ALBERT

Notizen: Abstract The perception of shape from shading was tested in two chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and five humans (Homo sapiens), using visual search tasks. Subjects were required to select and touch an odd item (target) from among uniform distractors. Humans found the target faster when shading was vertical than when it was horizontal, consistent with results of previous research. Both chimpanzees showed the opposite pattern: they found the target faster when shading was horizontal. The same difference in response was found in texture segregation tasks. This difference between the species could not be explained by head rotation or head shift parallel to the surface of the monitor. Furthermore, when the shaded shape was changed from a circle to a square, or the shading type was changed from gradual to stepwise, the difference in performance between vertical and horizontal shading disappeared in chimpanzees, but persisted in humans. These results suggest that chimpanzees process shading information in a different way from humans.

Notizen: 5,6-Dimethylidene-exo-2,3-epoxynorbornane (1) is reduced slowly by LiAlH4 in boiling tetrahydrofuran (THF) and furnishes a mixture of 5,6-dimethylidene-exo-2-norbornanol (2), 2,3-dimethylidene-anti-7-norbornanol (3) and principally 6-methyl-5-methylidene-anti-3-nortricyclanol (4). The yield of 4 is the highest for low initial concentrations of LiAlH4; it decreases in favour of alcohols 2 and 3 at high concentration of LiAlH4. The reduction of 1 with AlH3 in THF yields 3 as the major product, thus revealing an efficient synthesis of 7-substituted-2, 3-dimethyl-idenenorbornane derivatives. No alcohol 2could be isolated by LiEt3BH reduction of 1. LiAlD4 reduces 1 into the monodeuterated alcohols 2-d, 3-d and 4-d. The deuterium label is found in the endo-position at C (3) in 2-d, in the exo-position at C(5) in 3-d and in the methyl group of the tricyclic alcohol 4-d. Mechanistic limits for the formation of 2, 3 and 4 are discussed briefly.

Notizen: The enthalpy of formation of tris(methylidene)-cyclopropane (“[3]radialene”, 1) has been determined as ΔHfO = 396 ± 12 kJ mol-1 from three fragmentation reactions of its molecular ion 1+ formed from 1 by photoionisation using synchrotron radiation. Comparative electron impact measurements using conventional mass spectrometry were also performed. A treatment of the latter data is described which leads to satisfactory agreement with the photoionization data. The experimental value of ΔHfO(1) is compared with various theoretical estimates. The strain energy of 1 is calculated to be 226.3 kJ mol-1. Linear extrapolation of this quantity from the increase of strain in passing from cyclopropane to methylidenecyclopropane yields 282.4 kJ mol-1. The discrepancy between these values, already predicted by Dewar and Baird ten years ago from theoretical calculations, is discussed on the basis of maximum overlap considerations. The enthalpy of formation of bis(methylidene)cyclopropane is predicted to be ΔHfO= 309 kJ mol-1.

Notizen: Leaf-gland Pigments: 6-Novel p-Quinomethanes of the Abietane Series from Plectranthus parviflorus WILLDThe above mentioned plant accumulates in its red coloured leaf-glands a complex mixture of strongly dehydrogenated abietanols. They were separated (with difficulties) to yield 6 novel compounds. Spectroscopic and chiroptic data show them to be esters of either 11, 19-dihydroxy- or 2 α, 11-dihydroxy-abieta-5, 7, 9 (11), 13-tetraen-12-one 2a and 3a, respectively. Specifically, the 19-O-p-hydroxybenzoate (2d) parvifloron C, the 19-O-vanilloate (2c) parvifloron B, the 19-O-p-hydroxy-benzoate (2d) parvifloron C, the 19-O-3′,4′-dihydroxybenzoate (2e) parvifloron E, the 2 α-O-p-hydroxybenzoate (3b) parvifloron D, and the 2 α-O-3′,4′-dihydroxy-benzoate (3c) parvifloron F. Reduction by LiAlH4 splits the ester function and reduces the p-quinomethane to a colourless pyrocatechol derivative which, by air oxidation, regenerates the red p-quinomethane system of 2a and 3a.

Notizen: A calculation of the modification of the optical absorptions of an isotropic sample by a uniform external electric field is presented. The induced orientational anisotropy, the Stark shift and the field. dependence of the transition moment are taken into account up to the second order in the field. The final expressions differ in the contributions from the transition polarizabilities from previous results.

Notizen: The photoelectron spectrum of tris (methylidene)-cyclopropane 1 (“[3]radialene”) is reported and the electronic states of 1+ assigned. Jahn-teller activity in the degenerate states of 1+is discussed. Differences in the Franck-Condon profile of the first PE band and the Rydberg series in the Vacuum-UV./UV. absorption spectrum indicate for the Rydberg series (n=3) a 1A″2-species, which supports earlier tentative proposals. The high intensity absorption in the 5.5 eV-6 eV energy range of the latter spectrum recorded earlier are definitely due to impurities. The vibrational fine structure of a weak band system around 5.5 eV in our spectrum suggests for this transition S0→S2(1A′1), which is dipole forbidden but borrows intensity from S1(1E′) trough vibronic coupling via an e′-mode. From vapor pressure measurements ε(λmax=289 nm) = 9390± 1170 for gaseous 1 was found.

Notizen: IR. and Raman spectra of LnONO3 (50-4,000 cm-1, Ln=La, Gd, Eu, and Dy) are reported and discussed. The low frequency region of the spectra reflects the cubic structure of these compounds. The dimensions of the cubic unit cells determined by X-Ray powder diagrams are: 12.81 ± 0.05 Å for EuONO3, 12.69 ± 0.05 Å for GdONO3, and 12.67 ± 0.05 Å for DyONO3. The vibrational frequencies of the nitrato group are consistent with a bidentate nitrate of C2v symmetry. The synthesis of anhydrous Ln (NO3)3 (Ln=La, Gd, Eu, and Dy) by dehydration of the corresponding penta- or hexahydrates is described. The IR. and Raman spectra (50-4,000 cm-1) are analysed. Splitting of the bands point to a complex structure of these compounds. All six vibrational modes of the nitrato group are observed and the data are again consistent with bidentate NO-3 moieties. Finally, an analytical control of the purity of Ln (NO3)3 is suggested.

Notizen: Synthesis of 3-Dimethylamino-3a,4,5, 7a-tetrahydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones by Intramolecular Diels-Alder ReactionThermolysis of N2-acylamidines, the acyl group of which derives from an α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated carboxylic acid (2, 5-7), yields 3-dimethylamino-3a,4,5,7a-tetrahydro-1H-isoindol-1-ones (3,8-10, Schemes 1 and 3) in 63-78%. Only the thermodynamically controlled cis-fused ring system is formed. The starting materials are readily available by the reaction of 3-dimethylamino2H-azirines (1 and 4) and carboxylic acid chlorides.

Notizen: Reactions of Aziridino-nitrenes: Synthesis of Polycyclic Bisaziridines and 1,2-Bisaziridino-diazenesVorgetragen in der Versammlung der Schweizerischen Chemischen Gesellschaft in Bern am 7.Oktober 1977.7-Amino-7-azabicyclo[4.1.0]-3-heptene (11b), cis-9-amino-9-azabicyclo[6.1.0]-nonane (12b), cis-9-amino-9-azabicyclo[6.1.0]-(4Z)-nonene (13b), as well as exo- and endo-3-amino-3-azatricyclo[3.2.1.02,4]-6-octene (14b and 15b) were synthesized by addition of oxidatively generated phthalimido-nitrene (6) to 1,4-hexadiene, (Z)-cyclooctene, (1Z,5Z)-cyclooctadiene, and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptadiene, respectively, followed by hydrazinolysis of the corresponding N-phthalimido-aziridines 11a-15a.Lead tetraacetate oxidation of the two unsaturated N-amino-aziridines 11b and 15b at -70° yielded diazapolycyclic structures by intramolecular addition of the intermediate aziridino-nitrenes 11c and 15c to the δ, ε-situated C, C-double bond; the products obtained in good yields were 1,5-diazatetracyclo [3.3.0.02,8. O4,6]-octane (16) and 3,7-diazapentacyclo [3.3.1.02,4.03,7.06.8] nonane (17), respectively Oxydation of the unsaturated N-amino-aziridine 13b under the same conditions did not cause intramolecular addition of the nitrene 13c to the ε, ζ-situated C, C-double bond; instead 1,2-bis (cis-9-azabicyclo [6.1.0]-(4Z)-nonen-9-yl)-diazene (20) was obtained in low yield and (1Z, 5Z)-cyclooctadiene as the main product. Both products can be rationalized as derived from the intermediate nitrene 13c with 13b and the olefine as the result of a fragmentation of 13c under extrusion of N2. As. expected, oxidation of the saturated N-amino-aziridine 12b led to the 1,2-bisaziridino-diazene 21 and (Z)-cyclooctene in a ratio of 4:6. Surprisingly, oxidation of 7-amino-7-azabicyclo [4.1.0]-heptane (10b) produced only fragmentation of the corresponding nitrene 10c to cyclohexene. Finally, oxidation of the exo-N-amino-aziridine 14b yielded a complex not yet resolved product mixture in low overall yield. Attempts to add the oxidatively generated aziridino-nitrene 12c to cyclohexene, methyl acrylate, and dimethylsulfoxide were without success.Heating the 1,2-bisaziridino-diazenes 20 and 21 at their respective m.p. temperatures caused thermal fragmentation to occur with evolution of nitrogen. The bisaziridines 26 and 28 as well as the aziridines 27 and 29, respectively, were isolated. These products could be the result of a radical pathway, whereas a small amount of (Z)-cyclooctene, also generated in the thermolysis of 21, might be formed by a competing cheletropic pathway.The 1H-NMR-spectra of the derivatives of cis-9-azabicyclo[6.1.0]nonane, namely of 12a, 12b, 21, 28 and 29, showed signals for some of the aliphatic protons which were separated from the others at relatively low field (around 2.5-1.8 ppm). These signals accounted for 4 (with 12b for 2) protons in each of the cis-9-azabicyclo[6.1.0]nonane subunits, i.e. more than the 2 expected for the aziridine methine protons. The additional signals must be assigned to methylene protons (2 or even 4 of them) probably situated on the other side of the eight membered ring and deshielded by the motion-average proximity to the aziridine nitrogen atom.

