Ethylene tetramerization: a new route to produce 1-octene in exceptionally high selectivities

Linear alpha-olefins, such as 1-hexene and 1-octene, are important comonomers in the production of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The conventional method of producing 1-hexene and 1-octene is by oligomerization of ethylene, which yields a wide spectrum of linear alpha-olefins (LAOs). While there exists several processes for producing 1-hexene via ethylene trimerization, a similar route for the selective production of 1-octene has so far been elusive. We now, for the first time, report an unprecedented ethylene tetramerization reaction that produces 1-octene in selectivities exceeding 70%, using an aluminoxane-activated chromium/((R2)2P)2NR1 catalyst system.     

Modified molecular charge similarity indices for choosing molecular analogues

Toward the goal of defining a molecular charge similarity idex that best quantifies the concept of molecular similarity as it relates to biological activity, we have evaluated a variety of definitions of the molecular charge distribution function, ρ, for use in the charge similarity index formalism. Spatially distributed nuclear charges are incorporated into electron distribution functions to approximately account for the screening of core electronic charge and to model the net effect of the total charge distribution in a manner that better reflects the inherent relation to the molecular electrostatic potential. The resulting charge similarity indices are evaluated based on their sensitivity to relative molecule displacement and their ability to meaningfully group or order a simple set of molecular structures: CH₃CH₂CH₃, CH₃OCH₃, and CH₃SCH₃.     

Anatoxins and degradation products, determined using hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight and quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometry: forensic investigations of cyanobacterial neurotoxin poisoning

The potent neurotoxins from cyanobacteria, anatoxin-a (AN), its methyl analogue, homoanatoxin-a (HMAN), and their degradation products, have been studied using nano-electrospray hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QqTOF-MS). The anatoxin degradation products, which are readily produced in vivo by either reduction or epoxidation, were also examined in this study. The high mass accuracy QqTOF-MS data was used to confirm formula assignments for major product ions and quadrupole ion-trap (QIT)-MS was used to construct fragmentation pathways for anatoxins. Significant differences between these fragmentation pathways were observed. Comparisons between the spectra of compounds that differ in side-chain length (the AN and HMAN series) were used to identify ions that are characteristic of the homologues. The application to forensic samples in which the principal neurotoxin had undergone rapid biodegradation has been demonstrated and used to confirm anatoxin poisoning of dogs.     

A chemical inhibitor reveals the role of Raf kinase inhibitor protein in cell migration

Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is a modulator of cell signaling that functions as an endogenous inhibitor of multiple kinases. We demonstrate here a positive role for RKIP in the regulation of cell locomotion. We discovered that RKIP is the relevant cellular target of locostatin, a cell migration inhibitor. Locostatin abrogates RKIP's ability to bind and inhibit Raf-1 kinase, and it acts by disrupting a protein-protein interaction, an uncommon mode of action for a small molecule. Small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of RKIP expression also reduces cell migration rate. Overexpression of RKIP converts epithelial cells to a highly migratory fibroblast-like phenotype, with dramatic reduction in the sensitivity of cells to locostatin. RKIP is therefore the compound's valid target and a key regulator of cell motility.     

Chromium(III) Hydroxide Solubility in the Aqueous K+-H+-OH?-CO2-HCO 3? -CO 32? -H2O System: A?Thermodynamic Model

Chromium(III)-carbonate reactions are expected to be important in managing high-level radioactive wastes. Extensive studies on the solubility of amorphous Cr(III) hydroxide solid in a wide range of pH (3–13) at two different fixed partial pressures of CO₂(g) (0.003 or 0.03 atm.), and as functions of K₂CO₃ concentrations (0.01 to 5.8 mol⋅kg⁻¹) in the presence of 0.01 mol⋅dm⁻³ KOH and KHCO₃ concentrations (0.001 to 0.826 mol⋅kg⁻¹) at room temperature (22±2 °C) were carried out to obtain reliable thermodynamic data for important Cr(III)-carbonate reactions. A combination of techniques (XRD, XANES, EXAFS, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, thermodynamic analyses of solubility data, and quantum mechanical calculations) was used to characterize the solid and aqueous species. The Pitzer ion-interaction approach was used to interpret the solubility data. Only two aqueous species [Cr(OH)(CO₃)₂²⁻ and Cr(OH)₄CO₃³⁻] are required to explain Cr(III)-carbonate reactions in a wide range of pH, CO₂(g) partial pressures, and bicarbonate and carbonate concentrations. Calculations based on density functional theory support the existence of these species. The log ₁₀ K° values of reactions involving these species [{Cr(OH)₃(am) + 2CO₂(g)⇌Cr(OH)(CO₃)₂²⁻+2H⁺} and {Cr(OH)₃(am) + OH⁻+CO₃²⁻ ⇌Cr(OH)₄CO₃³⁻}] were found to be −(19.07±0.41) and −(4.19±0.19), respectively. No other data on any Cr(III)-carbonato complexes are available for comparisons.     

