Formation of the monoanion [Ar*P(BH3)(mu-BH2)2H]- with a symmetrically bridging hydride from the attempted synthesis of the dianion [Ar*P(BH3)3]2-

Addition of an excess of BunLi to the bis(borano)phosphide complex [Ar*PH(BH3)2]-Li+ 1 (Ar* = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) and subsequent treatment with BH3, gives the anionic complex [Ar*P(BH3)(mu-BH2)2H]-Li+ 2 instead of the expected tris(borano)phosphide dilithium, [Ar*P(BH3)3]2-2Li+ 3.     

Self-assembled monolayers of dendritic polyglycerol derivatives on gold that resist the adsorption of proteins

Highly protein-resistant, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of dendritic polyglycerols (PGs) on gold can easily be obtained by simple chemical modification of these readily available polymers with a surface-active disulfide linker group. Several disulfide-functionalized PGs were synthesized by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-mediated ester coupling of thioctic acid. Monolayers of the disulfide-functionalized PG derivatives spontaneously form on a semitransparent gold surface and effectively prevent the adsorption of proteins, as demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) kinetic measurements. A structure-activity relationship relating the polymer architecture to its ability to effectuate protein resistance has been derived from results of different surface characterization techniques (SPR, attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR), and contact-angle measurements). Dendritic PGs combine the characteristic structural features of several highly protein-resistant surfaces: a highly flexible aliphatic polyether, hydrophilic surface groups, and a highly branched architecture. PG monolayers are as protein resistant as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) SAMs and are significantly better than dextran-coated surfaces, which are currently used as the background for SPR spectroscopy. Due to the higher thermal and oxidative stability of the bulk PG as compared to the PEG and the easy accessibility of these materials, dendritic polyglycerols are novel and promising candidates as surface coatings for biomedical applications.     

Nachweis von C (15)-epimeren Coleonen C und D in der Natur und ihre Bedeutung für den sterischen Verlauf der Bildung des Spirocyclopropanrings

Natural Occurrence of C(15)-Epimeric Coleons C and D and its Significance to the Stereochemistry of the Formation of a Spirocyclopropanring In a previous paper some evidence was presented for a predominant occurrence of epimeric coleons ((15S)-coleon C ((15 S)- 1a ), and (15S)-coleon D ((15S)- 2a )) in Plectranthus lanuginosus [1], The proposed structures have now been proven by careful comparison of their physical data with those of the already described C(15)-epimers whose structures were deduced by X-ray analysis of a derived cis-diketone 3 [5], Examination of the epimeric purity of coleons possessing a 2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl side-chain (coleons C , D , H , I , I ′ and derivatives) isolated from seven different species (Coleus, Plectranthus and Solenostemon) has shown that these coleons always occur as a mixture of C(15)-epimers, although in most cases with one predominant epimer. The consequences for the stereochemistry of the postulated in vivo formation of the methyl-substituted spirocyclopropane substructure is discussed.     

Methylation and amination of folic acid

The methylation of folic acid (2) with excess methyl iodide resulted in the formation of dimethyl 1,3-dimethylfolate ( 4 ), whereas, methylation of dimethyl folate ( 3 ) with an equimolar amount of methyl iodide gave mainly dimethyl 3-methylfolate ( 6 ). Both 4 and 6 underwent the Dimroth rearrangement in base to give the corresponding 2-deamino-2-methyiamino folic acids 5 and 7, respectively. Amination of 2 with hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid in dilute base gave a low yield of 3-amino folic acid (8), which underwent Dimroth rearrangement to give 2-deamino-2-hydrazino folic acid (9) in an acidic, but not a basic, medium.     

Isolierung von 10′-Apo-β-carotin-10′-ol und (3R)-10′-Apo-β-carotin-3,10′-diol (Galloxanthin) aus Rosenblüten. 5. Mitteilung über Rosenfarbstoffe

Isolation of 10′-Apo-β-carotene-10′-ol and (3R)-10′-Apo-β-carotene-3,10′-diol (Galloxanthin) from Rose Flowers The novel (all-E)-10′-apol-β-carotene-10′-ol ( 2 ) and (all-E,3R)-10′-apo-β-carotene-3,10′-diol ( 5 ) have been isolated from petals of one yellow species and various whitish or yellow blend varieties of rose cultivars. Each (all-E)-compound is accompanied by a (Z)-isomer, probably the (9Z)-isomer. Diol 5 proved to be identical with galloxanthin, an apo-10′-carotenol previously isolated from the retina of chicken.     

Vanillic acid 4-O-beta-D-(6'-O-galloyl) glucopyranoside and other constituents from the bark of Terminalia macroptera Guill.et Perr

A new phenolic glucoside gallate, vanillic acid 4-O-beta-D-(6'-O-galloyl) glucopyranoside (1) was isolated from the bark of Terminalia macroptera Guill.et Perr., together with 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid (2) and two triterpene glucopyranosyl esters, 24-deoxysericoside (3) and chebuloside II (4). Compounds 2-4, not described previously for this plant, showed antimicrobial activities against Bacillus subtilis, while 3 and 4 possessed haemolytic properties. In both assays 1 was found to be inactive.     

