A simple method to prepare single isomer tetrasubstituted olefins by successive Suzuki–Miyaura cross-couplings of E-β-chloro-α-iodo-α,β-unsaturated esters

A convenient method of synthesizing tetrasubstituted olefins as single isomers is described. E-β-Chloro-α-iodo-α,β-unsaturated esters are first converted into the corresponding E-β-chloro-α,β-unsaturated esters using Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions with arylboronic acids and alkenylboronic acids. These transformations gave complete selectivity, and proceeded with substitution at the more activated α-iodide position. These compounds, isolated as single isomers, were then transformed into tetrasubstituted olefins by Suzuki–Miyaura couplings with arylboronic acids, alkenylboronic acids, and alkyl boranes to afford the corresponding tetrasubstituted olefins as single isomers. During this coupling process, it was discovered that the use of small ligands, such as PMe₃ or PEt₃, was critical for efficient coupling. The stereochemistry and regiochemistry of the products were unequivocally established using NMR methods.     

Regioselective SN′ allylic substitution versus 1,4-addition: Synthesis of α-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters

The reaction of the higher order organocuprate reagents R₂Cu(CN)Li₂-BF₃ with γ-bromo α,β-unsaturated esters gives with very high selectivity α-substituted β,γ-unsaturated esters arising from a SN′ allylic substitution. This reaction allows an easy access to α-silyl β,γ-unsaturated esters.     

Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Pyridazinones Containing the (2-Fluorophenyl) Piperazine Moiety as Selective MAO-B Inhibitors

Twelve pyridazinones (T1–T12) containing the (2-fluorophenyl) piperazine moiety were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for monoamine oxidase (MAO) -A and -B inhibitory activities. T6 was found to be the most potent MAO-B inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 0.013 µM, followed by T3 (IC₅₀ = 0.039 µM). Inhibitory potency for MAO-B was more enhanced by meta bromo substitution (T6) than by para bromo substitution (T7). For para substitution, inhibitory potencies for MAO-B were as follows: -Cl (T3) > -N(CH₃)₂ (T12) > -OCH₃ (T9) > Br (T7) > F (T5) > -CH₃ (T11) > -H (T1). T6 and T3 efficiently inhibited MAO-A with IC₅₀ values of 1.57 and 4.19 µM and had the highest selectivity indices (SIs) for MAO-B (120.8 and 107.4, respectively). T3 and T6 were found to be reversible and competitive inhibitors of MAO-B with K_i values of 0.014 and 0.0071, respectively. Moreover, T6 was less toxic to healthy fibroblast cells (L929) than T3. Molecular docking simulations with MAO binding sites returned higher docking scores for T6 and T3 with MAO-B than with MAO-A. These results suggest that T3 and T6 are selective, reversible, and competitive inhibitors of MAO-B and should be considered lead candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.     

Synthesis,Antitumor and Antibacterial Studies of New Shortened Analogues of (KLAKLAK)2-NH2 and Their Conjugates Containing Unnatural Amino Acids

(1) Background: (KLAKLAK)₂ is a representative of the antimicrobial peptide group which also shows good anticancer properties. (2) Methods: Herein, we report synthesis using SPPS and characterization by HPLC/MS of a series of shortened analogues of (KLAKLAK)₂. They contain single sequence KLAKLAK as C-terminal amides. In addition, substitution of some natural amino acids with unnatural β-Ala and nor-Leu is realized. In addition, these structures are conjugated with second pharmacophore with well proven anticancer properties 1,8-naphthalimide or caffeic acid. Cytotoxicity, antiproliferative effect and antimicrobial activity of newly synthesized structures were studied. (3) Results: The obtained experimental results reveal significant selective index for substances with common chemical structure KLβAKLβAK-NH₂. The antibacterial properties of newly synthesized analogues at two different concentrations 10 μM and 20 μM, were tested against Gram-negative microorganisms Escherichia coli K12 407. Only two of the studied compounds KLAKLAK-NH₂ and the one conjugated with second pharmacophore 1,8-naphthalimide and unnatural amino acid nor-Leu showed moderate activity against tested strains at concentration of 20 μM. (4) Conclusions: The obtained results reveal that the introducing of 1,8-naphthalimideGly- and Caf- increase the cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity of the peptides but not their selectivity. Only two compounds KLAKLAK-NH₂ and 1,8-naphthalimideGKnLAKnLAK-NH₂ show moderate activity against Escherichia coli K12 at low concentration of 20 μM.     

