Model compounds of caged capsaicin: design, synthesis, and photoreactivity

Molecules were prepared with substituted nitrobenzyl groups covalently bonded to N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)acetamide (2) by ether or carbonate linkages. These compounds decomposed under irradiation at 363 nm. Those with carbonate linkages decomposed at slower rates than those with ether linkages. Molecules with dimethoxy-substituted benzyl groups decomposed more slowly than monomethoxy-substituted benzyl groups due to the electronic characteristics of the benzylic carbon.     

Chemistry and Biology of Cylindrols: Novel Inhibitors of Ras Farnesyl-Protein Transferase from Cylindrocarpon lucidum

Farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) is an enzyme responsible for the farnesylation of Ras protein. Farnesylation is required for cell-transforming activity in several tumor-types, and therefore, inhibition of FPTase activity may be a potential target for anticancer drugs. Our continued search for novel inhibitors led to the isolation of a number of bicyclic resorcinaldehyde cyclohexanone derivatives named here cylindrols A(1) to A(4), cylindrols B and B(1), and a number of known compounds, from Cylindrocarpon lucidum. The compounds were isolated by bioassay-guided separation using Sephadex LH-20, silica gel, and reverse phase HPLC. Structures were elucidated by extensive application of 2D NMR and X-ray crystallography. The determination of absolute stereochemistry was accomplished by CD measurements. Chemical transformations of the most abundant compound resulted in a number of key derivatives which were critical for the evaluation of structure activity relationship. These compounds are members of ascochlorin family and showed a wide range of inhibitory activity (0.7 &mgr;M to >140 &mgr;M) against FPTase. The FPTase activity was noncompetitive with respect to both substrates. Isolation, structures, chemical transformations, and FPTase activity are discussed in detail.     

Facile synthesis of unsymmetrical benzotetrathiafulvalenes via cleavage of the corresponding hexathioorthooxalates

Unsymmetrical hexathioorthooxalates of types ($\text{1}$) and ($\text{2}$) undergo elimination of dialkyl disulfide on heating in an organic solvent; the reaction, which is catalyzed by acid, proceeds without fission of the central C:C bond and provides the first general, high yield synthesis of unsymmetrical benzotetrathiafulvalenes of types ($\text{3}$) and ($\text{4}$).