Binaphthol-strapped chiral bis(porphyrinato) cerium double-decker complexes

(R)-(+)- or (S)-(−)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) was applied as a remote chiral auxiliary to connect the two facing porphyrin rings, resulting in the BINOL-strapped chiral bis(porphyrinato) cerium double-decker complexes (R)-/(S)-1 and (R)-/(S)-2, which were carefully characterized by a range of spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Perfect mirror images were observed in their circular dichroism (CD) spectra with a negative sign in the Soret band for (R)-enantiomers and a positive sign for (S)-enantiomers, which suggests the C₂-chirality of a BINOL strap is transcribed to the double-decker core as a defined chiral twist in the inter-porphyrin arrangement. Furthermore, the CD intensities of (R)-/(S)-1 are always larger than those of (R)-/(S)-2, indicating that the intramolecular chirality transfer efficiency can be finely tuned by changing the length of interlocking moieties.     

Sensitivity of antennae of male and femaleIps paraconfusus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to its pheromone and other behavior-modifying chemicals

The antennal sensitivities of both male and femaleIps paraconfusus were found generally to be greatest for conspecific aggregation pheromones (ipsdienol, ipsenol); intermediate for an additional conspecific pheromone (cis-verbenol), an aggregation synergist (2-phenylethanol), and pheromones/allomones of sympatric species (trans-verbenol, verbenone, and frontalin); and lowest for both host terpenes (alpha-pinene and myrcene) and other bark beetle-produced odorants (exo-brevicomin and linalool). Of the enantiomeric compounds tested, antennae of both sexes did not differ in sensitivity between thetrans-verbenol enantiomers at low dosage levels; but at higher dosages, the conspecific-produced enantiomer, (1R,4S,5R)-(+)-trans-verbenol, elicited larger mean EAG responses than its antipode, (1S,4R, 5S)-(?)-trans-verbenol. At the mid-dosage range, female antennae tended to be slightly more responsive to (S)-(?)-verbenone than to (R)-(+)-verbenone, while male antennae were equally responsive to stimulations by either verbenone enantiomer. In field bioassays there was a large and significant reduction in trap catches ofI. paraconfusus on traps where the (S)-(?)- or (R)-(+)-enantiomers of verbenone were evaporated beside logs containing boring conspecific males. Only when the (S)-(?)-enantiomer of verbenone was evaporated beside logs containing boring males did the sex ratio ofI. paraconfusus trapped shift from female-dominated to male-dominated attraction. Thus both physiological and behavioral data suggest a differential chiral sensitivity of female beetles for the verbenone enantiomers. The relative sensitivities between different chiral compounds derived from one or the other of the common precursoral host terpenes, (S)-(?)- and (R)-(+)alpha-pinene or myrcene, are discussed.     

Enantiospecific Adsorption of (R)-3-Methylcyclohexanone on Naturally Chiral Cu(531) R&S Surfaces

The enantiospecific adsorption and desorption of (R)-3-methylcyclohexanone on naturally chiral Cu(531) ^R&S surfaces was studied using temperature programmed desorption. The Cu(531) ^R&S surfaces are of interest because they lie at the center of the stereographic triangle and thus, have the highest density of chiral adsorption sites possible on the surface of a face centered cubic metal. Several (R)-3-methylcyclohexanone desorption features were resolved in the TPD spectra from Cu(531) ^R&S surfaces and were assigned to desorption of molecules from terrace, step, and kink sites. The peaks associated with (R)-3-methylcyclohexanone desorbing from the R- and S-kink sites differed in temperature by 2.2 ± 0.6 K. This corresponds to an enantiospecific difference in the desorption energies of 0.5 ± 0.2 kJ/mol, with a preference for adsorption of (R)-3-methylcyclohexanone at the S-kinks on the Cu(531) ^S surface.     

