Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of adenosine analogs as inhibitors of trypanosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Modifications at positions 5′ and 8

A number of 5′, N⁶- and C⁸, N⁶-disubstituted adenosine analogs was synthesized and tested for inhibition of trypanosomal glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The most active compound, N⁶-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-8-(2-thienyl)adenosine, had K_i of 9 μM and was marginally selective for the parasite enzyme.     

N-(5,6-epoxynorbornyl)adenosine analogs as A1 adenosine agonists

A range of related adenosines and 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosines bearing oxygenated substituents in the N⁶ position have been synthesised and evaluated as A₁-adenosine receptor ligands. Compound 9 emerged with potent affinity (EC₅₀ = 1.1 nM).     

Cyclic tetranuclear half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with 4,7-phenanthroline and hydroxo bridges: crystal structure, solution behaviour and binding to nucleosides

The reaction between [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(H₂O)₃]X₂ and 4,7-phenanthroline (phen) leads to the formation of the rectangular tetranuclear complexes [(η⁶-p-cymene)₄Ru₄(μ-4,7-phen-N⁴,N⁷)₂(μ-OH)₄]X₄ (X = NO₃, 1a; SO₃CF₃, 1b) which have been structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography. ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies suggest the presence of a partially dissociated dinuclear species of type [(η⁶-p-cymene)₂Ru₂(μ-4,7-phen-N⁴,N⁷)(solv)₄]⁴⁺ in equilibrium with the tetranuclear cyclic species found in the solid state. The temperature effect for this equilibrium was studied by variable temperature ¹H NMR experiments in D₂O and MeOD. The results reveal that the proportion of the tetranuclear species increases with the polarity of the solvent which favour stacking interactions between the phenanthroline moieties. In addition, the reactivity of the tetranuclear species towards the nucleosides guanosine (Guo), cytidine (Cyt), 2′-deoxythymidine (Thy) and 2′-deoxyadenosine (dAdo) has been monitored by ¹H NMR as a potential model for the interaction of the 1 species with the probable DNA target. The results reveal that the 1 systems are able to bind the nucleobases endocyclic nitrogen atoms of Guo Cyt, and dAdo.     

Chiral macrocyclic compounds from lactose derivatives

The reaction of benzyl 2,6,6′-tri-O-benzyl-3′,4′-O-isopropylidene-β-lactoside with 1,11-ditosyloxy-3,6,9-trioxaundecane gave benzyl 2,6,6′-tri-O-benzyl-3′,4′-O-isopropylidene-3,2′-O--(3,6,9-trioxaundecane-1,11-diyl)-β-lactoside (2, 47%). Acid hydrolysis of 2 and condensation of the product with 1,14-ditosyloxy-3,6,9,12-tetra-oxatetradecane afforded benzyl 2,6,6′-tri-O-benzyl-3′,4′-O-(3,6,9,12-tetraoxa-tetradecane-1,14-diyl)-3,2′-O-(3,6,9-trioxaundecane-1,11-diyl)-β-lactoside (29%). Similarly, the reaction of benzyl 2,6,2′,4′,6′-penta-O-benzyl-β-lactoside with Ts[OCH₂CH₂]₄OTs gave benzyl 2,6,2′,4′,6′-penta-O-benzyl-3,3′-O-(3,6,9-trioxaundecane-1,11-diyl)-β-lactoside (78%). ¹H-N.m.r. spectroscopy has been used to study the formation of host-guest complexes with some of these macrocyclic compounds and benzyl ammonium thiocyanate.     

Synthesis of 4′-methoxyadenosine and related compounds

Addition of iodine and methanol to N⁶,N⁶-dibenzoyl-9(2,3-O-carbonyl-5-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pent-4-enofuranosyl)adenine (4) selectively gives N⁶,N⁶-dibenzoyl-2′,3′-O-carbonyl-5′-deoxy-5′-iodo-4′-methoxyadenosine (5). Compound 5 can be converted into 4′-methoxyadenosine via hydrolysis of the carbonate followed by benzoylation, displacement of the 5′-iodo function by benzoate ion, and hydrolysis with ammonia. Configurational assignments are based upon comparisons of ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectra with those of previously characterised analogues in the uracil series and by borate electrophoresis. Intermediates in the above scheme have also been converted into 5′-amino-5′-deoxy-4′-methoxyadenosine, 4′-methoxy-5′-O-sulfamoyladenosine, and ethyl 4′-methoxyadenosine-5′-carboxylate, each of which is a 4′-methoxy analogue of biologically active derivatives of adenosine.     

Nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen donor adducts with copper(II) complexes of antitumor 2-formylpyridinethiosemicarbazone analogs: Physicochemical and cytotoxic studies

The preparation of N-, S- and O-donor ligand adducts with CuX⁺(HX=6-methyl-2-formylpyridinethiosemicarbazone (6HL); 2-formylpyridine-2^′-methylthiosemicarbazone (2′L); 2-formylpyridine-4′-methylthiosemicarbazone (4′HL)) is described. The N-donors, 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (dmap) give the complexes [Cu(6L)(bipy)]PF₆, [Cu(6L)(bipy)]Cl·5H₂O, [Cu(4′L)(bipy)]PF₆, [Cu(6L)(dmap)₂]PF₆·2.5 H₂O and [Cu(4′L)(dmap)₂]PF₆·H₂O which have been characterized by physical and spectroscopic techniques. Pentafluorothiophenolate (pftp) gives S-donor complexes [CuX(pftp)] (X=6L and 4′L) and thiolato co-ordination is proposed on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Paratritylphenolate (ptp) and HPO²⁻₄ give O-donor complexes [Cu(6L)(ptp)], [Cu(4′L)(ptp)], [{Cu(6L)}₂HPO₄]·4H₂O, and [{Cu(4^′L)}₂HPO₄]·5H₂O which have been characterized by physical and spectroscopic techniques, as have the precursor complexes [Cu(6L)(CH₃COO)]·H₂O, [Cu(4′L)(CH₃COO)], Cu(6HL)(CF₃COO)](CF₃COO)·0.5H₂O, [Cu(4′HL)(CF₃COO)](CF₃COO), [Cu(2′L)Cl₂] and [Cu(2′L)(NO₃)₂]. Protonation constants for the ligands and some of their complexes have been determined. 2-Formylpyridinethiosemicarbazone (HL) complexes of silver, gold, zinc, mercury, cadmium and lead are also discussed. Cytotoxicity against the human tumor cell line HCT-8 and antiviral data for selected compounds are presented.     

Neolignans from Ocotea catharinensis

Bark, wood and leaves of Ocotea catharinensis contain respectively 10 (average yield 0.7%.), 15 (average yield 0.004%.) and one (yield 0.4%.) neolignans of the bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid and the hydrobenzofuranoid structural types, including the new rel-(7S,8R,1′R,4′S,5′R,6′R)-Δ^8′-4′,6′-dihydroxy-5′-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-3′-oxo-8.1′,7.5′-neolignan, (7S,8S)-Δ^{1′,3′,5′,8′}-5,3′,5′-trimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-8.1′,7.O.6′,4.O.7′-neolignan, (7R,8S,1′R,3′R)-Δ^5′,8′-3,4,3′,5′-tetramethoxy-4′-oxo-8.1′,7.O.6′-neolignan and rel-(7R,8S,1′R,2′S)-Δ^4′,8′-2′-hydroxy-3,4-dimethoxy-3′-oxo-8.1′,7.O.2′-neolignan.     

Synthesis and serotonin receptor binding properties of 5-substituted 3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-3′-yl) indoles

A semi-rigid 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) analogue, RU28253 [5-methoxy-3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-3′-yl) indole], is a potent 5-HT₁ and 5-HT₂ agonist. It is isomeric to RU24969 [5-methoxy-3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-4′-yl) indole], a conformationally restricted 5-HT homologue, which has been extensively used in the study and classification of 5-HT receptors. A series of RU28253 derivatives with diverse substituents on indole 5-position were synthesized and their dissociation constants determined at the 5-HT₁ and 5-HT₂ receptors.     

1-Methoxy-, 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy- and 11-hydroxy-1-methoxy-Delta(8)-tetrahydrocannabinols: new selective ligands for the CB2 receptor

Three series of new cannabinoids were prepared and their affinities for the CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid recptors were determined. These are the 1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)-, 1-deoxy-11-hydroxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)- and 11-hydroxy-1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylalkyl)-Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinols, which contain alkyl chains from dimethylethyl to dimethylheptyl appended to C-3 of the cannabinoid. All of these compounds have greater affinity for the CB₂ receptor than for the CB₁ receptor, however only 1-methoxy-3-(1′,1′-dimethylhexyl)-Δ⁸-THC (JWH-229, 6e) has effectively no affinity for the CB₁ receptor (K_i=3134±110 nM) and high affinity for CB₂ (K_i=18±2 nM).     

