Measurements of the solubilities of derivatized amino acids in supercritical carbon dioxide

The solubilities of phenylalanine and tyrosine in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO₂) were measured after derivatization as the N-acetyl amino acid ethyl ester, N-carbobenzoxy amino acid and N-acetyl amino acid. Using an SCCO₂ flow system, a measuring method of the saturated solubilities of the derivatized amino acids was established in which the contact height of the extraction cell, i.e. a packed column, is increased till the concentration of a derivatized amino acid at the exit of the cell reaches a plateau. The solubilities of N-acetyl phenylalanine ethyl ester (APEE) exceeded 0.001 mole fraction, which is higher than those of caffeine produced in industrial SCCO₂ processes. A possible way of separating the amino acid mixtures using polarity differences in different amino acid side chains was demonstrated using the solubility data of the N-acetyl-amino acid ethyl esters in SCCO₂, as the solubilities of APEE are higher than those of N-acetyl tyrosine ethyl ester by two orders of magnitude.     

Volumetric properties of aqueous solutions of amino acids from the singular to critical temperature

The partial volume -V ₂ ⁰ of amino acids in aqueous solution is assumed to be zero for T = 227 K (singular temperature) and T= T _c (critical temperature). The literature data for -V ₂ ⁰(T) of ten amino acids at 278–328 K are reproduced by the two-parameter equation with a standard deviation of 0.06–0.16 cm³/mol. Only for asparagine and tryptophan the standard deviation exceeds 0.3 cm³/mol. In the case of glycine and alanine, the relation -V ₂ ⁰(T) in the high temperature range is obtained. -V ₂ ⁰ is divided into contributions (?-H ₂ ⁰/?p) _T and —T·(?-S ₂ ⁰/?p) _T . Their dependence on the temperature and amino acid nature is discussed. Positive values of ?-C ₂ ⁰/?p) _T characterize amino acids as water structure breakers; however, the differentiation of compounds by this feature is not successful. The behavior of amino acids in aqueous solutions is compared with the behavior of urea.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure cis- and trans-cyclopentane analogues of phenylalanine

For the first time, all stereoisomers of 1-amino-2-phenylcyclopentanecarboxylic acid—c₅Phe—have been synthesised. A Strecker reaction on 2-phenylcyclopentanone and further transformations of each amino nitrile into the amino acid provides cis-c₅Phe and trans-c₅Phe with high efficiency. A divergent synthetic route was then developed to obtain the target compounds cis- and trans-c₅Phe in their racemic form. The preparation of the final enantiomerically pure amino acids and their corresponding N-protected derivatives was also achieved by HPLC resolution of one of the intermediates using a cellulose-derived chiral stationary phase. The relative stereochemistry of each amino acid and its precursors have been unambiguously assigned.     

Effect of tetra-n-alkylammonium bromides on the volumetric properties of glycine,l-alanine and glycylglycine at T=298.15 K

The effect of tetra-n-alkylammonium bromides, R₄NBr (R=CH₃, C₂H₅, C₄H₉) on the densities, ρ, of glycine, l-alanine and glycylglycine are reported at T=298.15 K. The apparent molar volumes of amino acids in aqueous tetra-n-alkylammonium salts, φ_VAJW, and of tetra-n-alkylammonium bromides in aqueous amino acids and peptide, φ_VJAW, are calculated from the measured densities. Both φ_VAJW and φ_VJAW have been analysed accurately using a simple equation. Positive transfer volumes are observed for glycine, l-alanine and glycylglycine in the presence of R₄NBr. Tetra-n-butylammonium bromide shows almost double increase in the transfer volumes of amino acids or peptide than tetramethyl- or tetraethylammonium bromides. Negative transfer volumes for the tetra-n-alkylammonium bromide salts are noted in aqueous amino acids or peptide due to large tetra-n-alkylammonium cation undergoing hydrophobic hydration.     

A study on the role of gelatin in methacrylic-acid-based gel dosimeters

In radiotherapy treatment, polymer gel dosimetry can be used for verifying three-dimensional (3D) dose distributions. Gelatin is generally used as a gelling agent in the dosimeters. In this paper, another role of gelatin in a methacrylic-acid-based gel dosimeter (MAGAT) is investigated. Temperature increases due to exothermic polymerization in the irradiated gel are measured directly. Dose–R₂ responses are also obtained using MRI. It is shown that no appreciable increases in either temperature or R₂ are observed in MAGAT dosimeters made without gelatin, and that significant temperature and R₂ increases are observed when very low gelatin concentrations are used. These results indicate that gelatin is an important enabler for radiation-induced free-radical polymerization in methacrylic-acid-based gels. When gelatin is replaced by amino acids, changes in temperature are observed, along with small changes in R₂. The resulting dosimeter solutions remain transparent because the polymer does not precipitate as it does in regular MAGAT dosimeters containing gelatin. When the amino acids are replaced by acids without amino groups, no temperature or R₂ changes are observed, indicating that no polymer forms. These results show that amino groups (and possibly other functional groups) on the gelatin catalyze the radiation-induced free-radical polymerization that occurs in MAGAT dosimeters.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2-amino alcohols from amino acids mediated by sulfoxides

Enantiomerically pure (R₁,S₂)- and (S₁,S₂)-2-amino alcohols can be easily synthesized by stereodivergent reduction of α′-(N-Boc)amino β-keto sulfoxides (easily synthesized from readily available N-Boc amino ester hydrochlorides) with DIBAH (de 82–92%) and DIBAH/ZnBr₂ (de 80%), followed by hydrogenolysis of the C–S bond of the resulting hydroxy sulfoxides and final hydrolysis of the N-Boc protecting group.     

Synthesis and circular dichroism studies of some cobalt(III) complexes containing 2,2′ bipyridine, 1,10 phenanthroline,and some optically active amino acids

Two series of cobalt(III) complexes were synthesized and spectrally analyzed, [Co(2,2′-bipyridyl)₂(aa)]I₂ and [Co(1,10-phenanthroline)₂(aa)]I₂ (where the letters aa refer to an optically active, bidentate amino acid). The following amino acids were used: l-alanine, glycine, l-leucine, l-phenylalanine, and l-proline.This research is an analogue to the chemical systems studied by Mason et al.^1,2 They investigated complexes such as [Co(phen)₃]³⁺, [Co(dipy)₃]³⁺, [Co(phen)₂(dipy)]³⁺, [Co(dipy)₂(phen)]³⁺, [Co(phen)₂(ox)]²⁺, and [Co(dipy)₂(ox)]²⁺. The series of [Co(dipy)₂(na)]²⁺ and [Co(phen)₂(na)]²⁺ complexes, where the letters na refer to a non-optically active, bidentate ligand, have exhibited exciton-splitting. We used optically active amino acids to ascertain whether or not the exciton-splitting phenomenon would occur when a non-optically active ligand was substituted by an optically active amino acid. In addition, a series of optically active amino acids was selected with the intention of determining whether small differences among the amino acid ligands would affect the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the different complexes and if the formation of these complex ions would be steroselective.     

A practical approach to non-natural or N-unsubstituted α-arylglycine derivatives: Hf(OTf)4-doped Me3SiCl system-catalyzed aminomethylation of electron-rich arenes with a new type of N,O-acetal

The authors have demonstrated the Hf(OTf)₄-doped Me₃SiCl system-catalyzed aminomethylation of electron-rich aromatic compounds, such as indoles and anilines, with new types of N,O-acetals having a variety of functional groups, such as cyano, ester, bis(trimethylsilyl)amino, diallylamino, and cyclic amino moieties, for the preparation of non-natural aromatic amino acid derivatives. Aminomethylation using an N,O-acetal with a bis(trimethylsilyl)amino group was particularly successful in the direct preparation of an N-unsubstituted α-indolylglycine derivative, which required only a standard aqueous workup.     

A relation between RF values of unidimensional and circular paper chromatography

1. R_F values of 12 amino acids were determined in phenol-water and benzyl alcohol-acetic acid-water using unidimensional and circular techniques of paper chromatography. 2. It has been observed that the square of circular R_F values (considering frontal boundary of solute) equals the linear R_F values, and this relation is valid for the amino acids as well as the sugars studied. 3. The relation is found to be independent of the distance traversed by the solvent in the case of both amino acids and sugars. 4. A theoretical support has been given to the experimental observations.     

Interactions in L-phenylalanine/L-leucine/L-glutamic Acid/L-proline + 2 M aqueous NaCl/2 M NaNO3 systems at different temperatures

Density (ρ) and speed of sound (u) in 2 M aqueous NaCl and 2 M NaNO₃ solutions of amino acids: L-phenylalanine, L-leucine, L-glutamic acid, and L-proline have been measured for several molal concentrations of amino acids at different temperatures. The ρ and u data have been used to calculate the values of isothermal compressibility and internal pressure at different temperatures. The trends of variations of κ _T and P _i with an increase in molal concentration of amino acid and temperature have been discussed in terms of solute-solvent and solute-solute interactions in the systems.     

Synthesis of N-alkylated amino acids using fluorous-tagged hydroxylamines

The development of a new fluorous-tagged ammonia-equivalent for the synthesis of N-alkylated amino acids is described. The required building blocks were readily accessed in high yield and purity using F-SPE purification technique. Coupling of the fluorous-tagged hydroxylamines with a selection of boronic acids and glyoxalic acid gave the desired N-alkylated amino acids. Subsequent removal of the fluorous tag via catalytic hydrogenation was investigated using a number of different catalysts and solvents. A more robust de-tagging procedure involves the transformation of the amino acid to the corresponding methyl ester followed by a Mo(CH₃CN)₃(CO)₃ mediated N-O bond cleavage.     

Synthesis of N,N-dimethyl-2,4-dinitro-5-fluorobenzylamine and its reactions with amino acids and peptides

A practical synthesis is described for N,N-dimethyl-2,4-dinitro-5-fluorobenzylamine (DMDNFB) and its -d₆ analog as an alternative Sanger's reagent (DNFB), for purposes of amino acid derivatization detectable by positive mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. DMDNFB is comparable to DNFB in its efficiency to derivatize amino acids and peptides. Various DMDNP (d₀/d₆) derivatives of (modified) lysine were synthesized to evaluate the potential use of isotope-edited LC-ESI-MS as a tool for structural definition of the posttranslational modification of protein-based lysines.     

An N-protection free ligation of the peptide thioester and the peptide with an N-alkoxy- or N-aryloxyamino group at its N-terminus

Peptides with an N-alkoxy or N-aryloxy amino acid at their N-terminus were synthesized and successfully ligated with a peptide thioester by silver ion activation under a slightly acidic condition without requiring protection of the side chain amino groups. The N-methoxy group was easily cleaved by the SmI₂ reduction in CH₃OH aq. to obtain the desired peptide with a native peptide bond. This method was successfully applied to the synthesis of the human atrial natriuretic peptide showing the efficiency of the novel ligation.     

Regioselective single-step synthesis of 2-aminoimidazole derivatives

A convenient single-step strategy for the regioselective assembly of 2-aminoimidazole derivatives is herein described. Through a transition metal-free domino addition/cyclization process, the reactions of unsymmetrical carbodiimides with propargylic amines mediated by Cs₂CO₃ selectively afforded the corresponding polysubstituted 2-aminoimidazoles in moderate to good yields under very mild conditions. The regioselectivity was reversed in the presence of TEA at a higher temperature. The obtained 2-(o-iodoaryl)amino imidazoles could be easily converted to 2-(2-biphenyl)amino imidazole, 2-(o-alkynylphenyl)amino imidazole, benzoimidazo[1,2-a]imidazole and N-(imidazol-2-yl)indole derivatives.     

Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of new symmetrically substituted stilbenes

Three new chromophores and trans-4-(N-(ethyl 4″-nitrobenzoate)-N-ethyl amino)-4′-(dimethyl amino) stilbene (DMANHAS) have been synthesized and whose chemical structures have been characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, and elemental analyses. Linear absorption, single-photon-induced fluorescence and two-photon-induced fluorescence are experimentally studied. Trans-4-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-ethyl amino)-4′-(dimethyl amino)stilbene (DMAHAS) and trans-4-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-ethyl amino)-4′-(diethyl amino)stilbene (DEAHAS) have effective two-photon absorption cross-sections of σ₂=0.91×10⁻⁴⁶ cm⁴ s/photon and σ₂=1.19×10⁻⁴⁶ cm⁴ s/photon at 532 nm by using an open aperture Z-scan technique, respectively. When pumped with 800 nm laser irradiation, DMAHAS and DEAHAS indicate strong two-photon-induced blue fluorescence of 436 and 440 nm, respectively, while trans-4-(N-(ethyl 4″-nitrobenzoate)-N-ethyl amino)-4′-(diethyl amino) stilbene (DEANHAS) and DMANHAS exhibit no fluorescence.     

Purification, Characterization, and Specificity Determination of a New Serine Protease Secreted by Penicillium waksmanii

The purpose of this work was to purify a protease from Penicillium waksmanii and to determine its biochemical characteristics and specificity. The extracellular protease isolated that was produced by P. waksmanii is a serine protease that is essential for the reproduction and growth of the fungus. The protease isolated showed 32 kDa, and has optimal activity at pH 8.0 and 35 °C towards the substrate Abz-KLRSSKQ-EDDnp. The protease is active in the presence of CaCl₂, KCl, and BaCl, and partially inhibited by CuCl₂, CoCl₂ and totally inhibited by AlCl₃ and LiCl. In the presence of 1 M urea, the protease remains 50 % active. The activity of the protease increases 60 % when it is exposed to 0.4 % nonionic surfactant-Triton X-100 and loses 10 % activity in the presence of 0.4 % Tween-80. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis, the protease showed the most specificity for the peptide Abz-KIRSSKQ-EDDnp with k _cat/K _m of 10,666 mM^?1?s^?1, followed by the peptide Abz-GLRSSKQ-EDDnp with a k _cat/K _m of 7,500 mM^?1?s^?1. Basic and acidic side chain-containing amino acids performed best at subsite S₁. Subsites S₂, S₃, S^′ ₂, and S^′ ₁, S^′ ₃ showed a preference for binding for amino acids with hydrophobic and basic amino acid side chain, respectively. High values of k _cat/K _m were observed for the subsites S₂, S₃, and S^′ _2. The sequence of the N-terminus (ANVVQSNVPSWGLARLSSKKTGTTDYTYD) showed high similarity to the fungi Penicillium citrinum and Penicillium chrysogenum, with 89 % of identity at the amino acid level.     

Equilibrium Studies of Binary and Mixed-Ligand Complexes of Zinc(II) Involving 2-(Aminomethyl)-Benzimidazole and Some Bio-Relevant Ligands

Binary and mixed-ligand complexes of zinc(II) involving 2-(aminomethyl)-benzimidazole (AMBI) and amino acids, peptides (HL) or DNA constituents have been investigated. Ternary complexes of amino acids or peptides are formed simultaneously. Amino acids form the complex Zn(AMBI)L, whereas amides form two complex species Zn(AMBI)L and Zn(AMBI)(LH_?1). The ternary complexes of zinc(II) with AMBI and DNA are formed in a stepwise process, whereby binding of zinc(II) to AMBI is followed by ligation of the DNA constituents. The stability of ternary complexes is quantitatively compared with their corresponding binary complexes in terms of the parameters ??log₁₀ K, log₁₀ ??_stat and log₁₀ X. The effect of the side chains of amino acid ligands (??_R) on complex formation is discussed. The values of ??log₁₀ K indicated that the ternary complexes containing aromatic amino acids are significantly more stable than the complexes containing alkyl- and hydroxyalkyl-substituted amino acids. This may be taken as evidence for a stacking interaction between the aromatic moiety of AMBI and the aromatic side chains of the bio-active ligands. The concentration distributions of various species formed in solution were also evaluated as a function of the pH.     

Porphyrin–Schiff Base Conjugates Bearing Basic Amino Groups as Antimicrobial Phototherapeutic Agents

New porphyrin–Schiff base conjugates bearing one (6) and two (7) basic amino groups were synthesized by condensation between tetrapyrrolic macrocycle-containing amine functions and 4-(3-(N,N-dimethylamino)propoxy)benzaldehyde. This approach allowed us to easily obtain porphyrins substituted by positive charge precursor groups in aqueous media. These compounds showed the typical Soret and four Q absorption bands with red fluorescence emission (Φ_F ~ 0.12) in N,N-dimethylformamide. Porphyrins 6 and 7 photosensitized the generation of O₂(¹Δ_g) (Φ_Δ ~ 0.44) and the photo-oxidation of L-tryptophan. The decomposition of this amino acid was mainly mediated by a type II photoprocess. Moreover, the addition of KI strongly quenched the photodynamic action through a reaction with O₂(¹Δ_g) to produce iodine. The photodynamic inactivation capacity induced by porphyrins 6 and 7 was evaluated in Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Furthermore, the photoinactivation of these microorganisms was improved using potentiation with iodide anions. These porphyrins containing basic aliphatic amino groups can be protonated in biological systems, which provides an amphiphilic character to the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle. This effect allows one to increase the interaction with the cell wall, thus improving photocytotoxic activity against microorganisms.     

Bone collagen cross-links: an efficient one-pot synthesis of (+)-pyridinoline and (+)-dexoypyridinoline

A one-pot reaction of (2S,5R)-(−)-tert-butyl-[(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-hydroxy-6-aminohexanoate 2b or (S)-(−)-tert-butyl-[(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-6-aminohexanoate 2c with (S)-(−)-tert-butyl-6-bromo-[bis-(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-oxohexanoate 5 in the presence of K₂CO₃ in MeCN–MeOH followed by hydrolysis gave bone collagen cross-links, (+)-Pyd 1b or (+)-Dpd 1c, in 42–48% yield, respectively.     

Synthesis of functional poly(amino acids) on cyclophosphazene templates

With the use of hexakis(p-aminophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene and tetraphenyltetraaminocyclotetraphosphazene whose primary groups initiated the polymerization of L-α-alanine and γ-esters of L-α-glutamic acid n-carboxyanhydrides, poly(amino acids) containing an inorganic central ring have been prepared. Polypeptide chains of various lengths have been obtained by variation of the monomer-to-initiator molar ratio. The molecular masses of the synthesized samples are in good agreement with the calculated parameters, and the polymers show a narrow molecular-mass distribution (M _w /M _n < 1.3). The circular dichroism (CD) spectra and IR studies indicate a predominantly helical conformation of poly(amino acid) chains with the central triphosphazene ring and the disordered structure of poly(amino acid) chains bonded to cyclotetraphosphazene.