Steroids,LIII: New routes to aminosteroids

Summary Steroid ketoximes were reduced with sodium tetrahydroborate in the presence of nickel chloride or molybdenum trioxide. These processes yielded 17- and 20-aminosteroids (1c–5c) in higher yields than common reduction methods.

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Steroide, 53. Mitt.: Neue Wege zu Aminosteroiden

Zusammenfassung Oxime von Ketosteroiden wurden mit NaBH₄ in Gegenwart von NiCl₂ und MoO₃ reduziert. Dieses Verfahren lieferte 17- und 20-Aminosteroide(1c–5c) in größeren Ausbeuten als übliche Methoden.

     

A Systematic Approach to Agastache mexicana Research: Biology,Agronomy, Phytochemistry,and Bioactivity

Mexico is the center of origin of the species popularly known as toronjil or lemon balm (Agastache mexicana Linton & Epling). Two subspecies have been identified and are commonly called purple or red (Agastache mexicana Linton & Epling subspecies. mexicana) and white (Agastache mexicana subspecies xolocotziana Bye, E.L. Linares & Ramamoorthy). Plants from these subspecies differ in the size and form of inflorescence and leaves. They also possess differences in their chemical compositions, including volatile compounds. Traditional Mexican medicine employs both subspecies. A. mexicana exhibits a broad range of pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and antioxidant. A systematic vision of these plant’s properties is discussed in this review, exposing its significant potential as a source of valuable bioactive compounds. Furthermore, this review provides an understanding of the elements that make up the species’ holistic system to benefit from lemon balm sustainably.     

Formation of peptide aggregates during ESI: Size, charge, composition, and contributions to noise

Ion mobility/time-of-flight techniques have been used to examine the onset of aggregation in model systems of Gly-Xxx (where Xxxx = Ala, Asn, Asp, Gln, Glu, His, Leu, Ser, Thr, and Trp) dipeptides. Under the experimental conditions employed, there is evidence that simple binary and quaternary mixtures of these dipeptides produce clusters containing as many as 16 to 75 peptide units (and 1 to 7 charges). In some systems, cluster compositions appear to come about largely from statistical association of peptide units; other dipeptide mixtures (and generally for small clusters) show evidence for nonstatistical behavior which could arise from some differences in gas-phase or solution thermochemistry. The minimum aggregate size appears to be largely determined by the charge state. Average thresholds for aggregate formation in the z = 2, 3, and 4 charge state families occur at m/z ∼500, 660, and 875, respectively. We briefly consider the idea that aggregates formed during electrospray ionization (ESI) may contribute to the background signal observed in the analysis of complex peptide mixtures.     

Hydroarylation of bicyclic, unsaturated dicarboximides: access to aryl-substituted, bridged perhydroisoindoles

The C-C coupling of the two bicyclic, unsaturated dicarboximides 6 and 8 with aryl and hetaryl halides gave under reductive Heck conditions the 5-substituted N-phenylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboximides 7 and 9. Reduction of these imides opens a new access to the bridged perhydroisoindole derivatives 12 and 14 with prospective biological activity.     

Geometry-dependent atomic charges: Methodology and application to alkanes,aldehydes, ketones,and amides

A general methodology for deriving geometry-dependent atomic charges is presented. The main ingredient of the method is a model that describes the molecular dipole moment in terms of geometry-dependent point charges. The parameters of the model are determined from ab initio calculations of molecular dipole moments and their Cartesian derivatives at various molecular geometries. Transferability of the parameters is built into the model by fitting ab initio calculations for various molecules simultaneously. The results show that charge flux along the bonds is a major contributing factor to the geometry dependence of the atomic charges, with additional contributions from fluxes along valence angles and adjacent bonds. Torsion flux is found to be smaller in magnitude than the bond and valence angle fluxes but is not always unimportant. A set of electrostatic parameters is presented for alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, and amides. Transferability of these parameters for a host of molecules is established to within 3 ?5% error in the predicted dipole moments. A possible extension of the method to include atomic dipoles is outlined. With the inclusion of such atomic dipoles and with the set of transferable point charges and charge flux parameters, it is demonstrated that molecular electrostatic potentials as well as electrostatic forces on nuclei can be reproduced much better than is possible with other models (such as potential derived charges). © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Genus Morinda: An insight to its ethnopharmacology,phytochemistry, pharmacology and Industrial Applications

Background of the studyThe genus Morinda of the Madder family, (Rubiaceae) has been widely documented in traditional medicine due to its therapeutic properties and also, contributed a great deal in chemical industry. Different parts of Morinda species have traditionally been used to treat malaria, diabetes, memory loss, cancer, inflammation, skin infections, and typhoid fever.Aim and ObjectivesThe review provide a critical and innovative information on the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and industrial applications of the genus Morinda. This will help researchers understand future research trends by bridging the gap between documented literature and contemporary uses.MethodologyAll the systematic literature data or information on the genus Morinda was collected via selected electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, Medline, ChemSpider, Taylor and Francis, Google Scholar, SciFinder, ScienceDirect and Wiley. Relevant book chapters, Wikipedia and books were also explored.ResultsThe study reveals that different parts of Morinda plants have been extensively used for folkloric therapeutic purposes and are a plethora of mineral or nutritional benefits and secondary metabolites. Several classes of bioactive compounds have been elucidated from Morinda plants via spectroscopic and chromatographic phytochemical analyses. Compounds such as terpenoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, polyphenols, steroids, saponins and reducing sugars are among the bioactive substances reported in the genus. Plant extracts, fractions and isolates of Morinda plants have exhibited pronounced antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antidepressant, wound healing, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects (in vitro and in vivo). These pharmacological activities exhibited could be linked to the presence of secondary metabolites reported. The applications of this genus is well documented in textile, metallurgical, agrochemicals and food industries.ConclusionA number of reports on Morinda showed significant therapeutic effect against several diseases such as cancer, dermal infection, diabetes, inflammation, malaria, typhoid, cholera and memory loss, however, there were several drawback in previous reports including mechanism of action, drug dose, controls and toxicological data of extracts or isolates. In view of this, further studies should emphasis on targeting active secondary metabolites which responsible for the therapeutic activities, structural elucidation and toxicological assessment. Furthermore, industrial uses require authentication.     

An efficient methodology to study cyclodextrin clusters: application to α-CD hydrated monomer, dimer, trimer and tetramer

The hydrated α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) clusters resulting from the following process: nα-CD + n(H₂O)₆ → α-CD_n · 6nH₂O, with n = 1, 2, 3, 4, have been investigated using semiempirical (PM3), ab initio Hartree-Fock and Density Functional Theory (BLYP functional) levels of theory. The largest structure containing 576 atoms and 5,760 contracted basis functions (6-31G(d,p) basis set) poses as a considerable hard task for quantum chemical calculations. As the number of basis function increases rapidly with the cluster size, an alternative procedure to make the calculations feasible is certainly welcome, in order to perform BLYP calculations with an adequate basis set. Through the aid of a computer program that we developed, it became of practical use the selection of atom by atom basis sets, using the common chemical sense, enabling quantum mechanical calculations to be performed for very large molecular interacting systems (inclusion complexes), at an affordable computational cost. In this article we show how an appropriate selection of basis functions, leaving the CH_n groups with a minimal basis set and the oxygen atoms (and OH groups) with a better quality basis set, lower considerably the computational cost with no significant loss in the calculated interaction energies. A regular pattern is observed for α-CD hydrated monomer, dimer, trimer and tetramer, therefore adding support to the use of this procedure when studying larger hydrogen bonded clusters where electron correlation effects are important. We show that the procedure reported here enables DFT calculations for hydrated cyclodextrin using basis set up to the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) triple zeta quality .     

Photoinduced Metal-Free Decarboxylative Transformations: Rapid Access to Amines,Alkyl Halides,and Olefins

Herein, we report an efficient photocatalytic strategy for the decarboxylative transformations of redox-active esters to construct C=C, C(sp³)−N, and C(sp³)−X bonds in a single-step. This operationally simple method provides a straightforward access to a variety of protected alkyl amines, alkyl halides and olefins under mild conditions in the absence of metals and photocatalysts. The method can successfully be applied to primary, secondary, and tertiary aliphatic carboxylic acid derivatives. Mechanistic studies indicate that the charge transfer complex (CTC) was formed by ⁿBu₄NI with redox-active esters, in which the ⁿBu₄NI acted as both an iodine source and an efficient electron donor.     

Ugi Reactions with CO2: Access to Functionalized Polyurethanes,Polycarbonates, Polyamides,and Polyhydantoins

A novel strategy for the incorporation of carbon dioxide into polymers is introduced. For this purpose, the Ugi five‐component condensation (Ugi‐5CC) of an alcohol, CO₂, an amine, an aldehyde, and an isocyanide is used to obtain step‐growth monomers. Polymerization via thiol‐ene reaction or polycondensation with diphenyl carbonate gives diversely substituted polyurethanes or alternating polyurethane‐polycarbonates, respectively. Furthermore, the application of 1,12‐diaminododecane and 1,6‐diisocyanohexane as bifunctional components in the Ugi‐5CC directly results in the corresponding polyamide bearing methyl carbamate side chains ( = 19 850 g mol⁻¹). The latter polymer is further converted into the corresponding polyhydantoin in a highly straightforward fashion.

     

From titanates to TiO2 nanostructures: Controllable synthesis, growth mechanism, and applications

The design and fabrication of nanostructures based on titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) have attracted much attention because of their low cost, non-toxicity, stability, and potential applications in industry and technology. Recently, one-dimensional (1D) structured titanates have been used as titanium source to prepare TiO 2 nanostructures with various crystalline phases, shapes, sizes, exposed facets, and hierarchical structures. Among the synthetic strategies, hydrothermal method is a facile route to controllable preparation of well-crystalline TiO 2 in one step. Herein, we review our recent progress in transferring 1D titanates into TiO 2 nanostructures through hydrothermal method, including the transformation mechanism and applications.     

Nitro-, Cyano-, and Methylfuroxans,and Their Bis-Derivatives: From Green Primary to Melt-Cast Explosives

In the present work, we studied in detail the thermochemistry, thermal stability, mechanical sensitivity, and detonation performance for 20 nitro-, cyano-, and methyl derivatives of 1,2,5-oxadiazole-2-oxide (furoxan), along with their bis-derivatives. For all species studied, we also determined the reliable values of the gas-phase formation enthalpies using highly accurate multilevel procedures W2-F12 and/or W1-F12 in conjunction with the atomization energy approach and isodesmic reactions with the domain-based local pair natural orbital (DLPNO) modifications of the coupled-cluster techniques. Apart from this, we proposed reliable benchmark values of the formation enthalpies of furoxan and a number of its (azo)bis-derivatives. Additionally, we reported the previously unknown crystal structure of 3-cyano-4-nitrofuroxan. Among the monocyclic compounds, 3-nitro-4-cyclopropyl and dicyano derivatives of furoxan outperformed trinitrotoluene, a benchmark melt-cast explosive, exhibited decent thermal stability (decomposition temperature >200 °C) and insensitivity to mechanical stimuli while having notable volatility and low melting points. In turn, 4,4′-azobis-dicarbamoyl furoxan is proposed as a substitute of pentaerythritol tetranitrate, a benchmark brisant high explosive. Finally, the application prospects of 3,3′-azobis-dinitro furoxan, one of the most powerful energetic materials synthesized up to date, are limited due to the tremendously high mechanical sensitivity of this compound. Overall, the investigated derivatives of furoxan comprise multipurpose green energetic materials, including primary, secondary, melt-cast, low-sensitive explosives, and an energetic liquid.     

Michael addition of nitroalkanes to nonactivated α,β-unsaturated δ-thiolactams: reactivity, diastereoselectivity, and comparison to α,β-unsaturated δ-lactams

Aliphatic nitrocompounds add to nonactivated α,β-unsaturated δ-thiolactams leading to 4-nitroalkyl functionalized δ-thiolactams in good yields. The addition is a stereocontrolled process with respect to substituents at C-6, and takes place producing trans 4,6-disubstituted adducts in most cases. Ease of the addition has been studied in relation to the structure of the δ-thiolactam acceptors, within the FMO-theory. Comparative study with analogous δ-lactams has shown the advantages of α,β-unsaturated δ-thiolactams in Michael addition and indicated high prospects of these compounds in the synthesis of 4-functionalized piperidine derivatives.     