Combined first-principles computational and experimental multinuclear solid-state NMR investigation of amino acids

13C, 14N, 15N, 17O, and 35Cl NMR parameters, including chemical shift tensors and quadrupolar tensors for 14N, 17O, and 35Cl, are calculated for the crystalline forms of various amino acids under periodic boundary conditions and complemented by experiment where necessary. The 13C shift tensors and 14N electric field gradient (EFG) tensors are in excellent agreement with experiment. Similarly, static 17O NMR spectra could be precisely simulated using the calculation of the full chemical shift (CS) tensors and their relative orientation with the EFG tensors. This study allows correlations to be found between hydrogen bonding in the crystal structures and the 17O NMR shielding parameters and the 35Cl quadrupolar parameters, respectively. Calculations using the two experimental structures for L-alanine have shown that, while the calculated isotropic chemical shift values of 13C and 15N are relatively insensitive to small differences in the experimental structure, the 17O shift is markedly affected.     

Pairwise decomposition of residue interaction energies using semiempirical quantum mechanical methods in studies of protein-ligand interaction

Pairwise decomposition of the interaction energy between molecules is shown to be a powerful tool that can increase our understanding of macromolecular recognition processes. Herein we calculate the pairwise decomposition of the interaction energy between the protein human carbonic anhydrase II (HCAII) and the fluorine-substituted ligand N-(4-sulfamylbenzoyl)benzylamine (SBB) using semiempirical quantum mechanics based methods. We dissect the interaction between the ligand and the protein by dividing the ligand and the protein into subsystems to understand the structure-activity relationships as a result of fluorine substitution. In particular, the off-diagonal elements of the Fock matrix that is composed of the interaction between the ionic core and the valence electrons and the exchange energy between the subsystems or atoms of interest is examined in detail. Our analysis reveals that the fluorine-substituted benzylamine group of SBB does not directly affect the binding energy. Rather, we find that the strength of the interaction between Thr199 of HCAII and the sulfamylbenzoyl group of SBB affects the binding affinity between the protein and the ligand. These observations underline the importance of the sulfonamide group in binding affinity as shown by previous experiments (Maren, T. H.; Wiley: C. E. J. Med. Chem. 1968, 11, 228-232). Moreover, our calculations qualitatively agree with the structural aspects of these protein-ligand complexes as determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Solid-phase synthesis of thalidomide and its analogues

A novel solid-phase synthesis of thalidomide and its metabolites and analogues is described. The synthetic strategy involves the coupling of hydroxymethyl polystyrene with phthalic anhydride to form the resin-linked acid. The acid is then reacted with primary amines followed by acid or base treatment to form thalidomide and its analogues with either open or closed phthalimide rings. Most of the analogues are synthesized with high yields (40.3-98.1% in three steps) and purities (92.3-98.9%).     

Synthesis and antimalarial effects of 5,6-dichloro-2-[(4-||4-(diethylamino)-i-methylbutyl] amino||-6-methyl-2-pyrirnidinyl)amino] benzimidazole and related benzimidazoles and lH-imidazo[4,5-b] pyridines

A group of fifty-five 2-[(4-11[(dialkylamino)alkyI]amino11-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]-benzimidazoles (VII) was synthesized in 3-88% yield by the condensation of the requisite 2-[(2-benzimidazolyl)amino]-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine (VI) with the appropriate polyamine in ethanol-hydrochloric acid or neat with excess amine containing potassium iodide. The 2-[(2-benzimidazolyl)amino]-6-methyl-4-pyrirnidinol precursors (V), obtained in 11-51% yield by cyclization of 2-(cyanoamino)-4-hydroxy-6-methylpyrimidine with a suitably substituted o-phenylenediamine, were chlorinated with phosphorus oxychloride to give the intermediate 2-[(2-benzimidazolyl)amino]-4-chloro-6-rnethylpyrimidines (VI) (27-99%). Oxidation of 5,6-dichloro-2-[(4-11[4-(diethylamino)-l-methylbutyl] amino 11-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl) amino ]benzimidazole ( 29 ) with m-chloroperbenzoic acid gave the distal N⁴'-oxide ( 31 ) (19%). Fusion of 2,3-uiaminopyridine with 2-(cyanoamino)-4-hydroxy-6-methylpyrimidine provided 2-[(4-hydroxy-6-tnethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]-lH-imitlazo[4,5-b]pyrimidine (VIII) (30%), which upon chlori-nation with phosphorus oxychloride (63%) followed by amination with i N, N-diethylethylene-diamine afforded 2-(4-11[2-(diethylamino)ethyl] amino 11-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-lH-imidazo [4,5-b]pyridine (X) (8%). Thirty-eight of the novel 2-[(4-amino-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]-benzimidazoles possessed “curative” activity against Plasmodium berghei at single subcutaneous doses ranging from 20.640 mg./kg. Orally, thirty-one compounds exhibited suppressive activity against P. berghei comparable with or superior to the reference drugs 1-(p-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-11[2-(diethylarnino)ethyl]amino 11-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl)guanidine (I) and quinine hydrochloride, while twelve of them were 5 to 28 times as potent as I and quinine hydrochloride. Eight compounds also displayed strong suppressive activity against P. gallinaceum in chicks. 5,6-Dichloro-2-[(4-112-(diethylamino)ethyl]amino11-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl] benzimidazole (18) showed marked activity against a cycloguanil-resistant line of P. berghei, and the most promising member of the series, namely 5,6-dichloro-2-[(4-11[4-(diethylamino)-l-methylbutyl]amino11-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]benzimidazole ( 29 ) (Q = 28), was designated for preclinical toxico-logical studies and clinical trial. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.