Extracellular oxidation of D-glucose by some members of the Enterobacteriaceae

Extracellular D-glucose oxidation by 5 enterobacterial species was studied with the purpose of selecting conditions useful for taxonomic studies. Extracellular production of gluconate from ¹⁴C-glucose by bacterial cells was evidenced by DEAE-cellulose paper chromatography. Escherichia coli oxidized glucose only when pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) was added, whereas Serratia marcescens, Yersinia frederiksenii, Erwinia cypripedii and Cedecea lapagei oxidized D-glucose without added PQQ. 2-Deoxyglucose was found to be an excellent non-metabolized analogue of D-glucose in oxidation experiments. D-glucose oxidation was inhibited by KCN, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone; and activated by p-benzoquinone. Iodoacetate had no action. Comparative cellulose thin-layer chromatography including 2-ketogluconate and 2,5-diketogluconate (produced by Janthinobacterium lividum) as standards, showed that gluconate was oxidized to 2-ketogluconate by S. marcescens and E. cypripedii, and 2-ketogluconate was oxidized to 2,5-diketogluconate by E. cypripedii. The diversity of D-glucose oxidation products in the Enterobacteriaceae could have some taxonomic applications.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the liquid-phase oxidation of tert-butyl phenylacetate

The oxidation of tert-butyl phenylacetate in ortho-dichlorobenzene at 140°C occurs with short chains. The primary nonperoxide reaction products (tert-butyl α-hydroxyphenylacetate, tert-butyl α-oxophenylacetate, and benzaldehyde) are formed by the decomposition of a hydroperoxide (tert-butyl α-hydroperoxyphenylacetate) and (or) by the recombination of peroxy radicals with and without chain termination. Benzaldehyde and tert-butyl α-hydroxyphenylacetate undergo radical chain oxidation in a reaction medium to result in benzoic acid and tert-butyl α-oxophenylacetate. Homolytic hydroperoxide decomposition is responsible for process autoacceleration and results in benzaldehyde, which is also formed from hydroperoxide by a nonradical mechanism, probably, via a dioxetane intermediate. Both of the reactions are catalyzed by benzoic acid. Benzoic acid has no effect on hydroperoxide conversion into tert-butyl α-oxophenylacetate, which most likely occurs as a result of hydroperoxide decomposition induced by peroxy radicals. The rate constants of the main steps of the process and kinetic parameters have been calculated by solving an inverse kinetic problem.     

An unusual behaviour of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)- and N-pivaloyl-(methylthio)anilines in metallation reactions

The metallation reaction of N-Boc-and N-Piv-(methylthio)anilines are here described. The results show that N-Boc derivatives are metallated only by superbases to give products substituted at the thiomethylic group. N-Piv derivatives show a different behaviour: ortho-derivative is metallated by both butyllithium and superbase at the thiomethylic carbon atom, while para-derivative is metallated in ortho to the N-Piv group by butyllithium and at the thiomethylic carbon atom by superbase. The meta-derivative is metallated only by superbase at the thiomethylic carbon atom.     

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of indane and cyclobuta[a]indenes from homoallylic alcohols derived from Baylis-Hillman adducts: base-dependent stereoselectivity for the benzylidene group in cyclobuta[a]indene

Various indane and cyclobuta[a]indene derivatives were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed cyclization of homoallylic alcohol derivatives prepared from Baylis-Hillman adducts. Especially, cyclobuta[a]indene derivative was synthesized stereoselectively by palladium-catalyzed 5-exo-trig/4-exo-trig cascade cyclization, albeit in moderate yield. The Z isomer was formed exclusively in the presence of Et₃N by usual Heck-type carbopalladation process while E isomer with Cs₂CO₃ most likely by a concerted metalation/deprotonation (CMD) process.     

Synthesis and properties of BCOD-fused trithiasapphyrin and trithiabenzosapphyrins

Bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene(BCOD)-fused trithiasapphyrin was prepared by 3+2 condensation of BCOD-fused thiatripyrrane with BCOD-fused bithiophene. The BCOD-fused trithiasapphyrin was successfully converted to pentabenzo[b,g,l,q,v]sapphyrin by the thermal retro-Diels-Alder reaction. In this case, trithiapentabenzo[b,g,l,q,v]- and trithiadibenzo[g,q]sapphyrins were selectively prepared by control of the temperature in the thermal retro-Diels-Alder reaction.     

