Intramolecular Participation of Amino Groups in the Cleavage and Isomerization of Ribonucleoside 3′‐Phosphodiesters: The Role in Stabilization of the Phosphorane Intermediate

A dinucleoside‐3′,5′‐phosphodiester model, 5′‐amino‐4′‐aminomethyl‐5′‐deoxyuridylyl‐3′,5′‐thymidine, incorporating two aminomethyl functions in the 4′‐position of the 3′‐linked nucleoside has been prepared and its hydrolytic reactions studied over a wide pH range. The amino functions were found to accelerate the cleavage and isomerization of the phosphodiester linkage in both protonated and neutral form. When present in protonated form, the cleavage of the 3′,5′‐phosphodiester linkage and its isomerization to a 2′,5′‐linkage are pH‐independent and 50–80 times as fast as the corresponding reactions of uridylyl‐3′,5′‐uridine (3′,5′‐UpU). The cleavage of the resulting 2′,5′‐isomer is also accelerated, albeit less than with the 3′,5′‐isomer, whereas isomerization back to the 3′,5′‐diester is not enhanced. When the amino groups are deprotonated, the cleavage reactions of both isomers are again pH‐independent and up to 1000‐fold faster than the pH‐independent cleavage of UpU. Interestingly, the 2′‐ to 3′‐isomerization is now much faster than its reverse reaction. The mechanisms of these reactions are discussed. The rate accelerations are largely accounted for by electrostatic and hydrogen‐bonding interactions of the protonated amino groups with the phosphorane intermediate.     

Synthesis and properties of 5-(1,2-dihaloethyl)-2′-deoxyuridines and related analogues

The regiospecific reaction of 5-vinyl-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 2 ) with HOX (X = Cl, Br, I) yielded the corresponding 5-(1-hydroxy-2-haloethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridines 3a-c . Alternatively, reaction of 2 with iodine monochloride in aqueous acetonitrile also afforded 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3c ). Treatment of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 3a ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with DAST (Et₂NSF₃) in methylene chloride at -40° gave the respective 5-(1-fluoro-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6a , 74%) and 5-(1-fluoro-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6b , 65%). In contrast, 5-(1-fluoro-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6e ) could not be isolated due to its facile reaction with methanol, ethanol or water to yield the corresponding 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl)- ( 6c ), 5-(1-ethoxy-2-iodoethyl)- ( 6d ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3c ). Treatment of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 3a ) and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with thionyl chloride yielded the respective 5-(1,2-dichloroethyl)- ( 6f , 85%) and 5-(1-chloro-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6g , 50%), whereas a similar reaction employing the 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)- compound 3c afforded 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6c ), possibly via the unstable 5-(1-chloro-2-iodoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine intermediate 6h . The 5-(1-bromo-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6i ) and 5-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6j ) could not be isolated due to their facile conversion to the corresponding 5-(1-ethoxy-2-chloroethyl)- ( 6k ) and 5-(1-ethoxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 61 ). Reaction of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromoethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 3b ) with methanolic ammonia, to remove the 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl groups, gave 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-furano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6(5H)-one ( 8 ). In contrast, a similar reaction of 5-(1-fluoro-2-chloroethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridine ( 6a ) yielded (E)-5-(2-chlorovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine ( 1b , 23%) and 5-(2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)furano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-6(5H)-one ( 9 , 13%). The mechanisms of the substitution and elimination reactions observed for these 5-(1,2-dihaloethyl)-3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxyuridines are described.     

Synthesis of 5-benzyl and 5-benzyloxybenzyl-3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine and their analogues as potential anti-AIDS agents

5-Benzyl and 5-benzyloxybenzyl-substituted 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine, ( 8a and 8b ), 3′-halogeno-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a and 11b , and 2′,3′-dideoxyuridine, 12a and 12b , of Scheme I were synthesized as potential anti AIDS agents. Synthesis of epimers of 8a and 8b , 5-benzyl- and 5-benzyloxybenzyl-1-(3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-threo-pentafuranosyl)uracil, 15a and 15b , and 5-benzyl- and 5-benzyloxy-5′-azido-2′,5′-dideoxyuridine, 16a and 16b , shown in Scheme II, were also reported.     