1-Hydroxy monocyclic carotenoid 3,4-dehydrogenase from a marine bacterium that produces myxol

A crtD (1-HO carotenoid 3,4-dehydrogenase gene) homolog from marine bacterium strain P99-3 included in the gene cluster for the biosynthesis of myxol (3^′,4^′-didehydro-1^′,2^′-dihydro-β,ψ-carotene-3,1^′,2^′-triol) was functionally identified. The P99-3 CrtD was phylogenetically distant from the other CrtDs. A catalytic feature was its high activity for the monocyclic carotenoid conversion: 1^′-HO-torulene (3^′,4^′-didehydro-1^′,2^′-dihydro-β,ψ-caroten-1^′-ol) was prominently formed from 1^′-HO-γ-carotene (1^′,2^′-dihydro-β,ψ-caroten-1^′-ol) in Escherichia coli with P99-3 CrtD, indicating that this enzyme has been highly adapted to myxol biosynthesis. This unique type of crtD is a valuable tool for obtaining 1^′-HO-3^′,4^′-didehydro monocyclic carotenoids in a heterologous carotenoid production system.     

Isolation, structural elucidation, and partial synthesis of lutein dehydration products in extracts from human plasma

All-E-(3R,6′R)-3-hydroxy-3′,4′-didehydro-β,γ-carotene (anhydrolutein I) and all-E-(3R,6′R)-3-hydroxy-2′,3′-didehydro-β,ε-carotene (2′,3′-anhydrolutein II) have been isolated and characterized from extracts of human plasma using semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. The identification of anhydroluteins was accomplished by comparison of the UV-Vis absorption and mass spectral data as well as HPLC-UV-Vis-mass spectrometry (MS) spiking experiments using fully characterized synthetic compounds. Partial synthesis of anhydroluteins from the reaction of lutein with 2% H₂SO₄ in acetone, in addition to anhydrolutein I (54%) and 2′,3′-anhydrolutein II (19%), also gave (3′R)-3′-hydroxy-3,4-dehydro-β-carotene (3′,4′-anhydrolutein III, 19%). While anhydrolutein I has been shown to be usually accompanied by minute quantities of 2′,3′-anhydrolutein II (ca. 7–10%) in human plasma, 3′,4′-anhydrolutein III has not been detected. The presence of anhydrolutein I and II in human plasma is postulated to be due to acid catalyzed dehydration of the dietary lutein as it passes through the stomach. These anhydroluteins have also been prepared by conversion of lutein diacetate to the corresponding anhydrolutein acetates followed by alkaline hydrolysis. However, under identical acidic conditions, loss of acetic acid from lutein diacetate proceeded at a much slower rate than dehydration of lutein. The structures of the synthetic anhydroluteins, including their absolute configuration at C(3) and C(6′) have been unambiguously established by ¹H NMR and in part by ¹³C NMR, and circular dichroism.     

Synthesis and pharmacology of the isomeric methylheptyl-Δ-tetrahydrocannabinols

The synthesis of the 3-heptyl, and the eleven isomeric 3-methylheptyl-Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinols (3–7, R and S methyl epimers, and 8) has been carried out. The synthetic approach entailed the synthesis of substituted resorcinols, which were subjected to acid catalyzed condensation with trans-para-menthadienol to provide the Δ⁸-THC analogue. The 1′-, 2′- and 3′-methylheptyl analogues (3–5) are considerably more potent than Δ⁸-THC. The 4′-, 5′- and 6′-methylheptyl isomers (6–8) are approximately equal in potency to Δ⁸-THC.     

Convergent syntheses and cytostatic properties of 2-chloro-2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroadenosine and its N-isomer

Glycosylation of trimethylsilylated 2,6-dichloropurine 2 with acetate 1 in anhydrous MeCN was investigated. In the presence of SnCl₄, the reaction was regio- and stereoselective affording N⁷-β-glycoside 3 (86%). The use of TMS-Tfl instead of SnCl₄ afforded a ≈ 9:1 mixture of the N⁹-β- and --glycosides 5 and 6 (90%, combined). The title nucleosides were tested for their cytotoxicity.     

Dinuclear sulfide–thiolate complexes [Pt2(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh3)4] as cationic metalloligands

The cationic monoalkylated derivatives of the well-known metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄], viz. [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ (R = n-Bu, CH₂Ph) are themselves able to act as metalloligands towards the Ph₃PAu⁺ and R′Hg⁺ (R′ = Ph or ferrocenyl) fragments, by reaction with Ph₃PAuCl or R′HgCl, respectively. The resulting dicationic products [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SAuPPh₃)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ and [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SHgR′)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ are readily isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts, and have been fully characterised by spectroscopic techniques and an X-ray structure determination on [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SHgFc)(PPh₃)₄](PF₆)₂.     

Methylenedioxy- and methoxyflavones from Melicope coodeana syn. Euodia simplex

Three new natural products, 3,8-dimethoxy-5,7-dihydroxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyflavone, 3,6,8-trimethoxy-5,7-dihydroxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyflavone and 3,6,8,3′,4′-pentamethoxy-5,7-dihydroxyflavone were isolated from Melicope coodeana syn. Euodia simplex (Rutaceae) along with 3,6,3′-trimethoxy-5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavone and 3,3′-dimethoxy-5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavone. The structural assignments are based on ¹H and ¹³C NMR data, including discussion of the chemical shifts of C-2 in 3,5-dihydroxy- and 3-methoxy-5-hydroxyflavones. The presence of highly methoxylated and methylenedioxyflavones is characteristic of the genus Melicope, and the present findings support the recent transfer of Euodia simplex to Melicope.     

