Catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of beta-keto esters: effects of the linker heteroatom in linked-BINOL

We describe the development of a general catalytic asymmetric Michael reaction of acyclic beta-keto esters to cyclic enones, in which asymmetric induction occurs at the beta-position of the acceptors. Among the various asymmetric catalyst systems examined, the newly developed La-NR-linked-BINOL complexes (R = H or Me) afforded the best results in terms of reactivity and selectivity. In general, the NMe ligand 2 was suitable for the combination of small enones and small beta-keto esters, and the NH ligand 1 was suitable for bulkier substrates (steric tuning of the catalyst). Using the La-NMe-linked-BINOL complex, the Michael reaction of methyl acetoacetate (8a) to 2-cyclohexen-1-one (7b) gave the corresponding Michael adduct 9ba in 82% yield and 92% ee. The linker heteroatom in linked-BINOL is crucial for achieving high reactivity and selectivity in the Michael reaction of beta-keto esters. The amine moiety in the NR-linked-BINOL can also tune the Lewis acidity of the central metal (electronic tuning of the catalyst), which was supported by density functional studies and experimental results. Another advantage of the NR-linked-BINOL ligand as compared with O-linked-BINOL is the ease of modifying a substituent on the amine moiety, making it possible to synthesize a variety of NR-linked-BINOL ligands for further improvement or development of new asymmetric catalyses by introducing additional functionality on the linker with the amine moiety. The efficiency of the present asymmetric catalysis was demonstrated by the synthesis of the key intermediate of (-)-tubifolidine and (-)-19,20-dihydroakuammicine in only five steps compared to the nine steps required by the original process from the Michael product of malonate. This strategy is much more atom economical. On the basis of the results of mechanistic studies, we propose that a beta-keto ester serves as a ligand as well as a substrate and at least one beta-keto ester should be included in the active catalyst complex. Further improvement of the reaction by maintaining an appropriate ratio of the La-NMe-linked-BINOL complex and beta-keto esters is also described.     

Reductive metabolism of nitro-p-phenylenediamine by rat liver

Reductive metabolism of the hair dye constituent, nitro-p-phenylenediamine (2-nitro-1,4-diaminobenzene, NPDA), and its acetylated metabolite, NPDA N4-acetate, was investigated with rat liver subcellular fractions, microsomes and cytosol. Under anaerobic conditions, these compounds were reduced to their corresponding amines by these fractions. The microsomal nitro-reducing activity was retarded completely by air and strongly by carbon monoxide. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) functioned more effectively than reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as an electron donor in the microsomal reduction of the nitro compounds, and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) gave rise to a marked enhancement in the microsomal activity, especially when added to an anaerobic incubation mixture containing both NADH and NADPH. The cytosolic nitro-reducing activity was attributed to xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and other unknown enzyme(s), based on the results of cofactor requirements and inhibition experiments.     

Determination of some rare-earth elements by plasma-jet emission spectrometry

The effects of a magnetic field on spectral intensities in plasma-jet spectrometry were examined, and detection limits for rare-earth elements were calculated. Plasma-jet emission spectrometry was applied to the determination of lanthanum, yttrium and gadolinium in a monazite sample from which thorium had been separated. A standard addition method was used in order to improve accuracy, and the internal standard and background compensation method was applied to measurements of spectral line intensities to achieve good precision. The coefficient of variation was 1.51% for 50 μg La ml^?1.     

Studies on the biaxial stretching of polypropylene film. III. Electron microscopic observation of the one-step biaxial stretching of isotactic polypropylene spherulites

