New sphingolipids and a sterol from a lobophytum species of the Indian ocean

Chemical investigation of a soft coral species of the genus Lobophytum has resulted in the isolation of three new sphingolipids--(2S,3S,4R)-2-nonadecanoylamino-octadecane-1,3,4-triol (1), (2S,3R,4E,8E)-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxyheptadecanoylamino]-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (2), 1-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(2S,3R,4E,8E)-2-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxynonadecanoylamino]-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (3) and a sterol--(24S)-ergost-5-en-3beta,7beta-diol (4) along with the known sphingolipid--(2S,3R,4E,8E)-2-hexadecanoylamino-4,8-octadecadien-1,3-diol (5) which showed cytotoxicity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).     

DNA binding,cleavage, catalytic,magnetic active; 2,2–bipyridyl based d-f hetero binuclear Gd(III), Cu(II) complexes and their Electrochemical,fluorescence studies

Several 2,2-bipyridyl-based d-f heterobinuclear [GdCuL1-5(bpy)2(NO3)2] complexes are present, where (Ligand 1) (9E)-N¹-(2-Hydroxy-5-methylbenzylidene)–N²-((E)-2-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl benzylideneamino)ethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine. (Ligand 2) N¹,N¹-bis((E)-2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzylideneamino)ethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine. (Ligand 3) (9E)-N¹-(2-((E)-2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzylideneamino)ethylamino)ethyl)–N²-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine. (Ligand 4) (9E)-N¹-(2-((E)-3-(2-hydroxy-5- methylbenzylideneamino) propylamino) ethyl)–N³-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzylidene)propane-1,3-diamine and (Ligand 5) (9E)-N-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzylidene)-3-(4-((E)-3-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzylideneamino)propyl)piperazin-1-yl)propan-1-amine. These compounds were described using spectroscopy and the elemental analysis method. Researches were conducted into the luminous, Genetic code, catalytic, magnetism, and breaking attributes of the [GdCuL1-5(bpy)2(NO3)2] complexes. In DMF with 0.1 M tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate, the binuclear [GdCuL1-5(bpy)2(NO3)2] network complexes exhibit two one electron irreversible reduction events. VSM was used to calculate the complexes' magnetic susceptibility. There is ferromagnetic coupling in the [GdCuL1-5(bpy)2(NO3)2] complexes. The [GdCuL1-5(bpy)2(NO3)2] complexes' excited state lifetimes lengthen in the following order: [GdCuL5(bpy)₂] [GdCuL1(bpy)2(NO3)2] [GdCuL3(bpy)2(NO3)2] [GdCuL4(bpy)2] and [GdCuL2(bpy)2(NO3)2]. The binuclear [GdCuL1-5(bpy)2(NO3)2] complexes' inceptive rate of progress for oxidizing 1,2-benzenediol to cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-dione are longer chains with higher activity. Both the [GdCuL5(bpy)2(NO3)2] and [GdCuL4(bpy)2(NO3)2] complexes have strong DNA genetic code properties in the calf genus thymus. The complexes exhibit considerable singlet oxygen-mediated oxidative rift of circular recombinant plasmid pBR322 cloning vector in the existence of 2-sulfanylethanol.     

A mild conversion of phenylpropropnoid into rare phenylbutanoids: (E)-4-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)but-1,3-diene and (E)-4-(2,4,5-trimethozypheny)but-1-ene occuring in Zingiber cassumunar

(E)-4-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)but-1,3-diene (4) and (E)-4-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)but-1-ene (6), bioactive phenylbutanoids of Zingiber cassumunar, were synthesized exclusively with trans geometry. Treatment of methylmagnesium iodide with (E)-2',4',5'-trimethoxycinnamaldehyde (2), an oxidized product of abundantly available toxic (Z)-phenylpropanoid (1) of Acorus calamus, gave (E)-4-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-2-ol (3) which upon dehydration with copper sulphate/silica gel under microwave irradiation for 3 min afforded 4 in 58% yield. Further, catalytic hydrogenation of 4 with 10% Pd/C afforded 4-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)butane (5) which upon dehydrogenation with DDQ/SiO2 afforded hypolipidemic 6 in 54% yield.     

