Joseph McKenna

A mild and efficient process for detoxifying polychlorinated biphenyls

Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were effectively dechlorinated to biphenyl under mild conditions using an aqueous solution of sodium hypophosphite in the presence of a palladium catalyst.

Amino Acids as a Chiral Pool: Synthesis of (S)‐and (R)‐2‐N‐Carbomethoxy‐5‐aminoindane from (S)‐ and (R)‐Phenylalanines

Abstract Enantioselective syntheses of (R)‐and (S)‐2‐N‐carbomethoxy‐5‐aminoindanes from (R)‐ and (S)‐phenylalanines, respectively, are described. A Friedel–Crafts reaction employing N‐carbomethoxy phenylalanine leads to chiral 2‐N‐carbomethoxy‐1‐indanone, which is diastereoselectively reduced to 1‐hydroxy‐2‐N‐carbomethoxyindane. After protection of the hydroxyl group, a regioselective nitration gives a 6‐nitroindane intermediate, which upon hydrogenation affords (R)‐or (S)‐2‐N‐carbomethoxy‐5‐aminoindane.