Transformations of enaminones. A simple one-pot synthesis of imidazolone derivatives

Ethyl (5-benzoyl-2-oxo-3-substituted-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)carbamates 7 were prepared by the Michael addition of diethyl azodicarboxylate (3) to (E)-3-(dimethylamino)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (2) followed by substitution of the dimethylamino group with primary amines 5a–n to afford a mixture of (E) and (Z) diethyl 1-(1-(substituted)amino)-3-oxo-3-phenylprop-1-en-2-yl)hydrazine-1,2-dicarboxylates (6a–n), followed by cyclization to give final products 7a–n. The intermediate 6i was isolated and characterized and transformed into 7i. All imidazolones 7a–n were synthesized in one pot reaction sequences with individual reactions being very clean.     

Use of copper-coated fiber as a tunable optical time-delay line in precise timing systems

In this paper we present a novel, time-delay approach using a copper-coated fiber. Piezo optical-fiber stretchers and temperature-controlled fiber spools are normally used for a conventional time-delay lines. A copper-coated fiber preserves the performance of a standard single-mode optical fiber, while at the same time acting as an electrical wire, which can be effectively heated by applying an electrical current. As a result of the significant temperature change, the signal (group) delay can be properly adjusted and controlled. Compared to piezo optical-fiber stretchers and temperature-controlled fiber spools, much shorter lengths of fiber are required and a faster response time can be achieved. This paper also proposes a simple, lumped thermal model and thus a copper-coated fiber can be included in the heat-transfer and response-time calculations of a realistic system that involves surrounding elements (e.g., heatsinks).     

Application of Switching Control for Automatic Pre-Crash Collision Avoidance in Cars

In recent years, a number of European Commission funded projects have investigated how the objective of increasing pedestrians' safety can be attained by means of intelligent driver assistance systems. The results already available show that, while in the long range case, a warning system, to alert the driver as soon as a vulnerable road user (VRU) is detected and classified by the sensors, can be sufficient to reduce the number of accidents, an active intervention system is mandatory in pre–crash situations. The generation of collision avoidance manoeuvres appears to be a suitable application for switching control. In this paper, in particular, an automatic pre–crash collision avoidance strategy for cars based on sliding mode control is presented. It produces a collision avoidance manoeuvre, if feasible, or, otherwise, an emergency braking to reduce the energy at the impact. Experimental results based on a scaled radio–controlled car are provided.     

Synthesis of spirolactones by 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions to methyl (S)‐3‐[(E)‐cyanomethylidene]‐2‐oxotetrahydrofuran‐5‐carboxylate

Dedicated to Professor Emeritus Miha Ti?ler on the occasion of his 75th birthday Treatment of methyl (S)‐5‐[(E)‐(dimethylamino)methylidene]‐2‐oxotetrahydrofuran‐5‐carboxylate ( 2 ) with potassium cyanide in acetic acid gave (S)‐5‐[(E)‐cyanomethylidene]‐2‐oxotetrahydrofuran‐5‐car‐boxylate ( 3 ), which was used as chiral dipolarophile in 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions. Reactions of 3 with diazomethane ( 4 ) and nitrile oxides 5a‐c afforded spirolactones 6–8 in 24‐34% diastereomeric excess, while with diazomethane ( 4 ) in the presence of triethylamine, methyl 3‐cyanomethyl‐2‐methoxyfuran‐5‐carboxylate ( 12 ) was obtained.     

The transformations of 4-heteroarylaminomethylene-5(4H)-oxazolones into dehydropeptide derivatives

2-Phenyl-4-heteroarylaminomethylene-5(4H)-oxazolones 3 , which were prepared from the corresponding N,N-dimethyl-N'-heteroarylformamidines 1 and hippuric acid 2 in acetic anhydride, react with amino acids giving dehydropeptide derivatives 4, 5 , and 6 as products. Dehydration of N-protected peptides 7–10 , containing glycine at the C-terminal, followed by the reaction with formamidines 1 gave 2-substituted-4-heteroarylaminomethylene-5(4H)-oxazolones 11–14 .     

Unexpected behavior of the reaction between 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes and 3-dimethylaminopropenoates: a useful entry to new pyrrolines, pyrroles, and oxazolines

We observed a nucleophilic attack by the ene-amino carbon of 3-dimethylaminopropenoates at the terminal carbon of the azo-ene system of 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes. In tetrahydrofuran at 65 degrees C, this attack produced 1-aminopyrrolines with a high degree of cis-stereoselectivity by means of an unusual zwitterionic adduct intermediate followed by intramolecular ring closure. In toluene under reflux, 1-aminopyrrolines produced oxazoline-fused 1-aminopyrrolines. Oxazoline-fused 1-aminopyrrolines were directly obtained by reaction of 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes with 3-dimethylaminopropenoates in toluene under reflux. The ring opening of oxazoline-fused 1-aminopyrrolines in acidic or basic media provides highly substituted 1-aminopyrroles. 5-Unsubstituted 1-aminopyrrole derivatives were obtained from 1-aminopyrrolines under basic conditions by loss of dimethylamino and ester groups. We discuss the plausible mechanisms of the ring closure and opening.     

1,3‐Dipolar cycloadditions of (4R*,5R*)‐1‐alkylidene‐4‐(benzoylamino)‐5‐phenyl‐3‐pyrazolidinon‐1‐azomethine imines

1,3‐Dipolar cycloadditions of azomethine imines 3a and 3b , available by acid‐catalyzed treatment of 3‐pyrazolidinone 1 with acetone ( 2a ) and butyraldehyde ( 2b ), respectively, were studied. Reactions of 3a with DMAD ( 4 ) afforded a mixture of products 9 and 10a , whilst treatment of 3b with DMAD ( 4 ) gave a mixture of compound 9 and epimeric cycloadducts 10 / 10′b . On the other hand, cycloadducts 13a,b‐16a,b were isolated as single diastereomers in 9–37% yields upon reactions of 3a,b with olefinic dipolarophiles 5–8 . The structures of cycloadducts 9, 10a, 10/10′b , and 13a,b‐16a,b were determined by ¹H nmr and NOESY spectroscopy. The structure of compound 13a was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction.     

The Evolving Role of Microsampling in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Monoclonal Antibodies in Inflammatory Diseases

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been extensively developed over the past few years, for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. They are large molecules characterized by complex pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is routinely implemented in the therapy with mAbs, to monitor patients’ treatment response and to further guide dose adjustments. Serum has been the matrix of choice in the TDM of mAbs and its sampling requires the visit of the patients to laboratories that are not always easily accessible. Therefore, dried blood spots (DBS) and various microsampling techniques have been suggested as an alternative. DBS is a sampling technique in which capillary blood is deposited on a special filter paper. It is a relatively simple procedure, and the patients can perform the home-sampling. The convenience it offers has enabled its use in the quantification of small-molecule drugs, whilst in the recent years, studies aimed to develop microsampling methods that will facilitate the TDM of mAbs. Nevertheless, hematocrit still remains an obstacle that hinders a more widespread implementation of DBS in clinical practice. The introduction of novel analytical techniques and contemporary microsampling devices can be considered the steppingstone to the attempts made addressing this issue.