New Sphingolipids with a Previously Unreported 9-Methyl-C<Subscript>20</Subscript>-sphingosine Moiety from a Marine Algous Endophytic Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> EN-13

Asperamides A (1) and B (2), a sphingolipid and their corresponding glycosphingolipid possessing a hitherto unreported 9-methyl-C₂₀-sphingosine moiety, were characterized from the culture extract of Aspergillus niger EN-13, an endophytic fungus isolated from marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods as (2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)-N-(2′-hydroxy-3′-hexadecenoyl)-9-methyl-4,8-icosadien-1,3-diol (1) and 1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)-N-(2′-hydroxy-3′-hexadecenoyl)-9-methyl-4,8-icosadien-1,3-diol (2). In the antifungal assay, asperamide A (1) displayed moderate activity against Candida albicans.     

Electrochemical investigations of antioxidant interactions with radical anion and dianion of 1,3-dinitrobenzene

Interactions of five antioxidants (AO), quercetin (Q), morin (M), rutin (R), ascorbic acid (AA) and β-carotene (β-C) with anion radical and dianion of 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB) in two aprotic solvents – dimethyl formamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) – have been studied by cyclic voltammetry using glassy carbon electrode. Electrochemical parameters – peak potential (E_p), half-wave potential (E_1/2), and peak current (i_p) – for the reduction of 1,3-DNB before and after the addition of various concentrations of antioxidants, were evaluated. A gradual decrease in the oxidation peak current and finally irreversibility in 1,3-DNB radical anion and dianion systems upon the addition of antioxidant, reveals their interactions. The homogeneous bi-molecular rate constant (k₂) was determined from electrochemical data. In comparison to all other antioxidants used, enhanced homogeneous second order rate constant for the interaction of morin with 1,3-DNB anion radical and dianion, was observed. This aspect is attributable to protonation initiated by hydrogen bonding and greater acidic nature of morin.     

Experimental and Computational Evaluation of Piperonylic Acid Derived Hydrazones Bearing Isatin Moieties as Dual Inhibitors of Cholinesterases and Monoamine Oxidases

A set of piperonylic acid derived hydrazones with variable isatin moieties was synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and monoamine oxidases A and B (MAO-A/B). The results of in vitro studies revealed IC₅₀ values in the micromolar range, with the majority of the compounds showing selectivity for the MAO-B isoform. N-[2-Oxo-1-(prop-2-ynyl)indolin-3-ylidene]benzo[d][1,3]dioxole-5-carbohydrazide ( 3 ) was identified as a lead AChE inhibitor with IC₅₀=0.052±0.006 μm . N-[(3E)-5-chloro-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-ylidene]-2H-1,3-benzodioxole-5-carbohydrazide ( 2 ) was the lead MAO-B inhibitor with IC₅₀=0.034±0.007 μm , and showed 50 times greater selectivity for MAO-B over MAO-A. The kinetic studies revealed that compounds 2 and 3 displayed competitive and reversible inhibition of AChE and MAO-B, respectively. The molecular docking studies revealed the significance of hydrophobic interactions in the active site pocket of the enzymes under investigation. Further optimization studies might lead to the development of potential neurotherapeutic agents.     

Experimental and Quantum Chemical Studies on Corrosion Inhibition Performance of Thiazolidinedione Derivatives for Mild Steel in Hydrochloric Acid Solution

In the present investigation, two thiazolidinedione derivatives, 5-[(2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-5-yl)methylidene]-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (Inh I) and 5-[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-6-(4-methoxylphenyl)-imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazol-5-yl)methylidene]-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (Inh II) were synthesized and investigated as inhibitors for mild steel corrosion in 15% HCl solution using the weight loss, electrochemical polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. It was found that the inhibition efficiency of these inhibitors increased with increasing concentration. The effect of temperature on the corrosion rate was investigated, and some thermodynamic parameters were calculated. Polarization studies showed that both studied inhibitors were of mixed type in nature. The adsorption of inhibitors on the mild steel surface in acid solution was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed on inhibited and uninhibited mild steel samples to characterize the surface. The semi-empirical AM1 method was employed for theoretical calculation of highest (E _HOMO), and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (E _LUMO) energy levels, energy gap (E _LUMO ? E _HOMO), dipole moment (μ), global hardness (γ), softness (σ), binding energy, molecular surface area, chemical potential (Pi), and the fraction of electrons transferred from the inhibitor molecule to the metal surface (ΔN). The results were found to be consistent with the experimental findings.     

