Synthesis of 5-beta-D-ribofuranosylcytosine (pseudo-cytidine) and its alpha isomer

The dilithio derivative of 2,4-di-O,N-trimethylsilylcytosine was condensed with 2,4:3,5-di-O-benzylidene-D-ribose to give a mixture of the protected, epimer at C-1′ pentitols 5 and 6; in addition, a compound substituted at N-3 or N-4, whose structure was not elucidated, was also obtained. The epimers were treated with acid to give 4-amino-2-hydroxy-5-(β-and α-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrimidine (10 and 12). The n.m.r. spectrum of 10 corresponds predominantly to the C-2′ endo structure. On the other hand, the n.m.r. spectrum of 12 presents couplings identical with those of the “α pseudo-uridine”. On nitric deamination, each isomer gave in a highly preponderant yield the corresponding pseudo-uridine at C-1′.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 3-Chloro-4-(D-Ribofuranosyl)-Pyridine and 3-(D-Ribofuranosyl)-2- Pyridone

Abstract

Condensation of 2-fluoro-3-lithio pyridine and 3-chloro-4-lithio pyridine with 2,4:3,5-di-O-benzylidene-alde-hydo-D-ribose gives the corresponding D-allo- and D-altro-addition products. These were converted into the corresponding mesylates and cyclized to the ribofuranosyl nucleosides with an overall yield of 60–70 %. Both nucleosides did not show any inhibitory effect on L-₁₂₁₀-cells.     

Determination of the (2E,4E)-Geometry of the 3,5-Dimethyl-2,4-diene System of Antibiotic 1233A by NMR Comparison with the Four Geometrical Isomers of Methyl 3,5-Dimethyl-2,4-heptadienoate

(2E,4E)-geometry was assigned to 1233A [(7R,2?R,3?R)-11-[3?-(hydroxymethyl)-4?-oxo-2?-oxetanoyl]-3,5,7-trimethyl-2,4-undecadienoic acid (1a)], an inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis. Both the ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra of 1a and methyl ester 1b were compared with those of the four geometrical isomers of methyl 3,5-dimethyl-2,4-heptadienoate (2). NOE experiments on 1b revealed the presence of a remarkable NOE between the proton at C-2 and those of the C-17 methyl group. Similar NOE was also observed with (2E,4E)-2. This fact suggests the predominant existence of stable s-cis-rotamers at the single bond between C-3 and C-4 of 1b and of (2E,4E)-2. Some MM2 calculations were attempted to show the presence of two types of stable conformers in the case of the 3,5-dimethyl-2,4-dienoate system.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Some D-Arabino- and D-Lyxofuranosyl-Pyridine C-Nucleosides

Abstract

The addition reaction of either 3-bromo-5-lithiopyridine (2a) or 3-cyano-5-lithiopyridine (2b) to 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-aldehydo-D-arabinose (1) or 2,4:3,5-di-O-benzylidene-aldehydo-D-lyxose (8) gave respectively a D-gluco/D-manno mixture of 3-bromo- and 3-cyano-5-(2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-pentitol-1-yl)pyridine (3a,b) or a D-galacto/D-talo mixture of respectively 3-bromo- and 3-cyano-5-(2,4:3,5-di-O-benzylidene-pentitol-1-yl)pyridine (9a,b). Mesylation of C-1′ followed by reaction with CF₃COOH/H₂O resulted in the formation of the corresponding D-arabino- or D-lyxofuranosyl pyridine C-nucleosides. The cyano group of (5b) and (11b) was converted into a carbamoyl group using Amberlite IRA 400 (OH^?). 3-Cyano-5-D-arabinofuianosylpyridine (5b) was converted into 3-thiocarbamoyl-5-D-arabinofuranosyl-pyridine (7) using H₂S and triethylamine.

None of the test compounds showed a marked cytostatic or antiviral activity in vitro.     