Temperature-sensitive polypeptide brushes-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for dual-responsive drug release

A multifunctional nanohybrid based on mesoporous silica nanoparticle and biocompatible polypeptide was fabricated for targeted and dual-responsive therapy of tumor cells.     

End-labeled free-solution electrophoresis of DNA

DNA is a free-draining polymer. This subtle but "unfortunate" property of highly charged polyelectrolytes makes it impossible to separate nucleic acids by free-flow electrophoresis. This is why one must typically use a sieving matrix, such as a gel or an entangled polymer solution, in order to obtain some electrophoretic size separation. An alternative approach consists of breaking the charge to friction balance of free-draining DNA molecules. This can be achieved by labeling the DNA with a large, uncharged molecule (essentially a hydrodynamic parachute, which we also call a drag-tag) prior to electrophoresis; the resulting methodology is called end-labeled free-solution electrophoresis (ELFSE). In this article, we review the development of ELFSE over the last decade. In particular, we examine the theoretical concepts used to predict the ultimate performance of ELFSE for single-stranded (ssDNA) sequencing, the experimental results showing that ELFSE can indeed overcome the free-draining issue raised above, and the technological advances that are needed to speed the development of competitive ELFSE-based sequencing and separation technologies. Finally, we also review the reverse process, called free-solution conjugate electrophoresis (FSCE), wherein uncharged polymers of different sizes can be analyzed using a short DNA molecule as an electrophoretic engine.     

Partialsynthesen und Reaktionen von Abietanderivaten (Lanugonen) aus Plectranthus lanuginosus und verwandten Verbindungen

Partial Syntheses and Reactions of Abietanoid Derivatives (Lanugones) from Plectranthus lanuginosus and of Related Compounds Interconversions by partial syntheses of several lanugones establish their absolute configuration at C(15). Unexpected reactions exemplify the unique reactivity of these abietanoic diterpenes, - Lanugone O ( 4 ) was prepared in several steps from (15S)-coleon C ( 8a ; Scheme 2) thus establishing its (15S)-configuration. One of the intermediates, the 12-O-acetyl-6-oxoroyleanone 12 , through acetyl-migration sets up an equilibrium with the vinylogous quinone 13 (Scheme 3). - The chirality at C(15) in the dihydrofuran moiety of lanugone Q ( 16 ) was proven by acid-catalyzed conversion of lanugone O ( 4 ) to 16 . - Instead of the usual nucleophilic attack shown by quinomethanes, lanugone L (1 ) is electrophilically substituted at C(7) by acetic anhydride/pyridine (Scheme 1). - In a homosigmatropic [1,5]-H-shift, lanugone G ( 17 ) in solution is converted to the corresponding allyl substituted royleanone 18 (Scheme 4). - Methanolysis of lanugone J ( 19 ) leads to the expected royleanone 20 having the 2-methoxypropyl side chain ( Scheme 5 ). Similar reactions were found in acetolytic reactions. However, treatment-of spirocoleons with SOCl₂/DMF produces mainly 12-deoxyroyleanones with allyl- and 2-chloropropyl groups, i. e. 19 → 26 and 27 ; 28 → 29 . The possible natural occurrence of these compounds is emphasized.     

A photoactivated diazopyruvoyl cross-linking agent for bonding tissue containing type-I collagen

On the basis of the earlier examples of diazopyruvoyl (DAP) groups reported by Lawton for covalent binding and cross-linking of proteins and oligopeptides and our recent demonstration that a coumaryl diazopyruvamide was used to label Type-I collagen, we have extended our investigations to the synthesis and cross-linking capabilities of a bis-DAP polyethylene glycol to cross-link Type-I collagen. The new photoactivated cross-linking agent, N,N'-bis(3-diazopyruvoyl)-2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine) (DPD, 2), has been designed and synthesized specifically to "weld" collagenous tissues by cross-linking Type-I collagen. A working model for the photochemical welding studies of collagenous tissues was developed using gelatin strips (gel strips) composed of denatured Type-I collagen. Gel strips are transparent to near-UV and visible light, uniform in thickness, and have reproducible composition. Furthermore, the availability of nucleophilic amine sites in gel strips was demonstrated by reaction with o-phthalaldehyde, producing a fluorescent derivative of the protein. Gel strips were coated with a solution of DPD in chloroform 7 irradiated at 320-390 nm, and the resulting bonded gel strips were tested for the strength of the weld. The welds were generally brittle and had average tensile strengths that exceeded 100 N/cm2. Welds were not formed in the absence of light or DPD. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed a pockmarked surface from severed welds. Welds of rabbit Achilles tendon were also obtained using the tethered diazopyruvamide. These welds were much weaker, having an average tensile strength of 11.95 N/cm2 for DPD-2,2'-ethylenedioxy(bis)ethylamine comonomers in the cross-linking reaction. In both studies the welds obtained by this method were significantly stronger than the controls.