Synthese von 4-Alkoxy- und 3-nitrosubstituierten Isoxazolidinen durch katalysierte 1,3-dipolare Cycloadditionsreaktionen von Nitronen mit Vinylethern und Nitroolefinen

Synthesis of 4-Alkoxy and 3-Nitro Substituted Isoxazolidines by Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactionas of Nirtones with Vinyl Ethers and Nitro Alkens 1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of the C-phenyl-N-alkylnitrones 1,3 and the C,N-diphenylnitrone ( 2 ) with vinyl ethers 5,6 are strongly catalyzed by chiral oxazaborolidines derived form N-arylsulfonyl substituted L -α-amino acids valine and tert-butyl leucine and BH₃·THF complex at −22 °C to room temperature to give predominantly the 3,5-trans-substituted 5-alkoxy-isoxazolidines 8b–12b , but with moderate enantioselectivity. Thermal cycloaddition afforded predominantly the 3,5-cis-substituted 5-alkoxy-isoxazolidines 8a–12a . The cycloaddition of (E)-1-ethyl-2-nitroethene ( 7 ) afforded a mixture of cis- and trans-substituted 4-nitro-isoxazolidines 13 . The ratio depends on reaction temperatute and catalyst. Mild ring cleavage after quarternization of 5-etheoxy-2-methyl-isoxazolidines ( 8 ) yields the corresponding β-amino-esters 27, 28 .     

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization and Structures of Tributyltin(IV) 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]benzoates. Toxicity Studies on the Second Larval Instar of the Anopheles stephensi Mosquito Larvae

A series of tributyltin(IV) complexes of 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]benzoates have been investigated by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, IR and ¹¹⁹Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopic techniques in combination with elemental analyses. Single crystal X-ray crystallography of Bu₃Sn[O₂CC₆H₄{N=C(H)C₆H₃-2-OH(N=NC₆H₄CH₃-4)}-p] reveals a distorted tetrahedral structure which is further supported by ¹¹⁹Sn M?ssbauer data. Toxicity studies of the tributyltin(IV) complexes along with their ligands 4-[((E)-1-{2-hydroxy-5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino]benzoic acids on the second larval instar of the Anopheles stephensi mosquito larvae are also reported.     

MOP‐Type Binaphthyl Phosphite and Diamidophosphite Ligands and Their Application in Catalytic Asymmetric Transformations

Monodentate phosphite and diamidophosphite ligands have been developed based on O‐methyl‐BINOL. These chiral ligands are easy to prepare from readily accessible phosphorylating reagents – (S_a or R_a)‐2‐chlorodinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepine and (2R,5S)‐2‐chloro‐3‐phenyl‐1,3‐diaza‐2‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.0]octane. The new ligands have demonstrated excellent enantioselectivity in the palladium‐catalysed allylic substitution reactions of (E)‐1,3‐diphenylallyl acetate with sodium p‐toluenesulfinate (up to 99 % ee), pyrrolidine (up to 97 % ee), dipropylamine (up to 95 % ee) and dimethyl malonate (up to 99 % ee). In the palladium‐catalysed deracemization of ethyl (E)‐1,3‐diphenylallyl carbonate, up to 96 % enantioselectivity has been achieved. The diamidophosphite ligands have exhibited very good enantioselectivity in the Rh‐catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate (up to 90 % ee).     

Synthesis of 2(E),6(E)-bis(chloromethylidene)-4-thiomorpholinamine-1-oxide and its hydrazones

An efficient method for preparation of earlier unknown S-oxide of 2(E),6(E)-bis(chloromethylidene)-4-thiomorpholinamine by oxidation of 2(E),6(E)-bis(chloromethylidene)-4-thiomorpholinamine hydrochloride with hydrogen peroxide in H₂O or EtOH/H₂O followed by the reaction mixture neutralization with Na₂CO₃ has been described. Interaction of the S-oxide with acetaldehyde, butanal, benzaldehyde, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde in EtOH, C₆H₆, in the mixture of acetonitrile and ethanol or ethanol and benzene affords the unknown hydrazones, N-organylmethylidene-2(E),6(E)-bis(chloromethylidene)-4-thiomorpholinamine-1-oxides.     

Exploring Electron/Proton Transfer and Conformational Changes in the Nitrogenase MoFe Protein and FeMo-cofactor Through Cryoreduction/EPR Measurements

We combine cryoreduction/annealing/EPR measurements of nitrogenase MoFe protein with results of earlier investigations to provide a detailed view of the electron/proton transfer events and conformational changes that occur during early stages of [e⁻/H⁺] accumulation by the MoFe protein. This includes reduction of: 1) the non-catalytic state of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) active site that is generated by chemical oxidation of the resting-state cofactor (S=3/2) within resting MoFe (E₀); and 2) the catalytic state that has accumulated n=1 [e⁻/H⁺] above the resting-state level, denoted E₁(1H) (S≥1) in the Lowe-Thorneley kinetic scheme. FeMo-co does not undergo a major change of conformation during reduction of oxidized FeMo-co. In contrast, FeMo-co undergoes substantial conformational changes during the reduction of E₀ to E₁(1H), and of E₁(1H) to E₂(2H) (S=3/2). The experimental results further suggest that the E₁(1H)→E₂(2H) step involves coupled delivery of a proton and an electron (PCET) to FeMo-co of E₁(H) to generate a nonequilibrium S= form E₂(2H)*. This subsequently undergoes conformational relaxation and attendant change in the FeMo-co spin state, to generate the equilibrium E₂(2H) (S=3/2) state. Unexpectedly, these experiments also reveal conformational coupling between FeMo-co and the P cluster, and between the Fe protein binding and FeMo-co, which might play a role in gated electron transfer from reduced Fe protein to FeMo-co.     

Metabolic profile of linoleic acid in stored apples: Formation of 13(R)-hydroxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid

During our ongoing project on the biosynthesis of R-(+)-octane-1,3-diol the metabolism of linoleic acid was investigated in stored apples after injection of [1-¹⁴C]-, [9,10,12,13-³H]-, ¹³C₁₈- and unlabeled substrates. After different incubation periods the products were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (MS), high-performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS, and HPLC-radiodetection. Water-soluble compounds and CO₂ were the major products whereas 13(R)-hydroxy- and 13-keto-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid, 9(S)-hydroxy-and 9-keto-10(E),12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid, and the stereoisomers of the 9,10,13- and 9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadecenoic acids were identified as the major metabolites found in the diethyl ether extracts. Hydroperoxides were not detected. The ratio of 9/13-hydroxy- and 9/13-keto-octadecadienoic acid was 1∶4 and 1∶10, respectively. Chiral phase HPLC of the methyl ester derivatives showed enantiomeric excesses of 75% (R) and 65% (S) for 13-hydroxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid and 9-hydroxy-10(E),12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid, respectively. Enzymatically active homogenates from apples were able to convert unlabeled linoleic acid into the metabolites. Radiotracer experiments showed that the transformation products of linoleic acid were converted into (R)-octane-1,3-diol. 13(R)-Hydroxy-9(Z), 11(E)-octadecadienoic acid is probably formed in stored apples from 13-hydroperoxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid. It is possible that the S-enantiomer of the hydroperoxide is primarily degraded by enzymatic side reactions, resulting in an enrichment of the R-enantiomer and thus leading to the formation of 13(R)-hydroxy-9(Z),11(E)-octadecadienoic acid.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Heck‐Type Reactions of Allylic Esters with Arylboronic Acids or Potassium Aryltrifluoroborates

A selective and general route to (E)‐1,3‐diaryl‐prop‐1‐enes and (E)‐3‐arylallyl acetates has been developed by palladium‐catalyzed Heck‐type reactions of allylic esters with arylboronic acids or potassium aryltrifluoroborates. The present method selectively proceeds including β‐OAc elimination or β‐H elimination on the basis of the boronic acids. Whereas a variety of allylic esters were reacted with arylboronic acids, palladium(II) acetate [Pd(OAc)₂], tetra(n‐butyl)ammonium chloride [(n‐Bu)₄NCl] and postassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) to afford the corresponding diarylation products in moderate to good yields, treatment of allylic esters with potassium aryltrifluoroborates furnished the corresponding monoarylation products.     

Polymerization of 1,3‐dienes containing functional groups: 8. Free‐radical polymerization of 2‐triethoxysilyl‐ 1,3‐butadiene

The presence of a bulky substituent at the 2‐position of 1,3‐butadiene derivatives is known to affect the polymerization behavior and microstructure of the resulting polymers. Free‐radical polymerization of 2‐triethoxysilyl‐1,3‐butadiene ( 1 ) was carried out under various conditions, and its polymerization behavior was compared with that of 2‐triethoxymethyl‐ and other silyl‐substituted butadienes. A sticky polymer of high 1,4‐structure ( ) was obtained in moderate yield by 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)‐initiated polymerization. A smaller amount of Diels–Alder dimer was formed compared with the case of other silyl‐substituted butadienes. The rate of polymerization (R_p) was found to be R_p = k[AIBN]^0.5[ 1 ]^1.2, and the overall activation energy for polymerization was determined to be 117 kJ mol^?1. The monomer reactivity ratios in copolymerization with styrene were r ₁ = 2.65 and r_st = 0.26. The glass transition temperature of the polymer of 1 was found to be ?78 °C. Free‐radical polymerization of 1 proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding 1,4‐polydiene. The 1,4‐E content of the polymer was less compared with that of poly(2‐triethoxymethyl‐1,3‐butadiene) and poly(2‐triisopropoxysilyl‐1,3‐butadiene) prepared under similar conditions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and copolymerization of halogen phenyl-substituted methyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates with styrene

Summary Halogen phenyl-substituted methyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RC₆H₄CH=C(CN)CO₂CH₃ (R= 2-fluoro, 3-fluoro, 2-bromo, and 3-bromo), were prepared by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of corresponding substituted benzaldehydes and methyl cyanoacetate. Novel copolymers of the propenoates and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator. The order of relative reactivity (1/r ₁) was 3Br (3.02) > 2Br (2.63) > 3F (1.84) > 2F (1.66). High glass transition temperatures of the copolymers compared that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymers due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. Received: 9 February 1998/Revised version: 5 March 1998/Accepted: 5 March 1998     

Chemistry of venom alkaloids in the antMegalomyrmex foreli (Myrmicinae) from Costa Rica

Chemical analysis of the venom of the myrmicine antMegalomyrmex foreli from Costa Rica revealed the presence of four major alkaloidal components. Two of these, 2-butyl-5-(E, 1-heptenyl)-5-pyrroline (3) and 2-butyl-5-(E, E, 1,3-heptadienyl)-5-pyrroline (4), constitute a new functional class of ant venom alkaloids, whose structures were assigned from their spectral and chemical behavior and unambiguous syntheses. The function of these compounds is suggested by field observations of the behavior ofM. foreli, its sting morphology, and the relative toxicity of 3 and 4 against termite workers.     

On the Enantioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enyne Cyclization

Several chiral ligands were tested in the enantioselective rhodium‐catalyzed enyne cyclization, but none gave results comparable to the BINAP ligand. Among the tested catalyst precursors the soon to be commercially available [(COD)Rh(H₂O)₂]CF₃SO₃ complex is an interesting alternative to the [(COD)RhCl]₂ because it did not need the activation with silver ions. A new stereogenic and 1,2‐disubstituted double bond was formed in the product 12 , the latter was proved to have an (E)‐configuration. A new product, the 1,3‐diene 16 was observed at higher temperatures. In the presence of an (E)‐configurated double bond in the starting material, the reaction completely failed.     

