Synthesis of new α,α,β,β-tetrafluoroesters

Substituted phenyl iodides or diiodides reacted with ethyl iodotetrafluoroproponylate ICF₂CF₂CO₂Et, 1 in the presence of copper powder to give the coupled products 2 or 3 in good yields. Addition of 1 to ethylene and allyl acetate proceeded smoothly under thermal and radical conditions to give the corresponding adducts, which underwent elimination reaction to give β-vinyl and β-allyl α,α,β,β-tetrafluoroesters, CH₂CHCF₂CF₂CO₂Et, 4 and CH₂CHCH₂CF₂CF₂CO₂Et, 5, respectively. 1 also readily reacted with 1,5-hexadiene and 1-hexene with copper or palladium complex, followed by reduction to remove iodine to produce ω-alkenyl-α,α,β,β-tetrafluoroester CH₂CH(CH₂)₄CF₂CF₂CO₂Et 6 and α,α,β,β-tetrafluoroester C₄H₉CH₂CHICF₂CF₂CO₂Et.     

Metabolomic-based investigation of Yinlan alleviating hyperlipidemia by inhibiting blood stasis and phlegm turbidity through the PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1-FXR pathway

Yinlan lipid regulatory capsule (YL) is a composite traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) new drug to alleviate hyperlipidemia, while its therapeutic mechanism in vivo was not clarified with nontargeted metabolomics investigation. An animal model was established in rats fed a high-fat diet, and their body weights, body mass index (BMI) and blood cholesterol levels were measured. Serum, liver and kidney tissue samples were also extracted for PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1-FXR signaling pathway research using PCR and UHPLC–MS. The obtained plasma samples were analyzed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomic investigation, which revealed PXR-CYP3A4-related metabolites and changes induced by YL. Finally, the key metabolites were chosen as index components, and their levels in the serum, liver, small intestine and bile were used for simultaneous UHPLC–MS-MS determination. The results indicated that YL was effective in rebalancing blood TG and TC levels (compared to controls). With respect to the PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1 pathway, as a result of YL’s effect, gene expression or activity of the two targets decreased significantly in both the liver and kidney. The same trend was observed in the serum samples mentioned above. Metabolomics screening and data revealed that 44 metabolites can be regarded as biomarkers related to hyperlipidemia, fatty acids synthesis, and body energy consumption, as well as synthesis, transportation and exertion of cholesterol. YL’s treatment focused on 26 of them, primarily bile acids, indicating that the antihyperlipidemic effect of this drug lies in its inhibitory activity of cholesterol metabolism. Subsequent analysis of those in vivo components revealed that significant increases (compared to the model group) occurred in the blood, liver, small intestine and bile in groups that received medium and high doses of YL (while the low dose was relatively unchanged). Those target components exhibit a close relationship with PXR and/or CYP3A4. The use of YL repressed PXR expression and subsequently decreased CYP3A4 activity. As a result, synthesis of related bile acids increased, while cholesterol levels decreased, consequently leading to the attenuation of hyperlipidemia. This study comprehensively investigated the antihyperlipidemia mechanism of YL based on its repression of PXR-CYP3A4 activity and related metabolite yield, establishing an accurate method for evaluating the therapeutic effect of YL.     

A novel stereocontrolled synthesis of enantiopure bicyclic lactams

A study on the reactivity of 3,4-dihydro-2-pyridones 9, derived from (S)-phenylglycinol, toward different bases is presented. Using a catalytic amount of bases, the cis bicyclic lactams were obtained with excellent diastereoselectivities.     

Cycloaddition reactions of β-trifluoroacetylvinyl ethers

β-Trifluoroacetyl vinyl ethers ROCHCHCOCF₃ react smoothly as dienophiles with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to give the unexpected 2-alkoxyl-5-trifluoroacetyl-3,4-dihydro-2H pyrans. These products are formed by elimination and addition of the alcohol to the products of the normal hetero Diels-Alder reaction (2-alkoxyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-2,3-dihydro-2H pyrans). In contrast, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of ROCHCHCOCF₃ with ArCHN(O)Me proceeds via a Z-endo transition state to give regio- and stereospecific 4-trifluoroacetyl substituted isoxazolidines and their derivatives.     

A new strategy for the synthesis of α,β-diaroylpropionates promoted by samarium metal in DMF

When promoted by samarium in DMF, aroyl chlorides react readily with acrylates to afford α,β-diaroylpropionates in good to excellent yields without pretreating or activating the metallic samarium.     

A new convenient synthesis of N-acyl-2-(dimethoxyphosphoryl)glycinates

Easily accessible N-acyl-2-triphenylphosphonioglycinate tetrafluoroborates react smoothly with trimethylphosphite in the presence of methyltriphenylphosphonium iodide to give N-acyl-2-(dimethoxyphosphoryl)glycinates in good or very good yields. The dimethoxyphosphorylglycinates may be isolated by column chromatography, or used directly for the Wadsworth-Emmons synthesis of α,β-dehydro-α-amino acids in a one-pot procedure without purification.     

Expression and Purification of ZNF191（243-368） in Three Expression Systems

ZNF191 （243-368）, a new human zinc finger protein, probably relates to some hereditary diseases and cancers, To obtain adequate amount of ZNF191（243-368） for the study of its property, structure and function, three different expression systems of inclusion-body, glutathione S-transferase （GST）, and hexahistidine （6 × His） were used and compared. Among these systems, the expression level of ZNFI91（243-368） was increased in inclusion body system under a higher isopropylthio-β-D-galactoside （IPTG） concentration, but the non-target proteins were also increased more, which made its purification more difficult and the yield lower. The expression of His-tag fusion protein was almost not affected by IPTG concentration, temperature and inducing time. At a high IPTG concentration the highest expression yield for GST fusion protein was obtained. And the fusion proteins can be partially purified by a single affinity chromatography step. The fusion protein systems show advantages for expression of these proteins.     

Capillary zone electrophoresis of cationic and anionic drugs in methanol

The actual mobilities and dissociation constants of acidic and basic pharmaceuticals were determined in methanol. Actual mobilities were derived from the dependence of the effective mobilities of the analytes on the pH of the methanolic background electrolyte solution (pH(MeOH)). The pKa values of the pharmaceuticals in methanol (pK(a,MeOH)) were calculated by non-linear curve fitting to the measured mobility values. It was found that the shift in pKa value (when compounds were transferred from water to methanol) increased with the acidity of the analyte. The average pKa shift for compounds exhibiting acidic properties in water was ca. 5.5 units, and the shift for basic compounds about 2 units. As was shown for a mixture of beta-blockers, the calculated actual mobilities and pKa values can be utilised in the optimisation of pH conditions for separation. The practical value of the method was illustrated by the analysis of urine samples.     

Enzymatic synthesis of optically active α-chloro-δ-hydroxy-β-ketoalkanephosphonates and reactions thereof

A novel and enzymatic approach to α-chloro-δ-hydroxy-β-ketoalkanephosphonates was developed via enantioselective CALB-catalyzed acetylation and CRL-catalyzed hydrolysis. The resultant optically active compounds provide, via Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction, chiral α,β-unsaturated ketones that are building block with potential application in organic synthesis.