An oxazol‐5(4H)‐one from benzyloxy­carbonyl‐(Aib)4‐OH

Benzyl N‐[8‐(4,4‐dimethyl‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydrooxazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5,5,8‐tetra­methyl‐3,6‐dioxo‐4,7‐diazanon‐2‐yl]­carbamate, C₂₄H₃₄N₄O₆, an oxazol‐5(4H)‐one from N‐α‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐(Aib)₄‐OH (Aib = α‐amino­isobutyryl) represents the longest peptide oxazolone so far characterized by X‐ray diffraction. The overall geometry of the oxazolone ring compares well with literature data. The Aib(1) and Aib(2) residues are folded into a type III β‐bend, while the conformation adopted by Aib(3), preceding the oxazolone moiety, is semi‐extended. The disposition of the oxazolone ring relative to the preceding residue is stabilized by C—­H?N and C—H?O intramolecular interactions.     

Conformational Analysis of Biphenyl Derivatives. I. A Novel Steric Constant from the Internal Rotation Rate of 2,2′‐Bis‐(N‐Substituted Carbamoylmethyl)Biphenyl by Means of Dynamic NMR

A novel scale of steric substituent constant E_s^D is defined from the correlation of the logarithms of the internal rotation rate (k_r) at 393 K with Hancock (E_s^c) steric constant by means of dynamic NMR. In the inhibition of Pseudomona species lipase by 2,2′‐bis‐(N‐substituted carbamoylmethyl)biphenyls (1‐8), the logarithms of bimolecular rate constants are multiply correlated with both the Taft substituent constant σ* and E_s^D.     

Uncovering stereochemical relations in a compound with a stereogenic N—O axis: methyl 2‐(4‐methyl‐2‐thio­xo‐2,3‐di­hydro­thia­zol‐3‐yl­oxy)­propanoate

The geometry of racemic methyl 2‐(4‐methyl‐2‐thio­xo‐2,3‐di­hydro­thia­zol‐3‐yl­oxy)­propanoate, C₈H₁₁NO₃S₂, (I), is characterized by a distorted heterocyclic five‐membered ring and an enantiomorphic N‐alkoxy substituent, which is inclined at an angle of −68.8° to the thia­zole­thione plane in (M)‐(I). The unit cell consists of a 1:1 ratio of R,P‐ and S,M‐configured mol­ecules of (I). The combination of a P configuration at the N—O axis and an R configuration at the asymmetric propanoate C_β atom on one side, and an S,M configuration on the other side, is considered to originate from steric interactions. The largest substituent at the asymmetric propanoate C_β atom, i.e. the methoxycarbonyl group, resides above the methyl substituent; the medium‐sized propanoate γ‐methyl substituent points in the opposite direction with respect to the N—O bond, whereas the H atom is located above the C=S double bond of the thiazolethione subunit.     

New 1,2,3‐triazolo[4,5‐d]1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]pyridazine derivatives II

New tricyclic 1,2,3‐triazolo‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐pyridazine derivatives, bearing a methyl substituent on the 1,2,3‐triazole ring, were prepared as potential biological agents. N‐Methylation of dimethyl 1,2,3‐triazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylate allowed synthesis of the isomeric 1‐methyl‐4,7‐dihydroxy and 2‐methyl‐4,7‐dihydroxy triazolo‐pyridazines 4a and 4b which, by a chlorination reaction, gave the corresponding 1‐methyl‐4‐chloro‐( 6a ), 1‐methyl‐7‐chloro‐ ( 6b ) and 2‐methyl‐4‐chloro‐ ( 9 ) substituted 1,2,3‐triazolo‐pyridazines. The nucle‐ophilic substitution with hydrazine hydrate and the suitable cyclization to form the 1,2,4‐triazole ring, provided the expected tricyclic isomeric derivatives 8a, 8b and 11 respectively. The p‐methoxybenzyl substituent, introduced as a leaving group to obtain either v‐triazolo‐pyridazine or v‐triazolo‐s‐triazolo‐pyri‐dazine derivatives unsubstituted on the 1,2,3‐triazole ring, appeared inadequate. Some compounds underwent binding assays toward the adenosine A₁and A_2A receptors.     

