Abstract: Substituted dithiol pyrazine compounds useful as reducing agents in biologically relevant media having formula: where variables are defined herein and corresponding oxidized pyrazine dithianes. Reducing agents useful to reduce disulfide bonds, particularly in proteins, or to prevent the formation of disulfide bonds, particularly in proteins, and other biological molecules. Reducing agents useful to regulate protein function in proteins in which a sulfhydryl group is associated with biological activity. Reducing agents useful and suitable for application in a variety of biological applications, particularly as research and synthetic reagents. S-acylated dithiol pyrazine compounds, where R3 is an acyl group, are selectively activated as reducing agents by removal of the S-acyl groups enzymatically or chemically. Dithiol pyrazine reducing agents and corresponding S-acylated dithiol pyrazines, immobilized on surfaces or conjugated to other chemical species, are provided.

Abstract: Substituted dithiol pyrazine compounds useful as reducing agents in biologically relevant media having formula: where variables are defined herein and corresponding oxidized pyrazine dithianes. Reducing agents useful to reduce disulfide bonds, particularly in proteins, or to prevent the formation of disulfide bonds, particularly in proteins, and other biological molecules. Reducing agents useful to regulate protein function in proteins in which a sulfhydryl group is associated with biological activity. Reducing agents useful and suitable for application in a variety of biological applications, particularly as research and synthetic reagents. S-acylated dithiol pyrazine compounds, where R3 is an acyl group, are selectively activated as reducing agents by removal of the S-acyl groups enzymatically or chemically. Dithiol pyrazine reducing agents and corresponding S-acylated dithiol pyrazines, immobilized on surfaces or conjugated to other chemical species, are provided.

Abstract: A method for making diazo-compounds, diazonium salts thereof and other protected forms of these compounds. Diazo-compounds are prepared by reaction of a tertiary phosphine reagent carrying a reactive carbonyl group with an azide. The reaction can also generate an acyl triazene which can be converted thermally or by addition of base to form the diazo-compound or the acyl triazene can be isolated. The method is particularly useful for conversion of azides carrying one or more electron withdrawing groups to diazo-compounds. The method can be carried out in aqueous medium under mild conditions and is particularly useful for conversion of azido sugars to diazo-compounds and diazonium salts thereof under physiological conditions. Tertiary phosphine reagents, particularly those that are water-soluble, and precursors for preparation of the reagents are provided.

Abstract: A method for converting a carbohydrate to a furan in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of a chloride, bromide, or iodide salt or a mixture thereof and optionally in the presence of an acid catalyst, a metal halide catalyst and/or an ionic liquid (up to 40 wt %). The method can be employed in particular to produce furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

Abstract: A method for converting a carbohydrate to a furan in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of a chloride, bromide, or iodide salt or a mixture thereof and optionally in the presence of an acid catalyst, a metal halide catalyst and/or an ionic liquid (up to 40 wt %). The method can be employed in particular to produce furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

Abstract: A method for making diazo-compounds, diazonium salts thereof and other protected forms of these compounds. Diaz-compounds are prepared by reaction of a tertiary phosphine reagent carrying a reactive carbonyl group with an azide. The reaction can also generate an acyl triazene which can be converted thermally or by addition of base to form the diazo-compound or the acyl triazene can be isolated. The method is particularly useful for conversion of azides carrying one or more electron withdrawing groups to diazo-compounds. The method can be carried out in aqueous medium under mild conditions and is particularly useful for conversion of azido sugars to diazo-compound and diazonium salts thereof under physiological conditions. Tertiary phosphine reagents, particularly those that are water-soluble, and precursors for preparation of the reagents are provided.

Abstract: A method for converting a carbohydrate to a furan in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of a chloride, bromide, or iodide salt or a mixture thereof and optionally in the presence of an acid catalyst, a metal halide catalyst and/or an ionic liquid (up to 40 wt %). The method can be employed in particular to produce furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

Abstract: A method for making diazo-compounds, diazonium salts thereof and other protected forms of these compounds. Diaz-compounds are prepared by reaction of a tertiary phosphine reagent carrying a reactive carbonyl group with an azide. The reaction can also generate an acyl triazene which can be converted thermally or by addition of base to form the diazo-compound or the acyl triazene can be isolated. The method is particularly useful for conversion of azides carrying one or more electron withdrawing groups to diazo-compounds. The method can be carried out in aqueous medium under mild conditions and is particularly useful for conversion of azido sugars to diazo-compound and diazonium salts thereof under physiological conditions. Tertiary phosphine reagents, particularly those that are water-soluble, and precursors for preparation of the reagents are provided.

Abstract: A method for converting a carbohydrate to a furan in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of a chloride, bromide, or iodide salt or a mixture thereof and optionally in the presence of an acid catalyst, a metal halide catalyst and/or an ionic liquid (up to 40 wt %). The method can be employed in particular to produce furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

Abstract: A method for making diazo-compounds, diazonium salts thereof and other protected forms of these compounds. Diaz-compounds are prepared by reaction of a tertiary phosphine reagent carrying a reactive carbonyl group with an azide. The reaction can also generate an acyl triazene which can be converted thermally or by addition of base to form the diazo-compound or the acyl triazene can be isolated. The method is particularly useful for conversion of azides carrying one or more electron withdrawing groups to diazo-compounds. The method can be carried out in aqueous medium under mild conditions and is particularly useful for conversion of azido sugars to diazo-compound and diazonium salts thereof under physiological conditions. Tertiary phosphine reagents, particularly those that are water-soluble, and precursors for preparation of the reagents are provided.

Abstract: A method for converting a carbohydrate to a furan in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of a chloride, bromide, or iodide salt or a mixture thereof and optionally in the presence of an acid catalyst, a metal halide catalyst and/or an ionic liquid (up to 40 wt %). The method can be employed in particular to produce furfural or 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.