HYDROGEN BONDING IN THE CRYSTAL OF 1,1′-((1E,1′E)-(PYRIDINE-3,4-DIYLBIS (AZANYLYLIDENE))BIS(METHANYLYLIDENE))- BIS(NAPHTHALEN-2-OL) ACETONITRILE SOLVATE: COMBINED EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL STUDY

Journal of Structural Chemistry - The title compound, 1,1′-((1E,1′E)-(pyridine-3,4-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis (naphthalen-2-ol) (1), was synthesized and...     

四核铜化合物(Cu4L4)(CH3CN)(H2L=(R)-1-(1-羟基正丁烷-2-氨甲基)萘-2-醇)的合成、晶体结构及磁性质

采用具有手性的席夫碱配体，(R)-1-(1-羟基正丁烷-2-氨甲基)萘-2-醇(H₂L)，和醋酸铜反应得到四核铜的化合物(Cu₄L₄)(CH₃CN)。用X-射线衍射对化合物的晶体结构进行了测定，结果表明此化合物含有4个铜和4个配体，铜通过配位作用和4个氧原子形成类立方烷中心。磁性测定表明此化合物中金属离子之间有弱的反铁磁相互耦合作用。     

New synthesized ligands for detection of heavy metal ions

Some new chemo-sensors (4,4'-((1E,1′E)-(2,2′-dichloro-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diyl)bis(diazene-2,1-diyl))bis(3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid), 4-((E)-(4-(N-(4-((E)-(4-carboxy-2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)diazenyl)phenyl)sulfamoyl)phenyl)diazenyl)-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-((E)-(4-((4-((E)-(4-carboxy-2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)diazenyl)-2-sulfophenyl)amino)phenyl)diazenyl)-3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) were synthesized. These synthesized sensors were then characterized by FTIR, TLC, UV–Visible spectrophotometry, and NMR techniques. The sensors showed the best results for detection of all type of heavy metal ions simply by changing the colour of metal ion solution and by shifting in the λ_max values of sensors due to interactions.     

Voltammetric and Docking Investigation of the Binding Interaction between (E)-1-[(2-Phenoxyphenylimino)methyl]naphthalen-2-ol and Calf Thymus DNA

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - In vitro interaction between (E)-1-[(2-phenoxyphenylimino)methyl]naphthalen-2-ol (2-PPMN) and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) at physiological pH was investigated by...     

A new Schiff base system bearing two naphthalene groups as fluorescent chemodosimeter for Zn2+ ion and its logic gate behavior

1-((E)-(2-((2-nitrobenzyl)(2-((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methyleneamino)ethyl)amino)ethylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (H(2)L), The new compound featuring two naphthalene units was synthesized and characterized. We find that H(2)L has high selectivity and sensitivity to detect Zn(2+) ion over other metal ions such as Na(+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Fe(3+), and the sensitivity is about 10(-7)M. The fluorescent changes of H(2)L upon the addition of cations Zn(2+) and triethylamine is utilized as an AND logic gate at the molecular level, using Zn(2+) and triethylamine as chemical inputs and the fluorescence intensity signal as output.     

New benzimidazole derivatives: Design,synthesis, docking,and biological evaluation

The aim of this study was to synthesize novel enaminonitrile derivatives starting from 2-aminobenzimidazole and utilize this derivative for the preparation of novel heterocyclic compounds and assess their function for biological activity screening. The key precursor N-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)carbonohydrazonoyl dicyanide (2) was prepared in pyridine by coupling of diazotized 2-aminobenzimidazole (1) with malononitrile. Compound 2 was subjected to react with various secondary amines such as piperidine, morpholine, piperazine, diphenylamine, N-methylglucamine, and diethanolamine in boiling ethanol to give the acrylonitriles (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(piperidin-1-yl)acrylonitrile (3), (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-morpholinoacrylonitrile (4), (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(piperazin-1-yl)acrylonitrile (5), (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(diphenylamino)acrylonitrile (6), (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(methyl((2S,3R,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)amino)acrylonitrile (7), and (2Z)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-3-amino-3-(bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)acrylonitrile (8), respectively. It has been found that the behaviour of nitrile derivative 2 towards hydrazine hydrate to the creation of 4-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-diamine (9). The reaction of malononitrile with compound 2 in an ethanolic solution catalyzed with sodium ethoxide afforded 4-amino-1-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-6-imino-1,6-dihydropyridazine-3,5-dicarbonitrile (11). Moreover, malononitrile reacted with 7 in a boiling ethanolic sodium ethoxide solution to give 2-(5-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-4-amino-6-(methyl((2S,3R,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)amino)pyrimidin-2-yl)acetonitrile (14). Heating 7 in boiling acetic anhydride and pyridine afforded (2R,3R,4R,5S)-6-(((1E)-2-((1-acetyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-1-(N-acetylacetamido)-2-cyanovinyl)(methyl)amino)hexane-1,2,3,4,5-pentayl pentaacetate (15). When compound 15 is heated for a long time in refluxing DMF including a catalytic of TEA, cyclization occurs to give the corresponding (2R,3R,4R,5S)-6-((1-acetyl-3-((1-acetyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-4-amino-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridin-2-yl)(methyl)amino)hexane-1,2,3,4,5-pentayl pentaacetate (16). In addition, triethyl orthoformate was reacted with compound 7 in the presence of acetic anhydride to afford the corresponding ethoxymethyleneamino derivative (2R,3R,4R,5S)-6-(((1E)-2-((1-acetyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-2-cyano-1-(((E) ethoxymethylene)amino)vinyl)(methyl)amino)hexane-1,2,3,4,5-pentayl pentaacetate (17). Also, it has been found that heating a mixture of 7 with DMF/DMA in anhydrous xylene yielded compound (1E)-N'-((1E)-2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)diazenyl)-2-cyano-1-(methyl((2S,3R,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexyl)amino)vinyl)-N,N-dimethylformimidamide (18). In addition, compound 7, when reacted with several acid anhydrides, allowed the matching phthalimide derivatives 19–26. The results showed that compound 14 has significantly higher ABTS and antitumor activities than the other compounds. Molecular modelling was also studied for compounds 22 and 24. The viability of four many cell lines—the African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (VERO), human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), human lung fibroblast cell line (WI-38), and human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was examined to determine the antitumor activities of the newly synthesized compounds. Also, it was found that compounds 9, 11, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are strong against HepG2 cell lines, while 16, 22, and 25 are strong against WI-38 cell lines. Moreover, it was also found that compounds 16 and 22 are strong against VERO cell lines. On the other hand, compounds 7, 14, 15, 16, and 22 are strong while the rest of the other compounds are moderate against the MCF-7 cell line. The result of docking showed that compound 24 got stabilized inside the pocket with a very promising binding score of ? 8.12 through hydrogen bonds with Arg184 and Lys179, respectively.     

Linker-oriented design of binaphthol derivatives for optical resolution using lipase-catalyzed reaction

Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) is one the most frequently used enzymes in organic synthesis for the preparation of optically active alcohols. However, it has not been used for the optical resolution of (+/-)-2,2'-binaphthol. We established an efficient linker-oriented design of 2,2'-binaphthol derivatives that is appropriate for optical resolution using CAL-B-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction. Methyl 4-(1-(6-bromo-2-methoxymethoxynaphthalen-1-yl)-6-bromonaphthalen-2-yloxy)butanoate was hydrolyzed by CAL-B to afford a corresponding acid with excellent enantioselectivity ( E > 200). Two types of optically active binaphthol derivatives, 1-(2-hydroxy-6-(naphthalen-1-yl)naphthalen-1-yl)-6-(naphthalen-1-yl)naphthalen-2-ol and 6-butyl-1-(6-butyl-2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)naphthalen-2-ol, were prepared by this chemo-enzymatic reaction protocol and were used as chiral templates for symmetric reactions.     

Synthesis,characterization, crystal structure and catalytic activity of amido azo palladium(II) complex

Transition Metal Chemistry - The newly designed tridentate ligand, 2-((2-aminophenyl)diazenyl)-N-benzylaniline, 1 has been synthesized by the reaction between 2,2′-diaminoazobenzene and...     

Palladium(0)-catalyzed enantioselective O,S-rearrangement of racemic O-allylic thiocarbamates: a new entry to enantioenriched allylic sulfur compounds

