Synthesis of threo- and erythro-configured trihydroxy open chain lipophilic ketones as possible anti-mycobacterial agents

A series of threo- and erythro-configured open-chain trihydroxy ketones was synthesized starting from l- and d-ascorbic acid respectively as the starting material, through the use of Grignard reactions for the requisite CC bond formations. The lipophilic ketones were screened against Mycobacteriumtuberculosis for anti-proliferative activity. The lipophilic ketones with tetradecyl alkyl side chains were found to be moderately active against cell proliferation.     

Solution of sparse quasi-square rectangular systems by Gaussian elimination

We present a general method for the linear least-squares solutionof overdetermined and underdetermined systems. The method isparticularly efficient when the coefficient matrix is quasi-square,that is when the number of rows and number of columns is almostthe same. The numerical methods for linear least-squares problemsand minimum-norm solutions do not generally take account ofthis special characteristic. The proposed method is based onLU factorization of the original quasi-square matrix A, assumingthat A has full rank. In the overdetermined case, the LU factorsare used to compute a basis for the null space of A^T. The right-handside vector b is then projected onto this subspace and the least-squaressolution is obtained from the solution of this reduced problem.In the case of underdetermined systems, the desired solutionis again obtained through the solution of a reduced system.The use of this method may lead to important savings in computationaltime for both dense and sparse matrices. It is also shown inthe paper that, even in cases where the matrices are quite small,sparse solvers perform better than dense solvers. Some practicalexamples that illustrate the use of the method are included.     

Propargyl bromide as an excellent alpha-bromoacetone equivalent: convenient and new route to alpha-aroylacetones

[reaction: see text] A variety of alpha-aroylacetones 4a-g have been prepared in excellent yields following a new protocol wherein alpha-aminonitriles 1a-g as the aryl acyl anion equivalents readily react with propargyl bromide as the alpha-bromoacetone equivalent. The alkylated product undergoes one-pot unmasking of the keto functionality along with Markovnikov's hydration of the terminal alkyne with CuSO4 x 5H2O in aqueous methanol at 60 degrees C to furnish the desired target in excellent isolated yields.     

2-O-Benzylation in D-Gluconamide Derivative Under Basic Conditions with Complete Retention of Stereo-Integrity: Convenient Access to 2-O-benzyl-3,4:5,6- di-O-isopropylidene-D-glucitol and other Differently Protected D-glucitol Derivatives

A new and convenient synthesis of 2-O-benzyl-3, 4: 5, 6-di-O-isopropylidene-D-glucitol has been accomplished and has been generalized with the syntheses of differently protected D-glucitols at C-2 position. In the course of our new route to the differently protected D-glucitols at C-2 position, a new D-gluco configured building block, 1-morpholino-(3, 4: 5, 6-di-O-isopropylidene)-D-gluconamide has been achieved.     

The [Ru(CN)5(pyS)](4-) complex, an efficient self-assembled monolayer for the cytochrome c heterogeneous electron transfer studies

The organothiol 4-mercaptopyridine (pyS) has been used extensively as facilitator for the assessment of heterogeneous electron transfer reaction of cytochrome c (cyt c). Its efficiency, however, is strongly affected by the instability of the adlayer due to the C-S bond cleavage. The K(4)[Ru(CN)(5)(pyS)].3H(2)O complex was synthesized and characterized aiming its utilization as an inorganic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) that would enhance the gold adlayer stability. The SAM formed by this complex onto gold (RupySAu) was characterized by spectroscopic (FTIRRAS and SERS) and electrochemical (LSV) techniques. The ex situ vibrational SERS and FTIRRAS spectra data of this SAM formed onto gold suggest a sigma interaction between the gold and sulfur atoms of the complex, inducing a perpendicular arrangement in relation to the surface normal. Additionally, SERS and FTIRRAS spectra performed for freshly prepared RupySAu adlayer and for large immersion times in the precursor solution have not shown any significant change that would reflect the degradation of the adlayer. The LSV desorption curves of this SAM indicate an enhancement in the C-S bond strength of the pyS ligand when coordinated to the [Ru(CN)(5)](3-) moiety. Comparatively to the data obtained for the desorption process of the pyS monolayer, the reductive desorption potential, E(rd), of the RupySAu presents a shift of -17 mV. This bond strength intensification leads to an increase in the stability of the monolayer. The voltammetric curves of cyt c carried out with the RupySAu electrode showed electrochemical parameters consistent with those reported for the native protein, as well as the maintenance of the electrochemical kinetic data after repetitive cycles. The results all together suggest that the pi back-bonding effect from the [Ru(CN)(5)](3-) metal center plays an important role in the stability of the RupySAu adlayer, improving the assessment of the cyt c heterogeneous electron transfer reaction.     

Investigations into beam monitors at the AEg ̄ IS experiment

Detailed diagnostic of antiproton beams at low energies is required for essentially all experiments at the Antiproton Decelerator (AD), but will be particularly important for the future Extra Low ENergy Antiproton ring (ELENA) and its keV beam lines to the different experiments. Many monitors have been successfully developed and operated at the AD, but in particular beam profile monitoring remains a challenge. A dedicated beam instrumentation and detector test stand has recently been setup at the AE \(\bar {g}\) IS experiment (Antimatter Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy). Located behind the actual experiment, it allows for parasitic use of the antiproton beam at different energies for testing and calibration. With the aim to explore and validate different candidate technologies for future low energy beam lines, as well as the downstream antihydrogen detector in AE \(\bar {g}\) IS, measurements have been carried out using Silicon strip and pixel detectors, a purpose-built secondary emission monitor and emulsions. Here, results from measurements and characterization of the different detector types with regard to their future use at the AD complex are presented.     

Umpolung strategy for the synthesis of 2-deoxy-C-aryl glycosides: a serendipitous,efficient route for C-furanoside analogues

[reaction: see text] 2-Deoxy-C-aryl glycosides are potential synthetic targets as they form a very vital moiety of several biologically active natural products. This paper describes a synthetic route using an umpolung strategy, which has not been explored till date. Our synthetic endeavor led to a versatile intermediate aryl ketone 10, which has paved the way for two important classes of C-glycosides, viz., C-alkyl furanosides 12 and methyl 2-deoxy-C-aryl pyranosides 14.     

Towards a synthesis of vigabatrin using glycal chemistry

Application of the Ferrier rearrangement led to a novel carbohydrate based synthetic route to 4-aminohexenoic acid viz. (R) and (S)-vigabatrin. The potential of D- glucose or D-galactose as the chiral starting materials for the synthesis of (R) and (S)- vigabatrin has been explored.