A New and Concise Synthesis of 3-Hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene and 12-Hydroxybenzo[g]chrysene, Useful Intermediates for the Synthesis of Fjord-Region Diol Epoxides of Benzo[c]phenanthrene and Benzo[g]chrysene

A new strategy which involves a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction has been developed for the rapid synthesis of 3-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene (5) and 12-hydroxybenzo[g]chrysene (6). These phenolic compounds are the key intermediates for the synthesis of highly carcinogenic fjord-region diol epoxide metabolites 3 and 4 of benzo[c]phenanthrene (1) and benzo[g]chrysene (2). The cross-coupling reaction of 2-bromo-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (9) with naphthalene-1-boronic acid (7) and phenanthrene-9-boronic acid (8) produced 2-(1-naphthyl)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (10) and 2-(9-phenanthryl)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (11), respectively, in quantitative yields. After reaction of these aldehydes with trimethylsulfonium iodide under phase-transfer conditions or with the Wittig reagent obtained from (methoxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide and phenyllithium to generate an oxiranyl or methoxyethene side chain, the acid-catalyzed cyclization with methanesulfonic acid (or boron trifluoride) produced 3-methoxybenzo[c]phenanthrene (16) and 12-methoxybenzo[g]chrysene (17) in 61-64% yields. Finally, demethylation of these methoxy derivatives 16 and 17 with boron tribromide resulted in the formation of the hydroxy analogues 5 and 6, respectively. The availability of this short and high-yielding regiospecific method for the synthesis of phenols 5 and 6 should allow the preparative-scale synthesis of the fjord-region diol epoxides 3 and 4. These diol epoxides are required as starting compounds for the synthesis of site-specifically modified oligonucleotides which are critically needed to elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis at the molecular level.     

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of nucleoside adducts from bay- and fjord-region diol epoxides

Palladium-catalyzed C-N bond formation has been utilized to synthesize covalent 2'-deoxyadenosine (dA) and 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) adducts of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) series 1 (syn) and benzo[c]phenanthrene (BcPh) series 2 (anti) diol epoxides. For this, (+/-)-10 alpha-amino-7 beta,8 alpha,9 beta-trisbenzoyloxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro BaP and (+/-)-1 beta-amino-2 alpha,3 alpha,4 beta-trisbenzoyloxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro BcPh were coupled with 6-halo-9-[3,5-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl]purine and O6-benzyl-3',5'-bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2-bromo-2'-deoxyinosine, using a (+/-)-BINAP-Pd complex and Cs2CO3. For the synthesis of the dA adducts, both the 6-chloro- as well as the 6-bromopurine nucleoside derivatives were analyzed for the C-N coupling reaction with the hydrocarbon amino tribenzoates. With the BaP amino tribenzoate, the 6-chloronucleoside provided satisfactory results, whereas the 6-bromo analogue proved to be superior with the BcPh amino tribenzoate. Overall, lower yields of the dA adducts were obtained with the more hindered fjord-region BcPh amino tribenzoate as compared to the bay-region BaP amino tribenzoate. In contrast to reactions leading to the dA adducts, the C-N reactions of both BaP and BcPh amino tribenzoates with the 2-bromo-2'-deoxyinosine derivative proceeded in comparable yields. This seems to indicate that such Pd-catalyzed adduct forming reactions at the C-6 position may be influenced by steric constraints of the amine component, whereas those at the C-2 position are less sensitive. Diastereomeric adduct pairs were separated and characterized by spectral methods and by comparisons to adducts produced by direct displacement reactions as well as those formed from DNA alkylation by diol epoxides.     

Synthesis of suspected carcinogenic metabolites of 7H-benzo[c]fluorene,a coal tar component implicated in causation of lung tumors

High incidences of lung tumors were observed in mice fed coal tar in their diet. The principal component of tar that gives rise to DNA-bound adducts in mouse lung was identified as 7H-benzo[c]fluorene (BcF). We now report the synthesis of suspected active metabolites of BcF, specifically the trans-3,4-dihydrodiol of BcF (2), its likely proximate carcinogenic metabolite, and the corresponding anti- and syn-diol epoxides of BcF (3 and 4) in which the epoxide ring resides in the pseudobay region. The diol epoxide derivatives (3 and 4) are postulated to be ultimate carcinogenic metabolites of BcF that bind to DNA in mouse lung.     

