Probing the metal complexing ability of bis-quinolizidine N-oxides: Synthesis, spectroscopy and crystal structures

New ZnX₂ (X = Cl, Br) complexes with sparteine N1-oxide, sparteine epi-N16-oxide, lupanine (2-oxosparteine) N-oxide and α-isosparteine N-oxide were obtained and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Complexation with N1-oxides involves inversion of the configuration at the N16 atom of sparteine, converting its C ring from a boat into a chair form, whereas the structure of sparteine epi-N16-oxide, typified by the trans boat/chair C/D quinolizidine moiety, remains unchanged upon complexation. Coordination of zinc salts in the above compounds is realized solely through the oxygen atom of the N-O group and is accompanied by protonation of the “not-N-oxide” nitrogen atom. At variance lupanine N-oxide forms bis-monodentate complexes with ZnX₂ utilizing both the N-oxide and the lactam carbonyl oxygen atoms to bridge the neighboring ZnX₂ units, while reaction of α-isosparteine N-oxide with ZnX₂ leads to formation of complex salts of the general formula [H(−)α-Sp(N-oxide)][(ZnX₃)(H₂O)].     

Experimental and theoretical molecular and electronic structures of the N-oxides of pyridazine,pyrimidine and pyrazine

The structures of pyridazine N-oxide, pyrimidine N-oxide and pyrazine N-oxide have been determined by X-ray diffraction for the first time. Comparison with theoretical predictions of the equilibrium structures using the B3LYP method together with a cc-pVTZ basis set, show close agreement with the structural parameters observed, and experimental dipole moments, which suggests that the charge distribution is realistic. An ‘atoms in molecules’ (AIM) analysis of the computed wave-functions shows total electron densities rather different from the classical picture of a dative bond, whereas the same wave-functions subjected to Mulliken analysis show a more conventional view of the electron distribution. This latter procedure allows a bond dipole analysis of the N-oxide charge distribution.     

Thermooxidative decomposition of heterocyclic <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oxides

Thermooxidative decomposition of pyridine N-oxide, 4-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)pyridine N-oxide, 4-(4-methoxystyryl)pyridine N-oxide, quinoline N-oxide, 2-methylquinoline N-oxide, 4-chloroquinoline N-oxide, 2-styrylquinoline N-oxide, and 2-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)quinoline N-oxide was studied. The kinetic parameters of the thermooxidative processes were calculated according to three independent procedures. The relation between the nature of heterocyclic N-oxide and its stability to thermal oxidation was analyzed.     

Biotransformation of Protoberberine Alkaloids by the Endophytic Fungus Coelomycetes AFKR-3 Isolated from Yellow Moonsheed Plant (Archangelisia Flava (L.) Merr.)

The endophytic fungus Coelomycetes AFKR-3 isolated from young stems of yellow moonshed plant (Archangelisia flava (L.) Merr.) has shown the capability to biotransform berberine into its 7-N-oxide derivative. Further investigations showed that the fungus can also biotransform the protoberberine alkaloid, palmatine into a new derivative palmatine 7-N-oxide in liquid medium of glucose-yeast extract-peptone. Berberine 7-N-oxide displayed the same antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungi as berberine     

Investigation of Symphytum cordatum alkaloids by liquid-liquid partitioning, thin-layer chromatography and liquid chromatography-ion-trap mass spectrometry

From the alkalised crude extract of Symphytum cordatum (L.) W.K. roots, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) were extracted as free tertiary bases and polar N-oxides in a merely one-step liquid-liquid partitioning (LLP) in separation funnel and subsequently pre-fractionated by preparative multiple-development (MD) thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on silica gel plates. In this way three alkaloid fractions of different polarities and retention on silica gel plates were obtained as: the most polar N-oxides of the highest retention, the tertiary bases of medium retention, and diesterified N-oxides of the lowest retention. The former fraction was reduced into free bases by sodium hydrosulfite and purified by LLP on Extrelut-NT3 cartridge. It was further analysed together with the two other fractions by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ion-trap mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface on XTerra C₁₈ column using a gradient elution. Based on MSⁿ spectra, 18 various alkaloids have been tentatively determined for the first time in this plant as the following types of structure: echimidine-N-oxide (three diasteroisomers), 7-sarracinyl-9-viridiflorylretronecine (two diasteroisomers), echimidine (two diasteroisomers), lycopsamine (two diasteroisomers), dihydroechinatine-N-oxide, dihydroheliospathuline-N-oxide, lycopsamine-N-oxide (three diasteroisomers), 7-acetyllycopsamine-N-oxide, symphytine-N-oxide (two diasteroisomers) and 2″,3″-epoxyechiumine-N-oxide.     

Facile synthesis of medium-sized cyclic amines based on Friedel-Crafts reaction via iminium cation by use of acetylene dicobalt complex

An intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction of N-methoxymethyl sulfoneamides 3e-j containing an acetylene dicobalt moiety was found to proceed smoothly to afford eight- and nine-membered cyclic amines 4e-j in high yields.     

Cross-linked poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide) as a polymer-supported oxygen atom transfer reagent

Oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reagents are common in biological and industrial oxidation reactions. While many heterogeneous catalysts have been utilized in OAT reactions, heterogeneous OAT reagents have not been explored. Here, cross-linked poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide), called x-PVP-N-oxide, was tested as a heterogeneous OAT reagent and its oxidation chemistry compared to its molecular counterpart, pyridine-N-oxide. The insoluble oxidant x-PVP-N-oxide demonstrated comparable reactivity to pyridine-N-oxide in direct oxidation reactions of phosphines and phosphites in acetonitrile, but x-PVP-N-oxide did not react in other solvents. The polymer backbone of x-PVP-N-oxide, however, allowed for easy filtering and recycling in sequential oxidation reactions. In addition, x-PVP-N-oxide was tested as the stoichiometric oxidant in a copper-catalyzed OAT reaction to α-diazo-benzeneacetic acid methyl ester. The heterogeneous oxidant was much less reactive than pyridine-N-oxide, indicating that interaction with the metal catalyst was challenging. These results demonstrated a proof-of-concept that recyclable, polymer-supported OAT reagents could be a viable OAT reagents in direct oxidation reactions without metal catalysts.     

Quantum-chemical study of the mechanism of dissolution of scleroproteins in N-methylmorpholine N-oxide

Complex formation of scleroprotein models with an N-methylmorpholine N-oxide solvent was studied by the semiempirical PM3 method.     

Synthesis of gentianine N-oxide by enzymatic hydrolysis of swertiamarin in the presence of hydroxylamine and reaction pathway to gentianine and gentianol

Gentianine is a metabolite of gentiopicroside and swertiamarin. Several biological activities have been reported for gentianine, such as antiinflammatory and antidiabetic activity, and hypotensive effect. Gentiopicroside is found in 0.9–9.8% content in Gentian root or Gentian scabra root, and Swertiamarin is contained in Swertia herb in 2–10%. These natural products can be potential starting materials for the synthesis of gentianine. This study describes the β-glucosidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of gentiopicroside and swertiamarin in the presence of hydroxylamine to afford gentianine N-oxide, which can be a synthetic precursor of gentianine derivatives. Enzymatic hydrolysis of swertiamarin selectively afforded gentianine N-oxide in 81% yield, whereas gentiopicroside afforded gentianine N-oxide and gentianol N-oxide. Plausible reaction pathways leading to gentianine, gentianol, and their N-oxides were also investigated.     

Regioselective N-alkylation of imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-4-oxide derivatives: an experimental and DFT study

Regioselectivities were determined for N-alkylations of imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-4-oxide and 2-methyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-4-oxide with benzyl bromide or benzyl iodide at RT using K₂CO₃ in DMF as a base. Experimental attempts have shown that N-1/N-3 ratios slightly varied according to the substitution on C-2 position. This was confirmed by DFT calculations in solvent phase. This computational study has shown first that this N-benzylation reaction passed through a S_N2 mechanism. Moreover, regioselectivity of N-benzylation has appeared essentially governed by ‘steric approach control’. It explained that opposite N-1/N-3 ratios were obtained with imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-4-oxide and its 2-methyl-substituted analog. Finally, regioselectivities slightly varied with the nature of benzyl halide.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the dissociation enthalpy of the N–O bond on 2-hydroxypyridine N-oxide: theoretical analysis of the energetics of the N–O bond for hydroxypyrydine N-oxide isomers

The standard (p^∘=0.1 MPa) molar enthalpy of formation of crystalline 2-hydroxypyridine N-oxide was measured, at T=298.15 K, by static bomb calorimetry and the standard molar enthalpy of sublimation, at T=298.15 K, was obtained using Calvet microcalorimetry. These values were used to derive the standard molar enthalpy of formation of 2-hydroxypyridine N-oxide in gaseous phase, and to evaluate the dissociation enthalpy of the N–O bond. Additionally, high-level density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP hybrid exchange-correlation energy functional have been performed for the three isomers of hydroxypyridine N-oxide in order to confirm the experimental trend for the dissociation enthalpy of the (N–O) bond.     

(N-Arylaminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxides: Synthesis and characterization of potential ligand systems and the formation of their N,O-chelate aluminum complexes

Pyridine-N-oxide-2-carbaldehyde (4a) was converted to the corresponding imine (5a) by treatment with 2,6-diisopropylaniline. Subsequent reduction with a sodium borohydride gave the corresponding (N-arylaminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxide derivative (6a). A series of analogous compounds was prepared starting from the respective (aldimino)quinoline-N-oxide (4b) or (ketimino)pyridine-N-oxide (10) systems. Deprotonation of the (aminomethyl)pyridine-N-oxides resulted in a series of unexpected reactions, such as coupling, internal redox reactions or fragmentation. Eventually, the N,O-chelate aluminum complexes (22, 23) derived from the (aminoethyl)pyridine-N-oxide ligand systems could be obtained by treatment of the respective iminopyridine-N-oxides with trimethylaluminum. Many products were characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of β-carbolines using microwave-assisted aza-Wittig methodology in ionic liquids

The improved preparation of 1-substituted-β-carbolines is reported using microwave-assisted aza-Wittig/electrocyclic ring-closure reaction with ionic liquids as solvent. In all cases an unprecedented N-methoxymethyl group (MOM) deprotection is observed.     

Thermal behavior of quinoline <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oxide hydrates and deuterohydrate

Spectral and thermochemical investigation of physicochemical properties of quinoline N-oxide crystallohydrates with H₂O and D₂O is carried out. Quinoline N-oxide is established to form with H₂O a stable dihydrate where two water molecules are energetically not equal. Complete dehydration of quinoline N-oxide occurs when temperature reaches 150°C. With accounting for the obtained thermochenical data, quinoline N-oxide and its mono- and dihydrates are isolated in the individual state and their IR spectra are registered and considered. It is established that at boiling quinoline N-oxide in D₂O proceeds chemical reaction affording isoindoline-1,3-dione (phthalimide). The product is identified by elemental analysis and ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The band assignment in the IR spectra of quinoline N-oxide, phthalimide and of the complex of the latter with D₂O is based on the quantum-chemical DFT calculations.     

Temperature-dependent polymorphism of N-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide 3-oxide: experimental and theoretical studies on intermolecular interactions in the crystal state

X-ray analysis of N-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide 3-oxide reveals the temperature-dependent polymorphism associated with the crystallographic symmetry conversion. The observed crystal structure transformation corresponds to a symmetry reduction from I4₁ /a (I) to P4₃ (II) space groups. The phase transition mainly concerns the subtle but clearly noticeable reorganization of molecules in the crystal space, with the structure of individual molecules left almost unchanged. The Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that various intermolecular contacts play an important role in the crystal packing, revealing graphically the differences in spatial arrangements of the molecules in both polymorphs. The N-oxide oxygen atom acts as a formally negatively charged hydrogen bonding acceptor in intramolecular hydrogen bond of N–H…O^? type. The combined crystallographic and theoretical DFT methods demonstrate that the observed intramolecular N-oxide N–H…O hydrogen bond should be classified as a very strong charge-assisted and closed-shell non-covalent interaction.     

Ruthenium(III)-catalysed oxidation of secondary alcohols by N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO)

A catalytic amount of RuCl₃ in the presence of excess of N-methyl-morpholine N-oxide (NMO) in DMF oxidizes secondary alcohols to ketones. Spectral studies reveal the formation of a Ru(V)-oxo species which is formed in situ on adding N-oxide. The formation of Ru(V) has been established by cyclic voltammetric studies. The mechanism involves the formation of Ru(V)-oxo species in steady state concentrations from Ru(III) and NMO, and this in turn reacts with the substrate in the rate-determining step.     

Phase-equilibrium and cellulose-coagulation kinetics for cellulose solutions in <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylmorpholine-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-oxide

The dissolution of cellulose in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate and the dissolution of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate in water have been studied via optical interferometry. A part of the phase diagram for the cellulose/N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide system has been constructed. The phase diagram is characterized by crystalline equilibrium, hysteresis of the melting temperatures of the solvents, and a region of anisotropy. Optical interferometry has been used for the first time to study the kinetics of cellulose coagulation during the interaction of cellulose solutions in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide with water and water solutions of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide. Information on the values of interdiffusion coefficients and the morphologies of the resulting cellulose films has been obtained. The possibility to use optical interferometry to analyze the interaction of a solution with the coagulating agent in the case of cellulose fiber and film formation has been demonstrated. The influences of temperature, the nature of the coagulating agent, and the cellulose content on the kinetics of the process and morphologies of the formed films have been shown. The use of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide as a part of the coagulation system decreases the rate of interdiffusion of solutions, thereby resulting in a more uniform and dense morphology of cellulose films. Increased temperature causes diffusion acceleration, thereby leading to the formation of an anisotropic morphology of the cellulose films.     

Electrophilic fluorination with N-fluoroquinuclidinium fluoride

N-Fluoroquinuclidinium fluoride (NFQNF), obtainable in ca. 90% yield by direct low-temperature liquid-phase fluorination of quinuclidine, has been used to deliver ‘positive’ fluorine to carbanionic sites in a number of organic substrates.     

Darstellung und eigenschaften von 124,2,4,6-thiatriazin-1-oxiden. zur struktur der hydrolyseprodukte von 1-arensulfonyl-imino-1λ4,2,4,6-thiatriazinen

Synthesis and structure of 4-phenoxy-H[1λ⁴,2,4,6]thiatriazino[4,3a]benzimidazole-2-oxide 5, 3-amino-4H[1λ⁴,2,4,6]thiatriazino[2,3-a]benzimidazole-1-oxide 6 and 3-amino-5-dimethylamino-2-tosyl-1λ⁴, 2,4,6-thiatriazine-1-oxide 7, obtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding arenesulfonyl imino compounds are discussed. The molecular and crystal structure of N-benzoyl-? tosyl-guanidine is presented.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities and bioguided fractionation of the Ocotea percoriacea extracts: HPLC-DAD-MS/MS characterization and molecular modeling of their alkaloids in the active fraction

In vitro acetylcholinesterase activities of the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Ocotea percoriacea Kosterm. (Lauraceae) were evaluated. The bioguided fractionation of the most active extract (dichloromethane) using silica gel open-column chromatography led to an active alkaloidal fraction composed of isocorydine N-oxide, isocorydine N-oxide derivative, palmatine, roemerine and roemerine N-Oxide. The identification of the chemical structure of these compounds was carried out with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization multiple-stage mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Aiming to understand their inhibitory activities, these alkaloids were docked into a 3D model of Electrophorus electricus Acetylcholinesterase (EelAChE) built in the Modeller 9.18 employing homology modeling approach. The results suggest that the alkaloids had the same binding mode and, possibly, the inhibition mechanism of classic drugs (ex. tacrine and donepezil). The structural difference of these compounds opens a new opportunity for the optimization of leading compounds.