Syntheses and structures of heterometallic clusters by the reaction of o-carboranyl cobaltadichalcogenolato complexes

Metalladichalcogenolate cluster complexes [Cp'Co{E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))}]{Co2(CO)5} [Cp' = eta5-C5H5, E = S(3a), E = Se(3b); Cp' = eta5-C5(CH3)5, E = S(4a), E = Se(4b)], {CpCo[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))]}(2)Mo(CO)2] [E = S(5a), Se(5b)], Cp*Co(micro2-CO)Mo(CO)(py)2[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] [E = S(6a), Se(6b)], Cp*Co[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))]Mo(CO)2[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] [E = S(7a), Se(7b)], (Cp'Co[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))]W(CO)2 [E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] [Cp' = eta5-C5H5, E = S(8a), E = Se(8b); Cp' = eta5-C5(CH3)5, E = S(9a), E = Se(9b)], {CpCo[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))]}(2)Ni [E = S(10a), Se(10b)] and 3,4-(PhCN(4)S)-3,1,2-[PhCN(4)SCo(Cp)S(2)]-3,1,2-CoC(2)B(9)H(8) 12 were synthesized by the reaction of [Cp'CoE(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] [Cp' = eta5-C5H5, E = S(1a), E = Se(1b); Cp' = eta5-C5(CH3)5, E = S(2a), E = Se(2b)] with Co2(CO)8, M(CO)3(py)3 (M = Mo, W), Ni(COD)2, [Rh(COD)Cl]2, and LiSCN4Ph respectively. Their spectrum analyses and crystal structures were investigated. In this series of multinuclear complexes, 3a,b and 4a,b contain a closed Co3 triangular geometry, while in complexes 5a-7b three different structures were obtained, the tungsten-cobalt mixed-metal complexes have only the binuclear structure, and the nickel-cobalt complexes were obtained in the trinuclear form. A novel structure was found in metallacarborane complex 12, with a B-S bond formed at the B(7) site. The molecular structures of 4a, 5a, 6a, 7b, 9a, 9b, 10a and 12 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Syn stereochemistry of cyclic ether formation in 1,8-cineole biosynthesis catalyzed by recombinant synthase from Salvia officinalis

Regiospecifically labeled geranyl diphosphates ((2E,6E)-[1,1,8,8,8-(2)H(5)]- and (2E,6Z)-[1,1,9,9,9-(2)H(5)]-GDP) and D(2)O incorporation, in concert with NMR spectrometry, were employed to demonstrate a unique intramolecular syn-facial protonation-cyclization mechanism of action of 1,8-cineole synthase.     

The reaction of (4R,5R)- and (4S,5S)-4,5-epoxy-2(E)-hexenoates and secondary amines.

A reaction of methyl (4R,5R)-4,5-epoxy-2(E)-hexenoate 1 with N-benzylmethylamine gave a diastereomerically pure methyl (4R,5R)-4,5-epoxy-(3S)-N-benzylmethylamino hexanoate 6 and methyl (4S,5R)-4-N-benzyl-methylamino-5-hydroxy-2(E)-hexenoate 7. The former was chemoenzymatically converted to (-)-osmundalactone 11, which is an aglycone of osmundalin. On the other hand, the directly conjugated addition of dimethylamine to methyl (4S,5S)-4,5-epoxy-2(E)-hexenoate 1 followed by treatment with MeOH at 40 degrees C exclusively provided methyl (4R,5S)-4-dimethylamino-5-hydroxy-2(E)-hexenoate 16, which was converted into L-(-)-forosamine 18.     

