Exploring Catalytic Intermediates in Pd-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Amination of 1,3-Dienes: Multiple Metal Interactions of the Palladium Nanoclusters.

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) have unique properties because of their small size, which makes them useful as catalysts in reactions like cross-coupling. Pd-catalyzed oxidative amination, which involves dehydrogenative C-N bond formation, uses Pd complexes as the active species. It is known that the catalytic conditions involve the formation of Pd(0) species from Pd NCs, but the precise role of Pd NCs in the transformations has not been established. In this study, we investigated the characteristic properties of Pd NCs in oxidative amination of 1,3-dienes. The reaction achieved direct amination of commercially accessible 1,3-dienes with secondary aromatic amines, providing a variety of nitrogen containing 1,3-dienes. The compound was applicable to radical polymerization to provide the nitrogen-fabricated 1,3-diene-based polymer, which exhibited a different thermal stability compared to aliphatic nitrogen-fabricated diene polymers. In addition to the synthetic utility, by combining X-ray absorption fine structure and small-angle X-ray scattering analysis, we revealed amines and 1,3-dienes affected metal leaching from the Pd nanoparticles and stabilization of Pd NCs in the catalytic reaction. Additionally, DFT calculation suggested that the catalytic intermediate contained multiple adjacent Pd atoms and was responsible for formation of an σ-allylic intermediate that is difficult to form with the use of Pd complexes. These results could be used to understand the underlying phenomenon in the oxidative coupling reaction and develop Pd NCs-based dehydrogenation.

Reagent-Controlled Regioselective Intramolecular [2+2] Cycloaddition between Vinylsilanes and Allenes.

This paper provides the first report of the intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition of vinylsilane. The [2+2] cycloaddition of allenes is a useful reaction that can synthesize cyclobutanes. However, no previous works have attempted to control the regioselectivity between the two double bonds of allenes only by changing the reaction conditions, although there have been some reports of the regioselective [2+2] cycloaddition of allenes by changing the substrate. In this study, we have succeeded in controlling intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition reactions at the proximal and distal positions of allenes simply by changing the reaction conditions. We found that the atomic radius of silicon is very important for perfect control of the reaction's sites. The structures of all key compounds were determined by the crystal sponge method which could identify the structures of liquid compounds.

Photoluminescent supramolecular gels derived from phenylenediamine hydrochlorides.

Supramolecular gels are promising as chemosensors, drug delivery systems and oil gelators. The present paper deals with photoluminescent supramolecular gels derived from phenylenediamine hydrochlorides. N-(3,5-Diaminobenzoyl)-L-alanine dodecyl ester dihydrochlorides (1L) underwent gelation in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and CHCl3, but not in C1-C4 alcohols, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Compound 1L emitted blue fluorescence in the sol state and green fluorescence in the gel state. A THF solution of 1L exhibited absorption and emission maxima at wavelengths 94-104 nm and 92-110 nm longer than those in other solvents, such as methanol and ethanol, that cause no gelation of 1L. Particles with hydrodynamic diameters around 13 nm were detected in a THF solution (c = 1.0 mM) of 1L. The gelation of 1L in THF and CHCl3, and the lack of gelation in MeOH were supported by molecular dynamics simulations and dynamic light scattering measurements. N-(3,5-Diaminobenzoyl)-L-alanine dodecyl ester (1L'), an HCl-free analogous compound of 1L, underwent no gelation in THF and CHCl3, indicating the necessity of the ammonium salt structure for gelation. The UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopic peaks of 1L red-shifted upon aggregation, which was supported by TD-DFT calculations of monomeric and dimeric models of 1L.

Development of Cycloisomerization with Rearrangement of a Tosyl Group Using N-Tosyl-o-allenylaniline.

Sulfonyl indoles were synthesized by migratory cycloisomerization from the allene N-tosyl-o-allenylaniline. 3-Tosyl indoles or 4-tosyl indoles were selectively produced using a Pd catalyst or a Au catalyst, respectively.

Axially Chiral Borinic Acid Catalysts: Design, Synthesis, and Application in Alkylative Desymmetrization of 1,2-Diols.

A novel chiral borinic acid (CBA), an organocatalyst possessing a binaphthyl skeleton, was designed and synthesized. The synthesis of CBA was achieved with a 72% yield in four steps starting with optically pure 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol. The asymmetric catalytic activity was investigated in the desymmetrization of meso-1,2-diol.

