Zwitterion-Catalyzed Isomerization of Maleic to Fumaric Acid Diesters

Fumaric acid diesters are important building blocks for organic synthesis. A class of zwitterionic organocatalysts based on an amide anion/iminium cation charge pair were found to be effective in catalyzing the isomerization of maleic acid diesters to give fumaric acid diesters. Comparison of the performance of different zwitterionic organocatalysts toward the reaction revealed that nonclassical hydrogen bonding was involved in the stabilization of the Michael adduct intermediate.

Comparative gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric characterization of di- and trialkyl phosphites

RATIONALE

Homologous series of alkyl esters of phosphorus-containing acids, namely, dialkyl phosphonates (synonym: dialkyl phosphites) and trialkyl phosphites, were characterized by electron ionization (EI) mass spectra and gas chromatographic retention indices (GC RI) on semi-standard non-polar stationary phases. It is confirmed that GC/MS characterization of any sets of homologues should not be restricted to independent registration of these analytical parameters. Their joint processing in the form of so-called homologous increments of GC RIs means, firstly, a novel way of evaluating the chromatographic polarity of analytes and, secondly, a new algorithm for the prediction of their molecular weights if no peaks of molecular ions are registered in the mass spectra.

METHODS

A standard GC/MS technique, including determination of GC RIs on semi-standard nonpolar stationary phases in temperature-programmed regime and electron ionization (EI) mass spectra was used.

RESULTS

A total of 31 dialkyl phosphonate homologues and 37 trialkyl phosphite homologues were characterized by EI mass spectra and GC RIs for the first time. Joint processing of these analytical parameters allows the calculation of so-called homologous increments of GC RIs, which are useful parameters for evaluating the chromatographic polarity of analytes and predicting their molecular weights.

CONCLUSIONS

GC/MS characterization of any sets of homologues should not be restricted to independent registration of the mass spectra and chromatographic retention parameters. Their joint processing in the form of so-called homologous increments of GC retention indices means, firstly, a novel way of evaluating the chromatographic polarity of analytes and, secondly, a new algorithm for predicting their molecular weights.