Syntheses of highly unsaturated isocyanides via organometallic pathways

The carbon carbon coupling reaction by nucleophilic attack of (CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF(2)) 1 by lithium or Grignard compounds 2a-i yields the isocyanide complexes (CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-R) 3a-i (a R = CH=CH(2), b R = CH=CF(2), c R = C≡CH, d R = C≡C-SiMe(3), e R = C≡C-Ph, f R = C≡C-C(6)F(4)OMe, g R = C≡C-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2), h R = C(6)F(5), i R = C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)) as mixtures of E and Z isomers. The dinuclear complexes 5a-c are obtained from the reaction of 1 with the dilithio or dimagnesium compound 4a-c as the Z,Z-, E,Z- and E,E-isomers, respectively. (CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)7 is obtained as a mixture of Z,Z-, Z,E- and E,E-isomers from (CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-H 3d by Eglington-Glaser coupling. (CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)6 and (CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C=C-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)7 react with octacarbonyldicobalt forming the cluster compounds Z,Z-[{η(2)-μ(2)-(CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)}Co(2)(CO)(6)] Z,Z-8, E,Z-[{η(2)-μ(2)-(CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)}Co(2)(CO)(6)] E,Z-8 and E,E-[{η(2)-μ(2)-(CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)}Co(2)(CO)(6)] E,E-8 and Z,Z-[{η(2)-μ(2)-(CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)}{Co(2)(CO)(6)}(2)] Z,Z-9, E,Z-[{η(2)-μ(2)-(CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)}{Co(2)(CO)(6)}(2)] E,Z-9 and E,E-[{η(2)-μ(2)-(CO)(5)Cr(CN-CF=CF-C≡C-C≡C-CF=CF-NC)Cr(CO)(5)}{Co(2)(CO)(6)}(2)] Z,Z-9, respectively. The crystal and molecular structures of E-3d, Z-3h, Z,Z-8, E,Z-8 and Z,Z-9 were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

A Convenient Preparation of 2-(2-Arylidene)- and 2-(2-Polyhydroxyalkylidene)hydrazono-4-imidazolidinones with Various Heterocyclic Side Chain Substituents at Position 5 as Potential Antiviral and Antitumor Agents

A variety of novel 5-[( Z )-arylidene]-2-[(2-( E )-arylidene)hydrazono]-4-imidazolidinones 1a-c to 4a , b and 5-[( Z )-arylidene]-2-[(2-( E )-polyhydroxyalkylidene)hydrazono]-4-imidazolidinones 5a-c to 7a-c were prepared from the reaction of 5-[( Z )-arylidene]-2-methylmercaptohydantoins 8a-c with 2-( E )-arylidene hydrazones 13a-d and/or 2-( E )-monosaccharides hydrazones 16a-c . The linear structure, and not that of the angular isomer, has been selected for the products. This structure has been confirmed from a model study of the condensation of 5-[( Z )-2-thienylidene]-2-hydrazono-4-imidazolidinone 9a with benzaldehyde and D -galactose, respectively. The acetylation and benzoylation reactions of compounds 1-7 have been studied. All the new compounds were tested for their potential antiviral and antitumor activities.     

5-二氰亚甲基-4-二环丙亚甲基-3-[1-(2, 5-二甲基-3-呋喃基)亚乙基]四氢呋喃-2-酮的合成

报道俘精酸酐类化合物(E/Z)4-二环丙亚甲基-3-[1-(2, 5-二甲基-3-呋喃基)亚乙基]四氢呋喃-2, 5-酮的拆分, 及(E)和(Z)-5-二氰亚甲基-4-二环丙亚甲基-3-[1-(2, 5-二甲基-3-呋喃基)亚乙基]四氢呋喃-2-酮 4(E)和4(Z)的合成, 并对它们的光致变色特性进行了初步研究。     

Synthetic Applications of Stereodefined 2-Substituted 1-Silyl-1-stannylethenes: A New Synthesis of 5-Ethenyl-5′-(1-propynyl)-2,2′-bithiophene,a Naturally-Occurring Phototoxin)

(E)-2-(5-Trimenthylstannyl-2-thienyl)ethenyldimethylphenylsilane. (E)-8, which can be stereospecifically prepared from (Z)-1-dimethylphenylsilyl-2-(2-thienyl)-1-trimethylstannyl-ethene, (Z)-6, or from (E)-2-(2-thienyl)ethenyldimethylphenylsilane, (E)-9, serves as an equivalent to the 2-ethenylthiophene d ¹', d ⁵-synthon, 20, in an efficient two-step synthesis of 5-ethenyl-5′-(1-propynyl)-2,2′-bithiophene, 10, a naturally-occurring phototoxin. In the first step of this synthesis compound (E)-8 undergoes a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with 2-iodo-5-(1-propynyl)thiophene, 16, and in th second step the so obtained cross-coupling product, (E)-17, undergoes a protodesilylation reaction.     

