Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure 1,5,5‐Trideuterated cis‐ and trans‐2,4‐Dioxa‐3‐phosphadecalins. 31P‐NMR Evidence of Covalent‐Bond Formation and the Stereochemical Implications in the Course of the Inhibition of δ‐Chymotrypsin

The irreversible inhibition of δ‐chymotrypsin with the enantiomerically pure, P(3)‐axially and P(3)‐equatorially X‐substituted cis‐ and trans‐configurated 2,4‐dioxa‐3‐phospha(1,5,5‐²H₃)bicyclo[4.4.0]decane 3‐oxides (X=F, 2,4‐dinitrophenoxy) was monitored by ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy. ¹H‐Correlated ³¹P{²H}‐NMR spectra enabled the direct observation of the vicinal coupling (³J) between the P‐atom of the inhibitor and the CH₂O moiety of Ser¹⁹⁵ (=‘Ser¹⁹⁵’(CH₂O)), thus establishing the covalent nature of the ‘Ser¹⁹⁵’(CH₂O? P) bond in the inhibited enzyme. The stereochemical course of the phosphorylation is dependent on the structure of the inhibitor, and neat inversion, both inversion and retention, as well as neat retention of the configuration at the P‐atom was found.     

Stereochemistry of the Inhibition of δ-Chymotrypsin with Optically Active Bicyclic Organophosphates: 31P-NMR studies

The inhibition of δ-chymotrypsin with optically active, axially and equatorially substituted trans-3-(2,4-dini-trophenoxy)-2,4-dioxa-3λ⁵-phospbubicyclo[4.4.0]decan-3-ones ( = hexahydro-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphorin 3-oxides) was investigated. Their inhibitory power was determined by kinetic measurements, and the stereochemical course of the reaction of stoichiometric amounts of the enzyme and inhibitor was monitored with ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy at pH 7.8. The irreversible inhibitors show significant enantioselectivity (the (S_p)-enantiomer reacting faster) and yield diastereoisomeric, covalently phosphorylated derivatives of δ-chymotrypsin. ³¹P-NMR Spectroscopic studies of the inhibition by the axially substituted inhibitor revealed for the racemic (±) -2a first a resonance at –4.4 ppm and later, while inhibition proceeded, a second one at –4.5 ppm. The reaction with optically active (+) -2a showed only one signal at –4.4 ppm and its enantiomer (–) -2a only one signal at –4.5 ppm. Using the equatorially substituted racemic epimer (±) -2b , we observed the main resonance at –5.3 ppm and two minor ones at –4.4 and –4.5 ppm. The optically active compound (+) -2b showed two peaks at –4.5 and –5.3 ppm, whereas its antipode (–) -2b revealed two signals at –4.4 and –5.3 ppm. Comparing the ³¹P chemical shifts of the corresponding covalent phosphoserine derivatives 4a (-5.7 ppm, axial) and 4b (-4.5 ppm, equatorial) shows the inhibition with the axial compounds 2a to proceed via neat inversion of the configuration at the P-atom, whereas the equatorial epimers 2b with a higher conformational flexibility seem to follow a different stereochemical pathway which results in both inversion and retention.     

Formation of Periodic γ‐Turns in α/β‐Hybrid Peptides: DFT and NMR Experimental Evidence

Hybrid peptidic oligomers comprising natural and unnatural amino acid residues that can exhibit biomolecular folding and hydrogen‐bonding mimicry have attracted considerable interest in recent years. While a variety of hybrid peptidic helices have been reported in the literature, other secondary structural patterns such as γ‐turns and ribbons have not been well explored so far. The present work reports the design of novel periodic γ‐turns in the oligomers of 1:1 natural‐α/unnatural trans‐β‐norborenene (TNAA) amino acid residues. Through DFT, NMR, and MD studies, it is convincingly shown that, in the mixed conformational pool, the heterogeneous backbone of the hybrid peptides preferentially adopt periodic 8‐membered (pseudo γ‐turn)/7‐membered (inverse γ‐turn) hydrogen bonds in both polar and non‐polar solvent media. It is observed that the stereochemistry and local conformational preference of the β‐amino acid building blocks have a profound influence on accessing the specific secondary fold. These findings may be of significant relevance for the development of molecular scaffolds that facilitate desired positioning of functional side‐chains.     

