The synthesis,characterization, and structure solution of SSZ-58: a novel two-dimensional 10-ring pore zeolite with previously unseen double 5-ring subunits

The synthesis, structure solution, and characterization of the novel zeolite SSZ-58 are described. SSZ-58 was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using 1-butyl-1-cyclooctylpyrrolidinium cation as a structure-directing agent. The framework topology of SSZ-58 was determined with the FOCUS Fourier recycling method. SSZ-58 possesses 12 tetrahedral atoms in the asymmetric unit of its highest topological symmetry, and to date it is the most complex zeolite structure solved from powder data. Rietveld refinement of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data in space group Pmma confirmed the proposed model. SSZ-58 contains layers of atoms that are linked together by double five-membered rings (D5R), or 5(2)4(5) subunits, that have not been observed before in any zeolite or zeotype structures. SSZ-58 possesses a two-dimensional channel system consisting of 10-membered ring pores that intersect to form large cavities circumscribed by 12- and 16-membered ring pores.     

Micro-electroluminescence spectroscopy investigation of mounting-induced strain and defects on high power GaAs/AlGaAs laser diodes

The degradation behaviour of AlGaAs high power laser bars has been investigated using micro-electroluminescence (-EL) spectroscopy, electroluminescence microscopy (ELM) and micro-photocurrent (-PC) spectroscopy. The emitters in each bar have been individually studied in detail. A significant blue shift of the EL spectra was observed for certain emitters. Inspection of these blue-shifted emitters with ELM also showed the presence of extended defects. The EL spectral shifts correlate with the blue shift of the quantum well (QW) absorption edge observed by photocurrent (PC) spectroscopy and is caused by a mounting induced strain. This correlation suggests that -EL spectroscopy is a reliable and sensitive technology for the recognition of defective emitters and thus for the reliability assessment of high power laser bars.     

Structurally Divergent Lithium Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts Reactions on Oxetan‐3‐ols: Synthesis of 3,3‐Diaryloxetanes and 2,3‐Dihydrobenzofurans

The first examples of 3,3‐diaryloxetanes are prepared in a lithium‐catalyzed and substrate dependent divergent Friedel–Crafts reaction. para‐Selective Friedel–Crafts reactions of phenols using oxetan‐3‐ols afford 3,3‐diaryloxetanes by displacement of the hydroxy group. These constitute new isosteres for benzophenones and diarylmethanes. Conversely, ortho‐selective Friedel–Crafts reactions of phenols afford 3‐aryl‐3‐hydroxymethyl‐dihydrobenzofurans by tandem alkylation–ring‐opening reactions; the outcome of the reaction diverging to structurally distinct products dependent on the substrate regioselectivity. Further reactivity of the oxetane products is demonstrated, suitable for incorporation into drug discovery efforts.     

Protein encapsulation: a new approach for improving the capability of small-molecule fluorogenic probes

Herein, we report a protein-based hybridization strategy that exploits the host-guest chemistry of HSA (human serum albumin) to solubilize the otherwise cell impermeable ONOO⁻ fluorescent probe Pinkment-OAc. Formation of a HSA/Pinkment-OAc supramolecular hybrid was confirmed by SAXS and solution-state analyses. This HSA/Pinkment-OAc hybrid provided an enhanced fluorescence response towards ONOO⁻versusPinkment-OAc alone, as determined by in vitro experiments. The HSA/Pinkment-OAc hybrid was also evaluated in RAW 264.7 macrophages and HeLa cancer cell lines, which displayed an enhanced cell permeability enabling the detection of SIN-1 and LPS generated ONOO⁻ and the in vivo imaging of acute inflammation in LPS-treated mice. A remarkable 5.6 fold (RAW 264.7), 8.7-fold (HeLa) and 2.7-fold increased response was seen relative to Pinkment-OAc alone at the cellular level and in vivo, respectively. We anticipate that HSA/fluorescent probe hybrids will soon become ubiquitous and routinely applied to overcome solubility issues associated with hydrophobic fluorescent imaging agents designed to detect disease related biomarkers.

Herein, we report a protein-based hybridization strategy that exploits the host–guest chemistry of HSA (human serum albumin) to solubilize the otherwise cell impermeable ONOO⁻ fluorescent probe Pinkment-OAc.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-trisubstituted alpha,beta-unsaturated amides and acids

Potassium alkoxides of N-acyl-oxazolidin-2-one-syn-aldols undergo stereoselective elimination reactions to afford a range of trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated amides in >95% de, that may be subsequently converted into their corresponding (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated acids or (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated oxazolines in good yield. syn-Aldols derived from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes gave their corresponding trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated-amides with poorer levels of diastereocontrol, whilst there was a similar loss in (E)-selectivity during elimination of syn-aldols derived from chiral aldehydes. These elimination reactions proceed via rearrangement of the potassium alkoxide of the syn-aldol to a 1,3-oxazinane-2,4-dione enolate intermediate that subsequently eliminates carbon dioxide to afford a trisubstituted (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated amide. The (E)-selectivity observed during the E1cB-type elimination step has been rationalised using a simple conformational model that employs a chair-like transition state to explain the observed stereocontrol.     

Lewis Acid-Promoted, Stereocontrolled, Gram Scale, Diels-Alder Cycloadditions of Electronically Matched 2-Pyrones and Vinyl Ethers: The Critical Importance of Molecular Sieves and the Temperature of Titanium Coordination with the Pyrone

(R)-(+)-Binol-titanium coordinates with commercial methyl 2-pyrone-3-carboxylate and promotes mild, highly enantiocontrolled Diels-Alder cycloadditions with electron-rich vinyl ether CH(2)=CHOCH(2)-1-naphthyl and vinyl silyl ether CH(2)=CHOSiMe(2)Bu-t leading to valuable 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol) intermediate (-)-2. Unexpectedly, two subtle variables were found to be critical for obtaining reproducibly over 90% enantioselectivities in gram scale cycloadditions: (1) the moisture content (15-17% is best) of the molecular sieves used to prepare the binol-titanium complex according to the Mikami protocol and (2) the temperature (50 degrees C is best) at which the pyrone ester is mixed with the binol-titanium complex. Unsubstituted 2-pyrone undergoes ytterbium-promoted, high-pressure, regioselective, and stereoselective Diels-Alder cycloaddition with benzyl vinyl ether to form versatile bicyclic lactone (+/-)-4 on gram scale.     

A new diastereoselective aza-allyl conjugate addition-Michael addition-ring closure reaction sequence and its application in the construction of six contiguous stereogenic centres

Reaction of the sodium anion of (S)-N-(alpha-methylbenzyl)allylamine with two equivalents of tert-butyl cinnamate results in a remarkable tandem aza-allyl conjugate addition-Michael addition-ring closure reaction, resulting in a chiral aminocyclohexane containing six new vicinal stereogenic centres with excellent levels of stereocontrol.