Abstract  The synthesis of d- and l-glycero-alpha-manno-thioheptopyranosides, protected with 4,6-O-alkylidene-type acetals is described. In glycosylations carried out with preactivation with the 1-benzenesulfinylpiperidine/trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride couple, both the D- and L-glycero series exhibit excellent beta-selectivity with a range of glycosyl acceptors. In contrast, a 4,7-O-alkylidene acetal was found not to afford beta-selectivity. With a 4,6-O-[1-cyano-2-(2-iodophenyl)ethylidene] acetal protected thioglycoside, excellent beta-selectivity was obtained in glycosylation reactions, and subsequent treatment with tributyltin hydride and azoisobutyronitrile brought about clean fragmentation to the 6-deoxy-glycero-beta-D-manno-heptopyranosides. This chemistry was applied to the stereocontrolled synthesis of methyl alpha-L-rhamno-pyranosyl-(1-->3)-D-glycero-beta-D-manno-heptopyranosyl-(1-->3)-6-deoxy-glycero-beta-D-manno-heptopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamno-pyranoside, a component of the lipopolysaccharide from Plesimonas shigelloides.

Abstract  The synthesis and crystallographic characterization of two new classes of cationic three- and four-membered organophosphorus heterocycles are reported. Treating phosphaalkene tBuP=CHtBu (1) with triflic acid (2:1) afforded an unprecedented asymmetric diphosphiranium triflate [tBuP-CH(tBu)-P(tBu)(CH2tBu)]OTf (2). Surprisingly, the analogous reaction of tBuP=CHtBu with methyl triflate (2:1) afforded a 1,3-diphosphetanium salt [tBu(Me)P-CH(tBu)-P(tBu)-CH(tBu)]OTf (3a). Structural characterization of these novel P2C and P2C2 rings confirmed their identity, and the metrical parameters were consistent with the strain expected for these ring systems. In preliminary mechanistic investigations by NMR spectroscopy, phosphenium species [tBuPCH2tBu]OTf (4) was detected in the stoichiometric reaction of 1 with HOTf while methylenephosphonium [Me(tBu)P=CHtBu]OTf (5) was observed when 1 was treated with MeOTf. The opposite reactivity observed when the P=C bond is treated with MeOTf compared that with HOTf is surprising and, to our knowledge, has not been observed previously in phosphaalkene chemistry. In addition to their fundamental interest, we are interested in these species as ring-closed forms of the propagating species in the cationic polymerization of P=C bonds.

Abstract  The introduction of phenyl groups at different points on carbosilane dendrimers allows their acidolytic conversion to highly reactive triflato groups which in turn are readily substituted by anionic nucleophiles. Core phenylated first-fourth generation dendrimers were synthesized from tri(allyl)phenylsilane by an alternating sequence of hydrosilylation and allylation steps. Similarly, carbosilane dendrimers containing phenyl-Si groups at the branching points and in the periphery were prepared from tetraallylsilane which was hydrosilylated with PhHSiCl2. Reaction of the phenylated dendrimers with triflic acid in toluene cleanly gave the silyl triflate derivatives, provided that the correct stoichiometry of the reagents was used. In the presence of a large excess of triflic acid the SiMe3-end groups are slowly converted to SiMe2(OTf)-units. The proof of concept was provided by the fixation of a {Ph2PCH2} group using the lithiated diphenylphosphinomethanide Ph2PCH2Li, obtained by cleavage of Ph3SnCH2PPh2 with PhLi, as well as a lithiated ether-alcohol functionalized triphos derivative to the core of a third generation carbosilane dendrimer.

Abstract  The structure of the hydrated and the dimethyl sulfoxide solvated rubidium ions in solution has been determined by means of large-angle X-ray scattering (LAXS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) studies. The models of the hydrated and dimethyl sulfoxide solvated rubidium ions fitting the experimental data best are square antiprisms with Rb-O bond distances of 2.98(2) and 2.98(3) A, respectively. The EXAFS data show a significant asymmetry in the Rb-O bond distance distribution with C(3) values of 0.0076 and 0.015 A(3), respectively. No second hydration sphere is observed around the hydrated rubidium ion. The dimethyl sulfoxide solvated rubidium ion displays a Rb-O-S bond angle of ca. 130 degrees, which is typical for a medium hard electron acceptor such as rubidium.

