Asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrones and acrolein with a bis-titanium catalyst as chiral Lewis acid

A mu-oxo-type chiral bis-Ti(IV) oxide (S,S)-1 can be successfully utilized in the asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions between various nitrones 2 and acrolein to give the corresponding isoxazolidines with high to excellent enantioselectivities. For instance, the reaction between nitrone 2 (R = t-Bu) and acrolein in the presence of 10 mol % of bis-Ti(IV) catalyst (S,S)-1 in dichloromethane at -40 degrees C gave the corresponding endo cycloadduct with 97% ee.     

The Alternating Group of Degree 6 in the Geometry of the Leech Lattice and K3 Surfaces

The alternating group of degree 6 is located at the junctionof three series of simple non-commutative groups: simple sporadicgroups, alternating groups and simple groups of Lie type. Itplays a very special role in the theory of finite groups. Weshall study its new roles both in a finite geometry of a certainpentagon in the Leech lattice and also in the complex algebraicgeometry of K3 surfaces. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification14J28, 11H06, 20D06, 20D08.     

Asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of nitrones and methacrolein catalyzed by chiral bis-titanium lewis acid: a dramatic effect of N-substituent on nitrone

Highly stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of methacrolein and nitrones could be realized by the use of bis-titanium chiral Lewis acid catalyst. Key to the success is the introduction of bulky N-substituent on nitrone to attenuate the undesired Lewis acid-nitrone complexation.     

Aminohydroxyacetone synthons: versatile intermediates for the organocatalytic asymmetric aldol reaction

A practical method for the synthesis of 1,3-aminohydroxyacetone synthons was developed, and their utility in the organocatalytic asymmetric aldol reaction was demonstrated in a short synthesis of aza-sugars.     

Transition States of Binap–Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation: Theoretical Studies on the Origin of the Enantioselectivity

By using the hybrid IMOMM(B3LYP:MM3) method, we examined the binap–Rh^I‐catalyzed oxidative‐addition and insertion steps of the asymmetric hydrogenation of the enamide 2‐acetylamino‐3‐phenylacrylic acid. We report a path that is energetically more favorable for the major enantiomer than for the minor enantiomer. This path follows the “lock‐and‐key” motif and leads to the major enantiomeric product via an energetically favorable binap–dihydride–Rh^III–enamide complex. Our theoretical results are consistent with the mechanism that takes place via Rh^III dihydride formation, that is, oxidative addition of H₂ followed by enamide insertion.     

QM/MD simulation of SWNT nucleation on transition-metal carbide nanoparticles

The mechanism and kinetics of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) nucleation from Fe- and Ni-carbide nanoparticle precursors have been investigated using quantum chemical molecular dynamics (QM/MD) methods. The dependence of the nucleation mechanism and its kinetics on environmental factors, including temperature and metal-carbide carbon concentration, has also been elucidated. It was observed that SWNT nucleation occurred via three distinct stages, viz. the precipitation of the carbon from the metal-carbide, the formation of a "surface/subsurface" carbide intermediate species, and finally the formation of a nascent sp(2)-hybidrized carbon structure supported by the metal catalyst. The SWNT cap nucleation mechanism itself was unaffected by carbon concentration and/or temperature. However, the kinetics of SWNT nucleation exhibited distinct dependences on these same factors. In particular, SWNT nucleation from Ni(x)C(y) nanoparticles proceeded more favorably compared to nucleation from Fe(x)C(y) nanoparticles. Although SWNT nucleation from Fe(x)C(y) and Ni(x)C(y) nanoparticle precursors occurred via an identical route, the ultimate outcomes of these processes also differed substantially. Explicitly, the Ni(x)-supported sp(2)-hybridized carbon structures tended to encapsulate the catalyst particle itself, whereas the Fe(x)-supported structures tended to form isolated SWNT cap structures on the catalyst surface. These differences in SWNT nucleation kinetics were attributed directly to the relative strengths of the metal-carbon interaction, which also dictates the precipitation of carbon from the nanoparticle bulk and the longevity of the resultant surface/subsurface carbide species. The stability of the surface/subsurface carbide was also influenced by the phase of the nanoparticle itself. The observations agree well with experimentally available data for SWNT growth on iron and nickel catalyst particles.     

Effect of sodium sulfate and temperature on the fining of float glass

The effect of sodium sulphate and temperature on the fining of float glass during the melting process as well as the cooling process was investigated by measuring the seed count and seed size distributions and analyzing the gas composition in the seed. The mechanism of fining in a tank furnace is discussed.     

Enantiodivergent Atroposelective Synthesis of Chiral Biaryls by Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation: Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

Reported herein is an enantiodivergent synthesis of chiral biaryls by a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction. Upon treatment of biaryl lactols with aromatic amines and a Hantzsch ester in the presence of chiral phosphoric acid, dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) involving a reductive amination reaction proceeded smoothly to furnish both R and S isomers of chiral biaryls with excellent enantioselectivities by proper choice of hydroxyaniline derivative. This trend was observed in wide variety of substrates, and various chiral biphenyl and phenyl naphthyl adducts were synthesized with satisfactory enantioselectivities in enantiodivergent fashion. The enantiodivergent synthesis of synthetically challenging, chiral o‐tetrasubstituted biaryls were also accomplished, and suggests high synthetic potential of the present method.