Baeyer-Villiger oxidation with potassium peroxomonosulfate supported on acidic silica gel

[reaction: see text] Potassium peroxomonosulfate deposited onto silica SiO2 x KHSO5 efficiently reacts with ketones in dichloromethane at room temperature to give the corresponding esters or lactones in quantitative yields. This method avoids hydrolysis of the reaction products. The Baeyer-Villiger reaction is catalyzed by potassium hydrogensulfate present in the supported reagent.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of esterified diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins and pectenotoxins

Okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxins-1 and -2 (DTX1, DTX2), the toxins responsible for incidents of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), can occur as complex mixtures of ester derivatives in both plankton and shellfish. Alkaline hydrolysis is usually employed to release parent OA/DTX toxins, and analyses are conducted before and after hydrolysis to determine the concentrations of nonesterified and esterified toxins. Recent research has shown that other toxins, including pectenotoxins and spirolides, can also exist as esters in shellfish, but these toxins cannot survive alkaline hydrolysis. A promising alternative approach is enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, two enzymatic methods were developed for the hydrolysis of 7-O-acyl esters, “DTX3,” and the carboxylate esters of OA, “diol-esters.” Porcine pancreatic lipase induced complete conversion of DTX3 to OA and DTXs within one hour for reference solutions. The presence of mussel tissue matrix reduced the rate of hydrolysis, but an optimized lipase concentration resulted in greater than 95% conversion within four hours. OA-diol-ester was hydrolyzed by porcine liver esterase and was completely converted to OA in less than 30 min, even in the presence of mussel tissue matrix. Esters and OA/DTX toxins were all monitored by LC–MS. Further experiments with pectenotoxin esters indicated that enzymatic hydrolysis could also be applied to esters of other toxins. Enzymatic hydrolysis has excellent potential as an alternative to the conventional alkaline hydrolysis procedure used in the preparation of shellfish samples for the analysis of toxins.     

Building blocks for the solution phase synthesis of oligonucleotides: regioselective hydrolysis of 3',5'-Di-O-levulinylnucleosides using an enzymatic approach

A short and convenient synthesis of 3'- and 5'-O-levulinyl-2'-deoxynucleosides has been developed from the corresponding 3',5'-di-O-levulinyl derivatives by regioselective enzymatic hydrolysis, avoiding several tedious chemical protection/deprotection steps. Thus, Candida antartica lipase B (CAL-B) was found to selectively hydrolyze the 5'-levulinate esters, furnishing 3'-O-levulinyl-2'-deoxynucleosides 3 in >80% isolated yields. On the other hand, immobilized Pseudomonas cepacia lipase (PSL-C) and Candida antarctica lipase A (CAL-A) exhibit the opposite selectivity toward the hydrolysis at the 3'-position, affording 5'-O-levulinyl derivatives 4 in >70% yields. A similar hydrolysis procedure was successfully extended to the synthesis of 3'- and 5'-O-levulinyl-protected 2'-O-alkylribonucleosides 7 and 8. This work demonstrates for the first time application of commercial CAL-B and PSL-C toward regioselective hydrolysis of levulinyl esters with excellent selectivity and yields. It is noteworthy that protected cytidine and adenosine base derivatives were not adequate substrates for the enzymatic hydrolysis with CAL-B, whereas PSL-C was able to accommodate protected bases during selective hydrolysis. In addition, we report an improved synthesis of dilevulinyl esters using a polymer-bound carbodiimide as a replacement for dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), thus considerably simplifying the workup for esterification reactions.     

Two-step preparation for catalyst-free biodiesel fuel production

Biodiesel fuel was prepared by a two-step reaction: hydrolysis and methyl esterification. Hydrolysis was carried out at a subcritical state of water to obtain fatty acids from triglycerides of rapeseed oil, while the methyl esterification of the hydrolyzed products of triglycerides was treated near the supercritical methanol condition to achieve fatty acid methyl esters. Consequently, the two-step preparation was found to convert rapessed oil to fatty acid methyl esters in considerably shorter reaction time and milder reaction condition than the direct supercritical methanol treatment. The optimum reaction condition in this two-step preparation was 270°C and 20 min for hydrolysis and methyl esterification, respectively. Variables affecting the yields in hydrolysis and methyl esterification are discussed.     

Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis of Optically Active Amino Acids and Peptides

The industrial alkaline protease, alcalase, is stable and active in a high concentration of organic solvents and useful as a biocatalyst for (i) diastereoselective hydrolysis of peptide esters and preparation of racemization-free peptides; (ii) selective incorporation of esters of D-amino acid into peptides in t-butanol via a selective hydrolysis of esters of D,L-amino acid, followed by using the unhydrolyzed D-esters as a nucleophile in a kinetically controlled peptide bond formation; (iii) resolution of esters of amino acid in 95% t-butanol/5% water, followed by saponification of the unreacted esters to offer both enantiomers with high yield and optical purity; (iv) completely resolve amino-acid esters with high yield and optical purity via in situ racemization of the unreacted antipode catalyzed by pyridoxal 5-phosphate; (v) cryobioorganic synthesis of peptides with increased yields 15%–40% of peptide bond formation by reaction at 5 °C instead of 25–30 °C of a kinetically controlled enzymatic reaction in alcohols.     

N,N-Diarylammonium pyrosulfate as a highly effective reverse micelle-type catalyst for hydrolysis of esters

Reverse micelle-type N,N-diarylammonium pyrosulfate (3-5 mol %) efficiently catalyzes the hydrolysis of esters (up to 100 mmol scale) under organic solvent-free conditions. The present method is successfully applied to the hydrolysis of various esters without the decomposition of the base-sensitive moieties and without any loss of optical purity for α-heterosubstituted carboxylic acids.     

New hydrolysis method for extremely small amount of lipids and capillary gas chromatographic analysis as n(O)-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl fatty acid derivatives compared with methyl ester derivatives

The organic basic solution, 1 M tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) in methanol, was employed for the hydrolysis of extremely small amounts of lipids compared to the classical inorganic basic solution, 1 M KOH in ethanol. The hydrolysed fatty acids were derivatized as N(O)-tert.-butyldimethylsilyl (tBDMSi) esters with N-methyl-N-(tert.-butyldimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) and compared with the classical derivatives, the methyl esters, made by the BF3-methanol method. Recoveries of fatty acids determined on the standard fatty acids and soybean oil hydrolysed with TMAH were high: about 1.1-2.1- and 2.0-5.4-times, respectively, in all fatty acids compared with the hydrolysis by KOH regardless of derivatization method. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) on the recoveries of standard fatty acids were less than 5% when hydrolysed with TMAH, regardless of derivatives, but when hydrolysed with KOH, RSDs were more than 5% for most fatty acids, especially for long-chain fatty acids. The RSDs on the recoveries of fatty acids on the soybean oil were also very high in the KOH hydrolysis. Fatty acid compositions of soybean oil were similar in the main fatty acids regardless of hydrolysis methods, but showed slightly different values, depending on the methods of derivatization. RSDs were also very high in the KOH hydrolysis. In view of these results, precision of analysis by KOH hydrolysis was very poor, so we could not rely on the data. On the other hand, the reliability of data by TMAH hydrolysis method was very high, so it is a useful new hydrolysis method for extremely small amounts of lipid samples. Both derivatives of 35 standard fatty acids were successfully separated on a HP-1 nonpolar capillary column. tBDMSi derivatives were completely resolved in 70 min by 295 degrees C. In the methyl ester derivatives it took about 80 min to get satisfying resolution, but these derivatives were completely resolved by 250 degrees C. The sensitivity of tBDMSi derivatives was about 1.5-6.3-times higher than that with methyl ester derivatives. The stability of tBDMSi derivatives was constant for about 144 h except arachidic, docosahexanoic, behenic and heneicosanoic acids, which were stable for only 86 h.     

Microwave-Assisted Esterification of Diverse Carboxylic Acids and Chiral Amino Acids

A facile and efficient synthetic method of esters from their corresponding carboxylic acids and amino acids is described. The esterification reaction of carboxylic acids and amino acids could be greatly accelerated under microwave irradiation because the reactions described in this article took place in only 5 min with almost quantitative yields, and distinct acidity of catalytic acids was well tolerated. Unlike the racemation problem in microwave-assisted N-acylation reactions, the esters of chiral amino acids could be achieved with retention of configuration under this condition.     

Solid‐Supported Green Synthesis of Substituted Hydrocinnamic Esters by Focused Microwave Irradiation

An efficient chemoselective hydrogenation protocol for substituted cinnamic esters is developed for the synthesis in quantitative yield of corresponding bioactive dihydrocinnamic esters with solid‐supported palladium chloride/ammonium formate (cat.) in HCOOH/H₂O 1 : 2 as a hydrogenating agent under focused‐microwave irradiation for 10 min.     

Investigating the Stability of Six Phenolic TMZ Ester Analogues,Incubated in the Presence of Porcine Liver Esterase and Monitored by HPLC

Previous published data from our group showed the encouraging in vitro activities of six phenolic temozolomide (TMZ) ester analogues (ES8–ES12 and ES14) with up to a five-fold increase in potency compared to TMZ against glioblastoma multiform cell lines and TMZ-resistant O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyl transferase (MGMT)-positive primary cells. This study investigated the stabilities of the six phenolic TMZ ester analogues in the presence of porcine liver esterase (PLE) as a hydrolytic enzyme, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), monitored by a diode-array detector (DAD). Determining the rates of hydrolysis of the esters provided a useful insight into the feasibility of progressing them to the next phase of drug development. Fifty percent of TMZ esters consisting of para nitro, chloro, phenyl and tolyl groups (ES9, ES10, ES12 and ES14) were hydrolysed within the first 4.2 min of PLE exposure, while the TMZ esters consisting of para methoxy and nitrile groups (ES8 and ES11) demonstrated increased stability, with 50% hydrolysis achieved in 7.3 and 13.7 min, respectively. In conclusion, the survival of these phenolic TMZ esters on route to the target site of a brain tumor would be a challenge, mainly due to the undesirable rapid rate of hydrolysis. These findings therefore pose a question regarding the effectiveness of these esters in an in vivo setting.     

Die 1,3-dipolare Cycloaddition von Acetylendicarbonsäure-estern an 2-Methyl-4-phenyl-chinazolin-3-oxid

The 1,3-dipolar addition of acetylenedicarboxylic esters (IX and X) to 2-methyl-4-phenyl-quinazoline 3-oxide (VIII) in benzene/methanol and benzene/ethanol, respectively, gives the esters XI and XII of 3-amino-3-phenyl-2-(2-acetamidophenyl)-acrylic acid as main products and the esters XIII and XIV of 2-methyl-4-phenyl-5H-benzo[d][1,3]diazepin-5-carboxylic acid as by-products. The constitutions of XI and XII are elucidated by acid hydrolysis to the 2-phenylindole-3-carboxylic esters VI and VII, respectively, and by ozonolysis of XII to give benzamide and ethyl o-acetamido-mandelate (IV). The alkaline hydrolysis of XI or XII gives the enamine derivative XVIII, which is hydrolysed by acid to oxindole and benzoic acid. The structure elucidation of XIII and XIV is based on spectroscopic data together with thc formation of XV by alkaline hydrolysis. Mechanisms arc proposed for the reaction paths.     

Polyethylenimine catalysts containing an isolated apolar binding site: Solovolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters

The preparation dodecane-block-poly[ethylenimine-graft-4(5)-methylimidazole] copolymers and related model compounds has been described and such polymers have been described and such polymers have been demonstrated to be efficient catalysts for the hydrolysis of activated phenyl esters in aqueous solutions. Polymeric catalysts that contain isolated apolar blocks exhibited enhanced catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of the p-nitrophenyl esters of acetate and butyrate compared with polymer model compounds. This rate enhancement was atributed to the apolar binding of substrate within the apolar polymer regime. Twenty-to 100-fold increases in the second-order rate constants were observed for the hydrolysis of the longer-chain p-nitrophenyl esters. This is indicative of a significant hydrophobic interaction. The contribution of the apolar block to the hydrophobic interaction was masked in the hydrolysis of the p-nitrophenyl caproate and p-nitrophenyl laurate substrates. In both instances the dominant contribution to the hydrophobic interactions was ascribed to a substrate-imidazole intermediate rather than the apolar block of the catalyst. The pH-rate profiles for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters by the various catalysts indicated an absence of any cooperative interactions between imidazole residues or amine groups.     

Simultaneous Determination of 2- and 3-Monochloropropan-1,3-diol Esters in Foods by Enzymatic Hydrolysis and GC–MS Detection

A simple, reliable and accurate method for simultaneous determination of 2- and 3-monochloropropan-1,3-diol fatty acid esters (2- and 3-MCPD esters) in food by enzymatic hydrolysis and gas chromatography mass spectrometry was developed and validated. The extraction of lipids in food was conducted by mixed with hexane and homogenized for 2 min. After extraction, the lipids were directly transferred to enzymatic hydrolysis and the content was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The main advantage of the proposed method is that it can simultaneously analyse both 2- and 3-MCPD esters in foods and preserve their structural integrity. The limits of detection (LODs) of 2- and 3-MCPD esters in edible oil were 40 and 20 μg kg⁻¹ as 2- and 3-MCPD, respectively. For low fat foods containing less than 3 % fat, the LOD of 2- and 3-MCPD esters were lowered to 1.2 and 0.6 μg kg⁻¹ as 2- and 3-MCPD, respectively. Quantitative recoveries of different fatty acid esters of 2- and 3-MCPD esters were obtained after spiked corresponding standards into blank matrices.

