The preparation of 6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-D-altrose

The title compound(9) a new nitro sugar and potential starting-point for the synthesis of hitherto unknown stereoisomers in the deoxynitroinositol series, was prepared by a sequence of high-yielding reactions. Methyl 2.3-anhydro-4.6-O- benzylidene-α-D-mannopyranoside was converted into methyl 3-O-methyl-α-D-altropyranoside(3) by the action of sodium methoxide followed by debenzylidenation esssentially according to established procedures. Acetolysis of3 and subsequent Zemple´n transesterification gave syrupy 3-O-methyl-D-altrose, from which the furanoid 1,2:5.6-di-O-isopropylidene and 1,2-O-isopropylidene(7) derivatives were prepared by standard acetonation and partial Hydrolysis Periodate oxidation of 7, and addition of nitromethane to the product. furnished crystalline 6-deoxy-1.2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-β-D-altrofuranose(8) as the chief epimer. Deacetonation of8 by trifluoroacetic acid9 in crystalline form.     

NMR structure of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) modified and C5-methylated RNA dodecamer duplex

The solution-state structure of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethly) substituted dodecamer r(*CG*CGAA*U*U*CG*C)d(G), 2′-MOE RNA, with all cytosines and uracils methylated at the C5-position has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. The chemical modifications were used to improve the oligonucleotide's drug-like properties. The 2′-MOE group drives pseudorotational equilibrium of the ribofuranose moiety to the N-type conformation and supposedly results in structural preorganization leading to high affinity of a modified oligonucleotide towards its complementary biological target, improved pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties. The high melting temperature of the antiparallel duplex structure adopted by 2′-MOE RNA was explained through the formation of a stable A-form RNA consistent with effective base-pairing and stacking interactions. The comparison of the solution-state structure with the crystal structure of a non-methylated analogue shows an increase in the stacking at the base pair steps for the C5-methylated 2′-MOE RNA duplex. The MOE substituents adopt a well-defined structure in the minor groove with the predominant gauche conformations around the ethylene bond.     

Synthesis of some derivatives of pseudo-α-galactopyranose [(1,2/3,4,5)-5-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-cyclohexanetetrol]

Isopropylidenation of dl-(1,2/3,4,5)-5-hydroxymethyl-1,2,3,4-cyclohexanetetrol (1) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of toluene-p-sulfonic acid gave the 1,2:3,4-, 1,2:4,7-, and 2,3:4,7-di-O-isopropylidene derivatives. Several C-7 substituted derivatives of 1 of biological interest have been prepared by nucleophilic displacement reactions of the tosylate derived from the most readily available 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene derivative 3. Condensation of 3 with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide gave diastereoisomeric products, which were converted into 7-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-pseudo-α-d- (26a) and -d-galactopyranose (26B), the structures of which were confirmed by degradation of the octa-acetate of 26A, yielding the known pseudo-α-d-galactopyranose penta-acetate.     

Correlation of the content of hepatotoxin nodularin and glycosidic carotenoids, 4-ketomyxol-2′-fucoside and novel 1′-O-methyl-4-ketomyxol-2′-fucoside,in 20 strains of the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena

The carotenoids of 19 different strains of Nodularia spumigena and one Nodularia sphaerocarpa from different global locations were investigated. The molecular structure of the diagnostic pigment in N. spumigena of the Baltic Sea, tentatively named ‘4-keto-myxoxanthophyll-like pigment’ in Schlüter, L., Garde, K., Kaas, H., [2004. A 4-keto-myxoxanthophyll-like pigment is a diagnostic pigment for the toxic cyanobacteria Nodularia spumigena in the Baltic Sea. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 275, 69–78.] was determined to be a 4-ketomyxol-2′-fucoside. In most of the strains an additional carotenoid was found, identified as the novel 1′-O-methyl-4-ketomyxol-2′-fucoside by 2D NMR. This glycosidic carotenoid methyl ether was found to be a more important diagnostic pigment than the 4-ketomyxol-2′-fucoside for the toxic N. spumigena in the Baltic Sea. Out of the 20 strains 15 were found to produce the hepatotoxin nodularin. The content of carotenoids and nodularin was found to increase relative to chlorophyll a at increasing light intensity and at stationary growth, and nodularin was significantly correlated to both 4-ketomyxol-2′-fucoside and 1′-O-methyl-4-ketomyxol-2′-fucoside, and particular to the sum of these two pigments.     

