Practical Stereo‐ and Regioselective,Copper(I)‐Promoted Strecker Synthesis of Sugar‐Modified α,β‐Unsaturated Imines

The regio‐ and stereoselective, Lewis acid catalyzed Strecker reaction between Me₃SiCN and different aldimines incorporating a 2,3,4,6‐tetrakis‐O‐pivaloyl‐D ‐glucopyranosyl (Piv₄Glc) chiral auxiliary has been worked out. Depending on the conditions used, high yields (up to 95%) and good diastereoselectivities (de > 86%) were achieved under mild conditions (Table 1), especially with CuBr ? Me₂S as catalyst. Our protocol allows the ready preparation of asymmetric β,γ‐unsaturated α‐amino acids such as (R)‐2‐amino‐4‐phenylbut‐3‐enoic acid ( 13 ; Scheme 2) and congeners thereof.     

Synergistic Interplay of a Non‐Heme Iron Catalyst and Amino Acid Coligands in H2O2 Activation for Asymmetric Epoxidation of α‐Alkyl‐Substituted Styrenes

Highly enantioselective epoxidation of α‐substituted styrenes with aqueous H₂O₂ is described by using a chiral iron complex as the catalyst and N‐protected amino acids (AAs) as coligands. The amino acids synergistically cooperate with the iron center in promoting an efficient activation of H₂O₂ to catalyze epoxidation of this challenging class of substrates with good yields and stereoselectivities (up to 97 % ee) in short reaction times.     

Lewis Acid‐Mediated Addition of Amino Acid‐Substituted α‐Allylsilanes to Aromatic Acetals

Unnatural amino acids extend the pharmacological formulator's toolkit. Strategies to prepare unnatural amino acid derivatives using Lewis acid‐activated allylsilane reactions are few. In this regard, we examined the utility of allylsilanes bearing an amino acid substituent in the reaction. Diastereoselective addition of methyl 2‐(N‐PG‐amino)‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)pent‐4‐enoate and methyl (E)‐2‐(N‐PG‐amino)‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)hex‐4‐enoate (PG=protecting group), 2 and 13 , respectively, to aromatic acetals in the presence of Lewis acids is described. Of those examined, TiCl₄ was found to be the most effective Lewis acid for promoting the addition. At least 1 equiv. of TiCl₄ was required to achieve high yields, whereas 2 equiv. of BF₃?OEt₂ were required for comparable outcomes. Excellent selectivity (>99% syn/anti) and high yield (up to 89%) were obtained with halo‐substituted aromatic acetals, while more electron‐rich electrophiles led to both lower yields and diastereoselectivities.     

Chiral Bis(imidazolidine)‐Derived NCN Pincer Rh Complex for Catalytic Asymmetric Mannich Reaction of Malononitrile with N‐Boc Imines

Chiral bis(imidazolidine)‐derived NCN–rhodium complexes ([PhBidine‐RhX₂] and [tBu‐PhBidine‐RhX₂]) were prepared by a C?H insertion method, and the structures were unequivocally determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The [tBu‐PhBidine‐Rh(OAc)₂] complex smoothly catalyzed an asymmetric Mannich reaction of malononitrile with N‐Boc imines to give products in up to 94 % ee, which are useful for the synthesis of chiral α‐amino acids.     

Novel Flame‐Retardant and Thermally Stable Poly(Amide‐imide)s Based on Bicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐7‐Ene‐2,3,5,6‐Tetracarboxylic Diimide and Phosphine Oxide in the Main Chain: Synthesis and Characterization

Six novel poly(amide‐imide)s PAIs 5a‐f were synthesized through the direct polycondensation reaction of six chiral N,N′‐(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐7‐ene‐tetracarboxylic)‐bis‐L‐amino acids 3a‐f with bis(3‐amino phenyl) phenyl phosphine oxide 4 in a medium consisting of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), triphenyl phosphite (TPP), calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and pyridine. The polymerization reaction produced a series of flame‐retardant and thermally stable poly(amide‐imide)s 5a‐f with high yield and good inherent viscosity of 0.39–0.83 dLg^?1. The resultant polymers were fully characterized by means of FTIR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, inherent viscosity, specific rotation and solubility tests. Thermal properties and flame retardant behavior of the PAIs 5a‐f were investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG) and limited oxygen index (LOI). Data obtained by thermal analysis (TGA and DTG) revealed that these polymers show good thermal stability. Furthermore, high char yields in TGA and good LOI values indicated that resultant polymers exhibited good flame retardant properties. N,N′‐(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐7‐ene‐tetracarboxylic)‐bis‐L‐amino acids 3a‐f were prepared in quantitative yields by the condensation reaction of bicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐7‐ene‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride 1 with L‐alanine 2a , L‐valine 2b , L‐leucine 2c , L‐isoleucine 2d , L‐phenyl alanine 2e and L‐2‐aminobutyric acid 2f in acetic acid solution. These polymers can be potentially utilized in flame retardant thermoplastic materials.     

