Binding of novel fullerene inhibitors to HIV-1 protease: insight through molecular dynamics and molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area calculations

The objectives of this study include the design of a series of novel fullerene-based inhibitors for HIV-1 protease (HIV-1 PR), by employing two strategies that can also be applied to the design of inhibitors for any other target. Additionally, the interactions which contribute to the observed exceptionally high binding free energies were analyzed. In particular, we investigated: (1) hydrogen bonding (H-bond) interactions between specific fullerene derivatives and the protease, (2) the regions of HIV-1 PR that play a significant role in binding, (3) protease changes upon binding and (4) various contributions to the binding free energy, in order to identify the most significant of them. This study has been performed by employing a docking technique, two 3D-QSAR models, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM–PBSA) method. Our computed binding free energies are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental results. The suitability of specific fullerene derivatives as drug candidates was further enhanced, after ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) properties have been estimated to be promising. The outcomes of this study revealed important protein–ligand interaction patterns that may lead towards the development of novel, potent HIV-1 PR inhibitors.     

Stereoselective synthesis of conjugated all-trans-tetraenes. Application to the synthesis of β-parinaric acid methyl ester

in this paper is reported the stereoselective synthesis of all-trans-tetraenes by reductive elimination of 1,8-dibenzoate-2,4,6-trienes with sodium amalgam. The method was applied to the syntheses of 4E, 6E, 8E, 10E-heptatetraene and β—parinaric acid methyl ester.     

Selective carbophilic addition of organolithiums to thioamides. A novel synthesis of unsymmetrical ketones and α-alkylated amines

Thioamides, readily available from aldehydes, sulfur and secondary amines, can be converted to unsymmetrical ketones by the carbophilic addition of organolithiums to the thiocarbonyl group. Reduction of the intermediates with lithium aluminum hydride gives α-alkylated or α-arylated amines.     

A new access to β-methyl substituted secondary alcohols. Application to the synthesis of 4-methylheptan-3-ol

All four stereoisomers of 4-methylheptan-3-ol were synthesized by a five-step route starting from 4-thianones. Key steps in the synthesis include: (a) reduction of 3-propyl-4-thianone to yield an easily separable isomeric mixture of cis- and trans-3-propyl-4-thianols; and (b) a highly efficient resolution of the particular cis/trans-isomers through a chromatographic separation of their respective esters with (S)-chlorofluoroacetic acid. Subsequent hydrolysis and desulfurization gave the required compounds in 18% overall yield. All the stereoisomers are obtained with purities better than 90%.     

Preparation and characterization of a novel organic–inorganic hybrid nanostructure: application in synthesis of spirocompounds

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Immobilization and heterogenization of acidic/basic groups or organic tags on inorganic supports have found many important applications in recent years. In this...     

Access to β,γ-diamino acids. Application to the synthesis of 3-deoxyaminostatine

The synthesis of orthogonally protected diastereo- and enantiopure β,γ-diamino acids starting from natural α-amino acids is described, as well as its application to the synthesis of fully protected 3-deoxyaminostatine.     

Synthesis of 4,4-dialkoxy-3-piperidinols. Application to the synthesis of γ-acetate dehydropipecolinonitrile

The synthesis of 4,4-dialkoxy-3-piperidinols 7 was carried out by the α-bromination of piperidin-4-one 5 with N-bromosuccinimide in acetic acid and alkoxide ion-mediated α,α-dialkoxyhydroxylation. Under acidic condition, trimethyl orthoformate-mediated reaction of compound 7a yielded aminodienylester 8 in the presence of Ph₃PCHCO₂Et. The γ-acetate dehydropipecolinonitrile 4 was also synthesized via boron trifluoride etherate-promoted addition of compound 8 with trimethylsilyl cyanide and N-bromosuccinimide and selective hydrogenation.     

General approach for the stereocontrolled synthesis of tricyclic lactones via allene intramolecular cycloaddition. An application to the synthesis of (±)-platyphyllide

A new synthesis of tricyclic lactones via allene intramolecular cycloaddition and its application to synthesis of (±)-platyphyllide are described.     

A novel synthesis of a highly heat‐resistant organosilicon polymer using base catalysts

A new highly heatresistant polymer containing silicon, poly[(phenylsilylene)ethynylene1,3phenyleneethynylene] (MSP), was prepared by dehydrogenative coupling polymerization between phenylsilane and 1,3diethynylbenzene in the presence of base catalysts such as alkaline earth metal oxides, metal hydrides and metal alkoxides. The preparation process, catalytic activities, reaction mechanisms and polymer properties were discussed.     