Abstract  gp65 and gp55 are glycoprotein components of CNS synapses that are recognised by a single monoclonal antibody, SMgp65. This antibody has now been used to investigate the molecular properties of these two glycoproteins and the structural relationship between them. Both gp65 and gp55 occur in most brain regions as doublets of apparent molecular masses of 63 and 67 kDa, and 52 and 57 kDa, respectively. Striatal samples, however, are enriched in a novel gp65 isoform of 69 kDa. Removal of oligosaccharide residues from gp65 and gp55 with trifluoromethanesulphonic acid shows that gp65 and gp55 are composed of single polypeptide chains of 40 and 28 kDa, respectively. Removal of sialic acid residues with neuraminidase lowers the apparent molecular mass of both glycoproteins by 5-6 kDa. Triton X-114 phase partitioning and alkaline extraction of synaptic membranes indicate that both gp65 and gp55 are integral membrane glycoproteins. Treatment of synaptic membranes with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C does not solubilise either glycoprotein. One-dimensional peptide and epitope maps obtained by digestion of gp65 and gp55 with endoproteinase lys C or subtilisin are consistent with a close structural relationship between the two molecules. Tryptic digestion of samples enriched in gp65 and/or gp55 results in the formation of a novel immunoreactive 53-kDa species that is resistant to further trypsin degradation except in the presence of 0.1% (wt/vol) sodium dodecyl sulphate. Trypsin treatment of cultures of forebrain neurones in situ lowers the apparent molecular mass of gp65 to 53 kDa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abstract  Herein we report on the development of novel glycosylation methodology for the concise synthesis of naturally occurring glycoconjugate motifs containing N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) from the cheaper and commercially available N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). The stereoselective glycosylations proceed with catalytic amounts of a promoter and without the need for N-protection other than the biologically relevant N-acetyl group. Among the catalysts explored, both Bi(OTf)3 and Fe(OTf)3 were found to be highly active Lewis acids for this reaction. It was also found that other less reactive metal triflates such as those of Cu(II) and Yb(III) can be beneficial in glycosylation reactions on more demanding glycosyl acceptors. We have furthermore demonstrated that it is possible to control the anomeric stereoselectivity in the glycosylation via postglycosylation in situ anomerization to obtain good yields of α-galactosides. The present protocol was used to prepare important naturally occurring carbohydrate motifs, including a trisaccharide fragment of the naturally occurring marine sponge clarhamnoside.

Abstract  Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and other electrophiles promote formation of the adamantanone core from the readily accessible 1,5-dimethyl-3,7-dimethylenebicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one 2. Because adamantyl cation 3 can be trapped by a range of nucleophiles, including aromatic and heteroaromatic rings, alcohol, nitriles, and halides, access to a wide variety of functionality at the newly formed tertiary position is provided.

Abstract  A new approach towards the synthesis of indole derivatives via triflic acid-promoted cycloisomerization with rearrangement of 2-(alkyn-1-yl)phenyl isothiocyanates and 2-(alkyn-1-yl)phenyl isocyanates has been achieved. By this methodology, structurally diverse types of indole derivatives such as thieno- and furo-indoles, spiro-indolethiones, spiro-oxindoles, and 3-alkylidene-oxindoles were synthesized.

Abstract  The cell wall of an alkalophilic strain of Bacillus sp. C-125 is composed of A1 gamma-peptidoglycan, a teichuronic acid and an unknown acidic polymer composed of glutamic acid and glucuronic acid, of which the molar ratio is approx. 4-5:1. Poly(gamma-L-glutamate) was prepared from the acidic polymer by removal of almost all of the glucuronic residues with trifluoromethanesulphonic acid treatment and purified chromatographically. The Mr of the polyglutamate preparation was estimated to be 14,000 by gel chromatography, or 43,000 on the basis of the content of N-terminal acid residues. The acidic polymer found in the cell wall of the organism was concluded to be a polyglutamate substituted with (oligo)glucuronic acid residues or a complex composed of two kinds of polymers (polyglutamate and polyglucuronate).