Theoretical study of aza-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (aza-PAHs), modelling carbocations from oxidized metabolites and their covalent adducts with representative nucleophiles

Protonation of the epoxides, diol epoxides, and dihydrodiols of benzo[h]quinoline (BhQ), benzo[f]quinoline (BfQ), phenanthrene (Phe), benzo[c]phenanthridine (BcPhen), and chrysene (Chry) were studied by DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G* level, and selected cases were calculated with the 6-31+G* diffuse-function augmented basis set for comparison purposes. Bay-region carbocations were formed from O-protonated epoxides via a barrierless processes. Relative carbocation stabilities were determined in the gas phase and with water as solvent (PCM method). The presence of a heteroatom changes the regioselectivity of epoxide ring opening, in some cases favoring non-bay-region carbocations. The epoxide ring opening mode is also greatly influenced by N-protonation. The dications resulting from initial N-protonation followed by epoxide protonation were also studied by DFT. Charge delocalization modes in the resulting mono- and dications were derived by GIAO-NMR (based on Delta delta13C values) and via the NPA-derived changes in charges. Relative aromaticity in different rings in the arenium ions was gauged by NICS. In representative cases, the covalent adducts (syn and anti) formed by reaction of the benzylic carbocations derived from diol epoxides and dihydrodiols with methoxide and methanethiolate anions were studied. Relative energies (in the gas phase and with water as solvent) and geometries of the adducts formed by quenching of the carbocations derived from BhQ and Phe-epoxides with guanine via the exocyclic amino group and via the N-7 were also investigated computationally. Although aqueous phase calculations change the energy for the addition reactions because of greater stabilization of the reactants, relative reactivity trends remain the same. The data are discussed, taking into account the available experimental results concerning the biological activity of these compounds.     

Dihydrodiols and diol epoxides of dibenzo[a,i]-and [a,h]pyrene

Syntheses of dihydrodiols and highly mutagenic diol epoxides of the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons dibenzo[a,i]-and [a,h]pyrene are described.     

Synthesis of dibenzo[def,p]chrysene, its active metabolites, and their 13C-labeled analogues

Dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC) is a highly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon suspected to be involved in initiation of lung cancer in smokers. Efficient new syntheses of DBC, its active metabolites [DBC diol (1), DBC dione (2), DBC diol epoxide (3)], and their previously unknown 13C2-labeled analogues are reported. The 13C2-labeled analogues are required as standards for sensitive methods of analysis of their DNA adducts in human cells using stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.     

Stereoselective syn epoxidation of the dihydrodiols of dibenz[a,h] anthracene and 7-methylbenz[a] anthracene

Epoxidation of the bay region dihydrodiols of the title hydrocarbons affords stereoselectively the corresponding syn diol epoxides rather than the anticipated isomeric anti diol epoxides, indicative of a dominant cis-directing effect of the benzylic vs the allylic axial hydroxyl groups.     

Convenient syntheses of dibenzo[c,p]chrysene and its possible proximate and ultimate carcinogens: in vitro metabolism and DNA adduction studies

Dibenzo[c,p]chrysene (DB[c,p]C) is the only hexacyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon having two fjord regions, both in different chemical environments. Its environmental presence and relative tumorigenic potency are not known due to the lack of synthetic standards. We report here the synthesis of dibenzo[c,p]chrysene (1), its proximate carcinogens, i.e., trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-DB[c,p]C (2) and trans-11,12-dihydroxy-11,12-dihydro-DB[c,p]C (3), and possible ultimate carcinogens, i.e., anti-trans-1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-DB[c,p]C (4) and anti-trans-11,12-dihydroxy-13,14-epoxy-11,12,13,14-tetrahydro-DB[c,p]C (5). The syntheses of 1 and the appropriately methoxy-substituted DB[c,p]C (12 and 27), key intermediates for the synthesis of its proximate and ultimate metabolites, were tried first using a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. However, the cyclization of olefins (10 and 11) gave poor yields of the desired products. An alternate method was thus developed employing a photochemical approach. The in vitro metabolism of DB[c,p]C was established with the S9 fraction of liver homogenate from phenobarbital/beta-naphthoflavone-induced Sprague-Dawley rats. The major dihydrodiol formed was identified as the fjord region 11,12-dihydroxy-11,12-dihydro-DB[c,p]C, while the major and minor phenols were identified as 11-hydroxy-DB[c,p]C and 12-hydroxy-DB[c,p]C, respectively. Further, the DNA adduction studies with the calf thymus DNA led to a mixture of dA and dG adducts for both fjord region diol epoxides (4 and 5). Interestingly, the dA to dG ratio for 1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-epoxide was much higher (3.2) compared to that of 11,12-dihydroxy-13,14-epoxide (0.5).     

