Synthesis and properties of sym-triazene derivatives 12. Synthesis of 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-substituted sym-triazenes containing a sterically hindered phenol group

6-Substituted 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-sym-triazet:es containing the 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol group are synthesized by simultaneous cyclotrimerization of trichloroacetonitrile with the nitrile or thiocyanate derivative of the sterically hindered phenol in the presence of gaseous HCl. Significant amounts of 2,4,6-tris(trichloromethyl)-sym-triazene are formed as a byproduct.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 240–243, February, 1994. Original article submitted January 19, 1994.     

Biosensors based on enzyme field-effect transistors for determination of some substrates and inhibitors

This paper is a review of the authors' publications concerning the development of biosensors based on enzyme field-effect transistors (ENFETs) for direct substrates or inhibitors analysis. Such biosensors were designed by using immobilised enzymes and ion-selective field-effect transistors (ISFETs). Highly specific, sensitive, simple, fast and cheap determination of different substances renders them as promising tools in medicine, biotechnology, environmental control, agriculture and the food industry.The biosensors based on ENFETs and direct enzyme analysis for determination of concentrations of different substrates (glucose, urea, penicillin, formaldehyde, creatinine, etc.) have been developed and their laboratory prototypes were fabricated. Improvement of the analytical characteristics of such biosensors may be achieved by using a differential mode of measurement, working solutions with different buffer concentrations and specific agents, negatively or positively charged additional membranes, or genetically modified enzymes. These approaches allow one to decrease the effect of the buffer capacity influence on the sensor response in an aim to increase the sensitivity of the biosensors and to extend their dynamic ranges.Biosensors for the determination of concentrations of different toxic substances (organophosphorous pesticides, heavy metal ions, hypochlorite, glycoalkaloids, etc.) were designed on the basis of reversible and/or irreversible enzyme inhibition effect(s). The conception of an enzymatic multibiosensor for the determination of different toxic substances based on the enzyme inhibition effect is also described.We will discuss the respective advantages and disadvantages of biosensors based on the ENFETs developed and also demonstrate their practical application.     

Samarium(II) iodide mediated radical/polar crossover reactions of cyclobutenes. An efficient approach to the BCD ring system of the penitrems

[reaction: see text] Radical/polar crossover reactions of derivatives of 1-(2-cyclobutenyl)-2-(2-iodoaryl)ethanones with acetone promoted by samarium diiodide and HMPA provide 1-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2,2a,4,8b-tetrahydro-1H-cyclobuta[a]naphthalen-3-one derivatives in about 50% isolated yield. This reaction shows promise for construction of the BCD ring fragment of the penitrems.     

Vibrational structure of endohedral fullerene Sc3N@C78 (D3h'): evidence for a strong coupling between the Sc3N cluster and C78 cage.

The vibrational structure of the endohedral cluster fullerene Sc(3)N@C(78) is studied by FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and DFT-based quantum chemical calculations. Remarkably good agreement between experimental and calculated spectra is achieved and a full assignment of the Sc(3)N-based vibrational modes is given. Significant differences in the vibrational structure of the endohedral cluster fullerene Sc(3)N@C(78) and the empty, charged C(78) (6-): 5 (D(3h)') are rationalized by the strong coupling between the Sc(3)N cluster and the fullerene cage. This coupling has its origin in a significant overlap of the Sc(3)N and C(78) molecular orbitals, and causes atomic-charge and bond-length redistributions compared to the neutral C(78) and the C(78) (6-) anion. An ionic model is not sufficient to describe the electronic, geometric and vibrational structure of the Sc(3)N@C(78) nitride cluster fullerene.     

An efficient approach to isoindolo[2,1-b][2]benzazepines via intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of maleic anhydride to 4-α-furyl-4-N-benzylaminobut-1-enes

Acylation of 4-α-furyl-4-N-benzylaminobut-1-enes with maleic anhydride gave 4-oxo-3-aza-10-oxatricyclo[5.2.1.0^1,5]dec-8-ene-6-carboxylic acid via amide formation followed by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of furan (IMDAF). The cycloaddition proceeded under mild reaction conditions (25 °C) and provided only the exo-adduct in quantitative yield. Treatment of this compound with PPA gave isoindolo[2,1-b][2]benzazepine derivatives via ring opening, aromatization and intramolecular electrophilic alkylation. In order to extend the scope of the reaction sequence, 7-oxo-5,11b,12,13-tetrahydro-7H-isoindolo[2,1-b][2]benzazepine-8-carboxylic acids were further transformed into useful synthetic intermediates.     

