Natural alkaloids and synthetic relatives as chiral templates of the Orito's reaction

The enantioselective hydrogenation of methyl or ethyl pyruvate over cinchona‐platinum catalyst system (Orito's reaction) is one of the most intensively studied heterogeneous catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation reactions. Studies aiming at systematic changes of the chiral template have played a crucial role in creating hypotheses for the mechanism of Orito's reaction. It is very important to clarify which structural unit of the alkaloid takes part in the enantiodifferentiation, and learn about the role of the different structural units of chiral templates. In this article, we made an attempt to describe the behavior of natural alkaloids, their synthetic derivatives, and analogues as chiral templates in the heterogeneous catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of activated ketones. Chirality, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Promotional effect of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid on the enzymatic finishing of wool

To improve the effects of protease finishing on wool, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid was employed as a pretreatment reagent. It was found that ionic liquid pretreatment significantly changed the wool surface characteristics. The Allwördern reaction showed that the epicuticle layer was damaged by the ionic liquid, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis further demonstrated that the surface elemental composition was significantly changed. Ionic liquid pretreatment remarkably improved the accessibility of protease to the wool and thus accelerated the hydrolysis rate of keratin. The properties of wool fabric after combined processing were also changed. Dyeability results showed that the color depth was increased but the wet rubbing and washing fastness of wool fabrics showed a decreased half grade. The wettability results demonstrate that the contact angle was further reduced after the comprehensive treatment because of the exposure of more proteins under the fatty‐acid layer. In addition, the shrink proofing of wool fabric was also enhanced after combined processing. In summary, ionic liquid modification presents a promising pretreatment method for protease processing of wool.     

Enantioselective hydrogenation in ionic liquids: Recyclability of the [Rh(COD)(DIPAMP)]BF4 catalyst in [bmim][BF4]

Asymmetric hydrogenation of (Z)-α-acetamidocinnamic acid and methyl-(Z)-α-acetamidocinnamate by [Rh(COD)(DIPAMP)][BF₄] catalyst was studied in ionic liquid/isopropanol two-phase catalytic system. In this system 97–100% conversion was achieved and the enantioselectivity values were over 90%. Application of [bmim][BF₄] ionic liquid made it possible to recycle the catalyst in consecutive cycles. After four cycles, neither significant conversion nor enantioselectivity decrease was observed.     

Biocatalytic synthesis of poly(ε‐caprolactone) using modified lipase in ionic liquid media

Ionic liquids have been used as exceptional nonaqueous reaction media for enzymatic transformation. The ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone catalyzed by Novozyme‐435 lipase was successfully conducted in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Bmim]PF₆) ionic liquid. ¹H‐NMR and MALDI‐TOF analyses of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) formed by Novozyme‐435 lipase‐catalyzed reaction revealed an asymmetric telechelic α‐hydroxy‐ω‐carboxylic acid end group. The effects of enzyme concentration, temperature, reaction time, and water activities on monomer conversion and M_n were systematically evaluated. Through the optimization of reaction conditions, PCL was produced in 85% monomer conversion, with an M_n of 5942, in [Bmim]PF₆ at 60°C for 48 h. DSC results demonstrated that high‐molecular‐weight PCL exhibited an excellent thermal property. SEM results showed that PCL had a clear spherulites structure, which could provide a large surface area for cell adhesion. These results showed that [Bmim]PF₆ ionic liquid was suitable for the biocatalytic synthesis of PCL using Novozyme‐435 lipase, and could be used as alternative environmentally friendly media to replace the traditional organic solvents.     

Synthesis of 9-N-cinchona alkaloid peptide hybrid derivatives: preparation and conformational study of 9-N-acylamino(9-deoxy)cinchona alkaloids

The synthesis and conformational analyses of several 9-N-acylamino(9-deoxy)cinchona alkaloids is presented. Peptides were connected to cinchona alkaloids via a 9-amino group. The synthesis of the new cinchona alkaloid derivatives was performed straightforwardly from 9-amino(9-deoxy)dihydroquinidine via coupling with carboxylic acid chlorides and several dipeptides. Both alkaloid derivatives with the configuration of the corresponding natural product as well as its unnatural epimer were studied. The conformations of the prepared derivatives in solution were determined by NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that the conformation is strongly influenced by the configuration at the 9-position.     

Heterogeneous asymmetric reactions. Part 24. Heterogeneous catalytic enantioselective hydrogenation of the C==N group over cinchona alkaloid modified palladium catalyst.

The enantioselective hydrogenation of C==N-C group containing compounds over modified metal catalysts is as yet an uninvestigated research area. This work contains results obtained on the hydrogenation of 1-pyrroline-2-carboxylate esters and sodium salt over cinchona alkaloid-modified alumina-supported Pd catalyst. The effect of the reaction parameters and the structure of the alkaloid molecule on hydrogenation rate and enantioselectivity allowed us to assume that on the catalyst surface only a weak interaction exists between the modifier and the substrate, resulting in the low enantiomeric excesses (up to 20%) obtainable in these reactions.     

Lipase‐catalyzed enantioselective transesterification of prochiral 1‐((1,3‐dihydroxypropan‐2‐yloxy)methyl)‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydroquinazoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione in ionic liquids

The application of ionic liquids as solvents for transesterification of prochiral pirymidine acyclonucleoside using lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) Amano PS from Burkholderia cepacia (BCL) is reported. The effect of using medium reaction, acyl group donor, and temperature on the activity and enantioselectivity of BCL was studied. From the investigated ionic solvents, the hydrophobic ionic liquid [BMIM]PF₆] was the preferred medium for enzymatic reactions. However, the best result was obtained in the mixture [BMIM][PF₆]:TBME (1:1 v/v) at 50°C. Enzyme activity and selectivity in [BMIM][PF₆]:TBME (1:1 v/v) was slightly higher in than in conventional organic solvents (for example, TBME), and in this condition, good activity and enantioselectivity were associated with unique properties of ionic liquid such as hydrophobicity and high polarity. Independently of solvents, monester of (R)‐configuration was obtained in excess. Under optimal conditions, desymmetrization of the prochiral compound using different acyl donors was performed. If vinyl butyrate was used as the acylating agent, BCL completely selectively acylated enantiotopic hydroxyl groups.     

Chitosan-based heterogeneous catalysts for enantioselective Michael reaction

Novel chitosan-supported cinchona alkaloids have been developed as heterogeneous catalysts for enantioselective Michael reaction. As-synthesized products as organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael reaction have a high efficiency, providing highly functionalized products (containing adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters) with good stereoselectivity (up to 93% enantiomeric excess) in high yields and recyclability (up to five runs).     

Stereoelectronic features of the cinchona alkaloids determine their differential antimalarial activity.

For most potent antimalarial activity, the cinchona alkaloids appear to require certain electronic features, particularly a sufficiently acidic hydroxyl proton and an electric field direction pointing from the aliphatic nitrogen atom towards the quinoline ring. These observations are the result of an analysis of molecular electronic properties of eight cinchona alkaloids and an in vivo metabolite calculated using ab initio 3-21G quantum chemical methods in relation to their in vitro IC50 values against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites. The purpose is to provide a profile of the electronic characteristics necessary for potent antimalarial activity for use in the design of new antimalarial agents and to gain insight into the mechanistic path for antimalarial activity. Distinguishing features of the weakly active epiquinine and epiquinidine include a higher dipole moment, a different direction of the electric field, a greater intrinsic nucleophilicity, lower acidity of the hydroxyl proton, a lesser electron affinity of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, and a higher proton affinity than the active cinchona alkaloids. A moderately potent quinine metabolite possesses some, but not all, of the same electronic features as the most potent cinchona alkaloids. Both the positioning of the hydroxyl and aliphatic amine groups and their electronic features appear to play a crucial role for antimalarial potency of the cinchona alkaloids, most likely by controlling the ability of these groups to form effective intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Density functional computations of Rh(I)-catalysed hydroacylation and hydrogenation of ethene using formic acid

