Synthesis of geranyl S-thiolodiphosphate. A new alternative substrate/inhibitor for prenyltransferases

The tris(tetra-n-butylammonium) salt of thiopyrophosphate 5 was prepared from trimethyl phosphate in four steps. Treatment of geranyl bromide with 5 gave an 80% yield of geranyl S-thiolodiphosphate (6). Thiolodiphosphate 6 is substantially less reactive than geranyl diphosphate (7) in the prenyl transfer reaction catalyzed by farnesyl diphosphate synthase and is a good inhibitor of the enzyme.     

Synthesis of 2-fluoro-6-O-propargyl-11,12-carbamate ketolides. A novel class of antibiotics

A novel class of 2-fluoro-6-O-propargyl-11,12-carbamate ketolide derivatives of erythromycin has been synthesized for antibacterial SAR studies. Replacement of the C2-hydrogen by a fluorine atom allows the synthesis of 6-O-propargylic ketones and electron-deficient 6-O-propargylic aromatic derivatives by preventing intramolecular C2-enolate Michael cyclization.     

Synthesis of 3 10-helix-inducing constrained analogues of L-proline

A bicyclic indolizidinone carboxylic acid and a tricyclic constrained analogue of l-proline were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to induce helix formation as l-Ala tetrapeptides. Variable-temperature NMR, DMSO titration, CD spectra, and X-ray structure analyses, in conjunction with molecular modeling, confirmed the existence of 3(10)-helical motifs with di- and tetrapeptides of l-Ala.     

Solid-supported cross-coupling catalysts derived from homogeneous nickel and palladium coordination complexes

Solid-supported catalysts derived from homogeneous nickel(II) and palladium(II) non-symmetrical salen-type coordination complexes have been prepared and shown to be effective in the heterogeneous catalysis of carbon-carbon cross-coupling reactions. The nickel catalyst has been used in room-temperature Tamao-Kumada-Corriu reactions and the palladium catalyst in the Heck reaction at elevated temperatures. The complexes were prepared by improved methods and characterised by spectroscopic techniques. Comparisons between the solid-supported catalysts and their homogeneous analogues are reported. The single-crystal structure determination of the nickel and palladium complexes [M(salenac-OH)][M = Ni, Pd; salenac-OH = 9-(2',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,8-diaza-4-methylnona-2,4,8-trienato](2-)] is reported.     

Recognition of multiple substrate motifs by the c-ABL protein tyrosine kinase

Using a combinatorial peptide library that is based on the one-bead one-peptide approach we identified 14 peptide substrates for the c-ABL protein tyrosine kinase, which define three distinct consensus sequence groups. This is distinct from many serine/threonine kinases, which often phosphorylate only one major consensus sequence. The three consensus sequences accurately predict phosphorylation sites in cellular ABL substrates proven to play a role in cell signaling. Our data suggest that protein tyrosine kinases have evolved to recognize multiple substrate motifs.     

Synthesis of (S)-isoprenoid thiodiphosphates as substrates and inhibitors

Thiolo thiophosphate analogues of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), geranyl diphosphate (GPP), farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) were synthesized. Inorganic thiopyrophosphate (SPP(i)) was prepared from trimethyl phosphate in four steps. The tris(tetra-n-butylammonium) salt was then used to convert isopentenyl tosylate to (S)-isopentenyl thiodiphosphate (ISPP). (S)-Dimethylallyl (DMASPP), (S)-geranyl (GSPP), (S)-farnesyl (FSPP), and (S)-geranylgeranyl thiodiphosphate (GGSPP) were prepared from the corresponding bromides in a similar manner. ISPP and GSPP were substrates for avian farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPase). Incubation of the enzyme with ISPP and GPP gave FSPP, whereas incubation with IPP and GSPP gave FPP. GSPP was a substantially less reactive than GPP in the chain elongation reaction and was an excellent competitive inhibitor, K(I)(GSPP) = 24.8 microM, of the enzyme. Thus, when ISPP and DMAPP were incubated with FPPase, GSPP accumulated and was only slowly converted to FSPP.     

