Asymmetric organocatalytic direct Mannich reaction of acetylacetone and isatin derived ketimines: Low catalyst loading in chiral cinchona-squaramides

A highly enantioselective synthesis of 3-amino-2-oxindoles by direct Mannich reaction between acetylacetone and N-carbamoyl isatin ketimine has been described herein. Corresponding chiral adducts were obtained in high yields (up to 98%) and with excellent enantioselectivities (up to?>99% ee) by very low (1?mol%) catalyst loading of 2-adamantyl substituted bifunctional cinchona-squaramide.     

Cloning, Sequencing, and Expression of Nitrile Hydratase Gene of Mutant 4D Strain of Rhodococcus rhodochrous PA 34 in E. coli

The NHase encoding gene of mutant 4D was isolated by PCR amplification. The NHase gene of mutant 4D was successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli by using Ek/LIC Duet cloning kits (Novagen). For the active expression of the NHase gene, the co-expression of small cobalt transporter gene (P-protein gene) has also been co-expressed with NHase gene E. coli. The nucleotide sequence of this NHase gene revealed high homology with the H-NHase of Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1. The recombinant E. coli cells showed higher NHase activity (5.9?U/mg?dcw) as compared to the wild (4.1?U/mg?dcw) whereas it is less than the mutant strain (8.4?U/mg?dcw). Addition of cobalt ion in Luria?CBertani medium is needed up to a very small concentration (0.4?mM) for NHase activity. The recombinant E. coli exhibited maximum NHase activity at 6?h of incubation and was purified with a yield of 56?% with specific activity of 37.1?U/mg protein.     

Sterically Demanding Unsymmetrical Diaryl-λ3-iodanes for Electrophilic Pentafluorophenylation and an Approach to α-Pentafluorophenyl Carbonyl Compounds with an All-Carbon Stereocenter

A sterically demanding unsymmetrical pentafluorophenyl-triisopropylphenyl-λ³-iodane was developed as an effective reagent for the electrophilic pentafluorophenylation of various β-keto esters and a β-keto amide. 17 examples of α-pentafluorophenylated 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds 3 having a quaternary carbon center are provided. The resulting compounds were nicely transformed into chiral α-pentafluorophenyl ketones with an all-carbon stereogenic center in high yields and high enantioselectivities using asymmetric organocatalysis (up to 98 % ee) or asymmetric metal catalysis (up to 82 % ee).     

Sublimable bis(β-iminoenolate)palladium(II) complexes and their application as catalysts in Suzuki-Miyaura reactions

The Pd(II) complexes strongly chelated by two β-iminoenolate ligands were easily synthesized in only two steps, and purified based on their sublimable and highly stable property. The Pd(II) complexes anchored on a silica surface showed good catalytic activity in Suzuki-Miyaura reactions (up to 99% yield with 0.05?mol% catalyst). They tolerated a wide range of temperature (rt～110?°C) and various solvents, and could be reused multiple times after simple recovering process.     

Highly enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of imino esters with benzofuranone derivatives catalyzed by thiourea−quaternary ammonium salt

Highly enantioselective 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition of 2-arylidene-benzofuran- 3(2H)-ones with imino esters catalyzed by thiourea?quaternary ammonium salts has been developed. This reaction provides efficient construction of a range of chiral spiro[benzofuran-2,3′-pyrrolidine] in high yields (up to 99%) and with good enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) under mild conditions.     

Extracellular Production of Novel Halotolerant, Thermostable, and Alkali-Stable Carboxymethyl Cellulase by Marine Bacterium Marinimicrobium sp. LS-A18

Cellulases which are active and stable under extreme conditions have attracted considerable attention because of their potential industrial applications. Marinimicrobium sp. LS-A18 showed high extracellular carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) activity when grown on mineral salt medium containing carboxymethylcellulose as the sole carbon source. Maximum CMCase activity was obtained at 55°C and pH 7.0 in the absence of NaCl. Under the optimized fermentation conditions, the yield of CMCase was increased up to 2.5 U/ml, which was 3.1-fold higher than that before optimization. The enzyme retained 84?% of residual activity after incubation at 60°C for 1?h and more than 88?% of residual activity after incubation for 72?h in the presence of different pH (5?C11) and NaCl concentrations (0?C25?%, w/v), indicating it was halotolerant, thermostable and alkali-stable. These characteristics made the CMCase from Marinimicrobium sp. LS-A18 as a potentially novel biocatalyst in biotechnological and industrial applications.     

Development and Characterization of a Solid-Phase Biocatalyst Based on Cyclodextrin Glucantransferase Reversibly Immobilized onto Thiolsulfinate-Agarose

Reduction of disulfide bonds and introduction of ??de novo?? thiol groups in cyclodextrin glucantransferase from Thermoanaerobacter sp. were assessed in order to perform reversible covalent immobilization onto thiol-reactive supports (thiolsulfinate-agarose). Only the thiolation process dramatically improved the immobilization yield, from 0?% for the native and reduced enzyme, up to nearly 90?% for the thiolated enzyme. The mild conditions of the immobilization process (pH 6.8?C7.0 and 22?°C) allowed the achievement of 100?% coupling efficiencies when low loads were applied. Ionic strength was a critical parameter for the immobilization process; for high activity recoveries, 50?mM phosphate buffer supplemented with 0.15?M NaCl was required. The kinetic parameters, pH and thermal stabilities for the immobilized biocatalyst were similar to those for the native enzyme. For ??-cyclization activity, optimal pH range and temperature were 4.0?C5.4 and 85?°C. The possibility of reusing the support was demonstrated by the reversibility of enzyme?Csupport binding.     

A green synthesis of unsymmetrical triarylmethanes via indium (III) triflate catalyzed Friedel Crafts alkylation of o-hydroxy bisbenzylic alcohols under solvent free conditions

Using indium (III) triflate as a mild Lewis acid catalyst, the Friedel Crafts alkylation of o-hydroxy bisbenzylic alcohols with aromatic/heteroaromatic arenes under solvent free conditions was achieved to give the corresponding unsymmetrical triarylmethanes in high yields (up to 80% yield). Calculation of the different green metrics for the above reaction revealed it to have high atom economy (94–96%), high reaction mass efficiency (66–77%) and high carbon efficiency (70–80%). The Lewis acid was found to be air and moisture tolerant. The protocol was found to be operationally simple and can be carried out in an “open-flask” leaving behind water as the sole by product. Gratifyingly the Lewis acid catalyst could be recycled and reused up to 5 catalytic cycles without compromising much on the yield thus further highlighting the importance of the protocol.     

N,N′-Dioxide-nickel(II) complex catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters

A direct asymmetric Michael addition of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters could be efficiently catalyzed by an N,N′-dioxide-nickel(II) complex. A series of chiral warfarin derivatives were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee) under mild conditions within shorter reaction time.     

Asymmetric epoxidation of cinnamic acid derivatives by in situ generated dioxiranes of chloroacetones: scope and limitations

Efficient epoxidation of chiral cinnamic acid derivatives has been achieved by in situ generated dioxiranes of chloroacetones with moderate to good diastereoselectivity (dr up to 90:10) in high yields. Reactivity of cinnamic acid derivatives containing different chiral auxiliaries versus chloroacetones–monochloroacetone 3 (MCA), 1,1-dichloroacetone 4 (DCA) and 1,1,1-trichloroacetone 5 (TCA) and Oxone? loading was studied. Both Oxone? loading and reaction time reduce with an increase of chlorine atoms in the acetone. The use of 1.1 equiv of TCA was found to be effective for the epoxidation of cinnamate substrates and enhances the reaction up to 4–10-fold compared to acetone and that also decreases the Oxone? loading. This method provided methyl (2R,3S)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)glycidate (?)-2, a key intermediate for the synthesis of diltiazem hydrochloride, with >99% of enantiomeric purity.     

The formation of a series of barium tungsten bronzes

The phases occurring in samples of gross composition Ba_xWO₃ (0.01 < x < 0.33) heated at temperatures between 1073 and 1373°K have been determined using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. At all temperatures a tetragonal tungsten bronze phase with a narrow homogeneity range of x = 0.20?0.21 was observed to form. In addition, at temperatures up to 1273°K, a series of orthorhombic intergrowth bronzes forms within a restricted composition range around x = 0.04. The latter phases are unstable at higher temperatures and were not found in preparations made at 1323°K. Similarly a new type of bronze phase forms at x = 0.14?0.16 at temperatures up to 1323°K, but not at 1373°K. The structure of this phase is unknown. Aspects of the crystal chemistry of the barium bronzes and the relationships to other bronze phases are discussed.     

Rhodium catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to β,γ-unsaturated α-keto ester using chiral tert-butanesulfinylphosphines ligands

Rh-Catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-selective addition of arylboronic acids to β,γ-unsaturated α-keto ester was developed using chiral tert-butanesulfinylphosphine as ligand, good yields (up to 87%), good 1,4-regioselectivities (up to 96:4), and high enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee) were achieved.     

Enantioselective synthesis of indolo[2,3-b]-dihydrothiopyranones via [3+3] cycloaddition of chiral α,β-unsaturated acylammonium salts

A nucleophile-catalyzed Michael addition/proton transfer/lactonization (NCMPL) organocascade process of chiral α,β-unsaturated acylammonium salts and indoline-2-thiones is described, which delivers the indolo[2,3-b]dihydrothiopyranone motifs in high yields (up to 97%) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of β-N-substituted enamino esters with ammonia borane

Optically active β-amino acids and their derivatives are very useful building blocks in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. The catalytic asymmetric reduction of β-enamino esters is one of the most efficient approaches for their synthesis. Ammonia borane with low molecular weight, high hydrogen capacity, and good stability, is an ideal hydrogen source for the transfer hydrogenation. However, only a few successful examples have been reported for the asymmetric reduction with ammonia borane. In this work, an asymmetric metal-free transfer hydrogenation of β-N-substituted enamino esters with ammoinia borane was successfully realized by using a frustrated Lewis pair of Piers’ borane and (S)-tert-butylsulfinamide as a chiral catalyst. A variety of β-amino acid derivatives were obtained in 51–90% yields with up to 91% ee.     

Mesoporous Poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) Particles for Efficient and Selective Phosphate and Sulfate Removal

Due to the existence-threatening risk to aquatic life and entire ecosystems, the removal of oxyanions such as sulfate and phosphate from anthropogenic wastewaters, such as municipal effluents and acid mine drainage, is inevitable. Furthermore, phosphorus is an indispensable resource for worldwide plant fertilization, which cannot be replaced by any other substance. This raises phosphate to one of the most important mineral resources worldwide. Thus, efficient recovery of phosphate is essential for ecosystems and the economy. To face the harsh acidic conditions, such as for acid mine drainage, an adsorber material with a high chemical resistivity is beneficial. Poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) (PMF) sustains these conditions whilst its very high amount of nitrogen functionalities (up to 53.7 wt.%) act as efficient adsorption sides. To increase adsorption capacities, PMF was synthesized in the form of mesoporous particles using a hard-templating approach yielding specific surface areas up to 409 m²/g. Different amounts of silica nanospheres were utilized as template and evaluated for the adsorption of sulfate and phosphate ions. The adsorption isotherms were validated by the Langmuir model. Due to their properties, the PMF particles possessed outperforming maximum adsorption capacities of 341 and 251 mg/g for phosphate and sulfate, respectively. Furthermore, selective adsorption of sulfate from mixed solutions of phosphate and sulfate was found for silica/PMF hybrid particles.     

Expression and Characterization of a GH39 β-Xylosidase II from Caulobacter crescentus

In the present work, the gene xynB2, encoding a ??-xylosidase II of the Glycoside Hydrolase 39 (GH39) family, of Caulobacter crescentus was cloned and successfully overexpressed in Escherichia coli DH10B. The recombinant protein (CcXynB2) was purified using nickel-Sepharose affinity chromatography, with a recovery yield of 75.5?%. CcXynB2 appeared as a single band of 60?kDa on a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel and was recognized by a specific polyclonal antiserum. The predicted CcXynB2 protein showed a high homology with GH39 ??-xylosidases of the genus Xanthomonas. CcXynB2 exhibited an optimal activity at 55?°C and a pH of 6. CcXynB2 displayed stability at pH values of 4.5?C7.5 for 24?h and thermotolerance up to 50?°C. The K _M and V _Max values were 9.3?±?0.45?mM and 402?±?19???mol?min^?1 for ??-nitrophenyl-??-d-xylopyranoside, respectively. The purified recombinant enzyme efficiently produced reducing sugars from birchwood xylan and sugarcane bagasse fibers pre-treated with a purified xylanase. As few bacterial GH39 family ??-xylosidases have been characterized, this work provides a good contribution to this group of enzymes.     

Acid-catalyzed highly diastereoselective and effective synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted tetrahydropyrano[3,4-b]indoles

We successfully explored for the first time that trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) can effectively catalyze the oxa-Pictet-Spengler reaction of secondary tryptophols and acetals to synthesize 1,3-disubstituted 1,3,4,9-tetrahydropyrano[3,4-b]indoles in high yield (up to >99%) and diastereoselectivity (>20:1). The secondary tryptophols were synthesized from indole-3-acetic acid. The one-pot synthesis of tetrahydropyrano[3,4-b]indoles was successfully developed from secondary tryptophols and in situ prepared acetals from aldehydes and trimethylorthoformate and thus the cost-efficiency of the protocol was effectively enhanced. Finally, the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of the 1,3-disubstituted tetrahydropyrano[3,4-b]indole was also demonstrated after enantioselective achievement of highly enantiopure secondary tryptophols.     

Radiocharacterization of the 99mTc�Crufloxacin complex and biological evaluation in Staphylococcus aureus infected rat model

^99mTc?Crufloxacin (^99mTc?CRUN) complex was prepared by reaction of different amounts of reduced sodium pertechnetate with different amount of Rufloxacin (RUN) antibiotic for the in vivo scintigraphic localization of the Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infectious foci in Male Wister Rats (MWR) model. The ^99mTc?CRUN complex was radiochemically and biologically characterized in terms of radiochemical stability in saline, serum, in vitro binding with S. aureus and biodistribution in artificially infected with S. aureus MWR. The ^99mTc?CRUN complex showed stability more than 90% up to 240 min in normal saline with a maximum stability value of 98.10 ± 0.18% at 30 min after reconstitution. At 37 °C the complex showed in vitro permanence in serum up to 16 h with 13.90% side products during incubation. The ^99mTc?CRUN complex showed saturated in vitro binding with S. aureus at different intervals with a maximum uptake value of 71.50%. Infected to normal muscle, infected to inflamed and inflamed to normal muscles ratios were approximately 6.04, 4.31 and 1.40. Based on the stability of the complex in saline, serum, in vitro binding with S. aureus and biodistribution results, the ^99mTc?CRUN complex is recommended for in vivo scintigraphic localization of the S. aureus in vivo infectious foci in human.     

Gamma-Cyclodextrin Production Using Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase from Bacillus clarkii 7364

The production of cyclodextrins (CDs) by cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from Bacillus clarkii 7364 was studied. Forty-seven percent (w/w) conversion rate to ??-CD was obtained in the process performed by reacting 5 U per gram of starch CGTase with 15?% (w/v) soluble starch in 0.025?M sodium phosphate?CNaOH buffer (pH 12) at 55?°C in the presence of 2?% (w/v) glycyrrhizic acid. Meanwhile, the ratio of ??:??-CD was 89:11, with negligible formation of ??-CD. Under these conditions, there is a significant increase in overall production of CDs and a marked change in product selectivity for ??-CD. The possible mechanisms were discussed upon different product profiles with respect to the size and amount of CDs synthesized at different reaction conditions. The approach described here can be easily applied to an enzymatic process for the production of ??-CD on an industrial scale, and such high selectivity, at high conversions, is especially attractive from a commercial perspective.     

Exploiting the Chiral Ligands of Bis(imidazolinyl)- and Bis(oxazolinyl)thiophenes—Synthesis and Application in Cu-Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts Asymmetric Alkylation

Five new C₂-symmetric chiral ligands of 2,5-bis(imidazolinyl)thiophene (L1–L3) and 2,5-bis(oxazolinyl)thiophene (L4 and L5) were synthesized from thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (1) with enantiopure amino alcohols (4a–c) in excellent optical purity and chemical yield. The utility of these new chiral ligands for Friedel–Crafts asymmetric alkylation was explored. Subsequently, the optimized tridentate ligand L5 and Cu(OTf)₂ catalyst (15 mol%) in toluene for 48 h promoted Friedel–Crafts asymmetric alkylation in moderate to good yields (up to 76%) and with good enantioselectivity (up to 81% ee). The bis(oxazolinyl)thiophene ligands were more potent than bis(imidazolinyl)thiophene analogues for the asymmetric induction of the Friedel–Crafts asymmetric alkylation.