Poly(2-oxazoline) hydrogel monoliths via thiol-ene coupling

Copoly(2-oxazoline)s, prepared by cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-(dec-9-enyl)-2-oxazoline with either 2-methyl-2-oxazoline or 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline, have been crosslinked with small dithiol molecules under UV-irradiation to form homogeneous networks. In-situ monitoring of the crosslinking reaction by photo-rheology revealed network formation within minutes. The degree of swelling in water was found to be tunable by the hydrophilicity of the starting macromers and the proportion of alkene side arms. Furthermore, degradable hydrogels have been prepared based on a hydrolytically cleavable dithiol crosslinker.

Syntheses based on cyclohexadienes. Part 2. Convenient synthesis of 6-alkylsalicylates, 6-alkyl 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate, and 2,5-dialkylresorcinols

A one pot synthesis of 6-alkylsalicylates and 6-alkyl-2,4- dihydroxybenzoates is described. Cycloaddition of 1-methoxycyclohexa-1,4- or 1,3-dienes with alkylpropiolic esters results in the regio-specific formation of 2-alkyl-6-methoxybenzoates. Thus, methyl 2-methoxy-6-methyl benzoate, methyl 2,4-dimethoxy-6-methylbenzoate, methyl 2,5-dimethoxy-6-methylbenzoate, methyl 2-methoxy-4,6-dimethylbenzoate, and ethyl 2-butyl-4,6-dimethoxybenzoate, have been prepared. By making use of this method, the synthesis of two dihydroisocoumarins namely (±)-mellein (12) and (±)-6-methoxy- mellein (14) is described. Employing a similar strategy, a novel route to 2,5-dialkylresorcinols has been developed. Stemphol (24b) and the antibiotic DB2073 (24d) have been synthesized.

The isolation and purification of tris-2,2'-bipyridine complexes of ruthenium(II) containing unsymmetrical ligands

Monomeric ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(L)3]2+ containing unsymmetric bipyridine ligands [Where L = 5-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine (L1), 5-ethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (L2), 5-propyl-2,2'-bipyridine (L3), 5-(2-methylpropyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (L4), 5-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (L5) and 5-(carbomethoxy)-2,2'-bipyridine (L6)] have been studied and the meridional and facial isomers isolated by the use of cation-exchange column chromatography (SP Sephadex C-25) eluting with either sodium toluene-4-sulfonate or sodium hexanoate. The relative yield of the facial isomer was found to decrease with increasing steric bulk, preventing the isolation of fac-[Ru(L5)3]2+. The two isomeric forms were characterized by 1H NMR, with the complexes [Ru(L1-3)3]2+ demonstrating an unusually large coupling between the H6 and H4 protons. Crystals suitable for X-ray structural analysis of [Ru(L1)3]2+ were obtained as a mixture of the meridional and facial isomers, indicating that separation of this isomeric mixture could not be achieved by fractional crystallisation. The optical isomers of the complex [Ru(L3)3]2+ were chromatographically separated on SP Sephadex C-25 relying upon the inherent chirality of the support. It is apparent that chiral interactions can inhibit geometric isomer separation using this technique.

Development of 2-oxazoline-based hydrogels and porous polyester microparticles in scCO2

Thesis submitted to Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia from Universidade Nova de Lisboa in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the obtention of the degree of Master of Science in Biotechnology

Étude des poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s munis d'extrémités hydrophobes en solution aqueuse et à linterface eau/air

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Synthese und Charakterisierung zylindrischer Poly(2-oxazolin)bürsten als Nanocarrier für Drug Delivery Systeme

