Catalytic, Tunable, One-Step Bismuth(III) Triflate Reaction with Alcohols: Dehydration Versus Dimerization.

Bi(OTf)·HO is a powerful catalyst for the dehydration of tertiary alcohols into alkenes in apolar solvents. The reaction proceeds smoothly and selectively, with amounts as low as 0.01 mol % catalyst, in yields up to 93%.

Dehydroabietic oximes halt pancreatic cancer cell growth in the G1 phase through induction of p27 and downregulation of cyclin D1.

Low 5-year survival rates, increasing incidence, as well as the specific challenges of targeting pancreatic cancer, clearly support an urgent need for new multifunctional drugs for the prevention and treatment of this fatal disease. Natural products, such as abietane-type diterpenoids, are widely studied as promiscuous anticancer agents. In this study, dehydroabietic oximes were identified as potential compounds to target pancreatic cancer and cancer-related inflammation.