An alternative synthesis of Tamiflu: a synthetic challenge and the identification of a ruthenium-catalyzed dihydroxylation route

Synthetic studies of Tamiflu^® and the identification of a ruthenium-catalyzed dihydroxylation route are disclosed. This newly developed synthetic process circumvents the need for a Mitsunobu inversion step and the use of explosive reagents. This route, therefore, compares favorably to the previously developed synthetic process.     

Development of a novel tablet machine for a tiny amount of powder and evaluation of capping tendency

A novel single punch tablet machine was developed for a tiny amount of powder sample. This tablet machine mainly consists of upper and lower punches, single die, and conical powder feeder equipped with micro-vibrators. By using the powder feeder, mass of discharged powder can be maintained constant even if a tiny amount of powder having poor flowability is used. Motions of both upper and lower punches can be set arbitrarily. Thus, this machine enables us to prepare tablets with a tiny amount of powder sample under the same compression mechanism as conventional rotary tablet machines. Performance of the developed tablet machine was evaluated in a continuous direct tableting using a model powder with poor flowability. Thirty-four tablets (195 mg×34) having acceptable properties can be successfully prepared using no more than 10.0 g of a powder sample. We then proposed a novel in-die evaluation method of capping tendency. A new phase diagram consisting of the elastic recovery energy and the plastic deformation energy was proposed. These energies were calculated from a force-displacement profile, continuously monitored by the developed tablet machine. The results indicate that by using the new diagram the capping tendency of tablets prepared from various model powders can be well discriminated. The developed tablet machine and proposed evaluation method can contribute to a significant cost reduction and speeding up of formulation studies of oral dosage form.     

A modified approach to the phomoidrides: synthesis of a late-stage intermediate containing a key carbon quaternary stereocenter

A previously developed approach to the synthesis of the phomoidrides has been modified to incorporate all necessary carbon atoms prior to the key tandem carbonylation/Cope rearrangement reaction. This modification necessitated the synthesis of a challenging all-carbon quaternary stereocenter, which in turn rendered ineffective several reactions from the original synthesis. An oxidative radical cleavage of a spirocyclopropane ring system was developed that accomplishes the synthesis of the quaternary center, and a regioselective double hydroboration reaction was devised that provides an alternate approach to a key sequence of functional group interconversions, where the originally developed route was found to be ineffective.     

Quantum dynamic of sticking of a H atom on a graphite surface

A quantum study of the sticking of a hydrogen atom chemisorbed onto graphite (0001) surface was carried out also including the phonon modes of the system in the collinear scattering approximation. A new model was developed to extract the substrate vibrational modes from density functional theory (DFT) calculation and include them in the total system dynamics. The resulting coupled-channel equations are numerically developed along time using the wave packet methods. The sticking coefficients are calculated for hydrogen atoms incident energies ranging from 0.17 and 1.3 eV for a surface temperature of 10 K and between 0.17 and 0.2 eV for a surface temperature of 150 K. The results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental work.     

Reversing the code of a template-directed solid-state synthesis: a bipyridine template that directs a single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2 + 2] photodimerisation of a dicarboxylic acid

A linear template in the form of a bipyridine has been developed and is shown to direct a single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2 + 2] photodimerisation of a dicarboxylic acid.     

Discovery of a novel synthetic phosphatase from a bead-bound combinatorial library

Using split/pool encoded synthesis and a colorimetric catalysis assay, a number of synthetic phosphatase catalysts were developed.     

Development of a portable survey meter system for the studies of uranium discovery

In this study, a portable radiation measurement system which has a microprocessor-controller was developed for uranium discovery. The developed system has the feature of saving the counting data from a Geiger–Mueller detector and position data from a global positioning system. The pulses obtained from the detector were transferred into a counting input of a microprocessor via a pulse shaper. Evaluation of the pulses has been performed by microprocessor’s software. The results obtained from the developed radiation detection system were compared with those of a calibrated reference detector system. The developed system has some important features such as low current consumption, low cost, small size and lightness.     

