Ab initio Study of β-lactam antibiotics

Ab initio SCF-MO-LCAO calculations have been performed with a 7s3p/3s GTO basis set for the CH₃O--lactam + OH^– reaction which is related to the mode of action of -lactam antibiotics. The comparison of the present results with the previous ones for -lactam + OH^– and 3-cephem + OH^– shows that the CH₃O substitution has a negligible effect on the amidic bond breaking of -lactam, so that this group probably influences other steps of the antibiotic reactivity of cephaloporins.     

The μ-and δ-opioid pharmacophore conformations of cyclic β-casomorphin analogues indicate docking of the Phe3 residue to different domains of the opioid receptors

Summary Cyclic -casomorphin analogues with a d-configured amino acid residue in position 2, such as Tyr-c[-Xaa-Phe-Pro-Gly-] and Tyr-c[-Xaa-Phe-d-Pro-Gly-] (Xaa=d-A₂bu, d-Orn, d-Lys) were found to bind to the -opioid receptor as well as to the -opioid receptor, whereas the corresponding l-Xaa² derivatives are nearly inactive at both. Low-energy conformers of both active and nearly inactive derivatives have been determined in a systematic conformational search or by molecular dynamics simulations using the TRIPOS force field. The obatained conformations were compared with regard to a model for -selective opiates developed by Brandt et al. [Drug Des. Discov., 10 (1993) 257]. Superpositions as well as electrostatic, lipophilic and hydrogen bonding similarities with the -opioid receptor pharmacophore conformation of t-Hpp-JOM-13 proposed by Mosberg et al. [J. Med. Chem., 37 (1994) 4371, 4384] were used to establish the probable -pharmacophoric cyclic -casomorphin conformations. These conformations were also compared with a -opioid agonist (SNC 80) and the highly potent antagonist naltrindole. These investigations led to a prediction of the -and -pharmacophore structures for the cyclic -casomorphins. Interestingly, for the inactive compounds such conformations could not be detected. The comparison between the -and -pharmacophore conformations of the cyclic -casomorphins demonstrates not only differences in spatial orientation of both aromatic groups, but also in the backbone conformations of the ring part. In particular, the differences in ² and ² (70°,-80°; 165°,55°) cause a completely different spatial arrangement of the cyclized peptide rings when all compounds are matched with regard to maximal spatial overlap of the tyrosine residue. Assuming that both the -and -pharmacophore conformations bind with the tyrosine residue in a similar orientation at the same transmembrane domain X of their receptors, the side chain of Phe³ as a second binding site has to dock with different domains.This paper is based on a presentation given at the 14th Molecular Graphics and Modelling Society Conference, held in Cairns, Australia, August 27–September 1, 1995.     

Effects of Modified β-Cyclodextrins on the Hydrolysis Reaction of p-Nitrophenyl α-Methoxyphenylacetate

Effects of -cyclodextrin (-CD) 1and its derivatives 2–7 on the deacylationreaction of p-nitrophenyl (R or S)--methoxyphenylacetatewere studied. The-CD derivatives used were6--D-glucosyl--CD 2, sulfated-CD (7–11 sulfate groups/CD ring) 3,dimethylated -CD 4, carboxymethylated-CD (3.5 carboxymethyl groups/CD ring) 5,2-tri(2-hydroxypropyl)--CD 6, and-CD appended on poly(allylamine) 7. Therate constant (k ^CD) of thesubstrate/-CD complexes and the formationconstants (K) of the complexes were determinedfrom the dependence of the pseudo-first order rateconstants of the deacylation reaction on theconcentration of -CDs. The order ofk ^CD for the R-enantiomer at pH8.0 is 45H₂O3 6 1 2 7, whilethat for the S-enantiomer is 4 5 6H₂O 1 2 3 7: H₂O denotes the rate in theabsence of -CDs. The order of K values is3 7 6 2 1 4 5. This work indicates that, though thesecondary hydroxyl groups of -CD play criticalroles in the deacylation reactions of the esterscomplexed with -CDs, the reactivity of theester/-CD complexes depends highly on thenature of the substituents at the secondary face of-CD. It also suggests that the substratesinserted from the secondary side as well as theprimary side of -CD of poly(allylamine)-bound-CD undergo the reaction by attack of aminogroups on the polymer chain.     

