Microwave-assisted decarboxylation of bicyclic 2-pyridone scaffolds and identification of Abeta-peptide aggregation inhibitors

A reagent-free microwave-assisted decarboxylation procedure for carboxylic acid functionalized bicyclic 2-pyridones has been developed. This new method, based on microwave heating at 220 degrees C for 600 seconds in N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), proved to be practical and very efficient, resulting in decarboxylated 2-pyridones in near-quantitative yields. The decarboxylated products and the intermediate 2-pyridones in the form of carboxylic acid methyl esters and carboxylic acids were screened for their effect on Abeta-peptide aggregation. Two out of the 21 2-pyridones described in this study inhibited amyloid formation of the Alzheimer Abeta(1-40) peptide. The effect was seen even at a 4 : 1 ratio of 2-pyridone and monomeric Abeta-peptide.     

Radical-catalyzed homopolymerization of maleic anhydride in presence of polar organic compounds

Polar organic compounds either (1) inhibit the peroxide-catalyzed bulk homopolymerizations of both MAH and MMA at 80°C, (2) do not inhibit the polymerization of either MAH or MMA, or (3) inhibit the polymerization of MAH but not that of MMA. Compounds generally used as polymerization inhibitors or antioxidants inhibit the polymerizations of both MAH and MMA, presumably by interaction with peroxide decomposition products. Ketones, ethers, acids, esters, nitriles, imides, sulfones, sulfonates, sulfonamides, and acyl disulfides do not inhibit either MAH or MMA polymerization. However, amides, lactams, carbamates, amine oxides, phosphites, phosphates, phosphonates, phosphoramides, phosphine oxides, monosulfides, sulfoxides, aryl disulfides, and thiazyl disulfides inhibit the polymerization of MAH but not that of MMA. Inhibition presumably occurs as a result of electron transfer from the nitrogen-, phosphorous- or sulfur-containing electron donor compound to the MAH carbocation which is an intermediate in the polymerization of MAH.     

A kinetic study on the inhibitory action of sympathomimetic drugs towards photogenerated oxygen active species. The case of phenylephrine

Kinetics and mechanism of the aerobic Riboflavin (Rf, vitamin B2) sensitized photodegradation of Phenylephrine (Phen), a phenolamine belonging to the sympathomimetic drugs family, has been studied in water, employing continuous photolysis, polarographic detection of oxygen uptake, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, time-resolved IR-phosphorescence and laser flash photolysis. Results indicate the formation of a weak dark complex Rf-Phen, with an apparent association constant of 5.5+/-0.5M(-1), only detectable at Phen concentrations much higher than those employed in the photochemical experiments. Under irradiation, an intricate mechanism of competitive reactions operates. Phen quenches excited singlet and triplet states of Rf, with rate constants of 3.33+/-0.08 and 1.60+/-0.03x10(9)M(-1)s(-1), respectively. With the sympathomimetic drug in a concentration similar to that of dissolved molecular oxygen in water, Phen and oxygen competitively quench triplet excited Rf, generating superoxide radical anion and singlet molecular oxygen (O2((1)Deltag)) by processes initiated by electron- and energy-transfer mechanisms respectively. As a global result, the photodegradation of the vitamin, a known process taking place from its excited triplet state, is retarded, whereas the phenolamine, practically unreactive towards these oxidative species, behaves as a highly efficient physical deactivator of O2((1)Deltag). The phenolamine structure in Phen appears as an excellent scavenger of activated oxygen species, comparatively superior, in kinetic terms, to some commercial phenolic antioxidants.     

Expanding molecular dynamics simulations to the NMR time scale. I. Studies of conformational interconversions of 1, 1-difluoro-4, 4-dimethylcycloheptane using MM3-MD

A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of 35,000 picoseconds (ps) has been carried out to study the conformational interconversions of 1,1-difluoro-4,4-dimethylcycloheptane at room temperature using the MM3 force field. The exchange between axial and equatorial fluorine atoms was the only conformational interconversion that occurred, and it took place via the process of pseudorotation. Ring inversions (twist–chair < twist–boat < twist–chair) were not observed. The axial-equatorial exchange of the two fluorine atoms took place five times during the MD trajectory of 35,000 ps. The two CH₃ groups occupied symmetrical positions (exchangeable by a C₂-like rotations, where C₂-like means it would be C₂ if the fluorines were not present) in the MM3 structures, and during most of the time of the MD trajectory. The methyls occasionally moved off the C₂-like axis in the simulated process, mostly because the C₂-like axis was momentarily moved so that it did not pass through the ring atom to which the two CH₃ groups are bonded. A C₂-like symmetry of the twist-chair conformation was maintained approximately during most of the MD simulation. The conformational geometry with the highest energy obtained during the axial-equatorial exchange process was found and used to locate the transition state. The energy barrier for this axial-equatorial exchange was calculated to be 4.7 kcal/mol, and it compares with the value (5.0 kcal/mol) determined by dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The synthesis of alkyl substituted 2-pyrazolines by the reaction of acids with hydrazine derivatives

