Synthetic Studies on Sialoglycoconjugates 60: α-Stereocontrolled,Glycoside Synthesis of Trimeric Sialic Acid with Galactose and Lactose Derivatives

Abstract

α-Stereocontrolled, glycoside synthesis of trimeric sialic acid is described toward a systematic approach to the synthesis of sialoglycoconjugates containing an α-sialyl-(2→8)-α-sialyl-(2→8)-sialic acid unit α-glycosidically linked to O-3 of a galactose residue in their oligosaccharide chains. Glycosylation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 6-O-benzoyl-β-d-galactopyranoside (4) or 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,3,6,2′,6′-penta-O-benzyl-β-lactoside (5), with methyl [phenyl 5-acetamido-8-O-[5-acetamido-8-O-(5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylono-1”, 9′-lactone)-4,7-di-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylono-1′, 9-lactone]-4,7-di-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-d-glycero-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate (3), using N-iodosuccinimide-trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a promoter, gave the corresponding α-glycosides 6 and 8, respectively. The glycosyl donor 3 was prepared from trimeric sialic acid by treatment with Amberlite IR-120 (H⁺) resin in methanol, O-acetylation, and subsequent replacement of the anomeric acetoxy group with phenylthio. Compounds 6 and 8 were converted into the per-O-acyl derivatives 7 and 9, respectively.     

Drastic difference in the photo-driven hydrogenation reactions of ruthenium complexes containing NAD model ligands

Successful control of photo-driven NAD(+)/NADH type hydrogenation reactions in ruthenium complexes has been accomplished by using a new NAD(+) model ligand with modulated distortion of the ligand taking advantage of the substituent effect.     

Quantum control of molecular orientation by two-color laser fields

We demonstrate molecular orientation by using phase-controlled two-color omega+2omega laser pulses with an intensity of 1.0x10(12) W/cm(2) and a pulse duration of 130 fs. The orientation of three iodine-containing molecules (IBr, CH(3)I, and C(3)H(5)I) was monitored by the directional asymmetries of the photofragment angular distribution in dissociative ionization. In all three molecules, the directional asymmetry showed an oscillating behavior dependent on the relative phase difference between omega and 2omega pulses. The phase dependence of the directional asymmetry observed in iodine ions and counterpart ions were out of phase with each other. This result shows that a phase-controlled omega+2omega optical field discriminates between parallel and antiparallel configurations of aligned molecules that have a permanent dipole. This method performed well because (1) molecular orientation can be achieved by all-optical fields; (2) the direction of orientation is easily switched by changing the sign of the quantum interference; and (3) this method is free from any resonance constraint and thus can be applied to any molecule.     

Thalidomide as a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and its structural development

Thalidomide has been found to exhibit weak nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-inhibitory activity. Structural development studies of thalidomide showed that some N-2,6-dimethylphenylhomophthalimide analogs possess NOS-inhibiting activity.     

A novel biomimetic synthesis of (S)-(−)-zearalenone: via macrocyclization and transannular aromatization

On heating, a hydroxy-keto-dioxinone underwent retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation and the resultant α,γ-diketo-ketene was efficiently trapped intramolecularly by a secondary alcohol to provide a macrocyclic triketo-lactone. Following ketal hydrolysis, transannular aromatization gave the resorcylate natural product, (S)-(−)-zearalenone.     

Synthesis of conjugated enynes by assembly of three components, ketones, chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and acetylenes, with the magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion as the key reaction

The reaction of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium acetylides gave adducts in moderate to good yields. Treatment of the adducts with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of magnesium carbenoids by the sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction. 1,2-Carbon-carbon insertion (1,2-CC insertion) reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoids took place to afford conjugated enynes in good to high yields. This procedure provides a good method for the synthesis of multi-substituted conjugated enynes.     

Highly durable Pd metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells; coverage of Pd metal with silica

Pd cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells have been covered with silica layers a few nanometres thick. The silica-coated Pd catalysts showed high activity and excellent durability for the oxygen reduction under the severe cathode conditions of PEFCs, while Pd catalysts without silica-coating were seriously deactivated under the same conditions. The coverage of Pd metal with silica prevents the diffusion of Pd species out of the silica layers.