene, 89% ee, b:l = 30:1; allyl cyanide, 87% ee, b:l = 4.8:1; vinyl acetate, 95% ee, b:l = 40:1) while achieving turnover frequencies of ca. 3000 h-1.     

Potentiometric Investigation of the Weak Association of Sodium and Carbonate Ions at 25°C

The weak association between sodium and carbonate ions has been investigated at 25°C using high-precision sodium ion-selective electrode potentiometry in solutions of ionic strength ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 M in CsCl and in 1.0 M Me₄NCl media. The protonation constants of CO ₃ ^2- (aq) were also measured, using a H⁺-responsive glass electrode in 1.0 M Me₄NCl and NaCl. The value of the ion-pair association constant calculated from the difference in the protonation constants in these two media was in excellent agreement with that obtained from the Na⁺ISE measurements. Evidence is also presented for the formation of extremely weak ion pairs between Na⁺ and HCO ₃ ^- and between Cs⁺ and CO ₃ ^2- .     

Bond valence sums in coordination chemistry. Calculation of the oxidation state of chromium in complexes containing only Cr-O bonds and a redetermination of the crystal structure of potassium tetra(peroxo)chromate(V)

A simple method for calculating the oxidation state of Cr in complexes containing only Cr-O bonds is presented. A total of 242 CrOn fragments with n = 3-6 were retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and, together with the data for K3CrO8, were analyzed using the bond valence sum method. New R0 values for Cr(II) of 1.739(21) A, Cr(III) of 1.708(7) A, Cr(V) of 1.762(14) A, and Cr(VI) of 1.793(7) A were derived. An average R0 value of 1.724 A for Cr-O reproduces the oxidation state of 96 of the 110 Cr(II), Cr(III), and Cr(IV) CrOn complexes (n = 3-6) and that of K3CrO8 within 0.30 valence units. The crystal structure of K3CrO8 was redetermined at 173 K to provide accurate data for a Cr complex with both high oxidation state and coordination number. Potassium tetraperoxochromate(V), K3CrO8, is tetragonal, Space group I42m, a = b = 6.6940(3) A, c = 7.7536(5) A, Z = 2. The difficulties with fitting the observed valence for Cr(V) and Cr(VI) complexes with coordination numbers 4 and 5 are discussed. The use of bond valence sums in gaining chemical insight into Cr complexes with noninnocent ligands and in establishing oxidation states in Cr clusters is presented. An analysis of the Cr-O bond distances used in the calculations shows a large range of values that can be understood in terms of the bond valence sum calculation.     

Prompt neutrino production in a proton beam-dump experiment

In the interactions of 400 GeV/c protons with copper nuclei, a flux of prompt neutrinos is observed. The reactions produced by these neutrinos in our apparatus appear consistent with those of electron- and muon-neutrinos. The prompt neutrino fluxes are interpreted as being due to associated production and subsequent semileptonic decay of charmed hadrons. The prompt flux ratio \(\bar v_\mu /v_\mu = 0.46_{ - 0.16}^{ + 0.21} \) suggests a sizeable production of charmed baryons near the forward direction. The ratio of prompte ^?+e ⁺ toµ ^?+µ ⁺ event rates is 0.64 _?0.15 ^+0.22 , where unity is expected frome-μ universality.