Stereochemical analysis of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and its main metabolites by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is consumed as the racemate but some metabolic steps are enantioselective. In addition, chiral properties are preserved during MDMA biotransformation. A quantitative analytical methodology using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine enantioselective disposition in the body of MDMA and its main metabolites including 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA) was developed. Plasma and urine samples were collected from a male volunteer. The analysis of MDMA, MDA, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy metabolites by GC/MS required a two-step derivatization procedure. The first step consisted of derivatization of the amine with enantiomerically pure Mosher's reagent ((R)-MTPCl). Triethylamine was used as a base to neutralize hydrochloric acid formed during the reaction allowing quantitative derivatization, which resulted in a substantial improvement in the sensitivity of the method compared with other previously described techniques. Further treatment with ammonium hydroxide was required since both amine and hydroxyl groups underwent derivatization in the reaction. Ammonium hydroxide breaks bonds formed with hydroxyl groups without affecting amine derivatives. The second derivatization step using hexamethyldisilazane was needed for metabolites containing phenol residues. This derivatization method permitted the stereochemically specific study of MDMA and its main monohydroxylated metabolites by GC/MS. A detailed study of the chemical reactions involved in the derivatization steps was indispensable to develop a straightforward, sensitive, and reproducible method for the analysis of the parent drug compound and its metabolites.     

Synthesis, structure and conformation of partially-modified retro- and retro-inverso psi[NHCH(CF3)]Gly peptides

Partially modified retro- (PMR) and retro-inverso (PMRI) psi[NHCH(CF(3))]Gly peptides, a conceptually new class of peptidomimetics, have been synthesized in wide structural diversity and variable length by aza-Michael reaction of enantiomerically pure alpha-amino esters and peptides with enantiomerically and geometrically pure N-4,4,4-trifluorocrotonoyl-oxazolidin-2-ones. The factors underlying the observed moderate to good diastereocontrol have been investigated. The conformations of model PMR-psi[NHCH(CF(3))]Gly tripeptides have been studied in solution by (1)H NMR spectroscopy supported by MD calculations, as well as in the solid-state by X-ray diffraction. Remarkable stability of turn-like conformations, comparable to that of parent malonyl-based retropeptides, was evidenced, as a likely consequence of two main factors: 1) severe torsional restrictions about sp(3) bonds in the [CO-CH(2)-CH(CF(3))-NH-CH(R)-CO] module, which is biased by the stereoelectronically demanding CF(3) group and the R side chain; 2) formation of nine-membered intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded rings, which have been clearly detected both in CHCl(3) solution and in some crystal structures. The former factor seems to be more important, as turn-like conformations were found in the solid-state even in the absence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The relative configuration of the -C*H(CF(3))NHC*H(R)- stereogenic centers has a major effect on the stability of the turn-like conformation, which seems to require a syn stereochemistry. X-ray diffraction and ab initio computational studies showed that the [-CH(CF(3))NH-] group can be seen as a sort of hybrid between a peptide bond mimic and a proteolytic transition state analogue, as it combines some of the properties of a peptidyl -CONH- group (low NH basicity, CH(CF(3))-NH-CH backbone angle close to 120 degrees, C-CF(3) bond substantially isopolar with the C=O) with some others of the tetrahedral intermediate [-C(OX)(O(-))NH-] involved in the protease-mediated hydrolysis reaction of a peptide bond (high electron density on the CF(3) group, tetrahedral backbone carbon).     

Novel heteroleptic cis-(C--N)2Pd(II) chelates for the preparation of enantiopure planar chiral cyclopalladated 2-[tricarbonyl(eta6-phenyl)chromium]pyridine

In the presence of large amounts of [Me4N]Cl, the reaction of ortho-chloromercurated 2-[(eta6-phenyl)tricarbonylchromium]pyridine with mu-chloro cyclopalladated aromatic compounds yields a series of new heteroleptic heterodinuclear cis-(C--N)2Pd(II) complexes, which are valuable precursors of planar chiral cyclopalladated (eta6-arene)Cr(CO)3 complexes.     

