Enamine–azide [2+3]-cycloaddition as a method to introduce functional groups into fluorescent dyes

Fluorescent dyes are a significant research tool with various applications in modern science. However, many experiments require the preparation of covalent dye conjugates, which is impossible without the presence of a functional group on the dye molecule. Unfortunately, the introduction of such groups is often a complicated task. Herein, we report a novel approach for the introduction of functional groups into fluorescent dyes, based on the [2+3]-cycloaddition reaction of “terminal” enamines with azides. The synthesis of such “terminal” enamines is carried out by the condensation of formamide acetals with a methyl group that is influenced by a strong electron withdrawing group. Thus, the proposed functionalization technique requires only the presence of a methyl group in the relevant position of the initial non-functionalized fluorescent dye.     

Targeted Imaging and Proteomic Analysis of Tumor‐Associated Glycans in Living Animals

Although it has been well known that dynamic changes in glycosylation are associated with tumor progression, it remains challenging to selectively visualize the cancer glycome in vivo. Herein, a strategy for the targeted imaging of tumor‐associated glycans by using ligand‐targeted liposomes encapsulating azidosugars is described. The intravenously injected liposomal nanoparticles selectively bound to the cancer‐cell‐specific receptors and installed azides into the melanoma glycans in a xenograft mouse model in a tissue‐specific manner. Subsequently, a copper‐free click reaction was performed in vivo to chemoselectively conjugate the azides with a near‐infrared fluorescent dye. The glycosylation dynamics during tumor growth were monitored by in vivo fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, the newly synthesized sialylated glycoproteins were enriched during tumor growth and identified by glycoproteomics. Compared with the labeling methods using free azidosugars, this method offers improved labeling efficiency and high specificity and should facilitate the elucidation of the functional role of glycans in cancer biology.     

Synthesis and reactions of azides of heterocyclic compounds

Cyanine dyes containing azido groups in the 5 or 6 position of the benzazole ring were obtained from quaternary salts of azides of benzothiazole and benzimidazole. The introduction of an azido group into the dye molecule results in a considerable bathochromic effect.See [1] for communication II.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii. No. 5, pp. 640–642, May, 1974.     

Chemoselectivity of Tertiary Azides in Strain-Promoted Alkyne-Azide Cycloadditions

The strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) is the most commonly employed bioorthogonal reaction with applications in a broad range of fields. Over the years, several different cyclooctyne derivatives have been developed and investigated in regard to their reactivity in SPAAC reactions with azides. However, only a few studies examined the influence of structurally diverse azides on reaction kinetics. Herein, we report our investigations of the reactivity of primary, secondary, and tertiary azides with the cyclooctynes BCN and ADIBO applying experimental and computational methods. All azides show similar reaction rates with the sterically non-demanding cyclooctyne BCN. However, due to the increased steric demand of the dibenzocyclooctyne ADIBO, the reactivity of tertiary azides drops by several orders of magnitude in comparison to primary and secondary azides. We show that this chemoselective behavior of tertiary azides can be exploited to achieve semiorthogonal dual-labeling without the need for any catalyst using SPAAC exclusively.     

Design and synthesis of a highly efficient labelling reagent for incorporation of tetrafluorinated aromatic azide into proteins

Chemical labelling can significantly extend the structures and functions of proteins for advanced applications. Herein, a highly efficient bench-stable reagent diazo-azide was designed and synthesized for the incorporation of tetrafluorinated aromatic azides into proteins via the diazonium coupling. The diazo-azide-labelled proteins could be further functionalized via the nonhydrolysis Staudinger reaction to achieve fluorescence labelling, PEGylation and biotinylation. The whole protein labelling processes were catalysis-free and could be finished within several hours under the mild conditions. To this end, we have prepared thickened viral nanoparticles with controllable diameters.     

Developments on the Chemistry of Tellurium and Selenium Azides

Abstract

We have been carrying out systematic studies on the preparation and properties of tellurium halide and pseudohalide compounds with a focus on tellurium azides. We were successful in the synthesis of various tellurium azides of both covalent and ionic nature. Several tellurium(IV) azides, tellurium(II) azides, and the first tellurium(VI) azides can be prepared in reasonable amounts. The first structural information of selenium azides is obtained for covalent and ionic derivatives, and spectroscopic data for the existence of selenium(iv) polyazides.     