Molecular calculations with the nonempirical ab initioMODPOT,VRDDO, and MODPOT/VRDDO procedures. IX. Carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene and its metabolites using a MERGE technique

Ab initio MODPOT /VRDDO calculations have been carried out on carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene and its metabolites. The MODPOT /VRDDO method incorporates two very desirable options into our fast ab initio Gaussian programs: MODPOT —ab initio effective core model potentials—and a charge-conserving integral prescreening approximation which we named VRDDO (variable retention of diatomic differential overlap). For orbital energies and population analyses the MODPOT /VRDDO results agree to essentially three decimal places with completely ab initio calculations using the same valence atomic basis set. For this series of very closely related congeners a new MERGE technique was implemented that allows reuse of integrals of a common skeletal fragment. Since our program computes integrals efficiently by blocks, reusing information common to the block, it was more difficult to implement a MERGE technique than for integral programs which calculate the integrals one-byone. The MODPOT /VRDDO calculations were performed for benzo(a)pyrene (BP), BP oxides, BP dihydrodiols, and BP dihydrodiol epoxides. The metabolites investigated were BP-7,8-oxide, BP-4,5-oxide, BP-7,8-dihydrodiol [cis(e, a), cis(a, e), trans(e, e), and trans(a, a)], and BP-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide [β,β,β (the most stable), β,β,α; α,α,β, and α,α,α all derived from cis-BP-7,8-dihydrodiol and β,α,β; α,β,β and α,β,β derived from trans-BP-7,8-dihydrodiol]. Several different conformations were calculated for each of the BP dihydrodiols and BP dihydrodiol epoxides. Calculations were carried out for the opening of the C₉—O—C₁₀ epoxide ring both toward C₉ and C₁₀ for the, most stable β,β,β isomer of BP-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide. Opening the epoxide ring between C₁₀ and O leads to a more stable intermediate than opening the epoxide ring between C₉ and C₁₀. However, there is no buildup of positive charge in C₁₀ as has been postulated by some cancer researchers, but rather the C₁₀ becomes slightly more negative. Nor is there a buildup of negative charge on the O atom. rather it becomes slightly less negative. As the epoxide ring is opened further than 90° for the O—C₉—C₁₀ or O—C₁₀—C₉ angles, there appears to be a possible mixing of configurations that is being investigated further.     

Strategies for synthesis of adducts of omicron-quinone metabolites of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with 2'-deoxyribonucleosides

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major environmental carcinogens produced in the combustion of fossil fuels, tobacco, and other organic matter. Current evidence indicates that PAHs are transformed enzymatically to active metabolites that react with DNA to form adducts that result in mutations. Three activation pathways have been proposed: the diol epoxide path, the radical-cation path, and the quinone path. The latter involves aldo-keto reductase mediated oxidation of PAH dihydrodiol metabolites to catechols that enter into redox cycles with quinones. This results in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that attack DNA, and the PAH quinones also react with DNA to form adducts. Several strategies for synthesis of the stable adducts formed by the o-quinone metabolites of carcinogenic PAHs with 2'-deoxyribonucleosides were investigated and compared. The PAH quinones studied were benz[a]anthracene-3,4-dione and its 7-methyl- and 7,12-dimethyl- derivatives. The parent PAHs represent a range of carcinogenicity from inactive to highly potent. Two synthetic methods were devised that differ in the catalyst employed, Pd(OAc)(2) or CuI. The Pd-mediated method involved coupling a protected amino-catechol PAH derivative with a halo-2'-deoxyribonucleoside. The copper-mediated method entailed reaction of a halo-PAH catechol derivative with a 2'-deoxyribonucleoside. Adducts of benz[a]anthracene-3,4-dione (and its 7-methyl- and 7,12-dimethyl- derivatives) with 2'-deoxyadenosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine were prepared by these methods. Availability of adducts of these types through synthesis makes possible for the first time biological studies to determine the role of these adducts in tumorigenesis. The copper-mediated method offers advantages of economy, adaptability to large-scale preparation, utility for synthesis of (13)C- or (15)N-labeled analogues, and nonformation of bis-adducts as secondary products.     

