Semiochemicals of the Scarabaeinae VIII. Identification of active constituents of the abdominal sex-attracting secretion of the male dung beetle, Kheper bonellii, using gas chromatography with flame ionization and electroantennographic detection in parallel

Using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and electroantennographic detection in parallel (GC-FID/EAD), the active constituents of the sex attractant of male dung beetles of Kheper bonellii were located in the gas chromatogram of an extract of the secretion. These constituents were identified as propanoic acid, butanoic acid, indole, 3-methylindole (skatole) and methyl cis-cascarillate (methyl cis-2-2'-hexylcyclopropylacetate) by, inter alia, GC-MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR analysis, and synthesis. These compounds elicited EAD responses in male as well as female antennae. Racemic methyl cis-cascarillate was synthesized for comparison with the natural methyl ester. Enantioselective GC-FID/EAD using a capillary column coated with OV-1701-OH containing 10% heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-cyclodextrin showed that the natural compound co-eluted with the first-eluting enantiomer of the racemic methyl cis-cascarillate, which was the only enantiomer that elicited EAD responses in the antennae of male and female K. bonellii. The absolute configuration of this enantiomer was established by a stereoselective synthesis, which gave methyl (R,R)-cascarillate [methyl (1'R,2'R)-2-2'-hexylcyclopropylacetate] in an enantiomeric excess of 69%.     

Ile, Leu, and Val methyl assignments of the 723-residue malate synthase G using a new labeling strategy and novel NMR methods

New NMR experiments are presented for the assignment of methyl (13)C and (1)H chemical shifts from Ile, Leu, and Val residues in high molecular weight proteins. The first class of pulse schemes transfers magnetization from the methyl group to the backbone amide spins for detection, while the second more sensitive class uses an "out-and-back" transfer scheme in which side-chain carbons or backbone carbonyls are correlated with methyl (13)C and (1)H spins. Both groups of experiments benefit from a new isotopic labeling scheme for protonation of Leu and Val methyl groups in large deuterated proteins. The approach makes use of alpha-ketoisovalerate that is (13)C-labeled and protonated in one of its methyl groups ((13)CH(3)), while the other methyl is (12)CD(3). The use of this biosynthetic precursor leads to production of Leu and Val residues that are (13)CH(3)-labeled at only a single methyl position. Although this labeling pattern effectively reduces by 2-fold the concentration of Leu and Val methyls in NMR samples, it ensures linearity of Val and Leu side-chain (13)C spin-systems, leading to higher sensitivity and, for certain classes of experiments, substantial simplification of NMR spectra. Very near complete assignments of the 276 Ile (delta 1 only), Leu, and Val methyl groups in the single-chain 723-residue enzyme malate synthase G (MSG, molecular tumbling time 37 +/- 2 ns at 37 degrees C) have been obtained using the proposed isotopic labeling strategy in combination with the new NMR experiments.     

New, general, and practical preparation of methyl ketones via the direct coupling of amides with CH2Cl2 promoted by TiCl4/Mg

The direct coupling of a variety of amides with CH2 Cl2 or CD2 Cl2 promoted by TiCl 4/Mg/THF provides an extremely simple, practical, selective, and efficient approach for the construction of methyl ketones. The efficiency and practicability of this chemistry is illustrated by the very simple synthesis of deuterated methyl ketones.     

P2O5-Hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS): An Efficient System to Induce the Three-Component Reaction of Enolic Systems,Aromatic Aldehydes,and Acetonitrile

Three-component reaction of an enolizable compound, such as acetophenone, methyl acetoacetate, 4-hydroxycoumarin, 2-naphthol, or 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid; an aromatic aldehyde, and acetonitrile induced by phosphorus pentoxide and hexamethyldisiloxane leads to 2-acetylamino ketones, methyl 3-(acetylamino aryl methyl)-3-oxobutanoates, 3-(acetylamino aryl methyl)-4-hydroxycoumarins, 1-(acetylamino aryl methyl)-2-naphthols, or 4-(acetylamino aryl methyl)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acids in excellent yields.     

Reactivity and Mechanistic Studies of the Reactions of Chlorodiphenylphosphine and Its Oxide with Methyl Glyoxylate,Glyoxylate Oximes,and Methyl Cyanoformate

In this work, we describe the reactivity of chlorodiphenylphosphine and its oxide, as well as diphenylphosphine, with some glyoxylate derivative systems: methyl glyoxylate, methyl or 8‐phenylneomenthyl glyoxylate oximes, and methyl cyanoformate. By analyzing the reactions outcomes and with the aid of computational chemistry, we propose some reaction mechanisms and molecular rearrangements.     

Utility of the ammonia-free Birch reduction of electron-deficient pyrroles: total synthesis of the 20s proteasome inhibitor, clasto-lactacystin beta-lactone

A new synthesis of the 20S proteasome inhibitor clasto-lactacystin beta-lactone is described. Our route to this important natural product involves the partial reduction of an electron deficient pyrrole as a key step. By judicious choice of enolate counterion, we were able to exert complete control over the stereoselectivity of the reduction/aldol reaction. Early attempts to complete the synthesis by using a C-4 methyl substituted pyrrole are described in full, together with our attempts to promote regioselective elimination of a tertiary alcohol. The lessons learnt from this first approach led us to develop another, and ultimately successful, route that introduced the C-4 methyl group at a late stage in the synthesis. Our successful route is then described and this contains several highly stereoselective steps including a cis-dihydroxylation and an enolate methylation. The final synthesis proceeds in just 13 steps and in 15 % overall yield making it an extremely efficient route to this valuable compound.     

Functional polymers. VI. Preparation and polymerization of methyl 3-vinylsalicylate,methyl 3-vinylacetylsalicylate, 3-vinylsalicylic acid,and 3-vinylacetylsalicylic acid

The title compounds were synthesized and their homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with styrene and a number of acrylic monomers were investigated. Methyl 3-vinylacetylsalicylate was prepared in a five-step synthesis from 2-ethylphenol in an overall yield of 40%. Methanolysis of this compound gave methyl 5-vinylsalicylate in 63% yield. Hydrolysis of methyl 3-vinylsalicylate gave a nearly quantitative yield of 3-vinylsalicylic acid which could be acetylated to 3-vinylacetylsalicyclic acid (3-vinyl aspirin). 3-Vinylsalicylic acid derivatives were readily homopolymerized and copolymerized with styrene, methyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid, and 3-vinylsalicyclic acid was copolymerized with a number of vinyl and acrylic monomers. Copolymer compositions were determined by examination of ¹H-NMR spectra.     

Study of the interaction in clusters formed by phenol and CH3X (X=CN,F,Cl) molecules

The characteristics of the interaction between phenol and acetonitrile, methyl fluoride and methyl chloride were studied. The most stable structures for clusters containing one or two CH3X molecules and one phenol moiety were located by means of ab initio and density functional theory calculations. Phenol-acetonitrile dimer presents two almost equally stable structures; one of them is a typical linearly hydrogen bonded minimum, whereas in the other one, a C-H...pi contact is established accompanied by a distorted O-H...N hydrogen bond. Although the latter minimum presents the larger interaction energy, deformation effects favor the formation of the linear hydrogen bonded one. In complexes with methyl fluoride and methyl chloride, this arrangement is the most stable structure and no linear hydrogen bonded structures were located. Our best estimates for the interaction energies amount to -27.8, -21.6, and -19.7 kJ/mol for clusters of phenol with acetonitrile, methyl fluoride, and methyl chloride, respectively. The main contribution to the stabilization of these clusters is of electrostatic nature, although in structures where a C-H...pi contact is present, the dispersion contribution is also significant. In clusters formed by phenol and two CH3X units, the most stable arrangement corresponds to a head to tail disposal with O-H...X, C-H...X, and C-H...pi contacts forming a cycle. Only for this type of arrangement, three body effects are non-negligible even though they constitute a minor effect. The results also indicate that interactions with methyl fluoride and methyl chloride are of similar intensity, although weaker than with acetonitrile. Significant frequency shifts are predicted for the O-H stretching, which increase when increasing the number of CH3X molecules.     

A Case of Abnormal Bishler-Napieralski Cyclization Reaction,Leading to Form Benzyl Oxazole Derivatives

1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid is a type of naturally occurring bio-active alkaloid1. Moreover, it can be used as building block for the synthesis of other natural products containing the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline moiety2. Compound 2 was an intermediate in our attempt to the total synthesis of Ecteinascidin analogs. We employed the Bishler-Napieralski reaction to prepare this product and refluxed the N-acetyl phenylalanine compound 1 in POCl3/benzene. However, we fail…     

2-(Diethylamino)ethanethiol, a new reagent for the odorless deprotection of aromatic methyl ethers

A new reagent for the deprotection of aromatic methyl ethers, 2-(diethylamino)ethanethiol, is reported. This compound, commercially available as its HCl salt, affords the corresponding phenols in good to excellent yields on a wide variety of substrates. A clear advantage of this method over the use of more common thiols, such as ethanethiol, is the easy extraction of both the deprotecting reagent and the byproduct 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methyl sulfide into the aqueous phase by quenching with dilute acid, which allows an essentially odorless workup.     

Ready Access to Fluorinated Phosphonate Mimics of Secondary Phosphates. Synthesis of the (alpha,alpha-Difluoroalkyl)phosphonate Analogues of L-Phosphoserine, L-Phosphoallothreonine, and L-Phosphothreonine

In addition to the previously recorded reactions of diethyl lithio(difluoromethyl)phosphonate (8) with primary triflates and aldehydes, we report here that 8 reacts with functionalized, but unactivated, methyl esters to give efficient acyl substitution. Thus, 8 reacts cleanly (-78 degrees C, THF) with the following methyl esters (product, yield): methyl (S)-isopropylideneglycerate (14, 99%), methyl (S)-3-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2 -O-tetrahydropyranylglycerate (16, 85%), and the Garner ester derived from D-serine (15, 77%). Expeditious treatment of the resultant alpha,alpha-difluoro-beta-keto phosphonates with hydride or Grignard reagents followed by alcohol deoxygenation provides a general method for the synthesis of (alpha,alpha-difluoroalkyl)phosphonate analogues of secondary phosphates. For tertiary alcohols, Dolan-MacMillan deoxygenation conditions are employed. The requisite methyl oxalate esters are obtained by an improved procedure wherein the lithium alkoxide of the hindered tertiary alcohol is irreversibly generated at low temperature and then condensed with methyl oxalyl chloride. Relative stereochemistry is assigned via conversion of the Garner ester derived Boc-amino alcohols to the corresponding cyclic, six-membered phosphonate esters and examination of their (1)H NMR spectra. The relevant vicinal coupling constants are extracted from these spectra by performing double quantum-filtered phase-sensitive COSY experiments. This new (difluoromethylene)phosphonate anion-methyl ester condensation, Grignard (hydride) addition, deoxygenation sequence has been applied to the synthesis of (alpha,alpha-difluoroalkyl)phosphonate analogues of L-phosphoserine (>/=96% ee) and L-phosphoallothreonine (93% ee) from D-serine and of L-phosphothreonine (91% ee) from L-glycerate, respectively.     

Two‐Step Thermal Spin Transition and LIESST Relaxation of the Polymeric Spin‐Crossover Compounds Fe(X‐py)2[Ag(CN)2]2 (X=H, 3‐methyl, 4‐methyl, 3,4‐dimethyl, 3‐Cl)

In the series of polymeric spin‐crossover compounds Fe(X‐py)₂[Ag(CN)₂)]₂ (py=pyridine, X=H, 3‐Cl, 3‐methyl, 4‐methyl, 3,4‐dimethyl), magnetic and calorimetric measurements have revealed that the conversion from the high‐spin (HS) to the low‐spin (LS) state occurs by two‐step transitions for three out of five members of the family (X=H, 4‐methyl, and X=3,4‐dimethyl). The two other compounds (X=3‐Cl and 3‐methyl) show respectively an incomplete spin transition and no transition at all, the latter remaining in the HS state in the whole temperature range. The spin‐crossover behaviour of the compound undergoing two‐step transitions is well described by a thermodynamic model that considers both steps. Calculations with this model show low cooperativity in this type of systems. Reflectivity and photomagnetic experiments reveal that all of the compounds except that with X=3‐methyl undergo light‐induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) at low temperatures. Isothermal HS‐to‐LS relaxation curves at different temperatures support the low‐cooperativity character by following an exponential decay law, although in the thermally activated regime and for aX=H and X=3,4‐dimethyl the behaviour is well described by a double exponential function in accordance with the two‐step thermal spin transition. The thermodynamic parameters determined from this isothermal analysis were used for simulation of thermal relaxation curves, which nicely reproduce the experimental data.     

Synthesis of L-carbafuranomycin, an unnatural analogue of the antibiotic amino acid furanomycin

[reaction: see text] L-(+)-carbafuranomycin is a novel analogue of L-(+)-furanomycin, an unusual antibiotic alpha-amino acid that attracted great interest due to its activity as an isoleucine antagonist. We present here a concise and efficient asymmetric synthesis of this carba-analogue starting with the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a chiral nitrile oxide with cyclopentadiene. Notably, the methyl group was introduced by an S(N)2' cuprate substitution with high stereo- and regioselectivity.     

Polymerization of coordinated monomers. IX. Charge-transfer spectrum of the system composed of metal halide,polar vinyl monomer,and electron-donating monomer

The 1:2 stannic chloride–methyl methacrylate complex, the 1:2 stannic chloride–acrylonitrile complex, the ethylaluminum dichloride–methyl methacrylate complex, and the ethylaluminum dichloride–acrylonitrile complex exhibit charge-transfer absorption bands in the wavelength region longer than 300 nm with electron-donating compounds such as mesitylene, styrene, toluene, and butadiene. The absorption spectrum of the mixture of either methyl methacrylate or acrylonitrile with the electron-donating compound is, however, a superpostion of the spectra of the components without any additional absorption. Methyl isobutylate, 3-butenyl methyl ketone, and propionitrile show no charge-transfer absorption bands with the electron-donating compound, even in the presence of a metal halide. Both the presence of the C-C double bond conjugating with the polar group and the coordination of the polar group to a metal halide are essential for an electron-accepting monomer to exhibit a charge-transfer absorption with the electron-donating compound. Continuous variation plots with the use of the charge-transfer band definitely show a 1:1 interaction between the methyl methacrylate coordinated to stannic chloride and styrene, resulting in the determination of the equilibrium constants for the charge-transfer complex formation in methylene chloride: 0.21 l./mole at 25°C and 0.67 l./mole at ?50°C. The charge-transfer absorption is attributed to a ternary molecular complex composed of a metal halide, a polar vinyl monomer, and an electron-donating monomer.     

Dissociative electron-ion recombination of the interstellar species protonated glycolaldehyde, acetic acid, and methyl formate

Recently, methyl formate, glycolaldehyde, and acetic acid have been detected in the Interstellar Medium, ISM. The rate constants, α(e), for dissociative electron-ion recombination of protonated gycolaldehyde, (HOCH(2)CHO)H(+), and protonated methyl formate, (HCOOCH(3))H(+), have been determined at 300 K in a variable temperature flowing afterglow using a Langmuir probe to obtain the electron density. The recombination rate constants at 300 K are 3.2 × 10(-7) cm(3) s(-1) for protonated methyl formate and 7.5 × 10(-7) cm(3) s(-1) for protonated glycolaldehyde. The recombination rate constant of protonated acetic acid could not be directly measured, but it appears to have a rate constant, α(e), on the 10(-7) cm(3) s(-1) scale. Several high- and low-temperature measurements for protonated methyl formate were made. In addition, an α(e) measurement at 220 K for protonated glycolaldehyde was performed. The astrochemical implications of the rates of recombination, α(e), and protonation routes are discussed.     

