Chemical synthesis of homogeneous human glycosyl-interferon-β that exhibits potent antitumor activity in vivo

Chemical synthesis of homogeneous human glycoproteins exhibiting bioactivity in vivo has been a challenging task. In an effort to overcome this long-standing problem, we selected interferon-β and examined its synthesis. The 166 residue polypeptide chain of interferon-β was prepared by covalent condensation of two synthetic peptide segments and a glycosylated synthetic peptide bearing a complex-type glycan of biological origin. The peptides were covalently condensed by native chemical ligation. Selective desulfurization followed by deprotection of the two Cys(Acm) residues gave the target full-length polypeptide chain of interferon-β bearing either a complex-type sialyl biantennary oligosaccharide or its asialo form. Subsequent folding with concomitant formation of the native disulfide bond afforded correctly folded homogeneous glycosyl-interferon-β. The chemically synthesized sialyl interferon-β exhibited potent antitumor activity in vivo.     

Evidence of conformational equilibrium of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium in its ionic liquid salts: Raman spectroscopic study and quantum chemical calculations

Raman spectra of liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (EMI+) salts, EMI(+)BF4-, EMI(+)PF6-, EMI(+)CF3SO3-, and EMI(+)N(CF3SO2)2-, were measured over the frequency range 200-1600 cm(-1). In the range 200-500 cm(-1), we found five bands originating from the EMI+ ion at 241, 297, 387, 430, and 448 cm(-1). However, the 448 cm(-1) band could hardly be reproduced by theoretical calculations in terms of a given EMI+ conformer, implying that the band originates from another conformer. This is expected because the EMI+ involves an ethyl group bound to the N atom of the imidazolium ring, and the ethyl group can rotate along the C-N bond to yield conformers. The torsion energy for the rotation was then theoretically calculated. Two local minima with an energy difference of ca. 2 kJ mol(-1) were found, suggesting that two conformers are present in equilibrium. Full geometry optimizations followed by normal frequency analyses indicate that the two conformers are those with planar and nonplanar ethyl groups against the imidazolium ring plane, and the nonplanar conformer is favorable. It elucidates that bands at 241, 297, 387, and 430 cm(-1) mainly originate from the nonplanar conformer, whereas the 448 cm(-1) band does originate from the planar conformer. Indeed, the enthalpy for conformational change from nonplanar to planar EMI+ experimentally obtained by analyzing band intensities of the conformers at varying temperatures is practically the same as that evaluated by theoretical calculations. We thus conclude that the EMI+ ion exists as either a nonplanar or planar conformer in equilibrium in its liquid salts.     

Preparation of cerium-loaded Y-zeolites for removal of organic sulfur compounds from hydrodesulfurizated gasoline and diesel oil

Ce(IV)-loaded Y-zeolites (CeY) were prepared for selective removal of the trace amount of organic sulfur compounds from hydrodesulfurization (HDS)-treated diesel oil. The CeY samples can be obtained from NH4-Y-zeolite (NH4Y) using liquid-phase ion-exchange and solid-state ion-exchange methods. The ion-exchange reactions, structures, and selective adsorptions of organic sulfur compounds of the CeY samples were investigated using XRD, IR, XPS, TEM, and GC sulfur analyzer. The organic sulfur compound uptakes strongly depend on the amount and the valency of Ce in the zeolite structure. Ce(IV) shows much higher adsorptive ability than Ce(III). A CeY-S sample prepared by solid-state ion-exchange reaction of NH4Y and Ce(NO3)3 with Ce/NH4 mole ratio of 0.63 at 250 degrees C showed a maximum sulfur uptake from a model solution of HDS-treated gasoline containing thiophene [S = 5 ppm (ppm = mg/L)]. A desulfurization from a HDS-treated diesel oil containing organic sulfur compounds (S = 1.87 ppm) and H2S (S = 0.73 ppm) was investigated with a combination of the CeY-S and a CuO adsorbent for removal of H2S by a batch method. The sulfur content was reduced to below 0.01 ppm for the first time. This method provides a promising desulfurization process to prepare a clean fuel for fuel cells.     

Formal [4+2] cycloaddition of 3-phenylcyclobutanones with nitriles

Various 3-phenylcyclobutanones reacted with aliphatic and aromatic nitriles in the presence of Me₃SiOTf to afford dihydropyridones by formal [4+2] cycloaddition.     

Solid-phase syntheses of olefin-containing inhibitors for HTLV-1 protease using the Horner-Emmons reaction

[reaction: see text] The solid-phase Horner-Emmons reaction was successfully applied for the convenient syntheses of olefin-containing protease inhibitors. The isomerization during the solid-phase Horner-Emmons reaction can be minimized simply by the use of an appropriate amount of the base. The synthesized olefin peptides, which have an olefin gamma-amino acid at the scissile site, were found to act as effective inhibitors for the HTLV-1 protease for the first time.     

Ag/ThioClickFerrophos-catalyzed enantioselective Mannich reaction and amination of glycine Schiff base

The AgOAc/ThioClickFerrophos complex catalyzed the asymmetric Mannich reaction of glycine Schiff base with N-tosylimines effectively to give a mixture of syn and anti adducts (syn/anti = 60/40-70/30) at high yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). The complex also catalyzed the asymmetric amination of glycine Schiff base with di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate with high enantioselectivity.