Observation of two new N* resonances in the decay ψ(3686)→ppπ0

In situ tether formation from amines and alcohols enabling highly selective Tsuji-Trost allylation and olefin functionalization

The use of tethers allows to overcome reactivity and selectivity issues often encountered with intermolecular reactions. Although tethers have been successfully applied for decades, their installation and removal usually requires additional steps. This minireview highlights the recent development of tethers that can be installed in situ on (homo)-allyl amines or alcohols for Tsuji-Trost allylation or double bond functionalization. In particular, the use of (hemi-)acetal tethers for highly regioselective and enantioselective Tsuji-Trost allylation was recently reported. Hydroamination of olefins starting from allylic amines could be achieved via a retro Cope-elimination using catalytic amount of an aldehyde for tether formation. Finally, bifunctionalizations of olefins were developed using either carbon dioxide or carbonyls/imines as tether precursors. These recent breakthroughs greatly enhanced the efficiency of the tethering approach for olefin functionalization, and will make it even more attractive for synthetic chemists in the future.

Evidence for Exotic Hadron Contributions to Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψpπ^{-} Decays

A full amplitude analysis of Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψpπ^{-} decays is performed with a data sample acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8 TeV pp collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb^{-1}. A significantly better description of the data is achieved when, in addition to the previously observed nucleon excitations N→pπ^{-}, either the P_{c}(4380)^{+} and P_{c}(4450)^{+}→J/ψp states, previously observed in Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψpK^{-} decays, or the Z_{c}(4200)^{-}→J/ψπ^{-} state, previously reported in B^{0}→J/ψK^{+}π^{-} decays, or all three, are included in the amplitude models. The data support a model containing all three exotic states, with a significance of more than three standard deviations. Within uncertainties, the data are consistent with the P_{c}(4380)^{+} and P_{c}(4450)^{+} production rates expected from their previous observation taking account of Cabibbo suppression.

Progress towards understanding baryon resonances

The composite nature of baryons manifests itself in the existence of a rich spectrum of excited states, in particular in the important mass region 1-2 GeV for the light-flavoured baryons. The properties of these resonances can be identified by systematic investigations using electromagnetic and strong probes, primarily with beams of electrons, photons, and pions. After decades of research, the fundamental degrees of freedom underlying the baryon excitation spectrum are still poorly understood. The search for hitherto undiscovered but predicted resonances continues at many laboratories around the world. Recent results from photo- and electroproduction experiments provide intriguing indications for new states and shed light on the structure of some of the known nucleon excitations. The continuing study of available data sets with consideration of new observables and improved analysis tools have also called into question some of the earlier findings in baryon spectroscopy. Other breakthrough measurements have been performed in the heavy-baryon sector, which has seen a fruitful period in recent years, in particular at the B factories and the Tevatron. First results from the large hadron collider indicate rapid progress in the field of bottom baryons. In this review, we discuss the recent experimental progress and give an overview of theoretical approaches.