Inspiriert durch natürlich vorkommende Peptide, sind Poly(2-oxazoline) vielversprechende Kandidaten für Anwendungen in Bereichen des kontrollierten Wirkstoff- bzw. Gentransportes, wie die moderne Biomedizin dies fordert. Da Polyoxazoline als strukturisomere Amide von natürlichen Polypeptiden aufgefasst werden können, zeigen diese synthetischen Polymere in direktem Vergleich erhebliche Vorteile etwa hinsichtlich Zytotoxizät und Effizienz, was wesentlich dazu beitragen kann, aktuelle Hürden biomedizinischer Fragestellungen hinsichtlich Transport und Targeting zu überwinden. Darüber hinaus sollten zylindrische Polymerbürsten aufgrund ihrer molekularen, architekturbedingten Formanisotropie und jüngsten Ergebnissen insbesondere zur formabhängigen Endozytose sehr aussichtsreiche Kandidaten für den Einsatz zum Wirkstofftransport sein.rnrnDie vorliegende Arbeit widmete sich deshalb der Synthese und Charakterisierung von biokompatiblen zylindrischen Poly(2-oxazolin)bürsten als potentielle Nanotransporter von Wirkstoffen, Biomolekülen oder genetischem Material. Als Monomer wurde zunächst 2-Isopropyloxazolin gewählt, da das Polymer eine Phasenübergangstemperatur von 37 °C besitzt, was für Konjugatsynthesen wie auch diverse biomedizinische Applikationen interessant sein kann. Durch terminierende Methacrylamid Funktionalisierung der lebenden kationischen Oxazolinpolymerisation bzw. nachfolgende Endgruppen Transferreaktionen sind Makromonomere im Bereich 1000-5000 g/mol zugänglich. Erstmals gelang es so 2-Oxazolin basierte, hochmolekulare zylindrische Bürsten mit Konturlängen im Bereich von 250 nm mittels „Grafting Through“ Technik in freier radikalischer Polymerisation herzustellen.rnrnAusgehend von der entwickelten Syntheseroute konnten so neben Homo- und Blockcopolymerbürsten von 2-Ethyl-2-oxazolin und 2-Isopropyl-2-oxazolin auch Bürstenmoleküle aus statistischen Copolymeren von 2-Ethyl-2-oxazolin und unsubstituiertem 2-Oxazolin hergestellt werden. Während letztere die Einführung kationischer Gruppen durch selektivere Abspaltmethoden der Formylreste erlauben und so etwa DNA/RNA Komplexierungen ermöglichen können, bietet andererseits der in dieser Arbeit erstmalig demonstrierte Einsatz Azid-funktionalisierter Initiatoren zur kationischen Oxazolinpolymerisation unter Beibehaltung aller anderen sonstigen Reaktionsschritte auch die Möglichkeit der Synthese Azid-Endgruppen-funktionalisierter Makromonomere. Die „Grafting Through“ Methodik der freien radikalischen Makromonomer Polymerisation ist selbst bei diesen funktionalisierten Systemen von großem Vorteil, erlaubt sie auch hier den Zugang zu hochmolekularen Substraten mit einem Pfropfungs- bzw. Funktionalisierungsgrad von 100 %, da jede Seitenkette dieser zylindrischen Bürsten die aussenliegende, und damit sterisch leichter zugängliche funktionale Gruppe trägt. Dabei gelang es die Syntheseroute so zu gestalten, dass es möglich war alle vorgestellten Polymerbürsten mittels statischer und dynamischer Lichtstreuung hinsichtlich absoluter Molmasse und molekularer Dimension zu charakterisieren.rnIn weitereren Reaktionen konnten dann reaktive Fluoreszenzfarbstoffe mit Hilfe kupferfreier 1,3 dipolarerer Addition (kupferfreie „Click-Chemie“) an die Azid-funktionalisierten Polymerbürsten angebunden werden, so dass eine wesentliche Voraussetzung für die Detektion in in vivo und in vitro Experimenten erfüllt werden kann. Darüber hinaus gelingt die quantitative polymeranaloge Umsetzung der Azid- zu Aminogruppen durch eine polymeranalog geführte Reduktion nach Staudinger; damit können an diesen Systemen auch etablierte Konjugationstechniken an Aminogruppen durchgeführt werden. Zudem erlauben die Aminogruppen-haltigen Polymerbürsten durch Protonierung schon bei physiologischem pH die Komplexierung von DNA oder RNA. rnrnErste Lichtstreumessungen in Blutserum zeigen im Falle der kationischen Aminogruppen tragenden Polymerbürsten zwar Aggregation, was aber durch entsprechende Umsetzung nach Konjugation wahrscheinlich unterdrückt werden kann, zeigen doch die entsprechenden Precursorpolymerbürsten mit Azidgruppen in Serum keinerlei Aggregation.rnrnZellaufnahmestudien in dendritische Zellen zeigen nur im Falle einer Azid-funktionalisierten Poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazolin)bürste eine unspezifische Aufnahme. Die hydrophileren Poly(2-oxazolin)bürsten weise keine unspezifische Aufnahme auf, was eine wichtige Anfoderung für die Verwendung als Polymercarrier in der Krebsimmuntherapie ist.rn

S-Alkylated/aralkylated 2-(1H-indol-3-yl-methyl)-1,3,4- oxadiazole-5-thiol derivatives. 1. Synthesis and characterization

