Chemoenzymatic synthesis of duloxetine and its enantiomer: lipase-catalyzed resolution of 3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl) propanenitrile

An efficient and facile chemoenzymatic synthesis of duloxetine by lipase mediated resolution of 3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl)propanenitrile has been achieved. This process also describes an enantioconvergent synthesis of duloxetine via a Mitsunobu reaction.     

New unsymmetrical μ-phenoxo bridged binuclear copper(II) complexes

A series of binuclear Cu^II complexes [Cu₂XL] ⁿ⁺ having two copper(II) ions bridged by different motifs (X = OH^–, MeCO₂ ^–, or Cl^–) have been prepared using the ligands: H₂L¹ = 4-methyl-2-[N-(2-{dimethylamino}ethyl-N-methyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, H₂L² = 4-nitro-2-[N-(2-{dimethylamino}ethyl-N-methyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, H₂L³ = 4-methyl-2-[N-(2-{diethylamino}ethyl-N-ethyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol and H₂L⁴ = 4-nitro-2-[N-(2-{diethylamino}ethyl-N-ethyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol. The complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic, analytical, magnetic and electrochemical measurements. Cryomagnetic investigations (80–300 K) revealed anti-ferromagnetic exchange between the Cu^II ions (–2J in the range –50 to –182 cm^–1). The strength of anti-ferromagnetic coupling lies in the order: OAc > OH > Cl. Cyclic voltammetry revealed the presence of two redox couples, assigned to Cu^II/Cu^II/Cu^II/Cu^I/Cu^I/Cu^I. The first reduction potential is sensitive to electronic effects from the aromatic ring substituents and steric effect on the donor nitrogens (side arm) of the ligand systems.     

Synthesis of flexible ligands for assembling two metals in close proximity. Magnetic,electrochemical and spectral properties of binuclear copper (II) complexes with different exogenous bridging motifs

Binuclear Cu^II complexes having new flexible heptadentate ligands 2,6-bis{[bis(3,3-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)amino]methyl}-4-bromophenol [HL¹], 2,6-bis(3,3-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)amino]methyl}-4-methylphenol [HL²], and 2,6-bis{[bis(3,3-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)amino]methyl}-4-methoxyphenol [HL³], capable of assembling two copper ions in close proximity have been synthesized. Comparisons of the charge-transfer (CT) features, observed in electronic spectra of these complexes, are correlated with the electronic effect on the aromatic ring of the ligand systems. Cyclic voltammetry has revealed the existence of two reduction couples,

Some studies on thallium oxalates. II. Thermal decomposition of potassium bisoxalato diaquothallate(III) dihydrate

Potassium bisoxalato diaquothallate(III) dihydrate is obtained by precipitating thallium(III) with oxalic acid from slightly acidic (HNO₃ or H₂SO₄) solutions in the presence of potassium ions. The thermal decomposition behaviour of the complex is studied using the techniques of TG, DTA and DTG. The solid complex salt and the intermediate products of its thermal decomposition are characterised using IR absorption spectra, microscopic observations, electrical conductivity measurements and X-ray diffraction data.     

Unexpected Reduction of Indole Double Bond in Mitragynine Using n-Butylsilane and Catalytic Tris(pentaflorophenyl)borane

An unexpected reduction of indolic double bond of mitragynine was described by using n-butyl silane and tris(pentafluorophenyl)triborane.     

Preparation and deployment of indigenous 125I-seeds for the treatment of prostate cancer: Dawn of prostate brachytherapy in India

‘Permanent seed implantation’ using ¹²⁵I- seeds has emerged as an effective treatment modality for management of prostate cancer. An indigenous technology for the production of ¹²⁵I brachytherapy sources (‘BARC ¹²⁵I Ocu-Prosta seed’) has been developed. In this current work, we describe an overview of our experience on large scale production of ¹²⁵I brachytherapy sources, their quality assessment, in vivo bio-evaluation and initial experience on their journey from bench to bed-side for the treatment of prostate cancer.     

35Cl NQR frequency and spin lattice relaxation time in 3,4‐dichlorophenol as a function of pressure and temperature

The pressure dependences of ³⁵Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) frequency, temperature and pressure variation of spin lattice relaxation time (T₁) were investigated in 3,4‐dichlorophenol. T₁ was measured in the temperature range 77–300 K. Furthermore, the NQR frequency and T₁ for these compounds were measured as a function of pressure up to 5 kbar at 300 K. The temperature dependence of the average torsional lifetimes of the molecules and the transition probabilities W₁ and W₂ for the Δm = ±1 and Δm = ±2 transitions were also obtained. A nonlinear variation of NQR frequency with pressure has been observed and the pressure coefficients were observed to be positive. A thermodynamic analysis of the data was carried out to determine the constant volume temperature coefficients of the NQR frequency. An attempt is made to compare the torsional frequencies evaluated from NQR data with those obtained by IR spectra. On selecting the appropriate mode from IR spectra, a good agreement with torsional frequency obtained from NQR data is observed. The previously mentioned approach is a good illustration of the supplementary nature of the data from IR studies, in relation to NQR studies of compounds in solid state. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organocatalytic strategy for hydrophenolation of gem-difluoroalkenes

Gem-difluoroalkenes are an easily accessed fluorinated functional group, and a useful intermediate for elaborating into more complex fluorinated compounds. Currently, most functionalization reactions of gem-difluoroalkenes, with or without a transition metal-based catalyst system, involve the addition or removal of a fluorine atom to generate trifluorinated or monofluorinated products, respectively. In contrast, we present a complementary “fluorine-retentive” reaction that exploits an organocatalytic strategy to add phenols across gem-difluoroalkenes to deliver β,β-difluorophenethyl arylethers. The products are produced in good to moderate yields and selectivities, thus providing a range of compounds that are underrepresented in the synthetic and medicinal chemistry literature.     

Erlenmeyer azlactone synthesis with aliphatic aldehydes under solvent-free microwave conditions

2-Phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolone (azlactone) reacts with aliphatic aldehydes upon adsorption on neutral alumina and irradiation with microwaves (<2 min). The corresponding condensation products are obtained in good yields (62-78%), indicating the satisfactory resolution of a long-standing problem plaguing the classical Erlenmeyer synthesis (poor results with aliphatic aldehydes). Plausible mechanistic reasons for the success of the procedure are discussed.     

Stereoselective synthesis of bis-hydroxy-tetrahydrofurans using cross metathesis

A short asymmetric approach for the synthesis of bis-tetrahydrofuran units of various annonaceous acetogenins is described. The key steps of the synthesis are self-cross metathesis and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation.