In situ gel forming graft copolymers of a polyaspartamide and polylactic acid: Preparation and characterization

In situ gel forming systems have been prepared by linking polylactic acid (PLA) to a water soluble and polyfunctional polymer, such as α,β-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-d,l-aspartamide (PHEA). Three graft copolymers PHEA-PLA with a different derivatization degree in PLA, have been synthesized and characterized. PHEA-PLA graft copolymer with the highest amount in PLA has been used to prepare solutions in organic solvents able to give rise to gel-like matrices when injected into phosphate buffered saline solution. The chemical degradation of these gels has been evaluated and in vitro tests have been performed to evaluate the cell compatibility of the hydrolysis products. The possibility to use these gels for drug release has been investigated by incorporating leuprolide as a peptide model drug and by evaluating its in vitro release. To improve the drug release profile, PHEA-PLA graft copolymer has been derivatized with pendant carboxylic groups that are able to form an ion pair with the leuprolide thus reducing the burst effect and prolonging its release.     

Fluorinated derivatives of a polyaspartamide bearing polyethylene glycol chains as oxygen carriers

In this paper the synthesis and characterization of new fluorinated polymers based on a polyaspartamide bearing polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, are reported. The starting material was the α,β-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide (PHEA), a water soluble and biocompatible polymer, that has been derivatized with both polyethylene glycol (with a molecular weight of 2000 Da) and 5-pentafluorophenyl-3-perfluoroheptyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole. By varying the amount of the fluorinated oxadiazole, three samples have been prepared and characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. Size exclusion chromatography analysis of these copolymers revealed the occurrence of a self-association process in aqueous medium. The value of critical aggregation concentration has been evaluated by performing a tensiometric study, whereas the size of these aggregates has been determined by photon correlation spectroscopy. Oxygen solubility studies in aqueous solutions of these fluoropolymers showed their ability to maintain high oxygen levels in solution. The biocompatibility of these fluoropolymers has been evaluated by performing an in vitro viability assay on human chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells (K-562), chosen as a model cell line, and haemolysis experiments on human red blood cells. All these properties suggest the potential use of these fluoropolymers as artificial oxygen carriers.     

Carbohydrate-derived spiroketals: stereoselective synthesis of di-d-fructose dianhydrides

A one-pot synthesis of di-d-fructose dianhydrides (DFAs) having the 1,6,9,13-tetraoxadispiro[4.2.4.2]tetradecane and 1,7,10,15-tetraoxadispiro[5.2.5.2]hexadecane skeleton has been accomplished. The methodology relies on the ability of per-O-protected 1,2-O-isopropylidene β-d-fructofuranose and β-d-fructopyranose derivatives to undergo a tandem acetal cleavage-intermolecular glycosylation-intramolecular spiroketalization process by reaction with suitable acid promoters, such as boron trifluoride etherate or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, in apolar organic solvents. Spirocyclization proceeds then under irreversible reaction conditions to give binary mixtures of di-d-fructofuranose (α,α and α,β diastereomers) or di-d-fructopyranose 1,2′:2,1′ dianhydrides (β,β and α,β), respectively, the stereochemical outcome being dependent on the non-participating or participating character of the protecting groups. Thus, benzylated and allylated derivatives afford, preferentially, the non-symmetric DFAs (α,β), with diastereomeric excess up to 92%. In contrast, the use of participating benzoyl groups favours the C₂-symmetric diastereomer in both series.     

Novel pyrroloquinoline ribosides from the South African latrunculid sponge Strongylodesma aliwaliensis

Two novel pyrroloquinoline ribosides, N-1-β-D-ribofuranosyldamirone C (1), and N-1-β-D-ribofuranosylmakaluvamine I (2) were isolated from a new species of South African latrunculid sponge, Strongylodesma aliwaliensis. Standard spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the structures of 1 and 2. Molecular modeling studies and NOESY data of 1 and 2, in combination with chiral GC analysis of their derivatized acid hydrolysis products, established the β-D-configuration of the ribofuranose moieties.     

A reinvestigated mechanism of ribosylation of adenine under silylating conditions

The mechanism of chemical synthesis of adenosine has been reinvestigated. Depending on the reaction conditions and the presence of N⁶-protecting groups, ribosylation of adenine proceeds via different kinetic products: 3-riboadenine in strongly acidic media, 7-ribosylated derivative in the silyl method, and 1-(β-d-ribofuranosyl)adenine when applying N⁶-acyladenine and silylating conditions.     

