α-Acetylene Hydrosilanes as Hydrosilylating Agents for Terminal Arylacetylenes

The hydrosilylation of a number of acetylenes RCCH (R, R' = Ph, CH₂OPh, CH₂SPh) with -ethynylhydrosilanes Me₂SiHCHCR' in the presence of H₂PtCl₆ was investigated. The addition did not occur regioselectively, but was stereospecific and afforded a mixture of - and trans--adducts. The replacement of phenyl substituent by phenoxymethyl both in the molecule of ethynylsilane and the acetylene substrate resulted in growing proportion of the -adduct in the reaction mixture up to 10-60%.     

α-Sulfur crystals as a visible-light-active photocatalyst

We show that in contrast to conventional compound photocatalysts, α-sulfur crystals of cyclooctasulfur (S(8)) are a visible-light-active elemental photocatalyst. The α-S crystals were found to have the ability not only to generate ·OH radicals but also to split water in a photoelectrochemical process under both UV-vis and visible-light irradiation. Although the absolute activity obtained was low because of the large particle size and poor hydrophilicity of the α-S crystals studied, there is great potential for increasing the activity with the assistance of known strategies such as surface modification, nanoscaling, doping, and coupling with other photocatalysts.     

Per-O-Benzylated Ethyl 5-N-Acetyl-α-thiosialoside as a Glycosyl Donor for α-Silylation

Abstract

Per-O-benzylated ethyl 5-N-acetyl-α-thiosialoside 1 was synthesized and its reactivity as a sialyl donor was investigated. It was demonstrated that the reactions of 1 with various primary and secondary alcohol acceptors, including monosaccharides, gave good to excellent yields (53-92%) and acceptable to excellent α-selectivity (α:β?=?2?～?10:1) , showing its promise for application to sialoglycan synthesis.     

Oxidation of Methyl 4,6-O-Isopropylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside as a Model Compound for Starch

Abstract

The oxidation of methyl 4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside (1) via various routes to the dicarboxylate 2 is described. This reaction is used as a model for the oxidation of starch to dicarboxylic starch, a material with very promising properties as a cobuilder in detergents. The best oxidant found for C₂-C₃ cleavage was RuO₄, prepared in situ by oxidation of a catalytic amount of Ru^III with NaOCl.     

α-Acrylaldehyde 3-Pyrrolyl BODIPY as a Specific Optical Sensor for Cysteine and Homocysteine

A new fluorophore, α-acrylaldehyde 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY was synthesized by treating 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY with a mixture of 3-(dimethylamino) acrolein and POCl₃ under Vilsmeier–Haack reaction conditions. The X-ray structure revealed that the fluorophore was almost planar, and the appended pyrrole was in the same plane with a small deviation from the mean plane. We investigated the potential use of α-acrylaldehyde 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY for sensing thiol containing amino acids such as cysteine/homocysteine (Cys/Hcy). Our studies showed that the α-acrylaldehyde- 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY was found to be useful for exclusive sensing of Cys/Hcy and to exhibit different optical signaling responses to Cys and Hcy at physiological pH in aq. CH₃CN (1 : 1 v/v, PBS) medium. The enhancement in optical properties for Cys and quenching in same properties for Hcy was attributed to different binding modes of Cys/Hcy with α-acrylaldehyde 3-pyrrolyl BODIPY.     

Synthesis of Novel Quinazoline Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents

Quinazoline isothiocyanate 1 reacts with various nucleophiles(nitrogen nucleophiles,oxygen nucleophiles and sulphur nucleophiles)to afford heterocyclic systemes 2-13,Also,the [4 2] cycloaddition reaction of 1 with phenyl isocyanate,benzylidene aryl amine and cinnamic acid derivatives gave novel heterocyclic compounds 14-16,Moreover,the reaction of 1 with active methylene compounds under Michael reaction conditions also was investigated to yield 17 and 18 and it was found that all these reactions proceede via isothiocyanate heterocyclization to furnish non-condensed heterocyclic compoundes,Some of the newly synthesized compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activities.     

Oxalic acid as a simple and efficient organocatalyst for three-component synthesis ofα-amino nitriles

A simple,efficient,and general method has been developed for the synthesis ofα-amino nitriles.Oxalic acid as a BrФnsted acid promotes the addition of TMSCN to various imines(generated in situ).     

Microorganisms as reagents for transformations of 5α-steroids

Microbial activation of rings A, B, and C of 5-steroids is reviewed in connection with the prospects for the use of 5-steroids as a new starting material for the manufacturing of steroidal medicinal preparations. The combination of chemical synthesis and microbial methods of steroid transformation allows the successful solution of the problem of selective functionalization of steroid molecules, provided the suitable microorganisms are chosen and the conditions of their cultivation are optimized.Translated fromIzyestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 567–588, April, 1994.     

Shed plane leaves as a source ofα-tocopherol

A natural source of -tocopherol — shed plane leaves — has been found. The dynamics of the accumulation of a-tocopherol over the vegetation period of the plant has been studied, and a method has been developed for its isolation and quantitative determination.Deceased.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax (3712) 89 14 75. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 372–374, May–June, 1995. Original article     

Acrolein and Copper as Competitive Effectors of α-Synuclein

Mounting evidence supports the role of amyloidogenesis, oxidative stress, and metal dyshomeostasis in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Parkinson's Disease is characterized by α-synuclein (αSyn) accumulation and aggregation in brain regions, also promoted by Cu²⁺. αSyn is modified by reactive carbonyl species, including acrolein (ACR). Notwithstanding these findings, the interplay between ACR, copper, and αSyn has never been investigated. Therefore, we explored more thoroughly the effects of ACR on αSyn using an approach based on LC-MS/MS analysis. We also evaluated the influence of Cu²⁺ on the protein carbonylation and how the ACR modification impacts the Cu²⁺ binding and the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Finally, we investigated the effects of ACR and Cu²⁺ ions on the αSyn aggregation by dynamic light scattering and fluorescence assays. Cu²⁺ regioselectively inhibits the modification of His50 by ACR, the carbonylation lowers the affinity of His50 for Cu²⁺ and ACR inhibits αSyn aggregation both in the presence and in the absence of Cu²⁺.     

Synthesis of Porphyrin‐Anthraquinone Conjugates as Photosensitizing Agents

A series of 5,10,15,20‐tetraarylporphyrins covalently linked to anthraquinones belonging to the class of emodin were synthesized following two different pathways. The first method exploits the functionalization of the methyl group in position 6 of O‐protected emodins, which can be converted either into a carboxylic acid or into a bromo‐methyl derivative. The modified emodins were then bound through amido or ether bonds to one of the tetraarylporphyrins meso phenyl rings bearing an amino or hydroxyl group, respectively. An alternative synthesis exploits the mixed condensation of triacetoxy‐emodinaldehyde (or trimethoxy‐emodinaldehyde) with pyrrole in the presence of variable amounts of benzaldehyde, thus affording two similar 5‐emodin‐10,15,20‐triphenylporphyrins differing from one another in the emodin hydroxyl group protection. These compounds are characterized by direct conjugation of the emodin moiety to the tetrapyrrolic ring. Preliminary experiments were performed in vitro on the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HCT116 to evaluate the photocytotoxicity of the new compounds.     

Novel Bone-targeted Agents for Treatment of Osteoporosis

The novel bone-targeted agents were designed and synthesized by the combination of raloxifene and bisphosphonates. The anti-osteoporosis effect was evaluated by bone mineral density (BMD) obtained from OVX mice in vivo. The results indicated that the compound 8, 9 not only prevented ovariectomy induced loss of bone but also enhanced BMD to 0.87% and 19.67% compared to Sham, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of a bis-methanofullerene-4-nitro-α-cyanostilbene dyad as a potential acceptor for high-performance polymer solar cells

We report the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of bis-PCBM dyad containing 4-nitro-α-cyanostilbene units for potential usage in efficient organic solar cells. The bis-PCBM dyad is fully characterized by NMR, UV–vis absorption, and electrochemical cyclic voltammetry. It is found that the presence of 4-nitro-α-cyanostilbenes affects the cyclic voltammetry and absorption spectrum very little. Whereas the 56 π-electron system in the bis-functionalized fullerene cage significantly influences on the electrochemical and photophysical properties, resulting in up-shifted LUMO and wider absorption compared to PCBM. Although the efficiencies of both conventional and the inverted cells based on P3HT/bis-PCBM dyad as the preliminary results are low in comparison with the optimized high-performance PSCs, it is believed that the efficiency would be improved through successful device optimization of P3HT/bis-PCBM dyad cells.     

Syntheses of Two Potential Ligands for Tc-99m Labeling as Diagnosis Agents of Alzheimer''''s Disease

Two types of ligands-biphenyl and stilbene derivatives, whichcan be labeled with Tc-99m for the diagnosis of Alzheimer'sdisease (AD) have been synthesized successfully. The key stepsin these two syntheses involved Suzuki reaction and Wittig reac-tion respectively. The new discovered debromination reactionmay be expanded to the compounds with double or triple bondadjacent to the carbon atom bearing the bromine atoms. Thesetypes of syntheses provide a route to a series of biphenyl andstilbene derivatives that will benefit the search of new imagingagents for AD.     

π-Fused bis-BODIPY as a candidate for NIR dyes

Benzene-fused bis-(borondipyrromethene)s (bis-BODIPYs) were synthesized by retro-Diels-Alder reaction of the corresponding bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene-fused (BCOD-fused) bis-BODIPYs, which were, in turn, prepared from 4,8-ethano-4,8-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-f]isoindole derivatives. The π-fused bis-BODIPY chromophores were designed to show intensive absorption and strong fluorescence in the near-infrared region and not to have any strong absorption in the visible region. A 6,10-dibora-5a,6a,9a,10a-tetraaza-s-indaceno[2,3-b:6,5-b']difluorene derivative (syn-bis-benzoBODIPY) obtained by a thermal retro-Diels-Alder reaction of the corresponding BCOD-fused BODIPY dimer has strong absorption and emission bands at 775 and 781 nm, respectively. The absolute quantum yield is 0.36. The absorption is more than 5.0 times stronger than other absorptions observed in the visible region. In the case of 6,15-dibora-5a,6a,14a,15a-tetraaza-s-indaceno[2,3-b:6,7-b']difluorene derivatives (anti-bis-benzoBODIPY), the absorption and emission maxima exceed 840 nm.     

O-(α-D-Glucopyranosyl)trichloroacetimidate as a Glucosyl Donor

Model reactions of 0-(α-D-glucopyranosyl)trichloroacetimidate 2α with methanol and choTesterol under various conditions demon-strated that stereocontrolled glucosyl transfer with inversion of configuration at the anomeric center is best carried out in di-chloromethane at low temperatures with boron trifluoride-ether as a catalyst. Under these conditions β-glucoside 4β and β-disaccha-rides 5β- 9β were obtained in good to excellent yields.

With Brtosnsted acids, fast glucosyl transfer to the acid anion was mainly observed and required no further acidic catalysis. With strong acids formation of the thermodynamically more stable product dominated. However, with the weaker carboxylic acids highly diastereoselective inversion of configuration at the anomeric center led, for instance, to β-1-O-acyl derivatives 11β - 18β, revealing a convenient method for the synthesis of O-glycosyl-carb-oxylates. This method was also applied to resolution of racemic carboxylic acids.

Similar results were obtained with N-nucleophiles. Hydrazoic acid gave exclusively α-azide 19a. Nitrogen heterocycles gave with boron trifluoride-ether catalysis mainly β-nucleosides 20β - 23β. Reaction of trichloroacetimidate 2α with O-nucleophiles in aceto-nitrile as solvent led to different products due to competition     

β-Trifluoromethyl-α-functionalized-vinyl sulfides as a potential synthetic intermediate

The β-(trifluoromethyl)vinyl sulfides on treatment with n-BuLi/TMEDA at −78 °C were readily lithiated at an α-position of the sulfanyl group, and the generated β-trifluoromethyl-α-sulfanylvinyl anions were reacted with a variety of electrophiles to give the corresponding β-trifluoromethyl-α-functionalized-vinyl sulfides 4aa-4aq in good to excellent yields. The reactivity of some products has been examined. The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction as well as homo-coupling reaction of 4af provided the corresponding products in good yields, respectively. The Diels-Alder reaction of cyclic dienes and 14 derived from 4ao provided the desired six-membered cyclic products with high endo-trifluoromethyl group selectivity.     

Merging Natural Products: Muraymycin–Sansanmycin Hybrid Structures as Novel Scaffolds for Potential Antibacterial Agents

To overcome bacterial resistances, the need for novel antimicrobial agents is urgent. The class of so-called nucleoside antibiotics furnishes promising candidates for the development of new antibiotics, as these compounds block a clinically unexploited bacterial target: the integral membrane protein MraY, a key enzyme in cell wall (peptidoglycan) biosynthesis. Nucleoside antibiotics exhibit remarkable structural diversity besides their uridine-derived core motifs. Some sub-classes also show specific selectivities towards different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which are poorly understood so far. Herein, the synthesis of a novel hybrid structure is reported, derived from the 5′-defunctionalized uridine core moiety of muraymycins and the peptide chain of sansanmycin B, as a new scaffold for the development of antimicrobial agents. The reported muraymycin–sansanmycin hybrid scaffold showed nanomolar activity against the bacterial target enzyme MraY, but displayed no significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa.