Concise total synthesis of (+)-crocacin C

The cytotoxic natural product (+)-crocacin C ( 1) has been synthesized in 10 linear steps from commercially available Evans' chiral propionimide in 5% overall yield (8 steps from Evans' chiral dipropionate synthon). No protecting groups were utilized.     

A Biophysical Study of Ru(II) Polypyridyl Complex,Properties and its Interaction with DNA

Mononuclear Ru(II)Polypyridyl complexes of type [Ru(A)₂BPIIP] (ClO₄)₂.2H₂O, where BPIIP?=?2-(3-(4-bromophenyl)isoxazole-5-yl)-1 H-imidazo [4,5-f] [1, 10] phenanthroline and A?=?bpy?=?bipyridyl (1), phen?=?1,10 Phenanthroline (2), dmb?=?4, 4' -dimethyl 2, 2'- bipyridine (3) & dmp?=?4,4'-dimethyl-1,10 –Ortho Phenanthroline (4), were synthesized and their antibacterial activity were examined. The synthesized complexes were characterized and their interaction with DNA was studied using Computational and Biophysical methods (Absorption, emission methods, and viscosity). Molecular modelling studies were carried out for molecular geometry and electronic properties (Frontier molecular orbital HOMO—LUMO). The electrostatic potential surface contours for the complexes were analysed to give their nucleophilic level of sensitivity. The study reveals that the Ru(II) Polypyridyl complexes bind to DNA preponderantly by intercalation. The results recommend that the phen and dmp complex have more effective binding ability than the bpy and dmb, indicating the role of the ancillary ligand in determining their specificity for DNA binding. Further molecular docking studies suggested an octahedral geometry and bind to DNA by preferential binding to Guanine. The docking study additionally sustains the binding constant data acquired with the absorption and emission techniques.The results reveal that the nature of the ancillary Ligand plays a considerable role for the intercalation of the Ru(II) polypyridyl complex to DNA, which subsequently influences the antibacterial activity. Biological studies conducted on Gram‐Negative (E.coli and K.pneumonia) and Gram-Positive (S. aureus and E. faecalis) bacteria establish that complex 1 and 2 were considerably active against S. aureus and E. coli.

     

A Biocompatible Alkene Hydrogenation Merges Organic Synthesis with Microbial Metabolism

Organic chemists and metabolic engineers use orthogonal technologies to construct essential small molecules such as pharmaceuticals and commodity chemicals. While chemists have leveraged the unique capabilities of biological catalysts for small‐molecule production, metabolic engineers have not likewise integrated reactions from organic synthesis with the metabolism of living organisms. Reported herein is a method for alkene hydrogenation which utilizes a palladium catalyst and hydrogen gas generated directly by a living microorganism. This biocompatible transformation, which requires both catalyst and microbe, and can be used on a preparative scale, represents a new strategy for chemical synthesis that combines organic chemistry and metabolic engineering.     

Concise Syntheses of bis‐Strychnos Alkaloids (−)‐Sungucine, (−)‐Isosungucine,and (−)‐Strychnogucine B from (−)‐Strychnine

The first chemical syntheses of complex, bis‐Strychnos alkaloids (?)‐sungucine ( 1 ), (?)‐isosungucine ( 2 ), and (?)‐strychnogucine B ( 3 ) from (?)‐strychnine ( 4 ) is reported. Key steps included (1) the Polonovski–Potier activation of strychnine N‐oxide; (2) a biomimetic Mannich coupling to forge the signature C23?C5′ bond that joins two monoterpene indole monomers; and (3) a sequential HBr/NaBH₃CN‐mediated reduction to fashion the ethylidene moieties in 1 – 3 . DFT calculations were employed to rationalize the regiochemical course of reactions involving strychnine congeners.     

Biomimetic Model of Coenzyme B12: Aquabis(ethane‐1,2‐diamine‐κN,κN′)ethylcobalt(III) – Its Kinetic and Binding Studies with Imidazoles and Amino Acids and Interactions with CT DNA

Pseudo‐first‐order reaction kinetics and binding studies of trans‐[Co(en)₂(Et)H₂O] complex with 1H‐imidazole, substituted 1H‐imidazoles, histidine, histamine, glycine and glycine ethyl ester were investigated by means of spectrophotometric techniques. Equilibrium constants were determined as a function of pH at 25°. Binding and kinetic studies were correlated to basicity and steric hindrance. From the equilibrium data, it was found that the entering nucleophile is participating in the transition state, an I_d mechanism is proposed. The effect of the incoming ligands on the complex was studied by molecular mechanics. The interaction of trans‐[Co(en)₂(Et)H₂O] with CT DNA was studied spectrophotometrically.     

Synthesis,Characterization, DNA Binding Properties,Fluorescence Studies and Toxic Activity of Cobalt(III) and Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes

The new ligand 4-(isopropylbenzaldehyde)imidazo[4,5-f ][1,10]phenanthroline (ippip) and its complexes [Ru(phen)₂(ippip)]²⁺(1),[Co(phen)₂(ippip)]³⁺(2),[Ru(bpy)₂(ippip)]²⁺(3),[Co(bpy)₂(ippip)]³⁺(4)(bpy=2,2-bipyridine) and (phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by ES⁺-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The DNA binding properties of the four complexes were investigated by different spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that complexes bind to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) through intercalation. When irradiated at 365 nm, the complexes promote the photocleavage of pBR322 DNA, and complex 1 cleaves DNA more effectively than 2, 3, 4 complexes under comparable experimental conditions. Furthermore, photocleavage studies reveal that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) plays a significant role in the photocleavage.     

Total synthesis of (-)-leuconicine A and B

Concise asymmetric total syntheses of Strychnos alkaloids (-)-leuconicine A (14 steps, 9% overall yield) and B (13 steps, 10% overall yield) have been accomplished. Key steps include (1) our sequential one-pot spiro-cyclization/intramolecular aza-Baylis-Hillman method to prepare the ABCE framework; (2) a novel domino acylation/Knoevenagel cyclization to prepare the F-ring; and (3) a Heck cyclization to access the D-ring.     

Synthesis,DNA and Photocleavage Studies of Ru(II) Polypyridyl Complexes: [Ru(dppz)(pyz)4](ClO4)2 and [Ru(dppz)(dmpyz)4](ClO4)2 Complexes

In view of the growing interest for the synthesis of metal complexes and their interaction with DNA, we have synthesized and characterized two complexes containing ruthenium as metal center. The complexes are of the type [Ru(dppz)L₄](ClO₄)₂ where L are biologically important ligands such as pyrazole and dimethylpyrazole. The characterization of these complexes is done by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis and mass spectroscopy. The interaction of these complexes with CT DNA was monitored and binding constants were determined using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The mode of binding was found to be intercalative for both complexes and was determined using hydrodynamic viscosity studies. The complexes were further studied for photocleavage studies with supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA.