The search for a new model structure of β-Factor XIIa

We present the search for a new model of -factor XIIa, a blood coagulation enzyme, with an unknown experimental 3D-structure. We decided to build not one but three different models using different homologous proteins as well as different techniques and different modellers. Additional studies, including extensive molecular dynamics simulations on the solvated state, allowed us to draw several conclusions concerning homology modelling, in general, and -factor XIIa, in particular.     

Simultaneous determination of N-butylscopolamine and oxazepam in pharmaceutical formulations by first-order digital derivative spectrophotometry

A simple method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of N-butylscopolamine bromide and oxazepam in pharmaceutical formulations using first-order digital derivative spectrophotometry. Acetonitrile was selected as the solvent in which both compounds showed well-defined bands. Both analytes showed good stability in this solvent when solutions of the analytes were exposed to light and temperatures between 20 degrees and 80 degrees C. The simultaneous determination of both drugs was performed by the zero-crossing method at 226.0 and 257.0 nm for N-butylscopolamine and oxazepam, respectively. The linear range of determination was found to be 2.5 x 10(-7) to 8.0 x 10(-5) mol/L for N-butylscopolamine and 7.1 x 10(-8) to 8.0 x 10(-5) mol/L for oxazepam. A very good level of repeatability (relative standard deviation) of 0.2% was observed for N-butylscopolamine and oxazepam. The ingredients commonly found in pharmaceutical formulations do not interfere. The proposed method was applied to the determination of these drugs in pharmaceutical formulations (capsules).     

Synthesis of 2-(p-R-benzoylmethylene)-3-(p-R-phenyl)-1H-quinoxalines

The reaction of 1,2-diaminobenzenes with substituted 1,2-dibenzoyl-1,2-dibromoethanes constitutes a convenient synthetic route to the hitherto 2-(p-R-benzoylmethylene)-3-(p-R-phenyl)-1H-quinoxalines. Structures of all products were elucidated by ir, ¹H and ¹³C-nmr, mass spectra data. X-Ray crystallography data confirm assigned structures.     

Analytical procedures for quantification of peptides in pharmaceutical research by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Peptide quantification by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) combines the high resolving power of reversed-phase (RP) chromatography with the excellent selectivity and sensitivity of mass spectrometric detection. On the basis of comprehensive practical experience in the analysis of small molecules, pharmaceutical research is developing technologies for analysis of a growing number of peptidic drug candidates. This article is a detailed review of procedures based on LC–MS techniques for quantitative determination of peptides. With the focus on pharmaceutical applications several technologies for sample preparation, various aspects of peptide chromatography, important characteristics of ESI–MS, selectivity of MS-detection modes, the large variability of internal standards, and modern instrumentation are discussed. The demand for reliable, robust, sensitive, and accurate methods is discussed using numerous examples from the literature, complemented by experiments and results from our laboratory.     

Metal Oxoclusters as Molecular Building Blocks for the Development of Nanostructured Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Thin Films

Silica-based inorganic–organic hybrid thin films embedding the organically modified oxohafnium clusters (Hf₄O₂(OMc)₁₂, OMc=OC(O)–C(CH₃)=CH₂) were obtained by photo-activated free radical copolymerisation of the methacrylate groups of the cluster with those of the pre-hydrolysed (methacryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (MAPTMS, (CH₂=C(CH₃)C(O)O)(CH₂)₃Si(OCH₃)₃). By this route, a covalent anchoring of the cluster to the forming silica network was achieved. Samples characterized by two different Si/Hf compositions (18:1, 5:1) were prepared. The surface and in-depth composition of the thin films were investigated through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS depth profiles performed on the thin layers evidenced a homogenous in depth distribution of the hafnium guest species within the whole silica films and sharp film-substrate interfaces. Broad band dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) measurements permitted to investigate the electric response of the obtained films in the frequency and temperature range of 40 Hz – 1 MHz and 0–160°C.     

7-Benz[c] acridinemethanols as tetracyclic analogs of the 2-phenyl-4-quinolinemethanol antimalarials

A series of new 7-benz[c]acridinemethanols and 5,6-dihydro-7-benz[c]acridinemethanols was prepared as rigid, tetracyclic analogs of the antimalarial 2-phenyl-4-quinolinemethanols. Condensation of 5,7-dichloroisatin with 6-chloro-, 7-chloro-, and 6,7-dichloro-1-tetralone furnished halogenated 5,6-dihydro-7-benz[c]acridinecarboxylic acids, which were transformed into the corresponding acid chlorides, acyl malonates, α-bromomethyl ketones, and epoxides. Fully aromatic members of the series obtained via dehydrogenation of the 5,6-dihydro acids were likewise converted into epoxides via the acylmalonate route. Although all the epoxides studied proved to be exceptionally resistant to ring-opening by di-n-butylamine, probably on account of steric effects, they could be cleaved readily with piperidine or morpholine. Nmr spectra of the resulting amino alcohols suggest that these compounds exist in a single preferred conformation stabilized by internal O-H····N hydrogen bonding, and that free rotation about the side chain C-C bond does not occur at room temperature.     

Neutral pi-associated porphyrin [2]catenanes

A series of neutral porphyrin-containing catenanes has been synthesised, consisting of a zinc porphyrin strapped by a polyethylene glycol chain containing four or six ethylenoxy-units and incorporating a central naphthoquinol unit, interlinked with a naphthalene diimide macrocycle. The napthalene diimide precursor units exhibit only weak binding with the strapped porphyrins (Ka between 8 and 0.02 M(-1)), but good yields of the catenanes were obtained by Glaser coupling of the alkynyl napthalene diimide precursors in the presence of the porphyrins. Structures and solution conformations were determined by mass spectral and detailed 1H NMR studies. For the longer strapped porphyrins, the diimide macrocycle rotates around the central naphthoquinol unit at 420-450 times per second, while rotation is virtually prevented in the tighter strapped derivatives. A second dynamic process occurring in both sets of catenanes and described as 'yawing' leads to inequivalence in the naphthalene moieties. UV-Visible spectra indicate charge transfer interactions and electronic communication between the two components of the catenane.     

Benchmarking of ruthenium initiators for the ROMP of a norbornenedicarboxylic acid ester

The kinetic study of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a diester functionalised norbornene derivative, (±)-exo,endo-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester, with a series of ruthenium benzylidene complexes revealed the applicability of these initiators for well defined polymerization reactions. Values for the rate of initiation as well as the rate of propagation of the initiators were determined and correlated to the molecular weight and polydispersity of the isolated polymers. As the only initiator providing an entry to virtually monodisperse polymers the classical “first generation Grubbs-catalyst” was identified, while N-heterocyclic carbene based initiators polymerized with a rate of propagation much higher than the rate of initiation yielding polymers with a broader molecular weight distribution.     

Straightforward synthesis of sphinganines via a serine-derived Weinreb amide

Sphinganines can be synthesized in just three steps from easily prepared serine-derived Weinreb amide 4. Pre-deprotonation of the acidic (N-H and O-H) protons of 4 allows for its efficient conversion to amino ketones 5. Such ketones can be selectively reduced to either erythro- or threo-sphinganines. Partially protected sphinganines 11 are also readily accessible in five steps from 4. Thus, Weinreb amide 4 represents one of the most versatile templates described to date for sphinganine synthesis.