Ethereal Diazomethane Research Articles

Analysis of Flame Retardants Bis(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate and Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate in Textile Products by GC-MS

The use of flame retardants, namely bis(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (BDBPP) and tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TDBPP), in textile products such as curtains, carpets and sleeping clothes is banned in Japan under the 'Act on the Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances'. Herein, we developed a GC-MS based method to quantify these compounds with greater accuracy and safety than the current official method. For accurate and sensitive quantification, deuterated compounds, BDBPP-d10 and TDBPP-d15, were used as surrogate standards. In consideration of the safety of the analyst, certain solvents and reagents used for the pretreatment that are carcinogenic or have a risk of explosion were replaced. For the extraction step, benzene was replaced by ethyl acetate, and for the methyl derivatization step, the reagent was changed from a self-prepared solution of diazomethane in ether to a solution of trimethylsilyl diazomethane in hexane, a safe and easy-to-use commercially available reagent. The calibration curves were liner in the range of 0.5-8.0 μg/mL for both methylated BDBPP (BDBPP-Me) and TDBPP. The detection limit was 0.05 μg/g for BDBPP-Me and 0.3 μg/g for TDBPP, which is sufficiently low compared to the current detection limits of 10 μg/g for BDBPP-Me and 8 μg/g for TDBPP. The recoveries in various curtain material were 66-108% and relative standard deviations were 1.2-10.2% when 5 μg BDBPP and TDBPP were added to 0.5 g of samples. Thus, the developed method is applicable to textile products of various materials.

ChemInform Abstract: Diverse Natural Products from Dichlorocyclobutanones: An Evolutionary Tale

AbstractReview: 73 refs.

Diverse Natural Products from Dichlorocyclobutanones: An Evolutionary Tale.

11-Nor PGE2 was prepared in our laboratory several years ago and used to obtain the corresponding ring-expanded γ-butyrolactam, γ-butyrolactone, and cyclopentanone derivatives. The conversion of a cyclobutanone into a cyclopentanone had relatively little precedent and merited further study. It was soon found that the presence of a single chlorine adjacent to the carbonyl not only greatly accelerated the reaction with ethereal diazomethane, but also substantially enhanced its regioselectivity; not surprisingly, a second chlorine further increased both. The confluence of this finding and the discovery by Krepski and Hassner that the presence of phosphorus oxychloride significantly improved the Zn-mediated dehalogenation procedure for the preparation of α,α-dichlorocyclobutanones from olefins provided the starting point for decades' worth of exciting adventures in natural product synthesis. A wide variety of naturally occurring 5-membered carbocycles (e.g., hirsutanes, cuparenones, bakkanes, guaianolides, azulenes) could thus be prepared by using dichloroketene-olefin cycloaddition, followed by regioselective one-carbon ring expansion with diazomethane. Importantly, it was also found that natural γ-butyrolactones (e.g., β-oxygenated γ-butyrolactones, lactone fatty acids) could be secured through regioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cycloadducts with m-CPBA and that naturally occurring γ-butyrolactam derivatives (e.g., amino acids, pyrrolidines, pyrrolizidines, indolizidines) could be efficiently obtained by regioselective Beckmann ring expansion of the adducts with O-(mesitylenesulfonyl)hydroxylamine (Tamura's reagent). These 5-membered carbocycles, γ-butyrolactones, and γ-butyrolactam derivatives were generally secured in enantiopure form through the use of either intrinsically chiral olefins or olefins bearing Stericol, a highly effective chiral auxiliary developed specifically for this "three-atom olefin annelation" approach. In addition, considerable useful chemistry has been developed in the context of this synthesis program. This includes new methods for olefin vicinal dicarboxylation, β-methylene-γ-butyrolactonization, γ-butyrolactone and δ-valerolactone α-methylenations, transesterification, angelic ester synthesis, chiral enol and ynol ether preparations, dichloroacetylene synthesis, and trans, trans hydroxy triad introduction. This versatile dichlorocyclobutanone-centered approach to natural product synthesis, together with the attendant new methods that have been developed, forms the basis of this Account, which is presented as an evolutionary tale. It is hoped that the Account will stimulate other research groups to seek to exploit the rich chemistry of dichlorocyclobutanones for possible solutions to problems in organic synthesis.

