Synthetic studies related to diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) pigments. Part 3: Syntheses of tri- and tetra-aryl DPPs

Novel synthetic methodologies leading towards 2,3,5-triaryl- and 2,3,5,6-tetraaryl-2,5-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-diones (tri- and tetra-aryl-DPPs) and their derivatives have been investigated. Direct arylation of 3,6-diphenyl-DPP was possible using 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Acylation of ethyl 2-aryl-4,5-dihydro-5-oxopyrrole-3-carboxylates with N-arylbenzimidoyl chlorides in the presence of a strong base gives the novel 2,3,6-triaryl-DPPs together with the corresponding uncyclised enamines. A new and simple method for the synthesis of ethyl 1,2-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-5-oxopyrrole-3-carboxylates has led to an alternative route to triaryl-DPPs via reaction with benzonitrile under basic conditions, and combination of this with the benzimidoyl chloride methodology has enabled the synthesis of variously substituted 2,3,5,6-tetraphenyl-DPPs.     

Synthetic studies directed toward the pseurotins. Part II. Synthesis of related highly functionalized furan-3(2H)-ones

The synthesis of 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-methyl-5-phenylfuran-3(2H)-one ( 9 ), 5-[(1S,2S,Z)-1,2-(ethylidenedioxy)hex-3-enyl]-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylfuran-3(2H)-one ( 24 ), and 5-[(1S,2S,Z)-1,2-(ethylidenedioxy)hex-3-enyl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylfuran-3(2H)-one ( 28 ), which represent more advanced, suitably functionalized intermediates for the synthesis of pseurotin A ( 1 ), a secondary metabolite of Pseudeurotium ovalis STOLK , is described.     

Synthetic studies of carzinophilin. Part 1: Synthesis of 2-methylidene-1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane systems related to carzinophilin

Synthesis of the model compounds of carzinophilin carrying 2-methylidene-1-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane systems was achieved. Formation of malonylidenes or N-acyl-glycinylidenepyrrolidines was carried out by utilizing Eschenmoser's sulfide contraction or Herdeis's condensation between the 2-methylthio-Δ¹-pyrrolone derivatives and ethyl nitroacetate, respectively. The 1-azabicyclo-[3.1.0]hexane systems were constructed by base-promoted aziridine formation.     

The compositional and mineralogical analysis of fired pigments in Nasca pottery from Cahuachi (Peru) by the combined use of the portable PIXE-alpha and portable XRD techniques

An analytical protocol based on the combined use of the portable PIXE-alpha (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) non destructive techniques developed at the LANDIS laboratory (Laboratorio di Analisi Non Distruttive) of the INFN–CNR (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare–Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) in Catania (Italy), was applied for the characterisation of the surface paints of some archaeological fragments of Nasca pottery from the Ceremonial Centre of Cahuachi in Southern Peru.Measurements were carried out on the black, white, red, orange and grey pigments; quantitative information on the chemical composition as well as on the mineralogical phases present on the paints were obtained.Results allowed to make some considerations about the materials and the manufacturing technique used to realise such fired pigments.It should be noted that during firing the precursor minerals composing the pigments undergo a phase transformation and their identification presents some difficulties.     

New reactivity patterns of copper(I) and other transition metal NHC complexes: application to ATRC and related reactions

Pre-formed transition metal-NHC complex is shown to be an effective catalyst for Atom Transfer Radical Cyclisation (ATRC) reactions.     

Polymer-ligand interaction studies. Part I. Binding of some drugs to poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)

A physico-chemical investigation on the binding of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Naproxen (NP) and Ketoprofen (KP) and a drug model compound, salicylic acid (SA) to poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP, molecular weight = 360,000), was performed at pH 7.1 by the fluorescence competition method employing 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulphonate (ANS) as the fluorescent probe. The binding affinities of these substrates to PVP are in the order KP < SA < NP which has been explained on the basis of their structural features and the consequent effect on the interacting forces. Theπ-π interaction between the carbonyl group of PVP and theπ-ring system of the substrate molecule seems to be crucial in deciding the binding affinities of the substrates     

The use of α-(aryl)-4-morpholineacetonitriles (masked acyl anion equivalents) in 1,4-additions to α,β-unsaturated esters and nitriles. A versatile synthetic route to 6-aryl-3(2H) pyridazinones

The use of α-(substituted-phenyl)-4-morpholineacetonitriles in 1,4-additions to ethyl acrylate, ethyl crotonate, methyl α-methylacrylate, acrylonitrile, methylacrylonitrile, crotononitrile and cinnamonitrile was studied. A convenient route to 6-aryl-4,5-dihydro-3(2H) pyridazinones from aryl aldehydes and heterocyclic aldehydes was developed.     

Lead structures for applications in photodynamic therapy. Part 2: Synthetic studies for photo-triggered release systems of bioconjugate porphyrin photosensitizers

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) selectivity and specificity can be improved by binding the photosensitizers to target receptors. One approach is to cross-link porphyrins to a biological target receptor via the photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl linker, where a controlled released of the porphyrin can be monitored upon irradiation. The synthetic pathways involved esterification of a porphyrin-carboxylic acid and a unit containing the o-nitrobenzyl alcohol moiety and the bioconjugate. Reactions of a model porphyrin and o-nitrobenzyl alcohol using the carbonyl activating carbodiimide reagent DCC gave a stable N-acyl urea porphyrin, whereas use of EDAC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride) gave the desired compounds. Further studies were carried out on the attachment of carbohydrates (i.e., potentially receptor binding ligands) through such a linker to porphyrins. Preliminary irradiation experiments of such a compound show that upon UV irradiation (350 nm) for 80 min, approximately 50% of the porphyrin was cleaved to release the carboxylic acid porphyrin photosensitizer indicating the utility of such systems as photosensitizers delivery systems.     

Voltammetric studies of iron in molten MgCl2+NaCl+KCl: Part I. The reduction of Fe(II)

The electrochemical reduction of Fe²⁺ ions in the MgCl₂+NaCl+KCl eutectic at temperatures between 485 and 550°C has been successfully investigated using the techniques of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The reduction was diffusion controlled and involved a single two-electron transfer process at tungsten and vitreous carbon electrodes as well as at platinum electrodes where Fe/Pt alloy formation occurred. Chronoamperometric studies suggested that nucleation and crystal growth phenomena were important.     

Synthesis of anionic hypervalent cyclic selenenate esters: relevance to the hypervalent intermediates in nucleophilic substitution reactions at the selenium(II) center

The synthesis of a diaryl diselenide that contains 2,6‐dicarboxylic acid groups, 2,2′‐diselanediylbis(5‐tert‐butylisophthalic acid) ( 10 ), is described. Diselenide 10 undergoes intramolecular cyclization in methanol to form a cyclic selenenate ester, 5‐tert‐butyl‐3‐oxo‐3H‐benzo[c][1,2]oxaselenole‐7‐carboxylic acid ( 11 ). The cyclization reaction proceeds more rapidly in the presence of organic bases, such as pyridine, adenine, and 4,4′‐bipyridine, to form pyridinium 5‐tert‐butyl‐3‐oxo‐3H‐benzo[c][1,2]oxaselenole‐7‐carboxylate ( 14 ), adeninium 5‐tert‐butyl‐3‐oxo‐3H‐benzo[c][1,2]oxaselenole‐7‐carboxylate ( 15 ), and 4,4′‐bipyridiniumbis(5‐tert‐butyl‐3‐oxo‐3H‐benzo[c][1,2]oxaselenole‐7‐carboxylate) ( 16 ), respectively. However, 2,2′‐diselanediyldibenzoic acid ( 22 ) does not undergo cyclization under similar conditions. Structural studies on cyclic selenenate esters 14 – 16 revealed that the Se???O (COO^?) secondary distances (2.170, 2.075, and 2.176 Å) were significantly shorter than the corresponding Se???O distances (2.465, 2.472, and 2.435 Å) observed for the selenenate esters stabilized by the neutral donors (CHO, COOH, and COOEt). ¹H, ¹³C, and ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy of compounds 11 and 14 – 16 reveal that the aryl protons of compound 11 and the organic cations of compounds 14 – 16 exchange between the two carboxylate groups via a hypercoordinate intermediate. The corresponding hypercoordinate intermediate ( 14 b , pyridinium selenuranide) for compound 14 was detected at low temperatures using ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy. The presumed hypercoordinate intermediates in the carboxylate‐exchange reactions at the selenium(II) center for a set of model reactions were optimized using DFT‐B3LYP/6–311+g(d) calculations and their structural features compared with the X‐ray structure of anionic selenenate esters 14 – 16 .     

