Combinatorial library of low molecular-weight organo- and hydrogelators based on glycosylated amino acid derivatives by solid-phase synthesis

A combinatorial approach for the synthesis of supramolecular gelators as new organic materials is described herein. In the course of the development of a convenient and flexible solid-phase synthesis of the artificial glycolipids, some of these compounds were accidentally found to act as low molecular-weight gelators toward organic solvents. Using this combinatorial solid-phase synthesis of glycosylated amino acetates, screening and optimization of low molecular-weight organo/hydro-gelators were efficiently carried out. We found that an N-acetyl-galactosamine-appended amino acid ester (GalNAc-aa) efficiently gelates a broad spectrum of organic solvents. More interestingly, some GalNAc-aa derivatives displayed an excellent hydrogelation capability. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and FT-IR were used for characterization of the gel structure. It is indicated that supramolecular fibers supported by strong hydrogen-bonding networks are entangled so that the resulting spaces can immobilize a number of solvent molecules effectively. In addition, the supramolecular hydrogel consisting of GalNAc-suc-glu(O-methyl-cyc-pentyl)(2) is stable even under high salt concentrations probably due to its nonionic character and as a result, a native protein is successfully entrapped in the gel matrix without denaturation.     

A library of chiral imidazoline-aminophenol ligands: discovery of an efficient reaction sphere

A library of imidazoline-aminophenol ligands was synthesized on solid supports. After immobilization of chiral chloromethylimidazolines 1 and 2 onto the polystyrylsulfonyl chloride, nucleophilic substitution with (R)- or (S)-phenylethylamine (3 and 4) provided four combinations of polymer-supported imidazoline-amine ligands. Further reductive alkylation using salicylaldehydes 7-10 provided a series of imidazoline-aminophenol ligands (L9-L24). Analysis by solid-phase catalysis/circular dichroism high-throughput screening of a copper-catalyzed Henry reaction revealed that ligand L25, comprising a (S,S)-diphenylethylenediamine-derived imidazoline, (S)-phenylethylamine, and dibromophenol, was highly efficient, thus providing the adduct of nitromethane and benzaldehyde in 95 % ee. The combination of stereogenic centers was crucial in promoting the highly stereoselective reactions. The unique reaction sphere of L25 was also examined in a Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indole and nitroalkene to give the adduct in up to 83 % ee.     

Synthesis and liquid crystalline investigation of chiral 6-alkoxy-2-naphathoic acid derivatives

A two new series of materials with a chiral fragment derived from ((S)-(─)-2-methyl-1-butanol and 6-alkoxy-2-naphathoic acid as the molecular core was synthesised and investigated. All the homologues exhibited enantiotropic mesomorphism. Chiral smectic C (SmC*), smectic A (SmA) and chiral nematic (N*) phases were observed in different homologues. All the compounds were characterised by spectroscopic and elemental analysis. Thermal investigations and mesophase characterisations for all the compounds were carried out by the combination of DSC and POM analysis. The effects of the central linkage and various terminal normal alkyl chains with its structurally related compounds have been discussed.     

A Method of Orthogonal Oligosaccharide Synthesis Leading to a Combinatorial Library Based on Stationary Solid‐Phase Reaction

A new, efficient synthesis of oligosaccharides, which involves solid‐phase reactions without mixing in combination with an orthogonal‐glycosylation strategy, is described. Despite a great deal of biological interest, the combinatorial chemistry of oligosaccharides is an extremely difficult subject. The problems include 1) lengthy synthetic protocols required for the synthesis and 2) the variety of glycosylation conditions necessary for individual reactions. These issues were addressed and solved by using the orthogonal‐coupling protocol and the application of a temperature gradient to provide appropriate conditions for individual reactions. Furthermore, we succeeded in carrying out solid‐phase reactions with neither mechanical mixing nor flow. In this report, the synthesis of a series of trisaccharides, namely, α/β‐L ‐Fuc‐(1→6)‐α/β‐D ‐Gal‐(1→2/3/4/6)‐α/β‐D ‐Glc‐octyl, is reported to demonstrate the eligibility of the synthetic method in combinatorial chemistry.     

Synthesis of functionalized 1,3-thiazine libraries combining solid-phase synthesis and post-cleavage modification methods

The solid-phase synthesis of diverse sets of 1,3-thiazine-5-carboxylates on Wang resin is described. Acetoacetylation, followed by Knoevenagel condensation and an acid-promoted ring-closure reaction with thioureas furnished polymer-bound 1,3-thiazines. As an alternative to transesterification, a de-novo synthesis of beta-keto esters, starting from polymer-bound malonic acid through reaction with acyl imidazoles, was applied to increase the diversity. To reduce contamination, an on-bead purification of resin-bound 1,3-thiazines that makes use of differences in the reactivity of ester bonds toward alkoxides is reported. A final four-step post-cleavage modification of thiazine-5-carboxylates, derived by TFA cleavage from the Wang linker, leads to esters or amides. Twenty 1,3-thiazines were obtained in yields of up to 61 % over either 9 or 13 steps.     

Solid‐Phase Synthesis of a Combinatorial Methylated (±)‐Epigallocatechin Gallate Library and the Growth‐Inhibitory Effects of these Compounds on Melanoma B16 Cells

We report on the solid‐phase synthesis of a combinatorial methylated (±)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) library and its biological evaluation. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and its methylated derivatives, which are members of the catechin family, exhibit various anti‐cancer effects. The solid‐phase synthesis of methylated EGCG involves the preparation of the α‐acyloxyketone by the coupling of a solid‐supported aldehyde with a ketone and an acid. The subsequent release and reductive etherification reaction of the solid‐supported α‐acyloxyketone provide the protected EGCG in good total yields. Sixty‐four methylated EGCGs were successfully prepared. The growth‐inhibitory effects of the methylated EGCG library were also examined. Although methylation of EGCG generally causes reduced growth inhibition, the growth‐inhibitory effect of 7‐OMe EGCGs was comparable to that of EGCG. The 7‐OMe EGCGs are attractive drug candidates because of their enhanced bioavailability.