Abstract  We have explored the possibility of using 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DIDMH) as an alternative to N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) for activation of glycosyl donors of the thioglycoside type in various glycosylation reactions. DIDMH was found to match NIS when it comes to the capability to activate thioglycosides and provide glycosylation products in good yields. Notably, with the two equivalents of reactive iodonium ions per molecule of DIDMH less mass needs to be added making this activator a more atom economically alternative to NIS. Furthermore, DIDMH was found to be stable upon storage for weeks and comparably priced to NIS. With this knowledge in hand we therefore encourage the carbohydrate community to consider using DIDMH for activation of thioglycosides in glycosylation reactions.

Abstract  Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed selective arene C-H bond hydroxylation and nitration reactions of azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridines were achieved using KNO2 as an ambident O- and N-nucleophile under very mild aerobic conditions to yield functionalized azacalixaromatics. The reaction, which selectivity between hydroxylation and nitration was modulated by the reaction medium employed, proceeded through a Cu(II)-Cu(III)-Cu(I) mechanism.

Abstract  A new synthetic protocol for the hydroxymethylation of terminal acetylenes is described that involves stoichiometric Carreira alkynylation with solid paraformaldehyde (HO[CH2O]nH) in PhMe at 60 °C. Significantly, the method can be successfully applied on acetylenes that possess base-sensitive ester functionality and heterocyclic rings that readily undergo metalation. While N-methylephedrine (NME) is generally the best Zn(OTf)2-coordinating ligand for promoting hydroxymethylation, TMEDA can serve as a replacement.

Abstract  In response to wounding and pathogens, jasmonate (JA) serves as a signal molecule for both induction and repression of gene expression. To examine defense-regulated gene repression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we have identified a nonclassical arabinogalactan protein (AGP) gene, AGP31, and show that its mRNA decreased to about 30% of its original level within 8 h in response to methyl JA (MeJA) treatment of whole 7-d-old seedlings. Wounding and abscisic acid treatment had similar effects. MeJA suppression primarily depends on the action of the JA-signaling protein, COI1, as shown by much lower MeJA suppression in coi1-1 mutant plants. The main mechanism of mRNA suppression by MeJA is repression of transcription, as shown by nuclear run-on experiments. The AGP31 protein shares features with several known and putative nonclassical AGPs from other species: a putative signal peptide, a histidine-rich region near the N terminus followed by a repetitive proline-rich domain, and a cysteine-rich C-terminal PAC (for proline-rich protein and AGP, containing cysteine) domain. Positive Yariv reagent interaction demonstrated that the protein is an AGP. Monosaccharide analysis of purified AGP31 indicated it is a galactose-rich AGP. Expression of an AGP31-enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein in transgenic cells revealed that the AGP31 protein was localized to the cell wall. AGP31 promoter-beta-glucuronidase reporter gene analysis showed expression in the vascular bundle throughout the plant, except in the flower. In the flower, beta-glucuronidase staining occurred throughout the pistil, except in the stigma. The strong preferential expression in vascular tissues suggests that AGP31 may be involved in vascular tissue function during both the defense response and development.

Abstract  Conditions are described for the preparation of cholesterol with (17)O and (18)O labels from i-cholesteryl methyl ether using minimal amounts of isotopically enriched water. Optimum yields employed trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as catalyst in 1,4-dioxane at room temperature with 5 equivalents of water. An isotopic enrichment >90% of that of the water used for the reaction could be attained. Tetrafluoroboric acid could also be used as catalyst, at the expense of a lower overall reaction yield. Byproducts from the reaction included dicholesteryl ether, methyl cholesteryl ether, compounds formed by ether hydrolysis, and olefins arising from elimination reactions. Reactions in tetrahydrofuran yielded significant amounts of cholesteryl ethers formed by reaction with alcohols arising from hydrolysis of the solvent.

