First Total Synthesis of Phytoprostanes with Prostaglandin-Like Configuration,Evidence for Their Formation in Edible Vegetable Oils and Orienting Study of Their Biological Activity

Phytoprostanes (PhytoP) are natural products, which form in plants under oxidative stress conditions from α-linolenic acid. However, their epimers with relative prostaglandin configuration termed phytoglandins (PhytoG) have never been detected in Nature, likely because of the lack of synthetic reference material. Here, the first asymmetric total synthesis of such compounds, namely of PhytoGF_1α (9-epi-16-F_1t-PhytoP) and its diastereomer ent-16-epi-PhytoGF_1α (ent-9,16-diepi-16-F_1t-PhytoP), has been accomplished. The synthetic strategy is based on radical anion oxidative cyclization, copper(I)-mediated alkyl-alkyl coupling and enantioselective reduction reactions. A UHPLC-MS/MS study using the synthesized compounds as standards indicates PhytoG formation at significant levels during autoxidation of α-linolenic acid in edible vegetable oils. Initial testing of synthetic PhytoGs together with F₁-PhytoP and 15-F_2t-IsoP derivatives for potential interactions with the PGF_2α (FP) receptor did not reveal significant activity. The notion that PUFA-derived oxidatively formed cyclic metabolites with prostaglandin configuration do not form to a significant extent in biological or food matrices has to be corrected. Strong evidence is provided that oxidatively formed PhytoG metabolites may be ingested with plant-derived food, which necessitates further investigation of their biological profile.     

First total synthesis of labeled EPA and DHA-derived A-type cyclopentenone isoprostanoids: [D2]-15-A3t-IsoP and [D2]-17-A4t-NeuroP

A-type cyclopentenone isoprostanoids are abundantly formed in vivo by radical peroxidation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are consumed daily for the prevention of cardiovascular and neurological pathologies. To facilitate in depth studies concerning the effects of these oxidized isoprostanoids on human health, labeled derivatives are necessary. In this paper, we have accomplished the first total synthesis of labeled A-type cyclopentenone isoprostanoids, namely 17,18-[D₂]-15-A_3t-IsoP and 19,20-[D₂]-17-A_4t-NeuroP. The two enantioselective routes are highly convergent, stemming from a common intermediate, readily available by a Julia–Kocienski reaction, and feature the semihydrogenation of an alkyne moiety for the installation of the labeled lower side chain.     

Untersuchungen zu Synthese und Reaktionen von Fluorphenylquecksilber-Derivaten mit den Liganden 2-FC6H4, 2,6-F2C6H3 und 2,4,6-F3C6H2

Investigations on Syntheses and Reactions of Fluorophenylmercury Compounds with the Ligands 2-FC₆H₄, 2,6-F₂C₆H₃, and 2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂ 2,6-F₂C₆H₃HgCl and 2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂HgCl are synthesized via the reactions of the corresponding phenylmagnesium compounds and HgCl₂. 2-FC₆H₄HgCl is selectively obtained only in a reaction involving intermediately formed Cd(2-FC₆H₄)₂. The diphenylmercury derivative Hg(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)₂ is obtained while stirring a dichloromethane solution of 2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂HgCl for several days. The direct mercuration of 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene with Hg(OCOCF₃)₂ yields, depending on the stoichiometry, 2,4,6-trifluorophenylmercury trifluoroacetate and 1,3-bis(trifluoroacetatomercuri)-2,4,6-trifluorobenzene which is converted into the corresponding chloromercuri derivative by treatment with hydrochloric acid in CH₃CN. As a product of the reaction of 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene and HgO in CH₃COOH only 2,4,6-trifluorophenylmercury acetate is isolated although spectroscopic evidence has been found for double and triple mercurated derivatives. All compounds are characterized by elemental analyses, nmr and mass spectra. The reaction of Hg(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)Cl and Cd(CF₃)₂ · 2 CH₃CN gives Hg(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)CF₃ which slowly dismutates in CH₂Cl₂ solution into Hg(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)₂ and Hg(CF₃)₂. The ligand exchange of Hg(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)₂ and TeCl₄ selectively gives Te(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)₂Cl₂ and Hg(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)Cl. Transmetalations of Hg(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)₂ and gallium or tin give NMR spectroscopic evidence for the new derivates Ga(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)₃ and Sn(2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)₄.     

Overcoming aggregation in indium salen catalysts for isoselective lactide polymerization

A methodology for controlling aggregation in highly active and isoselective indium catalysts for the ring opening polymerization of racemic lactide is reported. A series of racemic and enantiopure dinuclear indium ethoxide complexes bearing salen ligands [(ONNO_R)InOEt]₂ (R = Br, Me, admantyl, cumyl, t-Bu) were synthesized and fully characterized. Mononuclear analogues (ONNO_R)InOCH₂Pyr (R = Br, t-Bu, SiPh₃) were synthesized by controlling aggregation with the use of chelating 2-pyridinemethoxide functionality. The nuclearity of metal complexes was confirmed using PGSE NMR spectroscopy. Detailed kinetic studies show a clear initiation period for these dinuclear catalysts, which is lacking in their mononuclear analogues. The polymerization behavior of analogous dinuclear and mononuclear compounds is identical and consistent with a mononuclear propagating species. The isotacticity of the resulting polymers was investigated using direct integration and peak deconvolution methodologies and the two were compared.     

Syntheses of Molybdenum and Tungsten Imido Alkylidene Complexes that Contain a Bidentate Oxo/Thiolato Ligand

3,3′,5,5′-Tetra-tert-butyl-2′-sulfanyl[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-ol (H₂[^tBu₄OS]) was prepared in 24 % yield overall from the analogous biphenol using standard techniques. Addition of H₂[^tBu₄OS] to Mo(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)(2,5-dimethylpyrrolide)₂ led to formation of Mo(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)[^tBu₄OS], which was trapped with PMe₃ to give Mo(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)[^tBu₄OS](PMe₃) ( 1 (PMe₃)). An X-ray crystallographic study of 1 (PMe₃) revealed that two structurally distinct square pyramidal molecules are present in which the alkylidene ligand occupies the apical position in each. Both 1 (PMe₃)_A and 1 (PMe₃)_B are disordered. Mo(NAd)(CHCMe₂Ph)(^tBu₄OS)(PMe₃) ( 2 (PMe₃); Ad=1-adamantyl) and W(NAr)(CHCMe₂Ph)(^tBu₄OS)(PMe₃) ( 3 (PMe₃)) were prepared using analogous approaches. 1 (PMe₃) reacts with ethylene (1 atm) in benzene within 45 minutes to give an ethylene complex Mo(NAr)(^tBu₄OS)(C₂H₄) ( 4 ) that is isolable and relatively stable toward loss of ethylene below 60 °C. An X-ray study shows that the bond distances and angles for the ethylene ligand in 4 are like those found for bisalkoxide ethylene complexes of the same general type. Complex 1 (PMe₃) in the presence of one equivalent of B(C₆F₅)₃ catalyzes the homocoupling of 1-decene, allyltrimethylsilane, and allylboronic acid pinacol ester at ambient temperature. 1 (PMe₃), 2 (PMe₃), and 3 (PMe₃) all catalyze the ROMP of rac-endo,exo-5,6-dicarbomethoxynorbornene (rac-DCMNBE) in the presence of B(C₆F₅)₃, but the polyDCMNBE that is formed has a random structure.     

Novel Copolymers of Styrene. 18. Halogen Ring-Trisubstituted Methyl 2-Cyano-3-Phenyl-2-Propenoates

Novel trisubstituted ethylene monomers, halogen ring-trisubstituted methyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RPhCH=C(CN)CO₂CH₃, where R is 4-bromo-2,6-difluoro, 3-chloro-2,6-difluoro, 4-chloro-2,6-difluoro, 2,3,5-trichloro, 2,3,6-trichloro, and 2,4,5-trifluoro, were prepared and copolymerized with styrene. The monomers were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of halogen ring-trisubstituted benzaldehydes and methyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with styrene (M₁) in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. The order of relative reactivity (1/r₁) for the monomers is 3-Cl-2,6-F₂ (4.2) > 4-Cl-2,6-F₂ (3.9) > 4-Br-2,6-F₂ (1.8) > 2,3,5-Cl₃ (1.1) > 2,4,5-F₃ (0.9) > 2,3,6-Cl₃ (0.5). Relatively high T_g of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. Decomposition of the copolymers in nitrogen occurred in two steps, first in the 200–500°C range with residue (3.1–3.9% wt), which then decomposed in the 500–800°C range.     

