The preparation of 4,6-dichloro-4,6-dideoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl 6-chloro-6-deoxy-,β-d-fructofuranoside and the conversion of chlorinated derivatives into anhydrides

Under carefully controlled conditions, sucrose is converted by selective reaction with sulphuryl chloride into either 6-chloro-6-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl 6-chloro-6-deoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside or 4,6-dichloro-4,6-dideoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl 6-chloro-6-deoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside, which could be isolated without recourse to chromatography. Treatment of the dichloride with sodium methoxide gave 3,6-anhydro-β-d-glucopyranosyl, 3,6-anhydro-β-d-fructofuranoside in high yield. In contrast, 4,6-dichloro-4,6-dideoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl 6-chloro-6-deoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside gave, in two distinct stages, 3,6-anhydro-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl 6-chloro-6-deoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside and 3,6-anhydro-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl 3,6-anhydro-β-d-fructofuranoside. The structures of these products were ascertained by ¹H-n.m.r. and mass spectrometry.     

Microbial transformation of 3β-acetoxypregna-5,16-diene-20-one by Penicillium citrinum

The biotransformation of 3β-acetoxypregna-5,16-diene-20-one (1) by using a filamentous fungus Penicillium citrinum resulted in the production of four metabolites 2–5. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by different spectroscopic analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR) and HR-ESI-MS as 3β,7β-dihydroxy-pregn-5,16(17)-dien-20-one (2), 3β-hydroxy-7α-methoxy-pregn-5,16(17)-dien-20-one (3), 3β,7β,11α-trihydroxy-pregn-5,16(17)-dien-20-one (4), and a known 3β,7α-dihydroxy-pregn-5,16(17)-dien-20-one (5). The 7-O-methylation is a novel reaction in the field of microbial transformation of pregnane steroids.     

Microbial transformation of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid by Sphingomonas paucimobilis strain G5

The effects of the oxygenase inhibitors, 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT), ketoconazole, metyrapone and proadifen, on the metabolism of 18-glycyrrhetinic acid (18-GRA) in Sphingomonas paucimobilis strain G5 were investigated. Strain G5 transformed 18-GRA into a major new metabolite (M-D) in the presence of 1 mM ABT or metyrapone. M-D was purified and identified as 3-hydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-en-24,30-dioic acid by NMR and MS. Based on the structure of M-D, we propose the metabolic pathway of 18-GRA in strain G5.     

Concerning the structure of 7α,15β-dichloro-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol,a novel inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis

Treatment of 3β-p-bromobenzoyloxy-14α, 15α-epoxy-5α-cholest-7-ene with gaseous HCI in chloroform at ?25°C gave 3β-p-bromobenzoyloxy-7α, 15β-dichloro-5α-cholest-8(14)-ene in 93% yield. The structure of the latter compound was unequivocally established by the results of X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

The synthesis of O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→4)-N-acetylnormuramoyl-l-α-aminobutanoyl-d-isoglutamine

Benzyl 2-acetamido-3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranosyl)- α-d-glucopyranoside (4) was obtained in high yield on using the silver triflate method in the absence of base. Compound 4 was converted in six steps into benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-O-benzyl-3-O-(carboxymethyl)-2-deoxy-α-d- glucopyranoside, which was coupled with the benzyl ester of l-α-aminobutanoyl-d-isoglutamine and the product hydrogenolyzed to afford the title compound. O-Benzylation of benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside with benzyl bromide and barium hydroxide in N,N-dimethylformamide is strongly exhanced by sonication of the reaction mixture.     

Stereocontrolled preparation of C-2-deoxy-α- and -β-d-glucopyranosyl compounds from tributyl-(2-deoxy-α- and -β-d-glucopyranosyl)stannanes

tributylstannyllithium treatment of 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-d-arabino-hexopyranosyl chloride (2) provided selectively tributyl (3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-arabino-hexopyranosyl)stannane (3) in 85% yield. Isomeric tributyl (3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-d-arabino-hexopyranosyl)stannane (6) could be prepared in 70% yield by reductive lithiation of 2 and reaction with tributyltin chloride. Tin—lithium exchange reaction, performed on 3 and 6 with butyllithium in oxolane at −78°, generated the corresponding, configurationally stable 2-deoxy-β- and -α-d-hexopyranosyllithium compounds which reacted with electrophilic compounds with retention of configuration. Addition to these glycosyllithium reagents to prochiral carbonyl compounds gave variable degrees of facial selectivity. A significant diastereofacial discrimination (10:1) was observed by condensation of 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-d-arabino-hexopyranosyllithium reagent with hexanal and isobutyraldehyde. The structure of all C-glycopyranosyl compounds obtained was established by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Microbial functionalization of (–)-ambroxide by filamentous fungi

