The 13C-n.m.r. spectra of peracetylated cello-oligosaccharides

The reaction of 1,4-anhydro-2-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-d-arabino-hex-1-enitol (1) with m-chloroperbenzoic acid in ethanol gives 2,3-unsaturated ethyl glycosides together with saturated ethyl glycosides formed by trans-ring opening of 1,2-epoxide intermediates. Similar results are obtained on peroxidation of 1,4-anhydro-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-mannofuranosyl)-5,6-O-isopropylidene-d-arabino-hex-1-enitol (2). Products resulting from osmylation of 1 and 2 and cleavage of the osmate esters are also described. 2-Deoxy derivatives are prepared from 1 and 2 by methoxymercuration-demercuration and also by reduction of 2-bromo-2-deoxy derivatives obtained by ethoxybromination.     

Formation of Acetylene Dicarboxylic Acid and Its Esters with 2-Butyne-1,4-diol from 2-Butyne-1,4-diol by Fusarium merismoides B11

Several kinds of compounds were formed by Fusarium merismoides Bll when the fungus was grown in the medium containing 2-butyne-1,4-diol as the sole source of carbon. Four of these compounds were isolated by thin-layer chromatography and identified as acetylene dicarboxylic acid, an ester of acetylene dicarboxylic acid with 2-butyne-1,4-diol, an acetylated derivative of the ester, and cis-aconitic acid.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of 1,3-1,4-beta-glucosyl oligosaccharides by 1,3-1,4-beta-glucanase from Synechocystis PCC6803: a comparison with assays using polymer and chromophoric oligosaccharide substrates

The specificity of 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase from Synechocystis PCC6803 (SsGlc) was investigated using novel substrates 1,3-1,4-β-glucosyl oligosaccharides, in which 1,3- and 1,4-linkages are located in various arrangements. After the enzymatic reaction, the reaction products were separated and determined by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). As a result, SsGlc was found to hydrolyze the pentasaccharides, which possess three contiguous 1,4-β-glycosidic linkages (cellotetraose sequence) adjacent to 1,3-β-linkage, but none of the other oligosaccharides were hydrolyzed. To further analyze the specificity, kinetic measurements were performed using polymeric substrates and 4-methylumbelliferyl derivatives of laminaribiose and cellobiose (1,3-β-(Glc)₂-MU and 1,4-β-(Glc)₂-MU). The k_cat/K_m value obtained for barley β-glucan was considerably larger than that for lichenan, indicating that SsGlc prefers 1,3-1,4-β-glucan possessing a larger amount of cellotetraose sequence. This is consistent with the data obtained for 1,3-1,4-β-glucosyl oligosaccharides. However, the k_cat/K_m value obtained for 1,4-β-(Glc)₂-MU was considerably lower than that for 1,3-β-(Glc)₂-MU, suggesting inconsistency with the data obtained from the other natural substrates. It is likely that the kinetic data obtained from such chromophoric substrates do not always reflect the true enzymatic properties.     

Heme-Dependent Rubber Oxygenase RoxA of Xanthomonas sp. Cleaves the Carbon Backbone of Poly(cis-1,4-Isoprene) by a Dioxygenase Mechanism

Oxidative cleavage of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) by rubber oxygenase RoxA purified from Xanthomonas sp. was investigated in the presence of different combinations of ¹⁶O₂, ¹⁸O₂, H₂¹⁶O, and H₂¹⁸O. 12-Oxo-4,8-dimethyl-trideca-4,8-diene-1-al (ODTD; m/z 236) was the main cleavage product in the absence of ¹⁸O-compounds. Incorporation of one ¹⁸O atom in ODTD was found if the cleavage reaction was performed in the presence of ¹⁸O₂ and H₂¹⁶O. Incubation of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) (with RoxA) or of isolated unlabeled ODTD (without RoxA) with H₂¹⁸O in the presence of ¹⁶O₂ indicated that the carbonyl oxygen atoms of ODTD significantly exchanged with oxygen atoms derived from water. The isotope exchange was avoided by simultaneous enzymatic reduction of both carbonyl functions of ODTD to the corresponding dialcohol (12-hydroxy-4,8-dimethyl-trideca-4,8-diene-1-ol (HDTD; m/z 240) during RoxA-mediated in vitro cleavage of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene). In the presence of ¹⁸O₂, H₂¹⁶O, and alcohol dehydrogenase/NADH, incorporation of two atoms of ¹⁸O into the reduced metabolite HDTD was found (m/z 244), revealing that RoxA cleaves rubber by a dioxygenase mechanism. Based on the labeling results and the presence of two hemes in RoxA, a model of the enzymatic cleavage mechanism of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) is proposed.     