5′-Uridyl derivatives of N-glycosyl allophanic acid and biuret

(2′,3′-O-Isopropylidene-5′-uridyl) 4-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glycopyranosyl)allophanates were obtained in the reactions of 2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-uridine and O-peracetylated β-d-gluco-, galacto- and xylopyranosylamines, and OCNCOCl. 2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl isocyanate and N-(2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5′-uridyl)urea gave 1-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-5-(2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-5′-uridyl)biuret. Deprotection of the β-d-gluco configured allophanate and biuret was carried out by standard methods.     

Synthesis of 2-O-benzyl- and 2,3- and 2,6-di-O-benzyl-D-galactose

The following ethers, of potential value for the synthesis of α-D-galactopyranosides, were prepared: 2-O-benzyl-D-galactose, 2,6-di-O-benzyl-D-galactose, and 2,3-di-O-benzyl-D-galactose. Isopropylidenation of methyl α-D-galactopyranoside in the presence of phosphorus pentaoxide gave its 3,4-, and 4,6-O-isopropylidene derivatives. Treatment of the 3,4-acetal with trityl chloride in pyridine produced the 6-trityl ether, which was benzylated with benzyl chloride and sodium hydride in N,N-dimethylformamide to yield the 2-benzyl ether. Acid hydrolysis of this product gave 2-O-benzyl-D-galactose. Benzylation of methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranoside, followed by hydrolysis, gave 2,6-di-O-benzyl-D-galactose. Similarly, 2,3-di-O-benzyl-D-galactose was obtained by acid hydrolysis of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactopyranoside and of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-β-D-galactopyranoside.     

A stereospecific synthesis of l-dendroketose derivatives

The 3,4-O- and 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene derivatives (7 and 8) of l-dendroketose [4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-l-glycero-pentulose] (1) have been synthesized stereo-specifically from 4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-l-erythro-pentitol (2).     

Synthesis of methyl 4,6-O-methylene-D-glycopyranosides

Methyl 4,6-O-methylene-D-glycopyranosides having the α-D-altro, α- and β-D-gluco, α-D-manno, and α-D-galacto configurations were prepared in 3.4 to 27.4% yields by condensing formaldehyde from 1,3,5-trioxane with the methyl glucosides in anhydrous 1,4-dioxane at 95° with boron trifluoride as the catalyst. A crystalline methyl 2,3:4,6-di-O-methylene-α-D-mannopyranoside was also isolated. Crystalline methyl 4,6-O-methylene 2,3-di-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α-D-galacto- and α-D-glucopyranosides were prepared in 78 and 54.4% yields. N.m.r. coupling constants of the 2,3-di-O-acetyl derivatives of the 4,6-O-methylene glycosides were used to establish the Cl(D) conformation for each derivative.     

The use of boric and benzeneboronic acids in the partial acetonation of monosaccharides

The preparation of mono-O-isopropylidene derivatives and mono-O-isopropylidene benzeneboronates of monosaccharides in one step is described, together with their p.m.r. and mass-spectral characteristics. In particular, the use of boric acid in the synthesis of the new acetal 1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-L-arabinopyranose (8) is described, together with improved procedures for the preparation of 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-mannofuranose (5) and 3,4-O-isopropylidene-L-arabinopyranose (10). The use of boric acid in the partial hydrolysis of 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-β-L-arabinopyranose to give the 1,2-acetal is reported.     

The influence of selected O-alkyl derivatives of cyclodextrins on the enzymatic decomposition of l-tryptophan by l-tryptophan indole-lyase

A series of O-alkyl derivatives of cyclodextrin: heksakis[2,3,6-tri-O-(2′-methoxyethyl)]-α-cyclodextrin; heksakis(2,3-di-O-methyl)-α-cyclodextrin; heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin; heksakis[2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-(2′-methoxyethyl)]-α-cyclodextrin; heptakis[2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-(2′-methoxyethyl)]-β-cyclodextrin; heksakis[2,3-di-O-(2′-methoxyethyl)]-α-cyclodextrin and heptakis[2,3-di-O-(2′-methoxyethyl)]-β-cyclodextrin have been synthesized. Purity and composition of the obtained substances were examined. The cyclodextrin derivatives listed above as well as (2-hydroxypropyl)-α-cyclodextrin and (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin, the two commercially available ones, have been investigated as the additives in the course of enzymatic decomposition of l-tryptophan by l-tryptophan indole-lyase. It has been found that each of cyclodextrin derivatives causes the inhibition of enzymatic process, both competitive and non-competitive. The competitive inhibition is connected with the formation of inclusion complexes between cyclodextrins and l-tryptophan, related to the geometry of these complexes. The mechanism of the non-competitive inhibition is not so evident; it could be related to the formation of the cyclodextrin complexes on the surface of the enzyme, leading to the change in the flexibility of the enzyme molecule.     

Acetonation of some pentoses with 2,2-dimethoxypropane-N,N-dimethylformamide-p-toluenesulfonic acid

d-Xylose, d-arabinose, and d-ribose were each treated with 2,2-dimethoxypropane in N,N-dimethylformamide containing a trace of p-toluenesulfonic acid. d-Xylose gave 3,5-O-isopropylidene-d-xylofuranose, 1,2:3,5-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylofuranose, 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylopyranose, and two acyclic di-O-isopropylidene derivatives. d-Arabinose gave the known 3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-d-arabinopyranose and 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-arabinopyranose. d-Ribose gave 2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-ribofuranose almost exclusively.     

2-Substituted fortimicins by ring opening of 2-deoxy-1,2-epimino-2-epi-fortimicin B and by nucleophilic displacements of 2-O-(methylsulfonyl)fortimicin derivatives

Opening of the aziridine ring of 2-deoxy-1,2-epimino-2-epi-fortimicin B (10) has been effected with both chloride and azide. The reactions are both stereo- and regiospecific and give 2-chloro-2-deoxyfortimicin B (2c) and 2-azido-2-deoxy-fortimicin B (2d). The nucleophilic displacements of the methanesulfonate groups of some 1-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2-O-(methylsulfonyl)fortimicin derivatives with chloride, azide, and cyanide in N,N-dimethylformamide are dependent both on the nature of the nucleophile and the specific 1-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2-methanesulfonate employed as the substrate. Striking differences in the stereochemistry of the azide displacements with different 2-methanesulfonates are believed to have a conformational basis. 2-Amino-2-deoxyfortimicin A (1c) and both of the 2-epimeric 2-chloro-2-deoxyfortimicins A (1b) and (5) were prepared for antibacterial assay and the in vitro results are reported.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and conformation of 3-O-(6-O-acetyl-2,3-anhydro-4-deoxy-α-l-ribo-hexopyranosyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose

3-O-(6-O-Acetyl-2,3-anhydro-4-deoxy-α-l-ribo-hexopyranosyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose has been synthesised and its monocrystal investigated by X-ray diffraction methods. The compound crystallises in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with cell constants a = 8.790(7), b = 11.678(4), and c = 21.457(10) Å. The intensity data were collected with a four-circle CAD-4 diffractometer. From a total of 1684 intensities, 1275 were of I > 2σ_I. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by the full-matrix, least-squares procedure, resulting in R 0.057. The 4-deoxy-2,3-anhydropyranose ring is characterised by a sofa conformation (₅E), the 1,2-O-isopropylidene ring has a hybrid conformation (E + T), and the 5,6-O-isopropylidene and the α-d-glucofuranose rings have twist (T) conformations. The φ and ψ torsion angles for the glycosidic linkage are 54(4)° and 29(4)°, respectively.     

Synthesis, regioselective hydrogenolysis, partial hydrogenation, and conformational study of dioxane and dioxolane-type (9′-anthracenyl)methylene acetals of sugars

Dioxane-type (9′-anthracenyl)methylene acetal of methyl 2,3-di-O-methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside was cleaved with LiAlH₄/AlCl₃ (3:1) or with Na(CN)BH₃-HCl regioselectively to provide the 4- or 6-O-(9′-anthracenyl)methyl ether, respectively. Hydrogenolytic reaction of the exo and endo isomers of dioxolane-type acetals proved to be directed by the configuration of the acetalic carbon as well as by the intramolecular participation of the adjacent-free hydroxyl; ring-opening reaction of the endo isomer of the methyl 2,3-O-(9′-anthracenyl)methylene-α-l-rhamnopyranoside took place with complete selectivity resulting in the axial (9′-anthracenyl)methyl ether, whereas a 1:1 mixture of the axial and equatorial ethers was formed upon the same reaction of the exo isomer. Catalytic hydrogenation of the sugar acetals resulted in (9′,10′-dihydro-9′-anthracenyl)methylene derivatives without affecting the acetalic center. High-temperature molecular dynamics simulations and DFT (Density Functional Theory) geometry optimizations were carried out to study the conformation of the dioxane-type (9′,10′-dihydro-9′-anthracenyl)methylene acetal.     

Synthesis of 4-O-glycosylated 1,5-anhydro-d-fructose and of 1,5-anhydro-d-tagatose from a common intermediate 2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-fructose

Four novel disaccharides of glycosylated 1,5-anhydro-d-ketoses have been prepared: 1,5-anhydro-4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructose, 1,5-anhydro-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-d-fructose, 1,5-anhydro-4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-tagatose, and 1,5-anhydro-4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-d-tagatose. The common intermediate, 1,5-anhydro-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-fructopyranose, was prepared from d-fructose and was converted into the d-tagatose derivative by oxidation followed by stereoselective reduction to the 4-epimer. The anhydroketoses thus prepared were glycosylated and deprotected to give the disaccharides.     

Toward the synthesis of fine chemicals from lactose: preparation of d-xylo and l-lyxo-aldohexos-5-ulose derivatives

The transformation of (5R)-2,6-di-O-benzyl-5-C-methoxy-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,3:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-aldehydo-d-glucose dimethyl acetal (8) into partially protected derivatives of d-xylo- and l-lyxo-aldohexos-5-ulose has been reported, applying appropriate epimerisation methods to its 3′-O- and 4′-O-protected alcoholic derivatives.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel 3-O-arylalkylcarbamoyl-3-O-descladinosyl-9-O-(2-chlorobenzyl)oxime clarithromycin derivatives

A novel series of 3-O-arylalkylcarbamoyl-3-O-descladinosyl-9-O-(2-chlorobenzyl)oxime clarithromycin derivatives, were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity. These derivatives were found to have strong activity against susceptible and resistant bacteria strains. Among them, compounds 7a and 7q showed the most potent activity (0.125?µg/mL) against erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae expressing the mefA gene. Moreover, compounds 7f, 7i, 7p and 7z displayed remarkably improved activity (4?µg/mL) against penicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC31007, and compounds 7a, 7b, 7f, 7p and 7z showed improved activity (8?µg/mL) against erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes. In particular, compound 7z exhibited potent and balanced activity against the tested drug-susceptible and -resistant bacterial strains.     

Chemical synthesis of 1-O-alkyl and 1-O-acyl dihydroxyacetone-3-phosphate

A method for the chemical synthesis of 1-O-hexadecyl dihydroxyacetone-3-phosphate is described. The synthesis was started with the preparation of O-hexadecyl glycolic acid by condensing 1-iodohexadecane with ethyl glycolate in the presence of silver oxide, followed by saponification and free acid liberation with HC1. O-Hexadecyl glycolic acid was converted to the acid chloride (with oxalyl chloride) which was condensed with diazomethane in diethyl ether to form hexadecyloxy diazoacetone. The diazoketone was decomposed by H₃PO₄ in dioxane to give the desired product, 1-O-hexadecyl dihydroxyacetone-3-phosphate. The product was purified by chromatography on silicic acid column followed by an acid wash. The final yield was 50% starting from O-hexadecyl glycolic acid. Analytical, spectral (IR, NMR) and chromatographic properties of 1-O-hexadecyl dihydroxyacetone-3-phosphate are described. The method described here may be used to prepare different acyl and alkyl derivatives of dihydroxyacetone phosphate in good yield as illustrated by describing the procedure for the synthesis of 1-O-palmitoyl dihydroxyacetone-3-phosphate, 1-O-hexadecyl dihydroxyacetone-3-[³²P] phosphate and the dimethyl ketal of 1-O-palmitoyl [2-¹⁴C]dihydroxyacetone phosphate.     

Improved synthesis and the crystal structure of methyl 4,6-dideoxy-4-(3-deoxy- -glycero-tetronamido)-α- -mannopyranoside, the methyl α-glycoside of the intracatenary repeating unit of the O-polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O:1

The crude product of deamination of the commercially available -homoserine was acetylated and the 2-O-acetyl-3-deoxy- -glycero-tetronolactone (18) formed was used to N-acylate methyl perosaminide (methyl 4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-α- -mannopyranoside, 12) and its 2,3-O-isopropylidene derivative. The major product isolated from the reaction was the crystalline methyl 4-(4-O-acetyl-3-deoxy- -glycero-tetronamido)-4,6-dideoxy-α- -mannopyranoside (1, 70–75%) resulting from acetyl group migration in the initially formed 2'-O-acetyl derivative. O-Deacetylation of 1 gave the title amide 2. Compound 2, obtained crystalline for the first time, was fully characterized, and its crystal structure was determined. Deoxytetronamido derivatives diastereomeric with 1 and 2, respectively, were obtained by the acylation of 12 with 2-O-acetyl-3-deoxy- -glycero-tetronolactone (prepared from -homoserine), and subsequent deacetylation. Structures of several byproducts of the reaction of 12 with 18 have been deduced from their spectral characteristics. Since these byproducts were various O-acetyl derivatives of 2, the title compound could be obtained in ≈ 90% yield by deacetylating (Zemplén) the crude mixture of N-acylation products, followed by chromatography.     

2′-Epi-2′-O-acetylthevetin B induces apoptosis partly via Ca-mediated mitochondrial pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

2′-Epi-2′-O-acetylthevetin B (GHSC-74), a cardiac glycoside, can be isolated from the seeds of Cerbera manghas L. We demonstrated that GHSC-74 reduced the viability of HepG2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and efficiently induced apoptosis without significantly decreasing the viability of Chang human liver cells and Swiss albino 3T3 fibroblasts, as indicated by annexin-V/PI binding assay and Hoechst 33342 staining. In addition, stimulation of HepG2 cells with GHSC-74 induced a series of intracellular events: (1) loss of mitochondrial membrane potential; (2) sustained elevation of cytosolic [Ca²⁺]; and (3) downregulation of Bcl-2. BAPTA-AM, a cytosolic Ca²⁺ chelator, partly suppressed cell death and prevented mitochondrial membrane potential from losing in GHSC-74-treated HepG2 cells. In contrast, EGTA, an extracellular Ca²⁺ chelator, exhibited a weaker effect as compared to that of BAPTA-AM. Taken together, the Ca²⁺-mediated mitochondrial pathway was found to be involved in GHSC-74-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis.