Synthesis and antinematodal activity of 3-n-alkylphenols

Several 3-alkylphenols including 3-undecylphenol, which was isolated from a Sumatran rainforest plant, were synthesized to investigate their antinematodal activity against the phytopathogenic nematodes, Bursapherencus xylophilus. A three-step synthesis involving the treatment of 2-cyclohexen-1-one with the Grignard reagent, oxidation of the resulting 1-alkyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol and subsequent aromatization of 3-alkyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one successfully afforded such phenols. Among the 3-alkylphenols, 3-nonylphenol showed the highest activity, while 3-decylphenol and 3-undecylphenol also showed high activity.     

Cell-Bound Serine Proteinase of Sporulating Cells of Bacillus subtilis

2-Deuterio-2-cyclohexen-l-one, 3-deuterio-2-cyclohexen-l-one and 2-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one were reduced by Clostridium La 1 giving a single bioconversion product resulting from reduction of the carbon-carbon double bond. Stereochemistry of the reaction was studied.     

Urease inhibitory activity of simple alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

A variety of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones were evaluated for their effect on the jack bean urease. Of 35 compounds tested, 2-cyclohepten-1-one (1), 2-cyclohexen-1-one (2), 2-cyclopenten-1-one (3), and 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (4) showed potent inhibitory activities against the enzyme. The most potent compound (1) (IC50=0.16 mM) showed similar inhibitory potency to hydroxyurea (IC50=0.095 mM). The inhibitory effects of 1, 2, 3, and 4 were significantly reduced by 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol. These data suggest that alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones inhibited the urease activity, possibly by a Michael-like addition of a protein SH group to the double bond of the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl group.     

Synthesis and carbonic anhydrase inhibitory properties of novel coumarin derivatives

A newly series of water-soluble 1-alkyl-3-(4-methyl-7, 8-dihydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one) benzimidazolium chloride salts (3a-j) were synthesized and their inhibitory effects on the activity of purified human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) I and II were evaluated. hCA I and II from human erythrocytes were purified by a simple one step procedure by using Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine-sulphanilamide affinity column. The result showed that all the synthesized compounds were inhibited the CA isoenzymes activity. Among them, 3g and 3j were found to be most active (IC₅₀ = 22.09 µM and 20.33 µM) for hCA I and hCA II, respectively.     

Reduction screening with endophytic fungi: Synthesis of homochiral secondary alcohols

Twelve strains of endophytic fungi, isolated from various plants (i.e. Eugenia hallii, Schinus molle, Crataegus monogyna, Juniperus communis and Sambucus nigra) sampled in Amazonian forest and in Italy, were screened for their reduction activity with a cocktail of ketones 1–4. The four most active strains [i.e. Phomopsis (FE86 and FE290), Pestalotia and Epicoccum] were chosen for the reduction of 5-hexen-2-one 1, acetophenone 2, cis-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one 3, 2-methylcyclohexanone 4, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one 5, 2-furyl methyl ketone 6, 1-indanone 7, and 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one 8 and in all cases the S-alcohols were obtained with variable yields and enantiomeric excesses depending on the strains.     

Syntheses of Terpenes by the Condensation of Aliphatic Compounds

Treatment of mesityloxide with basic condensing agents resulted in formation of isoxylitones-A, B, C and D and isophorone. These compounds were purely isolated and assigned their structures from spectroscopic and chemical evidences. Isoxylitone-A and isoxylitone-B were conformers of 1-acetyl-2, 4, 6, 6-tetramethyl-1, 3-cyclohexadiene separated by the rotational barrier of acetyl group and interconversional barrier of cyclohexadiene ring. Isoxylitone-C was 4-isopropenyl-1, 5, 5-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-3-one. Isoxylitone-D was 5, 5-dimethyl-3-(1-isobutenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-one.     

Discovery of a potent, non-triketone type inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase

3-Cyclopropanecarbonyloxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one has been found to be a new, potent, low molecular weight non-triketone type inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase with IC50 value of 30 nM. Preliminary studies suggest that the two carbonyl groups present in the compound are crucial for the inhibition activity.     

Accumulation of cyclohexenone derivatives in barley, wheat and maize roots in response to inoculation with different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Glomus intraradices , Glomus mosseae, and Gigaspora rosea leads to the accumulation of cyclohexenone derivatives. Mycorrhizal roots of all plants accumulate in response to all three fungi blumenin [9-O-(2′-O-glucuronosyl)-β-glucopyranoside of 6-(3-hydroxybutyl)-1,1,5-trimethyl-4-cyclohexen-3-one], 13-carboxyblumenol C 9-O-gentiobioside, nicoblumin [9-O-(6′-O-β-glucopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside of 13-hydroxy-6-(3-hydroxybutyl)-1,1,5-trimethyl-4-cyclohexen-3-one] and another, as yet unidentified, cyclohexenone derivative. The accumulation of all four compounds in three tested mycorrhizal plants colonized by the three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi indicates no fungus-specific induction of these compounds. Accepted: 6 October 1999     

Biotransformation of alpha-isomethylionone to 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one

The main biodegradation product of (+/-)-alpha-isomethylionone (2) with standard activated sludge was characterized as (+/-)-1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one (1) by its analysis and synthesis. Both enantiomers (1a and 1b) of 1 were synthesized by starting from (R)- and (S)-2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol (3a and 3b), respectively.     

Synthesis and evaluation of antifungal properties of a series of the novel 2-amino-5-oxo-4-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carbonitrile and its analogues

A series of 2-amino-5-oxo-4-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carbonitrile and various analogues have been synthesized in excellent isolated yields starting from various arylidenemalononitrile and 3-amino-2-cyclohexen-1-one in 1-propanol as solvent at reflux temperature in the absence of any added catalyst. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antifungal activity. The relationship between functional group variation and biological activity of the evaluated compounds is discussed in the article.     

Imidazolylchromanones containing alkyl side chain as lanosterol 14α-demethylase inhibitors: synthesis,antifungal activity and docking study

Abstract

Previously, 2-alkylchromans have been introduced as non-azole inhibitors of 14α-demethylase. Accordingly, we incorporated imidazole ring on the 3-position of 2-alkylchromanones to design new inhibitors of 14α-demethylase and potential antifungal agents. Thus, a series of 2-alkyl-3-imidazolylchromanones were synthesized starting from 2-hydroxyphenacyl bromide. The trans-configuration of compounds was confirmed by NMR-spectroscopy. The antifungal activity of title compounds were evaluated against different fungi in comparison with fluconazole and miconazole. trans-2-(1-Pentyl)-3-imidazolylchroman-4-one (4d) showed the most potent activity against yeasts comparable to fluconazole. The experimental data based on ¹H NMR spectroscopy revealed that 2-alkyl side chain and 3-imidazolyl moiety in compound 4d exist predominantly in the di-equatorial conformation. While docking study with 14α-demethylase demonstrated that the di-axial form of compound 4d can be considered as active conformation.     

First synthesis of (+/-)-robinlin

The first synthesis of (+/-)-robinlin (1), a novel homo-monoterpene with strong bioactivity in the brine shrimp lethality test, was achieved by starting from 3-isobutyloxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (2).     

Quinolones and their N-oxides as inhibitors of photosystem II and the cytochrome b(6)/f-complex

4(1H)-quinolones (2-alkyl- (1), 2-alkyl-3-methyl- (2), 2-methyl-3-alkyl- (3), 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-alkyl- (4) and 1-hydroxy-2-alkyl- (5)) with n-alkyl side chains varying from C(5) to C(17) have been synthesized and tested for biological activity in photosystem II and the cytochrome b(6)/f-complex. In photosystem II, quinolones 1 and 2 showed only moderate activity, whereas 3<5<4 (increasing activity) were potent inhibitors. Displacement experiments with [(14)C]atrazine indicated that the quinolones share an identical binding site with other photosystem II commercial herbicides. In the cytochrome b(6)/f-complex, only 3<4 showed enhanced activity. Maximal inhibitory potency was achieved at a carbon chain length of 12-14 A. Further increase of the chain length decreased activity. In a quantitative structure-activity relationship inhibitory activity in photosystem II and the cytochrome b(6)/f-complex could be correlated to the physicochemical parameters lipophilicity pi and/or to STERIMOL L.     

Progesterone 5β-reductases/iridoid synthases (PRISE): gatekeeper role of highly conserved phenylalanines in substrate preference and trapping is supported by molecular dynamics simulations

Vein Patterning 1 (VEP1)-encoded progesterone 5β-reductases/iridoid synthases (PRISE) belong to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily of proteins. They are characterized by a set of highly conserved amino acids in the substrate-binding pocket. All PRISEs are capable of reducing the activated C=C double bond of various enones enantioselectively and therefore have a potential as biocatalysts in bioorganic synthesis. Here, recombinant forms of PRISEs of Arabidopsis thaliana and Digitalis lanata were modified using site-directed mutagenesis (SDM). In rDlP5βR, a set of highly conserved amino acids in the vicinity of the catalytic center was individually substituted for alanine resulting in considerable to complete loss of enone reductase activity. F153 and F343, which can be found in most PRISEs known, are located at the outer rim of the catalytic cavity and seem to be involved in substrate binding and their role was addressed in a series of SDM experiments. The wild-type PRISE accepted progesterone (large hydrophobic 1,4-enone) as well as 2-cyclohexen-1-one (small hydrophilic 1,4-enone), whereas the double mutant rAtP5βR_F153A_F343A converted progesterone much better than the wild-type enzyme but almost lost its capability of reducing 2-cyclohexen-1-one. Recombinant Draba aizoides P5βR (rDaP5βR) has a second pair of phenylalanines at position 156 and 345 at the rim of the binding site. These two phenylalanines were introduced into rAtP5βR_F153A_F343A and the resulting quadruple mutant rAtP5βR_F153A_F343A_V156F_V345F partly recovered the ability to reduce 2-cyclohexen-1-one. These results can best be explained by assuming a trapping mechanism in which phenylalanines at the rim of the substrate-binding pocket are involved. The dynamic behavior of individual P5βRs and mutants thereof was investigated by molecular dynamics simulations and all calculations supported the ‘gatekeeper’ role of phenylalanines at the periphery of the substrate-binding pocket. Our findings provide structural and mechanistic explanations for the different substrate preferences seen among the natural PRISEs and help to explain the large differences in catalytic efficiency found for different types of 1,4-enones.     