Flow-induced shear stress and deformation of a core–shell-structured microcapsule in a microchannel

A numerical model was developed and validated to investigate the fluid–structure interactions between fully developed pipe flow and core–shell-structured microcapsule in a microchannel. Different flow rates and microcapsule shell thicknesses were considered. A sixth-order rotational symmetric distribution of von Mises stress over the microcapsule shell can be observed on the microcapsule with a thinner shell configuration, especially at higher flow rate conditions. It is also observed that when being carried along in a fully developed pipe flow, the microcapsule with a thinner shell tends to accumulate stress at a higher rate compared to that with a thicker shell. In general, for the same microcapsule configuration, higher flow velocity would induce a higher stress level over the microcapsule shell. The deformation gradient was used to capture the microcapsule's deformation in the present study. The effect of Young's modulus on the microcapsule shell on the microcapsule deformation was investigated as well. Our findings will shed light on the understanding of the stability of core–shell-structured microcapsule when subjected to flow-induced shear stress in a microfluidic system, enabling a more exquisite control over the breakup dynamics of drug-loaded microcapsule for biomedical applications.     

Visual and fluorogenic detection of a nerve agent simulant via a Lossen rearrangement of rhodamine-hydroxamate

A visual and fluorogenic detection method for a nerve agent simulant was developed based on a Lossen rearrangement of rhodamine-hydroxamate, in the presence of diethyl chlorophosphate, under alkaline conditions.     

Three-residue loop closure in proteins: a new kinematic method reveals a locus of connected loop conformations

The closure of a three-residue loop was studied using a developed kinematic method. It was shown that there are infinite number of three-residue loops (a locus of conformations), which can connect two segments of a polypeptide. This adds to the current understanding of a finite number of conformations for three-residue loop-closure. In the developed method, some of the equations can be solved analytically to reduce the computation cost. Benefiting from the reduced computation time, we determined all the relative positions of two polypeptide segments that can be connected by a three-residue loop.     

Evaluation of the disintegration time of rapidly disintegrating tablets via a novel method utilizing a CCD camera

Many kinds of rapidly disintegrating or oral disintegrating tablets (RDT) have been developed to improve the ease of tablet administration, especially for elderly and pediatric patients. In these cases, knowledge regarding disintegration behavior appears important with respect to the development of such a novel tablet. Ordinary disintegration testing, such as the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) method, faces limitations with respect to the evaluation of rapid disintegration due to strong agitation. Therefore, we have developed a novel apparatus and method to determine the dissolution of the RDT. The novel device consists of a disintegrating bath and CCD camera interfaced with a personal computer equipped with motion capture and image analysis software. A newly developed RDT containing various types of binder was evaluated with this protocol. In this method, disintegration occurs in a mildly agitated medium, which allows differentiation of minor distinctions among RDTs of different formulations. Simultaneously, we were also able to detect qualitative information, i.e., morphological changes in the tablet during disintegration. This method is useful for the evaluation of the disintegration of RDT during pharmaceutical development, and also for quality control during production.     

Electrochemical determination of trypsin using a heptapeptide substrate self-assembled on a gold electrode

Microchimica Acta - A simple and sensitive electrochemical method was developed for the determination of trypsin by employing a specific heptapeptide (CRRRRRR) as a substrate. The positively...     

An Electrochemical Method for Creating a pH Gradient in a Microflow of an Electrolyte

A method for creating a pH gradient in a microflow of an electrolyte and an installation for the same purpose without any moving parts were developed.     

Synthesis of a NO-releasing prodrug of rofecoxib

[reaction: see text] A newly developed synthesis of a NO-releasing prodrug of rofecoxib is described. The highly productive process consists of five chemical steps and produces prodrug 1 in an overall 64% yield from commercially available 3-phenyl-2-propyn-1-ol (4). The synthesis is highlighted by the carbometalation reaction of propargyl alcohol 4 to generate the tetrasubstituted olefin core, sulfone acid 2. Additionally, two alternate end-game strategies to prepare NO-COXIB 1 from this intermediate were explored and developed: (1) a convergent synthesis where a bromonitrate side chain is introduced in one step and (2) a two-step sequence that first installs the requisite six-carbon ester side chain followed by chemoselective nitration.     

