Bioreversible derivatives of phenol. 1. The role of human serum albumin as related to the stability and binding properties of carbonate esters with fatty acid-like structures in aqueous solution and biological media

With the overall objective of assessing the potential of utilizing plasma protein binding interactions in combination with the prodrug approach for improving the pharmacokinetics of drug substances, a series of model carbonate ester prodrugs of phenol, encompassing derivatives with fatty acid-like structures, were characterized in vitro. Stability of the derivatives was studied in aqueous solution, human serum albumin solution, human plasma, and rat liver homogenate at 37 degrees C. Stability of the derivatives in aqueous solution varied widely, with half-lives ranging from 31 to 1.7 x 10(4) min at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. The carbonate esters were subject to catalysis by plasma esterases except for the t-butyl and acetic acid derivatives, which were stabilized in both human plasma and human serum albumin solutions relative to buffer. In most cases, however, hydrolysis was accelerated in the presence of human serum albumin indicating that the derivatives interacted with the protein, a finding which was confirmed using the p-nitrophenyl acetate kinetic assay. Different human serum albumin binding properties of the phenol model prodrugs with fatty acid-like structure and neutral carbonate esters were observed. In the context of utilizing plasma protein binding in combination with the prodrug approach for optimizing drug pharmacokinetics, the esterase-like properties of human serum albumin towards the carbonate esters potentially allowing the protein to act as a catalyst of parent compound regenerations is interesting.     

Cycloserine fatty acid derivatives as prodrugs: synthesis, degradation and in vitro skin permeability

Various 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl fatty acid ester derivatives of cycloserine were synthesized to improve skin permeation of cycloserine. The ester derivatives were prepared by using the tert-butoxycarbonyl (t-Boc) protection strategy. The 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl esters were readily hydrolysed in an aqueous buffer solution, and the degradation profiles showed both specific acid and specific base catalysis. In 50% human serum the formation of cycloserine was observed, but enzymatic catalysis was limited. Delivery through hairless mouse skin was investigated, and the apparent permeability coefficient was measured based on the flux of cycloserine into the receptor phase. The skin permeation of cycloserine across the hairless mouse skin was increased up to 20-fold by the fatty acid esters. The 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl fatty acid esters of cycloserine can therefore be considered as new topical prodrugs with the potential use in treatment of various skin infections.     

Models for polyurethane hydrolysis under moderately acidic conditions: A comparative study of hydrolysis rates of urethanes,ureas, and amides

The hydrolysis of model structures found in the hard blocks of polyurethanes has been studied under moderately acidic and neutral conditions. These include a series of N-alkyl and N-phenyl urethanes and ureas; for comparison purposes the corresponding amides and a carbonate ester based on bisphenol A were also studied. Of all functional groups the urethane was the most resistant to hydrolysis and the amide the most labile. Also, the N-phenyl compounds were hydrolyzed faster than the corresponding alkyl derivatives. The carbonate ester underwent relatively rapid hydrolysis. Polyether containing polyurethanes, known to be relatively stable to hydrolysis, are discussed as to which polymer segments provide the weakest links under hydrolytic conditions.     

Synthesis and physiochemical property evaluation of carbamate derivatives of scutellarin methyl ester

A series of carbamate prodrugs of scutellarin methyl ester (4a-4e) were prepared in the presence of bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate (BTC) with scutellarin methyl esters and L-amino acid tert-butyl ester hydrochloride as starting materials. In vitro stability and aqueous solubility of target compounds were evaluated. The results indicated that compounds 4d and 4e have higher solubility and in vitro stability than scutellarin respectively.     

Derivatives of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for Photodynamic Therapy: Enzymatic Conversion into Protoporphyrin

In recent years, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has become a widespread agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT). In nucleated cells, ALA is converted into the endogenous photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). A major drawback of ALA is its low bioavailability. As a result, high doses of ALA must be administered in order to reach clinically relevant levels of PpIX. Moreover, only superficially located lesions can be treated as a result of the poor penetration of ALA into tissues. A possible solution for this problem may be provided by the prod rug concept. In the present study, prodrugs of ALA have been synthesized. These ALA prodrugs are shown to result in higher PpIX levels in cells than does ALA itself. Of a range of ester prodrugs of ALA, the ALA-pentyl ester elicits the highest fluorescence. Further-more, the enzymatic conversion of the derivatives into ALA and PpIX has been studied in lysed cells. Under these circumstances, the esters with the shorter alkyl chains induce the highest fluorescence. The alcohols that arise as side products from enzymatic conversion of the prodrugs are shown to have no influence on the experiments.     

Fast esterification of fatty acids with alkyl chloroformates. Optimization and application in gas chromatography

Alkyl chloroformates with methyl, ethyl, and 2-chloroethyl substituents can instantaneously esterify fatty acids under proper reaction conditions. Apart from the formation of the corresponding alkyl esters, even the alkoxycarbonyl esters can be prepared. These derivatives are useful for the analysis of short-chain fatty acids. As alkoxycarbonyl ester, even acetic acid can already be separated from the solvent peak. The reaction conditions were examined, and the Influence of solvent polarity and reagent concentration on the conversion was studied. Quantitative conversion of acids to their easters was achieved in non-aqueous solutions, but even in the presence of water the yields were acceptable.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of succinate prodrugs of curcuminoids for colon cancer treatment

A novel series of succinyl derivatives of three curcuminoids were synthesized as potential prodrugs. Symmetrical (curcumin and bisdesmethoxycurcumin) and unsymmetrical (desmethoxycurcumin) curcuminoids were prepared through aldol condensation of 2,4-pentanedione with different benzaldehydes. Esterification of these compounds with a methyl or ethyl ester of succinyl chloride gave the corresponding succinate prodrugs in excellent yields. Anticolon cancer activity of the compounds was evaluated using Caco-2 cells. The succinate prodrugs had IC?? values in the 1.8-9.6 μM range, compared to IC?? values of 3.3-4.9 μM for the parent compounds. Curcumin diethyl disuccinate exhibited the highest potency and was chosen for stability studies. Hydrolysis of this compound in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 and in human plasma followed pseudo first-order kinetics. In phosphate buffer, the k(obs) and t(?) for hydrolysis indicated that the compound was much more stable than curcumin. In human plasma, this compound was able to release curcumin, therefore our results suggest that succinate prodrugs of curcuminoids are stable in phosphate buffer, release the parent curcumin derivatives readily in human plasma, and show anti-colon cancer activity.     

Utility of nicotinoyl derivatives in structural studies of mono- and diacylglycerols by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Part 1

The 1- and 2-monoacylglycerols and 1,2- and 1,3-diacylglycerols of saturated and unbranched fatty acids with 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 carbon atoms were synthesized and subsequently derivatized with nicotinic acid chloride hydrochloride. The resulting nicotinoyl derivatives were examined by mass spectrometry in the case of pure substances and as mixtures by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). From the electron impact mass spectra, differentiation between mono- and diacylglycerols and between the two positional isomers of mono-acylglycerols and diacylglycerols is possible. The molecular masses of the partial acylglycerols and the identities of the bonded fatty acid were also determined. Similarly to the nicotinoyl derivatives of saturated fatty alcohols, the nicotinoyl derivatives of partial acylglycerols produce a fragmentation pattern that reflects every methylene group of the alkyl chains. These results offer rules for the structure elucidation of partially acylated acylglycerols and probably for mixed diacylglycerols by means of GC/MS, which includes the detection of double bonds and methyl branch positions at the fatty acid alkyl chains. The molecular formulae of all the important fragments in the mass spectra of the nicotinoyl derivatives were confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Their structures and fragmentation pathways are proposed.     

New hydrolysis method for extremely small amount of lipids and capillary gas chromatographic analysis as n(O)-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl fatty acid derivatives compared with methyl ester derivatives

The organic basic solution, 1 M tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) in methanol, was employed for the hydrolysis of extremely small amounts of lipids compared to the classical inorganic basic solution, 1 M KOH in ethanol. The hydrolysed fatty acids were derivatized as N(O)-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl (tBDMSi) esters with N-methyl-N-(tert.-butyldimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) and compared with the classical derivatives, the methyl esters, made by the BF3-methanol method. Recoveries of fatty acids determined on the standard fatty acids and soybean oil hydrolysed with TMAH were high: about 1.1-2.1- and 2.0-5.4-times, respectively, in all fatty acids compared with the hydrolysis by KOH regardless of derivatization method. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) on the recoveries of standard fatty acids were less than 5% when hydrolysed with TMAH, regardless of derivatives, but when hydrolysed with KOH, RSDs were more than 5% for most fatty acids, especially for long-chain fatty acids. The RSDs on the recoveries of fatty acids on the soybean oil were also very high in the KOH hydrolysis. Fatty acid compositions of soybean oil were similar in the main fatty acids regardless of hydrolysis methods, but showed slightly different values, depending on the methods of derivatization. RSDs were also very high in the KOH hydrolysis. In view of these results, precision of analysis by KOH hydrolysis was very poor, so we could not rely on the data. On the other hand, the reliability of data by TMAH hydrolysis method was very high, so it is a useful new hydrolysis method for extremely small amounts of lipid samples. Both derivatives of 35 standard fatty acids were successfully separated on a HP-1 nonpolar capillary column. tBDMSi derivatives were completely resolved in 70 min by 295 degrees C. In the methyl ester derivatives it took about 80 min to get satisfying resolution, but these derivatives were completely resolved by 250 degrees C. The sensitivity of tBDMSi derivatives was about 1.5-6.3-times higher than that with methyl ester derivatives. The stability of tBDMSi derivatives was constant for about 144 h except arachidic, docosahexanoic, behenic and heneicosanoic acids, which were stable for only 86 h.     

Synthesis and extracting properties of triacylated ethyleneamines

Series of triacylated ethyleneamines for extraction of metal ions from hydrochloric acid media were synthesized. The effect of the length of the alkyl radical on the distribution of reagents among the organic and aqueous phases, stability of the reagents against hydrolysis in acid media, and extracting properties of the reagents with respect to rhodium(III) chloro complexes were studied.     

pH-Sensitive Dye-Polyether Derivatives as Dispersants for Its Parent Dye. Part 1: Synthesis and Hydrolysis Behavior

A series of dye-polyether derivatives, supposedly to be used as dispersants for parent dye, were synthesized by grafting poly(oxyalkylene)-amines based on differing both molecular weights and degrees of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, onto C.I. disperse red 60 via a stable urea linkage. The structures of the dye-polyether derivatives were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and SEC. The influence of pH on the hydrolysis behaviors of the dye-polyether derivatives were studied in buffered aqueous solutions within the pH range of 4 to 10. The hydrolysis of dye-polyether derivatives was pH dependent and relatively faster in mild alkaline buffer solution than in acidic one. The influence of poly(oxyalkylene)-amine structure on the hydrolysis behavior was also investigated; it was found that the hydrolysis rate is affected little by the molecular weight and increases with the increasing hydrophilicity of the poly(oxyalkylene)-amine.     

Reaction of (ethoxycarbonylfuryl)methanephosphonates with diethyl carbonate in presence of sodium foil

Reaction of (ethoxycarbonylfuryl)methanephosphonates with diethyl carbonate in presence of sodium foil is studied. It is shown that if the acidifying group is conjugated with the carbanion center of 2-furylmethanephosphonate, addition of the carbanion to the carbonyl group of diethyl carbonate takes place to give 2-furylacetic acid derivatives in high yield. Sodium salts of these CH-acids are synthesized, isolated, and characterized. Their alkylation with alkyl bromoacetates is carried out. If ethoxycarbonyl group is not conjugated with the carbanion center, conversion of starting phosphonate and yield of adduct sharply decreases. Alkyl (2- and 4-ethoxycarbonylfur-3-yl)methanephosphonates immediately after acylation with diethyl carbonate are reduced with sodium-diethyl carbonate system to form alkyl 1-(2- and 4-ethoxycarbonylfur-3-yl)-ethanephosphonates. Formation of intermediate reduction product, the phosphorylated furylacetic aldehyde is also fixed spectroscopically. Simultaneously with the reduction dealkylation of ester group of starting phosphonates and alkyl 1-(3-furyl)ethanephosphonates takes place leading to the carboxylic acid salts. Alkyl (2-methyl-5-ethoxycarbonylfur-3-yl)methanephosphonate does not take part in condensation. It gives only the products of dealkylation under the action of sodium ethylate forming from diethyl carbonate.     

Analysis of the nucleation and growth of amorphous CaCO3 by means of time-resolved static light scattering

The formation of amorphous calcium carbonate particles from supersaturated aqueous solution is relevant to many processes in nature and industry. The present work introduces time-resolved static light scattering as a new tool to investigate the initial stage of this process. The process is initiated by mixing a solution of Na(2)CO(3) with a CaCl(2) solution or, alternatively, by mixing solutions of the dimethyl ester of carbonic acid and CaCl(2) with solutions of NaOH. Particle formation was analyzed by recording scattering curves as a function of time. Scattering data indicate the formation of compact spheres with diameters close to 360 nm. In the case of particle formation induced by ester hydrolysis, nucleation sets in after a certain lag time. Particle size is homogeneous, and the growth mechanism corresponds to an addition of ions or small constituent particles to a constant number of growing spheres. An increase of the NaOH concentration, which triggers ester hydrolysis, decreases the lag period prior to the onset of particle formation. An increase of the solution temperature also decreases this lag period. The temperature and NaOH dependent duration of the lag time could successfully be interpreted in terms of the kinetics of the ester hydrolysis. The work establishes time-resolved static light scattering as an efficient tool to investigate the particle formation process of amorphous calcium carbonate.     

Adsorption of Some Nitrogen-Containing Compounds and Benzene Derivatives from Aqueous Solutions on Active Carbons

The adsorption from aqueous solutions of benzene derivatives (phenol, benzoic acid, and newly synthesized benzoic acid derivatives containing imidazole heterocycles: hydrazide of 4-(1H-imidazole-1-ylmethyl) benzoic acid and methyl ester of 4-(1H-imidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzoic acid), as well as of imidazole and triazole, on active carbons with various microporous structures is studied. The effect of the nature of adsorbate molecules and the pore sizes of active carbons on the sorption character is analyzed. It is shown that the adsorption from aqueous solutions of the organic derivatives of benzene is determined, on the one hand, by the size of a molecule, and, on the other hand, by its hydration energy.__________Translated from Kolloidnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 67, No. 3, 2005, pp. 416–420.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kharitonova, Krasil’nikova, Vartapetyan, Bulanova.     

Prodrugs of 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (DDI): improved oral bioavailability via hydrophobic esters.

Five ester prodrugs of 2'3'-dideoxyinosine (DDI) were synthesized for the purpose of improving oral bioavailability. The prodrugs, acetate (C2-DDI), octanoate (C8-DDI), stearate (C18-DDI), benzoate (Bz-DDI), and hemisuccinate (Suc-DDI) were proved to quantitatively regenerate their parent drug by enzymatic hydrolysis. Though the chemical stability of the prodrugs under acidic conditions was not improved, their solubility in water was significantly decreased by esterification, except for Suc-DDI. Bioavailability was evaluated by oral administration to rats. Two hydrophobic prodrugs (C8-DDI and Bz-DDI) showed higher absolute bioavailability (23.5% and 31.0%, respectively) than did DDI (15.2%), though that of C2-DDI (11.5%) and Suc-DDI (4.5%) was poor.     

Hydrolyzable nonionic surfactants: stability and physicochemical properties of surfactants containing carbonate, ester, and amide bonds

A linear and a branched nonionic cleavable surfactants containing a carbonate bond have been prepared from tetra(ethylene glycol) and an alkylchloroformate. The stability of these carbonate surfactants was determined by investigating their hydrolysis and biodegradability characteristics. The hydrolysis was catalyzed by alkali or enzymes (esterase from porcine liver and lipases from Mucor miehei and Candida antarctica B) and was monitored using 1H NMR. It was found that the stability toward alkali was higher for a carbonate surfactant than for a corresponding surfactant with an ester as weak bond. Biodegradation tests resulted in more than 60% degradation after 28 days for both carbonate surfactants. Physicochemical properties, such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), cloud point, area per molecule, and surface tension at the CMC, were determined and compared to those obtained from similar surfactants containing ester, amide, or ether bonds. It was found that the carbonate linkage is hydrophobic and that the oxycarbonyl part of the carbonate group is equivalent, in a formal sense, to an extra methylene group in the alkyl chain of the surfactant.     

Dendrimers as photochemical reaction media. Photochemical behavior of unimolecular and bimolecular reactions in water-soluble dendrimers

Synthesis and studies of poly(alkyl aryl ether) dendrimers, possessing carboxylic acid functionalities at their peripheries, are reported. 5-Bromopentyloxy methylisophthalate was utilized as the monomer to O-alkylate the phenolic hydroxyl groups of poly(alkyl aryl ether) dendrimers. Dendrimers of first, second, and third generations, possessing 6, 12, and 24 carboxylic acids, respectively, were thus prepared. These dendrimers were soluble in alkaline aqueous solutions, and the ensuing microenvironmental properties of the aqueous solutions were assessed by pyrene solubilization studies. Upon establishing the presence of nonpolar microenvironments within the dendritic structures, solubilizations of few organic substrates were conducted and their photochemical behaviors were assessed. Specifically, the photolysis of 1-phenyl-3-p-tolyl-propan-2-one and benzoin ethyl ether and photodimerization of acenaphthylene were conducted. These studies revealed that the product distribution and the "cage effect" were more distinct and efficient for the third generation dendrimer, than for the first and second generation dendrimers. The photochemical studies of carboxylic acid functionalized dendrimers were compared to that of hydroxyl group terminated poly(alkyl aryl ether) dendrimers.     

Solid-phase synthesis of 1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives employing BOC-protected tetrahydroisoquinoline carboxylic acids

Compounds containing the tetrahydroisoquinoline ring system were prepared using solid-supported ester derivatives on a nucleophile-sensitive resin, starting from the corresponding BOC-protected amino acids. The key heterocyclic intermediates were obtained from the Pictet-Spengler reaction between ethyl glyoxylate or methyl 4-formylbenzoate and dopamine or 3-hydroxyphenethylamine. After the resulting amino esters were converted to the BOC derivatives, the phenolic hydroxyl groups were alkylated with a series of alkyl halides to afford the corresponding ethers. Ester hydrolysis afforded the BOC-protected tetrahydroisoquinoline carboxylic acid scaffolds, which were then attached to (4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfide resin (Marshall linker) as the corresponding ester. The BOC group was removed under acidic conditions, and the resulting support-bound amine hydrochlorides were converted to the corresponding amides using a set of carboxylic acids. The support-bound amides were liberated with amines to produce the desired tetrahydroisoquinoline carboxamides. Optimization of the resin loading conditions is described in addition to the identification of impurities observed during the development of the optimum conditions for solid-phase synthesis.     

含己烷雌酚的聚磷酸酯的合成及其抗肿瘤活性研究

合成了３种主链含己烷雌酚的生物可降解的聚磷酸酯，结构经ＩＲ，＾１ＨＮＭＲ和元素分析鉴定，通过水接触角的测定研究了聚合物的亲水－疏水性能，以ｐＨ值变化表征了聚合物的体外水解速率。初步的体外实验表明，此类聚磷酸酯具有较好的体外抗艾氏腹水癌活性。     

Structure–reactivity relationships of alkyl α‐hydroxymethacrylate derivatives

A series of alkyl α‐hydroxymethacrylate derivatives with various secondary functionalities (ether, ester, carbonate, and carbamate) and terminal groups (alkyl, cyano, oxetane, cyclic carbonate, phenyl and morpholine) were synthesized to investigate the effect of intermolecular interactions, H‐bonding, π–π interactions, and dipole moment on monomer reactivity. All of the monomers except one ester and one ether derivative are novel. The polymerization rates, determined by using photo‐DSC, showed the average trend (aromatic carbamate > hydroxyl > ester > carbonate ～ aliphatic carbamate ～ ether), with several exceptions due to the differences in terminal groups. There is a correlation between the chemical shift differences of the double bond carbons, the calculated dipole moments, and the reactivities only for nonhydrogen bonded monomers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011