Strain-promoted cycloadditions of cyclic nitrones with cyclooctynes for labeling human cancer cells

Strain-promoted cycloadditions of cyclic nitrones with cyclooctynes proceed with rate constants up to 3.38 ± 0.31 M(-1) s(-1) in CD(3)CN, or 59 times faster than the analogous reaction of azides. This highly specific modular labeling strategy can be applied for direct labeling of proteins and for live cell imaging of cancer cells.     

A hydrophilic azacyclooctyne for Cu-free click chemistry

Biomolecules labeled with azides can be detected through Cu-free click chemistry with cyclooctyne probes, but their intrinsic hydrophobicity can compromise bioavailability. Here, we report the synthesis and evaluation of a novel azacyclooctyne, 6,7-dimethoxyazacyclooct-4-yne (DIMAC). Generated in nine steps from a glucose analogue, DIMAC reacted with azide-labeled proteins and cells similarly to cyclooctynes. However, its superior polarity and water solubility reduced nonspecific binding, thereby improving the sensitivity of azide detection.     

Synthesis of polysubstituted N-H pyrroles from vinyl azides and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

Two synthetic methods for tetra- and trisubstituted N-H pyrroles are presented: (i) the thermal pyrrole formation by the reaction of vinyl azides with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds via the 1,2-addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to 2H-azirine intermediates generated in situ from vinyl azides; (ii) the Cu(II)-catalyzed synthesis of pyrroles from alpha-ethoxycarbonyl vinyl azides and ethyl acetoacetate through the 1,4-addition reaction of the acetoacetate to the vinyl azides. By applying these two methods, regioisomeric pyrroles can be prepared selectively starting from the same vinyl azides.     

Hydrogenation of azides over copper nanoparticle surface using ammonium formate in water

Aryl azides undergo clean reduction by copper nanoparticles and ammonium formate in water. The surface hydrogen on copper nanoparticles is considered to be the active reducing species. A variety of functionalized aryl azides and aryl sulfonyl azides are reduced by this procedure to the corresponding amines with excellent chemoselectivity in high yields.     

“Photoclick” Postsynthetic Modification of DNA

A new DNA building block bearing a push–pull‐substituted diaryltetrazole linked to the 5‐position of 2′‐deoxyuridine through an aminopropynyl group was synthesized. The accordingly modified oligonucleotide allows postsynthetic labeling with a maleimide‐modified sulfo‐Cy3 dye, N‐methylmaleimide, and methylmethacrylate as dipolarophiles by irradiation at 365 nm (LED). The determined rate constant of (23±7) M ^?1 s^?1 is remarkably high with respect to other copper‐free bioorthogonal reactions and comparable with the copper‐catalyzed cycloaddition between azides and acetylenes.     

Efficient amidation from carboxylic acids and azides via selenocarboxylates: application to the coupling of amino acids and peptides with azides

A facile one-pot procedure for the coupling of carboxylic acid and azide via selenocarboxylate and selenatriazoline has been developed and successfully applied to the coupling of amino acids and peptides with azides. Selenocarboxylates are readily prepared by the reaction of the activated carboxylic acids with LiAlHSeH under mild conditions. The selenocarboxylates formed in situ are used to react directly with azides to form the corresponding amides via a selenatriazoline intermediate. Excellent yields were obtained for electron-deficient azides, and moderate to good yields were obtained for electron-rich azides. The selenocarboxylate/azide amidation reaction is clean and chemoselective. It provides an attractive alternative method to the conventional acylation of amines when an amide bond needs to be formed without going through an amine intermediate.     

The allylic azide rearrangement: achieving selectivity

Allylic azides undergo a rapid [3.3]-sigmatropic rearrangement which results in dynamic equilibrium of several isomers. Thus, reactions of allylic azides usually result in mixtures of products. However, even small differences in reactivity of the isomeric allylic azides can be amplified to result in a single product in good to excellent yields. For example, the Cu(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition with alkynes selectively captures primary and secondary allylic azide isomers, whereas MCPBA epoxidation favors isomers which contain more electron-rich double olefins.     

Fragmentation of carbohydrate anomeric alkoxyl radicals. A new synthesis of chiral beta-iodo azides, vinyl azides, and 2H-azirines

[reaction: see text] The reaction of 3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-hexopyranose compounds from the d-gluco, d-galacto, d-lacto, and l-arabino carbohydrate series, with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene and iodine, generated 2-azido-1,2-dideoxy-1-iodo-alditols with one carbon less than the starting carbohydrate. These beta-iodo azides could be transformed by dehydroiodination into vinyl azides, which in turn afforded 3-monosubstituted 2H-azirines under thermal conditions. These beta-iodo azides and 2H-azirines may be interesting chiral synthons for the preparation of more complex heterocyclic systems.     

