Synthesis of naphthalene and indene precursors to naphthoic and indenoic acids

As part of ongoing research to investigate structural requirements for lactate dehydrogenase inhibition by highly substituted naphthoic and indenoic acids, certain naphthalene and indene precursors to those types of compounds are required. Described here are efficient preparations of 1-naphthoic acid precursors 6-benzyl-2,3-dimethoxy-1-propylnaphthalenes, including compounds with substituted benzyl groups and 7-benzyl-2,3-dimethoxy-1-propylnaphthalene. Also described are the syntheses of indenoic acid precursors 2-benzyl-5,6-dimethoxy-7-propyl-1H-indenes, including compounds with substituted benzyl groups. These compounds were made from the key intermediates 6,7-dimethoxy-5-propyl-1-tetralone, 6,7-dimethoxy-8-propyl-1-tetralone, and 5,6-dimethoxy-4-propyl-1-indanone.     

BOTPPI, a new Wittig salt for the synthesis of 12-(S)-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid [12-(S)-HETE]

An efficient route to (Z)-(8-benzyloxy-8-oxooct-3-en-1-yl)triphenylphosphonium iodide, or BOTPPI, is disclosed, complete with full experimental details, NMR spectra, and HRMS data. BOTPPI serves as a surrogate for (Z)-(8-methoxy-8-oxooct-3-en-1-yl)triphenylphosphonium iodide, or MOTPPI, a Wittig salt previously used in two 12-HETE syntheses. BOTPPI has the advantage over MOTPPI of being derived from a sequence for which every intermediate is UV-active and amenable to large-scale chromatographic purification. A formal asymmetric total synthesis of 12-(S)-HETE is also reported, involving a stereoselective phase-transfer catalyzed (PTC) alkylation in its key step.     

The effects of immunity and resistance on the development of AIDS

We incorporate basic genetics into an AIDS model. We illustrate that if a homozygote is immune to the disease or is resistant to the effects of the disease, the corresponding allele goes to fixation. On the other hand, if the heterozygote is immune to the disease or is resistant to the effects of the disease, polymorphism usually occurs.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermoreversible biopolymer microgels based on hydrogen bonded nucleobase pairing

We describe the synthesis and characterization of a thermoreversibly cross-linked biopolymer microgel based on protein, DNA, and peptide nucleic acid (PNA) components. The DNA assembles into a trifunctional three-way junction (TWJ) with single-stranded overhangs. PNA oligomers complementary to these overhangs and bearing terminal biotin groups hybridize to the DNA TWJ and simultaneously bind to the tetrafunctional protein avidin, leading to a cross-linked system. Dynamic light scattering experiments reveal that micron-sized particles are formed. Static light scattering was used to characterize the internal structure of these microgels, which were found to have a fractal dimension of 1.85, indicative of a loose network structure. Heating disrupts the weakest component in the system, namely the PNA-DNA hybrid, resulting in dissolution of the microgel, while cooling restores the hydrogen bonding leading to reassembly of the microgel. Variation of the nucleotide sequence permits tuning of the gelation temperature with fine control.     

High throughput physical organic chemistry: analytical constructs for monomer reactivity profiling

A polymer-supported analytical construct was used to quantify the reactivity of a range of monomers in the Ugi four-component condensation using positive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) as a quantitative analytical tool. The construct incorporated a bromo group to act as a peak splitter and a quaternary ammonium to act as a MS sensitizer and ionization leveler, thereby allowing direct quantitation of the cleaved adducts by MS. The relative reactivities of 10 carboxylic acids were quantified by the relative levels of product generated as determined by MS and 10 isonitriles, and 10 aldehydes were investigated in the same way. The effect of concentration variations on monomers reactivity and product profiles were rapidly determined using this approach, and the method opens up the way for studying, in a single pot, multiple reactions with a broad range of monomers under identical and self-consistent reaction conditions.     

The improved convergent syntheses of arecolones and isoarecolone

Good yields of arecolone and isoarecolone were obtained by treating the N,O-dimethylamides of arecaidine and isoarecaidine, respectively, with methylmagnesium chloride. Other substituted arecolones were synthesized by this same strategy.     

Aromatic amine coupling ofaspergillus niger lactase to controlled-pore silica witho-dianisidine

Lactose (β-galactosidase) derived fromAspergillus niger was immobilized on controlledpore silica with an average pore diameter of 425 Å. The coupling of this enzyme to the surface of the silica was accomplished by reacting the surface of the silica with o-dianisidine followed by the functionalization of the residual amine with glutaraldehyde or with nitrite to form the diazonium salt. The PH profiles of the immobilized enzymes were determined and compared. Continuous reactor studies of the glutaraldehyde-functionalized, immobilized enzyme indicated a half-life of 52 days at 50°C with a 5% lactose feed at pH 3.5.