A new pyrrolidine derivative and steroids from an algicolous Gibberella zeae strain

A new pyrrolidine derivative, 3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(4'-hydroxyphenoxy)pyrrolidin-2-one (1), and eight known steroids, (22E,24R)-7beta,8beta-epoxy-3beta,5alpha,9alpha-trihydroxyergosta-22-en-6-one (2, a reassigned structure of (22E,24R)-5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-3beta,8beta,14alpha-trihydroxyergosta-22-en-7-one), (22E,24R)-3beta,5alpha,9alpha-trihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (3), (22E,24R)-3beta,5alpha-dihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (4), (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-3beta/,5alpha,6beta-triol (5), (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,22-dien-3beta-ol (6), (22E,24R)-5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol (7), (22E,24R)-5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,9(11),22-trien-3beta-ol (8), and (22E,24R)-1(10 --> 6)-abeo-ergosta-5,7,9,22-tetraen-3alpha-ol (9), were isolated from the cultures of Gibberella zeae, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine green alga Codium fragile. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against A-549 and BEL-7402 cell lines.     

Rhodiolosides A-E, monoterpene glycosides from Rhodiola rosea

Five new monoterpene glycosides, rhodiolosides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the roots of Rhodiola rosea (Crassulaceae). Their structures were elucidated as (2E,6E,4R)-4,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), (2E,4R)-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl alpha-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2E,4R)-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), (2E,4R)-4,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), and (2E)-7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses and chemical degradation.     

2-乙烯基硝基苯-8-羟基喹啉锌配合物的合成及紫外、荧光性质研究

设计合成了3种8-羟基喹啉衍生物配体:(E)-2-[2-(2-硝基苯基)乙烯基]-8-羟基喹啉(4a),(E)-2-[2-(3-硝基苯基)乙烯基]-8-羟基喹啉(4b),(E)-2-[2-(4-硝基苯基)乙烯基]-8-羟基喹啉(4c)及其相应的锌配合物5a～5c,产物经1H NMR,IR,MS和元素分析技术进行了结构表征.通过紫外滴定模拟了金属锌与配体的配位过程,分别测定了它们固态和溶液状态下的荧光性质:光谱显示化合物5a～5c固体荧光光谱的λmax分别是596,625,592 nm,在DMF溶液中的λmax分别是562,536,618 nm.荧光光谱显示硝基位置的改变可以调控8-羟基喹啉锌配合物的发光性质.     

Relationship between electrochemical potentials and substitution reaction rates of ferrocene-containing β-diketonato rhodium(I) complexes; cytotoxicity of [Rh(FcCOCHCOPh)(cod)

A series of ferrocene-containing rhodium complexes of the type [Rh(FcCOCHCOR)(cod)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with R = CF(3), 1, (E(pa)(Rh) = 269; E(o)'(Fc) = 329 mV vs. Fc/Fc(+)), CCl(3), 2, (E(pa) = 256; E(o)' = 312 mV), CH(3), 3, (E(pa) = 177; E(o)' = 232 mV), Ph = C(6)H(5), 4, (E(pa) = 184; E(o)' = 237 mV), and Fc = ferrocenyl = (C(5)H(5))Fe(C(5)H(4)), 5, (E(pa) = 135; E(o)'(Fc1) = 203; E(o)'(Fc2) = 312 mV), have been studied electrochemically in CH(3)CN. Results indicated that the rhodium(I) centre is irreversibly oxidised to Rh(III) in a two-electron transfer process before the ferrocenyl fragment is reversibly oxidized in a one-electron transfer process. The peak anodic (oxidation) potential, E(pa), (in V vs. Fc/Fc(+)) of the rhodium core in 1-5 relates to k(2), the second-order rate constant for the substitution of (FcCOCHCOR)(-) with 1,10-phenanthroline in [Rh(FcCOCHCOR)(cod)] to form [Rh(phen)(cod)](+) in methanol at 25 °C with the equation lnk(2) = 39.5 E(pa)(Rh) - 3.69, while the formal oxidation potential of the ferrocenyl groups in 1-5 relates to k(2) by lnk(2) = 40.8 E(o)'(Fc)-6.34. Complex 4 (IC(50) = 28.2 μmol dm(-3)) was twice as cytotoxic as the free FcCOCH(2)COPh ligand having IC(50) = 54.2 μmol dm(-3), but approximately one order of magnitude less toxic to human HeLa neoplastic cells than cisplatin (IC(50) = 2.3 μmol dm(-3)).     

