ALBERT

Notes: (+)-Pisiferic acid (1), an antibiotic active against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, was synthesized starting from dehydroabietic acid (2) or abietic acid (26). The terpene ring system was functionalized and a Barton reaction used to oxidize Me(20). The intermediates of this photochemical reaction were isolated and characterized.

Notes: Oligonucleotides containing 4-aminobenzimidazole 2′-deoxyribofuranoside (1,3-dideaza-2′-deoxyadenosine; c1c3Ad, 1) were synthesized. For this purpose, various NH2-protecting groups were investigated, and the [(9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy]carbonyl group was selected for phosphoramidite protection (→ 4c). Apart from the phosphoramidite 3, the phosphonate 2 was prepared. Compound 1 was incorporated in a homooligonuclectide as well as in oligomers containing naturally occurring nucleosides. The Tm values and the thermodynamic data of various duplexes (11 · 10, 17 · 10, 18 · 10) containing 4-aminobenzimidazole were determined. Although d[(c1c3A)20] (11) does not form a Hoogsteen duplex with d(T20) (10) as observed with d[(c1A)20], it destabilizes the Watson-Crick duplexes to a much smaller extent than it was expected from a bulged loop structure. Apparently, 4-aminobenz-imidazole interacts with regular nucleoside residues within a Watson-Crick duplex structure, most likely by vertical stacking. According to the low basicity of the amino group, only weak H-bonding is expected.

Notes: On the Biosynthesis of γ-Dodecanolactone in Ripening Fruits: Flavor Constituents from Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) and Peaches (Prunus persica)Administration of deuterium-labelled 9,10-expoxy[8,8-2H2]heptadecanoic acid 8a/b and 9,10-dihydroxy-[8,8-2H2]methylheptadecanoate 9 as lower analogues of oleic acid 1 to ripening fruits of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) and peaches (Prunus persica) results in the emission of labelled γ-undecanolactone (5) as the lower analog of γ-dodecanolactone (2). The transformation proceeds with loss of a single D-atom from C(8) of the precursors. Early precursors, like the C17-epoxy-acids 8a/b yield (4R)-γ-undecanolactone (5) of high enantiomeric purity, while later intermediates results in (4R)-γ-undecanolactone (5) of low purity. The data support a biosynthetic sequence involving the consecutive action of an epoxide hydrolase and β-oxidation to generate the correct chain length of the lactone percursor. The final steps proceed via cyclization of the 3,4-dihydroxyundecanoic acid 13 to the 3-hydroxy-γ-undecanolactone 14. Elimination of H2O and reduction of the intermediate γ-undec-2-enolactone 15 terminate the biosynthesis of 5. The sequence is representative for the biosynthesis of naturally occurring γ-dodecanolactone (2).

Notes: Derivatives of fully cross-conjugated tetraethynylethene (3,4-diethynylhex-3-ene-1,5-diyne) 1 are versatile precursors to multinanometer-sized molecular rods with all-C-backbones. Oxidative polymerization (CuCl, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenthylenediamine (TMEDA), O2) of the trans-bis-deprotected trans-bis(triisopropylsilyl)-protected tetraethynylethene 2 yielded, after end-capping with phenylacetylene, the remarkably stable, soluble oligomers 3-7 with a persilylethynylated poly(triacetylene) (PTA) backbone [—(C≡C—CR=CR—C≡C)n—] and a length of 19.4 (3), 26.8 (4), 34.3 (5), 41.8 (6), and 49.2 (7) Å (Scheme 1). These compounds underwent facile one-electron reductions with the number of reversible reduction steps being equal to the number of tetraethynylethene moieties in each molecular rod. Oxidative Eglinton-Glaser homo-coupling of tetraethynylethenes 8-10 with a single free ethynyl group provided the fully silyl-protected 3,4,9,10-tetraethynyl-substituted dodeca-3,9-diene-1,5,7,11-tetraynes 11-13 (Scheme 2) and, after alkyne deprotection, the novel hydrocarbon 14, a C20H6 isomer, and its partially silyl-protected derivative 15. Oxidative hetero-coupling between two different tetraethynylethene derivatives, one with a single and the other with two free terminal ethynyl groups, yielded the extended chromophores 16-21 composed of 3 or 4 tetraethynylethene moieties (Scheme 3). The linearly conjugated oligomers 16 and 17 with the PTA backbone are isomeric to 19 and 20, respectively, which are members of the cross-conjugated expanded dendralenes, i.e., dendralenes with butadiynediyl fragments inserted between each pair of double bonds [—(C≡C—C(=CR2)—C≡C)n—]. The electronic absorption spectra of these compounds were compared and analyzed in terms of the competition between linear and cross-conjugation in determining the extent of π-electron delocalization. Although steric factors on π-electron conjugation remain to be clarified, this analysis strongly suggests that cross-conjugation is not an efficient mechanism for π-electron delocalization. All extended acetylenic-olefinic chromophores considered in this study exhibited remarkably high stability and did not decompose when exposed to laboratory air and light for months. In agreement with this observation, electrochemical studies demonstrated that the compounds are difficult to oxidize with the oxidation potentials in THF (0.1M(Bu4N)PF6) being higher than 1.0 V (vs. the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple).

Notes: Optically Active 3-Amino-2H-azirines as Synthons for Enantiomerically Pure αα-Disubstituted α-Amino Acids: Synthesis of the α-Methylphenylalanine Synthons and Some Model PeptidesThe synthesis of a novel 2-benzyl-2-methyl-3-amino-2H-azirine derivative with a chiral amino group is described. Chromatographic separation of the diastereoisomer mixture yielded the pure diastereoisomers 9a and 9b (Scheme 4) which are the D- and L-2-methylphenylalanine ((α-Me)Phe) synthons, respectively. The reaction of 9a and 9b with thiobenzoic acid and with Z-leucine yielded the monothiodiamides 10a and 10b (Scheme 5) and the dipeptide derivatives 11a and 11b (Scheme 6), respectively. Methanolysis of 11b yielded 12b. The absolute configuration of 10a was established by X-ray crystallography. The absolute configuration of (α-Me)Phe in 12b has been deduced from the known configuration of L-leucine.

Notes: Upon heating in AcOH, the stereoisomeric (Z)- and (R)-6,9-dioxocyclodex-3-enyl derivatives, 5 and 6, respectively, obtained by HgO/I2 oxidation of 5-hydroxy-8-oxo-8,14-seco-5α-androstane-3β,17β-diyl diacetate (3), undergo an unusual intramolecular rearrangement to give the corresponding unsaturated (5R,9R)- and (5R,9S)-spiro-lactones 7 and 8, respectively. Hydroxylation of the C=C bond in 7 and 8, and subsequent glycol cleavage of the resulting diols 9 and 10 afforded the epimeric spiro-lactones (5R,9S)-11 and (5R,9R)-14, respectively, and in both cases, the ring-D-containing fragments 12 and 13.

Notes: The N′-(glycofuranosylidene)toluene-4-sulfonohydrazides 5 and 10 (Scheme 1) were prepared in good yields by oxidation (1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin/Et3N) of the N′-glycosyltoluene-4-sulfonohydrazides 4 and 9, which were obtained from 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-D-ribose (3) and 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-D-arabinose (8), respectively, and toluene-4-sulfonohydrazide. The analogous naphthalene-2-sulfonohydrazides 7 and 12 were similarly prepared from 3 and 8 via 6 and 11. Photolysis in the presence of phenol of the sodium salt 15 (Scheme 2), best generated in situ, yielded the anomeric glycosides 16, some 5, and traces of the glycosides (1R)/(1S)-17. Photolysis of 15 in THF gave the sulfones α-D/β-D-18. Photolysis of 15 (quartz filter) and dimethyl fumarate led to a single cyclopropane 19, the sulfones α-D/β-D-18, and the N-(ribofuranosyl)-N′-(ribofuranosylidene)toluene-4-sulfonohydrazide 20. Similarly, N-phenylmaleimide afforded the cyclopropanes 21 and 22. Photolysis of the sodium salt of 10 and phenol afforded the anomeric glycosides α-D/β-D-23, the C-glycoside 24, and the sulfone 25. Photolytic glycosidation of 15 with N6-benzyladenine gave the two nucleosides 26 and 27 (Scheme 3).

Notes: First Example of an H-Shift in ‘Thiocarbonyl Aminides’ (N-(Alkylidenesulfonio)aminides)Reaction of benzyl azide (15a) with the sterically hindered C=S group of 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thiones 14 (Scheme 3) and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylindane-2-thione (17, Scheme 4) at 80° leads to the corresponding imines in high yield, without formation of any by-product. In contrast, 15a and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-thioxocyclobutanone (7) under the same conditions yielded, in addition to imine 19, products 20a and 21 (Scheme 5). For the formation of 20a, a reaction mechanism via [1,4]-H shift in the intermediate ‘thiocarbonyl aminides’ 23 is proposed (Scheme 6). Product 21 as well as the dithiazole derivative 22, which is formed only in the reaction with 4-nitrobenzyl azide (15c), are formal adducts of the dipole 23. Whereas precedents are known for the formation of cycloadducts of type 22, the pathway to 21 is not known. Two possible mechanisms of its formation are proposed in Schemes 8 and 9.

Notes: Synthetic attempts towards fully conjugated polymers 9 with pentafulvene-diyl structural units are described. Cationic polymerization of pentafulvenes 1a (R = X = Me) and 1b (R = X = MeS) nearly quantitatively gives polymers 8a and 8b with typical Mn and Mw values of 38800 and 53750, respectively, for 8a, and 12000 and 35900, respectively, for 8b. Key step of the conversion 8a → 9a (Scheme 6) is a quantitative bromination 8a → 32a, the structure of 32a being confirmed by analytical data as well as by spectroscopic comparison with model compound 23. Best results in view of two-fold the HBr elimination 32a → 9a are obtained with Et3N, but so far elimination has not been complete. Synthetic sequences are optimized with model compound 21 (Scheme 4). Here again, bromination 21 → 23 is quantitative, while two-fold HBr elimination 23 → 22 with Et3N proceeds in 51% yield. Dibromide 23 easily undergoes HBr elimination followed by a Br shift to give bromide 29. Contrary to cationic polymerization, anionic polymerization of simple pentafulvenes 1 to 2 (which would be attractive in view of the conjugated polymers 3) is not successful: For pentafulvene 1b (R = X = MeS), the main reaction is Diels-Alder-type dimerization 1b → 15b (Scheme 2), even under anionic conditions.

Notes: Copper(II)-Chloride Catalyzed ‘Carbene Dimerization’ of 1-Halogeno-1-lithiocyclopropanes: A Simple Access to Bi(cyclopropylidenes)A series of 13 bi(cyclopropylidenes) 11 are prepared in a simple one-pot reaction by halogeno-lithio exchange between 1,1-dibromocyclopropanes 1a-n and BuLi, in most cases at -95°, to give 1-bromo-1-lithiocyclopropanes 2a-n, followed by treatment with CuCl2 at low temperature and a simple workup at room temperature (Scheme 3c and Table 1). The yields of bi(cyclopropylidenes) 11 strongly depend on reaction parameters, as explicitly shown for the conversion 1f →→ 11f (Tables 2-8). Mixed couplings between two different carbenoids are possible (Scheme 4), while diastereoselectivity of the active transition-metal complex seems to be low. The structures of bi(cyclopropylidenes) 11 are confirmed by spectroscopic data as well as by X-ray analysis of an isolated crystalline diastereoisomer of 11k (Fig. 1).