Abstract  Direct oxygen atom transfer from a nonheme Mn(iv)-oxo complex, [(Bn-TPEN)MnIV(O)]2+, to triphenylphosphine (Ph3P) derivatives occurs with a significant steric effect resulting from the ortho-substituents on the phenyl group of the Ph3P derivatives, whereas the phosphine oxygenation by a Mn(iv)-oxo complex in the presence of HOTf occurs via an electron transfer mechanism without the substrate-steric effect.

Abstract  Electrochemical fluorination of methyl(phenylthio)acetate was achieved using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF). Electrochemical fluorination was performed under potentiostatic anodic oxidation using an undivided cell in acetonitrile containing TBAF and triflic acid. The influence of several parameters including: oxidation potential, time, temperature, sonication, TBAF concentration and triflic acid concentration on fluorination efficiency were studied. It was found that the triflic acid to TBAF concentration ratio plays a key role in the fluorination efficiency. Electrochemical fluorination resulted in formation of mono-fluorinated methyl 2-fluoro-2-(phenylthio)acetate verified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy. Under optimum conditions 44 ± 3% mono fluorination yield was obtained after a 30 min electrolysis. Electrochemical radiofluorination for the synthesis of methyl 2-[18F]fluoro-2-(phenothio) acetate was also achieved with the same optimized electrochemical cell parameters where TBAF was first passed through an anion exchange resin containing fluorine-18. A radiochemical fluorination efficiency of 7 ± 1% was achieved after 30 min of electrolysis.

Abstract  The selective two-electron reduction of O(2) by one-electron reductants such as decamethylferrocene (Fc*) and octamethylferrocene (Me(8)Fc) is efficiently catalyzed by a binuclear Cu(II) complex [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OH)](2+) (D1) {LO is a binucleating ligand with copper-bridging phenolate moiety} in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (HOTF) in acetone. The protonation of the hydroxide group of [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OH)](2+) with HOTF to produce [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OTF)](2+) (D1-OTF) makes it possible for this to be reduced by 2 equiv of Fc* via a two-step electron-transfer sequence. Reactions of the fully reduced complex [Cu(I)(2)(LO)](+) (D3) with O(2) in the presence of HOTF led to the low-temperature detection of the absorption spectra due to the peroxo complex [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OO)] (D) and the protonated hydroperoxo complex [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OOH)](2+) (D4). No further Fc* reduction of D4 occurs, and it is instead further protonated by HOTF to yield H(2)O(2) accompanied by regeneration of [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OTF)](2+) (D1-OTF), thus completing the catalytic cycle for the two-electron reduction of O(2) by Fc*. Kinetic studies on the formation of Fc*(+) under catalytic conditions as well as for separate examination of the electron transfer from Fc* to D1-OTF reveal there are two important reaction pathways operating. One is a rate-determining second reduction of D1-OTF, thus electron transfer from Fc* to a mixed-valent intermediate [Cu(II)Cu(I)(LO)](2+) (D2), which leads to [Cu(I)(2)(LO)](+) that is coupled with O(2) binding to produce [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OO)](+) (D). The other involves direct reaction of O(2) with the mixed-valent compound D2 followed by rapid Fc* reduction of a putative superoxo-dicopper(II) species thus formed, producing D.

