Liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of limonene‐based carbocyclic β‐amino acids on zwitterionic Cinchona alkaloid‐based chiral stationary phases

The eight stereoisomers of limonene‐based carbocyclic β‐amino acids containing three chiral centers have been directly separated on chiral stationary phases containing Cinchona alkaloid‐based zwitterionic selectors. The effects of bulk solvent composition of the mobile phase, the nature of base additives, counterion concentration, and the structure of selector on the enantiorecognition were studied. Experiments were performed at constant mobile phase composition in the temperature range 5–40°C to study the effect of temperature. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated on the basis of the plots of ln α versus 1/T curves. The enthalpically or entropically driven enantioseparations were found to depend strongly on the structures of analyte and selector. The eight stereoisomers of limonene‐based carbocyclic β‐amino acids could be differentiated as well‐separated peaks in a traditional 1D chromatographic system in two runs by applying the two complementary ZWIX(+)™ and ZWIX(–)™ columns.     

Comparative study on the liquid chromatographic enantioseparation of cyclic β‐amino acids and the related cyclic β‐aminohydroxamic acids on Cinchona alkaloid‐based zwitterionic chiral stationary phases

The enantiomeric pairs of cis and trans stereoisomers of cyclic β‐aminohydroxamic acids and their related cis and trans cyclic β‐amino acids containing two chiral centers were directly separated on four structurally related chiral stationary phases derived from quinine and quinidine modified with (R,R)‐ and (S,S)‐aminocyclohexanesulfonic acids. Applying these zwitterionic ion‐exchangers as chiral selectors, the effects of the composition of the bulk solvent, the acid and base additives, the structures of the analytes, and temperature on the enantioresolution were investigated. To study the effects of temperature and obtain thermodynamic parameters, experiments were carried out at constant mobile phase compositions in the temperature range 5–50°C. The differences in the changes in standard enthalpy Δ(ΔH°), entropy Δ(ΔS°), and free energy Δ(ΔG°) were calculated from the linear van't Hoff plots derived from the ln α versus 1/T curves in the studied temperature range. Results thus obtained indicated enthalpy‐driven separations in all cases. The sequence of elution of the enantiomers was determined and found to be reversed when ZWIX(–)™ was changed to ZWIX(+)™ or ZWIX(–A) to ZWIX(+A).     

Highly Enantioselective Methanolysis of Meso‐Cyclic Anhydride Mediated by Bifunctional Thiourea Cinchona Alkaloid Derivatives: Access to Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (+)‐Biotin

An enantioselective asymmetric total synthesis of (+)?biotin ( 1 ) via the Hoffmann–Roche lactone–thiolactone strategy has been accomplished from commercially available cis‐1,3‐dibenzyl‐2‐imidazolidone‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid ( 2 ). Strategic transformations include a cinchona alkaloid‐based bifunctional thiourea mediated methanolytic desymmetrization of prochiral cyclic anhydride 3 to produce the enantiomerically enriched precursor of Roche lactone 5 and an improved introduction of the 4‐carboxybutyl side chain at C‐4 position of Roche thiolactone 6 via Grignard reaction.     

A new method proposed for the determination of absolute configurations of α‐amino acids

Enantiopure α‐amino acids were converted to 4‐substituted 2‐aryl‐ and 2‐alkyl‐5(4H)‐oxazolones under partial racemization. These nonracemic mixtures were dissolved in CDCl₃, an equimolar amount of the chiral dirhodium complex [(R)? (+)? MTPA]₄ (MTPA‐H = Mosher's acid) was added, and the ¹H NMR spectra of the resulting samples were recorded (dirhodium method). The relative intensities of ¹H signals dispersed by the formation of diastereomeric adducts allow to determine the absolute configuration (AC) of the starting α‐amino acids. Binding atoms in the adducts were identified by comparing the ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts of the oxazolones in the absence and presence of [(R)? (+)? MTPA]₄. Thereby, information about the scope and limits of this method can be extracted. A protocol how to use this method is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

9,9‐Diaryl‐4,5‐diazafluorene‐based Cardo polymer; Synthesis and characteristic properties

To open out new aspects of 9,9‐diarylfluorene (DAF)‐based polymers with high performances, 9,9‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4,5‐diazafluorene ( N‐BPF ) was designed as a new cardo structure and the properties of poly(ether ketone)s ( N‐PEKs ) containing N‐BPF skeletons were examined in detail. N‐PEKs were synthesized in high yields via polycondensation of N‐BPF with difluoroarenes. N‐PEKs showed cardo polymer‐specific properties such as high thermal stability and high solubility in organic solvents. The addition of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) to N‐PEK resulted in the formation of network polymer based on interchain hydrogen bonds. It turned out that the films of network polymer are flexible and transparent and exhibit high refractive index and low birefringence. The effects of feed ratio of TsOH to N‐PEK were also evaluated on the mechanical properties of network polymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4541–4549     

The First Synthesis of (4S,5R,6R)‐5,6‐Dihydroxy‐4‐(prop‐1‐en‐2‐yl)cyclohex‐1‐ene‐1‐carboxylic Acid

A putative acid metabolite of a novel highly effective antiparkinsonian agent, (4S,5R,6R)‐5,6‐dihydroxy‐4‐(prop‐1‐en‐2‐yl)cyclohex‐1‐ene‐1‐carboxylic acid ( 5 ), was synthesized for the first time. Several synthetic approaches based on different transformations of O‐bearing monoterpenoids of the pinane and p‐menthane series were developed and tested in the course of the study. Acid 5 was synthesized starting from a commercially available monoterpenoid, (?)‐verbenone, in a total yield of 4.4% over eight steps.     

Synthesis of 1‐(p‐Sulphophenyl)‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolone Based Acid Dyes and Their Applications on Leather

A new series of pyrazolone based azo acid dyes (3a–g) has been synthesized starting from 1‐(p‐sul‐phophenyl)‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolone (1). The synthetic methodology included the nitrosation of p‐sulphophenyl methyl pyrazolone followed by reduction, diazotization and coupling with Naphthol AS derivatives (2a–f), in alkaline medium to yield different acid dyes. Multichromic metal complexes of these dyes (5a–f, 6a–f and 7a–f) with 3d transition metals Chromium, Iron and Copper were also synthesized. The structures of all of newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by analytical data and spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized dyes were applied on leather to assess their light fastness, wash fastness and rubbing fastness and were shown to exhibit high values of 4–5 for majority of dyes.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 3,3′‐Bis(Dinitromethyl)‐5,5′‐Azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐Triazole

The synthesis of 3,3′‐bis(dinitromethyl)‐5,5′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 5 ) using the readily available starting material 2‐(5‐amino‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)acetic acid ( 1 ) is described. All compounds were characterized by means of NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy. The energetic compound 5 was additionally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and DSC measurements. The sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrical discharge were determined. In addition, detonation parameters (e.g. heat of explosion, detonation velocity) of the target compound were computed using the EXPLO5 code based on the calculated (CBS‐4M) heat of formation and X‐ray density.     

Capillary electrophoresis‐based enzyme assays for β‐lactamase enzymes

Generic in‐capillary as well as offline CE‐based enzyme assays were developed for serine‐β‐lactamases and metallo‐β‐lactamases. The hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin to benzylpenicilloic acid was analyzed using 100 mM sodium phosphate solution, pH 6.0, as a background electrolyte. In‐capillary assays employed an uncoated as well as a polyethylene oxide‐coated capillary, while the offline assays employing long end and short end injection were performed in an uncoated capillary. Using procaine hydrochloride or 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid as internal standard, the respective assays were validated with regard to linearity, LOD and LOQ, repeatability, precision, and accuracy. The assays were applied to the determination of the Michaelis‐Menten parameters K_m and V_max of Bacillus cereus penicillinase as well as New Delhi metallo‐β‐lactamase 1 and Verona integrin‐encoded metallo‐β‐lactamase 2. Furthermore, the inhibition of the enzymes by irreversible and competitive inhibitors was evaluated. Comparable data were obtained with all assays. The use of a simple substrate ensured broad applicability to the various types of β‐lactamases.     