Stereospecific synthesis of chiral benzylic centers from D-erythro-pentulose derivatives

Stereospecific, Grignard addition reactions are described that afford C-phenyl branched-chain pentitols having either the D-arabino(2) or D-ribo(19) stereochemistry, according to the mode of substitution of the starting 2-pentulose. The reaction of 3,5-O-benzylidene-1-deoxy-D-erythro-2-pentulose (1) with phenyl-magnesium bromide led stereospecifically to 3,5-O-benzylidene-1-deoxy-2-C-phenyl-D-arabinitol (2), the configuration of which was established by a nuclear Overhauser experiment with its 2,4:3,5-dibenzylidene acetal (3). Acid hydrolysis of 2 led to the novel, crystalline 1-deoxy-2-C-phenyl-D-arabinitol (4), further characterized as its triacetate 5. In attempts to mask certain hydroxyl groups of 2 selectively, the 2,4-O-isopropylidene (6) and 2,4-O-carbonyl (7) derivatives, the 4-acetate 8, the 4-(trimethylsilyl) and 4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) ethers (10 and 17), and the corresponding 2-phenylcarbamates 9 (from 8) and 11 (from 10) were prepared. Catalytic hydrogenolysis of the carbamates 9 and 11 resulted in deoxygenation of the benzylic center with inversion of configuration to give 2(S)-3,5-O-benzylidene-1,2-dideoxy-2-C-phenyl-D-erythro-pentitol (12; from 11) and its 4-O-acetyl analog 13 (from 9). Benzylation of the trimethylsilyl ether 10 afforded 2-O-benzyl-3,5-O -benzylidene-1-deoxy-2-C-phenyl-4-O-(trimethylsilyl)-D-arabinitol (15), together with the corresponding 2,4-dibenzyl ether 14. Acid hydrolysis of 15 yielded the crystalline, branched-chain, benzyl ether 16. The tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether of 1 reacted with phenylmagnesium bromide to give, exclusively, the C-phenyl branched-chain pentitol (19) having the D-ribo stereochemistry.     

Preparation of Optically Pure cis-2,4-Dimethyl-l-cyclohexanones,the Key Intermediates in Cycloheximide Synthesis,Using Microbial Resolution

Asymmetric hydrolysis of acetate (10) of (±)-t-2,t-4-dimethyl-r-l-cyclohexanol with Bacillus subtilis var. niger gave (?)-(lS,2S,4S)-2,4-dimethyl-l-cyclohexanol (6a) and (+)-(1R,2R,4R)-acetate (10b) with high optical purities. Optically pure (?) and (+)-alcohols (6a and 6b) were prepared via corresponding 3,5-dinitrobenzoates. Oxidation of alcohols (6a and 6b) with chromic acid gave optically pure (?)-(2S,4S) and (+)-(2R,4R)-2,4-dimethyl-l-cyclohexanones (2a and 2b), respectively.     

Enhancement of adventitious root formation in mung bean cuttings by 3,5-dihalo-4-hydroxybenzoic acids and 2,4-dinitrophenol

3,5-Dihalo-4-hydroxybenzoic acids enhanced adventitious root formation in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cuttings. 3,5-Diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid was more active than 3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, increasing the number of roots formed by about 4-fold. 2,4-Dinitrophenol also enhanced significantly adventitious root formation in mung bean cuttings. The phenolic compounds were active with or without indole-3-acetic acid. The possible mechanism by which these phenolic compounds enhance rooting is discussed.Abbreviations CCCP carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone - DIHB 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid - DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol     

Auxin-stimulated ATPase in membrane fractions from pumpkin hypocotyls (Cucurbita maxima L.)

Membrane fractions from Cucurbita maxima hypocotyls were isolated in a medium which inhibits the action of endogenous phospholipases. After removal of soluble phosphatases by Sepharose 2B-CL column chromatography, an auxin-stimulated ATPase activity was found in membrane fractions from linear sucrose gradients. In the presence of 10^-4 M phenylacetic acid (PAA), the stimulation by indol-3-acetic acid (IAA) exhibited a bimodal concentration dependence with maximal stimulation of about 50% at 10^-6 M IAA. Without PAA, only a high concentration of 10^-4 M IAA was stimulatory, whereas 10^-6 M IAA had no apparent effect and 10^-8 M IAA exhibited weak inhibition. PAA alone had only weak or no effects. The effects of IAA must be considered as hormone-specific. The ATPase activity in the presence of 10^-4 M PAA was activated only by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), an active auxin analogue, but not by the inactive stereoisomers, 2,3-D and 3,5-D. Comparison with marker enzyme profiles suggested that part of the auxin-stimulated ATPase was localized on plasma membranes as well as other compartments. Thus, the auxin-stimulated ATPase may become a useful tool in the investigation of the mechanism of action of auxin.Abbrevations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2,3-D 2,3-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 3,5-D 3,5-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indol-3-acetic acid - PAA phenylacetic acid - MES (2-(N-morpholino))-ethanesulfonic acid - EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid     

Isolation and characterization of a 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid-degrading soil bacterium

Summary The 2-(2,4-dichlorphenoxy)propionic acid (2,4-DP)-degrading bacterial strain MH was isolated after numerous subcultivations of a mixed culture obtained by soil-column enrichment and finally identified as Flavobacterium sp. Growth of this strain was supported by 2,4-DP (maximum specific growth rate 0.2 h^–1) as well as by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB), and 2-(4-chloro-2-methyphenoxy)propionic acid (MCPP) as sole sources of carbon and energy under aerobic conditions. 2,4-DP-Grown cells (10⁸) of strain MH degraded 2,4-dichlorophenoxyalkanoic acids, 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), and 4-chlorophenol at rates in the range of 30 nmol/h. Preliminary investigations indicate that cleavage of 2,4-DP results in 2,4-DCP, which is further mineralized via ortho-hydroxylation and ortho-cleavage of the resulting 3,5-dichlorocatechol. Offprint requests to: F. Streichsbier     

Induction of enzymes of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate degradation in Burkholderia cepacia 2a and toxicity of metabolic intermediates

Burkholderia cepacia 2a inducibly degraded 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) sequentially via 2,4-dichlorophenol, 3,5-dichlorocatechol, 2,4-dichloromuconate, 2-chloromuconolactone and 2-chloromaleylacetate. Cells grown on nutrient agar or broth grew on 2,4-D-salts only if first passaged on 4-hydroxybenzoate- or succinate-salts agar. Buffered suspensions of 4-hydroxybenzoate-grown cells did not adapt to 2,4-D or 3,5-dichlorocatechol, but responded to 2,4-dichlorophenol at concentrations <0.4 mM. Uptake of 2,4-dichlorophenol by non-induced cells displayed a type S (cooperative uptake) uptake isotherm in which the accelerated uptake of the phenol began before the equivalent of a surface monolayer had been adsorbed, and growth inhibition corresponded with the acquisition of 2.2-fold excess of phenol required for the establishment of the monolayer. No evidence of saturation was seen even at 2 mM 2,4-dichlorophenol, possibly due to absorption by intracellular poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate inclusions. With increasing concentration, 2,4-dichlorophenol caused progressive cell membrane damage and, sequentially, leakage of intracellular K(+), P(i), ribose and material absorbing light at 260 nm (presumed nucleotide cofactors), until at 0.4 mM, protein synthesis and enzyme induction were forestalled. Growth of non-adapted cells was inhibited by 0.35 mM 2,4-dichlorophenol and 0.25 mM 3,5-dichlorocatechol; the corresponding minimum bacteriocidal concentrations were 0.45 and 0.35 mM. Strain 2a grew in chemostat culture on carbon-limited media containing 2,4-D, with an apparent growth yield coefficient of 0.23, and on 2,4-dichlorophenol. Growth on 3,5-dichlorocatechol did not occur without a supplement of succinate, probably due to accumulation of toxic quantities of quinonoid and polymerisation products. Cells grown on these compounds were active towards all three, but not when grown on other substrates. The enzymes of the pathway therefore appeared to be induced by 3,5-dichlorocatechol or some later metabolite. A possible reason is offered for the environmental persistence of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T).     

Identification and estimation of some uncommon diamino acids

Application of the amino acid analyzer is described for the separation, identification, and estimation of several uncommon dibasic amino acids that are eluted with a 0.35 m, pH 5.28, sodium citrate buffer between lysine and ammonia, namely, 2,5-diaminohexanoate, threo- and erythro-3,5-diaminohexanoate, 3,6-diaminohexanoate (β-lysine) and 2,4-diaminopentanoic acid. Conditions are also given for estimating d- and l-β-lysine as their l-glutamyl peptides, and for estimating the enantiomers of threo- and erythro-3,5-diaminohexanoate as the l-glutamyl derivative of the corresponding lactams.     

Identification of aromatic dihydroxy acids in biological fluids

3,5-Dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, 3,5-dihydroxycinnamic acid and 2,3-dihydroxycinnamic acid were detected for the first time to be components of human urine. In the course of this investigation all constitutional isomers of dihydroxy-benzoic, -phenylpropionic, -phenylacetic and -cinnamic acid were synthesized. Mass spectra and retention indices of methyl and trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives were determined. In contrast to many other substituted aromatic compounds the mass spectra of methyl and TMS derivatives of dihydroxy aromatic acids often allow a firm distinction to be made between constitutional isomers: TMS derivatives of aromatic acids containing two hydroxy groups located in the ortho position to each other can be recognized by ions resulting from a primary cleavage reaction mainly in the side chain or ester group, followed by loss of tetramethylsilane. In methyl derivatives of 1,2,3-trisubstituted isomers, methoxy groups are lost much more easily from the ions corresponding to the benzylic cleavage than in other isomers. Methyl derivatives of dihydroxycinnamic acids containing at least one methoxy group in the ortho position to the side chain are characterized by a fragmentation reaction, corresponding to the loss of dimethyl ether. TMS and methyl derivatives of 3,5-dihydroxy aromatic acids show unique structure-specific fragmentation reactions.     

Assessment of the in vivo genotoxicity of isomers of dinitrotoluene using the alkaline Comet and peripheral blood micronucleus assays

Dinitrotoluene (DNT) is a nitroaromatic explosive that exists as six isomers; two major isomers (2,4- and 2,6-DNT) and four minor isomers (2,3-, 2,5-, 3,4-, and 3,5-DNT). DNT has been found in soil, surface water, and groundwater near ammunition production plants. The major isomers of DNT are classified as "likely to cause cancer in humans."In vitro studies have provided conflicting data regarding the genotoxicity of the minor isomers. Studies indicate that metabolism in the gut and liver are necessary to convert DNT to genotoxic compounds. As such, in the present study the genotoxicity of isomers of DNT was assessed using two in vivo genotoxicity assays. The Comet assay was used to detect DNA damage in liver cells from male Sprague-Dawley rats following oral exposure (14-day) to individual isomers of DNT. The micronucleus assay was conducted using flow cytometric analysis to detect chromosomal damage in peripheral blood. Treatment with 2,3-, 3,4-, 2,4-, 2,5- and 3,5-DNT did not induce DNA damage in liver cells or increase the frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MN-RET) in peripheral blood at the doses tested. Treatment with 2,6-DNT induced DNA damage in liver tissue at all doses tested, but did not increase the frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MN-RET) in peripheral blood. Thus, 2,4-DNT and the minor isomers were not genotoxic under these test conditions, while 2,6-DNT was genotoxic in the target tissue, the liver. These results support previous research which indicated that the hepatocarcinogenicity of technical grade DNT (TG-DNT) could be attributed to the 2,6-DNT isomer.     

G.L.C.-M.S. of the oxidation products of pentitols and hexitols as O-butyloxime trifluoroacetates

Chemical ionisation (c.i.) mass spectra of trifluoroacetylated O-butyloximes of 2- and 3-pentuloses, 2- and 3-hexuloses, and 2,5-hexodiuloses (products of the oxidation of the pentitols and hexitols with bromine) are reported. Small amounts of 2-pentosuloses and 2,3- and 2,4-pentodiuloses could be detected by using selected ion monitoring at m/z 579 (M + 1). The mass spectra comprise few signals, with those for (M + 1) or (M + 1 ? 2 F₃CCOO) being the most intense.     

5-Substituted Pyrimidine L-2′-Deoxyribonucleosides: Synthetic,Quantum Chemical,and NMR Studies

As a part of an ongoing medicinal chemistry, we report here the synthesis and structure evaluation of 1-(2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-acetylpentofuranosyl)-5-[(3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene) pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione 5 and 5-[bis(3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl-1-(2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-acetylpentofuranosyl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione 6 derived from 3 ′,5 ′-di-O-acetyl-5-formyl-2 ′-deoxy-β-L-uridine 1. Base hydrolysis of compounds 1 and 6 furnished their deacetylated analogues in good yields, whereas hydrolysis of 5 was troublesome. Structural features of these molecules are discussed by NMR spectra analyses and density functional theory quantum chemical calculations. The newly synthesized L-analogues show no significant activity against vaccinia and cowpox viruses.     

(+)-4-Carboxymethyl-2,4-dimethylbut-2-en-4-olide as dead-end metabolite of 2,4-dimethylphenoxyacetic acid or 2,4-dimethylphenol by Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 134

2,4-Dimethylphenoxyacetic acid and 2,4-dimethylphenol are not growth substrates for Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 134 although being cooxidized by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate grown cells. None of the relevant catabolic pathways were induced by the dimethylphenoxyacetate. 3,5-Dimethylcatechol is not subject to metacleavage. The alternative ortho-eleavage is also unproductive and gives rise to (+)-4-carboxymethyl-2,4-dimethylbut-2-en-4-olide as a dead-end metabolite. High yields of this metabolite were obtained with the mutant Alcaligenes eutrophys JMP 134-1 which constitutively expresses the genes of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid metabolism.     

