Iodine(III)-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions Enabling a Direct Access to β-Lactams and α-Hydroxy-β-amino Acids.

In the presented method, a one-pot metal-free access to β-lactams is provided. The developed strategy employs a hypervalent iodine(III)-triggered bromination/rearrangement/cyclization cascade reaction that allows the straightforward synthesis of a broad range of structurally different lactams from cheap and easily available imides. This triple cascade reaction is furthermore extendable by an in situ ring-opening reaction, giving direct access to isoserine derivatives from simple imines in a four-step, one-pot reaction.

Iodine(III)-catalyzed rearrangements of imides: a versatile route to α,α-dialkylated α-hydroxy carboxylamides.

A tertiary hydroxy group α to a carboxyl moiety comprises a key structural motif in many bioactive substances. With the herein presented metal-free rearrangement of imides triggered by hypervalent λ(3)-iodane, an easy and selective way to gain access to such a compound class, namely α,α-disubstituted-α-hydroxy carboxylamides, was established. Their additional methylene bromide side chain constitutes a useful handle for rapid diversification, as demonstrated by a series of further functionalizations.

Uric acid monohydrate--a new urinary calculus phase.

In our laboratory more than 100,000 urinary calculi have been analysed since 1972. Amongst this huge sample, 15 specimens originating from a total of eight patients were observed showing similar characteristics but escaping unambiguous identification with any of the substances that have been described so far in urinary concrements. Therefore, the unknown substance was submitted to a more extended analytical regimen.