A new bicyclic proline-mimetic amino acid

A new constrained bicyclic α-amino acid proline-mimetic was developed. The synthesis was achieved starting from derivatives of the chiral pool, thus allowing to prepare analogues of either l- or d-proline by choosing appropriate stereoisomers of serine and α,β-isopropylidene-glycerol derivatives. The scaffolds were prepared as N-Fmoc-amino acid suitable for solid-phase peptide synthesis.     

A Theoretical Study of Amine Bonding in Titanium Alkoxide Adducts

Summary. DFT calculations were carried out on Ti₂(OCH₃)₈ (NH₂CH₃)₂ and Ti₂(OCH₃)₈(NH₃)₂, which are model compounds for the previously isolated amine adducts Ti₂(OR)₈(NH₂ R′)₂. The calculations show that the Ti–N bond strength is weak; however, coordination of the amine to the metal center is supported by a N–H···O hydrogen bond of the amine with the neighboring alkoxo ligand. The Ti–N interaction is purely σ in nature, while the Ti–O interactions include both σ and π contributions. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals are mainly localized on Ti t_2g-like orbitals.     

Co-ordination chemistry of amino pendant arm derivatives of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane

The binding properties of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ([9]aneN3) to metal cations can be adapted through sequential functionalisation of the secondary amines with aminoethyl or aminopropyl pendant arms to generate ligands with increasing numbers of donor atoms. The new amino functionalised pendant arm derivative of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ([9]aneN3), L1, has been synthesised and its salt [H2L1]Cl2 characterised by X-ray diffraction. The protonation constants of the ligands L1-L4 having one, two or three aminoethyl or three aminopropyl pendant arms, respectively, on the [9]aneN3 framework, and the thermodynamic stabilities of their mononuclear complexes with CuII and ZnII have been investigated by potentiometric measurements in aqueous solutions. In order to discern the protonation sites of ligands L1-L4, 1H NMR spectroscopic studies were performed in D2O as a function of pH. While the stability constants of the CuII complexes increase on going from L1 to L2 and then decrease on going from L2 to L3 and L4, those for ZnII complexes increase from L1 to L3 and then decrease for L4. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [Cu(L1)(Br)]Br, [Zn(L1)(NO3)]NO3, [Cu(L2)](ClO4)2, [Ni(L2)(MeCN)](BF4)2, [Zn(L4)](BF4)2.MeCN and [Mn(L4)](NO3)2.1/2H2O have been determined. In both [Cu(L1)(Br)]Br and [Zn(L1)(NO3)]NO3 the metal ion is five co-ordinate and bound by four N-donors of the macrocyclic ligand and by one of the two counter-anions. The crystal structures of [Cu(L2)](ClO4)2 and [Ni(L2)(MeCN)](BF4)2 show the metal centre in slightly distorted square-based pyramidal and octahedral geometry, respectively, with a MeCN molecule completing the co-ordination sphere around NiII in the latter. In both [Zn(L4)](BF4)2.MeCN and [Mn(L4)](NO3)2.1/2H2O the metal ion is bound by all six N-donors of the macrocyclic ligand in a distorted octahedral geometry. Interestingly, and in agreement with the solution studies and with the marked preference of CuII to assume a square-based pyramidal geometry with these types of ligands, the reaction of L4 with one equivalent of Cu(BF4)2.4H2O in MeOH at room temperature yields a square-based pyramidal five co-ordinate CuII complex [Cu(L6)](BF4)2 where one of the three propylamino pendant arms of the starting ligand has been cleaved to give L6.     

Unprecedented eta(1)-P(basal) coordination of P(4)X(3) molecules (X = S, Se). An experimental and theoretical study of the apical vs basal complexation dichotomy

Reaction of [(triphos)Re(CO)(2)(OTf)] (1) [triphos = MeC(CH(2)PPh(2))(3); OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)] with P(4)S(3) and P(4)Se(3) yields pairs of coordination isomers, namely, [(triphos)Re(CO)(2)[eta(1)-P(apical)-P(4)X(3)]](+) (X = S, 2; Se, 5) and [(triphos)Re(CO)(2)[eta(1)-P(basal)-P(4)X(3)]](+) (X = S, 3; Se, 6). The latter represent the first examples of the eta(1)-P(basal) coordination achieved by the P(4)X(3) molecular cage. Further reaction of 2/3 and 5/6 mixtures with 1 affords the dinuclear species [[(triphos)Re(CO)(2)](2)[mu,eta(1:1)-P(apical,)P(basal)-P(4)X(3)]](2+) (X = S, 4; Se, 7) in which the unprecedented M-eta(1)-P(basal)/eta(1)-P(apical)-M' bridging coordination of the P(4)X(3) molecule is accomplished. A theoretical analysis of the bonding properties of the two coordination isomers is also presented. The directionality of apical vs basal phosphorus lone pairs is also discussed in terms of MO arguments.     

