N-α-Benzyloxyacetyl derivatives of (S)-4-benzyl-5,5-dimethyloxazolidin-2-one for the asymmetric synthesis of differentially protected α,β-dihydroxyaldehydes

α-Dibenzylamino- and α-benzyloxy- derivatives of N-acetyl-(S)-4-benzyl-5,5-dimethyloxazolidin-2-one readily undergo highly stereoselective boron mediated syn-aldol reactions with a range of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, generating the syn-aldol products in good to excellent yields as single diastereoisomers after purification. In the α-dibenzylamino series, deprotection of the functionalised aldol fragments to the corresponding α-amino-β-hydroxy methyl ester or α-amino-β-hydroxyaldehyde proved problematic, with a range of N- and O-protecting groups giving mixtures of products arising from endocyclic and exocyclic cleavage pathways. However, in the α-benzyloxy series, O-silyl protection of the aldol products, and subsequent DIBAL reduction gives stereoselectively the corresponding N-1′-hydroxyalkyloxazolidin-2-ones, which undergo base promoted fragmentation to the desired highly functionalised and differentially protected α,β-dihydroxyaldehydes in good yields and without loss of stereochemical integrity.     

Coal solubilization by enhanced enzyme activity in organic solvents

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Both oxidative and reductive enzymes can be utilized to enhance coal solubilization in aqueous and organic media. Aerobic solubilization was carried out...     

Cover Picture

The cover picture shows in the background the whole cell of a methanotrophic bacterium on which are superimposed components of methane monooxygenase (the structure of the hydroxylase component (top), one of the two four-helix bundles that house the catalytic diiron centers (left)) and a schematic diagram of the catalytic cycle by which the enzyme converts dioxygen and methane into methanol and water. More about this unusual enzyme system is reported by Lippard et al. on p. 2782 ff.     

The vibrational spectra of some 1,3-dimethyl-1,3-diaza-2-boracyclopentanes

A detailed vibrational assignment is proposed for 1,3-dimethyl-1,3-diaza-2-boracyclopentanes:

where X = Cl, Br or NMe₂. The assignments are generally in accord with C_2v symmetry, but there is some evidence for a slight breakdown, as some A₂ modes appear in the IR. The BN₂ stretches are near 1500 cm^?1, (antisymmetric) and 1300 cm^?1 (symmetric), consistent with a large degree of π-bonding.     

Comparison between biokinetics of inhaled plutonium nitrate and gadolinium oxide in humans and animals

Due to the paucity of human data after inhalation of different chemical forms of radionuclides, the implications for human exposure are often based on animal studies. This paper describes biokinetic studies of plutonium nitrate and gadolinium oxide in human volunteers and rats. The results, together with information from other studies with radionuclides, suggests that animal studies can be used with advantage for assessing the biokinetic behavior in humans, and for providing guidance on the assessment of intake and optimal monitoring regimens.     

Dendritic molecular capsules for hydrophobic compounds

Reichardt's dye, a highly solvatochromic dye, was encapsulated within poly (glycerol succinic acid) ([Gn]-PGLSA-OH) dendrimers to investigate the interior environment of these dendritic macromolecules. The absorption maximum for the encapsulated Reichardt's dye in water was indicative of a relatively high dielectric constant present within the dye/dendrimer complex. (1)H NMR of the encapsulated complex showed the presence of aromatic protons from Reichardt's dye along with the aliphatic protons of the dendrimer. Additionally, there were substantial changes in T(1) and T(2) times of the encapsulated dye when compared with the free dye, and (1)H NOESY spectra for the complex showed a significant number of intermolecular NOE cross-peaks. These data reveal the close through-space proximity of the dye to the dendrimer and the restricted motion of the encapsulated dye. To demonstrate the potential use of these macromolecules as drug delivery vehicles, the poorly water-soluble anticancer drug 10-hydroxycamptothecin (10HCPT) was encapsulated within a carboxylated PGLSA dendrimer ([G4]-PGLSA-COONa). Cytotoxicity assays with human breast cancer cells showed a significant reduction of cell viability, demonstrating that 10HCPT retains activity upon encapsulation.     

Simultaneous analysis of oxidized and reduced glutathione in cell extracts by capillary zone electrophoresis

Glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels in cells constitute a thiol redox system. They can be used as an indicator of oxidative stress of the cell. In this study, a capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method is described that enables quantitation of GSH and GSSG from cellular extracts. The CZE buffer used was 20 mM ammonium acetate containing 5% (v/v) acetic acid at pH 3.1 in conjunction with a polybrene coated capillary operated in reverse polarity mode. Effects of different acids used to prepare cell samples were investigated on CZE performance. The acids include meta phosphoric acid (MPA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), phosphoric acid (PA) and sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) and are used to stabilize GSH and GSSG before performing CZE analysis. The method features a limit of detection of 4 microM and a limit of quantitation of 12 microM for both GSSG and GSH and recoveries of 94% for GSH and 100% for GSSG. Quantitative analysis of GSSG and GSH in HaCaT cell extracts (5% SSA, w/v) was performed with this method and changes in the ratio of GSH to GSSG in N-ethylmaleimide treated cell sample was observed by comparing with control cell samples.