A Strategy toward Icetexane Natural Products.

Icetexane diterpenoids are richly complex polycyclic natural products that have been described with a variety of biological activities. We report here a general synthetic approach toward the 6-7-6 tricyclic core structure of these interesting synthetic targets based on a two-step enolate alkylation and ring-closing metathesis reaction sequence.

Michael Additions of Highly Basic Enolates to ortho-Quinone Methides.

A protocol by which ketone or ester enolates and ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) are generated in situ in a single reaction flask from silylated precursors under the action of anhydrous fluoride is reported. The reaction partners are joined to give a variety of β-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-carbonyl compounds in 32-94% yield in a single laboratory operation. The intermediacy of o-QMs is supported by control experiments utilizing enolate precursors and conventional alkyl halides as competitive alkylating agents and the isolation of 1,5-dicarbonyl products resulting from conjugate additions that do not restore the aromatic system.

Metal-free functionalization of N,N-dialkylanilines via temporary oxidation to N,N-dialkylaniline N-oxides and group transfer.

A simple set of protocols for the controlled elaboration of anilines is reported allowing access to a diverse array of aminophenols, aminoarylsulfonates, alkylated anilines, and aminoanilines in 29-95% yield in a single laboratory operation from easily isolable, bench-stable N,N-dialkylaniline N-oxides. The introduction of new C-O, C-C, and C-N bonds on the aromatic ring is made possible by a temporary increase in oxidation level and excision of a weak N-O bond.

Hydrogen transfer from supercritical methanol over a solid base catalyst: a model for lignin depolymerization.

A (super)critical transfer: The consecutive hydrogenolysis and hydrogenation of the lignin model compound dihydrobenzofuran was studied in supercritical methanolic solutions using porous metal oxide catalysts. These catalysts promote H(2) production from methanol followed by hydrogenolysis of the ether linkages and reduction of the aromatic rings, leading principally to a mixture of cyclohexanols.

Management of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. II. Beyond reperfusion.

The last issue of the Journal contains a continuing medical education article on reperfusion therapy in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and this article completes the sequence by discussing other aspects of the management of acute STEMI.