Synthesis of new fluorous modular chiral ligand derivatives from amino alcohols and application in enantioselective carbon-carbon bond-forming alkylation reactions

N-Trifluoracyl beta-chalcogeno amides and N-perfluoracyl beta-thio amide ligands were prepared by a simple and efficient reaction sequence. These new ligands were evaluated in palladium-catalyzed alkylation of rac-(E)-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate in the presence of dimethyl malonate and an enantioselectivity of up to 99% was obtained. After catalysis, the fluorous ligand can be easily recovered by liquid-liquid extraction and reused without loss in the activity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Three-Dimensional Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Antitumor 2-Formylpyridine Thiosemicarbazones Derivatives as Inhibitors of Ribonucleotide Reductase

In order to extend previous SAR and QSAR studies, 3D-QSAR analysis has been performed using CoMFA and CoMSIA approaches applied to a set of 39 alpha-(N)-heterocyclic carboxaldehydes thiosemicarbazones with their inhibitory activity values (IC(50)) evaluated against ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) of H.Ep.-2 cells (human epidermoid carcinoma), taken from selected literature. Both rigid and field alignment methods, taking the unsubstituted 2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone in its syn conformation as template, have been used to generate multiple predictive CoMFA and CoMSIA models derived from training sets and validated with the corresponding test sets. Acceptable predictive correlation coefficients (Q(cv)(2) from 0.360 to 0.609 for CoMFA and Q(cv)(2) from 0.394 to 0.580 for CoMSIA models) with high fitted correlation coefficients (r` from 0.881 to 0.981 for CoMFA and r(2) from 0.938 to 0.993 for CoMSIA models) and low standard errors (s from 0.135 to 0.383 for CoMFA and s from 0.098 to 0.240 for CoMSIA models) were obtained. More precise CoMFA and CoMSIA models have been derived considering the subset of thiosemicarbazones (TSC) substituted only at 5-position of the pyridine ring (n=22). Reasonable predictive correlation coefficients (Q(cv)(2) from 0.486 to 0.683 for CoMFA and Q(cv)(2) from 0.565 to 0.791 for CoMSIA models) with high fitted correlation coefficients (r(2) from 0.896 to 0.997 for CoMFA and r(2) from 0.991 to 0.998 for CoMSIA models) and very low standard errors (s from 0.040 to 0.179 for CoMFA and s from 0.029 to 0.068 for CoMSIA models) were obtained. The stability of each CoMFA and CoMSIA models was further assessed by performing bootstrapping analysis. For the two sets the generated CoMSIA models showed, in general, better statistics than the corresponding CoMFA models. The analysis of CoMFA and CoMSIA contour maps suggest that a hydrogen bond acceptor near the nitrogen of the pyridine ring can enhance inhibitory activity values. This observation agrees with literature data, which suggests that the nitrogen pyridine lone pairs can complex with the iron ion leading to species that inhibits RNR. The derived CoMFA and CoMSIA models contribute to understand the structural features of this class of TSC as antitumor agents in terms of steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic and hydrogen bond donor and hydrogen bond acceptor fields as well as to the rational design of this key enzyme inhibitors.

Prenylated benzoic acid derivatives from Piper aduncum L. and P. hostmannianum C. DC. (Piperaceae)

The bioactivity-guided fractionation of the crude extracts from leaves of Brazilian species Piper aduncum and Piper hostmannianum by means of bioautography using the fungi Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum afforded prenylated methyl benzoate, chromenes, and dihydrobenzopyran derivatives as antifungal compounds. The isolation and structural elucidation of a new compound methyl 4-hydroxy-3-(2`-hydroperoxy-3`-methyl-3`-butenyl) benzoate were performed by application of chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic analyses. (C) 2009 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SYNTHESIS AND RETRO AZA DIELS-ALDER REACTION OF SOME NEW ISOQUINUCLIDINE DERIVATIVES

N-Benzyl- and N-(alpha-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2,4,6-triphenyl-1,2-dihydropyridines were submitted to Diels-Alder reactions with maleic anhydride or N-phenylmaleimide yielding, diastereoselectively, the corresponding endo-anti adducts. These novel isoquinuclidines showed to be resistant to N-alkylation or N-protonation, undergoing an unexpected fragmentation via a retro aza Diels-Alder process.

In vitro Trypanocidal Activity of Phenolic Derivatives from Peperomia obtusifolia

The trypanocidal activity of crude extracts and fractions from the leaves and stems of Peperomia obtusifolia (Piperaceae) was evaluated in vitro against the epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the most active extracts afforded seven known compounds, including three chromanes, two furofuran lignans and two flavone C-diglycosides. The most active compounds were the chromanes peperobtusin A and 3,4-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-8-(2 ``-methyl-2 ``-butenyl)-2-(4`-methyl-1`,3`-pentadienyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carboxylic acid, with IC(50) values of 3.1 mu M (almost three times more active than the positive control benznidazole, IC(50) 10.4 mu M) and 27.0 mu M, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays using peritoneal murine macrophages indicated that the chromanes were not toxic at the level of the IC(50) for trypanocidal activity. This is the first report on the trypanocidal activity besides unspecific cytotoxicity of chromanes from Peperomia species. Additionally it represents the first time isolation of 3,4-dihydro5-hydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-8-(2 ``-methyl-2 ``-butenyl)-2-(4`-methyl-1`,3`-pentadienyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carboxylic acid from P. obtusifolia.

Iodine(III)-promoted ring expansion of 1-vinylcycloalkanol derivatives: A metal-free approach toward seven-membered rings

A versatile and metal-free approach for the synthesis of molecules bearing seven- and eight-membered rings is described. The strategy is based on the ring expansion of 1-vinylcycloalkanols (or the corresponding silyl or methyl ether) mediated by the hypervalent iodine reagent HTIB (Phl(OH)OTs). The reaction condition can be easily adjusted to give seven-membered rings bearing different functional groups. A route to medium-ring lactones was also developed.

Natural chromens and chromene derivatives as potential anti-trypanosomal agents

The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-trypanocidal activities of natural chromene and chromene derivatives. Five chromenes were isolated from Piper gaudichaudianum and P. aduncum, and a further seven derivatives were prepared using standard reduction, methylation and acetylation procedures. These compounds were assayed in vitro against epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The results showed that the most of the compounds, especially those possessing electron-donating groups as substituents on the aromatic ring, showed potent trypanocidal activity. The most active compound, [(2S)-methyl-2-methyl-8-(3 ``-methylbut-2 ``-enyl)-2-(4`-methylpent-3`-enyl)-2H-chromene-6-carboxylate], was almost four times more potent than benznidazole (the positive control) and showed an IC50 of 2.82 mu M. The results reveal that chromenes exhibit significant anti-trypanocidal activities and indicate that this class of natural product should be considered further in the development of new and more potent drugs for use in the treatment of Chagas disease.

Arylbutyltellurides as precursors of dilithium arylthienylcyanocuprates in a straightforward approach to phenethylamine derivatives

The ring opening reaction of N-tosyl aziridines with dilithium arylthienylcyanocuprates generated from arylbutyltellurides produced phenethylamine derivatives in good to excellent yields. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fenchyl substituted 1,2-dioxetanes as an alternative to adamantyl derivatives for bioanalytical applications

The synthesis and study of the chemiluminescence parameters and thermal stability of 1,2-dioxetanes containing a spirofenchyl substituent are reported. Three fenchyl-substituted 1,2-dioxetanes were synthesized by photooxygenation of the corresponding alkenes, obtained by Barton-Kellogg olefination of the readily available (-)-fenchone. The fenchyl-substituted 1,2-dioxetanes showed thermal stabilities similar to those of the corresponding spiroadamantyl-substituted derivatives, although being slightly more labile with respect to unimolecular decomposition than the latter derivatives, which are widely utilized as labels in a great variety of chemiluminescent immunoassays. Fluoride induced decomposition of one triggerable fenchyl 1,2-dioxetane derivative showed kinetic parameters similar to those of the corresponding adamantyl-substituted derivative. The chemiluminescence quantum yields in the one percent range are also similar to that of other widely utilized chemiluminescence systems as the luminol reaction. These results indicate that fenchyl-substituted 1,2-dioxetanes can potentially be utilized as a cheaper alternative to substitute the corresponding spiroadamantyl derivatives in bioanalytical applications. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Complete assignment of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of alpha-phenylsulfinyl-N-methoxy-N-methylpropionamide and some p-substituted derivatives

The complete assignment of the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the diastereomeric pairs of some alpha-arylsulfinyl-substituted N-methoxy-N-methylpropionamides with the substituents methoxy, methyl, chloro, nitro is reported. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Excited-state dynamics of polyfluorene derivatives in solution

The excited-state dynamics of two polyfluorene copolymers, one fully conjugated containing phenylene vinylene units alternated with 9,9`-dihexylfluorenyl groups and the other segmented by -(CH2)(8)- spacer, were studied in dilute solution of different solvents using a picosecond single-photon timing technique. The excited-state dynamics of the segmented copolymer follows the Forster resonant energy-transfer model which describes intrachain energy-transfer kinetics among random oriented chromophores. Energy transfer is confirmed by analysis of fluorescence anisotropy relaxation with the measurement of a short decay component of about 60 ps. The fluorescence decay surface of the fully conjugated copolymer is biexponential with decay times of about 470 and 900 ps, ascribed to deactivation of chain moieties containing trans and cis isomers already in a photostationary condition. Thus, energy transfer is very fast due to the conjugated nature and rigid-rod-like structure of this copolymer chain.

