Enantioselective 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Using (Z)-α-Amidonitroalkenes as a Key Step to the Access to Chiral cis-3,4-Diaminopyrrolidines

The enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between imino esters and (Z)-nitroalkenes bearing a masked amino group in the β-position was studied using several chiral ligands and silver salts. The optimized reaction conditions were directly applied to the study of the scope of the reaction. The determination of the absolute configuration was evaluated using NMR experiments and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The reduction and hydrolysis of both groups was performed to generate in an excellent enantiomeric ratio the corresponding cis-2,3-diaminoprolinate.     

Application of spectroscopic imaging in epilepsy

Functional and anatomical neuroimaging has had a dramatic effect on the evaluation of patients for seizure surgery. The demonstration by PET that the epileptogenic focus has interictal metabolic abnormalities has allowed a greater number of patients to come to seizure surgery, with fewer of these patients requiring intracranial electrode evaluations. Metabolic changes have also been demonstrated utilizing single voxel and whole brain ¹H and ³¹P MRS imaging techniques with the interictal focus characterized by increased Pi, pH, and decreased PME and NAA. These findings can be used to accurately lateralize temporal lobe as well as frontal lobe epilepsy. Furthermore, there is evidence that these findings can be used to localize the seizure focus with the changes specific for the epileptogenic region; although, more diffuse changes both ipsilaterally and contralaterally have been seen. In patients with anterior hippocampal seizure foci the pH is significantly alkaline only in the ipsilateral hippocampus, whereas the increased Pi and decreased PME can be seen throughout the ipsilateral temporal lobe. When compared to controls the contralateral hemisphere is acidotic. Decreased NAA concentrations as well as NAA/Cr ratios have been demonstrated in the epileptogenic region in temporal and frontal lobe epilepsy. The decreased NAA has been correlated with the severity of cell loss, and may be a more sensitive measure than qualitative or quantitative measures of the hippocampal atrophy; however, the NAA decrease is more widespread than just the epileptogenic focus but may be maximal at the site of seizure initiation. In preliminary work, NAA maps of deviation from normality have suggested the maximal change to coincide with the epileptogenic region. These results suggest that in focal epilepsy there is abnormal metabolic activity throughout the brain detectable by MRS, with patterns of metabolic asymmetry that are useful for seizure localization.     

The New Data for the Reaction of Arylenedioxy Trihalogenophosphoranes with Alkyl- and Arylacetylenes

The new data concerning the reaction between substituted arylenedioxy trihalogenophosphoranes and monoalkyl- or arylacetylenes are summarized. The reaction leads to formation of six-membered heterocycles-2-oxo-4-R-benzo[ e ]-1,2-oxaphosphorin-3-enes. The substituent effects in the phosphorane and acetylene molecules on the ipso -substitution and halogenation regiochemistry are discussed. The ipso -substitution of tert -butyl group on chlorine and the exchange of bromine on chlorine and iodine on hydrogen have been observed, along with formation of benzophosphorines. The interaction of tetrachloro- ortho -benzoquinone with phosphorus trichloride and arylacetylenes is proposed as a new modification of the reaction leading to the formation of benzo[ e ]-1,2-oxaphosphorines. The structures of some benzo[ e ]-1,2-oxaphosphorines are determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

A Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Highly-Functionalized Stable Heterocyclic Phosphorus Ylides in Aqueous Media

Phthalimide or succinimide undergo a reaction with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and triphenylphosphine to produce highly-functionalized stable heterocyclic phosphorus ylides in good yields in water-tetrahydrofuran (6:1). This methodology is of interest because of the use of water as solvent, thus minimizing the cost, operational hazards, and environmental pollution.     

A Simple Synthesis of Stable Phosphoranes Derived from Imidazole Derivatives

Stable crystalline phosphorus ylides were obtained in excellent yields from the 1:1:1 addition reaction between triphenylphosphine and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, in the presence of strong NH-acids, such as imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, 2-ethylimidazole, benzimidazole, and 5,6-dimethylbezimidazole. These stable ylides exist in solution as a mixture of two geometrical isomers as a result of restricted rotation around the carbon–carbon partial double bond resulting from the conjugation of the ylide moiety with the adjacent carbonyl group.     

Lithium-1,3-Benzazaphospholides: Structure and Reactivity

The formation, structure and electrophilic substitution reactions at phosphorus or nitrogen of N -lithium-1,3-benzazaphospholides is reported.     

Book Review

Abstract

A Guide to Organophosphorus Chemistry, by Louis D. Quin, an internationally recognized authority, published by John Wiley and Sons (http://www.wiley.com/chemistry) ISBN 0-471-31824-8, $94.95, 394pp.

Aminophosphonic and Aminophosphinic Acids: Chemistry and Biological Activity. Editors: Valery P. Kukhar (Ukrainian Academy of Sciences) and Harry R Hudson (University of North London). Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd., Chichester, UK, on 31 March, 2000. ISBN 0 471-89149-5, 175.00 Pounds sterling, 634 pages.

Phosphorus Ylides. Chemistry and Application in Organic Synthesis, by Oleg I. Kolodiazhnyi. Published by Wiley-VCH, 1999, ISBN 3-527-29531-3, 220SF, 555 pages.     

High Stability of a Phosphenium Ion Allows Umpolung of P--H Bonds

The high intrinsic stability of 1,3,2-diazaphospholenium cations enhances ionic polarization of covalent P--X bonds in P -halogeno- and P -hydrido-diazaphospholenes. The physical properties of the latter suggest a hydridic nature of the P--H bond, and their reactivities display an "Umpolung" as compared to known reaction patterns of phosphines.