Mannose‐Binding Geometry of Pradimicin A

Pradimicins (PRMs) and benanomicins are the only family of non‐peptidic natural products with lectin‐like properties, that is, they recognize D ‐mannopyranoside (Man) in the presence of Ca²⁺ ions. Coupled with their unique Man binding ability, they exhibit antifungal and anti‐HIV activities through binding to Man‐containing glycans of pathogens. Notwithstanding the great potential of PRMs as the lectin mimics and therapeutic leads, their molecular basis of Man recognition has yet to be established. Their aggregate‐forming propensity has impeded conventional interaction analysis in solution, and the analytical difficulty is exacerbated by the existence of two Man binding sites in PRMs. In this work, we investigated the geometry of the primary Man binding of PRM‐A, an original member of PRMs, by the recently developed analytical strategy using the solid aggregate composed of the 1:1 complex of PRM‐A and Man. Evaluation of intermolecular distances by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy revealed that the C2–C4 region of Man is in close contact with the primary binding site of PRM‐A, while the C1 and C6 positions of Man are relatively distant. The binding geometry was further validated by co‐precipitation experiments using deoxy‐Man derivatives, leading to the proposal that PRM‐A binds not only to terminal Man residues at the non‐reducing end of glycans, but also to internal 6‐substituted Man residues. The present study provides new insights into the molecular basis of Man recognition and glycan specificity of PRM‐A.     

A novel foam based separation strategy for extracting minute target impurities

The purpose of this study was to extract impurities from compounds using a simple separatory bottle to purify target compounds with a foam column and allow for the further characterization of impurities. Charged dyes were used as target compounds due to the ease of detection of dyes and isolated impurities. Foaming agents were used in a glass bottle with a modified cap to separate a target impurity using an appropriately charged ligand. By passing N₂ gas through the solution, the surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate and cetylpyridinium chloride generated foams that separated the dyes, Methylene blue and Orange G, respectively, from a solution containing both dyes. Sodium dodecyl sulfate condensed Methylene blue from the solution with high purity while cetylpyridinium chloride condensed Orange G with less purity. A range of concentrations (0.01–0.5 mmol/L) of dyes were used for separation. The condensability (volume and/or concentration) of the target compound increased as its concentration decreased. This novel separation method is a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and effective way to prepare samples and allows for the characterization of these impurities using sensitive analytical detection techniques.     

Concise Synthesis of Potassium Acyltrifluoroborates from Aldehydes through Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Borylation/Oxidation

Potassium acyltrifluoroborates (KATs) were prepared through copper(I)‐catalyzed borylation of aldehydes and subsequent oxidation. This synthetic route is characterized by the wide range of aldehydes accessible, favorable step economy, mild reaction conditions, and tolerance of various functional groups, and it enables the facile generation of a range of KATs, for example, bearing halide, sulfide, acetal, or ester moieties. Moreover, this method was applied to the three‐step synthesis of various α‐amino acid analogues that bear a KAT moiety on the C‐terminus by using naturally occurring amino acids as the starting material.     

Chemical-Synthesis-Based Approach to Glycoprotein Functions in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

The introduction of Asn-linked glycans to nascent polypeptides occurs in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells. After the removal of specific sugar residues, glycoproteins acquire signals in the glycoprotein quality control (GPQC) system and enter the folding cycle composed of lectin-chaperones calnexin (CNX) and calreticulin (CRT), glucosidase II (G-II), and UDP-Glc:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGGT). G-II initiates glycoproteins’ entry and exit from the cycle, and UGGT serves as the “folding sensor”. This account summarizes our effort to analyze the properties of enzymes and lectins that play important roles in GPQC, especially those involved in the CNX/CRT cycle. To commence our study, general methods for the synthesis of high-mannose-type glycans and glycoproteins were established. Based on these, various substrates to analyze components of the GPQC were created, and properties of CRT, G-II, and UGGT have been clarified.     

From tetragermacyclobutene to tetragermacyclobutadiene dianion to tetragermacyclobutadiene transition metal complexes

The reaction of 3,4-dichlorotetragermetene derivative 2 with Na(2)[Fe(CO)(4)] in THF produced a (tetragermacyclobutadiene)tricarbonyliron complex, [{η(4)-((t)Bu(2)MeSi)(4)Ge(4)}]Fe(CO)(3)4, which has a slightly folded Ge(4) ring perhaptocoordinated to the Fe center. Structural and spectral characteristics of 4 show a remarkable π-donating ability of the tetragermacyclobutadiene ligand toward the transition metal, surpassing that of tetrasilacyclobutadiene and cyclobutadiene ligands. Reduction of 2 with KC(8) resulted in exclusive formation of the dipotassium salt of the tetragermacyclobutadiene dianion derivative 3(2-)·[K(+)(thf)(2)](2), representing a rare example of a 6π-electron compound that, on the basis of its structural and magnetic properties, was recognized as a nonaromatic species. Reaction of 3(2-)·[K(+)(thf)(2)](2) with CpCoI(2)(PPh(3)) produced a (cyclopentadienyl)(tetragermacyclobutadiene)cobalt complex, [{η(4)-((t)Bu(2)MeSi)(4)Ge(4)}]CoCp 7, as the first example of a sandwich compound featuring an all-germanium-containing cyclic polyene ligand.     

