Studies towards complex bridged alkaloids: regio- and stereocontrolled enolate chemistry of 2,5-diketopiperazines

The substitution of symmetrical N-protected diketopiperazines (DKPs) via enolate intermediates has been studied. The enolate reactions were highly diastereocontrolled, leading to enantiopure DKP products if chiral amino acid precursors were employed, and giving racemic products, starting with centrosymmetric DKPs, even when a chiral lithium amide base was used to generate the lithium enolate. With unsymmetrical DKPs derived from proline and either alanine, phenylalanine or valine, the enolate substitution occurred with high regio- and stereoselectivity on the proline residue. This enabled the synthesis of substituted DKPs that could be cyclised via cationic processes to give the bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane core structure present in paraherquamide and stephacidin natural products.     

A cationic cyclisation route to prenylated indole alkaloids: synthesis of malbrancheamide B and brevianamide B, and progress towards stephacidin A

The synthesis of the prenylated indole alkaloids, malbrancheamide B and brevianamide B have been accomplished, starting with a prenylated proline derivative created using the Seebach ‘self-reproduction of chirality’ method, and using a cationic cascade sequence as the key step to form late-stage bridged diketopiperazine intermediates.     

From amines to diketopiperazines: a one-pot approach

An efficient one-pot synthesis is described for the preparation of 1,4-disubstituted piperazine-2,5-diones starting from a suitable amine and chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of an aqueous base. The resulting chloroacetamide is cyclised in situ by employing the phase-transfer (PT) catalyst, benzyltriethylammonium chloride (TEBA). The products are isolated in excellent yields of up to 90%.     

Synthesis of bavachromanol from resorcinol via a tandem cationic cascade/EAS sequence

The natural chalcone bavachromanol has been prepared through a tandem reaction sequence that joins cationic cyclization of an epoxide to an adjacent MOM-acetal with electrophilic aromatic substitution by a presumed methoxymethylene cation. Only a single regioisomer of the tandem product was observed, with substitution taking place exclusively ortho to the position of the original acetal. This regiocontrol provided a key intermediate from a symmetrical precursor, and allowed preparation of the meroterpenoid through a short reaction sequence.     

Studies on paraherquamide biosynthesis: synthesis of deuterium-labeled 7-hydroxy-pre-paraherquamide, a putative precursor of paraherquamides A, E, and F

The stereocontrolled, asymmetric synthesis of triply deuterium-labeled 7-hydroxy-pre-paraherquamide (27) was accomplished, employing a diastereoselective intramolecular S_N2′ cyclization strategy. The deuterium-labeled substrate was interrogated in a precursor incorporation experiment in the paraherquamide-producing organism Penicillium fellutanum. The isolated sample of paraherquamide A revealed incorporation of one of the two geminal deuterons of the CD₂-group at C-12 exclusively. The lack of signals for the second deuteron of the CD₂-group at C-12 and for the CH₂D-group (C-22/C-23) suggests that this substrate suffered an unexpectedly selective catabolic degradation and metabolic re-incorporation of deuterium thus casting doubt on the proposed biosynthetic intermediacy of 27. Consideration of alternative biosynthetic pathways, including oxidation of the indole C-6 position prior to hydroxylation at C-7 or oxidative spiro-contraction of pre-paraherquamide prior to construction of the dioxepin is discussed. The synthesis of 27 also provides for a concise, asymmetric stereocontrolled synthesis of an advanced intermediate that will be potentially useful in the synthesis of paraherquamides E and F.     

Synthesis and characterization of cationic and zwitterionic allyl zirconium complexes derived from trimethylenemethane (TMM) cyclopentadienylzirconium acetamidinates

Protonation of the trimethylenemethane derivatives, Cp*Zr(σ²,π-C₄H₆)[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (1a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 1b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu) (Cp*=η⁵-C₅Me₅), by [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄] in chlorobenzene at −10 °C provides the cationic methallyl complexes, Cp*Zr(η³-C₄H₇)[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (2a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 2b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu), which are thermally robust in solution at elevated temperatures as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Addition of B(C₆F₅)₃ to 1a and 1b provides the zwitterionic allyl complexes, Cp*Zr{η³-CH₂C[CH₂B(C₆F₅)₃]CH₂}[N(R¹)C(Me)N(R²)] (3a: R¹=R²=i-Pr and 3b: R¹=Et, R²=t-Bu). The crystal structures of 2b and 3a have been determined. Neither the cationic complexes 2 or the zwitterionic complexes 3 are active initiators for the Ziegler-Natta polymerization of ethylene and α-olefins.     

Synthesis of alkylphenanthrenes from naphthylalkylidenemalonodinitriles. A route to 1-methyl-, 2-methyl-, and 1,2-dimethylphenanthrene

The study has been carried out to evaluate the feasibility of synthesis of 1-methyl-, 2-methyl-, 1,2-dimethyl-, and 1-ethyl-2-methylphenanthrene through the annulation of the naphthalene system with the exploitation of the dicyanovinyl moiety of 2-naphthylalkylidenemalonodinitriles as an active electrophile in cold solutions of concentrated sulfuric acid. 2-(2-Naphthyl)propanal (3), 1-(2-naphthyl)propan-2-one (9), 3-(2-naphthyl)butan-2-one (14), and 3-(2-naphthyl)pentan-2-one (19) had been condensed with malonodinitrile to afford 2-naphthylalkylidenemalonodinitriles which were then cyclised to give 4-amino-1-methylphenanthrene-3-carbonitrile (5), 4-amino-2-methylphenanthrene-3-carbonitrile (11), 4-amino-1,2-dimethylphenanthrene-3-carbonitrile (16), and 4-amino-1-ethyl-2-metylphenanthrene-3-carbonitrile (21). The nitrile function has been removed from the aminonitriles, with the exception of 21, through hydrolysis and decarboxylation in alkaline ethanolic solutions under elevated pressure (∼3 MPa) and temperature 220-230°C to give the respective 4-amino-methylphenanthrenes. Diazotisation of the phenanthreneamines and the reaction with hypophosphorus acid has lead to the methylphenanthrenes in moderate yields (50-52%).     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of a zwitterionic amine bridged bis(phenolate) lanthanide complex

A zwitterionic amine bridged bis(phenolate) ytterbium(III) complex was synthesized, and its reactivity with a zinc cluster was explored. The reaction of (C₅H₅)₃Yb(THF) with the amine bridged bis(phenol) HONNOH [ONNO = Me₂NCH₂CH₂N{CH₂-(2-O-C₆H₂-Bu^t₂-3,5)}₂] in a 1:2 M ratio in toluene at 80 °C produced the zwitterionic ytterbium complex [ONNO]Yb[ONNO(μ₄-H)] (1) in a high isolated yield. The reaction of ZnEt₂ with 1 equiv of PhCH₂OH gave a zinc cluster Zn₇Et₆(OCH₂Ph)₈ (2) in a good isolated yield. Complex 1 reacted with complex 2 in a 7:1 M ratio at room temperature to afford the unexpected ligand redistributed product [ONNO]Zn(THF) (3). These complexes were well characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and NMR spectroscopy in the case of complexes 2 and 3. The definitive molecular structures of complexes 2 and 3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [ReO(ahp)2(PPh3)]Cl (Hahp=2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine): a novel cationic monooxorhenium(v) complex

The cationic complex [ReO(ahp)₂(PPh₃)]⁺ was isolated as the chloride salt from the reaction of trans-[ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] and 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine (Hahp) in ethanol. Coordination of the chelates only occurs through the amino nitrogen and the phenolate oxygen of ahp^?. The X-ray crystal structure shows a distorted octahedral geometry, in which a phenolate oxygen coordinated trans to the oxo group and the rhenium atom is displaced by 0.2520(1) Å out of the mean equatorial plane towards the oxo oxygen.     

Organotin complexes of pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone: Synthesis,crystal structures and antiproliferative activity of neutral and cationic diorganotin complexes

The synthesis and spectral characterization of novel neutral and cationic organotin complexes with pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone, H₂pt (1), [SnPh₂(pt)] (2), [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) and [SnPh₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (4) are reported. The crystal structure of the complexes [SnPh₂(pt)] (2) and [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of complex 2 showed that the ligand is doubly deprotonated at the oxygen and amide nitrogen atoms and is coordinated to the SnPh₂ fragment via two five-membered chelate rings. The monomers of 2 are linked through intermolecular hydrogen bonds of C−H–O type and through π−π intermolecular interactions. The crystal structure of [SnMe₂(Hpt)(H₂O)]Cl (3) showed that the ligand is mono-deprotonated at the oxygen atom and is coordinated to the SnMe₂ fragment via two five-membered chelate rings. The counter ion chloride is participated in intermolecular hydrogen bonds. An extended network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds leads to aggregation and a supramolecular assembly. The IR and NMR spectroscopic data of the complexes are reported. The in vitro cytotoxic activity has been evaluated against the cells of three human cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line), T-24 (bladder cancer cell line), A-549(non-small cell lung carcinoma) and a mouse L-929 (a fibroblast-like cell line cloned from strain L). The most active of all was found the diorganotin complex 2. The cytotoxic activity shown by these compounds against all these cancer cell lines indicates that coupling of 1 with R₂Sn(IV) metal center result in metallic complexes with important biological properties and remarkable cytotoxic activity, since they are display IC₅₀ values in a μM range the same or better to that of the antitumor drug cisplatin. Compound 2 is considered as agent with potential antitumor activity, and can therefore be candidate for further stages of screening in vitro and/or in vivo.     

