Hydrolytic kinetic resolution of terminal mono- and bis-epoxides in the synthesis of insect pheromones: routes to (−)-( R )- and (+)-( S )-10-methyldodecyl acetate, (−)-( R )-10-methyl-2-tridecanone, (−)-( R )-( Z )-undec-6-en-2-ol (Nostrenol), (−)-(1 R ,7 R )-1,7-dimethylnonyl propanoate, (−)-(6 R ,12 R )-6,12-dimethylpentadecan-2-one, (−)-(2 S ,11 S )-2,11-diacetoxytridecane and (+)-(2 S ,12 S )-2,12-diacetoxytridecane

Saturated Hydroxy Fatty Acids Exhibit a Cell Growth Inhibitory Activity and Suppress the Cytokine-Induced β-Cell Apoptosis

The field of bioactive lipids is ever expanding with discoveries of novel lipid molecules that promote human health. Adopting a lipidomic-assisted approach, two new families of previously unrecognized saturated hydroxy fatty acids (SHFAs), namely, hydroxystearic and hydroxypalmitic acids, consisting of isomers with the hydroxyl group at different positions, were identified in milk. Among the various regio-isomers synthesized, those carrying the hydroxyl at the 7- and 9-positions presented growth inhibitory activities against various human cancer cell lines, including A549, Caco-2, and SF268 cells. In addition, 7- and 9-hydroxystearic acids were able to suppress β-cell apoptosis induced by proinflammatory cytokines, increasing the possibility that they can be beneficial in countering autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes. 7-(R)-Hydroxystearic acid exhibited the highest potency both in cell growth inhibition and in suppressing β-cell death. We propose that such naturally occurring SHFAs may play a role in the promotion and protection of human health.

Hydroxypyridinone-Diamine Hybrids as Potential Neuroprotective Agents in the PC12 Cell-Line Model of Alzheimer's Disease

There is an urgent need to propose effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the origin of the disease is poorly understood, several therapeutic options have been proposed. The new therapeutic approaches targeting biometal-mediated neurodegenerative pathways appear to be interesting ones. As a continuation of our preceding studies, two novel series of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE)/advanced lipid peroxidation endproducts (ALE) inhibitors have been developed as multifunctional scavengers. This extended work allowed us to highlight the new hydroxypyridinone-diamine hybrid IIa-3 bearing a C4 alkyl linker between the two pharmacophores. This derivative exhibited preserved potent capacities to trap reactive carbonyl species (vicinal diamine function) as well as reactive oxygen species and transition metals (hydroxypyridinone moiety) in comparison with previously described lead compound 1. In addition, its good predicted absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties were correlated with a better efficacy to inhibit in vitro methylglyoxal-induced apoptosis in neuronal-like PC12 cells. This new promising agent revealed improved druglikeness and ability to prevent biometal-mediated oxidative and carbonyl stress amplification involved in AD pathogenesis.

Synthesis of (6R,12R)-6,12-Dimethylpentadecan-2-one, the Female-Produced Sex Pheromone from Banded Cucumber Beetle Diabrotica balteata, Based on a Chiron Approach

Herein we describe a synthesis of (6 R,12 R)-6,12-dimethylpentadecan-2-one (5), the female produced sex pheromone of banded cucumber beetle Diabrotica balteata Le Conte, from ( R)-4-methyl-δ-valerolactone, a methyl-branched chiron.

Chiral methyl-branched pheromones

Insect pheromones are some of the most interesting natural products because they are utilized for interspecific communication between various insects, such as beetles, moths, ants, and cockroaches. A large number of compounds of many kinds have been identified as pheromone components, reflecting the diversity of insect species. While this review deals only with chiral methyl-branched pheromones, the chemical structures of more than one hundred non-terpene compounds have been determined by applying excellent analytical techniques. Furthermore, their stereoselective syntheses have been achieved by employing trustworthy chiral sources and ingenious enantioselective reactions. The information has been reviewed here not only to make them available for new research but also to understand the characteristic chemical structures of the chiral pheromones. Since biosynthetic studies are still limited, it might be meaningful to examine whether the structures, particularly the positions and configurations of the branched methyl groups, are correlated with the taxonomy of the pheromone producers and also with the function of the pheromones in communication systems.

Efficiency in nonenzymatic kinetic resolution

The Walden memorial at the Technical University in Riga is pictured in the frontispiece to mark the recent centennial of the Walden inversion. This is a rare public monument to key events from the first era of exploration in stereocontrolled synthesis, and may be the only such monument to use the language of organic chemistry expressed at the molecular level. The reaction of racemic substrates with chiral nucleophiles is one of many methods currently known to achieve kinetic resolution, a phenomenon that ranks as the oldest and most general approach for the synthesis of highly enantioenriched substances. The first nonenzymatic kinetic resolutions as well as the original forms of the Walden inversion were studied in the 1890s. All of these investigations were conducted within the first generation following the demonstration that carbon is tetrahedral, and provided abundant evidence that the principles and importance of enantiocontrolled syntheses were understood. However, a reliable, rapid technique to quantify results and guide the optimization process was still lacking. Many decades passed before this problem was solved by the advent of HPLC and GLPC assays on chiral supports, which stimulated explosive growth in the synthesis of nonracemic substances by kinetic resolution. The Walden monument is accessible to passers-by for hands-on inspection as well as for contemplation and learning. In a similar way, kinetic resolution is experimentally accessible and can be thought-provoking at several levels. We follow the story of kinetic resolution from the early discoveries through fascinating historical milestones and conceptual developments, and close with a focus on modern techniques that maximize efficiency.

Synthesis of (+)-Sch 642305 by a Biomimetic Transannular Michael Reaction

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of (+)-Sch 642305 (1) has been completed in 17 steps in 1.6% overall yield. Transannular Michael reaction of 2b with NaH in THF provided cyclohexenone 23 stereospecifically. Heating 23 in TFA/CDCl(3) provided a 3:1 equilibrium mixture of 23 and 25, which was hydrolyzed to give (+)-6-epi-Sch 642305 (24) and (+)-Sch 642305 (1), respectively.

Synthesis of 2-Amino-8-oxodecanoic Acids (Aodas) Present in Natural Hystone Deacetylase Inhibitors

[reaction: see text] Differently substituted 2-amino-8-oxodecanoic acids (Aodas), present in naturally occurring inhibitors of hystone deacetylase (HDAC), have been prepared using a convergent approach. The configuration in position 2 was derived from enantiomerically pure allylglycine or glutamic acid, whereas the stereochemistry of the substituent in position 9 derived from lactic acid or glyceraldehyde derivatives. Starting from allylglycine, (S)-Aodas, protected at the nitrogen as Boc or Fmoc, were obtained in four steps in about 30% overall yield. These products have been used to prepare a simplified analogue of a natural cyclic tetrapeptide HDAC inhibitor by SPPS.

Improved catalytic activity of homochiral dimeric cobalt-salen complex in hydrolytic kinetic resolution of terminal racemic epoxides

Enantiomerically pure epoxides (99%, ee) and diols (98%, ee) from racemic epichlorohydrin, 1,2-epoxypropane, 1,2-epoxyhexane, 1,2-epoxyoctane, and 1,2-epoxydodecane were obtained in 2-12 h by hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) using the recyclable dimeric homochiral Co(III)-salen complex 1' (0.2 mol %) derived from 5,5-(2',2'-dimethylpropane)-di-[(R,R)-{N-(3-tert-butylsalicylidine)-N'-(3',5'-di-tert-butylsalicylidine)}-1,2-cyclohexanediamine] with cobalt(II) acetate. Unlike its monomeric version, the catalyst could be recycled several times without loss in performance. The use of BF(4) as counter ion in HKR reactions was also investigated.

Insect chemistry and chirality

Examination of the chemistry of a number of Australian insect species provided examples of unusual structures and encouraged determinations of their absolute stereochemistry by stereocontrolled syntheses and chromatographic comparisons. Inter alia, studies with the fruit-spotting bug (Amblypelta nitida), certain parasitic wasps (Biosteres sp.), the aposematic shield bug (Cantao parentum), and various species of scarab grubs are summarized. The determination of enantiomeric excesses (ee's) for component epoxides, lactones, spiroacetals, and allenes are described. Stereochemical and related aspects of the biosynthesis of spiroacetals in certain fruit-fly species (Bactrocerae sp.) are also presented.

Products of cytochrome P450(BioI) (CYP107H1)-catalyzed oxidation of fatty acids

[reaction: see text] Oxidation of tetradecanoic and hexadecanoic acids by cytochrome P450(BioI) (CYP107H1) produces mainly the 11-, 12-, and 13-hydroxy C(14) fatty acids and the 11- to 15-hydroxy C(16) fatty acids, respectively. In contrast to previous reports, terminal hydroxylation is not observed. The enantiospecificity of fatty acid hydroxylation by P450(BioI) was also determined, and the enzyme was shown to be moderately selective for production of the (R)-alcohols.