An efficient approach towards the convergent synthesis of "fully-carbohydrate" mannodendrimers

Glycosylation of sugar trityl ethers with sugar 1,2-O-(1-cyano)ethylidene derivatives (the trityl-cyanoethylidene condensation) has been applied to the synthesis of highly branched (dendritic) mannooligosaccharides incorporating a Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)Man structural motif. The convergent synthetic strategy used to assemble these oligosaccharides was based on the use of glycosyl acceptors and/or a glycosyl donor already bearing this structural motif. The former were represented by mono- and ditrityl ethers of ManalphaOMe, Manalpha1-->3ManalphaOMe, and Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)ManalphaX, where X=OMe or SEt. The pivotal glycosyl donor was the peracetylated 1,2-O-(1-cyano)ethylidene-3,6-di-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-beta-D-mannopyranose (1), prepared by orthogonal Helferich glycosylation of the known 1,2-O-(1-cyano)ethylidene-beta-D-mannopyranose with tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl bromide followed by O-acetylation. Glycosylation of acetates of methyl 6-O-trityl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and methyl 3,6-di-O-trityl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside with one equivalent of the donor 1 gave rise to the isomeric tetrasaccharide derivatives, Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)Manalpha1-->6ManalphaOMe and Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)Manalpha1-->3ManalphaOMe, respectively. The latter derivative was further mannosylated at the remaining 6-O-trityl acceptor site to give the protected pentasaccharide Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)ManalphaOMe. The isomeric pentasaccharide, Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)Manalpha1-->6(Manalpha1-->3)ManalphaOMe, was prepared by reaction of 1 with the 6-O-trityl derivative of (Manalpha1-->3)ManalphaOMe. In a similar fashion, 6'- and 6"-O-trityl derivatives of the branched trisaccharide Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)ManalphaOMe served as precursors for two isomeric mannohexaosides. The 3,6-di-O-trityl ether of ManalphaOMe and the 6',6"-di-O-trityl ether of Manalpha1-->3(Manalpha1-->6)ManalphaX (X=OMe or SEt) were efficiently bis-glycosylated with the donor 1 to give the corresponding protected mannoheptaoside and mannononaoside. The yields of these glycosylations with the donor 1 ranged from 50 to 66 %. Final deprotection of all the oligosaccharides was straightforward and afforded the target products in high yields. Both the acylated and deprotected products were characterized, and the intersaccharide connectivities were elucidated by extensive one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The described blockwise convergent approach allows assembly of a variety of 3,6-branched mannooligosaccharides.     

A New Strategy for the Synthesis of alpha-Difluoromethyl-Substituted alpha-Hydroxy and alpha-Amino Acids

A new method for the preparation of alpha-chlorodifluoromethyl-, alpha-bromodifluoromethyl-, and alpha-difluoromethyl-substituted alpha-hydroxy and alpha-amino acid esters 11, 19-21 is described. The key step of the synthesis is the regioselective alkylation of ketones 5, 7-9 and imines 16-18 with C-nucleophiles. The ketones 7-9 are readily available from 3,3,3-trifluorolactate 1 by a five-step procedure. Subsequent removal of the protecting groups from 19-21 provides the corresponding free amino acids 25, 26, 28.     

Study of the mechanism of base induced dehydrobromination of trans-β-bromostyrene

Observation that rates of dehydrobromination of trans-β-bromostyrene (1) and the Hofmann degradation of tetrabutyl ammonium cation depend on strength of base in different ways and that treatment of 1 with base results in fast abstraction of the β-proton imply the possibility that the dehydrobromination of 1 could proceed via α-elimination and Ph migration. In order to clarify this question, β-¹³C-labeled 1 was obtained and subjected to PTC dehydrobromination which proceeds without migration of Ph. The obtained results are consistent with an irreversible E1cB mechanism.     

Chemical biology of protein lipidation: semi-synthesis and structure elucidation of prenylated RabGTPases

Rab/Ypt guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) represent a family of key membrane traffic regulators in eukaryotic cells. For their function Rab/Ypt proteins require double modification with two covalently bound geranylgeranyl lipid moieties at the C-terminus. Generally, prenylated proteins are very difficult to obtain by recombinant or enzymatic methods. We generated prenylated RabGTPases using a combination of chemical synthesis and protein engineering. This semi-synthesis depends largely on the availability of functionalized prenylated peptides corresponding to the proteins' native structure or modifications. We developed solution phase and solid phase strategies for the generation of peptides corresponding to the prenylated C-terminus of Rab7 GTPase in preparative amounts enabling us to crystallize the mono-prenylated Ypt1:RabGDI complex. The structure of the complex provides a structural basis for the ability of RabGDI to inhibit the release of nucleotide by Rab proteins and a molecular basis for understanding a RabGDI mutant that causes mental retardation in humans.     

Direct sampling time-of-flight mass spectrometers for technological analysis

The practicability of direct sampling time-of-flight mass spectrometers for routine technological analysis is considered. The discussed set incorporates two TOF instruments together covering analysis of solid, liquid, and gas samples without the need for time consuming sample preparation. Both an electron ionization reflectron TOF mass analyzer designed for the analysis of gas and liquid samples and a laser ionization axial electrostatic TOF mass analyzer designed for analysis of solid and powder samples use a single system for data acquisition, collection and processing. These instruments achieve ng/g range sensitivity and mass resolution exceeding 1000. Because of its compact design the system also can be realized as a mobile laboratory for on-site analysis. Prospects for applying the instruments to different technological applications are discussed. Received: 17 July 1997 / Revised: 28 November 1997 / Accepted: 22 December 1997