Isomerization polymerization of β-propiolactones carrying side-chain ester groups

Based on our recent discovery of the isomerization polymerization of β-(2-acetoxyethyl)-β-propiolactone into poly-δ-ester,^1,2 we examined the generality of this phenomenon by using two related monomers. The catalysts were (EtAlO)_n and Et(ZnO)₂ZnEt. The side-chains in the monomers selected were the (CH₃)₂CHCOO? CH₂CH₂? (2) and (CH₃)CICHCOO? CH₂CH₂? (3) groups in which steric effects are almost identical but electronic effects are in opposition. The monomers yielded isomerized poly-δ-ester units, depending on the terminal substituent groups in the side-chain. These observations can be interpreted with the bicyclic intermediate proposed in the earlier work. Monomer (2) was reactive and produced a poly-δ-ester structure most readily, probably because of the higher electron density at the side-chain ester group which coordinated with the catalyst. In contrast, monomer (3) was less reactive, and the probability of isomerization was the lowest, i.e., the electron deficient side-chain ester group apparently interfered with the formation of the intermediate, especially in the Zn-catalysis. Equibinary random copolymers were prepared from (2) and (3) according to the catalyst and polymerization conditions chosen.     

Asymmetric cyclization via memory of chirality: a concise access to cyclic amino acids with a quaternary stereocenter

N-(omega-Bromoalkyl)-amino acid derivatives, readily prepared from natural alpha-amino acids, gave cyclic amino acids with a quaternary stereocenter by treatment with potassium hexamethyldisilazaide in DMF. The chirality of parent amino acids was almost completely preserved during an enolate-formation and cyclization process, giving aza-cyclic amino acids in up to 98% ee in retention of configuration. This method is applicable to the asymmetric synthesis of azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, and azepane derivatives. The asymmetric cyclization seems to proceed via an axially chiral enolate intermediate and not through a concerted SEi process.     

Synthesis, conformation and PKC isozyme surrogate binding of indolinelactam-Vs, new conformationally restricted analogues of (−)-indolactam-V

New conformationally restricted analogues of tumor promoter (−)-indolactam-V (1), indolinelactam-Vs (8, 11) and their hexyl derivatives at position 1 or 7 (9, 10, 12, 13), were synthesized from 1. (3R)-Indolinelactam-V (8) adopted a conformation similar to the twist form of 1 with a cis amide, while the conformation of (3S)-indolinelactam-V (11) was close to that of the sofa form of 1 with a trans amide. 7-Hexyl derivatives of 8 and 11 (10, 13) showed binding affinities for C1 domains of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes compared to 1, but exhibited little selectivity among these PKC isozymes. However, introduction of the hexyl group at position 1 of 8 and 11 significantly enhanced their binding selectivity for novel PKC isozymes. The best selectivity for novel PKC isozymes was observed in (3S)-1-hexylindolinelactam-V (12) with a sofa-like conformation. These results suggest that a sofa-restricted analogue of 1 with a hydrophobic chain at an appropriate position would be a promising lead for designing agents with a high selectivity for novel PKC isozymes.     

Diastereoselective Iodocarbocyclization Reaction of 2- or 3-Oxy-4-pentenylmalonate Derivatives

1,2- Or 1,3-asymmetric induction in the iodocarbocyclization reaction of 4-pentenylmalonate derivatives having a stereogenic center at an allylic or a homoallylic position has been investigated. The iodocarbocyclization reactions of 3-oxy-4-pentenylmalonate derivatives proceeded with high cis-selectivity through stereoelectronic control of the oxygenated substituent at an allylic position. In the reaction of (S)-2-siloxy-4-pentenylmalonate, an excellent diastereoselectivity was achieved through the utilization of double stereodifferentiation with a chiral titanium catalyst. Furthermore, as an application of the present reaction, the asymmetric syntheses of cyclosarkomycin and a synthetic intermediate of brefeldin A from optically pure 2- and 3-oxy-4-pentenylmalonate derivatives are also described.     

Magnetic susceptibilities of UO2ThO2 solid solutions

The magnetic susceptibility of UO₂ThO₂ solid solutions has been measured from room temperature to 2.0 K. The magnetic moment and the Weiss constant have been determined in the temperature range in which the Curie-Weiss law holds. For the solid solutions showing antiferromagnetic transition, the Néel temperature has been also determined. These values decrease monotonically with increasing ThO₂ concentration. The results were analyzed using the molecular field theory which includes the interaction between next-nearest neighbor spins. The interactions between nearest neighbor spins, J₁, and those between next-nearest neighbor spins, J₂, both decrease with increasing ThO₂ concentration. The change of J₁ with composition is larger than that of J₂. The effect of magnetic dilution with ThO₂ is considered to be stronger on the interaction between nearest neighbor uranium ions.     

