Synthesis, resolution, and absolute configuration of two novel and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors based on the 1,5-diarylpyrrole structure

An Isosteric Triaza Analogue of a Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Monkey Saddle

Since a few years, the interest in negatively-curved fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has significantly increased. Recently, the first chiral negatively-curved PAH with the topology of a monkey saddle was introduced. Herein the synthesis of its triaza congener is reported. The influence of this CH↔N exchange on photophysical and electrochemical properties is studied as well as the isomerization process of the enantiomers. The aza analogue has a significantly higher inversion barrier, which makes it easier to handle at room temperature. All experimental results are underpinned by theoretical DFT calculations.

Chromane helicity rule – scope and challenges based on an ECD study of various trolox derivatives

The validity of the chromane helicity rule is examined using a set of natural (S)-trolox derivatives.

Enantioselective Extraction System Containing Binary Chiral Selectors and Chromatographic Enantioseparation Method for Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Enantiomers of Cyclopentolate

The distribution coefficients and enantioseparation of cyclopentolate were studied in an extraction system containing d-tartaric acid ditertbutyl ester in organic phase and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) in aqueous phase. Various parameters involved in the enantioseparation such as the type and the concentration of chiral selectors, pH value and a wide range of organic solvents were investigated. The maximum enantioselectivity (α = 2.13) and optimum distribution coefficients (K_R = 0.85, K_S = 0.40) were obtained under the following conditions: 0.10 mol/L HP-β-CD in aqueous phase and 0.20 mol/L d-tartaric acid ditertbutyl ester in decanol as organic phase. Cyclopentolate is present as a racemic mixture to the aqueous phase. The potentially different biological activities of cyclopentolate enantiomers have not been examined yet. Two chiral liquid chromatography methods have been developed for the direct separation of the enantiomers of cyclopentolate. First method was used for the quantification analysis of cyclopentolate enantiomers in aqueous phase. Second method used two chiroptical detectors: electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and optical rotation (OR) for the identification of individual cyclopentolate enantiomers from the organic phase enriched with (R)-enantiomer. The absolute stereochemistry was determined by means of the comparison of the experimental and computed ECD spectra and signs of OR. The ECD spectra of chiral analytes were measured on-line using HPLC-ECD technique.

In vitro effects of VA441, a new selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on human osteoarthritic chondrocytes exposed to IL-1β

The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the possible effect of [2-methyl-5-(4-methylsulphonyl)phenyl-1-phenyl-3-(2-n-propyloxyethyl)]-1H-pyrrole (VA441), a new selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, on human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocyte cultivated in the presence or absence of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In particular, we assessed the effects of 1 and 10 μM of VA441, celecoxib, and indomethacin on cell viability, COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production, and nitric oxide (NO) and metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) release. Furthermore, we carried out morphological assessment by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of IL-1β led to a significant increase in PGE(2), MMP-3, and NO production, as well as a significant increase in gene expression of COX-2 and iNOS. All the drugs tested had a statistically significant inhibitory effect on PGE(2) production and gene expression of COX-2 stimulated by IL-1β. VA441 and celecoxib significantly suppressed IL-1β-stimulated MMP-3 and NO and iNOS gene expression in a dose-dependent manner, while indomethacin did not show any significant effect on MMP-3 and NO production or on iNOS gene expression. TEM demonstrated that IL-1β severely alters the structure of chondrocytes; after co-incubation with VA441 or celecoxib, the cells recovered their ultrastructure. Our data suggest that VA441 and celecoxib may have a beneficial effect on chondrocyte metabolism.

Absolute structural elucidation of natural products--a focus on quantum-mechanical calculations of solid-state CD spectra

In this review article we examine state-of-the-art techniques for the structural elucidation of organic compounds isolated from natural sources. In particular, we focus on the determination of absolute configuration (AC), perhaps the most challenging but inevitable step in the whole process, especially when newly isolated compounds are screened for biological activity. Among the many methods employed for AC assignment that we review, special attention is paid to electronic circular dichroism (CD) and to the modern tools available for quantum-mechanics CD predictions, including TDDFT. In this context, we stress that conformational flexibility often poses a limit to practical CD calculations of solution CD spectra. Many crystalline natural products suitable for X-ray analysis do not contain heavy atoms for a confidential AC assignment by resonant scattering. However, their CD spectra can be recorded in the solid state, for example with the KCl pellet technique, and analyzed possibly by nonempirical means to provide stereochemical information. In particular, solid-state CD spectra can be compared with those calculated with TDDFT or other high-level methods, using the X-ray geometry as input. The solid-state CD/TDDFT approach, described in detail, represents a quick and reliable tool for AC assignment of natural products.

Time-dependent density functional response theory for electronic chiroptical properties of chiral molecules

Methodology to calculate electronic chiroptical properties from time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is outlined. Applications of TDDFT to computations of electronic circular dichroism, optical rotation, and optical rotatory dispersion are reviewed. Emphasis is put on publications from 2005 to 2010, but much of the older literature is also cited and discussed. The determination of the absolute configuration of chiral molecules by combined measurements and computations is an important application of TDDFT chiroptical methods and discussed in some detail. Raman optical activity (ROA) spectra are obtained from normal-mode derivatives of the optical rotation tensor and other linear response tensors. A few selected (ROA) benchmarks are reviewed.

The prediction of the circular dichroism of the benzene chromophore: TDDFT calculations and sector rules

The CD spectra of the series PhCH(Me)R, with R = Et (1), nPr (2), iPr (3), and tBu (4), are reported (1-3 for the first time) at room temperature in the 185-280 nm range and at 183 K. These purely hydrocarbon compounds represent the simplest chiral systems containing the phenyl chromophore and exhibit Cotton effects exclusively allied with the benzene transitions. The bands in 1La and 1Lb regions were checked against the available sector rules, with discordant outcomes. Time-dependent density-functional theory calculations, with various functionals and basis sets tested, correctly reproduced the prominent CD bands observed for 1-4.