Synthesis, DNA cleavage, and cytotoxicity of a series of bis(propargylic) sulfone crown ethers

Compounds that couple molecular recognition of specific alkali metal ions with DNA damage may display selective cleavage of DNA under conditions of elevated alkali metal ion levels reported to exist in certain cancer cells. We have prepared a homologous series of compounds in which a DNA reactive moiety, a bis(propargylic) sulfone, is incorporated into an alkali metal ion binding crown ether ring. Using the alkali metal ion pricrate extraction assay, the ability of these crown ethers to bind Li(+), Na(+), and K(+) ions was determined. For the series of crown ethers, the association constants for Li(+) ions are generally low (< 2 x 10(4)M(-1)). Only two of the bis(propargylic) sulfone crown ethers associate with Na(+) or K(+) ions (K(a) 4-8 x 10(4)M(-1)), with little discrimination between Na(+) or K(+) ions. The ability of these compounds to cleave supercoiled DNA at pH 7.4 in the presence of Li(+), Na(+), and K(+) ions was determined. The two crown ethers that bind Na(+) and K(+) display a modest increase in DNA cleavage efficiency in the presence of Na(+) or K(+) ions as compared to Li(+) ions. These two bis(propargylic) sulfone crown ethers are also more cytotoxic against a panel of human cancer cell lines when compared to a non-crown ether macrocyclic bis(propargylic) sulfone.     

Characterization of an Allylic/Benzyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Yokenella sp. Strain WZY002, an Organism Potentially Useful for the Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated Alcohols from Allylic Aldehydes and Ketones

A novel whole-cell biocatalyst with high allylic alcohol-oxidizing activities was screened and identified as Yokenella sp. WZY002, which chemoselectively reduced the C=O bond of allylic aldehydes/ketones to the corresponding α,β-unsaturated alcohols at 30°C and pH 8.0. The strain also had the capacity of stereoselectively reducing aromatic ketones to (S)-enantioselective alcohols. The enzyme responsible for the predominant allylic/benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity was purified to homogeneity and designated YsADH (alcohol dehydrogenase from Yokenella sp.), which had a calculated subunit molecular mass of 36,411 Da. The gene encoding YsADH was subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified recombinant YsADH protein was characterized. The enzyme strictly required NADP(H) as a coenzyme and was putatively zinc dependent. The optimal pH and temperature for crotonaldehyde reduction were pH 6.5 and 65°C, whereas those for crotyl alcohol oxidation were pH 8.0 and 55°C. The enzyme showed moderate thermostability, with a half-life of 6.2 h at 55°C. It was robust in the presence of organic solvents and retained 87.5% of the initial activity after 24 h of incubation with 20% (vol/vol) dimethyl sulfoxide. The enzyme preferentially catalyzed allylic/benzyl aldehydes as the substrate in the reduction of aldehydes/ketones and yielded the highest activity of 427 U mg⁻¹ for benzaldehyde reduction, while the alcohol oxidation reaction demonstrated the maximum activity of 79.9 U mg⁻¹ using crotyl alcohol as the substrate. Moreover, kinetic parameters of the enzyme showed lower K_m values and higher catalytic efficiency for crotonaldehyde/benzaldehyde and NADPH than for crotyl alcohol/benzyl alcohol and NADP⁺, suggesting the nature of being an aldehyde reductase.     

1-Phenyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ethers: a novel series of neurokinin (NK1) antagonists

1-Phenyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ethers are NK(1) receptor antagonists. Substitution at the 6-exo-position led to high affinity NK(1) antagonists with a prolonged duration of action in vivo. Incorporation of an alpha-methyl substituent in the pendent benzyl ether side chain gave compounds with increased selectivity over the hERG channel.     

A mild and selective cleavage of trityl ethers by CBr4-MeOH

Trityl ethers are selectively deprotected to the corresponding alcohols in high yields by CBr4 in refluxing methanol under neutral reaction conditions. Other hydroxyl protecting groups like isopropylidene, allyl, benzyl, acetyl, benzoyl, methyl, tosyl, prenyl, propargyl, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl and p-methoxybenzyl ethers are unaffected.     

A facile approach to diosgenin and furostan type saponins bearing a 3beta-chacotriose moiety

Combination of a one-pot coupling technique and the use of benzyl ethers as permanent protecting groups offered a short and simple route to dioscin-type saponins. This strategy in combination with a mild reductive opening procedure of the spiroketal function in diosgenin also offered a convenient approach to bidesmosidic furostan type saponins. Me(3)N.BH(3)/AlCl(3) promoted acetal opening of 3-O-TBDMS-protected diosgenin gave the 26-OH acceptor 9 into which a benzylated beta-glucose moiety was introduced by a S(N)2-type imidate coupling. After cleavage of the silyl ether, the 3beta-O-glucose and the 4-O-linked rhamnose of the chacotriose unit were introduced by a NIS/AgOTf-promoted one-pot coupling sequence utilising thioglycoside donors and their different reactivity in different solvents. After removal of a benzoyl group, the same coupling conditions were also used for the coupling of the second 2-O-linked rhamnose unit. The target substance was obtained after cleavage of the protecting benzyl ethers under Birch-type conditions, which did not affect the double bond in the steroid skeleton.     

Syntheses of monohydroxy benzyl ethers of polyols: tri-O-benzylpentaerythritol and other highly benzylated derivatives of symmetrical polyols

Symmetrical polyols can be converted into benzyl ethers with one free hydroxyl group in good yield by reaction of the monodibutylstannylene acetal with excess benzyl bromide in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide and diisopropylethylamine in xylene. The reaction pathway involves initial benzylation of the dibutylstannylene acetal to give benzyl and bromodibutylstannyl ethers; if a hydroxyl group remains unsubstituted, the latter ether ring closes and reacts further.     

Halogenolysis of para-substituted benzyl cobaloximes. Part II.

The reaction of benzyl cobaloximes with halogens (Cl₂ or Br₂) in chloroform or acetic acid forms benzyl halides and benzyl ethers of dimethylgly- oximes by an oxidative dealkylation mechanism.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some novel phenyl and benzimidazole substituted benzyl ethers

In this study, a series of novel phenyl- and benzimidazole-substituted benzyl ethers were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Candida krusei. Compound 6g exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity with lowest MIC values of 3.12 and 6.25 microg/mL against S. aureus and MRSA, respectively.     

Oxidation of benzyl cobaloximes by manganese(III) acetate

Oxidation of benzyl cobaloximes by Mn(III) acetate leads to the formation of benzyl ethers of dimethylglyoxime.     

Mutagenicities of glycidyl ethers for Salmonella typhimurium: relationship between mutagenic potencies and chemical reactivity

The lethal and mutagenic effects of ethyl, benzyl, 1-naphthylmethyl, 2-naphthylmethyl, 1-naphthylethyl, 2-naphthylethyl and 9-anthrylmethyl glycidyl ethers on Salmonella typhimurium (TA100, TA1535, TA98 and TA1538) were investigated. LD30-value became smaller with an increase in compound hydrophobicity. The mutagenicities of these compounds in TA100 increased in the order: 1-naphthylethyl glycidyl ether less than 2-naphthylethyl glycidyl ether less than benzyl glycidyl ether less than 2-naphthylmethyl glycidyl ether less than 1-naphthylmethyl glycidyl ether less than 9-anthrylmethyl glycidyl ether. 1-Naphthylmethyl and 2-naphthylmethyl glycidyl ethers were mutagenic toward TA1535. In TA98, 1-naphthylmethyl and 9-anthrylmethyl glycidyl ethers showed mutagenic activity and 9-anthrylmethyl glycidyl ether was more mutagenic than 1-naphthylmethyl glycidyl ether. 9-Anthrylmethyl glycidyl ether was also active in TA1538. In the reaction of glycidyl ethers with deoxyguanosine and related compounds, glycidyl ethers attacked at only N-7 of guanine. The alkylation rates of glycidyl ethers toward guanine residues in DNA were determined and the exciplex-formation ability of 7-substituted guanines was studied. The reactivity of glycidyl ethers with guanine residues in DNA has not provided a sufficient explanation for the variation in mutagenic potencies of glycidyl ethers.     

Discovery and SAR of benzyl phenyl ethers as inhibitors of bacterial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase

A series of benzyl phenyl ethers (BPEs) is described that displays potent inhibition of bacterial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase. The synthesis, SAR, and select ADMET data are provided.     

3′-Modified Nucleotides for DNA Sequencing Without Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract

Dibenzyl-3′-O-[(6-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-4,5-di-O-benzyl) hexanoyl] thymidine 5′-yl phosphate 8a was prepared. Catalytic hydrogenolysis removed only the benzyl esters and reduced the azido group. When the benzyl ethers were replaced by p-phenylbenzyl or allyl ethers, their deprotection also failed.     

Stereoselective (2-naphthyl)methylation of sugar hydroxyls by the hydrogenolysis of diastereoisomeric dioxolane-type (2-naphthyl)methylene acetals

The cis axial/equatorial OH groups of methyl alpha-L- and ethyl 1-thio-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-mannopyranose, and 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-galactopyranose were reacted with 2-naphthaldehyde dimethyl acetal to diastereomeric dioxolane-type 2,3-O-(2-naphthyl)methylene or 3,4-O-(2-naphthyl)methylene acetals. The glycosides yielded the exo- and endo-isomers in nearly 1:1 ratio, 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-mannopyranose gave predominantly the endo-, and 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-galactopyranose exclusively endo-isomer. The acetals and some of their fully protected derivatives bearing benzyl or tert-butyldimethylsilyl groups were hydrogenolised with AlH(3) (3LiAlH(4)-AlCl(3)) or with Me(3)N.BH(3)-AlCl(3) reagents. The endo-isomers were cleaved by both reagents to give axial NAP ethers, the exo-isomers of pyranosides furnished equatorial NAP ethers. However, the exo-isomers of pyranoses gave irregular axial ethers with a > 30-fold enhancement of the reaction rates with respect to the endo-isomer.     

Zinc triflate-benzoyl bromide: a versatile reagent for the conversion of ether into benzoate protecting groups and ether glycosides into glycosyl bromides

A simple and efficient method is developed for the chemoselective one-pot conversion of ethers (benzyl, TBDMS and acetal) to the corresponding benzoates by zinc triflate-catalyzed deprotection and benzoylation by benzoyl bromide. In the same reaction, methyl or p-methoxyphenyl glycosides are converted into glycosyl bromides that are useful in glycosylation reactions.     

Omega-alkoxy analogues of SAHA (vorinostat) as inhibitors of HDAC: a study of chain-length and stereochemical dependence

A series of omega-alkoxy ethers were prepared with variation of the length of the aliphatic chain of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat). Eight carbon long chain analogues showed the best activity, among which several substituted benzyl ether derivatives exhibited inhibitory activity on HDAC comparable to SAHA, and antiproliferative activity on three human cell lines (NB4, H460, and HCT-116) better than SAHA. However, no significant difference in antiproliferative activity was observed between two enantiomers bearing the benzyl ether moiety.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of 3'-O-(carboxyalkyl)fluorescein labels.

A general and versatile method is described for the synthesis of fluorescent labels. Coupling of the 3'-phenol of fluorescein methyl ester with hydroxyalkyl benzyl esters, followed by benzyl ester hydrolysis, provided a series of fluorescein carboxyalkyl ethers. Use of the Mitsunobu reaction allowed for the introduction of linkers of different lengths onto the 3'-phenol of fluorescein. Chemoenzymatic benzyl ester hydrolysis was achieved with LPL-80 lipase, providing pH-independent labels useful for the preparation of fluorescent conjugates.     

Enantioselective recognition of ammonium perchlorate salts by optically active monoaza-15-crown-5 ethers

Chiral monoaza-15-crown-5 ethers (1, 2) were prepared from (R)-(-)-2-amino-1-butanol in high yield. The chiral monoaza-15-crown-5 ethers were purified directly as NaClO(4) complexes. Molecular recognition by these chiral monoaza-crown ethers of (R)- and (S)-PhEtHClO(4) and (R)- and (S)-NapEtHClO(4) as characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy. The order of enantiomeric selectivity is (R)- > (S)- PhEtHClO(4) and (S)- > (R)-NapEtHClO(4) for 1. In the case of 2 it was (R)- > (S)-PhEtHClO(4) and (R)- > (S)- NapEtHClO(4). The cavity of macrocycle and steric hindrance of the benzene units appears to play an important role in recognition.     

Cyanogenic allosides and glucosides from Passiflora edulis and Carica papaya

Leaf and stem material of Passiflora edulis (Passifloraceae) contains the new cyanogenic glycosides (2R)-beta-D-allopyranosyloxy-2-phenylacetonitrile (1a) and (2S)-beta-D-allopyranosyloxy-2-phenylacetonitrile (1b), along with smaller amounts of (2R)-prunasin (2a), sambunigrin (2b), and the alloside of benzyl alcohol (4); the major cyanogens of the fruits are (2R)-prunasin (2a) and (2S)-sambunigrin (2b). The major cyanogenic glycoside of Carica papaya (Caricaceae) is 2a; only small amounts of 2b also are present. We were not able to confirm the presence of a cyclopentenoid cyanogenic glycoside, tetraphyllin B, in Carica papaya leaf and stem materials. In detailed 1H NMR studies of 1a/b and 2a/b, differences in higher order effects in glucosides and allosides proved to be valuable for assignment of structures in this series. The diagnostic chemical shifts of cyanogenic methine and anomeric protons in 1a/b are sensitive to anisotropic environmental effects. The assignment of C-2 stereochemistry of 1a/b was made in analogy to previous assignments in the glucoside series and was supported by GLC analysis of the TMS ethers.     

Rhodamine–propargylic esters for detection of mitochondrial hydrogen sulfide in living cells

Flow cytometric detection of mitochondrial H₂S was achieved with propargylic esters of rhodamine B which selectively react with H₂S via cationic rhodamine-moiety directed thiolysis of the propargylic esters to give nonfluorescent rhodamine thio-spirolactone.     

Alkynyl polysaccharides: synthesis of propargyl potato starch followed by subsequent derivatizations

Potato starch propargyl ethers (PgS) with degrees of substitution (DS) from 0.1 to 2.2 have been prepared by etherification of starch with sodium hydroxide or Li dimsyl in Me(2)SO and propargyl bromide. DS values and substituent distribution were determined after hydrolysis and acetylation by GC-MS. The order of reactivity was 2>6>3, with O-3 substitution being preferably observed in the trisubstituted units. Repeated analysis of the starch derivatives revealed that propargyl residues were lost during storage, a phenomenon that was not fully understood until now. Selected PgS were further functionalized: (a) O- and C-methylated to O-(2-butynyl)-O-methyl starch (BMS), (b) in a Mannich type reaction with diethylamine and formaldehyde to yield O-(4-diethylamino)-2-butinyl starch (DEABiS), (c) in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with benzyl azide ('click-chemistry') to a N-benzyltriazole derivatized starch (BTrS), and (d) with carbon dioxide to O-(3-carboxy)-2-butinyl starch (CBiS). While the yield of carboxylation was only poor, conversion was high or nearly quantitative for reactions a-c. Thus, it is demonstrated that starch propargyl ethers are valuable intermediates for the preparation of functional polysaccharides.