Synthesis and properties of bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)methyl cations and bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)ketones

The synthesis and properties of a novel type of bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)methyl cations, bis(2-oxo-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-3-yl)methyl cation salt and nitrogen analogues, (9a-c·PF₆⁻) and (9a-c·BF₄⁻), as well as bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)ketones (12a-d) are studied. The synthetic method was based on a TFA-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic substitution on the heteroazulenes (6a-d) with paraformaldehyde to afford the corresponding disubstituted methane derivatives 7a-d, followed by oxidative hydrogen abstraction with DDQ, and subsequent exchange of the counter-anion by using aq. HPF₆ or aq. HBF₄. In addition, the reaction of 7a-d with 2.2 equiv. amounts of DDQ afforded carbonyl compounds 12a-d. The delocalization of the positive charge of 9a-c was evaluated by the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data. The thermodynamic stability of cations 9a-c was evaluated to be in the order 9a<9b<9c on the basis of their reduction potentials measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and pK_R+ values (2.6-10.3) obtained spectrophotometrically. The reduction waves of cations 9a-c were irreversible, suggesting the dimerization of the radical species generated by one-electron reduction. This was demonstrated by the reduction of 9a·BF₄⁻ with Zn powder to give dimerized product 14a. In addition, the quenching of 9a·BF₄⁻ with MeOH/NaHCO₃ gives ether derivative 15a, which is proposed for the precursor for synthesizing tris(heteroazulene)-substituted methyl cations bearing two different heteroazulene-units.     

In vitro bioassays for the study of endocrine-disrupting food additives and contaminants

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are capable of interfering with normal hormone homeostasis by acting on several targets and through a wide variety of mechanisms. Unwanted exposure to EDCs can lead to a wide spectrum of adverse health effects, especially when exposure is during critical windows of development. Feed and food are considered to be among the main routes of inadvertent exposure to EDCs, so there is an important need for efficient detection of EDCs in these matrices.We describe in vitro bioassays that can complement current analytical chemistry in order to detect unwanted EDCs and describe their action, emphasizing assays that can measure effects on nuclear receptor signaling or hormone production. We outline both validated and unvalidated in vitro assays currently available in the scientific community for detecting and studying the effects of EDCs, and discuss their possible role in the food-safety context. We conclude by identifying gaps in the current battery of in vitro assays available for EDCs and suggest future possibilities for development and validation.     

Facile optical resolution of tert-butanethiosulfinate by molecular complexation with (R)-BINOL and study of chiral discrimination of the diastereomeric complexes

An important synthon, tert-butanethiosulfinate (2), has been effectively resolved by forming molecular complexes with (R)-2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (BINOL, 3) in high enantioselectivity (>99 % ee). The present procedure represents the first example of the resolution of thiosulfinate. The mechanism of chiral discrimination is discussed in terms of molecular recognition based on IR and Xray analyses of the diastereomeric complexes during the resolution. In the less-soluble complex, (R)-3 and (R)-2 self-assembled as a linear supramolecule; however, in the more-soluble complex, (R)-3 and (S)-2 formed a simple bimolecular complex by one stronger hydrogen bond. Hydrogen bonding is the major driving force for effective resolution.     

Biotransformation of 20(R)-panaxatriol by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link AS 3.3950

Microbial transformation of 20(R)-panaxatriol by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link AS 3.3950 was performed. Four new (1–4), along with two previously reported metabolites (5 and 6), were obtained. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of those compounds on K562/ADR, Du-145, Hela, MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines were evaluated by MTT assay. Among them, compound 15β-hydroxy-20(R)-panaxatriol (4) exhibited selective inhibitory effects on human leukaemic progenitor cells K562/ADR through arresting cell cycle, which was associated with obvious decrease of cyclin B1, cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1/2/4/6 protein expression.     

Silver Nanostructures on Graphene Oxide as the Substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)

Nanosized surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates fabricated by the controlled growth of metal nanostructures on water-dispersed two-dimensional nanomaterials can open a new avenue for SERS analysis of liquid samples in biological fields. In this work, regular and uniform Ag nanostructures were grown on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) through a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were assembled on the surface of GO to form GO/PAMAM templates for growing Ag nanostructures, which are primarily comprised of Ag dimers and trimers. The prepared Ag/GO nanocomposites are highly dispersed and stable in aqueous solution and may be used as substrates for enhanced Raman detection of rhodamine 6?G (R6G) in aqueous solution. This special substrate provides high-performance SERS and suppresses R6G fluorescence in aqueous solution and is promising as a nanosized material for the enhanced Raman detection of liquid samples in biological diagnostics.     

A Photoswitchable Agonist for the Histamine H3 Receptor,a Prototypic Family A G‐Protein‐Coupled Receptor

Spatiotemporal control over biochemical signaling processes involving G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) is highly desired for dissecting their complex intracellular signaling. We developed sixteen photoswitchable ligands for the human histamine H₃ receptor (hH₃R). Upon illumination, key compound 65 decreases its affinity for the hH₃R by 8.5‐fold and its potency in hH₃R‐mediated G_i protein activation by over 20‐fold, with the trans and cis isomer both acting as full agonist. In real‐time two‐electrode voltage clamp experiments in Xenopus oocytes, 65 shows rapid light‐induced modulation of hH₃R activity. Ligand 65 shows good binding selectivity amongst the histamine receptor subfamily and has good photolytic stability. In all, 65 (VUF15000) is the first photoswitchable GPCR agonist confirmed to be modulated through its affinity and potency upon photoswitching while maintaining its intrinsic activity, rendering it a new chemical biology tool for spatiotemporal control of GPCR activation.     

Chirality Control by Substituents in the Asymmetric Addition of Et_2Zn to Aromatic Aldehydes Catalyzed by cis-(1 R,2S)-2- Benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic Acid Derived 1,3-Aminoalcohols

A series of novel optically active 1,3‐aminoalcohols based on cis‐(1R,2S)‐2‐benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic acid and trans‐(1R,2R)‐2‐benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic acid were synthesized and used in the asymmetric diethylzinc addition to aromatic aldehydes. Not only the enantioselectivity but also the stereochemistry of the product were controlled by the N‐substituents and the substituents on the vicinity carbon to hydroxyl group of the cis‐derivatives.     

包结法拆分1,1'-联-2-萘酚:包结物的晶体结构及CD光谱

以D/L-缬氨醇为原料,通过二步反应得到价廉易得的拆分剂碘化(R)/(S)-N,N,N-三甲基-1-羟基-3-甲基-2-丁铵,采用包结拆分法,成功实现了对1,1′-联-2-萘酚(BINOL)的拆分.对具有(R)-构型的季铵盐与(R)-BINOL在甲醇中所形成包结物的晶体结构分析结果表明:I-离子桥联主体(拆分剂)的醇羟基和客体(BINOL)的酚羟基形成O-H…I-氢键,以及相邻层的主客体分子之间的C-H…O氢键相互作用是在包结物中实现手性识别的关键.同时对两个包结物的溶液和固体圆二色(CD)光谱进行了研究.     

手性环氧氯丙烷的CPO酶催化不对称合成

基于氯过氧化物酶(CPO)对有机底物的手性识别,以CPO催化、叔丁基过氧化氢(TBHP)氧化3-氯丙烯合成手性(R)-环氧氯丙烷,并引入多羟基化合物为添加剂提高了目标产物的产率及对映选择性.反应主要受体系的pH值以及CPO用量等因素控制.UV-vis及CD光谱分析表明,反应体系中引入多羟基化合物(甘油、PEG400、PEG600)时,CPO的血红素辅基暴露程度增加,底物容易接近活性中心,同时CPO的α-螺旋结构得以加强,从而有效提高了产物收率.CPO对底物的手性识别主要基于底物与酶催化中间体([Fe(IV)=O·]+)形成的复合物对酶的稳定性的影响.通过反应条件优化,(R)-环氧氯丙烷产率可达67.3%,对映选择性(ee)97.5%.