Glycosylidene Carbenes. Part 23. Regioselective glycosidation of deoxy- and fluorodeoxy-myo-inositol derivatives

To demonstrate the relevance of the kinetic acidity of individual OH groups for the regioselectivity of glycosylation by glycosylidene carbenes, we compared the glycosylation by 1 of the known triol 2 with the glycosylation of the diol D - 3 and the fluorodiol L - 4 . Deoxygenation with Bu₃SnH of the phenoxythiocarbonyl derivative of 5 (Scheme 1) or the carbonothioate 6 gave the racemic alcohol (±)- 7 . The enantiomers were separated via the allophanates 9a and 9b , and desilylated to the deoxydiols D - and L - 3 , respectively. The assignment of their absolute configuration is based upon the CD spectra of the bis(4-bromobenzoates) D - and L - 10 . The (+)-(R)-1-phenylethylcarbamates 13a and 13b (Scheme 2) were prepared from the fluoroinositol (±)- 11 via (±)- 4 and the silyl ether (±)- 12 and separated by chromatography. The absolute configuration of 13a was established by X-ray analysis. Decarbamoylation of 13a ( → L - 12 ) and desilylation afforded the fluorodiol L - 4 . The H-bonds of D - 3 and L - 4 in chlorinated solvents and in dioxane were studied by IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy (Fig. 2). In both diols, HO? C(2) forms an intramolecular, bifurcated H-bond. There is an intramolecular H-bond between HO? C(6) and F in solutions of L - 4 in CH₂Cl₂, but not in 1,4-dioxane; the solubility of L - 4 in CH₂Cl₂ is too low to permit a meaningful glycosidation in this solvent. Glycosidation of D - 3 in dioxane by the carbene derived from 1 (Scheme 3) followed by acetylation gave predominantly the pseudodisaccharides 18/19 (38%), derived from glycosidation of the axial OH group besides the pseudodisaccharides 16 / 17 (13%) and the epoxides 20 / 21 (7%), derived from protonation of the carbene by the equatorial OH group. Similarly, the reaction of L - 4 with 1 (Scheme 4) led to the pseudodisaccharides 28 / 29 (46%) and 26 / 27 (14%), derived from deprotonation of the axial and equatorial OH groups, respectively. Formation of the epoxides involved deprotonation of the intramolecularly H-bonded tautomer, followed by intramolecular alkylation, elimination, and substitution (Scheme 4). The regio- and diastereoselectivities of the glycosidation correlate with the H-bonds in the starting diols.     

The relative permittivity of 1,2-dimethoxyethane and N,N-dimethylformamide mixtures from −10 to 40°C

Binary solutions of N,N-dimethylformamide and 1,2-dimethoxyethane have been investigated by means of dielectric measurements at temperatures ranging from –10 to +40°C, and for nine mixtures covering the whole miscibility field expressed by the mole fraction of one component (0X₁1). The experimental data were used to study the dependence of on T and X₁, of the type = (T), = (X₁), and = (T,X₁). Further, the excess mixing function _E has been evaluated in order to identify particular patterns of interaction between unlike molecules and any other factor that could modify such patterns. The minimum in the _E vs. composition plots suggests the formation of an adduct of stoichiometric ratio DMFDME=11 at all the investigated temperatures.     

Glycosylidene Carbenes a new approach to glycoside synthesis. Part 1. Preparation of glycosylidene-derived diaziridines and diazirines

A new approach towards the synthesis of glycosides based upon a (formal) insertion of glycosylidene carbenes into O? H bonds is presented. The synthesis and characterization of the glycosylidene-derived diazirines 25 – 28 , precursors of glycosylidene carbenes, are described. The diazirines were prepared by the rapid, high-yielding oxidation of the diaziridines 20 and 22 – 24 with I₂/Et₃N. The diaziridines, the first examples of C- alkoxy-diaziridines, were formed in high yields by the reaction of the [(glycosylidene)-amino]methanesulfonates 14 and 17 – 19 with a saturated solution of NH₃ in MeOH. The diazirines are highly reactive compounds, losing N₂ at room temperature or below. The reaction of the gluco-configurated diazirine 25 with i-PrOH yielding a mixture of the α- and β-D -glucosides 29 and 30 illustrates the potential of glycosylidene-derived diazirines as a new type of glycosyl donors.     

Characterization of antithrombin III from human plasma by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoretic methods

The isoforms distribution of the glycoprotein antithrombin III (ATIII) derived from human plasma was investigated by means of isoelectric focusing (IEF) in polyacrylamide gels with immobilized pH gradients (IPG) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) as well as capillary electrophoretic methods. It turned out that the presence of high concentrations of chaotropics (urea, thiourea) and zwitterionic detergents (3-[(3-cholamidepropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS)) was decisive for attaining good resolution of the protein isoforms. Resolution by IPG-IEF was obtained with excellent reproducibility and pI differences down to 0.01 pH units could be distinguished. ATIII-alpha and ATIII-beta-fractions preseparated by heparin affinity chromatography showed an analogous but shifted spot pattern consisting each of one major and three minor isoforms. The main isoforms of ATIII-alpha and ATIII-beta exhibit pI values of 5.18 and 5.32, respectively, both values determined in the presence of high concentrations of urea. The pI difference of 0.14 pH units correspond to the effect of two sialic acids absent in ATIII-beta. The formation and occurrence of ATIII dimers and trimers turned out to be dependent on the sample preparation. The results obtained by 2-DE were compared with those of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and capillary IEF (CIEF). Quantitative analysis regarding the CZE separated isoforms of plasma derived ATIII yielded a content of about 70% ATIII-alpha main isoform and about 6.6% of ATIII-beta. The pI values of ATIII determined by CIEF with internal calibration were in fair agreement with the pI values of the main isoforms achieved with 2-DE.     

A new pyridine-based 12-membered macrocycle functionalised with different fluorescent subunits; coordination chemistry towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II)

The coordination chemistry of the new pyridine-based, N2S2-donating 12-membered macrocycle 2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane (L1) towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) has been investigated both in aqueous solution and in the solid state. The protonation constants for L1 and stability constants with the aforementioned metal ions have been determined potentiometrically and compared with those of ligand L2, which contains a N-aminopropyl side arm. The measured values show that Hg(II) in water has the highest affinity for both ligands followed by Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II). For each metal ion considered, 1:1 complexes with L1 have also been isolated in the solid state, those of Cu(II) and Zn(II) having also been characterised by X-ray crystallography. In both complexes L1 adopts a folded conformation and the coordination environments around the two metal centres are very similar: four positions of a distorted octahedral coordination sphere are occupied by the donor atoms of the macrocyclic ligand, and the two mutually cis-positions unoccupied by L1 accommodate monodentate NO3- ligands. The macrocycle L1 has then been functionalised with different fluorogenic subunits. In particular, the N-dansylamidopropyl (L3), N-(9-anthracenyl)methyl (L4), and N-(8-hydroxy-2-quinolinyl)methyl (L5) pendant arm derivatives of L1 have been synthesised and their optical response to the above mentioned metal ions investigated in MeCN/H2O (4:1 v/v) solutions.     

Experiences in the measurement of RBC-bound IgG as markers of cell age

An immunologically mediated pathway has been largely accepted to be one of the mechanisms involved in the clearance of senescent or prematurely damaged RBC. According to this pathway, RBC removal is mediated by binding of naturally occurring IgG to clustered integral membrane proteins, followed by complement deposition. The validation of an immunoenzymatic method for the detection of RBC-bound autologous IgG is presented. The use of RBC-bound IgG as an index related to red cell age was evaluated by measuring IgG binding in RBC treated with the clustering agent ZnCl2, in density fractionated RBC and in a selected group of patients expected to have an altered RBC life span. The immunoenzymatic method for IgG detection resulted to be reproducible (CV = 3.4%). IgG binding to in vitro clustered RBC was found to be enhanced to a very great extent, about 20 times higher with respect to untreated RBC. A slight but significant increase (about 1.8-fold) in membrane-bound IgG was observed in the highest density fraction of normal RBC, which constituted 1% of the total cells. A significantly greater number of RBC-bound IgG was measured in splenectomized beta-thalassemia intermedia patients and in subjects with secondary decreases in the C3 complement fraction concentration.