Notes: Several compounds, structurally related to the insect-growth regulator Fenoxycarb (1), were designed and synthesized. These compounds were tested as growth inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi cells (epimastigotes). Compounds 6, 16, 18, and 22 were very active against T. cruzi making them promising good candidates either for blood-bank sterilization of Chagas'-disease surveillance, while compounds 11, 12, 13, and 19 showed a moderate degree of activity.

Notes: The reactions of azetidin-3-ones 6-10, readily available from the amino acids L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-valine, L-lysine, and L-aspartic acid, via the corresponding diazo ketones, with nucleophilic reagents such as complex hydrides, Grignard compounds, an ester enolate, and a Wittig ylide give the expected products 11-19 in good yields and mostly in high diastereoselectivities. New amino-alcohol, γ-amino- and γ-amino-β-hydroxy-carboxylic-acid derivatives of known configurations are thus available.

Notes: Irradiation (λ 〉 390 nm) of 2H-1-benzothiopyran-2-one (1) in the solid state affords selectively 6aα,6bα,12bα,12cα -tetrahydrocyclobuta[1,2-c:4,3-c′]bis[1]benzothiopyran -6,7-dione (2), the head-to-head (HH) cis-cisoid-cis-dimer, while irradiation of 1 in the solid state using shorter wavelengths (λ 〉 340 nm) affords a mixture of all four cis-fused tricyclic dimers 2-5. These results represent a novel wavelength effect in solid-state photochemistry.

Notes: The synthesis of 7-chloro-, 7-bromo-, and 7-iodo-substituted 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine derivatives 2b-d is described. The regioselective 7-halogenation with N-halogenosuccinimides was accomplished using 7-[2-deoxy-3,5-O-di(2-methylpropanoyl)-β-D-erythro- pentofuranosyl]-2-(formylamino)-4-methoxy-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]- pyrimidine (4) as the common precursor. A one-pot reaction (2N aq. NaOH) of the halogenated intermediates 5a-c furnished the desired compounds. Also the 7-hexynyl derivative 2e of 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine is described.

Notes: The 5-methyl(15N2)[O2,O4-17O2]uridine (= (15N2)[O2,O4-17O 2]ribosylthymine; 15) was synthesized and analyzed by 15N- and 17O-NMR spectroscopy. (15N2)Urea was condensed with 2,3-dibromo-2-methylpropanoyl chloride (3) and cyclized to form (15N2)thymine (5). After glycosidation, the 17O isotopes were introduced in two separate steps: hydrolytic ring opening of 2,5′-anhydro derivative 9 and hydrolysis of 3-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole derivative 12 with labelled water in the presence of a strong base. The 15N- and 17O-NMR spectra (Fig.) of 15 in phosphate-buffered water serve as references for heteronuclear NMR spectra of labelled RNA fragments.

Notes: Hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition of acylnitroso dienophile 4 with the N-(butadienyl)pyrrolidinone derivatives 2a, b led with complete regioselectivity to the oxazine adducts 5a, b (Scheme 1). Sequential osmylation, protection of the ensuing glycol, and reduction of the N—O bond gave the expected hemiaminals 11a, b which were characterized by their crystalline sulfite adducts 12a, b (Schemes 1 and 2). Deprotection and saponification of the latter led to aminodeoxyerythrose and to aminodeoxyribose derivatives as an equilibrium of pyrrolidinose equivalents, i.e., hemiaminals 14a, b, imines 14′a, b, and dimers 14″a,b, respectively (Scheme 3). Hydrocyanic acid addition to 11a, b led ultimately to the proline derivatives 16a, b (Scheme 2). Compound 11b proved to be an inhibitor of syncytium formation in AIDS-infected cells.

Notes: The thermal properties of two ferrocene derivatives, substituted by either one or two cholesteryloxycarbonyl units, were investigated. While the monosubstituted ferrocene derivative 1 was found to be non-mesomorphic, the disubstituted ferrocene derivative 2 exhibited a crystal smectic-B phase. This result shows that ferrocene-containing thermotropic liquid crystals, despite the bulkiness of the metallocene core, are not limited to disordered calamitic phases.

Notes: NaSMe in toluene leads to regioselective de-C-silylation of the bis[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]saccharide 2, but to decomposition of butadiynes such as 1 or 12. We have, therefore, combined the known reagent-controlled, regioselective desilylation of 2 and of 12 (AgNO2/KCN) with a substrate-controlled regioselective de-C-silylation, based on C-silyl groups of different size. This combination was studied with the fully protected 3 which was mono-desilylated to 4 or to 5 (Scheme 1). Triethylsilylation of 5 (→ 6) was followed by removal of the Me3Si group (→ 7), introduction of a (t-Bu)Me2Si group (→ 8) and removal of the Et3Si group yielded 9; these high-yielding transformations proceed with a high degree of selectivity. Iodination of 4 gave 10. The latter was coupled with 5 to the homodimer 11 and the heterodimer 12, which was desilylated to 13. The second building block for the tetramer was obtained by coupling 14 (from 7) with 5, leading to 15 and 16. Removal of the Me3Si group (→ 17) and iodination led to 18 which was coupled with 13 to the homotetramer 20 and the heterotetramer 19 (Scheme 2). Deprotection of 19 gave 21, which was, on the one hand, iodinated to 22, and, on the other hand, protected by the (t-Bu)Me2Si group (→ 23). Removal of the Et3Si group (→ 24) and coupling afforded the homooctamer 26 and the heterooctamer 25. Yields of iodination, silylation, and desilylation were consistently high, while heterocoupling proceeded in only 50-55%. Cleavage of the (i-Pr)3SiC and MeOCH2O groups of 11 (→ 27), 15 (→ 28), 20 (→ 29) and 26 (→ 30) proceeded in high yields (Scheme 3). Complete deprotection in two steps of the heterocoupling products 16 (→ 31 → 32), 19 (→ 33 → 34), and 25 (→ 35 → 36) gave the unprotected dimer 32, tetramer 34, and octamer 36 in high yields (Scheme 4). Only the dimer 32 is soluble in H2O; the 1H-NMR spectra of 32, 34, and 36 in (D6)DMSO (relatively low concentration) show no signs of association.

Notes: A two-step synthesis of 4-methylcolchicine (13), starting from colchicine (2), has been developed (Scheme 5). In three steps, 4-ethylcolchicine (28) is also accessible from 2 (Scheme 8). Colchicine (2) and its derivatives 13 and 28 have been transformed into the benzo[a]heptalene derivatives 9, 18, and 34, respectively, by Hofmann degradation of the corresponding deacetylcolchiceine 3, 19, and 29, respectively, followed by methylation of the two O-functions first with diazomethane and then with trimethoxonium tetrafluoroborate (Scheme 2 and 6). The thus formed tropylium salts gave, on deprotonation with Me3N in CHCl3, the expected pentamethoxybenzo[a]heptalenes 9, 18, and 34, respectively. X-Ray crystal-structure analysis of 9 (Fig.3) and 18 (Fig. 7), determination of the vicinal coupling constants of the H-atoms at the heptalene skeleton as well as the measurement of the racemization rate of the new benzo[a]heptalenes revealed a marked influence of the substituent at C(4) on the degree of twisting of the heptalene skeleton. The absolute configuration of the resolved heptalenes was deduced from their long-wavelength CD maxima around 350 nm. The heptalenes with a negative maximum in this range possess (7aP)-configuration.

Notes: The Reaction of 1-Halogeno-1-lithiocyclopropanes with CuCl2: Competition between ‘Carbene Dimerization’ and Oxidative CouplingThe 1-chloro-1-lithiocyclopropanes 2a-d react at low temperature with CuCl2 to give diastereoisomeric mixtures of oxidative-coupling products 5a-d and of ‘carbene dimers’ 6a-d. The relative amount of 5a-d increases with CuCl2 concentration and reaction time. Diastereoselectivity of the reaction seems to be low, and separation as well as spectroscopic structure assignment of single diastereoselectivity of the reaction seems to be low, and separation as well as spectroscopic structure assignment of single diastereoisomers are difficult. The conformational behavior of 1,1′-dichloro-1,1′-bi(cyclopropyls) 5c and 5d is discussed. Contrary to 2a-d, 1-bromo-1-lithiocyclopropanes normally react with CuCl2 to give ‘carbene dimers’ 6 and no coupling products 5. So far the only exception is 1-bromo-1-lithio-2-phenylcyclopropane 2e which in the presence of CuCl2 gives some percents of coupling products 5e besides carbene dimers 6b as main products. An X-ray structure analysis of the predominant diastereoisomer 5e was performed.

Notes: In contrast to organic reactions, which can almost always be described in terms of a single multiplicity, in organometallic systems, quite often more than one state may be involved. The phenomenon of two states of different multiplicities that determine the minimum-energy pathway of a reaction is classified as two-state reactivity (TSR). As an example, the ion/molecule reactions of ‘bare’ transition-metal-monoxide cations with dihydrogen and hydrocarbons have been analyzed in terms of the corresponding potential-energy hypersurfaces. It turns out that, besides classical factors, such as the barrier heights, the spin-orbit coupling factor is essential, since curve crossing between the high- and low-spin states constitutes a distinct mechanistic step along the reaction coordinates. Thus, TSR may evolve as a new paradigm for describing the chemistry of coordinatively unsaturated transition-metal complexes. This concept may contribute to the understanding of organometallic chemistry in general and for the development of oxidation catalysts in particular.

Notes: Funicolides A-C (1-3), D (5), and E (7) and 7-epifunicolide A (4), new 5,8(17)-diunsaturated briarane diterpenes, as well as the known analogue brianthein W (6), were isolated from the pennatulacean coral Funiculina quadrangularis (PALLAS, 1766) collected in the Tuscan archipelago. Easy degradation under oxidative and/or basic conditions served to assign the ester groups at C(2) or C(14), while revealing bis-allylic reactivity at C(7) with formation of 16-nortaxane derivatives.

Notes: 4-Amino-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones from Boron Trifluoride Catalyzed Reactions of 3-Amino-2H-azirines with Carboxylic Acid DerivativesReaction of 3-amino-2H-azirines 1 with ethyl 2-nitroacetate (6a) in refluxing MeCN affords 4-amino-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones 7 and 3,6-diamino-2,5-dihydropyrazines 8, the dimerization product of 1 (Scheme 2). Thus, 6a reacts with 1 as a CH-acidic compound by C—C bond formation via C-nucleophilic attack of deprotonated 6a onto the amidinium-C-atom of protonated 1 (Scheme 5). The scope of this reaction seems to be rather limited as 1 and 2-substituted 2-nitroacetates do not give any products besides the azirine dimer 8 (see Table 1). Sodium enolates of carboxylic esters and carboxamides 11 react with 1 under BF3 catalysis to give 4-amino-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones 12 in 50-80% yield (Scheme 3, Table 2). In an analogous reaction, 3-amino-2H-pyrrole 13 is formed from 1c and the Li-enolate of acetophenone (Scheme 4). A reaction mechanism for the ring enlargement of 1 involving BF3 catalysis is proposed in Scheme 6.