Synthesis of the possible carcinogenic dihydrodiol and diol epoxide of phthalazine

Inverse-Diels-Alder reaction of dimethyl 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-dicarboxylate with benzene cis-diol gave dihydrodiol containing the 1,4-dihydropyridazine ring. Attempts at oxidation of the dihydropyridazine ring with PIFA and MnO₂ resulted in the formation of 5- and 5,6-dihydroxy-phthalazine derivatives. The oxidation of the dihydropyridazine ring was achieved by way of photooxygenation. The phthalazine type dihydrodiol is unstable and easily undergoes aromatization. The Diels-Alder reaction of tetrazine with cyclohexadiene acetonide and epoxy-ketal cyclohexene as a dienophile was investigated. These reactions led to the possible carcinogenic phthalazine type of dihydrodiol and diol epoxide where the hydroxyl groups are protected.     

Substituent effects and charge delocalization mode in chrysenium, benzo[c]phenanthrenium, and benzo[g]chrysenium cations: a stable ion and electrophilic substitution study.

The first series of persistent carbocations derived from mono- and disubstituted chrysenes Ch (5- methyl- 3, 2-methoxy- 19, 2-methoxy-11-methyl- 20, 2-methoxy-5-methyl- 21, and 9-methyl-4H-cyclopenta[def]chrysene 22), monosubstituted benzo[c]phenanthrenes BcPh (3-methoxy- 23, 3-hydroxy- 24), and monosubstituted benzo[g]chrysenes BgCh (12-methoxy- 25; 12-hydroxy- 26) were generated in FSO3H/SO2ClF or FSO3H-SbF5 (4:1)/SO2ClF and studied by low-temperature NMR at 500 MHz. The methoxy and methyl substituents direct the protonation to their respective ortho positions. Whereas parent Ch 1 is protonated at C-6/C-12, 3 is protonated at C-6 (3aH+) and at C-12 (3bH+) with the latter being the thermodynamic cation. The 2-methoxy-Ch 19 is protonated at C-1 to give two conformationally distinct carboxonium ions (19aH+/19bH+). In the disubstituted Ch derivatives 20 and 21, the 2-methoxy overrides the 5-methyl and the predominant carbocations formed are via attack ortho to methoxy. For the methano derivative 22 (Me at C-9), a 3:1 mixture of 22aH+/22bH+ is formed. For parent BcPh 13, nitration and benzoylation are directed to C-5. With 3-methoxy-BcPh 23, the site of attack moves to C-4, thus producing two conformationally distinct carboxonium ions (23aH+/23bH+), whereas conventional nitration gave a 2:1 mixture of 23aNO2 and 23bNO2. In 3-hydroxy-BcPh 24, the carboxonium ion 24H+ is exclusively formed. For parent BgCh 16, protonation, nitration, and benzoylation are all directed to C-10 (16H+, 16NO2, 16COPh), but presence of OMe or OH substituent at C-12 changes the site of attack to C-11. Charge delocalization mode is probed based on magnitude of delta delta 13Cs and conformational aspects via NOED experiments. Complete NMR data are also reported for several benzoylation/nitration products. Using ab initio/GIAO (and NICS), the NMR chemical shifts (and aromaticity) in model carbocations A-D were evaluated. This work represents the first direct study of the carbocations derived from the methyl-, methoxy-/hydroxy-derivatives of three important classes of bay-region and fjord-region PAHs whose diol-epoxides extensively bind to DNA. It also extends the available data on electrophilic chemistry of BcPh and BgCh.     

Novel stereoselective control over cis vs trans opening of benzo[c]phenanthrene 3,4-diol 1,2-epoxides by the exocyclic N(2)-amino group of deoxyguanosine in the presence of hexafluoropropan-2-ol

We describe a novel and efficient synthesis (62-84% yields) of the eight possible, diastereomerically pure, cis and trans, R and S O(6)-allyl-protected N(2)-dGuo phosphoramidite building blocks derived through cis and trans opening of (+/-)-3alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-1beta,2beta-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[c]phenanthrene [BcPh DE-1 (1)] and (+/-)-3alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-1alpha,2alpha-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[c]phenanthrene [BcPh DE-2 (2)] by hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFP)-mediated addition of O(6)-allyl-3',5'-di-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (3) at C-1 of the epoxides. Simply changing the relative amount of HFP used in the reaction mixture can achieve a wide ratio of cis/trans addition products. Thus, the observed cis/trans adduct ratio for the reaction of DE-1 (1) in the presence of 5 equiv of 3 varied from 17/83 to 91/9 over the range of 5-532 equiv of HFP. The corresponding ratios for DE-2 (2) varied from 2/98 to 61/39 under the same set of conditions. When 1 or 2 was fused with a 20-fold excess of 3 at 140 degrees C in the absence of solvent HFP, almost exclusive trans addition (>95%) was observed for the both DEs. Through the use of varying amounts of HFP in the reaction mixture as described above, each of the eight possible phosphoramidite oligonucleotide building blocks (DE-1/DE-2, cis/trans, R/S) of the BcPh DE N(2)-dGuo adducts can be prepared in an efficient fashion. To rationalize the varying cis-to-trans ratio, we propose that the addition of 3 to 1 or 2 in the absence of solvent or in the presence of small amounts of HFP proceeds primarily via an S(N)2 mechanism to produce mainly trans-opened adducts. In contrast, increasing amounts of HFP promote increased participation of an S(N)1 mechanism involving a relatively stable carbocation with two possible conformations. One of these conformations reacts with 3 to give mostly trans adduct, while the other conformation reacts with 3 to give mostly cis adduct.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of diols and tetrols from reactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon epoxides with hemoglobin