Purpose: To synthesize and characterize S-alkylated/aralkylated 2-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4- oxadiazole-5-thiol derivatives. Methods: 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid (1) was reacted with absolute ethanol and catalytic amount of sulfuric acid to form ethyl 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetate (2) which was transformed to 2-(1H-indol-3- yl)acetohydrazide (3) by refluxing with hydrazine hydrate in methanol. Ring closure reaction of 3 with carbon disulfide and ethanolic potassium hydroxide yielded 2-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-5- thiol (4) which was finally treated with alkyl/aralkyl halides (5a-u) in DMF and NaH to yield Salkylated/ aralkylated 2-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-5-thiols (6a-u). Structural elucidation was done by IR, 1H-NMR and EI-MS techniques Results: 2-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-5-thiol (4) was synthesized as the parent molecule and was characterized by IR and the spectrum showed peaks resonating at (cm-1) 2925 (Ar-H), 2250 (S-H ), 1593 (C=N ) and 1527 (Ar C=C ); 1H-NMR spectrum showed signals at δ 11.00 (s, 1H, NH-1ʹ), 7.49 ( br.d, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H, H-4\'), 7.37 (br.d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H, H-7\'), 7.34 (br.s, 1H, H-2\'), 7.09 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H, H-5\'), 7.00 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H, H-6\') and 4.20 (s, 2H, CH2-10ʹ). EI-MS presented different fragments peaks at m/z 233 (C11H9N3OS)˙+ [M+2]+, 231 (C11H9N3OS)˙+ [M]+, 158 (C10H8NO)+, 156 (C10H8N2)˙+, 130 (C9H8N)+. The derivatives (6a-6u) were prepared and characterized accordingly. Conclusion: S-alkylated/aralkylated 2-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-5-thiols (6a-u) were successfully synthesized.

Effect of phenoxy acids and their derivatives on lipid metabolism in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) leaves

The effect of four phenoxy compounds [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl ester (centrophenoxine), and 4-chlorophenoxy ethyl 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl ether (neophenoxine)] on lipid metabolism in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) leaves was investigated under nonphotosynthetic conditions. In experiments with leaf disks, the uptake of [1-14C]acetate, [32P]orthophosphate, [35S]sulfate and [methyl-14C]choline was substantially inhibited by all the phenoxy compounds except neophenoxine. When the incorporation of these precursors into lipids was measured and expressed as percentage of total uptake, there was significant inhibition of incorporation of [1-14C]acetate and [32P]orthophosphate into lipids by all the compounds except neophenoxine. The incorporation of [methyl-14C]choline was unaffected by all except centrophenoxine which showed stastically significant stimulation. [35S]Sulfate incorporation into lipids was markedly inhibited only by centrophenoxine. The fatty acid synthetase of isolated chloroplasts assayed in the absence of light was inhibited 20–50% by the phenoxy compounds at 0.5 mM concentration. This inhibition showed a dependence on time of preincubation with the herbicide suggesting an interaction with the enzyme. It was, however, reversible and excess substrate did not prevent the inhibition, suggesting that the herbicide interaction may not be at the active site. sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase in the chloroplast and microsomal fractions was inhibited by 2,4-D while the phosphatidic acid phosphatase was insensitive to all the phenoxy compounds. It is concluded that phenoxy compounds affect precursor uptake, their incorporation into lipids, and the chloroplast fatty acid synthetase. The free acids were the most potent compounds while the ester (centrophenoxine) was less effective and the ether (neophenoxine) was completely ineffective in their influence on lipid metabolism.

Novel rhodanine derivatives induce growth inhibition followed by apoptosis

We have designed and synthesized three novel compounds, 5-isopropylidiene derivatives of 3-dimethyl-2-thio-hydantoin (ITH-1), 3-ethyl-2-thio-2,4-oxazolidinedione (ITO-1), and 5-benzilidene-3-ethyl rhodanine (BTR-1), and have tested their chemotherapeutic properties. Our results showed that all three compounds induced cytotoxicity in a time-and concentration-dependent manner on leukemic cell line, CEM. Among the compounds tested, BTR-1 was 5- to 7-fold more potent than ITH-1 and ITO-1 when compared by trypan blue and MTT assays. IC50 value of BTR-1 was estimated to be <10 mu M. Both cell cycle analysis and tritiated thymidine assays revealed that BTR-1 affects DNA replication by inducing a block at S phase. BTR-1 treatment led to increased level of ROS production and DNA strand breaks suggesting activation of apoptosis for induction of cell death. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new synthesis of Entacapone and report on related studies

