Reactivity of some tetra substituted furans and thiophenes towards BF3-Et(2)O catalysed Diels-Alder reaction

Some tetra substituted furans and thiophenes were reacted with methyl acrylate under BF3-etherate catalysed Diels-Alder conditions. While the derivatives of furan underwent Diels-Alder reaction in a facile manner, an observation of 2,5-dimethyl-3,4-dianisylthiophene undergoing Diels-Alder reaction with methyl acrylate is remarkable. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd.

Enantioselective Formal Synthesis of Palmerolide A

Enantioselective formal synthesis of macrolactone palmerolide A, a polyketide marine natural product, is described. Key strategies in the synthesis include the oxidative furan ring-opening of a chiral furyl carbinol for the installation of the 1,4-dienol core and a Jung nonaldol-aldol reaction for the dienamide core.

A Rhodanine Derivative CCR-11 Inhibits Bacterial Proliferation by Inhibiting the Assembly and GTPase Activity of FtsZ

A perturbation of FtsZ assembly dynamics has been shown to inhibit bacterial cytokinesis. In this study, the antibacterial activity of 151 rhodanine compounds was assayed using Bacillus subtilis cells. Of 151 compounds, eight strongly inhibited bacterial proliferation at 2 mu M. Subsequently, we used the elongation of B. subtilis cells as a secondary screen to identify potential FtsZ-targeted antibacterial agents. We found that three compounds significantly increased bacterial cell length. One of the three compounds, namely, CCR-11 (E)-2-thioxo-5-({3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]furan-2-yl}methylene) thiazolidin-4-one], inhibited the assembly and GTPase activity of FtsZ in vitro. CCR-11 bound to FtsZ with a dissociation constant of 1.5 +/- 0.3 mu M. A docking analysis indicated that CCR-11 may bind to FtsZ in a cavity adjacent to the T7 loop and that short halogen oxygen, H-bonding, and hydrophobic interactions might be important for the binding of CCR-11 with FtsZ. CCR-11 inhibited the proliferation of B. subtilis cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.2 +/- 0.2 mu M and a minimal inhibitory concentration of 3 mu M. It also potently inhibited proliferation of Mycobacterium smegmatis cells. Further, CCR-11 perturbed Z-ring formation in B. subtilis cells; however, it neither visibly affected nucleoid segregation nor altered the membrane integrity of the cells. CCR-11 inhibited HeLa cell proliferation with an IC50 value of 18.1 +/- 0.2,mu M (similar to 15 x IC50 of B. subtilis cell proliferation). The results suggested that CCR-11 inhibits bacterial cytokinesis by inhibiting FtsZ assembly, and it can be used as a lead molecule to develop FtsZ-targeted antibacterial agents.

An Antitubulin Agent BCFMT Inhibits Proliferation of Cancer Cells and Induces Cell Death by Inhibiting Microtubule Dynamics

Using cell based screening assay, we identified a novel anti-tubulin agent (Z)-5-((5-(4-bromo-3-chlorophenyl)furan-2-yl)methylene)-2-thioxothiazoli din-4-one (BCFMT) that inhibited proliferation of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) (IC50, 7.2 +/- 1.8 mu M), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) (IC50, 10.0 +/- 0.5 mu M), highly metastatic breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) (IC50, 6.0 +/- 1 mu M), cisplatin-resistant human ovarian carcinoma (A2780-cis) (IC50, 5.8 +/- 0.3 mu M) and multi-drug resistant mouse mammary tumor (EMT6/AR1) (IC50, 6.5 +/- 1 mu M) cells. Using several complimentary strategies, BCFMT was found to inhibit cancer cell proliferation at G2/M phase of the cell cycle apparently by targeting microtubules. In addition, BCFMT strongly suppressed the dynamics of individual microtubules in live MCF-7 cells. At its half maximal proliferation inhibitory concentration (10 mu M), BCFMT reduced the rates of growing and shortening phases of microtubules in MCF-7 cells by 37 and 40%, respectively. Further, it increased the time microtubules spent in the pause (neither growing nor shortening detectably) state by 135% and reduced the dynamicity (dimer exchange per unit time) of microtubules by 70%. In vitro, BCFMT bound to tubulin with a dissociation constant of 8.3 +/- 1.8 mu M, inhibited tubulin assembly and suppressed GTPase activity of microtubules. BCFMT competitively inhibited the binding of BODIPY FL-vinblastine to tubulin with an inhibitory concentration (K-i) of 5.2 +/- 1.5 mu M suggesting that it binds to tubulin at the vinblastine site. In cultured cells, BCFMT-treatment depolymerized interphase microtubules, perturbed the spindle organization and accumulated checkpoint proteins (BubR1 and Mad2) at the kinetochores. BCFMT-treated MCF-7 cells showed enhanced nuclear accumulation of p53 and its downstream p21, which consequently activated apoptosis in these cells. The results suggested that BCFMT inhibits proliferation of several types of cancer cells including drug resistance cells by suppressing microtubule dynamics and indicated that the compound may have chemotherapeutic potential.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Pinellic Acid

