A PM3 study on intrinsic decarboxylation process of methyl–ethyl-α–pyridylacetic acid

To probe the decarboxylation process of methyl–ethyl–α pyridylacetic acid (MEPA), molecular orbital calculations on the optimized geometry, transition-state geometry, and intrinsic reaction coordinate were performed by the MNDO –PM 3 method. The salient features of the optimized structure of MEPA are that the carboxyl anion is nearly on the plane of the pyridine ring (the dihedral angle of C8? C7? C2? N1 is 14.7°) and that the interatomic distance

1 …? is used for a noncovalent bond, such as N⁺ 1 …? O^?9.

of O^?9 …? H1′ is 1.6 Å (exchange of electrons exists between their atoms). The transition-state geometry of the decarboxylation process has the following features: (1) the activation enthalpy is 6.0 kcal/mol, (2) the dihedral angle of C8? C7? C2? N1 is ?50.2°, and (3) the interatomic distance of O^?9? H1′ and C7? C8 increase by 111 and 124%, respectively, as compared with the optimized geometry. From the extreme beginning of the intrinsic decarboxylation process, the exchange of electrons between O^?9 …? H1′ begins to decrease. This decrease, which is considered to be induced by the rotation of C2? C7, seems to initiate the dissociation of C7? C8. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High-pressure polymerization of vinyl chloride

The radical polymerization of vinyl chloride was investigated at 60°C under high pressure up to 5000 bar in benzaldehyde, benzonitrile, toluene, heptane, cyclohexane, and dioxane as solvent. In benzaldehyde and benzonitrile, the polymerizations were depressed by increased pressure. This unusual behavior was explained by the solvent participation and the effect of pressure on the propagating radicals. The crystallinities of polymer obtained in all solvents decreased with increasing pressure, as judged by the absorbance ratio of the infrared spectra. However the effects of pressure on the absorbance ratio of the polymer obtained in benzaldehyde and benzonitrile were not identical with those in the other solvents. These facts also suggest that both solvents play a special role for the solvent participation in the propagating step.     

Conjugated addition of cyanotrimethylsilane to α,β-unsaturated ketones

Triethylaluminium-mediated reaction of cyanotrimethylsilane with 6-methylbicyclo[4.4.0]dec-1-en-3-one affords a mixture of diastereomeric 1,4-adducts. The reaction is kinetically controlled in toluene, whereas thermodynamically in refluxing THF. 4-Methyl-3-penten-2-one and carvone analogously give the respective 1,4-adducts and a conjugated dienone addords the 1,6-adduct in good yield.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of aspidophytine

[structure: see text] An enantioselective total synthesis of aspidophytine is described. The indole fragment bearing a cis-alkene substituent was efficiently prepared through radical cyclization of a 2-alkenylphenylisocyanide followed by Sonogashira coupling of the generated 2-iodoindole derivative with a functionalized acetylene unit. After formation of the 11-membered cyclic amine, the aspidosperma skeleton and lactone ring were constructed to complete the total synthesis.     

Absolute structure, biosynthesis, and anti-microtubule activity of phomopsidin, isolated from a marine-derived fungus Phomopsis sp.

The absolute configuration of phomopsidin, a marine-derived fungal metabolite from Phomopsis sp. isolated at Pohnpei, was determined by the exciton chirality method as 6S, 7S, 8S, 11S, 12R, and 15R. The biosynthetic study using ¹³C-labeled precursors revealed the origin of all carbon atoms in phomopsidin, which was built by nine acetates and three methyl groups from l-methionine. Inhibitory activities of phomopsidin and its Me ester derivative against microtubule assembly were examined together with the structurally related compounds MK8383, solanapyrones, and tanzawaic acids. Phomopsidin and its (16Z)-isomer (MK8383) showed anti-microtubule activity at IC₅₀ of 5.7 and 8.0 μM, respectively, while the Me ester and other compounds were not active at 100 μM.     

Crystal and molecular structures of cis-1-phenyl-3-piperidinocyclohexan-1-ol hydrochloride

Mr = 295.84, triclinic, Pl, a = 6.786(1), b = 7.658(1), c = 8.561(1) Å, α = 108.17(1), β = 97.94(1), γ = 103.32(2)°, V = 400.6 ų, Z = 1,D_m = 1.23, D_x = 1.226 Mgm^?3, δ(Cu Kα) = 1.5418 Å, μ = 20.81 cm^?1, F(000) = 160. The structure has been solved by direct and Fourier methods and refined by a least-squares procedure to the final R = 0.043 for 1182 observed reflections (|F_o] >3σ(F_o)). cis-1-Phenyl-3-piperidinocyclohexan-1-ol possessing 1,3-diaxial positions between the piperidine and hydroxyl groups is converted to the isomer with 1,3-diequatorial positions in its hydrochloride. The hydrogen bond is formed between the chloride anion and the protonated nitrogen atom of piperidine instead of the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the free cis-base between the oxygen and nitrogen atoms.     

Syntheses and optical properties of stable 8-alkylidene-bacteriochlorins mimicking the molecular structures of natural bacteriochlorophylls-b and g

We prepared bacteriochlorophyll(BChl)-b and g models by Diels-Alder reactions of 8-vinyl-chlorophylls with tetracyanoethylene. The resulting 8-alkylidene-bacteriochlorins with various substituent groups at the 3-position had the same π-conjugate as BChls-b/g. While the natural pigments isomerized by addition of an acid to afford the corresponding chlorins, the synthetic models were stable under the acidic conditions due to dialkylation at the 7-position. These BChl-b/g models are useful for investigating the optical properties of relatively unstable BChls-b/g.     

Determination of residual chlorine in tap water by flow-injection spectrophotometry

The method is based on the redox reaction between 4,4′-tetramethyldiaminothiobenzophenone (thio-Michler's ketone) and chlorine at pH 3.5; 2-methoxyethanol and Triton X-100 are used to keep the reagent in solution. The absorbance of the blue quinoidal product is measured at 640 nm. Linear calibration is obtained for 0.2?1.0 mg l^?1 chlorine. The method is suitable for tap waters.     

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF CONTINUOUS FAR-RED PREIRRADIATION ON CHLOROPHYLL ACCUMULATION OF PHARBITIS NIL COTYLEDONS

Abstract The effect of continuous far-red (FR) preirradiation on the accumulation of chlorophyll (Chi) during a white light (WL; 500 lx) period was examined using Pharbitis nil cotyledons. The saturation level of accumulated Chi attained after prolonged exposure to WL was always lowered by continuous FR irradiation preceding the WL. The rate of Chi accumulation during the rapid increase phase (operationally defined as the amount of Chi accumulated during a 24-h WL period) was enhanced by preirradiation with up to 36 h of FR. However, when the FR preirradiation lasted longer, the rate was reduced below the dark control level. Even FR preirradiation of up to 36 h fully reduced the rate of Chi accumulation under WL when 36 h or longer darkness was spaced between the FR and the WL period.     

Intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition strategy for enantioselective synthesis of FR-900482 analogues

[reaction: see text] Enantioselective synthesis of FR-900482 analogues is described. The key reaction of the synthesis is intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a highly functionalized nitrile oxide with complete stereo- and regioselectivities to construct the eight-membered benzazocine ring.