Reaction of (+/-)-(E)-pent-3-en-2-ol, (+/-)-(E)-hept-4-en-3-ol, (+/-)-(E)-2,6-dimethylhept-4-en-3-ol, (+/-)-cyclohex-2-en-1-ol, and (+/-)-cyclohept-2-en-1-ol with methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, and benzyl isothiocyanate gave the corresponding racemic O-allylic thiocarbamates of medium to good thermal stability in good yields. The palladium(0)-catalyzed rearrangement of the (+/-)-(E)-pent-3-en-2-ol-, (+/-)-(E)-hept-4-en-3-ol-, (+/-)-cyclohex-2-en-1-ol-, and (+/-)-cyclohept-2-en-1-ol-derived O-allylic thiocarbamates at room temperature in methylene chloride by using Pd2(dba)3*CHCl3 (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) as precatalyst and (+)-(1R,2R)-1,2-bis-N-((2-(diphenylphosphino)benzoyl)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane as ligand for the palladium atom proceeded quantitatively and gave the corresponding acyclic (R)-configured S-allylic thiocarbamates and the cyclic (S)-configured S-allylic thiocarbamates with ee values ranging from 85% to > or = 99% in yields of 76-94%. Rearrangement of the O-allylic thiocarbamates carrying a methyl group at the N atom not only was the fastest but also proceeded with the highest enantioselectivity. No rearrangement was observed under these conditions in the case of the racemic N-methyl O-allylic thiocarbamate derived from (+/-)-2,6-dimethylhept-4-en-3-ol, which has a branched carbon skeleton. (S)-cyclohex-2-enethiol of 97% ee was obtained through hydrolysis of the corresponding N-methyl S-allylic thiocarbamate. 2-((R)-(E)-1-methylbut-2-enylsulfanyl)pyrimidine of 91% ee and 2-((S)-cyclohex-2-enylsulfanyl)pyrimidine of 97% ee were synthesized in one synthetic operation from the corresponding N-methyl S-allylic thiocarbamates and 2-chloropyrimidine. Similarly, (S)-cyclohex-2-enylsulfanyl)benzene of 97% ee was obtained in one synthetic operation from the corresponding N-methyl S-allylic thiocarbamate through a palladium(0)-catalyzed substitution of iodobenzene in the presence of a base. The palladium(0)-catalyzed enantioselective rearrangement of O-allylic carbamates to S-allylic carbamates has been extended from the solution phase to the solid phase by using a methyl thioisocyanate polystyrene resin. In the case investigated the enantioselectivity of the rearrangement on the solid phase was considerably lower than that in solution.     

Adaptable Optical Microwaveguides From Mechanically Flexible Crystalline Materials

Flexible organic crystals (elastic and plastic) are important materials for optical waveguides, tunable optoelectronic devices, and photonic integrated circuits. Here, we present highly elastic organic crystals of a Schiff base, 1-((E)-(2,5-dichlorophenylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol ( 1 ), and an azine molecule, 2,4-dibromo-6-((E)-((E)-(2,6-dichlorobenzylidene)hydrazono)methyl)phenol ( 2 ). These microcrystals are highly flexible under external mechanical force, both in the macroscopic and the microscopic regimes. The mechanical flexibility of these crystals arises as a result of weak and dispersive C−H⋅⋅⋅Cl, Cl⋅⋅⋅Cl, Br⋅⋅⋅Br, and π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions. Singly and doubly-bent geometries were achieved from their straight shape by a micromechanical approach using the AFM cantilever tip. Crystals of molecules 1 and 2 display a bright-green and red fluorescence (FL), respectively, and selective reabsorption of a part of their FL band. Crystals 1 and 2 exhibit optical-path-dependent low loss emissions at the termini of crystal in their straight and even in extremely bent geometries. Interestingly, the excitation position-dependent optical modes appear in both linear and bent waveguides of crystals 1 and 2 , confirming their light-trapping ability.     

Diazenyl schiff bases: Synthesis,spectral analysis,antimicrobial studies and cytotoxic activity on human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116)

A series of diazenyl schiff bases have been synthesized by reaction of salicylaldehyde containing azo dyes with various substituted aniline derivatives in the presence of acetic acid as catalyst. The structures of diazenyl derivatives were determined by FTIR, UV–vis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, CHN analysis, fluorimetric and mass spectroscopic studies. The synthesized derivatives were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against various Gram-positive (S. aureus, B. subtilis, B. cereus), Gram-negative (S. typhi, S. enterica, E. coli, P. aeruginosa) bacterial and fungal (C. albicans, A. niger and A. fumigatus) strains, using cefadroxil (antibacterial) and fluconazole (antifungal) as standard drugs. The diazenyl schiff bases were also screened for their cytotoxicity against human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116) using 5-fluorouracil as standard drug by Sulforhodamine-B Stain (SRB) assay. The schiff bases exhibited significant activity toward both Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial and fungal strains. Most of the synthesized derivatives showed high activity against S. enterica. 4-((2,5-Dichlorophenyl)diazenyl)-2-((3-bromophenylimino)methyl)phenol (SBN-40) was found to be very active against S. aureus, B. cereus and E. coli, with MIC = 0.69 (µM/ml × 10²). The compound 4-((2-bromophenyl)diazenyl)-2-((4-nitrophenylimino)methyl)phenol (SBN-13) possessed comparable activity (IC₅₀ = 7.5 µg/ml) to the standard drug 5-fluorouracil (IC₅₀ = 3.0 µg/ml) against human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116).     