Phosphorus NMR Characterisation of P–N Bond Rotamers of a α‐P4S3 Amide with a Conformationally Constrained Chiral Substituent

Reactions of bicyclic α‐P₄S₃I₂ with Hpthiq gave solutions containing α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)I and α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)₂, where Hpthiq is the conformationally constrained chiral secondary amine 1‐phenyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline. The expected diastereomers have been characterised by complete analysis of their ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra. Hindered P–N bond rotation in the amide iodide α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)I caused greater broadening of peaks in the room‐temperature spectrum of one diastereomer than in that of the other. At 183 K, spectra of two P–N bond rotamers for each diastereomer were observed and analysed. The minor rotamers showed strong evidence for steric crowding, having large diastereomeric differences in ¹J(P–P) and ²J(P–S–P) couplings (49 Hz, 16 % of value, and 4.4 Hz, 19 % of value, respectively).     

Phosphorus NMR and Ab Initio Modelling of P–N Bond Rotamers of a Sterically Crowded Chiral β‐P4S3 Diamide

Reaction of bicyclic β‐P₄S₃I₂ with enantiomerically pure (R)‐Hpthiq (1‐phenyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline) and Et₃N gave a solution of a single diastereomer of the unusually stable diamide β‐P₄S₃(pthiq)₂, accounting for 83 % of the phosphorus content. Despite the steric bulk of the substituents, each amide group of this could adopt either of two rotameric positions about their P–N bonds, so that, at 183 K, ³¹P NMR multiplets for four rotamers could be observed and the spectra of three of them analysed fully. The large ²J(P–P–P) coupling became greater (253, 292, 304 Hz) with decreasing abundance of the individual rotamers. The rotamers were modelled at the ab initio RHF/3–21G* level, and relative NMR chemical shifts predicted by the GIAO method using a locally dense basis set, allowing the observed spectra to be assigned to structures. Calculations at the same level for the model compound α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)Cl confirmed the assignments of low‐temperature rotamers of α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)I reported previously. Changes in observed P–P coupling constants and ³¹P chemical shifts, on rotating a pthiq substituent, could then be compared between β‐P₄S₃(pthiq)₂ and α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)I, confirming both sets of assignments. The most abundant rotamer of β‐P₄S₃(pthiq)₂ was not the one with the least sterically crowded sides of both pthiq substituents pointing towards the P₄S₃ cage, because of interaction between the two substituents. Only by using a DFT method could relative abundances of rotamers of β‐P₄S₃(pthiq)₂ be predicted to be in the observed order. Use of racemic Hpthiq gave also the two diastereomers of β‐P₄S₃(pthiq)₂ with C_s symmetry, for which the room temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra were analysed fully.     

Aminoderivate von α‐P4S3, α‐P4Se3 und P3Se4 – Daten und Analyse der 31P‐NMR‐Spektren in Lösungen

Amino Derivatives of α‐P₄S₃, α‐P₄Se₃, and P₃Se₄; Data and Analyses of their ³¹P NMR Spectra in Solution α‐P₄S₃I₂, α‐P₄Se₃I₂, and P₃Se₄I were reacted with primary and secondary amines in CS₂. The reaction yields exo‐exo isomeres of α‐P₄S₃L₂ and α‐P₄Se₃L₂, the N‐bridged compounds α‐P₄S₃L′ and P₃Se₄L, with L = NHR¹, NPhR², THC (R¹ = ^tBu, Ad, Ph, Flu, TPMP; R² = Me, Et, ⁱPr), and L′ = NR¹. The ³¹P NMR data of the compounds in CS₂ solution were measured. By the reaction of α‐P₄Se₃I₂ with primary amines NH₂^tBu and NH₂Ad in CS₂ an asymmetric isomer α‐P₄Se₃I_endo(NHR¹)_exo was observed for the first time in the ³¹P NMR spectra. The influence of the ligands L on the ³¹P NMR parameter of α‐P₄S₃L₂, α‐P₄Se₃L₂, and P₃Se₄L is discussed.     