Synthesis of Non‐Racemic 1‐Hydroxycycloalkene‐1‐carboxylic‐Acid Derivatives by Metathesis of α,α‐Dialkylated Glycolate Derivatives

A particularly flexible general way to synthesize 1‐hydroxycycloalkene‐1‐carboxylic‐acid derivatives from 2‐(tert‐butyl)‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐one ( 1 ), a chiral equivalent of glycolic acid, is reported. The method is based on a double enolate alkylation of the glycolate derivative, followed by ring closing metathesis. A formal synthesis of (−)‐quinic acid is reported to demonstrate the potential of this approach.     

One‐Pot Syntheses of 2‐(2‐Sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic Acid Derivatives via Reactions of 3‐(2‐Isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoic Acid Derivatives with Thiols or Sodium Sulfide

Two efficient methods for the preparation of 2‐(2‐sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid derivatives 3 under mild conditions have been developed. The first method is based on the reaction of 3‐(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoates 1a – 1c with thiols in the presence of Et₃N in THF at room temperature, leading to the corresponding dithiocarbamate intermediates 2 , which underwent spontaneous cyclization at the same temperature by an attack of the S‐atom at the prop‐2‐enoyl moiety in a 1,4‐addition manner (Michael addition) to give 2‐(2‐sulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetates in one pot. The second method involves treatment of 3‐(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)prop‐2‐enoic acid derivatives 1b – 1d with Na₂S leading to the formation of 2‐(2‐sodiosulfanyl‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid intermediates 5 by a similar addition/cyclization sequence, which are then allowed to react with alkyl or aryl halides to afford derivatives 3 . 2‐(2‐Thioxo‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐4‐yl)acetic acid derivatives 6 can be obtained by omitting the addition of halides.     

Isocyanide‐Based Three‐Component Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,6‐Dihydro‐6,6‐dimethylpyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile, 3,4‐Dihydrobenzo[g]quinoxalin‐2‐amine,and 3,4‐Dihydro‐3,3‐dimethyl‐quinoxalin‐2‐amine Derivatives

A novel and efficient isocyanide‐based multicomponent reaction between alkyl or aryl isocyanides 1 , 2,3‐diaminomaleonitrile ( 2 ), naphthalene‐2,3‐diamines ( 6 ) or benzene‐1,2‐diamine ( 9 ), and 3‐oxopentanedioic acid ( 3 ) or Meldrum's acid ( 4 ) or ketones 7 was developed for the ecologic synthesis, at room temperature under mild conditions, of 1,6‐dihydropyrazine‐2,3‐dicarbonitriles 5a – 5f in H₂O without using any catalyst, and of 3,4‐dihydrobenzo[g]quinoxalin‐2‐amine and 3,4‐dihydro‐3,3‐dimethyl‐quinoxalin‐2‐amine derivatives 8a – 8g and 10a – 10e , respectively, in the presence of a catalytic amount of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) in EtOH, in good to excellent yields (Scheme 1).     

Synthesis of 7‐acetyloxy‐3,7‐dimethy1‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐isochromene‐6,8‐dione and its analogues

7‐Alkanoyloxy‐3,7‐dimefhyl‐7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐isochromene‐6,8‐diones 12‐15 were synthesized in 69‐16% yields from the reaction of 2,4‐dihydroxy‐3‐methyl‐6‐(2‐oxopropyl)benzaldehyde 11 with p‐toluenesulfonic acid in various carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and heptanoic acid followed by oxidation with lead tetraacetate. On the other hand, (±)‐daldinin A 5 (oleate) was not obtained using oleic acid as a medium. In the cases of heptanoic acid and oleic acid, esters 16 and 17 were produced in 23 and 9% yields, respectively. 6,8‐Dihydroxy‐3,7‐dimethyl‐2‐benzopyrylium p‐toluenesulfonate 31 is considered as the intermediate for the production of 12‐15. Overall yields of isochromenes 12‐15 were 26‐6% starting from 2‐methylresorcinol for seven steps.     

Novel Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of 3‐Substituted 5‐bromo‐7‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐[3,4‐b]‐benzothiazoles

4‐Methyl acetanilide ( 1 ) on treatment with bromine in acetic acid, followed by hydrolysis with dilute HCl/NaOH solution, yielded 2‐bromo‐4‐methyl aniline ( 2 ), which on treatment with sodium thiocyanate in acetic acid afforded 2‐amino‐4‐bromo‐6‐methyl benzothiazole ( 3 ). Compound 3 in ethylene glycol was heated at 150°C with 80% hydrazine hydrate to get 4‐bromo‐2‐hydrazino‐6‐methyl benzothiazole ( 4 ). This hydrazino compound 4 on heating with formic acid for 3 h yielded 4‐bromo‐2‐hydrazinoformyl‐6‐methyl benzothiazole ( 5 ). Same compound 4 when heated independently with formic acid for 6 h/urea for 3 h/carbon disulfide in alkali afforded 5‐bromo‐7‐methyl ( 6 )/5‐bromo‐3‐hydroxy‐7‐methyl ( 7 )/5‐bromo‐3‐mercapto‐7‐methyl ( 8 )‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐[3,4‐b]‐benzothiazoles, respectively. Compound 4 on heating with acetic acid/acetic anhydride gave acetyl benzothiazolyl derivative 9 , which on cyclization with orthophosphoric acid yielded 5‐bromo‐3,7‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐[3,4‐b]‐benzothiazole ( 10 ). All these newly synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram ?ve), Bacillus subtilis (Gram +ve), Erwinia carotovora, and Xanthomonas citri using ampicillin, streptomycin, and penicillin as a standard for comparison.     

New aliphatic poly(ester‐carbonates) based on 5‐methyl‐5‐allyloxycarbonyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐2‐one

The synthesis, characterization, and ring‐opening polymerization of a new cyclic carbonate monomer containing an allyl ester moiety, 5‐methyl‐5‐allyloxycarbonyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐2‐one (MAC), was performed for the first time. MAC was synthesized in five steps in good yield beginning from the starting material, 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid. Subsequent polymerization and copolymerizations of the new cyclic carbonate with rac‐lactide (rac‐LA) and ?‐caprolactone (CL) were attempted. Rac‐LA copolymerized well with MAC, but CL copolymerizations produced insoluble products. Oligomeric macroinitiators of MAC and rac‐LA were synthesized from stannous ethoxide, and both macroinitiators were used for the controlled ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐LA. The polymerization kinetics were examined by monitoring the disappearance of the characteristic C? O ring stretch of the monomer at 1240 cm^?1 with real‐time in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Postpolymerization oxidation reactions were conducted to epoxidize the unsaturated bonds of the MAC‐functionalized polymers. Epoxide‐containing polymers may allow further organic transformations with various nucleophiles, such as amines, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. NMR was used for microstructure identification of the polymers, and size exclusion chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize the new functionalized poly(ester‐carbonates). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1978–1991, 2003     

Pendant groups fine‐tuning thermal gelation of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) aqueous solution