Trimethylation Enhancement using Diazomethane (TrEnDi): Rapid On-Column Quaternization of Peptide Amino Groups via Reaction with Diazomethane Significantly Enhances Sensitivity in Mass Spectrometry Analyses via a Fixed, Permanent Positive Charge

Defining cellular processes relies heavily on elucidating the temporal dynamics of proteins. To this end, mass spectrometry (MS) is an extremely valuable tool; different MS-based quantitative proteomics strategies have emerged to map protein dynamics over the course of stimuli. Herein, we disclose our novel MS-based quantitative proteomics strategy with unique analytical characteristics. By passing ethereal diazomethane over peptides on strong cation exchange resin within a microfluidic device, peptides react to contain fixed, permanent positive charges. Modified peptides display improved ionization characteristics and dissociate via tandem mass spectrometry (MS(2)) to form strong a2 fragment ion peaks. Process optimization and determination of reactive functional groups enabled a priori prediction of MS(2) fragmentation patterns for modified peptides. The strategy was tested on digested bovine serum albumin (BSA) and successfully quantified a peptide that was not observable prior to modification. Our method ionizes peptides regardless of proton affinity, thus decreasing ion suppression and permitting predictable multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-based quantitation with improved sensitivity.

Unusual reaction of diazomethane with stereoisomeric 3-(benzylcarbamoyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrachloro-1,4-methano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2-carboxylic acids

Diazomethane is commonly used as efficient alkylating agent in the preparation of methyl esters and as a component in [2 + 3]-cycloaddition reactions [1]. However, there are no published data on dehydrating ability of diazomethane. With a view to accomplish cis–trans epimerization of cyclic amido acids I and II, an attempt was made to convert them into endo-cis and exo-cis amido esters III and IV by treatment with diazomethane in diethyl ether at 20°C. Unexpectedly, these reactions chemoselectively afforded the corresponding dicarboxylic acid imides V and VI, while even traces of esters III and IV were not detected. The structure of imides V and VI was confirmed by the H and C NMR spectra and independent synthesis from the corresponding anhydrides. It should be noted that known methods for the preparation of imides from amido acids require more severe conditions, in particular prolonged heating in high-boiling solvents (usually in DMF or Ac2O) in the presence of dehydrating agents [2]. rel-(1S,2R,3S,4R)-N-Benzyl-5,6,7,8-tetrachloro1,4-methano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2,3-dicarboximide (V). A solution of diazomethane in diethyl ether was added to a suspension of 0.9 g of amido acid I in diethyl ether until the mixture became homogeneous. The mixture was evaporated at 20oC, ISSN 1070-4280, Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2013, Vol. 49, No. 10, pp. 1548–1549. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2013. Original Russian Text © S.A. Ismailov, 2013, published in Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, 2013, Vol. 49, No. 10, pp. 1569–1570.

Biosynthesis, isolation, and NMR analysis of leukotriene A epoxides: substrate chirality as a determinant of the cis or trans epoxide configuration

Leukotriene (LT)A₄ and closely related allylic epoxides are pivotal intermediates in lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways to bioactive lipid mediators that include the leukotrienes, lipoxins, eoxins, resolvins, and protectins. Although the structure and stereochemistry of the 5-LOX product LTA₄ is established through comparison to synthetic standards, this is the exception, and none of these highly unstable epoxides has been analyzed in detail from enzymatic synthesis. Understanding of the mechanistic basis of the cis or trans epoxide configuration is also limited. To address these issues, we developed methods involving biphasic reaction conditions for the LOX-catalyzed synthesis of LTA epoxides in quantities sufficient for NMR analysis. As proof of concept, human 15-LOX-1 was shown to convert 15S-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15S-HPETE) to the LTA analog 14S,15S-trans-epoxy-eicosa-5Z,8Z,10E,12E-tetraenoate, confirming the proposed structure of eoxin A₄. Using this methodology we then showed that recombinant Arabidopsis AtLOX1, an arachidonate 5-LOX, converts 5S-HPETE to the trans epoxide LTA₄ and converts 5R-HPETE to the cis epoxide 5-epi-LTA₄, establishing substrate chirality as a determinant of the cis or trans epoxide configuration. The results are reconciled with a mechanism based on a dual role of the LOX nonheme iron in LTA epoxide biosynthesis, providing a rational basis for understanding the stereochemistry of LTA epoxide intermediates in LOX-catalyzed transformations.

