Synthesis of New (±) Pterocarpans by Heck Oxyarylation

Among a wide variety of synthetic routes to pterocarpan prototypes, a mild approach uses a reaction known as Heck oxyarylation. This method involves a reaction between 2H-chromenes and 2-chloromercuriophenols in the presence of Li₂PdCl₄. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 311–312, July–August, 2005.     

Microwave-Assisted Minutes Synthesis of Bioactive Phenylbutanoids Occurring in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zingiber cassumunar</Emphasis>

Microwave-assisted condensation of benzaldehyde (3a,b) with acetone in aqueous sodium hydroxide adsorbed on basic alumina provides phenylbutenone (4a–4b) in 68–71% yield within 4 min, which upon further reduction with sodium borohydride and basic alumina gives phenylbutenol (5a,b) in 91–94% yield within 2 min. Dehydration of 5 with anhydrous copper (II) sulfate gives phenylbutadiene (1a,b), a metabolite of Zingiber cassumunar, within 3 min in 42–48% yield, respectively. All the steps involve environmental friendly solvents and reagents, mild reaction conditions, and overall formation of product 1a,b from 3a,b in 34–38% yield within 9 min under microwave irradiation. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 300–302, July–August, 2005.     

Synthesis of 4-phenyl-1-(2-thienyl)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-β-carboline

The Pictet-Spengler reaction involving β-phenyltryptamine was shown to be diastereo-specific with formation primarily of the (1S*,4R*) diastereomer of 4-phenyl-1-(2-thienyl)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-β-carboline, a compound with potential GABA-receptor activity. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 468–470, September–October, 2006.     

Synthesis of 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,7<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-tridecadien-1-ylacetate,a component of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phthorimaea opercucella</Emphasis> sex pheromone

A new synthetic approach to 4E,7Z-tridecadien-1-ylacetate, a component of the Phthorimaea opercucella (Zeller) potato moth sex pheromone, was developed using a highly stereoselective Claisen rearrangement and Wittig reaction. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 235–236, May–June, 2007.     

Asymmetric alkylation catalyzed by chiral alkali metal alkoxides of TADDOL. Synthesis of α-methyl amino acids

It is shown that sodium alkoxides formed from (4R,5R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-bis(diphenylmethanol) ((R,R)-TADDOL) and some of its derivatives can be used as chiral catalysts for enantioselective alkylation of Schiff's bases derived from alanine with reactive alkyl halides. Acid hydrolysis of the reaction products affords (R)-α-methylphenyl-alanine, (R)-α-allylalanine, and (R)-α-methylnaphthylalanine in 61–93% yields and withee 69–94%. When (S,S)-TADDOL is used, the (S)-amino acid is formed. A mechanism explaning the observed features of the reaction is proposed. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 926–932, May, 1999.     

Synthesis of 1,11,11-trimethyl-3,6-diazotricyclo [6.2.1.0<Superscript>2,7</Superscript>]undeca-2,6-diene and 1,15,15-trimethyl-3,10-diazotetracyclo[10.2.1.0<Superscript>2,11</Superscript>.0<Superscript>4,9</Superscript>]pentadeca-2,4(9),5,7,10-pentaene from camphoroquinone enantiomers

Optically active camphordihydro-2,3-pyrazine and camphorquinoxaline were prepared from camphoroquinone enantiomers. It was shown that (1S,4R)-(+)-camphoroquinone was formed by oxidation of (1S,3R, 4R)-(−)-3-bromocamphor and (1R,4S)-(−)-camphoroquinone from (1R,3S, 4S)-(+)-3-bromocamphor, respectively. Camphor anhydride was a side product (6–10%) of the reaction. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 50–52, January–February, 2007.     

Antiinflammatory,analgesic and kinase inhibition activities of some acridine derivatives

9-Chloro-2,4-(un)substituted acridines (1) on condensation with sulpha- diazine, sulphathiazole, and sulphaacetamide gave condensation products 3a-h. 3-Aryl-4-phenyl-2-imino-4-thiazolines (4) on condensation with 9-chloro-2,4-(un)substituted acridines (1) gave condensation products 5a–5o. Both 3a–3h and 5a–5o were purified by crystallization or by chromatography. Structures assigned to 3a–3h and 5a–5o are supported by correct spectral data. Antiinflammatory and analgesic activity screening of 3a, 3e, 3f and 5a–5c, 5e, 5g, 5i, 5m, 5n were carried out using carrageenin induced paw oedema and phenyl quinone writhing assay. Some of the compounds exhibited interesting antiinflammatory or analgesic activities.     

Reaction of 1,5-diaryl-3-hydroxy-4-methylsulfonyl-3-pyrrolin-2-ones with urea,hydrazine, ethylenediamine,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine

With urea 1,5-diaryl-3-hydroxy-4-methylsulfonyl-3-pyrrolin-2-ones form the 3-amino derivatives of pyrrolones. In reactions with hydrazine hydrate and ethylenediamine the corresponding salts are formed. With ethylenediamine at 180–185°C the double salt of 3-hydroxy-4-methylsulfonyl-1,5-diphenyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one forms N,N′-di(4-methylsulfonyl-1,5-diphenyl-3-pyrrolin-2-on-3-yl)-ethylenediamine. The reaction with o-phenylenediamine gives 2,3-diaryl-4-methylsulfonylpyrrolo-[2,3-b]quinoxalines. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 11, 1631–1636, November, 2007.     

Oxidative cyclocondensation of cyclic thio-and selenoureas. 5. 2-Thioxothieno-and 2-thioxopyrido[2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>]pyrimidin-4-ones

A study was carried out on the oxidative cyclocondensation of 2-thioxothieno-and 2-thioxopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones. The thiophene ring with excess π-electron density facilitates the reaction, while the pyridine ring with diminished π-electron density hinders it. 2-Thioxothieno-[2,3-d]pyridimin-4-ones were converted into previously unreported 7H,13H-[1,2,4]thiadiazolo-[3,2-b:5,4-b′]bis(thieno[2,3-d]pyridimine-7,13-diones). __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 9, pp. 1424–1427, September, 2007.     

Synthesis of o-carborane-C-carboxylates of certain natural terpene alcohols, sterols, phenols, and camphar oxime

Previously unreported esters 1b–20b were synthesized from natural terpene alcohols, sterols, plant phenols, and camphar oxime (1a–20a) by reaction with o-carborane-C-carboxylic acid chloride. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 434–436, September–October, 2006.     

Zinc(II) (o-hydroxybenzaldoximates) Complexes with Mono- and Bidentate Ligands

New complexes:Zn(Hsalox)(ox), Zn(Hsalox)(NHPh), Zn(Hsalox)(Hsal) and Zn(Hsalox)₂(1,2-diMeim) have been synthesised as a result of a reaction of Zn(salox) and Zn(Hsalox)₂ (where: salox ^2–=OC₆H₄CHNO^2–, Hsalox ^–=OC₆H₄CHNOH^–) with 8-hydroxyquinoline (Hox), o-aminophenol (NH₂Ph), o-hydroxybenzoic acid (H₂Sal) and 1,2-dimethylimidazole (1,2-diMeim). Chemical, X-ray and thermal analyses of the complexes and their sinters have been carried out. Thermal decomposition pathways have been postulated for the complexes. The mixtures about not definite composition have been obtained as a result of a reaction of zinc(o-hydroxybenzaldoximates) with imidazole(Him) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MeHim). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Interaction of esters of β-aroylacrylic acids with <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamines and 1,2-diamino-4-phenylimidazole

3-Phenacylquinoxalin-2-ones were synthesized by the reaction of the ethyl esters of β-aroylacrylic acids with o-phenylenediamines, while interaction with 1,2-diamino-4-phenylimidazole gave ethyl 7-amino-2-aryl-5-phenyl-3,4-dihydroimidazolo[1,5-b]pyridazine-4-carboxylates. Their chemical properties have been investigated. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 11, pp. 1646–1654, November, 2007.     

4-Chlorophenol degradation by chloroperoxidase from Caldariomyces fumago

This study investigated the degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) by Caldariomyces fumago chloroperoxidase (CPO). Enzymatic oxidations were studied in reaction mixtures at pH 3.0, 4.0, and 6.0 in the presence and absence of Cl⁻ containing 3.5 IU of CPO and 4-CP and hydrogen peroxide concentrations within the range of 0.5–50 and 0.005–50 mM, respectively. Distinct patterns of products regarding color, concentration, and solubility were observed. Reaction mixtures at pH 6.0 containing 3.5 IU of CPO and 5.0 mM 4-CP and H₂O₂ (1:1 stoichiometry) showed the highest 4-CP removal of 95% and the highest formation of a dark precipitate.     

