Sesquiterpenoids of the Sponge Dysidea fragilis of the North-Brittany Sea

The title sponge is shown to contain eight new sesquiterpenoids for which a common, unusual biogenetic origin is postulated. The compounds are shown to be: (–)-(1R*,4R*)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-2-p-menthen-7-yl acetate ((–)- 8b ); two diols separated as the monoacetates (–)-(1S*,4R*)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-l-hydroxy-2-p-menthen-7-yl acetate ((–)- 13a ) and the (–)-(1R*,4R*)-epimer (–)- 13b , the two C(4)-epimeric 4-ethoxy-3-(1′(7′),2′-p-menthadien-3′-yl)methyl-2-buten-4-olides ((+)- 14a and (–)- 14b ), (–)-3-(3′-furyl)methyl-7-nor-2-p-menthen-l-one ((–)- 11 ), (–)-(3Z)-1-(3′-furyl)-4,8-dimethylnona-3, 7-dien-2-yl acetate ((–)- 17 ), and (+)-3-(5′,7′-seco-2′(10′)-pinen-7′-yl)methylfuran ((+)- 15 ).     

Kinetics of the unimolecular decomposition of the 2-chloroallyl radical

The thermal decomposition of the 2-chloroallyl radical, CH(2)CClCH(2) --> CH(2)CCH(2) + Cl (1), was studied using the laser photolysis/photoionization mass spectrometry technique. Rate constants were determined in time-resolved experiments as a function of temperature (720-840 K) and bath gas density ([He] = (3-12) x 10(16), [N(2)] = 6 x 10(16) molecule cm(-3)). C(3)H(4) was observed as a primary product of reaction 1. The rate constants of reaction 1 are in the falloff, close to the low-pressure limit, under the conditions of the experiments. The potential energy surface (PES) of reaction 1 was studied using a variety of quantum chemical methods. The results of the study indicate that the minimum energy path of the CH(2)CClCH(2) dissociation proceeds through a PES plateau corresponding to a weakly bound Cl-C(3)H(4) complex; a PES saddle point exists between the equilibrium CH(2)CClCH(2) structure and the Cl-C(3)H(4) complex. The results of quantum chemical calculations, the rate constant values obtained in the experimental study, and literature data on the reverse reaction of addition of Cl to allene were used to create a model of reactions 1 and -1. The experimental dependences of the rate constants on temperature and pressure were reproduced in RRKM/master equation calculations. The reaction model provides expressions for the temperature dependences of the high-pressure-limit and the low-pressure-limit rate constants and the falloff broadening factors (at T = 300-1600 K): k(infinity)(1) = 1.45 x 10(20)T(-1.75) exp(-19609 K/T) s(-1), k(infinity)(-)(1) = 8.94 x 10(-10)T(-0.40) exp(481 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(1)(0)(He) = 5.01 x 10(-32)T(-12.02) exp(-22788 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(1)(0)(N(2)) = 2.50 x 10(-32)T(-11.92) exp(-22756 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), F(cent)(He) = 0.46 exp(-T/1001 K) + 0.54 exp(-T/996 K) + exp(-4008 K/T), and F(cent)(N(2)) = 0.37 exp(-T/2017 K) + 0.63 exp(-T/142 K) + exp(-4812 K/T). The experimental data are not sufficient to specify all the parameters of the model; consequently, some of the model parameters were obtained from quantum chemical calculations and from analogy with other reactions of radical decomposition. Thus, the parametrization is most reliable under conditions close to those used in the experiments.     