Abstract  The synthesis of a series of P(Et)P(NRR(')) (P(Et)P(NRR(')) = Et2PCH2CH2P(CH2NRR')2, R = H, R' = Ph or 2,4-difluorophenyl; R = R' = Ph or (i)Pr) diphosphine ligands containing mono- and disubstituted pendant amine groups and the preparation of their corresponding molybdenum bis(dinitrogen) complexes trans-Mo(N2)2(PMePh2)2(P(Et)P(NRR('))) is described. In situ IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopic studies monitoring the stepwise addition of triflic acid (HOTf) to trans-Mo(N2)2(PMePh2)2(P(Et)P(NRR('))) complexes in tetrahydrofuran at -40 °C show that the electronic and steric properties of the R and R' groups of the pendant amines influence whether the complexes are protonated at Mo, a pendant amine, a coordinated N2 ligand, or a combination of these sites. For example, complexes containing monoaryl-substituted pendant amines are protonated at Mo and the pendant amine site to generate mono- and dicationic Mo-H species. Protonation of the complex containing less basic diphenyl-substituted pendant amines exclusively generates a monocationic hydrazido (Mo(NNH2)) product, indicating preferential protonation of an N2 ligand. Addition of HOTf to the complex featuring more basic diisopropyl amines primarily produces a monocationic product protonated at a pendant amine site, as well as a trace amount of dicationic Mo(NNH2) product that is additionally protonated at a pendant amine site. In addition, trans-Mo(N2)2(PMePh2)2(depe) (depe = Et2PCH2CH2PEt2) was synthesized to serve as a counterpart lacking pendant amines. Treatment of this complex with HOTf generated a monocationic Mo(NNH2) product. Protonolysis experiments conducted on several complexes in this study afforded trace amounts of NH4(+). Computational analysis of trans-Mo(N2)2(PMePh2)2(P(Et)P(NRR('))) complexes provides further insight into the proton affinity values of the metal center, N2 ligand, and pendant amine sites to rationalize differences in their reactivity profiles.

Abstract  The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of twelve phenyl acridine-9-carboxylates--alkyl-substituted in the phenyl fragment--and their 10-methyl-9-(phenoxycarbonyl)acridinium salts dissolved in CD3CN, CD3OD, CDCl3 and DMSO-d6 were recorded in order to examine the influence of the structure of these compounds and the properties of the solvents on chemical shifts and 1H-(1)H coupling constants. Experimental data were compared with 1H and 13C chemical shifts predicted at the GIAO/DFT level of theory for DFT(B3LYP)/6-31G** optimised geometries of molecules, as well as with values of 1H chemical shifts and 1H-(1)H coupling constants, estimated using ACD/HNMR database software to ensure that the assignment was correct. To investigate the relations between chemical shifts and selected structural or physicochemical characteristics of the target compounds, the values of several of these parameters were determined at the DFT or HF levels of theory. The HOMO and LUMO energies obtained at the HF level yielded the ionisation potentials and electron affinities of molecules. The DFT method provided atomic partial charges, dipole moments, LCAO coefficients of pz LUMO of selected C atoms, and angles reflecting characteristic structural features of the compounds. It was found that the experimentally determined 1H and 13C chemical shifts of certain atoms relate to the predicted dipole moments, the angles between the acridine and phenyl moieties, and the LCAO coefficients of the pz LUMO of the C atoms believed to participate in the initial step of the oxidation of the target compounds. The spectral and physicochemical characteristics of the target compounds were investigated in the context of their chemiluminogenic ability.

Abstract  A very simple and convenient reaction for 1,3-diketone preparation from carboxylic acids and aromatic ketones in TFAA/TfOH system is described. When the β-phenylpropionic acids were used as starting materials, they initially gave 1-indanones and then underwent further acylation with the formation of 2-(β-phenylpropionyl)-1-indanones as the main reaction products. In addition, the application of the proposed protocol allowed for the synthesis of selected polysubstituted pyrazoles in a one-pot procedure directly from acids and ketones.

Abstract  We report the oxidation of cyclic olefins, such as cyclohexene, cyclohexene-d10, and cyclooctene, by mononuclear nonheme manganese(IV)-oxo (Mn(IV)O) and triflic acid (HOTf)-bound Mn(IV)O complexes. In the oxidation of cyclohexene, the Mn(IV)O complexes prefer the C-H bond activation to the C═C double bond epoxidation, whereas the C═C double bond epoxidation becomes a preferred reaction pathway in the cyclohexene oxidation by HOTf-bound Mn(IV)O complexes. In contrast, the oxidation of cyclohexene-d10 and cyclooctene by the Mn(IV)O complexes occurs predominantly via the C═C double bond epoxidation. This conclusion is drawn from the product analysis and kinetic studies of the olefin oxidation reactions, such as the epoxide versus allylic oxidation products, the formation of Mn(II) versus Mn(III) products, and the kinetic analyses. Overall, the experimental results suggest that the energy barrier of the C═C double bond epoxidation is very close to that of the allylic C-H bond activation in the oxidation of cyclic olefins by high-valent metal-oxo complexes. Thus, the preference of the reaction pathways is subject to changes upon small manipulation of the reaction environments, such as the supporting ligands and metal ions in metal-oxo species, the presence of HOTf (i.e., HOTf-bound Mn(IV)O species), and the allylic C-H(D) bond dissociation energies of olefins. This is confirmed by DFT calculations in the oxidation of cyclohexene and cyclooctene, which show multiple pathways with similar rate-limiting energy barriers and depending on the allylic C-H bond dissociation energies. In addition, the possibility of excited state reactivity in the current system is confirmed for epoxidation reactions.

Abstract  Reaction of 2-aryl-1,3-dioxane with arenes in the presence of a catalytic amount of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid gave the corresponding diarylmethanes in good to excellent yields. The acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts benzylation of arenes could altenatively be carried out using arenecarbaldehyde and 1,3-propanediol. The reaction was assumed to proceed through a redox process involving hydride shift from the cyclic acetal moiety to the benzylic carbon. The hydride shift was confirmed by the reaction with 5-ethyl-2-phenyl-4,4,6,6-tetradeuterio-1,3-dioxane, wherein more than 90% deuterium was incorporated into the benzylic carbon of the diphenylmethane. Diphenylmethyl ether Ph(2)CHOCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH also reacted with benzene to afford diphenylmethane under the same reaction conditions, suggesting that the ether should be the plausible intermediate that underwent the hydride shift.

Abstract  The synthesis of a legionaminic acid donor from N-acetylneuraminic acid in 15 steps and 17% overall yield is described. Activation of the adamantanyl thioglycoside in the donor with N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in dichloromethane and acetonitrile at -78 °C in the presence of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols affords the corresponding glycosides in excellent yield and good to excellent equatorial selectivity. In particular, coupling to the 4-OH of a suitably protected neuraminic acid derivative affords a disaccharide that closely resembles the glycosidic linkage in the polylegionaminic acid from the lipopolysaccharide of the Legionella pneumophila virulence factor. A straightforward deprotection sequence enables conversion of the protected glycosides to the free N,N-diacetyllegionaminic acid glycosides.

Abstract  The structure, stability and infrared spectral signatures of triflic acid (TA) with water clusters (Wn) and protonated water clusters (TAH+Wn, n = 1 - 6) were computed using DFT and MP2 methods. Our calculations show that a minimum of three water molecules are necessary to stabilize the dissociated zwitterionic form of TA. It can be seen from the results that there is no significant movement of protons in smaller (n = 1 and 2) and linear (n = 1 - 6) types of water clusters. Further, the geometries of TAWn clusters first form a neutral pair (NP) to contact ion pair (CIP), then form a solvent separated ion pair (SSIP) in a water hexamer. These findings reveal that proton transfer may take place through NP to CIP and then CIP to SSIP. The calculated binding energies (BEs) of ion pair clusters is always higher than that of NP clusters (i.e., more stable than the NP). Existing excess proton linear chain clusters transfer a proton to adjacent water molecules via a Grotthuss mechanism, whereas the same isomers in the branched motifs do not conduct protons. Examination of geometrical parameters and infrared frequencies reveals hydronium ion (H3O+ also called Eigen cation) formation in both TAWn and protonated TAWn clusters. The stability of Eigen water clusters is three times higher than that of other non-Eigen water clusters. Our study shows clearly that formation of ion pairs in TAWn and TAH+Wn clusters greatly favors proton transfer to neighboring water molecules and also enhances the stability of these complexes.