Synthesis of (S)-(—)-Vertinolide

(S)-(?)-Vertinolide 1 was synthesized via the tetronic acid derivative 6 from (S)-(?)-tetrahydro-2-methyl-5-oxo-2-furancarboxylic acid 3. (±)-Vertinolide was also synthesized from (±)-3.     

Syntheses of (±)-Epoformin (Desoxyepoxydon) and (±)-Epiepoformin (Desoxyepiepoxydon)

Boron is an essential nutrient for plants, but it is toxic in excess. Transgenic rice plants expressing an Arabidopsis thaliana borate efflux transporter gene, AtBOR4, at a low level exhibited increased tolerance to excess boron. Those lines with high levels of expression exhibited reduced growth. These findings suggest a potential of the borate transporter BOR4 for the generation of high-boron tolerant rice.     

Synthesis of (±)-Hydroxytremetone

(±)Hydroxytremetone (III) has been synthesized from 2-(α-hydoxyisopropyl)-6-hydroxycoumaran (V b) via its O-acetate V c by dehydration with phosphorus tribromide in pyridine solution, followed by acylation with a mixture of trifluoroacetic anhydride and acetic acid. Isohydroxytremetone (IX b) was also synthesized.     

Synthesis of (±)-Xanthoxins

The enzymatic properties of P2-2 enzyme were determined by using cells of M. radiodurans. The enzyme was: most active at 60°C incubation temperature, stable at 40°C in neutral buffer, and inactivated by heating at 80°C for 15min. Maximal lytic activity occurred at pH 8.5 in Tris-HCl buffer. The range of enzyme stability was between pH 5.5 and 8. Bivalent metal ions, p-chloromercuribenzoate and monoiodo acetate inhibited lytic activity. The molecular weight was estimated to be 16,000 daltons by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The enzymatic digestion of peptidoglycans from the cell walls of M. radiodurans and M. lysodeikticus liberated free amino groups, but neither reducing groups nor N-acetylhexosamine, indicating that the enzyme was an endopeptidase. From analysis of the N-terminal amino acids of the digests, it is suggested that the P2-2 enzyme cleaves the peptide bond at the carboxyl group of D-alanine in peptidoglycan.     

Synthesis of (–)-Muricatacin

The synthesis of (–)-muricatacin starting from 1-bromododecane and 2-pentyn-l-ol is described. 2-Pentadecyn-1-ol (4), which was prepared from 1-bromododecane (2) and 2-pentyn-1-ol (3), was converted to epoxy alcohol 6 through a two-step reaction sequence, 6 being successively submitted to tosylation, iodination, chain extension with tert-butyl lithioacetate, and acid-catalyzed cyclization to give (–)-muricatacin (1a). Recrystallization afforded optically pure 1a.     

Synthesis of (±)-licarin-B

The synthesis of (±)-licarin-B, a neolignan of Licaria aritu Ducke (Lauraceae), was achieved by pyrolysis of 3-hydroxy-3-piperonyl-1-propyl-2-methoxy-4-(E)-propenylphenyl ethers.     

Structural diversity of neutral bis-(β-iminoaldehyde) complexes of nickel(II)

Series of Ni^II and Cu^II complexes with dianionic [N₂O₂] ligands were synthesized and characterised applying spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques. The ligands were obtained by 1:2 condensation of ethylene- and propylenediamine with malonic aldehyde derivatives (R² = H, R¹ = H or OCH₃). Although the molecular formulae of the complexes are quite similar, the X-ray investigations have proved a significant structural diversity in the solid state. Among others, we found some simple nearly planar molecules stacked in the crystal lattice with electron density of six-membered rings delocalised over the chelate rings as well as some very complex polymeric or nickel acetate bridged trinuclear complexes. The coordination of the nickel ion by surrounding oxygen and nitrogen atoms is square-planar in the simplest case and octahedral in the most complex one. Small topological differences in similar molecules generate completely different crystal structures.From magnetic studies, a small, negative value of J obtained confirms the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Ni^II ions in polymeric chain of the propylenediamine dialdehyde substituted derivative.     

Synthesis of (±)-Lamprolobine and (±)-Epilamprolobine

(±)-Lamprolobine, the (+)-enatiomer of which was isolated from the leaves of Lamprolobium fruticosum, and (±)-epilamprolobine were synthesized from δ-valerolactam.     

