Cytotoxic pigments from new zealand sponges of the genus latrunculia : discorhabdins a,b and c

Discorhabdins A, B and C have been isolated as the major cytotoxic pigments of three different Latrunculia sponge species from New Zealand. The ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra of the previously reported discorhabdin C 1 have been assigned. The structures of discorhabdins A 2 and B 3 have been established by spectral comparisons (especially NMR)'with 1. The discorhabdins are strongly cytotoxic (P388 ED₅₀'s 0.03-0.1 μg/ml) and antimicrobial.     

The synthetic and biological studies of discorhabdins and related compounds

Various analogues of the marine alkaloids, discorhabdins, have been synthesized. The strategy contains spirocyclization with phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA), oxidative fragmentation of the β-amino alcohols with the hypervalent iodine reagent C(6)F(5)I(OCOCF(3))(2), the detosylation and dehydrogenation reaction of the pyrroloiminoquinone unit in the presence of a catalytic amount of NaN(3) and the bridged ether synthesis with HBr-AcOH as the key reactions. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated by in vitro MTT assay for cytotoxic activity against the human colon cancer cell line HCT-116. Furthermore, the discorhabdin A oxa analogues were also evaluated against four kinds of tumor model cells, a human colon cancer cell line (WiDr), a human prostate cancer cell line (DU-145) and murine leukemia cell lines (P388 and L1210). For the identification of the target, discorhabdin A and the discorhabdin A oxa analogue were evaluated by an HCC panel assay. In the test, discorhabdins could have a novel mode of action with the tumor cells.     

The first total synthesis of discorhabdin A

The first stereoselective total synthesis of a potent antitumor alkaloid, discorhabdin A (1), which is a unique sulfur-containing pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloid, is described. The key step in the stereocontrolled total synthesis of 1 involves both a diastereoselective oxidative spirocyclization using a hypervalent iodine(III) reagent and an efficient construction of the labile and highly strained N,S-acetal skeleton. These methodologies provide a breakthrough in the total syntheses of these promising new antitumor agents, discorhabdins and their analogues, which should serve as valuable probes for structure-activity studies.     

A convenient C–H functionalization platform for pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloid synthesis

Pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids represent a structurally intriguing class of natural products that display an array of useful biological properties. Here, we present a versatile and scalable platform for the synthesis of this diverse family – and in particular the antitumor discorhabdins – built upon sequential selective C–H functionalization of tryptamine. The utility of this strategy is showcased through short formal syntheses of damirones A–C, makaluvamines D and I, and discorhadbin E. Additionally, we describe efforts to develop the first catalytic asymmetric entry to the discorhabdin subclass.     

Enantiomeric discorhabdin alkaloids and establishment of their absolute configurations using theoretical calculations of electronic circular dichroism spectra

Enantiomeric pairs of the cytotoxic pyrroloiminoquinone marine alkaloids discorhabdins B (2), G*/I (3), L (4), and W (5) have been isolated from Latrunculia species sponges collected at different locations around the coast of New Zealand. The absolute configuration of all compounds was secured by comparison of observed data with the results of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Enantiomeric discorhabdins exhibit equipotent antiproliferative biological activity.     

Pressure and temperature dependence of the decomposition pathway of LiBH4

The decomposition pathway is crucial for the applicability of LiBH(4) as a hydrogen storage material. We discuss and compare the different decomposition pathways of LiBH(4) according to the thermodynamic parameters and show the experimental ways to realize them. Two pathways, i.e. the direct decomposition into boron and the decomposition via Li(2)B(12)H(12), were realized under appropriate conditions, respectively. By applying a H(2) pressure of 50 bar at 873 K or 10 bar at 700 K, LiBH(4) is forced to decompose into Li(2)B(12)H(12). In a lower pressure range of 0.1 to 10 bar at 873 K and 800 K, the concurrence of both decomposition pathways is observed. Raman spectroscopy and (11)B MAS NMR measurements confirm the formation of an intermediate Li(2)B(12)H(12) phase (mostly Li(2)B(12)H(12) adducts, such as dimers or trimers) and amorphous boron.     