Abstract

Biocatalysis is a very useful tool for organic chemists to functionalize organic compounds under working conditions milder than chemical ones. This methodology has special significance since it can be an easy way to introduce a functional group in a non-reactive carbon, regio- and stereoselectively. In order to look for new compounds with antioxidant activity we report the transformation of the natural substrate (–)-ambroxide using the enzyme potential of pure strains of the filamentous fungi Alternaria alternata and Cunninghamella sp., following a protocol with growing cell cultures, which produced the new compound 1β-hydroxyambroxide and the previously known compound 3β-hydroxyambroxide. After purification their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. These two metabolites are the products of oxidation of ring A of the starting material, without evidence of other compounds with different functionalization. Both compounds were tested for their activity as free radical scavengers in vitro, using the assay of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical trapping. The results demonstrated that hydroxylation of carbons C-1 and C-3 of (–)-ambroxide with β stereochemistry had no effect on biological activity as an antioxidant compared with the starting material and a reference substance.     

Synthesis of 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-[3-alkyl-(aryl)-thioreido]-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoses and their transformation into 2-alkyl(aryl)amino-(1,2-dideoxy-α-d-glucopyrano)[2,1-d]-2-thiazolines

1,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-isothiocyanato-α-d-glucopyranose, produced from 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranose hydrochloride, thiophosgene, and calcium carbonate, was condensed with alkyl- and aryl-amines in ether to afford the crystalline 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-[3-alkyl(aryl)-thioureido]-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoses (2). Compounds 2 and the β anomers 3 were converted in high yield into 2-alkyl(aryl)amino-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-α-d-glucopyrano)[2,1-d]-2-thiazoline hydrobromides (4) by hydrogen bromide-promoted cyclisation. The O-deacetylated thiazoline hydrobromide 5 was also isolated and converted into 2-[N-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamido]-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-α-d-glucopyrano)[2,1-d]-2-thiazoline (8). Conformational studies of 4 and 8 were made by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-β-d-fucopyranosyl-α-d-galactopyranoside and benzyl 2-acetamido-6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2-deoxy-3-O-β-d-fucopyranosyl-α-d-galactopyranoside

Condensation of benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranoside with 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-fucopyranosyl bromide in 1:1 nitromethane-benzene, in the presence of powdered mercuric cyanide, afforded benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β-d-fucopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranoside (3). Cleavage of the benzylidene group of 3 with hot, 60% aqueous acetic acid afforded diol 4, which, on deacetylation, furnished the disaccharide 5. Condensation of diol 4 with 2-methyl-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-di-deoxy-α-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline in 1,2-dichloroethane afforded the trisaccharide derivative (7). Deacetylation of 7 with Amberlyst A-26 (OH^?) anion-exchange resin in methanol gave the title trisaccharide (8). The structures of 5 and 8 were confirmed by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Microbial transformations of (−)-α- and (+)-β-thujone by fungi of Absidia species

The microbial transformations of (−)-α- and (+)-β-thujone (1a and 1b) in cultures of Absidia species: Absidia coerulea AM93, Absidia glauca AM254 and Absidia cylindrospora AM336 were studied. The biotransformations of (−)-α-thujone (1a), by these fungi strains, afforded mixtures of 4-hydroxy- and 7-hydroxy-α-thujone (2 and 3). Aforementioned fungi strains were also able to hydroxylate of (+)-β-thujone at C-7 position. Only A. glauca AM254 transformed 1b to 8-hydroxy-β-thujone (7) and (2S)-2-hydroxyneoisothujol (6). The (4R)-4-hydroxyisothujole (5) was identified as one of the major metabolite of (+)-β-thujone (1b) in culture of A. cylindrospora AM336. This strain was also able to introduce hydroxy group to C-4 position in 1b without reduction of carbonyl group at C-3. The absolute configuration of all chiral centers of new (4R)-4-hydroxyisothujol (5) and (2S)-2-hydroxyneoisothujol (6) were established taking into account the configuration of (+)-β-thujone (1b) and their spectral data.     

Antagonism of the actions of estrogens,androgens and progesterone by anordrin (2α,17α-diethynyl-A-nor-5α-androstane-2β, 17β-diol dipropionate)

Anordrin, an antifertility agent that is an antiestrogen with weak estrogenic activity, has been studied to further characterize its hormonal activities. A dose of 2.0 μg/mouse·day for 7 days did not increase the uterine content of protein, but it did inhibit to a small extent the effect of administered estradiol-17β on uterine protein content and more significantly the effect of estradiol-17β on the uterine content of progesterone receptors. Anordrin also decreased serum corticosteroid-binding globulin levels. Administration of an average daily dose of 160 μg/day of anordrin to intact male mice had no effect on weights of kidney, testis, or seminal vesicle after 10 days, but seminal vesicle weight was significantly decreased after 30 days at a slightly lower dose. Similarly, anordrin inhibited the increase in seminal vesicle weight induced by testosterone propionate treatment of castrated mice. In female mice anordrin failed to maintain deciduomata and blocked the ability of progesterone (2.0 mg/mouse·day) to do so. However, anordrin did not compete with the androgen [³H]R1881 for binding in kidney cytosol or with the progestin [³H]R5020 for uterine receptor sites. Anordrin also did not compete with [³H]corticosterone for binding to serum proteins.     