Negative ion mass spectra of chlorine-containing molecules

The negative ion mass spectra of chlorine-containing molecules have been measured using a double focusing mass spectrometer with a photographic plate detector. The formulae of the negative ions not previously assigned using an electron multiplier detector have now been assigned.     

Experimental observations of the hydrodynamic behavior of solvent systems in high-speed counter-current chromatography. I. Hydrodynamic distribution of two solvent phases in a helical column subjected to two types of synchronous planetary motion

Hydrodynamic distribution of two-phase solvent systems in a rotating helical column subjected to centrifugal fields produced by two different types of synchronous planetary motion has been studied by the use of the combined horizontal flow-through coil planet centrifuge. With continuous elution of the mobile phase, the simpler type of motion resulted in low retention of the stationary phase in the column whereas a more complex motion, which produces a quasi-radial centrifugal field varying in both intensity and direction, yielded high stationary phase retention for commonly used solvent systems having a wide range of hydrophobicity. These solvent systems display highly complex modes of hydrodynamic interaction in the coil according to their particular physical properties.     

Solvent extraction of the ion-pairs of chromium(VI) and molybdenum(VI) with trioctylmethylammonium chloride and benzyldimethylcetylammonium chloride

The number of capriquat molecules per chromium(VI) atom in the chromate-capriquat ion-association complex has been found to be between one and two. The distribution ratio in the extraction of chromium(VI) with capriquat is dependent on the dielectric constant of the organic solvent, with a minimum at a dielectric constant of about 8. The absorption spectra of the ion-pair extracted into cyclohexane, carbon tetrachloride, benzene and n-butanol are very similar to that of chromate in aqueous solution. The absorption spectra of the chromium(VI)-capriquat extracts in these organic solvents gradually change to an absorption spectrum similar to that of HCrO(4)(-) in aqueous solution. Chromium(VI)-capriquat extracted into chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane gives absorption spectra similar to that of HCrO(4)(-)in aqueous medium. The chromium(VI)-capriquat species extracted into 1,2-dichloroethane may be (Q(+))(2).CrO(4)(2-)(H(2)O)(n). In contrast, chromium(VI) is extracted with capriquat into the other organic solvents from ammoniacal medium as a mixture of (Q(+))(2).CrO(4)(2-)(H(2)O)(n) and Q(+).NH(4)(+).CrO(4)(2-)(H(2)O)(n). The spectral change is ascribed to the change of the extracted species from (Q(+))(2).CrO(4)(2-)(H(2)O)(n) and Q(+)NH(4)(+).CrO(4)(-)(H(2)O)(n) to Q(+).HCrO(4)(2-)(H(2)O)(n-1). The chromium(VI)-zephiramine species extracted is formulated as (Q(+), NH(4)(+))(2)CrO(4)(2-)(H(2)O)(n).(Q(+).Cl(-))(m). Molybdenum(VI) is extracted with capriquat into the same organic solvents as a mixture of (Q(+))(2).MoO(4)(2-)(H(2)O)(n) and Q(+).NH(4)(+).MoO(4)(2-).(H(2)O)(n).     

The electronic structure of naphthalene

Electronic energy levels of naphthalene were calculated by semi-empirical ASMO-CI method including a part of doubly excited configurations as well as all singly excited configurations. The result obtained seems to indicate that with respect to the amount of the mixing of CI to be invoked it is sufficient to take into account all singly excited configurations only.The interpretation of spectra was also discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Die Energieniveaus der Elektronen im Naphthalin-Molekül wurden mittels einer halbempirischen ASMO-CI-Methode unter Einschluß einer Reihe von einfach und doppelt angeregten Zuständen berechnet. Dabei zeigt sich, daß es wahrscheinlich genügt, nur einfach angeregte Zustände in die Rechnung einzubeziehen.

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Résumé Les états énergétiques du naphthaléne ont été calculés par une méthode ASMO-CI semiempirique où une partie des configurations diexcitées et toutes les configurations monoexcitées ont été inclues. Le résultat indique qu'il suffit de ne tenir compte que des configurations monoexcitées. Les spectres sont discutés.

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One of us (H. I.) wishes to express his thanks to Professor K. Suzuki for encouragement throughout this work.     

Polyhydrazides. III. N-methylated polyhydrazides by ring-opening of poly-p-phenylene-1,3,4-oxadiazole

A new ring-opening reaction of 1,3,4-oxadiazole by methylating reagents was developed in fuming sulfuric acid or polyphosphoric acid and then, by applying this reaction to poly-p-phenylene-1,3,4-oxadiazole, a high molecular weight poly-N-methylterephthalylhydrazide was obtained. Various methylating reagents were investigated as ring-opening reagents. The degrees of ring-opening in polymers were estimated and related to the properties of the polymers.