Isolation of tetraprenyltoluquinols from the brown alga Sargassum thunbergii

Thunbergols A (4) and B (5), tetraprenyltoluquinols, along with three known compounds (1-3) have been isolated from the brown alga Sargassum thunbergii. The structures of these two new compounds were determined to be 9-(3,4-dihydro-2,8-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-yl)-6-methyl-2-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-(2E,6E)-nonadienoic acid (4) and 10-(2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-yl)-10-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-(2E,6E)-undecadienoic acid (5), respectively, by combined spectroscopic methods. Both of them exhibited significant scavenging activities on radical and potently inhibited generation of ONOO(-) from morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1).     

Kinetik und stereochemischer Verlauf der thermischen Umlagerung der vier stereoisomeren Propenyl-(but-2′-enyl)-äther

The gas-phase rearrangement of (1Z, 2′E)-, (1Z, 2′Z)-, (1E, 2′E)-, and (1E, 2′Z)- propenyl but-2′-enyl ether (Z, E)-, (Z, Z)-, (E, E)-, and (E, Z)-1) into erythro- and threo-2, 3-dimethyl-pent-4-en-al (erythro- and threo-2) was investigated over a temperature range from 142,5° to 190,0° at 20–35 Torr (for kinetic data and activation parameters see table 2). All four stereoisomeric ethers 1 rearrange preferentially via a chair-like transition state C into the aldehydes 2 (ΔΔG^≠ (160°) = 2,5–2,7 kcal/mol for B – C (B = boat-like transition state). The relative rates (k_rel) for (Z, Z)-1, (Z, E)-1, (E,Z)-1, and (E,E)-1 at 160° are 1,0, 2,9, 4,3 and 9,0 respectively (see table 5). Taking into account the relative enthalpies of the ethers 1 and the steric interaction in the C transition state of the ethers 1 (see table 6), k_rel values can be estimated. They are in good agreement with those observed (see table 5).     

Synthesis and coordination behavior of planar-chiral ferrocene alkenylphosphines

A series of planar-chiral ferrocene alkenylphosphines, (S(p))-2-(diphenylphosphino)-1-vinylferrocene (2), (S(p))-2-(diphenylphosphino)-1-(prop-1-en-1-yl)ferrocene (3; as a mixture of Z and E isomers in ca. 5:1 ratio), and (E,S(p))-2-(diphenylphosphino)-1-(2-phenylethen-1-yl)ferrocene ((E)-4), was obtained by Wittig and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions from the common precursor, (S(p))-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxaldehyde (1). Coordination properties of these novel ferrocene donors were studied in their palladium(II) and tungsten(0)-carbonyl complexes. The reaction between 2 and [{Pd(mu-Cl)(L(NC))}2] (5, L(NC) = 2-{(dimethylamino)methyl-kappaN}phenyl-kappaC(1)) gave the bridge-cleavage product [PdCl(L(NC))(2-kappaP)] (6) while the reaction with [Pd(L(NC))(MeCN)2]ClO4 (7) yielded the cationic bis(chelate) [Pd(L(NC))(2-eta2:kappaP)]ClO4 (8). Chelate complexes of the type [W(CO)4(L-eta2:kappaP)] (9 with L = 2; (Z/E)-10 with L = (Z/E)-3) were obtained by reacting [W(CO)4(cod)] (cod = eta2:eta2-cycloocta-1,5-diene) with the appropriate phosphinoalkene in refluxing toluene while a similar reaction with (E)-4 yielded mixtures of [W(CO)5(4-kappaP)] ((E)-11) and [W(CO)4(4-eta2:kappaP)] ((E)-12). All compounds were characterized by spectral methods (multinuclear NMR, IR, MS, and CD), and the structures of 1, 2, 8, 9, (Z/E)-10, and (E)-11 were corroborated by X-ray diffraction analysis. Ligands 2 and (E)-4 as well as their complexes 6, 8, 9, (E)-11, and (E)-12 were further studied by electrochemical methods.     