Notizen: On the Carotenoids Flavoxanthin and Chrysanthemaxanthin: 1H-NMR., 13C-NMR. and Mass Spectra, Absolute Configuration, Survey of Published DataVery pure flavoxanthin (1) and chrysanthemaxanthin (2) have been reisolated from flower heads of Taraxacum officinale. Both compounds were characterized by chromatographic, chemical and chiroptical data and extensive NMR. measurements. Examination of many published data on 1 and 2 led to the conclusion that flavoxanthin has often been mistaken for chrysanthemaxanthin and vice versa.Chemical degradation of 1 and 2 to (-)-loliolide (5) coupled with NMR. evidence (ASIS, spin-decoupling, NOE) allowed the assignment of the absolute configurations of 1 and 2. Thus (+)-flavoxanthin is (3S,5R,8R, 3′R,6′R)-5, 8-epoxy-5, 8-dihydro-β, ε-carotene-3, 3′-diol and (+)-chrysanthemaxanthin its C(8)-epimer.

Notizen: Synthesis and Chirality of (5S,6R)-5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene and (5R,6R)-5,6-Dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,6-diol, a Compound with Unexpected Solubility CharacteristicsWittig-condensation of azafrinal (1e) with the phosphorane derived from 7 leads to a (1:3)-mixture of (E)-9′- and (Z)-9′-β,β-carotene-diol 3, from which pure and optically active 3 ((5R,6R)-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-5,6-diol) has been isolated as bright violet leaflets, m.p. 168°. Due to the trans-configuration of the diol moiety and to severe steric hindrance, hydrogen bonding is reduced to such an extent, that 3 behaves much more as a hydrocarbon than as a diol. There is good evidence that the so-called ‘β-oxycarotin’ obtained by Kuhn & Brockmann [15] by chromic acid oxidation of β, β-carotene is the corresponding racemic cis-diol. 3 has been converted into (5S, 6R)-5,6-epoxy-5.6-dihydro-β,β-carotene (4), m.p. 156°. This transformation establishes for the first time the chirality of a caroteneepoxide (without other O-functions).Full spectral and chiroptical data including a complete assignement of 13C-chemical shifts for azafrin methyl ester and 3 are presented.

Notizen: As an extension of previous studies on the total synthesis of (2R,4′R,8′R)-α-tocopherol (1) [1] [2], (S)-(-)-2-(6-benzyloxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman)acetic acid (6), a pivotal intermediate, possessing the absolute configuration required for construction of 1 was prepared by optical resolution of the racemic modification 11. the latter substance was obtained by two routes, one emanating from the hydroxy acetal 7 [1] and the other based upon the Lewis acid mediated cycloaddition of trimethylhydroquinone to rac.-3-hydroxy-3-methylpent-4-en-l-yl acetate (16) giving rac. ethyl 2-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman)acetate (12).

Notizen: Thermodynamic study of charge transfert complexes (n-σ*) in solutionCharge transfer complexes of quinoline and substituted quinolines (donors) with iodine, iodine chloride, and iodine bromide (acceptors) have been studied spectrophotometrically in CCl4. The 1:1 stoechiometry of these complexes was verified by means of the continous variations method and the appearance of isosbestic points. Simultaneous determination of the equilibrium constant and enthalpy of adduct formation was carried out by calorimetry.It was observed for every donor that the equilibrium constants of the complexes studied increase with the strength of the acceptors. A linear correlation between enthalpy of adduct formation and donor strength was obtained only for the complexes Donor ICI.

Notizen: Syntheses of jasmone (1), methyl jasmonate (3) and γ-jasmolactone (2) are reported, (Z)-nona-1, 6-dien-3-one (4) serving as common intermediate.

Notizen: The Conversion of Eperuic Acid into Ethers of the enantio-14, 15-Dinorlabdane Series5 and 6 are strongly odiferous substances of the ambra-type. Their enantiomers 7 and 8, hitherto unknown, have been synthesized from eperuic acid (4) and their olfactory properties compared with those of 5 and 6. 4 was esterified by CH2N2 and dehydrogenated with (C6H5Se)2/H2O2 to the α,β-unsaturated ester 9 (61%). Oxidation by KMnO4 in acetone yielded the ketone 3 (60%). Epoxidation followed by treatment with acid converted 3 into the acetals 7 (61%) and 8 (14%). 7 and 8 differ from 5 and 6 in odor intensity, and 6 and 8 show slightly different odor quality.

Notizen: The natural products methyl dehydrojasmonate (1) and tuberolactone (2) have been synthesized from methyl jasmonate (3) and jasmolactone (4) resp., via sulfenylation-sulfoxide pyrolysis.

Notizen: Comparative investigation of reactivities and ion structures upon electron impact induced degradations of the isomeric hydroxy cinnamic acid methyl estersBy analysis of energy release data in metastable peaks it is shown that m- and p-hydroxy cinnamic acid methylesters retain specific structural features upon degradation under electron impact, although their spectra are very similar and the shapes of the metastable peaks due to the initial methoxy cleavage are identical. A pronounced charge radical localization in the molecular ion is indicated. The o-isomer is found to yield a coumarin type structure by elimination of methanol, whose further degradation by decarbonylation involves at least three different mechanisms. The resulting ion structures are different from benzofuran.

Notizen: 2-Thiopyridone (2-mercaptopyridine, 1) was found to be a very suitable reagent for removing the Nα-o-nitrophenylsulfenyl (NPS-) group in both conventional and solid-support peptide synthesis. A 3- to 5-molar excess of the reagent together with an equivalent amount of glacial acetic acid in methanol, dimethylformamide, or methylene chloride produces the soluble, stable mixed disulfide, 2-nitrophenyl 2-pyridyl disulfide (2), and the Nα-deprotected amino-acid or peptide. The yields are quantitative in less than 5 min if all educts are dissolved, in about 20 to 30 min in solid-support synthesis. No modifications of either the indole side-chain of tryptophan or of a series of side-chain protecting groups, in particular of the t-butyl type, are produced. No adverse side-reactions (insoluble disulfides) were observed. The procedure is illustrated with a series of amino-acid derivatives and with the solid-support synthesis of [5-leucine]-enkephalin.

Notizen: The two novel tricyclic C10H16 compounds anti- and syn-tricyclo [4.2.1.12,5]- decane (16 and 17, respectively) were synthesized starting either from the photodimer 2 (anti) or the two cycloaddition products 8 (anti) and 9 (syn).

Notizen: The title condensations gave respectively: gem-bisarylated cyclic amines 3a-k or monoarylated unsaturated cyclic amines 4a-g, 1,3-bisarylated cyclohexadienes 6a, 6b, the condensed bicyclo [2,2,2]-octane 8. In addition the aromatic ketone 9 gave the fluorenone 10 on treatment with polyphosphoric acid (PPA).

Notizen: Nickel-catalysed Synthesis of α-NornicotinesSchiff's bases 1 and butadiene generally co-oligomerize on nickel catalysts to yield octatrienyl-substituted amines 2 and octadienyl-substituted imines 3.Schiff's bases 4 and 5, on the other hand, react with 1, 3-dienes to give new [3+2]-cycloadducts 6. In addition to the appropriately functionalized α-nornicotine derivatives some higher oligomers are formed.

Notizen: The ligands (L) bis (2-pyridyl) methane (BPM) and 6-methyl-bis (2-pyridyl)methane (MBPM) form the three complexes CuL2+, CuL22+, and Cu2L2H-22+ with Cu2+. Stability constants are log K1 = 6.23 ± 0.06, log K2 = 4.83 ± 0.01, and log K (Cu2L2H-22+ + 2H2+ ⇌ 2 CuL2+) = -10.99 ± 0.03 for BPM and 4.56 ± 0.02, 2.64 ± 0.02, and -11.17 ± 0.03 for MBPM, respectively. In the presence of catalytic amounts of Cu2+, the ligands are oxygenated to the corresponding ketones at room temperature and neutral pH.With BPM and 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (TMP) as the substrate and the buffer base, respectively, the kinetics of the oxygenation can be described by the rate law \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$${{ - {\rm d}\left[{{\rm O}_2 } \right]} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{ - {\rm d}\left[{{\rm O}_2 } \right]} {{\rm dt}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{\rm dt}}} = {{k_1 \left[{{\rm CuL}_2^{2 + } } \right]} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{k_1 \left[{{\rm CuL}_2^{2 + } } \right]} {\left[{{\rm H}^ + } \right]}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\left[{{\rm H}^ + } \right]}} + k_2 \left[{{\rm CuL}_2^{2 + } } \right]\left[{{\rm TMP}} \right] + {{k_3 \left[{{\rm CuL}^{2 + } } \right]} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{k_3 \left[{{\rm CuL}^{2 + } } \right]} {\left[{{\rm H}^ + } \right]}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\left[{{\rm H}^ + } \right]}} + {{k_4 \left[{{\rm Cu}_2 {\rm L}_2 {\rm H}_{ - 2}^{2 + } } \right]} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{k_4 \left[{{\rm Cu}_2 {\rm L}_2 {\rm H}_{ - 2}^{2 + } } \right]} {\left[{{\rm H}^ + } \right]}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\left[{{\rm H}^ + } \right]}}$$\end{document} with k1 = (5.9 ± 0.2) · 10-13 mol l-1 s-1, k2 = (4.0 ± 0.6) · 10-4 mol-1 ls-1, k3 = (1.1 ± 0.1) · 10-12 mol l-1 s-1, and k4 = (9 ± 2) · 10-14 mol l-1 s-1.