A convenient synthesis of alkyl substituted 2-pyrazolines (III) has been developed from the reaction of acids with hydrazones (I) and azines (IV). An alkylidenebis-1-methyl-2-alkylidene-hydrazine (V) was isolated as an intermediate, in the preparation of 5-isopropyl-1,4,4- trimethyl-2-pyrazoline (IIId), and protonated vinylhydrazones (II) are proposed as common intermediates in the formation of III, IV and V. The 4,5-dialkyl-2-pyrazolines (IIIk-m) that were prepared were shown to be free of isomers by nmr. The thermal isomerization of IIIk-m to 3,4-dialkyl-2-pyrazolines (IIIn-o) was found to be incomplete at the temperatures studied. The reaction of IIIn-o with acetone afforded 3,4-dialkyl-1-[2-(2-methyl-4-oxopentyl)]-2-pyrazolines (IIIp-q). The nmr and mass spectral data of III are discussed.     

Decomposition of 1-(2-thienyl)alkylalkanones under electron-impact

The major fragmentation paths of the 1-(2-thienyl)alkylalkanones ionized by electron impact are delineated by means of isotopically labeled molecules, metastable ion peaks and low ionization voltage data. A prominent process is cleavage of the bond beta to the carbonyl group with the concurrent rearrangement of a hydrogen atom. Another important process is cleavage alpha to the carbonyl group to produce the thienoylium ion analogous to the benzoylium ion. As expected, the data show that increasing the chain length by two methylene groups increases the total ion current. The bulk of this increase is found in the increased ion current of the rearrangement ion with the remainder being associated with alkyl fragments and oxygenated ion species.     

Coexistence of menisci and the influence of neighboring pores on capillary displacement curvatures in sphere packings

The methods of calculating meniscus curvatures given by Mayer and Stowe and also independently by Princen are essentially the same. The method is exact for pores defined by rods. From comparison with experimental results, the method provides, for zero contact angle at least, a close approximation for pores defined by spheres. The application of the method to model pores defined by rods and spheres is discussed with particular attention being paid to the effects of neighboring pores. The merits of defining the neighbors of a particular pore as mirror images are discussed together with the effect of neighboring pores on the determination of pore sizes from capillary displacement curvatures. Meniscus curvatures of a family of pore shapes defined by three equal rods and mirror image neighbors are tabulated. A simple correlation was found between these values and estimates of the curvature given by the Haines incircle approximation.     

Studies of polyester fiber as carrier for microbes in a quantitative test method for disinfectants

Tests were conducted by a Task Force on Disinfectant Test Methods that was appointed to investigate controversies regarding the accuracy of AOAC test methods for disinfectants as presented in AOAC's Official Methods of Analysis, Chapter 6. The general principles for new and improved AOAC tests are discussed, and a disinfectant test using microbes labeled onto a polyester fiber surface is described. The quantitative test measures the survival of test microbes as a function of exposure time as well as the exposure conditions required to kill 6 log10 of the test microbes. The time required was similar to that for the kinetics of the kill of Bacillus subtilis-labeled cylinders as tested by methods of the AOAC Sporicidal Test 966.04.     

Force field calculations (MM3) on glyoxal,quinones, and related compounds

A general force field type of calculation has been devised in connection with MM3 to treat 1,2- and 1,4-diketones, both when they are not conjugated (as in derivatives of glyoxal) and when they are conjugated (as in derivatives of ortho- and para-benzoquinone). The molecular structures, moments of inertia, dipole moments, and vibrational spectra have been examined for about 15 compounds, some in several conformations. Ab initio calculations (6-31G*) have been used to determine quantities that have not been previously defined by experiment. In general, the force field permits the calculation of the structures with high accuracy, and the spectroscopic and conformational energy data with fair accuracy. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.