Notes: In connection with the proposed structure of a trans-membrane cellular ion channel consisting of a complex between poly[(R)-3-hydroxy butanoate] (P(3-HB)) and calcium polyphosphate, CaPPi (ca. 150 units each), which is supposed to contain s-cis-bonds or even more highly strained ester conformations, we have prepared and studied the properties of the cyclic dimer of 3-HB, the diolide 1. All possible forms of 1, the rac-, the meso-, and the enantiomerically pure (R,R)- and (S,S)-compounds were prepared, purified, and characterized. The synthesis (Scheme 1) started from dimethyl succinate with the key step being the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the rac- and meso-2,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,4-diones 5. The rac-diolide 1 was resolved by preparative chromatography on a Chiralcel OD column (Fig.1). The crystal structures of rac- 1 (Fig.3) and of meso- 1 (Fig.5) were determined by X-ray diffraction: the diolides 1 contain s-cis-ester bonds and an ester group with a conformation half way to the transition state of rotation (Fig.2). Strain energies for the diolides 1 of up to 17.8 kcal/mol are suggested. Accordingly, these compounds show reactivities similar to those of carboxylic-acid anhydrides or even acid chlorides. They cannot be chromatographed on silica gel, and they react with primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols, and with amines to form derivatives of open chain 3-HB ‘dimers’, hydroxy acids 6, esters 7, and amides 8 (Scheme 2). The rate of acid-catalyzed ring opening of the diolides 1 with alcohols has been measured (Fig.6 and 7). From the results described, we conclude that it is unlikely for strained and reactive ester conformations to occur as part of ion channels through phospholipid bilayers of cells.

Notes: An efficient combination of electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), spectrophotometric and 1H-NMR titrations in solution is used to characterize the assembly of the segmental ligand 2-{6-[1-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]pyridin-2-yl}-1, 1′-dimethyl-5,5′-methylene-2′-(5-methylpyridin-2-yl)bis[1H- benzimidazole] (L2) with ZnII and 4f metal ions, LnIII. Ligand L2 reacts with Zn(ClO4)2 in MeCN to give successively [Zn(L2)2]2+, where the metal ion is coordinated by the tridentate binding units of the ligands, and the double-helical head-to-head complex [Zn2(L2)2]4+. When L2 reacts with Ln(ClO4)3 (Ln = La, Eu, Lu), LaIII only leads to a well-defined cylindrical C1-symmetrical homodinuclear head-to-tail complex [La2(L2)3]6+ in solution, while chemical-exchange processes prevent the 1H-NMR characterization of [Eu2(L2)3]6+, and LuIII gives complicated mixtures of complexes. However, stoichiometric amounts of LnIII (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Y, Lu), ZnII, and L2 in a 1:1:3 ratio lead to the selective formation of the C3-symmetrical heterodinuclear complexes [LnZn(L2)3]5+ under thermodynamic control. Detailed NOE studies show that the ligands are wrapped about the C3 axis defined by the metal ions, and the separation of dipolar and contact contributions to the 1H-NMR paramagnetic shifts of the axial complexes [LnZn(L2)3]5+ (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) in MeCN establishes that ZnII occupies the pseudo-octahedral capping coordination site defined by the three bidentate binding units, while LnIII lies in the resulting ‘facial’ pseudo-tricapped trigonal prismatic site produced by the three remaining tridentate units. Photophysical measurements show that [LnZn(L2)3]5+ (Ln = Eu, Tb) are only weakly luminescent because of quenching processes associated with the C3-cylindrical structure of the complexes. The use of 3d metal ions to control and design isomerically pure ‘facial’ tricapped trigonal prismatic lanthanide building blocks is discussed together with the calculation of a new nephelauxetic parameter associated with heterocyclic N-atoms coordinated to LnIII.

Notes: Reaction of the tartrate-derived diol (R,R)-α,α,α′,α′-tetraphenyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dimethanol (TADDOL) with chlorodiphenylphosphane gives a new bis(diphenylphosphanyl) ligand (TADDOP). The complex 4 formed with PdCl2 has been crystallized and its structure determined by X-ray diffraction (Fig.1). The complex is used for Pd-catalyzed enantioselective 1,3-diphenylallylations of various nucleophiles which give products with enantiomer ratios of up to 88:12 (Scheme 2). Crystallization procedures lead to the enantiomerically pure (〉 99:1) product 11 derived from dimethyl malonate. The structure of the TADDOP complex 4 is compared with those of other transition-metal complexes containing chelating bis(diphenylphosphanyl) ligands (Fig.2). A crystallographic data base search reveals that the structures of transition-metal complexes containing two Ph2P groups (superpositions in Fig.3) fall into one of two categories: one with approximate C2 symmetry and the other with C1 symmetry (20 and 19 examples, resp.). A mechanistic model is proposed which correlates the conformational chirality (δ or λ) of the four Ph groups' arrangement in such complexes with the topicity of nucleophile approach on Pd-bound trans,trans-1,3-diphenylallyl groups (Scheme 3 and Table).

Notes: The regioselectivity of multiple cyclopropanations of C70 with 2-bromopropanedioates in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as base (Bingel reaction) was investigated in a systematic study. Bisadduct formation occurred preferentially at the 6—6 bonds formed by the most pyramidalized sp2-C-atoms at the two opposite poles of the fullerene and, in the reaction with achiral bis[(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl]2-bromopropanedioate (13a), yielded three constitutionally isomeric bis(methano)fullerenes (Scheme 2). Two of them, C2-symmetrical (±)-1 and (±)-2, are chiral; a fact which had not been considered in previous investigations. Formation of the third, C2v-symmetrical isomer 3 was observed for the first time. Configurational descriptions for fullerene derivatives which possess a chiral chromophore as a result of specific functionalization patterns are proposed. Cyclopropanations of C70 with optically active bis[(S)-1-phenylbutyl] 2-bromopropanedioate (13b) yielded five optically active, C2-symmetrical bis-adducts 7-11 which could be separated by preparative HPLC and fully characterized (Scheme 3, Fig.4). Compounds 7/8 and 9/10 represent two constitutionally isomeric pairs of diastereoisomers, and their circular dichroism (CD) spectra show pronounced Cotton effects mainly due to strong chiroptical contributions from the chirally functionalized fullerene chromophores (Fig.7). Since the addition patterns on the fullerene surface in each pair of diastereoisomers have an enantiomeric relationship, their CD spectra closely resemble those expected for two enantiomers. In the third constitutional isomer 11, the addition pattern on the fullerene surface is C2v-symmetrical, and optical activity only results from the chiral addends. Its CD spectrum shows weak Cotton effects mainly from induced circular dichroism originating from the perturbation of the achiral fullerene chromophore by the attached chiral addends. Addition of diethyl 2-bromopropanedioate (2 equiv.) to the C2-symmetrical racemic bis-adduct (±)-2 yielded a mixture of tris-adducts and one major, C2-symmetrical tetrakis-adduct (±)-4 which was isolated in pure form (Scheme 4). Starting from the achiral C2v-symmetrical bis-adduct 3, one single Cs-symmetrical tris-(5) and one C2v-symmetrical tetrakis-adduct (6) were obtained as major products which were isolated and fully characterized (Scheme 5). The regioselectivity for introduction of a second addend in the same hemisphere of C70 is high and resembles the preferred pattern of bis-addition seen in the functionalization of C60.

Notes: It is shown that strains of the marine ciliate Euplotes raikovi are subtly variable in their production of secondary metabolites. Strains GA8 and 39W from Mediterranean and SB8 from Californian coasts produce the sesquiterpenoid epiraikovenal (3), while strains GA8 and SB8 also produce secoepiraikovenal (4), which play an instrumental niche-exploitation role and have also taxonomic significance. Comparison of 3 and 4 with raikovenal (2) and its putative biogenetic precursor 1, which have similar roles in the conspecific strain Morl from Casablanca coast in the Atlantic Ocean, inspired us the first case of intramolecular tele-dienone-olefin [2+2] photocycloaddition, exemplified here by the transformation of 1 into ent-3. This served also to unequivocally clarify the stereochemical relationship between 3 and 2.

Notes: The 5′-amino-5′-deoxy-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine (4) was obtained in pure form from 2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine (1), without isolation of intermediates 2 and 3. The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl group was used for protection of the NH2 functions of 4 (→7). The selective introduction of the palmitoyl (= hexadecanoyl) group into the 5′-N-position of 4 was achieved by its treatment with palmitoyl chloride in MeCN in the presence of Et3N (→5). The 3′-O-silyl derivatives 11 and 14 were isolated by column chromatography after treatment of the 2′,3′-O-deprotected compounds 8 and 9, respectively, with (tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl chloride and 1H-imidazole in pyridine. The corresponding phosphoramidites 16 and 17 were synthesized from nucleosides 11 and 14, respectively, and (cyanoethoxy)bis(diisopropylamino)phosphane in CH2Cl2. The trimeric (2′-5′)-linked adenylates 25 and 26 having the 5′-amino-5′-deoxyadenosine and 5′-deoxy-5′-(palmitoylamino)adenosine residue, respectively, at the 5′-end were prepared by the phosphoramidite method. Similarly, the corresponding 5′-amino derivatives 27 and 28 carrying the 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]adenine residue at the 2′-terminus, were obtained. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by physical means. The synthesized trimers 25-28 were 3-, 15-, 25-, and 34-fold, respectively, more stable towards phosphodiesterase from Crotalus durissus than the trimer (2′-5′)ApApA.

Notes: The 1′,2′-unsaturated 2′,3′-secoadenosine and 2′,3′-secouridine analogues were synthesized by the regioselective elimination of the corresponding 2′,3′-ditosylates, 2 and 18, respectively, under basic conditions. The observed regioselectivity may be explained by the higher acidity and, hence, preferential elimination of the anomeric H-C(1′) in comparison to H—C(4′). The retained (tol-4-yl)sulfonyloxy group at C(3′) of 3 allowed the preparation of the 3′-azido, 3′-chloro, and 3′-hydroxy derivatives 5-7 by nucleophilic substitution. ZnBr2 in dry CH2Cl2 was found to be successful in the removal (85%) of the trityl group without any cleavage of the acid-sensitive, ketene-derived N,O-ketal function. In the uridine series, base-promoted regioselective elimination (→19), nucleophilic displacement of the tosyl group by azide (→20), and debenzylation of the protected N(3)-imide function gave 1′,2′-unsaturated 5′-O-trityl-3′-azido-secouridine derivative 21. The same compound was also obtained by the elimination performed on 2,2′-anhydro-3′-azido-3′-azido-3′-deoxy-5′-O-2′,3′-secouridine (22) that reacted with KO(t-Bu) under opening of the oxazole ring and double-bond formation at C(1′).

Notes: An eight-step synthetic sequence led from the known D-xylo-pentodialdose 8 to imidazo-L-xylo-piperidinose 15, the key steps being the build-up of imidazole compound 12 by a van Leusen methodology and the intramolecular SN2 ring closure of the O-triflated benzylidene derivative 13. xylo-Piperidinose 15 appears in a half-chair conformation like the oxocarbonium ions which are the postulated intermediates in the glycoprocessing of the pyranose polysaccharides. This bicyclic azasugar should be a glycosidase inhibitor.

Notes: In 10 steps, 3′,4′-diethynyl-2′,3′,5′-trideoxy-5′-noruridine (14) was synthesized in 5% overall yield from commercial uridine, using conventional methods of nucleoside chemistry. As two functional groups capable to react with each other are present in the same molecule, the synthetic compound is able to form polymers, similar to the polynucleotides, by an acetylene coupling reaction.

Notes: The synthesis of spiropyrans 11 and 12 and spirooxazines 13-17 containing a thiophene moiety is described. Two different synthetic approaches were used. The spectrokinetic properties of these new compounds are reported.

Notes: A conformational analysis of the (3′S,5′R)-2′-deoxy-3′,5′-ethano-α-D-ribonucleosides (a-D-bicyclodeoxynucleosides) based on the X-ray analysis of N4-benzoyl-α-D-(bicyclodeoxycytidine) 6 and on 1H-NMR analysis of the α-D-bicyclodeoxynucleoside derivatives 1-7 reveals a rigid sugar structure with the furanose units in the l′-exo/2′-endo conformation and the secondary OH groups on the carbocyclic ring in the pseudoequatorial orientation. Oligonucleotides consisting of α-D-bicyclothymidine and α-D-bicyclodeoxyadenosine were successfully synthesized from the corresponding nucleosides by phosphoramidite methodology on a DNA synthesizer. An evaluation of their pairing properties with complementary natural RNA and DNA by means of UV/melting curves and CD spectroscopy show the following characteristics: i) α-bcd(A10) and α-bcd(T10) (α = short form of α-D)efficiently form complexes with complementary natural DNA and RNA. The stability of these hybrids is comparable or slightly lower as those with natural β-d(A10) or β-d(T10)( β = short form ofβ-D). ii) The strand orientation in α-bicyclo-DNA/β-DNA duplexes is parallel as was deduced from UV/melting curves of decamers with nonsymmetric base sequences. iii) CD Spectroscopy shows significant structural differences between α-bicyclo-DNA/β-DNA duplexes compared to α-DNA/β-DNA duplexes. Furthermore, α-bicyclo-DNA is ca. 100-fold more resistant to the enzyme snake-venom phosphodiesterase with respect to β-DNA and about equally resistant as α-DNA.

Notes: On the way to the fullerene-acetylene hybrid carbon allotropes 2 and 6, the oxidative homocoupling of the 2-functionalized 1-ethynylated C60 derivatives 11, 12, 14, and 15 was investigated. Under Glaser-Hay conditions, the two soluble dumbbell-shaped bisfullerenes 17 and 18, with two C60 moieties linked by a buta-1,3-diynediyl bridge, were formed in 52 and 82% yield, respectively (Scheme 2). Cyclic-voltammetric measurements revealed that there is no significant electronic communication between the two fullerene spheres via the buta-1,3-diynediyl linker. Removal of the 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl (Thp) protecting groups in 18 gave in 80% yield the highly insoluble dumbbell 19 with methanol groups in the 2,2′-positions of the buta-1,3-diynediyl-bridged carbon spheres. Attempted conversion of 19 to the all-carbon dianion 6 (C1242-) via base-induced elimination of formaldehyde was not successful presumably due to exo-dig cyclization of the formed alkoxides. The occurrence of this cyclization under furan formation was proven for 2-[4-(trimethylsilyl)buta-1,3-diyn-1-yl][60]fullerene-1-methanol (21), a soluble model compound for 19 (Scheme 3). To compare the properties of ethynylated fullerene mono-adducts to those of corresponding higher adducts, hexakis-adducts 26 and 28 with an octahedral functionalization pattern resulting from all-e (equatorial) additions were prepared by the reversible-template method of Hirsch (Scheme 4). Reaction of the ethynylated mono-adducts 25 or 13 with diethyl 2-bromomalonate/1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in the presence of 1,9-dimethylanthracene (DMA) as reversible template led to 26 and 28 in 28 and 22% yield, respectively. Preliminary experiments indicated a significant change in reactivity and NMR spectral properties of the fullerene addends with increasing degree of functionalization.

Notes: Supports consisting of a thin layer (2-10%) of polystyrene (PS) grafted onto a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) core are an interesting alternative to controlled pore glass (CPG) carriers in oligonucleotide synthesis. The beads are mechanically stable, do not show significant swelling, and allow effective removal of substrates by short washing steps with organic solvents. PTFE-PS as an organic polymer has generally more hydrophobic properties than inorganic polymer supports and, therefore, is well compatible with organic solvents such as anhydrous MeCN. We found PTFE with a content of 2-3% PS graft to be a very good support for the synthesis of oligonucleotides of extended length. In comparison, PTFE with 5-10% grafted PS is especially useful for large-scale syntheses. Functionalization procedures minimized in the extent of side reactions are described as well as examples for the use of the supports in syntheses of oligonucleotides both on large scale and of extended chain length.

Notes: Reaction of ‘Push-Pull’ Enynes with Acids. First Observation of a Rearrangement of 5-Chloro-5-(dialkylamino)pentadienals‘Push-pull’-enynes 7 react easily with HCl as well as with AcOH to give 5-amino-5-chloropentadienals 8 and 5-(acetoxy)-5-aminopentadienals 13 as well as the corresponding ketones. In view of a postulated rearrangement of compounds 8 and 13 (Scheme 2), both types of compounds have been treated with traces of acid. While no definite reaction is observed in case of 13, HCl-addition products 8 easily and quantitatively rearrange to give 2H-pyran-2-iminium chlorides 10 which are the postulated intermediates of the rearrangement 8→12 (Scheme 2).

Notes: The self-assembly of alkaline folates in isotropic water solutions, with or without added salts, has been investigated by small-angle neutron-scattering, circular-dichroism, and NMR techniques. The assembled species are chiral, cylindrical aggregates of finite length, composed of stacked tetramers; each tetramer is formed by Hoogsteen-bonded folate residues. The assembly process is more efficient in the presence of an excess of NaI ions, leading to longer aggregates with stronger tetramer-tetramer-tetramer interaction. In pure water, the rods are shorter and the tetramer-tetramer interaction weaker. Association between folates can be detected by circular-dichroism spectroscopy starting from a concentration of 6· 10-4 mol l-1, well below the critical concentration for the formation of the cholesteric mesophase (ca. 0.5 mol l-1).

Notes: Bromination of the monosilylated dialkynylated monomer 1a (Scheme 1), dimer 3 and tetramer 5 by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of CF3COOAg gave 2, 4, and 6, respectively, in over 93%. Similar conditions led to bromodesilylation. Either silyl group of the diprotected monomer 1c was selectively removed by bromolysis. On the one hand, bromodesilylation of 1c gave 2 in yields varying between 80 and 99%. On the other hand, bromodesilylation of 7, obtained from 1c by hydrolytic removal of the tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl (Thp) group, yielded 91% of 8. Mechanistic considerations suggested that the deprotective bromination should be improved by replacing the Me3Si by a Me3Ge group. Indeed, bromodegermylation of 1b was quantitative and ca. 60 times faster than bromodesilylation of 1c. The Me3Si and Me3Ge groups can be used for an orthogonal protection/activation of dialkynes. This was shown by desilylating 12 to 11 (Scheme 2), while bromination yielded 13. Both reactions proceeded in high yields; 9 was isolated as a minor by-product of 13. The reactivity towards bromolysis decreases in the series H-DOPS 〉 Me3Ge ≈ H 〉 Me3Si 〉 Thp-DOPS (DOPS = [dimethyl(oxy)-p ropyl]dimethylsilyl). Orthogonal bromolysis of DOPS- and Me3Ge-substituted dialkynes is slightly more selective than the one of Me3Si- and Me3Ge-substituted analogues. Coupling of 7 with the bromoalkyne 2 gave the dimer 15 (76%), 14 (2%), and 16 (4%) (Scheme 3). The binomial synthesis was optimized so that each cycle, doubling the size of the precursor, requires the minimal number of transformations (Scheme 4). The orthogonally protected monomer 1b, dimer 19, and tetramer 22 were, on the one hand, hydrolyzed to the alcohols 18 (95%), 21 (91%), and 24(91%), respectively, and, on the other hand, bromodegermylated to 2 (99%), 4 (97%), and 6(93%). Cross-coupling of 18 with 2, 21 with 4, and 24 with 6 gave the orthogonally protected dimer 19 (73%), tetramer 22 (87%), and octamer 25 (83%), respectively.

Notes: The synthesis of novel thiazole-containing complexing agents and their luminescence properties with EuIII and TbIII ions are reported. One of these terpyridine analogues was also tested as an EuIII labelling reagent, and its luminescence properties as an antibody conjugate were studied.

Notes: Chemical screening of the secondary metabolites from Halenia corniculata L. (CORNAZ), by LC/UV,LC/TSP-MS (thermospray), and LC/ES-MS (electrospray) was used for the targeted isolation of corniculoside (1), a new biosidic ester secoiridoid. The structure was established as 7-β-[(E)-4′-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)caffeoyloxy]-sweroside by 1D- and 2D-NMR, LC/UV, LC/MS, and FAB-MS data, in combination with chemical reactions.

Notes: Addition reactions of organometallic reagents with 4,4-disubstituted 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thiones were studied. Whereas the reactions with alkyllithium and alkyl Grignard reagents occurred in the thiophilic manner, the carbophilic addition was observed with allyllithium and allyl Grignard reagents. A radical reaction mechanism is proposed for rationalizing these observations (Scheme 5). A radical cyclization of the prepared 5-allyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazole-5-thiol derivatives yielded 1,6-dithia-3-azaspiro[4.4]non-2-enes (Table 4).

Notes: The syntheses of various fluorocarbon/fluorocarbon and fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon rac-1,2- and 1,3-di-O-alk(en)ylglycerophosphocholines and rac-1,2-di-O-alkylglycerophosphoethanolamines (see Fig.2), which may be used as components for drug-carrier and delivery systems, are described together with some results concerning their biological tolerance. They were obtained by phosphorylation of perfluoroalkylated rac-di-O-alk(en)ylgly-cerols using POCl3, then condensation with choline tosylate or N-Boc-ethanolamine (2-[(tert-butoxy)carbonyl-amino]ethanol) followed by Boc-deportection (Schemes 6-8). The fluorcarbon/fluorocarbon 1,2-di-O-alkylgly-cerols were prepared by O-alkylation of rac-1-O-benzylglycerol using perfluoroalkylated mesylates, then hydrogenolysis for benzyl deprotection (Scheme 1). The two different hydrophobic chains in the mixed fluorocarbon/fluorocarbon and fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon 1,2-di-O-alk(en)ylglycerols were introduced starting from 1,2-O-iso-propylidene- then O-trityl-protected glycerols or from 1,3-O-benzylidene-glycerol (Schemes 3 and 4). The perfluoroalkylated O-alkenylglycerols were obtained by O-alkylation of a glycerol derivative using an ω-unsaturated alkenyl reagent, the perfluoroalkyl segment being connected onto the double bond in a subsequent step (Schemes 1) and 3. The perfluoroalkylated symmetrical and mixed 1,3-di-O-alkylglycerols were synthesized by displacement of the Cl-atom in epichlorohydrin by perfluoroalkylated alcohols, then catalytic (SnCl4) opening of the oxirane ring of the resulting alkyl glycidyl ethers in neat alcohols (Scheme 5). When injected intravenously into mice, acute maximum tolerated doses higher than 1500 and 2000 mg/kg body weight were observed for the fluorinated glycerophosphocholines, indicating a very promising in vivo tolerance.

Notes: Ten new α-diazo-β-oxoaldehydes were condensed with aniline, ammonia, hydroxylamine, and semicarbazide to yield new 4-acyl-(1-substituted)-1H-1,2,3-triazoles in moderate-to-good yields. The method is simple and regiospecific. The latter feature makes this method superior to the widely used acylacetylene + azide approach.

Notes: The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing N7-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)guanine (N7Gd; 1) is described. Compound 1 was prepared by nucleobase-anion glycosylation of 2-amino-6-methoxypurine (5) with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(4-toluoyl)-α-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride (6) followed by detoluoylation and displacement of the MeO group (8→10→1). Upon base protection with the (dimethylamino)methylidene residue (→11) the 4,4-dimethoxytrityl group was introduced at OH—C(5′) (→12). The phosphonate 3 and the phosphoramidite 4 were prepared and used in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The self-complementary dodecamer d(N7G—C)6 shows sigmoidal melting. The Tm of the duplex is 40°. This demonstrates that guanine residues linked via N(7) of purine to the phosphodiester backbone are able to undergo base pairing with cytosine.

Notes: Starting from the esters (2E,4S)-6 and (2E,4R)-6, bromo aldehydes (S)-9 and (R)-9 as well as bromo alcohols (S)-10 and (R)-10, respectively, were prepared. Bromo alcohol (R)-8 was converted to the diol (2E,4R)-16. Ozonolysis of the latter led to aldehyde (R)-17, which was transformed, by a Wittig reaction, to (2R,4E,6R)-18, corresponding to the C(7)-to-C(14) segment of phomenoic acid (1). Attempts to improve the yields by applying a Julia coupling of (R)-23, which was prepared from (2E,4R)-7, with (R)-24 were unsuccessful. Finally, the coupling of the iodo derivative (2E,4S)-28 with the lithiated derivative of 1,3-dithiane 30 by the Corey-Seebach ‘Umpolung’ led to (3S,4E)-32 which is a derivative of the C(7)-to-C(14) segment of 1, suitable for further transformations.

Notes: Monodisperse and polydisperse oligomers and polymers of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid (3-HB) containing 8, 16, ca. 28, 32, ca. 60, 64, 96, and ca. 3000 monomer units were incorporated into palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidyl choline (POPC) planar bilayers. At concentrations of 0.1-5% of oligo(3-HB), the resulting phospholipid bilayers showed typical single-channel behavior for Rb+ and Ba2+ ions, using the patch clamp technique. Thus, channel-forming activity of a pure polyester has been demonstrated for the first time (Figs. 1, 3, and 6). Single-channel activity depends upon the following structural parameters of the 3-HB derivatives: unprotected OH and COOH groups on the chain ends; chain length ≥ 16 monomer units; no high-molecular-weight as in P(3-HB). The results are discussed in view of the Ca2+-specific channel formed with the P(3-HP)/Ca · PPi complex from genetically competent Escherichia coli and in view of the ubiquitous occurrence of low-molecular-weight P(3-HB) in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. A simple model for the channel-causing structure is proposed, based on the proven tendency of oligo- and poly(3-HB) to form ca. 50-Å thick lamellar crystallites.

Notes: The Synthesis of p-CumaroylspermidinesThe synthesis of three mono[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 10, 20, and 28, three bis[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 6, 16, and 25, and one tris[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-spermidine is described.

Notes: Four cyclotetrapeptides containing one (1, 2) or two (3, 4) chiral amino acids have been C-alkylated or C-hydroxyalkylated through Li+ or phosphazenium (P4 · H+) enolates. The reactions are completely diastereoselective (by NMR or HPLC analysis) with respect to the newly formed backbone stereogenic centres (Tables 2 and 3). The reactivity of the polylithiated species responsible for these alkylations is such that only highly reactive electrophiles (MeI, BnBr, primary allylic halides, aldehydes, CO2) can be employed. It is shown that the position, and thus the chirality sense, of the newly formed stereogenic centre in a given cyclotetrapeptide backbone is controlled by the positioning of N-methyl groups in the starting material (cf. cyclo(-MeLeu-Gly-D-Ala-Sar-) (3) and cyclo(-Leu-Sar-MeDAla-Gly-) (4) in Scheme 1). With Schwesinger's phosphazene P4-base, all NH groups are first benzylated and C-benzylation then takes place at a sarcosine, rather than an N-benzylglycine residue (Table 3). In contrast to open-chain N-benzyl peptides, the N-benzylated cyclotetrapeptides could not be debenzylated under dissolving-metal conditions (Na/NH3). Conformational analysis (NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction) shows that the prevailing species have cis/trans/cis/trans(ctct) peptide bonds (zigzag conformation of Ci backbone symmetry, Figs. 2-4). However, a hitherto unknown conformation of cyclotetrapeptides has been found in CDCl3 solutions of the hydroxyalkylated products 18-21 (obtained with EtCHO and PhCHO as electrophiles; Fig.4). The new conformation has four trans peptide bonds and is believed to result mainly from intramolecular H-bond formation, involving the newly generated alkyl- or arylserine residue. This assumption has also been supported by modelling (TRIPOS force field, SYBYL, see Fig.5 and Table 6). The structure may be considered as a β-turn mimic.

Notes: The synthesis of functionalized 1,1,2,2-tetraethynylethanes (= 3,4-diethynylhexa-1,5-diynes) as synthons for tetraethynylethenes (3,4-diethynylhex-3-ene-1,5-diynes) and as building blocks for three-dimensional acetylenic molecular scaffolding targeting the synthesis of the molecular carbon belts 3 and 4 is reported (Scheme 1). Reaction of diethyl oxalate and (trialkylsilyl)ethynyl Grignard reagents afforded the silyl-protected 3,4-diethynylhexa-1,5-diyne-3,4- diols 7 and 8 which were transformed in high yields into the cyclic carbonate 9 and the cyclic orthoesters 10-13, respectively (Scheme 2). The solid-state structures of 9 and 10 were elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The alkyne protecting groups in 9, 10, and 12 were smoothly removed to give the free tetraynes 14-16 as relatively stable oils in nearly quantitative yields (Scheme 3). Orthoesters 15 and 16 underwent Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling with iodobenzene to give the tetraphenyl derivatives 17 and 18 (Scheme 4). Thermal acid-catalyzed elimination of the orthoester moieties in 12 and 13 produced the silyl-protected tetraethynylethenes 19 and 20 and concluded a novel, simple three-step synthesis of these fully two-dimensionally conjugated π-chromophores (Scheme 5).

Notes: A series of new carbocyclic C-nucleosides with a cis-4′-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-2′-enyl sugar moiety and unnatural pyrimidine bases (2-6) were synthesized in racemic form in two steps starting from the easily accessible cyclic carbonate 1.

Notes: The synthesis and liquid-crystalline and thermal properties of a fullerene[60] functionalized by a framework containing two cholesterol derivatives through a methanofullerene structure are reported. The targeted fullerene derivative showed high thermal stability.

Notes: The synthesis of the thymine- and adenine-containing 5′-epi-bicyclodeoxynucleosides 7 and 8 as well as of the corresponding building blocks 13 and 14 for oligonucleotide syntheis according to the phosphoramidite methodology is described. A conformational analysis of 7 and 8 by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, refined by molecular modeling, shows the preferred conformation of the furanose unit in these nucleosides to be of the 1′-exo/2′-endo type. The 5′-OH group on the carbocyclic ring prefers to be axially oriented, thus placing torsion angle γ in the unusual -syn-clinal (-sc) range. These epi-bicyclodeoxynucleosides were successfully incorporated into DNA decamers. From UV/melting curves of such decamers with DNA and RNA complements, a duplex destabilization of -2 to -9° per residue was observed. An oligonucleotide built completely from 5′-epi-bicyclothymidine shows no detectable affinity to its DNA or RNA complement anymore. CD Spectra of duplexes containing 5′-epi-bicyclodeoxynucleotide units are very similar to the natural reference systems, indicating no major structural changes. A molecular-dynamics simulation of a heptamer duplex containing one 5′-epibicyclothymidine residue in the center reveals a conformational change of its carbocyclic unit placing torsion angle γ in the (for the free mononucleoside unfavorable) -anti-clinal (-ac) conformation in the duplex. The role of torsion angle γ on DNA duplex stability is discussed.

Notes: L-Aspartic acid by tosylation, anhydride formation, and reduction with NaBH4 was converted into (3S)-3-(tosylamino)butan-4-olide (8; Scheme 1). Tretment of 8 with ethanolic trimethylsilyl iodide gave the N-protected deoxy-iodo-β-homoserine ethyl ester 9. The latter, on successive nucleophilic displacement with lithium dialkyl-cuprates ( → 10a-e), alkaline hydrolysis ( → 11a-e), and reductive removal of the tosyl group, produced the corresponding 4-substituted (3R)-3-aminobutanoic acids 12a-e (ee 〉 99%). Electrophilic hydroxylation of 8 ( → 19; Scheme 3), subsequent iodo-esterification ( → 21; Scheme 4), and nucleophilic alkylation and phenylation afforded, after saponification and deprotection, a series of 4-substituted (2S, 3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxybutanoic acids 24 including the N-terminal acids 24e ( =3) and 24f ( =4) of bestatin and microginin (de 〉 95%), respectively.

Notes: An asymmetric synthesis of the spermidine alkaloid (+)-cyclocelabenzine (1a) and its (-)-(13S)-epimer 1b is described using optically active (+)-(3S)-3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid as the chiral building block. The isoquinolin-1-one fragment 15 was synthesized by a modified Bischler-Napieralski reaction. The relative configuration of the (-)-isomer was determined by an X-ray crystal-structure analysis, which enabled us to determine the absolute configuration of natural (+)-1a as (8S,13R).

Notes: The methanolysis of the epimeric 7-chloro-7H-yohimbine derivatives 2 and 3 was reinvestigated. In case of the 7α-epimer 2, the reaction was uneventful and conformed with earlier observations, i.e., under sufficiently mild conditions, only the imino ether 4 (= imino ether A) was produced. Under the same conditions, the less reactive β-isomer 3 furnished a mixture of both imino ethers 4 and 5, accompanied by the elimination product 11, and by equal amounts of yohimbine (1) and 3,4,5,6-tetradehydroyohimbine (12), which are believed to arise through a disproportionation process of the putative intermediate 5,6-didehydroyhimbine (23). The nature of this divergent reactivity and of the ready equilibration of 4 and 5 was investigated by means of extensive force-field and semi-empirical calculations (AM1 and PM3) of various conformers of the compounds 2-5 and of some possible reaction intermediates.

Notes: 2-Alkynylcyclohex-2-enones 1a-c and 2a-c react with H2O2/NaOH in MeOH to afford 1-alkynyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-ones 3a-c and 4a-c, respectively. The 3-unsubstituted bicyclic epoxy ketones 3a, 3b, and 4a, 4b react further with H2O2/NaOH, undergoing ring contraction and (formal) decarbonylation to give 2-alkynylcy-clopent-2-enols 5a, 5b, and 6a, 6b, respectively. Epoxy ketones 3 are also obtained under neutral conditions on irradiation (λ = 350 nm) of cyclohexenones 1 in air-saturated benzene solution. Similarly, under neutral conditions oxo-cycloalkenecarbonitriles 8 react (thermally) with H2O2 in MeCN to give the oxabicyclic carbonitriles 9.

Notes: Oligonucleotides containing (2′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)guanine have been prepared. For this purpose 2-aminoadenosine (5) was synthesized and converted to 2′-deoxy-β-D-xyloguanosine (1). The related 2′-deoxy-β-D-xyloisoguanosine (3) and 2′-deoxy-β-D-xyloxanthosine (4) were also synthesized. Compound 1 was converted to the phosphonate and phosphoramidite building blocks 10 and 11, respectively. The oligodeoxynucleotide (5′-3′)d(xG-xT-xA-xG-xA-xA-xT-xT-xC-xT-xA-xC-T) (18) formed a duplex with the same Tm as the parent (5′-3′)-(G-T-A-G-A-A-T-T-C-T-A-C) (19), but with an inverted CD spectrum.

Notes: Early steps in the biosynthesis of dedecano-4-lactone in ripening nectarines (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) and strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) were studied using cis-9,10-([18O]epoxy)heptadecanoic acid (5), instead of the natural C18-precursor epoxystearic acid 1. In nectarines, an epoxide hydrolase catalyzed, in a highly regio- and enantioselective reaction, the attack of H2O at C(9) of epoxy acid 5 yielding preferentially (9R,10R)-dihydroxyheptadecanoic acid 6a as an early intermediate and, after further metabolization, undecano-4-lactone 7a. In strawberries, the same transformation exhibited only a moderate regio- and enantioselectivity. Besides the previously established function of phytogenic epoxide hydrolases involved in generating oxygenated fatty-acid derivatives, which are used in cutin monomer production and plant defence, a new rǒle for these enzymes now emerges in the enantioselective production of aroma components of ripening fruits. The cis-9,10-([18O]epoxy)heptadecanoic acid (≥ 98% 18O; 5) was obtained in good overall yield (68%) from isopropyl (9Z)-heptadec-9-enoate using 18O2 gas in a free-radical chain reaction in the presence of 2-methylbutanal.

Notes: Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Sulfur Heterocycles Using 3,3,3-Trifluoropyruvic-Acid DerivativesThe reaction of methyl 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvate (1) with 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 4a, b in benzene at 45° yielded the corresponding methyl 5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-oxathiolane-5-carboxylates 5a, b (Scheme 1) via a regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an intermediate ‘thiocarbonyl ylide’ of type 3. With methyl pyruvate, 4a reacted similarly to give 6 in good yield. Methyl 2-diazo-3,3,3-trifluoropropanoate (2) and thiobenzophenone (7a) in toluene underwent a reaction at 50°; the only product detected in the reaction mixture was thiirane 8a (Scheme 2). With the less reactive thiocarbonyl compounds 9H-xanthene-9-thione (7b) and 9H-thioxanthene-9-thione (7c) as well as with 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thione 12, diazo compound 2 reacted only in the presence of catalytic amounts of Rh2(OAc)4. In the cases of 7a and 7b, thiiranes 8b and 8c, respectively, were the sole products (Scheme 3). The crystal struture of 8c has been established by X-ray crystallography (Fig.). In the reaction with 12, desulfurization of the primarily formed thiirane 14 gave the methyl 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-(4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylidene)propanoates (E)-and (Z)-15 (Scheme 4). A mechanism of the Rh-catalyzed reaction via a carbene addition to the thiocarbonyl S-atom is proposed in Scheme 5.

Notes: The oligonucleotide building blocks, the phosphonates 1a, b and the phosphoramidites 2a, b derived from 7-iodo- and 7-bromo-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosines 3a, b were prepared. They were employed in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis of the alternating octamers d(Br7c7G-C)4 (8) and d(I7c7G-C)4 (9) as well as the homo-oligonucleotides d[(Br7c7G)5-G] (11) and d[(I7c7G)5-G] (12). The melting profiles and CD spectra of oligonucleotide duplexes were measured. The Tm values as well as the thermodynamic data were determined and correlated to the major-groove modification of this DNA. The self-complementary octamers 8 and 9 form more stable duplexes compared to the parent oligomer d(G-C)4. The heteroduplex of d[(I7c7G)5-G] (12) with d(C6) is slightly destabilized (ΔTm = -12°) over that of d[(c7G)5-G] with d(C6). However, the complex of 12 with poly(C) is more stable than that of d[(c7G5-G)] with poly(C).

Notes: The molecular structure of the two complex ions [Co(tmen)3]3+ and [Co(tmen)3]2+ (tmen = 2,3-dimethylbutane-2,3-diamine) have been determined at 100 K. They show a strong trigonal distortion of the octahedral CoN6 core. The twist angle is 26.2(2.8)° for CoII and 43.9(9)° for CoIII. Average Co—N distances are 2.193(13) Å (CoII) and 1.997(2) Å (CoIII), 0.02 Å longer than for the main body of CoIII amines.

Notes: Guanidinium compounds imitating the bis(arginine) structural motif of staphylococcal nuclease (e.g. 3) are known to be powerful catalysts for phosphoryl transfer reactions in dipolar aprotic solvents. Compound 3 also accelerates the hydrolysis of RNA (H2O, pH 7). However, due to diminished substrate affinity in H2O, the rate effects are less pronounced in aqueous than in aprotic solution. To test if a synthetic ribonuclease may be derived from the bis(guanidinium) moiety of 3 by the addition of RNA-binding substructures, the TAR sequence of HIV-1 was chosen as a target. The arginine residue of compound 4 serves as an extremely simplified mimic of tat, a protein responsible for boosting the viral transcription by complex formation with TAR. Here, we present the synthesis of 4 and its ability to bind and to cleave efficiently the truncated TAR sequence 1. In addition, the synthesis of an acridine arginine conjugate, 19, is reported in preliminary form. Compound 19 associates with 1 and completely blocks the cleavage induced by 4.

Notes: Studies on post-angioplastic restenosis have shown the implication of angiotensin II (Ang) as a myoproliferative mediator. The antiproliferative efficacy of non-peptide Ang antagonists on the rat carotid model is of 50%, whereas a continuously infused peptide antagonist at low doses totally blocks neointimal growth. To explore the feasibility of depot forms of Ang that may be introduced during angioplasty and thus prevent restenois, lipid-masked Ang analogues of the following general structure were prepared: [Xxx°, Yyy1]Ang with Xxx = decanoyl or palmitoyl and Yyy = Ser, Cys, Asp, β-lactoyl, 3-mercaptopropanoyl or succinyl. All fatty acylated peptides [Xxx°, Yyy1]Ang were practically inactive, and O- or S-esterified Ser and Cys peptides underwent intramolecular transcylation giving inactive Nx-acylated peptides. O-Acylated [β-mercaptopropanoyl1]Ang were easily hydrolyzed into their biologically active[Yyy1]Ang forms, either by mild saponification or by lipase activity.

Notes: Nortopsentin D (5), a bis(indole) alkaloid unique for bearing a 2-amino-methylimidazole appendage at the central 1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one nucleus, was isolated in abundance, besides the putative biogenetic precursor 6 of its appendage, from the deep-water axinellid sponge Dragmacidon sp. Structural elucidation of 5 by NMR and MS methods heavily relied on its N-methyl derivatives 8-11. Unusually for topsentin-type structures, natural 5 and semisynthetic methyl derivatives 8 and 10 proved inactive on KB tumoural cells, while introduction of the last three methyl groups, amazingly led to highly cytotoxic 11.

Notes: The interaction between a vitamin B12 derivative containing a peripheral C18 alkyl chain (see 1a) and a (methyl)thiomalonate substrate bearing alkyl chains of various length at the thioester group (see 5) was investigated. A catalytic cycle was established for the methylmalonyl→succinyl rearrangement by using electrochemistry and photolysis (see Scheme 3). Increased yields of the succinate relative to the reduction product were obtained (2:3 ratio), when the reaction was run in MeOH/H2O, and when both the substrate and the catalyst had an octadecyl substituent capable of hydrophobic interactions.

Notes: The electrospray tandem mass spectra (ESI-MS/MS) of the three N,N′-bis[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines 1-3 displayed the same fragment-ion signals. These isomers could not be differentiated by ESI-MS/MS, since their fragmentation patterns are similar. (E,E)-N-(3-[15N]Aminopropyl)-3,3′-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)-N,N′-(butane-1,4-diyl)bis[prop-2-enamide] ([15N(1)])-(1) was synthesized in order to get further information about the fragmentation mechanisms. The comparison of the ESI-MS/MS of 1 and [15N(1)]-1 revealed a transamidation, the Zip reaction, under mass-spectral conditions of the [1 + H]+ ions. Because of this reaction, the three isomers 1-3 could not be distinguished.

Notes: A total synthesis of cyclothialidine (1), a new DNA gyrase inhibitor isolated from Streptomyces filipinensis, is described. The synthetic concept was tested by preparing the lactone 13 (Scheme 2) which contains the characteristic bicyclic core entity of 1. Key features of the synthesis of 1 are: preparation of 3,5-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzoic acid (23) from 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (19) by two consecutive Mannich aminomethylation/hydrogenation sequences; benzylic N-bromosuccinimide bromination of an ester derivative 25 thereof and its subsequent coupling with Boc-Ser-Cys-OMe (11); cyclization of the ω-hydroxy acid 29 29 to the 12-membered lactone 30 using preferably Mitsunobu conditions; completion of the peptidic side chains of 1 using Boc strategy (Scheme 4). Optically pure cis-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-hydroxy-L-proline ((-)-14) was obtained by resolution of the racemate via an efficient reaction sequence containing a lipase-catalyzed enantiospecific acetate hydrolysis (Scheme 3). The structure of natural 1 was confirmed by comparison with the synthetic material. The synthetic route described provides also easy access to analogues of 1, e.g., via the intermediate 30.

Notes: A comprehensive series of tetraethynylethenes (= 3,4-diethynylhex-3-ene-1,5-diynes, TEEs) bearing electrondonating (p-methoxyphenyl or p-aminophenyl) and/or electron-accepting (p-nitrophenyl) groups was prepared via [Pd]-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions. The electronic and photonic properties of these molecules were investigated with a special emphasis on the effects caused by degree and pattern of donor/acceptor substitution around the central TEE core. This analysis showed that intramolecular donor-acceptor interactions, as evidenced by a long-wavelength charge-transfer band, are considerably more effective in TEEs 44 and 46, with trans and cis, linearly-conjugated electronic pathways between donor and acceptor, than in 11, with a geminal, cross-conjugated electronic pathway. UV/VIS Spectroscopy revealed a steady bathochromic shift of the longest-wavelength absorption band (λmax) as the number of donor-acceptor conjugation paths increased upon changing from bis-arylated (11, 44, and 46) to tetrakis-arylated (14, 31, and 35) TEEs. The position of the longest-wavelength absorption was also found to be strongly dependent on the nature of the N-substituents in the R2NC6H4-donor groups. Electronic emission spectroscopic investigations demonstrated a considerable solvent dependency of the fluorescence of donor-acceptor-substituted TEEs such as 11 or 44, in agreement with the presence of highly polarized excited states in these molecules. Correspondingly, fluorescence spectra of TEEs bearing only donor or acceptor substituents showed little solvent dependency. The large majority of the donor/acceptor-substituted TEEs are thermally and environmentally stable molecules. They can be stored for months as solids in the air at room temperature, and many decompose only upon heating to temperatures above 200°. X-Ray analysis showed the conjugated C-atom scaffolds of 44, 46, and 67 to be essentially planar, whereas the aryl substituents in 28 and 30 are rotated out of the plane of the TEE core by varying degrees.

Notes: Two new enantioselective syntheses of the naphthopyranquinone antibiotic frenolicin B (1), of its enantiomer 2, and of its diastereoisomers 3 and 4 were accomplished using two different routes from optically active β-Hydroxy esters (R)- and (S)-11 and 18. β-Hydroxy esters (R)- and (S)-11 were prepared stereoselectively from optically active sulfenylacetates (S)- and (R)-10, respectively (Scheme 2, Method A). Alternatively, compound 18 was obtained in excellent yield by enantioselective hydrogenation of the corresponding β-keto ester 17, using a chiral ruthenium-complex catalyst (Scheme 3, Method B). Subsequently, compounds (S)-11 and 18 were transformed into frenolicin B (1). In analogy, Stereoisomers 2-4 were prepared from (S)- and (R)-11 in good yields.

Notes: The 2′-deoxyisoguanosine phosphonates 3a and 4a and the phosphoramidites 3b and 4b were prepared as building blocks for solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The diphenylcarbamoyl (dpc) residue was introduced as 2-oxo protecting group which stabilizes the N-glycosylic bond against hydrolysis and prevents the molecule from side reactions. The dpc-protected building blocks 4a, b were employed in solid-phase synthesis and were found to be much more efficient than the unprotected compounds 3a, b. Oligonucleotides with alternating (11) or consecutive isoguanine residues (13-15) were synthesized. They form duplexes with parallel chain orientation. The aggregate d(T4-iG4-T4) (15) containing four consecutive 2′-deoxyisoguanosine is shown to be a tetramer similar to that of d(T4-G4-T4).

Notes: Khusimone (1), one of the main odor-donating compounds of vetiver oil is subject of the following study on structure/odor relationship. The omittance of the ethano bridge of the tricyclic khusimone leads to a bicyclic system. The stereoselective approach to this degraded structure is described, and the olfactory properties are studied. The key step of the synthesis of the hydrindane nucleus is based on a highly diastereoselective conjugate addition to a chiral oxo-cyclopentene-2-carboxylate.

Notes: The (2-dansylethoxy)carbonyl (= {2-{[5-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-l-yl]sulfonyl}ethoxy}carbonyl; dnseoc) group was employed for protection of the amino functions of the aglycone residues. The lactam function of 2′-deoxyguanosine was on the one hand unprotected and on the other hand alkylated at O6 of the aglycone with the 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl (pse) group, respectively. The syntheses of monomeric building blocks, both phosphoramidites and nucleoside- functionalized supports, are described for the three common 2′-deoxynucleosides (2′-deoxycytidine, 2′-deoxyadenosine, 2′-deoxyguanosine). As kinetic studies with the tritylated nucleosides showed, the dnseoc group is more labile towards DBU cleavage than the corresponding 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl-(npe) and [2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxy]carbonyl(npeoc)-protected analogues (see Table 2). These results were confirmed by the very fast deprotection rate of the dnseoc groups at some oligonucleotides.

Notes: The absolute configuration of 3-methylpyrrolidine alkaloids isolated from the poison gland of ants Leptothoracini was determined as (3R). The enantiomeric separation by chiral gas chromatography and unambiguous structural assignment of the target compounds are described.

Notes: The synthesis of π-substituted heptalenecarboxylates or -dicarboxylates, starting with the easily available dimethyl 9-isopropyl-1, 6-dimethylheptalene-4, 5-dicarboxylate (2b), are described. Treatment of 2b with t-BuOK and C2Cl6 at -78° leads to the chemoselective introduction of a Cl substituent in Me-C(1) (see 5b in Scheme 1). Formation of the corresponding triphenylphosphonium salt 7b via the iodide 6b (Scheme 2) allowed a Wittig reaction with cinnamaldehyde in the two-phase system CH2Cl2/2N NaOH. Transformation of the 4, 5-dicar-boxylate of 2b into the corresponding pseudo-ester 10b allowed the selective reduction of the carbonyl function at C(4) with DIBAH to yield the corresponding 4-carbaldehyde 11b (Scheme 3). Wittig reaction of 11b with (benzyl) triphenylphosphonium bromide led to the introduction of the 4-phenylbuta-1, 3-dienyl substituent at C(4). The combination of both Wittig reactions led to the synthesis of the 1, 4-bis(4-phenylbuta-1, 3-dienyl)-substituted heptalene-5-carboxylate (all-E)-17b (Scheme 5). In a similar manner, by applying a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, followed by the Wittig reaction, the donor-acceptor substituted heptalene-5-carboxylate (E;E)-22b was synthesized (Scheme7). Most of these new heptalenes are in solution, at room temperature, in thermal equilibrium with their double-bond shifted (DBS) isomers. In the case of (all-E)-17b and (E;E)-22b, irradiation of the thermal equilibrium mixture with light of λ -(439 ± 10) nm led to a strong preponderance ( 〉 90%) of the DBS isomers 17a and (E;E)-22a, respectively (Schemes 6 and 7). Heating of the photo-mixtures at 40° re-established quickly the thermal equilibrium mixtures. Heptalenes-carboxylates (all-E)-17a and (E;E)-22a which represent the off-state of a 1,4-conjugative switch (CS) system show typical heptalene UV/VIS spectra with a bathochromically shifted heptalene band III and comparably weak heptalene bands II and I which appear only as shoulders (Figs. 4 and 5). In contrast, the DBS isomers (all-E)-17b and (all-E)-22b, equivalent to the on-state of a 1,4-CS system, exhibit extremely intense heptalene bands I and, possibly, II which appear as a broad absorption band at 440 and 445 nm, respectively, thus indicating that the CSs (all-E)-17a⇌(all-E)-17b and (E;E)-22a⇌(E;E)-22b are perfectly working.

Notes: Configurational and Conformational Isomeric Antiaromatic [28]Tetraoxaporphyrinoids(4.2.4.2) and Aromatic [26]Tetraoxaporphyrin(4.2.4.2) Dications. A New Type of Molecular Dynamics in Macrocyclic SystemsThe [28]tetraoxaporphyrinoids(4.2.4.2) 6 are synthesized by cyclizing Wittig reaction of (E, E)-5, 5′-(buta-1, 3-diene-1, 4-diyl)bis[furan-2-carbaldehyde] (8) with (E, E)-{(buta-1, 3-diene-diyl)bis[(furan-5, 2-diyl)methylene]}bis-[triphenylphosphonium] dibromide (9) and 3, 3′-{[(E)-ethene-1, 2-diyl]bis(furan-5, 2-diyl)}bis[(E)-prop-2-enal] (22) with (E)-{(ethene-1, 2-diyl)bis[(furan-5.2- diy)methylene]}bis[triphenylphosphonium] dibromide (23). An alternative path to get 6 is the McMurry condensation of 8. Four different configurational isomers of 6 could be isolated and characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The (Z, EE, Z, EE)-isomer 6a is the first macrocyclic system where the inner and outer protons of the (E, E)-dienediyl bridges exchange by rotation around the adjacent single bonds. In the (Z, EE, E, EE)-isomer 6b, the (E)-ethenediyl bridge is rotationally active, while in the (E, ZE, E, EZ)-isomer 6c and in the (E, EZ, E, EZ)-isomer 6e, the rotation of both (E)-ethenediyl bridges is observed. When in the dynamic systems the rotation of the active (E)-double bonds at temperatures T 〈 -90° is frozen, all configurational isomers of 6 appear to be antiaromatic and paratropic. The oxidation of the [28]tetraoxaporphyrinoids 6c and 6e with DDQ yields the aromatic, diatropic [26]tetraoxaporphyrin(4.2.4.2) dications 21e/21e′ both with (E, EZ, E, EZ)-configuration but different fixed conformations. (Z, EE, Z, EE)-Isomer 6a is oxidized to give the (Z, EE, Z, EE)-dication 21a, while the oxidation of 6b yields a mixture of 21a and 21e/21e′. The standard formation enthalpies of the obtained and expected [28]tetraoxaporphyrinoids 6 and [26]tetraoxaporphyrin dications 21 have been calculated with the AM1 method, showing good accordance with the experimental results.

Notes: The synthesis of substituted cyclododeca-1,6-diallenes.( = cyclododeca-1,2,6,7-tetraenes) from cyclododeca-5,11-diyne-1,4-diols is described (Schemes 1 and 3). The ca. 1:1 mixtures of the stereoisomers of the cyclododeca-1,6-diallenes were formed in high yields from the ca. 1:1 diastereoisomer mixtures of the 1,4-disubstituted cyclododeca-5,11-diynes by reactions with Me2CuLi or t-BuMgCl/CuII. In mechanistically relevant experiments with the pure diastereoisomers of 1,4-dimethylcyclododeca-5,11-diyne-1,4-diol, it is demonstrated that the configuration is conserved in these reactions. The first synthesis of a 1-substituted cyclododeca-2,8-diyne bearing only one propargylic leaving group gives access to a mixed 12-membered allen-yne (Scheme 5).

Notes: This study was designed to unravel lipophilicity changes associated with the oxidation state of the S-atom in model compounds, drugs, and metabolites, special attention being given both to intermolecular and intramolecular effects. The methods used were experimental (potentiometry, CPC, and shake-flask techniques to measure lipophilicity, 13C-NMR spectroscopy to investigate tautomeric equilibria) and computational (quenched molecular dynamics and molecular lipophilicity potential). Simple, monofunctional model compounds were used to assess intermolecular forces, as revealed by the Δlog Poct-alk and Δlog Poct-chf parameters. Drugs and their metabolites proved to be good probes to study intramolecular effects in both neutral and anionic forms, as revealed by the difference between calculated and experimental log Poct values (the diff(log Pexp-calc) parameter). Sulindac and its metabolites showed a normal partitioning behavior, whereas the lipophilicity of sulfmpyrazone and its metabolites' was markedly affected by tautomeric and conformational equilibria.

Notes: The course of the thermocatalytic rearrangement of cycloprop-2-ene-1-carboxylates in the presence of dirhodium(II) tetrakis(perfluorobutyrate) ([Rh2(pfb)4]) was investigated by varying the substituents of the cyclopropene ring. Product composition is markedly influenced by the number, nature, and position of the substituents, which determine the regio- and stereoselectivity of the cyclopropene-ring cleavage. A mechanism is proposed in which attack of the electrophilic RhII species is concerted with disrotatory ring opening of the incipient cyclopropyl cation and affords a metal-complexed vinylcarbene. The chemoselectivity of the latter is consistent with that of other carbenes generated in the presence of [Rh2(pfb)4].

Notes: Under the co-operative influence of two prosthetic groups, and independent of the TiCl4 concentration, complete and constant diastereofacial π-selection was achieved during the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene to N,N′-fumaroyl-di[(2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam] ((-)-1c); reactive conformations are discussed.

Notes: The β-dienoate (+)-(5S)-13a (86% ee; meaning of α and β as in α- and β-irone, resp.) was obtained from (-)-(5S)-9a via acid-catalyzed dehydration of the diastereoisomer mixture of allylic tertiary alcohols (+)-(1S,5S)-15/(+)-(1R,5S)-15 (Scheme 3). Prolonged treatment gave clean isomerization via a [1,5]-H shift to the α-isomer (-)-(R)-16a with only slight racemization (76% ee; Scheme 4). In contrast, the SnCl4-catalyzed stereospecific cyclization of (+)-(Z)-6 to (-)-trans-8a (Scheme 2), followed by a diastereoselective epoxidation to (+)-11 gave, via acid-catalyzed dehydration of the intermediate allylic secondary alcohol (-)-12, the same ester (+)-13a (Scheme 3), but with poor optical purity (13% ee), due to an initial rapid [1,2]-H shift. The absolute configuration of (-)-16a-c was confirmed by chemical correlation with (-)-trans-19 (Scheme 4). 13C-NMR Assignments and absolute configurations of the intermediate esters, acids, aldehydes, and alcohols are presented.

Notes: The synthesis of (E)-hex-3-ene-l, 5-diynes and 3-methylidenepenta-1, 4-diynes with pendant methano[60]-fullerene moieties as precursors to C60-substituted poly(triacetylenes) (PTAs, Fig. 1) and expanded radialenes (Fig. 2) is described. The Bingel reaction of diethyl (E)-2, 3-dialkynylbut-2-ene-1, 4-diyl bis(2-bromopropane-dioates) 5 and 6 with two C60 molecules (Scheme 2) afforded the monomeric, silyl-protected PTA precursors 9 and 10 which, however, could not be effectively desilylated (Scheme 4). Also formed during the synthesis of 9 and 10, as well as during the reaction of C60 with thedesilylated analogue 16 (Scheme 5), were the macrocyclic products 11, 12, and 17, respectively, resulting from double Bingel addition to one C-sphere. Rigorous analysis revealed that this novel macrocyclization reaction proceeds with complete regio- and diastereoselectivity. The second approach to a suitable PTA monomer attempted N, N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide(DCC)-mediated esterification of (E)-2, 3-diethynylbut-2-ene-l, 4-diol (18, Scheme 6) with mono-esterified methanofullerene-dicarboxylic acid 23; however, this synthesis yielded only the corresponding decarboxylated methanofullerene-carboxylic ester 27 (Scheme 7). To prevent decarboxylation, a spacer was inserted between the reacting carboxylic-acid moiety and the methane C-atom in carboxymethyl ethyl 1, 2-methano[60]fullerene-61, 61-dicarboxylate (28, Scheme 8), and DCC-mediated esterification with diol 18 afforded PTA monomer 32 in good yield. The formation of a suitable monomeric precursor 38 to C60-substituted expanded radialenes was achieved in 5 steps starting from dihydroxyacetone (Schemes 9 and 10), with the final step consisting of the DCC-mediated esterification of 28 with 2-[1-ethynyl(prop-2-ynylidene)]propane-1, 3-diol (33). The first mixed C60-C70 fullerene derivative 49, consisting of two methano[60]fullerenes attached to a methano[70]fullerene, was also prepared and fully characterized (Scheme 13). The Cs-symmetrical hybrid compound was obtained by DCC-mediated esterification of bis[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)ethyl] 1, 2-methano[70]fullerene-71, 71-dicarboxylate (46) with an excess of the C60-carboxylic acid 28. The presence of two different fullerenes in the same molecule was reflected by its UV/VIS spectrum, which displayed the characteristic absorption bands of both the C70 and C60 mono-adducts, but at the same time indicated no electronic interaction between the different fullerene moieties. Cyclic voltammetry showed two reversible reduction steps for 49, and comparison with the corresponding C70 and C60 mono-adducts 46 and 30 indicated that the three fullerenes in the composite fullerene compound behave as independent redox centers.

Notes: By the tether-directed remote functionalization method, a series of bis- to hexakis-adducts of C60, i.e., 1-7 (Fig. 1), had previously been prepared with high regioselectivity. An efficient method for the removal of the tether-reactive-group conjugate was now developed and its utility demonstrated in the regioselective synthesis of bis- to tetrakis(methano)fullerenes ( = di- to tetracyclopropafullerenes-C60-Ih) 9-11 starting from 4, 5, and 7, respectively (Schemes 2, 4, and 5). This versatile protocol consists of a 1O2 ene reaction with the two cyclohexene rings in the starting materials, reduction of the formed mixture of isomeric allylic hydroperoxides to the corresponding alcohols, acid-promoted elimination of H2O to cyclohexa-1,3-dienes, Diels-Alder addition of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, retro-Diels-Alder addition, and, ultimately, transesterification. In the series 9-11, all methano moieties are attached along an equatorial belt of the fullerene. Starting from C2v-symmetrical tetrakis-adduct 15, transesterification with dodecan-1-ol or octan-1-ol yielded the octaesters 16 and 17, respectively, as noncrystalline fullerene derivatives (Scheme 3). The X-ray crystal structure of a CHCl3 solvate of 11 (Fig. 3) showed that the residual conjugated π-chromophore of the C-sphere is reduced to two tetrabenzopyracylene substructures connected by four biphenyl-type bonds (Fig. 5). In the eight six-membered rings surrounding the two pyracylene (= cyclopent[fg]acenaphthylene) moieties, 6-6 and 6-5 bond-length alteration (0.05 Å) was reduced by ca. 0.01 Å as compared to the free C60 skeleton (0.06 Å) (Fig. 4). The crystal packing (Fig. 6) revealed short contacts between Cl-atoms of the solvent molecule and sp2- and sp3-C-atoms of the C-sphere, as well as short contacts between Cl-atoms and O-atoms of the EtOOC groups attached to the methano moieties of 11. The physical properties and chemical reactivity of compounds 1-11 were comprehensively investigated as a function of degree and pattern of addition and the nature of the addends. Methods applied to this study were UV/VIS (Figs. 7-11), IR, and NMR spectroscopy (Table 2), cyclic (CV) and steady-state (SSV) voltammetry (Table 1), calculations of the energies of the lowest uunoccupied mmolecular orbitals (LUMOs) and electron affinities (Figs. 12 and 13), and evaluation of chemical reactivity in competition experiments. It was found that the properties of the fullerene derivatives were not only affected by the degree and pattern of addition but also, in a remarkable way, by the nature of the addends (methano vs. but-2-ene-1, 4-diyl) anellated to the C-sphere. Attachment of multiple thano moieties along an equatorial belt as in the series 8-11 induces only a small perturbation of the original fullerene π-chromophore. In general, with increasing attenuation of the conjugated fullerene π-chromophore, the optical (HOMO-LUMO) gap in the UV/VIS spectrum is shifted to higher energy, the number of reversible one-electron reductions decreases, and the first reduction potential becomes increasingly negative, the computed LUMO energy increases and the electron affinity decreases, and the reactivity of the fullerene towards nucleophiles and carbenes and as dienophile in cycloadditions decreases.

Notes: Crystal and solution structures of the enantiomerically pure and the racemic pairs of (η3-allyl) {2-[2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-4-phenyloxazole}palladium(II) hexafluorophosphates (1, and rac-1, resp.) and tetraphenylborates (2, and rac-2, resp.) as well as (η3-allyl){2-[2′-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-4-isopropyloxazole}palladium(II) tetraphenylborate (3) were characterized by X-ray crystallography and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. In the solid state, rac-1 and rac-2 proved to be disordered with both diastereoisomeric complexes in the crystal. The complexes 2 and 3 exist only in the ‘exo’ form. The X-ray structures show that the [PdII(η3-allyl)] moiety may adopt different configurations between a nearly symmetrical three-electron PdII(π3-allyl) system and an asymmetrical allyl group with a η1- and a η2-bonding to the metal center. The [PdII(η3-allyl)] system of rac-1 and of ‘endo’ rac-2 is closer to the former, and that of 2, ‘exo’-rac-2, and 3 closer to the later geometry. The 1H-NMR spectra of the hexafluorophosphates 1 and rac-1 show two sets of signals of the allylic protons in an ‘exo’/‘endo’ ratio of 2:3. The tetraphenylborates 2, rac-2, and 3 give only one set of broad signals of the allylic protons.

Notes: ‘Acetyleno-oligosaccharides’ in which two terminal ethynyl substituents enclose an angle (significantly) below 180° are building blocks for the preparation of cyclodextrin analogues. This is illustrated by the preparation of a cyclotrimer and a cyclotetramer; the C3-symmetrical cyclotrimer 18 (Scheme 1) was synthesized in 13 steps (7.7%) and the C4-symmetrical cyclotetramer 51 (Scheme 3) in 14 steps (4.3%) from the known dialkyne 21. The solubilities of 18 and 51 in H2O were determined by gravimetry; a saturated solution is 130 mM in the trimer 18 and 12.8 mM in the tetramer 51. The dependence of the optical rotation of 18 and 51 in H2O on the concentration, and the concentration dependence of the 1H-NMR chemical shift of the signals of the 1CH groups of 51 (D2O) suggest that there is no significant self-association of 18 and 51.

Notes: The chiral biyclic bis-lactams of structures 3 and 4 were synthesized from the key intermediate 2′b, the N,N′-bis(4-methoxybenzyl) derivative of 2 (X = MeO) (Scheme 6). The synthesis of this intermediate involved two key steps: (1) a double condensation of glyoxylic acid/anisamide (= oxoacetic acid/4-methoxybenzamide) adduct 11c with veratrole (1,2-dimethoxybenzene; 10) allowed the introduction of two glycine units at the 4,5-positions of the veratrole ring to give 18c (Schemes 3 and 4); (2) in order to circumvent the hydrolysis of 4-methoxybenzoyl protective groups which proved to be unfeasible, these groups were transformed into 4-methoxybenzyl groups through a sequence involving thiocarbonylation followed by reduction (Scheme 5). Thereafter, the double intramolecular cyclization of the resulting diamino diester 22c proceeded easily to afford 2′b. This intermediate may be transformed via the tetrol 2′g or the diol 2′h into the N-protected derivatives of 2 (X = OR) and of 3 (X = OCOR). Cleavage of the 4-alkuxybenzyl groups was achieved by ceric ammonium nitrate. However, when the aromatic ring bore ether functions (N-protected 2), this normal reaction was accompanied by the oxidative ring cleavage to give the diene-diester structure 4 (Schemes 5 and 6).

Notes: The kinetics of the Cu2+ complexation by macrocycles 1 (4-[(l,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-1-yl)methyl]-benzoic acid) and 2 (N-propyl-4-[(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-1-yl)methyl]-benzamide) as well as by macrocycle 1 conjugated to bovine serum albumin (bsa) and to ribonuclease A (rnase) were studied by stopped flow techniques. For 1 and 2, the kinetics were followed in the mM range monitoring the d-d* absorption band of the Cu2+ complex. From the pH dependence of kobs, the rate law is v = [Cu2+] (kLH[LH] + kLH2[LH2]), where kLH and kLK2 are the bimolecular rate constants for Cu2+ with the diprotonated (LH2) and monoprotonated (LH1) form of the ligand, respectively. The values are kLH2 = 1.7(1) M-1s-1 and kLH = 2.3(1) 105 M-1s-1 for 1, and kLH2, = 0.28(9) M-1s-1 and kLH = 2.0(1) 105 M-1s-1 for 2. The kinetics of the Cu2+ incorporation into 1,2 and 1 conjugated to bsa and rnase, i.e., 3 and 4, respectively, were also followed using nitroso-R salt as a metal indicator in the μM range, i.e., under conditions typical for the ‘post-labeling’ technique to give radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies. In these cases, the reaction takes place between the 1:1 complex of Cu2+ with nitroso-R-salt and the macrocycle. At pH 6.5, the rates are very similar to each other indicating that the complexation properties of the macrocycle attached to a protein are not very different from those of the free ligand under comparable conditions.

Notes: The synthesis of a variety of hydroxylactams from ω-phthalimidoalkanoates using a triplet-sensitized photodecarboxylation reaction initiated by intramolecular photo electron transfer is described. Ring sizes available by this method span from 4 (benzazepine-1,5-dione 7) to 26 (cyclodipeptide 26e). Ground-state template formation is proposed as the explanation for the high efficiency of this reaction and for the decrease in reactivity in the presence of organic bases instead of metal carbonates. The crucial step in this macrocyclization reaction seems to be the protonation of the intermediary ketyl radials (Scheme 4). Spacer groups investigated were alkyl chains (C3-C11: 5c-h, 11a, 12), ether (16, 18), ester (20, 22), and amide (26a-f) linkages. Within the detection limits, no dimeric (= decarboxylative coupling) products were observed, indicating the high preference for intra-vs. intermolecular photoelectron transfer. The C,C radical combination step proceeds with low stereoselectivity (cf, products 11 and 12) in contrast to comparable singlet reactions. Except for the lactones 22, all products were stable under the photolysis conditions. Prolonged irradiation of 22 led to the formation of the spiro compounds 23, probably via an intermediary acyliminium betaine (Scheme 8). One serious limitation of the decarboxylative macrocyclization is its incompatibility with the glycine spacer (as in 27a and 27b), probably the consequence of a strong intramolecular H-bond (Scheme 10).