,-Difluoroketone inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase

The rationale for a new class of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, represented by ,ga-difluoroketones 3 and 4, is described. The syntheses of 3, 4, and their nonfluorinated analogue 5 are presented.     

Boron trifluoride-catalyzed degradation of poly--caprolactone at ambient temperature

Poly--caprolactone (PCL) can be accelerated to degrade in the presence of boron trifluoride at ambient temperature. The degradation behaviors were studied by using the inherent viscosity measurement, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), infrared analysis (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance analysis (NMR), and thermal analysis (DSC). With increasing the addition amount of boron trifluoride, the molecular weight of PCL decreases; the molecular weight distribution is broadened; and the degree of crystallinity of PCL increases at first at low BF₃ level, then decreases when BF₃ content exceeds to 2.64 wt%. The results of IR, ¹HNMR and GPC reveal that -caprolactone monomer does not occur and the main degradation products are the oligomers of PCL with low molecular weight. The mechanism for boron trifluoride-catalyzed degradation of PCL is discussed.     

Blue-shifting intramolecular CH O(S) contacts in sterically strained systems

A group of model systems which may form chelate-type structures with intramolecular CH  Y (Y = O, S) contact is investigated computationally. The existence of several conformers permits to identify a reference molecule without the CH  Y intramolecular contact and to establish the blue-shifting character of this interaction. The CH stretching frequency in chelate forms is found to increase with respect to its value in the reference system. A parallel decrease of the CH bond distance is also established. The blue-shifting character of the intramolecular CH  Y contact is interpreted in terms of the sterically enforced repulsion between the hydrogen atom in CH and the electron donor Y. This interpretation is supported by the negative (repulsive) estimates of the energy contribution due to CH  Y contacts.     

A novel cycloaddition reaction of p-benzoquinones. Transannular cycloaddition in p-C8-bridged p-benzoquinones by way of an oxyallyl intermediate

The transannular cycloaddition between the double bond on the side chain and the $\text{p}$-benzoquinone ring in $\text{p}$-C₈-bridged $\text{p}$-benzo-quinones by way of an oxyallyl intermediate is described.     

A two-plasmid system for the glycosylation of polyketide antibiotics: bioconversion of -rhodomycinone to rhodomycin D

Background: The biological activity of many microbial products requires the presence of one or more deoxysugar molecules attached to agylcone. This is especially prevalent among polyketides and is an important reason that the antitumor anthracycline antibiotics are avid DNA-binding drugs. The ability to make different deoxyaminosugars and attach them to the same or different aglycones in vivo would facilitate the synthesis of new anthracyclines and the quest for antitumor drugs. This is feasible using the numerous bacterial genes for deoxysugar biosynthesis that are now available. Results: Production of thymidine diphospho (TDP)- -daunosamine (dnm), the aminodeoxysugar present in the anthracycline antitumor drugs daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin (DXR), and its attachment to -rhodomycinone to generate rhodomycin D has been achieved by bioconversion with a strain of Streptomyces lividans that bears two plasmids. One contained the Streptomyces peucetius dnmJVUZTQS genes plus dnmW (previously named dpsH and considered to be a polyketide cyclase gene), dnrH, which is not required for the formation of rhodomycin D, and dnrl, a regulatory gene required for expression of the dnm and drr genes. The other plasmid had genes encoding glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase and TDP-glucose-4,6-dehydratase (dnmL and dnmM, respectively, or mtmDE, their homologs from Streptomyces agrillaceus) plus the drrAB DNR/DXR resistance genes. Conclusions: The high-yielding glycosylation of the aromatic polyketide -rhodomycinone using plasmid-borne deoxysugar biosynthesis genes proves that the minimal information for -daunosamine biosynthesis and attachment in the heterologous host is encoded by the dnmLMJVUTS genes. This is a general approach to making both known and new glycosides of anthracyclines, several of which have medically important antitumor activity.     

Biosynthetic pathway of iridoid glucosides in Gardenia jasminoides f. grandiflora cell suspension cultures after iridodial cation formation

Administration of ²H- or ¹³C-labeled monoterpenes to $\text{Gardenia}$$\text{jasminoides}$ f. $\text{grandiflora}$ cell suspension cultures demonstrated that iridoid glucosides of the suspension cultures are biosynthesized, after iridodial cation formation from 10-oxocitral (3), via 8-epiiridodial (13), 8-epiiridotrial (14), boschnaloside (8-epiiridotrial glucoside) (12) and dehydroiridotrial glucoside (8). In addition, the coexistence of a route via iridodial cation (4), dehydroiridodial (6), dehydroiridotrial (15) and dehydroiridotrial glucoside (8) is conceivable.     

-Fluoro decalones as chiral epoxidation catalysts: fluorine effect

Three rigid monofluorinated trans-decalones 4a, 5e, and 6e (90% ee) have been synthesized from commercially available (−)-(R)-methyl naphthalenone (90% ee). Their structures have been fully characterized (NMR, X-ray): ketones 4a and 5e are Me,F-disubstituted to the carbonyl with the fluorine axial and equatorial, respectively, while ketone 6e is F-monosubstituted to the carbonyl with the fluorine equatorial. The use of these ketones as chiral catalysts for the epoxidation of trans-olefins (such as stilbene, β-methylstyrene and p-methoxy cinnamate) through the formation of dioxiranes shows (i) that dioxiranes with an equatorial fluorine to the dioxirane ring are less reactive and provide lower ee’s than dioxiranes with an axial fluorine and having the same chirality and (ii) that an axial methyl to the dioxirane ring is significantly less efficient than a fluorine. The results corroborate Armstrong and Houk’s theoretical model and our first hypothesis to rationalize the inverted enantioselectivities observed using -fluorinated cyclohexanones having the same chirality, i.e.: rapid ring inversion (Curtin–Hammett principle) allows the dioxirane conformation to have the fluorine axial (even if less populated than the other) to contribute significantly to the epoxidation reaction.     

Distribution of Sorbitan Monooleate in poly(l-lactide-co--caprolactone) nanofibers from emulsion electrospinning

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of Sorbitan Monooleate (Span80) in poly(l-lactide-co--caprolactone) (PLLACL) nanofibers from emulsion electrospinning. The hypothesis was that PLLACL/Span80 nanofibrous mats would have some Span80 on the surface of the composite nanofibers. To test the hypothesis, the electrospinning of emulsions made of PLLACL, chloroform, Span80, and distilled water to prepare PLLACL/Span80 nanofibers was systematically investigated. The morphology of PLLACL/Span80 nanofibers was investigated by atomic force microscopy. The surface hydrophilicity of the nanofibrous mats were examined by water contact angle test. The distribution of Span80 on the surface of nanofibrous mats was also confirmed by the performance of pig iliac endothelium cells on the nanofibrous mats.     

Quantum mechanical studies of the protonation and NBr bond dissociation of the biologically important N-bromosuccinimide

N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS) is a brominating and oxidizing agent that is used as a source of bromine. The proton affinities, the tautomeric forms and NBr bond dissociation of NBS have been computed using the B3LYP functional as implemented in the density functional approach. The electronic structures of all possible tautomeric forms of NBS have been thoroughly investigated. The keto form of NBS has been shown to be more stable than any other tautomeric forms. The geometries and relative energies for various stationary structures were determined. The results indicate clearly that O-site protonation is strongly favored over N-site protonation for the studied compound in case of mono- and di-protonation. The bond dissociation energies (BDEs), involving the formation of the bromine radical, cation, and anion, of the NBr bond have been investigated. The NBr BDE of the Br radical formation is lower than that of the Br anion or cation. These conclusions are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Characterization of quinoline derivatives. Part 3. Mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography of biologically interesting arylquinolines

The structural characterization of a novel series of biologically interesting arylquinolines based on four-ring fused heterocyclic systems is carried out. Chlorinated precursors 1–5 as well as final products 6–8, active as potent and selective 5-HT₃ receptor antagonists, are characterized in the gas phase by low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. For the 4-methyl-1-piperazinylbenzophenanthridine derivative 6 the crystal and molecular structures were also determined. These data, compared to those obtained for its analogous benzopyrane (7) and benzoxepine (8) derivatives, allow for an evaluation of the influence exerted by the ring fused at the face c of the quinoline on the conformational properties of the molecule.     

The structure of p-chlorophenol and barrier to internal OH rotation in the S1-state

The structure and barrier to internal rotation of 4-chlorophenol in the ground state and the electronically excited S₁-state has been examined by rotationally resolved laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy of 4-³⁵Cl-phenol, 4-³⁷Cl-phenol, 4-³⁵Cl-phenol-d₁, and 4-³⁷Cl-phenol-d₁. The overlapping spectra have been assigned simultaneously using a genetic algorithm approach. The rotationally resolved spectrum of the electronic origin of 4-chlorophenol is comprised of two subbands, which are split by 60 MHz due to the internal rotation of the hydroxy group. The torsional barrier in the electronically excited state could be estimated to be 1400 cm⁻¹, only about 250 cm⁻¹ higher than in the ground state. The CCl bond lengths decreases by approximately 6 pm upon electronic excitation and the aromatic ring is distorted quinoidally.     

-mononitroalkyl derivatives of indium

Dealkylation of trialkylindium by -mononitroalkane leads to the formation of the previously unknown -nitroalkyl derivatives of indium. An investigation of the chemical properties and of the ¹¹⁵In nuclear quadrupole resonance spectra of these compounds has been undertaken. An analysis of the data obtained from these investigations suggests the existence of intramolecular O→In coordination in the -nitroalkyl derivatives of indium.     

Infrared diode laser spectroscopy of the ν = 2 band of AlF

A vibrational–rotational spectrum of the ν = 2 transitions of a high-temperature molecule AlF was observed between 1490 and 1586 cm⁻¹ with a diode laser spectrometer. Measurements were made on the ν = 3–1, 4–2, 5–3 and 8–6 bands at a temperature of 900 °C. Measured spectral lines were fitted to effective band constants ν₀, B_ν and D_ν for each band. Present measurements were made with only one Pb-salt laser diode. Physical significance of the effective band constants is discussed.     

Ion transfer across liquidliquid interfaces from transition-state theory and stochastic molecular dynamics simulations

We investigate the kinetics and dynamics of ion transfer across liquidliquid interfaces. We calculate the potential of mean force (pmf) of ion transfer from Monte Carlo simulations of a lattice–gas model, assuming independent chemical and electrostatic contributions. The shape of the pmf justifies considering the transfer as activated. The kinetics are obtained from transition-state theory and independently from stochastic molecular dynamics simulations. Both methods yield consistent results, with straight Tafel plots and friction effects in line with Kramers’ theory, but stronger than for a diffusing particle. A higher friction makes barrier recrossing more likely.     

CN bond rotation and E–Z isomerism in some N-benzyl-N-methylcarbamoyl chlorides: A DFT study

The electronic and geometrical structures of thiosulfinic acids, RSSOH, 1, (1a, R = H; 1b, R = CH₃; 1c, R = t-C₄H₉; 1d, R = C₆H₅; 1e, R = F) and their anions have been investigated by the ab initio and density functional methods. The calculations show that the stability of the thiolo-tautomers of 1, RS(O)SH, and the thiono-tautomers, RS(S)OH, is almost the same in the gas phase, the energy of the thiolo-tautomers being slightly lower. The tautomers of 1 having the thiosulfone structure, RS(O)(S)H, were found to be the least stable. The thiosulfinate anions show ambident character with the negative charge dispersed over terminal O and S atoms and are stabilized by electronegative substituents.     

In memoriamMichell J. Sienko

Calcium urate hexahydrate, Ca(C₅H₃O₃N₄)₂ · 6H₂O, has been synthesized for the first time. A tentative assignment of some infrared and Raman bands is given by referring to the isotopic frequency shifts, group frequency considerations, Raman intensities as well as to the spectrum of potassium salt. The spectroscopic data suggest that there are, at least, two types of water molecules in the unit cell. Centrosymmetric unit cell is proposed to explain the spectral features of this compound. X-Ray powder diffraction data are also given.     

Homogeneous and supported copper(II) acetate as catalyst for CO coupling reactions

The reactivity of copper(II) acetate as catalyst in a standard CO coupling reaction has been systematically evaluated. Optimization of the reaction conditions resulted in a protocol involving stoichiometric amounts of reagents, a substoichiometric amount of base and 20 mol% catalyst, at 50 °C in 1,2-dichloroethane and under 1 atm O₂. Next, the reactivity of polymer-supported copper(II) acetate was evaluated. Although it is found that, in contrast to previous results obtained in related CN coupling reactions, the polymer-supported catalyst is in this case less efficient than the corresponding homogeneous one, the catalyst turns out to be conveniently recovered from the reaction mixture by simple filtration.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines. Part 4: Synthesis from d-fructose of protected 2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-d-galactitol derivatives

The readily available 3-O-benzoyl-4-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methanesulfonyl-β-d-fructopyranose (5) was straightforwardly transformed into its d-psico epimer (8), after O-debenzoylation followed by oxidation and reduction, which caused the inversion of the configuration at C(3). Compound 8 was treated with lithium azide yielding 5-azido-4-O-benzyl-5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-l-tagatopyranose (9) that was transformed into the related 3,4-di-O-benzyl derivative 10. Cleavage of the acetonide in 10 to give 11, followed by regioselective 1-O-pivaloylation to 12 and subsequent catalytic hydrogenation gave (2R,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-dibenzyloxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2′-O-pivaloylpyrrolidine (13). Stereochemistry of 13 could be determined after O-deacylation to the symmetric pyrrolidine 14. Total deprotection of 14 gave 2,5-imino-2,5-dideoxy-d-galactitol (15, DGADP).     

Neutron diffraction structure determination of the high-temperature form of lithium tritantalate,HLiTa3O8

The crystal structure of HLiTa₃O₈ has been reexamined by electron and neutron diffraction techniques. Neutron Weissenberg and electron diffraction photographs show that the space group of the compound isPmmn and notPmma as determined previously by X-ray diffraction techniques. There are eight molecules in the unit cell of lattice parametersa = 16.718(2)A?,b = 7.696(1)A?,c = 8.931(1)A?. These values show that thebaxis of the new cell is doubled with respect to the parameter measured by X-rays. The structural refinement was based on 1074 independent reflections measured on a single crystal with a four-circle neutron diffractometer. The positions of all atoms, including the lithium atoms have been determined. The finalR andwRfactors were 0.036 and 0.035, respectively. The eight lithium cations occupy two sets of4fpositions(x,¼, z)of thePmmn space group. The ordering of four lithium ions over two sets of possible positions (4j) of space groupPmma is responsible for the doubling of theb axis. The other four Li⁺ occupy two sets of positions (2d) of space groupPmma. All lithium ions are surrounded by 12 oxygen atoms arranged as cuboctahedra. The large thermal vibrations found for the lithium atoms and the ionic conductivity of HLiTa₃O₈ at high temperatures are consistent with weak LiO bonding.