5-Hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine. Cytotoxicity and DNA incorporation studied by using a novel [2-14C]-derivative with normal and leukemic human hematopoietic cells

5-Hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine is a biologically active thymidine analogue. This investigation was aimed at characterizing the cytotoxicity of 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine and its incorporation into DNA. Fifty percent inhibition of cellular proliferation, assessed by incorporation of [U-14C]-L-leucine in vitro, was caused by 1.7-5.8 X 10(-5) incorporation of [U-14C]-L-leucine in vitro, was caused by 1.7-5.8 X 10(-5) M 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine in seven human leukemia cell lines. Higher concentrations of 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine, i.e. 6-8 X 10(-5) M, were required for a comparable inhibition in human PHA-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. A new synthesis procedure for [2-14C]5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine was developed. The net incorporation of [2-14C]5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine into DNA of hematopoietic cells was low. The possibility of a repair mechanism for 5-hydroxymethyluracil bound to DNA is discussed.     

Synthesis of 2-dichloromethyl-2-methyl [2-14C]-1,3-dioxolane

The labelled compound was prepared by chlorination of [2-¹⁴C]acetone obtained from the barium salt of [1-¹⁴C]acetic acid by pyrolysis. The reaction product 1,1-dichloro [2-¹⁴C]acetone was converted to 2-dichloromethyl-2-methyl [2-¹⁴C]-1,3-dioxolane by condensation with ethylene glycol in the presence of thionyl chloride. Radiochemical yield: 62% based on [1-¹⁴C]acetic acid.     

A new convenient method for the synthesis of [2-C]thymine utilizing [C]phosgene

β-(N-Benzoylamino)methacrylamide, a key intermediate for the preparation of [2-¹¹C]thymine, was synthesized in three steps from ethyl α-formylpropionate and NH₃. Reaction of the alkali metal salts of β-(N-benzoylamino)methacrylamide with [¹¹C]phosgene gave [2-¹¹C]thymine. The yield of [2-¹¹C]thymine was 362 ± 53 MBq at EOS (n = 3) (18 MeV proton beam; 10 μA, 10 min). The total synthesis was accomplished in just 16 min from the end of bombardment.     

Enzymatic Synthesis of [3-14C]Cinnamic Acid

Convenient and efficient route of the synthesis of [3-¹⁴C] cinnamic acid is reported. [1-¹⁴C]Benzoic acid, prepared by carbonation of Grignard reagent with [¹⁴C]carbon dioxide, was reduced to [1-¹⁴C]benzyl alcohol. In the enzymatic step this alcohol was selectively oxidised to [1-¹⁴C]benzaldehyde using enzyme YADH (Ec. 1.1.1.1) and immediately condensed with malonic acid. This combined chemical and enzymatic approach allows to obtain [3-¹⁴C]cinnamic acid with radiochemical yield higher than 50% in respect to the starting alcohol.     

A facile synthesis of 4,6-dimethoxy-[2-<Superscript>14</Superscript>C]-2-methylsulphonylpyrimidine

Summary 4,6-dimethoxy-2-methylsulphonylpyrimidine is a key intermediate for the synthesis of pyrithiobac-sodium, a selective herbicide for cotton plant. ¹⁴C labeled pyrithiobac-sodium is required for studying the translocation and metabolism in cotton plants. It was prepared by oxidation of 4,6-dimethoxy-[2-¹⁴C]-2-methylmercaptopyrimidine with H₅IO₆/CrO₃ in ethyl acetate at room temperature to give 4,6-dimethoxy-[2-¹⁴C]-2-methylsulphonylpyrimidine in high yields.     

Asymmetric synthesis of L-2-amino[3-11C]butyric acid, L-[3-11C]norvaline and L-[3-11C]valine

The short-lived radionuclide 11C (t1/2 = 20.4 min) has been used in the asymmetric synthesis of L-2-amino[3-11C]butyric acid, L-[3-11C]-norvaline and L-[3-11C]valine. The syntheses were performed by alkylation of [(+)-2-hydroxypinanyl-3-idene]-glycine tert-butyl ester under anhydrous conditions in tetrahydrofuran/1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidinone with lithiated 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine as base, using the appropriate 11C-alkyl iodides prepared in a one-pot reactor from [11C]carbon dioxide. Following removal of the protecting groups, the -[3-11C]amino acids were obtained in 80-82% enantiomeric excess and in 9-25% radiochemical yields, decay corrected and calculated on the basis of the amount of [11C]carbon dioxide at the start of the syntheses within 50-55 min.     

Multistep, microwave assisted, solvent free synthesis and antibacterial activity of 6-substituted-2,3,4-trihydropyrimido[1,2-c]9,10,11,12-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thieno[3,2-e]pyrimidines

A novel, efficient, microwave assisted route for the synthesis of 6-substituted-2,3,4-trihydropyrimido[1,2-c]-9,10,11,12-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thieno[3,2-e]pyrimidines in good yields has been developed. The intermediates, 2-substituted-4-[3-hydroxy(propyl-1-amino)]5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines were obtained by irradiating 2-substituted-4-chloro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines with 1-amino-propanol under basic conditions in a microwave oven. 4-Chlorothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines were synthesized by microwave irradiation of equimolar mixture of 4-hydroxythieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines and phosphorus oxychloride. The final compounds were screened for antibacterial activity by Kirby Bauer's method using amicacin as the standard against various gram positive and gram negative bacteria. All the compounds showed antibacterial activity comparable with the standard.     

Synthesis of [1-14C]-labeled mandelic acid under microwave condition

Summary We report here a facile synthesis of [1-¹⁴C]-mandelic acid. Benzyl bromide on cyanation with K¹⁴CN followed by acid hydrolysis in a microwave oven gave [1-¹⁴C] phenylacetic acid. The latter on a-bromination followed by hydrolysis under microwave irradiation for 2 minutes furnished the title compound.     

Synthèse des pyrido[2,3-d] el [3,2-d] -s-triazolo[3,4-f] pyrimidines el de (pyrazolyl-1')-4 pyrido[2,3-d] et [3,2-d] pyrimidines

The synthesis of two new heterocycles is described: pyrido-[2,3-d]-.s-triazolo[ 3,4-f] pyrimidine and pyrido[3,2-d]-.s-triayzolo-[3,4-f] pyrimidine. 4-[I'-Pyrazolyl]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines and 4-[1′-pyrazoly1] pyrido[ 3,2-d] pyrimidine are obtained by the action of 4-hydrazinopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine and 4-hydrazinopyrido-[3,2-d]pyrimidine with several β-diketones.     

Syntheses of [prolyl-U-14C]alacepril and its related compounds

In order to study the metabolic fate of alacepril, an anti-hypertensive agent, the 14C-labeled compound of alacepril and its related compounds were synthesized. [Prolyl-U-14C]alacepril was synthesized in over-all yield of 32.7-38.0% by the mixed anhydride condensation of L-phenylalanine with [prolyl-U-14C]DU-1163, which had been prepared from L-[U-14C]proline and N-(S-3-acetylthio-2-methylpropanoyloxy)succinimide. [Prolyl-U-14C]captopril and [prolyl-U-14C]DU-1227 were prepared in high yields by hydrolysis of [prolyl-U-14C]DU-1163 and [prolyl-U-14C]alacepril, respectively. [Prolyl-U-14C]captopril-cysteine was synthesized by condensation of [prolyl-U-14C]captopril with cystine S-monoxide in 55.0% yield.     

Synthesis of [5'-13C]ribonucleosides and 2'-deoxy[5'-13C]ribonucleosides

The present efficient synthesis of [5'-13C]ribonucleosides and 2'-deoxy[5'-13C]ribonucleosides is characterized by the synthesis of the D-[5-13C]ribose derivative as an intermediate via the Wittig reaction of 4-aldehydo-D-erythrose dialkyl acetals with Ph3P13CH3I-BuLi to introduce the 13C label at the 5-position of a pentose. This was followed by the highly diastereoselective osmium dihydroxylation for the preparation of 2,3-di-O-benzyl-D-[5-13C]ribose dialkyl acetal and the cyclization from D-[5-13C]ribose dialkyl acetal derivatives to the alkyl D-[5-13C]ribofuranoside derivative by the use of LiBF(4). The obtained D-[5-13C]ribose derivative was converted into [5'-13C]ribonucleosides and subsequently into the corresponding 2'-deoxynucleosides.     

Zur Biogenese der Betacyane: Versuche mit [2-14C]-Dopaxanthin

On the biogenesis of betacyanins. Expaiments with [2-¹⁴C]-dopaxanthine Labelled dopaxanthine is prepared from betanin by a double exchange procedure replacing first its cyclodopa part by diethylamine and effecting the second exchange with 2-[¹⁴C]-dopa on the purified intermediate ‘DEA-betalain’; the specific activity delivered with the dopa allowed accurate determination of ? in the electronic spectrum of dopaxanthine (λ_max 488 nm, ? = 41.800). The C(2)-labelled dopaxanthine is incubated into the fruits of Opuntia bergeriana. The incorporation rates into betanin are found to correspond approximately to those obtained in earlier experiments with labelled dopa alone: Only 1--5% of the label showed up in the cyclodopa moiety of the betanin (which is isolated as cyclodopa-glucoside) whereas 99--95% of the radioactivity was associated with the betalamic acid part (recovered in form of indicaxanthine).     

Synthesis of dl-[2-13C]leucine and it use in the preparation of [3-dl-[2-13C]leucine]oxytocin and [8-dl-[2-13C]leucine]oxytocin: Preparative separation of diastereoisomeric peptides by partition chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography

dl-[2-¹³C]Leucine was prepared by condensing the sodium salt of ethyl acetamido-[2-¹³C]cyanoacetate with isobutylbromide in hexamethylphosphoroustriamide followed by acid hydrolysis. N-Boc-dl-[2-¹³C]Leucine was prepared and incorporated into [8-dl-[2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin by total synthesis. The ¹³C-labeled hormone derivative [8-[2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin was separated from its 8-position diastereoisomer by partition chromatography. The specifically ¹³C-labeled peptide hormone diastereoisomeric analog [3-dl-[2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin also was prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis. No suitable solvent system for partition chromatography separation of the latter diastereoisomeric peptide mixture could be found. However an excellent preparative separation of the diastereoisomers could be obtained by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography on a partisil 10 M9 ODS column using the solvent system 0.05 M ammonium acetate (pH 4.0), acetonitrile (81:19, $\text{v}\text{v}$) to give pure [3-(2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin and [3-D-(2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin. An excellent separation of [8[2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin and the corresponding 8-D-leucine diastereoisomer derivative could also be accomplished by high pressure liquid chromatography.     

Generation and characterization of highly strained dibenzotetrakisdehydro[12]- and dibenzopentakisdehydro[14]annulenes

To generate dibenzotetrakisdehydro[12]- and dibenzopentakisdehydro[14]annulenes ([12]- and [14]DBAs) having a highly deformed triyne moiety, [4.3.2]propellatriene-anneleted dehydro[12]- and dehydro[14]annulenes were prepared as their precursors. UV irradiation of the precursors resulted in the photochemical [2 + 2] cycloreversion to generate the strained [12]- and [14]DBAs, respectively. The [12]DBA was not detected by 1H NMR spectroscopy, but it was intercepted as Diels-Alder adducts in solution, suggesting its intermediacy. Its spectroscopic characterization was successfully carried out by UV-vis spectroscopy in a 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) glass matrix at 77 K and by FT-IR spectroscopy in an argon matrix at 20 K. On the other hand, the [14]DBA was stable enough for observation by 1H and 13C NMR spectra in solution, though it was not isolated because of the low efficiency of the cycloreversion. The [14]DBA was also characterized by interception as Diels-Alder adducts in solution and by UV-vis spectroscopy in a MTHF glass matrix at 77 K. The kinetic stabilities of the DBAs are compared with the related dehydrobenzoannulenes with respect to the topology of the pi-systems. In addition, the tropicity of the [14]DBA is discussed based on its experimental and theoretical 1H NMR chemical shifts.     

Synthesis of ammonium [14C]thiocyanate

Ammonium [¹⁴C]thiocyanate was prepared from potassium [¹⁴C]cyanide with a radiochemical yield of 90%. [¹⁴C]hydrocyanic acid, generated from potassium [¹⁴C]cyanide by sulphuric acid, reacts with aqueous ammonia and elemental sulphur in the presence of trace amounts of ammonium sulphide to yield ammonium [¹⁴C]thiocyanate.     

Synthesis and analysis of [4−14C] phenylbutazone

[4?¹⁴C] phenylbutazone (4-butyl-1,2-diphenyl-3,5-[4?¹⁴C] pyrazolidinedione) has been synthesised on the 5 mmole scale. [2?¹⁴C] Diethyl malonate was reacted with n-butyl bromide and the product condensed with hydrazobenzene in the same reaction vessel. The radiochemical yield of highly purified product was 48%. It is proposed that care should be taken in analyses for metabolic products, particularly by TLC, since 4-hydroxyphenylbutazone was shown to be an oxidation product of phenylbutazone in solution and on TLC plates under quite mild conditions. A pure sample of 4-hydroxy [4?¹⁴C] phenylbutazone was isolated.     

Synthesis of 1-(4-methylsulfone-phenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[14C]-1,2,3-triazole and 1-(4-sulfonamide-phenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[14C]-1,2,3-triazole as novel carbon-14 anticonvulsant

Summary Two 1,2,3-triazole anticonvulsants, 1-(4-methylsulfone-phenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[¹⁴C]-1,2,3-triazole and 1-(4-sulfonamide-phenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[¹⁴C]-1,2,3-triazole, both labeled with carbon-14 in the 5-position were prepared from para-fluoro-benzonitrile-[cyano-¹⁴C].     

Synthesis of 24-Methylidene[24-14C]- and 24-Methylidene[7-3H]cholesterol

The syntheses of 24-methylidene[24-¹⁴C]cholesterol ( 7a ) and of 24-methylidene[7-³H]cholesterol ( 7b ) from commercially available (20S)-3-oxopregn-4-ene-20-carbaldehyde ( 1 ) are described. The method also provides simple preparations of 3β-acetoxy[24-¹⁴C]chol-5-en-24-oic acid ( 4 ) and 24-oxocholest-5-en-3β-yl acetate ( 6b ).     

Simple and efficient preparation of [10,20-13C2]- and [10-CH3,13-13C2]-10-methylretinal: introduction of substituents at the 2-position of 2,3-unsaturated nitriles

In this paper, we present the synthesis of [10,20-13C2]-10-methylretinal and [10-CH3,13-13C2]-10-methylretinal, two doubly 13C-labeled chemically modified retinals that have been recently used to study the structural and functional details behind the photocascade of bovine rhodopsin (Verdegem et al. Biochemistry 1999, 38, 11316; de Lange et al. Biochemistry 1998, 37, 1411). To obtain both doubly 13C-labeled compounds, we developed a novel synthetic method to directly and regiospecifically introduce a methyl substituent on the 2-position of 3-methyl-5-(2',6',6'-trimethyl-1'-cyclohexen-1'-yl)-2,4-pentadienenitrile. Encouraged by these results, we investigated the scope of this novel reaction by developing a general method for the introduction of a variety of substituents to the 2-position of 3-methyl-2,3-unsaturated nitriles, paving the way for simple and efficient synthesis of a wide variety of 10-, 14-, and 10,14-substituted chemically modified retinals, and other biologically important compounds.     

Synthesis of derivatives of pyrrolo[1, 2-α]pyrmidine

Continuing investigations in the field of the synthesis of condensed heterocyclic systems containing pyrrole and indole fragments ¦1–3¦, we have condensed of 2-aminopyrrole derivatives with various 1, 3-dicarbonyl compounds. The reaction took place at the boil in solutions in pyridine or acetic acid, and also without a solvent at 150–160° C, forming in a single stage derivatives of pyrrolo[1, 2-a]pyrimidine (I–III) and pyrrolo[2, 1-b]-tetrahydroquinazoline (IV–VI). The condensation of 2-aminopyrrole with acetoacetic and substituted acetoacetic esters led to 4-oxo derivatives of pyrrolo[1, 2-β]pyrimidine (VII and VIII).