The rhodium-catalysed hydroacylation of alkene is one of the most useful C–H bond activation processes. The C–C bond-forming reactions via C–H bond activation have extensively been the focus of study in the fields of organic and organometallic chemistry. In this work, density functional theory has been used to study Rh(I)-catalysed hydroacylation and hydrogenation of ethene with formic acid. All the intermediates and the transition states were optimised completely at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level (LANL2DZ(d) for Rh, P). Calculation results confirm that Rh(I)-catalysed hydroacylation of ethene is exothermic and the released Gibbs free energy is ? 60.39 kJ/mol. Rh(I)-catalysed hydrogenation of ethene is also exothermic and the released Gibbs free energy is ? 150.97 kJ/mol. Rh(I)-catalysed hydroacylation of ethene is the dominant reaction mode for Rh(I)-catalysed hydroacylation and hydrogenation of ethene with formic acid. In Rh(I)-catalysed hydroacylation of ethene, the H-transfer reaction is prior to the C–C bond-forming reaction. Therefore, the reaction mode ‘a’ (i.e. ca → M1 → TS1 → M2 → TS2a → M3a → TS3a → M4 → P1) is the dominant reaction pathway for Rh(I)-catalysed hydroacylation and hydrogenation of ethene. The theoretically predicted dominant product is propane acid.     

The asymmetric synthesis of (R,R)‐formoterol via transfer hydrogenation with polyethylene glycol bound Rh catalyst in PEG2000 and water

(R,R)‐formoterol was synthesized in seven steps with 4‐hydroxyl‐3‐nitro‐acetophenone as the starting material. The key intermediate, the chiral secondary alcohol 4 , was prepared via Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation with (S,S)‐PEGBsDPEN as the ligand and sodium formate as the hydrogen donor under mild conditions. With a mixture of PEG 2000 and water as the reaction media, the catalyst system could be recycled four times. Chirality, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Enantioselective Michael addition catalyzed by cinchona alkaloids.

Enantioselective Michael additions of cyclic beta-ketoesters to methyl vinyl ketone catalyzed by cinchona alkaloids were studied. The results revealed that the induced enantioselectivity was significantly influenced by both the structure of the catalyst and that of the substrate. Interesting differences in the effect of the structure of the alkaloid on the enantioselectivity of this reaction in the case of three beta-ketoesters were discovered. High enantioselectivities were obtained in the reaction of ethyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate and ethyl 2-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate (up to 83 and 80%, respectively) at a low cinchona:reactant ratio of 1:500. As the specific rotations of the product enantiomers were unknown, they were determined by optical rotation and chiral GC measurements and verified by NMR experiments.     

A stereodynamic phosphoramidite ligand derived from 3,3′‐functionalized ortho‐biphenol and its rhodium(I) complex

Stereodynamic ligands and complexes bearing functional groups to attach chiral or achiral binding sites and auxiliaries are highly attractive due to the interesting opportunities for controlling the stereochemical outcome of enantioselective transformations. In this study we report the preparation of a 3,3′‐functionalized biphenol (BIPOL) phosphoramidite ligand (P_Am) bearing 3,5‐dichlorobenzoyl (3,5‐DCB) amide binding sites for noncovalent interactions. Upon coordination to [Rh(COD)₂]BF₄ this substitution pattern directs one of the 3,5‐DCB binding sites in close proximity of the metal center resulting in liberation of both COD ligands and the formation of a [Rh(P_Am)₂]BF₄ complex. Coordination of the amide carbonyl unit was found to be reversible, since the complex acted as an active catalyst in the hydrogenation of dehydroamino acid derivatives. X‐ray crystallographic investigation revealed that the second 3,5‐DCB unit is capable of forming noncovalent π–π interactions connecting both phosphoramidite ligands.     

Enrichment,isolation and characterization of fungi tolerant to 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate

Aims: This work aimed to characterize microbial tolerance to 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]), an ionic liquid that has emerged as a novel biomass pretreatment for lignocellulosic biomass. Methods and Results: Enrichment experiments performed using inocula treated with [C2mim][OAc] under solid and liquid cultivation yielded fungal populations dominated by Aspergilli. Ionic liquid‐tolerant Aspergillus isolates from these enrichments were capable of growing in a radial plate growth assay in the presence of 10% [C2mim][OAc]. When a [C2mim][OAc]‐tolerant Aspergillus fumigatus strain was grown in the presence of switchgrass, endoglucanases and xylanases were secreted that retained residual enzymatic activity in the presence of 20% [C2mim][OAc]. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that tolerance to ionic liquids is a general property of the Aspergilli. Significance and Impact of the Study: Tolerance to an industrially important ionic liquid was discovered in a fungal genera that is widely used in biotechnology, including biomass deconstruction.     

Towards the engineering of enantioselective properties of supported platinum catalysts

Understanding the sub-molecular structure of conformationally complex adsorbed molecules is still a difficult task for experimentalists interested in the structure of modified surfaces, therefore first principles calculations can be a fundamental tool for the investigation of structural details otherwise impossible to identify. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the adsorption of cinchonidine (CD) and O-phenyl-cinchonidine (OPhCD) have been performed, using large metal clusters to simulate the metal surface and a zero order regular approximation (ZORA) Hamiltonian to account for relativistic effects due to the heavy nuclei involved. The local geometry of chiral surface sites formed by CD was investigated in detail and discussed in relation to the reaction of enantioselective hydrogenation of activated ketones on cinchona modified platinum. Also, the relevant conformations of OPhCD were investigated and the resulting structure of the chiral sites is discussed and compared to those obtained for the parent alkaloid CD. The adsorption behavior on platinum of a series of substituted anisoles was also investigated, in order to evince the effect that phenyl substitution might have on the relative proportion of surface conformers in substituted OPhCD ethers, that have been shown to possess interesting enantioswitching properties when used as surface modifiers in the enantioselective hydrogenation of activated ketones on cinchona alkaloid modified platinum. A correlation between conformational distribution of the modifiers and the selectivity of the catalyst is proposed.     

(20S)‐Protopanaxadiol Ginsenosides Induced Cytotoxicity via Blockade of Autophagic Flux in HGC‐27 Cells

(20S)‐Protopanaxadiol ginsenosides Rg3, Rh2 and PPD have been demonstrated for their anticancer activity. However, the underlying mechanism of their antitumor activity remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of these three ginsenosides on cell proliferation and death of human gastric cancer cells (HGC‐27 cells). The sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, Western blot analysis, fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. The results showed that both Rh2 and PPD were more effective than Rg3 in inhibiting HGC‐27 cell proliferation and inducing cytoplasmic vacuolation, while no significant changes in apoptosis were observed. Interestingly, cytoplasmic vacuolation and blockade of autophagy flux were observed after treatment with Rh2 and PPD. Rh2 obviously up‐regulated the expression of the LC3II and p62. Furthermore, the increase in lysosomal pH and membrane rupture was observed in Rh2‐treated and PPD‐treated cells. When HGC‐27 cells were pretreated with bafilomycin A1, a specific inhibitor of endosomal acidification, cellular vacuolization was increased, and the cell viability was significantly decreased, which indicated that Rh2‐induced lysosome‐damage accelerated cell death. Furthermore, data derived from mitochondrial analysis showed that excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and dysregulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism were caused by Rh2 and PPD treatment in HGC‐27 cells. Taken together, these phenomena indicated that Rh2 and PPD inhibited HCG‐27 cells proliferation by inducing mitochondria damage, dysfunction of lysosomes, and blockade of autophagy flux. The number of glycosyl groups at C‐3 position could have an important effect on the cytotoxicity of Rg3, Rh2 and PPD.     