Derivatives of Biomacromolecules as Stabilizers of Aqueous Alumina Suspensions

The stabilization of alumina suspensions is key to the development of high-performance materials for the ceramic industry, which has motivated extensive research into synthetic polymers used as stabilizers. In this study, mimosa tannin extract and a chitosan derivative, that is, macromolecules obtained from renewable resources, are shown to be promising to replace synthetic polymers, yielding less viscous suspensions with smaller particles and greater fluidity, that is, more homogeneous suspensions that may lead to better-quality products. The functional groups of tannin present in mimosa extract and N,N,N-trimethylchitosan (TMC) are capable of establishing interactions with the alumina surface, thus leading to repulsion between the particles mainly due to steric and electrosteric mechanisms, respectively. The stabilization of the suspension induced by either TMC or mimosa tannin was confirmed by a considerable decrease in viscosity and average particle size, in comparison with alumina suspensions without stabilizing agents. The viscosity/average particle size decreased by 49/84% and 52/87% for suspensions with TMC and mimosa tannin, respectively. In addition, the increase in the absolute zeta potential upon addition of either TMC or mimosa tannin extract, especially at high pHs, points to an increased stability of the suspension. The feasibility of using derivatives of macromolecules from renewable sources to stabilize aqueous alumina suspensions was therefore demonstrated. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 58-66, 2010

Pyrodysinoic Acid Derivatives from the Marine Sponge Dysidea robusta

Three new nitrogen-containing terpenes related to pyrodysinoic acid (1) have been isolated from the sponge Dysidea robusta collected in Brazil. Isopyrodysinoic acid (2), 13-hydroxyisopyrodysinoic acid (3), and pyrodysinoic acid B (4) were obtained from the crude extract of D. robusta and identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. Pyrodysinoic acid B (4) is the first furodysin or furodysinin sesquiterpene derivative with a trans junction between the two six-membered rings of the 1,2,3,4,4a,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,1,6-trimethylnaphthalene moiety.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Studies and X-ray Crystal Structures of New Pyrazoline and Pyrazole Derivatives

The synthesis and characterization of some pyrazoline compounds of 1,3-diketones with hydrazine derivatives, namely, 1-(S-benzyldithiocarbazate)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-hydroxypyrazoline (1); 1-(2-thiophenecarboxylic)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-hydroxypyrazoline (2); 1-(2-thiophenecarboxylic)-3,5-dimethyl-5-hydroxypyrazoline (3); 1-(S-benzyldithiocarbazato)-3-methyl-5-phenylpyrazole (4); 1-(2-thiophenecarboxylic)-3-methyl-5-phenylpyrazole (5) and 1-(S-benzyldithiocarbazate)-3,5-dimethylpyrazole (6) are reported. Studies by IR, ((1)H, (13)C)-NMR spectroscopies and single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that compounds (1)(,) (2) and (3) are formed as pyrazoline, whereas (4) and (5) are formed as pyrazole derivatives only under acidic conditions. Compound (1) crystallizes in orthorhombic P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 6.38960(10) angstrom, b = 12.9176(3) angstrom, c = 21.2552(5) angstrom, (2) crystallizes in monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 11.3617(2) angstrom, b = 8.4988(2) angstrom, c = 92.8900(10)angstrom and beta = 92.8900(5)degrees, (3) crystallizes in monoclinic, C2/c, a = 15.9500(5) angstrom, b = 9.3766(3) angstrom, c = 16.6910(5)angstrom and beta = 113.825(2)degrees, (4) crystallizes in monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 15.228(4) angstrom, b = 5.5714(13) angstrom, c = 19.956(5)angstrom and beta = 91.575(7)degrees and (6) crystallizes in orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 5.3920(2) angstrom, b = 11.2074(5) angstrom, c = 21.885(1)angstrom . The (3) derivative represents the first pyrazoline compound prepared from 2,4-pentanedione and characterized crystallographically.

Structural and Electronic Properties of Dipyridamole and Derivatives

Quantum mechanical calculations at the B3LYP theory level, together with the 6-31G* basis set, were employed to obtain the energy, ionization potential, and polarizabilites for dipyridamole and derivatives, which are compared with their biological activity. Density functional calculations of the spin densities were performed for radical formed by electron abstraction of dipyridamole and derivatives. The unpaired electron remains in dipyridamole is localized on the nitrogen atoms in the substituent positions 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, with participation of the 9 and 10 carbons in the pyrimido-pyrimidine ring. The antioxidant activity is related with ionization potential, polarizability and Log P.