Cerium (IV) sulfate mediated oxidative addition of 1-phenylcycloalkenes and styrene derivatives in methanol: Synthesis of 1,2-dimethoxy compounds

The reaction of 1-phenylcycloalkenes and derivatives of styrene with cerium(IV) sulfate tetrahydrate in methanol leads to the formation of 1,2-dimethoxy compounds (54–89%).

Inhibitors of biotin biosynthesis as potential herbicides: part 2

Isosteres and analogues of 7-keto-8-aminopelargonic acid (KAPA) and 7,8-diaminopelargonic acid (DAPA), the vitamer intermediates involved in the biosynthetic pathway of biotin, possessing chain lengths of eight carbon atoms, were prepared and evaluated as potential herbicides. The most active compounds, 7-amino-octanoic acid hydrochloride and 7-allyloxy-6-oxo-octanoic acid, displayed Arabidopsis GR50 (concentration of the active compound that causes a 50% growth inhibition) values of 5 and 10 mg kg(-1) respectively. The DAPA analog 6,7-diamino-octanoic acid dihydrochloride, when tested in the greenhouse against six weed species, displayed moderate activity against three species, being most active against foxtail millet.

Oxidative cleavage of the C-C bond of 3,6-dialkylcyclohexane-1,2-diones by cell suspension cultures of Marchantia polymorpha

Biotransformation of 3,6-dialkylcyclohexane-1,2-diones by cell suspension cultures of Marchantia polymorpha involves regioselective oxidative cleavage of the C-C bond to give the corresponding oxocarboxylic acids shortened by one carbon unit. In the case of cyclohexane-1,2-dione, adipic acid was obtained.