<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-Chloro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-unsaturated carbonyls as convenient precursors of highly substituted benzenes

The Diels–Alder reactions of three β-chloro-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds 1–3 with different dienes were carried out to afford highly functionalized cyclohexenes 4–9, bearing quaternary centers, in good yields. These cycloadducts (CAs) undergo dehydrochlorination with subsequent aromatization in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene DBU to produce new substituted benzenes 11–14. Compound 10 is the product of lactonization and removal of an HCl molecule from compound 7. All products were characterized by NMR, IR, elementary analysis and some of them by MS. Structure assignments of isomers were carried out on the basis of NMR chemical shifts and coupling constants using 1D, 2D and heteronOe NMR techniques.     

Alkyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-cellulosides: non-reducing cellulose mimics

Non-reducing cellulose mimics, termed alkyl β-d-cellulosides, were successfully prepared by two efficient multi-step syntheses starting from commercially available microcrystalline cellulose or cellulose triacetate. Introduction of the alkoxy moiety and degradation of the cellulose backbone was carried out in the presence of a Lewis acid, on one hand. On the other hand, cellulose hydrolysis mediated by mineral acids was combined with β-glycosidation performed in the presence of silver salts. The samples obtained possess a number-average degree of polymerization from 5 to 25, determined by size-exclusion chromatography, elemental analyses, NMR spectroscopy, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Samples in multi-gram quantities were available. Selective formation of a β-glycosidic bond between the C-1 atom of the reducing end group and alkoxy moieties was confirmed by a combination of 2D NMR spectroscopic and MALDI-TOF MS techniques. Due to the blocking of the aldehyde function, the cellulosides described are very useful mimics for the investigation of polysaccharide interactions with other complex molecules such as proteins or to determine polymer properties in solution or in solid state.     

Preparation of optical active aliphatic <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-amino acid from fatty acid: synthesis of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-norvaline and <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-norvaline

A new synthesis of l-norvaline is described. Using valeric acid as the raw material, α-brominevaleryl chloride was achieved by acyl chlorination and α-position bromination in one-pot with the yield of 84.7%. The yields of the following ammoniation of α-brominevaleryl chloride and resolution of dl-norvaline were 88.7% and 26.7%, respectively. d-Norvaline was also obtained in a similar method from the waste resolution solution. Other optical active amino acids, valine, α-aminobutyric acid and alanine were also synthesized in similar ways.     

Spectroscopic and electrical characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-bisdiphenylene-<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-phenylallyl radical as an organic semiconductor

The semiconductor properties of the earliest known stable radical, α,γ-bisdiphenylene-β-phenylallyl radical (Koelsch radical, 1^?) were assessed using spectroscopic and electrical techniques. This radical undergoes reversible redox processes, and it has low redox potentials. In addition, 1^? possesses long wavelength absorption bands, owing to the existence of a singly-occupied molecular orbital whose energy level lies between those of the HOMO and LUMO. A spin-coated thin-film of 1^? displays photocurrent and an electron mobility of 6.3 × 10^?7 cm² V^?1 s^?1 on a trially-fabricated organic field effect transistor.     

Synthesis of 20<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-protopanaxadiol <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-D-galactopyranosides

20S-Protopanaxadiol (3β,12β,20S-trihydroxydammar-24-ene) 3-, 12-, and 20-O-β-D-galactopyranosides were synthesized for the first time. Condensation of 12β-acetoxy-3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-ene (1) and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranosylbromide (α-acetobromogalactose) (2) under Koenigs–Knorr conditions with subsequent removal of the protecting groups resulted in regio- and stereoselective formation of 20S-protopanaxadiol 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, an analog of the natural ginsenoside Rh₂. Glycosylation of 12β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-3-one (5) by 2 with subsequent treatment of the reaction products with NaBH₄ in isopropanol and deacetylation with NaOMe gave 20S-protopanaxadiol 12- and 20-O-β-Dgalactopyranosides.     

