Electronic structures of bisnoradamantenyl and bisnoradamantanyl dications and related species.

The highly pyramidalized molecule bisnoradamantene is extremely reactive toward nucleophiles and dienes. In this work, we studied the electronic structure of bisnoaradamantene, as well as those of its cation and dication, which are previously unreported carbonium ions. According to QTAIM and MO analysis, there is a 3c-2e bonding system in the bisnoradamantenyl cation and a 4c-2e bonding system in the bisnoradamantenyl dication.

The three-component biginelli reaction: a combined experimental and theoretical mechanistic investigation.

Biginelli reactions have been monitored by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and key cationic intermediates involved in this three-component reaction have been intercepted and further characterized by tandem MS experiments (ESI-MS/MS). Density functional theory calculations were also used to investigate the feasibility of the major competing mechanisms proposed for the Biginelli reaction. The experimental and theoretical results were found to corroborate the iminium mechanism proposed by Folkers and Johnson, whereas no intermediates directly associated with either the more energy demanding Knoevenagel or enamine mechanisms could be intercepted.

Superacid-promoted reactions of alpha-ketoamides and related systems.

The superacid-promoted reactions of alpha-hydroxy and alpha-ketoamides have been studied. Ionization of these compounds leads to varied aryl-substituted oxyindole products. In some cases, electrocyclization can lead to substituted fluorene products.