Radical cyclopolymerization of dimethacrylates bearing rigid adamantane-like core derived from naturally occurring myo-inositol

Dimethacrylates with rigid adamantane-like cores were synthesized from myo-inositol orthoester via a sequence of (a) acylation or silylation of the equatorially oriented hydroxyl group, followed by (b) attachment of methacrylate groups on the axially oriented hydroxyl groups. The radical homopolymerization of these compounds proceeded via cyclopolymerization without crosslinking, as the two axially oriented methacrylate groups were fixed in close proximity with each other. The dimethacrylates underwent radical copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) to afford the corresponding polymethacrylates, exhibiting high glass transition temperatures (T_g), due to the introduction of the rigid orthoester moieties originating from the monomers and the macrocyclic structures formed via intramolecular cyclization of the two methacrylate groups of the monomers. The polymers obtained by polymerization of the dimethacrylate bearing a silylated hydroxyl group served as precursors of hydroxyl-bearing polymers, which also exhibited high T_g due to the formation of a hydrogen bonding network between the hydroxyl groups.     

N-Methylated Peptide Synthesis via Generation of an Acyl N-Methylimidazolium Cation Accelerated by a Brønsted Acid

The development of a robust amide-bond formation remains a critical aspect of N-methylated peptide synthesis. In this study, we synthesized a variety of dipeptides in high yields, without severe racemization, from equivalent amounts of amino acids. Highly reactive N-methylimidazolium cation species were generated in situ to accelerate the amidation. The key to success was the addition of a strong Brønsted acid. The developed amidation enabled the synthesis of a bulky peptide with a higher yield in a shorter amount of time compared with the results of conventional amidation. In addition, the amidation can be performed by using either a microflow reactor or a conventional flask. The first total synthesis of naturally occurring bulky N-methylated peptides, pterulamides I–IV, was achieved. Based on experimental results and theoretical calculations, we speculated that a Brønsted acid would accelerate the rate-limiting generation of acyl imidazolium cations from mixed carbonic anhydrides.     

Trinuclear copper(II) complex showing high selectivity for the hydrolysis of 2'-5' over 3'-5' for UpU and 3'-5' over 2'-5' for ApA ribonucleotides

The cooperative action of multiple Cu(II) nuclear centers is shown to be effective and selective in the hydrolysis of 2'-5' and 3'-5' ribonucleotides. Reported herein is the specific catalysis by two trinuclear Cu(II) complexes of L3A and L3B. Pseudo first-order kinetic studies reveal that the L3A trinuclear Cu(II) complex effects hydrolysis of Up(2'-5')U with a rate constant of 28 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) and Up(3'-5')U with a rate constant of 0.5 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1). The hydrolyses of Ap(3'-5')A and Ap(2'-5')A proceed with rate constants of 24 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) and 0.5 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) respectively. The L3A trinuclear Cu(II) complex demonstrates high specificity for Up(2'-5')U and Ap(3'-5')A. Similar studies with the more rigid L3B trinuclear Cu(II) complex shows no selectivity and yields lower rate constants for hydrolysis. The selectivity observed with the L3A ligand is attributed to the geometry of the ligand-bound diribonucleotide which ultimately dictates the proximity of the attacking hydroxyl and the phosphoester to a Cu(II) center for activation and subsequent hydrolysis.     

A concise enantioselective synthesis of antimalarial febrifugine alkaloids

Reaction of (S)-2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-5-(mesyloxy)pentanal with hydroxylamine in allyl alcohol brought about simultaneous 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the resulting nitrone to allyl alcohol to give three diastereoisomeric adducts, from which (+)-febrifugine and (+)-isofebrifugine, potent antimalarial alkaloids, were synthesized.     

Polymeric catechol derivatives. IV. Polymerization behavior of 4-vinylcatechols and some properties of their polymeric derivatives

The polymerization and copolymerization of 4-vinylcatechols, such as 2-(0-methyl)-4-vinylcatechol (I), 3,4-dimethoxystyrene (II), and 3,4-methylenedioxystyrene (III), were investigated in cyclohexanone at 30°C, using tri-n-butylborane as an initiator. The reactions yielded vinyl polymers and copolymers. The copolymerization parameters of I–III were determined; their Q and e values were found to be similar to those of styrene and vinylhydroquinone. The copolymerization of I–III gave copolymers of a highly alternating character. The thermal stability of the polymers and copolymers so obtained was also studied. The redox potentials of hydroloyzed poly(I) were examined; the reverse “polymer effect” was observed.     

Observation of cerium isotope fractionation in ion-exchange chromatography of Ce(III)-malate complex

The cerium isotope fractionation between Ce(III)-malate complex in aqueous solution and cerium ions in a cation-exchange resin was conducted by displacement chromatography. The pH and the chemical composition of the eluent were optimized for maintaining the self-sharpening band boundaries and the 21 m chromatographic migration of the Ce band underwent. Graphite slurry was coated on the tantalum filament prior to sample loading for reducing the isobaric interferences in cerium isotopic ratio determination by mass spectrometry. From the experimental results, it was found that the heavier isotope was enriched in the front boundary part of the cerium adsorption band, which meant that the heavier isotope was preferentially fractionated into the Ce3+ malate complex rather than simply hydrated Ce3+ ions. The isotope separation coefficient for the 136Ce/140Ce and 142Ce/140Ce was 5.2 x 10(-5) and -1.9 x 10(-5), respectively, at 298 K.     

Highly Regioselective 5-endo-tet Cyclization of 3,4-Epoxy Amines into 3-Hydroxypyrrolidines Catalyzed by La(OTf)3

Highly regioselective intramolecular aminolysis of 3,4-epoxy amines has been achieved. Key features of this reaction are (1) chemoselective activation of epoxides in the presence of unprotected aliphatic amines in the same molecules by a La(OTf)₃ catalyst and (2) excellent regioselectivity for anti-Baldwin 5-endo-tet cyclization. This reaction affords 3-hydroxy-2-alkylpyrrolidines stereospecifically in high yields. DFT calculations revealed that the regioselectivity might be attributed to distortion energies of epoxy amine substrates. The use of this reaction was demonstrated by the first enantioselective synthesis of an antispasmodic agent prifinium bromide.