The application of strongly oxidizing agents in flow injection analysis : Part 2. Manganese(III)

The application of manganese(III) as a powerful oxidizing agent in flow injction analysis is described. Manganese(III) is generated electrochemically in the flowing system at a working electrode consisting of a packed bed of gold powder. Spectrophotometric detection is used at 490 nm, where manganese(III) in sulphuric acid solution absorbs strongly. Undr the experimental conditions, the generation of manganese(III) can be accompanied by generation of manganese(IV) and permanganate; manganese(III) alone can be generated by a proper selection of the generating current and the flow rate. Results are presented for the determinatin of various organic and inorganic substances by means of manganese(III), usually at concentrations in the 10^?4—10^? mol l^?1 range. Unlike permanganate and manganese(IV), manganese(III) does not react with chloride, so that oxidizable compounds can be determined in the presence of large amounts of this species.     

Synthetic studies of carzinophilin. Part 2: Synthesis of 3,4-dibenzyloxy-2-methylidene-1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane systems corresponding to the C1-C17 fragment of carzinophilin

A model compound bearing the C1-C17 fragment of carzinophilin was synthesized. The synthesis involved coupling reaction of a cyclic thioimidate with the 4H-oxazol-5-one derivative, ring-opening of the 4H-oxazol-5-one to furnish a dehydropeptide system, elaboration of the C1-C6 enolamide, and construction of the aziridine ring as key steps.     

Synthetic studies of potential antimetabolites. XIII. Synthesis of 7-amino-3-β-d-ribofuranosyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (1-deazaadenosine) and related nucleosides

7-Amino-3-β-D-ribofuranosyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (III, 1-deazaadenosine) was synthesized in 32% yield from the diacetyl derivative prepared from 7-aminoimidazo[4,5-b ]pyridine (1-deazaadenine) and 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-ribose by the fusion method. A synthesis of 7-amino-4-b?-D-ribofuranosyl-4H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (IV) was also achieved.     

Synthetic studies on trans-clerodane diterpenoids and congeners : stereocontrolled total synthesis of (±)-4-methylene-9α-(3-oxobutyl)-5β, 8β,9β-trimethyl-trans-decalin and related intermediates

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of the title compound, a marine natural product as well as a degradation product of sigmosceptrellins and palauolide, has been accomplished by a simple route broadly applicable to certain trans-clerodanes and congeners. In addition, the synthesis of two key degradation products of ilimaquinone, which can serve as trans-clerodane precursors, and 4,4-ethylene-dioxy-9α-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5β, 8β,9β-trimethyl-trans-decalin, an intermediate employed earlier in a total synthesis of (±)-annonene, are described.     

Co(II)-promoted transformation of diethyl(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)phosphonate to quinoline-2-carboxylate (2-qca): Synthetic,structural and magnetic studies of [Co(2-qca)2(EtOH)2]

The interaction of the diethyl(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)phosphonate (2-qmpe) ligand with CoCl₂ · 2H₂O unexpectedly leads to the formation of a compound with the formula [Co(2-qca)₂(EtOH)₂] (2-qca = quinoline-2-carboxylate). This compound is a product of the oxidative cleavage of the C–P bond in 2-qmpe and the formation of the 2-qca ligand. The title compound was characterized by infrared, ligand field, EPR spectroscopy and low temperature magnetic (1.8–300 K) studies. Particularly, the crystal and molecular structures were determined by the X-ray diffraction. The CoN₂O₄ chromophore shows an elongated octahedron geometry, resulting from the two didentate N,O-bonded chelate ligands and two ethanol molecules – quinolil nitrogen atoms are located in axial positions and oxygen atoms are positioned in the basal plane. The crystal packing is due to hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions, which give rise to a three-dimensional (3D) polymeric network. The magnetic properties reflect the molecular character of the compound, with a very weak magnetic exchange interaction. The moments are enhanced due to an important orbital contribution via spin–orbit coupling.     