Acetic acid monomer: Ab initio study,barrier to proton tunnelling,and infrared assignment

The barrier to tunnelling of the carboxyl proton in monomeric acetic acid is found to be 96.7 kcal/mole in an ab initio study, which is not compatible with an earlier interpretation of the strong observed in the infrared matrix spectra of monomeric acetic acid and deuterated species. A new explanation is suggested for the anharmonic effects, and a vibrational assignment, supported by normal coordinate calculations is proposed.The ab initio SCF calculations were carried out with two different Gaussian basis sets for comparison. The values obtained for the methyl torsional barrier, for the energy difference between the trans OCOH and the more stable cis OCOH conformtion, and for the OH-torsional force constant (0.15 and 0.19 mdyn/Å) are in good agreement with earlier results and/or with experimental data. The main anharmonicities observed in the spectra are apparently due to Fermi resonance involving CO stretching and COH bending fundamentals and combination tones of skeletal breathing and bending motions.     

Stepwise reduction of the thiocarbonyl ligand: hydride transfer to CS: thioformyl,thioformaldehyde, methylthiolato,secondary carbene,formyl and iminoformyl complexes of osmium

The complexes OsHX(CS)L(PPh₃)₂ (X  Cl, Br; L  CO and X  Cl; L  CN-p-tolyl), which contain mutually cis hydrido and thiocarbonyl ligands, undergo transfer of the hydrido ligand to CS when treated with CO to give blue complexes containing the thioformyl ligand [OsCHS]. OsCl(CHS)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ reacts with borohydride to give the first metal complex of the thioformaldehyde monomer, viz. Os(η²-CH₂S)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂, which reacts rapidly with HCl to give OsCl(SCH₃)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ and then, by a slower reaction, OsCl₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ and CH₃SH. The ligands produced in this stepwise reduction have possible relevance as models for postulated intermediates in the Fischer—Tropsch synthesis. Synthetic routes to formyl [OsCHO], iminoformyl [OsCHNMe] and secondary carbene complexes [OsCHSMe, OsCHNMe₂, OsCHOMe] are also demonstrated.     

From Monomers to π Stacks,from Nonconductive to Conductive: Syntheses,Characterization, and Crystal Structures of Benzidine Radical Cations

Salts that contain radical cations of benzidine (BZ), 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), 2,2′,6,6′‐tetraisopropylbenzidine (TPB), and 4,4′‐terphenyldiamine (DATP) have been isolated with weakly coordinating anions [Al(OR_F)₄]^? (OR_F=OC(CF₃)₃) or SbF₆^?. They were prepared by reaction of the respective silver(I) salts with stoichiometric amounts of benzidine or its alkyl‐substituted derivatives in CH₂Cl₂. The salts were characterized by UV absorption and EPR spectroscopy as well as by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures. Variable‐temperature UV/Vis absorption spectra of BZ ^{. +}[Al(OR_F)₄]^? and TMB ^{. +}[Al(OR_F)₄]^? in acetonitrile indicate an equilibrium between monomeric free radical cations and a radical‐cation dimer. In contrast, the absorption spectrum of TPB ^{. +}SbF₆^? in acetonitrile indicates that the oxidation of TPB only resulted in a monomeric radical cation. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies show that in the solid state BZ and its methylation derivative (TMB) form radical‐cation π dimers upon oxidation, whereas that modified with isopropyl groups (TPB) becomes a monomeric free radical cation. By increasing the chain length, π stacks of π dimers are obtained for the radical cation of DATP. The single‐crystal conductivity measurements show that monomerized or π‐dimerized radicals (BZ ^{. +}, TMB ^{. +}, and TPB ^{. +}) are nonconductive, whereas the π‐stacked radical (DATP ^{. +}) is conductive. A conduction mechanism between chains through π stacks is proposed.     

Sulfyliminofuroxans: Synthesis,structure, and oxidation to nitro and nitroso derivatives

We have synthesized sulfylimines of the furoxan series. It was shown that by oxidation of 4-dimethylsulfyliminofuroxans both nitro and nitroso derivatives, the first examples of nitrosofuroxans, can be prepared. With x-ray structural analysis the main structural characteristics of the sulfyliminofuroxans were established.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1625–1629, July, 1990.     

Structural variation from linear,layer to 3D framework: Syntheses,structures and luminescence

Self‐assembly of Zn (II) or Cd (II) nitrates, flexible bis (pyridyl)‐diamine, as well as arenesulfonic acids, leads to the formation of ten coordination polymers, namely, [Zn(L1)(H₂O)₃]·2(p‐TS)·2H₂O ( 1 ), [Zn(L1)(H₂O)₂]·2(p‐TS)·2H₂O ( 2 ), [Zn(L1)₂(p‐TS)₂] ( 3 ), [Zn(H₂L1)(H₂O)₄]·2(1,5‐NDS)·2H₂O ( 4 ), [Zn(H₂L2)(H₂O)₄]·2(1,5‐NDS)·4MeOH ( 5 ), [Cd(L1)(p‐TS)(NO₃)]·H₂O ( 6 ), [Cd(L1)(1,5 ‐NDS)_0.5(H₂O)]·0.5(1,5‐NDS)·H₂O ( 7 ), [Cd(L2)(H₂O)₂]·(p‐TS)·(NO₃)·3H₂O ( 8 ), [Cd(L2)(1,5‐NDS)] ( 9 ) and [Cd(L2)(1,5‐NDS)]·MeOH ( 10 ) (L1 = N,N′‐bis (pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl) ethane‐1,2‐diamine, L2 = N,N′‐bis (pyridin‐3‐ylmethy l)ethane‐1,2‐diamine, p‐HTS = p‐toluenesulfonic acid, 1,5‐H₂NDS = 1,5‐naphthalene disulfonic acid), which have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG, PL, powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 , 4 , 5 and 6 present linear or zigzag chain structures accomplished by the interconnection of adjacent M (II) cations through L1 ligands or protonated H₂L1²⁺/H₂L2²⁺ cations, while complexes 2 , 3 and 8 show similar (4,4) layer motifs constructed from the connection of M (II) cations through L1 and L2. The same coordination modes of L1 and L2 in complexes 7 and 9 join adjacent Cd (II) cations to form double chain structures, which are further connected by bis‐monodentate 1,5‐NDS^2? dianions into different (6,3) and (4,4) layer motifs. The L2 molecules in complex 10 join adjacent Cd (II) cations together with 1,5‐NDS^2? dianions to form 3D network with hxl topology. Therefore, the diverse coordination modes of the bis (pyridyl) ligand with chelating spacer and the feature of different arenesulfonate anions can effectively influence the architectures of these complexes. Luminescent investigation reveals that the emission maximum of these complexes varies from 374 to 448 nm in the solid state at room temperature, in which complexes 4 , 5 , 7 , 9 and 10 show average luminescence lifetimes from 7.20 to 14.82 ns. Moreover, photocatalytic properties of complexes 7–10 towards Methylene blue under Xe lamp irradiation are also discussed.     

Microwave fluorination: a novel, rapid approach to fluorination with Selectfluor

Fluorination of electron rich aromatic systems with electrophilic fluorination reagents such as Selectfluor^® and Accufluor^® is a well-established process. Herein we report results from investigations into the use of such procedures to perform rapid, small-scale fluorinations under microwave irradiation. We have investigated the transformation with a range of different substrates and discuss the effects of two key factors, namely reaction time and choice of fluorination reagent. The use of Selectfluor^® in acetonitrile at 150 °C with microwave heating for 10 min affords products in comparable yields to those obtained by prolonged heating in acetonitrile at its reflux temperature.     

Nucleophilic Additions to Coordinated 1,10‐Phenanthroline: Intramolecular,Intermolecular, Reversible,and Irreversible

KN(SiMe₃)₂ reacts with [Re(CO)₃(phen)(PMe₃)]OTf via reversible addition to the phen ligand and irreversible deprotonation of the PMe₃ ligand followed by intramolecular attack to phen by the deprotonated phosphane, whereas MeLi irreversibly adds to phen. The addition of MeLi has been shown to be intermolecular, unlike previously known nucleophilic additions to pyridines.