Synthesis of γγγ-trifluorocarbonyl compounds

γγγ-Trifluorocarbonyl compounds are easily obtained in a good yield by introduction of the 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl moiety (CF₃-CH₂-) on the -methylene group of a ketone.     

γ-Nitro-γ-butyrolacton

γ-Nitro-γ-butyrolactone By oxidation of 3-(1-nitro-2-oxocyclohexyl)propanal ( 1 ) with KMnO₄, besides 3-(1′-nitro-2′-oxocyclohexyl)pripionic acid ( 2 ), the complete hydrolysis product 4-oxononanedioic acid ( 4 ) and the oxidized semi-hydrolysis product 5-(2-nitro-5-oxotetrahydro-2-furyl)pentanoic acid ( 3 ) were formed. The crystalline 3 decomposes at r.t. forming 4 and nitrous gases; its structure was established by X-ray determination.     

Efficient Synthesis of α‐Benzylidene‐γ‐methyl‐γ‐butyrolactones

A concise synthesis of α‐benzylidene‐γ‐methyl‐γ‐butyrolactones 5a – g from substituted benzaldehydes is described. Compounds 1a – g on reaction with phosphorane 2 , provide the pentenoates 3a – g , which can be hydrolyzed to the acids 4a – g . The latter are cyclized to the corresponding butyrolactones 5a – g in excellent yields. The pentenoates 3a – g , on acid catalyzed cyclization, also provide 5a – g in very high yields.     

Concise Synthesis of α‐Methylene‐β‐hydroxy‐γ‐carboxy‐γ‐lactams

A concise protocol for the synthesis of α‐methylene‐β‐hydroxy‐γ‐carboxy‐γ‐lactams has been described via alkylation of amino acid derived iminoesters with α‐bromomethylmethacrylate, followed by allylic hydroxylation. All the synthesized compounds have been evaluated for their cytotoxicity on multiple myeloma cancer cell lines.     

(σ3,λ5)‐phosphoranes versus (σ3,λ3)‐thiaphosphiranes: Quantum chemical investigation of products of phosphaalkene sulfurization

By sulfurization of phosphaalkenes ( a ) either (σ³,λ⁵)‐phosphoranes ( b ) or (σ³,λ³)‐thiaphosphiranes ( c ) are formed. In this study, Density Functional Theory (DFT) and coupled cluster (CCSD(T)) calculations have been carried out for model and experimental structures of (σ³,λ⁵)‐phosphoranes and (σ³,λ³)‐thiaphosphiranes to elucidate the factors influencing relative stabilities of b and c . According to the results of quantum chemical calculations, sterically bulky substituents make the phosphorane form more favored. Conversely, electronic effects of the most substituents provide higher stability for thiaphosphirane isomers. The only exception has been found in the cases where the substituent at the phosphorus atom possesses π‐donor and σ‐acceptor properties (e.g., in the case of amino group) and the substituents at carbon atom exhibit σ‐donor/π‐acceptor effects (e.g., silyl groups). The stability of the cyclic form c decreases further, if the substituents at the carbon atom are amino groups. In this case, a quite unusual structure has been theoretically predicted, which is considerably different from those of the hitherto known phosphoranes. It indicates a pyramidal configuration at the phosphorus atom and can be conventionally presented as a donor–acceptor adduct of diaminocarbene with thioxophosphine. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Two‐Step Synthesis of Multifunctional γ‐Lactams from γ‐Lactone

We present herein an efficient and rapid method for the synthesis of N,1‐dialkyl‐4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐5‐oxopyrrolidine‐3‐carboxamides based on the conversion of γ‐lactone to γ‐lactam via the conjugate addition of primary amines to an ethyl α‐functionalized acrylate followed by intramolecular cyclization.     

Circular dichroism of copoly(γ-stearyl-L-glutamate–γ-methyl-L-glutamate)

Copoly(γ-stearly-L -glutamate-γ-methyl-L -glutamate)s with various compositions were synthesized by the ester exchange reaction of poly(γ-methyl-L -glutamate). Circular dichroism studies were carried out for solution and solid film as a function of the degree of stearylation and temperature. The slight and gradual temperature dependence of molecular ellipticity was observed for solution of all the copolyglutamates studied here and for the solid film of the copolyglutamate with the degree of stearylation of 16%, indicative of no reversal in the helix sense. However the remarkable change in negative molecular ellipticity with temperature was detected for the solid film of the copolyglutamate with a low degree of stearylation, e.g., 52%, whereas the drastic change in molecular ellipticity from a negative to positive value appeared for that with a higher degree of stearylation. This is discussed in terms of the reversal in the helix sense from a right- to left-handed α helix with the increase of temperature occurring at the melting temperature of the ordered side chain region.