Chirality of synergistic sex pheromone components of the western hemlock looperLambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa (HULST) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Bakers' yeast reduction of (2E)-3-(2-furanyl)-2-methyl-2-propenal yielded the synthetic intermediate, (2S)-3-(2-furanyl)-2-methylpropanol, of high chiral purity (>97% ee) for the synthesis of the enantiomers of 2,5-dimethylheptadecane and 7-methylheptadecane, two synergistic sex pheromone components of the western hemlock looper (WHL),Lambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa Hulst. In electrophysiological bioassays, (7S)- but not (7R)-7-methylheptadecane elicited strong antennal responses by male WHL antennae. In field trapping experiments, addition of (7S)- but not (7R)-7-methylheptadecane to (5R,11S)-5,11-dimethylheptadecane, the major sex pheromone component of WHL, increased attraction. Attraction to (5R,11S)-5,11-dimethylheptadecane in combination with (7S)-7-methyiheptadecane was further enhanced by the addition of (5S)- but not (5R)-2,5-dimethylheptadecane. Similarly, attraction to (5R,11S)-5,11-dimethylheptadecane combined with (5S)-2,5-dimethylheptadecane increased when 7S- but not (7R)-7-methylheptadecane was added as a third component. We conclude that (7S)-7-methylheptadecane and (5S)-2,5-dimethylheptadecane are the synergistic sex pheromone components of WHL. The synthetic methodology described is applicable to the synthesis of chiral methyl-branched pheromones in other orders of the Insecta, particularly Coleoptera, Diptera and Orthoptera.     

A novel two-dimensional chiral coordination polymer: bis(S-(-)-lactate)zinc(II)

The synthesis and X-ray characterization of a novel chiral two-dimensional condensed metal–organic coordination polymer, bis(S-(-)-lactate)zinc(II) (1), are reported. Its crystal structure determination shows that a chiral cavity with approximate dimensions of 5.4×5.4 Ų is present. Crystallographic data for 1, C₆H₁₀O₆Zn, monoclinic P2₁, a=7.4440(15), b=7.4550(15), c=7.4550(15) Å, β=95.73(3)°, V=429.48(15) ų, R₁=0.0272, wR₂=0.0751.     

Asymmetric hydrodimerization of styrene by a chiral zirconium complex containing a tetradentate [OSSO]-type bis(phenolato) ligand

The chiral non racemic (Λ,R,R)-[OSSO]Zr(CH₂Ph)₂ (1a) activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) and in presence of H₂ produces the chiral hydrodimer (S)-1,3-diphenylbutane with good selectivity respect to the achiral 1,4-diphenylbutane. The absolute configuration of the chiral dimer and the effect of the hydrogen pressure on the ratio between 1,3-diphenylbutane and 1,4-diphenylbutane give useful information about the regiochemistry and stereochemistry of insertion of the styrene into the Zr–H bond.     

Biocatalytic separation of (R, S)-1-phenylethanol enantiomers and fractionation of reaction products with supercritical carbon dioxide

The continuous kinetic resolution of (R, S)-1-phenylethanol via enzymatic transesterification was chosen as a benchmark reaction for the study of a complete reaction/separation process using supercritical carbon dioxide. Phase equilibrium data for binary and ternary systems was acquired as a starting point to determine the best conditions of operation. Total conversion of the (R)-isomer of the alcohol was achieved using a 10% molar excess of vinyl laurate. Three separators operating at given temperatures and pressures allowed the recovery of (S)-1-phenylethanol with a purity of 86%. The phase equilibrium data obtained indicates that an additional separation step should allow the recovery of both (S)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylethylaurate with over 95% purity. Due to the low solubilities of the target compounds, CO₂ from the outlet gas stream of the last separator must be recycled to ensure the technical viability of the integrated reaction/separation of (R, S)-1-phenylethanol.     

Enantiospecific Adsorption of (R)-3-Methylcyclohexanone on Naturally Chiral Surfaces Vicinal to Cu(110)

(R)-3-methylcyclohexanone (R-3MCHO) has been shown to adsorb enantiospecifically on naturally chiral Cu surfaces vicinal to the Cu(110) plane. Adsorption of R-3MCHO on seven Cu single crystal surfaces vicinal to (110) was studied using temperature programmed desorption. These surfaces include Cu(110), Cu(771), Cu(430), Cu(13,9,1) ^R&S and Cu(651) ^R&S . The Cu(13,9,1) ^R&S and Cu(651) ^R&S surfaces are naturally chiral surfaces with terrace-step-kink structures. Enantioselective adsorption of R-3MCHO takes place on the chiral kink sites of these surfaces. Three R-3MCHO desorption features were resolved in the TPD spectra on Cu(13,9,1) ^R&S and Cu(651) ^R&S surfaces. Based upon comparisons between these and other Cu single crystal surfaces, they were assigned to desorption of R-3MCHO from flat terrace, close-packed step and kink sites. The desorption of R-3MCHO from the row and trough structure of the Cu(110) surface resembled desorption from a step structure rather than from a flat Cu(111) terrace. R-3MCHO desorbs enantiospecifically from the Cu(13,9,1) ^R&S and Cu(651) ^R&S surfaces. The peaks associated with R-3MCHO desorbing from the R- and S-chiral kink sites on Cu(13,9,1) ^R&S differed in temperature by 2.4 ± 0.8 K. This corresponds to an enantiospecific difference in the desorption energies of 0.7 ± 0.2 kJ/mol, with a preference for R-3MCHO adsorption at the R-kinks. In contrast, R-3MCHO has a desorption energy from the S-kinks on the Cu(651) ^S surface that is 0.7 ± 0.2 kJ/mol higher than from the R-kinks on the Cu(651) ^R surface.     

Zirconium phosphonate immobilized chiral amino alcohol for heterogeneous enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde

The chiral (1R,2S)-(−)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol and (1S,2R)-(+)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol had been immobilized on the layered frame of zirconium phosphate to obtain zirconium phosphonates (1R,2S)-(−)-4a and (1S,2R)-(+)-4b. The enantioselective addition of Et₂Zn to benzaldehyde using zirconium phosphonates (1R,2S)-(−)-4a and (1S,2R)-(+)-4b as heterogeneous catalysts yielded secondary alcohol in 80.1% yield and e.e. values of up to 54.3%, which was only 7.6% e.e. lower than that using the corresponding ligands (1R,2S)-(−)-2a and (1S,2R)-(+)-2b as homogeneous catalysts. The zirconium phosphonates (1R,2S)-(−)-4a and (1S,2R)-(+)-4b were characterized by IR, SEM, XRD and TG analysis. SEM and XRD data showed that the catalysts (1S,2R)-(+)-4b and (1R,2S)-(−)-4a were in aggregate and mesopore structure with the same interlayer spacing 2.48 nm and pore diameter 5.6 nm.     

Stereoselective reduction of (±)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-dione by microorganisms

The biotransformation of (±)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-dione by Aspergillus niger and Glomerella cingulata was investigated. The diketone was reduced to the ketoalcohol 2-endo-hydroxy-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-6-one and the diol endo,endo-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-diol respectively. Endo,endo-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-diol and ketoalcohols produced by G. cingulata had high optical purity, on the other hand, reduction by A. niger yielded optically active (-)-(1R, 2S, 5R, 6S)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-diol(99·9% e.e.). © 1998 SCI     

Synthesis of poly(1,4-naphthylene) bearing crown ether side chain by asymmetric oxidative coupling polymerization

The oxidative coupling polymerization of racemic-, (R)-, and (S)-2,2′,3,3′-tetrahydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl derivatives bearing a crown ether moiety was carried out in the presence of a Cu(I) or Cu(II) catalyst with various ligands, such as N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, (S)-(+)-1-(2-pyrrolidinylmethyl)pyrrolidine, (−)-sparteine [(−)Sp], and (S)-(−)-2,2′-isopropylidenebis(4-phenyl-2-oxazoline). Methanol-insoluble poly(binaphthyl crown ether) with a molecular weight up to M_n=4.1×10³ was synthesized in moderate yields. Polymerization using (−)Sp proceeded in an S-selective manner; the polymer with the highest negative specific rotation was obtained with the (S)-monomer. The obtained polymers exhibited characteristic abilities for chiral recognition toward amino acids, such as 2-phenylglycine hydrochloride and 2-phenylglycine methyl ester hydrochloride.     

Identification of Sex Pheromone Components of Blueberry Spanworm Itame argillacearia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Blueberry spanworm, Itame argillacearia (Packard), is an important defoliator of lowbush (syn. ‘wild’) blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton, in north-eastern North America. The goal of the present study was to identify the female I. argillacearia sex pheromone, which could be used in traps for monitoring or mass-trapping this pest. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and electroantennogram (EAG) recordings of sex pheromone gland extracts, in combination with chemical synthesis, a Y-tube olfactometer study and field experiments confirmed (2R,3S)-2-ethyl-3-((Z,Z)-tridecadi-2,5-enyl) oxirane (hereafter (Z,Z)-(3R,4S)-3,4-epoxy-6,9-heptadecadiene) and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-heptadecatriene as female-produced sex pheromone components. (Z,Z)-(3R,4S)-3,4-Epoxy-6,9-heptadecadiene elicited a response from male I. argillacearia antennae during EAG recording, and in the Y-tube olfactometer tests males did not discriminate between a live female and (Z,Z)-(3R,4S)-3,4-epoxy-6,9-heptadecadiene. Field-trapping experiments showed that a blend of (Z,Z)-(3R,4S)-3,4-epoxy-6,9-heptadecadiene and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-heptadecatriene was more attractive to male moths than (Z,Z)-(3R,4S)-3,4-epoxy-6,9-heptadecadiene alone.     

Facile access to enantiomerically pure bis(sulfoxide) chelates of late transition metals

Herein contains a report detailing the synthesis and characterization of six, chiral, late-transition metal complexes all chelated using R_S,R_S-bis(p-tolylsulfinyl)ethane, R_S,R_S-BTSE. All complexes revealed S-ligation to the metal with an expected contraction of the sulfinyl-oxygen bond length when compared to free sulfoxide. The presented data serve to illustrate three attractive, yet unexplored, aspects of the bis(sulfoxide) bidentate ligand: (i) bidentate sulfoxide ligands, when chelated to a metal, give rise to complexes that are pseudo-C₂ symmetric in terms of both sterics and electronics, (ii) the sulfoxides, unlike typical N-, P-, and O-based ligands, present the coordination sphere with a significant amount of steric and electronic mismatch, and (iii) the data support the fact that sulfoxides are moderate σ-donors and good-to-excellent π-acceptors – an aspect that should afford such metal chelates with a wide degree of reactivity. Finally, X-ray crystallographic experiments, coupled with an extensive CCDC search, provide an opportunity to establish the following ligand-ranking scheme for bidentate ligands spanned by an ethylene bridge, R₂N–<RS(O)–<RS–<R₂P–, based on the trans influence of chloride salts of Pt(II).     

Fluorescence sensors based on chiral polymer for highly enantioselective recognition of phenylglycinol

Chiral polymer P-1 incorporating (R,R)-salen-type unit was synthesized by the polymerization of (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane with 2,5-dibutoxy-1,4-di(5-tert-butylsalicyclaldehyde)-phenylene (M-1) via nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction, and chiral polymer P-2 incorporating (R,R)-salan-type unit could be obtained by the reduction reaction of P-1 with NaBH₄. The fluorescence response of two chiral polymers P-1 and P-2 on (R)- or (S)-phenylglycinol were investigated by fluorescence spectra. The fluorescence intensities of two chiral polymers P-1 and P-2 show gradual enhancement upon addition of (R)- or (S)-phenylglycinol and keeps nearly linear correlation with the concentration molar ratios of (R)- or (S)-phenylglycinol. But both P-1 and P-2 exhibited more sensitive response signals for (S)-phenylglycinol. The values of enantiomeric fluorescence difference ratio (ef) are 1.84 and 2.05 for P-1 and P-2, respectively. The results also showed that two chiral polymers P-1 and P-2 can also be used as fluorescence sensors for enantiomer composition determination of phenylglycinol.     

Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Specific Novel Tetrapeptide and Potential Anti-Inflammatory Metabolites in Pathogenic Aspergillus species

Infections related to Aspergillus species have emerged to become an important focus in infectious diseases, as a result of the increasing use of immunosuppressive agents and high fatality associated with invasive aspergillosis. However, laboratory diagnosis of Aspergillus infections remains difficult. In this study, by comparing the metabolomic profiles of the culture supernatants of 30 strains of six pathogenic Aspergillus species (A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, A. terreus, A. nomius and A. tamarii) and 31 strains of 10 non-Aspergillus fungi, eight compounds present in all strains of the six Aspergillus species but not in any strain of the non-Aspergillus fungi were observed. One of the eight compounds, Leu–Glu–Leu–Glu, is a novel tetrapeptide and represents the first linear tetrapeptide observed in Aspergillus species, which we propose to be named aspergitide. Two other closely related Aspergillus-specific compounds, hydroxy-(sulfooxy)benzoic acid and (sulfooxy)benzoic acid, may possess anti-inflammatory properties, as 2-(sulfooxy)benzoic acid possesses a structure similar to those of aspirin [2-(acetoxy)benzoic acid] and salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid). Further studies to examine the potentials of these Aspergillus-specific compounds for laboratory diagnosis of aspergillosis are warranted and further experiments will reveal whether Leu–Glu–Leu–Glu, hydroxy-(sulfooxy)benzoic acid and (sulfooxy)benzoic acid are virulent factors of the pathogenic Aspergillus species.     

