Characterization of a phosphotriesterase-like lactonase from the hyperthermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Vulcanisaeta moutnovskia.

The phosphotriesterase-like lactonase (PLL) encoded by Vmut_2255 in the hyperthermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Vulcanisaeta moutnovskia (VmutPLL), represents the only hyperthermophilic PLL homologue identified so far in addition to the previously characterized thermophilic PLLs from Sulfolobus spp. The Vmut_2255 gene was cloned, heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli; the resultant protein purified and characterized as a 82kDa homodimer (36kDa subunits). The VmutPLL converted lactones and acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) with comparable activities.

3-Methoxalylchromones--versatile reagents for the regioselective synthesis of functionalized 2,4'-dihydroxybenzophenones, potential UV-filters.

The reaction of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with 3-methoxalylchromones affords a great variety of functionalised 2,4'-dihydroxybenzophenones. These products are formed by a domino Michael/retro-Michael/Mukaiyama-aldol reaction. The synthesized compounds are promising candidates for the synthesis of the novel UV-A/B and UV-B filters.

Synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted arenes, cyclohexenones and pyran-4-ones by cyclocondensation of 1,3-bis(silyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with 4,4-dimethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one: influence of the lewis acid on the product distribution.

The TiCl(4)-mediated formal [3 + 3] cyclocondensation of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes with 4,4-dimethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one afforded a variety of functionalized 4-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)salicylates and 3-methoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenols with very good regioselectivity. The Me(3)SiOTf-mediated cyclization of 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-butadienes, containing no substituent located at carbon atom C-4 of the diene (R(1) = H), resulted in the formation of trifluoromethyl-substituted pyran-4-ones. In contrast, trifluoromethylated cyclohexenones were formed when dienes were employed which do contain a substituent located at carbon C-4 (R(1) not equal H).