General strategy for a short and efficient synthesis of 3-hydroxy-4-methylprolines (HMP)

The non-proteinogenic amino acid 3-hydroxy-4-methylproline (HMP) is an active constituent of some potent antimicrobials including echinocandins, nostopeptins, pneumocandins, sporiofungin and mulundocandins. A synthesis has been achieved in 10 steps with 29% overall yield; the Evans’ aldol reaction using Crimmins’ modified method was pivotal to the success of the strategy.     

Photoactivated antimicrobial activity of carbon nanotube-porphyrin conjugates

We report the design of antimicrobial nanocomposite films based on conjugates of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) that are highly effective against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) upon irradiation with visible light. S. aureus infections can lead to life-threatening situations, especially when caused by antibiotic-resistant strains. While the light-activated antimicrobial activity of porphyrins against such pathogens is well-known, a facile way to incorporate porphyrins into coatings may lead to their more effective use. To that end, we decided to synthesize and characterize MWNT-PPIX conjugates which combine the biocidal capacity of porphyrins with the mechanical strength of MWNTs. The conjugates could effectively deactivate S. aureus cells in solution upon irradiation with visible light. We also designed large area nanocomposite films comprised of the MWNT-PPIX conjugates that showed potent antimicrobial activity. These MWNT-PPIX conjugates represent a facile strategy for the design of antimicrobial and antifouling coatings.     

Biocompatible Carbon Dot Decorated α-FeOOH Nanohybrid for an Effective Fluorometric Sensing of Cr (VI) in Wastewater and Living Cells

Journal of Fluorescence - This article reports the fluorometric detection of toxic hexavalent chromium Cr (VI)) in wastewater and Cr (VI) contaminated living cells using in-situ grown carbon...     

Synthesis of the spiro fused β-lactone-γ-lactam segment of oxazolomycin

An effective synthetic strategy for construction of the novel spiro-bicyclic β-lactone-γ-lactam system present in oxazolomycin has been demonstrated. The 3,4-disubstituted pyrrolidine ring system was constructed via an Evans aldol reaction. The spiro-β-lactone ring was elaborated from a gem-hydroxymethyl moiety that was successfully installed by an aldol followed by a crossed Cannizzaro reaction.     

Towards the enantioselective synthesis of anti-HIV agents litseaverticillols C and K from d-glucose

The first enantioselective synthesis towards the litseaverticillols C and K has been achieved, from d-glucose, using the ring closing metathesis (RCM) and Wittig reactions as key steps.     

Clay‐Mediated Selective Hydrolysis of 5′‐O‐Acetyl‐2′,3′‐isopropylidene/Cyclohexylidene Nucleosides

A generalized procedure for the selective hydrolysis of 5′‐O‐acetyl‐2′,3′‐isopropylidene/cyclohexylidene nucleosides with a solid catalyst, Montmorillonite K‐10 in refluxing methanol, to furnish 5′‐O‐acetyl‐nucleosides is described.