In the following, the first results on ultraviolet laser desorption (UVLD) of bioorganic compounds in the mass range above 10000 daltons are reported. Strong molecular ion signals were registered by use of an organic matrix with strong absorption at the wavelength used for controlled energy deposition and soft desorption (7)

Laser desorption ionization of proteins with molecular masses exceeding 10,000 daltons

Identification of an endogenous 2-monoglyceride, present in canine gut, that binds to cannabinoid receptors.

Small-molecule H-bond donors in asymmetric catalysis.

The oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes with O2 in place of stoichiometric oxygen donors is a crucial process for the synthesis of fine chemicals. However, the catalysts that have been identified so far are relatively inactive with primary alkyl alcohols. We showed that Au/Pd-TiO2 catalysts give very high turnover frequencies (up to 270,000 turnovers per hour) for the oxidation of alcohols, including primary alkyl alcohols. The addition of Au to Pd nanocrystals improved the overall selectivity and, using scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we showed that the Au-Pd nanocrystals were made up of a Au-rich core with a Pd-rich shell, indicating that the Au electronically influences the catalytic properties of Pd.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/311/5759/362.full.pdf

Solvent-Free Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Aldehydes Using Au-Pd/TiO2 Catalysts

Ru-, Rh-, and Pd-Catalyzed C-C Bond Formation Involving C-H Activation and Addition on Unsaturated Substrates: Reactions and Mechanistic Aspects

Comprehensive organic chemistry : the synthesis and reactions of organic compounds

Heterocyclic mesomeric betaines

The Stevens [1,2] rearrangement of acyl-stabilised ammonium ylides has been investigated with regard to stereoselectivity, intramolecularity and the formation of products in addition to the [1,2] rearrangement product. A detailed study of the effects of reaction conditions upon the rearrangement of the ylide derived from the salt (13) has shown that the stereoselectivity (retention of the configuration of the chiral migrating group) and intramolecularity decrease as solvent viscosity decreases. The rearrangement of the salt (13) in water at 0 °C is essentially intramolecular with virtually complete retention of the configuration of the migrating group. These results, together with the isolation of products that can be rationalised on the basis of random free-radical coupling, indicate that the [1,2] rearrangement of acyl-stabilised ammonium ylides normally involves a radical pair mechanism.

W. David Ollis

Papers

Comprehensive organic chemistry : the synthesis and reactions of organic compounds

Heterocyclic mesomeric betaines

Base catalysed rearrangements involving ylide intermediates. Part 15. The mechanism of the Stevens [1,2] rearrangement

Stereoselective epoxidation of hydroxyenones. The synthesis of the sidechain of clerocidin

The orthosomycin family of antibiotics—I : The constitution of flambamycin