Determination of Cefdinir by a stability-indicating liquid chromatographic method

A simple, fast, specific, stability-indicating, and precise reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of Cefdinir in its different dosage forms, i.e., capsules and suspensions. The method was developed and optimized by analyzing the placebo preparation, formulations, and degraded samples of the drug substance according to the International Conference on Harmonization. The proposed method can successfully separate the drug from degradation products formed under stress conditions along with pharmaceutical ingredients such as preservatives. The developed method was used successfully to determine Cefdinir in capsules and Insta-use suspensions. The developed method was found to be linear for a concentration range of 6-14 microg/mL. Average recoveries obtained with the method were 99.3 +/- 0.4 and 99.6 +/- 0.4% for Insta-use suspensions and capsules, respectively. The method was shown to be specific, precise, and robust.     

Development of a miniature Taylor-Couette extractor column for nuclear solvent extraction

Miniature annular centrifugal contactors are nearly perfect for shielded hot-cell applications during flowsheet evaluation but these contactors require complex maintenance of electrical drive-motors during radioactive experiments. To reduce the number of electrical drives in the shielded cell, an indigenous design of miniature Taylor Couette (TC) mixing based countercurrent differential extraction column has been developed. In this paper, results of mass transfer experiments for an indigenously developed TC column with 30% TBP/aqueous nitric acid solutions are reported. The developed device worked perfectly in counter–current differential mode and demonstrated equivalence to multiple-extraction stages while working with a single electrical drive. The developed TC unit demonstrated operation with a reduced efficiency without flooding even in absence of rotor rotation. This observation is a vital step towards designing of robust contactors, which do not flood during temporary power failure or failure of drive mechanism.     

Preparation of a lipid a derivative that contains a 27-hydroxyoctacosanoic acid moiety

[structure: see text] A general synthetic strategy for long-chain omega-1 hydroxy fatty acids has been developed, which employs as a key reaction step a cross metathesis between omega-unsaturated ester and 3-butene-2-ol. The resulting lipids were used for the preparation of lipid A derivatives of Rhizobium sin-1, which have the ability to inhibit the E. coli LPS-dependent synthesis of tumor necrosis factor by human monocytes.     

Application of a Cholesterol-Based Stationary Phase for the Analysis of Brevetoxins

A high-performance liquid chromatography protocol for the analysis of brevetoxins has been developed using a silica hydride-based cholesterol column. Brevetoxins are neurotoxins produced by harmful algae that have additional potential as drugs for a number of illnesses/diseases. To develop the optimum conditions, a number of different experimental approaches were tested. These include isocratic and gradient elution, different organic mobile phase components, and temperature variations. A separate protocol was developed for the compounds brevenal and brevenol, also produced by the same algae that make brevetoxins. Brevenal is a natural product under investigation as a therapy for chronic respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or asthma. The goal of this study was to provide a protocol for the analysis of these compounds that could be further developed into a validated method depending on a particular laboratory's capabilities and to highlight some of the unique features of the cholesterol stationary phase.     

An efficient synthesis of a dual PPAR alpha/gamma agonist and the formation of a sterically congested alpha-aryloxyisobutyric acid via a Bargellini reaction

A practical synthesis of benzisoxazole 1 and its conversion to alpha-aryloxyisobutyric acid 2 using 1,1,1-trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanol (chloretone) was developed. Benzisoxazole 1 was formed in high yields by the action of either methanesulfonyl chloride/base upon intermediate oxime 8 or with thionyl chloride/base, which initially forms cyclic sulfite 10. A highly reactive, short-lived intermediate derived from chloretone was detected by ReacIR and its half-life determined to be approximately 5 min. Reaction conditions for the Bargellini reaction were developed that resulted in a 95% yield of 2 from the reaction of highly hindered phenol 1 with chloretone hemihydrate and powdered NaOH in acetone. Thus highly hindered alpha-aryloxyisobutyric acids can be made in a single step in high yield.     

Development of a new parameter optimization scheme for a reactive force field based on a machine learning approach

Reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is performed using a reactive force field (ReaxFF). To this end, we developed a new method to optimize the ReaxFF parameters based on a machine learning approach. This approach combines the k-nearest neighbor and random forest regressor algorithm to efficiently locate several possible ReaxFF parameter sets. As a pilot test of the developed approach, the optimized ReaxFF parameter set was applied to perform chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of an α-Al₂O₃ crystal. The crystal structure of α-Al₂O₃ was reasonably reproduced even at a relatively high temperature (2000 K). The reactive MD simulation suggests that the (110) surface grows faster than the (0001) surface, indicating that the developed parameter optimization technique could be used for understanding the chemical reaction in the CVD process. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.