Intercalation of Cyclic Amines into α-Titanium Phosphate

The intercalation of some amines (aniline, benzylamine, cyclohexylamine,piperidine, pyridine, pyrazine and piperazine) into -titaniumphosphate, Ti(HPO₄)_2×H₂O,has been investigated by the batch method and/or by exposing the host to thevapour of the amines. The changes in the interlayer distance of the solidduring the intercalation process was followed by X-ray powder diffraction.The new intercalates were characterised by chemical and thermal analysis.Materials with a monolaminar and/or bilaminar arrangement of amine moleculesin the phosphate interlayer region are obtained depending on the nature ofthe amine. Due to steric hindrance, saturated phases are not obtained forall amines studied. The thermal decomposition of the intercalates (nitrogenatmosphere), takes place in three stages: dehydration, removal of amines andcondensation of the hydrogenphosphate to pyrophosphate groups.     

Synthesis and 13C-NMR spectroscopic investigations of rhamnobioses

A convenient method has been developed for the synthesis of all mono- and di-O-benzyl ethers of methyl α-L-rhamnopyranoside applying a new stereoselective method for the hydrogenolytic ring-cleavage of benzylidene acetals. Using the prepared dibenzyl ethers as aglycones, the (1→2)-, (1→3)- and (l→4)-linked rhamnosyl-rhamnose derivatives (13–15) were synthesised. Hydrogenolysis of the latter compounds and subsequent acetylation gave the pentaacetates (16–18) of methyl dirhamnosides, which on saponification furnished the free methyl dirhamnosides (19–21). Acetolysis of 16–18 gave the corresponding dirhamnose-hexaacetates which were transformed into the three disaccharides by saponification. The structure of each product was investigated by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, and for the purpose of ¹³C-NMR studies the mono-O-methyl ethers of methyl α-L-rhamnopyranoside, the diacetates and di-O-benzyl ethers of the latter compounds, and, also the diacetates of methyl α-L-rhamnopyranoside were synthesised.It has been established that, for ¹³C-NMR investigations of oligosaccharides, the benzyl ethers of monosaccharides are more suitable model compounds than the currently used monosaccharide methyl ethers.     

Coordination solids via assembly of adaptable components: systematic structural variation in alkaline earth organosulfonate networks

A family of alkaline earth organosulfonate coordination solids is reported. In contrast to more typical crystal engineering approaches, these solids are sustained by the assembly of building blocks that are coordinatively adaptable rather than rigid in their bonding preferences. The ligand, 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonate, L, progressively evolves from a 0D, 1D, 2D, to a 3D microporous network with the Group II cations Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), and Ba(2+), (compounds 1-4), respectively. This trend in dimensionality can be explained by considering factors such as hard-soft acid-base principles and cation radii, a rationalization which follows salient crystal engineering principles. The selective gas sorption properties of the microporous 3D network [Ba(L)(H(2)O)].H(2)O, 4, with different gaseous guests are also presented.     

Langmuir-Blodgett films of a clay mineral and ruthenium(II) complexes with a noncentrosymmetric structure

Mono- and multilayers of amphiphilic [Ru(phen)(2)(dcC12bpy)](2+) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dcC12bpy = 4,4'-caboxyl-2,2'-bipyridyl didodecyl ester) hybridized with a clay mineral have been prepared by a modified Langmuir-Blodgett method, and their structures and properties have been investigated. Formation of a hybrid monolayer of the Ru(II) complex cations and the clay platelets at an air-clay suspension interface was confirmed by surface pressure-molecular area (pi-A) isotherm measurement and atomic force microscopic (AFM) observation. Multilayers were fabricated by depositing the hybrid monolayers onto glass substrates. The absorbance at 492 nm due to the Ru(II) complex cation in the multilayer increased linearly with the increase in the layer number, indicating layer-by-layer deposition of the hybrid monolayers. Because no increase in the second-harmonic generation (SHG) signal from the multilayers against the layer number was observed, the orientation of the Ru(II) complex cations in the layer would be disturbed. The hydrophilic surface of the transferred hybrid monolayer can be converted to a hydrophobic surface by dipping it in an aqueous solution of octadecylammonium chloride (ODAH(+)Cl(-)). The multilayers modified with ODAH(+) showed a quadratic relation between the SHG intensity and the layer number. This means that the Ru(II) complex cations in the multilayer are successfully oriented in a noncentrosymmetric way by the conversion of the surface property. Both a racemic mixture and an enantiomer of the Ru(II) complex cations were employed to examine the chiral effect on the film properties. The chiral contribution to the SHG signal was enhanced in the multilayer modified with ODAH(+).     