Design and synthesis of 4-acetoxypentanamide derivatives of spliceostatin A and their biological evaluation towards prostate cancer treatment.

We designed and synthesized novel 4-acetoxypentanamide derivatives of spliceostatin A, whose 4-acetoxypentenamide moiety is reduced (7), isomerized (8), or substituted with methyl at the α-position (9). The results of biological evaluation against AR-V7 and the docking analysis of each derivative suggest that the geometry of the 4-acetoxypentenamide moiety of spliceostatin A is important for its biological activity.

Accumulation of squalene in filamentous fungi Trichoderma virens PS1-7 in the presence of butenafine hydrochloride, squalene epoxidase inhibitor: biosynthesis of 13C-enriched squalene.

Squalene is a triterpenoid compound and widely used in various industries such as medicine and cosmetics due to its strong antioxidant and anticancer properties. The purpose of this study is to increase the accumulation of squalene in filamentous fungi using exogeneous butenafine hydrochloride, which is an inhibitor for squalene epoxidase. The detailed settings achieved that the filamentous fungi, Trichoderma virens PS1-7, produced squalene up to 429.93 ± 51.60 mg/L after culturing for 7 days in the medium consisting of potato infusion with glucose at pH 4.0, in the presence of 200 µm butenafine. On the other hand, no squalene accumulation was observed without butenafine. This result indicated that squalene was biosynthesized in the filamentous fungi PS1-7, which can be used as a novel source of squalene. In addition, we successfully obtained highly 13C-enriched squalene by using [U-13C6]-glucose as a carbon source replacing normal glucose.

Using α- and ß-Epimerizations of cis-2,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-γ-butyrolactone for the Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Enterolactone.

In the context of asymmetric synthesis, epimerization is usually problematic. Here, we describe the use of the epimerization of cis-2,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-γ-butyrolactone for the synthesis of enterolactones with anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and antioxidant activity. Selective α- or ß-epimerization of a γ-butyrolactone was used to selectively synthesize both enantiomers of enterolactone. Theoretical and kinetic studies were performed to elucidate the epimerization mechanism.

DAST-mediated ring-opening of cyclopropyl silyl ethers in nitriles: facile synthesis of allylic amides via a Ritter-type process.

A diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST)-mediated ring-opening reaction of cyclopropyl silyl ethers in nitriles produced allylic amides in moderate to good yields (up to 87%). Time course studies using ReactIR and O-isotopic labeling mechanistic studies suggested that the present reaction occurs via a Ritter-type process, leading to the formation of allylic amides.

Cross ß-alkylation of primary alcohols catalysed by DMF-stabilized iridium nanoparticles.

A simple method for the cross ß-alkylation of linear alcohols with benzyl alcohols in the presence of DMF-stabilized iridium nanoparticles was developed. The nanoparticles were prepared in one-step and thoroughly characterized. Furthermore, the optimum reaction conditions have a wide substrate scope and excellent product selectivity.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-stabilised palladium nanoparticles combined with bathophenanthroline as catalyst for transfer vinylation of alcohols from vinyl ether.

We report N,N-dimethylformamide-stabilised Pd nanoparticle (Pd NP)-catalysed transfer vinylation of alcohols from vinyl ether. Pd NPs combined with bathophenanthroline exhibited high catalytic activity. This reaction proceeded with low catalyst loading and the catalyst remained effective even after many rounds of recycling. The observation of the catalyst using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering implied no deleterious aggregation of Pd NPs.

Iridium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cycloisomerization between Functionalized Alkyne with Aryl Vinyl Ether: Synthesis of 2-Vinyl-3-functionalized Methylbenzofurans.

We have developed cycloisomerization between an aryl vinyl ether and a functionalized alkyne, such as silylalkyne, to give 2,3-disubstituted benzofuran derivatives using [IrCl(cod)]2, PCy3, and NaBArF4. This catalyst system not only catalyzes the above cycloisomerization but also isomerize a terminal olefin to give an aryl vinyl ether.

Iriomoteolides-14a and 14b, New Cytotoxic 15-Membered Macrolides from Marine Dinoflagellate Amphidinium Species.