Synthesis,characterization and crystal structure of a Ni(II) complex derived from heterocyclic acylpyrazolone

A new complex, [Ni(PMFP)₂(C₂H₅OH)₂] (HPMFP = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(2-furoyl)-5-pyrazolone), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV, and fluorescence spectra, thermal analysis, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Its crystal structure is in an orthorhombic system, space group Pbca with cell parameters: a = 15.2269(14) Å, b = 9.3399(9) Å, c = 22.794(2) Å, and Z = 4, S = 1.019. The Ni lies at an inversion center and has a slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment with four oxygens of the pyrazolone rings in the equatorial plane and two ethanols in axial positions. The compound displays O–H···N and weak C(6)–H(6)···O(4) hydrogen bonds. The fluorescent emission is at 539 nm.     

Synthesis of a novel antimicrobial-modified starch and its adsorption on cellulose fibers: part II––adsorption behaviors of cationic starch on cellulose fibers

The adsorption of guanidine polymer modified starches on cellulose fibers was investigated along with the systematic studies on various influencing factors including temperature, pH, ionic strength and charge density of the starches. The AFM results revealed the relationship between the adhesion force and adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity is not necessarily proportional to the adhesion force. The conditions for achieving the maximum adsorption were: temperature, 40 °C; pH, 6; C_NaCl, 0 mM and charge density, 0.4 meq/g. The corresponding the normalized adhesion force is approximate 1 mN/m. In terms of the surface roughness determined by AFM, it has been proved that adsorbed starches of high charge density tend to form train structure, whereas those of low charge density tend to form tails and loops. Due the comb molecular structure, the adsorption capacity of the novel cationic starch reaches 124.3 mg/g, which is much greater than those reported previously.     

Synthesis,characterization and crystal structure of a chiral polymeric Cu(II) complex bridged by tartrate

A chiral metal-organic coordination polymer, [Cu(Tar)(2,2′-bipy) · 5H₂O] (1) (Tar = L-tartrate dianion, 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine), has been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction of Cu(OAc)₂, Na₂T (H₂T = 2,3-O-isopropylidene-L-tartaric acid) and 2,2′-bipyridine, and characterized by IR, UV–vis spectra, elemental analyses, TG-DTA, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the hydrothermal reaction, the protection group isopropylidene for tartaric acid was hydrolyzed. The crystal structure of the coordination polymer 1 shows that each tartrate chelates two Cu(II) ions at opposite ends using one carboxylate oxygen and one hydroxyl oxygen and each Cu(II) ion is chelated by two halves of tartrate dianions, forming coordination polymer chains. Distorted octahedral geometry around copper is completed by a chelating 2,2′-bipyridine molecule. The 2,2′-bipyridine groups in two of parallel 1-D chains are interwoven, constituting ladder-shaped double chains. Strong offset π–π stacking interactions with a face-to-face distance of 3.33 Å for pyridine rings are observed. All the lattice water molecules hydrogen-bond to each other or to the carbonyl oxygen of tartrate, forming a 3-D supramolecular structure.     

Synthesis,magnetic properties,DNA binding and cleavage activity of a new oxalato bridged copper(II) complex

A novel oxalato‐bridged copper(II) complex has been prepared and structurally characterized: [Cu(bpa)(μ‐C₂O₄)].H₂O (bpa = bis(2‐pyridylmethyl) amine). In the complex, the copper ion is linked in an unusual μ_1,2,3‐C₂O₄^2? bridging mode, generating one‐dimensional zigzag chain disposition. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility studies (2–300 K) reveal a weak ferromagnetic coupling, J = 0.63 cm^?1, between the copper ions. The interaction of the complex with CT‐DNA has been studied using UV–visible absorption and emission spectral methods, and the binding constant of the complex with CT‐DNA is K_app = 9 × 10⁴ m ^?1, which indicates that the interaction of the complex with DNA is a moderate intercalative mode. Furthermore, the complex cleaves supercoiled plasmid DNA efficiently in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The mechanistic investigations suggest that the hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen are involved in the DNA degradation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization and optical properties of a new cationic cyclometalated platinum(ii) complex

The cyclometalated platinum (II) complex, [Pt(ppy)(ppyH)₂] OTF, 2 , in which ppy and ppyH denote the cyclometalated and non‐cyclometalated 2‐phenylpyridine ligand respectively, was prepared from the reaction of the platinum(IV) complex [PtMe₃(OTF)], 1 , with 3 equiv 2‐phenylpyridine at room temperature. The cyclometalated complex 2 was characterized using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The solid state structure of 2 was further identified by single crystal X‐ray structure determination. 2 displays a green emission in solution and in solid state at room temperature and TD‐DFT calculations is used to elucidate the origin of the electronic transitions in the UV–vis spectrum of 2 .     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and magnetism of a binuclear Cu(II) complex with a single end-to-end bridged azido ligand

A binuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu₂(μ _1,3-N₃)(N₃)(pmp)₂(ClO₄)]ClO₄ (pmp = 2-((pyridin-2-yl) methoxy)-1,10-phenanthroline), was synthesized with a single azide as end-to-end bridge ligand, and pmp and perchlorate as ligands. In the crystal, Cu(II) is in a distorted square pyramidal geometry, and a single azide bridges equatorial-axial linking two Cu(II) ions with separation of 5.851 Å. There are π?π stacking interactions involving 1,10-phenanthroline rings. The variable-temperature (2–300 K) magnetic susceptibilities were analyzed using a binuclear Cu(II) magnetic formula and it indicates that there is a very weak ferromagnetic coupling with 2J = 2.82 cm^?1.     

A biomimetic type expedient approach to the tricyclic core of xyloketals. Application to a short, stereocontrolled synthesis of alboatrin and a remarkable epi to natural isomerisation

An expedient synthesis of the linear tetrahydrofurano benzopyran ring system of xyloketals is described involving an ortho ester Claisen rearrangement and an intramolecular cationic cyclisation. This strategy was applied for a short, stereocontrolled and high yield synthesis of the phytotoxic metabolite alboatrin.     

Chemical oxidation of a redox-active, ferrocene-containing cationic lipid: Influence on interactions with DNA and characterization in the context of cell transfection

We report an approach to the chemical oxidation of a ferrocene-containing cationic lipid [bis(11-ferrocenylundecyl)dimethylammonium bromide, BFDMA] that provides redox-based control over the delivery of DNA to cells. We demonstrate that BFDMA can be oxidized rapidly and quantitatively by treatment with Fe(III)sulfate. This chemical approach, while offering practical advantages compared to electrochemical methods used in past studies, was found to yield BFDMA/DNA lipoplexes that behave differently in the context of cell transfection from lipoplexes formed using electrochemically oxidized BFDMA. Specifically, while lipoplexes of the latter do not transfect cells efficiently, lipoplexes of chemically oxidized BFDMA promoted high levels of transgene expression (similar to levels promoted by reduced BFDMA). Characterization by SANS and cryo-TEM revealed lipoplexes of chemically and electrochemically oxidized BFDMA to both have amorphous nanostructures, but these lipoplexes differed significantly in size and zeta potential. Our results suggest that differences in zeta potential arise from the presence of residual Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in samples of chemically oxidized BFDMA. Addition of the iron chelating agent EDTA to solutions of chemically oxidized BFDMA produced samples functionally similar to electrochemically oxidized BFDMA. These EDTA-treated samples could also be chemically reduced by treatment with ascorbic acid to produce samples of reduced BFDMA that do promote transfection. Our results demonstrate that entirely chemical approaches to oxidation and reduction can be used to achieve redox-based ‘on/off’ control of cell transfection similar to that achieved using electrochemical methods.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and Helicobacter pylori urease inhibition of a dicyanoamide bridged Cu(I/II) complex

A dicyanoamide-bridged polymeric copper(I/II) complex, [Cu^II(sal)(bipy)Cu^I(dca)₂]_n, was prepared by reaction of 5-methylchlorosalicylaldehyde (Hsal), 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), sodium dicyanoamide (Nadca), and copper perchlorate in methanol. The complex was characterized by elemental analyses, infrared and electronic spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray determination. Cu^II has a square pyramidal coordination, and Cu^I has triangular coordination. The complex showed high urease inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.16 ± 0.23 μM.