An ultrasensitive, continuous assay for xylanase using the fluorogenic substrate 6,8-difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-xylobioside.

We describe a fluorescence-based assay for the analysis of xylanase activity using a novel fluorogenic substrate, 6,8-difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-xylobioside (DiFMUX(2)). Generation of fluorescent 6,8-difluoro-4-methylumbelliferone (DiFMU) from the substrate corresponded directly to xylanase activity. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the digestion products showed that xylanase hydrolyzed DiFMUX(2) directly to DiFMU and xylobiose. The assay provides the speed, sensitivity, and convenience required for measuring xylanase activity or for screening xylanase inhibitors in a high-throughput format and is suitable for the kinetic assay of xylanases from a variety of sources.

New strategic reactions for organic synthesis: catalytic asymmetric C-H activation alpha to oxygen as a surrogate to the aldol reaction.

The C-H activation of silyl ethers by means of rhodium carbenoid-induced C-H insertion represents a very direct method for the stereoselective synthesis of silyl-protected beta-hydroxy esters. The reaction can proceed with very high regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity and represents a surrogate to the aldol reaction. The reaction is catalyzed by the rhodium prolinate complex Rh(2)(S-DOSP)(4). A critical requirement for the high chemoselectivity is the use of donor/acceptor-substituted carbenoids such as those derived from methyl aryldiazoacetates. A range of silyl ethers may be used such as allyl silyl ethers, tetraalkoxysilanes, and even simple trimethylsilyl alkyl ethers. In general, C-H activation preferentially occurs at methylene sites, as the reactivity is controlled by a delicate balance between steric and electronic effects.

Photochemical and Acid-Catalyzed Rearrangements of 4-Carbomethoxy-4-methyl-3-(trimethylsilyl)-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one.

The synthesis of 4-carbomethoxy-4-methyl-3-(trimethylsilyl)-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one (1) in 60% overall yield from benzaldehyde is described. Irradiation (366 nm) of 1 in benzene solution gave products of type A photorearrangement; e.g., diastereomers of the 4-(trimethylsilyl)- and 5-(trimethylsilyl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-en-2-ones 8 and 9. Bicyclohexenones 9a and 9b could not be isolated, but underwent acid-catalyzed protiodesilylative rearrangements on attempted chromatography (silica gel) to give a 1:1 mixture of (E)- and (Z)-4-(carbomethoxymethylmethylene)cyclopent-2-en-1-ones 12 and 13. Irradiation (366 nm) of either 12 or 13 resulted in photoisomerization to a photostationary state that was also a 1:1 mixture. Irradiation of 8a or 8b gave equivalent mixtures of phenols 14 and 15 by way of the type B oxyallyl zwitterion 17. The available experimental evidence suggests that both 9a and 9b undergo regiospecific photorearrangement to phenol 16 with no trace of 3-methyl-4-carbomethoxyphenol (19), the product of ipso substitution of the Me(3)Si group at C(4). Phenol 15 was isolated in 65% yield from the photoreaction of 1 in benzene with 20 equiv of CF(3)CO(2)H. The acid-catalyzed rearrangement of 1 to 3-carbomethoxy-4-methylphenol (21) occurs in 91% yield by way of CO(2)Me group rearrangement to C(3) to give the Me(3)Si-stabilized carbocation 23.