In situ synthesis and dielectric properties of copper(II) and nickel(II) chiral Schiff base complexes

Two chiral Schiff base-containing complexes, [Cu(L¹)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O (1, L¹ = (S,S)-N1,N2-bis((1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine) and [Ni(L²)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2, L² = (S,S)-N1-((1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine) were synthesized from the reaction mixture of 1H-imidazole-4-carbaldehyde, (S,S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O or Ni(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O in methanol. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the in situ generated chiral Schiff base ligands L¹ and L² are bisubstituted and monosubstituted, respectively, corresponding to the different metal ions Cu^II and Ni^II. Variable-frequency and -temperature dielectric properties of 1 and 2 have been studied.     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 1-phenyl dihydroisoquinolines using Ru(II) diamine catalysts

A new [Ru(II)(η⁶-p-cymene)(1R,2R)-N-((1S,2S)-borneol-10-sulfonyl)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine] catalyst for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of both 1-alkyl and 1-aryl dihydroisoquinolines has been isolated. For the first time in this type of reaction, the catalyst employs an N-alkylsulfonyl group instead of N-arylsulfonyl.     

Phenylalanine-Derived β-Lactam TRPM8 Modulators. Configuration Effect on the Antagonist Activity

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) is a Ca²⁺ non-selective ion channel implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, including cancer, inflammatory and neuropathic pain. In previous works we identified a family of chiral, highly hydrophobic β–lactam derivatives, and began to intuit a possible effect of the stereogenic centers on the antagonist activity. To investigate the influence of configuration on the TRPM8 antagonist properties, here we prepare and characterize four possible diastereoisomeric derivatives of 4-benzyl-1-[(3′-phenyl-2′-dibenzylamino)prop-1′-yl]-4-benzyloxycarbonyl-3-methyl-2-oxoazetidine. In microfluorography assays, all isomers were able to reduce the menthol-induced cell Ca²⁺ entry to larger or lesser extent. Potency follows the order 3R,4R,2′R > 3S,4S,2′R ≅ 3R,4R,2′S > 3S,4S,2′S, with the most potent diastereoisomer showing a half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) in the low nanomolar range, confirmed by Patch-Clamp electrophysiology experiments. All four compounds display high receptor selectivity against other members of the TRP family. Furthermore, in primary cultures of rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, the most potent diastereoisomers do not produce any alteration in neuronal excitability, indicating their high specificity for TRPM8 channels. Docking studies positioned these β-lactams at different subsites by the pore zone, suggesting a different mechanism than the known N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-[(3-methylphenyl)methoxy]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)-benzamide (AMTB) antagonist.     

Synthesis,characterization, electrochemical behavior,thermal study and antibacterial/antifungal properties of some new zinc(II) coordination compounds

A novel symmetrical Schiff base ligand was prepared by condensation reaction of 2,2-dimethyl-1.3-diaminopropane and (E)3-(2nitrophenyl)acrylaldehyde. The ligand and its Zn(II) coordination compounds were well characterized by the elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, UV–vis spectra and molar conductance. Thermal behaviors of all compounds were investigated from the room temperature to 600 °C with a heating rate of 10 °C/min. Furthermore some decomposition thermo-kinetic parameters were evaluated by Coats–Redfern equation at each decomposition step. Electrochemical properties of ligand and its complexes were studied by cyclic voltammetry technique. Also antibacterial/antifungal activities of the ligand and its complexes were tested against three Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) and two Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Corynebacterium renale and also three fungi (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Candida albicans). The results exhibited suitable antibacterial/antifungal properties for ligand and Zn(II) complexes. The study has shown that the complexation of ligand to zinc center lead to enhancement of antibacterial/antifungal activity.     

Heterogeneous Asymmetric Hydrogenation of N-Heterocyclic Compounds: Hydrogenation of Tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivatives

The preparation and application of heterogeneous chiral catalysts are described. Heterogeneous Pd, Ir and Ru catalysts were tested in the enantioselective hydrogenations of N-heterocyclic compounds, namely 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline and 1-methylene-2-ethoxycarbonyl-6,7-dimetoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline in the presence of optically pure cinchonidine, (S,S)- and (R,R)-Ts-DPEN ligands. Cinchonidine-modified metal catalysts exhibited low ee, whereas catalysts stabilized by triphenylphosphane and modified by (S,S)-Ts-DPEN afforded promising ee values (70–80 %). Immobilized Ru(II)-aminophosphane complexes were found to be active in these hydrogenations producing the corresponding tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in high optical purities (up to 97 %). The latter catalysts were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, solid-state MAS NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Recycling of these catalysts showed constant or increasing activities in racemic hydrogenation, whereas the presence of the chiral ligands led to leaching of the active species in the liquid phase.