Chiroptical Assignment of the Anomeric Configuration of 4-(α,β-D-lyxopyranosyl)- and 4-(α,β-D-lyxofuranosyl)-2-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-Triazole C-Nucleoside Anomeric Pairs: Extension of the CD Triazole Rule

The circular dichroism of the anomeric 4-(α,β-D-lyxopyranosyl)- and 4-(α,β-D-lyxofuranosyl)-2-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole C-nucleoside analogs obtained by acid-catalyzed dehydrative cyclization of 4-(D-galacto-pentitol-1-yl)-2-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole analog was studied. A correlation between the sign of the Cotton effect at the maximal UV absorption and the absolute configuration of the anomeric carbon atom was obtained and used for their anomeric configuration assignment. This correlation supports the CD triazole rule for anomeric assignment and is in accord with the assignment obtained by NMR spectral studies.     

Clarifying and illustrating the electronic energy transfer pathways in trimeric and hexameric aggregation state of cyanobacteria allophycocyanin within the framework of Förster theory

Within the framework of the Förster theory, the electronic excitation energy transfer pathways in the cyanobacteria allophycocyanin (APC) trimer and hexamer were studied. The associated physical quantities (i.e., excitation energy, oscillator strength, and transition dipole moments) of the phycocyanobilins (PCBs) located in APC were calculated at time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) level of theory. To estimate the influence of protein environment on the preceding calculated physical quantities, the long‐range interactions were approximately considered with the polarizable continuum model at the TDDFT level of theory, and the short‐range interaction caused by surrounding aspartate residue of PCBs were taken into account as well. The shortest energy transfer time calculated in the framework of the Förster model at TDDFT/B3LYP/6–31+G* level of theory are about 0.10 ps in the APC trimer and about 170 ps in the APC monomer, which are in qualitative agreement with the experimental finding that a very fast lifetime of 0.43–0.44 ps in APC trimers, whereas its monomers lacked any corresponding lifetime. These results suggest that the lifetime of 0.43–0.44 ps in the APC trimers determined by Sharkov et al. was most likely attributed to the energy transfer of α¹‐84 ? β³‐84 (0.23 ps), β¹‐84 ? α²‐84 (0.11 ps) or β²‐84 ? α³‐84 (0.10 ps). So far, no experimental or theoretical energy transfer rates between two APC trimmers were reported, our calculations predict that the predominate energy transfer pathway between APC trimers is likely to occur from α³‐84 in one trimer to α⁵‐84 in an adjacent trimer with a rate of 32.51 ps. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Design of Chiral β-Double Helices from γ-Peptide Foldamers

Chirality is ubiquitous in nature, and homochirality is manifested in many biomolecules. Although β-double helices are rare in peptides and proteins, they consist of alternating L- and D-amino acids. No peptide double helices with homochiral amino acids have been observed. Here, we report chiral β-double helices constructed from γ-peptides consisting of alternating achiral (E)-α,β-unsaturated 4,4-dimethyl γ-amino acids and chiral (E)-α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids in both single crystals and in solution. The two independent strands of the same peptide intertwine to form a β-double helix structure, and it is stabilized by inter-strand hydrogen bonds. The peptides with chiral (E)-α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids derived from α-L-amino acids adopt a (P)-β-double helix, whereas peptides consisting of (E)-α,β-unsaturated γ-amino acids derived from α-D-amino acids adopt an (M)-β-double helix conformation. The circular dichroism (CD) signature of the (P) and (M)-β-double helices and the stability of these peptides at higher temperatures were examined. Furthermore, ion transport studies suggested that these peptides transport ions across membranes. Even though the structural analogy suggests that these new β-double helices are structurally different from those of the α-peptide β-double helices, they retain ion transport activity. The results reported here may open new avenues in the design of functional foldamers.     

Die Stereochemie der Irone

The 6 R configuration of (+)-cis-γ-irone [(+)- 4 ] was established by chemical correlation with (—)-camphor. (+)-cis-γ-irone [(+)- 4 ] was converted into (+)-cis-α-irone [(+)- 1 ], (?)-trans-α-irone [(minus;;)- 2 ], and (+)-β-irone [(+)- 3 ], which therefore also have the 6 R configuration. The 2 S configurations of (+)-cis-α-irone [(+)- 1 ] and (+)-trans-α-irone [(+)- 2 ] were determined by comparison of their circular dichroism with that of R-α-ionone [(+)- 5 ]. The 2 S configuration of (+)-cis-γ-irone [(+)- 4 ] was established by chemical correlation with (+)-cis-α-irone [(+)- 1 ].     