Notizen: Nickel-catalysed Isomerization of Unsaturated AzocompoundsUnsaturated azocompounds, produced by the nickel-catalysed reaction of butadiene with hydrazones, can be isomerized in presence of the same nickel catalyst. The influence of nickel concentration, temperature and structure of the azocompound on this rearrangement is described.

Notizen: Nickel-catalysed Reaction of 2-Aza-1, 3-butadienes with 1, 3-ButadieneThe nickel-catalysed reaction of butadiene with 2-azabutadienes yields a mixture of 1 aza-1,5,9-cyclododecatrienes, N-alkylidene-divinylcyclohexylamines and open chained 2:1 adducts.

Notizen: The preparation of the vitispiranes 9 and 10, identified among the volatiles of vanilla, from the theaspiranes 1 and 2 via the intermediates 4 and 5 and the allyl alcohols 7 and 8, respectively, is described. The theaspiranes 1 and 2 can be obtained from the compounds 11-15 or 24-26.

Notizen: The binding of various flavins by apoflavodoxins from P. elsdenii and A. vinelandii has been studied by the temperature-jump technique using fluorescence detection. P. elsdenii apoflavodoxin interacts only with flavins possessing 5 carbon atoms in the N(10) side chain and a terminal phosphate group. Employing a wide range of concentrations of deoxy-FMNFlavin = 3,4-dimethyl-lO-substituted isoalloxazine = 3,4-dimethyl- lO-substituted-2,3,4,10-tetrahydro-benzo[g]-pteridine-2,4-dione; FMN = riboflavin-5′-monophosphate. and apoflavodoxin only one relaxation process was observed, indicating a one-step binding mechanism. With native flavodoxin no relaxation could be observed.The kinetic parameters of the interaction of A. vinelandii apoflavodoxin with various flavin analogs (Structure I) have also been investigated. The interaction between apoflavodoxin and flavin derivatives carrying an ionizable, terminal functional group on the side chain becomes very weak when the number of the side chain carbon atoms is decreased below 4. This observation is interpreted in terms of repulsive forces due to negatively charged amino acid residues located in the flavin side chain binding region of the apoflavodoxin. All complexes studied revealed only one relaxation process. This observation is in contradiction with published results [10]. The published traces are instrumental artifacts.

Notizen: A short synthesis of 3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-trithiolane (1), a well-known constituent of processed meat, is described.

Notizen: In the presence of Ni2+ the template reaction between 2,6-diacetylpyridine and 4-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)- or 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1, 7-diamino-4-azaheptane yields the complexes of either the open-chain ligand (3 and 11) or of the macrocycle (4 and 12). Reduction of the imino group in 4 and 12 with PtO2/H2 gives 5 and 13, respectively. In the case of the dimethylamino derivative 5 a mixture of at least four isomers was obtained. These were partially separated by chromatography on Sephadex SP-25 cation exchanger. Through demetalation of the Ni2+ complexes by cyanide the new macrocycles 7 and 14 were isolated, from which the corresponding Zn2+ and Cu2+ complexes were prepared.The macrocyclic Ni2+-complexes 4, 12, 5 and 13 can exist in two forms depending on the pH of the solution. At low pH protonation of the dimethylamino or hydroxy group in the side chain occurs. The metal ion is then bound to the four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle in a square planar ligand field. At higher pH, however, the dimethylamino or hydroxy group (the last one also in its deprotonated form) can coordinate to one of the axial positions, whereby pseudooctahedral coordination geometry is induced. This reaction can be quantitatively described by a reversible acid-base equilibrium, the pKH of which greatly depends on the nature of the functional group, the degree of unsaturation of the macrocycle and the metal ion.The acid-base reaction and the concomitant structural change are a direct consequence of the unique combination of the rigid and kinetically stable structure of the macrocycle and of the flexible and kinetically labile functional group of the side chain.

Notizen: The He (Iα) photoelectron spectra of the four unsaturated oxides 3,4-dihydropyran (6), γ-pyran (7), 2, 3-dihydro-1, 4-dioxin (9) and 1, 4-dioxin (10) are reported and analysed. Band assignments are based on ab-initio calculations, using the STO-3G basis set. The proposed orbital sequences (with reference to the coordinate systems given in Table 1) are, for the top three orbitals: 6, π, nσ, nπ; 7, 3b1(π), 1a2(π), 11a1(σ); 9, 11b(π), 12a(σ), 11a(π); 10, 2b3u(π), 1b1g(π), 6ag(σ). Finally the (almost) localized π-orbitals have been computed by the Foster-Boys localization procedure.

Notizen: The spiro-lactone 3 was obtained by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) oxidation of the carboxylate 2 at - 20°. When 2 was oxidized at 10° the spiro-lactone 4 was the main product. Compound 4 was rearranged with triethylamine to the spiro-lactone 9 whereas the stereoisomeric spiro-lactones 14 and 15 were obtained by NBS oxidation of the carboxylate 13. The ketones 3, 4, 9, 14 and 15 were reduced with NaBH4 to the corresponding alcohols 5, 6, 10, 16 and 18 respectively; these were hydrogenated to the alcohols 7, 8, 11 and 20. The allylic alcohols 5 and 6 gave the benzochromanone 1 when heated in polyphosphoric acid whereas the benzochromanones 12 and 21 were obtained from the alcohols 10 and 16 respectively.

Notizen: The Reaction of Phenols with N-substituted MaleinimidesPhenoxysuccinimides are formed by the base catalysed addition of phenols to N-substituted maleinimides. In the presence of catalytic amounts of tertiary aliphatic amines yields as high as 90% are obtained. A series of adducts of mono-and di-phenols to mono- and bismaleinimides is described. Pure phenoxysuccinimides are stable compounds but the basic catalysts of their formation give rise to their decomposition into the phenolic component and oligomeric maleinimide. A nucleophilic reaction mechanism both for the formation and the decomposition is discussed. A new crosslinked addition polymer from a diphenol and a bismaleinimide with a surprisingly high heat stability is described.

Notizen: Macrocyclic and noncyclic neutral ionophores. Effect of the macrocyclic ring on the ion selectivityA series of macrocyclic 3, 6-dioxaoctanedioic diamides was prepared. Their ion selectivity in membranes was compared with nonmacrocyclic analogues. The ion selectivity as well as the capability to extract ions from aqueous solutions to an organic phase decreases with decreasing ring size.

Notizen: Structure and properties of 5-epi-flavoxanthin and 5-epi-chrysanthemaxanthinThe absolute configurations of 5-epi-flavoxanthin (6) and 5-epi-chrysanthemaxanthin (7) prepared by acid catalysed rearrangement of semi-synthetic lutein epoxide 5 are shown to be (3S, 5S, 8R, 3′R, 6′R) and (3S, 5S, 8S, 3′R, 6′R), respectively. Contrary to published data [5] the relationship of the polyene chain and H3(18) on the dihydrofurane ring is cis for the pair of stereoisomers having a Δδ = δ (H—C(7)) - δ (H—C(8)) = 0,22 ppm and 3J ≡ 0. These conclusions are in full accord with the chiroptical data.

Notizen: Influence of the lipophilicity of 3,6-dioxaoctanedioic diamides on their ion carrier propertiesA series of lipophilic 3,6-dioxaoctanedioic diamides (potential ionophores for Ca2+) have been prepared. With increasing lipophilicity the ionophoric behavior of these ligands vanishes. This loss is shown to be due to kinetic limitations in the exchange reactions between aqueous phase and membrane phase.

Notizen: Oscillating Chemical Reactions. 11. Behaviour of the “induction period” in the BrO3-/Ce4+/Cyclohexanon and BrO3-/Ce4+/Cyclopentanon systems(1)The addition of α-monobromoketone, one of the products of reaction of the BrO3-/Ce4+/Cyclohexanon (S1) and BrO3-/Ce4+/Cyclopentanon (S2) oscillating systems, decreases and even suppresses the induction period (τind.) in the case of S2.Such is not the case with S1: τind. increases and the oscillations can even be completely inhibited.(2)The order of addition of the reagents and the time lapse (tadj.) preceding the addition of the last of them influences τind., particularly when the last reagent added is Ce4+.(3)In our experimental conditions, the inhibition of the oscillatory phenomenon by Cl- ions is definite only for | Cl- | ≥ 5,0 · 10-2M (S1) and |Cl-| 〉 2,5 · 10-3M (S2); for lower concentrations τind. increases with | Cl-|.