Hydrolysis by phospholipase D of phospholipids in solution state or adsorbed on a silica matrix

Phospholipases D (PLD) catalyse hydrolysis and transphosphatidylation reactions in phospholipids. In the present study, the hydrolytic activity for cabbage PLD was investigated with five different substrates (dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), didecanoylphosphatidylcholine (DDPC), 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and lyso-phosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC)) in solution or adsorbed on a silica matrix. In the specific buffer solutions, where the substrates were proved to form large multilamellar polydisperse aggregates, PLD showed preference for DPPC > DPPE > DDPC > 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine > lyso-PC. When the substrates were adsorbed on the silica matrix, PLD hydrolysed 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and lyso-PC, DDPC, but not DPPC or DPPE. Theoretical studies of the simplest possible adducts between the phospholipids and the silica matrix were performed. Examination of local geometries of DPPC showed a significant blocking of the P-O-X bond-prone to hydrolysis, which could possibly block the access of PLD. Immobilization of phospholipids could be applied for improving the yield of reactions catalysed by PLD as well as for performing a targeted production of short-chain length phosphatidic acid analogs.     

The separation and synthesis of lipidic 1,2- and 1,3-diols from natural phenolic lipids for the complexation and recovery of boron

A study has been made of the semi-synthesis of 1,3-diols (anacardic alcohols) from natural phenolic lipid resources from Anacardium occidentale and Anacardium giganteum which have given C15 and C11 derivatives, respectively. An isomeric 1,3-diol (isoanacardic alcohol) has been obtained from cardanol separated from technical cashew nut-shell liquid. Homologous 1,3-diols have been synthesised from a range of synthetic 2-alkyl-, 3-alkyl- and 4-alkylphenols and from 6-alkylsalicylic acids. The natural 1,2-diol, urushiol, from Rhus vernicifera has been purified. All these lipidic compounds have been studied for their complexation and the potential recovery of boron as boric acid.     

Reaction of morphinone reductase with 2-cyclohexen-1-one and 1-nitrocyclohexene: proton donation, ligand binding, and the role of residues Histidine 186 and Asparagine 189

Morphinone reductase (MR) catalyzes the NADH-dependent reduction of alpha/beta unsaturated carbonyl compounds in a reaction similar to that catalyzed by Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE1). The two enzymes are related at the sequence and structural levels, but key differences in active site architecture exist which have major implications for the reaction mechanism. We report detailed kinetic and solution NMR data for wild-type MR and two mutant forms in which residues His-186 and Asn-189 have been exchanged for alanine residues. We show that both residues are involved in the binding of the reducing nicotinamide coenzyme NADH and also the binding of the oxidizing substrates 2-cyclohexen-1-one and 1-nitrocyclohexene. Reduction of 2-cyclohexen-1-one by FMNH(2) is concerted with proton transfer from an unknown proton donor in the active site. NMR spectroscopy and flavin reoxidation studies with 2-cyclohexen-1-one are consistent with His-186 being unprotonated in oxidized, reduced, and ligand-bound MR, suggesting that His-186 is not the key proton donor required for the reduction of 2-cyclohexen-1-one. Hydride transfer is decoupled from proton transfer with 1-nitrocyclohexene as oxidizing substrate, and unlike with OYE1 the intermediate nitronate species produced after hydride transfer from FMNH(2) is not converted to 1-nitrocyclohexane. The work highlights key mechanistic differences in the reactions catalyzed by MR and OYE1 and emphasizes the need for caution in inferring mechanistic similarities in structurally related proteins.     

A New Keto-alcohol, (−)-Mintlactone, (+)-isoMintlactone and Minor Components in Peppermint Oil

Eighty-one constituents were newly identified from the oil of Mentha piperita L., including a new keto-alcohol, (?)-mintlactone and (+)-isomintlactone. They were determined by spectral data and syntheses to be 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (8), (6R, 7aR) (10) and (6R, 7aS)-3,6-dimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-2(4H)-benzofuranone (11), respectively.     

Synthetic Studies on Cyclopentane Derivatives

A new synthetic route to prostaglandin-F₁ skeleton from readily accessible 2-carboxyhexyl-cyclopentane-1,3,4-trione was achieved. The route included 2-alkyl-3-cyano-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one as an intermediate.     

Enantioselective conjugate addition of diethylzinc to cyclic enones catalyzed by copper complexes of methylene-bridged P-chirogenic diphosphines

The copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of diethylzinc to 2-cyclohexen-1-one was investigated using (R,R)-bis-(t-butylmethylphosphino)methane (1c) as a chiral ligand. The reaction was carried out at 0 degrees C in THF-toluene as the solvent system and in the presence of 1.2 mol% of CuOTf afforded (S)-3-ethylcyclohexan-1-one with 85% ee.