Formation of Fluorinated Amido Esters through Unexpected C3−C4 Bond Fission in 4‐Trifluoromethyl‐3‐oxo‐β‐lactams

4‐Trifluoromethyl‐3‐oxo‐β‐lactams were unexpectedly transformed into 2‐[(2,2‐difluorovinyl)amino]‐2‐oxoacetates as major products, accompanied by minor amounts of 2‐oxo‐2‐[(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl)amino]acetates, upon treatment with alkyl halides and triethylamine in DMSO. This peculiar C3?C4 bond fission reactivity was investigated in‐depth, from both an experimental and a computational point of view, in order to shed light on the underlying reaction mechanism.     

Monitoring Backbone Hydrogen‐Bond Formation in β‐Barrel Membrane Protein Folding

β‐barrel membrane proteins are key components of the outer membrane of bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts. Their three‐dimensional structure is defined by a network of backbone hydrogen bonds between adjacent β‐strands. Here, we employ hydrogen–deuterium (H/D) exchange in combination with NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to monitor backbone hydrogen bond formation during folding of the outer membrane protein X (OmpX) from E. coli in detergent micelles. Residue‐specific kinetics of interstrand hydrogen‐bond formation were found to be uniform in the entire β‐barrel and synchronized to formation of the tertiary structure. OmpX folding thus propagates via a long‐lived conformational ensemble state in which all backbone amide protons exchange with the solvent and engage in hydrogen bonds only transiently. Stable formation of the entire OmpX hydrogen bond network occurs downhill of the rate‐limiting transition state and thus appears cooperative on the overall folding time scale.     

Entrapment of α‐Chymotrypsin into Hollow Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules

Stable hollow polyelectrolyte capsules were produced by the layer‐by‐layer assembling of non‐biodegradable polyelectrolytes – poly(allylamine) and poly(styrenesulfonate) on melamine formaldehyde microcores followed by the core decomposition at low pH. A proteolytic enzyme, α‐chymotrypsin, was encapsulated into these microcapsules with high yields of up to 100%. The encapsulation procedure was based on the protein adsorption onto the capsule shells and on the pH‐dependent opening and closing of capsule wall pores. The protein in the capsules retained a high activity, and thermo‐ and storage stability. The nanostructured polyelectrolyte shell protected the proteinase from a high molecular weight inhibitor. Such enzyme‐loaded capsules can be used as microreactors for biocatalysis.     

γ,δ‐ and δ,ε‐Unsaturated Aldehydes from γ‐ and δ‐Lactones in One Step. Preliminary Communication

A one‐step transformation of γ‐ and δ‐(spiro)lactones into γ,δ‐ and δ,ε‐unsaturated aldehydes with an excess of formic acid in the vapor phase over a supported manganese catalyst is described for the first time. The scope and limitations of this new reaction are shown with different lactones as substrate, and a mechanistic rationale is proposed.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Hydrogen‐Autotransfer C−C Bond Formation: α‐Alkylation of Ketones with Primary Alcohols

A novel catalytic hydrogen‐autotransfer protocol for the atom‐efficient α‐alkylation of ketones with readily available alcohols is presented. The use of manganese complexes bearing non‐innocent PNP pincer ligands enabled the functionalization of a broad range of valuable ketones, including 2‐oxindole, estrone 3‐methyl ether, and testosterone. Mechanistic investigations suggest the participation of an intramolecular amidate‐assisted alcohol‐dehydrogenation process.     

Stereospecific Synthesis of α‐ and β‐Hydroxyalkyl P‐Stereogenic Phosphine–Boranes and Functionalized Derivatives: Evidence of the PO Activation in the BH3‐Mediated Reduction

Access to hydroxy‐functionalized P‐chiral phosphine–boranes has become an important field in the synthesis of P‐stereogenic compounds used as ligands in asymmetric catalysis. A family of optically pure α and β‐hydroxyalkyl tertiary phosphine–boranes has been prepared by using a three‐step procedure from readily accessible enantiopure adamantylphosphinate, obtained by semi‐preparative HPLC on multigram scale. Firstly, a two‐step one‐pot transformation affords the enantiopure hydroxyalkyl tertiary phosphine oxides in good yields and enantioselectivities. The third step, BH₃‐mediated reduction, allows the formation of the desired phosphine–boranes with excellent stereospecifity. The mechanistic study of this reduction provides new evidence to elucidate the crucial role of the pendant hydroxy group and the subsequent activation of the P?O bond by the boron atom.     

Differentiation of Boc‐protected α,δ‐/δ,α‐ and β,δ‐/δ,β‐hybrid peptide positional isomers by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Two new series of Boc‐N‐α,δ‐/δ,α‐ and β,δ‐/δ,β‐hybrid peptides containing repeats of L ‐Ala‐δ⁵‐Caa/δ⁵‐Caa‐L ‐Ala and β³‐Caa‐δ⁵‐Caa/δ⁵‐Caa‐β³‐Caa (L ‐Ala = L ‐alanine, Caa = C‐linked carbo amino acid derived from D ‐xylose) have been differentiated by both positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). MSⁿ spectra of protonated isomeric peptides produce characteristic fragmentation involving the peptide backbone, the Boc‐group, and the side chain. The dipeptide positional isomers are differentiated by the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of the protonated peptides. The loss of 2‐methylprop‐1‐ene is more pronounced for Boc‐NH‐L ‐Ala‐δ‐Caa‐OCH₃ (1), whereas it is totally absent for its positional isomer Boc‐NH‐δ‐Caa‐L ‐Ala‐OCH₃ (7), instead it shows significant loss of t‐butanol. On the other hand, second isomeric pair shows significant loss of t‐butanol and loss of acetone for Boc‐NH‐δ‐Caa‐β‐Caa‐OCH₃ (18), whereas these are insignificant for its positional isomer Boc‐NH‐β‐Caa‐δ‐Caa‐OCH₃ (13). The tetra‐ and hexapeptide positional isomers also show significant differences in MS² and MS³ CID spectra. It is observed that ‘b’ ions are abundant when oxazolone structures are formed through five‐membered cyclic transition state and cyclization process for larger ‘b’ ions led to its insignificant abundance. However, b₁⁺ ion is formed in case of δ,α‐dipeptide that may have a six‐membered substituted piperidone ion structure. Furthermore, ESI negative ion MS/MS has also been found to be useful for differentiating these isomeric peptide acids. Thus, the results of MS/MS of pairs of di‐, tetra‐, and hexapeptide positional isomers provide peptide sequencing information and distinguish the positional isomers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regulation of α‐Chymotrypsin Catalysis by Ferric Porphyrins and Cyclodextrins

Positively charged α‐chymotrypsin (ChT) formed a 1:1 complex with negatively charged 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato iron(III) (FeTPPS) in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 through electrostatic interaction. In spite of the large binding constant (K=4.8×10⁵ M ^?1), FeTPPS could not completely inhibit the catalysis of ChT in the hydrolysis of the model substrate, N‐succinyl‐L ‐phenylalanine p‐nitroanilide (SPNA). The degree of inhibition (60 %) was saturated at 1.6 equivalents of FeTPPS, which indicates that covering of the active site of ChT by FeTPPS was insufficient. The enzymatic activity lowered by FeTPPS was entirely recovered for the freshly prepared sample when the porphyrin on the protein surface was detached by per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin (TMe‐β‐CD), which formed a stable 1:2 inclusion complex with FeTPPS (K₁=1.26×10⁶ M ^?1, K₂=6.3×10⁴ M ^?1). FeTPPS gradually induced irreversible denaturation of ChT, and the denatured ChT further lost its catalytic ability. No repairing effect of TMe‐β‐CD was observed with irreversibly denatured ChT. A new reversible inhibitor, 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis[4‐(3,5‐dicarboxyphenylmethoxy)phenyl]porphyrinato iron(III) (FeP8M), was then designed, and its inhibitory behavior was examined. FeP8M formed very stable 1:1 and 1:2 FeP8M/ChT complexes with ChT, the K₁ and K₂ values being 2.0×10⁸ and 1.0×10⁶ M ^?1, respectively. FeP8M effectively inhibited the ChT‐catalyzed hydrolysis of SPNA (maximum degree of inhibition=85 %), and the activity of ChT was recovered by per‐O‐methylated γ‐cyclodextrin. No irreversible denaturation of ChT occurred upon binding with FeP8M. The kinetic data support the observation that, for nonincubated samples, both inhibitors did not cause significant conformational change in ChT and inhibited the ChT activity by covering the active site of the enzyme.