Macrocycles with 1,2-dicyano-1,2-dithioethene units

Abstract

The new unsaturated macrocyclic tetrathioethers (Z,Z)-4 (n = 0), (Z,Z)-5 (n = 1), (Z,Z)-6 (n = 2) and (Z,Z)-7 (n = 3) were synthesized by the cyclization of (Z)-disodium-1,2-dicyanoethene-1,2-dithiolate (Z)-3 with ω,ω'-dibromoalkanes BrCH₂CH₂(CH₂)nCH₂Br (n = 0;1;2;3) on refluxing in dioxane in yields up to 15%. By reaction of the dithiolate (Z)-3 with 1,3-dibromopropane the unsaturated hexathioether (Z,Z,Z)-6 was also obtained. By the cyclization of dithiolate (Z)-3 with 1,5-dibromopentane and 1,6-dibromohexane the (Z,E)- and (E,E)-isomers, respectively, were formed in addition to the (Z,Z)-isomers. The (E,E)- and (Z,E)-isomers are photochemically convertable to the corresponding themodynamically more stable (Z,Z)-isomers by irradiation with UV-light. The (E,E)-isomers can be synthesized in a straightforward manner using the (E)-disodium-1,2-dicyanoethene-1,2-dithiolate (E)-3. Crystal structures of (Z,Z)-5, (Z,Z)-6, (E,E)-6, (Z,E)-7 and (E,E)-7 are reported.     

New PEG-ylated Mn(III) porphyrins approaching catalytic activity of SOD enzyme

Two new tri(ethyleneglycol)-derivatized Mn(III) porphyrins were synthesized with the aim of increasing their bioavailability, and blood-circulating half-life. These are Mn(III) tetrakis(N-(1-(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)pyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin, MnTTEG-2-PyP5+ and Mn(III) tetrakis(N,N'-di(1-(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)imidazolium-2-yl)porphyrin, MnTDTEG-2-ImP5+. Both porphyrins have ortho pyridyl or di-ortho imidazolyl electron-withdrawing substituents at meso positions of the porphyrin ring that assure highly positive metal centered redox potentials, E1/2 = +250 mV vs. NHE for MnTTEG-2-PyP5+ and E1/2 = + 412 mV vs. NHE for MnTDTEG-2-ImP5+. As expected, from established E1/2 vs. log kcat(O2 *-) structure-activity relationships for metalloporphyrins (Batinic-Haberle et al., Inorg. Chem., 1999, 38, 4011), both compounds exhibit higher SOD-like activity than any meso-substituted Mn(III) porphyrins-based SOD mimic thus far, log kcat = 8.11 (MnTTEG-2-PyP5+) and log kcat = 8.55 (MnTDTEG-2-ImP5+), the former being only a few-fold less potent in disproportionating O2*- than the SOD enzyme itself. The new porphyrins are stable to both acid and EDTA, and non toxic to E. coli. Despite elongated substituents, which could potentially lower their ability to cross the cell wall, MnTTEG-2-PyP5+ and MnTDTEG-2-ImP5+ exhibit similar protection of SOD-deficient E. coli as their much smaller ethyl analogues MnTE-2-PyP5+ and MnTDE-2-ImP5+, respectively. Consequently, with anticipated increased blood-circulating half-life, these new Mn(III) porphyrins may be more effective in ameliorating oxidative stress injuries than ethyl analogues that have been already successfully explored in vivo.     

The role of A2E in prevention or enhancement of light damage in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

The process of sight (photostasis) produces, as a by-product, a chromophore called 2-[2,6-dimethyl-8-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1E,3E, 5E,7E-octatetraenyl]-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-[4-methyl-6-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1E, 3E, 5E-hexatrienyl]-pyridinium (A2E), whose function in the eye has not been defined as yet. In youth and adulthood, A2E is removed from human retinal pigment epithelial (h-RPE) cells as it is made, and so it is present in very low concentrations, but with advanced age, it accumulates to concentrations reaching 20 microM. In the present study we have used photophysical techniques and in vitro cellular measurements to explore the role of A2E in h-RPE cells. We have found that A2E has both pro- and antioxidant properties. It generated singlet oxygen (phiso = 0.004) much less efficiently than its precursor trans-retinal (phiso = 0.24). It also quenched singlet oxygen at a rate (10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) equivalent to two other endogenous quenchers of reactive oxygen species in the eye: alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The endogenous singlet oxygen quencher lutein, whose quenching rate is two orders of magnitude greater than that of A2E, completely prevented light damage in vitro, suggesting that singlet oxygen does indeed play a role in light-induced damage to aged human retinas. We have used multiphoton confocal microscopy and the comet assay to measure the toxic, phototoxic and protective capacity of A2E in h-RPE cells. At 1-5 microM, A2E protected these cells from UV-induced breaks in DNA; at 20 microM, A2E no longer exerted this protective effect. These results imply that the role of A2E is not simple and may change over the course of a lifetime. A2E itself may play a protective role in the young eye but a toxic role in older eyes.