     

Accurate determination of the degree of substitution of long chain cellulose esters

The determination of the degree of substitution (DS) of fatty acid cellulose esters with alkyl chain lengths from C8 to C18 was performed by direct transesterification with trimethylsulphonium hydroxide (TMSH) using tert-butyl methyl ether (MTBE) as a solvent. Transesterification was demonstrated to be quantitative at 75 °C in 60 min. The quantification of the formed fatty acid methyl esters was performed by gas chromatography (GC). After the optimization of the method, long chain cellulose esters (LCCE) could be analyzed in a wide range of DS. The obtained values were compared to those given by other existing protocols. LCCE with DS-values in a range of 5 × 10⁻⁵ to 3 were analyzed with high accuracy. Reproducibility is weakened for high DS values if the sample has a compact aspect limiting the accessibility of TMSH to the ester functions. This method can also be suitable for the analysis of mixed cellulose esters.     

Free Radical Formation of p-Nitrophenacyl Esters of Carboxylic Acids and Their Detection by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Electron Spin Resonance

Abstract

p-Nitrophenacyl esters derived from p-nitrophenacyl bromide and carboxylic acids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electron spin resonance. p-Nitrophenacyl bromide was used as the pre-column reagent to determine the carboxylic acids. The p-nitrophenacyl esters gave free radicals by hydrolysis with alkaline solution, and then the free radicals were detected with electron spin resonance. The separation of these esters was achieved within 20 min.     

5-Aminoorotic acid derivatives

The 2,4,8-trioxo derivative of pyrimido[5,4-d][1,3]oxazine was synthesized, and esters and amides of 5-acetamidoorotic acid were obtained from it. The acetyl group in 5-acetamido-orotic acid esters is readily hydrolyzed in acidic media to give esters of 5-aminoorotic acid, while the acetyl group in amides of 5-acetamidoorotic acid do not undergo hydrolysis.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 270–272, February, 1973.Deceased.     

Quantitative Screening of Hydrolase Libraries Using pH Indicators: Identifying Active and Enantioselective Hydrolases

Rapid and quantitative screening in 96-well microplates can identify active and enantioselective hydrolases. Hydrolysis of esters releases a proton, which can be detected with pH indicators by colorimetry (figure). Using pure enantiomers, we measured the initial rates of enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. The relative initial rate approximates the enantioselectivity. This screening greatly speeds up selection of the best hydrolase for a synthesis.     

Determination of Hydroxyl Groups in Epoxy Resins by Potentiometric Titration Using a Reaction with Maleic Anhydride

A reaction of maleic anhydride with epoxy–dian resins in methyl ethyl ketene was investigated. It was shown by potentiometric titration that the resulting maleic esters are stable to hydrolysis in acid and weakly acid organic solutions. This reaction can be used for the quantitative determination of hydroxyl groups in epoxy resins. Epoxy groups do not interfere with the formation of maleic esters under the conditions of determination. The optimal reaction conditions were found. The reaction kinetic was investigated, the reaction rate constants were determined at various temperatures, and the activation energy was found. The value of the activation energy indicates that the reaction is characterized by a low potential barrier.     

A Validated HPLC-PDA-HRMS Method to Investigate the Biological Stability and Metabolism of Antiparasitic Triterpenic Esters

Pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) are commonly found in medicinal plants with well-known antiparasitic effects. Previous research on C-3 and C-27 triterpenic esters showed effective and selective in vitro antiparasitic activities and in vivo effectiveness by parenteral routes. The aim of this study was to determine triterpenic esters’ stability in different biological-like media and the main microsomal degradation products. An HPLC-PDA method was developed and validated to simultaneously analyze and quantify bioactive triterpenic esters in methanol (LOQ: 2.5 and 1.25–100 µg/mL) and plasma (LOQ: 5–125 µg/mL). Overall, both triterpenic esters showed a stable profile in aqueous and buffered solutions as well as in entire plasma, suggesting gaining access to the ester function is difficult for plasma enzymes. Conversely, after 1 h, 30% esters degradation in acidic media was observed with potential different hydrolysis mechanisms. C-3 (15 and 150 µM) and C-27 esters (150 µM) showed a relatively low hepatic microsomal metabolism (<23%) after 1 h, which was significantly higher in the lowest concentration of C-27 esters (15 µM) (>40% degradation). Metabolic HPLC-PDA-HRMS studies suggested hydrolysis, hydroxylation, dehydration, O-methylation, hydroxylation and/or the reduction of hydrolyzed derivatives, depending on the concentration and the position of the ester link. Further permeability and absorption studies are required to better define triterpenic esters pharmacokinetic and specific formulations designed to increase their oral bioavailability.     

Microwave-assisted deformylation of N-aryl formamide by KF on basic Al2O3

The formyl group was successfully removed from N-aryl formamide by KF on a solid support of basic Al₂O₃ in 4-20 min with microwave irradiation. The conditions mimic base-catalyzed hydrolysis of formamide and are compatible with carbamates and t-butyl esters, but not methyl, ethyl, and benzyl esters.