Novel Type of Heme-Dependent Oxygenase Catalyzes Oxidative Cleavage of Rubber (Poly-cis-1,4-Isoprene)

An extracellular protein with strong absorption at 406 nm was purified from cell-free culture fluid of latex-grown Xanthomonas sp. strain 35Y. This protein was identical to the gene product of a recently characterized gene cloned from Xanthomonas sp., as revealed by determination of m/z values and sequencing of selected isolated peptides obtained after trypsin fingerprint analysis. The purified protein degraded both natural rubber latex and chemosynthetic poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) in vitro by oxidative cleavage of the double bonds of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene). 12-Oxo-4,8-dimethyltrideca-4,8-diene-1-al (m/z 236) was identified and unequivocally characterized as the major cleavage product, and there was a homologous series of minor metabolites that differed from the major degradation product only in the number of repetitive isoprene units between terminal functions, CHO-CH₂— and —CH₂-COCH₃. An in vitro enzyme assay for oxidative rubber degradation was developed based on high-performance liquid chromatography analysis and spectroscopic detection of product carbonyl functions after derivatization with dinitrophenylhydrazone. Enzymatic cleavage of rubber by the purified protein was strictly dependent on the presence of oxygen; it did not require addition of any soluble cofactors or metal ions and was optimal around pH 7.0 at 40°C. Carbon monoxide and cyanide inhibited the reaction; addition of catalase had no effect, and peroxidase activity could not be detected. The purified protein was specific for natural rubber latex and chemosynthetic poly(cis-1,4-isoprene). Analysis of the amino acid sequence deduced from the cloned gene (roxA [rubber oxygenase]) revealed the presence of two heme-binding motifs (CXXCH) for covalent attachment of heme to the protein. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of heme, and approximately 2 mol of heme per mol of RoxA was found.     

Preparation and characterisation of fragment glycoasparagines from ovalbumin glycopeptides: Reference compounds for structural and biochemical studies of the oligo-mannose and hybrid types of carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins

Glycoasparagines obtained after exhaustive digestion by Pronase of purified ovalbumin were partially degraded by trifluoroacetic acid or subjected to Smith degradation. The partially degraded glycoasparagines thus obtained were first fractionated according to molecular size on Dowex 50W-X2 and then further fractionated by borate chromatography on a column of Sephadex A-25. For a mixture of glycoasparagines of similar molecular size, the latter procedure fractionates according to increasing content of mannosyl cis-2,3-diol. Ten fragment glycoasparagines have been prepared from ovalbumin glycoasparagines, and the structures determined by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy and methylation analysis.     

Comparative yield of Cis-1,4-polyisoprene from stem latex of four Landolphia species

The latex of a tropical liane, Landolphia owariensis, was coagulated with acetic acid. The dried coagulum was dissolved in benzene, the clear solution was decanted, when precipitation with acetone gave a polymer shown by IR and NMR spectroscopy to be cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber. Similar investigations on three other Landolphia species were made to determine the relative yields of this natural cis-1,4-polyisoprene.     

