Synthesis,crystal structure,electronic spectroscopy,electrochemistry and biological studies of carbohydrate containing ferrocene amides

A series of four new ferrocene–carbohydrate amides was prepared from pentose and hexose sugar derivatives. These include (5‐amino‐5‐deoxy‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐d ‐xylofuranose)‐1‐ferrocene carboxamide (2a), (5‐amino‐3‐O‐benzyl‐5‐deoxy‐1,2‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐d ‐xylofuranose)‐1‐ferrocene carboxamide (2b), (methyl‐6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐β‐d ‐ribofuranoside)‐1‐ferrocene carboxamide (2c) derived from furanose sugars and (6‐amino‐6‐deoxy‐1,2:3,4‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐d ‐galactopyranose)‐1‐ferrocene carboxamide (2d) derived from pyranose sugar. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means and the structure of amide derived from α‐d ‐xylofuranose (2a) was determined by X‐ray crystallography. The electronic and optical properties of the compounds were studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and absorption spectroscopy. The UV and electrochemical studies of these compounds, performed in aqueous solutions under physiological conditions (at pH 7.4), confirmed their stability. These results indicated that the compounds were suitable for conducting biological studies. The CD spectral analysis displays the effect of sugar substituents on the compounds. The cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of these conjugates were investigated on different cancer cell lines and microbes respectively. The degree of inhibition varied over a broad spectrum of Gram‐ positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. In addition, the compounds also exhibited antioxidant properties. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and biological evaluations of mono‐ and bis‐ferrocene uracil derivatives

Mono‐ ( 3a – 3e and 4a – 4e ) and bis‐ferrocene ( 5a – 5e and 6a – 6e ) conjugated 5‐substituted uracil derivatives that are bridged by 1,2,3‐triazole linker were synthesized. The impact of ferrocene unit and spacer between ferrocene and triazole on radical scavenging potency was observed. Bis‐ferrocenyl uracil derivatives exhibited better antiproliferative activities than their mono‐ferrocenyl analogs. Bis‐ferrocenyl methyl‐ ( 5b ) and halogen‐substituted ( 5e , 6c , and 6d ) uracil derivatives showed pronounced and selective cytostatic activities on colon adenocarcinoma (CaCo‐2) and Burkitt lymphoma (Raji) cells, with higher potency and selectivity than the reference drug 5‐fluorouracil. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CaCo‐2 and Raji cells when treated with compounds 5b , 5e , and 6d was observed. Bis‐ferrocenyl 5‐chlorouracil 6c induced significant disruption in mitochondrial membrane potential that is accompanied by activation of apoptosis in CaCo‐2, Raji, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CCRF‐CEM) cells, while 6d caused mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis induction in CaCo‐2 and Raji cells. Potent antiproliferative activity of 6c and 6d could be associated with mitochondrial membrane potential disruption accompanied by apoptosis induction. Our findings highlighted 6c and 6d with potent and selective antiproliferative activity on CaCo‐2, Raji, and CCRF‐CEM cells that may be associated with targeting cancer cell mitochondria, as a molecular target.     

A New and Facile Synthesis of Novel Pyrazolothienopyrimidines and Imidazopyrazolothienopyrimidines

4‐Amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carboxamide ( 5 ), which was synthesized by an innovative method, was used as a versatile precursor for synthesizing pyrazolothienopyrimidines and imidazopyrazolothienopyrimidines compounds. Reaction of amino thienopyrazole carboxamide 5 with triethyl orthoformate afforded thienopyrazolopyrimidine 6 . Chlorination of the latter compound, using phosphorus oxychloride afforded the chloro pyrazolothienopyrimidine 7 , which underwent nucleophilic substitution reactions with various primary and secondary amines to give the alkyl (aryl) amino pyrimidine compounds 8a–d . On the other hand, the reaction of chloropyrimidine 7 with thiourea afforded the pyrimidine thione compound 9 , which was alkylated with α‐halogentaed compounds to afford the S‐alkylated derivatives 10a–c . Also, chloroacetylation of the amino carboxamide 5 using chloroacetyl chloride yielded the chloromethyl pyrazolothienopyrimidine 12 , which underwent nucleophilic substitu‐ tion reactions with various primary and secondary amines to afford the alkyl (aryl) aminomethyl compounds 13a–f . The latter Compounds underwent Mannich reaction to give imidazopyrimidothieno‐ pyrazoles 14a–c . The newly synthesized compounds and their derivatives were fully characterized by elemental and spectral analysis.     

Highly Concise Synthesis of 3'-"Up"-ethynyl-5'-methylbicyclo-[3.1.0]-hexyl Purine and Pyrimidine Nucleoside Derivatives Using Rhodium(II) Carbenoid Cycloaddition and Highly Diastereoselective Grignard Reaction

Synthesis of north‐5'‐methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl purine and pyrimidine nucleosides with an ethynyl group at C‐3' position has been successfully accomplished by a facile method. Methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanone (±)‐ 5 having three contiguous chiral centers was remarkably simply constructed only by four steps containing a carbenoid insertion reaction in the presence of rhodium(II) acetate dimer and CuSO₄, giving a correct relative stereochemistry of the generated three chiral centers. Upon Grignard reaction of (±)‐ 5 with ethynylmagnesium bromide, exclusive diastereoselectivity was observed. Condensation of glycosyl donor (±)‐ 9 with purine nucleobase afforded only the desired N⁹‐alkylated nucleoside, while condensation with pyrimidine, N³‐benzoylated uracil gave the desired N¹‐alkylated nucleoside (±)‐ 13 with the undesired O²‐alkylated nucleoside (±)‐ 14 . Probably, (±)‐ 14 would be formed due to steric hindrance caused upon approaching for N¹‐alkylation.     

Ferrocene conjugates with mannose: synthesis and influence of ferrocene aglycon on mannose‐mediated adhesion of Escherichia coli

Bacterial adhesion, mediated through interaction of bacterial lectins with carbohydrate structures presented on the surface of the host cells, is a prerequisite for infection. Anti‐adhesion therapy, based on the inhibition of lectins by suitable carbohydrates, has been considered as a weapon for the combat of microbial diseases. Structural alteration of aglycon portions of mannose derivatives strongly influences their inhibitory potency toward type 1 fimbriated Escherichia coli. Thus several conjugates of mannose‐containing ferrocene aglycon moieties were synthesized and tested. The novel ferrocene conjugates 10, 12 and 14 were obtained by esterification of O‐mannosylated propionic acid 1 with ferrocene alcohols R‐Fn‐(CH₂)_n‐OH (Fn = 1,1'‐ferrocenylene; 2, n = 1, R = COOMe; 7, n = 1, R = NHBoc; 8, n = 2, R = H) in the presence of Boc₂O/DMAP with subsequent debenzylation of the intermediate O‐protected esters. Performed hemagglutination inhibitory tests showed that the examined bioorganometallics exhibit better inhibitory activity than known inhibitor methyl α‐d ‐mannoside. Thus ferrocene–mannose conjugate 14 with the dimethylene spacer between ferrocene core and chiral linker displayed the best inhibitory efficiency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diversity of Reactions of Isomeric Aminopyridine N‐Oxides with Chloronitropyridines: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Reaction of 2‐aminopyridine N‐oxides 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d with chloronitropyridine 7a gave 2‐[(pyridin‐2‐yl)amino]pyridine N‐oxides 8a , 8b , 8c and 9 in good yield. The reactions of 4‐ and 3‐aminopyridine N‐oxides 12a , 12b and 24 with 7a , 7b , 7c proceed in the different manner involving initial formation of the intermediary 1‐pyridyloxypyridinium salts 13a , 13b , 13c , 13d and 26 , which rearrange to 4‐[(5‐nitropyridin‐2‐yl)amino]pyridine N‐oxide 22 and 1‐(3‐aminopyridin‐2‐yl)pyrid‐2‐one derivatives 27a , 27b , respectively. However, N‐protected 2‐aminopyridine N‐oxides 17 gave quaternary 1‐pyridyloxypyridinium salts 18a , 18b , which upon treatment with aqueous ammonia afforded 2‐[(pyridin‐2‐yl)amino]pyridine N‐oxides 8a and 20 . Quantum chemical calculations at the DFT/B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level were performed to explain the differences in properties of the frontal orbitals and atomic charge distribution in isomeric aminopyridine N‐oxides.     

Quinolone Analogs 14: Synthesis of Antimalarial 1‐Aryl‐3‐(4‐quinolon‐2‐yl)ureas and Related Compounds

The 4‐quinolone‐2‐carbohydrazide 6a was converted into 1‐aryl‐3‐(4‐quinolon‐2‐yl)ureas 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 1‐aryl‐3‐(4‐quinolon‐2‐yl)imidazolidine‐2,4‐diones 9a , 9b , and N‐(4‐quinolon‐2‐yl)carbamates 10a , 10b via 4‐quinolone‐2‐carbonylazide 7a . The 4‐methoxyquinoline‐2‐carbohydrazide 6b was also transformed into 1‐aryl‐3‐(4‐methoxyquinolin‐2‐yl)ureas 11a , 11b , 11c , 11d , 1‐aryl‐3‐(4‐methoxyquinolin‐2‐yl)imidazolidine‐2,4‐diones 12a , 12b , and N‐(4‐methoxyquinolin‐2‐yl)carbamates 13a , 13b via 4‐methoxyquinoline‐2‐carbonylazide 7b . Some of the 1‐aryl‐3‐(4‐quinolon‐2‐yl)ureas 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e showed the in vitro antimalarial activity to chloroquine‐resistant Plasmodium falciparum, wherein IC₅₀ was 0.93 to 4.00 μM.     

Synthesis of a Six‐Membered‐Ring (2R)‐10a‐Homobornane‐10a,2‐sultam and Structural Comparison with Oppolzer's,Lang's,and King's Sultams

The new six‐membered‐ring (2R)‐10a‐homobornane‐10a,2‐sultam (−)‐ 3a was synthesized and its X‐ray structural analysis was compared with that of the novel structure of the five‐membered‐ring (2R)‐bornane‐10,2‐sultam analogues (−)‐ 1a , b as well as with that already published for the six‐membered‐ring trans‐decalin‐like sultam 4a . Based on DN** density‐function calculations and X‐ray crystallographic studies of the N‐methylated analogues (−)‐ 1e and 4b and by comparing with the conformation of the N‐fluoro derivatives (−)‐ 1c and (+)‐ 1d , the anomeric stabilization was estimated to be smaller than the 2.0–2.5 kcal/mol earlier suggested. The direction of pyramidalization is rationalized in terms of H‐bond and steric and electronic interactions and extended to the known toluenesultam derivatives 10a – c .     

Kinetics and mechanism of gas‐phase pyrolysis of N‐aryl‐3‐oxobutanamide ketoanilides,their 2‐arylhydrazono derivatives,and related compounds

Rates and products of reaction and Arrhenius activation parameters were determined for the gas‐phase thermolysis of 14 substrates of the title compounds using sealed pyrex reactor tubes and HPLC/UV‐VIS to monitor substrate pyrolysis. The 14 compounds under study are N‐phenyl‐3‐oxo‐ ( 1 ), N‐(p‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐oxo‐ ( 2 ), N‐(p‐methylphenyl)‐3‐oxo‐ ( 3 ), and N‐(p‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐oxobutanamide ( 4 ), in addition to (i) four substrates ( 5–8 ) obtained by the replacement of the pairs of methylene hydrogens at the 2‐position of compounds ( 1–4 ), each pair by a phenylhydrazono group; (ii) three arylhydrazono derivatives ( 9–11 ) in which Cl, CH₃, or OCH₃ groups are substituted at the para position of the phenylhydrazono moiety of compound 5 ; (iii) 3‐oxobutanamide (acetoacetamide, 12 ), N‐phenyl‐3‐oxo‐3‐phenylpropanamide ( 13 ), and N,N′‐diphenylpropanediamide ( 14 ). The reactions were conducted over 374–546 K temperature range, and the values of the Arrhenius log A(s^?1) and E_a(kJ mol^?1) of these reactions were, respectively, 12.0 ± 2.0 and 119.2 ± 17.0 for the ketoanilides ( 1–4, 12–14 ), and 13.0 ± 0.7 and 157.5 ± 8.6 for the arylhyrazono compounds ( 5–11 ). Kinetically, the arylhydrazono derivatives were found to be ca. 1.4 × 10³ to 5.7 × 10³ times less reactive than the parent ketoanilides. A mechanism is proposed to account for reaction products and to rationalize molecular reactivities. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 82–91, 2007     

Synthesis,characterization and biological activity of some 1,2,4‐triazine derivatives

4‐Amino‐6‐methyl‐3‐(2H)‐thioxo‐5‐(4H)‐oxo‐1,2,4‐triazine ( 1 ) was condensed with 2‐methyl (or phenyl)‐4H‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐one ( 5a,b ) in boiling acetic acid to give compounds 8‐11 . Reacting 1 with chloroacetyl chloride afforded the corresponding chloroacetamido and triazinothiadiazine derivatives 12 and 13 . Condensing 2 with succinic anhydride and/or phthalic anhydride yielded compounds 14 and 15 . Benzoylation of 4‐amino‐6‐methyl‐3‐(2H)‐thioxo‐5‐(4H)‐oxo‐2‐(2,3,4,5‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐α‐D‐glucopyra‐nosyl)‐1,2,4‐triazine ( 19 ) afforded the corresponding 4‐N,N‐dibenzoyl derivative 20 . Deblocking of the N‐2 glycoside 21 and the S‐glycoside 22 by methanolic ammonia gave compounds 23 and 24 . Acetylation of 4‐amino glycoside 25a afforded the corresponding 4‐mono‐ and 4‐diacetyl derivatives 26 and 27 . Deamination of 25a,b yielded compounds 28a,b . Methylation of compound 28b afforded the corresponding N4‐ and S‐methyl derivatives 29 and 30 .     

O‐Glycosylation/Alkylation and Antimicrobial Activity of 4,6‐Diaryl‐2‐Oxonicotinonitrile Derivatives

A series of glycosylation and alkylation reactions of 6‐phenanthernyl‐2‐pyridone derivatives 1a , 1b containing electron withdrawing and electron donating substituents at 4‐position is reported. Regioselective 2‐O‐ alkylated/glycosylated products were obtained exclusively, irrespective of the electronic nature of alkylating or the glycosyling agent. Glycosylation of 1a , 1b with glucosyl/galactosyl and lactosyl bromides afforded 2a , 2b ; 4a , 4b ; and 6a , respectively. Alkylation of 1a , 1b with epichlorohydrin, propargyl, allyl bromides, and 3‐chloropropanol resulted in compounds 8 , 9 , 10 and 13 , respectively. Deprotection of O‐glycosylated products under conventional conditions provided the free glycosides 3a , 3b ; 5a , 5b ; 7a , 12 ; and 13 , respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentration for some of the newly synthesized compounds showed high significant activity against Gram (+ve) and Gram (−ve) and antifungal activities. Among the screened compounds, the 4‐trifluromethyl phenyl derivatives 2a , 3a , 4a , 8a , and 11a exhibited strong antimicrobial activity.     

2‐Pyrazolin‐5‐One‐Based Heterocycles: Synthesis and Characterization

A novel series of pyrazoline and thiazole derivatives incorporating 2‐pyrazolin‐5‐one moiety were synthesized starting from α,β‐unsaturated ketones under the effect of hydrazine derivatives and thiosemicarbazide. The obtained pyrazolines 4a , 4b were treated with different reagents to afford N‐substituted pyrazolines 5a , 5b , 6a , 6b , 7a , 7b , 8a , 8b . N‐Thiocarbamoyl pyrazolines 12a , 12b were cyclized using phenacyl bromide, 2,3‐dichloroquinoxaline, and monochloroacetic acid afforded the novel pyrazolinyl thiazoles 13a , 13b , 14a , 14b , 15a , 15b , 16a , 16b , 16c , 16d , 16e , 16f . The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by analytical and spectral data.     

Synthesis and Reactions of Some Heterocyclic Candidates Based on 2‐Amino‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene Moiety as Anti‐Arrhythmic Agents

In continuation of our previous work, a series of novel thiophene derivatives 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 9a , 9b , 9c , 9d , 9e , 10 , 10a , 10b , 10c , 10d , 10e , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 were synthesized by the reaction of ethyl 2‐amino‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐3‐carboxylate ( 1 ) or 2‐amino‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐3‐carbonitrile ( 2 ) with different organic reagents. Fusion of 1 with ethylcyanoacetate or maleic anhydride afforded the corresponding thienooxazinone derivative 4 and N‐thienylmalimide derivative 5 , respectively. Acylation of 1 with chloroacetylchloride afforded the amide 6 , which was cyclized with ammonium thiocyanate to give the corresponding N‐theinylthiazole derivative 8 . On the other hand, reaction of 1 with substituted aroylisothiocyanate derivatives gave the corresponding thiourea derivatives 9a , 9b , 9c , 9d , 9e , which were cyclized by the action of sodium ethoxide to afford the corresponding N‐substituted thiopyrimidine derivatives 10a , 10b , 10c , 10d , 10e . Condensation of 2 with acid anhydrides in refluxing acetic acid afforded the corresponding imide carbonitrile derivatives 11 , 12 , 13 . Similarly, condensation of 1 with the previous acid anhydride yielded the corresponding imide ethyl ester derivatives 14 , 15 , 16 , respectively. The structures of newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS spectral data, and elemental analysis. The detailed synthesis, spectroscopic data, LD₅₀, and pharmacological activities of the synthesized compounds are reported.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of some 1,2,4‐triazole, 1,3,4‐oxa(thia)diazole,and 1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazine derivatives

3‐Methyl‐2‐benzofurancarboxylic acid hydrazide ( 2 ) reacts with carbon disulfide and pota‐ ssium hydroxide to give the corresponding potassium carbodithioate salt 3 . Treatment of the latter salt with hydrochloric acid, hydrazine hydrate, and with phen‐ acyl bromide afforded the corresponding 1,3,4‐oxadia‐ zole‐5‐thione 4 , 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thione 5 , and thiazolidine‐2‐thione 9 derivatives, respectively. The reaction of either 1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐5‐thione 4 or 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thione 5 with phenacyl bromide resulted in the formation of 1,2,4‐triazolo[3, 4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazine derivative 8 . Treatment of compounds 3 or 4 with hydrazonoyl halides 10a–d furn‐ ished the same 1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐ylidene derivatives 11a–d . The 7‐arylhydrazono‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐ b ]‐1, 3,4‐thiadiazine derivatives 12a–d were obtained either by treatment of 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thione 5 with hydrazonoyl halides 10a–d or by coupling of the 1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazine derivative 8 with diazonium salts. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:621–627, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20162     

Derivatives of some cyclic 3,4‐quinolinediyl bis‐sulfides with N,N‐dimethylcarbamoyl and N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminornethyl substituents in the 2‐quinolinyl position

Reactions of hydrogen sulfates of quino‐ and diquino‐annelated 1,4‐dithiins 11 and 2 with DMF/hydroxylamine‐O‐sulfonic acid/Fe⁺⁺ ion system took place at the α‐quinolinyl positions and led to N,N‐dimethylcarbamoyl and N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl derivatives 6 , 8 , 12 and 7 , 9 , 13 , respectively. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl derivatives 7 , 9 , 13 showed the presence of rotational isomers E and Z regarding to the N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl substituent. The spectra of 6 , 7 , 8 , 12 and 13 were completely assigned with the use of 1D and 2D NMR techniques. In the case of rotational isomers 7a and 7b , the crucial correlations came from the NOE interaction between the methylene and methyl protons from CH₂N(CH₃)CHO groups and benzene‐rings protons. Synthesis of 2,3‐dihydro‐1,4‐dithiino[6,5‐e]quinoline 4‐oxide 14 was presented as well.     

Synthesis of Novel N‐Triazolo Methyl Substituted Fluoroquinolones and Their Antimicrobial Activity

An elegant synthetic strategy was adopted for the preparation of N‐triazolo methyl substituted fluoroquinolones 4 and screened for their antimicrobial activity. The synthetic methodology starts from N‐propargylation of ethyl 7‐chloro‐6‐fluoro‐4‐hydroxyquinoline‐3‐carboxylate ( 1 ) followed by reaction with azides through click reaction under Sharpless conditions furnished triazole substituted quinolone ester 3 . The latter quinolone esters were reacted with various secondary amines to furnish the corresponding quinolone derivatives 4 . Alternatively, quinolone carboxylic derivatives 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d were prepared in two steps from triazole tagged quinolone ester. All the final products were screened against various bacterial and fungal strains. Compounds 4a , 4b , 4c and 4k showed moderate antibacterial activity, and 4f showed promising activity against fungal strains.     

On triazoles XLII . A new convenient method for the N‐alkylation of highly insoluble cyclic amides

A simple N‐alkylation method of highly insoluble cyclic amides based on the high solubility of their easily isolable tetraalkylammonium and tetraalkylphosphonium salts was elaborated. The method has a rather wide scope, it is not influenced by the identity of the different rings attached to the 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]‐pyrimidinone moiety of isomers 1 and 2 , nor the presence of the triazole substituents. It proceeds smoothly without any unwanted by‐products, at relatively low temperatures, and is not sensitive to moisture. The method allows an easy isolation of all possible N‐alkylated derivatives 3, 7 , and 8 . Spectral analysis of isomers 3, 7 , and 8 showed that our previous results concerning the formation of 3 type N‐alkylated derivatives as main products of the N‐alkylations as well as the tautomeric structure of the non‐alkylated isomers 1 and 2 is correct. However, it also showed that the isolation of a single N‐alkylated isomer 3 and its comparison with the corresponding non‐alkylated derivative to prove its tautomeric structure may lead to mistakes.     

Ferrocene–β‐Cyclodextrin Conjugates: Synthesis,Supramolecular Behavior,and Use as Electrochemical Sensors

Ferrocene with a β‐cyclodextrin unit bound to one or both cyclopentadienyl rings through the secondary face were conveniently synthesized by regiospecific copper(I)‐catalyzed cycloaddition of 2‐O‐propargyl‐β‐cyclodextrin to azidomethyl or bis(azidomethyl)ferrocene. The supramolecular behavior of the synthesized conjugates in both the absence and presence of bile salts (sodium cholate, deoxycholate, and chenodeoxycholate) was studied by using electrochemical methods (cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry), isothermal titration calorimetry, and NMR spectroscopy (PGSE, CPMG, and 2D‐ROESY). These techniques allowed the determination of stability constants, mode of inclusion, and diffusion coefficients for complexes formed with the neutral and, in some cases, the oxidized states of the ferrocenyl conjugates. It was found that the ferrocenyl conjugate with one β‐cyclodextrin unit forms a redox‐controllable head‐to‐head homodimer in aqueous solution. The ferrocene–bis(β‐cyclodextrin) conjugate is present in two distinguishable forms in aqueous solution, each one having a different half‐wave oxidation potential for the oxidation of the ferrocene. By contrast, only one distinguishable form for the oxidized state of the ferrocene–β‐cyclodextrin conjugate is detectable. The redox‐sensing abilities of the synthesized conjugates towards the bile salts were evaluated based on the observed guest‐induced changes in both the half‐wave potential and the current peak intensity of the electroactive moiety.     

Thermoresponsive Block Copolymer–Protein Conjugates Prepared by Grafting‐from via RAFT Polymerization

Well‐defined “smart” block copolymer–protein conjugates were prepared by two consecutive “grafting‐from” reactions via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The initiating portion (R‐group) of the RAFT agent was anchored to a model protein such that the thiocarbonylthio moiety was readily accessible for chain transfer with propagating chains in solution. Well‐defined polymer‐protein conjugates of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were prepared at room temperature in aqueous media. The retained trithiocarbonate moiety on the free end group of the immobilized polymer allowed the homopolymer conjugate to be extended by polymerization of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography, and NMR spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of the various conjugates and revealed that the polymerizations were well controlled. As expected, the resulting block copolymer–protein conjugates demonstrated thermoresponsive behavior due to the temperature‐sensitivity of the PNIPAM block, as evidenced by turbidity measurements and dynamic light scattering analysis.

     

Synthesis of 4‐hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐one analogues and 2‐substituted quinolone derivatives

A versatile synthetic method for preparing 4‐hydroxyquinolone and 2‐substituted quinolone compounds from simple benzoic acid derivatives was demonstrated. The synthetic strategies involve the use of well known ethyl acetoacetate synthesis, malonic ester synthesis and reductive cyclization. The key intermediates were keto esters 4a‐e , which could be transformed to 4‐hydroxyquinolones 5a,b or 2‐substituted quinolone ethyl esters 6a‐c depending on the reaction conditions. 4‐Hydroxyquinolone analogues were prepared and investigated for N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) activity in vitro. Among these derivatives, 6,7‐difluoro‐3‐nitro‐4‐hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 9 ) exhibited moderate activity.