Synthesis and RNA-selective hybridization of α-l-ribo- and β-d-lyxo-configured oligonucleotides

Three α-l-ribofuranosyl analogues of RNA nucleotides (α-l-RNA analogues) have been synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotides using the phosphoramide approach on an automated DNA synthesizer. The 4′-C-hydroxymethyl-α-l-ribofuranosyl thymine monomer was furthermore synthesized. Relative to the unmodified duplexes, incorporation of a single α-l-RNA monomer into a DNA strand leads to reduced thermal stability of duplexes with DNA complements but unchanged thermal stability of duplexes with RNA complements, whereas incorporation of more than one α-l-RNA monomer lead to moderately decreased thermal stability also of duplexes with RNA complements. Efficient hybridization with an RNA complement and no melting transition with a DNA complement were observed with stereoregular chimeric oligonucleotides composed of a mixture of α-l-RNA and affinity enhancing α-l-LNA monomers (α-l-ribo-configured locked nucleic acid). Furthermore, duplexes formed between oligodeoxynucleotides containing an α-l-RNA monomer and complementary RNA were good substrates for Escherichia coli RNase H. RNA-selective hybridization was also achieved by the incorporation of 1-(4-C-hydroxymethyl-β-d-lyxofuranosyl)thymine monomers into a DNA strand, whereas stable duplexes were formed with both complementary DNA and RNA when these monomers were incorporated into an RNA strand.     

Electrospinning of α,β-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide-graft-polylactic acid to produce a fibrillar scaffold

α,β-Poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-dl-aspartamide grafted with polylactic acid (PHEA-g-PLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable amphiphilic copolymer that has been already employed to prepare a drug delivery system.In this study we have prepared for the first time a fibrillar scaffold from PHEA-g-PLA by the electrospinning of a solution of this copolymer in a mixture of N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) and acetone (80:20 vol/vol). The average diameter and the morphology of electrospun fibers were detected by scanning electron microscopy.Chemical degradation studies in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4 have been performed until 15 days in order to obtain a preliminary information about the hydrolytic resistance of the prepared scaffold.     

An efficient approach to d-threo-3-hydroxyaspartic acid for the synthesis of novel l-threo-oxazolines as selective blockers of glutamate reversed uptake

An efficient, stereoselective synthetic strategy to d-threo-3-hydroxyaspartic acid was developed. Starting from l-(2S,3S)-N-benzoyl-3-hydroxyaspartic acid dimethyl ester by a Deoxo-fluor-catalyzed cyclization reaction, an inversion of configuration at the β-center (erythro isomer), was observed. A base-induced epimerization reaction led to the d-trans-isomer, which was hydrolyzed to give d-threo-3-hydroxyaspartic acid with excellent stereoselectivity and overall yield. Starting from d-threo-3-hydroxyaspartic acid, l-threo-oxazolines can be stereoselectively synthesized.     

Two additional 1,9-diarylnonanoid 3-glucosides from Erica cinerea among which an unusual α-dione in conformational equilibrium

Continuation of the phytochemical analysis of Erica cinerea fresh aerial parts resulted in the isolation of two new compounds with a very close chromatographic behavior. On the basis of spectroscopic evidence (UV, MS and NMR), the structures were established as (−)-(3S,6E)-1,9-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxynon-6-en-5-one 3-O-β-d-glucoside named 6,7-anhydroericaone 3-O-β-d-glucoside and (−)-(3S)-1,9-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxynonan-5,6-dione 3-O-β-d-glucoside named α-ericadione 3-O-β-d-glucoside. Unanticipated by its α-alkadione type structure —a very unusual feature in the plant kingdom— the latter metabolite was found as a mixture of the minor s-cis and the major s-trans conformers. Moreover, the GC-MS analysis of the aglycone moieties of such glucosides, pointed out the permanent absence of the molecular ion and the constant hydroxybenzylium base peak, as well as the conversion of the α-dione into the major α-keto-enol tautomer.     