Brominated trimetrexate analogues as inhibitors of pneumocystis carinii and toxoplasma gondii dihydrofolate reductase

Five previously undescribed trimetrexate analogues with bulky 2′-bromo substitution on the phenyl ring were synthesized in order to assess the effect of this structure modification on dihydrofolate reductase inhibition. Condensation of 2-[2-(2-bromo-3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-1,l-dicyanopropene with sulfur in the presence of N,N-diethylamine afforded 2-amino-5-(2′-bromo-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl)-4-methyl-thiophene-3-carbonitrile ( 15 ) and 2-amino-4-[2-(2′-bromo-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]thiophene-3-car-bonitrile ( 16 ). Further reaction with chloroformamidine hydrochloride converted 15 and 16 into 2,4-diamino-5-(2′-bromo-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl)-4-methylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine ( 8a ) and 2,4-diamino-4-[2-(2′-bromo-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)ethylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine ( 12 ) respectively. Other analogues, obtained by reductive coupling of the appropriate 2,4-diaminoquinazoline-6(or 5)-carbonitriles with 2-bromo-3,4,5-trimethoxyaniline, were 2,4-diamino-6-(2′-bromo-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyanilinomethyl)-5-chloro-quinazoline ( 9a ), 2,4-diamino-5-(2′-bromo-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyanilinomethyl)quinazoline ( 10 ), and 2,4-diamino-6-(2′-bromo-3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyanilinomethyl)quinazoline ( 11 ). Enzyme inhibition assays revealed that space-filling 2′-bromo substitution in this limited series of dicyclic 2,4-diaminopyrimidines with a 3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl side chain and a CH₂, CH₂CH₂, or CH₂NH bridge failed to improve species selectivity against either P. carinii or T. gondii dihydrofolate reductase relative to rat liver dihydrofolate reductase.     

5′-Phosphouridine as a source of terminal phosphate groups in oligonucleotides

A universal key component is proposed for the preparation of oligonucleotides with 3′- and 5′-terminal phosphate groups — 2′,3′-dibenzoyluridin-5′-yl (4-chlorophenylphosphate) (pU(Bz)₂), which is a potential source of the phosphate group. The condensation ofpU(Bz)₂ with the 5′-OH or the 3′-OH group of a protected oligonucleotide leads to the formation of oligodeoxyribonucleotides with 5′- or 3′-terminal uridine, respectively. The oxidation of the 2′,3′-cis-glycol group of the terminal uridine unit followed by β-elimination forms oligodeoxyribonucleotides with terminal phosphate groups.     

Separation of isomeric and nonisomeric monoribonucleotides by isocratic ion pair high performance liquid chromatography

A simple, isocratic, high performance liquid chromatographic procedure is described for the first time for the separation of nine monoribonucleotides using the ion-pairing technique. An aqueous mobile phase containing 100 mM KH₂PO₄ and 12.5 mM tetramethylammonium hydroxide as the solvophobic ion, pH 3.9, was used with a reverse phase RP-18 column. The nine monoribonucleotides studied were separated and eluted in the following order: cytidine-5′ -phosphate, uridine-5′ -phosphate, cytidine-3′ -phosphate, guanosine-5′ -phosphate, uridine-3′ -phosphate, uridine-2′ -phosphate, adenosine-5′ -phosphate, guanosine-3′ -phosphate, and adenosine-3′ -phosphate. Generally the 5′ nucleotides eluted faster than the 3′ and the order of elution within each series was: cytidine, uridine, guanosine, and adenosine. The only nucleotide where three isomers were studied was uridine, and the 2′ eluted later than the 3′. Baseline separation was attained for a mixture containing four 3′ nucleotides and uridine-2′ -phosphate. When the four 5′ nucleotides were chromatographed, baseline separation was also obtained except between cytidine-5′ -phosphate and uridine-5′ -phosphate. The coefficient of variation of the retention characteristics, which reflected day-to-day variation, averaged 6.4%.     