Two new macrolides, iriomoteolides-14a (1) and 14b (2) have been isolated from the marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium species (strain KCA09057). Compounds 1 and 2 are 15-membered macrolides, which are structural analogs of amphidinolides O (3) and P (4). The structures of 1 and 2 were assigned on the basis of detailed NMR analyses and chemical conversion studies. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human cervix adenocarcinoma HeLa cells.

pH Stability and Antioxidant Power of CycloDOPA and Its Derivatives.

CycloDOPA (leukodopachrome), a well known metabolite of tyrosine, is a precursor of melanine in mammalian organisms and of the pigment betalain in plants. However, the isolation of cycloDOPA from natural sources has not been widely reported. In the present work, the stabilities of cycloDOPA and cycloDOPA methyl ester at various pH levels were studied. Both compounds were stable under acidic conditions. By contrast, both compounds were unstable when the pH was shifted from neutral to basic to form indole derivatives as major products. Based on the pH stability, cycloDOPA and its derivatives were subjected to the DPPH radical scavenging assay for the first time.

Tetrahedral Copper(II) Complexes with a Labile Coordination Site Supported by a Tris-tetramethylguanidinato Ligand.

A new tridentate N3 ligand (TMG3tach) consisting of cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tach) and three N,N,N',N'-tetramethylguanidino (TMG) groups has been developed to prepare copper complexes with a tetrahedral geometry and a labile coordination site. Treatment of the ligand with CuIIX2 (X = Cl and Br) gave copper(II)-halide complexes, [CuII(TMG3tach)Cl]+ (2Cl) and [CuII(TMG3tach)Br]+ (2Br), the structures of which have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The complexes exhibit a four-coordinate structure with C3v symmetry, where the labile halide ligand (X) occupies a position on the trigonal axis. 2Br was converted to a methoxido-copper(II) complex [CuII(TMG3tach)(OMe)](OTf) (2OMe), also having a similar four-coordinate geometry, by treating it with an equimolar amount of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol. The methoxido-complex 2OMe was further converted to the corresponding phenolato-copper(II) (2OAr) and thiophenolato-copper(II) (2SAr) complexes by ligand exchange reactions with the neutral phenol and thiophenol derivatives, respectively. The electronic structures of the copper(II) complexes with different axial ligands are discussed on the basis of EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations.

Supramolecular Photochirogenesis with a Higher-Order Complex: Highly Accelerated Exclusively Head-to-Head Photocyclodimerization of 2-Anthracenecarboxylic Acid via 2:2 Complexation with Prolinol.

An unprecedented 2:2 complex was shown to intervene in the enantiodifferentiating photocyclodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylic acid (A) mediated by a hydrogen-bonding template l-prolinol (P) to accelerate the formation of chiral anti-head-to-head and achiral syn-head-to-head cyclodimers in >99% combined yield with enhanced enantioselectivities of up to 72% ee for the former. The supramolecular complexation and photochirogenic behaviors, as well as the plausible structures, of intervening Am·Pn complexes (m, n = 1 or 2) were elucidated by combined theoretical and experimental spectroscopic, photophysical, and photochemical studies. Furthermore, the photochemical chiral amplification was achieved for the first time by utilizing the preferential 2:2 complexation of A with homochiral P to give normalized product enantioselectivities higher than those of the template used. The present strategy based on the higher-order hydrogen-bonding motif, which is potentially applicable to a variety of carboxylic acids and ß-aminoalcohols, is not only conceptually new and expandable to other (photo)chirogenic and sensing systems but also may serve as a versatile tool for achieving photochemical asymmetric amplification and constructing chiral functional supramolecular architectures.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Dehydroboration via Generation of Boron Enolates.

The PdII -catalyzed dehydroboration of boron enolates generated from ketones and 9-iodo-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane was achieved, providing a synthetically versatile protocol from ketones to α,ß-unsaturated ketones. The PdII compound employed in this reaction worked catalytically in the presence of Cu(OAc)2 . The high trans-selectivity of the olefinic moiety was observed. Aryl halide moieties (-Br and -Cl) remained intact for this reaction in spite of the presence of a Pd species. An ester substrate could also be applied when a stoichiometric amount of PdII was used. The crossover reactions using boron and silyl enolates revealed that the oxidation reaction is much faster than the Saegusa-Ito reaction.

A Model for the Active-Site Formation Process in DMSO Reductase Family Molybdenum Enzymes Involving Oxido-Alcoholato and Oxido-Thiolato Molybdenum(VI) Core Structures.

New bis(ene-1,2-dithiolato)-oxido-alcoholato molybdenum(VI) and -oxido-thiolato molybdenum(VI) anionic complexes, denoted as [Mo(VI)O(ER)L2](-) (E = O, S; L = dimethoxycarboxylate-1,2-ethylenedithiolate), were obtained from the reaction of the corresponding dioxido-molybdenum(VI) precursor complex with either an alcohol or a thiol in the presence of an organic acid (e.g., 10-camphorsulfonic acid) at low temperature. The [Mo(VI)O(ER)L2](-) complexes were isolated and characterized, and the structure of [Mo(VI)O(OEt)L2](-) was determined by X-ray crystallography. The Mo(VI) center in [Mo(VI)O(OEt)L2](-) exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry with the two ene-1,2-dithiolate ligands being symmetry inequivalent. The computed structure of [Mo(VI)O(SR)L2](-) is essentially identical to that of [Mo(VI)O(OR)L2](-). The electronic structures of the resulting molybdenum(VI) complexes were evaluated using electronic absorption spectroscopy and bonding calculations. The nature of the distorted O(h) geometry in these [Mo(VI)O(EEt)L2](-) complexes results in a lowest unoccupied molecular orbital wave function that possesses strong π* interactions between the Mo(d(xy)) orbital and the cis S(p(z)) orbital localized on one sulfur donor from a single ene-1,2-dithiolate ligand. The presence of a covalent Mo-S(dithiolene) bonding interaction in these monooxido Mo(VI) compounds contributes to their low-energy ligand-to-metal charge transfer transitions. A second important d-p π bonding interaction derives from the ∼180° O(oxo)-Mo-E-C dihedral angle involving the alcoholate and thiolate donors, and this contributes to ancillary ligand contributions to the electronic structure of these species. The formation of [Mo(VI)O(OEt)L2](-) and [Mo(VI)O(SEt)L2](-) from the dioxidomolybdenum(VI) precursor may be regarded as a model for the active-site formation process that occurs in the dimethyl sulfoxide reductase family of pyranopterin molybdenum enzymes.

Use of an appendicitis medical information sheet in the pediatric primary care system.

BACKGROUND: Accurate and prompt diagnosis is required for the primary evaluation of pediatric appendicitis. Among pediatricians and surgeons working in Yamanashi Prefecture, the pediatric appendicitis medical information (PAMI) sheet was edited in April 2011 to reflect the diagnostic results of the pediatric primary and emergency medical service and used as a referral document for surgical consultation to secondary hospitals. METHODS: The PAMI sheet consisted of sections for history taking, symptoms, physical signs and laboratory findings without a scoring system. For 32 consecutive months starting in April 2011, 59 patients hospitalized for suspected appendicitis were retrospectively reviewed. In particular, a total of 17 referral patients evaluated with the PAMI sheet were assessed in order to evaluate the utility of the form. RESULTS: The pediatric surgeons were able to easily determine patient condition from the PAMI sheet. In total, 13 of 17 patients had appendicitis. According to the physical findings of the 17 studied patients, the judgment of right lower quadrant tenderness (κ = 0.63) and guarding (κ = 1.00) was consistent between the pediatric surgeons and primary attending pediatricians. CONCLUSIONS: The PAMI sheet aids in the collection of detailed history and objective data with a high level of accuracy, and provides useful referral diagnostic information to the secondary-level hospitals.

Generation, Characterization, and Reactivity of a Cu(II)-Alkylperoxide/Anilino Radical Complex: Insight into the O-O Bond Cleavage Mechanism.

The reaction of [Cu(I)(TIPT3tren) (CH3CN)]ClO4 (1) and cumene hydroperoxide (C6H5C(CH3)2OOH, ROOH) at -60 °C in CH2Cl2 gave a Cu(II)-alkylperoxide/anilino radical complex 2, the formation of which was confirmed by UV-vis, resonance Raman, EPR, and CSI-mass spectroscopy. The mechanism of formation of 2, as well as its reactivity, has been explored.