Synthesis of (±)-Homosarkomycin and (±)-Rosaprostol

(±)-Homosarkomycin (2) and (±)-rosaprostol (3) were synthesized from (±)-methyl 2-oxo-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-1-carboxylate (1) by using the nucleophilic ring opening reaction on the double-activated cyclopropane ring as the key step.     

Biological function of modified nucleotides T_(54) and ψ_(55) of yeast tRNA~(Ala)

The 3' half molecule of yeast tRNAAla (nucleotides 36-75) was hybridized with a DNA fragment (5'GGAATCGAACC 3') and the hybrid was then digested with E. coli RNase H (from Boehringer). The enzyme can specifically cleave the 3' half molecule at the 3' side of nucleotide ψ55, thus a fragment C36-ψ55 was prepared. The 3'-terminal T or Tψ of this fragment was removed by one or two cycles of periodate oxidation and $-elimination. The products were fragments C36-T54 and C36-G53. Three yeast tRNAAla fragments C56-A76, U55-A76 (with ψ55 replaced by U), U54-A76 (with T54ψ55 replaced by UU) were synthesized and ligated with three prepared fragments (C36-ψ55 C36-T54 and C36-G53) respectively by T4 RNA ligase. The products were further ligated with the 5' half molecule (nu-cleotides 1-35). Using this method, one reconstituted yeast tRNAAla (tRNAr) and two yeast tRNAAla analogs: (i) tRNAa with U55 instead of ψ55; (ii) tRNAb with U54U55 instead of T54ψ55 were synthesized. The charging and incorporation activi     

Structure of Poly (dT)·Poly (dA)·Poly (dT)

Abstract

The molecular structure of poly (dT)·poly (dA)·poly (dT) has been determined and refined using the continuous x-ray intensity data on layer lines in the diffraction pattern obtained from an oriented fiber of the DNA. The final R-value for the preferred structure is 0.29 significantly lower than that for plausible alternatives. The molecule forms a 12-fold right- handed triple-helix of pitch 38.4 Å and each base triplet is stabilized by a set of four Crick-Watson-Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds. The deoxyribose rings in all the three strands have C2′-endo conformations. The grooveless cylindrical shape of the triple-helix is consistent with the lack of lateral organization in the fiber.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (S)-α-(octyl)glycine via alkylation of Ni(II) complex of chiral glycine Schiff base

Over last decade, the use of Ni(II) complexes, derived from of glycine Schiff bases with chiral tridentate ligands, has emerge as a leading methodology for preparation of structurally diverse Tailor-Made Amino Acids, the key structural units in modern medicinal chemistry, and drug design. Here, we report asymmetric synthesis of derivatives of (S)-α-(octyl)glycine ((S)-2-aminodecanoic acid) and its N-Fmoc derivative via alkylation of chiral nucleophilic glycine equivalent with n-octyl bromide. Under the optimized conditions, the alkylation proceeds with excellent yield (98.1%) and diastereoselectivity (98.8% de). The observed stereochemical outcome and convenient reaction conditions bode well for application of this method for large-scale asymmetric synthesis of (S)-2-aminodecanoic acid and its derivatives.     

Optical Resolution of (±)-Metyrosine

A lipase gene (lip) and its activator gene (act) on a 2.9 kb BglII-EcoRI fragment from Pseudomonas sp. KWI-56 were cloned in Escherichia coli using pUC19 as a vector plasmid. From the sequencing results, the open reading frames of the lip and the act were found to contain 1092 and 1032 nucleotides, respectively. The act existed downstream of the lip with the same orientation. When the lip was expressed in E. coli using the lac promoter on the pUC plasmid vector, the lipase activity of E. coli carrying both the lip and the act was 200-fold greater than that carrying only the lip. This result suggested the act was important in the expression of the lip in E. coli.     

Synthesis of (±)-Tubaic Acid

An alternative synthesis of (±)-tubaic acid (I), a key intermediate compound of rotenone synthesis, has been accomplished by the Wittig reaction.     

Redescription of Skrjabinodon medinae (García-Calvente, 1948) (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the cloaca of Podarcis pityusensis (Bosca, 1883) (Sauria: Lacertidae) of the Balearic Islands (Spain)

Pharyngodon medinae García-Calvente, 1948 (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) is redescribed from Podarcis pityusensis (Bosca, 1883) (Sauria: Lacertidae) of the Balearic Islands (Spain) and confirmed as a member of the genus Skrjabinodon Inglis, 1968. A systematic review of S. medinae and closely related species is also given. Parathelandros canariensis is referred to Skrjabinodon as a new combination and Parathelandros Magzoub et al., 1980 is dismissed as a junior homonym of Parathelandros Baylis, 1930.     

