1H NMR spectra of oxiranes. cis-Arylmethyl oxiranes substituted in the phenyl ring

The ¹H NMR parameters for a number of cis-arylmethyl oxiranes are reported and discussed in comparison with those of trans derivatives and styrene oxides substituted in the phenyl ring. While the macroscopic behaviour of the results is in agreement with a perturbative mechanism through the oxirane ring that is mainly electrostatic in character, a small contribution due to conjugative interaction is not excluded. It seems likely that the effect of substituents in the phenyl ring is mainly transmitted through bonds rather than through space, and that the different polarisation of the C? H bonds in the oxirane ring is mainly responsible for the different behaviour of the protons in cis- and trans- arylmethyl oxiranes towards the effect of substituents.     

Concerning some unusual trimethylsilyl proton chemical shifts

Proton and ¹³C NMR data are presented for six different compounds containing the fragment C₆H₅? C? CH₂SiMe₃. In a number of instances it was observed that, in the ¹H NMR spectrum, the SiMe₃ groups had a chemical shift significantly upfield from internal tetramethylsilane (δ = ?0·14 to ?0·36). These unexpected upfield chemical shifts of the SiMe₃ groups are suggested to result from the predominance, on a time averaged basis, of conformations which place the methyl groups attached to silicon in the face of an aromatic ring. The preference for such conformations is, in turn, the result of rotational preferences exhibited by the ‘flat’ aromatic ring. These results suggest that conformational analysis of systems containing a phenyl ring should take more explicit account of the fact that the preferred orientation of this phenyl ring can have a profound influence on the conformation adopted by the remainder of the molecule. In addition, the preferred conformation of the phenyl ring can have a significant effect upon the observed ¹H NMR chemical shifts, while the ¹³C chemical shifts are relatively insensitive to conformational factors and can be explained by well-known substituent effects previously delineated for all-carbon systems.     

Conformational origin of glassy-state relaxation and ductility in aromatic polycarbonates

A new two-state conformational transition is proposed to explain the large, low-temperature mechanical loss peak seen in glassy polycarbonates. Restricted Hartree Fock ab initio calculations at the 6–31G7 level for diphenyl carbonate (DPC), a key model compound of bisphenol-A polycarbonate, reveal two inequivalent trans-trans carbonate-ring conformations both of which will exist in solution, melt or glassy states. These calculations appear to be the first high level ones (with full geometry optimization) reported for DPC, and the findings are consistent with earlier ab initio results for phenyl formate and other smaller model compounds and also with single-crystal X-ray data for DPC and oligomers. In addition to a trans-trans conformer of DPC with both phenyl rings on the same side of the carbonate unit (called the ‘syn’ conformer) which is seen in the crystalline state of DPC, an ‘anti’ conformer of lower energy is found, which has its two phenyl rings located on opposite sides of the plane of the carbonate unit. Analysis of these calculated ground state geometries and energies as well as experimental single crystal X-ray results indicates that the ‘anti’ conformer has the lowest energy in the gas phase and solution, while the ‘syn’ conformation is stabilized relative to the ‘anti’ in the bulk, probably because of aromatic ring interactions between neighbour chain segments. In the glassy state of either DPC or polycarbonate, one expects a nearly random mixture of ‘syn/anti’ conformers, and the prominent low-temperature mechanical loss peak observed in many polycarbonates is consistent with a molecular level two-state process consisting of ‘syn/ anti’ carbonate conformer conversions. These conformational transitions must involve rotation and translation of both the carbonate units and, most importantly, the neighbouring phenyl groups. The possible influence of these conformational changes and the accompanying correlated molecular motions on polymer ductility and ageing is briefly discussed.     

7‐Hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐6,8‐dimethylflavanone: a natural flavonoid

The title flavonoid [systematic name: (2S)‐7‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐6,8‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐3,4‐dihydrochromen‐4(2H)‐one], C₁₈H₁₈O₄, displays statistical conformational disorder, with three conformations of the molecule involving three orientations of the phenyl ring and two orientations of the fused heterocyclic ring. The conformational disorder is correlated with the isomerization equilibrium between the flavanone and chalcone forms. The conformational behaviour has a potential impact on the biological activity of this class of compounds. Moreover, π stacking interactions at van der Waals distances are present between the aromatic rings of chroman‐4‐one groups of symmetry‐related molecules. Apart from these π–π interactions, molecules are linked by strong O—H...O hydrogen bonds between hydroxy and carbonyl groups.     

Conformational Analysis of Didemnins. A multidisciplinary approach by means of X-Ray,NMR, molecular-dynamics,and molecular-mechanics techniques

We present the application of several homo- and heteronuclear 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques to assign the ¹H-NMR chemical shifts of the dominant conformation of didemnin B ( 2 ; three different conformations in (D₆)DMSO solution in the ratio 8:1:1) and its conformational analysis, as well as the solution conformation of didemnin A ( 1 ). The conformations were refined by restrained molecular-dynamics calculations using the GROMOS program and by MOMO, a novel personal-computer-based interactive molecular-graphics and molecular-mechanics package, using experimental distances (via a H…H pseudo potential function) as restraints. The solution structures of 1 and 2 obtained by GROMOS and MOMO calculations were compared with each other and related to the recently solved crystal structure of 2 . Focusing on the main conformer, the two kinds of the distance-restrained conformational calculations for 2 yielded a ‘solution structure’ close to the crystal structure. Almost all of the 40 restrained H…H distances coincided (within the estimated standard deviations) with those observed in the crystal structure. One more hydrogen bond was detected in solution involving the lactoyl OH group (disordered in the crystal structure) and the dimethyltyrosine (Me₂Tyr⁵) carbonyl O-atom. The macrocyclic ring system in the modeled solution structure of 1 exhibited a topology close to those of the solution and crystal structures of 2 . The main difference between 1 and 2 could be traced back to a significant change in the Ψ angle of the N-methyl-D-leucine (MeLeu⁷) residue. In 1 , the N-methyl moiety of MeLeu⁷ points inward within the macrocyclic ring toward the 1st and Hip region. We also tested the suitability of structures obtained from NMR data as ‘search fragments’ in the ‘Patterson search approach’ of crystal-structure analysis. It proved possible to resolve the crystal structure of 2 a posteriori with the Patterson search program PATSEE, in this way.     

The ESI CAD fragmentations of protonated 2,4,6‐tris(benzylamino)‐ and tris(benzyloxy)‐1,3,5‐triazines involve benzyl–benzyl interactions: a DFT study

The electrospray ionization collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectra of protonated 2,4,6‐tris(benzylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (1) and 2,4,6‐tris(benzyloxy)‐1,3,5‐triazine (6) show abundant product ion of m/z 181 (C₁₄H₁₃⁺). The likely structure for C₁₄H₁₃⁺ is α‐[2‐methylphenyl]benzyl cation, indicating that one of the benzyl groups must migrate to another prior to dissociation of the protonated molecule. The collision energy is high for the ‘N’ analog (1) but low for the ‘O’ analog (6) indicating that the fragmentation processes of 1 requires high energy. The other major fragmentations are [M + H‐toluene]⁺ and [M + H‐benzene]⁺ for compounds 1 and 6, respectively. The protonated 2,4,6‐tris(4‐methylbenzylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (4) exhibits competitive eliminations of p‐xylene and 3,6‐dimethylenecyclohexa‐1,4‐diene. Moreover, protonated 2,4,6‐tris(1‐phenylethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine (5) dissociates via three successive losses of styrene. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that an ion/neutral complex (INC) between benzyl cation and the rest of the molecule is unstable, but the protonated molecules of 1 and 6 rearrange to an intermediate by the migration of a benzyl group to the ring ‘N’. Subsequent shift of a second benzyl group generates an INC for the protonated molecule of 1 and its product ions can be explained from this intermediate. The shift of a second benzyl group to the ring carbon of the first benzyl group followed by an H‐shift from ring carbon to ‘O’ generates the key intermediate for the formation of the ion of m/z 181 from the protonated molecule of 6. The proposed mechanisms are supported by high resolution mass spectrometry data, deuterium‐labeling and CAD experiments combined with DFT calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stereochemical control of calixarenes useful as rigid and conformationally diversiform platforms for molecular design