Nucleosides. Part LIX. The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl (Npes) Group: A New Type of Protection in Nucleoside Chemistry

The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl (npes) group is developed as a new sugar OH-blocking group in the ribonucleoside series. Its cleavage can be performed in a β-eliminating process under aprotic conditions using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as the most effective base. Since sulfonates do not show acyl migration, partial protection of 1,2-cis-diol moieties is possible leading to new types of oligonucleotide building blocks. A series of Markiewicz-protected ribonucleosides 1–10 is converted into their 2′-O-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl] derivatives 29–38 in which the 5′-O? Si bond can be cleaved by acid hydrolysis forming 39–45 . Subsequent monomethoxytritylation leads to 46–50 , and desilylation affords the 5′-O-(monomethoxytrityl)-2′-O-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl]ribonucleosides 51–55 . Acid treatment to remove trityl groups do also not harm the npes group (→ 56–58 ). Unambiguous syntheses of fully blocked 2′-O-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl]ribonucleosides 96–102 are achieved from the corresponding 3′-O-(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl derivatives. Furthermore, various base-protected 5′-O-(monomethoxytrityl)- and 5′-O-(dimethoxytrityl)ribonucleosides, i.e. 59–77 , are treated directly with 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl chloride forming in all cases a mixture of the 2′,3′-di-O- and the two possible 2′- and 3′-O-monosulfonates 107–148 which can be separated into the pure components by chromatographic methods. The npes group is more labile towards DBU cleavage than the corresponding base-protecting 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) groups allowing selective deblocking which is of great synthetic potential.     

Synthesis and characterisation of poly(arylene sulphides)—Part II. Thermal analysis studies on poly(phenylene sulphide), poly(2-methyl phenylene sulphide), and poly(2,6-dimethyl phenylene sulphide) and related systems

Poly(p-phenylene sulphide), poly(2-methyl phenylene sulphide) and poly(2,6-dimethyl phenylene sulphide) have been subjected to comparative thermal analysis utilising thermogravimetry and isothermal weight loss studies in air and nitrogen. Comparative thermal stabilities have been evaluated and related to polymer structure. Activation energies for decomposition have been evaluated and are discussed.The related poly(p-phenylene sulphone) and poly(2-methyl phenylene sulphone) have also been studied and their behaviour analysed in the light of their possible formation during thermal oxidative degradation and air curing of the parent poly(phenylene sulphides).     

Enzymes in Organic Synthesis: Application to the Problems of Carbohydrate Recognition (Part 2)

Recognition of carbohydrates by proteins and nucleic acids is highly specific, but the dissociation constants are relatively high (generally in the mM to high μM range) because of the lack of hydrophobic groups in the carbohydrates. The high specificity of this weak binding often comes from many hydrogen bonds and the coordination of metal ions as bridge between sugars and receptors. Though weak hydrophobic interactions between sugars and proteins have also been identified, the unique shape of a complex carbohydrate under the influence of anomeric and exo anomeric effects (the glycosidic torsion angles are therefore often not flexible but are typically somewhat restricted) and the topographic orientation of the hydroxyl and charged groups contribute most significantly to the recognition process. Studies on the structure–function relationship of a complex carbohydrate therefore require deliberate manipulation of its shape and functional groups, and synthesis of oligosaccharide analogs from modified monosaccharides is often useful to address the problem. The availability of various monosaccharides and their analogs for the synthesis of complex carbohydrates together with the information resulting from structural studies (such a NMR or X-ray studies on sugar–protein complexes) will certainly provide a basic understanding of complex carbohydrate recognition. An ultimate goal is to develop simple and easy-to-make non-carbohydrate molecules that resemble the active structure involved in carbohydrate–receptor interaction or the transition-state of an enzyme-catalyzed transformation (for example, glycosidase or glycosyltransferase reactions) and have the approprite bioavailability to be used to control the carbohydrate function in a specific manner. In part one of this review we described various enzymatic approaches to the synthesis of monosaccharides, analogs, and related structures. We describe in this part enzymatic and chemoenzymatic approaches to the synthesis of oligosaccarides and analogs, including those involved in E-selectin recognition, and strategies to inhibit glycosidases and glycosyltransferases.