Conversion of ketones into vinyl-oxiranes

A range of 1-(2-propenyl) alcohols was transformed in good yields into vinyl-oxiranes via the allylic bromide.     

Diisophorone and related compounds—II: 1-Alkoxy- and 1-carboxy-diisophorane derivatives

The acid catalysed interaction in dioxan of trialkyl orthoformates with diisophor-2(7)-en-ol-3-one, diisophor-2(7)-en-ol, and their bisnor-homologues, provides the corresponding 1-alkoxy-compounds. Their structure is established by the identity of -methoxydiisophor-2(7)-en-3-one obtained by this method, and by the action of sodium methoxide on 1-chlorodiisophor-2(17)-en-3-one. The latter is regenerated from 1-methoxy(or ethoxy) diisophor-2(7)-en-3-one by the action of stannic chloride-acetyl chloride. Catalytic hydrogenation reduces the 3-keto-function in 1-alkoxydiisophor-2(7)-en-3-ones to a methylene unit; simultaneous removal of the 1-alkoxy-group in the case of the 1-isopropoxy-homologue yields the penultimate parent hydrocarbon of this series, diisophor-2(7)-ene.The combined action of silver sulphate and formic acid in concentrated sulphuric acid on 1-chlorodiisophor-2(7)-en-3-one (and its bisnor-homologue) produces the corresponding 1-carboxylic acids. These are also obtainable by the hydrolysis of the 1-cyano-compound, and are esterifiable by the standard methods.     

Highly conformationally constrained halogenated 6-spiroepoxypenicillins as probes for the bioactive side-chain conformation of benzylpenicillin

Summary The halogenated 6-spiroepoxypenicillins are a series of novel semisynthetic-lactam compounds with highly conformationally restricted side chains incorporating an epoxide. Their biological activity profiles depend crucially on the configuration at position C-3 of that epoxide. In derivatives with aromatic-containing side chains, e.g., anilide, the 3R-compounds possess notable Gram-positive antibacterial activity and potent-lactamase inhibitory properties. The comparable 3S-compounds are antibacterially inactive, but retain-lactamase inhibitory activity.Using the molecular simulation programs COSMIC and ASTRAL, we attempted to map a putative, lipophilic accessory binding site on the PBPs that must interact with the side-chain aromatic residue. Comparative computer-assisted modelling of the 3R, and 3S-anilides, along with benzylpenicillin, indicated that the available conformational space at room temperature for the side chains of the 3R and the 3S-anilides was mutually exclusive. The conformational space for the more flexible benzylpenicillin could accommodate the side chains ofboth the constrained penicillin derivatives. By a combination of van der Waals surface calculations and a pharmacophoric distance approach, closely coincident conformers of the 3R-anilide and benzylpenicillin were identified. These conformers must be related to the antibacterial, bioactive conformer for the classical-lactam antibiotics. From these proposed bioactive conformations, a model for the binding of benzylpenicillin to the PBPs relating the three-dimensional arrangement of a putative lipophilic S₂-subsite, specific for the side-chain aromatic moiety, and the 3-carboxylate functionality is presented.This work has been reported in preliminary form at the 4th Royal Society of Chemistry International Symposium on Recent Advances in the Chemistry of-lactam Antibiotics, Churchill College, Cambridge, U.K., 3–6 July 1988.     

Technological quality determination of pharmaceutical disintegrant by DSC cooling and DSC photovisual

A number of disintegrants are available on the market. They improve tablets’ disintegration. The objective of this work is the comparison of the technological quality parameters of disintegrants using different analytical techniques. Three batches of disintegrants and their binary mixtures (water:disintegrants) were investigated. Cooling experiments were used from –30 up to 200°C. The data obtained showed calorimetric differences between the samples. In the binary mixtures water showed different crystallization behaviour from the one found in the literature. According to the results DSC technique helped the quality control of different disintegrants.     