Synthesis of new spiro compounds containing a carbamate group

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition to methyl 4-[2-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-ylidene)-1-oxoethyl]-phenylcarbamate of diazomethane in chloroform-diethyl ether and of 3,4-dimethoxybenzonitrile oxide generated from the corresponding aldehyde oxime by the action of N-chlorobenzenesulfonamide sodium salt (Chloramine B) in boiling ethanol gave, respectively, methyl 4-(2-oxo-1′,5′-dihydro-1H-spiro[indole-3,4′-pyrazol]-3′-ylcarbonyl)phenylcarbamate and methyl 4-[3′-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1H,4′H-spiro[indole-3,5′-isoxazol]-4′-ylcarbonyl]phenylcarbamate. The condensation of methyl 4-[2-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-ylidene)-1-oxoethyl]phenylcarbamate with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol afforded methyl 4-(2-oxo-1,2,2′,4′-tetrahydrospiro[indole-3,3′-pyrazol]-5′-yl)phenylcarbamate.

Identification and absolute configuration of dihydroxy-arachidonic acids formed by oxygenation of 5S-HETE by native and aspirin-acetylated COX-2

Biosynthesis of the prostaglandin endoperoxide by the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes is accompanied by formation of a small amount of 11R-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), 15R-HETE, and 15S-HETE as by-products. Acetylation of COX-2 by aspirin abrogates prostaglandin synthesis and triggers formation of 15R-HETE as the sole product of oxygenation of arachidonic acid. Here, we investigated the formation of by-products of the transformation of 5S-HETE by native COX-2 and by aspirin-acetylated COX-2 using HPLC-ultraviolet, GC-MS, and LC-MS analysis. 5S,15S- dihydroxy (di)HETE, 5S,15R-diHETE, and 5S,11R-diHETE were identified as by-products of native COX-2, in addition to the previously described di-endoperoxide (5S,15S-dihydroxy-9S,11R,8S,12S-diperoxy-6E,13E-eicosadienoic acid) as the major oxygenation product. 5S,15R-diHETE was the only product formed by aspirin-acetylated COX-2. Both 5,15-diHETE and 5,11-diHETE were detected in CT26 mouse colon carcinoma cells as well as in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 cells incubated with 5S-HETE, and their formation was attenuated in the presence of the COX-2 specific inhibitor, NS-398. Aspirin-treated CT26 cells gave 5,15-diHETE as the most prominent product formed from 5S-HETE. 5S,15S-diHETE has been described as a product of the cross-over of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and 15-LOX activities in elicited rat mononuclear cells and human leukocytes, and our studies implicate cross-over of the 5-LOX and COX-2 pathways as an additional biosynthetic route.

Comparison of two derivatisation methods for conjugated linoleic acid isomer analysis by Ag+‐HPLC/DAD in beef fat

AbstractTwo different procedures for the methylation of conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA) were compared by silver ion (Ag+)‐HPLC. The base‐catalysed method followed by an acid‐catalysed method (NaOCH3/BF3), and base hydrolysis followed by methylation with diazomethane in diethyl ether (diazomethane) were used to prepare fatty acid methyl esters from lipids present in subcutaneous adipose tissue from beef steers. The repeatability θ of the two derivatisation methods was high (>0.9) for the major CLA isomers cis‐9,trans‐11 and trans‐11,cis‐13. A significant difference between the methods was found for the four isomers trans‐11,trans‐13, trans‐10,trans‐12, trans‐9,trans‐11, and trans‐8,trans‐10 and for the sum of total trans/trans isomers for both absolute (mg/100 g) and relative (%), which were higher with the NaOCH3/BF3 method. For the main isomer cis‐9,trans‐11 and the sum of total CLA isomers, a higher concentration was identified with the diazomethane method (781.2 mg/100 g vs. 749.3 mg/100 g and 991.59 vs. 962.99, respectively).

Convergence of the 5-LOX and COX-2 pathways: heme-catalyzed cleavage of the 5S-HETE-derived di-endoperoxide into aldehyde fragments

Oxygenation of the 5-lipoxygenase product 5S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by cyclooxygenase-2 yields a bicyclic di-endoperoxide. The di-endoperoxide contains two peroxides spanning from carbons 9 to 11 and 8 to 12, and two hydroxyls at carbons 5 and 15 of arachidonic acid (Schneider C., et al. 2006. Convergent oxygenation of arachidonic acid by 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128: 720). Here, we report that treatment of the di-endoperoxide with hematin or ferrous chloride results in cleavage of both peroxide O-O bonds and of the bonds between the carbons that carry the peroxide groups, producing the aldehydes 4-hydroxy-2E-nonenal (4-HNE), 8-oxo-5S-hydroxy-6E-octenoic acid, and malondialdehyde (MDA). The hematin- and ferrous iron-catalyzed transformation of the di-endoperoxide proceeded with a similar yield of products as the cleavage of the prostaglandin endoperoxide PGH(2) to 12S-hydroxy-5Z,8E,10E-heptadecatrienoic acid and MDA. Chiral phase HPLC analysis of the 4-HNE cleavage product showed greater than 98% 4S and thus established the S configuration of the 15-carbon of the di-endoperoxide that had not previously been assigned. This transformation of the 5-lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase-2 derived di-endoperoxide invokes the possibility of a novel pathway to formation of the classic lipid peroxidation products 4-HNE and MDA.

Evidence for an Ionic Intermediate in the Transformation of Fatty Acid Hydroperoxide by a Catalase-related Allene Oxide Synthase from the Cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina

Allene oxides are reactive epoxides biosynthesized from fatty acid hydroperoxides by specialized cytochrome P450s or by catalase-related hemoproteins. Here we cloned, expressed, and characterized a gene encoding a lipoxygenase-catalase/peroxidase fusion protein from Acaryochloris marina. We identified novel allene oxide synthase (AOS) activity and a by-product that provides evidence of the reaction mechanism. The fatty acids 18.4omega3 and 18.3omega3 are oxygenated to the 12R-hydroperoxide by the lipoxygenase domain and converted to the corresponding 12R,13-epoxy allene oxide by the catalase-related domain. Linoleic acid is oxygenated to its 9R-hydroperoxide and then, surprisingly, converted approximately 70% to an epoxyalcohol identified spectroscopically and by chemical synthesis as 9R,10S-epoxy-13S-hydroxyoctadeca-11E-enoic acid and only approximately 30% to the 9R,10-epoxy allene oxide. Experiments using oxygen-18-labeled 9R-hydroperoxide substrate and enzyme incubations conducted in H2(18)O indicated that approximately 72% of the oxygen in the epoxyalcohol 13S-hydroxyl arises from water, a finding that points to an ionic intermediate (epoxy allylic carbocation) during catalysis. AOS and epoxyalcohol synthase activities are mechanistically related, with a reacting intermediate undergoing a net hydrogen abstraction or hydroxylation, respectively. The existence of epoxy allylic carbocations in fatty acid transformations is widely implicated although for AOS reactions, without direct experimental support. Our findings place together in strong association the reactions of allene oxide synthesis and an ionic reaction intermediate in the AOS-catalyzed transformation.

Reaction of 2-perfluoroalkanoylcyclohexane-1,3-diones with diazomethane

Treatment of 2-perfluoroalkanoyl-5.5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-diones with a solution of diazomethane in diethyl ether led to the formation of the corresponding enol ethers and 3-hydroxy-6,6-dimethyl-3-perfluoroalkyl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydrobenzofuran-4(5H)-ones. The latter underwent dehydration on heating in boiling benzene in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid to give 6,6-dimethyl-3-perfluoroalkyl-6,7-dihydrobenzofuran-4(5H)-ones.

Identification of methyl triclosan and halogenated analogues in male common carp ( Cyprinus carpio) from Las Vegas Bay and semipermeable membrane devices from Las Vegas Wash, Nevada

Methyl triclosan and four halogenated analogues have been identified in extracts of individual whole-body male carp ( Cyprinus carpio) tissue that were collected from Las Vegas Bay, Nevada, and Semipermeable Membrane Devices (SPMD) that were deployed in Las Vegas Wash, Nevada. Methyl triclosan is believed to be the microbially methylated product of the antibacterial agent triclosan (2, 4, 4'-trichloro-4-hydroxydiphenyl ether, Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number 3380-34-5, Irgasan DP300). The presence of methyl triclosan and four halogenated analogues was confirmed in SPMD extracts by comparing low- and high-resolution mass spectral data and Kovats retention indices of methyl triclosan with commercially obtained triclosan that was derivatized to the methyl ether with ethereal diazomethane. The four halogenated analogues of methyl triclosan detected in both whole-body tissue and SPMD extracts were tentatively identified by high resolution mass spectrometry. Methyl triclosan was detected in all 29 male common carp from Las Vegas Bay with a mean concentration of 596 μg kg − 1 wet weight (ww) which is more than an order of magnitude higher than previously reported concentrations in the literature. The halogenated analogs were detected less frequently (21%–76%) and at much lower concentrations (< 51 μg kg − 1 ww). None of these compounds were detected in common carp from a Lake Mead reference site in Overton Arm, Nevada.

Ontogenic development-associated changes in the expression of genes involved in rat bile acid homeostasis

Ontogenic changes in the rat bile acid (BA) pool, measured enzymatically and by GC-MS, and expression of enzymes (5alpha-reductase, 5beta-reductase, and cytochrome P450 enzymes Cyp7a1, Cyp8b1, Cyp27 and Cyp3a11), transporters [bile salt export pump, sodium taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide, apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter, and organic solute transporter alpha/beta (Ostalpha/Ostbeta)], and nuclear receptors [fetoprotein transcription factor (Ftf), farnesoid X receptor (Fxr), small heterodimer partner (Shp), and hepatic nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF-4alpha)], determined by quantitative PCR, were investigated. The absolute size of the BA pool increased progressively up to adulthood, whereas the complexity of its composition was high in fetuses, decreased after birth, increased again progressively up to adulthood, and decreased in aged animals. Allo-cholic acid only appeared early in development, in spite of low 5alpha-reductase expression. The relative size of the BA pool, corrected by liver weight, was maintained from 1 week after birth, except at weaning, when a transient peak accompanied by Shp downregulation and Cyp7a1 upregulation was observed. An imposed weaning delay of 1 week had no effect on the time course of the BA pool size but decreased the proportion of chenodeoxycholic and alpha-muricholic acids, whereas the proportion of cholic acid was increased, probably as a result of Cyp8b1 upregulation. In conclusion, changes in the expression of genes involved in BA homeostasis may play a role in physiological adaptations to digestive functions during the rat life span.

On the Relationships of Substrate Orientation, Hydrogen Abstraction, and Product Stereochemistry in Single and Double Dioxygenations by Soybean Lipoxygenase-1 and Its Ala542Gly Mutant

Recent findings associate the control of stereochemistry in lipoxygenase (LOX) catalysis with a conserved active site alanine for S configuration hydroperoxide products, or a corresponding glycine for R stereoconfiguration. To further elucidate the mechanistic basis for this stereocontrol we compared the stereoselectivity of the initiating hydrogen abstraction in soybean LOX-1 and an Ala542Gly mutant that converts linoleic acid to both 13S and 9R configuration hydroperoxide products. Using 11R-(3)H- and 11S-(3)H-labeled linoleic acid substrates to examine the initial hydrogen abstraction, we found that all the primary hydroperoxide products were formed with an identical and highly stereoselective pro-S hydrogen abstraction from C-11 of the substrate (97-99% pro-S-selective). This strongly suggests that 9R and 13S oxygenations occur with the same binding orientation of substrate in the active site, and as the equivalent 9R and 13S products were formed from a bulky ester derivative (1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoylphosphatidylcholine), one can infer that the orientation is tail-first. Both the EPR spectrum and the reaction kinetics were altered by the R product-inducing Ala-Gly mutation, indicating a substantial influence of this Ala-Gly substitution extending to the environment of the active site iron. To examine also the reversed orientation of substrate binding, we studied oxygenation of the 15S-hydroperoxide of arachidonic acid by the Ala542Gly mutant soybean LOX-1. In addition to the usual 5S, 15S- and 8S, 15S-dihydroperoxides, a new product was formed and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, UV, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and NMR as 9R, 15S-dihydroperoxyeicosa-5Z,7E,11Z,13E-tetraenoic acid, the R configuration "partner" of the normal 5S,15S product. This provides evidence that both tail-first and carboxylate end-first binding of substrate can be associated with S or R partnerships in product formation in the same active site.

Determination of the urinary aglycone metabolites of vitamin K by HPLC with redox-mode electrochemical detection

We describe a method for the determination of the two major urinary metabolites of vitamin K as the methyl esters of their aglycone structures, 2-methyl-3-(3'-3'-carboxymethylpropyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (5C-aglycone) and 2-methyl-3-(5'-carboxy-3'-methyl-2'-pentenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (7C-aglycone), by HPLC with electrochemical detection (ECD) in the redox mode. Urinary salts were removed by reversed-phase (C18) solid-phase extraction (SPE), and the predominantly conjugated vitamin K metabolites were hydrolyzed with methanolic HCl. The resulting carboxylic acid aglycones were quantitatively methylated with diazomethane and fractionated by normal-phase (silica) SPE. Final analysis was by reversed-phase (C18) HPLC with a methanol-aqueous mobile phase. Metabolites were detected by amperometric, oxidative ECD of their quinol forms, which were generated by postcolumn coulometric reduction at an upstream electrode. The assay gave excellent linearity (typically, r2 > or = 0.999) and high sensitivity with an on-column detection limit of < 3.5 fmol (< 1 pg). The interassay precision was typically 10%. Metabolite recovery was compared with that of an internal standard [2-methyl-3-(7'-carboxy-heptyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone] added to urine samples just before analysis. Using this methodology, we confirmed that the 5C- and 7C-aglycones were major catabolites of both phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamin K2) in humans. We propose that the measurement of urinary vitamin K metabolite excretion is a candidate noninvasive marker of total vitamin K status.

1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Diazomethane and Diazocyclopropane to 2-Fluoro-3-methylbutadiene and Thermal Transformations of Fluorine-Containing Vinylpyrazolines and Vinylcyclopropanes.

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Surface-Catalyzed Growth of Polymethylene-Rich Copolymer Films on Gold

We report the preparation of a new class of copolymer films that consist of polymethylene (PM) with a low percentage ( approximately 1-4%) of randomly distributed ethyl ester side groups, consistent with poly(methylene-co-ethyl acetate). The films are prepared through a surface-catalyzed polymerization on gold surfaces upon exposure to a dilute solution of diazomethane (DM) and ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) in ether at 0 degrees C. While EDA alone does not polymerize at gold surfaces but DM does decompose on gold to grow PM films, the combined presence of EDA and DM results in dramatic enhancements in film growth and promotes an alternative mechanism for propagation as compared with that for the PM homopolymerization. The rate of copolymer film growth is constant over a approximately 24 h period, consistent with a controlled polymerization in which chain terminations are minimized. Carefully controlled experiments indicate that chain propagation does not occur at the outer film-solvent interface, but more likely, at the film-metal interface, suggesting a catalyzed insertion mechanism that extends the chain and pushes the outer chain termini further away from the metal-polymer interface. The results also suggest that adsorbed intermediates of EDA function as co-catalysts to promote the propagation reaction. Of particular importance for materials modification is that the ester side chains of these copolymer films can be hydrolyzed to carboxylate groups that exhibit pH-dependent wettability.

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of diazomethane and diazocyclopropane to 2-fluoro-3-methylbutadiene and thermal transformations of fluorine-containing vinylpyrazolines and vinylcyclopropanes

Reactions of 2-fluoro-3-methylbuta-1,3-diene with diazomethane in ether at 15 °C and with diazocyclopropane generated in situ by decomposition of N-cyclopropyl-N-nitrosourea in the presence of K2CO3 in CH2Cl2 at –10 °C selectively involve the double bond at the methyl group to give 3-(1-fluorovinyl)-3-methylpyrazolines. Thermal dediazotization of the latter at 250 °C yields 1-(1-fluorovinyl)-1-methylcyclopropane and -spiropentane 5, which are capable of isomerizing, under more severe conditions (400—600 °C), into 1-fluoro-2-methylcyclopent-1-ene and 5-fluoro-4-methylspiro[2.4]hept-4-ene (7), respectively. Spiropentane derivative 5 partially isomerizes into 1-fluoro-2-methyl-3-methylidenecyclohex-1-ene. In a similar way, thermolysis of 6-(2,3,3-trifluorocyclobut-1-enyl)-4,5-diazaspiro[2.4]hept-4-ene at 400 °C gives a mixture of 1-(spiropentyl)-2,3,3-trifluorocyclobut-1-ene and 2,3,3-trifluoro-1-(2-methylidenecyclobutyl)cyclobut-1-ene. Thermolysis of 1-cyclopropyl-2,3,3-trifluorocyclobut-1-ene at 550—620 °C affords a mixture of 1-(trifluorovinyl)cyclopentene and 2,3-difluorotoluene.

Homologation of Vicinal Polyketone Networks to Epoxy Ketones with Diazomethane

Admixture of vicinal di-, tri-, and tetraketones with ethereal diazomethane results in one-time methylene transfer to the less hindered face of the sterically most accessible and electron-deficient carbonyl group to deliver epoxy ketones in a highly selective manner unless ring strain effects contravene.