Combined Use of Ionic Liquid and Hydroxypropyl‐β‐Cyclodextrin for the Enantioseparation of Ten Drugs by Capillary Electrophoresis

In the present study, hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin and an ionic liquid (1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐l ‐lactate) were used as additives in capillary electrophoresis for the enantioseparation of 10 analytes, including ofloxacin, propranolol hydrochloride, dioxopromethazine hydrochloride, isoprenaline hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine maleate, liarozole, tropicamide, amlodipine benzenesulfonate, brompheniramine maleate, and homatropine methylbromide. The effects of ionic liquid concentrations, salt effect, cations, and anions of ionic liquids on enantioseparation were investigated and the results proved that there was a synergistic effect between hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin and the ionic liquid, and the cationic part of the ionic liquid played an important role in the increased resolution. With the developed dual system, all the enantiomers of 10 analytes were well separated in resolutions of 5.35, 1.76, 1.85, 2.48, 2.88, 1.43, 5.45, 4.35, 2.76, and 2.98, respectively. In addition, the proposed method was applied to the determination of the enantiomeric purity of S‐ofloxacin after validation of the method in terms of selectivity, repeatability, linearity range, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quality (LOQ). Chirality 25:409–414, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Application of a new amidophosphite ligand to Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐dehydroamino acid derivatives in supercritical carbon dioxide: Activation effect of protic co‐solvents

New chiral amidophosphite ligand was synthesized and tested in the Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of (Z)‐β‐(acylamino)acrylates in protic solvents and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) The catalytic performance is affected greatly by the acidity of the solvents. Better enantioselectivity (up to 88% ee) was achieved in scCO₂ containing 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol, compared to neat protic solvents. Chirality, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Novel α-pinene-derived mono- and bisphosphinite ligands: Synthesis and application in catalytic hydrogenation

Novel mono- and bisphosphinite (−)-pinane-based ligands have been synthesized from (−)-α-pinene. Mixed with [(COD)₂Rh]⁺[BF₄]⁻, these ligands displayed moderate up to high catalytic activity in hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate with dihydrogen. It has been observed that the structure of the ligand, the reaction temperature and solvent are important to define productivity of the phosphinite-based Rh-catalysts. Bisphosphinite ligands in hydrogenation reactions suffered from an Arbuzov rearrangement, leading to fast deactivation of the hydrogenation catalyst. In contrast, monophosphinite-derived Rh-catalysts showed increased productivity as well as thermal stability. An almost quantitative conversion of dimethyl itaconate has been achieved at elevated temperatures in toluene. Alternatively, hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate with monophosphinite ligands has been carried out in MeOH at room temperature or 40 °C and has led to a nearly quantitative conversion.     

Mechanisms of Toxicity of Ag Nanoparticles in Comparison to Bulk and Ionic Ag on Mussel Hemocytes and Gill Cells

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are increasingly used in many products and are expected to end up in the aquatic environment. Mussels have been proposed as marine model species to evaluate NP toxicity in vitro. The objective of this work was to assess the mechanisms of toxicity of Ag NPs on mussel hemocytes and gill cells, in comparison to ionic and bulk Ag. Firstly, cytotoxicity of commercial and maltose stabilized Ag NPs was screened in parallel with the ionic and bulk forms at a wide range of concentrations in isolated mussel cells using cell viability assays. Toxicity of maltose alone was also tested. LC50 values were calculated and the most toxic Ag NPs tested were selected for a second step where sublethal concentrations of each Ag form were tested using a wide array of mechanistic tests in both cell types. Maltose-stabilized Ag NPs showed size-dependent cytotoxicity, smaller (20 nm) NPs being more toxic than larger (40 and 100 nm) NPs. Maltose alone provoked minor effects on cell viability. Ionic Ag was the most cytotoxic Ag form tested whereas bulk Ag showed similar cytotoxicity to the commercial Ag NPs. Main mechanisms of action of Ag NPs involved oxidative stress and genotoxicity in the two cell types, activation of lysosomal AcP activity, disruption of actin cytoskeleton and stimulation of phagocytosis in hemocytes and increase of MXR transport activity and inhibition of Na-K-ATPase in gill cells. Similar effects were observed after exposure to ionic and bulk Ag in the two cell types, although generally effects were more marked for the ionic form. In conclusion, results suggest that most observed responses were due at least in part to dissolved Ag.