New 3-Ethynylaryl Coumarin-Based Dyes for DSSC Applications: Synthesis,Spectroscopic Properties,and Theoretical Calculations

A set of 3-ethynylaryl coumarin dyes with mono, bithiophenes and the fused variant, thieno [3,2-b] thiophene, as well as an alkylated benzotriazole unit were prepared and tested for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For comparison purposes, the variation of the substitution pattern at the coumarin unit was analyzed with the natural product 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin (Esculetin) as well as 5,7-dihydroxycomarin in the case of the bithiophene dye. Crucial steps for extension of the conjugated system involved Sonogashira reaction yielding highly fluorescent molecules. Spectroscopic characterization showed that the extension of conjugation via the alkynyl bridge resulted in a strong red-shift of absorption and emission spectra (in solution) of approximately 73–79 nm and 52–89 nm, respectively, relative to 6,7-dimethoxy-4-methylcoumarin (λ_abs = 341 nm and λ_em = 410 nm). Theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) is mostly centered in the cyanoacrylic anchor unit, corroborating the high intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character of the electronic transition. Photovoltaic performance evaluation reveals that the thieno [3,2-b] thiophene unit present in dye 8 leads to the best sensitizer of the set, with a conversion efficiency (η = 2.00%), best V_OC (367 mV) and second best J_sc (9.28 mA·cm⁻²), surpassed only by dye 9b (J_sc = 10.19 mA·cm⁻²). This high photocurrent value can be attributed to increased donor ability of the 5,7-dimethoxy unit when compared to the 6,7 equivalent (9b).     

Computational Studies of Coinage Metal Anion M− + CH3X (X = F,Cl, Br,I) Reactions in Gas Phase

We characterized the stationary points along the nucleophilic substitution (S_N2), oxidative insertion (OI), halogen abstraction (XA), and proton transfer (PT) product channels of M⁻ + CH₃X (M = Cu, Ag, Au; X = F, Cl, Br, I) reactions using the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. In general, the reaction energies follow the order of PT > XA > S_N2 > OI. The OI channel that results in oxidative insertion complex [CH₃–M–X]⁻ is most exothermic, and can be formed through a front-side attack of M on the C-X bond via a high transition state OxTS or through a S_N2-mediated halogen rearrangement path via a much lower transition state invTS. The order of OxTS > invTS is inverted when changing M⁻ to Pd, a d¹⁰ metal, because the symmetry of their HOMO orbital is different. The back-side attack S_N2 pathway proceeds via typical Walden-inversion transition state that connects to pre- and post-reaction complexes. For X = Cl/Br/I, the invS_N2-TS’s are, in general, submerged. The shape of this M⁻ + CH₃X S_N2 PES is flatter as compared to that of a main-group base like F⁻ + CH₃X, whose PES has a double-well shape. When X = Br/I, a linear halogen-bonded complex [CH₃−X∙··M]⁻ can be formed as an intermediate upon the front-side attachment of M on the halogen atom X, and it either dissociates to CH₃ + MX⁻ through halogen abstraction or bends the C-X-M angle to continue the back-side S_N2 path. Natural bond orbital analysis shows a polar covalent M−X bond is formed within oxidative insertion complex [CH₃–M–X]⁻, whereas a noncovalent M–X halogen-bond interaction exists for the [CH₃–X∙··M]⁻ complex. This work explores competing channels of the M⁻ + CH₃X reaction in the gas phase and the potential energy surface is useful in understanding the dynamic behavior of the title and analogous reactions.     

Understanding E2 versus SN2 Competition under Acidic and Basic Conditions

Our purpose is to understand the mechanism through which pH affects the competition between base-induced elimination and substitution. To this end, we have quantum chemically investigated the competition between elimination and substitution pathways in H₂O+C₂H₅OH₂⁺ and OH⁻+C₂H₅OH, that is, two related model systems that represent, in a generic manner, the same reaction under acidic and basic conditions, respectively. We find that substitution is favored in the acidic case while elimination prevails under basic conditions. Activation-strain analyses of the reaction profiles reveal that the switch in preferred reactivity from substitution to elimination, if one goes from acidic to basic catalysis, is related to (1) the higher basicity of the deprotonated base, and (2) the change in character of the substrates LUMO from C^β−H bonding in C₂H₅OH₂⁺ to C^β−H antibonding in C₂H₅OH.     