A novel polycondensation method for the synthesis of a two-faced β-1,4-glucan

Abstract  

The stereospecific synthesis of a chitosan derivative repeating 2-azido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-d-glucopyranose, which has two distinguishing faces, was achieved by polycondensation of the sole starting disaccharide, trichloroacetimidoyl 2-azido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-d-glucopyranoside in a short and efficient way.     

A stereocontrolled synthesis of cis-3,4-diarylisochroman-1-ones through diastereoselective reaction of benzaldehydes and α-lithio-2-cyanodiarylmethane intermediates.

A highly diastereoselective reaction of benzaldehydes and α-lithio-2-cyanodiarylmethanes is reported. Using this approach a stereocontrolled synthesis of cis-3,4-diarylisochroman-1-ones is described.     

Synthesis of β-silyl ketones via reaction of trimethylsilyllthium with unsaturated hydrazones. Application to the synthesis of brevicomin

Trimethylsilyllithium undergoes conjugate addition to dimethylhydrazones of α,β-unsaturated ketones. The resulting metalloenamine intermediates can be alkylated, and the resulting hydrazone products cleaved to give α-substituted-β-silyl ketones. These reactions, together with a silicon-directed Baeyer-Villiger reaction, have been applied to the synthesis of brevicomin.     

Sensing mechanism elucidation of a europium(III) metal–organic framework selective to aniline: A theoretical insight by means of multiconfigurational calculations

A theoretical procedure, via quantum chemical computations, to elucidate the detection principle of the turn-off luminescence mechanism of an Eu-based Metal-Organic Framework sensor (Eu-MOF) selective to aniline, is accomplished. The energy transfer channels that take place in the Eu-MOF, as well as understanding the luminescence quenching by aniline, were investigated using the well-known and accurate multiconfigurational ab initio methods along with sTD-DFT. Based on multireference calculations, the sensitization pathway from the ligand (antenna) to the lanthanide was assessed in detail, that is, intersystem crossing (ISC) from the S₁ to the T₁ state of the ligand, with subsequent energy transfer to the ⁵D₀ state of Eu³⁺. Finally, emission from the ⁵D₀ state to the ⁷F_J state is clearly evidenced. Otherwise, the interaction of Eu-MOF with aniline produces a mixture of the electronic states of both systems, where molecular orbitals on aniline now appear in the active space. Consequently, a stabilization of the T₁ state of the antenna is observed, blocking the energy transfer to the ⁵D₀ state of Eu³⁺, leading to a non-emissive deactivation. Finally, in this paper, it was demonstrated that the host-guest interactions, which are not taken frequently into account by previous reports, and the employment of high-level theoretical approaches are imperative to raise new concepts that explain the sensing mechanism associated to chemical sensors.     

A modular approach to aryl-C-ribonucleosides via the allylic substitution and ring-closing metathesis sequence. a stereocontrolled synthesis of all four α-/β- and D-/L-C-nucleoside stereoisomers

Iridium(I)-catalyzed allylation of the enantiopure monoprotected copper(I) alkoxide, generated from (S)-5a, with the enantiopure allylic carbonates (R)-9a,b has been developed as the key step in a new approach to C-nucleoside analogues. The anomeric center was thus constructed via a stereocontrolled formation of the C-O rather than C-C bond with retention of configuration. The resulting bisallyl ethers 15a,b (≥90% de and >99% ee) were converted into C-ribosides 29a,b via the Ru-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis, followed by a diastereoselective dihydroxylation catalyzed by OsO(4) or RuO(4) and deprotection. Variation of the absolute configuration of the starting segments 5a and 9a,b allowed a stereocontrolled synthesis of all four α/β-D/L-combinations.     

β-Fragmentation of alkoxy radicals. An approach to the synthesis of ring a of vernolepin

A model of ring A of vernolepin is synthesized by 1,4-fragmentation of γ-thiyl and γ-stannyl alkoxy-radicals, generated by photolysis of the corresponding δ-lactols (4) and (5) in the presence of iodosobenzene diacetate and iodine. It should be pointed out that the δ-lactone ring and the angular vinyl group are introduced in one step.