Gold in organic synthesis Part 2. Preparation of benzyl-alkyl and-arylketones via C---C coupling

Reaction of [Au(η²-Ar){CH₂C(O)R}Cl] (Ar=C₆H₄N=N- Ph-₂, R=Me, C₆H₂(OMe)₃-3′,4′,5′; Ar=C₆H₃(N=NC₆H₄Me- 4′)-2, Me-5, R=Me) with PPh₃ and NaClO₄·H₂O (1:2:1) at room temperature, leads to reductive elimination giving [Au(PPh₃)₂]ClO₄ and the corresponding carbon-carbon coupling product ArCH₂C(O)R. A similar process takes place when complexes [Au(η²-Ar){CH₂C(O)R}(PPh₃)Cl] are refluxed in tetrahydrofuran, through elimination of [Au(PPh₃)Cl].     

Selective addressing of heteroditopic ligands by iron(II) and platinum(II)

The heteroditopic ligand 4′-(4,7,10-trioxadec-1-yn-10-yl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, 2, contains an N,N′,N″-donor metal-binding domain that recognizes iron(II), and a terminal alkyne site that selectively couples to platinum(II). This selectivity has been used to investigate routes to the formation of heterometallic systems. The single crystal structures of ligand 2 and the complex [Fe(2)₂][PF₆]₂ are reported.     

Synthesis and in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity of 5-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium infections cause the two most important mycobacterioses, leading to increased mortality in patients with AIDS. Various 5-substituted 2′-deoxyuridines, uridines, 2′-O-methyluridine, 2′-ribofluoro-2′-deoxyuridines, 3′-substituted-2′,3′-dideoxy uridines, 2′,3′-dideoxyuridines, and 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyuridines were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against M. bovis and M. avium. 5-(C-1 Substituted)-2′-deoxyuridine derivatives emerged as potent inhibitors of M. avium (MIC₉₀ = 1–5 μg/mL range). The nature of C-5 substituents in the 2′-deoxyuridine series appeared to be a determinant of anti-mycobacterial activity. This new class of inhibitors could serve as useful compounds for the design and study of new anti-tuberculosis agents.     

Synthesis and incorporation of methyleneoxy(methylimino) linked thymidine dimer into antisense oligonucleosides

A convenient synthesis of a thymidine (T) nucleoside dimer (T-3′-CH₂-O-NCH₃-5′-T) 12 has been accomplished via a nucleoside coupling reaction. An alternative synthesis of 3′-deoxy-3′-C-hydroxymethylthymidine is described. The new dimer and methodology is useful for the development of backbone-modified antisense oligonucleosides.     

Reactions of tungsten phosphonium carbyne complexes with aryloxide nucleophiles to form aryloxycarbyne and η-ketenyl complexes

Tungsten phosphoranylideneketene complexes of the type Tp′(CO)(p-OC₆H₄R)W(η²-(C,C)---O=CC---PR′₂Ph) (R=NO₂, R′=Me (6a); R=NO₂, R′=Ph (6b); R=CN, R′=Me (7a); R=CN, R′=Ph (7b); R=Cl, R′=Ph (8b)) have been synthesized from phosphonium carbyne precursors in a reaction that reflects coupling of carbonyl and carbyne ligands. In addition to these products, aryloxycarbyne complexes Tp′(CO)₂WCO(p-C₆H₄NO₂) (9a), Tp′(CO)₂WCO(p-C₆H₄CN) (9b), and Tp′(CO)₂WCO(p-C₆H₄Cl) (9c)) have been prepared via substitution of the phosphonium carbyne phosphine with an aryloxide nucleophile. The product ratio of substitution at the carbyne carbon to carbonyl–carbyne coupling can be tuned by variation of the aryloxide para-substituent. Aryloxy carbyne complexes are the favored products with stronger nucleophiles, while weaker nucleophiles result in a mixture of aryloxy carbyne complexes and η²-ketenyl coupled complexes. Formation of η²-ketenyl complexes is favored for the least nucleophilic aryloxides. Ketenyl complexes 6a and 6b were methylated at the ketenyl oxygen to form cationic alkyne complexes [Tp′(CO)(p-OC₆H₄NO₂)W(η²-(C,C)---CH₃OCCPR₂Ph)][OTf] (R=Me (10a), R=Ph (10b)). The structures of η²-ketenyl complexes 6a and 7b and the structure of cationic alkyne complex 10a were determined by X-ray crystallography.