Efficient synthesis of a 4,5-epoxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one derivative bearing a spirolactone via a Diels-Alder reaction with high pi-facial selectivity: a synthetic study towards scyphostatin

The Diels-Alder reaction of spirolactones with cyclopentadiene afforded the adduct with high pi-facial selectivity; a hydrophilic analogue of scyphostatin was synthesized from the Diels-Alder adduct.     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

Electrochemical analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms of p53 gene

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cancer repression gene p53 were analyzed electrochemically with ferrocenyl naphthalene diimide (1) as a hybridization indicator. The SNPs studied were the transition to A from G in the codon for amino acid at positions 175, 248 or 273 and the transversion to C from G in the codon for the amino acid at position 72. Thus, 20-meric oligonucleotides carrying the SNP site were used both as a sample and a probe with the latter immobilized on an electrode. Even one base difference on the p53 gene resulted in a significant difference in the current response of 1 and the magnitude of the response correlated with the amount of the DNA hybrid on the electrode. Moreover, when PCR products of exon 4, on which the P72/R72 SNP resides, of the p53 gene were analyzed by this method, the heterozygote and homozygotes were discriminated with modest precision.     

Peroxotungstate immobilized on ionic liquid-modified silica as a heterogeneous epoxidation catalyst with hydrogen peroxide

Peroxotungstate immobilized on ionic liquid-modified SiO2 is capable of heterogeneously epoxidizing a wide range of olefins with the maintenance of the catalytic activity of homogeneous analogue. The epoxidation was immediately stopped by the removal of the catalyst, and no tungsten species could be found in the filtrate after the removal of the catalyst. These results can rule out any contribution to the observed catalysis from the tungsten species that leached into the reaction solution, and the observed catalysis is truly heterogeneous in nature. Furthermore, the catalyst was reusable without the loss of the catalytic performance.     

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.     

Effect of intercalation of metal ions on the colloidal and solid properties of vanadium pentaoxide hydrate,V2O5 nH2O

The colloidal stability of V₂O₅ nH₂O was studied on the basis of the measurements of critical flocculation concentration (CFC) by metal ions, amount of ions exchanged (or intercalated), and -potential. In total, the CFC values obeyed the Schulze Hardy law and strong Hofmeister's series was found in the systems including alkaline ions. The sequence of colloidal stability of V₂O₅ nH₂O in the electrolyte solutions was related to the intercalation of metal ions in the interlayer spaces of the solid. The largest CFC value for Li⁺ (87 mmol dm^–3) was explained by smaller affinity of Li⁺ to be intercalated in V₂O₅ nH₂O as well as smaller Hamaker constant of the intercalated solid compared to the other systems.Effect of intercalation of metal ions on the crystalline properties of the materials was measured by use of XRD and electron microscope. Under highly dehydrated condition the ions whose radii are smaller than 0.1 nm are captured in the structure of V₂O₅ nH₂O without changing interlayer distances, while those larger than 0.1 nm increase the interlayer distance. In a saturated H₂O vapor interlayer distances increased with increasing charge of intercalated ions. However, when intercalated with ions carrying the same valency the interlayer distances of the sample decreased with decrease in the hydration property of ions. Hydrolyzable Cr³⁺ gave exceptionally larger interlayer distances, both in a vacuum and in H₂O vapor.     

Surface graft polymerization of acrylamide onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) film by UV irradiation

To improve the low water wettability of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), graft polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) by UV irradiation was performed onto the surface of a PET film with the simultaneous irradiation method without using a photo sensitizer. The PET film immersed in a 10 wt % deaerated aqueous solution of AAm was found to become highly hydrophilic upon UV irradiation. Optical microscopy on cross sections of grafted films showed that localization of the graft polymerization was restricted to a thin surface region of the film. Both the low concentration of polymer radicals formed by UV irradiation and the monomer penetration limited to the film surface would be responsible for localization of the grafted layer to the film surface region. Pretreatment of the PET film with benzyl alcohol was effective for enhancement of the graft polymerization. Retention of high hydrophilicity of the surface even after rigorous extraction of homopolymer and a comparative study of polymerization without UV irradiation strongly suggested that UV irradiation of the PET film under immersion in the deaerated AAm aqueous solution would lead to formation of the true graft copolymer.     

A new Zn(II) coordination polymer with 4-pyridylthioacetate: assemblies of homo-chiral helices with sulfide sites

A coordination polymer [Zn(pyta)(OH)] (pyta = 4-pyridylthioacetate), was synthesized and structurally characterized; it is constructed by an alternating assembly of two types of homo-chiral helices, [Zn-OH] and [Zn-pyta], in which the sulfide moieties are fastened in the latter columns.     

Partialsynthese der Grandidone A, 7-Epi-A,B, 7-Epi-B,C, D und 7-Epi-D aus 14-Hydroxytaxodion

Partial Synthesis of Grandidones A, 7-Epi-A, B, 7-Epi-B, C, D and 7-Epi-D, from 14-Hydroxytaxodione Oxydative addition of coleon U ( 6 ) to 14-hydroxytaxodione ( 5 ) in the presence of Fétizon's reagent mainly leads to grandidone A ( 1a ) and 7-epigrandidone A ( 1b ) (ca. 15:1), whereas coleon V ( 7 ) and 5 under the same conditions yield grandidone B ( 2a ) and 7-epigrandidone B ( 2b ) (ca. 3:1). Dimerization of 14-hydroxytaxodione ( 5 ) gives grandidone C ( 3 ; ca. 40%), grandidone D ( 4a ; ca. 50%) and 7-epigrandidone D ( 4b ; ca. 10%). All these compounds obtained by partial synthesis are in every respect identical with the natural products, thus establishing their absolute configurations. The thermal transformation of grandidone C ( 3 ) to grandidone D ( 4a )/7-epigrandidone D ( 4b ) and interconversions of 4a and 4b were achieved. Oxydative addition of coleon U ( 6 ) to 14-hydroxytaxodione ( 5 ) in the presence of Fétizon's reagent mainly leads to grandidone A ( 1a ) and 7-epigrandidone A ( 1b ) (ca. 15:1), whereas coleon V ( 7 ) and 5 under the same conditions yield grandidone B ( 2a ) and 7-epigrandidone B ( 2b ) (ca. 3:1). Dimerization of 14-hydroxytaxodione ( 5 ) gives grandidone C ( 3 ; ca. 40%), grandidone D ( 4a ; ca. 50%) and 7-epigrandidone D ( 4b ; ca. 10%). All these compounds obtained by partial synthesis are in every respect identical with the natural products, thus establishing their absolute configurations. The thermal transformation of grandidone C ( 3 ) to grandidone D ( 4a )/7-epigrandidone D ( 4b ) and interconversions of 4a and 4b were achieved. Oxydative addition of coleon U ( 6 ) to 14-hydroxytaxodione ( 5 ) in the presence of Fétizon's reagent mainly leads to grandidone A ( 1a ) and 7-epigrandidone A ( 1b ) (ca. 15:1), whereas coleon V ( 7 ) and 5 under the same conditions yield grandidone B ( 2a ) and 7-epigrandidone B ( 2b ) (ca. 3:1). Dimerization of 14-hydroxytaxodione ( 5 ) gives grandidone C ( 3 ; ca. 40%), grandidone D ( 4a ; ca. 50%) and 7-epigrandidone D ( 4b ; ca. 10%). All these compounds obtained by partial synthesis are in every respect identical with the natural products, thus establishing their absolute configurations. The thermal transformation of grandidone C ( 3 ) to grandidone D ( 4a )/7-epigrandidone D ( 4b ) and interconversions of 4a and 4b were achieved. Oxydative addition of coleon U ( 6 ) to 14-hydroxytaxodione ( 5 ) in the presence of Fétizon's reagent mainly leads to grandidone A ( 1a ) and 7-epigrandidone A ( 1b ) (ca. 15:1), whereas coleon V ( 7 ) and 5 under the same conditions yield grandidone B ( 2a ) and 7-epigrandidone B ( 2b ) (ca. 3:1). Dimerization of 14-hydroxytaxodione ( 5 ) gives grandidone C ( 3 ; ca. 40%), grandidone D ( 4a ; ca. 50%) and 7-epigrandidone D ( 4b ; ca. 10%). All these compounds obtained by partial synthesis are in every respect identical with the natural products, thus establishing their absolute configurations. The thermal transformation of grandidone C ( 3 ) to grandidone D ( 4a )/7-epigrandidone D ( 4b ) and interconversions of 4a and 4b were achieved.     

The formation of clathrate-like hydrates of tetrabutylammonium halogenated carboxylates

The solid-liquid phase diagrams of binary mixtures of tetrabutylammonium halogenated carboxylates with water were examined in order to confirm the formation of clathrate-like hydrates. It was found that, among thirteen carboxylates examined, four carboxylates having CH₂FCOO^–, CHF₂COO^–, CF₃COO^–, and CH₂ClCOO^–, formed a hydrate with hydration numbers around 30 and seven carboxylates having CHCl₂COO^–, CCl₃COO^–, CH₂BrCOO^–, CHBr₂COO^–, CBr₃COO^–, CH₃CHClCOO^–, and CH₃CHBrCOO^– formed a hydrate with hydration numbers around 23. The latter hydrate has not been reported earlier. The melting points of these newly found hydrates were fairly high: they lie between 10 and 16°C. The effect of Cl and Br atoms attached to the carbon atom of the-position of a carboxylate anion both on the type of hydrate formed and on its stability was greatly different from that of a CH₃ group attached to the same position of the carboxylate anion.Dedicated to Dr D. W. Davidson in honor of his great contributions to the sciences of inclusion phenomena.