Synthesis of N-methyl-3-aza[10] paracyclophane: A rigid analog of phenethylamine

The synthesis of N-methyl-3-aza[10]paracyclophane is reported which represents the first example of this ring system being formed via an acyloin reaction. This 3-aza[10]paraeyclophane ring system behaves physiochemically inbetween the normal [9]- and [10]paracyclophane ring systems. Reductive desulfurization of N-methyl-3-aza[10]paracyclophane-6-ethylene thioketal in ethanol provides a small amount of the title compound and an unexpected, ring-opened product, N-ethyl-N-methyl-p-heptylphenethylamine. A possible mechanism for the ring-opening process is suggested.     

On the C-16 configuration of sitsirikine

The indole alkaloid sitsirikine has been synthesised by a biomimetic conversion of strictosidine and its C-16 configuration established as R by cyclisation to a 16,17-dihydroheteroyohimbine.     

Thermodynamic characterization of different actin isoforms

Summary The thermodynamic properties of the cardiac and skeletal a-actin isoforms were studied to characterize the molecular bases of the functional differences between them with the method of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal properties of the actin filaments were described in the presence of calcium and magnesium ions as well. Based on the calculated free energy changes the α-cardiac actin filaments appeared to be more stable in its physiologically more relevant, magnesium saturated form. The magnesium saturated form of the α-cardiac actin filaments seemed to be more stable compared to the calcium saturated form of it. The enthalpy and entropy changes could differentiate between the α-cardiac and α-skeletal actin isoforms and between the calcium and magnesium saturated cardiac actin isoforms as well. Our results can demonstrate that the few differences between the amino acid sequences of the α-actin isoforms have an influence on the thermal properties and maybe on the function of these proteins as well.     

Microfabrication of three-dimensional bioelectronic architectures

The functionality and structural diversity of biological macromolecules has motivated efforts to exploit proteins and DNA as templates for synthesis of electronic architectures. Although such materials offer promise for numerous applications in the fabrication of cellular interfaces, biosensors, and nanoelectronics, identification of techniques for positioning and ordering bioelectronic components into useful patterns capable of sophisticated function has presented a major challenge. Here, we describe the fabrication of electronic materials using biomolecular scaffolds that can be constructed with precisely defined topographies. In this approach, a tightly focused pulsed laser beam capable of promoting protein photo-cross-linking in specified femtoliter volume elements is scanned within a protein solution, creating biomolecular matrices that either remain in integral contact with a support surface or extend as free-standing structures through solution, tethered at their ends. Once fabricated, specific protein scaffolds can be selectively metallized via targeted deposition and growth of metal nanoparticles, yielding high-conductivity bioelectronic materials. This aqueous fabrication strategy opens new opportunities for creating electronic materials in chemically sensitive environments and may offer a general approach for creating microscopically defined inorganic landscapes.     

Preparation and characterization of M(CH3)5 (M = Nb or Ta) and Ta(CH2C6H5)5 and evidence for decomposition by α-hydrogen atom abstraction

The preparations of Nb(CH₃)₅, Ta(CH₃)₅, and Ta(CH₂C₆H₅)₅ are reported in detail. The M(CH₃)₅ complexes decompose autocatalytically to give 3.4 ± 0.1 mol of methane and a non-hyclrolyzable residue with approximate composition MC_1–5H while Ta(CH₂C₆H₅)₅ decomposes in a non-autocatalytic manner to give ca. 2.6 mol of toluene per Ta. Decomposition of Nb(CD₃)₅ gave 96% CD₄ in diethyl ether while the toluene produced on decomposition of Ta(CD₂C₆H₅)₅ was at least 90%-d₃. An observed kinetic deuterium isotope effect of 2–3 in each case is evidence that an α-CH(D) bond is broken in a slow step of the decomposition. It is postulated that M(CH₃)₅ and Ta(CH₂C₆H₅)₅ decompose primarily by α-hydrogen atom abstraction though almost certainly in a complex, possibly intermolecular fashion in the case of M(CH₃)₅. In neither case (R = CH₃ or CH₂C₆H₅) was there evidence for significant homolytic cleavage of the metalcarbon bond to give free alkyl radicals.