[reaction: see text] Ceric ammonium nitrate mediates the oxidative 5-endo radical-polar crossover reactions of beta-enamide esters to give 5,5-C,O-disubstituted-gamma-lactams. Trapping of the intermediate cations leads to 5-hydroxy- or 5-alkoxy-gamma-lactams depending upon the reaction conditions. The methodology was used to synthesize the basic heterocyclic ring fragments of the natural products L-755,807, Quinolacticin C, and PI-091.

No abstract

Nitrate. -5-Alkyl-5-alkoxy-and 5-alkyl-5-hydroxy-γ-lactams are obtained by treatment of various enamides with CAN in an alcohol (MeOH or iPrOH) or MeCN. In the case of enamide (VII), an additional CAN-mediated aromatization occurs to give aromatized structure (VIII). Enamide (IX) fails to give a lactam by this procedure. The application of this method to the synthesis of the heterocyclic cores of a range of 5,5-C,O-disubstituted γ-lactam natural products is demonstrated. -(CLARK*, A. J.; DELL, C. P.; MCDONAGH, J. M.; GEDEN, J.; MAWDSLEY, P.; Org. Lett. 5 (2003) 12, 2063-2066; Dep. Chem., Univ. Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; Eng.) -Klein 40-126

At the outset of this review, I must identify myself as one who has not experienced a near-death experience (NDE), and as one who has had only limited contact with survivors of the NDE. I think it appropriate, therefore, to cite the words of the Eastern sage: "He who knows does not say, and he who says does not know." Any words I might choose, therefore, will fall short. After all, the NDE is an ineffable experience, and we probably don't have a theoretical framework that adequately comprehends it.Bette Furn offers us a carefully thought out conceptual framework as a guide to counseling NDE survivors. Early in her article, she expresses concern that professional therapists will misinterpret the NDE according to the medical mental health model. In its place, she offers us a psychoeducational, cross-cultural alternative. While that alternative is clearly preferable to the medical one in providing some kind of "road map" to guide us to an understanding of the NDE survivor's experience, I believe it has very important limitations. However, Iadmire her originality and creativity in suggesting the approach, and thereby stimulating thought and discussion in this area.One of the basic premises of Furn's article is the analogy she makes between an NDE and an experience of two very disparate cultures. That is a provocative viewpoint, and the analogy may well have some merit. However, every analogy is limited, and it is from such limitations that arise the shortcomings of dealing with the NDE as a cross-cultural experience. The limitations of the approach offered by Furn, in my view, arise from two basic problems.Dr. McDonagh is a psychologist in private practice. Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr. McDonagh at 2