Novel poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL‐PEG‐PCL) bearing pendant hydrophobic γ‐(carbamic acid benzyl ester) groups (PECB) and hydrophiphilic amino groups (PECN) were synthesized based on the functionalized comonomer γ‐(carbamic acid benzyl ester)‐ε‐caprolactone (CABCL). The thermal gelation behavior of the amphiphilic copolymer aqueous solutions was examined. The phase transition behavior could be finely tuned via the pendant groups, and an abnormal phenomenon occurred that the sol–gel transition temperature shifted to a higher temperature for PECB whereas a lower temperature for PECN. The micelles percolation was adopted to clarify the hydrogel mechanism, and the effect of the pendant groups on the micellization was further investigated in detail. The results demonstrated that the introduction of γ‐(carbamic acid benzyl ester) pendant groups significantly decreased the crystallinity of the copolymer micelles whereas amino pendant groups made the micelles easy to aggregate. Thus, the thermal gelation of PEG/PCL aqueous solution could be finely tuned by the pendant groups, and the pendant groups modified PEG/PCL hydrogels are expected to have great potential biomedical application. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2571–2581     

Influence of 4‐fluorophenyl pendants in thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐based polymers on the performance of photovoltaics

Polymers consisting of benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene and thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene units (PTB‐based polymers), either fully or partially containing 4‐fluorophenyl pendants, are synthesized as electron donor materials for inverted‐type polymer solar cells (PSCs). The influence of the 4‐fluorophenyl pendant content on the thermal and optical properties, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), the hole mobilities, and photovoltaic performances are investigated. As the 4‐fluorophenyl pendant content increased, the HOMO and LUMO of the polymers were deepened proportionally and the open‐circuit voltages of the PSCs improved. Incorporation of 4‐fluorophenyl pendants into the polymers also affected the crystallinity, orientation, and compatibility with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester in the active layers, leading to nonlinearities in the short‐circuit current densities, and fill factors. The incorporation of an appropriate number of 4‐fluorophenyl pendants enhanced the power conversion efficiencies of the PSC devices from 2.25 to 3.96% for identical device configurations. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1586–1593     

Modification of proline‐based 2,5‐diketopiperazines by anionic ring‐opening polymerization

2,5‐Diketopiperazines (DKPs) are the smallest cyclic dipeptides found in nature with various attractive properties. In this study, we have demonstrated the successful modification of proline‐based DKPs using anionic ring‐opening polymerization (AROP) as a direct approach. Four different proline‐based DKPs with various side chains and increasing steric hindrance were used as initiating species for the polymerization of 1,2‐epoxybutane or ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether in the presence of t‐BuP₄ phosphazene base. The addition of a Lewis acid, tri‐isobutyl aluminum, to the reaction mixture strongly decreased the occurrence of side reactions. Impact of the DKP side‐chain functionalities on molar mass control and dispersity was successfully evidenced. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 1008–1016     

Induced Folding of Protein‐Sized Foldameric β‐Sandwich Models with Core β‐Amino Acid Residues

The mimicry of protein‐sized β‐sheet structures with unnatural peptidic sequences (foldamers) is a considerable challenge. In this work, the de novo designed betabellin‐14 β‐sheet has been used as a template, and α→β residue mutations were carried out in the hydrophobic core (positions 12 and 19). β‐Residues with diverse structural properties were utilized: Homologous β³‐amino acids, (1R,2S)‐2‐aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (ACPC), (1R,2S)‐2‐aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (ACHC), (1R,2S)‐2‐aminocyclohex‐3‐enecarboxylic acid (ACEC), and (1S,2S,3R,5S)‐2‐amino‐6,6‐dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptane‐3‐carboxylic acid (ABHC). Six α/β‐peptidic chains were constructed in both monomeric and disulfide‐linked dimeric forms. Structural studies based on circular dichroism spectroscopy, the analysis of NMR chemical shifts, and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that dimerization induced β‐sheet formation in the 64‐residue foldameric systems. Core replacement with (1R,2S)‐ACHC was found to be unique among the β‐amino acid building blocks studied because it was simultaneously able to maintain the interstrand hydrogen‐bonding network and to fit sterically into the hydrophobic interior of the β‐sandwich. The novel β‐sandwich model containing 25 % unnatural building blocks afforded protein‐like thermal denaturation behavior.