Stereoselective synthesis of cis-p-menth-8-ene-1,7-diol, cis-p-menthane-1,7-diol, and cis-p-menthane-1,7,8-triol

The natural products cis-p-menthane-1,7-diol (cis-IV), cis-p-menth-8-ene-1,7-diol (cis-I) and cis-p-menthane-1,7,8-triol (cis-II) are obtained starting from the corresponding cis-cyanohydrins, cis-2 and cis-7, respectively, by chemical transformation of the cyano into the hydroxymethyl group. The key step of the synthesis is the very high cis-selectivity (> or = 96 %) of the MeHNL-catalyzed HCN addition to 4-alkylcyclohexanones. From 4-isopropylcyclohexanone (1) the cyanohydrin cis-2 and from 4-(1-methylvinyl)cyclohexanone (6) the cyanohydrin cis-7 result almost quantitatively. Regioselective hydroxylation of cis-I affords the triol cis-II. X-ray crystal structure determinations of the final products confirm their cis-configuration.     

Verfeinerung der Kristallstruktur von Kupfer(II)-hydroxichlorid,Cu(OH)Cl

The crystal structure of Cu(OH)Cl [a=5.555 (2) Å,b=6.671 (4) Å,c=6.127 (2) Å, =114.88 (3)°, space group P2_I/a,Z=4] was refined for 810 observed reflections with sin /0.80 Å^–1 toR=0.035. Crystals were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The copper atom is planar four coordinated by three oxygen atoms and one chlorine atom; two further chlorine atoms complete its coordination. The copper polyhedra share edges to build up sheets, which are connected by hydrogen bonds to the chlorine atoms of adjacent sheets.

     

Designed helical peptides inhibit an intramembrane protease

gamma-Secretase cleaves the transmembrane domain of the amyloid precursor protein, a process implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and this enzyme is a founding member of an emerging class of intramembrane proteases. Modeling and mutagenesis suggest a helical conformation for the substrate transmembrane domain upon initial interaction with the protease. Moreover, biochemical evidence supports the presence of an initial docking site for substrate on gamma-secretase that is distinct from the active site, a property predicted to be generally true of intramembrane proteases. Here we show that short peptides designed to adopt a helical conformation in solution are inhibitors of gamma-secretase in both cells and enzyme preparations. Helical peptides with all d-amino acids are the most potent inhibitors and represent potential therapeutic leads. Subtle modifications that disrupt helicity also substantially reduce potency, suggesting that this conformation is critical for effective inhibition. Fluorescence lifetime imaging in intact cells demonstrates that helical peptides disrupt binding between substrate and protease, whereas an active site-directed inhibitor does not. These findings are consistent with helical peptides interacting with the initial substrate docking site of gamma-secretase, suggesting a general strategy for the development of potent and specific inhibitors of intramembrane proteases.     

The formylation of the upper-rims of thiacalixarenes: synthesis of the first tetra-formylated and the first meta-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes

The conventional Gross reaction for the formylation of the tetrapropoxythiacalix[4]arene using TiCl₄ affords the 18-(chloromethyl)-28-hydroxy-25,26,27-tripropoxythiacalix[4]arene substituted in the meta-position of the macrocycle. The p-tetraformyl-tetrapropoxythiacalix[4]arene, which is an interesting intermediate to the upper-rims functionalization of thiacalixarenes, was prepared with a very good yield using BuLi and N-formylpiperidine.     

Enolethers. XXI. Synthesis of 5,5′-disubstituted 4,4′-bipyrimidines

1,6-Dialkoxy-3,4-diones 3 are easily accessible by acylation of enol ethers 1 with oxalyl chloride and subsequent elimination of hydrogen chloride using triethylamine. The open-chain 2,5-dimethyl derivative 3b is converted with amidines 4a-c and S-methylisothiourea (4d) , respectively, to give 2,2′-disubstituted 5,5′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyrimidines 5a-d . The dihydrofuran and dihydropyran derivatives 3c and 3d , however, react with benzamidine (4c) in dimethylformamide only in the presence of calcium hydride as condensation agent yielding 5,5′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)- and 5,5′-bis(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-bipyrimidine 6a and b.     

Rheological Behavior and Non-enzymatic Degradation of a Sulfated Galactan from Halymenia durvillei (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta)

The rheological behavior of a sulfated galactan extracted from Halymenia durvillei, a red seaweed collected in the coastal waters of a small island of Madagascar (Nosy-be in Indian Ocean), was investigated in dilute and semi-dilute solutions. In dilute solution with NaCl at 0.3?M, the polysaccharide adopted a coil conformation whereas, at higher concentrations, the polymer had the behavior of shear-thinning fluid, typical of polymer with high molar mass or semi-rigid conformation. Degradations of this lambda carrageenan-like, using radical depolymerization, and high-pressure homogenization led to several samples of various and controlled molar masses. The measure of their intrinsic viscosities permitted the determination of the relationship of Mark?CHouwink?CSakurada.     

Highly efficient metal‐free organic catalysts to design new Environmentally‐friendly starch‐based blends

A one‐step process is reported to directly synthesize blends of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) with a modified granular starch. Trimethylene Carbonate (TMC) ring‐opening polymerization is performed in the presence of native starch particles in bulk conditions at 150 °C and the efficiency of metal‐free organic catalysts (TBD and phosphazene superbases P1‐t‐Oct, P2‐t‐bu, and P4‐t‐bu) are investigated to replace the organo‐metallic stannous octanoate initiator. TMC monomer is successively converted into PTMC and the robustness of organic catalysts is highlighted with significant activities at very low concentrations (<100 ppm), where stannous octanoate is inefficient. Reactivity of starch toward TMC ROP is deeply investigated by NMR techniques and a starch‐graft‐PTMC is indirectly evidenced. Starch substitution degree reaches 0.9% indicating that PTMC grafting only occurs at the surface of swollen granular starch. PTMC graft length from the starch surface remained low in the range 2–12 and model ROP reactions highlight the role of TMC hydrolysis on PTMC graft length. Despite low PTMC grafts, a fine dispersion of intact starch particles into the PTMC matrix is evidenced. Consequently, metal‐free organic catalysts at low concentrations are promising candidates for synthesizing blends of PTMC with high loadings of surface‐modified starch (32% by weight) in 2 min within a one‐step process. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 493–503     

Oxidative Phosphonylation of Aromatic Compounds

Abstract

Aryl phosphonates can be prepared in good yields from the respective arenes and tri- or dialkylphosphites by either chemical or electrochemical oxidation^1. The anodic oxidation proceeds either via phosphonium radical cations which then attack the arenes electrophilically or via arene radical cations which add the trialkyl-phosphite as nucleophile^1,2. Aryl phosphonates are also obtained in good yields by chemical oxidation with peroxidisulfate/AgNO₃, Iron(III)- or Cerium(IV)-complexes in acetonitrile/water or glacial acetic acid^3.     

The Synthesis of a γ-Keto-α-amino Acid,a Key Intermediate in the Synthesis of Monatin,a New Natural Sweetener

An efficient method was developed for the synthesis of the ketoamino acid 2, a key intermediate in the synthesis of the novel sweet compound, monatin 1. Preparation of 2 entails coupling of a suitably protected indole acetate anion to an aspartic acid derivative.