Ion-pair extraction behavior of divalent metal cations using neutral di-Schiff base ligands derived from 1,2-cyclohexanediamine and o-phenylenediamine

Di-Schiff base ligand, N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethylidene)-trans-1,2-diiminocyclohexane (trans-BPIC), having sufficient hydrophobicity acts as neutral bidentate ligand in ion-pair extraction of divalent metal cations into nitrobenzene with picrate anion. In present study, the effect of steric restriction by chemical structure around imine-N donor atoms in trans-BPIC analogs on their complexation with divalent metal cations in ion-pair extraction was investigated by using N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethylidene)-cis-1,2-diiminocyclohexane (cis-BPIC) and N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethylidene)-o-diiminobenezene (BPIB). The former was used to observe the effect by geometrical restriction and the latter was by conjugate restriction. In BPIB-NaPic system, the higher extractability was obtained than those in cis- and trans-BPIC systems, and this result seems to be led by the increase of steric distortion originated from conformational restriction. Namely, it is considered that the extractability can be controlled by steric restriction on the complexation.     

Biocatalytic and chemical routes to all the stereoisomers of methionine and ethionine sulfoxides

Biotransformations of the N-phthaloyl derivatives of d- and l-methionine and of d- and l-ethionine by Beauveria bassiana ATCC 7159 or Beauveria caledonica ATCC 64970 produce the corresponding (S_S) sulfoxides in good yield and diastereomeric excess. Pure (S_SS_C) diastereomers can be obtained from l-series substrates by crystallisation of the biotransformation extract, and the corresponding (S_SR_C) products obtained from d-series substrates by chromatography of the biotransformation extract. Hydrogen peroxide-catalysed oxidation of the N-phthaloyl derivatives of d- and l-methionine and of d- and l-ethionine gives diastereomeric mixtures from which the (S_SS_C) and (R_SR_C) diastereomers can be obtained by crystallisation, and the (S_SR_C) and (R_SS_C) diastereomers obtained by chromatography. N-Cbz- and N-t-Boc methionines are also converted to sulfoxides with predominant (S_S) configuration by both B. bassiana and B. caledonica, but the isolated yields and d.e. of products were generally lower than those obtained from the N-phthaloyl substrates.Removal of the N-phthaloyl group from diastereomerically pure methionine and ethionine sulfoxides gave the corresponding amino acid sulfoxides in high yield; removal of N-Cbz and N-t-Boc groups from protected methionine sulfoxides was also achieved without loss of configuration at sulfur.     

Design of postmetallocene catalytic systems of arylimine type for olefi n polymerization: XV. Synthesis of (N-Aryl)salicylaldimine ligands containing a but-3-enyloxy group and their complexes with titanium(IV) dichloride

A series of (N-aryl)salicylaldimines was synthesized by the reaction of salicylaldehydes substituted in the positions 3 and 5 by bulky tert-butyl or α-cumyl groups with hydrochlorides of o-, m-, and p-(but-3-enyloxy) aniline in the presence of triethylamine. The obtained compounds formed by the reaction with TiCl₂(OPr-i)₂ complexes of titanium(IV) dichloride L₂TiCl₂.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(N-3-(methylthio)propyl glycine) and their oxidation-sensitive polymersomes

Amphiphilic block copolymers poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(N-3-(methylthio)propyl glycine) (PEG-b-PMeSPG) were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of N-3-(methylthio)propyl glycine N-thiocarboxyanhydride (MeSPG-NTA) initiated by amino-terminated PEG. The self-assemblies of three PEG-b-PMeSPG copolymers with different PMeSPG block lengths were first prepared by nanoprecipitation method using THF and DMF, respectively, as the organic solvent, and their morphologies were studied by Cryo-EM and DLS. To prepare polymersomes loaded with glucose oxidase (GOx), double emulsion method followed by extrusion treatment was employed. The oxidation-responsive disruption of polymersomes was achieved upon the introduction of glucose because of the oxidants generated in-situ by GOx/glucose.     

Topological and thermodynamic investigations of molecular interactions in binary mixtures: Molar excess volumes and molar excess enthalpies

Molar excess volumes and molar excess enthalpies of butyl acetate (i) with cyclohexane or benzene or toluene or o-, m- or p-xylene (j) binary mixtures have been measured dilatometrically and calorimetrically over the entire composition range at 308.15 K. The observed data have also been analyzed in terms of graph theoretical approach. The analysis of V^E data by graph theoretical approach suggests that butyl acetate in pure state exists as associated entity and (i + j) mixtures are characterized by the presence of (i–j) molecular entity. It has further been observed that V^E and H^E values calculated by this approach agree well with the corresponding experimental values. The presence of molecular entity is further confirmed by IR study of (i + j) mixture.     

Bestimmung von Wasser in Dichloressigsäure

Water concentrations in dichloroacetic acid in the range of 0<C <1 % (C = percent by weight) can be determined directly by photometry at 1425 nm. The absorbance A at this maximum is described by the function A=1.267×C^0.93 (cell path d=5 cm, correlation coefficient r=0.997). The variation coefficient for water concentrations of ≈0.06% was found to be V=6.5%.     

Synthesis of the enantiomeric forms of α- and γ-damascone starting from commercial racemic α-ionone

A straightforward synthesis of both enantiomers of α- and γ-damascone is described. The title compounds were prepared by a divergent pathway starting from the enantiomeric forms of (6RS,7SR,9RS)-7-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-α-ionol and of (6RS,7SR,9RS)-7-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-γ-ionol. These building blocks were obtained from racemic α-ionone in four and five steps, respectively. The 7-hydroxy group was introduced by regio- and diastereoselective epoxidation of the conjugated double bond followed by reductive opening of the oxirane ring. The hydroxy-ketone obtained was reduced diastereoselectively to trans-α-diol that could be converted to the trans-γ-diol by photochemical isomerization. Both diols were then resolved by lipase-mediated acetylation.     

Identification and synthesis of new bicyclic acetals from caddisflies (Trichoptera)

As shown by synthesis and enantioselective gas chromatography, males and females of the caddisfly species Potamophylax latipennis and Potamophylax cingulatus produce (1R,3S,5S,7S)-1-ethyl-3,5,7-trimethyl-2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, while Glyphotaelius pellucidus produces 1,3-diethyl-4,6-dimethyl-2,7-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, having either the (1S,3S,4R,6S) or (1R,3R,4S,6S)-configuration. As shown by electrophysiological investigations, the compounds are perceived by the antennae of both sexes.     

A versatile synthesis of 2-substituted 4-amino-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2-benzazepine-3-ones

A mild and general strategy for the synthesis of 2-substituted 4-amino-1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-2-benzazepine-3-ones is described. The seven-membered lactam is prepared by intramolecular amide bond formation from the intermediate amino acid, which is obtained either by reductive alkylation of a variety of amines with N-Boc,N-Me-ortho-formyl-Phe and Phth-ortho-formyl-Phe, or by reductive amination of a variety of aldehydes with N-Boc-ortho-aminomethyl-Phe.     

Resolution of inherently chiral calix[4]arenes with AABB and CDCD substitution patterns on the upper and lower rims,respectively

Proximal di-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (5,11-di-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-25,26,27,28-tetrol) 1b, obtained by direct partial removal of tert-butyl groups from p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, gave high yields of inherently chiral derivatives upon ‘symmetry breaking’ by syn-distal di-O-alkylation or di-O-acylation in the presence of K₂CO₃. The chirality of these compounds was proven by the splitting of ¹H NMR signals in the presence of Pirkle's reagent and in some cases by HPLC enantiomeric resolution using chiral stationary phases and corroborated by mirror-image CD spectra.     

Helicity of N,N′-diaryl-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane derivatives. Implications for molecular helicity manipulations

Derivatives of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH), useful as chiral ligands, scaffolds and building blocks, differ in their conformation. The conformation of N,N′-diaryl-DACH derivatives was studied by the semiempirical and DFT computational methods and by exciton-coupled circular dichroism. It was found that, contrary to M-helical N,N′-diimine, N,N′-diimide and N,N′-diamide derivatives, the aromatic residues in N,N′-diphenyl derivatives are oriented to form a P-helix for the (R,R)-DACH absolute configuration. The helicity of the bis-aryl system is modified in the case of 1-naphthyl or 2-naphthyl derivatives. Further switching of helicity has been demonstrated by either protonation or mono-N-acetylation of N,N′-diaryl DACH derivatives.     