Stereochemical problems and related functions of calix[4]arenes, calix[6]arenes and their chiral derivatives have been reviewed. In p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (1H₄) and its mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-O-alkyl derivatives (1H₃R, 1H₂R₂,1HR₃, and 1R₄, respectively), 23 different homologues can exist (including 1H₄). We found that the OH group in the unmodified phenol unit is permeable through the calix[4]arene ring. Thus, several conformational isomers become equivalent after the ‘oxygen-through-the-annulus’ rotation of the OH group and the number of possible homologues is reduced to 13 (including 1H₃). We report in this paper the syntheses of all of these possible conformational isomers using a protection-deprotection method with a benzyl group and metal template effects. On the other hand, all possible chiral isomers that can be derived from calix[4]arene by modification of the OH groups have been systematically classified. Molecular asymmetry can be generated not only by different substituents but also by conformational isomerism. The numbers of chiral isomers are 17 for tetra-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, 9 for tri-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, 3 for di-O-substituted calix[4]arenes, and 0 for mono-O-substituted calix[4]arenes. Chiral calix[4]arenes can also be designed by the introduction of a substituent into the m-position of a phenol unit or by the use of a dissymmetric ‘stapling reaction’ in proximal phenol units. In p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, the conformational behaviour is totally different from that in p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene. A large degree of conformational freedom remains in the framework, and both ‘oxygen-through-the-annulus rotation’ and ‘para-substituent-through-the-annulus rotation’ can take place. However, when metal cations are bound to calix[6]aryl esters, the conformation is changed to a cone type. Bridging and capping are powerful methods to immobilize the conformation of calix[6]arenes. In addition, definitive evidence for ring immobilization was obtained from the absence of racemization in the chiral calix[6]arene. A successful example of chiral recognition for α-amino acid derivatives was achieved by using chiral homooxacalix[3]arene which has ‘pseudo C₂ symmetry’. These examples indicate that calixarenes serve as rigid and conformationally diversiform platforms for the design of novel functional supramolecules.     

Zinc- and Cadmium meso-Aryl-Isoporphyrins: Non-Aromatic NIR Dyes with Distinct Conformational Features

A series of pyrrolyl and dipyrrinyl isoporphyrins carrying different phenyl and thienyl groups is reported. The compounds are obtained by a one-pot approach in the presence of a template reagent. Thienyl derivatives gave better yields, and were the only subclass to form with steric hindrance. The structural analyses carried out on compounds 1 and 14 revealed distinct conformational differences which are likely to result from an intramolecular NH^…Cl hydrogen bridge of the pyrrolyl subclass. In addition, this hydrogen bridge strongly favors one of the two possible atropisomers. Hindered rotation of the meso-aryl groups is observed only in the cases of methylbenzothienyl derivatives 10 and 15 and leads to the observation of several diastereomers. NIR absorptions up to 923 nm are found throughout. Electrochemical investigations into the 1e⁻ and 2e⁻ reduced species unravel axial ligand exchange dynamics for the zinc isoporphyrin radical, and the probable formation of a zinc phlorinate.     

Investigation into Sonogashira reaction on 5-iodo-1-(phenyl/p-halophenyl)imidazole-4-carbonitrile compounds

Investigation into Sonogashira reaction on 5-iodo-1-(phenyl/p-halophenyl)imidazole-4-carbonitrile compounds had been developed by introducing an iodo atom at the C-5 position of the imidazole ring of 5-amino-1-(phenyl/p-halophenyl)imidazole-4-carbonitrile compounds. Specifically, 5-iodo-1-(4-iodophenyl)imidazole-4-carbonitrile compound had shown double Sonogashira coupling reactions with two differently substituted iodine along with the formation of two other compounds where an unusual coupling product with self-aggregation property was obtained. In other cases, monocoupling had been observed together with another compound where iodine atom present at C5 position of imidazole was replaced by hydrogen atom.     

