Functionalized distyrylbenzene analogs and , bearing a tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based receptor for Zn(2+), were synthesized by a Horner-Emmons-Wittig coupling reaction. It has been found that Zn(2+) complexation induces changes in the linear absorption spectrum that enhance a nonlinear sequential two-photon absorption of nanosecond pulses at 532 nm. This absorption was also found to depend o...

The stereoselective transformation of α-alkoxyacetoaldehydes to the corresponding (Z)-vinyl triflates was achieved by treatment with phenyl triflimide and DBU. The stereochemistry was explained by the "syn-effect," which was attributed primarily to an σ → π* interaction. The β-alkoxy vinyl triflates obtained were applied to the stereoselective synthesis of structurally diverse (Z)-allylic alcoh...

Several microorganisms produce small quantities of polyunsaturated hydrocarbons and such natural products are of interest. Starting from the ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid, the total synthesis of the natural product (all-Z)-hentriaconta-3,6,9,12,15,19,22,25,28-nonaene has been achieved in eight steps and 15% overall yield. The synthesis is based on a stereoselective Wittig reaction and co...

Trifluoroethanol has been elaborated, via a telescoped sequence involving a metalated difluoroenol, a difluoroallylic alcohol, [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement, and ultimately an RCM reaction and requiring minimal intermediate purification, to a number of cyclooctenone intermediates. Epoxidation of these intermediates followed by transannular ring opening or dihydroxylation, then transannular hemiace...

The first total synthesis of 4-methylthio-3-butenyl glucosinolate (MTBG), a natural bioactive compound and a precursor of radish phototropism-regulating substances, was achieved from commercially available 1,4-butanediol. The glucosinolate framework was prepared by coupling of an oximyl chloride derivative and tetraacetyl thioglucose. A methylthio group was introduced to the framework by a Witt...

(E)-Alkyl ortho-hydroxycinnamates cyclize to coumarins at elevated temperatures of 140-250 °C. We find that the use of tri-n-butylphosphane (20 mol %) as a nucleophilic organocatalyst in MeOH solution allows cyclization to take place under much milder conditions (60-70 °C). Several coumarins were prepared, starting from ortho-hydroxyarylaldehydes, by Wittig reaction with Ph(3)P=CHCO(2)Me to (E)...

Substituted homoallylic alcohols have been synthesised both by [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement of unsymmetrical bis-allylic ethers and reaction of alkenyl chloromethyl oxiranes with Mg/THF. These substrates were then oxidized using four different oxidants. When the substituted homoallylic alcohols were oxidized with pyridinium chlorochromate or zinc chlorochromate nonahydrate the corresponding carbo...

Reactions of N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane with cyclopentanone have been studied in the presence of aromatic carboxylic acids and primary amines, proceeds smoothly at room temperature under neutral conditions to afford sterically congested 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives by an intramolecular Aza-Wittig cyclization in CH2Cl2 in excellent yields. The structures of the products were deduced from...

Wittig reaction has recently been applied also in the preparation of 5-nitrofuran derivatives of ethylene [1—5]. The quoted syntheses were accomplished starting either from 5-nitrofurfuryl halides which were converted into 5-nitrofurfurylidenephosphoranes and subsequent condensation of the latter with carbonyl compounds [1—4], or the intermediate phosphoranes were prepared from other furfuryl h...