Conventional radical polymerization and iodine‐transfer polymerization of 4′‐nonafluorobutyl styrene: Surface and thermal characterizations of the resulting poly(fluorostyrene)s

4′‐Nonafluorobutylstyrene (3) was synthesized and polymerized by conventional and controlled radical polymerization (iodine transfer polymerization (ITP)). Such an aromatic fluoromonomer was prepared from Ullmann coupling between 1‐iodoperfluorobutane and 4‐bromoacetophenone followed by a reduction and a dehydration in 50% overall yield. Two radical polymerizations of (3) were initiated by AIBN either under conventional or controlled conditions, with 1‐iodoperfluorohexane in 84% monomer conversion and in 50% yield. ITP of (3) featured a fast monomer conversion and a linear evolution of the ln([M]₀/[M]) versus time. The kinetics of radical homopolymerization of (3) enabled one to assess its square of the propagation rate to the termination rate (k_p²/k_t) in ITP conditions (36.2·10^?2 l·mol^?2·sec^?2 at 80 °C) from the Tobolsky's kinetic law. Polydispersity index (?) of the fluoropolymer achieved by conventional polymerization was 1.30 while it worthed 1.15 when synthesized by ITP. Thermal stabilities of these oligomers were satisfactory (10% weight loss under air occurred from 305 °C) whereas the melting point was 47 °C. Contact angles and surface energies assessed from spin‐coated poly(3) films obtained by conventional (hysteresis = 18°, surface energy 18 mN.m^?1) and ITP (hysteresis = 47°, surface energy 15 mN.m^?1) evidenced ? values' influence onto surface properties of the synthesized polymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3202–3212     

Novel Copolymers of Styrene. 12. Halogen Ring-Substituted Methyl 2-Cyano-3-Phenyl-2-Propenoates

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylenes, halogen ring-substituted methyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RPhCH=C(CN)CO₂CH₃ (where R is 3-Br-4-CH₃O, 5-Br-2-CH₃O, 2-F-5-CH₃, 2-F-6-CH₃, 4-F-3-CH₃, 4-F-3-PhO, 2-F-5-I, 2-F-6-I, 2-F₃C, 4-F₃C) were prepared and copolymerized with styrene. The monomers were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and methyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with styrene (M₁) in solution with radical initiation (ABCN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. The order of relative reactivity (1/r ₁) for the monomers is 2-F-5-CH₃ (6.4) > 4-F-3-PhO (5.6) > 4-F₃C (4.8) > 3-Br-4-CH₃O (3.7) > 2-F-5-I (3.6) > 2-F₃C (2.2) > 2-F-6-I (2.1) > 5-Br-2-CH₃O (1.9) > 4-F-3-CH₃ (1.8) > 2-F-6-CH₃ (1.2). Relatively high T _g of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. Decomposition of the copolymers in nitrogen occurred in two steps, first in the 200-500°C range with residue (2–21% wt), which then decomposed in the 500–800°C range.     

Radical cyclization; towards the syntheses of tetranor metabolites of 15-F2t-isoprostane

Radical cyclization of acyclic 1-substituted-2,4-dihydroxylated 5-hexenyl radicals produced functionalized cyclopentane derivatives. These cyclopentanic precursors after different protection/deprotection reactions followed by Wittig and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons coupling reactions led to the main urinary tetranor metabolites of 15-F_2t-isoprostane (8-epi-PGF_2α).     

Synthesen und Eigenschaften neuer Tris(fluorphenyl)antimon- und -bismut-Verbindungen. Kristallstruktur von Tris(2,6-difluorphenyl)bismut

Syntheses and Properties of Some New Tris(fluorophenyl)antimony and -bismuth Compounds. Crystal Structure of Tris(2,6-difluorophenyl)bismuth (2,6-F₂C₆H₃)₃Bi, (2,4,6-F₃C₆H₂)₃Bi, and (2,6-F₂C₆H₃)₃Sb are prepared via Grignard reactions with BiBr₃ and SbBr₃, respectively. The syntheses and properties of the new compounds and the crystal structure of (2,6-F₂C₆H₃)₃Bi are described. From the reaction of BiBr₃ with Ag(OCOC₆H₃F₂) the bismuth benzoate Bi(OCOC₆H₃F₂)₃ is formed in 83% yield. Attempts to prepare (2,6-F₂C₆H₃)₃Bi by decarboxylation of the bismuth benzoate failed.     

Mild Nitration of Pyrazolin-5-ones by a Combination of Fe(NO3)3 and NaNO2: Discovery of a New Readily Available Class of Fungicides, 4-Nitropyrazolin-5-ones

4-Nitropyrazolin-5-ones have been synthesized by the nitration of pyrazolin-5-ones at room temperature by employing the Fe(NO₃)₃/NaNO₂ system. The method demonstrated selectivity towards the 4-position of pyrazolin-5-ones even in the presence of NPh and allyl substituents, which are sensitive to nitration. It was shown that other systems containing Fe^III and nitrites, namely Fe(NO₃)₃/tBuONO, Fe(ClO₄)₃/NaNO₂, and Fe(ClO₄)₃/tBuONO, were also effective. Presumably, Fe^III oxidizes the nitrite (NaNO₂ or tBuONO) to form the NO₂ free radical, which serves as the nitrating agent for pyrazolin-5-ones. The synthesized 4-nitropyrazolin-5-ones were discovered to be a new class of fungicides. Their in vitro activities against phytopathogenic fungi were found comparable or even superior to those of commercial fungicides (fluconazole, clotrimazole, triadimefon, and kresoxim-methyl). These results represent a promising starting point for the development of a new type of plant protection agents that can be easily synthesized from widely available reagents.     

Nanotechnology for Electroanalytical Biosensors of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species

Over the past several decades, nanotechnology has contributed to the progress of biomedicine, biomarker discovery, and the development of highly sensitive electroanalytical / electrochemical biosensors for in vitro and in vivo monitoring, and quantification of oxidative and nitrosative stress markers like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). A major source of ROS and RNS is oxidative stress in cells, which can cause many human diseases, including cancer. Therefore, the detection of local concentrations of ROS (e. g. superoxide anion radical; O₂^•−) and RNS (e. g. nitric oxide radical; NO^• and its metabolites) released from biological systems is increasingly important and needs a sophisticated detection strategy to monitor ROS and RNS in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we discuss the nanomaterials‐based ROS and RNS biosensors utilizing electrochemical techniques with emphasis on their biomedical applications.     

Synthesis of both enantiomers of cyclic methionine analogue: (R)- and (S)-3-aminotetrahydrothiophene-3-carboxylic acids

A method of synthesizing an optically active cyclic methionine analogue, 3-aminotetrahydrothiophene-3-carboxylic acid (At₅c), is described. A Bucherer–Bergs reaction of 4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-thiophenone and the subsequent alkaline hydrolysis of a hydantoin, followed by Cbz protection of the amine, afforded racemic Cbz-At₅c (±)-3 in excellent yield. Diastereomeric esters derived from Cbz-At₅c (±)-3 and (R)-BINOL could be separated by column chromatography to give both diastereomers with >99% de. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed the absolute configuration of the synthesized amino acid derived from the less polar diastereomeric ester to be (S).     

Thermolysis of binuclear heterometallic pivalate with Pd(II)-Ce(III) metal core in dibenzyl ether

A reaction between palladium(II) acetate and aqueous cerium(III) acetate in acetic acid with subsequent boiling in benzene with excess pivalic acid is found to yield the complex Pd(μ-OOCBu^t)₄Ce(OOCBu^t)(HOOCBu^t)₃ (1). The liquid-phase thermolysis of complex 1 in dibenzyl ether (190°C) leads to the formation of the tetranuclear complex [Pd(μ-OOCBu^t)₄Ce(HOOCBu^t)]₂(μ-OOCBu^t)(μ-OH₂) (2). The structure of the synthesized complexes is established by X-ray diffraction.     

Asymmetric fluorination of β-keto esters catalyzed by chiral rare earth perfluorinated organophosphates

Novel chiral rare earth metal complexes bearing perfluorinated binaphthyl phosphate ligand RE[(R)-F₈BNP]₃ (RE = rare earth; F₈BNP = 5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′-octafluoro-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl phosphate) have been synthesized and used as a catalyst for the asymmetric electrophilic fluorination reaction of β-keto esters. The use of Sc[(R)-F₈BNP]₃ catalyst in combination with 1-fluoropyridinium triflate (NFPY–OTf) as a fluorinating agent was found to give the desired α-fluoro-β-keto esters in high chemical yields and enantiomeric excesses (up to 88% ee) under mild conditions.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of novel glycoluril carboxylic acids conglomerates

The two novel conglomerates were obtained by crystallization of racemic (2'S,3aS,6aR)/(2'R,3aR,6aS) (glycoluril-1-yl)-3-methylbutanoic acid and (2'R,3aR,6aR)/(2'S,3aS,6aS) (4,6-dimethylglycoluril-1-yl)pentanoic acid synthesized by highly diastereoselective condensation of 4,5-dihydroxy- imidazolidin-2-ones with racemic ureido acids. The differences in the molecular geometry of synthesized racemates were studied by X-ray diffraction that showed them to crystallize as conglomerates in non-centrosymmetric space groups Pna2₁ and P2₁2₁2₁, respectively     

Chemical modification of E. coli L-asparaginase with polyethylene glycol grafted vinylpyrrolidone–maleic anhydride copolymer

A series of polyethylene glycol grafted vinylpyrrolidone–maleic anhydride copolymers [P(VMP)] was synthesized by radical copolymerization of vinylpyrrolidone, maleic anhydride and polyethylene glycol maleic acid monoester. Escherichia coli l -asparaginase was chemically modified with these copolymers. The modified l -asparaginase exhibited the complete loss of antigenicity towards anti-asparaginase serum from rabbit. The highest enzyme activity of the modified l -asparaginase without antigenicity was retained by 59% of the nonmodified one. The modified enzyme was also more resistant to trypsin in vitro. When tested in vivo, the native l -asparaginase was quickly cleared from the plasma of rabbits (half-life time: t_1/2=1.2 hr), whereas the modified enzyme showed prolonged clearance from plasma (t_1/2=53 hr). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular ions of 3,3′-bi(2-R-5,5-dimethyl-4-oxopyrrolinylidene) 1,1′-dioxides

The electrochemical reduction of 3,3′-bi(2-R-5,5-dimethyl-4-oxopyrrolinylidene) 1,1′-dioxides (R = CF₃, Me, Ph, Bu^t), which are cyclic dinitrons with conjugated C=C bond, in acetonitrile is an EE process producing stable radical anions and dianions, whereas the electrochemical oxidation is an EEC (R = Me, Ph) or EE process (R = Bu^t) with formation of radical cations (except for the case of R = CF₃) and dications (R = Bu^t) stable under standard conditions. Radical cations of the dioxides with R = Me, Ph, and Bu^t and radical anions of the whole series of the compounds studied, including R = CF₃, were characterized by ESR spectroscopy combined with electrochemical measurements and quantum-chemical calculations. The electrochemical behavior of the Bu^t-substituted dinitron is unique: the EE processes in the region of negative and positive potentials with formation of the dianion, radical anion, radical cation, and dication stable at T = 298 K were observed for the first time within one cycle of potential sweep in the CV curve measured in MeCN. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1148–1154, May, 2005.     

5‐Benzoyl­amino‐3‐bromo‐4‐(4‐methoxy­phenyl)‐4,5‐di­hydro­isoxazole‐5‐carboxyl­ic acid

The title compound, C₁₈H₁₅BrN₂O₅, a promising N‐protected α‐amino acid, was synthesized directly from an unusual bromo dipole and a 4‐(aryl­methyl­ene)­oxazolone. The crystal packing of the title compound is a racemic mixture. Peculiar graph‐set motifs driven by the most important hydrogen bonds are described.     

Photoinduced and Thermal Single-Electron Transfer to Generate Radicals from Frustrated Lewis Pairs

Archetypal phosphine/borane frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) are famed for their ability to activate small molecules. The mechanism is generally believed to involve two-electron processes. However, the detection of radical intermediates indicates that single-electron transfer (SET) generating frustrated radical pairs could also play an important role. These highly reactive radical species typically have significantly higher energy than the FLP, which prompted this investigation into their formation. Herein, we provide evidence that the classical phosphine/borane combinations PMes₃/B(C₆F₅)₃ and PtBu₃/B(C₆F₅)₃ both form an electron donor–acceptor (charge-transfer) complex that undergoes visible-light-induced SET to form the corresponding highly reactive radical-ion pairs. Subsequently, we show that by tuning the properties of the Lewis acid/base pair, the energy required for SET can be reduced to become thermally accessible.