The Reaction of 3-Arylsydnone-4-Carbohydroximic Acid Chlorides with Active Methylene Compounds (II)

In the presence of triethylamine, 3-arylsydnone-4-carbohydroximic acid chlorides react not only with active methylene compounds containing keto groups to give 3-aryl-4-(4′,5′-disubstituted-isoxazol-3′-yl)sydnones, but also with compounds containing cyano groups to produce 3-aryl-4-(4′-substituted-5′-aminoisoxazol-3′-yl)sydnones or 3-aryl-4-(4′-cyano-5′-substituted-isoxazol-3′-yl)sydnones.     

An Efficient Procedure for the Preparation of 3′-Acetyl-2′,3′-dihydrobenzothiazoles by Ring Contraction of 2′,3′-Dihydro-1,5-Benzothiazepines Under Acetylating Conditions

Reaction of 2-benzoyl-6-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-(2′-substituted-2′,3′-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazein-4′-yl) benzofurans (4a-f) with a mixture of acetic anhydride and pyridine afforded 6-acetoxy-2-benzoyl-3-methyl-5-(3′-acetyl-2′-substitutedstyryl-2′,3′-dihydrobenzothiazole-2′-yl) benzofurans (5a-f) as sole products in good yields. A reaction mechanism for the ring contraction is proposed. All the compounds (5a-f) were screened for their antifeedant activity by the “Non-Choice test method” using 6 h prestarved fourth instar larvae of Spodoptera litura F. Compounds 5a, 5c and 5d exhibited highest antifeedant activity.     

Synthesis and Solid‐state Reaction of 1‐[3′‐(Benzotriazol‐2″‐yl)‐4′ ‐hydroxybenzoyl]‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolones

A new kind of UV stabilizers, 1‐(3′‐(benzotriazol‐2″‐yl)‐4′‐hydroxy‐benzoyl)‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolones (1a‐d), was synthesized with the aim to bind them chemically to certain polymers. The reaction of 1d with substituted benzaldehydes 4 in the molten state at 150°C and in the solid state at room temperature produced the condensation products l‐(3′‐(5″‐chlorobenzotriazol‐2″‐yl)‐4′‐hydroxyl‐5′‐chlorobenzoyl)‐3‐methyl‐4‐arylmethylene‐5‐pyrazolones (2) and 4,4′‐arylmethylene‐bis [1‐(3′‐(5″‐chloro‐benzotriazol‐2″‐yl)‐4′‐hydroxy‐5′‐chloro‐benzoyl)‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolone] s (3), respectively, as the major product. On the other hand, the reaction of 1d with 4 at 50°C in chloroform solution proceeded non‐selectively to give a mixture of 2 and 3.     

Synthesis of 2′-5′,3′-5′ linked triadenylates

2′-5′,3′-5′ Linked triadenylates have been synthesized by direct bisadenylylation of adenosine 2′ and 3′ hydroxyls with an adenosine 5′-phosphorochloridite followed by oxidation.     

Synthese von Alkylphenolen und -pyrocatecholen aus Plectranthus albidus (Labiatae)

Synthesis of Alkylphenols and -catechols from Plectranthus albidus (Labiatae) In the preceding paper, we described the isolation and structure elucidation of a series of even-numbered phenol- or pyrocatechol-derived 1-arylalkane-5-ones. To establish the assigned structures unambiguously and to have larger quantities available for physiological testing, the following compounds were prepared: in the alkylphenol series, 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)tetradecan-5-one ( 2a ), 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)hexadecan-5-one ( 2b ), and 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadecan-5-one ( 2c ); in the alkylcatechol series, 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)decan-5-one ( 3a ; not isolated as a natural compound), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)dodecan-5-one ( 3b ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)tetradecan-5-one ( 3c ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)hexadecan-5-one ( 3d ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)octadecan-5-one ( 3e ), and 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)icosan-5-one ( 3f ); in the alkenylphenol series, (Z)-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 4a ) and (E)-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 4b ); in the alkenylcatechol series, (E,E)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)deca-1,3-dien-5-one ( 1 ) and (Z)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 5 ). All compounds proved to be identical with the previously assigned structures. Compound 1 was synthesized by regioselective aldol condensation of heptan-2-one with (E)-1-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enal ( 6d ; Scheme 1), the phenols 2a–c and the catechols 3a–f by addition of the corresponding alkyl Grignard reagent to 5-(4′-methoxyphenyl)- or 5-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)pentanal ( 17c and 18c , resp.; Scheme 4), and the olefins 4a, 4b and 5 from 17c or 18c via the 9-O-silyl-protected 13-(4′-methoxyphenyl)- or 13-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)tridecanals ( 26 and 27 , resp.) and Wittig olefination as the key steps (Scheme 5).     