Starburst dendrimer-supported pseudostationary phases for electrokinetic chromatography

Pseudo-stationary phases for electrokinetic chromatography were prepared by the alkylation of starburst dendrimers (SBDs). The SBD-supported pseudo-stationary phase with dodecyl groups showed higher efficiency than short-akyl derivatives, and maintained the hydrophobic property inthe presence of methanol. The dodecyl-modified SBD provided wide migration time windows ar high methanol content to effect the separation of sixteen aromatic hydrocarbons, the priority pollutants designated by EPA, in 65% methanol. The selectivity of polymer-supported pseudo-stationary phase can be varied simply by changing the length of the alkyl groups. The dodecyl SBD showed relatively similar selectivity as sodium dodecyl culfate micelle, whereas short alkyl derivatives showed preference towards rigid and planar compounds based on the rigid and planar compounds based on the rigid polymer backbones. The selectivity of SBD-supported pseudo-stationary phases was dominated by the chain length of the alkyl groups, with the minor effect of the structure of the core and the generation of SBD where alkyl groups were attached.     

Development of a regenerable cell culture system that senses and releases dead cells

We developed a rapidly regenerable cell culture system in which the cell culture substrate detects cell death and selectively releases the dead cells. This culture material was achieved by combining a detector that responds to the signal from the dead cells and an actuator to release the dead cells. Benzo-18-crown-6-acrylamide (BCAm) with a pendant crown ether receptor was used as the sensor to recognize cellular signals and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) was used as the actuator. This copolymer of NIPAM and BCAm can respond to potassium ions and change its nature from hydrophobic to hydrophilic at the culture temperature of 37 degrees C. Living cells concentrate potassium ion internally; when cells die, potassium ions are released. The polymer surface recognizes the potassium ions released from the dead cells, the NIPAM hydrates, and the dead cells are selectively detached. This in vitro culture system is a novel one in which artificial culture materials work cooperatively with cellular metabolism by responding to this signal from the cells, thereby realizing in vitro tissue regeneration partly mimicking the mechanisms of in vivo homeostasis.     

Reaction of carboxamide with Cu2Oisonitrile complex; formation of a new chelated copper(I) complex

Reaction of carboxamides with Cu₂O in the presence of t-butyl isocyanide gave new chelated copper(I) complexes, which probably are formed by the insertion of t-butyl isocyanide into the coppernitrogen bond of copper(I) amide isonitrile complexes, which were initially produced from the carboxamides and Cu₂Ot-butyl isocyanide complex. The same chelated copper(I) complexes were prepared more readily by the reaction of the corresponding N-trimethylsilyl-carboxamides with Cu₂Ot-butyl isocyanide complex. Reactions of the copper(I) complexes thus obtained with alkylating agents, such as alkyl halides, alkyl tosylates and triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate, also were described.     

Formation Thermodynamics of Binary and Ternary Lanthanide(III) Complexes with 1,10-Phenanthroline and Chloride in N,N-Dimethylformamide

Formation thermodynamics of binary and ternary lanthanide(III) (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Tm, Lu) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and the chloride ion have been studied by titration calorimetry and spectrophotometry in N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF) containing 0.2 mol-dm^–3 (C₂H₅)₄NClO₄ as a constant ionic medium at 25°C. In the binary system with 1,10-phenanthroline, the Ln(phen)³⁺ complex is formed for all the lanthanide(III) ions examined. The reaction enthalpy and entropy values for the formation of Ln(phen)³⁺ decrease in the order La > Ce > Nd, then increase in the order Nd < Eu < Gd < Dy, and again decrease in the order Dy > Tm > Lu. The variation is explained in terms of the coordination structure of Ln(phen)³⁺ that changes from eight to seven coordination with decreasing ionic radius of the metal ion. In the ternary Ln³⁺-Cl^–-phen system, the formation of LnCl(phen)²⁺, LnCl₂(phen)⁺, and LnCl₃(phen) was established for cerium(III), neodymium(III), and thulium(III), and their formation constants, enthalpies, and entropies were obtained. The enthalpy and entropy values are also discussed from the structural point of view.