Synthesis and characterization of novel triazenes from the reaction of the cyclic aminal 1,3,6,8-tetraazatricyclo[4.3.1.1]undecane (TATU) with diazonium ions

The reaction of the cyclic aminal 1,3,6,8-tetraazatricyclo[4.3.1.1^3,8]undecane (TATU, 4) with diazonium salts resulted in the formation of a new series of bis-triazenes, namely 3,8-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)diazenyl]-1,3,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[4.3.1]decane 6a, 3,8-bis[(2-methoxyphenyl)diazenyl]-1,3,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[4.3.1]decane 6b, 3,8-bis(p-tolyldiazenyl)-1,3,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[4.3.1]decane 6c. When aniline derived diazonium salt 5d was coupled with TATU, 3,8-bis(phenyldiazenyl)-1,3,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[4.3.1]decane 6d and bis[1,5-bis-((E)-phenyldiazenyl)-1,3,5-triazepan-3-yl]methane 7 were obtained. These compounds were characterized by HR-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and 2D-NMR. Additionally, the structure of compound 7 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Utilization of DmbNHNH2 in the synthesis of amino-substituted 4-((3,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)diazenyl)phenols

(2,4-Dimethoxybenzyl)hydrazine (DmbNHNH₂) was utilized in the synthesis of Dmb-protected 4-((3,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)diazenyl)phenols. This unambiguous protection of the pyrazole endocyclic nitrogen atom enabled the preparation of amino-substituted 4-((3,5-diamino-1H-pyrazol-4yl)diazenyl)phenols that were inaccessible through direct substitution. The Boc group could be selectively cleaved in the presence of the Dmb group.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Antibacterial,and Antifungal Activity of Novel 2‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐((aryl)‐diazenyl)phenyl)‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐thiazolidin‐4‐one

A series of novel thiazolidinones, that is, 2‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐((aryl)‐diazenyl)phenyl)‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐thiazolidin‐4‐one, have been synthesized by reaction of various Schiff bases 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenylimino)methyl)‐4‐(aryl)diazenyl)phenol with ethanolic thioglycolic acid. Schiff bases were obtained by the reactions of 4‐amino phenol with 2‐hydroxy‐5‐((aryl)diazenyl)benzaldehyde. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectra, and C, H, N elemental analysis. The thiazolidinone derivatives were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activity.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Naphtho-Fused 2-(Furan-2-yl)-1,3-thiazole

The condensation of naphthalen-2-amine with furan-2-carbonyl chloride in propan-2-ol gave N-(naphthalen-2-yl)furan-2-carboxamide which was treated with excess P₂S₅ in anhydrous toluene to obtain the corresponding thioamide. The oxidation of the latter with potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) in alkaline medium afforded 2-(furan-2-yl)naphtho[2,1-d][1,3]thiazole. A probable mechanism of its formation was proposed, and the ring closure involving C¹ of the naphthalene fragment was substantiated by quantum chemical calculations. Electrophilic substitution reactions of 2-(furan-2-yl)naphtho[2,1-d][1,3]thiazole (nitration, bromination, formylation, and acylation) involved exclusively the 5-position of the furan ring.     

Synthesis of 7- (or 6-)hydroxy derivatives of 3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline

When treated with cyanoacetic ester in conc. H₂SO₄ 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)- and 1-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropan-1-ol form ethyl 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3,3-dimethyl(or 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy- 3,3-dimethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolylidene-1-acetate. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 421-425, March, 2009.     

Mn(III) and Cu(II) complexes of 1-((3-(dimethylamino)propylimino)methyl) naphthalen-2-ol): Synthesis,characterization, catecholase and phenoxazinone synthase activity and DFT-TDDFT study

Two new complexes, [MnL₂](ClO₄) (1) and [CuL₂] (2) (where LH = (E)-1-((3-(dimethylamino)propylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol), have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and their molecular structures are established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Complex 1 adopts an octahedral geometry around the central manganese atom which is in + 3 oxidation state, whereas in complex 2, the Cu⁺² ion preferred a square pyramidal environment around it through the ligand donor atoms. Both complexes were tested for catecholase and phenoxazinone synthase activity. Complex 1 catalyzes the oxidation of 3,5-ditertiary-butyl catechol with a k_cat value of 6.8424 × 10² h^?1 in acetonitrile whereas the same for complex 2 is 3.7485 × 10² h^?1 in methanol. Phenoxazinone synthase activity was shown only by complex 2 having k_cat = 74.225 h^?1. Structures of both the title complexes have been optimized by means of DFT calculations. Experimental electronic spectra of the complexes have been corroborated by TDDFT analysis. Electrochemical investigations by means of cyclic voltammetry have been carried out to study the electron transfer processes in the complexes.     

Gas-phase reactions of NO3 and N2O5 with (Z)-hex-4-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol ('leaf alcohol'), (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-2-en-1-ol and (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol

The night-time atmospheric chemistry of the biogenic volatile organic compounds (Z)-hex-4-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol ('leaf alcohol'), (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-2-en-1-ol and (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol, has been studied at room temperature. Rate coefficients for reactions of the nitrate radical (NO(3)) with these stress-induced plant emissions were measured using the discharge-flow technique. We employed off-axis continuous-wave cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS) for the detection of NO(3), which enabled us to work in excess of the hexenol compounds over NO(3). The rate coefficients determined were (2.93 +/- 0.58) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), (2.67 +/- 0.42) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), (4.43 +/- 0.91) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), (1.56 +/- 0.24) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and (1.30 +/- 0.24) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for (Z)-hex-4-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-2-en-1-ol and (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol. The rate coefficient for the reaction of NO(3) with (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol agrees with the single published determination of the rate coefficient using a relative method. The other rate coefficients have not been measured before and are compared to estimated values. Relative-rate studies were also performed, but required modification of the standard technique because N(2)O(5) (used as the source of NO(3)) itself reacts with the hexenols. We used varying excesses of NO(2) to determine simultaneously rate coefficients for reactions of NO(3) and N(2)O(5) with (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol of (5.2 +/- 1.8) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and (3.1 +/- 2.3) x 10(-18) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Our new determinations suggest atmospheric lifetimes with respect to NO(3)-initiated oxidation of roughly 1-4 h for the hexenols, comparable with lifetimes estimated for the atmospheric degradation by OH and shorter lifetimes than for attack by O(3). Recent measurements of [N(2)O(5)] suggest that the gas-phase reactions of N(2)O(5) with unsaturated alcohols will not be of importance under usual atmospheric conditions, but they certainly can be in laboratory systems when determining rate coefficients.     

Stereospecificity of an enzymatic monoene 1,4-dehydrogenation reaction: conversion of (Z)-11-tetradecenoic acid into (E,E)-10,12-tetradecadienoic acid

In this article, we report the first stereochemical study of an enzymatic 1,4-dehydrogenation reaction, namely, the transformation of (Z)-11-tetradecenoic acid into (E,E)-10,12-tetradecadienoic acid, involved in the sex pheromone biosynthesis of the moth Spodoptera littoralis. The investigation was carried out using the labeled substrates (R)-[10-(2)H]- and (S)-[10-(2)H]-tridecanoic acids ((R)-2 and (S)-2, respectively) and (R)-[2,2,3,3,13-(2)H(5)]- and (S)-[2,2,3,3,13-(2)H(5)]-tetradecanoic acids ((R)-1 and (S)-1, respectively). Probes (R)-2 and (S)-2 were prepared as described in a previous article.(1) The synthesis of the pentadeuterated chiral substrates (R)-1 and (S)-1 was accomplished by kinetic resolution of the racemic 12-tridecyn-2-ol (6) with immobilized porcine pancreatic lipase. The enantiomerically pure alcohols (R)-6 and (S)-6 were transformed into the final acids (S)-1 and (R)-1, respectively, by a sequence of well-established reactions. The analyses of methanolyzed lipidic extracts from glands incubated separatedly with each individual probe showed that in the transformation of (Z)-11-tetradecenoic acid into (E,E)-10,12-tetradecadienoic acid, both pro-(R) hydrogen atoms at C-10 and C-13 are removed from the substrate. This is the first example reported of a desaturase with pro-(R)/pro-(R) stereospecificities that gives rise to (E)-double bonds. A mechanistic explanation for the stereochemical outcome of this reaction is advanced.