Post-synthetic modification of oligonucleotides containing 5-trifluoromethylpyrimidine bases

A practical and operationally simple post-synthetic modification of oligonucleotides containing 5-trifluoromethylpyrimidine bases is described. Trifluoromethyl group was used as a post-synthetic precursor and 5-trifluoromethylpyrimidine bases within oligonucleotides were converted into the corresponding 5-carboxy-, 5-cyano-, 5-amidinyl-, and 5-carbamoyl derivatives by treatment with an alkaline solution and amines. Moreover, post-synthetic treatment of fully protected and controlled pore glass (CPG)-attached oligonucleotides proceeded successfully with the simultaneous removal of all protecting groups, cleavage from CPG, and conversion of the trifluoromethyl group to afford the corresponding modified oligonucleotides.     

A novel urocanic acid derivative from skin tissue extracts; (E)-3-[1-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)imidazol-4-yl]propenoic acid

A novel derivative of urocanic acid ( 1 ) had been isolated from acetone extracts of rabbit skin tissue. It proved to be (E)-3-[1-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)imidazol-4-yl]propenoic acid ( 3c ), potentially a much better ultraviolet screening agent than urocanic acid. Sterical effect of dimethyl groups in the side chain adjacent to the imidazole ring of 3c on its solubility is also discussed.     

Effect of substituent groups of diphenyl disulfide on novel cationic oxidative polymerization: examination of the electrophilic reaction of the cation by computational calculation

Substituent groups of the diphenyl disulfides (DPSs) influence the cationic oxidative polymerization in the formation of polyphenylene sulfides (PPSs). A semiempirical MO calculation (AM1) was performed on the model compounds of PPS, such as thioanisoles (TAs) and diphenyl sulfides (PSs), in order to elucidate the reactivity of the cation. Linear PPS is formed on polymerization because of the high electron density of the carbon in the para position. The ratios of the frontier electron density of the carbon in the para position on the disulfide to the sulfur atom are ordered as follows; 3,5-dimethyl-PS>2,5-dimethyl-PS-3-methyl-PS>nonsubstituted PS>2-methyl-PS>2,6-dimethyl-PS. The formation energies of the σ-complex, which is the intermediate of the reaction, also shows the same order. The theoretical calculation indicates that 3,5-dimethyl disubstituted disulfide and 3-methyl one are most preferable monomers of this cationic oxidative polymerization.     

A new nonpeptide tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist isolated from the plants of Compositae

To find new tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists from natural sources, we examined the tachykinin antagonist activity in the extracts of approximately 200 species of plants by the use of isolated guinea pig ileum. As a result, we discovered a novel and potent NK1 receptor antagonist in the extract of dried flowers of Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile). The structure of the antagonist was established as N1,N5,N10,N14-tetrakis[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-1,5,10,14-tetraazatetradecane (tetracoumaroyl spermine, 1a). The Ki values of 1a, estimated from the inhibitory action on the substance P (SP)-induced contraction of the guinea pig ileum and the inhibition of the binding of [3H][Sar9, Met(O2)11]SP to human NK1 receptors, were 21.9 nM and 3.3 nM, respectively. 1a is the first potent NK1 receptor antagonist from natural sources and it has a unique structure of a polyacylated spermine. 1a was concentrated in pollen of Matricaria chamomilla L. and was also found in the extracts of flowers of other four species of Compositae. In addition, we found N1,N5,N10-tris[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-1,5,10,14-tetraazatetradecane (2) as a new compound in the extract of flowers of Matricaria chamomilla L., which did not exhibit any tachykinin antagonist activity. A number of related compounds were synthesized, and the structure-activity relationship was studied.