Substituent effects on the gas‐phase fragmentation reactions of protonated peptides containing benzylamine‐derivatized lysyl residues

Motivated by the need for chemical strategies designed to tune peptide fragmentation to selective cleavage reactions, benzyl ring substituent influence on the relative formation of carbocation elimination (CCE) products from peptides with benzylamine‐derivatized lysyl residues has been examined using collision‐induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry. Unsubstituted benzylamine‐derivatized peptides yield a mixture of products derived from amide backbone cleavage and CCE. The latter involves side‐chain cleavage of the derivatized lysyl residue to form a benzylic carbocation [C₇H₇]⁺ and an intact peptide product ion [(MH_n)ⁿ⁺ – (C₇H₇)⁺]^(n‐1)+. The CCE pathway is contingent upon protonation of the secondary ε‐amino group (N_ε) of the derivatized lysyl residue. Using the Hammett methodology to evaluate the electronic contributions of benzyl ring substituents on chemical reactivity, a direct correlation was observed between changes in the CCE product ion intensity ratios (relative to backbone fragmentation) and the Hammett substituent constants, σ, of the corresponding substituents. There was no correlation between the substituent‐influenced gas‐phase proton affinity of N_ε and the relative ratios of CCE product ions. However, a strong correlation was observed between the π orbital interaction energies (ΔE_int) of the eliminated benzylic carbocation and the logarithm of the relative ratios, indicating the predominant factor in the CCE pathway is the substituent effect on the level of hyperconjugation and resonance stability of the eliminated benzylic carbocation. This work effectively demonstrates the applicability of σ (and ΔE_int) as substituent selection parameters for the design of benzyl‐based peptide‐reactive reagents which tune CCE product formation as desired for specific applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure analysis of some α‐(n‐methyl‐n‐formylaminomethyl)‐quinolines

The ¹H and ¹³C nmr spectra of the rotational isomers 3a and 3b of 6‐N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomefhyl)‐thioquinanthrene were completely assigned with a combination of 1D and 2D nmr techniques. The key‐parts of this methodology were long‐range proton‐carbon correlations and NOE experiments with N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl substituent. The X‐ray study of 4‐methyl‐2‐N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl)quinoline 4a as well as ¹H and ¹³C nmr spectra show that N‐methyl‐N‐formylaminomethyl substituent in 4a and 4b has a different steric arrangement than the same substituent in 3a and 3b .     

2‐Methyl‐1,4,5‐triphenyl‐1H‐imidazole

In 2‐methyl‐1,4,5‐tri­phenyl‐1H‐imidazole, C₂₂H₁₈N₂, the three substituent phenyl groups are not delocalized with the imidazole moiety; the dihedral angles these phenyl groups form with the imidazole ring are in the range 25.90 (5)–63.49 (6)°.     

(9E)‐9‐Benzylidene‐3‐methyl‐2‐methylsulfanyl‐5‐phenyl‐5,6,7,8,9,10‐hexahydropyrimido[4,5‐b]quinolin‐4(3H)‐one: polarized molecules within hydrogen‐bonded bilayers

The molecules of the title compound, C₂₆H₂₅N₃OS, which was prepared by means of an acid‐catalysed cyclocondensation reaction between a 6‐aminopyrimidinone and 2,6‐dibenzylidenecyclohexanone, exhibit a polarized electronic structure, namely (9E)‐9‐benzylidene‐3‐methyl‐2‐methylsulfanyl‐5‐phenyl‐3,5,6,7,8,9‐hexahydropyrimido[4,5‐b]quinolin‐10‐ium‐4‐olate, involving charge separation in the vinylogous amide portion. Four hydrogen bonds, two each of the C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) types, link the molecules into bilayers comprising inversion‐related pairs of sheets, each containing a single type of R₄³(36) ring.     

Effects of introduction of α‐carboxylate,N‐methyl,and N‐formyl groups on intramolecular cyclization of o‐quinone amines: Density functional theory‐based study

o‐Quinone amines, which are relevant to various biological processes, can undergo spontaneous intramolecular cyclization (ring closure reaction by amino‐terminated hydrocarbon side chain) that deactivates them toward another possible reactions, that is, thiol binding. Density functional theory‐based calculation is employed for obtaining the potential energy curves along the C? N bond formation in the intramolecular cyclization of various o‐quinone amines, viz., dopaminequinone, dopaquinone, N‐methyl‐dopaminequinone, N‐formyl‐dopaminequinone, and the corresponding methylene‐inserted analogues. The activation barrier is decreased by introduction of α‐carboxylate and N‐methyl group whereas increased by introduction of N‐formyl group. A negative correlation between the activation barriers and the level of highest occupied molecular orbital is pointed out. Furthermore, the methylene‐inserted analogues show decreased activation barriers. This is explained by reduction of steric repulsion in the transition state.     

(Z)‐7‐Chloro‐3‐[(3‐chloro­phenyl)­methyl­idene]‐4‐p‐tosyl‐3,4‐di­hydro‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazine

In the title compound, C₂₂H₁₇Cl₂NO₃S, the mol­ecule is a substituted 3,4‐di­hydro‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazine compound which has three phenyl rings which are essentially planar. The 3,4‐di­hydro‐2H‐oxazine part of the mol­ecule is fused to the benzo ring and has a half‐boat conformation; the dihedral angle between the planar part of the oxazine ring and the benzo ring is 10.2 (2)°. The (3‐chloro­phenyl)­methyl­idene substituent has a Z configuration in relation to the ring N atom of the oxazine moiety. Interestingly, the p‐toluenesulfonyl (p‐tosyl) substituent on the ring N atom protrudes away from the 3‐­chloro­phenyl substituent thus avoiding any steric interaction.     

N‐Benzyl‐2′‐iodo­cinnamanilide and N‐benzyl‐2′‐iodo‐4′‐methyl‐2‐phenyl­cinnamanilide

The aromatic ring of the cinnamic moiety in N‐benzyl‐2′‐iodo­cinnamanilide, C₂₂H₁₈INO, (I), and N‐benzyl‐2′‐iodo‐4′‐methyl‐2‐phenyl­cinnamanilide, C₂₉H₂₄INO, (II), makes a dihedral angle with the iodo­phenyl ring of 72.1 (2) and 81.0 (2)° in (I) and (II), respectively. In (I), mol­ecules exist as discrete components, while in (II), they form infinite chains along the b axis, through I?O non‐bonded interactions.     

Kinetics and mechanism for the formation of o‐carboxy(N‐methyl)‐benzohydroxamic acid in the cleavage of ethyl N‐[o‐(N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxycarbamoyl)‐benzoyl]carbamate in N‐methylhydroxylamine,acetate, and phosphate buffers

The rate of cleavage of ethyl N‐[o‐(N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxycarbamoyl)benzoyl]‐ carbamate (ENMBC) in the buffer solutions containing N‐methylhydroxylamine, acetate + N‐methylhydroxylamine, and phosphate + N‐methylhydroxylamine followed an irreversible consecutive reaction path: ENMBC where A and B represent N‐hydroxyl group cyclized product of ENMBC and o‐(N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxycarbamoyl)benzoic acid, respectively. Both rate constants k_{1 obs} and k_{2 obs} showed the presence of buffer catalysis, but buffer catalysis turned out to be weak in the presence N‐methylhydroxylamine buffer, while it was strong in the presence of acetate and phosphate ones. Buffer‐independent rate constants k₁₀ and k₂₀ increased linearly with the increase in a_OH with definite intercepts. The values of molar absorption coefficient of A , obtained under varying total buffer concentrations at a constant pH, showed the presence of a fast equilibrium: A + CH₃NHOH ? C , where C represents N‐[o‐(N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxycarbamoyl)methyl]benzohydroxamic acid. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 427–437, 2003     

Change of the favored routes of EI MS fragmentation when proceeding from N1, N1‐dimethyl‐N2‐arylformamidines to 1,1,3,3‐tetraalkyl‐2‐arylguanidines: substituent effects

Although series of N¹, N¹‐dimethyl‐N²‐arylformamidines and of 1,1,3,3‐tetraalkyl‐2‐arylguanidines are structurally analogous and similar electron‐ionization mass spectral fragmentation may be expected, they display important differences in the favored routes of fragmentation and consequently in substituent effects on ion abundances. In the case of formamidines, the cyclization‐elimination process (initiated by nucleophilic attack of the N‐amino atom on the 2‐position of the phenyl ring) and formation of the cyclic benzimidazolium [M‐H]⁺ ions dominates, whereas the loss of the NR₂ group is more favored for guanidines. In order to gain information on the most probable structures of the principal fragments, quantum‐chemical calculations were performed on a selected set. A good linear relation between log{I[M‐H]⁺I [M]^+?} and σ_R⁺ constants of substituent at para position in the phenyl ring occurs solely for formamidines (r = 0.989). In the case of guanidines, this relation is not significant (r = 0.659). A good linear relation is found between log{I[M‐NMe₂]⁺/I [M]^+?} and σ_p⁺ constants (r = 0.993). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New trans/cis tetrahydroisoquinolines. 1. trans‐2‐benzyl‐3‐(l‐methyl‐1h‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)‐4‐substituted‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolin‐1‐ones and corresponding tetrahydroisoquinolines

