Stereocontrolled synthesis of iminocyclitols with an ether bridge

Nor-tropane related bicyclic (6+5) iminocyclitols with an ether bridge and different substituents (hydroxymethyl, aminomethyl, and aminoethyl) on C-1 are prepared starting from a β-d-psicofuranosyl cyanide. The method involves an internal nucleophilic attack of a stabilized amide ion on a 5-mesyloxy derivative. The intermediate N-acetyl O-protected iminocyclitols present atropoisomerism due to restricted rotation of the N-CO amido bond. Conformational aspects of the prepared compounds are discussed.     

Cyclodextrin effects on physical–chemical properties of novocaine

The UV-vis absorption and the fluorescence emission spectra of novocaine were analysed in aqueous cyclodextrin (CD) solutions. Either the absorbance read at λ_max 290 nm or the fluorescence emission intensity at λ_ems 346 nm increase in the presence of both α- and β-CD due to the formation of 1:1 inclusion complexes. The lower polarity of the CD-cavity sensed by the included drug enhances the emitted fluorescence; in fact, the same effect was observed in aqueous mixtures of acetonitrile, dioxane, or dimethylsulfoxide. The inclusion complex formation between the monocation of novocaine and CDs diminishes the electrical conductance of aqueous solutions of novocaine hydrochloride (NoHCl). Both the nitrosation reaction in aqueous acid medium and the ester hydrolysis in alkaline medium are retarded in the presence of CDs. The strongest effect was observed with β-CD as a consequence of the higher stability inclusion complex.     

Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of 1,1'-binaphthyl-based chiral phenylenevinylene dendrimers

New chiral, soluble binaphthyl derivatives that incorporate stilbenoid dendrons at the 6,6'-positions have been prepared. The synthesis of the new enantiopure dendrimers was performed in a convergent manner by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction of the appropriately functionalized 1,1'-binaphthyl derivative (R)-1 and the appropriate dendrons (R)(2n)G(n)-CHO. Different electroactive units were incorporated in the peripheral positions of the dendrons in order to tune both the optical and electrochemical behavior of these systems. Fluorescence measurements on the chiral dendrimers reveal a strong emission with maxima between 409 and 508 nm depending upon the substitution pattern. Finally, the redox properties of the dendrimers were determined by cyclic voltammetry, showing the influence of the functional groups at the peripheral positions of the dendrimer on the redox behavior of these systems.     

Role of the tautomerism of 2-azaadenine and 2-azahypoxanthine in substrate recognition by xanthine oxidase

The tautomerism of 2-azaadenine and 2-hypoxanthine has been examined in the gas phase and in aqueous solution. The tautomerism in the gas phase has been studied by means of semiempirical and ab initio quantum-mechanical computations, as well as density-functional calculations. The influence of the aqueous solvent on the relative stability between tautomers has been estimated from self-consistent reaction field calculations performed with different high-level continuum models. The results provide a detailed picture of the tautomeric preference for these purine bases. The importance of tautomerism in the substrate recognition by xanthine oxidase is discussed. Finally, the rate of oxidation of 2-azaadenine and 2- hypoxanthine by xanthine oxidase is discussed in terms of the recognition model at the enzyme active site.     

Towards the synthesis of [15]-membered stevastelins through the 2,3-epoxy analogues

A synthetic approach to the [15]-membered stevastelins, a novel class of immunosuppressant agents, is reported based on a macrolactamization route to the 2,3-epoxy derivative 6. The synthesis of this compound was achieved via a stereoselective epoxidation of the allylic alcohol 13, followed by a coupling reaction with a variety of peptide derivatives to give the epoxy peptides 7-10. After an extensive study of cyclizations with these precursors, the best result was achieved with the macrolactamization of 8 in the presence of DEPC, to obtain the epoxy cyclic depsipeptide 6 in 42% yield. From this product, an epoxy analogue of stevastelin B, compound 27, was prepared. Finally, the synthesis of the natural product was attempted through the opening of the oxirane ring contained in 6 and 26, with a variety of methyl cuprate reagents, but without success.     

