Wolfgang Notz

Amine-catalyzed direct asymmetric Mannich-type reactions

Three chiral cyclic secondary amines are shown to be catalysts for the direct asymmetric Mannich-type reaction of acetone with a variety of preformed aldimines derived from o-anisidine. A simple one-pot three-component reaction procedure consisting of aldehyde, acetone, p-anisidine and an amine catalyst provides the corresponding β-amino ketones with 50–89% ee under very mild conditions.

α(1‐3)‐Galactosyltransferase Inhibition Based on a New Type of Disubstrate Analogue

How do retaining glycosyltransferases function? To answer this question, UDP-Gal and galactose were covalently linked to form disubstrate analogues 1, of which surprisingly 1β and not 1α inhibited α(1-3)-galactosyltransferases very well. An understanding of this inhibition is a key to the pharmacological prevention of hyperacute rejection in pig to primate xenotransplantation.

Direct organocatalytic aldol reactions in buffered aqueous mediaElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental data and full characterization of all new compounds: see http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b2/b207664k

Organocatalytic cross-aldol reactions catalyzed by cyclic secondary amines in aqueous media provide a direct route to a variety of aldols including carbohydrate derivatives and may warrant consideration as a prebiotic route to sugars.