Preparation and evaluation of novel chiral stationary phases based on quinine derivatives comprising crown ether moieties

The C9‐position of quinine was modified by meta‐ or para‐substituted benzo‐18‐crown‐6, and immobilized on 3‐mercaptopropyl‐modified silica gel through the radical thiol‐ene addition reaction. These two chiral stationary phases were evaluated by chiral acids, amino acids, and chiral primary amines. The crown ether moiety on the quinine anion exchanger provided a ligand‐exchange site for primary amino groups, which played an important role in the retention and enantioselectivity for chiral compounds containing primary amine groups. These two stationary phases showed good selectivity for some amino acids. The complex interaction between crown ether and protonated primary amino group was investigated by the addition of inorganic salts such as LiCl, NH₄Cl, NaCl, and KCl to the mobile phase. The resolution results showed that the simultaneous interactions between two function moieties (quinine and crown ether) and amino acids were important for the chiral separation.     

Enantioselective Recognition of Calix[4]arene Derivative Bearing Bicyclic Guanidinium for D/L Amino Acid Zwitterions

The p‐tetra‐tert‐butyl calix[4] arene derivatives (3 and 4) with (5,5) chiral bicyclic guanidinium, as the receptors of amino acid zwitterions, have been synthesized via a O‐alkylation reaction of p‐tetra‐tert‐butyl calix [4] arene with cbJoromethyl chiral bicyclic guanidinium 2 in the presence of anhydrous K₂CO₃ in acetonitrile. The results obtained from liquid‐liquid competitive extraction experiments indicate that the two receptors may selectively recognize L‐aromatic amino acids, and that the enantioselective recognizability of the receptor 4 with two chiral bicyclic guanidinium units reachs up to about 90% for L‐Phe.     

Simultaneous determination of homocysteine,methionine and cysteine in maternal plasma after delivery by HPLC‐fluorescence detection with DBD‐F as a label

An HPLC‐fluorescence (FL) method for determination of sulfur‐containing amino acids such as homocysteine (Hcy), methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys) in human plasma was developed. The sulfur‐containing amino acids were labeled with 4‐(N,N‐dimethylaminosulfonyl)‐7‐fluoro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole (DBD‐F). Calibration curves in the range of 1–100 µm (Hcy and Met) and 5–500 µm (Cys) indicated good linearities (r ≥ 0.998). The limits of detection at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 were 0.13 (Hcy), 0.02 (Met) and 0.11 µm (Cys), respectively. Acceptable results for accuracy and precision of intra‐ and inter‐day measurements were obtained. The results of Hcy and Cys obtained by the proposed method indicated good correlations with the conventional method (r > 0.911, n = 20). Furthermore, the method was applied to determination of the sulfur‐containing amino acids in maternal plasma (n = 200) after delivery. The concentrations of Hcy, Met and Cys as a median (inter quartile range, Q₁ and Q₃) were 5.37 (3.32–7.79) μm , 25.20 (20.10–31.06) μm and 147.25 (102.81–189.31) μm , respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Green Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐4‐(9H‐carbazole‐3‐yl)thiophene‐3‐carbonitriles by a Step‐wise and One‐pot Three‐component Gewald Reaction

An eco‐friendly method has been developed for the synthesis of 2‐amino‐4‐(9H‐carbazole‐3‐yl)thiophene‐3‐carbonitriles from preliminary carbazole ( 1 ) through an intermediate of 2‐(1‐(9H‐carbazole‐3‐yl)ethylidene)malononitriles using the Knoevenagel condensation followed by the Gewald reaction. On the other hand, the target compounds could also be prepared in a one‐pot three‐component manner by treating equimolar quantities of 1‐(9H‐carbazole‐3‐yl)ethanone ( 3 ), malononitrile, and elemental sulfur. The merits of this preparation are mild reaction conditions. The Gewald reaction is executed with inorganic base NaHCO₃ (H₂O) in tetrahydrofuran, easy work‐up procedure with good yields.     

Synthesis of α‐(Fluorophenyl)pyridine by Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reaction

A series of α‐(fluoro‐substituted phenyl)pyridines have been synthesized by means of a palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction between fluoro‐substituted phenylboronic acid and 2‐bromopyridine or its derivatives. The reactivities of the phenylboronic acids containing di‐ and tri‐fluoro substituents with α‐pyridyl bromide were investigated in different catalyst systems. Unsuccessful results were observed in the Pd/C and PPh₃ catalyst system due to phenylboronic acid containing electron‐withdrawing F atom(s). For the catalyst system of Pd(OAc)₂/PPh₃, the reactions gave moderate yields of 55% –80%, meanwhile, affording 10% –20% of dimerisation (self‐coupling) by‐products, but trace products were obtained in coupling with 2,4‐difluorophenylboronic acids because of steric hinderance. Pd(PPh₃)₄ was more reactive for boronic acids with sterically hindering F atom(s), and the coupling reactions gave good yields of 90% and 91% without any self‐coupling by‐product.     

氯化钯在氟化四丁基铵中当场生成纳米钯：一种高效、可回收的催化体系，在无配体和无溶剂条件下催化Suzuki-Miyaura反应

氯化钯在氟化四丁基铵中当场生成纳米钯,该钯催化剂在Suzuki-Miyaura交叉偶联反应中显示很高的催化效率。在氯化钯和氟化四丁基铵存在下,许多芳基卤代烃可以顺利与芳基硼酸发生偶联反应,得到中等到高的产率。此外,在Suzuki-Miyaura偶联反应中该氯化钯/氟化四丁基铵催化体系可以回收重复使用多次,并且芳基溴代烃可以在15-60分钟内反应完全。值得指出的是,该反应是在无溶剂、无配体和催化体系可回收重复使用的条件下进行的。这和无配体条件下TBAB中钯催化卤代芳烃与芳基硼酸的Suzuki-Miyaura交叉偶联反应方法。该氯化钯/氟化四丁基铵催化反应的反应机理也进行了讨论。     

Application of Electrochemiluminescence Sensor to a Rapid Method of Estimating Activity of Enzyme in Hydrolysis of Peptides

An advanced flow‐through electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detector was applied to determination of resulting amino acids and oligopeptides in hydrolysis of four peptides by leucine aminopeptidase. For 20mer polypeptide PRGPDRPEGIEEEGGERDRD, the ECL intensity due to the polypeptide and produced proline was analyzed to give the dissociation contant K_m (1.2×10^?4 M) and the catalytic reaction constant k_cat (3.7 s^?1), which were good agreement with those obtained by HPLC. The enzymatic parameters were similarly obtained for the other peptides.     

An HPLC method for the determination of selected amino acids in human embryo culture medium

A method for the determination of selected amino acids in culture medium using HPLC with fluorescence detection is described. Twenty hours after intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection, one randomly selected zygote was transferred to the culture medium. After incubation (72 h after fertilization), the culture medium in which the embryo was incubated and blank medium was immediately stored at −80°C. Filtered medium samples were derivatized with ortho ‐phthalaldehyde (naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxaldehyde), forming highly fluorescent amino acids derivatives. Reverse‐phase columns (LichroCART, Purospher STAR RP_18e or Ascentis Express C₁₈) were used for the separation. The derivatives were analyzed by gradient elution with a mobile phase containing ethanol and sodium dihydrogen phosphate. The analytical performance of this method is satisfactory for all amino acids; the intra‐assay coefficients of variation were <10% and quantitative recoveries were between 95.5 and 104.4%. Changes in the levels of selected amino acids before and after human embryo cultivation were observed. After embryo incubation, the levels of all amino acids in the medium were increased, apart from aspartate and asparagine. After the cultivation of some embryos, amino acids which were not part of the medium were detected. Low amino acids turnover was observed in some embryos.     

Synthesis and properties of amino acid esters of hydroxypropyl cellulose

The amino acid esters of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) [R′ = H ( 2a ), CH₃ ( 2b ), CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ ( 2c ), CH₂CONH₂ ( 2d ), CH₂CH₂CONH₂ ( 2e ), CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂ NHOCOC(CH₃)₃ ( 2f )] were synthesized in good yield by the reaction of t‐butoxycarbonyl (t‐Boc)‐protected amino acids with hydroxy groups of HPC ( 1 ; molar substitution (MS), 4.61). The amino acid functionalities displaying varied chemical nature, shape, and bulk were utilized and the bulk of the substituent on the α‐carbon of amino acids was elucidated to be of vital significance for the observed degree of incorporation (DS_Est). The ¹H NMR spectra and elemental analysis were employed to determine the degree of incorporation of amino acid moiety (DS_Est) and almost complete substitution of the hydroxy protons was revealed for 2a , 2b , and 2f . The presence of the peaks characteristic of the carbonyl group in the FTIR spectra furnished further evidence for the successful esterification of HPC. The starting as well as the resulting polymers ( 1 and 2a – f ) were soluble in polar organic solvents; however, the esterification of 1 with bulky organic moieties resulted in an increased hydrophobicity as all of the amino acid‐functionalized polymers ( 2a – f ) were insoluble in water. The onset temperatures of weight loss of 2a – f were 175–230 °C, indicating fair thermal stability. The amino acid functionalization led to the enhanced polymer chain stiffness, and the glass transition temperatures of the derivatized polymers were 30–40 °C higher than that of 1 (T_g 3.9 °C; cf. T_g of 2a – f , 35.1–43.3 °C). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2326–2334, 2008     

Characterization of N‐methylated amino acids by GC‐MS after ethyl chloroformate derivatization

Methylation is an essential metabolic process in the biological systems, and it is significant for several biological reactions in living organisms. Methylated compounds are known to be involved in most of the bodily functions, and some of them serve as biomarkers. Theoretically, all α‐amino acids can be methylated, and it is possible to encounter them in most animal/plant samples. But the analytical data, especially the mass spectral data, are available only for a few of the methylated amino acids. Thus, it is essential to generate mass spectral data and to develop mass spectrometry methods for the identification of all possible methylated amino acids for future metabolomic studies. In this study, all N‐methyl and N,N‐dimethyl amino acids were synthesized by the methylation of α‐amino acids and characterized by a GC‐MS method. The methylated amino acids were derivatized with ethyl chloroformate and analyzed by GC‐MS under EI and methane/CI conditions. The EI mass spectra of ethyl chloroformate derivatives of N‐methyl ( 1–18 ) and N,N‐dimethyl amino acids ( 19–35 ) showed abundant [M‐COOC₂H₅]⁺ ions. The fragment ions due to loss of C₂H₄, CO₂, (CO₂ + C₂H₄) from [M‐COOC₂H₅]⁺ were of structure indicative for 1–18 . The EI spectra of 19–35 showed less number of fragment ions when compared with those of 1–18 . The side chain group (R) caused specific fragment ions characteristic to its structure. The methane/CI spectra of the studied compounds showed [M + H]⁺ ions to substantiate their molecular weights. The detected EI fragment ions were characteristic of the structure that made easy identification of the studied compounds, including isomeric/isobaric compounds. Fragmentation patterns of the studied compounds ( 1–35 ) were confirmed by high‐resolution mass spectra data and further substantiated by the data obtained from ¹³C₂‐labeled glycines and N‐ethoxycarbonyl methoxy esters. The method was applied to human plasma samples for the identification of amino acids and methylated amino acids. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Liquid‐Chromatography Quantitative Analysis of 20 Amino Acids after Derivatization with FMOC‐Cl and Its Application to Different Origin Radix isatidis

We developed a simple, rapid and reliable method for determination of 20 common amino acids based on derivatization with 9‐fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC‐Cl) and RP‐LC/UV, this method was first introduced into quantitative analysis of amino acids. The amino groups of amino acids were trapped with FMOC‐Cl to form amino acid‐FMOC‐Cl adducts which can be suitable for LC‐UV. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C₁₈ column with a mobile phase gradient consisting of acetonitrile and sodium acetate solution. This method was shown to be sensitive for 20 common amino acids. In the intra‐day precisions assay, the range of RSDs was 3.21‐7.67% with accuracies of 92.34‐102.51%; for the inter‐day precisions assay, the range of RSDs was 5.82‐9.19% with accuracies of 90.25‐100.63%. The results also indicated that solutions of amino acids‐FMOC‐Cl can be kept at room temperature for at least 24 h without showing significant losses in the quantified values. The validated method was successfully applied to the determination of major four kinds of amino acids in R. isatidis samples (Arg, Pro, Met and Val). The total content of amino acids in different origin R. isatidis was 13.32‐19.16 mg/g. The differences between R. isatidis samples were large using HCA.     

ESI‐MS/MS analysis of protonated N‐methyl amino acids and their immonium ions

Methylation is one of the important posttranslational modifications of biological systems. At the metabolite level, the methylation process is expected to convert bioactive compounds such as amino acids, fatty acids, lipids, sugars, and other organic acids into their methylated forms. A few of the methylated amino acids are identified and have been proved as potential biomarkers for several metabolic disorders by using mass spectrometry–based metabolomics workstation. As it is possible to encounter all the N‐methyl forms of the proteinogenic amino acids in plant/biological systems, it is essential to have analytical data of all N‐methyl amino acids for their detection and identification. In earlier studies, we have reported the ESI‐MS/MS data of all methylated proteinogenic amino acids, except that of mono‐N‐methyl amino acids. In this study, the N‐methyl amino acids of all the amino acids ( 1 ‐ 21 ; including one isomeric pair) were synthesized and characterized by ESI‐MS/MS, LC/MS/MS, and HRMS. These data could be useful for detection and identification of N‐methyl amino acids in biological systems for future metabolomics studies. The MS/MS spectra of [M + H]⁺ ions of most N‐methyl amino acids showed respective immonium ions by the loss of (H₂O, CO). The other most common product ions detected were [MH‐(NH₂CH₃]⁺, [MH‐(RH)]⁺ (where R = side chain group) ions, and the selective structure indicative product ions due to side chain and N‐methyl group. The isomeric/isobaric N‐methyl amino acids could easily be differentiated by their distinct MS/MS spectra. Further, the MS/MS of immonium ions inferred side chain structure and methyl group on α‐nitrogen of the N‐methyl amino acids.     

微波辐射下吡啶[2,3-d]嘧啶衍生物的高效合成

本文以等摩尔的芳醛,巴比妥酸（或1,3-二甲基巴比妥酸）,5-氨基-2-甲基苯[d]噻唑为原料,以醋酸和乙二醇为溶剂,微波辐射下多组分一锅法合成了一系列新的吡啶[2,3-d]嘧啶衍生物。这种方法具有产率高,操作简便,反应时间短等优点。     

Efficient asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes using C2‐novel chiral pyridine β‐amino alcohols as chiral ligands

A series of novel C₂‐symmetric chiral pyridine β‐amino alcohol ligands have been synthesized from 2,6‐pyridine dicarboxaldehyde, m‐phthalaldehyde and chiral β‐amino alcohols through a two‐step reaction. All their structures were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and IR. Their enantioselective induction behaviors were examined under different conditions such as the structure of the ligands, reaction temperature, solvent, reaction time and catalytic amount. The results show that the corresponding chiral secondary alcohols can be obtained with high yields and moderate to good enantiomeric excess. The best result, up to 89% ee, was obtained when the ligand 3c (2S,2′R)‐2,2′‐((pyridine‐2,6‐diylbis(methylene))bisazanediyl))bis(4‐methyl‐1,1‐diphenylpentan‐1‐ol) was used in toluene at room temperature. The ligand 3g (2S,2′R)‐2,2′‐((1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene))bis(azanediyl))bis(4‐methyl‐1,1‐diphenylpentan‐1‐ol) was prepared in which the pyridine ring was replaced by the benzene ring compared to 3c in order to illustrate the unique role of the N atom in the pyridine ring in the inductive reaction. The results indicate that the coordination of the N atom of the pyridine ring is essential in the asymmetric induction reaction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

λ -Benzyl-L-Glutamate Graft Copolymers of Cellulose and Poly[Arylene Ether Sulfone]

Macroinitiators with primary amino substituents were synthesized by one of the following techniques: a) cyanoethylation of cellulose followed by diborane reduction to produce aminopropylcellulose, 1; b) nitration, then SnCl₂ reduction of poly(arylene ether sulfone), 5, to produce poly(2-aminoarylene ether sulfone), 2; c) phthalimidation of 5 followed by hydrazinolysis to yield poly(2-aminomethylarylene ether sulfone), 3; and d) LiAlH₄ reduction of poly(cyanophenylene arylene ether) to poly(aminomethylphenylene arylene ether), 4. Heterogeneous grafting of Λ-benzyl-L-glutamate-N-carboxyanhydride, 8, to Polymer 1 resulted in a nonrandom distribution of amino acid residues; α-helical conformations were detected at low BLG-NCA/NH₂ ratios (<5 amino acids). Using molar ratios ranging from 1 to 100 of 8, relative to the amine concentration, grafting to Polymers 3 and 4 was effected in anhydrous THF at room temperature under homogeneous conditions. If reaction times between 24 and 48 h are utilized, high grafting efficiencies (>80%) are obtained. The conformation of the polypeptide chain was evaluated by NMR and infrared spectroscopy. Polypeptides grafted to Polymers 3 and 4 appeared to adopt the expected conformation for the chain length predicted, i.e., a progression from random coil (<8 amino acids) to β-pleated sheet (8–13 amino acids) to α-helix (> 13 amino acids). The benzyl ester functions on the BLG grafts are subject to direct modification with amine nucleophiles; studies with butylamine correlate reaction conditions with extent of ester vs peptide cleavage. In the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole, aminolysis of the ester is favored and conversions to Λ-amides up to 75% without peptide cleavage are achieved.