New taxane derivatives: synthesis of baccatin[14,1-d]furan-2-one nucleus and its condensation with the norstatine side chain

New taxanes 15 and 18, containing the unsaturated and saturated baccatin[14,1-d]furan-2-one nucleus, respectively, were prepared starting from the readily available 13-oxo-7-Tes-baccatin III (3). Sequential formation of the enolate of 3 and reaction with ethyl glyoxylate gave the 13-oxo-7-Tes-baccatin[14,1-d]-3,4-dehydrofuran-2-one 4. The reduction of 4 can result in the formation of a mixture of compounds corresponding to 13-hydroxy alcohol 5 and 13-enol derivative 6. Both 5 and 6 were transformed into 13-oxo-7-Tes-baccatin[14,1-d]furan-2-one 8 by treatment with a base. Further reduction of 8 gave 13-hydroxy compound 9. Esterification of 6 and 9 with N,O-protected norstatine 12, followed by deprotection, gave the new promising anticancer taxanes 15 and 18, respectively.     

Inhibition of Emulsin by D-Gluconhydroximo-1,5-lactone and Related Compounds

At pH 4.5 (citrate buffer), D -gluconhydroximo-lactone ( 2 ), the N-methylurethane 3 and the N-phenylurethane 4 inhibit competitively the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl β-D -glucopyranoside by emulsin. The IC₅₀ values of 2, 3 , and 4 were 1.6 × 10^?4, 1.0 × 10^?4, and 5.8 × 10^?6 M , respectively. The K_i values of 2 and 4 were 9.8 × 10^?5 and 2.3 × 10^?6 M , respectively, while D-glucono-1,5-lactone ( 1 ) showed IC₅₀ = 1.1 × 10^?4 M and K_i = 3.7 × 10^?5 M .     

Ultrasound effects on the Mn(III) - promoted addition of amidoalkyl radicals to olefins

Amidoalkyl radicals, generated from amides by Mn(OAc)₃ in acetic acid react with phenyl substituted alkenes to generate five-membered lactones or lactams. Ultrasound at ambient temperature significantly accelerates these single electron transfer reactions even when compared with conventional conditions under reflux or simple mechanical stirring. In some cases sonication leads to unusual products.     

One-pot synthesis of α-acyloxyaminoamides via nitrones as imine surrogates in the Ugi MCR

α-acyloxyaminoamides can be prepared, with yields ranging from fair to very good (up to 89%), through an Ugi four component reaction by mixing a carbonyl component, a carboxylic acid, an isocyanide and an N-alkylated hydroxylamine in methanol. Preformed nitrones furnish the same final compounds with comparable yields.     

Protein adsorption in static microsystems: effect of the surface to volume ratio

A numerical model for the adsorption kinetics of proteins on the walls of a microchannel has been developed using the finite element method (FEM) to address the coupling with diffusion phenomena in the restricted microchannel volume. Time evolutions of the concentration of one species are given, both in solution and on the microchannel walls. The model illustrates the adsorption limitation sometimes observed when the microdimensions of these systems induce a global depletion of the bulk solution. A new non-dimensional parameter is introduced to predict the final value of the coverage of any microsystem under static adsorption. A working curve and a criteria (h/K[Gamma](max) > 10) are provided in order to choose, for given adsorption characteristics, the value of the volume-to-surface ratio (i.e. the channel height h) avoiding depletion effects on the coverage (relative coverage greater than 90% of the theoretical one). Simulations were compared with confocal microscopy measurements of IgG antibody adsorption on the walls of a PET microchannel. The fit of the model to the experimental data show that the adsorption is under apparent kinetic control.     

Synthesis and Single Crystal Structure of a New Dinuclear Copper(II) Complex of 1,5-Bis(8-oxaquinoline)-3-methylpentane

A new flexible ligand, 1,5-bis(8-oxaquinoline)-3-methylpentane (C5MeOQ), was synthesized and used in the preparation of the new dinuclear copper(II) complex 1: [Cu₂(μ-OMe)₂(μ-C5MeOQ)(NO₃)₂]. Single crystal X-ray analysis revealed that complex 1 contains dinuclear Cu(II) units with bridging methoxo groups. The ligand, C5MeOQ, takes on a bent conformation in order to connect to and complete the square planar coordination environment of both copper centers; and one of the two Cu(II) centers adopts a distorted square planar configuration as a result of the ligand conformation. The magnetic properties of complex 1 were investigated by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in the 100–300 K range. Interestingly, the susceptibility data for complex 1 reveals that the compound is diamagnetic, suggesting the presence of very strong antiferromagnetic coupling interactions between the adjacent Cu(II) centers.     

Multi-selective one dimensional proton NMR experiments for rapid screening and binding affinity measurements

High-throughput ligand-based proton NMR screening performed in the presence of a spy molecule and a control molecule is a valuable tool for identifying drug leads. A limitation of the technique is represented by the severe overlap encountered in the screening of large chemical mixtures. An approach for overcoming this overlap problem is the use of multi-selective R(1) filtered and COSY or TOCSY experiments. Application of this methodology to compounds binding to the Sudlow site I of human serum albumin is presented. The screening is performed by simply monitoring the intensity of two signals. The precise measurement of the relative intensity of the two resonances permits determination of the binding constant of the NMR-hit. For a simple competition binding mechanism, the rapidly-derived NMR binding constants are in good agreement with the values derived from full-titration ITC and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements.     

Assembly of a supramolecular capsule on a molecular printboard

A molecular capsule based on ionic interactions between two oppositely charged calix[4]arenes, 1 and 2, was assembled both in solution and on a surface. In solution, the formation of the equimolar assembly 1.2 was studied by (1)H NMR, ESI-MS, and isothermal titration calorimetry, giving an association constant (K(a)) of 7.5 x 10(5) M(-1). A beta-cyclodextrin self-assembled monolayer (beta-CD SAM) on gold was used as a molecular printboard to anchor the tetraguanidinium calix[4]arene (2). The binding of tetrasulfonate calix[4]arene 1 was monitored by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Rinsing of the surface with a high ionic strength aqueous solution allows the removal of the tetrasulfonate calix[4]arene (1), while by rinsing with 2-propanol it is possible to achieve the complete desorption of the tetraguanidinium calix[4]arene (2) from the beta-CD SAM. The K(a) for the capsule formation on a surface is 3.5 x 10(6) M(-1), thus comparing well with the K(a) determined in solution.