Final elucidation of the absolute configuration of the signal metabolite hormaomycin

The complete absolute configuration of hormaomycin 1 a has been established by HPLC and HPLC/MS experiments with appropriately derivatized 4-propylprolines, (2S,4S)-6 and (2R,4R)-6, as well as 4-(Z)-propenylprolines, cis-5 and trans-5, and also feeding experiments with enantiomerically pure samples of the deuterium-labeled 3-(2'-nitrocyclopropyl)alanine, (2S)-3,3-[D2]15 and (2S)-2,2'-[D2]15, and 4-(Z)-propenylproline 2',4-[D2]-(2S,4R)-5. The latter five amino acids were prepared for the first time and allowed one to unequivocally assign the hitherto unknown absolute configurations of the last four stereocenters in hormaomycin 1 a. As a bonus, some new information about the biosynthesis of this molecule has also been gathered.     

Synthesis and pharmacological effects of the enantiomers of the N-phenethyl analogues of the ortho and para e- and f-oxide-bridged phenylmorphans

The N-phenethyl analogues of (1R*,4aR*,9aS*)-2-phenethyl-1,3,4,9a-tetrahydro-2H-1,4a-propanobenzofuro[2,3-c]pyridin-6-ol and 8-ol and (1R*,4aR*,9aR*)-2-phenethyl-1,3,4,9a-tetrahydro-2H-1,4a-propanobenzofuro[2.3-c]pyridin-6-ol and 8-ol, the ortho- (43) and para-hydroxy e- (20), and f-oxide-bridged 5-phenylmorphans (53 and 26) were prepared in racemic and enantiomerically pure forms from a common precursor, the quaternary salt 12. Optical resolutions were accomplished by salt formation with suitable enantiomerically pure chiral acids or by preparative HPLC on a chiral support. The N-phenethyl (-)- para-e enantiomer (1S,4aS,9aR-(-)-20) was found to be a mu-opioid agonist with morphine-like antinociceptive activity in a mouse assay. In contrast, the N-phenethyl (-)-ortho-f enantiomer (1R,4aR,9aR-(-)-53) had good affinity for the mu-opioid receptor (K(i) = 7 nM) and was found to be a mu-antagonist both in the [(35)S]GTP-gamma-S assay and in vivo. The molecular structures of these rigid enantiomers were energy minimized with density functional theory at the level B3LYP/6-31G* level, and then overlaid on a known potent mu-agonist. This superposition study suggests that the agonist activity of the oxide-bridged 5-phenylmorphans can be attributed to formation of a seven membered ring that is hypothesized to facilitate a proton transfer from the protonated nitrogen to a proton acceptor in the mu-opioid receptor.     

Characterization of a trihydrogen bond on the basis of the topology of the electron density

Recent DFT calculations have predicted unexpected molecular structures for the ion induced dipole clusters H(n)(-) (3 ≤ n-odd ≤ 13). Analysis of these calculations suggests the definition of a new bond, called the trihydogen bond (THB). This is placed in context by a review and classification of multihydrogen interactions as usually discussed in the literature. The results of analysis related to the trihydrogen bond are presented. These include a series of linear relations exhibited by the H(n)(-) clusters involving the charge carried by the central H(-) ion, the binding energy of the clusters, and the relative stabilization of the central anion H(-) with respect to the energy of a free H(-) atom.     

Energetics and role of the hydrophobic interaction during photoreaction of the BLUF domain of AppA

A recently developed method for time-resolved thermodynamic measurements was used to study the photochemical reaction(s) of the BLUF domain of AppA (AppA-BLUF), which has a dimeric form in the ground state, in terms of the energetics and heat capacity changes (DeltaC(p)) in different time domains. The enthalpy change (DeltaH) of the first intermediate that forms within 1 ns after photoexcitation was 38 (+/-8) kJ mol(-1) at 298 K. The heat capacity change (DeltaC(p)) upon formation of this intermediate was positive [1.4 (+/-0.3) kJ mol(-1) K(-1)]. This positive DeltaC(p) suggests that the hydrophobic surface area of AppA-BLUF exposed to the bulk solvent increased. After this initial transition, a dimerization reaction with another ground-state dimer (i.e., tetramer formation) takes place. Upon this reaction, the energy was stabilized to 26 (+/-6) kJ mol(-1) at 298 K. Interestingly, the dimer formation was accompanied by a larger but negative DeltaC(p) [-6.0 (+/-1) kJ mol(-1) K(-1)]. This negative DeltaC(p) might indicate buried hydrophobic residues at the interface of the dimer and/or the existence of trapped water at the interface. We suggest that hydrophobic interactions are the main driving force for the formation of the dimer upon photoactivation of AppA-BLUF.     

Increased enantioselectivity in the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde by the use of chiral ligands containing the alpha-phenylethylamino group in combination with achiral ligands

Chiral ligands (S,S)-1, (S,S)-2, (S,S)-3, (S)-4, (S)-5, (S,S)-6, (S,S)-7, and (S,S)-8 turned out to be effective promoters in the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. Interestingly, diamine (S,S)-3 and amino alcohols (S)-5 and (S,S)-7 induce the preferential formation of carbinol (R)-10 (unlike stereoinduction) whereas amido analogues (S,S)-2, (S)-4, and (S,S)-6 favor (S)-10 (like stereoinduction). Molecular modeling at the semiempirical PM3 level provided a reasonable interpretation based on conformational effects in the corresponding transition structures. Combinations of chiral ligands 1-8 with an achiral, flexible ligand (9) gave rise to an activated catalytic system that resulted in faster and higher yielding reactions. Furthermore, substantial increases in the observed enantiomeric excesses of product 10 confirmed the relevant role of achiral bis(sulfonamide) 9 as activator and "chiral environment amplifier".     

Flexing the muscles of m-divinylbenzene: direct measurement of the barriers to conformational isomerization

The energy thresholds to isomerization of the three conformational isomers of m-divinylbenzene (cis-cis, cis-trans, and trans-trans) were directly measured by stimulated emission pumping-population transfer (SEP-PT) spectroscopy. The experimentally determined isomerization thresholds are Ethresh(cc --> ct, tt) = 1080-1232 cm(-1), Ethresh(tt --> ct, cc) = 1130-1175 cm(-1), Ethresh(ct --> cc) = 997-1175 cm(-1), and Ethresh(ct --> tt) = 997-1232 cm(-1). On the basis of the threshold values for X --> Y and Y --> X isomerization, the relative energies of the conformational isomers are -102 < or = E(ct) < or = +178 cm(-1) and -102 < or = E(cc) < or = +95 cm(-1) relative to E(tt) = 0. UV-hole-filling (UVHF) spectroscopy was also used to determine the effect of population returning to the ground state via fluorescence. A full set of governing equations for SEP-PT and UVHF spectroscopy is reported that will be generally useful for future studies using these methods. By comparison of these results with the computed stationary points on a calculated surface (DFT B3LYP/6-31+G*), the isomerization pathway was determined to involve sequential isomerization of each vinyl group rather than concerted motion. The energy thresholds were also combined with the ground state torsional vibrational energy levels to obtain a new fitted two-dimensional torsional potential for mDVB.     

Contribution of the intramolecular hydrogen bond to the shift of the pKa value and the oxidation potential of phenols and phenolate anions

Intramolecularly OHO[double bond, length as m-dash]C hydrogen bonded phenols, 2-HO-C6H2-3,5-(t-Bu)2-CONH-t-Bu (1-OH), 2-HO-C6H2-5-t-Bu-1,3-(CONH-t-Bu)2 (2-OH) and 2-HO-C6H2-3,5-(t-Bu)2-NHCO-t-Bu (4-OH), were synthesized and their phenolate anions were prepared as tetraethylammonium salts (-1O-(NEt4+), 2-O-(NEt4+) and 4-O-(NEt4+)) with intramolecular NHO(oxyanion) hydrogen bonds. 4-HO-C(6)H(2)-3,5-t-Bu(2)-CONH-t-Bu (3-OH) and its phenolate anion, 3-O-(NEt4+), were synthesized as non-hydrogen bonded references. The presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds was established through the crystallographic analysis and/or (1)H NMR spectroscopic results. Intramolecular NHO(phenol) hydrogen bonds shift the pK(a) of the phenol to a more acidic value. The results of cyclic voltammetry show that the intramolecular OH...O=C hydrogen bond negatively shifts the oxidation potential of the phenol. In contrast, the intramolecular NHO(oxyanion) hydrogen bond positively shifts the oxidation potential of the phenolate anion, preventing oxidation. These contributions of the hydrogen bond to the pKa value and the oxidation potentials probably play an important role in the formation of a tyrosyl radical in photosystem II.     

Studies on the Extractive Constituents of the Nutmeg of Myristica Fragrans Houtt

From the hexane extractive of the nutmeg of Myristica fragrans Houtt, glyceryl trimyristate (1), myristicin (11), methyleugenol (12), elemicin (13), dehydrodiisoeugenol (9), 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-propan-1-ol (4), 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-(4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-propan-1-ol (6), and a new compound 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy) propan-1-ol (14) were isolated. The structure of compound (14) was determined to be an analogue of the β-0-4 ether type of dilignols.     

The mechanism of the acid-catalyzed decomposition of the farnesyl phosphates

The rates and (in some cases) products of the acid-catalyzed decomposition of (Z,E)- and (E,E)-farnesyl phosphate, (Z,E)- and (E,E) - 1,1 - dideutereofarnesyl phosphate, (Z)- and (E) - 6,7,10,11 - tetrahydrofarnesyl phosphate, and t-butyl phosphate have been studied in an attempt to determine whether (Z,E)-farnesyl phosphate ionizes with intramolecular assistance from the C-6/C-7 double bond or via an unassisted process leading to a simple allylic cation. Data in support of both possibilities are adduced, but it is concluded, primarily on the basis of the secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effects, that the ionization involves little, if any, assistance from the double bond.     

Asymmetric allylic substitution catalyzed by C1-symmetrical complexes of molybdenum: structural requirements of the ligand and the stereochemical course of the reaction

Application of new chiral ligands (R)-(-)-12 a and (S)-(+)-12 c (VALDY), derived from amino acids, to the title reaction, involving cinnamyl (linear) and isocinnamyl (branched) type substrates (4 and 5 --> 6), led to excellent regio- and enantioselectivities (>30:1, < or =98 % ee), showing that ligands with a single chiral center are capable of high asymmetric induction. The structural requirements of the ligand and the mechanism are discussed. The application of single enantiomers of deuterium-labeled substrates (both linear 38 c and branched 37 c) and analysis of the products (41-43) by (2)H{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy in a chiral liquid crystal matrix allowed the stereochemical pathways of the reaction to be distinguished. With ligand (S)-(+)-12 c, the matched enantiomer of branched substrate was found to be (S)-5, which was converted into (R)-6 with very high regio- and stereoselectivity via a process that involves net retention of stereochemistry. The mismatched enantiomer of the branched substrate was found to be (R)-5, which was also converted into (R)-6, that is, with apparent net inversion, but at a lower rate and with lower overall enantioselectivity. This latter feature, which may be termed a "memory effect", reduced the global enantioselectivity in the reaction of the racemic substrate (+/-)-5. The stereochemical pathway of the mismatched manifold has been shown also to be one of net retention, the apparent inversion occurring through equilibration via an Mo-allyl intermediate prior to nucleophilic attack. Incomplete equilibration leads to the memory effect and thus to lower enantioselectivity. Analysis of the mismatched manifold over the course of the reaction revealed that the memory effect is progressively attenuated with the nascent global selectivity increasing substantially as the reaction proceeds. The origin of this effect is suggested to be the depletion of CO sources in the reaction mixture, which attenuates turnover rate and thus facilitates greater equilibrium. The linear substrate was also converted into the branched product with net syn stereochemistry, as shown by isotopic labeling. An analogous process operates in the generation of small quantities of linear product from branched substrate.     

Quantification of the binding constant of copper(II) to the amyloid-beta peptide

The amyloid beta (A beta) peptide of Alzheimer's disease binds copper(II), and the peptide-bound metal may be a source of reactive oxygen species and neurotoxicity. To circumvent peptide aggregation and reduce redox activity, there is growing interest in using metal chelates as drug therapeutics for AD, whose design requires accurate data on the affinity of A beta peptides for copper(II). Reports on Cu2+ binding to A beta range from approximately 10(5) to approximately 10(9); these values' being obtained for different peptide lengths (1-16, 1-28, 1-40, 1-42) at varying pH. Herein, we report that Cu2+'s binding to A beta(1-40) at 37 degrees C occurs in a 1:1 stoichiometry with a pH-dependent binding constant: 1.1 (+/-0.2) x 10 (9) M (-1) and 2.4 (+/-0.2) x 10 (9) M(-1) at pH 7.2 and 7.4, respectively. Under identical conditions, A beta(1-16) reveals a comparable binding constant, confirming that this portion of the peptide is the binding region. Several previously reported values can be reconciled with the current measurement by careful consideration of thermodynamics associated with the presence of competing ligands used to solubilize copper.     

Increasing stability of the fullerenes with the number of carbon atoms: the experimental evidence

The values of the molar standard enthalpies of formation, Delta(f)H(o)(m)(C(76), cr) = (2705.6 +/- 37.7) kJ x mol(-1), Delta(f)H(o)(m)(C(78), cr) = (2766.5 +/- 36.7) kJ x mol(-1), and Delta(f)H(o)(m)(C(84), cr) = (2826.6 +/- 42.6) kJ x mol(-1), were determined from the energies of combustion, measured by microcombustion calorimetry on a high-purity sample of the D(2) isomer of fullerene C(76), as well as on a mixture of the two most abundant constitutional isomers of C(78) (C(2nu)-C(78) and D(3)-C(78)) and C(84) (D(2)-C(84), and D(2d)-C(84). These values, combined with the published data on the enthalpies of sublimation of each cluster, lead to the gas-phase enthalpies of formation, Delta(f)H(o)(m)(C(76), g) = (2911.6 +/- 37.9) kJ x mol(-1); Delta(f)H(o)(m)(C(78), g) = (2979.3 +/- 37.2) kJ x mol(-1), and Delta(f)H(o)(m)(C(84), (g)) = (3051.6 +/- 43.0) kJ x mol(-1), results that were found to compare well with those reported from density functional theory calculations. Values of enthalpies of atomization, strain energies, and the average C-C bond energy were also derived for each fullerene. A decreasing trend in the gas-phase enthalpy of formation and strain energy per carbon atom as the size of the cluster increases is found. This is the first experimental evidence that these fullerenes become more stable as they become larger. The derived experimental average C-C bond energy E(C-C) = 461.04 kJ x mol(-1) for fullerenes is close to the average bond energy E(C-C) = 462.8 kJ x mol(-1) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).     

Investigations on the question of multiple mechanisms in the cope rearrangement

The possible occurrence of the ionic Cope rearrangement, and other non-concerted mechanisms is discussed. The synthesis of 2 - (1 - ethyl - 1 - propenyl) -2- (3 - p - methoxyphenylallyl)malononitrile (1b) and its clean thermal 1,3 rearrangement to (1 - ethyl - 5 - p - methoxyphenyl - 2 - methyl - 4 - pentenylidene)malononitrile (4) are reported. This result contrasts with the rearrangement of 2 - (1,1 - dideuterioallyl) - 2 -(1 - ethyl - 1 - propenyl)malononitrile (1c) which isomerizes cleanly in a 3,3 rearrangement. Rearrangement of 2 - (1 - cyclohexenyl) - 2 - (3 - p - methoxyphenylallyl)malononitrile (11), however, leads sluggishly to [2 - (p - methoxy - α - vinylbenzyl)cyclohexylidene]malononitrile (19) (3,3 shift) and rearrangement of 2 - (1 - isopropyl - 2 - methyl - 1 - propenyl) - 2 -(3 - p - methoxyphenylallyl)malononitrile (12) leads, also slowly, to (1 - isopropyl - 5-p- methoxyphenyl - 2,2 - dimethyl - 4 - pentenylidene)malononitrile (14) (1,3 shift). Rearrangement of 1b in the presence of sodium borohydride allows interception of the proposed ionic intermediates and isolation of 2 - (1 - ethylpropylidene)malononitrile (5) and anethole (21c). Ion trapping experiments also gave positive results in the 3,3 rearrangement of 11. These results are discussed in terms of the ionic Cope rearrangement.     

Theoretical prediction of the heats of formation of C2H5O* radicals derived from ethanol and of the kinetics of beta-C-C scission in the ethoxy radical

Thermochemical parameters of three C(2)H(5)O* radicals derived from ethanol were reevaluated using coupled-cluster theory CCSD(T) calculations, with the aug-cc-pVnZ (n = D, T, Q) basis sets, that allow the CC energies to be extrapolated at the CBS limit. Theoretical results obtained for methanol and two CH(3)O* radicals were found to agree within +/-0.5 kcal/mol with the experiment values. A set of consistent values was determined for ethanol and its radicals: (a) heats of formation (298 K) DeltaHf(C(2)H(5)OH) = -56.4 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol (exptl: -56.21 +/- 0.12 kcal/mol), DeltaHf(CH(3)C*HOH) = -13.1 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, DeltaHf(C*H(2)CH(2)OH) = -6.2 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, and DeltaHf(CH(3)CH(2)O*) = -2.7 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol; (b) bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of ethanol (0 K) BDE(CH(3)CHOH-H) = 93.9 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, BDE(CH(2)CH(2)OH-H) = 100.6 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, and BDE(CH(3)CH(2)O-H) = 104.5 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol. The present results support the experimental ionization energies and electron affinities of the radicals, and appearance energy of (CH(3)CHOH+) cation. Beta-C-C bond scission in the ethoxy radical, CH(3)CH2O*, leading to the formation of C*H3 and CH(2)=O, is characterized by a C-C bond energy of 9.6 kcal/mol at 0 K, a zero-point-corrected energy barrier of E0++ = 17.2 kcal/mol, an activation energy of Ea = 18.0 kcal/mol and a high-pressure thermal rate coefficient of k(infinity)(298 K) = 3.9 s(-1), including a tunneling correction. The latter value is in excellent agreement with the value of 5.2 s(-1) from the most recent experimental kinetic data. Using RRKM theory, we obtain a general rate expression of k(T,p) = 1.26 x 10(9)p(0.793) exp(-15.5/RT) s(-1) in the temperature range (T) from 198 to 1998 K and pressure range (p) from 0.1 to 8360.1 Torr with N2 as the collision partners, where k(298 K, 760 Torr) = 2.7 s(-1), without tunneling and k = 3.2 s(-1) with the tunneling correction. Evidence is provided that heavy atom tunneling can play a role in the rate constant for beta-C-C bond scission in alkoxy radicals.     

Influence of chirality of the preceding acyl moiety on the cis/trans ratio of the proline peptide bond

We report that the cis/trans ratio of the proline peptide bond can be strongly influenced by the chirality of the acyl residue preceding proline. Acyl moieties derived from (2S)-2,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-carboxylic acid (8) and (2R)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-2-nitrophenoxy)-3-oxopropanoic acid (5) in acyl-Pro molecules influence isomerization of the proline peptide bond constraining the omega dihedral angle to the trans orientation. Structures of benzyl (2S)-1-([(2S)-2,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-yl]carbonyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate (3) derived from 2D (1)H NMR conformational analysis and crystallographic data exhibit only the trans conformation of proline peptide bond. On the other hand the diastereomer 4, which contains an (R) acyl moiety, exhibits two sets of signals in (1)H NMR spectra. The signals were assigned to trans (72%) and cis (28%) conformers. Crystallographic analysis of 4 showed that only the cis conformation is present in the crystalline state. The (1)H NMR chemical shift pattern of three sets of signals observed in 2 was observed also in benzyl (2S)-1-[(2R/S)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-2-nitrophenoxy)-3-oxopropanoyl]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate. (R)-Carboxylic acid 5, after coupling with (S)-ProOBn, yielded benzyl (2S)-1-[(2R)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-2-nitrophenoxy)-3-oxopropanoyl]-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate (6), which in DMSO-d(6) exhibited only the trans conformation of the proline peptide bond. These results suggest that in these particular cases acyl-Pro peptide bond isomerization is strongly influenced by the stereochemistry of the acyl residue preceding proline. (2S)-2,6-Dimethyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-carboxylic acid (8) and (2R)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-2-nitrophenoxy)-3-oxopropanoic acid (5) are promising chiral peptidomimetic building blocks that can be used as acyl moieties to force the proline peptide bond into the trans conformation in a variety of acyl-Pro molecules.     

Influence of alkyl substitution on the gas-phase stability of 1-adamantyl cation and on the solvent effects in the solvolysis of 1-bromoadamantane

1-Adamantyl cations having three methyl groups or one, two, or three isopropyl groups on the 3-, 5-, and 7-positions were found by FT ICR to be more stable than the 1-adamantyl cation and that the stability increases with the number of isopropyl group. The relative stabilities calculated by PM3 were in good agreement with the experimental results. In contrast, the sequence of the rates for the solvolysis in nonaqueous solvents are 3,5,7-(Me)(3)-1-AdBr < 1-bromoadamantane (1-AdBr) < 3,5,7-(n-Pr)(3)-1-AdBr < 3,5,7-(i-Pr)(3)-1-AdBr. The rates of solvolysis of 3,5,7-(i-Pr)(3)-1-AdBr and 3,5,7-(n-Pr)(3)-1-AdBr relative to 1-AdBr at 25 degrees C are 15 and 3.8 in EtOH, respectively, but markedly decreases with the increase in the amount of added water, reaching 0.84 and 0.15, respectively, in 60% EtOH. Reflecting these effects of water, the Grunwald-Winstein (GW) relationship for 3,5,7-(i-Pr)(3)-1-AdBr and 3,5,7-(n-Pr)(3)-1-AdBr against Y(Br) is linear for nonaqueous alcohols (EtOH, MeOH, TFE-EtOH, TFE, 97% HFIP), but marked downward deviations are observed for aqueous organic solvents, in particular, aqueous ethanol and aqueous acetone. The effect of the alkyl substituents to diminish relative solvolytic reactivity in EtOH-H(2)O mixtures may be ascribed to a blend of steric hindrance to Betarphinsted base-type hydration to the beta-hydrogens and hydrophobic interaction of the alkyl groups with ethanol to make the primary solvation shell less ionizing. The introduction of one nonyl group to the 3-position showed much smaller deviations in the GW relationship than the case of 3,5,7-(n-Pr)(3)-1-AdBr. The markedly decelerated solvolysis of alkylated 1-bromoadamantanes in aqueous organic solvents is a kinetic version of anomalously diminished dissociation of alkylbenzoic acids in aqueous ethanol and aqueous tert-butyl alcohol that was demonstrated by Wepster and co-workers a decade ago and ascribed to hydrophobic effects.     

