Titanocene(III) chloride mediated radical-induced addition to Baylis-Hillman adducts: synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes and alpha-methylene/arylidene delta-lactones.

Baylis-Hillman adduct underwent smooth radical-induced condensation with activated bromo compounds and epoxides using titanocene(III) chloride (Cp2TiCl) as the radical generator. The reactions of activated bromo compounds with 3-acetoxy-2-methylene alkanoates provided (E)-alkenes exclusively, whereas similar reactions with 3-acetoxy-2-methylenealkanenitriles led to (Z)-alkenes as the major product. The reactions of epoxides with Baylis-Hillman adduct furnished alpha-methylene/arylidene-delta-lactones in good yield via addition followed by in situ lactonization.

[Costal exostoses, complicated in the neonatal period, by brachial plexus paralysis. A distinct entity of exostoses?].

Two highly unusual cases of brachial plexus palsy due to compression by exostosis of the first rib in the neonatal period are reported. Etiologic diagnosis in these patients required elimination of other tumors of the first rib, including multiple exostoses. The contradictions found lead the authors to suggest individualization of a form of multiple exostoses different from classical multiple exostoses by a number of features including growth, complications, and inheritance.

[Branchio-oto-renal dysplasia. A hereditary dominant autosomal syndrome with variable expression].

A pedigree of branchio-oto-renal dysplasia (BOR syndrome) is reported. BOR syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder in which affected individuals may have branchial fistulas or cysts, preauricular pits, structural defects of the outer, middle an inner ear with hearing loss, and renal anomalies which may range from mild hypoplasia to complete absence. As shown in our pedigree, all carriers of the gene may not present with all features of the syndrome.