Biological oxidation of cyclic ketones normally results in formation of the corresponding dicarboxylic acids, which are further metabolized in the cell. Rhodococcus ruber strain SC1 was isolated from an industrial wastewater bioreactor that was able to utilize cyclododecanone as the sole carbon source. A reverse genetic approach was used to isolate a 10-kb gene cluster containing all genes requ...

We have experimentally proved the unsymmetrical 1,1-diboration of diazo compounds, formed in situ from aldehydes and cyclic and non-cyclic ketones, in the absence of any transition metal complex. The heterolytic cleavage of the mixed diboron reagent, Bpin-Bdan, and the formation of two geminal C-Bpin and C-Bdan bonds has been rationalised based on DFT calculations to occur via a concerted-async...

The asymmetric anti-aldol addition of ketone-derived donors and aldehyde acceptors is described. Asymmetric induction is achieved through the use of chiral N-amino cyclic carbamate (ACC) auxiliaries. The transformation exhibits essentially perfect anti-diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity, and has the unusual feature of proceeding via thermodynamic, rather than kinetic control.