A straightforward strategy for the synthesis of (+)-pinellic acid in 16% overall yield and 13 steps, starting from (1R)-1-(furan-2-yl)hexan-1-ol, is described. Key reactions in the synthesis include a Sharpless kinetic resolution, oxidation of a protected furan to reveal a but-2-ene-1,4-dione moiety, and an asymmetric reduction.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Seimatopolide A

Total synthesis of 10-membered lactone (+)-seimatopolide A is presented from furfural. Key reactions in the present strategy include the effective use of furan as a E-but-2-ene-1,4-dione surrogate, Nagao acetate aldol reaction, and Shiina lactonization.

Moisture Aided Degradation of Oil Impregnated Paper Insulation in Power Transformers

The presence of moisture in oil impregnated paper insulation (OIP) is detrimental to its long time performance. Until recently, it was thought insulation ageing was only a function of temperature and electrical stress. It has now been realized that moisture in all its forms causes rapid degradation of the electrical and mechanical properties with time. In this study, insulation paper samples were conditioned for desired level of moisture and were impregnated with premium quality transformer oil. The oil impregnated samples with 1 to 3 % moisture content were aged at 90 to 130 C. The indices for determining the extent of ageing considered in this work are degree of polymerization (DP), furan, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide content. These quantities were monitored throughout the ageing experimental run. End-of-life (EOL) criterion used here is the reduction in the value of DP. Phenomenological models for estimating the service life of insulation are proposed and are validated against actual experimental data.

Enantioselective synthesis of macrolactone core of the natural product Sch725674

An enantioselective synthesis of the macrolactone core of natural product Sch725674 was accomplished from furfural. Key reactions in assembly of the macrolactone are the use of furan as a but-2-ene-dione equivalent and ring closing metathesis. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An organically modified exfoliated graphite electrode for the voltammetric determination of lead ions in contaminated water samples

This work presents a new electrode, 2-benzoylnaphtho 2,1-b]furan hydrazone exfoliated graphite paste electrode (B-EGPE) fabricated for the differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric determination of lead (Pb). Under the optimal conditions, Pb2+ could be detected in the concentration range from 2.75 x 10(-7) to 1.5 x 10(-6) mol/L with the linear regression equation, y = 19.41 x 10(-6) x + 0.4249 x 10(-9) with R = 0.99. Interferences from other ions were investigated and the proposed method was further applied to the trace levels of Pb2+ detection in real samples with satisfactory results.

Gold catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation assisted ring opening of furans to the corresponding saturated gamma-keto esters

A facile ring opening of furans in furyl propargyl alcohols to the corresponding saturated gamma-keto esters is observed in the gold(III) chloride catalyzed reaction with MeOH. It is found that the ring opening of furan is driven by the intramolecular hydroalkoxylation. Mitigating the intramolecular hydroalkoxylation led to the expected conjugated enyne resulting from the dehydration. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of brominated flame retardants and brominated dioxins on steroidogenesis in H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and brominated dioxins are emerging persistent organic pollutants that are ubiquitous in the environment and can be accumulated by wildlife and humans. These chemicals can disturb endocrine function. Recent studies have demonstrated that one of the mechanisms of endocrine disruption by chemicals is modulation of steroidogenic gene expression or enzyme activities. In this study, an in vitro assay based on the H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line, which possesses most key genes or enzymes involved in steroidogenesis, was used to examine the effects of five bromophenols, two polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs 77 and 169), 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin, and 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzofuran on the expression of 10 key steroidogenic genes. The H295R cells were exposed to various BFR concentrations for 48 h, and the expression of specific genescytochrome P450 (CYP11A, CYP11B2, CYP17, CYP19, and CYP21), 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3PHSD2), 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta HSD1 and 17 beta HSD4), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR)-was quantitatively measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was not affected at the doses tested. Most of the genes were either up- or down-regulated, to some extent, by BFR exposure. Among the genes tested, 3PHSD2 was the most markedly up-regulated, with a range of magnitude from 1.6- to 20-fold. The results demonstrate that bromophenol, bromobiphenyls, and bromodibenzo-p-dioxin/furan are able to modulate steroidogenic gene expression, which may lead to endocrine disruption.

Thermally induced evolution of phase transformations in gas hydrate sediment

Thermally induced evolution of phase transformations is a basic physical-chemical process in the dissociation of gas hydrate in sediment (GHS). Heat transfer leads to the weakening of the bed soil and the simultaneous establishment of a time varying stress field accompanied by seepage of fluids and deformation of the soil. As a consequence, ground failure could occur causing engineering damage or/and environmental disaster. This paper presents a simplified analysis of the thermal process by assuming that thermal conduction can be decoupled from the flow and deformation process. It is further assumed that phase transformations take place instantaneously. Analytical and numerical results are given for several examples of simplified geometry. Experiments using Tetra-hydro-furan hydrate sediments were carried out in our laboratory to check the theory. By comparison, the theoretical, numerical and experimental results on the evolution of dissociation fronts and temperature in the sediment are found to be in good agreement.

禄春安息香种子和攀援孔药花全草的化学成分研究

本文对禄春安息香（Styrax macranthus）种子和攀援孔药花（Porandra scandens）全草的化学成分进行了研究，共获得30个化合物，其中2个为新化合物。 从禄春安息香种子95%乙醇提取物中分离并鉴定了12个化合物，其中2个新化合物鉴定为3-[7-methoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxy phenyl) benzofuran-5-yl] propyl 3-[7-methoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzofuran-5-yl] propanoate (1) 和去甲氧基-egonol-龙胆双糖甙 (2)；已知化合物分别为2-(3,4-二氧亚甲基苯基)-5-甲酰基-7-甲氧基-苯并呋喃 (3)、egonol (4)、去甲氧基-egonol (5)、去甲基-egonol (6)、egonol-葡萄糖甙 (7)、egonol-龙胆双糖甙 (8)、egonol-龙胆三糖甙 (9)、豆甾醇 (10)、二十四烷酸 1-甘油酯 (11) 和胡萝卜甙 (12)。生物活性测试发现，化合物2具有促进雌激素E2合成的作用。 从攀援孔药花全草95%乙醇提取物中分离并鉴定了19个化合物：(2S,3S,4R)-2-[(2R)-2-羟基-二十一烷酰基氨基]-二十一烷-1,3,4-三醇 (13)、(2S,3S,4R)–2–二十四烷酰基氨基-十八烷-1,3,4-三醇 (14)、胡萝卜甙 (12)、β-谷甾醇 (15)、(20S,22E,24R)-5α,8α-表二氧-麦角甾-6,22-二烯-3β-醇 (16)、6β-羟基-豆甾-4-烯-3-酮 (17)、十六烷酸 1-甘油酯 (18)、桦木酸 (19)、大黄素 (20)、二十二烷酸 1-甘油酯 (21)、对羟基苯甲醛 (22)、十七烷酸 1-甘油酯 (23)、金色酰胺醇乙酸酯(24)、十九烷酸 1-甘油酯 (25)、棕榈酸 (26)、(E)-p-香豆酸 (27)、(22E,24S)-24-麦角甾醇-7,22-二烯-3β,5α,6β-三醇 (28)、2-去氧-β-蜕皮激素 (29)和auranamide (30)。 综述了近十年来发现的2－芳基苯并呋喃类新木脂素的结构特征、来源、生物活性和化学全合成。 Phytochemical investigation on the seeds of Styrax macranthus and the whole plants of Porandra scandens led to the isolation of thirty compounds, two of which were new ones. Two new 2-aryl benzofuran derivatives, 3-[7-methoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxy phenyl) benzofuran-5-yl]propyl 3-[7-methoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)benzo furan-5-yl]propanoate (1) and demethoxy egonol gentiobioside (2), were isolated from the 95% aqueous ethanolic extract of the seeds of Styrax macranthus, together with 7-methoxy-2-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) benzofuran-5-carbaldehyde (3), egonol (4), demethoxy egonol (5), demethyl egonol (6), egonol glucoside (7), egonol gentiobioside (8), egonol gentiotrioside (9), stigmasterol (10), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl tetracosoate (11), and daucosterol (12). In vitro test, compound 2 promote the synthesis of estrogen E2. Nineteen compounds were isolated from the 95% aqueous ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Porandra scandens for the first time. Their structures were identified as (2S,3S,4R)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-heneicosanoylamino]-1,3,4- heneicosanetriol (13), (2S,3S,4R)-2-tetracosanoylamino-1,3,4-octadecanetriol (14), daucosterol (15), β-sitosterol (12), (20S,22E,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxy-ergosta-6,22-diene- 3β-ol (16), 6β-hydroxylstigmast-4-en-3-one (17), 1-glycerol-1-hexadecoate (18), betulinic acid (19), emodin (20), 1-glycerol-1-docosoate (21), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (22), 1-glycerol-1-heptadecoate (23), aurantiamide acetate (24), 1-glycerol-1- nonadecoate (25), palmatic acid (26), (E)-p-coumaric acid (27), (22E,24S)- 24-metbylcbolesta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β-triol (28), 2-deoxycrustecdysone (29), and auranamide (30). The characteristic, natural resource, bioactivity, and the total synthesis of 2-aryl benzofurans were reviewed.