A new synthesis of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, entacapone (E-isomer) has been achieved under mild conditions by amine-mediated demethylation of the precursor 2-Cyano-3-(3- hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitrophenyl) prop-2-eneamide, wherein the methoxyl group adjacent to a nitro group gets demethylated under nucleophilic attack. Similar demethylation was achieved on ethyl 2-cyano-3-(3, 4-dimethoxy-5-nitrophenyl) prop-2-enoate, 2-cyano-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-5-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diethylprop-2-enamide, ethyl 2-cyano-3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitrophenyl) prop-2-enoate and ethyl 2-cyano-3-(4-methoxy-3-nitrophenyl) prop-2-enoate. The scope of demethylation has been studied. Analogues of ethyl 2-cyano-3-(3, 4-dimethoxy-5-nitrophenyl) prop-2-enoate wherein a methoxyl group is not adjacent to a NO (2) group are unaffected and phenolic derivatives yield the amine salts. Entacapone has been converted to salts with organic bases. The crystal structure of the isomer of entacapone (Z-isomer), a significant human metabolite of E-isomer has been established. NMR methods for deriving E and Z geometry and other similar molecules have been successfully established, mainly by studying the proton coupled C-13 spectra. Preliminary studies reveal in vitro activity for some compounds against tuberculosis (TB) and dengue.

The locus coeruleus Is Directly Implicated in L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinsonian Rats: An Electrophysiological and Behavioural Study

Despite being the most effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, L-DOPA causes a development of dyskinetic movements in the majority of treated patients. L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia is attributed to a dysregulated dopamine transmission within the basal ganglia, but serotonergic and noradrenergic systems are believed to play an important modulatory role. In this study, we have addressed the role of the locus coeruleus nucleus (LC) in a rat model of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Single-unit extracellular recordings in vivo and behavioural and immunohistochemical approaches were applied in rats rendered dyskinetic by the destruction of the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons followed by chronic treatment with L-DOPA. The results showed that L-DOPA treatment reversed the change induced by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions on LC neuronal activity. The severity of the abnormal involuntary movements induced by L-DOPA correlated with the basal firing parameters of LC neuronal activity. Systemic administration of the LC-selective noradrenergic neurotoxin N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine did not modify axial, limb, and orolingual dyskinesia, whereas chemical destruction of the LC with ibotenic acid significantly increased the abnormal involuntary movement scores. These results are the first to demonstrate altered LC neuronal activity in 6-OHDA lesioned rats treated with L-DOPA, and indicate that an intact noradrenergic system may limit the severity of this movement disorder.

Preparação e avaliação biocida de compósitos à base de resinas reticuladas contendo nanopartículas de prata

Neste trabalho, foram utilizadas três resinas reticuladas comerciais de troca iônica e caráter ácido à base de estireno e divinilbenzeno: AmberliteGT73 da Rohm and Haas Co. com grupo tiol, Lewatit VPOC1800 da Bayer Co. com grupo sulfônico e Amberlyst 15WET da Rohm and Haas Co. também com grupo sulfônico. As citadas resinas comerciais foram escolhidas por apresentarem grande capacidade de troca iônica, estabilidade e grupos funcionais de interesse para a introdução de íons Ag+. As resinas foram tratadas com ácido clorídrico para garantir as formas ácidas de seus grupos funcionais e em seguida a redução dos íons Ag+, provenientes de solução de nitrato de prata, foi realizada in situ pela hidroxilamina em presença de solução protetora de colóide composta por 2-hidróxi-etil-celulose e gelatina 1:1. Alguns parâmetros foram modificados durante a redução dos íons Ag+ a Ag0, como por exemplo, o tempo de adição da solução redutora de hidroxilamina, a solução utilizada para controle do pH, e condições do repouso após o controle do pH. Após a incorporação das nanopartículas de prata, tanto as resinas comerciais quanto o produto final foram caracterizados por titulometria, fluorescência de raios-x, análise termogravimétrica, análise elementar, grau de inchamento, difração de raios-x, microscopias ótica e eletrônica. A avaliação da atividade biocida foi realizada através do método da contagem em placas utilizando-se uma cepa de Escherichia Coli ATCC25922TM em concentrações de 103 a 107 células/mL. Todos os compósitos obtidos mostraram atividade bactericida significante, sendo que foi possível perceber que a ação bactericida dos compósitos está relacionada com a presença de prata na forma metálica e a características como tamanho, formato e dispersão das partículas na matriz polimérica. Para efeito de comparação, foram realizados ensaios bactericidas com os copolímeros de partida e assim foi comprovado que a ação bactericida pôde ser atribuída somente às nanopartículas de prata

Determination of free fatty acids in bryophyte plants and soil by HPLC with fluorescence detection and identification by online MS

A method for the determination of long and short chain free fatty acids (FFAs), using 1-[2-(ptoluenesulfonate)-ethyll-2-phenylimidazole-[4,5-f-9,10-phenanthrene (TSPP) as labeling reagent, has been developed. Identification of FFA derivatives was carried out by HPLC-MS with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in positive ion mode. Gradient elution on an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C-8 column gave good separation of the derivatives. Excellent linear responses were observed and good compositional data could be obtained from as little as 200 mg of bryophyte plants and soil samples. Facile TSPP derivatization coupled with HPLC-APCI-MS analysis allowed the development of a highly sensitive method for the quantitative analysis of trace level of FFAs from biological and natural environmental samples.

Determination of free fatty acids in soil and bryophyte plants by precolumn derivatization via HPLC with fluorescence detection and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)

A sensitive method for the determination of 30 kinds of free fatty acids (FFAs, C-1-C-30) with 1-[2-(p-toluenesulfonate)-ethyl]-2-phenylimidazole-[4,5-f] 9,10-phenan- threne (TSPP) as labeling reagent and using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and identification by online postcolumn mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source in positive-ion mode (HPLC/MS/APCI) has been developed. TSPP could easily and quickly label FFAs in the presence of K2CO3 catalyst at 90 degrees C for 30 min in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent, and maximal labeling yields close to 100% were observed with a 5-fold excess of molar reagent. Derivatives were stable enough to be efficiently analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. TSPP was introduced into fatty acid molecules and effectively augmented MS ionization of fatty acid derivatives and led to regular MS and MS/MS information. The collision induced cleavage of protonated molecular ions formed specific fragment ions at m/z [MH](+)(molecular ion), m/z [M'+CH2CH2](+)(M' was molecular mass of the corresponding FFA) and m/z 295.0 (the, mass of protonated molecular core structure of TSPP). Fatty acid derivatives were separated on a reversed-phase Eclipse XDB-C-8 column (4.6 x 150 mm, 5 mu m, Agilent) with a good baseline resolution in combination with a gradient elution. Linear ranges of 30 FFAs are 2.441 x 10(-3) to 20 mu mol/L, detection limits are 3.24 similar to 36.97 fmol (injection volume 10 mu L, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, S/N 3:1). The mean interday precision ranged from 93.4 to 106.2% with the largest mean coefficients of variation (R.S.D.) < 7,5%. The mean intraday precision for all standards was < 6.4% of the expected concentration. Excellent linear responses were observed with correlation coefficients of > 0.9991. Good compositional data could be obtained from the analysis of extracted fatty acids from as little as 200 mg of bryophyte plant samples.Therefore, the facile TSPP derivatization coupled with HPLC/MS/APCI analysis allowed the development of a highly sensitive method for the quantitation of trace levels of short and long chain fatty acids from biological and natural environmental samples.

Determination of long-chain fatty acids in bryophyte plants extracts by HPLC with fluorescence detection and identification with MS

A sensitive method for the determination of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) (>C20) using 1-[2-(p-toluenesulfonate)-ethyl]-2-phenylimidazole-[4.5-f]-9,10-phenanthrene (TSPP) as tagging reagent with fluorescence detection and identification with post-column APCI/MS has been developed. The LCFAs in bryophyte plant samples were obtained based on distillation extraction with 1: 1 (v/v) chloroform/methanol as extracting solvent. TSPP could easily and quickly label LCFAs at 90 degrees C in the presence of K2CO3 catalyst in DMF. Eleven free LCFAs from the extracts of bryophyte plants were sensitively determined. Maximal labeling yields close to 100% were observed with a five-fold excess of molar reagent. Separation of the derivatized fatty acids exhibited a good baseline resolution in combination with a gradient elution on a reversed-phase Eclipse XDB-C-8 column. Calculated detection limits from 1.0 pmol injection, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, were 26.19-76.67 fmol. Excellent linear responses were observed with coefficients of >0.9996. Good compositional data were obtained from the analysis of the extracted LCFAs containing as little as 0.2 g of bryophyte plant samples. Therefore, the facile TSPP derivatization coupled with HPLC/APCI/MS analysis allowed the development of a highly sensitive method for the quantitation of trace levels of LCFAs from biological and natural environmental samples. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.