The conformational preferences of γ-lactam and its role in constraining peptide structure

Summary The conformational constraints imposed by -lactams in peptides have been studied using valence force field energy calculations and flexible geometry maps. It has been found that while cyclisation restrains the of the lactam, non-bonded interactions contribute to the constraints on of the lactam. The -lactam also affects the (,) of the residue after it in a peptide sequence. For an l-lactam, the ring geometry restricts to about-120°, and has two minima, the lowest energy around-140° and a higher minimum (5 kcal/mol higher) at 60°, making an l--lactam more favourably accommodated in a near extended conformation than in position 2 of a type II -turn. The energy of the +60° minimum can be lowered substantially until it is more favoured than the-140° minimum by progressive substitution of bulkier groups on the amide N of the l--lactam. The (,) maps of the residue succeeding a -lactam show subtle differences from those of standard N-methylated residues. The dependence of the constraints on the chirality of -lactams and N-substituted -lactams, in terms of the formation of secondary structures like -turns is discussed and the comparison of the theoretical conformations with experimental results is highlighted.     

Synthesis of 2β, 3β, 14α-trihydroxy-Δ4,7-6-ketosteroids and their derivatives

A scheme using -sitosterol as an example for synthesizing 2, 3, 14-trihydroxy-^4,7-6-ketosteroids and their derivatives from 3-hydroxy-⁵-steroids was developed.Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141, Belarus, Minsk, ul, akad. Kuprevicha, 5/2. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 244–248, May–June, 2000.     

Catalytic Behaviour of Carbonate β-CD Entrapped in PEEK-WC Membranes

O-octyloxycarbonyl cyclodextrins were immobilised in flat sheetPEEK-WC membranes. The membranes were prepared by phase inversion methodand characterised. cyclodextrin (CD) catalytic action in thep-nitrophenylacetate (PNPA) hydrolysis to p-nitrophenol (PNP) was studied. The CD acylic carbonate derivative shows an effective catalytic action whenincorporated in PEEK-WC membranes, by showing an enzyme-like behaviour. Themembranes were tested at different temperatures and substrate concentrations and thevalue of activation energy for the reaction was estimated. It is well known that CDhave a catalytic action, but their immobilisation in a polymeric matrix enhances thereaction rate, in fact the entrapment optimises the interaction with the substrate andincreases the chemical stability of the catalyst. In addition, CD show morestability when incorporated in the membrane, because of their chemical resistanceto alkaline attack.     

α-Alkoxy-β-dicarbonylverbindungen durch Acylierung von Lithiumenolaten

A series of -alkoxy--dicarbonyl compounds2 were prepared by acylation of lithium enolates in good to excellent yields by a simple one-pot procedure.

     

Ring opening of fluoroalkyl-containing α,β-epoxyketones by aromatic amines

Aromatic amines cause ,-epoxyketones containing a -fluoroalkyl group to undergo ring opening at the -position to give -amino--hydroxyketones.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 882–883, May, 1994.     

Improvement of Solubility and Dissolution of 19-Norprogesterone via Inclusion Complexation

In an effort to modify the solubility and dissolution rate of the contraceptive steroid, 19-norprogesterone in order to improve its bioavailability, the cyclodextrin complexation approach was chosen. In solution, the complex formation with -cyclodextrin (-CD), hydroxyethyl -cyclodextrin (HE--CD) and hydroxypropyl -cyclodextrin (HP--CD) was confirmed by using solubility, UV, IR and ¹H-NMR spectrophotometric techniques. The phase solubility diagrams were categorized as A_L-type. The complexing affinity of the CDs investigated were ranked as follows: -CD > HP--CD > HE--CD. The complexation thermodynamic parameters were obtained from the temperature dependence of the dissociation constants. In the solid state, differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and optical microscopy methods were utilized to characterize the complexes. Dissolution studies showed that such molecularly encapsulated forms offered a marked improvement in the dissolution rate compared to the parent drug.     

‘Hairdressing’ Shish-kebabs by melting

Summary A previous paper established the principle of hairdressing showing that polyethylene shish-kebab fibres can be reversibly transformed by appropriate preparation conditions between three morphologies, smooth fibres; fibres with closely spaced lamellar overgrowths; fibres with widely spaced lamellar overgrowths, where the spacing is sensitively affected by storage temperature (3). In the present paper this hairdressing work is extended to include the molten state. Three classes of morphology analogous to the three obtained from solution (although with certain minor differences) can be obtained by melting shish-kebabs at constant length, followed by quenching or isothermal crystallization. These melt-hairdressed fibres can be transformed back into shish-kebabs of typical solvent hairdressed appearance by the previously established procedures for solvent hairdressing. Thus all these works, following on from the trend established by Pennings (4), serve to highlight the fact thatall shish-kebabs acquire their external morphology at temperatures which are beneath those of the core formation during final cooling or storage and thatall external forms associated with a given core are interconvertible. On the molecular level these features highlight the intrinsically hairy nature of the core fibre as formed.With 5 figures     