The reaction of homophthalic anhydride and N‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl‐methylidene)‐benzylamine in boiling benzene afforded as a main product the expected substituted trans‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline‐4‐carboxylic acid 5 . The carboxylic group of 5 was transformed in four steps into cyclic amino‐methyl groups yielding numerous new tetrahydroisoquinolinones 11a‐j incorporating a given fragment of pharmacological interest. Reduction of 11a‐j was studied.     

Synthesis of Bicyclic N‐Methylpyrazoline and Pyrazole Derivatives from α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones and N,N‐Dimethylhydrazine: An Illustration of Reductive Cyclization

The reaction of N,N‐dimethylhydrazine with α,β‐unsaturated keto precursors such as 2‐benzylidenecyclohexanone, 2,6‐bis(benzylidene)cyclohexanone, and 3,5‐bis(benzylidene)‐1‐methyl‐4‐piperidone hydrochloride provided bicyclic N‐methylpyrazoles instead of hydrazones or any Michael addition products. The crystal structure of a representative pyrazole is reported. The proposed mechanism for the formation of the bicyclic N‐methylpyrazole 1 is outlined.     

5‐Acetyl‐2‐amino‐6‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐4H‐pyran‐3‐carbonitrile and 2‐amino‐5‐benzoyl‐6‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐4H‐pyran‐3‐carbonitrile acetonitrile solvate

The syntheses, X‐ray structural investigations and calculations of the conformational preferences of the carbonyl substituent with respect to the pyran ring have been carried out for the two title compounds, viz. C₁₅H₁₄N₂O₂, (II), and C₂₀H₁₆N₂O₂·C₂H₃N, (III), respectively. In both mol­ecules, the heterocyclic ring adopts a flattened boat conformation. In (II), the carbonyl group and a double bond of the heterocyclic ring are syn, but in (III) they are anti. The carbonyl group forms a short contact with a methyl group H atom in (II). The dihedral angles between the pseudo‐axial phenyl substituent and the flat part of the pyran ring are 92.7 (1) and 93.2 (1)° in (II) and (III), respectively. In the crystal structure of (II), inter­molecular N—H⋯N and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a sheet along the (103) plane, while in (III), they link the mol­ecules into ribbons along the a axis.     

Carbon‐13 NMR and PM3 Study on the Substituent Effect of 1‐Aryl‐3,3‐Difluoro‐2‐Halocyclopropenes

The substituent‐induced chemical shifts (SCS) of C2 and C3 on the ¹³C NMR spectra of 1‐aryl‐3,3‐difluoro‐2‐halocyclopropenes were studied. The correlation between SCS and Hammett constants shows that the tendency of effect by the substituents on the phenyl ring is BrC2(ρ = 4.66) > ClC2(ρ = 4.50) and ClC3(ρ = ?1.63) > BrC3(ρ = ?1.41). The DSP treatment further confirms the SCS of C2 and C3 are the main contribution of the resonance effect and field effect, respectively. Those results of the incremental shifts reveals that the gem‐difluorocyclopropenyl bearing the phenyl group possesses a triple bond character, which is also observed in IR spectra with high n?_C=C (1768–1945 cm^?1).     

Hydroxylation and Ring‐Opening Mechanism of an Unusual Flavoprotein Monooxygenase, 2‐Methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic Acid Oxygenase: A Theoretical Study

