The isolation and structure determination of cryptomisrine,a novel indolo[3,2-b]quinoline dimeric alkaloid from cryptolepis sanguinolenta

The isolation and structure determination of cryptomisrine, a novel indolo[3,2-b]quinoline dimeric alkaloid obtained from extracts of the roots of the Ghanaian medicinal plant Cryptolepis sanguinolenta is reported. The structure determination was made via a consideration of the spectral data, including uv, ir, nmr, and mass spectra. In particular, one-dimensional proton/carbon nmr, one-dimensional nOe difference nmr, and a series of homonuclear (COSY) and inverse-detected heteronuclear two-dimensional (HMQC, HMBC) experiments were utilized, as well as high resolution FABMS. Cryptomisrine is most unusual in that its two monomeric parts apparently exist in such a C₂ symmetric environment that only one set of proton and carbon nmr resonances are observed. Cryptomisrine is the first example of a dimeric indolo-[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid to have been isolated from nature.     

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Aldol-Reaction of 2,6-Dimethylphenyl Propionate Using Titanium-Carbohydrate Complexes

Chloro(cyclopentadienyl)bis(1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D -glucofuranos-3-O-yl)titanium ( 1 ) is used for the transmetallation of Li-enolates obtained from propionyl derivatives. While such Ti-enolates of ketones and hydrazones appear to be unreactive, the (E)enolate 13 of 2,6-dimethylphenyl propionate ( 11 ) adds to the re-side of aldehydes, affording various syn-aldols 14 with high dia- and enantioselectivity (92–97% ds, 91–97% ee, cf. Scheme 2 and Table 1). Racemic syn-aldols (±)- 14 are obtained analogously from the achiral bis(2-propyloxy)-Ti-enolate 15 (Scheme 2 and Table 2). In contrast to the unstable Li-enolate 10 , the Ti-enolates 13 and 15 isomerize at ?30°, presumably to the thermodynamically more stable (Z)-enolates (Scheme 4), While the diastereoselectivity of the achiral enolate 15 is lost upon this equilibration, the chiral (Z)-enolate 27 quite unexpectedly affords anti-aldols 12 of high optical purity (94–98% ec) and, in most cases, with acceptable-to-good diastereoselectivity (82–90% ds). Notable exceptions are branched unsaturated and aromatic aldehydes which form a greater proportion of synepimers of moderate optical purity (Scheme 5 and Table 3). Consistent with these findings, re-facial-and ami -selective aldol-addition is also exhibited by the (Z)-configurated Ti-enolate 22 of N-propionyl-oxazolidi-none 19 (Scheme 3).     

Structural Aspects of the Enantioselectivity of Tartrates with α-Amino-alcohol Salts. Part II. Crystal structures of (1R, 2S)-norephedrine hydrochloride and (1R, 2R)- norpseudoephedrine hydrochloride

Enantioselective host-guest complexes between α-amino-alcohol salts and chiral tartrates can not be crystallised up to now. To study structural aspects of their enantioselectivity, crystal structures of the components were determined. Norephedrine was used as a reference guest α-amino-alcohol. (1R, 2S)-Norephedrine hydrochloride (monoclinic, space group P2₁ Z = 4, a = 8.455, b = 10.331, c = 12.570 Å, β = 107.45°) and (1R, 2R)-norpseudoephedrine hydrochloride (monoclinic, space group P2₁ Z = 2, a = 5.493, b = 8.052, c = 11.986 Å, β = 104.62°) both adopt M-synclinal conformations with respect to the ammonium and hydroxy groups. Rather short intramolecular N…?O distances indicate interaction between ammonium and hydroxy groups.     

Dynamic imaging of single DNA-protein interactions using atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of static DNA-protein complexes, in air and in liquid, can be used to directly obtain quantitative and qualitative information on the structure of different complexes. For example, DNA length, the location of preferential binding sites for proteins and bending of DNA as a result of the complexation can all be measured. Recording consecutive AFM images of DNA and protein molecules under conditions that they are still able to move and interact, or dynamic AFM imaging, however, can reveal information on the dynamic aspects of the interactions between these molecules. Here, an overview is given of the technical challenges that need to be considered for successful dynamic AFM imaging studies of individual DNA-protein interactions. Necessary technical improvements to the AFM set-up and the development of new sample preparation methods are described in this paper.     

Synthesis,Vibrational Spectrum and Structure of the Tetracyanoborate K[B(CN)4]·CH3CN

The new tetracyanoborate K[B(CN)₄]·CH₃CN was synthesized by dissolution of the solvent‐free K[B(CN)₄] in acetonitrile and subsequent careful crystallization. The crystal structure has been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with Z = 4. Some comparisons with related structures are made, and the vibrational spectrum is discussed.     

A Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of C(11)-Functionalized Aromatic Steroids by an Intramolecular Benzocyclobutene-Olefin -Cycloaddition. Preliminary Communication

The racemic cis-anti-trans-steroids 9 to 11 have been synthesized in a highly stereoselective manner starting from 4-methoxybenzocyclobutene carboxylic acid via the key step 8 → 9 . (cf. Scheme 2).     

Nonlinear intensity dependence of the rate coefficient in unimolecular reactions induced by monochromatic infrared radiation

It is shown that essentially incoherent, stepwise one-photon transitions arising in dense multilevel structures of polyatomic molecules irradiated with monochromatic coherent infrared radiation can give rise (under specified conditions) to a more than proportional intensity dependence of the steady-state rate coefficient in unimolecular reactions induced by monochromatic infrared radiation.     

13C-NMR studies of marine natural products II. Total assignment of the 13C-NMR spectrum of asperdiol

¹³C-nmr spectral assignments for asperdiol are made with the aid of model compounds and T₁ relaxation behavior. Overall isotropic tumbling was inferred from the latter providing a supplemental means of multiplicity determination. Utilization of the T₁ relaxation times as an assignment criterion for select resonances in asperdiol is also described.     

3,7-Dioxaazelaamides as Ionophores for Lithium Ion Selective Liquid Membrane Electrodes

Lipophilic neutral carriers were synthesized which show Li⁺/Na⁺ selectivities of up to ca. 80 in highly lipophilic liquid membranes. The sensor membranes exhibit improved response times and increased lifetimes as compared to systems described earlier. They allow reliable measurements of Li⁺ in blood serum within the clinical concentration range. A 1:1 Li⁺/ionophore complex of one representative (N,N,N′,N′-tetracyclohexyl-5,5-dimethyl-3,7-dioxaazelaamide) has been prepared, and its structure was elucidated by X-ray analysis.