Synthesis of esters of 4-hydroxy-5-phosphinyl-2-imidazolidinone

The esters of 4-hydroxy-5-phosphinyl-2-imidazolidinone were prepared by reaction of urea with the esters of 2-hydroxy-2-phosphinylethanal in acidic medium. The ir, ¹H nmr and ³¹P nmr spectral data of the products are reported. All the isolated products had cis configuration. The stereochemistry of their formation is discussed.     

Studies toward diazonamide A: initial synthetic forays directed toward the originally proposed structure

A brief introduction into the chemistry of diazonamide A (1) is followed by first-generation sequences to access the originally proposed structure for this unusual marine natural product. These explorations identified a route capable of delivering a model compound possessing the complete heteroaromatic core of the natural product, highlighting in the process several unanticipated synthetic challenges which led both to new methodology as well as an improved synthetic plan that was successfully applied to fully functionalized intermediates.     

Studies toward diazonamide A: development of a hetero-pinacol macrocyclization cascade for the construction of the bis-macrocyclic framework of the originally proposed structure

In this article, we describe further studies toward the originally proposed structure of diazonamide A (1). After confronting a number of failures in synthesizing the heterocyclic core of that structure, success was finally realized through the development of a novel hetero-pinacol-based macrocyclization cascade sequence. Subsequent elaboration led to an advanced compound bearing both of the 12-membered rings of the target molecule. In addition, preliminary biological studies with intermediates and simplified analogues obtained via the developed sequences are also described.     

Interactions of complementary PEGylated liposomes and characterization of the resulting aggregates

The interaction of complementary liposomes bearing both recognizable and protective ligands at their external surface has been investigated. Aggregation of hydrogenated phosphatidyl choline/cholesterol (2:1 molar ratio) based liposomes was mediated by the molecular recognition of the complementary phosphate and guanidinium groups incorporated in separate unilamellar liposomes. The phosphate group was incorporated in the bilayer employing dihexadecyl phosphate, while the guanidinium moiety was introduced in the membrane through the incorporation of various guanidinium lipids. For the latter, anchoring ability and primarily introduction of a spacer group between their lipophilic part and the guanidinium group was found to affect the ability for molecular recognition. Also, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) introduced in both types of liposomes at various concentrations and up to 15% with respect to cholesterol modifies the interaction effectiveness and morphology of the obtained aggregates. Interaction of these complementary liposomes leads to large precipitating aggregates or fused liposomes, as shown by phase contrast microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Specifically, fusion of liposomes takes place under a nonleaking process involving lipid mixing, as demonstrated by calcein entrapment and resonance energy transfer experiments. Calorimetric parameters also correlate with the processes of aggregation and fusion. The interactions of non-PEGylated liposomes involve exothermic processes of higher enthalpic content than those of the PEGylated counterparts.     

Conformational analysis of amphetamine in solution based on unambiguous assignment of the diastereotopic benzylic protons in the 1H NMR spectra

The erythro- and threo-amphetamine-β-d diastereomers were synthesized and used for the unambiguous assignment of the diastereotopic benzylic protons and the measurement of vicinal ¹H-¹H coupling constants which were used to determine the distribution of rotamers around the central c_α-c_β bond in the side chain.     

Polymer‐based monolithic column with incorporated chiral metal–organic framework for enantioseparation of methyl phenyl sulfoxide using nano‐liquid chromatography

A new approach to the preparation of enantioselective porous polymer monolithic columns with incorporated chiral metal–organic framework for nano‐liquid chromatography has been developed. While no enantioseparation was achieved with monolithic poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) column, excellent separations of both enantiomers of (±)‐methyl phenyl sulfoxide were achieved with its counterpart prepared after admixing metal–organic framework [Zn₂(benzene dicarboxylate)(l‐lactic acid)(dmf)], which is synthesized from zinc nitrate, l ‐lactic acid, and benzene dicarboxylic acid in the polymerization mixture. These novel monolithic columns combined selectivity of the chiral framework with the excellent hydrodynamic properties of polymer monoliths, may provide a great impact on future studies in the field of chiral analysis by liquid chromatography.     

Julia-Kocienski Olefination in the Synthesis of Trisubstituted Alkenes: Recent Progress

Julia-Kocienski olefination, a coupling reaction between a carbonyl component and a sulfone partner, has emerged as a powerful synthetic tool in the preparation of several organic compounds. A number of interesting examples involving particularly the preparation of trisubstituted alkenes along with important observations regarding the stereoselectivity of those reactions have been recently reported. This reviewing work covers the literature for the period 2016–2022 and describes in a comprehensive way the progress and developments of Julia-Kocienski olefination application in the synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes which serve as precursors of natural products and their analogs as well of pharmaceutically interesting/biologically important compounds. Moreover, key methodology results dealing with the investigation of the optimum conditions and stereoselectivities and new modifications and approaches are discussed.     

Polymer brushes on periodically nanopatterned surfaces

Structural properties of polymer brushes tethered on a periodically nanopatterned substrate are investigated by computer simulations. The substrate consists of an alternating succession of two different types of equal-width parallel stripes, and the polymers are end-tethered selectively on every second stripe. Three distinct morphologies of the nanopatterned brush have been identified, and their range of stability has been determined in terms of a single universal parameter that combines the grafting density, the polymer length, and the stripe width. We propose scaling relations for the average brush height and for the architectural properties of the outer surface of the nanopatterned brush under good solvent conditions. Our analysis provides guidelines for fabricating well-defined and tunable nanopatterned polymeric films.     

Thermotropic biaxial nematic liquid crystals: spontaneous or field stabilized?

An intermediate nematic phase is proposed for the interpretation of recent experimental results on phase biaxiality in bent-core nematic liquid crystals. The phase is macroscopically uniaxial but has microscopic biaxial, and possibly polar, domains. Under the action of an electric field, the phase acquires macroscopic biaxial ordering resulting from the collective alignment of the domains. A phenomenological theory is developed for the molecular order in this phase and for its transitions to purely uniaxial and to spontaneously biaxial nematic phases.