Multiresidue determination of pesticides in drinking and related waters by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction: interlaboratory study

As part of a project funded by the European Commission (EC) for the development and evaluation of multiresidue methods for analysis of drinking and related waters, 15 European laboratories evaluated a method using styrene-divinylbenzene co-polymer solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The main aim of the study was to evaluate whether the method meets the requirements of EC Directive 98/83 in terms of accuracy, precision, and detection limit for 22 pesticides according to the following requirements: limit of detection, < or = 0.025 microg/L; accuracy, expressed as recovery between 75 and 125%; and precision, expressed as repeatability relative standard deviation of the method of < 12.5% and as reproducibility relative standard deviation of the method of < 25%. Analyses for unknown concentrations were performed with fortified commercial bottled and tap waters. All laboratories were able to achieve detection limits of 0.01 microg/L for all pesticides except dimethoate and desisopropylatrazine (0.02 microg/L). The criteria for repeatability were met for all compounds except trifluralin, dimethoate, and lindane in bottled water and chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and lindane in tap water. The criteria for reproducibility were met for all compounds except trifluralin, dimethoate, and lindane in bottled water and pendimethalin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, terbutryn, and lindane in tap water. In terms of accuracy, the method meets the requirements for all pesticides in both matrixes, except for lindane in bottled water and lindane and chlorpyrifos in tap water.     

Pseudoesters and derivatives. XXV. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of diazomethane to 5-methoxy-3-pyrrolin-2-ones

Cycloaddition of diazomethane to pyrrolinones 1a,b,d,e affords only one regioisomer as a mixture of the epimeric pyrrolopyrazolines 2 and 2 ′,4-Halo derivatives 1f,g react with diazomethane to give the two possible regioisomers 2 and 3. The regio- and stereochemistry of the adducts is evidenced by the ¹H-nmr data. The primary adducts originated from the halopyrrolinones suffer dehydrohalogenation to give aromatized products, which by further methylation give derivatives of type 7, 8, 10 and 11.     

Assessing the non-specific hydroxyl radical scavenging properties of melanoidins in a Fenton-type reaction system

Soluble high molecular weight fraction (>10 kDa, named melanoidins) was isolated from Maillard reaction model systems, coffee, beer and sweet wine by ultrafiltration. Deoxyribose method was adjusted for measuring the hydroxyl radical scavenging properties of melanoidins. The presence of competitive melanoidins with deoxyribose for OH decrease the rate of deoxyribose degradation. Possible interferences to the deoxyribose method have been evaluated. Most of isolated melanoidins exhibited a variable and measurable non-site-specific hydroxyl scavenging activity in a Fenton-type reaction system. The iron reducing properties of melanoidins at the reaction conditions were evaluated with ferrozine. It has established a kinetic approach to assess the second rate constants of hydroxyl radical scavenging reactions of melanoidins. This approach may be a valuable tool for addressing the structure-activity relationships of melanoidins in a future. There is no correlation between browning (absorbance at 420 nm) and efficiency for scavenging hydroxyl radicals in solution.     

Utility of 4,6-dichloro-2-(methylthio)-5-nitropyrimidine. Part 2: Solution phase synthesis of tetrasubstituted purines

A simple synthesis of tetrasubstituted purines is disclosed based on the solution phase elaboration of 4,6-dichloro-2-methylthio-5-nitropyrimidine. One-pot sequential C4 and C6 chloride substitution by secondary and primary amines yields 4,6-diamino-2-methylthio-5-nitropyrimidines. mCPBA-mediated oxidation of the methylthio moiety to the corresponding sulfone allows facile substitution at the 2-position. CrCl₂ assisted reduction of the nitro group, followed by acid catalyzed orthoester cyclization, then provides novel tetrasubstituted purines not accessible by other methods.