Effect of calcination temperature on the structure of a Pt/TiO2 (B) nanofiber and its photocatalytic activity in generating H2

Hydrogen trititanate (H 2Ti 3O 7) nanofibers were prepared by a hydrothermal method in 10 M NaOH at 403 K, followed by acidic rinsing and drying at 383 K. Calcining H 2Ti 3O 7 nanofibers at 573 K led to the formation of TiO 2 (B) nanofibers. Calcination at 673 K improved the crystallinity of the TiO 2 (B) nanofibers and did not cause any change in the morphology and dimensions of the nanofibers. TiO 2 (B) and H 2Ti 3O 7 nanofibers are 10-20 nm in diameter and several micrometers long, but FE-SEM reveals that several of these nanofibers tend to bind tightly to each other, forming a fiber bundle. Calcination at 773 K transformed TiO 2 (B) nanofibers into a TiO 2 (B)/anatase bicrystalline mixture with their fibrous morphology remaining intact. Upon increasing the calcination temperature to 873 K, most of the TiO 2 (B) nanofibers were converted into anatase nanofibers and small anatase particles with smoother surfaces. In the photocatalytic dehydrogenation of neat ethanol, 1% Pt/TiO 2 (B) nanofiber calcined at 673 K was the most active catalyst and generated about the same amount of H 2 as did 1% Pt/P-25. TPR indicated that the calcination of 1% Pt/TiO 2 (B) nanofiber at 573 K produced a poor Pt dispersion and poor activity. Calcination at a temperature higher than 773 K (in ambient air) resulted in an SMSI effect similar to that observed over TiO 2 in the reductive atmosphere. As suggested by XPS, such an SMSI effect decreased the surface concentration of Pt metal and created Pt (delta) sites, preventing Pt particles from functioning as a Schottky barrier and leading to a lower activity. Because of the synergetic effect between TiO 2 (B) and anatase phases, the bicrystalline mixture, produced by calcining at 773 K, was able to counter negative effects such as the reduction in surface area and the SMSI effect and maintained its photocatalytic activity.     

Anti-hepatitis B virus active lactones from the traditional Chinese herb: Swertia mileensis

Swerilactones H–K ( 1 – 4 ), which are four novel lactones with an unprecedented C29 skeleton, were isolated from Swertia mileensis (Qing‐Ye‐Dan), an endemic Chinese herb used for treating viral hepatitis. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic and X‐ray crystallographic diffraction analyses. Swerilactones H–K exhibit potent anti‐hepatitis B virus activity against HBV DNA replication with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.53 to 5.34 μM . For the first time, a plausible biogenetic pathway for swerilactones H–K, together with the previously reported swerilactones A–D is proposed. From a biogenetic point of view, swerilactones A–D are ascribed as secoiridoid dimers, and swerilactones H–K as secoiridoid trimers.     

Dynamics of benzene guest inside a self-assembled cylindrical capsule: a combined solid-state 2H NMR and molecular dynamics simulation study

The reorientational dynamics of benzene-d(6) molecules hosted into the cavity of a cavitand-based, self-assembled capsule was investigated by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and temperature-dependent solid-state (2)H NMR spectroscopy. MD simulations were preliminarily performed to assess the motional models of the guest molecules inside the capsules. An in-plane fast reorientation of the benzene guest around the C(6) symmetry axis (B1 motion), characterized by correlation times of the order of picoseconds, was predicted with an activation barrier ( approximately 8 kJ/mol) very similar to that found for neat benzene in the liquid state. An out-of-plane reorientation corresponding to a nutation of the C(6) symmetry axis in a cone angle of 39 degrees (B2 motion, 373 K) with an activation barrier ( approximately 39 kJ/mol) definitely larger than that of liquid benzene was also anticipated. In the temperature range 293-373 K correlation times of the order of a nanosecond have been calculated and a transition from fast to slow regime in the (2)H NMR scale has been predicted between 293 and 173 K. (2)H NMR spectroscopic analysis, carried out in the temperature range 173-373 K on the solid capsules containing the perdeuterated guest (two benzene molecules/capsule), confirmed the occurrence of the B1 and B2 motions found in slow exchange in the (2)H NMR time scale. Line shape simulation of the (2)H NMR spectral lines permitted defining a cone angle value of 39 degrees at 373 K and 35 degrees at 173 K for the nutation axis. The T(1) values measured for the (2)H nuclei of the encapsulated aromatic guest gave correlation times and energetic barrier for the in-plane motion B1 in fine agreement with theoretical calculation. The experimental correlation time for B2 as well as the corresponding energetic barrier are in the same range found for B1. A molecular mechanism for the encapsulated guest accounting for the B1 and B2 motions was also provided.     

Na+, K+//Cl-, B4O2-7-H2O四元体系273 K介稳相平衡

采用等温蒸发法研究了四元体系Na+, K+//Cl-, B4O2-7-H2O 273 K时的介稳相平衡与相图. 测定了该体系273 K平衡液相中各组分的溶解度及平衡液相的密度; 绘制了该体系的介稳相图. 该四元体系273 K相图由5条溶解度单变量线、4个结晶区及2个共饱和点组成. 体系无复盐或固溶体形成. 四个结晶区分别对应单盐NaCl、KCl、K2B4O7·4H2O 和Na2B4O7·10H2O. 共饱点E1处KCl、NaCl及Na2B4O7·10H2O三盐共饱和,所对应的平衡液相组成为w(Cl-)=29.15%, w(B4O2-7)=0.64%, w(K+)=5.97%, w(Na+)=15.55%; 共饱和点E2处盐KCl、Na2B4O7·10H2O和K2B4O7·4H2O的三盐共饱和, 所对应的平衡液相组成为w(Cl-)=22.84%, w(B4O2-7)=10.98%, w(K+)=28.01%, w(Na+)=1.53%. 同体系298 K时的稳定相图相比, 273 K时硼酸钠的结晶区变大, 而硼酸钾、氯化钠结晶区变小.     

Carboranes and baskets from reaction of B4H10 with allene

The reaction of the boron hydride B4H10 with allene was studied at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d)//MP2/6-31G(d) level. The mechanism is surprisingly complex with 44 transition states and several branching points located. The four carboranes and one basket that have been observed experimentally are all connected by pathways that have very similar free energies of activation. In addition, two new structures, a basket (2,4-(CH2CH2CH2)B4H8, 5a) and a "classical" structure (1,4-(Me2C)bisdiborane, 7), which might be obtained from the B4H10 + C3H4 reaction under the right conditions (hot/cold, quenched, etc.) have been identified. The first branch point in the reaction is the competition between H2 elimination from B4H10 (DeltaG(298 K) = 32.2 kcal/mol) and the hydroboration of allene by B4H10 (DeltaG(298 K) = 31.3 kcal/mol). The next branch point in the hydroboration mechanism controls the formation of 2,4-(MeCHCH2)B4H8 (1) (DeltaG(298 K) = 31.5 kcal/mol) and arachno-1,2/arachno-1,3-Me2-1-CB4H7 (8 and 8a) (DeltaG(298 K) = 34.3 kcal/mol). Another branch point in the H2-elimination mechanism controls the formation of 1-Me-2,5-micro-CH2-1-CB4H7 (29) (DeltaG(298 K) = 0.1 kcal/mol) and 2,5-micro-CHMe-1-CB4H7 (25/26) (DeltaG(298 K) = 7.3 kcal/mol). Formation of 2-Me-2,3-C2B4H7, a carborane observed in the reaction of methylacetylene with B4H10, is calculated to be blocked by a high barrier for H2 elimination. All free energies are relative to B4H10 + allene. An interesting reaction step discovered is the "reverse hydroboration step" in which a hydrogen atom is transferred from carbon back to boron, which allows a CH hydrogen to shuttle between the terminal and central carbon of allene.     

Cyclopropane-based stereochemical diversity-oriented conformational restriction strategy: histamine H3 and/or H4 receptor ligands with the 2,3-methanobutane backbone

The stereochemical diversity-oriented conformational restriction strategy can be an efficient method for developing specific ligands for drug target proteins. To develop potent histamine H(3) and/or H(4) receptor ligands, a series of conformationally restricted analogs of histamine with a chiral trans- or cis-4-amino-2,3-methano-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)butane structure was designed based on this strategy. These stereochemically diverse compounds were synthesized from previously developed versatile chiral cyclopropane units. Among these analogs, a trans-cyclopropane-type compound, (2S,3R)-4-(4-chlorobenzylamino)-2,3-methano-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)butane (5b), has remarkable antagonistic activity to both the H(3) (K(i) = 4.4 nM) and H(4) (K(i) = 5.5 nM) receptors, and a cis-cyclopropane-type compound, (2R,3R)-4-amino-2,3-methano-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)butane (6a), is a potent and selective H(3) receptor partial agonist (K(i) = 5.4 nM). Although (2S,3R)-4-amino-2,3-methano-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)butane (5a) does not have a hydrophobic group which the usual H(3) receptor antagonists have, it was found to be a potent H(3) receptor antagonist (K(i) = 20.1 nM). Thus, a variety of compounds with different pharmacological properties depending on the cyclopropane backbones and also on the side-chain functional groups were identified. In addition to the previously used 1,2-methanobutane backbone, the 2,3-methanobutane backbone also worked effectively as a cyclopropane-based conformational restriction structure. Therefore, the combination of these two cyclopropane backbones increases the stereochemical and three-dimensional diversity of compounds in this strategy, which can provide a variety of useful compounds with different pharmacological properties.     

New 13-vertex metallacarborane sandwich compounds; synthetic and structural studies

Reduction of 1,12-closo-C2B10H12 followed by reaction with the appropriate metal halide and metathesis with either [K(18-crown-6)]Br or [BTMA]Cl ([BTMA] = [C6H5CH2N(CH3)3]+) affords isolable salts of the supraicosahedral metallacarborane sandwich anions [4,4-M-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2]n- in moderate to good yield. Compounds prepared are [BTMA][4,4-Co-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 1), [K(18-crown-6)][4,4-Co-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 2), [K(18-crown-6)]2[4,4-Ni-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 3), [K(18-crown-6)]2[4,4-Fe-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 4), [BTMA]2[4,4-Fe-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 5) and [K(18-crown-6)]2[4,4-Ti-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 6). Oxidation of the iron(II) species 4 and 5 with FeCl3 in THF generates the iron(III) analogues [K(18-crown-6)][4,4-Fe-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 7) and [BTMA][4,4-Fe-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 8), respectively. All diamagnetic compounds were characterised spectroscopically and the structures of 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All anions have the anticipated cluster structures with two docosahedral 13-vertex cages joined at the central metal atom (the common degree-six vertex 4). Carbon atoms occupy the degree-four vertex 1 and the degree-five vertex 10. 11B NMR spectroscopy suggests the anions have, on the NMR timescale, C2h symmetry in solution at room temperature, consistent with free rotation, or at least substantial libration, of cage units about the long molecular axis. In the solid state the relative conformations of the two cages may be rationalised by simple bonding arguments, the single exception being the conformation of 4, in which both cages are subject to directional B-H...K+ interactions to the [K(18-crown-6)]+ counterion. The salts 3, 6 and 7 also show B-H...K+ interactions but involving one cage only.     

K2B4O7-Na2B4O7-Li2B4O7-H2O四元体系273 K介稳相平衡

采用等温蒸发平衡法研究了四元体系K2B4O7-Na2B4O7-Li2B4O7-H2O在273 K时的介稳相平衡及平衡液相的密度. 研究发现该四元体系为简单共饱和型, 无复盐及固溶体形成, 根据溶解度数据绘制了相图, 相图中有一个共饱点E, 三条单变度曲线E3E, E2E, E1E; 三个平衡固相分别为K2B4O7·4H2O、Na2B4O7·10H2O 和LiBO2·8H2O. 并简要讨论了实验结果.     

The first nitro-substituted heteroscorpionate ligand

The new dihydridobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate ligand, [H2B(tzNO2)2]-, has been synthesized in dimethylacetamide solution, using 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole and KBH4 through careful temperature control, and characterized as its potassium salt. The zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes, {M[H2B(tzNO2)2]Cl(H2O)2}, have been prepared by metathesis of [H2B(tzNO2)2]K with ZnCl2 and CdCl2, respectively. The complexes likely contain a metal core in which the ligand is coordinated to the metal ions in the K2-N,N' or K4-N,N',O,O' fashion. A single-crystal structural characterization is reported for the potassium dihydrobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate. The potassium salt is polymeric and shows several K...N and K...O interactions.     

Chlorahololides A and B, two potent and selective blockers of the potassium channel isolated from Chloranthus holostegius

[structure: see text] Chlorahololides A(1) and B(2), two highly complex sesquiterpenoid dimers, were isolated from Chloranthus holostegius. Their structures and absolute configurations were established by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and CD. Chlorahololides A (1) and B (2) exhibited potent and selective inhibition on the delayed rectifier (IK) K+ current, with an IC50 of 10.9 and 18.6 microM, respectively.     

Mechanisms of electron-ion recombination of N2H+/N2D+ and HCO+/DCO+ ions: temperature dependence and isotopic effect

The temperature dependencies of the rate coefficients, alpha(e), for electron-ion dissociative recombination (DR) of N2H+/N2D+ and HCO+/DCO+ ions with electrons have been measured over the range 100-500 K. Also, optical emissions have been detected at approximately 100 K from the N2(B3(pi)g) electronically excited products of N2H+/N2D+ recombination. The measurements were carried out using the classic FALP technique combined with an optical monochromator. For N2H+, there was no variation of alpha(e) with temperature above 200 K, with an average value of alpha(e)(N2H+) = 2.8 x 10(-7) cm3 s(-1). The temperature variation for T approximately 100-300 K observed for alpha(e)(HCO+) is similar to that of N2H+ ions for T approximately 300-500 K. The smaller rate coefficient measured for DCO+ and N2D+ ions shows the influence of an isotope effect. The substantial enhancement of the vibrational level, upsilon' = 6, from the N2B state for N2H+ recombination over N2D+ recombination is consistent with previous result at 300 K and implies the influence of a tunneling mechanism of DR.     

Heats of formation of boron hydride anions and dianions and their ammonium salts [BnHmy-][NH4+]y with y=1-2

Thermochemical parameters of the closo boron hydride BnHn2- dianions, with n=5-12, the B3H8- and B11H14- anions, and the B5H9 and B10H14 neutral species were predicted by high-level ab initio electronic structure calculations. Total atomization energies obtained from coupled-cluster CCSD(T)/complete basis set (CBS) extrapolated energies, plus additional corrections were used to predict the heats of formation of the simplest BnHmy- species in the gas phase in kcal/mol at 298 K: DeltaHf(B3H8-)=-23.1+/-1.0; DeltaHf(B5H52-)=119.4+/-1.5; DeltaHf(B6H62-)=64.1+/-1.5; and DeltaHf(B5H9)=24.1+/-1.5. The heats of formation of the larger species were evaluated by the G3 method from hydrogenation reactions (values at 298 K, in kcal/mol with estimated error bars of+/-3 kcal/mol): DeltaHf(B7H72-)=51.8; DeltaHf(B8H82-)=46.1; DeltaHf(B9H92-)=24.4; DeltaHf(B10H102-)=-12.5; DeltaHf(B11H112-)=-11.8; DeltaHf(B12H122-)=-86.3; DeltaHf(B11H14-)=-57.3; and DeltaHf(B10H14)=18.7. A linear correlation between atomization energies of the dianions and energies of the BH units was found. The heats of formation of the ammonium salts of the anions and dianions were predicted using lattice energies (UL) calculated from an empirical expression based on ionic volumes. The UL values (0 K) of the BnHn2- dianions range from 319 to 372 kcal/mol. The values of UL for the B3H8- and B11H14- anions are 113 and 135 kcal/mol, respectively. The calculated lattice energies and gas-phase heats of formation of the constituent ions were used to predict the heats of formation of the ammonium crystal salts [BnHmy-][NH4+]y. These results were used to evaluate the thermodynamics of the H2 release reactions from the ammonium hydro-borate salts.     

The dynamical properties of the aromatic hydrogen bond in NH4(C6H5)4B from quasielastic neutron scattering

NH(4)(C(6)H(5))(4)B represents a prototypical system for understanding aromatic H bonds. In NH(4)(C(6)H(5))(4)B an ammonium cation is trapped in an aromatic cage of four phenyl rings and each phenyl ring serves as a hydrogen bond acceptor for the ammonium ion as donor. Here the dynamical properties of the aromatic hydrogen bond in NH(4)(C(6)H(5))(4)B were studied by quasielastic incoherent neutron scattering in a broad temperature range (20< or =T< or =350 K). We show that in the temperature range from 67 to 350 K the ammonium ions perform rotational jumps around C(3) axes. The correlation time for this motion is the lifetime of the "transient" H bonds. It varies from 1.5 ps at T=350 K to 150 ps at T=67 K. The activation energy was found to be 3.14 kJ mol, which means only 1.05 kJ mol per single H bond for reorientations around the C(3) symmetry axis of the ammonium group. This result shows that the ammonium ions have to overcome an exceptionally low barrier to rotate and thereby break their H bonds. In addition, at temperatures above 200 K local diffusive reorientational motions of the phenyl rings, probably caused by interaction with ammonium-group reorientations, were found within the experimental observation time window. At room temperature a reorientation angle of 8.4 degrees +/-2 degrees and a correlation time of 22+/-8 ps were determined for the latter. The aromatic H bonds are extremely short lived due to the low potential barriers allowing for molecular motions with a reorientational character of the donors. The alternating rupture and formation of H bonds causes very strong damping of the librational motion of the acceptors, making the transient H bond appear rather flexible.