Photochemistry of α,α′-Disubstituted Azoalkanes. I. Photosolvolytic Inversion and Substitution of α,α′-Dichloro- and α,α′-Dialkoyloxyazoalkanes

A series of α,α′-dichloro (α DClA), α,α′-dialkoyloxy- (αDAlA) and α,α′-dibenzoxy-azoalkanes (αDBeA) without α-aryl substituents was found to undergo meso ? dl photointerconversion upon direct irradiation through Pyrex in the presence of oxygen in a number of solvents. Furthermore, irradiation of α,α′-dipropionoxy-azoalkanes in benzene in the presence of excess acetic acid leads to substitution of the propionoxy groups by acetoxy groups in addition to meso ? dl photointerconversion. Similar irradiation in the presence of CH₃CO₂D does not lead to deuterium substitution of the β-hydrogens. The presence of benzenethiol radical scavenger does not affect the course of these photoreactions. Photosolvolysis schemes involving heterolysis (in the case of αDAlA and αDBeA) or an unstable intermediate (in the case of αDClA) are proposed.     

Poly(α,α,α′,α′-tetrafluoro-p-xylylene)

Poly(α,α,α′,α′-tetrafluoro-p-xylylene) was prepared by the pyrolysis of cyclo-di-(α,α,α′,α′-tetrafluoro-p-xylylene) and by the pyrolysis of α,α′-bis(alkylsulfonyl)-α,α,α′,α′-tetrafluoro-p-xylene. The pyrolysis of α,α′-dibromo-α,α,α′,α′-tetrafluoro-p-xylylene also gave the polymer, but the method is less satisfactory. Poly(α,α,α′,α′-tetrafluoro-p-xylylene) shows remarkable thermal and oxidative stability at elevated temperatures. Useful mechanical and electrical properties are retained after aging for 3000 hr at 250° in air. After initial change due to crystallization, tensile strength remains near 10,000 psi, elongation above 5%, and dielectric constants and dissipation factors at approximately 2.4 and .001, respectively.     

Influence of isomer ratio and ring substituents in decomposition activation energies of α,α,α′,α′‐tetrasubstituted dibenzyls

Diethyl‐2,3‐dicyano‐2,3‐di‐(X‐substituted phenyl) succinates (X = p‐OCH₃, p‐CH₃, p‐Cl, H, p‐NO₂) can initiate the free‐radical polymerization of styrene. The decomposition rate constant and activation energy were measured by means of a dilatometer, and the results showed that they were strongly dependent on the ratio of meso‐ and dl‐isomers in the polysubstituted dibenzyl compounds and the properties of the ring substituents. On the other hand, it was found that the polystyrenes, which were obtained by initiation with hydrogen, had a much larger average molecular weight than that with p‐OCH₃ and p‐CH₃. The experimental phenomena were correlated with the structure of the radical resulting from hydrogen. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2964–2971, 2001     

Synthesis of α, α′, β-trideuterovinyl acetate

Reaction conditions for the synthesis of α, α′, β-trideuterovinyl acetate by the continuous vapour phase catalytic reaction of deuteroacetylene and acetic acid-d (CH₃COOD) are described.     

Radiation-induced copolymerization of α,β,β-trifluoroacrylonitrile with α-olefin

Homopolymerization and copolymerization of α,β,β-trifluoroacrylonitrile (FAN) with γ-olefins were carried out in bulk by γ-ray irradiation at 25°C. FAN gives very small quantities of brown and greasy low molecular weight polymer. Cyano groups in FAN polymer were found to be readily hydrolyzed to acid amide groups in the atmosphere. FAN was found to copolymerize with ethylene, propylene, and isobutylene via a radical mechanism to form equimolar copolymers in a wide range of monomer compositions. The polymerization rate increases linearly with FAN fraction in the monomer mixture. These copolymers are also hydrolyzed in the atmosphere, and the hydrolysis proceeds with more difficulty for the copolymer with higher α-olefin. The reactivity ratios r₁ (FAN) and r₂ (α-olefin) were determined to be 0.01 and 0.12 for the FAN/ethylene copolymerization and 0.01 and 0.07 for the FAN/propylene copolymerization. These results confirm that an alternating copolymerization takes place in the FAN/α-olefin system.     

Polymerization of α, α-disubstituted-β-propiolactones and lactams. 9. ABA block copolymers of α-methyl-α-butyl-β-propiolactone and pivalolactone

ABA block copolymers were prepared by the anionic polymerization of α-methyl-α-butyl-β-propiolactone, MBPL (B block), and pivalolactone, PL (A blocks). The MBPL block had a very low decree of crystallinity and a glass temperature of ? 13°C, so phase separation with extensive crystallization of the PL blocks gave thermoplastic elastomers when the MBPL block constituted the principal and continuous phase. The observed crystallinity and melting point of 40–45°C in the MBPL homopolymer have not been previously reported. Measurements were obtained by electron microscopy of the initial size distribution of the PL domains as a function of copolymer composition and degree of polymerization, and on the effect of annealing on this parameter. Tensile strengths and elongations at break were both less than those previously observed for equivalent ABA block copolymers of PL and α-methyl-α-propyl-β-propiolactone.     

Synthesis of α‐Arylphosphonates using Copper‐Catalyzed α‐Arylation and Deacylative α‐Arylation of β‐Ketophosphonates

Efficient methods for the direct arylation and deacylative arylation of β‐ketophosphonates with iodoarenes in presence of a copper(I) or a copper(II) salt as the catalysts have been developed. The corresponding α‐arylphosphonates were obtained in high yields. A tentative mechanism for the deacylative arylation reaction was proposed on the basis of the experimental data.     

Synthesis of γ‐Fluoro‐α, β‐unsaturated Carboxylic Esters from Saturated α‐Fluoro Aldehydes

γ‐Fluoro‐α, β‐unsaturated carboxylic esters 7a, 7b and 7d and 4‐fluoro‐4‐phenylbut‐3‐enoic ester ( 8 ) are obtained by two alternative pathways from 2‐fluoro aldehydes 5a—d , either by Horner—Wadsworth—Emmons reaction or by Wittig reaction. The aldehydes 5a—d are prepared by Swern oxidation of the corresponding fluorohydrins 4a—d . These are available from α‐olefins by bromofluorination, bromineby‐acetate replacement and subsequent hydrolysis.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Efficient Formation of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones from Propargylic Acetates

An efficient gold‐catalyzed method for the preparation of α,β‐unsaturated ketones from propargylic acetates has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, β‐monosubstituted enones were formed mostly with excellent E‐selectivity. β,β‐Disubstituted enones can be prepared from propargylic acetates derived from ketones. The high efficiency and mild nature of this reaction render it a viable alternative for the synthesis of α,β‐unsaturated ketones.     

Enantioselective Phase‐Transfer Catalytic α‐Benzylation and α‐Allylation of α‐tert‐Butoxycarbonyllactones

A new enantioselective α‐benzylation and α‐allylation of α‐tert‐butoxycarbonyllactones was devloped. α‐Benzylation and α‐allylation of α‐tert‐butoxycarbonylbutyrolactone and α‐tert‐butoxycarbonylvalerolactone under phase‐transfer catalytic conditions (50% cesium hydroxide, toluene, −60 °C) in the presence of (S,S)‐3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl‐NAS bromide (1 mol%) afforded the corresponding α‐substituted α‐tert‐butoxycarbonyllactones in very high chemical yields (up to 99%) and optical yields (up to 99% ee). The synthetic potential of this method has been successfully demonstrated by the asymmetric synthesis of unnatural α‐quaternary homoserines, 3‐alkyl‐3‐carboxypyrrolidine and 3‐alkyl‐3‐carboxypiperidine.     

Acetylcholine Promotes Binding of α‐Conotoxin MII at α3β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

α‐Conotoxin MII (α‐CTxMII) is a 16‐residue peptide with the sequence GCCSNPVCHLEHSNLC, containing Cys2–Cys8 and Cys3–Cys16 disulfide bonds. This peptide, isolated from the venom of the marine cone snail Conus magus, is a potent and selective antagonist of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). To evaluate the impact of channel–ligand interactions on ligand‐binding affinity, homology models of the heteropentameric α₃β₂‐nAChR were constructed. The models were created in MODELLER with the aid of experimentally characterized structures of the Torpedo marmorata‐nAChR (Tm‐nAChR, PDB ID: 2BG9) and the Aplysia californica‐acetylcholine binding protein (Ac‐AChBP, PDB ID: 2BR8) as templates for the α₃‐ and β₂‐subunit isoforms derived from rat neuronal nAChR primary amino acid sequences. Molecular docking calculations were performed with AutoDock to evaluate interactions of the heteropentameric nAChR homology models with the ligands acetylcholine (ACh) and α‐CTxMII. The nAChR homology models described here bind ACh with binding energies commensurate with those of previously reported systems, and identify critical interactions that facilitate both ACh and α‐CTxMII ligand binding. The docking calculations revealed an increased binding affinity of the α₃β₂‐nAChR for α‐CTxMII with ACh bound to the receptor, and this was confirmed through two‐electrode voltage clamp experiments on oocytes from Xenopus laevis. These findings provide insights into the inhibition and mechanism of electrostatically driven antagonist properties of the α‐CTxMIIs on nAChRs.     

An efficient Synthesis of Acetylenic γ- and δ-Hydroxy Ketones, γ- and δ-keto acids,and γ- diketones via addition of 1-alkinyllithium compounds to γ- and δ-lactones

2-Hydroxy-6-alkyn-5-ones 3 , 1-hydroxy-5-alkyn-4-ones 4 , and 1-hydroxy-6-alkyn-5-ones 5 are conveniently obtained in excellent yields through a highly selective monoaddition of an 1-alkynyllithium compound 2 to γ-valerolactone (1a) , γ-butyrolactone (1b) or δ-valerolactone (1c) . They are oxidized by pyridinium dichromate or Jones reagent to the corresponding acetylenic 1,4-diketones 6 , 4-oxo carboxylic acids 7 , and 5-oxo carboxylic acids 8 , respectively.     

α-Methylierter Fencholen- und α-Campholenaldehyd – Synthese und Reaktionen

α-Methylated Fencholenic and α-Campholenic Aldehyde – Synthesis and Reactions The syntheses of α-methylated fencholenic ( 6a ) and α-campholenic aldehyde ( 6b ) via the corresponding azomethines ( 5 ) are reported. Aldol condensations of 6a, b with following reductions give the allylic alcohols ( 12–16 ) and hydrogenation the saturated alcohols ( 17–21 ) with strong woody odors, some of the allylic alcohols resembling that of sandal wood. Simple reduction or oxidation of 6a, b give the alcohols ( 24, 27 ), ethers ( 26 ), esters ( 23, 25, 28 ) and ketones ( 29 ) which have interesting woody odors with spicy, earthy and herbaceous notes.     

One‐Pot Quinine‐Catalyzed Synthesis of α‐Chiral γ‐Keto Esters: Enantioenriched Precursors of cis‐α,γ‐Substituted‐γ‐Butyrolactones

A highly enantioselective one‐pot synthesis of important building blocks, α‐chiral γ‐keto esters, has been developed by combining a quinine‐catalyzed Michael addition of malononitrile to trans‐enones followed by magnesium monoperoxyphthalate (MMPP) oxidation. These synthons proved to be useful reagents for a simple access to challenging cis‐α,γ‐disubstituted γ‐butyrolactones in good diastereoselectivity and high enantiocontrol.

     

Hydriodic Acid Reduction of α-Ketol and α-Diketo Fatty Acids

The hydriodic acid reduction of α-ketol and α-diketo derivatives of three monoethenoid fatty acids, oleic, petroselinic and erucic acids, has been studied. The formation of an isomeric mixture of monoketo acids in each has been established by characterization of monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids, the hydrolysed fragments of Beckmann rearrangement of the corresponding oximes of monoketo acids, by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Hydriodic acid has been found to be a satisfactory reagent for the synthesis of monoketo acids from the α-ketol and α-diketo acids.     

Structure Determination of Derivatives of α-Amino-α, α-Diphenylacetamide by Mass Spectrometry

The mass spectral fragmentation pattern of a series of derivatives of α-amino-α,α-diphenylacetamide of the types A and B is described. The fragmentation of some related benzhydryl ureas (C) is also included.