Efficient synthesis of new N-alkyl-d-ribono-1,5-lactams from d-ribono-1,4-lactone

d-Ribono-1,4-lactone was treated with ethylamine in DMF to afford N-ethyl-d-ribonamide 9a in quantitative yield. Bromination of amide 9a by the system SOBr₂ in DMF or PPh₃/CBr₄ in pyridine led, after acetylation, to epoxide 7. However, treatment of amide 9a with acetyl bromide in dioxane followed by acetylation gave 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-bromo-5-deoxyl-N-ethyl-d-ribonamide 10a. Methanolysis of 10a, with sodium methoxide, afforded the N-ethyl-d-ribonolactam 11a in 51% overall yields. Using this method, N-butyl, N-hexyl, N-dodecyl, and N-benzyl-d-ribonolactams 11b-e were obtained in good yields (48-53%).     

New organotin(IV) complexes with l-Arginine, Nα-t-Boc-l-Arginine and l-Alanyl-l-Arginine: Synthesis, structural investigations and cytotoxic activity

Novel diorganotin(IV) derivatives of l-Arginine (HArg), N_α-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-l-Arginine (Boc-Arg-OH) and l-Ala-l-Arg (H₂Ala-Arg), H₂NC(NH)NH(CH₂)₃CH(NHR′)CO₂H, where R′ = H in HArg, R′ = C(O)OC(CH₃)₃ in Boc-Arg-OH, R′ = H₂NCH(CH₃)CO in H₂Ala-Arg and triorganotin(IV) derivatives of Boc-Arg-OH have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The complexes were investigated by FT-IR and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer in the solid state and by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn and ¹H-¹H COSY NMR spectroscopy, in solution. The spectroscopic characterization leading to the proposed molecular structures was accomplished on the basis of these experiments. l-Arginine appears to behave as a chelating ligand through carboxylate and -NH₂ groups in Me₂Sn(Arg)₂, while in N_α-t-Boc-l-Arginine complex, the N_α-protected amino group being exempted from coordination, only the carboxylate groups are effectors of bonding to the organometallic moieties. FT-IR spectra give a clear indication that guanidino groups in all the complexes are not involved in coordination, since ν(CN-H) frequency of the terminal guanidino group is fairly constant and unshifted relative to the free ligand. The biological activity of organotin(IV)-complexes was also investigated by use of human HT29 colorectal carcinoma cells. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds was determined by the MTT quantitative colorimetric assay, capable of detecting viable cells in comparison with that exerted by cisplatin. A marked cytotoxic activity for nearly all complexes, is evident being higher than that exerted by cisplatin, while no significant improvement of activity was observed for Me₂Sn(Arg)₂ and Me₂Sn(Ala-Arg), which was confirmed by IC₅₀ values. Then, we assessed whether the cytotoxicity induced by organotin(IV) complexes was associated with the induction of apoptosis. Light microscopy analysis, performed to study the morphological changes induced in HT29 cells, confirmed the results obtained with MTT test. No significant morphological alterations were observed in HT29 cells after treatment with Me₂Sn(Ala-Arg) and Me₂Sn(l-Arg)₂. Cells treated with ⁿBu₂Sn(Boc-Arg)₂, ⁿBu₂Sn(Ala-Arg), ⁿBu₃Sn(Boc-Arg) and Me₃Sn(Boc-Arg), appeared rounded, isolated and detached from culture substrate, indicating the commitment to apoptotic cell death.     

Facile synthesis of both enantiomers of (pyrrolidin-2-yl)phosphonate from l-proline

Diastereoselective introduction of phosphono groups into l-proline derivatives at the 5-position was achieved with suitable selection of N-protecting group. N-Benzoyl-l-prolinate preferentially gave trans-phosphorylated products, which could be easily transformed into (S)-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)phosphonates. On the other hand, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-prolinate reacted with phosphite to give cis-substituted products, which could be easily transformed into (R)-(pyrrolidin-2-yl)phosphonates.     

Catalysis by zeolite leading to the construction of thiazole ring: an improved synthesis of 4-alkynyl substituted thiazoles

Zeolite H-beta facilitated the reaction of α-chloro acetyl chloride with 1,2-bis-trimethyl silyl acetylene to give 1-chloro-4-(trimethylsilyl)but-3-yn-2-one which on treatment with thioacetamide afforded 2-methyl-4-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]thiazole. l-Proline on the other hand facilitated the coupling reaction of 2-methyl-4-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]thiazole with (hetero)aryl halides (modified Sonogashira reaction) under Pd-Cu catalysis in the presence of aqueous K₂CO₃ affording an improved method for the synthesis of corresponding 4-alkynyl substituted thiazole derivatives.     

Racemization behavior of l,l-lactide during heating

To control the depolymerization process of poly(l-lactic acid) into l,l-lactide for feedstock recycling, the racemization of l,l-lactide as a post-depolymerization reaction was investigated. In the absence of a catalyst, the conversion to meso-lactide increased with increase in the heating temperature and time at a higher rate than the conversion into oligomers. The resulting high composition of meso-lactide suggests that the direct racemization of l,l-lactide had occurred in addition to the known racemization mechanism that occurs on the oligomer chains. In the presence of MgO, the oligomerization rapidly proceeded to reach an equilibrium state between monomers and oligomers. The equilibrium among l,l-, meso-, and d,d-lactides was found to be a convergent composition ratio l,l-:meso-:d,d-lactides = 1:1.22:0.99 (wt/wt/wt) after 120 min at 300 °C. This composition ratio also indicates that in addition to the known racemization reaction on the oligomer chains, direct racemization among the lactides is also a frequent occurrence.     

Concise and practical synthesis of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6-iminosugars

The syntheses of (2S,3R,4R,5R) and (2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,6-dideoxy-1,6 iminosugars 1a and 1b, respectively, from d-glucose are described. The key transformations in this reaction sequence include regio-selective epoxide ring opening with N-benzylamine followed by intramolecular reductive amination of amino-aldehyde.     

Enantioselective catalytic epoxidation of α,β-enones promoted by fluorous α,α-diaryl-l-prolinols

Enantioselective (up to 87% ee) epoxidation of a variety of α,β-enones to form α,β-epoxy ketones is described using a series of fluorous α,α-diaryl-l-prolinols as bifuncational organocatalysts and tert-butyl hydrogenperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant.     

A novel method for synthesis of arylacetic acids from aldehydes, N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloylated-d-glucopyranosyl)amine and trimethylsilylcyanide

A novel synthetic approach for the preparation of arylacetic acids via the reaction of aldehydes, N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloylated-d-glucopyranosyl)amine and trimethylsilylcyanide was developed, in which the N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloylated-d-glucopyranosyl)amine can be recycled conveniently and reused efficiently.     

Facile one-step synthesis of N-α-Boc-1-alkyl-l-histidines

N-α-Boc-l-Histidine upon direct τ(N-1) ring alkylation with various alkyl halides in the presence of sodium hydride in DMF or CH₃CN easily afforded N-α-Boc-1-alkyl-l-histidines 2a-f. The reaction works equally well in either DMF or CH₃CN as solvent, however, CH₃CN is preferred due to ease of reaction work-up.     

Novel thermally stable and chiral poly(amide-imide)s bearing from N,N′-(4,4′-diphthaloyl)-bis-l-isoleucine diacid: Synthesis and characterization

Novel optically active aromatic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) were prepared from newly synthesized N,N′-(4,4′-diphthaloyl)-bis-l-isoleucine diacid (3) via polycondensation with various diamines. The diacid was synthesized by the condensation reaction of 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (1) with l-isoleucine (2) in a mixture of acetic acid and pyridine (3:2 v/v). All the polymers were obtained in quantitative yields with inherent viscosities of 0.20-0.43 dL g⁻¹. All the polymers were highly organosoluble in solvents like N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrofuran, γ-butyrolactone, cyclohexanone and chloroform at room temperature or upon heating. These poly(amide-imide)s had glass transition temperatures between 198 and 231 °C, and their 10% weight-loss temperatures were ranging from 368 to 398 °C and 353 to 375 °C under nitrogen and air, respectively. The polyimide films had tensile strengths in the range of 63-88 MPa and tensile moduli in the range of 0.8-1.4 GPa. These poly(amide-imide)s possessed chiral properties and the specific rotations were in the range of −3.10° to −72.92°.     

Promiscuous enzyme-catalyzed regioselective Michael addition of purine derivatives to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in organic solvent

Regioselective Michael addition of purine derivatives to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds could be catalyzed by d-aminoacylase amano (DA) in DMSO. The influence of reaction conditions on the Michael addition, including solvent, temperature, and enzyme concentration was systematically investigated. Then we extended this methodology to six structurally diverse purine derivatives and a variety of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. 21 Michael adducts were selectively synthesized in moderate to high yields. It is the first report on enzyme-catalyzed Michael addition for the preparation of purine derivatives.