Phase Transfer Catalysis Preparation of Acyl Isothiocyanates

The use of phase transfer catalysis, PTC, for nucleophillic substitution reactions is well documented.^1,2 Included among these reactions is the preparation of both alkyl³ and aryl⁴ thiocyanates. However, PTC reactions at an acyl carbon are much less common. Brándstróm⁵ has reported the preparation of acyl azides and Weber⁶ has used PTC to prepare benzoyl cyanide. Recently Illi⁷ has used PTC to acylate sterically crowded phenols.     

Bromination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-Butyl Esters of 7α-Chloro and 7-Alkylidenedeacetoxycephalosporanic Acid Sulfones

The action of N-bromosuccinimide on tert-butyl esters of 7α-chloro- and 7-alkylidenedeacetoxycephalosporanic acid sulfones upon irradiation with visible light leads to the formation of a mixture of the product of allylic bromination of the 3-methyl group, namely, 3-bromomethyldeacetoxycephalosporanate, and the product of replacement of a proton at C₍₂₎ in the latter, namely, 2-bromo-3-bromomethyldeacetoxycephalosporanate. Small amounts of E-isomers were also obtained in the case of the Z-isomer of the 7-(4-nitrobenzylidene) derivative. In the case of the 7α-chloro derivative only substitution of one or two protons at C₍₂₎ occurs during bromination without irradiation, the same as the isomerization of the double bond in the cepheme system.Dedicated to Academician N. K. Kochetkov on the occasion of this ninetieth birthday.__________Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 767–774, May, 2005.     

Group 9 half-sandwich complexes containing the unique P,P′-diphenyl-1,4-diphospha-cyclohexane ligand: Synthesis, X-ray structure analyses and spectroscopic studies

We wish to report the synthesis and characterization of Group 9 metal complexes with the novel P,P′-diphenyl-1,4-diphospha-cyclohexane (dpdpc) ligand. The complexes are readily prepared by direct ligand substitution reactions from the dichloro-bridged binuclear complexes, [{η⁵-Cp*M(Cl)₂}₂]. The complexes include: [η⁵-Cp*Rh(Cl)₂]₂(μ-dpdpc) (1), [η⁵-Cp*Ir(Cl)₂]₂(μ-dpdpc) (2), and [η⁵-Cp*Rh(Cl)(dpdpc)]PF₆ (3). The structures for all three complexes are supported by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 have also been established by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Peptide β-Bend and 3 10 -Helix: from 3D-Structural Studies to Applications as Templates

The 3 ₁₀-helix is a relatively common secondary structure motif in peptides and proteins. Its building block is one of various types of β-bend conformation which comprises an N ^α-acylated dipeptide alkylamide system. A complete 3D-structural characterization of this ternary helix has been achieved, thus allowing its unambiguous discrimination from the closely related α-helix. Recent applications of rigidified peptide β-bends and 3 ₁₀-helices as templates for investigations in synthetic organic chemistry (macrocyclization, catalysis), host–guest chemistry (molecular recognition), and physical chemistry (donor–acceptor interaction) will be discussed.     

Calcium Carbonate@silica Composite with Superhydrophobic Properties

In this paper, spherical calcium carbonate particles were prepared by using CaCl₂ aqueous solution + NH₃·H₂O + polyoxyethylene octyl phenol ether-10 (OP-10) + n-butyl alcohol + cyclohexane inverse micro emulsion system. Then, nanoscale spherical silica was deposited on the surface of micron calcium carbonate by Stöber method to form the composite material. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the morphology and structure of the composite material. It is found that the surface of the composite material has a micro-nano complex structure similar to the surface of a “lotus leaf”, making the composite material show hydrophobicity. The contact angle of the cubic calcium carbonate, spherical calcium carbonate and CaCO₃@SiO₂ composite material were measured. They were 51.6°, 73.5°, and 76.8°, respectively. After modification with stearic acid, the contact angle of cubic and spherical CaCO₃ were 127.1° and 136.1°, respectively, while the contact angle of CaCO₃@SiO₂ composite was 151.3°. These results showed that CaCO₃@SiO₂ composite had good superhydrophobicity, and the influence of material roughness on its hydrophobicity was investigated using the Cassie model theory.     

Highly Aromatic Flavan-3-ol Derivatives from Palaeotropical Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham Possess Radical Scavenging and Antiproliferative Properties

Phytochemical investigation of leaves and stembark of Artocarpus lacucha collected in Thailand resulted in three yet undescribed isomeric flavan-3-ol derivatives (1–3), the four known compounds gambircatechol (4), (+)-catechin (5), (+)-afzelechin (6) and the stilbene oxyresveratrol (7). Compounds 1 to 3 feature 6/6/5/6/5/6 core structures. All structures were deduced by NMR and MS, while density functional theory (DFT) calculations on B3LYP theory level were performed of compounds 1 to 3 to support the stereochemistry in positions 2 and 3 in the C-ring. Possible biosynthetic pathways leading to 4 are discussed. The DPPH assay revealed high radical scavenging activities for 1 (EC₅₀ = 9.4 ± 1.0 µmol mL⁻¹), 2 (12.2 ± 1.1), 3 (10.0 ± 1.5) and 4 (19.0 ± 2.6), remarkably lower than ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ = 34.9) and α-tocopherol (EC₅₀ = 48.6). A cytotoxicity assay revealed moderate but consistent antiproliferative properties of 1 in CH1/PA-1 (ovarian teratocarcinoma) and SW480 (colon carcinoma) cells, with IC₅₀ values of 25 ± 6 and 34 ± 4 µM, respectively, whereas effects in A549 (non-small cell lung cancer) cells were rather negligible. The performed DCFH-DA assay of 1 in the former cell lines confirmed potent antioxidative effects even in the cellular environment.     

Thermal analysis and thermal expansion studies on high density YBa2−xLaxCu3O7−δ, 0x0.2

The compositions in the YBa_2−xLa_xCu₃O_7−δ (0x0.2) system were prepared by the solid state reaction, employing a novel high-temperature oxygen sintering route. The modified sintering route yields dense slab like microstructures with large grains. The decomposition (incongruent melting) temperature of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (Y-123) phase was found to shift to higher temperatures with increasing oxygen partial pressure and lanthanum content. Structure remained orthorhombic up to x=0.2 with a decrease in the orthorhombic strain ((b−a)/b). Iodometric titration indicated a systematic increase in the oxygen content with increasing lanthanum content. Thermo-gravimetric studies in various oxygen partial pressures revealed that the oxygen diffusion in to the YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ (δ>0.5) lattice is an exothermic event and takes place at temperatures not less than 573 K. High-temperature thermal-expansion measurements in air indicated that the nonlinearity in thermal expansion behaviour was reduced by the substitution of lanthanum.     

Structural Insights and Docking Analysis of Adamantane-Linked 1,2,4-Triazole Derivatives as Potential 11β-HSD1 Inhibitors

The solid-state structural analysis and docking studies of three adamantane-linked 1,2,4-triazole derivatives are presented. Crystal structure analyses revealed that compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group, while compounds 1 and 3 crystallize in the same monoclinic P2₁/c space group. Since the only difference between them is the para substitution on the aryl group, the electronic nature of these NO₂ and halogen groups seems to have no influence over the formation of the solid. However, a probable correlation with the size of the groups is not discarded due to the similar intermolecular disposition between the NO₂/Cl substituted molecules. Despite the similarities, CE-B3LYP energy model calculations show that pairwise interaction energies vary between them, and therefore the total packing energy is affected. HOMO-LUMO calculated energies show that the NO₂ group influences the reactivity properties characterizing the molecule as soft and with the best disposition to accept electrons. Further, in silico studies predicted that the compounds might be able to inhibit the 11β-HSD1 enzyme, which is implicated in obesity and diabetes. Self- and cross-docking experiments revealed that a number of non-native 11β-HSD1 inhibitors were able to accurately dock within the 11β-HSD1 X-ray structure 4C7J. The molecular docking of the adamantane-linked 1,2,4-triazoles have similar predicted binding affinity scores compared to the 4C7J native ligand 4YQ. However, they were unable to form interactions with key active site residues. Based on these docking results, a series of potentially improved compounds were designed using computer aided drug design tools. The docking results of the new compounds showed similar predicted 11β-HSD1 binding affinity scores as well as interactions to a known potent 11β-HSD1 inhibitor.     

Perturbating Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds through Substituent Effects or Non-Covalent Interactions

An analysis of the effects induced by F, Cl, and Br-substituents at the α-position of both, the hydroxyl or the amino group for a series of amino-alcohols, HOCH₂(CH₂)_nCH₂NH₂ (n = 0–5) on the strength and characteristics of their OH···N or NH···O intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IMHBs) was carried out through the use of high-level G4 ab initio calculations. For the parent unsubstituted amino-alcohols, it is found that the strength of the OH···N IMHB goes through a maximum for n = 2, as revealed by the use of appropriate isodesmic reactions, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and atoms in molecules (AIM), and non-covalent interaction (NCI) procedures. The corresponding infrared (IR) spectra also reflect the same trends. When the α-position to the hydroxyl group is substituted by halogen atoms, the OH···N IMHB significantly reinforces following the trend H < F < Cl < Br. Conversely, when the substitution takes place at the α-position with respect to the amino group, the result is a weakening of the OH···N IMHB. A totally different scenario is found when the amino-alcohols HOCH₂(CH₂)_nCH₂NH₂ (n = 0–3) interact with BeF₂. Although the presence of the beryllium derivative dramatically increases the strength of the IMHBs, the possibility for the beryllium atom to interact simultaneously with the O and the N atoms of the amino-alcohol leads to the global minimum of the potential energy surface, with the result that the IMHBs are replaced by two beryllium bonds.     

Ab initio direct dynamics studies on the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CF2H2 and CF3H with F atom

The dynamic properties of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CF₂H₂ and CF₃H with F atom are investigated in the temperature range of 182–2000 K. The minimum-energy path (MEP) is optimized at MP2/6-311 G(d, p) level, then the energy profiles are refined at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df, 2pd) level (single-point). The theoretical rate constants, which are calculated by the variational transition state theory (VTST) including the small curvature tunneling (SCT) correction, are in good agreement with the experimental ones. It is found that the rate constant of the CF₂H₂ + F reaction are larger than that of the CF₃H + F reaction and the activation energies exhibit in the just opposite order. This phenomenon can be rationalized by the hardness η of the halomethane molecules. The comparison of the two reactions with the CFH₃ + F reaction is made. It is found that the rate constants decrease in the order of CFH₃ + F > CF₂H₂ + F > CF₃H + F. The effect of fluorine substitution leads to a dramatic increase in the activation energy and a decrease in the preexponential factor. We hope that present theoretical studies for these compounds can give further information concerning how fluorine substitution affects the rate constants of hydrogen abstraction reactions.     

Structural transition of NaBH4 under high pressure: Ab initio calculations

The pressure induced structural transition of NaBH₄ from β-NaBH₄ (tetragonal-P42_1c) to γ-NaBH₄ (orthorhombic-Pnma) is investigated by ab initio plane-wave pseudopotential density functional theory method (DFT). The BaSO₄-type structure of orthorhombic high-pressure phase is testified theoretically for the first time. The calculated transition pressure of β-NaBH₄ (tetragonal-P42_1c) to γ-NaBH₄ (orthorhombic-Pnma) is 9.66 GPa and the orthorhombic high-pressure phase is stable up to 30 GPa. Our results agree well with previous experimental results and demonstrate that high-pressure phase transition from β-NaBH₄ to γ-NaBH₄ may occur at low temperature. At last, the pressure effects on the electronic structures of α-, β- and γ-NaBH₄ are discussed.     

The Effect of Anomeric Head Groups, Surfactant Hydrophilicity, and Electrolytes onn-Alkyl Monoglucoside Microemulsions

The effects of the variables of head group structure and salt concentration on microemulsions formed in mixtures of water, alkyl ethylene glycol ethers (C_kOC₂OC_k), andn-alkyl β- -glucopyranosides (C_mβG₁) are explored. Phase behavior of mixtures containing an anomer of the surfactant (n-alkyl α- -glucopyranoside, C_mαG₁), or surfactants with long head groups (n-alkyl maltopyranosides, C_mG₂), or NaCl or NaClO₄as electrolyte are systematically reported as a function of temperature and composition. The substitution ofn-alkyl α- -glucopyranosides forn-alkyl β- -glucopyranosides causes precipitation under some conditions in all mixtures studied. These solubility boundaries begin in the water–surfactant binary mixture at the Krafft boundary, then extend to high concentrations of both surfactant and oil. Increasing the effective length of the surfactant head group by adding C_mG₂to water–C_kOC₂OC_k–C_mβG₁mixtures moves the phase behavior dramatically up in temperature when even small amounts of C_mG₂are used. Adding a lyotropic electrolyte, NaCl, to water–C_kOC₂OC_k–C_mβG₁mixtures moves the phase behavior down in temperature, while the hydrotropic electrolyte NaClO₄moves the phase behavior up in temperature.     

Preparative use of electrode catalyzed substitution reactions; synthesis of Fe(CO)(PPh3)(η-C5H5)COCH3

It is shown that electrode catalysis of substitution reactions can operate even for systems with rather slow chemical steps and, furthermore, for those which are electrochemically irreversible. A procedure is described for synthesis of Fe(CO)(PPh₃)(η⁵-C₅H₅)COCH₃ from Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)CH₃ and triphenylphosphine. A simplified mechanism for the catalytic chain, is given and discussed in terms of the structure of the reacting species.