Polypropylene films of various isotacticities and crystallinities were stretched biaxially in one step in air at 140–152°C or polyaxially in poly(ethylene glycol) at 130–160°C, and the morphological changes were studied by electron microscopy (replica). In the initial stage of stretching, with v_A = 1.4, the spherulites of one of the films used for the experiment were broken both from the centers and boundaries, and those of another film were broken mainly from the center. This difference in the deformation behavior seems to be characteristic of the film properties and independent of the method of stretching, although the factors involved are still unknown. On further stretching (v_A = 22), well annealed spherulites were broken into many small blocklike fragments with unfolded fibrils running among them, particularly at the low stretching temperature (140°C), and fibrillation proceeded at the expense of the residual fragments. In the case of quenched or slightly crystallized material, the fragments were dendritic and divided into finer and finer fibrils on stretching. At elevated temperature, however, even for well annealed spherulites, the deformation behavior resembles that of the quenched material, and at a high degree of stretching the spherulites take on the fibrillar net structure in every case. In films containing a high amount of atactic fraction, radial, tangential, and boundary cracking occurred more easily, and broad fibrils were observed across the cracks.     

Phase transfer catalytic system with the third liquid phase

Phase transfer catalysis, a technique to bring the reactants in two immiscible phases together by adding a phase transfer agent, has been employed in the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals in the last few decades. The third liquid phase (catalytic phase) may be formed when phase transfer catalysts (PTC), cannot be dissolved in either organic or aqueous phase. The third phase catalytic systems have the following three advantages, that is, (1) high activity (2) repeated use and (3) separation between the organic phase and the aqueous phase. It is expected that simple new processes can be constructed by applying these three advantages.     

2,2′-Isopropylidenebis[(4S,5R)-4,5-di(2-naphthyl)-2-oxazoline] ligand for asymmetric cyclization-carbonylation of meso-2-alkyl-2-propargylcyclohexane-1,3-diols

The oxidative cyclization-carbonylation of meso-2-alkyl-2-propargylcyclohexane-1,3-diols mediated by Pd(II) with chiral bisoxazoline (box ligand) afforded bicyclic-β-alkoxyacrylates. Based on a ligand screening, 2,2′-isopropylidenebis[(4S,5R)-4,5-di(2-naphthyl)-2-oxazoline] ligand has been developed. The products with a chiral quaternary carbon were obtained in 71-100% yields with 85-95% ee.     

Extraction of Catecholamines by Calixarene Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Extraction behaviors of catecholamines with a series of calixarene carboxylic acid derivatives were investigated. Relatively large calix[6]arene and calix[8]arene extract catecholamines into the organic solution, while smaller calix[4]arene and the monomer analog do not. The calix[6]arene, which has a cavity that fits a protonated amino group well, selectively extracts a primary amino compound dopamine over other catecholamines. Slope analysis and Job’s method confirmed formation of a 1:1 complex between the calix[6]arene and dopamine. On the other hand, the calix[8]arene extracts both dopamine and adrenaline, due to the large cavity for induced-fit recognition. Dopamine extracted with the calixarene is quantitatively stripped by contacting the organic solution with a fresh acidic solution.     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

Extraction Behavior of Amino Acids by Calix[6]arene Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

A series of calixarene carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized for the extraction of amino acids. A calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative showed the highest extractability to the target tryptophan ester. The main driving forcefor the complexation was the interaction between the ammonium cation of the aminoacid and the oxygen atoms of the host molecule. Stripping of amino acids was alsoaccomplished by contacting the organic solution with a fresh acidic solution. Basedon slope and Job method analyses, it was confirmed that the calix[6]arene formsa 1 : 1 complex with the amino acid ester. The structure of the complex between the calix[6]arene and the amino acid was investigated by ¹H-NMR and CD spectra. The calix[6]arene includes a guest molecule in the cavity, and the inclusion induces the asymmetrization of the host molecule. This host compound functions as a novel recognition tool for amino acids.     

Crystallization in low-energy deposition of titanium ions

To investigate crystallization in the ion beam deposition process, titanium ions were deposited on silicon wafers at 105 and 55 eV. As titanium is an active metal, titanium compounds are formed by absorbing backfilled or residual gas. At energy levels of 105 or 55 eV, titanium crystallizes in a NaCl-type titanium compound with the backfilling of air. In all samples, (110)-oriented crystals grew with a rectangular lattice arrangement of titanium atoms. The open channel <110> of preferentially oriented crystal growth was parallel to the direction of incident ions normal to the substrate surface.