An efficient oxidative lactonization of 1,4-diols catalyzed by Cp*Ru(PN) complexes

[reaction: see text] An efficient oxidative lactonization of 1,4-diols in acetone is accomplished by the well-defined ruthenium catalyst, whose bifunctional nature underlies the high efficiency as well as unique chemo- and regioselectivity of the reaction which provides a rapid access to gamma-butyrolactones including flavor lactones hinokinin, and muricatacin.     

A PM3 study on intrinsic decarboxylation process of methyl–ethyl-α–pyridylacetic acid

To probe the decarboxylation process of methyl–ethyl–α pyridylacetic acid (MEPA), molecular orbital calculations on the optimized geometry, transition-state geometry, and intrinsic reaction coordinate were performed by the MNDO –PM 3 method. The salient features of the optimized structure of MEPA are that the carboxyl anion is nearly on the plane of the pyridine ring (the dihedral angle of C8? C7? C2? N1 is 14.7°) and that the interatomic distance

1 …? is used for a noncovalent bond, such as N⁺ 1 …? O^?9.

of O^?9 …? H1′ is 1.6 Å (exchange of electrons exists between their atoms). The transition-state geometry of the decarboxylation process has the following features: (1) the activation enthalpy is 6.0 kcal/mol, (2) the dihedral angle of C8? C7? C2? N1 is ?50.2°, and (3) the interatomic distance of O^?9? H1′ and C7? C8 increase by 111 and 124%, respectively, as compared with the optimized geometry. From the extreme beginning of the intrinsic decarboxylation process, the exchange of electrons between O^?9 …? H1′ begins to decrease. This decrease, which is considered to be induced by the rotation of C2? C7, seems to initiate the dissociation of C7? C8. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Low-Temperature Preparation of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 Perovskite Phase by Sol-Gel Method

We have investigated on the synthesis of Ba_{1 – x}Sr_xTiO₃ (BST, x = 0.0–1.0) solid solution at low temperature by a sol-gel method using precursor solutions of Ba(OC₂H₅)₂, Sr(OC₂H₅)₂, and Ti(OCH(CH₃)₂)₄ dissolved in 2-methoxyethanol. Crystalline BST solid solution monolithic gels were obtained as dried at 90°C. Crystalline fraction of BST gels increased with increasing concentration of the precursor solution and increasing amount of the hydrolysis water used. Ba_0.4Sr_0.6TiO₃ (x = 0.6) gels from a precursor solution of 0.5 mol/l with hydrolysis water of H₂O/Ti = 50 crystallized during aging at 30°C.     

Conformations and 13C NMR chemical shifts of some polyamides in the solid state as studied by high-resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy

High-resolution ¹³Carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of Nylons 4, 6, and 66 in the solid state were measured over a wide range of temperature. From the results, it was found that resonance lines of crystalline and noncrystalline components were separable and their chemical shifts were determined. The ¹³C chemical shift behavior is closely related to their conformation. The origin of the conformational effects on the chemical shifts is discussed.     

Regioselective lactonization of unsymmetrical 1,4-diols: an efficient access to lactone lignans

A Cp*Ru-based bifunctional catalyst system (Cp* = η(5)-C(5)(CH(3))(5)) with a suitably-designed PN ligand (PN = chelating tertiary phosphine-protic amine ligand) has been developed for a regioselective lactonization of unsymmetrically substituted 1,4-diols, which may provide an expeditious access to a variety of lactone lignans.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of carboxamides and esters by well-defined Cp*Ru complexes bearing a protic amine ligand

A novel catalytic method for the straightforward hydrogenation of carboxamides and esters to primary alcohols has been developed. Chiral modification in the ligand sphere of the well-defined Cp*Ru catalyst molecule opens up a new possibility for the development of an enantioselective hydrogenation of racemic substrates via dynamic kinetic resolution.     

Nylon 6 structure in solid state as studied by high-resolution 13C-NMR spectroscopy

High resolution ¹³C-NMR spectra of nylon 6 samples crystallized under various conditions and of a drawn sample were measured at room temperature by the cross polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) and pulse saturation transfer/magic angle spinning techniques. Additionally, ¹³C-NMR spectra of the drawn sample were measured at temperatures from 20 to 100°C by the CP/MAS technique and at 20 and 100°C by the low-power decoupling/magic angle spinning technique. The nylon 6 structure in the solid-state is discussed on the basis of these results. The solid-state ¹³C chemical shift data are used for reference in a study of conformation in solution.