钴卟啉对有机小分子的手性识别

采用含时密度泛函理论方法研究了手性钴卟啉识别手性生物小分子, 解释了分子结构与光学活性的关系. 通过基组叠加误差(BSSE)校正, Co(III)-卟啉衍生物与(S)-脯氨醇和(S)-2-丁氨之间的作用能分别为310.5和241.6 kJ/mol. 这种较强的分子识别作用起源于主体与客体之间的配位和氢键作用. 具有较大负比旋度的金属卟啉分子对具有较小的正比旋度的生物分子的分子识别作用, 极大地抵消了金属卟啉分子的负比旋度数值. 电子吸收光谱和电子圆二色谱表明, 最低能带起源于主体卟啉环-客体小分子的HOMO-LUMO电荷转移跃迁, 具有负或正的康登效应. 较高能带由配体内部的π→π*电子跃迁所致, 具有一个负的和一个正的康登效应. 最高能带由取代基到卟啉环的p→π*电子跃迁所致, 具有两个负的康登效应.     

Irigermanone,a Noriridal with Unprecedented Methylketone Function,from Iris germanica

A new iridal, irigermanone ( 1 ) and nine known congeners, 2 – 10 , respectively, have been isolated from the dried rhizomes of German iris (Iris germanica). The structure of 1 was established by spectroscopic methods including HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. Compound 1 is a structurally unique noriridal, and it possesses an unprecedented methylcarbonyl group instead of the α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde function typical for this group of triterpenes.     

Two new quinolone alkaloids from Dianthus superbus var. superbus

Two new quinolone alkaloids, superbusines A (1) and B (2), were obtained from the whole plants of a Chinese medicinal plant, Dianthus superbus var. superbus. Their structures, featuring a glucosyl moiety linked with a rare 2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenol fragment, were determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configurations were assigned by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT)-based electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The two alkaloids were evaluated in a series of bioassays without showing antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties, while they exhibited slight protection against amyloid-β(Aβ)-induced injury on neuron SH-SY5Y cells.     

The 2-Amino Group of 8-Aza-7-deaza-7-bromopurine-2,6-diamine and Purine-2,6-diamine as Stabilizer for the Adenine–Thymine Base Pair in Heterochiral DNA with Strands in Anomeric Configuration

Stabilization of DNA is beneficial for many applications in the fields of DNA therapeutics, diagnostics, and materials science. Now, this phenomenon is studied on heterochiral DNA, an autonomous DNA recognition system with complementary strands in α-D and β-D configuration showing parallel strand orientation. The 12-mer heterochiral duplexes were constructed from anomeric (α/β-D) oligonucleotide single-strands. Purine-2,6-diamine and 8-aza-7-deaza-7-bromopurine-2,6-diamine 2′-deoxyribonucleosides having the capability to form tridentate base pairs with dT were used to strengthen the stability of the dA–dT base pair. T_m data and thermodynamic values obtained from UV melting profiles indicated that the 8-aza-7-deaza 2′-deoxyribonucleoside decorated with a bromo substituent is so far the most efficient stabilizer for heterochiral DNA. Compared with that, the stabilizing effect of the purine-2,6-diamine 2′-deoxyribonucleoside is low. Global changes of helix structures were identified by circular dichroism (CD) spectra during melting.     

Preparation and Characterization of the Enzymatic Degradation Products of the Exopolysaccharide From Klebsiella K13

Oligosaccharides were prepared from the exopolysaccharide of Klebsiella K13 by enzymatic degradation and characterized. A phage-borne depolymerase enzyme was used to degrade the exopolysaccharide of Klebsiella K13. Bio-Gel P4 and P6 were used to purify the oligosaccharide products. The purified oligosaccharides were characterized by HPLC, mass spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. The monosaccharide constituents of these enzymatic degradation products include D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, and D-glucuronic acid. It was concluded that a pentasaccharide repeating unit with the following structure, as well as its dimer and trimer, was released from the exopolysaccharide: 3,4-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-α-D-GlcpA-(1→3)-β-D-Manp-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-D-Glcp     

Magnetic Circular Dichroism and Induced Circular Dichroism Spectra of N‐Bromophthalimide

The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), induced circular dichroism (ICD) spectra, and the absorption spectra of N‐bromophthalimide have been measured. The ICD spectrum of the β‐cyclodextrin complex with N‐bromophthalimide is also reported. The absorption bands of N‐bromophthalimide are assigned.     

Eremophilane sesquiterpenes from the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. GDG-102

A new eremophilane sesquiterpene, xylareremophil (1), together with five known eremophilanes, 1α,10α-epoxy-3α-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-12,8β-olide (2), 1,10α,13-trihydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-12,8-olide (3), 1α,10α-epoxy-13-hydroxyeremophil-7(11)-en-12,8β-olide (4), mairetolides B (5) and G (6) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. GDG-102 cultured from Sophora tonkinensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 was determined by comparing computed electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and optical rotation (OR) with experimental results. Compounds 1, 5 and 6 showed antibacterial activities against Proteus vulgaris, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Bacillus subtilis with MIC values of 25–100 μg/mL.     

手性β-氨基醇催化α,β-不饱和酮的不对称环氧化反应

将以烯烃为原料通过Sharpless不对称双羟化等多步反应合成的8种手性β-氨基醇, 作为有机小分子催化剂, 用于催化α,β-不饱和酮的不对称环氧化反应．考察了影响对映选择性的催化剂结构、催化剂用量、氧化剂种类、溶剂、反应温度等因素．结果表明, 当催化剂用量为30 mol%、氧化剂为TBHP(叔丁基过氧化氢)、正己烷溶剂、在室温下、以(1S,2R)-(＋)-1,2-二苯基-2-甲氨基乙醇(3)作催化剂时, 所得环氧化物的对映体过量最高为70% ee, 产率最高为84%.     

Synthesis and transformations of (±)-trans-4aβ(H), saα(H)-octahydro-4α,7β-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one

Hydrogenation of 4,7-dimethylcoumarin ( 1 ) in alkaline medium has been shown to furnish a mixture of (±)-trans-4aβ(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7β-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 2 ), (±)-trans-4aβ(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7α-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 3 ) and (±)-cis-4aα(H),8aα(H)-octahydro-4α,7α-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 4 ) in 40:25:35:ratio, respectively. The stereochemistry of the major hydrogenation product 2 , has been established by transforming it to p-menthane derivatives e.g. (±)-2 (R)-[2′(R)hydroxy-4′(R) methylcyclohex-(1′S)-yl]propan-1-ol ( 20 ) and (±)-trans-3α,6β-dimethyl-3aβ(H),7aα(H)-octahydrobenzofuran ( 12 ). Starting from a mixture of lactones 2, 3 and 4 , lactone 3 has been obtained in pure state employing a sequence of reactions.     

Studies of the Energy Transfer among Allophycocyanin from Phycobilisomes of Polysiphonia urceolata by Time-Resolved Fluorescence Isotropic and Anisotropic Spectroscopy

Abstract— The excitation energy transfer processes in the allophycocyanin (APC) monomer and trimer from phycobilisomes of Polysiphonia urceolata were studied using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence isotropic and anisotropic spectroscopy. Based on our experimental results, conclusions could be drawn as follows: (1) After the processes of exciton localization are finished, the localized excitation energy on any chromophore can be transferred to the other chromophores due to the weak couplings between them, and the processes among three p₈₄-phycocyaninbilin (PCB) chromophores in the center of the ring shape of the APC trimer are more important than those of between a₈₄- and p₈₄-PCB chromophores in the same monomer. (2) The decay time constants of 95 ± 5 ps and 40 ± 5 ps components, observed by us in this work, were assigned to the excitation energy transfer or redistribution between α₈₄- and β₈₄-PCB chromophores in the same monomer of the APC trimer and among three β₈₄-PCB chromophores in the center of the ring shape of the APC trimer, respectively. Specifically, the assignment of the decay constants for the 40 ± 5 ps component was different from those of previous results. (3) Based on the model of Debreczeny, and using the fluorescence residual anisotropy r(∞) with a probing wavelength of 650 nm, the angles between the C₃ symmetry axis and transition dipoles of α₈₄- and -PCB chromophores were found to be φ_a84= 67° and φ_β84= 148°, respectively, which are in agreement with the prediction of the X-ray crystal structure of APC. (4) The results show that anisotropy decays, observed with the APC trimer, did exhibit a strongly probing wavelength dependence that did not show up in the monomer.     

Determination of the secondary structures of proteins by circular dichroism spectra. Calculation of the protein basic circular dichroism spectra for antiparallel and parallel β-structures and β-bends

New “reference” circular dichroism spectra of α helix, β-structure (both parallel and antiparallel), β-bends, and the unordered form are obtained from circular dichroism spectra and x-ray data for six proteins (myoglobin, lysozyme, lactate dehydrogenase, papain, ribonuclease, and subtilisin BPN′). Circular dichroism spectra for α-helix and antiparallel β-structure are similar to those for poly(Llysine). The circular dichroism spectrum of the parallel β-structure is qualitatively similar to that theoretically calculated by Madison and Schellman. The circular dichroism spectrum of β-bends is qualitatively similar to that theoretically calculated by Woody. The spectrum of the unordered form is close to that of the denaturated proteins. These “reference” circular dichroism spectra used for the analysis of the secondary structure of ten globular proteins (besides the six reference proteins D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, concanavalin A, cytochrome c, and insulin).     