Quantitative determination of alpha(s2)- and alpha(s1)-casein in goat's milk with different genotypes by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method has been applied for the quantitative determination of alpha(s1)- and alpha(s2)-CN in goat's milk. Several analytical parameters were evaluated showing the reliability of this CE method. Coefficients of determination (R2) greater than 99% were obtained and determination limits of 1.23 and 0.98 mg/ml were achieved for alpha(s1)- and alpha(s2)-CN, respectively. The analytical parameters studied in terms of accuracy, precision and recovery were within acceptable limits. Among 18 samples of 4 different genotypes (BB, EE, BF and FF) for alpha(s1)-CN were analysed, different amounts were obtained from the genotypes.     

Structural characterization and magnetic properties of sandwich-type tungstoarsenate complexes. Study of a mixed-valent VIV2/VV heteropolyanion

Complexes K11Na1[As2W18(Mn(H2O))3O66]x27H2O (1) and Na12[As2W18(Co(H2O))3O66]x34H2O (2) have been characterized. 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, with a = 30.6484(4) A, b = 14.9946(2) A, and c = 19.17080(10) A (Z = 4), while 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a = 14.124(2) A, b = 23.294(3) A, c = 32.247(3) A, and beta = 98.935(10) degrees (Z = 4). Structures of the anions of 1 and 2 are similar, the divalent metals adopting a square pyramidal environment. K11[As2W18(VO)3O66]x23H2O (3) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, with a = 30.6240(5) A, b = 14.9861(2) A, and c = 19.2651(3) A (Z = 4). The structure has revealed a disorder on two of the three metals linking the [alpha-AsW9O33]9- parts. For these two vanadium atoms, the V=O bonds are directed alternatively toward the inside or the outside of the [alpha-AsW9O33]9- cavity. The remaining vanadium shows a V=O bond always directed toward the outside of the cavity. Titration of VIV by CeIV revealed that 3 is the mixed-valent VIV2VV species. Magnetic measurements are in agreement with this formulation. The high-temperature molar magnetic susceptibility of a powdered sample of 3 clearly confirms the presence of two d1 centers. The two VIV are antiferromagnetically coupled, with J = -2.9 cm-1 and g = 1.93. Crystallographic data do not permit the location of the two VIV to be distinguished from the location of the VV. As expected, the Mn(II) are very weakly antiferromagnetically coupled in compound 1. The complex Na8[Ni(H2O)6]2[As2W18(Ni(H2O))3O66]x20H2O (4) has been synthesized. The anion crystallized with two octahedral [Ni(H2O)6]2+ as counterions. Magnetic data have been fitted assuming that the only exchange-coupled centers are the nickels of the polyanion. 4 exhibits an antiferromagnetic coupling with J = -1.7 cm-1, g = 2.27, and theta = -1.5 K.     

Crystal structure of potassium tetramethylammonium hexacyanocobaltate(III) trihydrate: K3(Me4N)3[Co(CN)6]2·3H2O

The structure of K₃(Me₄N)₃[Co(CN)₆]₂·3H₂O has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data. The unit cell is formed by parallel layers of cobalt octahedra [CoC₆] and potassium octahedra, [K(1)N₅O(1)], separated byc/2. In each layer both types of octahedra are located alternatively. The [MeN₄]⁺ tetrahedra are located in the cavities between the two layers of octahedra. The crystal structure of this compound is the first example of its type. TMC 2483