Influence of substitution, hybridization, and solvent on the properties of C-HO single-electron hydrogen bond in CH3-H2O complex

The effect of substitution, hybridization, and solvent on the properties of the C...HO single-electron hydrogen bond has been investigated with quantum chemical calculations. Methyl radical, ethyl radical, and vinyl radical are used as the proton acceptors and are paired with water, methanol, HOCl, and vinyl alcohol. Halogenation (Cl) of the proton donor strengthens this type of hydrogen bond. The methyl group in the proton donor and proton acceptor plays a different role in the formation of the C...HO single-electron hydrogen bond. The former is electron-withdrawing, and the latter is electron-donating, both making a constructive contribution to the enhancement of the interaction. The contribution of the methyl group in the proton acceptor is larger than that in the proton donor. The increase of acidity of the proton is helpful to form a single-electron hydrogen bond. As the proton acceptor varies from the methyl radical to the vinyl radical, the interaction strength also increases. The solvent has an enhancing influence on the strength of the C...HO single-electron hydrogen bond. These factors affect the C...HO single-electron hydrogen bond in a similar way that they do other types of hydrogen bonds.     

Formation of Benzyl Oxazole, A Competitive Path with the Classical Bishler-Napieralski Reaction

1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids (TIC) are of considerable interest due to their biological activity and as an important structural element in several important alkaloids and other medically useful products1. Moreover, TIC is a phenylalanine analogue in which the dihedral angle is limited to a very small range because of its bicyclic nature2. In connection with the design of topographically constrained peptides, TIC has been utilized in several instance as a replacement o…     

甲基化的β-环糊精与十六烷基三甲基溴化胺的相互作用

环糊精与表面活性剂的相互作用已有许多研究,但多局限于β－环糊精（β－CD）,而修饰的β－环糊精与表面活性剂的相互作用研究较少[1－3]．分子内扭转电荷转移（TICT）激发态对介质极性高度敏感性,已成功地用于探针环糊精与表面活性剂的相互作用[4]．研究表明,β－CD能够诱     

Synthesis,surface accumulation,and micellar properties of amphiphilic block copolymers

Amphiphilic block copolymers, i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(2-dimethylethylammoniumethyl methacrylate), were synthesized by the reaction between two prepolymers. Carboxyl-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) and hydroxyl-terminated poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) were prepared by radical polymerization of the corresponding monomers in the presence of thioglycolic acid and 2-mercaptoethanol as a chain transfer agent, respectively. Two condensation methods, i.e., DCC and the acid chloride method, were used for the reactions of these prepolymers. The subsequent quarternization produced the amphiphilic block copolymers. Surface property of poly(methyl methacrylate) films containing this amphiphilic block copolymer was examined by measuring contact angles for water. The addition of only 0.5 wt% of the block copolymer was sufficient to make poly(methyl methacrylate) surfaces hydrophilic. The block copolymer formed a polymeric micelle in acetone–water mixed solvent.     

Enantioselective syntheses of colletodiol,colletol, and grahamimycin A

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective synthesis of colletodiol has been achieved in 11 steps from methyl 1,3,5-octatrienoate and 16 total steps from both ethyl sorbate and methyl 1,3,5-octatrienoate. The route relies upon an enantio- and regioselective Sharpless dihydroxylation and a palladium-catalyzed reduction to form a 5-hydroxy-1-enoate and an 7-hydroxy-1,3-dienoate. These esters were further functionalized, coupled, and macrolactonized to provide colletodiol after deprotection. Grahamimycin A and colletol were synthesized in one and two steps, respectively, from colletodiol.