Elimination of C-8-functional groups from driman-8<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,11-diol-11-monoacetate and-diacetate

The dehydration products of driman-8α,11-diol-11-monoacetate that are formed upon reaction with several dehydrating agents and the products from elimination of the C-8 acetoxy group in driman-8α,11-diol diacetate were investigated in detail. A new effective synthesis of drimenylacetate from driman-8α, 11-diol-11-monoacetate by its regioselective dehydration using methanesulfonic acid trimethylsilyl ether was developed. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 340–343, July–August, 2007.     

Determination of trace platinum by supramolecular catalytic kinetic spectrofluorimetry of β–cyclodextrin–platinum–KBrO3–salicylaldehyde furfuralhydrazone

A supramolecular catalytic kinetic spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of platinum(IV) and the possible mechanism of catalytic reaction was discussed. The method was based on the fluorescence-enhancing reaction of salicylaldehyde furfuralhydrazone (SAFH) with potassium bromate, which was catalysed by platinum(IV) in a water–ethanol medium. β–Cyclodextrin (β-CD) obviously sensitized the determination at pH 5.20 and 25°C. Under optimum conditions, the β-CD–platinum–KBrO₃–SAFH supramolecular kinetic catalytic reaction system had excitation and emission maxima at 372 and 461 nm, respectively. The linear range of this method was 0.60–180 ng ml⁻¹ with a relative standard deviation of 1.2%, and the detection limit was 0.18 ng ml⁻¹. Investigation of the mechanism and the effects of interferences is presented. The proposed method was applied successfully to determine trace platinum(IV) in the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin and serum from patients with satisfactory results.      

Synthesis of derivatives of a new heterocyclic system pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrido[1′,2′: 1,2]imidazo[4,5-d]pyridine

1-[4-Aminoarylpyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-yl]pyridinium chlorides undergo cyclization under reflux in tert-butanol in the presence of an excess of potassium tert-butoxide to form tetracyclic derivatives of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrido[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5-d]pyridine. The reaction scheme of the processes is proposed. The structures of the reaction products were confirmed by physicochemical methods. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 710–714, April, 2006.     

Shape-memory and biocompatibility properties of segmented polyurethanes based on poly(L-lactide)

A series of segmented poly(L-lactide)-polyurethanes (PLA-PUs) were synthesized by a two-step method, with oligo-poly(L-lactide) (PLA) as the soft segments and the reaction product of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and ethylene glycol (EG) as the hard segments. The shape-memory properties and biocompatibility of PLA-PUs were examined. The 50% compressed PLA-PUs could recover almost 100% to their original shape within 10°C from the lowest recovery temperature (22°C–37°C). In the recovery process the PLA-PU showed a maximum contracting stress in the range of 1.5–4 MPa. Cell incubation experiments show that PLA-PU has biocompatibility comparable to that of pure PLA. Therefore, this kind of polyurethane can be used for implanted medical devices with shape memory requirements. __________ Translated from Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities, 2007, 28(2): 371–375 [译自: 高等学校化学学报]     

Oxidative cyclocondensation of cyclic thio(seleno)ureas. 4. Electronic effects of the substituents and the medium

We have studied the electronic effect of substituents, steric factors, the medium, and the nature of the oxidizing agent on oxidative cyclocondensation of 2-thioxo-4-quinazolone and its substituted derivatives. We have found that electron-donor substituents promote the reaction while electronacceptor substituents inhibit the reaction. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 616–622, April, 2006.     

Reaction of cytisine with formalin

The reaction of cytisine with formalin in various solvents was studied. Methylene-bis-cytisine was produced in addition to the expected N-methylolcytisine in all solvents except acetone, in which N-(3-oxobutyl)cytisine was produced. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 579–580, November–December, 2006.     

Synthesis of lomazarin and norlomazarin, pigments from Lomandra hastilis

5,8-Dihydroxy-2,3,6-trimethoxy-7-ethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (1) was used to synthesize in high yield 5,8-dihydroxy-7(1′-hydroxyethyl)-2,3,6-trimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lomazarin, 3), a pigment from Lomandra hastilis. Alkaline hydrolysis of lomazarin produced mainly 5,6,8-trihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (9) through a retro-aldol decomposition of the 6-keto-form of 5,6,8-trihydroxy-7(1′-hydroxyethyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (13b) formed during the reaction. 2,5,8-Trihydroxy-7(1′-hydroxyethyl)-3,6-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (norlomazarin, 4a), a pigment of L. hastilis, and its 3,5,8-trihydroxy-7(1′-hydroxyethyl)-2,6-dimethoxy isomer 4b were formed as a difficultly separable mixture in addition to quinone 9. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 581–584, November–December, 2008.