A total synthesis of milbemycin G: approaches to the C1-C10-fragment and completion of the synthesis

A synthesis of the hydroxybutenolide (-)-6 required for synthesis of alpha-milbemycins and the completion of a total synthesis of milbemycin G 7 is reported. Following preliminary studies, an optimised synthesis of the hydroxybutenolide (-)-6 from the hydroxyketone 38 was developed which involved the resolution of 38 by separation of the 3-(O-chloroacetyl)-(S)-mandelates 80 and 83. Ester 80, which corresponded to the required enantiomer of the hydroxyketone 38, crystallized from the mixture of the diastereoisomeric esters 80 and 83 giving the (-)-hydroxyketone (-)-38 in an overall yield of 47%(based on racemic 38) after ethanolysis. Hydroxyketone (-)-38 was oxidised to the enolic diketone (-)-39 and phenylselenation and stereoselective reduction gave the trihydroxycyclohexyl selenide (-)-43. The regioselective introduction of the non-conjugated double-bond into the six-membered ring was then achieved by esterification of the 4-hydroxyl group using trichloroacetic acid to give the trichloroacetate (-)-69. Oxidative elimination from the trichloroacetate using tert-butyl hydroperoxide was highly regioselective and gave the endo- and exocyclic alkenes (-)-44 and (-)-46 in a ratio of 95 : 5 after ethanolysis of the trichloroacetates. Selective O-methylation of the 4-hydroxyl group via the cyclic stannylene 55 and protection of the 3-hydroxyl group as its 2-trimethylsilylethoxymethyl (SEM) ether gave the ester (-)-57. Following saponification of the ethyl ester, re-esterification using 2-trimethylsilylethanol and oxidation of the 2-trimethylsilylfuryl fragment using singlet oxygen gave the required hydroxybutenolide (-)-6.The Wittig reaction between the phosphonium salt 2 and the hydroxybutenolide (-)-6 gave a ca. 2 : 1 mixture of the (4Z)- and (4E)-isomers of the ester 84 which on treatment with a catalytic amount of iodine was converted into the (4E)-isomer (4E)-84. Deprotection gave the seco-acid 85 but attempts to macrocyclise this were unsuccessful, the elimination product 86 being the only product isolated. The Wittig product 84 was taken through to the butenolide (2'E)-91 by removal of the SEM group, cyclisation to form the butenolide ring and diene isomerization, but this could not be converted into the corresponding seco-acid 92. However, removal of the SEM group from the seco-acid 85 gave the trihydroxy-acid 93 which was cyclized under modified Yamaguchi conditions to give the macrolide 94 together with a small amount of the macrocyclic butenolide 95. Reduction of this mixture using diisobutylaluminium hydride gave (6R)-6-hydroxymilbemycin E 96 which was converted to milbemycin G 7 by cyclisation of the primary chloride 97. The synthetic milbemycin G 7 was identical to a sample prepared by methylation of a commercial sample of milbemycin D 98, 7-O-methylmilbemycin G 99 being a side-product of this methylation.     

Effect of K(+) on the Stoichiometry of Carbonated Hydroxyapatite Obtained by the Hydrolysis of Monetite

This study investigates the stoichiometry and the thermal stability of K(+)- and CO(3)(2)(-)-containing apatites (KCAp's) obtained by the hydrolysis of monetite. The analysis results of the samples after drying reveal that the KCAp's start to lose carbonate at temperatures V(Ca) + CO(3)(2)(-) + V(OH)] and [Ca(2+) + PO(4)(3)(-) <--> K(+) + CO(3)(2)(-)], where V(X) stands for a vacancy in the X-sublattice. Moreover, a small part of the CO(3)(2)(-) ions are presumably incorporated according to [Ca(2+) + 2PO(4)(3)(-) <--> V(Ca) + 2CO(3)(2)(-)]. A comparison of the contributions of these fundamental mechanisms with the results for precipitated Na(+)- and CO(3)(2)(-)-containing apatites shows that no intrinsic coupling whatsoever exists between these mechanisms.