Iron-catalyzed bromination of aryl azides by N-bromosuccinimide:Efficient method for the synthesis of brominated aryl azides

An efficient and mild protocol for bromination of aryl azides with N-bromosuccinimide（NBS） under FeCl₃ catalysis in 1,2- dichloroethane was developed.It is proved to be an efficient method for obtaining brominated aryl azides.     

Polymeric fluorescent dyes for labeling of proteins and nucleic acids

In order to increase the sensitivity of fluorescence labeling in biochemical reactions and diagnostic procedures a labeling technique with polymeric fluorescence dyes was established and tested for its applicability. The fluorescence dye is based on the fluorophor coumarine and was covalently linked to the model proteins strepavidine and IgG. The dye was synthesized by radical polymerization of three different types of functional monomers to ensure water solubility, covalent coupling to proteins, and fluorescence. The molecular weight range was between 20 and 200 kDa. Fractions of narrow molecular weight distribution were prepared by gel filtration on Superdex 200. The relationship between size and charge of the different fractions was analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Covalent conjugation to proteins was carried out by formation of a peptide bond between a carboxylic group of the functional monomers and an amino group of the protein mediated by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-carbodiimide (EDC). A novel type of gel electrophoresis was developed in order to analyze and optimize the conjugation reaction; the results were in agreement with those from analytical ultracentrifugation with fluorescence detection. Hydrodynamic studies of the uncoupled dye and the protein-dye conjugates exhibited a drastic decrease of Stokes radius of the dye due to the coupling to the protein. Under optimum conditions the fluorescence intensity of a protein-polymeric dye conjugate was enhanced 40-fold compared to a monomeric dye. Biotin binding to the protein streptavidin was not affected significantly by the conjugation with the polymeric dye. At present, the applicability of the polymeric dye in biochemical and diagnostic reactions seems to be limited due to strong but unspecific hydrophobic interactions which might be overcome by using fluoresceine as monomeric dye.     

Radical azidonation of aldehydes

Aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes can be converted to acyl azides by treatment with iodine azide at 0-25 degrees C. If the reaction is performed at reflux Curtius rearrangement occurs and carbamoyl azides are obtained in 70-97% yield from the aldehyde. The reaction was shown to have a radical mechanism.     

Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of organic azides with some acetylenic compounds

Phenyl azide 1 and several substituted benzyl azides 2a-o underwent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate 3, phenylacetylene 4 and ethyl propiolate 5 to afford the triazoles 6-13. The reactions of these azides with ethyl propiolate were found to be completely regiospecific.     

Staudinger ligation of alpha-azido acids retains stereochemistry

The Staudinger ligation of peptides with a C-terminal phosphinothioester and N-terminal azide is an emerging method in protein chemistry. Here, the first Staudinger ligations of nonglycyl azides are reported and shown to proceed both in nearly quantitative yield and with no detectable effect on the stereochemistry at the alpha-carbon of the azide. These results demonstrate further the potential of the Staudinger ligation as a general method for the total synthesis of proteins from peptide fragments.     

Comparative first-principles study of structural and optical properties of alkali metal azides

A comparative first-principles study of the structural and optical properties of the alkali metal azides has been performed with density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. The crystal structures of the alkali azides compare well with experimental data. Their ionic character is manifested by the closeness of their internitrogen distances to the calculated N-N bond length for the free azide ion. An analysis of electronic structure, charge transfer, and bond order shows that the alkali azides are all wide-gap insulators and ionic compounds. The energy band and density of states for lithium azide and alpha-sodium azide are very similar, while these for potassium azide, alpha-rubidium azide, and alpha-cesium azide are alike, but some modifications are observed with the increment of alkali metals' electropositivity. These changes are closely related to the differences of the crystal structures. The general shapes of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, adsorption coefficient, and electron energy-loss spectra are quite similar. The peaks originate from the electron transitions from the alkali metal s and p states to the conduction band. Our calculated optical properties for the alkali azides are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data. The absorption spectra of the alkali azides show a number of absorption peaks, which are believed to be associated with different exciton states, in the fundamental absorption region. In general, the electron energy-loss spectra have two plasma frequencies.