Rational Development of Remote C−H Functionalization of Biphenyl: Experimental and Computational Studies

A simple and efficient nitrile-directed meta-C−H olefination, acetoxylation, and iodination of biaryl compounds is reported. Compared to the previous approach of installing a complex U-shaped template to achieve a molecular U-turn and assemble the large-sized cyclophane transition state for the remote C−H activation, a synthetically useful phenyl nitrile functional group could also direct remote meta-C−H activation. This reaction provides a useful method for the modification of biaryl compounds because the nitrile group can be readily converted to amines, acids, amides, or other heterocycles. Notably, the remote meta-selectivity of biphenylnitriles could not be expected from previous results with a macrocyclophane nitrile template. DFT computational studies show that a ligand-containing Pd–Ag heterodimeric transition state (TS) favors the desired remote meta-selectivity. Control experiments demonstrate the directing effect of the nitrile group and exclude the possibility of non-directed meta-C−H activation. Substituted 2-pyridone ligands were found to be key in assisting the cleavage of the meta-C−H bond in the concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD) process.     

Experimental results on radiative muon capture in complex nuclei

Experimental results for the radiative muon capture branching ratio in several nuclei and the photon-muon spin asymmetry in⁴⁰Ca are reported. For the measurements a two arm Nalspectrometer was used. Apart from²⁶O and⁴⁰Ca, where we confirm previous results of our group, new data on¹²C,²⁶Fe,¹⁶⁵Ho and²⁰⁹Bi are presented. No available theoretical models explain all the data consistently. The preliminary results for the asymmetry measurements, obtained using a stroboscopic method are in agreement with previous measurements and with theoretical calculations.Presented at the symposium Mesons and Light Nuclei, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, May 27–June 1, 1985.     

Effects of allylic and homoallylic substituents on the ring closing metathesis reaction used to synthesise simplified eleuthesides

During the course of our synthetic studies towards simplified eleuthesides, we have found that p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) protected allylic alcohols are compatible with the RCM reaction and can give better yields than the corresponding free allylic alcohols.     

Photochemistry of iminium salts : Electron transfer mechanisms for singlet quenching and photoaddition of n-electron donating alcohols and ethers

Several aspects of past and current studies in the area of iminium salt photochemistry are discussed. Investigations of olefin-iminium salt photoaddition and photocyclization reactions are reviewed and conclusions about electron-transfer pathways for fluorescence quenching and reaction are discussed. The results of recent studies of alcohol and ether photoaddition to 2-phenyl-1-pyrrolinium salts are presented. These C-C bond forming processes occur in moderate yields to produce β-amino alcohol or ether products. In addition, alcohols and ethers serve as efficient quenchers of pyrrolinium salt fluorescence. Rate constants for quenching appear to be dependent upon both the oxidation potential of the alcohols and ethers and the availability of C-H bond α to oxygen. This data along with deuterium isotope effects on quenching combine to suggest a common mechanism for both fluorescence quenching and photoaddition. The nature of this mechanism is tested using the comparative quenching effeciencies of the tertiary alcohols t-butyl alcohol and 1,2,2-trimethyl-1-cyclopropanol. The latter alcohol having a weak C-C bond adjacent to the hydroxyl function quenches the fluorescence of 2-phenyl-1-pyrrolium salts at a rate two orders of magnitude greater than for t-butyl alcohol. The observations made are interpreted in terms of a sequential electron-proton transfer mechanism for quenching and photoaddition. Lastly, the relationship of iminium salt photochemical studies to other investigations of electron-transfer photochemistry is discussed.     

Cyclic PNA-based compound directed against HIV-1 TAR RNA: modelling, liquid-phase synthesis and TAR binding

A cyclic molecule including a hexameric PNA sequence has been designed and synthesized in order to target the TAR RNA loop of HIV-1 through the formation of a "kissing complex". For comparison, its linear analogue has also been investigated. The synthesis of the cyclic and linear PNA has been accomplished following a liquid-phase strategy using mixed PNA and fully N-protected (aminoethylglycinamide) fragments. The interactions of this cyclic PNA and its linear analogue with TAR RNA have been studied and the results indicate clearly that no interaction occurs between the cyclic antisense PNA and TAR RNA, whereas a tenuous interaction has been detected with its linear PNA analogue.     

The di-π-methane rearrangement : The effect of 1,4-diene structure and conformation on the reaction efficiency and stereochemistry

The photochemistry of the stereoisomeric 1,3-dimethyl-3(2-phenylethenyl)cyclohexenes has been explored Direct irradiation of the cis- and trans-β-styrylcyclohexenes leads to di-π-methane rearrangement, producing the endo- and exo-3,7-dimethyl-8-phenybicyclo[5.1.0]oct-2-enes, and cis -trans isomerization, interconverting the 1,4-diene containing substrates. Triplet sensitized photolysis of both substituted cyclohexenes leads exclusively to cis-trans isomerization. Results from low conversion direct irradiations of the cis- and trans-β-styrylcyclohexenes indicate that the singlet rearrangements are stereospecific, and lead to formation of the 8-exo and 8-endo-phenylbicyclic octenes, respectively. The relationship between di-π-methane structure and triplet reaction efficiency, and the effect of conformation on the rearrangement stereochemistry are discussed.     

Solid-phase synthesis of the cyclic lipononadepsipeptide [N-Mst(Ser1), d-Ser4, L-Thr6, L-Asp8, L-Thr9]syringotoxin

An optimized solid-phase strategy for the preparation of the cyclic lipononadepsipeptide [N-Mst(L-Ser1), D-Ser4, L-Thr6, L-Asp8, L-Thr9]syringotoxin is reported. The strategy is based on the use of a mild orthogonal protection scheme and the incorporation of the nonproteinogenic amino acid (Z)-Dhb into the peptide chain as the dipeptide Fmoc-Thr(tBu)-(Z)-Dhb-OH. The didehydrodipeptide was synthesized by a water-soluble carbodiimide-induced beta-elimination of a protected dipeptide containing a residue of Thr with its free hydroxy side chain unprotected.     

Effect of total percent polyacrylamide in capillary gel electrophoresis for DNA sequencing of short fragments. A phenomenological model.

Polyacrylamide capillary gels were prepared with constant (5% C) cross-linker concentration and with total acrylamide concentration ranging from 2.5 to 6% T. At each acrylamide concentration, peak spacing was constant for DNA sequencing fragments ranging from 25 to 250 nucleotides in length. Peak spacing increased linearly with the total acrylamide concentration. The intercept of the retention time vs. fragment length plot was independent of % T. Ferguson plots were constructed for short DNA fragments; the polyacrylamide pore size falls in the 2.5 to 3.5 nm range for the gels studied. Theoretical plate count is independent of total acrylamide concentration; longitudinal diffusion, and not thermal gradients, limit the plate count. A phenomenological model is presented that predicts retention time, plate count, and resolution for sequencing fragments ranging in size from 25 to 250 bases and gels that range from 2.5 to 6% total acrylamide.