This research examined the effects of several versions of capital penalty phase instructions on juror comprehension. Study One documented the impact of California's recently implemented "plain language" instruction. It showed that although the new instruction has clear advantages over the previous version, significant comprehension problems remain. Study Two evaluated several modified instructions designed to enhance comprehension. Participants heard either a standard patterned instruction or one of two alternatives-a psycholinguistically improved instruction, or a "pinpoint" instruction using case-related facts to illustrate key terms-in a simulated death penalty sentencing phase. Persons who heard modified instructions demonstrated higher levels of comprehension on virtually every measure as compared to those in the standard instruction condition.

A general method for the synthesis of functionalized pyridazinylboronic acids/esters is described involving a directed ortho metalation (DoM)-boronation protocol (Schemes 1 and 2). A comprehensive study of the reactivity of the C-B bond in palladium -catalyzed cross-couplings with aryl/heteroaryl halides is presented. Aryl-/heteroarylpyridazines are thereby obtained in synthetically viable yields (typically 40-75%) although in some cases competing protodeboronation has been observed. A series of pyridazin-3(2H)-one derivatives, including 4,6-diaryl/heteroaryl derivatives, have been obtained from the corresponding 3-methoxypyridazines in straightforward procedures (Schemes 3 and 4). Several X-ray crystal structures of aryl-/heteroarylpyridazines and derived pyridazin-3(2H)-one derivatives are reported. These multi-ring systems are of considerable interest in contemporary N-heterocyclic chemistry.

We report the synthesis of (2,6-diinethoxy-3-pyridyl)boronic acid (2), (2,3-dimethoxy-4-pyridyl)boronic acid (4), (2,6-difluoro-3-pyridyl)boronic acid (6), (2,6-dichloro-3-pyridyl)boronic acid (8) and (2,3-dichloro-4-pyridyl)boronic acid (10) by directed ortho-metalation reactions on the corresponding disubstituted pyridine precursor, followed by the reaction with triisopropyl borate (TPB) or trimethyl borate. The reactivity of the pyridylboronic acids with heteroaryl halides in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions has been evaluated. New highly functionahzed heteroarylpyridine derivatives have thereby been obtained in moderate to high yields. The reaction of 8 and 3-amino-2-chloropyridine yielded the rare 5H-pyrrolo[2,3-b:4,5-b']dipyridine (i.e. 1,5-diazacarbazole) ring system by sequential cross-coupling and intramolecular cychsation reactions. The X-ray crystal structures are reported for the pyridylboronic acids 2, 4, 8 and 10. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008).

We report the synthesis of 2-chloro-5-pyrimidylboronic acid (6) and 2-amino-5-pyrimidylboronic acid (8) by lithium-halogen exchange followed by reaction with triisopropylborate. Their reactivity with heteroaryl halides in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions has been evaluated. New highly functionalized 5-heteroarylpyrimidine derivatives 24-33 (heteroaryl = quinoline, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, thiophene, benzothiazole) have been obtained in synthetically useful yields. The X-ray structure of 6 reveals extensive intermolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonding in the crystal. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007).