Unidirectional α-cyclodextrin-based [2]rotaxanes bearing viologen unit on axle

1-(2-Carboxyethyl)-1′-(10-carbazole-9-yl-decyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide 2 forms a unidirectional [2]pseudorotaxane with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in water. Condensation of 2/α-CD [2]pseudorotaxane with 4-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonate or 6-amino-β-CD provided the unidirectional [2]rotaxanes 3 and 4, in which the secondary face of α-CD is oriented toward the viologen moiety. The structures were elucidated from two-dimensional ROESY and circular dichroism spectra.     

CHEMOENZYMATIC SYNTHESIS OF NeuAcα-(2→3)-Galβ-(1→3)-[NeuAcα-(2→6)]-GalNAcα1- O-(Z)-Serine (N-PROTECTED MUC II OLIGOSACCHARIDE–SERINE)

An efficient synthesis of NeuAcα-(2→3)-Galβ-(1→3)-[NeuAcα-(2→6)]-GalNAcα1- O-(Z)-Serine (N-protected MUC II oligosaccharide–serine, 14) by a chemoenzymatic strategy is described. The enzymatic reaction of GalNAcα1- O-(Z)-Ser- OAll 7 with pNP-β-Gal in the presence of recombinant β1,3-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans gave Galβ-(1→3)-GalNAcα1- O-(Z)-Ser- OAll 3 in 68%. The introduction of two sialic acids into 3 was accomplished by a stepwise method. The branched Galβ-(1→3)-[NeuAcα-(2→6)]-GalNAcα1- O-(Z)-Ser- OAll 11 was constructed by a chemical method. Sialylation at the C-3 position of the terminal Gal residue on Galβ-(1→3)-[NeuAcα-(2→6)]-GalNAcα1- O-(Z)-Serine 2 using α2,3-(O)-sialyltransferase from rat liver gave a target compound 14 in a practical yield.     

Poly(β-Amino acids). VI. Synthesis and conformational properties of poly[(r)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid]

Racemic and optically active 3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acids (β-proline) were synthesized, and their polymers, poly[(RS)-β-proline] and poly[(R)-β-proline], were prepared by the polycondensation reaction of the p-nitrophenyl esters. Model compounds, N-cyclopentylcarboxylic acid pyrrolidide and N-cyclopentylcarbonyl-(R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid pyrrolidide, were synthesized to elucidate the conformation of the polymer. The solution properties of poly[(R)-β-proline] and the model compounds were investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) and NMR spectroscopy. The spectral patterns of the polymer and model compounds were similar in various solvents. Poly[(R)-β-proline] and poly[(RS)-β-proline] showed identical NMR spectra. These results suggest that poly[(R)-β-proline] may exist in a random conformation consisting of mixtures of cis and trans amide bonds. The conformational study of cyclopentanecarboxylic acid pyrrolidide by NMR spectroscopy with a shift reagent, Eu(fod)₃, in CDCl₃ implied that the plane containing the amide group bisects the cyclopentane ring. This suggests that each amide plane in the polymer in chloroform may also bisect the pyrrolidine ring.     

Induced Circular Dichroism and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectra of Maleimide and Related Molecules

The induced circular dichroism (ICD) spectra of the inclusion complexes of maleimide, phthalimide, and naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboximide with β‐ or γ‐cyclodextrin (CDx) have been measured. The structure of the CDx inclusion complexes are interpreted by the signs and shapes of ICD spectra compared with the results of PPP calculations. In maleimide and naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboximide, the ICD spectra of the β‐CDx inclusion complex are very similar to those of the γ‐CDx inclusion complex in spite of the differences in dimensions between the cavity of β‐CDx and that of γ‐CDx. In phthalimide, the ICD spectra of the β‐CDx inclusion complex are very different from those of the γ‐CDx inclusion complex. The split‐type ICD bands at 220–235 nm show that the dimer of phthalimide is formed in the presence of β‐CDx.     

Evidence from Circular Dichroism and from Melting Behavior for Helix‐Inducing Complexation of a Designed β3‐Pentadecapeptide with DNA Duplexes. Preliminary Communication

Inspired by naturally occurring DNA‐binding proteins and their artificial α‐peptidic mimics reported to date, a research project was initiated aiming at creating a new class of β‐peptides capable of binding to and ultimately regulating the functions of DNA. As an initial foray, a β³‐pentadecapeptide 1 , which bears H‐bonding Asn side chains and positively charged Lys side chains, was designed and synthesized on the solid support. DNA‐Complexation studies by means of circular dichroism and DNA‐melting‐temperature measurements revealed the first preliminary indications that support the existence of ordered interactions between β‐peptides and DNA.