Notizen: Preparation of Cortexon-Analogs with Conformatively Fixed Side ChainThe synthesis of cortexon-analogs with a conformatively fixed side chain is described. The key step in the synthesis consists of an intramolecular displacement of bromine in position 21 by the oxygen of a 17α-hydroxymethyl group.

Notizen: Allyl sulfides and a selenide are metallated and silylated with chloro (penta-methyl)disilane. Treatment of the resulting disilanylmethyl sulfides 4 with trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate furnishes 1,1-disilyl-2-alkenes 5 in good yields. Some synthetic possibilities of 5 are outlined.

Notizen: Starting from 5-chloro-2-pentanone (1) the naturally occurring 10-membered lactone phoracantholide J (8a) has been synthesized as its racemate in a sequence of six steps (Scheme 2). Salient features of the syntheis include an internal selenium assisted acetal formation (4→5) and a stereoselective Claisen rearrangement (6→7→8). This general synthetic strategy offers an alternative approach towards the construction of macrocyclic lactones.

Notizen: The conversion of α-hydroxythioacetals to ketene thioacetals possessing an unprotected carbonyl function is described. Besides the intrinsic utility of this transformation it is of interest to recognize that ketene thioacetals are protected carboxyl groups.

Notizen: During the reaction of allyl ethers, allyl sulfides and allyl selenides with in situ prepared dichloroketene (1), 2 competing pathways are observed. Besides [2+2]-cycloaddition, an unprecedented [3,3]-sigmatropic (Claisen) rearrangement via a 1,3-dipolar intermediate takes place. It leads to O-, S- or Se-esters of α,α-dichloro-γ, δ-unsaturated acids containing an inverted allylic group. Starting from cyclic n-membered α-vinyl-substituted ethers, lactones with n+4-membered rings are formed. A very facile synthesis of the naturally occurring macrolides (±)-phoracantholide I (10) and (±)-phoracantholide J (11) illustrates the synthetic utility of this new ‘ketene’ Claisen rearrangement.

Notizen: Syntheses of Sulfonated Derivatives of 4-Amino-1, 3-dimethylbenzene and 2-Amino-1, 3-dimethylbenzeneDirect sulfonation of 4-amino-1, 3-dimethylbenzene (1) and sulfonation of 4-nitro-1,3-dimethylbenzene (4) to 4-nitro-1,3-dimethylbenzene-6-sulfonic acid (3) followed by reduction yield 4-amino-1,3-dimethylbenzene-6-sulfonic acid (2). The isomeric 5-sulfonic acid (5) however is prepared solely by baking the acid sulfate salt of 1. Reaction of sulfur dioxide with the diazonium chloride derived from 2-amino-4-nitro-1,3-dimethylbenzene (7) leads to 4-nitro-1,3-dimethylbenzene-2-sulfonyl chloride (8), which is successively hydrolyzed to 4-nitro-1,3-dimethylbenzene-2-sulfonic acid (9) and reduced to 4-amino-1, 3-dimethylbenzene-2-sulfonic acid (6). Treatment of 4-amino-6-bromo-1,3-dimethylbenzene (12) and 4-amino-6-chloro-1, 3-dimethylbenzene (13), the former obtained by reduction of 4-chloro-6-nitro-1,3-dimethyl-benzene (10) and the latter from 4-chloro-6-nitro-1, 3-dimethylbenzene (11), with oleum yield 4-amino-6-bromo-1,3-dimethylbenzene-2-sulfonic acid (14) and 4-amino-6-chloro-1,3-dimethylbenzene-2-sulfonic acid (15) respectively; subsequent carbon-halogen hydrogenolyses of 14 and 15 lead also to 6 (Scheme 1).Baking the acid sulfate salt of 2-amino-1, 3-dimethylbenzene (17) gives 2-amino-1, 3-dimethylbenzene-5-sulfonic acid (16), whereas the isomeric 4-sulfonic acid (18) can be prepared by either of the following three possible pathways: Sulfonation of 2-nitro-1,3-dimethylbenzene (20) to 2-nitro-1,3-dimethylbenzene-4-sulfonic acid (21) followed by reduction or sulfonation of 2-acetylamino-1,3-dimethylbenzene (19) to 2-acetylamino-1,3-dimethylbenzene-4-sulfonic acid (22) with subsequent hydrolysis or direct sulfonation of 17. Further sulfonation of 18 yields 2-amino 1,3-dimethylbenzene-4,6-disulfonic acid (23), the structure of which is independently confirmed by reduction of unequivocally prepared 2-nitro- 1,:3-dimethylbenzene-4,6-disulfonic acid (24)(Scheme 2).

Notizen: To get informations on both the structure and dynamics of hydrogen chelates 1 of heteroaromatic systems, a great variety of quinazoline-2-acetonitrile chelates were synthesized (see 2-4). Similarly to the situation of the corresponding H-chelates in the pyrimidine-2-acetonitrile series, the investigation of these new derivatives 2-4 by NMR spectroscopic methods (DNMR, COSY, NOESY, ROESY, EXSY, HMQC, HMBC) confirms the presence of an equilibrium of the two possible H-chelate structures (two ‘rotamers’ I and II, i.e., (E)/(Z) isomers; see Scheme). The corresponding equilibria I ⇌ II were determined by complete 1H-NMR signal assignment at low temperatures (after freezing the rotational processes). In addition, the tautomer equilibria A ⇌ B (relative energies of the two minima of the nonsymmetrical double-well potential) for both ‘rotamers’ are ascertained by H,H and C,H couplings. The results are an important basis for the interpretation of both the UV/VIS absorptions and the dependence of fluorescence and fluorescence quantum yields on temperature.

Notizen: Stereoselective reactions of phthalimido-substituted radicals derived from (±)-threonine with different radical traps are reported (Scheme 3, Table 1). A strong influence of the nature of the radical trap on the stereoselectivity was noticed. Small nucleophilic radical traps gave preferentially the syn products. The observed selectivities are explained with the A1,3 strain model and depend on steric and electronic effects (Fig. 2). Reactions with electrophilic radical traps such as diphenyl diselenide gave the anti diastereoisomers with moderate stereocontrol, presumably due to stereoelectronic effects. The same stereochemical outcome, i.e., preferential formation of the anti products, was observed for the reactions of the related N-phthaloyliminium ion (Scheme 5, Table 2). The stereochemistry of the ionic reaction is rationalized by a Felkin-Anh model (Fig. 3).

Notizen: The cyclopalladation of 1,1′-azonaphthalene (= di(naphthalen-1-yl)diazene; 2) with bis(hexafluoroacetyl-acetonato)palladium(II) (3; [Pd(hfa)2]) yields the ortho-palladated complex (1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dionato-κ2O,O′)[1-(naphthalen-1-ylazo-κN2)naphthalen-2-yl-κC2]palladium(II) (4) as well as the peri-palladated complex (1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dionato-κ2O,O′)[8-(naphthalen-1-ylazo-κN2)naphthalen-1-yl-κC1]-palladium(II) (5); their structures were corroborated by X-ray analyses. The formation of the novel peri-metallated product 5 containing a six-membered palladacycle strongly depends upon the reaction conditions.

Notizen: The photoisomerization behavior of three mono[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 1, 2, and 3, and three bis[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 4, 5, and 6, are investigated. The synthetic product (E)-1 could be almost quantitatively (〉 96%) converted into its isomer (Z)-1 under UV light irradiation. In the cases of (E)-2 and (E)-3, a mixture of (E)/(Z) ca. 1:2 was obtained, when the same conditions were applied. The comparison of their UV spectra provides the possible explanation for these different behaviors. Furthermore, it was noticed that the (Z) → (E) isomerization of the C=C bond took place during the purification by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and the (E)/(Z)-mixture is thus inseparable. The same feature could be observed during the isolation of the (Z,Z)-N,N′-bis[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-spermidines, (Z,Z)-4, (Z,Z)-5, and (Z,Z)-6. Nevertheless, the fractions of (Z,Z)-5 and (Z,Z)-6 were in almost pure state collected, and their 1-NMR spectra are presented.

Notizen: The synthesis, absolute configuration, and olfactive evaluation of (-)-(E)-α-trans-bergamotenone (= (-)-(1′S,6′R,E)-5-(2′,6′-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2′-en-6′-yl)pent-3-en-2-one; (-)-1), as well as its homologue (-)-19 are reperted. The previously arbitrarily attributed absolute configuration of 1 and of (-)-α-trans-bergamotene (= (-)-(1 S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-ene; (-)-2), together with those of the structurally related aldehydes (-)-3a,b and alcohols (-)-4a,b, have been rigorously assigned.

Notizen: (-)-(R)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-Hexafluorovaline hydrochloride ((R)-5) of 98% ee is prepared from β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid (= benzyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)but-2-enoate; 1) in 4 steps with an overall yield of 9.6%. Key step is the separation of the TsOH salts of the diastereoisomers obtained by anti-Michael addition of (+)-(R)-1-phenylethylamine (2) to 1 (→ (R,R)-3). In contrast to the published (S)-chirality, the X-ray structure analysis of (R,S)-6 reveals, that (R)-chirality has to be assigned to the levorotatory (-)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-hexafluorovaline hydrochloride.

Notizen: The synthesis and characterization of tripodal dodecadentate ligands with salicylamide and bipyridine binding sites for iron(II) and iron(III) are presented.