Synthesis of 2-(p-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)ethylO-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1–3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl) (1–3)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1–4)-β-d-glucopyranoside,a tetrasaccharide fragment of a tumour-associated glycosphingolipid

The tetrasaccharide 2-(p-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)ethylO-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1–3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1–3)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1–4)-β-d-glucopyranoside was synthesized from thioglycoside intermediates. The key step was a methyl triflate promoted glycosidation of a lactose-derived 3′,4′-diol with a disaccharide thioglycoside to give a β(1–3)-linked tetrasaccharide derivative in 67% yield.     

Controlled transformation from nanorods to vesicles induced by cyclomaltoheptaoses (β-cyclodextrins)

A modified cyclomaltoheptaose (β-cyclodextrin) containing an anthraquinone moiety, mono[6-deoxy-N-n-hexylamino-(N′-1-anthraquinone)]-β-cyclodextrin (1), which can self-assemble into nanorods in aqueous solution, was synthesized. Interestingly, upon the addition of natural cyclodextrin, the nanorods could transform into bilayer vesicles, which were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and epi-fluorescence microscopy (EFM). A transformation mechanism is suggested based on the results of ¹H NMR, 2D NMR ROESY, FTIR, and UV–vis spectra. The response of the vesicles to changing pH and adding Cu²⁺ was also tested. Our research may pave the way to the development of new intelligent materials and biomaterials.     

Synthesis of 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl chloride

A lactosaminyl donor, 3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d- glucopyranosyl chloride, was synthesized in 10 steps, starting from 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranose. Benzyl 3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-d-glucopyranoside was prepared by regioselective benzylation at the primary hydroxyl group by the stannyl method, and was used as a key intermediate.

     

o-nitrophenyl 6-deoxy-3-O-(6-deoxy-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranosyl)-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranoside,the major product of β-d-glucosidase action on o-nitrophenyl 6-deoxy-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranoside

Incubation of o-nitrophenyl 6-deoxy-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranoside (1) with emulin β-d-glucosidase gave, instead of the expected 6-deoxy-d-xylo-hexos-5-ulose (3), o-nitrophenyl 6-deoxy-3-O-(6-deoxy-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranosyl)-β-d-xylo-hex-5-enopyranoside (2) in high yield (≈90% under optimal conditions). The structure of 2 was established from spectroscopic data and by correlation with compounds synthesised definitively. The specificity of the transfer reaction is discussed as an argument for an acceptor or aglycon binding-site.     

Synthetic mucin fragments. Methyl 6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glycopyranosyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside,methyl 3,4-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glycopyranosyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside,and methyl O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1 å 3)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 å 3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β- D-glucopyranosyl)-(1 å 3)-β-D-galactopyranoside

Condensation of methyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside with 2-methyl-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1,2-dideoxy-α-d-glucopyrano)-[2,1,-d]-2-oxazoline (1) in 1,2-dichloroethane, in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid, afforded a trisaccharide derivative which, on deacetylation, gave methyl 3,4-di-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-d- glactopyranoside (5). Hydrogenolysis of the benzyl groups of 5 furnished the title trisaccharide (6). A similar condensation of methyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranoside with 1 produced a partially-protected disacchraide derivative, which, on O-deacetylation followed by hydrogenolysis, gave methyl 6-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-glactopyranoside (10). Condensation of methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d- galactopyranoside with 3-O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl bromide in 1:1 benzene-nitromethane in the presence of powdered mercuric cyanide gave a fully-protected tetrasaccharide derivative, which was O-deacetylated and then subjected to catalytic hydrogenation to furnish methyl O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1å3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy- β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1å3)-β-d-galactopyranoside (15). The structures of 6, 10, and 15 were established by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Structure of a Novel Disulfide of 2-(N-Acetylcysteinyl)amido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyran-osyl-myo-inositol Produced by Streptomyces sp.

A novel dimer of an inositol glycoside was isolated from the mycelial extracts of Streptomyces sp. AJ 9463. Its structure was assigned as a disulfide of 2-(N-acetyl-L-cysteinyl)amido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-1D-myo-inositol (1).