Effect of Hydroxyl Groups and Rigid Structure in 1,4-Cyclohexanediol on Percutaneous Absorption of Metronidazole

In a previous study, a synergistic retardation effect of 1,4-cyclohexanediol and 1,2-hexanediol on percutaneous absorption and penetration of metronidazole (MTZ) was discovered. A complex formation between 1,4-cyclohexanediol and 1,2-hexanediol was proposed to be responsible for the observed effect. The objective of this study was to investigate the necessity of hydroxyl group and the ring structure in 1,4-cyclohexanediol on percutaneous absorption and penetration of MTZ. Eleven formulations were studied in an in vitro porcine skin model using glass vertical Frans Diffusion Cell. 1,4-Cyclohexanediol was changed into 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, trans (and cis)-1,2-cyclohexanediol and 1,6-hexanediol, respectively, to study if H-bonding or ring structure would influence the retardation effect. MTZ was applied at infinite dose (100 mg), which corresponded to 750 μg of MTZ. Based on modifier ratios (MR) calculated by the flux values, the retardation effect on percutaneous absorption and penetration of MTZ was found in the formulations containing 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid or cis-1,2-cyclohexanediol (MR values were 0.47 for which only contains 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 0.74 for the formulation containing both 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and 1,2-hexanediol, and 0.90 for the formulation containing cis-1,2-cyclohexanediol and 1,2-hexanediol, respectively). The results showed that the hydroxyl group and structure of 1,4-cyclohexanediol played a significant role in retardation effects and provided valuable insight on the mechanisms of retardation effect through structure–activity relationships.     

Natural and synthetic diastereoisomeric (?)-3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-diols

1. Rhodesian copalwood (Guibourtia coleosperma) contains three diastereo-isomeric leuco-fisetinidins. These consist of the (−)-2,3-cis–3,4-cis (2R,3R,4R) and (−)-2,3-cis–3,4-trans (2R,3R,4S) 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-diols, and the third was shown to be a 2,3-trans–3,4-cis isomer by means of paper ionophoresis. 2. There occurrence in similar proportions as tannin precursors also in the tropical hardwoods G. tessmannii and G. demeusii implies a close taxonomic relationship between these, and with G. coleosperma. 3. Epimerization of the natural (−)-3′,4′,7- trihydroxy-2,3-trans-flavan-3,4-trans-diol affords a mixture from which the (−)-2,3-cis–3,4-cis isomer was separated readily, but the (−)-2,3-trans–3,4-cis isomer was obtained with difficulty. These were formed by epimerization of the (−)-2,3-trans–3,4-trans isomer at C-2 and C-4, and at C-4, respectively.     

Flavonoids and tannins of Acacia species

The heartwoods of Acacia giraffae and A. galpinii were selected from South African Acacias as representative of those with abnormally high and minimal tannin contents respectively. A. galpinii contains amongst other analogues, the first natural (+)-2,3-trans-3,4-trans-teracacidin (7,8,4′-trihydroxy-flavan-3,4-diol and novel 3-O-methyl-, 7,8-di-O-methyl- and 7,8,4′-tri-O-methylflavonol analogues. (−)-2,3-cis-3,4-cis-Melacacidin (7,8,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavan-3,4-diol) is also present, but tannins are absent. By contrast, from the large excess of leueofisetinidin tannins which characterizes the wood of A. giraffae, only (+)-catechin, (+)-2,3-trans-3,4-trans-leucofisetinidin (7,3′,4′,trihydroxyflavan-3,4-diol and all-trans-(+)-leueofisetinidin-(+)-catechin could be isolated.     

Synthesis of 3,4-anhydro-1-deoxyhexulose derivatives

Epoxidation of trans- and cis-1,3,4-trideoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-d-glycero-hex-3-enulose (2) by alkaline hydrogen peroxide gave a mixture of 3,4-anhydro-1-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-d-arabino- and -d-xylo-hexulose that was resolved by chromatography. Epoxidation of 2 with 3-chloroperbenzoic acid gave (1S)-1-acetoxy-1,2-anhydro-3,4-O-isopropylidene-d-erythrose hydrate and (1R)-1-acetoxy-1,2-anhydro-3,4-O-isopropylidene-d-threose hydrate. Reduction of 2 followed by epoxidation and oxidation gave the corresponding epoxides with the d-ribo and d-lyxo configurations. Structures and configurations of the above compounds were established on the basis of their analytical and spectroscopic data, and by chemical transformations.     

8-O-methyl- and the first 3-O-methylflavan-3,4-diols from Acacia saxatilis

The light purple heartwood of Acacia saxatilis contains (+)-2,3-trans-3,4-trans- and (+)-2,3-trans-3,4-cis-diastereoisomers of 8-methoxy-7,j',4'-trihydroxy- and 7,3′,4′-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-diols as major components. Evidence was also obtained of the first 3-methyl ether of metabolites: of this type, notably of (+)-8-methoxy-7,3′,4′-trihydroxy-2,3-trans-flavan-3,4-cis-diol. Flavonol, dihydroflavonol and flavanone analogies accompany these. The correlation between colour of Acacia heartwoods and structure, phenolic substitution, stereochemistry and composition of their flavonoid components is discussed.     

Structure and reactivity of [Ru(2,3-Medpp)2Cl2]

The structure and reactivity of the complex [Ru(2,3-Medpp)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ (2,3-Medpp⁺=2-[2-(1-methylpyridiniumyl)]-3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ¹H NMR, redox, and UV-Vis absorption measurements. X-ray analysis shows that crystals obtained from an acetonitrile-toluene solution contain the trans-Cl₂, trans-pyrazine isomeric form, while ¹H NMR and redox measurements on the main product of the synthetic workup indicate the presence of the trans-Cl₂, cis-pyrazine isomer. In the dark at 70 °C, the complex [Ru(2,3-Medpp)₂Cl₂]²⁺ reacts slowly in acetonitrile isomerizing to the cis-[Ru(2,3-Medpp)₂(CH₃CN)Cl]³⁺ species. Under ambient light in the presence of excess AgNO₃ the cis-[Ru(2,3-Medpp)₂(CH₃CN)₂]⁴⁺ species is obtained.     

Synthesis of trans-1,4-cyclohexanedisulfonic acid and its zinc salt - A belt-like metal-organic coordination polymer with tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated zinc ions

Diastereomerically pure trans-1,4-cyclohexanedisulfonic acid H₂CDS was prepared in three steps from 1,4-cyclohexanediol (cis/trans-mixture) as a new linker molecule for metal-organic coordination polymers. The crystalline zinc salt contained two molecules DMF per formular unit. Infinite polymeric belts were observed in the solid state structure of [Zn(CDS)(dmf)₂]. These flat belts were formed by connecting two chains of Zn(dmf)-CDS-polymers bearing tetrahedrally coordinated Zn²⁺ ions in one chain and octahedrally coordinated Zn²⁺ centers in the second. Thermal analysis of this polymer revealed its stability up to 400 °C, above which it decomposed cleanly under formation of crystalline ZnO.     

Metabolism of camphanediols

1. The metabolism of the camphane-2,3-diols and camphane was investigated in rabbits. All the compounds increased the content of glucuronide in the urine. 2. Both trans- and cis-diols gave rise to ketols; the cis-diols gave rise to trans-diols, but not vice versa; camphorquinone gave cis-diol, ketols and trans-diol; camphane did not give rise to diols. 3. The possibility is discussed that an enediol is the intermediate for ketol interconversions in the present series of compounds and in other series such as hydroxyoestrones and hydroxyindanones.     

Biflavanoid proguibourtinidin carboxylic acids and their biflavanoid homologues from Acacia luederitzii

[4,6]- and [4,8]-Proguibourtinidin carboxylic acids (3,7,4′-trihydroxyl functionality) of 2,3-trans-3,4-trans: 2,3-cis- and 2,3-trans-3,4-trans: 2,3-trans-configuration based on (?)-epicatechin or (+)-catechin as constituent units, and their associated biflavanoid homologues, predominate in the heartwood of Acacia luederitzii. They are accompanied by stereochemical and functional analogues and by their putative flavan-3,4-diol and flavan-3-ol precursors.     

O,O-Alkylene dithiophosphates of palladium(II) and their adducts with triphenylphosphine

The diamagnetic square-planar, O,O-alkylene dithiophosphates of palladium(II) with the general formula,

(where G(OH)₂  2,3-dimethylbutane-2,3-diol; butane-2,3-diol; 2-methylpentane-2, 4-diol and 2, 2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol) have been synthesized by the reactions of potassium tetrachloropalladate(II) with ammonium alkylene dithiophosphates or the parent alkylene dithiophosphoric acid in 1:2 molar ratios. These compounds are orange or brown coloured solids and except for bis(neopentylene dithiophosphato)palladium(II), they are soluble in halocarbons (CHCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂). IR, NMR (¹H and ³¹P) and electronic spectra along with magnetic data indicate four-coordinated planar geometry for these derivatives. With triphenylphosphine, the above derivatives form 1:1 solid halocarbon soluble adducts, the structures of which have been elucidated by low temperature ³¹P NMR spectra.     

New Metabolites, 2,4,6-Triketosuberic Acid and 2,4,6,8-Tetraketosebacic Acid,Formed from 2-Butyne-1,4-diol by Fusarium merismoides B11

New acidic products were isolated from the culture fluid of Fusarium merismoides B11 after growth on 2-butyne-1,4-diol. These products were identified as 2,4,6-triketosuberic acid, HOOC-CH₂COCH₂COCH₂CO-COOH, 2,4,6,8-tetraketosebacic acid, HOOC-CH₂- COCH₂COCH₂COCH₂CO-COOH, and phthalic acid from their NMR, IR, UV, and MASS spectra, and elementary analyses. These polyketides, which are new metabolites, seem to be related to the biosynthesis of phthalic acid.     

1,4-Dioxane-2,6-diol from anhydroalditols: solvent effects on its formation and conformation

The dialdehyde produced by oxidative glycol-cleavage of 1,5-anhydropentitols exists in a variety of forms, the proportions of which vary widely with changing conditions. As a syrup, it is largely a polymer, which decomposes in deuterium oxide to a mixture of a hydrated acyclic form (30%) and two cyclic hemialdals, namely, cis(e,e)- and trans(a,e)-1,4-dioxane-2,6-diol (22% and 48%, respectively). With acetone, pyridine, or methyl sulfoxide as solvent, the equilibrium is shifted almost exclusively in favor of the cyclic species and, in contrast to the behavior of sugars, the proportion of the diequatorial conformation increases. At elevated temperatures, however, the proportion of the latter species is lowered and the acyclic form is preponderant. These equilibria also are markedly sensitive to mixed solvents.     

Enzymatic separation of cis and trans isomers of alicyclic alcohols

It has been discovered that phosphatases [alkaline phosphatase, orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum), EC 3.1.3.1, and acid phosphatase, orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum), EC 3.1.3.2] display a remarkable geometric specificity in the hydrolysis of cis and trans isomers of monoorthophosphate esters of substituted alicy clicalcohols. While steric hindrances prevent potato acid phosphatase from hydrolysing cis-2-methylcyclohexyl and cis-2-methylcyclopentyl phosphates, the corresponding trans isomers are readily hydrolysed by the enzyme (non-enzymatic, acid-catalysed or base-catalysed hydrolyses of the cis and trans isomers occur at similar rates). Cis isomers of methylcyclohexyl phosphates, in which the methyl group is remote from the hydrolysed ester bond, 3- or 4-, have nearly the same reactivities to phosphatases as their trans counterparts. However, if the methyl group in position 4 is replaced by a bulky substituent, e.g. tert-butyl, phosphatases again hydrolyse only the trans and not the cis isomer. These phenomena afford a simple method for preparative separation of cis and trans isomers of alicyclic alcohols: a mixture of the isomers is first phosphorylated with POCl₃ and then hydrolysed by phosphatase. The trans alcohol formed is extracted with CCl₄, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the remaining cis-tester and subsequent extraction of the cis alcohol produced.