Identification of the geometrical isomers of α-linolenic acid using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with a binary decision tree

Gas chromatography, using a highly polar column, low energy (30 eV) electron ionization mass spectrometry and multivariate curve resolution, are combined to obtain the mass spectra of all eight geometrical isomers of α-linolenic acid. A step by step Student's t-test is performed on the m/z 50-294 to identify the m/z by which the geometries of the double bonds could be discriminated. The most intense peak discriminates between cis (m/z 79) and trans (m/z 95) at the central (carbon 12) position. The configuration at carbon 15 is then distinguished by m/z 68 and 236, and finally the geometry at carbon 9 is determined by m/z 93, 173, 191 and 236. A three-question binary tree is developed based on the normalized intensities of these ions by which the identity of any given isomer of α-linolenic is accurately determined. Application of Bayes theorem to data from independent samples shows that the complete configuration is determined correctly with a minimum probability of 87%.     

Dienic sex pheromones : Stereoselective syntheses of (7E,9Z)-7,9-dodecadien-1-yl acetate, (E)-9,11-dodecadien-1-yl acetate,and of (9Z), 11E)-9,11- tetradecadien-1-yl acetate by palladium-catalyzed reactions

Pure (7E,9Z-7, 9-dodecadien-1-yl acetate (1), the sex pheromone of Lobesiabotrana, has been prepared in 21.6% overall yield by a reaction scheme involving; (i) the cross-coupling of (E) - 8 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) -1 - octenyldisiamylborane with 1 - bromo - 1 - butyne, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst and base; (ii) the acetylation of the crude product of this reaction; (iii) the (Z)-stereoselective reduction of the obtained conjugated (E)-enyn-1-yl acetate. (E)-9,11-Dodecadien-1-yl acetate (2), a sex pheromone component of Diparopsiscastanea, has been analogously obtained (in 54.3% overall yield) by cross-coupling of (E) - 10 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) - 1 - decenyl borane with vinyl bromide, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst and base, followed by acetylation of the crude product. Compound 2, which was 87.7% chemically pure, was purified by column chromatography over SiO₂-AgNO₃. Chemically pure (9Z, 11E) - 9,11 - tetradecadien - 1 - yl acetate (3), a sex pheromone component of Spodopteralittoralis, has been prepared (in 30.2% overall yield) by reaction of 10 - (2 - tetrahydropyranyloxy) - 1 - decynylamagnesium bromide with (E)-1-iodo-1-butene, in the presence of a Pd (O) catalyst, followed by acetylation of the crude product and by (Z)-stereoselective reduction of the obtained (E)-enyn-1-yl acetate.The stereoisomeric purity of 1, 2 and 3 has been evaluated by glc analysis on glass capillary columns or by reverse phase hplc analysis.     

Diastereoselective reduction of β-keto carbonyl compounds by cultured plant cells

The diastereoselective reduction of β-keto carbonyl compounds such as 2-benzamidomethyl-3-oxobutanoates and 2-methyl-2-(2-propenyl)cyclopentan-1,3-dione by cultured cells of higher plants was investigated. The reduction of the 2-benzamidomethyl-3-oxobutanoates by Parthenocissus tricuspidata diastereoselectively produced the (2R,3S)-2-benzamidomethyl-3-hydroxybutanoates, whereas the reduction by Gossypium hirsutum gave the (2S,3S)-2-benzamidomethyl-3-hydroxybutanoates. The (2R,3S)/(2S,3S) predominance in the reduction with Nicotiana tabacum, Glycine max, and Catharanthus roseus was reversed by the change in the structure of the alkoxyl group in the substrate. On the other hand, the reduction of 2-methyl-2-(2-propenyl)cyclopentan-1,3-dione by P. tricuspidata produced (2R,3S)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(2-propenyl)cyclopentan-1-one, whereas the reaction by N. tabacum, G. max, C. roseus, and G. hirsutum gave (2S,3S)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(2-propenyl)cyclopentan-1-one.