Notizen: The reaction of CuO'Bu with CO2, and iPr2NH in the presence of PPh3, gives the dialkylcarbamato complex [Cu(O2CNiPr2)(PPh3)2] (1). The CO2/R2NH system (R = Me, Et) in an appropriate organic medium reacts with Ag2O giving the corresponding N,N-dialkylcarbamato complexes of analytical formula [Ag(C2CNR2)] (R = Me, 2; R = Et, 3). The methyl derivative 2 was characterized by X-ray diffraction methods. Crystal data of 2: for [Ag2(O2CNMe2)2], C6H12Ag2N2O4, mol. wt. 391.9; monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 12.08(1), b = 3.797(2), c = 11.316(7) Å, β = 113.37(6)°, V = 476.3 Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 2.732 g cm-3; μ(MoKα) = 40.64 cm-1, F(000) = 376.0; R = 0.059, Rw = 0.067; g.o.f. 1.27. The structure consists of dinuclear [(Ag2OCNMe2)2] units with slightly distorted linearly two-coordinated Ag-atoms containing bridging carbamato groups to form a substantially planar eight-membered ring with an intra-annular Ag—Ag distance of 2.837(2) Å; the dinuclear units are further joined by Ag—O bonds to form an infinite array. Compound 3, which is presumably dinuclear, as suggested by cryoscopic measurements in benzene, undergoes a structural fission with PPh3, giving the mononuclear triphenylphosphine derivative [Ag(O2CNEt2)(PPh3)2] (4). The amine-catalyzed conversion of Ag2O into Ag2CO3, in the presence of the iPr2NH/CO2 system, is also reported. Cl-Exchange from [AuCl(PPh3)] with [Ag(O2CNEt2)] (3) gives the first N,N-dialkylcarbamato complex of gold, namely [Au(O2CNEt2)(PPh3)] (5), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system: C23H25AuNO2P · 0.5 C7H16, mol. wt. 625.5, space group P21/c; a = 13.212(5), b = 12.25(1), c = 16.795(6) Å, β = 109.09(2)°, V = 2568(2) Å3, Z = 4, Dc, = 1.618 g cm-3; μ(AgKα) = 31.40 cm-1, F(000) = 1236.0; R = 0.058; Rw = 0.064; g.o.f. 2.121. The compound contains two-coordinated Au-atom, namely to the P-atom and to the O-atom of the monodentate carbamato group, the P—Au—O bond angle being 174.7(3)°. The reaction with MeI showed these compounds to react predominantly at the carbamato O-atom giving the corresponding urethanes R2NCO2Me. Evidence was gathered for the transient coordination of CO to Ag in 3.

Notizen: The reactions of α-diazo ketones 1a,b with 9H-fluorene-9-thione (2f) in THF at room temperature yielded the symmetrical 1,3-dithiolanes 7a,b, whereas 1b and 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dithione (2d) in THF at 60° led to a mixture of two stereoisomeric 1,3-oxathiole derivatives cis- and trans-9a (Scheme 2). With 2-diazo-1,2-diphenylethanone (1c), thio ketones 2a-d as well as 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thione 2g reacted to give 1,3-oxathiole derivatives exclusively (Schemes 3 and 4). As the reactions with 1c were more sluggish than those with 1a,b, they were catalyzed either by the addition of LiClO4 or by Rh2(OAc)4. In the case of 2d in THF/LiClO4 at room temperature, a mixture of the monoadduct 4d and the stereoisomeric bis-adducts cis- and trans-9b was formed. Monoadduct 4d could be transformed to cis- and trans-9b by treatment with 1c in the presence of Rh2(OAc)4 (Scheme 4). Xanthione (2e) and 1c in THF at room temperature reacted only when catalyzed with Rh2(OAc)4, and, in contrast to the previous reactions, the benzoyl-substituted thiirane derivative 5a was the sole product (Scheme 4). Both types of reaction were observed with α-diazo amides 1d,e (Schemes 5-7). It is worth mentioning that formation of 1,3-oxathiole or thiirane is not only dependent on the type of the carbonyl compound 2 but also on the α-diazo amide. In the case of 1d and thioxocyclobutanone 2c in THF at room temperature, the primary cycloadduct 12 was the main product. Heating the mixture to 60°, 1,3-oxathiole 10d as well as the spirocyclic thiirane-carboxamide 11b were formed. Thiirane-carboxamides 11d-g were desulfurized with (Me2N)3P in THF at 60°, yielding the corresponding acrylamide derivatives (Scheme 7). All reactions are rationalized by a mechanism via initial formation of acyl-substituted thiocarbonyl ylides which undergo either a 1,5-dipolar electrocyclization to give 1,3-oxathiole derivatives or a 1,3-dipolar electrocyclization to yield thiiranes. Only in the case of the most reactive 9H-fluorene-9-thione (2f) is the thiocarbonyl ylide trapped by a second molecule of 2f to give 1,3-dithiolane derivatives by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.

Notizen: The synthesis of a series of chiral enantiomerically pure C2-symmetric binucleating ligands is reported. Ligands of type 1-4, which consist of a phenolic or heterocyclic unit bridging two chiral dihydrooxazole rings. are readily accessible from chiral amino alcohols. Ligands 5a and 5b are composed of a cyclic urea or thiourea unit, respectively, and two 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole rings containing a stereogenic center next to the N-atom. Compounds of this type are readily assembled from ethane-1,2-diamine and an imidothioic ester derived from pyroglutamic acid. These new ligands, which can coordinate two metals in close proximity to each other, are of interest regarding possible applications in asymmetric catalysis.

Notizen: Stability constants have been measured for a series of ligands based on a 2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis[1H-benzimidazole] unit which forms dinuclear double-stranded helical complexes with copper(I). Variation of different structural parameters confirms the importance of the coordinate bond, the stacking interactions, and the weakly bridging pyridine units observed by X-ray crystallography. The stabilities of the complexes depend strongly on the solvent, and in MeCN, which is a good solvent for copper(I), the complexes are less stable and assemble in a stepwise manner. The interconversion of the enantiomers may be followed by 1H-NMR and takes place on a millisecond time scale around room temperature. The trends in lability are similar to those found for the stability of the complexes.

Notizen: Oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-8-methylguanosine (m8c7Gd; 2b) were prepared. For this purpose, the phosphonate 3a and the phosphoramidite 3b were synthesized and employed in solidphase oligodeoxyribonucleotide synthesis. The structures and the thermodynamic data of duplex formation of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing 2b were investigated by temperature-dependent CD and UV spectra and compared with those containing 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-7-methylguanosine (m7c7Gd) or 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-guanosine (c7Gd; 2a). In general, compound 2b reduces the duplex stability. In case of the sequence d(m8c7G-C)4 (18), the B → Z transition was facilitated by the incorporation of 2b. Moreover, a single 7-deaza-8-methylguanine residue present in an oligodeoxyribonucleotide tract of guanine residues destabilizes the dG quadruplex significantly. This destabilization is more pronounced than in the case of 7-deazaguanine or 7-deaza-7-methyl-guanine.

Notizen: Absolute rate constants and their Arrhenius parameters are obtained for the addition of a cyclic malonyl radical derived from Meldrum's acid to 20 mono- or 1,1-disubstituted alkenes in (±)-propylene oxide and for the addition of the open-chain di(tert-butyl)malonyl radical to six mono- or 1,1-disubstituted alkenes in 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane by time-resolved electron spin resonance spectroscopy. At room temperature, the radicals add at the unsubstituted C-atoms with rate constants ranging from 1.1. 105 M-1S-1 (acrolein) to 2.4. 106 M-1S-1 (1,1-diphenylethene). The frequency factors are in the narrow ranges of log (A/M-1S-1) = 8.7 ± 0.1 for the cyclic and log (A/M-1S-1) = 8.2 ± 0.2 for the open-chain malonyl species, whereas the activation energies vary from 12.9 kJ/mol (1,1-diphenylethene) to 21.7 kJ/mol (acrylonitrile). They correlate with the alkene ionization potentials and, more weakly, with the reaction enthalpy. No correlation was found between the activation energies and the alkene electron affinities. Hence, the results confirm and quantify the electrophilic nature of malonyl radicals in addition reactions.

Notizen: An asymmetric synthesis of (-)-(4R)-dihydroisomyricoidine (28), a 13-membered amino lactam of type A, was performed by a diastereoselective Michael addition between the spermidine derivative 3 and the commercially available optically active ethyl carboxylate 4, and the cyclization of the resulting ω-amino acid 7 using diethyl phosphorocyanidate ((EtO)2POCN), followed by a Wittig reaction to introduce the (Z)-side chain. Some side reactions are also discussed.

Notizen: Natural free carboxylic acids from the hadromerid sponge Diacarnus levii (Kelly-Borges and Vacelet) were esterified to yield the new cyclic norditerpene peroxides ent-muqubilin benzyl ester (= (αR,3S,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-[(E)-4-methyl-6-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)hex-3-enyl]-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid benzyl ester; 6, diacarnoate B methyl ester(= (αS,3R,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-{2-(4aS,8aS)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-3-oxo-2,5,5,8a-tetramethylnaphthalen-1-yl)ethyl}-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid methyl ester; 9), and deoxydiacarnoate B benzyl ester (= (αS,3R,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-{2-[(4aS,8aS)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-1-naphthalenyl]ethyl}-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid benzyl ester; 10), which were isolated following extensive chromatography. The relative configuration of the peroxide/α-methylacetate moiety of 6, 9, and 10, was directly determined from their NMR spectra. The absolute configurations of the peroxide/α-methylacetate moiety was deduced from comparative 1H-NMR data of the (S)- and (R)-phenylglycine methyl ester derivatives 7 and 8 as well as 11/13 and 12/14, all obtained from a mixture of the precursors of 3, 6, and 10. The absolute configuration at the carbobicyclic moiety of enone 9 and of 10, is identical, as established by chemical interconversion, 9 and 10 belong to the normal labdane series according to empirical CD rules, applied either directly to 9 or to the parent (+)-sclareolide-derived enone 20. In contrast, molar rotation additivity rules suggest the ent-labdane configuration for 9 and 10. The epidioxides 1-3, 6, and 10 proved active in vitro against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum; especially the previously isolated methyl 3-epinuapapuanoate (2) was active against a chloroquine-resistant strain, and this with a good security index.

Notizen: 3-Hydroxy-2-cyanoalk-2-enamides, and 2-cyano-2-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylidene)- and 2-cyano-2-(tetrahydropyran-2-ylidene)acetamides with N-alkyl and N-aryl substituents have been synthesized in three steps from cyanoacetic acid. Their conformations were investigated by X-ray crystallography and 1H-NMR ROESY spectroscopy at room temperature. The enolic compounds 1-3 adopt an extended conformation stabilized by a strong intramolecular O—H … O=C bond both in the solid state and in (D6)DMSO solution. In contrast, the structure of the cyclic derivatives 5a,b-8a,b is solvent-dependent. In the solid state and in CDCl3 solution, the compounds adopt an extended conformation of type I or III, while, in (D6)DMSO solution, their structures undergo time-dependent (Z)/(E)-isomerization structures (of type II or IV). This observation is compatible with a dipolar transition state of rotation. The kinetics of the isomerization are controlled by the N-substituent, the N-(t-Bu) derivatives 7a and 7b having the highest barrier of rotation around the C=C bond. The whole body of experimental evidence together with the results of molecular-mechanics calculations with I-IV, indicate that, in DMSO, two (E)/(Z)-isomers with two conformations are present, and that they undergo interconversion at room temperature with four different constants. The very fast exchange rates kI,II and kIII,IV in the NMR time-scale might be responsible for the detection of only two isomers.

Notizen: A new acylated dimeric secoiridoid glycoside, seemannoside A (2), has been isolated from the aerial parts of Lisianthius seemannii (GRISEB) O. KUNTZE (Gentianaceae). The structure was established by spectroscopic analysis (UV, MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR, and 2D-NMR experiments) and chemical reactions as (E-4′-O-p-coumaroyl)lisianthioside. The structure of the (Z)-isomer (seemannoside B, 3), also present in the plant, was confirmed by LC/UV/1H-NMR analysis. The active principle, 6, responsible for the antifungal activity of the apolar extract against Cladosporium cucumerinum, has been isolated. Its structure has been established by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis as a rare type of aglycone monoterpene dimer.

Notizen: Asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of the pentadienoic and hexadienoic acids 2a,b with the chiral chloronitroso derivative 3 gave the primary adducts 4a,b with good-to-excellent enantioselectivity. Subsequent as- or trans-dihydroxylation and hydrogenolytic cleavage of the N—O bond led to the 5-amino-5-deoxypentono-δ-lactams 13a, 14, 15a, and 16 in the D-ribose, L-arabinose, D-xylose, and L-lyxose series, respectively, and to the 5-amino-5,6-dideoxyhexono-δ-lactams 13b and 15b in the D-allose and D-glucose series, respectively.

Notizen: The synthesis of the monomeric building block 13 and its constitutional isomer 12 of a new type of DNA analog, distamycin-NA, is presented (Schemes 1 and 2). This building block consists of a uracil base attached to a thiophene core unit via a biaryl-like axis. Next to the biaryl-like axis on the thiophene chromophore, a carboxy and an amino substituent are located allowing for oligomerization via peptide coupling. The proof of constitution and the conformational preferences about the biaryl-like axis were established by means of X-ray analyses of the corresponding nitro derivatives 10 and 11. Thus, the uracil bases are propeller-twisted relative to the thiophene core, and bidentate H-bonds occur between two uracil bases in the crystals. The two amino-acid building blocks 12 and 13 were coupled to give the dimers 15 and 16 using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in THF/LiCl and DMF, respectively. While the dimer 15 showed no atropisomerism on the NMR time scale at room temperature, its isomer 16 occurred as distinct diastereoisomers due to the hindered rotation around its biaryl-like axis. Variable-temperature 1H-NMR experiments allowed to determine a rotational barrier of 19 ± 1 kcal/mol in 16. The experimental data were complemented by AM1 calculations.

Notizen: Heating of a mixture of N,N′-(thiocarbonyl)diimidazole (= 1,1′-(carbonothioyl)bis[1H-imidazole]; 1) and 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole 2a or 2b gave the 1,3-dithiolanes 4a and 4b, respectively, via a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the corresponding ‘thiocarbonyl methanides’ 3a,b onto the C=S group of 1 (Schemes 1 and 2). The adamantane derivative 4b was not stable in the presence of 1H-imidazole and during chromatographic workup. The isolated 1,3-dithiole 5 is the product of a base-catalyzed elimination of 1H-imidazole from the initial cycloadduct 4b. The formation of the S,N-acetal 6 can be rationalized by a protonation of the ‘thiocarbonyl ylide’ 3b followed by a nucleophilic addition of 1H-imidazole. With the diazo compounds 8a-e (Scheme 3) 1 underwent a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to give the corresponding 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives 9, which spontaneously eliminated 1H-imidazole to yield (1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 10. The structures of 10a and 10d were established by X-ray crystallography. In the case of diazodiphenylmethane (8f), the initial cycloadduct 9f decomposed via a ‘twofold extrusion’ of N2 and S to give 1,1′-(2,2-diphenylethenylidene)bis[1H-imidazole] (11; Scheme 3).

Notizen: The synthesis of new deoxyribose nucleosides by coupling chloropurines with modified D-ribose derivatives is reported. The methyl 2-deoxy-N-methyl-3-O-(p-toluoyl)-α-D-ribofuranosiduronamide (α-D-8) and the corresponding anomer β-D-8 were synthesized starting from the commercially available 2-deoxy-D-ribose (1) (Scheme 1). Reaction of α-D-8 with the silylated derivative of 2,6-dichloro-9H-purine (9) afforded regioselectively the N9-(2′-deoxyribonucleoside) 10 as anomeric mixture (Scheme 2), whereas β-D-8 did not react. Glycosylation of 9 or of 6-chloro-9H-purine (17) with 1,2-di-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-N-methyl-β-D-ribofuranuronamide (13) yielded only the protected β-D-anomers 14 and 18, respectively (Scheme 3). Subsequent deacetylation and dechlorination afforded the desired nucleosides β-D-11, β-D-12,15, and 16. The 3′-deoxy-2-chloroadenosine derivative 15 showed the highest affinity and selectivity for adenotin binding site vs. A1 and A2A adenosine receptor subtypes.

Notizen: (S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine ((S)-13) of 81 % ee is prepared from hexafluoroacetone (l) and ethyl bromopyruvate (= ethyl 2-oxopropanoate) in 7 steps with an overall yield of 18% (Schemes 1 and 2). Key step in this sequence is the highly enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl group in α-keto ester 4 either by bakers' yeast (91 % ee) or by ‘catecholborane’ 6 utilizing an oxazaborolidine catalyst, yielding hydroxy ester (R)-5 with 99% ee. The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray analysis of the HCl adduct (S,R)-9b of (2S)-N-[(R)- l-phenylethyl]-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-hexafluoroleucine ethyl ester.

Notizen: N-Fmoc-Protected (Fmoc = (9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl) β-amino acids are required for an efficient synthesis of β-oligopeptides on solid support. Enantiomerically pure Fmoc-β3-amino acids β3: side chain and NH2 at C(3)(= C(β)) were prepared from Fmoc-protected (S)- and (R)-α-amino acids with aliphatic, aromatic, and functionalized side chains, using the standard or an optimized Arndt-Eistert reaction sequence. Fmoc-β2- Amino acids (β2 side chain at C(2), NH2 at C(3)(= C(β))) configuration bearing the side chain of Ala, Val, Leu, and Phe were synthesized via the Evans' chiral auxiliary methodology. The target β3-heptapeptides 5-8, a β3- pentadecapeptide 9 and a β2-heptapeptide 10 were synthesized on a manual solid-phase synthesis apparatus using conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis procedures (Scheme 3). In the case of β3-peptides, two methods were used to anchor the first β-amino acid: esterification of the ortho-chlorotrityl chloride resin with the first Fmoc-β-amino acid 2 (Method I, Scheme 2) or acylation of the 4-(benzyloxy)benzyl alcohol resin (Wang resin) with the ketene intermediates from the Wolff rearrangement of amino-acid-derived diazo ketone 1 (Method II, Scheme 2). The former technique provided better results, as exemplified by the synthesis of the heptapeptides 5 and 6 (Table 2). The intermediate from the Wolff rearrangement of diazo ketones 1 was also used for sequential peptide-bond formation on solid support (synthesis of the tetrapeptides 11 and 12). The CD spectra of the β2- and β3-peptides 5, 9, and 10 show the typical pattern previously assigned to an (M) 31 helical secondary structure (Fig.). The most intense CD absorption was observed with the pentadecapeptide 9 (strong broad negative Cotton effect at ca. 213 nm); compared to the analogous heptapeptide 5, this corresponds to a 2.5 fold increase in the molar ellipticity per residue!

Notizen: On irradiation (350 nm) in the presence of excess 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene, the newly synthesized title compound 5 affords as main products the unexpected cyclopropylpyrrolidine 10 (50%) and the spiro-oxetane 9 (25%).

Notizen: Among seventeen different Lewis acids, TiCl4 was found to be the best catalyst for the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene to N,N′-fumaroylbis[(2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam] ((-)-1). Independently of the TiCl4 molar concentration, almost constant and complete (98-89% d.e.) diastereofacial π-selection was achieved in the Diels-Alder addition of (-)-1 to cyclopentadiene, cyclohexadiene, isoprene, and 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene.

Notizen: A new facile synthesis of N,S- and N,Se-acetals starting from aldehydes and primary amines is presented (Schemes 3-5). These acetals are used as precursors for stereoselective radical deuteration and allylation reactions (Schemes 6 and 7, Tables 1 and 2). The stereochemical outcome of the reactions depends on the radical trap and the substituents at the N-atom. Deuterations give always anti products with moderate to high selectivities. The allylation reactions give either syn or anti products with low to moderate selectivities. The observed stereoselectivities can be explained with a model based on minimization of A1,3 strain and are controlled by steric and stereoelectronic effects.

Notizen: Based on O-methylasparvenone (1), a N-free 5HT2C antagonist with moderate affinity (pKi = 6.7), derivatives bearing dimethylamino (7), (dimethylamino)methyl (17, 18, 21, and 22), and aminomethyl substituents (26) in place of the benzylic OH group of 1 as well as pyrrolidine- (33) and piperidine-fused derivatives (29, 43, and 45) were synthesized. In contrast to the lead structure 1, these new ligands were active in vivo in the rat. The tricycles 33 and 45 display high affinities for the 5HT2C receptor (pKi = 8).

Notizen: Thermal reactions of 1,2,3-trisubstituted aziridines 1 with 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thiones 6 in toluene yielded, in general, a mixture of two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic [2+3] cycloadducts. The formation of these products can be explained by a stereoselective electrocyclic ring opening of 1 to give an azomethine ylide 2 as the reactive intermediate, which is trapped immediately by 6 via a stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Only in the case of trans-dimethyl 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)aziridine-2,3-dicarboxylate (trans-1a), four diastereoisomeric cycloadducts were formed (Scheme 4). This result is rationalized by an isomerization of the intermediate azomethine ylide cis-2a to trans -2a.

Notizen: Due to their small mass, adjacent protons (or H-atoms) of molecular systems may exhibit quantum entanglement (or quantum correlations), even at ambient conditions. The considerable thermal disturbance and/or manybody interactions of condensed matter and the associated decoherence effect, however, cause this protonic entanglement to be restricted in space and time. Some aspects of entanglement and decoherence are mentioned. Extending our previous theoretical work, in the present paper the focus is on the possible existence of entangled protons belonging to the H-bonds of adjacent base pairs of B-type DNA. Based on the ‘working hypothesis’ that this effect does really exist, the most probable ‘positions’ for the appearance of protonic entanglement in DNA sequences are qualitatively determined. Furthermore, these ‘positions’ appear to correspond uniquely to dimers of adjacent base pairs of DNA. As a consequence, one can straightforwardly search for an enhanced appearance of such entangled H-bonds in DNA sequences of living organisms, using the existing DNA databases. A quantitative analysis of protein-coding DNA sequences of various organisms has been performed, the results of which provide strong evidence for the existence of the considered effect. The most striking finding may be summarized as follows: Quantum entanglement appears preferably between the third base of a codon and the first base of the following one. Quantitative estimates of this and further obtained results are presented. It is also shown that quantum-chemical considerations of stacking energies cannot account for the results. The new findings provide first evidence for the biological significance of entangled H-bonds.

Notizen: The title compounds D-10 and L-10 were prepared from 1 in eight steps and in a combined overall yield of 41-49%.

Notizen: The reaction of N,N'-dimethyl-2-nitroethene-1,1-diamine (8) with α,ß-unsaturated acyl isothiocyanates 9 affords 3,3-diamino-2-nitroacrylthioamides 10 (Scheme 2) in moderate-to-good yields. Cyclization of 10 under acidic conditions gives 1,3-thiazin-4-one derivatives of type 11. Oxidative cyclization of 10 with diethyl azodicaboxylate leads to 4-nitro-1,2-thiazol-5(2H)-imine derivatives 12.

Notizen: The CH2Cl2 extract of Monotes engleri Gilg. (Dipterocarpaceae) showed antifungal activity against the yeast Candida albicans in our bioautographic TLC assays. After a first fractionation of the crude extract, the bioactivity was located in one of the fractions. To perform an efficient targeted isolation of the active compounds, LC/UV/MS and LC/UV/NMR analyses of the crude extract and the active fraction were performed. LC/UV/, LC/MS, and LC/NMR data (1D and 2D) allowed the identification of 1 as (2S)-2,3-dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-{3-hydroxy-4-[(3-methylbut-2-enyl) oxy]phenyl}-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, a new prenylated flavanone, named monoteson A. Subsequent isolation of 1 has permitted the determination of its absolute configuration on the basis of CD measurements. Theree other prenylated flavanoes 2-4 were isolated from the same extract. Compound 3 was identified as 2- (3, 5-dihydroxyphenyl) -2,3-dihydro-5, 7-dihydroxy-6, 8-bis (3-methylbut-2-enyl)-4 H-1-benzopyran-4-one, another new natural product, named monotesone B. The structures of 2 and 4 were established as selinone and lonchocarpol A, respectively. The antifungal activity against Candida albicans was determined for all compounds.

Notizen: The disubstituted clusters[Ir4(CO)10(μ2-L—L)] with one edge-bridging ligand have a ground-state geometry with all COs terminal (L—L = (MeS)2CHMe, cluster 1) or with three edge-bridging COs (L—L = (Ph2P)2CHMe, cluste 2; L—L =Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2, cluster 3) in the solid state and in solution. A comparative 13C-NMR study of 1-3 shows that their respective ground-state geometries are merely relative minima of energy in the same kinetic profile of successive fluxional processes consisting of a merry-go-round of six COs about a unique trangular face and the rotation of terminal COs about one Ir-atom. The factors affecting the activation energy of the merry-go-round result from the relative bites of the bidentate ligands in the ground-state geometry, as shown by a comparison of the molecular structures of 2 and 3.

Notizen: The kinetics of the reaction between pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) with carbidopa, hydralazine, and isoniazid, in aqueous solution at variable pH and constant ionic strength of 0.1M was studied spectrophotometrically. The rate constants of formation and hydrolysis of the resulting Schiff base, and its stability were determined in a wide range of pH. A comparison is made of the formation rate constants with those of PLP with hydrazine. The reactivity shows the sequence isoniazid 〉 hydrazine 〉 carbidopa 〉 hydralazine in the whole range of pH studied. The Schiff bases studied are more stable than those formed by PLP and hexylamine and as stable as those described for the reactions of PLP with poly(L-lysine) or copolypeptides containing L-lysine.

Notizen: Absolute configuration of the 3,5-diaminohexanoic acid produced in the β-lysine mutase reactionThe (3S, 5S)-configuration of the 3,5-diaminohexanoic acid 3 produced by the coenzyme-B12-dependent β-lysine mutase from Clostridium sticklandii has been determined by two different methods: by comparison of the 1H-NMR.-spectrum of its δ-lactam with that of synthetic (±)-cis-and (±)-trans-4-amino-6-methyl-piperidones (1 and 2) and by chemical correlation with (+)-(6S)-6-methyl-piperidone-2 (9).

Notizen: A (3-mercapto-1-succinyl)-TMV ∊-maleimidohexanoyl-[1-asparagine, 5-valine]-angiotensin II conjugate was prepared and used for cooperative affinity labeling of bovine adrenal cortex cell membrane vesicles containing angiotensin-binding sites. The labeling was demonstrated by electron microscopy and by CsCl and sucrose density gradient centrifugation Preliminary evidence for specific binding and for the postulated cooperative affinity interaction is produced.

Notizen: The stereochemistry of trans- and cis-2, 4-dimethyl-tetrahydroquinolines, 6 and 7 were derived from 1H-NMR. studies. These were converted respectively into trans- and cis-5, 6-dihydro-4, 6-dimethyl-4H, 8H-pyrido [3, 2, 1-de]phenanthridin-8-ones 18 and 20 by a Pschorr reaction on the anthranilamides 10 and 15. Bromophenanthridones 19 and 21 were similarly prepared from bromoanthranilamides 12 and 17. Detailed 1H-NMR. studies on 18 and 20 indicated axial disposition of the methyl groups at C(2) in both compounds in contrast to the situation in 6 and 7. This is presumably to avoid adverse CH3CO group interaction of the A (1, 3) type. The severity of this is gauged by the preference of 20 for a normally forbidding 1, 3-diaxial orientation of two methyl groups. X-ray crystallographic studies on 19 and 20 confirm the stereochemical assignments.

Notizen: The use of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) covalently loaded with hormones or other small molecules for various purposes including receptor detection and isolation is proposed. The basic principle is that of cooperative affinity interactions involving (large) numbers of artificially introduced sites (e.g. hormones) of the modified virus on the one hand and membrane-bound sites (e.g. receptors) of a cell or of a cellmembrane particle on the other. In order to test the feasibility of such TMV/hormone conjugates, TMV carrying about 500 molecules of a biologically active α-melanotropin analogue was synthesized, and characterized by its aspect under the electron microscope, by its infectivity, its melanophore-stimulating activity, and its reaction with antisera against α-melanotropin. The observed hormonal activity is in accordance with the idea of cooperative affinity interactions.

Notizen: 5, 7-Dihydroxy-8-methoxy-chroman-4-one from the Bulb Wax of Eucomis comosaFrom the bulb wax of Eucomis comosa (HOUTT.) WEHRH. (Liliaceae) 5, 7-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-chroman-4-one (1) was isolated. The structure was confirmed by direct comparison with a synthetic specimen. 1 is the first natural chroman-4-one which is unsubstituted in the heterocyclic ring.

Notizen: Several long chain primary alcohols (saturated, monoolefinic and methyl branched) have been converted via their mesylates into various long chain alkylated aromatic compounds with basic character, and their mass spectra compared. The spectra of 2-alkylaminopyridines and to some extent those of 3-alkylaminopyridines exhibit most clearly the structure of the aliphatic chain, allowing the localization of branchings and double bonds.

Notizen: The title compounds 14-16 were obtained via an intramolecular Mannich condensation by treating 11-13 with CH2O at RT. The unsaturated ketones 14 and 15 were reduced to the allylic alcohols 18 and 19 respectively. Ring cleavage of compound 18 on treatment with 2N HCl gave the substituted aminopropanol 20. The allylic alcohols 18 and 19 were hydrogenated to 22 and 23 respectively. With CH2O, the amino-alcohol 23 gave the methano-naphthoxazocine 24, whereas 22 and 23, on heating in polyphosphoric acid (PPA), afforded the naphthazepines 25 and 26 respectively. With organolithium compounds, the unsaturated ketones 14 and 16 gave the teriary allylic alcohols 27-29, which were hydrogenated and dehydrated to the olefins 36-40; these were cyclized via an intramolecular alkylation to the methanodibenzo-octahydrocyclooctapyridines 41-43. On heating in PPA, the allylic alcohol 29 was converted into the naphthazepine 44. With CH2O, the naphthol 49 gave the naphthoxazocine 50, in equilibrium with the spiro-naphthalene-pyrrolidinone 51 in solution. Finally, in the presence of CH2O, the naphthazepine 57 afforded the methano-naphthazepinone 58, which, by a 4-stage degradation, was transformed to the benzisoquinoline 62.

Notizen: The dianions of phenanthrene and 1,2,3,4-dibenzocyclooctatetraene have been prepared by metal reduction of the neutral compounds and characterized via the study of their 1H- and 13C-NMR. spectra. A description of the charge distribution can be achieved which is consistent with both MO-models and the spin density distribution of the corresponding radical anions. Thus, the dianion of 1,2,3,4-dibenzocyclooctatetraene appears as a π-bond delocalized species having its excess charge mainly localized in the eight membered ring.

Notizen: An ab initio theoretical study of all fifteen fully staggered conformations of aminodihydroxymethane, CH(OH)2NH2 has been performed. Optimization of the C—O and C—N bond lengths, population analyses and orbital localisation reveal the presence of marked conformation dependent stereoelectronic effects which influence bond lengths and overlap populations. These effects may be parametrized as a function of number and nature of antiperiplanar (app) oriented electronic lone pairs (1p) and polar bonds. In a Y—C—X fragment an app orientation between a lone pair on Y and the C—X bond increases the length and weakens the C—X bond, shortens and strengthens the C—Y bond. Thus a C—X (X = O, N) bond of CH(OH)2NH2 is longest and weakest when: (i) it is app to two vicinal lp's; (ii) the X 1p's are not app to a vicinal polar bond; (iii) the conformation of the molecule has as many axially oriented lp's as possible. Results (i) and (ii) agree with a simple hyperconjugation picture involving interaction between an electronic 1p and an app oriented antibonding bond orbital σ* (C—X). Bond properties, relative energies and effects on reactivity of the tetrahedral species are discussed, as well as their relations to experimental results on the cleavage of tetrahedral intermediates and to enzyme catalysis.

Notizen: Metal reduction of the polycycle 2 yields a surprisingly stable dianion with intact molecular framework. This conclusion can be drawn from reoxidation experiments and from an analysis of the 1H-NMR. spectrum. The excess charge turns out to be distributed over both the π- and σ-fragments of the molecule. The relative stabilities of ionic species derived from 1, 2 and 3 are considered.

Notizen: [2+2]-Cycloadditions and -cycloreversions in radical anions. An ESR. spectroscopic study for 2,2′-disubstituted diphenyl derivativesThe radical anions derived from the polycyclic olefins 1, 2 and 3 are shown by ESR. spectroscopy to undergo [π2+π2]-cycloaddition reactions even at low temperatures. Similarly, facile cleavage by [σ2+σ2]-cycloreversion processes is observed for the radical anions of the corresponding cyclobutane species. This reactivity, which is in marked contrast with the thermal stability of the neutral parent compounds, is discussed taking into account the molecular geometry and the spin density distribution.

Notizen: The 13C- and 17O-chemical shifts of 31 aliphatic ethers are measured and discussed. The 17O-chemical shifts of the ethers ROR′ correlate with chemical shifts for the methylene groups of the corresponding alkanes RCH2R′. The constant of proportionality can be related to the orbital expansion term 〈r-3〉2p. The δc for carbon atoms can also be correlated with δc for the corresponding alkanes. The origin of the correlation is discussed taking into account the conformational modifications resulting from introduction of an oxygen atom in an alkyl chain.

Notizen: Gas liquid chromatography allowed isolation of the novel cis-2-isopropenyl-8-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenol (A) and its dehydration product, 3-isopropenyl-5-methyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (B), from two small subfractions of Virginia tobacco condensate. Both these norsesquiterpenes were identified on spectral grounds and synthesized from 1-methylnaphthalene in a way (9 steps) that also afforded the «non-natural», trans-alcohol A′. The possible biogenesis of A and B in tobacco is briefly outlined.

Notizen: The Zip-reaction: A New Method for the Synthesis of Macrocyclic PolyaminolactamsThe 21- and 25-membered aminolactams 11 and 25 were synthesized from the 13-membered lactam 4. To introduce the ring enlargement unit (a propylamino group) 4 was N-alkylated using acrylonitrile and the resulting product hydrogenated. Repetition of this reaction sequence gave 3, which was converted in the presence of base in 90% yield to the ring-enlarged macrocyclic base 11 (Scheme 2). In a similar but stepwise synthesis consisting of two separate ring-enlargement reactions 4 was transformed to 11 via 13 (Scheme 4). Introducing three ringenlargement units into 4 the 25-membered aminolactam 25 was synthesized in 84% yield (Scheme 5). The mechanism of the ring-enlargement reaction is given in Scheme 3. In comparison to a zip-fastener or zipper this reaction is called “zipreaction”.

Notizen: Phytochemistry of genus Gentiana, XXIV. New C-glycosylflavones from the leaves of Gentiana asclepiadea L.p-Hydroxybenzoyl-2″-isoorientin-4′-O-β-D-glucoside (1) was isolated from the leaves of Gentiana asclepiadea L. by means of column chromatography. This is the first occurrence in nature of a p-hydroxybenzoate of isoorientin. p-Hydroxybenzoyl-2″-isoorientin (2) was also shown to be present in the same plant.

Notizen: The structure of vinyl amine and its reactivity towards a proton is studied by the PRDDO SCF MO method. The equilibrium structure is found to be non-planar and barriers to inversion- and rotation-dominated processes are calculated. Proton addition to vinyl amine, as a model of enamine protonation, is examined by means of electrostatic molecular potentials and C- versus N-proton affinities.

Notizen: Electrochemical Formation of Δ1,2-NorborneneThe electrochemical reduction of 1,2-dihalogen norbornanes in tetrahydrofuran/furan leads to a mixture of two isomeric cycloadducts 6 and 7. The ratio of these adducts corresponds to those which have been found in reductive bisdehalogenation of 1 and 2 by butyllithium.

Notizen: The general reactivity of various sites in the vindoline series has been investigated. The facility of electrophilic substitution at C(15) and the effect of steric crowding on reactions at C(4) are discussed. At the basic nitrogen sites, oxidations with mercuric acetate and potassium permanganate are also discussed.

Notizen: Study of the flavonic and xanthonic compounds in the leaves of Gentiana ciliata L.Fifteen 1,3,7,8-oxygenated xanthones (1-15) were isolated from the leaves of Gentiana ciliata L. (genus Gentianopsis). Among these were six new glycosides: glucosyl-1-decussatin 6, glucosyl-1-gentiacaulein (8), primeverosyl-8-isogentiacaulein (9), glucosyl-3-isogentiacaulein (10), glucosyl-1-swertianin (12) and primeverosyl-7-swertianin (13). Three known flavone C-glucosides were also found (16-18).

Notizen: Three kinds of polar substitutent effects are observable in the solvolyses of 1-R-substituted 3-bromoadamantanes (VI). This follows from the relationship between products, rate constants k in 80% ethanol, and the inductive substituent constants σ1q of the substituent R. Alkyl groups and electron-attracting substituents at C (1) control the rate by their inductive effects alone, since logk correlates closely with σ1q. However, rates are higher than predicted on the basis of the respective σ1q values when conjugating (+ M)-substituents or electrofugal groups are attached to C(1). These exalted substituent effects are attributed to CC-hyperconjugative relay of positive charge from the cationic center at C(3) to the substituent at C(1). When the substituent is a strong electron donor (e.g. O- and S-), accelerated substitution gives way to heterolytic fragmentation, rates and products then being controlled by the frangomeric effect.