Solid-Phase Synthesis and Biological Activity of a Combinatorial Cross-Conjugated Dienone Library

Combinatorial synthesis and evaluation of α-iminocarboxamide-nickel(II) catalysts for the copolymerization of ethylene and a polar monomer

Late-transition metal catalysts used for olefin polymerization, the so-called postmetallocenes, which includes α-iminocarboxamide-nickel(II) catalysts have attracted a great deal of attention because of many valuable features such as the copolymerization of α-olefins with polar monomers. In this paper, the combinatorial synthesis and evaluation of α-iminocarboxamide-nickel(II) catalysts are discussed for their roles in the discovery of a highly active catalyst and elucidation of its structure-activity relationship. The combinatorial optimization of each reaction condition was performed, then a combinatorial library of α-iminocarboxamides with systematically modified substituents was constructed by amidation of α-keto acid chlorides and subsequent imination of α-keto carboxamides in parallel fashion. As a result, 87 analytically pure α-iminocarboxamide ligands were successfully synthesized. α-Iminocarboxamide-nickel(II) catalysts were prepared from the synthesized α-iminocarboxamide ligands. The catalysts' activities for polymerization of ethylene and copolymerization of ethylene and 5-norbornen-2-ol were evaluated. Results of the present study revealed 9 novel active catalysts for ethylene polymerization and 7 novel active catalysts for copolymerization of ethylene and 5-norbornen-2-ol. It should be noted that the best catalysts for ethylene polymerization and for copolymerization in the present study showed higher activities compared to the known active catalyst. Polymerization activities of the catalysts varied dramatically according to the combination of substituents on the α-iminocarboxamides.

Solid-phase synthesis of a combinatorial methylated (±)-epigallocatechin gallate library and the growth-inhibitory effects of these compounds on melanoma B16 cells

We report on the solid-phase synthesis of a combinatorial methylated (±)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) library and its biological evaluation. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and its methylated derivatives, which are members of the catechin family, exhibit various anti-cancer effects. The solid-phase synthesis of methylated EGCG involves the preparation of the α-acyloxyketone by the coupling of a solid-supported aldehyde with a ketone and an acid. The subsequent release and reductive etherification reaction of the solid-supported α-acyloxyketone provide the protected EGCG in good total yields. Sixty-four methylated EGCGs were successfully prepared. The growth-inhibitory effects of the methylated EGCG library were also examined. Although methylation of EGCG generally causes reduced growth inhibition, the growth-inhibitory effect of 7-OMe EGCGs was comparable to that of EGCG. The 7-OMe EGCGs are attractive drug candidates because of their enhanced bioavailability.

Cyclopentenone: a special moiety for anticancer drug design

The conjugate cyclopent-en-one chemical group is a special moiety for anticancer drugs. Studies on cyclopentenone prostaglandins, clavulones and other compounds have revealed its mechanism of action and a wide spectrum of intracellular targets, ranging from nuclear factors to mitochondria. The introduction of the cyclopentenone moiety into molecules, such as jasmonates and chalcones, has been shown to boost their anticancer potential. In this work, reviewing pertinent up-to-date literature, we have pointed out potentially effective cyclopentenone-bearing compounds for anticancer clinical research and inspiring relationships for future drug design. In particular, it appears that the addition of cyclopentenone groups to target-orienting molecules, in order to inactivate specific proteins in cells, could be a helpful general strategy for the development of novel therapeutic molecules.

Polymer-Assisted Solution-Phase Synthesis and Neurite-Outgrowth-Promoting Activity of 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2 Derivatives

An efficient solution-phase synthesis of rac-15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-PGJ2 (15dPGJ2) derivatives that contain variable alpha and omega chains based on a polymer-assisted strategy and their neurite-outgrowth-promoting activity are described. The strategy for the synthesis of PGJ2 derivatives involves the use of a vinyl iodide bearing cyclopentenone as a key intermediate, which undergoes Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and subsequent Lewis acid catalyzed aldol condensation for incorporation of the omega and alpha chains, respectively. For easy access to the PGJ2 derivatives, a polymer-supported catalyst and scavengers were adapted for use in these four diverse steps, in which workup and purification can be performed by simple filtration of the solid-supported reagents. By using this methodology, we succeeded in the synthesis of 16 PGJ2 derivatives with four alkyl boranes and four aldehydes. The neurite-outgrowth-promoting activity of the 16 synthetic compounds in PC12 cells revealed that the side-chains play a major role in modulating their biological activity. The carboxylic acid on the alpha chain improved the biological activity, although it was not absolutely required. Furthermore, a PGJ2 derivative with a phenyl moiety on the omega chain was found to exhibit an activity comparable to that of natural 15dPGJ2.