We have evaluated both electron ionization (EI) and negative-ion chemical ionization (NICI) methods for the analysis of trimethylsilyl derivatives of a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) alcohols including styrene diol, benzo[e]pyrene diol and tetrols, cyclopenta[c,d]pyrene diols, benzo[a]pyrene-4,5-diols, chrysene tetrols, benz[a]anthracene tetrols I and II, and syn- and anti-benzo[a]pyrene tetrols. NICI is the more sensitive method for all compounds except styrene diol. Detection limits are compound-dependent and range from 1 fmol for cyclopenta[c,d]pyrene diol to 1 pmol for benzo[e]pyrene diol. The EI detection limit for styrene diol is 60 fmol. PAH alcohols related to the compounds listed above were observed following hydrolysis of hemoglobin which had been reacted with PAH epoxides in vitro. Benzo[a]pyrene tetrols and a chrysene tetrol were observed following hydrolysis of hemoglobin isolated from human smokers' blood. Hydrolysis of styrene oxide treated hemoglobin in 18O-labeled water revealed at least two mechanisms of ester hydrolysis, including the BAL 1 pathway.     

Tetrahydroepoxides and diol epoxides of benz[c]acridine

The chemical synthesis and NMR characterization of the benzo ring tetrahydro- and diol epoxides of the carcinogen benz[c]acridine are described.     

Structure/reactivity relationships in the benzo[c]phenanthrene skeleton: stable ion and electrophilic substitution (nitration, bromination) study of substituted analogues, novel carbocations and substituted derivatives

A series of novel carbocations were generated by low-temperature protonation of substituted benzo[c]phenanthrenes, B[c]Phs, and their charge delocalization pathways were elucidated by NMR on the basis of the magnitude of Deltadelta13C values. It has been shown that the protonation regioselectivity is strongly controlled by methoxy and hydroxyl substituents, whose directive effects override methyl substitution effects. Regiocontrol by -OMe and -OH substituents, and its stronger influence relative to methyl groups, was also observed in the nitration and bromination reactions. Charge distribution modes in the regioisomeric protonated carbocations formed via parent B[c]Ph as well as in the benzylic carbocation formed via fjord-region epoxide ring opening were deduced by gauge-invariant atomic orbital density functional theory (GIAO-DFT) and from the natural population analysis (NPA)-derived changes in charges over CHs. These patterns were compared with those derived from NMR experiments in the substituted derivatives. NMR-based charge delocalization mapping provided insight into structure/activity relationships in the methylated and fluorinated B[c]Phs. Regioselectivities observed in the nitration and bromination reactions in representative cases are the same as those via protonations. Among a group of novel nitro and bromo derivatives synthesized in this study are examples, where the nitro group is introduced into the fjord region, for which the X-ray structure could be obtained in one case.     

Wavefunction and reactivity study of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide and its enantiomeric forms

