Structure-odor relationships of α-santalol derivatives with modified side chains

(Z)-α-Santalol, which has a unique woody odor, is a main constituent of sandalwood essential oil. We investigated the structure-odor relationship of (Z)-α-santalol and its derivatives, focusing on the relationship between the structure of the side chain and the odor of the compounds. Various α-santalol derivatives (aldehydes, formates, and acetates) were synthesized from (Z)- and (E)-α-santalol, which were prepared from (+)-3-bromocamphor through modifications of a reported synthetic route. The Z- and E-isomers of α-santalols have different double-bond configurations in the side chain. Analogues with saturated side chains were also prepared from the corresponding α-santalols, and the odors of the all the prepared compounds were evaluated. We found that the odors of the Z-isomers (woody) were similar to those of the corresponding saturated compounds, but clearly different from the odors of the corresponding E-isomers (odorless, fresh, or fatty). These results indicate that the relative configuration of the side chain with respect to the santalane frame plays an important role in the odor of α-santalol. E-configuration in the side chain eliminates the woody odor character of α-santalol and its examined derivatives, whereas the Z-configuration or saturation of the carbon side chain does not.     

Enantiorecognition ability of peptoids with α-chiral, aromatic side chains

The enantiorecognition ability of oligomeric N-substituted glycines or "peptoids" with α-chiral, aromatic side chains was investigated by HPLC and (1)H NMR studies.     

Derivation of structural models for two intercalated compounds of α-zirconium phosphate

Reasonable structural models are proposed for two intercalated compounds of-Zr(HPO₄)₂·H₂O (-ZrP), one with 2,2-bipyridyl (A) and another one with 1,10-phenanthroline (B). The models are derived by considerations of the unit-cell geometry changes undergone by-ZrP upon insertion of the organic molecules and on a set of general criteria of structural analysis, already developed by us and called the comparison method. If it is assumed that the water molecules in A and B keep the positions they have in-ZrP, as fixed by their links to the phosphate-OH groups, the inserted molecules, while obeying the general conditions of optimum packing, establish interactions of the hydrogen-bonding type with the water molecules. This modeling gives for A and B a possible structural explanation to the maximum number of inserted molecules of the two species, as fixed by their stoichiometry.     

Translocation of α-helix chains through a nanopore

The translocation of α-helix chains through a nanopore is studied through Langevin dynamics simulations. The α-helix chains exhibit several different characteristics about their average translocation times and the α-helix structures when they transport through the nanopores under the driving forces. First, the relationship between average translocation times τ and the chain length N satisfies the scaling law, τ～N(α), and the scaling exponent α depends on the driving force f for the small forces while it is close to the Flory exponent (ν) in the other force regions. For the chains with given chain lengths, it is observed that the dependence of the average translocation times can be expressed as τ～f(-1/2) for the small forces while can be described as τ～f in the large force regions. Second, for the large driving force, the average number of α-helix structures N(h) decreases first and then increases in the translocation process. The average waiting time of each bead, especially of the first bead, is also dependent on the driving forces. Furthermore, an elasticity spring model is presented to reasonably explain the change of the α-helix number during the translocation and its elasticity can be locally damaged by the large driving forces. Our results demonstrate the unique behaviors of α-helix chains transporting through the pores, which can enrich our insights into and knowledge on biopolymers transporting through membranes.     

Explaining the structural plasticity of α-synuclein

Given that α-synuclein has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, deciphering the structure of this protein is of particular importance. While monomeric α-synuclein is disordered in solution, it can form aggregates rich in cross-β structure, relatively long helical segments when bound to micelles or lipid vesicles, and a relatively ordered helical tetramer within the native cell environment. To understand the physical basis underlying this structural plasticity, we generated an ensemble for monomeric α-synuclein using a Bayesian formalism that combines data from NMR chemical shifts, RDCs, and SAXS with molecular simulations. An analysis of the resulting ensemble suggests that a non-negligible fraction of the ensemble (0.08, 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.12) places the minimal toxic aggregation-prone segment in α-synuclein, NAC(8-18), in a solvent exposed and extended conformation that can form cross-β structure. Our data also suggest that a sizable fraction of structures in the ensemble (0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.04-0.23) contains long-range contacts between the N- and C-termini. Moreover, a significant fraction of structures that contain these long-range contacts also place the NAC(8-18) segment in a solvent exposed orientation, a finding in contrast to the theory that such long-range contacts help to prevent aggregation. Lastly, our data suggest that α-synuclein samples structures with amphipathic helices that can self-associate via hydrophobic contacts to form tetrameric structures. Overall, these observations represent a comprehensive view of the unfolded ensemble of monomeric α-synuclein and explain how different conformations can arise from the monomeric protein.     

A porous silicon immunoassay platform for fluorometric determination of α-synuclein in human cerebrospinal fluid

Levels of total and/or oligomeric α-synuclein may be used as a biomarker tool to aid in the diagnosis and development of new disease-modifying therapies. We report here on a porous silicon antibody microarray for the fluorimetric determination of cerebrospinal fluid levels of total α-synuclein, a protein involved the pathology of Parkinson’s disease. The surface of porous silicon has a 3-dimensional macro- and nanoporous structure, and this offers a large binding capacity for capturing probe molecules. Porous silicon also warrants efficient immobilization of antibodies by surface adsorption, and does not require chemical immobilization. The platform requires 10 μL of cerebrospinal fluid, and each test requires 4 h for assay only (including immobilization of capturing antibody). The limit of detection is 35 pg mL^?1 of α-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid, and the dynamic analytical range extends from 0.01 to 100 ng·mL^?1.

Synthesis of a versatile building block for the preparation of 6-N-derivatized α-galactosyl ceramides: rapid access to biologically active glycolipids

A concise route to the 6-azido-6-deoxy-α-galactosyl-phytosphingosine derivative 9 is reported. Orthogonal protection of the two amino groups allows elaboration of 9 into a range of 6-N-derivatized α-galactosyl ceramides by late-stage introduction of the acyl chain of the ceramide and the 6-N-group in the sugar headgroup. Biologically active glycolipids 6 and 8 have been synthesized to illustrate the applicability of the approach.     

Hyperpolarizability of polyene chains in Hückel model with an accounting for real geometry

It has been found that in the transconfiguration, the Hückel hyperpolarizability of -shells ( ) vanishes at a bond angle of 125. The cis configuration is characterized by alternation of the sign of , depending on whether N/2 is odd or even (N is the number of carbon atoms). Approximate relationships have been established: for the trans form, and for the cis form.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 25–28, January–February, 1992.The authors wish to express their sincere appreciation to A. V. Luzanov for steady interest in the work and for detailed discussion of the entire set of problems that are involved.     

Reaction of Oximes of α-Diketones with Diphosphorous Tetraiodide for Preparation of Oxadiazoles and Nitriles

The utility of diphosphorous tetraiodide as a new, mild, condensing agent for synthesis of oxadiazole is described. These data indicate the simple dehydration of oximes to 1,2,5-oxadiazole as well as the rearrangements of oximes to normal Beckmann product 1,2,4-oxadiazole. However, mono-oxime of benzil undergoes abnormal Beckman rearrangement to benzaldehyde as major product. The described method is simple and important for the synthesis of the oxadiazoles as well as for nitriles.     

Reactions of alkylidenepyrrolidines with α-chlorooximes and α-chlorohydrazones

The reactions of alkylidenepyrrolidines with α-chlorooximes give isoxazoles via an acylation reaction followed by ring isomerisation. In contrast, and in line with a previous report, the corresponding α-chlorohydrazones give the simple acylation products, although in one instance a cycloadduct was also obtained.     

Reactions of α-nitroacrylates with thiophenols

Reactions of α-nitroacrylates with aromatic thiols like 4-methyl- and 4-chlorothiophenols afford a series of new 3-arylsulfanyl-2-nitropropanoates. The latter were isolated as diastereomerically pure substances or mixtures of two diastereomers. Structures of the obtained S-adducts were confirmed by IR, ¹H and ¹³C-{¹H} NMR spectroscopy using HMQC and HMBC experiments.     

Quantum-chemical modeling of the mechanism for reaction of arenesulfonyl chlorides with α-amino acids

We have calculated the potential energy surface for arenesulfonylation reactions of a-amino acids and glycine hydrates. We have shown that all the reactions occur via a complicated route, with varying angle of attack by the nucleophile according to an S _N2 mechanism. Hydration of glycine lowers the activation energy compared with the gas phase.     

Reactions of α-halonitrosoalkanes with resorcinol

-Halonitrosoalkanes react with resorcinol as nitrosylating agents to form 3-hydroxy-N-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,4-quinone imine.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademioi Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp.773–774, March, 1996.     

Copolymerization of Isobutylene with α-Pinene

The copolymerization of isobutylene with α-pinene has been investigated by using EtA1Cb in ethyl chloride diluent at ca. -105°C. The copolymerizations proceeded readily and gave random copolymers of reasonably high molecular weights. Copolymer homogeneity, composition and structure was investigated by GPC, solubility behavior, PMR (60 and 300 MHz), CMR, reactivity ratio determination, and vulcanization behavior.     

Method for Conversion of α-Ketols to Ketones. Deoxygenation with Iodotrimethylsilane

Iodotrimethylsilane has rapidly become a valuable reagent for organic synthesis since its use in the cleavage of alkyl esters and ethers^1,2,3 under essentially neutral conditions was introduced. For example, the conversion of ketals to ketones⁴, alcohols to iodides⁵, alkyl carbamates to amines, and sulfoxides to sulfides⁷ can now be readily promoted by iodotrimethylsilane.