Identification and Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of 1,5-Dihydrobenzo[e][1,4]oxazepin-2(3H)-ones That Induce Differentiation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells In Vitro

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most aggressive type of blood cancer, and there is a continued need for new treatments that are well tolerated and improve long-term survival rates in patients. Induction of differentiation has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, but known agents lack efficacy in genetically distinct patient populations. Previously, we established a phenotypic screen to identify small molecules that could stimulate differentiation in a range of AML cell lines. Utilising this strategy, a 1,5-dihydrobenzo[e][1,4]oxazepin-2(3H)-one hit compound was identified. Herein, we report the hit validation in vitro, structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and the pharmacokinetic profiles for selected compounds.     

A silicon-position dependent 6-endo-trig cyclization during Tsuji–Trost alkylation

Two silylated cyclohexenes products have been prepared by using a Tsuji–Trost palladium-catalyzed cyclization. It involves the generation of a cationic π-allylic palladium complex bearing a triethylsilyl group on C-3, which cyclizes via a 6-endo-trig process to afford the cyclohexene derivatives. It is also demonstrated that the position of the silyl group on the starting allylic substrate strongly influenced the reaction. It could favor either the production of the expected cyclohexenyl ring or a diene by an elimination that occurs on the silyl-substituted C-2 π-allylic palladium complex.     

Fenugreek mucilage as a flocculating agent for sewage treatment

The use of fenugreek mucilage, a natural polysaccharide and a direct food additive, as a flocculating agent for removal of suspended and dissolved solids from sewage effluent has been reported. A flocculation study has been done by the standard jar test method. The percent removal of suspended solid (SS) and dissolved solid (TDS) was determined by varying the polymer dose, pH and contact time. X-ray diffraction patterns of the solid waste material of mucilage and flocs (so obtained after treatment) were used to suggest the incorporation of the crystalline waste material in the mucilage. The optimal mucilage concentration was found to be 0.16 mg/l. The suitable pH range for maximum solid removal (SS and TDS) was alkaline and the time required for treatment was 1-3 h.     

Dip-pen nanolithography in tapping mode

Dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) is becoming a popular nano-patterning technique for depositing materials onto a substrate using the probe of an atomic force microscope (AFM). Here, we demonstrate the deposition of a short synthetic peptide by DPN using the Tapping Mode of AFM rather than the commonly used contact mode. DPN in Tapping Mode requires drive amplitude modifications for deposition, yet allows for gentle imaging of the deposited material and enables deposition on soft surfaces.     

Simulating infrared spectra and hydrogen bonding in cellulose Iβ at elevated temperatures

We have modeled the transformation of cellulose Iβ to a high temperature (550 K) structure, which is considered to be the first step in cellulose pyrolysis. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations at constant pressure using the GROMOS 45a4 united atom forcefield. To test the forcefield, we computed the density, thermal expansion coefficient, total dipole moment, and dielectric constant of cellulose Iβ, finding broad agreement with experimental results. We computed infrared (IR) spectra of cellulose Iβ over the range 300-550 K as a probe of hydrogen bonding. Computed IR spectra were found to agree semi-quantitatively with experiment, especially in the O-H stretching region. We assigned O-H stretches using a novel synthesis of normal mode analysis and power spectrum methods. Simulated IR spectra at elevated temperatures suggest a structural transformation above 450 K, a result in agreement with experimental IR results. The low-temperature (300-400 K) structure of cellulose Iβ is dominated by intrachain hydrogen bonds, whereas in the high-temperature structure (450-550 K), many of these transform to longer, weaker interchain hydrogen bonds. A three-dimensional hydrogen bonding network emerges at high temperatures due to formation of new interchain hydrogen bonds, which may explain the stability of the cellulose structure at such high temperatures.     

Protic acid (HClO4 supported on silica gel)-mediated synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated-O-glucosides and a chiral furan diol from 2,3-glycals

Perchloric acid supported on silica gel acts as an excellent reagent system in converting glucals into 2,3-unsaturated-O-glucosides in good to excellent yields in short reaction time with good alpha selectivity. Primary, secondary, and allylic alcohols, phenols, and thiols react with 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl glucal with equal ease. In addition to this, a chiral furan diol is obtained from unprotected D-glucal or D-galactal in good yields.     

Identification and structural elucidation of two process impurities and stress degradants in darifenacin hydrobromide active pharmaceutical ingredient by LC-ESI/MS(n)

The present study describes the identification and characterization of two process impurities and major stress degradants in darifenacin hydrobromide using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Forced degradation studies confirmed that the drug substance was stable under acidic, alkaline, aqueous hydrolysis, thermal and photolytic conditions and susceptible only to oxidative degradation. Impurities were identified using liquid chromatography coupled with ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS(n)). Proposed structures were unambiguously confirmed by synthesis followed by characterization using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and elemental analysis (EA). Based on the spectroscopic, spectrometric and elemental analysis data, the unknown impurities were characterized as 2-{1-[2-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-2,2-diphenylacetamide (Imp-A), 2-[1-(2-benzofuran-5-yl-ethyl)-pyrrolidin-3-yl]-2,2-diphenylacetamide (Imp-B), 2-{1-[2-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)-ethyl]-1-oxy-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-2,2-diphenylacetamide (Imp-C) and 2-{1-[2-(7-bromo-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)-ethyl]-pyrrolidin-3-yl}-2,2-diphenylacetamide (Imp-D). Plausible mechanisms for the formation and control of these impurities have also been proposed. The method was validated as per regulatory guidelines to demonstrate specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and the stability-indicating nature. Regression analysis showed a correlation coefficient value greater than 0.99 for darifenacin hydrobromide and its impurities. The accuracy of the method was established based on the recovery obtained between 86.6 and 106.7% for all impurities.     

Mechanisms for CO production from CO2 using reduced rhenium tricarbonyl catalysts

The chemical conversion of CO(2) has been studied by numerous experimental groups. Particularly the use of rhenium tricarbonyl-based molecular catalysts has attracted interest owing to their ability to absorb light, store redox equivalents, and convert CO(2) into higher-energy products. The mechanism by which these catalysts mediate reduction, particularly to CO and HCOO(-), is poorly understood, and studies aimed at elucidating the reaction pathway have likely been hindered by the large number of species present in solution. Herein the mechanism for carbon monoxide production using rhenium tricarbonyl catalysts has been investigated using density functional theory. The investigation presented proceeds from the experimental work of Meyer's group (J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun.1985, 1414-1416) in DMSO and Fujita's group (J. Am. Chem. Soc.2003, 125, 11976-11987) in dry DMF. The latter work with a simplified reaction mixture, one that removes the photo-induced reduction step with a sacrificial donor, is used for validation of the proposed mechanism, which involves formation of a rhenium carboxylate dimer, [Re(dmb)(CO)(3)](2)(OCO), where dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine. CO(2) insertion into this species, and subsequent rearrangement, is proposed to yield CO and the carbonate-bridged [Re(dmb)(CO)(3)](2)(OCO(2)). Structures and energies for the proposed reaction path are presented and compared to previously published experimental observations.     

Solvation free energies calculated using the GB/SA model: Sensitivity of results on charge sets,protocols, and force fields

The sensitivity of aqueous solvation free energies (SFEs), estimated using the GB/SA continuum solvent model, on charge sets, protocols, and force fields, was studied. Simple energy calculations using the GB/SA solvent model were performed on 11 monofunctional organic compounds. Results indicate that calculated SFEs are strongly dependent on the charge sets. Charges derived from electrostatic potential fitting to high level ab initio wave functions using the CHELPG procedure and “class IV” charges from AM1/CM1a or PM3/CM1p calculations yielded better results than the corresponding Mulliken charges. Calculated SFEs were similar to MC/FEP energies obtained in the presence of explicit TIP4P water. Further improvements were obtained by using GVB/6-31G** and MP2/6-31+G** (CHELPG) charge sets that included correlation effects. SFEs calculated using charge sets assigned by the OPLSA* force field gave the best results of all standard force fields (MM2*, MM3*, MMFF, AMBER*, and OPLSA*) implemented in MacroModel. Comparison of relative and absolute SFEs computed using either the GB/SA continuum model or MC/FEP calculations in the presence of explicit TIP4P water showed that, in general, relative SFEs can be estimated with greater accuracy. A second set of 20 mono- and difunctional molecules was also studied and relative SFEs estimated using energy minimization and thermodynamic cycle perturbation (TCP) protocols. SFEs calculated from TCP calculations using the GB/SA model were sensitive to bond lengths of dummy bonds (i.e., bonds involving dummy atoms). In such cases, keeping the bond lengths of dummy bonds close to the corresponding bond lengths of the starting structures improved the agreement of TCP-calculated SFEs with energy minimization results. Overall, these results indicate that GB/SA solvation free energy estimates from simple energy minimization calculations are of similar accuracy and value to those obtained using more elaborate TCP protocols. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 769–780, 1998     

Preparation and Characterisation of Meloxicam Hydroxy Propyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex

Meloxicam is a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug, used in the treatment of rheumatoid and osteoarthiritis. It is practically insoluble in water and its prolonged use is associated with the incidence of side effects like gastro intestinal perforations, ulcerations and bleeding. Therefore, an attempt has been made to improve the aqueous solubility of the drug by making an inclusion complex using hydroxy propyl β cyclodextrin(HPβ-CD). The complexes were prepared by physical mixture and freeze drying method. The different methods employed for evaluation such as DSC, XRD, SEM and FT-IR studies indicated complete formation of the complex by freeze drying method in a molar ratio of 1:2. The prepared complexes showed improved in-vitro dissolution profile as compared to the pure drug.