Complex formation of magnesium and calcium ions with trimethylenediamine-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>’,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>’-tetraacetic acid

Stability constants and heat effects of the formation reactions of magnesium and calcium trimethylenediaminetetraacetates at 298.15 K and ionic strength of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 (mol/L KNO₃) have been determined by means of potentiometry and calorimetry. Standard thermodynamic parameters (log K⁰, Δ_rG⁰, Δ_rH⁰, and Δ_rS⁰) of the studied equilibriums have been determined.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-tetrazolylmethoxyl derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methyldiazene <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oxides

A preparation method was developed for previously unknown tetrazole derivatives containing in the 1, 2, and/or 5 positions of the tetrazole ring N-methyldiazene-N-oxide-N′-oxymethyl groups.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-chloropyridine derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-aminobutyric acid

The sodium salt of N-(6-chloronicotinoyl)-γ-aminobutyric acid, a structural analog of the known nootropic and vasidilating drug picamilon, was synthesized via Schotten–Baumann acylation of γ-aminobutyric acid with 6-chloronicotinoyl chloride and subsequent neutralization of the N-(6-chloronicotinoyl)-γ-aminobutyric acid that was obtained in >60% yield.     

An efficient synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-methoxycarbonyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-butyrolactones

β-Methoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactones bearing a γ-aromatic substituent were prepared via copper-catalyzed reductive aldol addition/lactonization domino reactions of ketones with α,β-unsaturated dicarboxylate esters and a silane under ambient temperature. The reaction has advantage of using readily available reagents, mild conditions and high efficiency.     

Theoretical and experimental NMR studies of the Swern oxidation of methyl 6<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,7<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-dihydroxyvouacapan-17<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-oate

This work describes the synthesis of new derivatives of 6α,7β-dihydroxyvouacapan-17β-oic acid (1) employing the Swern method for the oxidation of C-6 and C-7 of methyl 6α,7β-di-hydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate (2) and the formation of methyl 6,7-dioxovouacapan-17β-oate (3). NMR structural studies associated with theoretical calculations of reaction intermediates and products are also reported. The mixture of methyl 7β-hydroxy-6-oxovouacapan-17β-oate (4; 21%) and methyl 6α-hydroxy-7-oxovouacapan-17β-oate (5; 79%) was the product from the first step of the oxidation of 2. The lower energy of 5, calculated by HF/6-31G* and DFT/BLYP/6-31G* methods, reinforces the thermodynamic control proposed for the reaction. After further Swern oxidation of the mixture of 4 and 5, the isomeric form methyl 6-hydroxy-7-oxovouacap-5-en-17β-oate (6) was obtained. Theoretical calculations indicate a lower energy for the mono-enol 6 than the 1,2-diketo 3 and the other mono-enol methyl 7-hydroxy-6-oxovouacap-7-en-17β-oate (7).     

Characterization of ethyl chloroformate derivative of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-methylamino-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-alanine

Beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a neurotoxic amino acid that can be produced by cyanobacteria in aqueous environments. To analyze this compound by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), BMAA must be derivatized to a nonpolar, volatile compound. This can be accomplished by reacting BMAA with ethyl chloroformate. While carrying out electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometric analysis on the (13)C-labeled derivative, it was discovered that the formation of an ion with a peak at m/z 245.12 is the result of [CH(3)CH(2)O.] loss from the amino groups resulting from alpha-cleavage. This differs from previous reports that attributed this peak to alpha-cleavage of the carboxylic ester portion of the BMAA derivative. This finding is important for understanding BMAA derivative mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns and ultimately to properly identifying and quantifying BMAA. Fragmentation pathways for the formation of other major peaks observed in the EI mass spectra are also proposed.     

10<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-Hydroxy-<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-isomorphine,a by-product of the synthesis of 10<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-hydroxymorphine

Abstract  A new compound was isolated from the reaction mixture after O-demethylation of 6-O-acetyl-10α-acetoxycodeine with boron tribromide. The structure of this compound, 10α-hydroxy-β-isomorphine, was elucidated by spectral data, and its spatial arrangement was deduced from an NOE experiment. Capillary zone electrophoresis was used for separation of morphine and its 10-hydroxy analogues. Graphical abstract        

Inclusion complexes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzoic acid esters and γ-cyclodextrin

The alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics, food products and pharmaceutical formulations because of their wide range antimicrobial activity. However, the usage of parabens in aqueous media has been hampered, especially parabens with long alkyl chains, due to their low aqueous solubility. One approach to increase their solubility is cyclodextrins (CDs) complexation to form water-soluble inclusion complexes. γCD has the widest hydrophobic central cavity and the highest water solubility among natural CDs. Hence, inclusion complexes between γCD and parabens of various alkyl chain lengths were investigated. Results from phase-solubility studies show that methyl- and ethylparaben form various complexes of paraben/γCD (i.e. 1:1, 2:1, etc.) while the 1:1 complex was dominant in propyl- and butylparaben/γCD complex solution. Moreover, the effect of the paraben complexation on the critical aggregation concentration (cac) of γCD in aqueous solutions was determined. It was found that the longer the paraben alkyl chain was the more influence it had on the γCD cac. In pharmaceutical formulations the mixture of parabens (i.e. binary, ternary and quaternary) has been used to maximize antimicrobial effect. It is important to determine how mixtures of parabens affect the solubility of γCD and its cac values upon formation of inclusion complexes. Competition of the different parabens for a space in the γCD central cavity was evaluated by comparing the γCD cac values obtained in presence of the individual parabens and their mixtures.     

Directed Aminomethylation of Pyrrole,Indole, and Carbazole with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N′</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N′</Emphasis>-Tetramethylmethanediamine

Catalytic aminomethylation of pyrrole and indole with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylmethanediamine in the presence of 5 mol % of ZrOCl₂·8H₂O proceeds selectively at the positions 2, 5 of pyrrole and 1, 3 of indole. Carbazole under the same conditions affords 3-formyl-9-aminomethyl derivative. The reaction in the presence of 5 mol % of K₂CO₃ occurs as monoaminomethylation: for pyrrole at the position 2, for indole at the position 3, and for carbazole at the nitrogen atom of the substrate. Water-soluble 1,1′-(1H-pyrrole-2,5-diyl)bis(N,N-dimethylmethanamine) exhibits a fungistatic activity with respect to phytopathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani.     

Allylic oxidation of 19<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>,28-epoxy-a-neo-5<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-methyl-25-nor-18<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-olean-9-ene

Allylic oxidation of 19β,28-epoxy-A-neo-5β-methyl-25-nor-18α-olean-9-ene by ozone produced 19β,28-epoxy-A-neo-5β-methyl-25-nor-18α-olean-9-en-1-one.     

Synthesis of lupane and 19<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>,28-epoxy-18<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-oleanane 2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">seco</Emphasis>-derivatives based on betulin

The α-hydroxyoximes of methyl betulonate and allobetulone were synthesized. Beckmann fragmentation of them produced the lupane and 19β,28-epoxy-18α-oleanane 2,3-seco-derivatives. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 491–494, September-October, 2008. Original article submitted July 4, 2008.     

1,3-Diamino-2-Hydroxypropane-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-Tetraacetic Acid: Crystal and Molecular Structures

The synthesis, IR spectroscopic study, and X-ray diffraction analysis (CIF file CCDC no. 1574078) are carried out for 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (I). The structural units of a crystal of compound I are (H_4.5HPdta)^0.5– anions, (H_5.5HPdta)^0.5+ cations, and molecules of water of crystallization joined by a branched network of hydrogen bonds: strong intermolecular O–H…O and intramolecular N–H…O bonds.     

Synthesis of new derivatives of 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-hydroxy18<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>H-olean-9,12-dien-30-oic acid

Ring A was transformed and new A-homo-4-aza- and 3-cyano-3,4-seco-olean-4-ene derivatives of 3β-hydroxy18βH-olean-9,12-dien-30-oic acid were synthesized. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 335–338, May–June, 2009.