Ligand substitution reactions of bis(μ-acetato)dichlorodicarbonyldiiridium(II)

Seven diiridium(II) complexes were synthesized by ligand substitution reactions of [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂] (1) and [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂(py)₂] (2).The reaction of 2 with the silver salt of a less coordinating anion, AgSbF₆, gave a cationic complex [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl(CO)₂(py)₃]SbF₆ (3).A tricarbonyl cationic complex [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂(CO)₃Cl(py)₂]SbF₆ (4) was obtained under a CO atmosphere.Complex 2 reacted with AgO₂CCF₃ to give [Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(py)₂] (5) in toluene.[Ir₂(μ-hiq)₂(CO)₂Cl₂] (Hhiq = 1-hydroxyisoquinoline, 6) was synthesized by the bridging-ligand substitution of 1 with Hhiq.Its axial adducts [Ir₂(μ-hiq)₂Cl₂(CO)₂L₂] (L = Mepy (4-methylpyridine), 7 or PPh₃, 8) were synthesized by addition of the ligands to a suspension of 6.In the structures of 7 and 8, two iridium atoms are bridged by two hiq ligands in a head-to-tail arrangement.The reaction of 1 with Hmhp (2-hydroxy-4-methylpyridine) led to triply bridged [Ir₂(μ-mhp)₃(CO)₂Cl(Hmhp)] (9).In complex 9, all the mhp ligands bridge between the Ir atoms in a head-to-head manner.The Ir-Ir distances of 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 are 2.6047(7), 2.6216(9), 2.5899(9), 2.5933(5) and 2.634(2) Å, respectively, which are similar to those observed in[Ir₂(μ-O₂CMe)₂Cl₂(CO)₂L₂]. The Ir-Ir distance of 2.5512(4) Å in 9 is shorter than in the other complexes.     

Synthesis of ( ± )-Methyl Epijasmonate and ( ± )-Methyl Cucurbate

A novel synthesis of ( ± )-methyl epijasomonate (2) and the first synthesis of ( ± )-methyl cucurbate (4) were achieved starting from 2-allylcyclohexane-1,3-dione (8). The synthetic epimer 2 had a stronger jasmin flavor than the trans-isomer 1 with 95% purity.     

Fine structure of the midgut of Sinopanorpa tincta (Navás) (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

Fine structure of the midgut and degeneration of the midgut epithelium of the scorpionfly Sinopanorpa tincta (Navás) adults were investigated using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the tubular midgut lacks gastric caeca and is composed of an outer longitudinal and an inner circular muscle layer, a basal lamina, an epithelium and a lumen from the outside to inside. A peritrophic membrane was not found in the lumen. A mass of nodules was observed on the surface of the basal lamina. Three types of cells were recognized in the epithelium: digestive, secretory, and regenerative cells. The digestive cells contain irregular-shaped infoldings in the basal membrane and two types of microvilli in the apical membrane. The secretory cells are characterized by irregular shape and large quantities of secretory granules in the basal cytoplasm. The regenerative cells are triangular in shape and distributed only in the nodules. The epithelial cells are degenerated through programmed cell-death mechanisms (apoptosis and necrosis). The type, function, and degeneration of the epithelial cells of the midgut are briefly discussed.     

Theoretical investigation of direct amination of β-ketoesters catalyzed by copper(II)-bisoxazoline(BOX)

The mechanism of the direct amination of β-keto esters catalyzed by copper(II)-bisoxazoline has been studied by means of density functional theory of B3LYP method. The computational results support the present mechanism, which involves (i) the generation of the enol from β-keto esters, which coordinates to copper(II)-bisoxazoline. The coordination step appears to be fast, exothermic, and irreversible. (ii) The formation of the σ(N-C) bond via a six-membered ring transition state after azo dicarboxylate coordination with the chiral catalyst. This step is chirality-control step. (iii) Intramolecular hydrogen migration generates a catalyst-product complex, which can finally yield product. The hydrogen shift is the rate-determining step, which affords the experimentally observed (R)-product. The stereochemical predictions have been rationalized in terms of steric repulsions, showing good agreement with experimental data. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.