Stereological simulations of asymmetric polymerization in channels of bile acid inclusion compounds: A detailed analysis of the monomer arrangements in the channels

We studied simulations by computer graphics to estimate the steric mechanism of the asymmetric polymerization of prochiral diene monomers in channels of inclusion compounds of steroidal bile acids, such as deoxycholic acid (DCA) and cholic acid. We applied a hierarchization method to interpret the crystal structures of bile acids, clarifying that the chiral host molecules associated to form characteristic 2₁-helical assemblies with uneven surfaces. A detailed analysis of the uneven channels in a close-packing state indicated that there were many possible arrangements of the monomers in the channels. The plausible arrangements in the channel could explain a previous study, which showed that the polymerization in the DCA channel yielded chiral polymers with a predominant configuration from prochiral diene monomers, such as 2-methyl-trans-1,3-pentadiene. On the basis of such simulation studies of the arrangements of guest monomers in the channel, we examined a plausible steric mechanism for asymmetric inclusion polymerization. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4648–4655, 2004     

Novel Chiral Ferrocenyl Aziridino Alcohol Catalysts Promoting Asymmetric Addition of Diethylzinc to Aldehydes

Optically active aziridino alcohols containing ferrocenyl groups were prepared from commercially available L-threonine in excellent yields and used as catalysts to promote the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aryaldehydes to afford 1-arylpropanol in up to 84% enantiomeric excesses with moderate to good yields.     

Ti(IV)/BINOL-catalyzed asymmetric aldol reaction of a masked acetoacetic ester: pronounced influence of catalyst concentration on nonlinear effects

Initial concentration of enantioenriched or enantiopure catalysts proved to be an important factor for the achievement of a more pronounced amplification of ee's in the Ti(IV)/BINOL-catalyzed aldol reaction of an O-silyldienolate.     

Carbonyl allylations by 3-halopropenes or 2-propenyl mesylate with tin(IV) chloride and tetrabutylammonium iodide

2-Propenyl tin species, prepared from 3-halopropenes or 2-propenyl mesylate with tin(IV) chloride and tetrabutylammonium iodide in dichloromethane, causes nucleophilic addition to aldehydes to produce the corresponding homoallylic alcohols.     

An Improved Synthesis of Retinoic Acid from β-Ionone

A convenient and large-scale preparation of retinoic acid 1 from β-ionone in five steps with 38% overall yield is described.The key steps are the epoxidization of 2 with a new methylated agent and the condensation 4 with tetraethyl methylenediphophonate in one-pot procedure to prepare 6.