Hybrid meta‐GGA density functional theory (the MPWB1K functional) was used to study the hydroxylation and ring‐opening mechanism of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic acid oxygenase (MHPCO). This enzyme catalyses the conversion of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxypyridine‐5‐carboxylic acid (MHPC) to α‐(N‐acetylaminomethylene)succinic acid (AAMS), which is the essential ring‐opening step in the bacterial degradation of vitamin B₆. MHPCO belongs to the flavin‐containing aromatic hydroxylases family. However, MHPCO is capable of catalysing a subsequent aromatic ring‐cleavage reaction to give acyclic products rather than hydroxylated aromatic ones. Our calculations show that the re‐aromatisation of the hydroxylated intermediate occurs spontaneously in aqueous solution; this implies that the ring‐opening process occurs inside the enzyme’s active site, in which limited water is available. The instability of the hydroxylated intermediate of MHPCO is the main reason why acyclic products are formed. Previously proposed mechanisms for the ring‐opening step were studied, and were shown to be less likely to occur (ΔΔG^≠298>35 kcal mol^?1). Two new pathways with reasonable barrier heights (ΔΔG^≠298<15 kcal mol^?1) are reported herein, which are in accordance with all experimental information present to date.     

Reactions of Methyl Diazoacetate with (E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile: Novel and Unanticipated Pathways

The cycloadditions of methyl diazoacetate to 2,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)fumaronitrile ((E)‐ BTE ) and 2,3‐bis(trifluoromethyl)maleonitrile ((Z)‐ BTE ) furnish the 4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazoles 13 . The retention of dipolarophile configuration proceeds for (E)‐ BTE with > 99.93% and for (Z)‐ BTE with > 99.8% (CDCl₃, 25°), suggesting concertedness. Base catalysis (1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), proton sponge) converts the cycloadducts, trans‐ 13 and cis‐ 13 , to a 94 : 6 equilibrium mixture (CDCl₃, r.t.); the first step is N‐deprotonation, since reaction with methyl fluorosulfonate affords the 4,5‐dihydro‐1‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazoles. Competing with the cis/trans isomerization of 13 is the formation of a bis(dehydrofluoro) dimer (two diastereoisomers), the structure of which was elucidated by IR, ¹⁹F‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. The reaction slows when DABCO is bound by HF, but F^? as base keeps the conversion to 22 going and binds HF. The diazo group in 22 suggests a common intermediate for cis/trans isomerization of 13 and conversion to 22 : reversible ring opening of N‐deprotonated 13 provides 18 , a derivative of methyl diazoacetate with a carbanionic substituent. Mechanistic comparison with the reaction of diazomethane and dimethyl 2,3‐dicyanofumarate, a related tetra‐acceptor‐ethylene, brings to light unanticipated divergencies.     

Synthesis of 4‐alkyl‐1,2‐diphenyl‐3,5‐dioxopyrazolidines possessing aryl methylsulfonyl and sulfonamide pharmacophores for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors

A group of 1,2‐diphenyl‐3,5‐dioxopyrazolidines possessing a methylsulfonyl ( 11 ) or sulfonamide ( 15 ) substituent at the para position of the N¹‐phenyl ring, in conjunction with a hydrogen, methyl or fluoro sub‐stituent at the para position of the N²‐phenyl ring, and a C‐4 n‐butyl, methyl or spiro‐cyclopropyl substituent were synthesized for evaluation as potential cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) selective inhibitor antiinflammatory agents. The title compounds 11 and 15 were synthesized using a four‐step and a three‐step reaction sequence, respectively. Thus, the acetic acid promoted condensation of a nitrosobenzene 5 with an aniline derivative ( 6, 12 ) gave the corresponding azobenzene product ( 8, 13 ) which was reduced with zinc dust in the presence of ammonium chloride to yield the corresponding hydrazobenzene ( 9, 14 ). Base‐catalyzed condensation of 9 and 14 with a malonyl dichloride ( 10 ) afforded the target 3,5‐dioxopyrazolidine product ( 11,15 ). 4‐n‐Butyl‐1‐(4‐methylsulfonylphenyl)‐2‐phenyl‐3,5‐dioxopyrazolidine ( 11a ) was a selective COX‐1 inhibitor (COX‐1 IC₅₀ = 8.48 μM). In contrast, 4‐n‐butyl‐1‐(4‐methylsulfonylphenyl)‐2‐(4‐tolyl)‐3,5‐dioxopyrazolidine ( 11b , COX‐2 IC₅₀ = 11.45 μM) and 4‐n‐butyl‐1‐(4‐methylsulfonylphenyl)‐2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐3,5‐dioxopyrazoli‐dine ( 11c , COX‐2 IC₅₀ = 9.86 μM) were about 46‐fold and 20‐fold less selective COX‐2 inhibitors respectively, relative to the reference drug celecoxib.