Markhasphingolipid A,new phytosphingolipid from the leaves of Markhamia stipulata var. canaense V.S. Dang

Abstract

From the leaves of Markhamia stipulata var. canaense V.S. Dang, one new phytosphingolipid, named markhasphingolipid A (6) together with five known compounds, 4’,7-O-dimethylapigenin (1), narigenin (2), tectoquinone (3), mollic acid (4), 1-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycerol (5) were classified by various chromatographic methods. Their structures were designated by IR, UV, HR-ESI-MS, HR-ESI-MS/MS and NMR experiments. All compounds were recognized for the first time from this species. The cytotoxicity of all n-hexane fractions and isolated compounds (5 & 6) against three human cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, and MCF-7) were evaluated by SRB assay. All n-hexane fractions expressed cytotoxic effect on three tested cancer cell lines (at the concentration of 100?μg/mL, percent of cytotoxicity ranged from 55.81% to 95.83%) as well as compound 5 (IC₅₀ ranged from 48.51 to 63.30?μM) whereas fraction H.I and compound 6 did not show activity.

     

Polymer-supported palladium catalysed Suzuki-Miyaura reactions in batch and a mini-continuous flow reactor system

A polymer-supported palladium(II) salen-type complex exhibited catalytic activity in the cross-coupling reaction of various aryl bromides and heteroaryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in a mini-continuous flow reactor system at elevated temperatures in a phosphine-free system. The reaction was also performed in batch using a number of different solvent systems in order to optimise conditions. The catalytic mini-reactor can be used repeatedly over several cycles in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. While the diameter of the flow channel is 3 mm, the macroporous resin supported catalyst is solvent expanded to completely fill the channel. Consequently, the liquid path is through the micro channels of the macroporous resin structure. Intensification of the process over the stirred batch reaction is through increased reagent-catalyst contact and results in a 20-fold increase in the rate of reaction. The residence/space time on the reactor is 10.5 min, compared to 24 h in batch, which means that a diversity of starting materials can be screened over a short period of time. To demonstrate the utility of the system, a diversity of aryl and heteroaryl bromides have been studied.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Silica Gels Functionalized with Monochlorotriazinyl β-Cyclodextrin and their Sorption Capacities towards Organic Compounds

Different supports, containing a new derivative of-cyclodextrin – monochlorotriazinyl-cyclodextrin (-CDMCT) – used forthe reduction of pollutants in waste water, have beenprepared. They are based on silica gel, initially eithercoated with polyethyleneimine (PEI) or grafted with3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, functionalized in asecond step with -CDMCT. In order to obtainsorbents with high -cyclodextrin content andmaximum accessibility of the -CD cavity, thefuntionalization was studied while varying experimentalconditions. Thermogravimetry, Raman spectroscopy,specific surface area and pore size distribution were usedfor the characterization of supports. Sorption experimentsshow that these sorbents have sorption capacities towardssome organic pollutants. The mechanism of sorption is bothphysical adsorption in the polymer network (for supportsobtained by coating) and/or the formation of an inclusioncomplex between -CDMCT and guest molecules.     

Far-infrared spectrum,conformational stability,barriers to internal rotation,normal coordinate calculations,and vibrational assignment for chloroacetaldehyde

The far infrared spectrum [350 to 25 cm^–1] of gaseous chloroacetaldehyde, ClCH₂CHO, has been recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm^–1. The first excited-state transition of the asymmetric torsion of the more stable near s-cis [chlorine atom s-cis to the aldehyde hydrogen atom] conformer has been observed at 26.9 cm^–1, with seven additional upper state transitions falling to higher frequency. Additionally, the fundamental torsional transition of the s-trans conformer has been observed at 58.9 cm^–1 with two excited states also falling to higher frequency. From these data, the asymmetric torsional potential coefficients have been determined to be:V ₁=414±11;V ₂ = 191±3;V ₃=–203±5;V ₄=44±1 andV ₆=–26±1 cm^–1. The s-cis to s-trans barrier is 500±5 cm^–1 (1.43±0.01 kcal mol^–1) with the s-cis conformer being more stable by 267±19 cm^–1 (0.76±0.05 kcal mol^–1) than the s-trans form. The Raman [4000 to 100 cm^–1] and infrared (4000 to 400 cm^–1] spectra of the gas have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values obtained. Complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both conformers based on band contours, depolarization values, and group frequencies. The assignments are supported by ab initio Hartree-Fock gradient calculations employing the 3–21G^* basis set to obtain the frequencies and the potential energy distributions for the normal vibrations for both rotamers. Additional ab initio calculations at the MP4/6-31G^* level have been carried out to determine the structural parameters for both conformers. The results are discussed and compared with the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.This contribution taken in part from the thesis of C. L. Tolley which will be submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree.