Propterol: A 1,3-diarylpropan-2-ol from Pterocarpus marsupium

The structure of propterol, an extractive of the heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium, has been established to be 1,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)propan-2-ol, on the basis of its spectral data and Jones oxidation of its dimethyl ether to known 1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-one. Propterol appears to be among the simplest of highly reduced flavonoids encountered in nature.     

Genetic,biochemical and immunological evidence for the involvement of two alcohol dehydrogenases in the metabolism of propane by Rhodococcus rhodochrous PNKb1

NAD⁺-dependent propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol dehydrogenase activities were detected in cell-free extracts of Rhodococcus rhodochrous PNKb1 grown on propane and potential intermediates of propane oxidation. However, it was unclear whether this activity was mediated by one or more enzymes. The isolation of mutants unable to utilize propan-1-ol (alcA^-) or propan-2-ol (alcB^-) as sole carbon and energy sources demonstrated that these substrates are metabolized by different alcohol dehydrogenases. These mutants were also unable to utilize propane as a growth substrate indicating that both alcohols are intermediates of propane metabolism. Therefore, propane is metabolized by terminal and sub-terminal oxidation pathways. Westernblot analysis demonstrated that a previously purified NAD⁺-dependent propan-2-ol dehydrogenase (Ashraf and Murrell 1990) was only synthesized after growth on propane and sub-terminal oxidation intermediates (but not acetone), and not propan-1-ol or terminal oxidation intermediates. Therefore, our evidence suggest that another dehydrogenase is involved in the metabolism of propan-1-ol and this agrees with the isolation of the alcA^- and alcB^- phenotypes. The previously characterized NAD⁺-dependent propan-2-ol dehydrogenase from R. rhodochrous PNKb1 is highly conserved amongst members of the propane-utilizing Rhodococcus-Nocardia complex.     

Propterol B,a further 1,3-diarylpropan-2-ol from Pterocarpus marsupium

The structure of propterol B, a heartwood extract of Pterocarpus marsupium, has been established as the hitherto unreported 1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propan-2-ol. The trimethyl ether of propterol B on oxidation with Jones reagent gave 1-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-one.     

Lipase-mediated Transformation of Vegetable Oils into Biodiesel using Propan-2-ol as Acyl Acceptor

Propan-2-ol was used as an acyl acceptor for immobilized lipase-catalyzed preparation of biodiesel. The optimum conditions for transesterification of crude jatropha (Jatropha curcas), karanj (Pongamia pinnata) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) oils were 10% Novozym-435 (immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B) based on oil weight, alcohol to oil molar ratio of 4:1 at 50 °C for 8 h. The maximum conversions achieved using propan-2-ol were 92.8, 91.7 and 93.4% from crude jatropha, karanj and sunflower oils, respectively. Reusability of the lipase was maintained over 12 repeated cycles with propan-2-ol while it reached to zero by 7^th cycle when methanol was used as an acyl acceptor, under standard reaction conditions. Revisions requested 22 December 2005; Revisions received 26 January 2006     

Synthesis and structures of zinc complexes with new binucleating ligands containing alkoxide bridges, and their activities in the hydrolysis of tris(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate

Four new binucleating ligands featuring a hydroxytrimethylene linker between two coordination sites (1,3-bis{N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N-methylamino}propan-2-ol, HL¹; 1,3-bis{N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N-methylamino}propan-2-ol, HL²; 1,3-bis[bis(2-methoxyethyl)amino]propan-2-ol, HL³; and 1-bis[(2-methoxyethyl)amino]-3-{N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N-methylamino}propan-2-ol, HL⁴) were synthesized, along with the corresponding zinc complexes. The structures of three dinuclear zinc complexes ([Zn₂L¹(μ-CH₃COO)₂]BPh₄ (1), [Zn₂L³(μ-CH₃COO)₂]BPh₄ (3), and [Zn₂L⁴(μ-CH₃COO)(CH₃COO)(EtOH)]BPh₄ (4)) and a tetranuclear zinc complex ({[Zn₂L²(μ-CH₃COO)]₂(μ-OH)₂}(BPh₄)₂ (2)) were revealed by X-ray crystallography. Hydrolysis of tris(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (TNP) by these zinc complexes in an acetonitrile solution containing 5% Tris buffer (pH 8.0) at 30 °C was investigated spectrophotometrically and by ³¹P NMR. Although zinc complexes 1, 3, and 4 did not show hydrolysis activity, the tetranuclear zinc complex 2, containing μ-hydroxo bridges, was capable of hydrolyzing TNP. This suggests that the hydroxide moiety in the complex may have an important role in the hydrolysis reaction.     

Biotransformation of myrislignan by rat liver microsomes in vitro

Myrislignan (1), erythro-(1R,2S)-2-(4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyl)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol, is a major acyclic neolignan in seeds of Myristica fragrans. Studies have suggested that myrislignan may deter feeding activity, but little is known about its metabolism. We investigated the biotransformation of myrislignan by rat liver microsomes in vitro. Seven metabolites were produced by liver microsomes from rats pre-treated with sodium phenobarbital. These were identified, using spectroscopic methods, as myrislignanometins A-G (2-8), respectively.     

Lilac alcohol epoxide: a linalool derivative in Actinidia arguta flowers

Lilac alcohol epoxide (2-(5-methyl-5-(oxiran-2-yl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)propan-1-ol), a previously unreported monoterpene, was identified in the solvent extract of the flowers of seven Actinidia arguta genotypes. The diastereomeric lilac alcohol epoxides co-occurred with the lilac aldehydes and alcohols. Another compound, the lilac diol (2-(5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)propan-1-ol) was synthesised as part of our efforts to identify the lilac alcohol epoxide.     

A study of the oxidation of butan-1-ol and propan-2-ol by nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide catalysed by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase.

1. The kinetics of oxidation of butan-1-ol and propan-2-ol by NAD+, catalysed by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, were studied at 25 degrees C from pH 5.5 to 10, and at pH 7.05 from 14 degrees to 44 degrees C, 2. Under all conditions studied the results are consistent with a mechanism whereby some dissociation of coenzyme from the active enzyme-NAD+-alcohol ternary complexes occurs, and the mechanism is therefore not strictly compulsory order. 3. A primary 2H isotopic effect on the maximum rates of oxidation of [1-2H2]butan-1-ol and [2H7]propan-2-ol was found at 25 degrees C over the pH range 5.5-10. Further, in stopped-flow experiments at pH 7.05 and 25 degrees C, there was no transient formation of NADH in the oxidation of butan-1-ol and propan-2-ol. The principal rate-limiting step in the oxidation of dependence on pH of the maximum rates of oxidation of butan-1-ol and propan-2-ol is consisten with the possibility that histidine and cysteine residues may affect or control catalysis.     

Amides from Streptomyces hygroscopicus and their antimicrobial activity [corrected

Three amides, N-salicyloyl-2-aminopropan-1,3-diol (1) and 1-acetyl-N-salicyloyl-2-aminopropan-3-ol (2) including a natural product, N-salicyloyl-2-aminopropan-1-ol (3) were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the culture filtrate of Streptomyces hygroscopicus [corrected] The structures of these compounds were unambiguously established by interpretation of their spectral data including, a series of 1D and 2D-NMR and MS analyses. Compounds 1-3 showed significant antibacterial activity against a wide range of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.     

Facile, alternative route to lubeluzole, its enantiomer, and the racemate

Lubeluzole [(S)-9] has been synthesized by a convergent synthesis, alkylation of N-methyl-N-piperidin-4-yl-1,3-benzothiazol-2-amine (4) with (+)-(R)-1-chloro-3-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)propan-2-ol [(+)-(R)-8] being the key step. Alcohol (+)-(R)-8 was obtained from commercially available (R)-epichlorohydrin [(R)-6], while the thiazole derivative 4 was easily obtained starting from N-protected piperidin-4-one (1) in a three-step procedure. The same method was used in order to obtain both the (R)-stereoisomer of lubeluzole [(R)-9] and its racemate [(RS)-9]. Overall yields ranged from 20% to 35%. The enantiomeric excess values for (S)-9 and (R)-9 were 97% and 94% respectively, as analyzed by chiral HPLC.     

A note on the biocidal properties of Caro's acid triple salt

Caro's acid triple salt (CATS) was found to be bactericidal under acidic or neutral conditions. Although CATS was ineffective against yeasts and bacterial spores, mixtures of CATS and propan-2-ol were rapidly sporicidal in non-alkaline solutions. The sensitivity of yeasts to propan-2-ol was increased by either preliminary or simultaneous exposure to CATS.     

Volatile aroma constituents of parsley leaves

The aroma volatiles of a desert parsley were analysed using routine procedures, and 45 constituents were positively identified, including 11 not previously reported as parsley leaf volatiles. One component, 2-(p-tolyl)propan-2-ol, is a new aroma volatile and, together with p-mentha- 1,3,8-triene, may be unique to parsley. Major constituents of the sample were 4-methoxy-6-(prop-2-enyl)benzo-1,3-dioxolan (myristicin) 4,7-dimethoxy-5-(prop-2-enyl)benzo-1,3 dioxolan (apiole), β-phellandrene, p-mentha-1,3,8-triene and 4-isopropenyl-1-methylbenzene. Aroma assessments during GC showed that apiole, in particular, had desirable parsley odour character.     

Antioxidative compounds isolated from the rhizomes of smaller galanga (Alpinia officinarum Hance)

Antioxidative compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of fresh rhizome of smaller galanga (Alpinia officinarum Hance). Seven phenylpropanoids (1-7) were obtained and their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses. They comprised the two known compounds, (E)-p-coumaryl alcohol gamma-O-methyl ether (1) and (E)-p-coumaryl alcohol (6); and the five novel compounds, stereoisomers of (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-1-methoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (2a and 2b), stereoisomers of (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-ethoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (3a and 3b), (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-1-[(2E)-3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-propenoxy]-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (4), (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-penten-1-ol (5), and (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-penten-1-ol (7). Compounds 1-7 were detected for the first time as constituents of galanga rhizomes and exhibited antioxidative activities against the autoxidation of methyl linoleate in bulk phase.     

The behaviour of peptides on reverse-phase supports during high-pressure liquid chromatography.

High-pressure ('performance') liquid chromatography has been used to investigate the reverse-phase chromatographic behaviour of peptides, ranging in length from 2 to 65 amino acid residues, which have originated from primary-sequence determinations or solution/solid-phase syntheses. By using a pyridine/formate-pyridine/acetate/propan-1-ol buffer system, as previously described [Hughes, Winterhalter & Wilson (1979) FEBS Lett. 108, 81-86], the influence of various experimental parameters were examined. (a) Peptide retention was observed to be temperature-independent between 25 and 55 degrees C. (b) The dependence of chromatographic retention on pH decreases with increasing peptide hydrophobicity. (c) Chromatographic results from C8- and C18-chain-length, as well as from 5 micrometers- and 10 micrometers-particle-size, supports were comparable. (d) The hydrophobic strength of the organic solvent in the mobile phase was observed to decrease: propan-1-ol approximately equal to propan-2-ol greater than acetonitrile much greater than methanol. (e) When gradient rates (% of buffer B/unit time) were systematically decreased, peptide retention decreased in a hyperbolic manner. Comparisons of the peptides chromatographed with respect to their measured retention properties and calculated hydrophobicities were performed by computer analysis. Deviation of peptide chromatographic behaviour was observed to be essentially independent of hydrophobicity, chain length and charge. On the basis of the measured retention properties of the chromatographed peptides, hydrophobic constants for the various amino acid side chains were determined and compared with similar constants available from the literature.     

In vitro activity of 1,3-bisaryloxypropanamines against Trypanosoma cruzi-infected L929 cultures

We describe herein the antitrypanosomal activity of 20 novel 1,3-bis(aryloxy)propan-2-amine derivatives. Compounds 2, 4, 6, 12, 15, 16 and 19 were significantly active against amastigote and trypomastigote forms, with half maximal inhibitory concentrationvalues in the range of 6-18 µM. In the cytotoxicity tests against L929 cells, only compound 4 presented selectivity index value above 10, indicating low toxicity.     

Purification and characterization of the secondary alcohol dehydrogenase from propane-utilizing Mycobacterium vaccae strain JOB-5

Mycobacterium vaccae strain JOB-5 cultured in the presence of propane contained an inducible secondary alcohol dehydrogenase. The enzyme was purified 198-fold using DEAE-cellulose, omega-aminopentyl agarose and NAD-agarose chromatography. The Mr of the enzyme was approximately 136000, with subunits of Mr 37000. The pH optimum for the reaction oxidizing propan-2-ol to propanone was 10-10.5 while the optimum for the reverse reaction was 7.5-8.5. The isoelectric point was 4.9. NAD but not NADP could serve as electron acceptor. The apparent Km values for propan-2-ol and NAD were 4.9 X 10(-5)M and 2.8 X 10(-4)M, respectively. The enzyme was inhibited by thiol reagents and metal chelators. It appears to play an essential role in the metabolism of propane by this bacterium.     

Synthesis of 1,3-diacylaminopropan-2-ols and corresponding 2-acyl derivatives as amide isosteres of natural lipids.

N,N'-diacyl-1,3-diaminopropan-2-ols as amide isosteres of 1,3-diacylglycerols are obtained in 50-79% yields by treatment of 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol with acid chlorides either in ether or THF in the presence of triethylamine and catalytic amounts of 4-dimethyl-aminopyridine. Subsequent acylation of the secondary alcohol function with a variety of carboxylic acids (e.g. fatty acids, N-protected amino acids, drug compounds) can be effected by various techniques (i.e. acid chlorides, symmetrical anhydrides, isopropenyl chloroformate) with yields ranging from 56% to 76%.     

Sesquiterpenes from the east African sandalwood Osyris tenuifolia

The essential oil of the east African sandalwood Osyris tenuifolia was investigated by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Beside several already known sesquiterpenes four new compounds could be isolated by preparative gas chromatography and their structures investigated by mass spectroscopy and NMR techniques. Two of the new compounds--tenuifolene (17) and ar-tenuifolene (15)--show a new sesquiterpene backbone. 2,(7Z,10Z)-Bisabolatrien-13-ol (23) and the cyclic ether lanceoloxide (21) belong to the bisabolanes.     

Effect of propan-2-ol on enzymic and structural properties of elongation factor G.

Elongation factor G (EF-G) can support a GTPase activity in vitro even in the absence of ribosomes when propan-2-ol is present [GTPasep; De Vendittis, Masullo & Bocchini (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 4445-4450]. In the present work the GTPasep activity of EF-G was further studied by investigating (i) the effect of ionic environment on GTPasep and (ii) the influence of propan-2-ol on the molecular structure of EF-G as determined by fluorescence and c.d. measurements. In the presence of 1-300 mM univalent cations (M+) alone, no detectable GTPasep activity was measured; however, in the presence of 1 mM-Mg2+ a considerable stimulation was observed at 40 mM-Li+ or 75 mM-NH4+. Among bivalent cations (M2+), 1 mM-Sr2+, 2-5 mM-Ca2+ and 1 mM-Ba2+ were the most effective, but, in the presence of 75 mM-NH4+, Mg2+ and Mn2+ became the most efficient, whereas the stimulation by other M2+ species was considerably decreased. C.d. measurements showed that the alcohol increased the mean molar residue ellipticity of EF-G at 285 nm, but not at 220 nm. As estimated from fluorescence measurements, in the presence of 20% (v/v) propan-2-ol the value of the dissociation constant of the complex formed between EF-G and 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulphonate decreased from 8 to 5 microM; similarly, the number of binding sites on EF-G for the fluorescent probe decreased from 13 to 6. Finally, the alcohol enhanced the quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of EF-G caused by either acrylamide or KI. The data support the hypothesis that propan-2-ol induces moderate conformational changes of EF-G that make the catalytic centre accessible to the substrate even in the absence of ribosomes. Kinetics of GTPasep studied at different temperatures did not reveal additional structural changes of EF-G occurring with time or temperature.     

New Fe starting materials: preparation, characterisation and structural features of iron halide complexes with alcohol ligands

The new mononuclear [FeCl₂(HOPrⁱ)₄] (1), polymeric [{Cl₃Fe(μ-Cl)Fe(HOPrⁱ)₄}_n] (2) and binuclear [I₂Fe(μ-I)₂Fe(PrⁱOH)₄] (3) iron(II) complexes have been synthesized in high yields in propan-2-ol or toluene/propan-2-ol mixtures at room temperature. Magnetic moment measurements, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy data and the results of semi-empirical quantum mechanical calculations confirmed the high-spin configuration of the iron(II) centres, which were shown to be four- and/or six-coordinate by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding was observed in the solid state structure of 1, intramolecular interactions in 2, while both intra- and intermolecular association was seen in 3. Long iron-(μ-halide) bonds suggest the possibility of complex dissociation in solution and facile ligand substitution in 2 and 3.