Reactions of 2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran

Formylation of 2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran ( 1 ) with N-methylformanilide and phosphorus oxychloride gave 5-formyl-2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran ( 2 ) and 5,5′-diformyl-2,2′5′,2′-terfuran ( 3 ). Reduction of 2 and 3 afforded 5-hydroxymethyl-2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran ( 4 ) and 5,5′ dihydroxymethyl-2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran ( 5 ), respectively. Terfuran 1 reacted with phenylmagnesium bromide to give 5-(phenylhydroxymethyl)-2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran ( 6 ), and was carbonated to 5-carboxy 2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran ( 7 ) and 5,5′-dicarboxy-2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran ( 8 ). Bromination of 1 with N-bromosuccinimide gave 5,5′-dibromo 2,2′,5′,2′-terfuran ( 9 ).     

Investigation of reactions postulated to occur during inhibition of ribonucleotide reductases by 2′-azido-2′-deoxynucleotides

Model 3′-azido-3′-deoxynucleosides with thiol or vicinal dithiol substituents at C2′ or C5′ were synthesized to study reactions postulated to occur during inhibition of ribonucleotide reductases by 2′-azido-2′-deoxynucleotides. Esterification of 5′-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)-3′-azido-3′-deoxyadenosine and 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) with 2,3-S-isopropylidene-2,3-dimercaptopropanoic acid or N-Boc-S-trityl-L-cysteine and deprotection gave 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-2′-O-(2,3-dimercaptopropanoyl or cysteinyl)adenosine and the 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5′-O-(2,3-dimercaptopropanoyl or cysteinyl)thymidine analogs. Density functional calculations predicted that intramolecular reactions between generated thiyl radicals and an azido group on such model compounds would be exothermic by 33.6–41.2 kcal/mol and have low energy barriers of 10.4–13.5 kcal/mol. Reduction of the azido group occurred to give 3′-amino-3′-deoxythymidine, which was postulated to occur with thiyl radicals generated by treatment of 3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5′-O-(2,3-dimercaptopropanoyl)thymidine with 2,2′-azobis-(2-methyl-2-propionamidine) dihydrochloride. Gamma radiolysis of N₂O-saturated aqueous solutions of AZT and cysteine produced 3′-amino-3′-deoxythymidine and thymine most likely by both radical and ionic processes.     

A Practical Synthesis of 3′-Thioguanosine and of Its 3′-Phosphoramidothioite (a Thiophosphoramidite)

Starting from guanosine, an efficient method for the synthesis of 3′-thioguanosine (see 13 ) and of its 3′-phosphoramidothioite (see 23 ), suitable for automated incorporation into oligonucleotides, was developed. Reaction of 5′-N²-protected guanosine with 2-acetoxyisobutyryl bromide afforded stereoselectively the 2′-O-acetyl-3′-bromo-β-D -xylofuranosyl derivative 3 , which was converted to a 7 : 3 mixture of the S-acyl ribofuranosyl intermediates 5 or 6 and the 3′,4′-unsaturated by-product 4 . The S-acylated nucleosides 5 and 6 were then converted in three steps to 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-3′-S-(pyridin-2-ylthio)-3′-thioguanosine ( 11 ), which served as a common intermediate for the preparation of free 3′-thionucleoside 13 and 3′-thionucleoside 3′-phosphoramidothioite 23 .     

Synthesis and properties of adenylate trimers A2′p5′A2′p5′A,A2′p5′A3′p5′A and A3′p5′A2′p5′A

Triadenylates with (2′-5′)(2′-5′) and mixed (2′-5′)(3′-5′) and (3′-5′)(2′-5′) linkages respectively were synthesized via the phosphotriester approach followed by deblocking of the fully protected intermediates. The isomeric trimers were characterized by NMR- and CD-spectra and show very similar hypochromicity effects.     

Synthesis of s-3-indolemethyl derivatives of 5′-deoxy-5′-thioadenosine

The S-3-(1-methylindole)methyl and S-3-(1,2-dimethylindole)methyl derivatives of 5′-deoxy-5′-thioadenosine have been prepared by reaction of the appropriate 3-indolemethylthioacetate with 5′-deoxy-5′-chloro-adenosine in basic media. 5′-Deoxy-5′-(3-indolemethylthio)adenosines unsubstituted at the indolic nitrogen, cannot be prepared via this route due to facile conversion of the precursor 3-indolemethylthiol derivative to the corresponding 3,3′-diindolemethyl sulfide.     

Regioselective Transformations of 2′,3′-Seconucleosides into Anhydro Structures and Chiral Crown Ethers

Intramolecular cyclisation of properly protected and activated derivatives of 2′,3′-secouridine ( = 1-{2-hydroxy-1-[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy]-ethyl}uracil; 1 ) provided access to the 2,2′-, 2,3′-, 2,5′-, 2′,5′-, 3′,5′-, and 2′,3′-anhydro-2′,3′-secouridines 5, 16, 17, 26, 28 , and 31 , respectively (Schemes 1–3). Reaction of 2′,5′-anhydro-3′-O-(methylsulfonyl)- ( 25 ) and 2′,3′-anhydro-5′-O-(methylsulfonyl)-2′,3′-secouridine ( 32 ) with CH₂CI₂ in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene generated the N(3)-methylene-bridged bis-uridine structure 37 and 36 , respectively (Scheme 3). Novel chiral 18-crown-6 ethers 40 and 44 , containing a hydroxymethyl and a uracil-1-yl or adenin-9-yl as the pendant groups in a 1,3-cis relationship, were synthesized from 5′-O-(triphenylmethyl)-2′,3′-secouridine ( 2 ) and 5′-O,N⁶-bis(triphenylmethyl)-2′,3′-secoadenosine ( 41 ) on reaction with 3,6,9-trioxaundecane-1,11-diyl bis(4-toluenesulfonate) and detritylation of the thus obtained (triphenylmethoxy) methylcompound 39 and 43 , respectively (Scheme 4).     

Mechanism of Formation of Ribonucleoside Cyclic 2′,3′-Phosphates in the Reaction of Appropriate 3′,5′-Phos-Phorothioates with Epoxides

Abstract

It has been recently demonstrated in our laboratory CD that ribonucleoside cyclic 3′,5′-phosphorothioates react with epoxides to give as a major product corresponding cyclic 5′,3′-phosphates, We now report the results OF our ste-reochemical studies OF this reaction. WE have Found that the diastereomerically pure (Sp) 3′.5′-CUFLPS when treated with styrene [¹⁰O]-oxide in ethanol gives the same isotopomer OF 2′,3′-[¹⁰O]cUMP as that obtained From the reaction of endo-2′.3′-cUMPS with styrene [¹⁰O]-oxide. This result strongly supports our previous assumption that reaction of 3′,5′-cNMPS with epoxides proceeds via 3′-oxathiaphosphorylated intermediate (L) which is Formed with inversion and decomposes to 2′,3′-cNMP with retention of configuration at phosphorus atom.     

3′-Methylsulfinyl-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides

Reactions of 4-methoxy- or 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3′-methylthio-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 1 and 7 with a nitrating mixture ran as the 3′-methylthio group 5-mono-oxidation followed by C₆- and C₈-nitration and led to the mixture composed of products 3, 4, 5 and 6 (in the case of substrate 1 ) or compounds 5 and 6 (for substrate 7 ). In the reaction with hydrochloric acid 4-methoxy-3′-methylsulfinyl-3,4′-diquinolinyl sulfides 3 and 4 could be hydrolysed to 3′-methylsulfinyl-4(1H)-quinolinones 5 or 6 respectively, the methylsulfinyl group remaining unaffected.