Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of indane and cyclobuta[a]indenes from homoallylic alcohols derived from Baylis-Hillman adducts: base-dependent stereoselectivity for the benzylidene group in cyclobuta[a]indene

Various indane and cyclobuta[a]indene derivatives were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed cyclization of homoallylic alcohol derivatives prepared from Baylis-Hillman adducts. Especially, cyclobuta[a]indene derivative was synthesized stereoselectively by palladium-catalyzed 5-exo-trig/4-exo-trig cascade cyclization, albeit in moderate yield. The Z isomer was formed exclusively in the presence of Et₃N by usual Heck-type carbopalladation process while E isomer with Cs₂CO₃ most likely by a concerted metalation/deprotonation (CMD) process.     

Tautomerization in gas-phase ion chemistry of isomeric C-8 deoxyguanosine adducts from phenol-induced DNA damage

Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of 8-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine and 8-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine was investigated using sequential tandem mass spectrometry. These adducts represent biomarkers of DNA damage linked to phenolic radicals and were investigated to gain insight into the effects of chemical structure of a C-8 modification on fragmentation pathways of modified 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG). CID in MS(2) of the deprotonated molecules of both the isomers generated the same product ion having the same m/z values. CID in MS(3) of the product ion at m/z 242 and CID in MS(4) experiments carried out on the selected product ions at m/z 225 and m/z 218 afford distinct fragmentation patterns. The conformational properties of isomeric product ions from CID showed that the ortho-isomers possess the unique ability to tautomerize through an intramolecular proton transfer between the phenolic OH group and the imine nitrogen (N7). Tautomerization of ortho-isomers to their keto-tautomers led to differences in their system of conjugated double bonds compared with either their enol-tautomer or the para-isomer. The charge redistribution through the N-7 site on the imidazole ring is a critical step in guanosine adduct fragmentation which is disrupted by the formation of the keto-tautomer. For this reason, different reaction pathways are observed for 8-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine and 8-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine. We present herein the dissociation and the gas-phase ion-molecule reactions for highly conjugated ions involved in the CID ion chemistry of the investigated adducts. These will be useful for those using tandem mass spectrometry for structural elucidation of C-8 modified dG adducts. This study demonstrates that the modification at the C-8 site of dG has the potential to significantly alter the reactivity of adducts. We also show the ability of tandem mass spectrometry to completely differentiate between the isomeric dG adducts investigated.     

Biotransformation of musk xylene in trout haemoglobin: dose–response and toxicokinetics of musk xylene metabolites haemoglobin adducts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Musk xylene (MX) is frequently used as a fragrance in commercial toiletries. Biotransformation of MX into 4-amino-MX (4-AMX) and 2-amino-MX (2-AMX) metabolites in rainbow trout haemoglobin (Hb) has been described. The dose–response relationship and toxicokinetics of the metabolites as adducts in the Hb were determined by gas chromatography (GC)–electron capture negative chemical ionization (NCI)–mass spectrometry (MS), and GC–electron ionization (EI)–MS/MS, using selected ion monitoring (SIM). The trout were subjected to a single exposure of 0.010, 0.030, 0.10, and/or 0.30?mg?MX/g of fish. Hb samples were collected from exposed and control fish, and analysed subsequent to exposure at intervals of 24, 72, and 168?h. Alkaline hydrolysis released 4-AMX and 2-AMX metabolites from the Hb, and the solutes were extracted into n-hexane. The extracts were preconcentrated and analysed. The presence of the metabolites in the Hb extracts was confirmed based on agreement of similar mass spectral features from NCI/MS and EI-MS/MS spectra, and retention times of the metabolites with standards. The NCI/MS results were used for dose–response and toxicokinetics measurements. For dose–response, the concentrations of adducts of the metabolites increased with dosage, and a maximum adduct formation was observed at 0.10?mg?g^?1, beyond which it decreased. The average concentrations of 4-AMX and 2-AMX at a dosage of 0.10?mg?g^?1 were 700 and 7.4?ng?g^?1, respectively. For toxicokinetics, the concentration of the metabolites in the Hb reached a maximum in the 3 day sample after administration of MX. Further elimination of the metabolites exhibited kinetics with a half-life estimated to be 1–2 days, assuming first-order kinetics. Quantitations were made based on an internal standard and a calibration plot. In control samples, non-hydrolysed Hb, and reagent blank extracts, the metabolites were not detected. The limits of detection for 4-AMX and 2-AMX in the Hb were approximately 1.7 and 1.4?µg?L^?1, respectively, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 with NCI/MS.     

A Clean and Expedient Synthesis of Pyrido[1,4]oxazepino Spiropyrrolidines Through One-Pot,Three-Component [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction

One-pot three component synthesis of novel pyrido[1,4]-oxazepine fused spiropyrrolidines has been accomplished in good yields by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylide, derived from paraformaldehyde and sarcosine with (E)-4-benzylidene-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[2,1-c][1,4]-oxazepine-3(7H)-one as dipolarophiles derived from Baylis-Hillman adducts. The effect of solvent on the [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction is also studied.     

Three‐Dimensional Metal–Fullerene Frameworks

Hexakis‐substituted [60]fullerene adducts with icosahedral symmetry provide an unprecedented scaffold for the spatial arrangement of twelve functional groups with high geometric precision. This unique molecular symmetry identifies such polyfunctional organic building blocks as potential highly connective linkers for coordination polymer and metal–organic framework synthesis. Hereby, the linker exhibits a higher connectivity than the metal ions and with the main connectivity based on the ligand, this can create a new type of inversely cross‐linked framework. Two hexakis adducts bearing either twelve glycolic acid or 3‐hydroxypropionic acid side chains attached to its malonate units were incorporated as organic connectivity centers in the first fullerene‐containing three‐dimensional frameworks by coordination with Zn²⁺.     

Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics of oxidative stress: Identification of 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (HNE) adducts of amino acids using lysozyme and bovine serum albumin as model proteins

Modification of proteins by 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (HNE), a reactive by‐product of ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acid oxidation, on specific amino acid residues is considered a biomarker for oxidative stress, as occurs in many metabolic, hereditary, and age‐related diseases. HNE modification of amino acids can occur either via Michael addition or by formation of Schiff‐base adducts. These modifications typically occur on cysteine (Cys), histidine (His), and/or lysine (Lys) residues, resulting in an increase of 156 Da (Michael addition) or 138 Da (Schiff‐base adducts), respectively, in the mass of the residue. Here, we employed biochemical and mass spectrometry (MS) approaches to determine the MS “signatures” of HNE‐modified amino acids, using lysozyme and BSA as model proteins. Using direct infusion of unmodified and HNE‐modified lysozyme into an electrospray quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer, we were able to detect up to seven HNE modifications per molecule of lysozyme. Using nanoLC‐MS/MS, we found that, in addition to N‐terminal amino acids, Cys, His, and Lys residues, HNE modification of arginine (Arg), threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp), and histidine (His) residues can also occur. These sensitive and specific methods can be applied to the study of oxidative stress to evaluate HNE modification of proteins in complex mixtures from cells and tissues under diseased versus normal conditions.     

Evaluation of GSH adducts of adrenaline in biological samples

The sustained high release of catecholamines to circulation is a deleterious condition that may induce toxicity, which seems to be partially related to the products formed by oxidation of catecholamines that can be further conjugated with glutathione (GSH). The aim of the present study was to develop a method for the determination of GSH adducts of adrenaline in biological samples. Two position isomers of the glutathion-S-yl-adrenaline were synthesized and characterized by HPLC using diode array, coulometric and mass detectors. A method for the extraction of these adducts from human plasma was also developed, based on adsorption to activated alumina, which showed adequate recoveries and proved to be crucial in removing interferences from plasma. The selectivity, precision and linearity of the method were all within the accepted values for these parameters. Furthermore, the sensitivity of this method allows the detection of adduct amounts that are within the range of the expected concentrations for these adducts under certain pathophysiological conditions and/or drug treatments. In conclusion, the development of this method allows the direct analysis of GSH adducts of adrenaline in human plasma, providing a valuable tool for the study of the catecholamine oxidation process and its related toxicity.     

Synthesis of poly-substituted nitrobenzene derivatives from Baylis-Hillman adducts via [3+3] annulation protocol

Poly-substituted nitrobenzenes were synthesized from Baylis-Hillman adducts via the [3+3] annulation strategy as the key step. 1,3-Dinitroalkanes served as the 1,3-dinucleophilic component and the Baylis-Hillman acetates as a 1,3-dielectrophilic part.     

A Theoretical Study of Amine Bonding in Titanium Alkoxide Adducts

Summary. DFT calculations were carried out on Ti₂(OCH₃)₈ (NH₂CH₃)₂ and Ti₂(OCH₃)₈(NH₃)₂, which are model compounds for the previously isolated amine adducts Ti₂(OR)₈(NH₂ R′)₂. The calculations show that the Ti–N bond strength is weak; however, coordination of the amine to the metal center is supported by a N–H···O hydrogen bond of the amine with the neighboring alkoxo ligand. The Ti–N interaction is purely σ in nature, while the Ti–O interactions include both σ and π contributions. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals are mainly localized on Ti t_2g-like orbitals.