Benzo[a]pyrene is a known carcinogen, which derives from fossil fuel combustion, cigarette smoke, and generic biomass combustion including traffic emissions. This potent carcinogen has a well-known mechanism of action, leading to the formation of adducts with the DNA, primarily at guanosine positions. The reactivity and chemistry of this notorious compound are, however, dependent on the electronic configuration of the biologically activated metabolite, the benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide. The activated metabolite exists mainly as four isomers, which have particular chemical reactivities toward guanosine sites on the DNA. These isomers exert also a different carcinogenicity compared to one another, which is a feature that is conventionally attributed to their geometry. However, the reactivity and properties of the isomers are not fully defined, and a determination of these properties by wavefunction behavior is required. This study reports the electronic properties of the benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide enantiomers, along with a detailed analysis of the energy landscape, geometry, and electronic configuration of the epoxide ring. The results show that the epoxide ring, the core of the reactivity, bears different properties at the level of wavefunction for each isomer. Each of the isomers has a distinct profile on the epoxide ring, in terms of hydrogen bonds and in terms of the non-covalent interaction between the diol groups and the epoxide. These profiles generate differential reactivities of epoxide group, which can be attributed to its local bond lengths, the electron localization function, and polarized bonds. Most interestingly, the quantum chemical calculations showed also that the epoxide ring is inclined more perpendicularly toward the angular ring plane for the more carcinogenic isomers, a feature which suggests a potential geometrical relationship between the inclination of the epoxide group and its interaction with the guanosine group upon adduct formation. Our results introduce novel and crucial information, which assist in understanding the mechanism of toxic potential of this known molecule, and display the strength and level of detail of applying quantum chemical methods to reveal the reactivity, energy properties, and electronic properties of a mutagen.     

The peri effect in aromatic hydrocarbon carcinogenesis: An empirical force field examination

Methyl substitutents located peri to bay-region benzo rings of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generally reduce or eliminate carcinogenic activity, most likely because such substituents force the hydroxyl groups of dihydrodiol intermediates to adopt preferentially pseudodiaxial, rather than pseudodiequatorial, conformations. Empirical force field calculations have been employed to examine the influences of peri and other positional substituents on hydroxyl conformation, taking naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene as model compounds. For the unsubstituted naphthalene and anthracene dihydrodiols, the pseudodiequatorial conformation is preferred. This preference is reduced by adjacent methyl substitution and reversed by peri methyl substitution. Because of steric crowding the phenanthrene bay-region dihydrodiol preferentially adopts a pseudodiaxial conformation. The results are discussed in relation to recent experimental evidence.     

Synthesis of trans‐dihydrodiol derivatives of phenanthro[3,4‐b]‐thiophene and phenanthro[4,3‐b]thiophene

The present study describes the synthesis of phenanthro[3,4‐b]thiophene (3) , phenanthro[4,3‐b]thiophene (4) and its potential dihydrodiol metabolites, trans‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐6,7‐dihydrophenanthro[3,4‐b]thiophene (5) and trans‐8,9‐dihydroxy‐8,9‐dihydrophenanthro[3,4‐b]thiophene (6) , trans–6,7‐dihydroxy‐6,7‐dihydro‐phenanthro[4,3‐b]thiophene (7) and trans‐8,9‐dihydroxy‐8,9‐dihydrophenanthro[4,3‐b]thiophene (8) from Suzuki coupled intermediates. The UV spectra of these dihydrodiols are presented. These spectra are useful tools for identifying these dihydrodiols among unknown metabolites of 1 and 2 produced in vitro or in vivo.     

Quantification of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide DNA-adducts by stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants found in car exhausts, charbroiled food, and tobacco smoke. Three pathways for the metabolic activation of B[a]P to ultimate carcinogens have been proposed. The most widely accepted pathway involves cytochrome-P450 (CYP) 1A1- and/or 1B1-mediated formation of B[a]P-7,8-oxide, which undergoes epoxide hydrolase-mediated metabolism to the proximate carcinogen B[a]P-7,8-dihydro-7,8-diol. Further CYP1A1- and/or CYP1B1-mediated activation of the dihydrodiol results in the formation of 7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (B[a]PDE), the ultimate carcinogen. In previous studies, it was demonstrated that (+)-anti-B[a]PDE was the most potent tumorigen of the CYP-derived B[a]PDE diastereomers. We have developed a stable isotope dilution, liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry (LC-MRM/MS) assay for all eight (+/-)-anti-B[a]PDE-derived dGuo and dAdo DNA-adducts. The LC-MRM/MS assay was rigorously validated and used to show that (+)-anti-trans-B[a]PDE-dGuo was the major adduct formed when naked DNA and human bronchoalveolar adenocarcinoma H358 cells were treated with (+/-)-anti-B[a]PDE. The preference for DNA-adducts derived from (+)-anti-B[a]PDE was even more apparent in cellular DNA. Thus, the increased potency of (+)-anti-B[a]PDE as a tumorigen is most likely due its ability to preferentially form DNA-adducts when compared with (-)-anti-B[a]PDE. Also, the adduct profile suggests that this occurs by binding of (+)-anti-B[a]PDE to DNA in a manner that facilitates covalent binding to dGuo rather than dAdo residues.