Experimental and Theoretical Conformational Analysis of 5‐Benzylimidazolidin‐4‐one Derivatives – a ‘Playground’ for Studying Dispersion Interactions and a ‘Windshield‐Wiper’ Effect in Organocatalysis

The PF₆ salts of 5‐benzyl‐1‐isopropylidene‐ and 5‐benzyl‐1‐cinnamylidene‐3‐methylimidazolidin‐4‐ones 1 (Scheme) with various substituents in the 2‐position have been prepared, and single crystals suitable for X‐ray structure determination have been obtained of 14 such compounds, i.e., 2 – 10 and 12 – 16 (Figs. 2–5). In nine of the structures, the Ph ring of the benzyl group resides above the heterocycle, in contact with the cis‐substituent at C(2) (staggered conformation A ; Figs. 1–3); in three structures, the Ph ring lies above the iminium π‐plane (staggered conformation B ; Figs. 1 and 4); in two structures, the benzylic C? C bond has an eclipsing conformation ( C ; Figs. 1 and 5) which places the Ph ring simultaneously at a maximum distance with its neighbors, the CO group, the N?C‐π‐system, and the cis‐substituent at C(2) of the heterocycle. It is suggested by a qualitative conformational analysis (Fig. 6) that the three staggered conformations of the benzylic C? C bond are all subject to unfavorable steric interactions, so that the eclipsing conformation may be a kind of ‘escape’. State‐of‐the‐art quantum‐chemical methods, with large AO basic sets (near the limit) for the single‐point calculations, were used to compute the structures of seven of the 14 iminium ions, i.e., 3, 4 / 12, 5 – 7, 13 , and 16 (Table) in the two staggered conformations, A and B , with the benzylic Ph group above the ring and above the iminium π‐system, respectively. In all cases, the more stable computed conformer (‘isolated‐molecule’ structure) corresponds to the one present in the crystal (overlay in Fig. 7). The energy differences are small (≤2 kcal/mol) which, together with the result of a potential‐curve calculation for the rotation around the benzylic C? C bond of one of the structures, 16 (Fig. 8), suggests that the benzyl group is more or less freely rotating at ambident temperatures. The importance of intramolecular London dispersion (benzene ring in ‘contact’ with the cis‐substituent in conformation A ) for DFT and other quantum‐chemical computations is demonstrated; the benzyl‐imidazolidinones 1 appear to be ideal systems for detecting dispersion contributions between a benzene ring and alkyl or aryl CH groups. Enylidene ions of the type studied herein are the reactive intermediates of enantioselective organocatalytic conjugate additions, Diels–Alder reactions, and many other transformations involving α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Our experimental and theoretical results are discussed in view of the performance of 5‐benzyl‐imidazolidinones as enantioselective catalysts.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Thermal Behavior of Carboranyl–Styrene Decorated Octasilsesquioxanes: Influence of the Carborane Clusters on Photoluminescence

Novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) or octasilsesquioxanes with carboranyl–styrene fragments attached to each corner are described. These compounds have been synthesized by olefin‐metathesis reactions between octavinylsilsesquioxane and carboranyl–styrene compounds that possess different substituents (Ph, Me, or H). In all cases, these reactions, which were catalyzed by the Grubbs catalyst, are highly regioselective and yield exclusively the E isomers. The existence of the carborane cage in the POSS structure induces a remarkable thermal stability in these compounds. After combustion at 1000 °C, these carboranyl–POSS compounds exhibit a mass loss lower than 10 %. The UV/Vis absorption data of these carboranyl–POSS compounds shows a slight bathochromic shift with respect to the carboranyl–styrene monomers, with an absorption maximum around 262 nm. Nevertheless, important differences in the emission spectra of the carboranyl–POSS compounds with regard to their carboranyl–styrene precursors are observed; the phenyl‐o‐carborane‐containing POSS compound exhibits the highest fluorescence intensity (Φ_F=44 %), whereas for the POSS compound bearing the methyl substituent, and for the unsubstituted o‐carborane clusters, the fluorescence intensity is much lower (Φ_F=9 and 2 %, respectively). This is precisely the reverse of what occurs with the monomers, in which the unsubstituted o‐carboranyl–styrene compound exhibits the highest Φ_F, and a quenching of the fluorescence is observed in the phenyl‐o‐carboranyl–styrene compound. In addition, a large red shift of around 100 nm is observed for the POSS compounds with respect to their precursors. These experimental results can only be accounted for by the spatial ordering induced by the POSS core that eases interactions, which otherwise would not occur. These results have been confirmed by time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations that exclude a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process in the POSS compounds.     

Synthesis of Macrocyclic Lactones via Ring Transformation of 4‐(ω‐Hydroxyalkyl)‐1,3‐oxazol‐5(4H)‐ones

The synthesis of α‐benzamido‐α‐benzyl lactones 23 of various ring size was achieved either via ‘direct amide cyclization’ by treatment of 2‐benzamido‐2‐benzyl‐ω‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dimethylalkanamides 21 in toluene at 90 – 110° with HCl gas or by ‘ring transformation’ of 4‐benzyl‐4‐(ω‐hydroxyalkyl)‐2‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxazol‐5(4H)‐ones under the same conditions. The precursors were obtained by C‐alkylations of 4‐benzyl‐2‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxazol‐5(4H)‐one ( 15 ) with THP‐ or TBDMS‐protected ω‐hydroxyalkyl iodides. Ring opening of the THP‐protected oxazolones by treatment with Me₂NH followed by deprotection of the OH group gave the diamides 21 , whereas deprotection of the TBDMS series of oxazolones 25 with TBAF followed by treatment with HCl gas led to the corresponding lactones 23 in a one‐pot reaction.     

Polarity and steric effect of di-lateral substitution on the mesophase behaviour of some azo/ester compounds

Eight homologous series of 2-(or 3-)substituted phenyl 4?-(4″-alkoxy (2?-, or 3″-substituted phenylazo) benzoates (In_XY) were prepared in which the suffix ‘X’ refers to the lateral substituent X attached to the terminal benzene ring that carries the alkoxy group, and the suffix ‘Y’ refers to the substituent attached to the other terminal phenyl group. Within each homologous series, the length of the terminal alkoxy group varies from 8 to 16 carbons, while the lateral polar substituents, X and Y, alternatively varies between CH₃ and F. The mesophase behaviour was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and identified by polarised optical microscopy. The results were discussed in terms of the polarity and steric effects of the two lateral substituents. Comparative correlations were made to investigate the effect of the second lateral substituent on the mesophase behaviour of the previously investigated mono-laterally substituted analogues. UV–vis spectroscopic study revealed that the compounds I8_XY exhibited two absorption bands: low intense bands at 254–263 and a broad band at 364–376 nm. These bands are attributed to the π–π? transition of the phenyl rings and the whole mesogenic portion.     

Influence of the chemical structure of dithiocarbamates with different N‐groups on the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of styrene

Polymerizations of styrene with azobisisobutyronitrile initiation or thermal initiation have been performed in the presence of dithiocarbamates with different N‐groups, that is, benzyl 4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazole‐1‐carbodithioate ( 2a ), benzyl 1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐carbodithioate ( 2b ), benzyl indole‐1‐carbodithioate ( 2c ), benzyl 2‐phenyl‐indole‐1‐carbodithioate ( 2d ), benzyl phenothiazine‐10‐carbodithioate ( 2e ), benzyl 9H‐carbazole‐9‐carbodithioate ( 2f ), and benzyl dibenzo[b,f]azepine‐5‐carbodithioate ( 2g ). The results show that the structure of the N‐group of dithiocarbamates has significant effects on the activity of dithiocarbamates for the polymerization of styrene. 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , and 2f are effective reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents for the RAFT polymerization of styrene, and the polymerizations have good living characteristics. However, in the cases of 2e and 2g , the obtained polymers have uncontrolled molecular weights and broad molecular weight distributions. The polymerization rate is markedly influenced by the conjugation structure of the N‐group of the dithiocarbamate, and the polymerization rate of 2b is greater than that of 2a . For 2b , the rate of polymerization seems independent of the RAFT agent concentration. However, a significant retardation in the rate of polymerization can be observed in the case of 2c . 2d is more effective than 2c , and the substitution group of phenyl on this dithiocarbamate has obvious effects on the effectiveness of the controlled polymerization of styrene. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4849–4856, 2005     

Abundant Intramolecular Ring Rearrangements of 1-(N-Benzyloxycarbonylamino)arylmethylphosphonate Phenyl monoesters Under Electrospray Ionization Conditions

Abstract

The mass spectrometric behavior of 1-(N-benzyloxycarbonylamino)arylmethyl-phosphonate phenyl monoesters was investigated under positive ion electrospray ionization conditions. All nitrogen-protonated title compounds undergo four- and/or six-membered ring rearrangements to yield nitrogen-containing fragment ions by consecutive or simultaneous loss of a carbon dioxide and phenyl hydrogen phosphonate or phenyl benzylphosphonate or an arylmethylimine. All oxygen-protonated title compounds undergo four- to six-membered ring rearrangements to produce fragment ions by loss of a carbon dioxide plus an arylmethylimine, or phenyl benzylphosphonate, by consecutive or simultaneous loss of benzyl phenyl ether and isocyanic acid. The fragmentation is obviously different from the corresponding methyl and ethyl monoesters, which show a tendency to undergo intramolecular four-membered ring rearrangements only.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT      

Two biologically active thio­phene‐3‐carbox­amide derivatives

The compounds 2‐{[(E)‐(4‐methoxy­phenyl)­methyl­ene]­amino}‐N‐(3‐methyl­phenyl)‐4,5,6,7‐tetra­hydro‐1‐benzo­thio­ph­ene‐3‐carbox­amide, C₂₄H₂₄N₂O₂S, (I), and N‐(4‐meth­yl­phenyl)‐2‐{[(E)‐(4‐methyl­phenyl)­methyl­ene]­amino}‐4,5,6,7‐tetra­hydro‐1‐benzo­thio­phene‐3‐carbox­amide, C₂₄H₂₄N₂OS, (II), show antibacterial and antifungal activities. The m‐toluidine ring in (I) and the p‐toluidine ring in (II) are coplanar with their respective thio­phene rings. In (I), an intermolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond is present, whereas (II) does not exhibit any significant intermolecular interactions. However, in both compounds, an intramolecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond forms a pseudo‐six‐membered ring, thus locking the molecular conformation and eliminating conformational flexibility.     

Synthesis of lipophilic lariat ethers with pendant N‐(X)sulfonyl carboxamide groups

Synthetic routes to sixteen lipophilic lariat ether N‐(X)sulfonyl carboxamides with X = trifluoromethyl, methyl, phenyl, and p‐nitrophenyl are described. For this new family of proton‐ionizable lariat ethers in which the acidity can be ‘tuned’ by X group variation, the ring size is systematically varied from 12‐crown‐4 to 14‐crown‐4 to 15‐crown‐5 to 18‐crown‐6.     

Steric as well as n→π* Interaction Controls the Conformational Preferences of Phenyl Acetate: Gas‐phase Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Herein, we report that the conformational preference of phenyl acetate is governed by steric effect and n→π* interaction. Conformation‐specific electronic and IR spectroscopy combined with quantum chemistry calculations confirm the presence of only the cis conformer of phenyl acetate in the experiment. The cis conformer of phenyl acetate has n→π* interaction between the lone‐pair electrons on the carbonyl oxygen atom and the π* orbitals of the phenyl group. The n→π* interaction is absent in the trans conformer which has additional steric repulsion between the methyl group and phenyl ring. The trans conformer is higher in energy than the cis conformer by ≈3 kcal mol^?1. We have found the effect of methyl substitution on the strength of the n→π* interaction, steric repulsion, and hyperconjugation in phenyl acetate. The red‐shift observed in the cis conformer of phenyl acetate with respect to the trans conformer is affected due to the influence of the methyl substituent on the strength of the n→π* interaction as well as hyperconjugation. The present result demonstrates that the introduction of a bulkier substituent can induce steric as well as electronic control to reduce conformational heterogeneity of a molecular system. Understanding the effect of bulkier substituents to promote defined conformations having specific non‐covalent interactions may have implication in better perception of the optimum structure and function of biomolecules as well as recognition of drugs by biomolecules.     

Thermal Reactions of Guaiazulene and Its 3-Methyl Derivative with Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate

The thermal reaction of 7-isopropyl-1,3,4-trimethylazulene (3-methylguaiazulene; 2 ) with excess dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (ADM) in decalin at 200° leads to the formation of the corresponding heptalene- ( 5a/5b and 6a/6b ; cf. Scheme 3) and azulene-1,2-dicarboxylates ( 7 and 8 , respectively). Together with small amounts of a corresponding tetracyclic compound (‘anti’- 13 ) these compounds are obtained via rearrangement (→ 5a/5b and 6a/6b ), retro-Diels-Alder reaction (→ 7 and 8 ), and Diels-Alder reaction with ADM (→ ‘anti’- 13 ) from the two primary tricyclic intermediates ( 14 and 15 ; cf. Scheme 5) which are formed by site-selective addition of ADM to the five-membered ring of 2 . In a competing Diels-Alder reaction, ADM is also added to the seven-membered ring of 2 , leading to the formation of the tricyclic compounds 9 and 10 and of the Diels-Alder adducts ‘anti’- 11 and ‘anti’- 12 , respectively of 9 and of a third tricyclic intermediate 16 which is at 200° in thermal equilibrium with 9 and 10 (cf. Scheme 6). The heptalenedicarboxylates 5a and 5b as well as 6a and 6b are interconverting slowly already at ambient temperature (Scheme 4). The thermal reaction of guaiazulene ( 1 ) with excess ADM in decalin at 190° leads alongside with the known heptalene- ( 3a ) and azulene-1,2-dicarboxylates ( 4 ; cf. Schemes 2 and 7) to the formation of six tetracyclic compounds ‘anti’- 17 to ‘anti’- 21 as well as ‘syn’- 19 and small amounts of a 4:1 mixture of the tricyclic tetracarboxylates 22 and 23 . The structure of the tetracyclic compounds can be traced back by a retro-Diels-Alder reaction to the corresponding structures of tricyclic compounds ( 24--29 ; cf. Scheme 8) which are thermally interconverting by [1,5]-C shifts at 190°. The tricyclic tetracarboxylates 22 and 23 , which are slowly equilibrating already at ambient temperature, are formed by thermal addition of ADM to the seven-membered ring of dimethyl 5-isopropyl-3,8-dimethylazulene-1,2-dicarboxylate ( 7 ; cf. Scheme 10). Azulene 7 which is electronically deactivated by the two MeOCO groups at C(1) and C(2) shows no more thermal reactivity in the presence of ADM at the five-membered ring (cf. Scheme 11). The tricyclic tetracarboxylates 22 and 23 react with excess ADM at 200° in a slow Diels-Alder reaction to form the tetracyclic hexacarboxylates 32 , ‘anti’- 33 , and ‘anti’- 34 (cf. Schemes 10–12 as well as Scheme 13). A structural correlation of the tri- and tetracyclic compounds is only feasible if thermal equilibration via [1,5]-C shifts between all six possible tricyclic tetracarboxylates ( 22, 23 , and 35–38 ; cf. Scheme 13) is assumed. The tetracyclic hexacarboxylates 32 , ‘anti’- 33 , and ‘anti’- 34 seem to arise from the most strained tricyclic intermediates ( 36–38 ) by the Diels-Alder reaction with ADM.     

Synthesis and activity mechanism of some novel 2-substituted benzothiazoles as hGSTP1-1 enzyme inhibitors$

Abstract

Human GSTP1-1 is one of the most important proteins, which overexpresses in a large number of human tumours and is involved in the development of resistance to several anticancer drugs. So, it has become an important target in cancer treatment. In this study, 12 benzothiazole derivatives were synthesized and screened for their in vitro inhibitory activity for hGSTP1-1. Among these compounds, two of them (compounds #2 and #5) have been found to be the leads when compared with the reference drug etoposide. In order to analyse the structure–activity relationships (SARs) and to investigate the binding side interactions of the observed lead compounds, a HipHop pharmacophore model was generated and the molecular docking studies were performed by using CDocker method. In conclusion, it is observed that the lead compounds #2 and #5 possessed inhibitory activity on the hGSTP1-1 by binding to the H-site as a substrate in which the para position of the phenyl ring of the benzamide moiety on the benzothiazole ring is important. Substitution at this position with a hydrophobic group that reduces the electron density at the phenyl ring is required for the interaction with the H side active residue Tyr108.