Complexation of Oleuropein and trans-Cinnamic Acid with Cyclodextrins

The complexation of oleuropein and trans-cinnamic acid with -, -, and -cyclodextrin has been studied in aqueous model systems by light scaterring. The influence of various parameters (pH, concentration, reaction time, nature of cyclodextrin) has been thoroughly examined. The formation of binary (1:1) inclusion complexes and the higher inclusion ability of -CD for both compounds has been indicated. Trans-cinnamic acid was extracted from olive olive oil following its complexation with -CD at satisfactory recovery levels.     

Nitrosation of mefenorex in the presence of cyclodextrins

- and -Cyclodextrin (CD) and heptakis-2,6-di-O-methyl--cyclodextrin (DIMEB) form soluble inclusion compounds with mefenorex (MEF); with -CD a partial inclusion occurs. No solid inclusion compound could be obtained with the four CDs. -, -CD and DIMEB, but not -CD, enhance the nitrosation rate of MEF if the nitrosation assay procedure (NAP test) is applied. During this reaction with - and -CD, solid inclusion compounds of the CDs and nitrosomefenorex (NMEF) precipitate.Part of the Ph.D. thesis of V. Wedelich, Freie Universität Berlin, 1985.     

Gem-dinitro compounds in organic synthesis. 4. Use of the condensation product of glyoxal and dinitromethane in the synthesis of nitro-1,2,3-triazoles

The condensation of dinitromethane with glyoxal has been investigated and it has been demonstrated that 1,1,4,4-tetranitro-2,3-butandiol, -hydroxy-,-dinitropropionic acid or their mixture may be formed. Interaction of 1,1,4,4-tetranitro-2,3-butandiol or 1,4-dibromo-1,1,4,4-tetranitro-2,3-butanediol diacetates with sodium azide leads to bis(5-nitro-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) via intermediate 1,1,4,4-tetranitro-1,3-butadiene.For communication 3, see [1].N. D. Zelinskii Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117913 Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2123–2131, September, 1992.     

Charge-transfer complexes betweenp-toluidine and iodine in solution: A kinetic study

The kinetics of charge-transfer interaction betweenp-toluidine and iodine in methylene chloride was investigated in depth. Thethermal process of formation of theinner complex was found to proceed to an equilibrium. Thephotochemical process follows a different reaction coordinate, going through the formation of an exciplex between the excitedouter complex and the amine ground state. In both cases the same ionic complex (Am ₂I⁺I ₃ ^– , whereAm stands forp-toluidine) was detected as the final product.

---

Kinetische Untersuchung der Charge-Transfer-Komplexe zwischenp-Toluidin und Jod

Zusammenfassung Die Kinetik der Charge-Transfer-Wechselwirkung zwischenp-Toluidin und Jod in Methylenchlorid wurde ausführlich untersucht. Derthermische Prozeß, der zur Bildung desinner-Komplexes führt, geht bis zu einem Gleichgewicht. Derphotochemische Prozeß folgt einer unterschiedlichen Reaktionskoordinate und verläuft über die Bildung eines Exziplexes zwischen dem angeregtenouter-Komplex und dem Amin im Grundzustand. In beiden Fällen wurde derselbe ionische Komplex (Am ₂I⁺I ₃ ^– , wobeiAm fürp-Toluidin steht) als Endprodukt festgestellt.

     

Novel techniques for plasma diagnostics: Electron paramagnetic resonance and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

Diagnostic techniques for low-pressure, cold plasmas have mostly been limited to emission and mass spectrometry. Herein, the techniques of gas-phase electron paramagnetic resonance and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy are briefly reviewed. Particular attention is paid to their attributes which make them good candidates for plasma diagnostic tools. It is found that gas-phase electron paramagnetic resonance can be used to determine and monitor the absolute concentration of a number of important plasma species, e.g., free radicals and atoms. Laser-induced fluorescence can also monitor, with even more sensitivity, but perhaps not so well absolutely, the concentrations of many plasma species, e.g., free radicals, metastable excited states, and molecular ions.     

Diastereoselectivity in theLewis acid mediated aldol reaction of chiral α, β-epoxyaldehydes with a ketene silyl acetal

Summary The Lewis acid mediated aldol reaction of chiral , -cis andtrans epoxyaldehydes1 and2 withtert-butyl ketene silyl acetal proceeds mainly withanti diastereofacial preference. The best results were obtained forcis epoxyaldehyde1 in the presence of catalytic amounts of BiCl₃·1.5 eq. ZnI₂ (anti:syn 13:1), whereas the poorest stereoselectivity was observed when an excess of LiClO₄ was used (anti:syn 1:1). The more stable epoxyaldehyde conformers were determined and the diastereofacial preference was found to be in agreement with a nucleophilic attack on the energetically more favoured conformers.

---

Diastereoselektivität derLewis-Säure-katalysierten Aldolreaction zwischen chiralen , -Epoxyaldehyden und einem Ketensilylacetal

Zusammenfassung DieLewis-Säure-katalysierte Aldolreaktion der chiralen , -cis- und -trans-Epoxyaldehyde1 und2 mittert-Butylketensilylacetal verläuft stereoselektivanti. Die besten Ergebnisse wurden für dencis-Epoxyaldehyd1 in Gegenwart katalytischer Mengen BiCl3·1.5 eq. Znl₂ erhalten (anti:syn 13:1). Die geringste Stereoselektivität trat auf, wenn LiClO₄ im Überschuß eingesetzt wurde (anti:syn 1:1). Das beobachtete Verhalten steht mit einem nucleophilen Angriff am energetisch günstigeren Konformeren im Einklang.

     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Inclusion Complexation of β-Cyclodextrin with Phenothiazine Derivatives

Inclusion complexation of -cyclodextrin (-CD) with N-phenylphenothiazine ( 1), N-benzylphenothiazine ( 2) and N-phenethylphenothiazine ( 3) has been studied by means of UV-vis spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. The association constants (K_a) were determined to be 126, 312 and 211 dm³/mol for inclusion of -CD with 1, 2 and 3, respectively. It shows that the K_a values are affected by the substituents of the guest compounds. The structures of the complexes and the conformation of the guest compounds bound by -CD in the complex have been discussed.     

Synchrotron Microbeam Diffraction Study of the Microstructure and the Chemical Composition in a Monocrystalline Ni-Base Turbine Blade After a Thermomechanical Mission Test

High-performance turbine blades composed of monocrystalline Ni-base / superalloys are often protected by coatings to resist the high-temperature corrosive atmosphere environment applications. During applications severe thermal and mechanical loads cause drastic and complicated changes in the microstructure and the chemical composition, also combined with strong lateral gradients of both temperature and stress. Microbeam X-ray diffraction experiments with a spatial resolution of about 5 m enabled the determination of both the microstructural and the chemical composition gradients within material volumes of the sizes of the order of about 1 mm³ or smaller. The high angular and spatial resolution was achieved by a special focusing technique using a Bragg–Fresnel focusing monochromator at the BM5 beamline of the ESRF synchrotron at Grenoble. The X-ray diffraction experiments were complemented and supported by electron microscopy investigations of the microstructure and the chemical composition.     

Spektroskopische Untersuchungen an organischen Carbonylverbindungen, 5. Mitt.: Zum Einfluß des π-Chromophors auf das elektronische Spektralverhalten von dimethylaminophenyl-substituierten β-Diketonen bei Kettenverlängerung und Variation der Arylsubstituenten

Summary Absorption and fluorescence data of dimethylaminophenyl-substituted -dicarbonyl compounds are discussed in dependence on the size of the -electronic system. The variation of the chain length and of the aryl moiety shows the strong influence of the intramolecular donor-acceptor properties on the deactivation processes. The stabilization of the S₁-state in polar solvents gives rise to fluorescences with large Stokes shifts.

     

Enhanced dissolution and oral bioavailability of α-tocopheryl esters by dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin complexation

Inclusion complexation of heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)--cyclodextrin (DM--CyD) with -tocopheryl acetate and -tocopheryl nicotinate in aqueous solution was studied by the solubility method. The aqueous solubilities of the esters were about 10⁵ times increased by DM--CyD complexation. The phase-solubility diagram of the tocopheryl ester-DM--CyD systems showed a typicalA _p type, and the stability constants (K) of high-order complexes were estimated by analyzing the upward curvature of the diagrams. The solid complex of -tocopheryl nicotinate with DM--CyD in a molar ratio of 12 was prepared by the kneading method. The dissolution rate of the solid complex was much greater than that of the drug itself, and the rapidly dissolving form of -tocopheryl nicotinate, as an example, showed a markedly increased bioavailability (about 70-fold) after oral administration to fasted dogs.