Synthesis of N-unsubstituted, mono- and disubstituted carbohydrate-1-O-carbamates and their behaviour in glycoside syntheses

The syntheses of 44 1-carbamates from six different 1-O-unprotected carbohydrate derivatives (compounds 1-6), representing typical protecting pattern in glycoside synthesis, are described. The carbamate function is N-unsubstituted (compounds 1b-6b), mono- (compounds a: N-trichloroacetyl, c: N-monochloroacetyl, d: N-acetyl, e: N-ethyl, f: N-allyl, g: N-phenyl) or disubstituted (compounds h: imidazolyl, i: N-diethyl, j: N-diphenyl). Additionally, three N-chlorosulfonyl carbamates are synthesized and used as intermediates for the synthesis of N-unsubstituted compounds b. The accessibility of these compounds is described and compared. Some of the carbamates (1, 4, 5a-j) are used as model compounds for systematic investigations in glycoside syntheses. Selected experimental data (reaction conditions, anomeric ratios, rotation values, selected NMR data) are tabulated.

1-(Alkyl/arylthiocarbamoyl)benzotriazoles as stable isothiocyanate equivalents: synthesis of Di- and trisubstituted thioureas

1-(Alkyl/arylthiocarbamoyl)benzotriazoles 4a-i were synthesized in yields of 91-99% from bis(benzotriazolyl)methanethione (3). Reagents 4a-g were then used as isothiocyanate equivalents for the efficient synthesis of 10 secondary and 14 tertiary thioureas in high-yielding, convenient processes.

Zn-Promoted Regioselective and Sequence-Selective One-Pot Joining Reaction of Three Components: Alkyl Iodides, α,β-Unsaturated Esters (or Nitriles), and Acylating Agents

One-pot treatment of alkyl iodides, alpha,beta-unsaturated esters (or nitriles), and acylating agents such as nitriles or acid anhydrides in the presence of Zn metal at room temperature in the same reaction system brought about a regioselective and sequence-selective three-component joining reaction involving first C-alkylation at the beta-position and second C-acylation at the alpha-position of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters (or nitriles) to afford the corresponding alpha,alpha-dialkylketoesters (or alpha,alpha-dialkylketonitriles) in moderate to good yields. [reaction: see text]

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies reactive to the endogenous small molecule, anandamide

The development of an easy and inexpensive immunoassay to measure the limited quantities of endogenous cannabinoids found in the body would be beneficial for both cannabinoid researchers and clinicians. This report describes the hapten design and carrier molecule strategy that we used to generate a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAB) to the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (N-arachidonylethanolamide, AEA). We designed and successfully prepared a hapten, N-arachidonyl-7-amino-6-hydroxy-heptanoic acid (AHA), which retained the basic characteristic features of anandamide--the carboxamide, the hydroxyl and the lipophilic arachidonyl moiety with its skipped double bond system, while still allowing attachment to protein. In addition, a secondary alcohol structure was added to reduce the potential for biological hydrolysis of the hapten. Because of the diverse responses obtained after coupling this hapten to four different carriers, we determined that the type of carrier molecule used was particularly important for generating anti-anandamide antibodies. Described in this report are the characteristics of a panel of 11 mAB, generated from four separate fusions, with a range of relative affinities and cross reactivities. Excellent selectivity for anandamide vs. two other endogenous cannabinoids and arachidonic acid was achieved this strategy (cross-reactivities <5%). In addition, at least one mAB maintained specificity for anandamide compared to two very closely related fatty acid amide molecules. However, the IC50 values in a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format (ca. 2-3 microM) indicate that improvement in antibody affinities or assay format will be required for an immunoassay to measure endogenous levels. Such work is underway.

Novel one-pot vicinal double C-acylation of styrenes and methacrylates by electroreduction

[reaction: see text] Electroreduction of styrenes or alkyl methacrylates in the presence of aliphatic acid anhydrides or N-acylimidazoles with an undivided cell equipped with zinc electrodes as the anode and the cathode brought about novel one-pot vicinal double C-acylation to afford the corresponding 1,4-diketones in satisfactory yields.

Moenomycin-mediated affinity purification of penicillin-binding protein 1b

The antibiotic moenomycin A inhibits the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan, the main structural polymer of the bacterial cell wall. The inhibition is based on a reversible binding of the antibiotic to one of the substrate binding sites at enzymes such as the penicillin binding protein 1b (PBP 1b). This binding has been employed to isolate PBP 1b by affinity chromatography. Suitable ligands have been prepared from moenomycin A and coupled both to affinity supports and to surface plasmon resonance sensor surfaces. The reactions that take place upon immobilization of the ligands to the affinity support and the sensor surface, respectively, have been studied in detail. With the help of surface plasmon resonance the optimal conditions for binding of PBP 1b to moenomycin-derivated ligands have been established. For the first time the selective binding of the moenomycin sugar moiety to the enzyme has been demonstrated.

Hydrophobic chain conjugation at hydroxyl group onto gamma-ray irradiated chitosan

gamma-Ray irradiation of chitosan flakes and introduction of hydrophobic chains onto hydroxyl groups are discussed. At 25 kGy, chain degradation without cross-linking reduces the molecular weight to one-fourth; however, structural characterization by FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C CP/MAS NMR indicates that the saccharide units are maintained. Introduction of hydrophobic chains is accomplished by introduction of alkylamine groups onto the chitosan carbonyl imidazole precursor. The chitosan coupling reaction is improved and can be done homogeneously as a result of gamma-ray irradiation. The optimum conditions for phthalimido group deprotection are studied to generate a unique product with a hydrophobic chain attached mainly at the hydroxyl group (C-6 and/or C-3) while the amino group (C-2) is retained as characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR. The final product shows fair solubility in organic solvents, such as DMSO, DMAc, DMF, and pyridine.

Stereoselective synthesis, in vitro, and initial in vivo evaluation of 1-methylpiperidin-4-yl alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(1-iodo-1-propen-3-yl)-alpha-phenylacetate (IPIP): a novel radioiodinated molecular probe with high affinity for the muscarinic receptor

1-Methylpiperidin-4-yl alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(1-iodo-1-propen-3-yl)-alpha-phenylacetate (IPIP, Fig. 1) was investigated as a potential radioiodinated molecular probe targeted to the muscarinic receptor complex. The IPIP stereoisomers were synthesized via a chiral intermediate in >95% enantiomeric excess. The R-isomers demonstrated a M(1) to M(2) subtype selectivity of approximately 3 to 1 and the S-isomers demonstrated non-subtype selective binding in vitro. IPIP was radiolabeled with iodide-125 with an average radiochemical yield of 74.4% (+/-14.8, n = 5), specific activities >800 mCi/micromol, and radiochemical purities >97%. In vivo the Z-isomers demonstrated high uniform cerebral uptake suggesting non-subtype selective binding. In contrast, E-R-IPIP, after allowing a low uptake in M(2) rich areas to clear, demonstrated a retention of activity in M(1) and M(4) rich cerebral regions. In addition, the cerebral uptake of E-R-IPIP and Z-S-IPIP were inhibited by 70-90% via pretreatment with R-QNB, an established muscarinic antagonist. An ex vivo metabolism study demonstrated Z-S-IPIP was stable at the receptor site with an absence of radiolabeled metabolites.

Synthesis of galactosyl compounds for targeted gene delivery

Cell-specific DNA delivery offers a great potential for targeted gene therapy. Toward this end, we have synthesized a series of compounds carrying galactose residues as a targeting ligand for asialoglycoprotein receptors of hepatocytes and primary amine groups as a functional domain for DNA binding. Biological activity of these galactosyl compounds in DNA delivery was evaluated in HepG2 and BL-6 cells and compared with respect to the number of galactose residues as well as primary amine groups in each molecule. Transfection experiments using a firefly luciferase gene as a reporter revealed that compounds with multivalent binding properties were more active in DNA delivery. An optimal transfection activity in HepG2 cells requires seven primary amine groups and a minimum of two galactose residues in each molecule. The transfection activity of compounds carrying multi-galactose residues can be inhibited by asialofetuin, a natural substrate for asialoglycoprotein receptors of hepatocytes, suggesting that gene transfer by these galactosyl compounds is asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated. These results provide direct evidence in support of our new strategy for the use of small and synthetic compounds for cell specific and targeted gene delivery.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of azole derivatives, analogues of bifonazole, with a phenylisoxazolyl or phenylpyrimidinyl moiety

A series of azole derivatives, isoxazole or pyrimidine analogues of the antifungal drug bifonazole, were synthesized and tested in vitro against representative human pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus). They were also evaluated as antibacterial agents against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. Only 5-(imidazol-1-yl-phenylmethyl)-2,4-diphenyl-pyrimidine 7c showed weak antimicrobial activity (MIC = 66 microM) against C. albicans, C. neoformans and S. aureus. Results of biological tests proved, therefore, that replacement of the biphenyl portion of the bifonazole with a phenylisoxazolyl or phenylpyrimidinyl moiety is not profitable for antimicrobial properties.

The selective reaction of primary amines with carbonyl imidazole containing compounds: selective amide and carbamate synthesis

A new highly selective synthesis of amides and carbamates is described. In both cases the syntheses involve the formation of carbonyl imidazole intermediates which subsequently undergo previously unreported selective reactions with primary amines. Acid imidazolides with sufficient chain length will exclusively react with primary amines even in the presence of secondary and tertiary functionality. The imidazole carboxylic esters of secondary or tertiary alcohols also react selectively with primary amines, forming controlled carbamate structures.

Synthesis of beta-dicarbonyl compounds using 1-acylbenzotriazoles as regioselective C-acylating reagents

1-Acylbenzotriazoles 1 are efficient C-acylation reagents for the regioselective conversion of ketone enolates 2 into beta-diketones 3.

myo-Inositol 4,6-carbonate: an easily prepared small molecule with three syn-axial hydroxyl groups

myo-Inositol 4,6-carbonate, a compound having three syn-axial hydroxyl groups, was synthesized in four steps suitable for gram-scale preparation. It readily forms complexes with cations.

Chemiluminescent determination of hydrogen peroxide with 9-acridinecarbonylimidazole and use in measurement of glucose oxidase and alkaline phosphatase activity

Several activated derivatives of 9-acridinecarboxylic acid were prepared in order to investigate their utility for detection of hydrogen peroxide. One of these derivatives, 9-acridinecarbonylimidazole (I), is especially stable and is a useful reagent for measuring, by chemiluminescence, the activity of a number of enzymes that directly produce peroxide, including glucose oxidase. Other enzymes can also be assayed if an appropriate intermediate substrate exists that ultimately produces hydrogen peroxide after being acted upon by the enzyme. 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (BCIP) and 3-indolyl phosphate (3-IP) are such substrates for alkaline phosphatase. The detection limits for both of these enzymes are in the 1-10 amol range. Other enzymes that can potentially be assayed using I include oxidases, hydrolases and dehydrogenases. Negative assays for compounds that consume or bind peroxide such as reducing agents, antioxidants, catalases and peroxidases are also feasible.

A Facile Synthesis of Carboxamides by Dehydration Condensation Between Free Carboxylic Acids and Amines Using O,O'-Di(2-pyridyl) Thiocarbonate as a Coupling Reagent

Carboxamides are prepared in high yields by dehydration condensation between nearly equimolar amounts of free carboxylic acids and amines both of which involve secondary or tertiary alkyl substituted ones with O,O'-di(2-pyridyl) thiocarbonate, a coupling reagent, in the presence of a catalytic amount of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

New selective nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors: synthesis and inhibitory activity of 2,3 or 5-(alpha-azolylbenzyl)-1H-indoles

Six azolyl substituted indoles were synthesized and tested for their activity to inhibit two P450 enzymes: P450 arom and P450 17a. It was observed that the introduction of alpha-imidazolylbenzyl chain at carbon 3 or 5 on indole nucleus led to very active molecules. Compounds 22, 23 and especially 33 demonstrate very high potential against P450 arom. Under our assay conditions of high substrate concentration the IC50 are 0.057, 0.0785 and 0.041 microM, respectively. These compounds are moderate inhibitors against P450 17alpha.

NMR identification of an acyl-adenylate intermediate in the aryl-aldehyde oxidoreductase catalyzed reaction

A new one-pot synthesis was designed to prepare benzoyl-AMP under anhydrous conditions in N,N-dimethylformamide. Reaction of benzoic acid with N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole and subsequently with 5'-adenosyl monophosphate gave the mixed anhydride in 76% isolated yield. The structure of benzoyl-AMP was confirmed by mass spectroscopy and 1H-, 31P-, and 13C-NMR. The purity of the preparation was greater than 98% as indicated by 31P- and 13C-NMR. Purified aryl-aldehyde oxidoreductase was incubated in NMR tubes together with either carboxy-13C-benzoyl-AMP or carboxy-13C-benzoic acid to demonstrate that benzoyl-AMP is an active intermediate during the enzymatic reduction of benzoic acid to benzaldehyde.