Thermodynamic modeling of vapor-liquid equilibria and excess properties of the binary systems containing diethers and n-alkanes by cubic equation of state

A comparison of the performances of two different approaches of cubic equations of state models, based on a classical van der Waals and mixing rules incorporating theG ^E equation, was carried out for correlation of Vapor-Liquid Equilibria (VLE), H^E and C _P ^E data alone, and simultaneous correlation of VLE+H^E, VLE+C _P ^E , H^E +C _P ^E and VLE+H^E +C _P ^E data for the diethers (1,4-dioxane or 1,3-dioxolane) with n-alkane systems. For all calculations the Peng-Robinson-Stryjek-Vera cubic equation of state (PRSV CEOS) was used. A family of mixing rules for the PRSV CEOS based on the Modified van der Waals one-fluid mixing rule (MvdW1) and two well-known CEOS/G^E mixing rules (MHV1 and MHV2), was considered. The NRTL equation, as the G^E model with linear or reciprocal temperature dependent parameters, was incorporated in the CEOS/G^E models. The results obtained by the CEOS/G^E models exhibit significant improvement in comparison to the MvdW1 models.     

New Insight into Dearomatization and Decarbonylation of Antitubercular 4H-Benzo[e][1,3]thiazinones: Stable 5H- and 7H-Benzo[e][1,3]thiazines

8-Nitro-4H-benzo[e][1,3]thiazinones (BTZs) are potent in vitro antimycobacterial agents. New chemical transformations, viz. dearomatization and decarbonylation, of two BTZs and their influence on the compounds’ antimycobacterial properties are described. Reactions of 8-nitro-2-(piperidin-1-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-benzo[e][1,3]thiazin-4-one and the clinical drug candidate BTZ043 with the Grignard reagent CH₃MgBr afford the corresponding dearomatized stable 4,5-dimethyl-5H- and 4,7-dimethyl-7H-benzo[e][1,3]thiazines. These methine compounds are structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography for the first time. Reduction of the BTZ carbonyl group, leading to the corresponding markedly non-planar 4H-benzo[e][1,3]thiazine systems, is achieved using the reducing agent (CH₃)₂S ⋅ BH₃. Double methylation with dearomatization and decarbonylation renders the two BTZs studied inactive against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis, as proven by in vitro growth inhibition assays.     

Influence of acidity level in acetonitrile on Hammett–Zuman type correlations on the reduction of α-hydroxyquinones

In this work the voltammetric study in acetonitrile was carried out of a quinones family containing α-hydroxy group, anilineperezones (APZs; 2-(1,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-6-[4′-(R₂-phenyl)amine]-1,4-benzoquinones) as well as their comparison with their methylated derivatives (APZms; 2-(1,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-3-methoxy-5-methyl-6-[4′-(R₂-phenyl)amine]-1,4-benzoquinones) where R₂ is MeO, Me, H, Br and CN. Through a systemic study that modified the type of electron transfer coupled reactions of the two quinoid systems, linear Hammett–Zuman type variations were found, ΔE_pc=E_pc(R₂=X)−E_pc(R₂=H)=ρ_πσ_p+a, with a≠0. Therefore, we suggest that the Hammett–Zuman equation simultaneously considers the substituent effect, not only in the electron transfer but also in chemically coupled reactions. Furthermore, we suggest that the magnitude of a of Hammett–Zuman type correlations shows the presence of chemical reactions coupled to the electron transfer, so that a apparently depends on the substituent effect on this type of reactions.     

A Multi-step Virtual Screening Protocol for the Identification of Novel Non-acidic Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) Inhibitors

Microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and certain types of cancer. To identify novel scaffolds for mPGES-1 inhibition, we applied a virtual screening (VS) protocol that comprises molecular docking, fingerprints-based clustering with diversity-based selection, protein–ligand interactions fingerprints, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) calculations. The hits identified were carefully analyzed to ensure the selection of novel scaffolds that establish stable interactions with key residues in the mPGES-1 binding pocket and inhibit the catalytic activity of the enzyme. As a result, we discovered two promising chemotypes, 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-[(2-{[(propan-2-yl)sulfamoyl]methyl}phenyl)methyl]piperazine-1-carboxamide ( 6 ) and N-(4-methoxy-3-{[4-(6-methyl-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)phenyl]sulfamoyl}phenyl)acetamide ( 8 ), as non-acidic mPGES-1 inhibitors with IC₅₀ values of 1.2 and 1.3 μm , respectively. Minimal structural optimization of 8 resulted in three more compounds with promising improvements in inhibitory activity (IC₅₀: 0.3–0.6 μm ). The unprecedented chemical structures of 6 and 8 , which are amenable to further derivatization, reveal a new and attractive approach for the development of mPGES-1 inhibitors with potential anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.