The Occurrence and Some Properties of a Spawning Inducing Substance in the Testis of the Hydromedusan Spirocodon saltatrix

Gas chromatographic methods were developed for the determination of optical isomers of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)isovaleric acid (CPIA) which constituted the acid moiety of the insecticide Fenvalerate molecule. The enantiomers of CPIA were derivatized into diastereoisomeric l-menthyl esters quantitatively via their acid chlorides and separated from each other on a column of 10% silicone DC QF-1 (3 mm i.d. × 2.25m). They were also derivatized into isopropylamides in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and were resolved on an open tubular glass capillary column (0.25 mm i.d. × 40 m) coated with optically active N,N′-[2,4-(6-ethoxy-1,3,5-triazine)diyl] bis(l-valyl-l-valyl-l-valine isopropyl ester) (OA-300). The ratios of optical isomers were determined from their separated peak areas and analytical values obtained by two methods were in good agreement with each other.

The chemical purity of CPIA was also determined by gas chromatography after derivatization to its methyl ester on a column of 2% DEGS (3 mm i.d. × 3 m) using m-nitroanisole as an internal standard.     

Synthesis of C-6 Pyrimidine Acyclic Nucleoside Analogs as Potential Antiviral Agents

Abstract

A number of pyrimidine acyclic nucleosides in which the acyclic moiety is attached to the C-6 position rather than N-1 of the pyrimidine ring have been prepared. This was accomplished via treatment of lithiated 2,4-dimethoxy-5,6-dimethylpyrimidine, or, 2,4-dimethoxy-6-methylpyrirnidine with 1,3-bis-(benzyloxy)-2-propanone, benzyl chloromethyl ether or oxirane, respectively, to give the corresponding key intermediates 6-[3-benzyloxy-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2-hydroxypropyl]-2,4-dimethoxy-5-methylpyrimidine (2a), 6-[3-Denzyloxy-2-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-2-hydroxypropyl]-2,4-dimethoxypyrimidine(2b), 6-(2-benzyloxyethyl)-2,4-dimethoxy-5-methylpyrimidine (3), and2,4-dunethoxy-6-(3-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylpyrimidine (4a). After acidic hydrolysis, followed by debenzylation with boron trichloride these key intermediates were converted to the target C-6 pyrimidine acyclic derivatives. Compounds 6–8b, 11–13, 15, 16, 20, 22, 26, and 29–32 were evaluated for activity against herpes viruses and human immunodeficiency virus. None of the compounds were active against the viruses nor were they cytotoxic at the highest concentration tested.     

Degradation of chlorosubstituted aromatic compounds by Pseudomonas sp. strain B13: fate of 3,5-dichlorocatechol

The degradation of 3,5-dichlorocatechol by enzymes of 3-chlorobenzoate-grown cells of Pseudomonas sp. strain B13 was studied. The following compounds were formed from 3,5-dichlorocatechol: trans-2-chloro-4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide, cis-2-chloro-4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide, and chloroacetylacrylate as the decarboxylation product of 2-chloromaleylacetate. They were identified by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods (UV, MS, PMR). An enzyme activity converting trans-2-chloro-4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide into the cis-isomer was observed.Abbreviations 3CB 3-chlorobenzoate - 4CB 4-chlorobenzoate - 3,5DCB 3,5-dichlorobenzoate - 2,4D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate - NOE Nuclear-Overhauser-Effect     

Anaerobic biodegradation of chlorophenols in fresh and acclimated sludge.

We investigated the anaerobic biodegradation of mono- and dichlorophenol isomers by fresh (unacclimated) sludge and by sludge acclimated to either 2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, or 4-chlorophenol. Biodegradation was evaluated by monitoring substrate disappearance and, in selected cases, production of 14CH4 from labeled substrates. In unacclimated sludge, each of the monochlorophenol isomers was degraded. The relative rates of disappearance were in this order: ortho greater than meta greater than para. For the dichlorophenols in unacclimated sludge, reductive dechlorination of the Cl group ortho to phenolic OH was observed, and the monochlorophenol compounds released were subsequently degraded. 3,4-Dichlorophenol and 3,5-dichlorophenol were persistent. Sludge acclimated to 2-chlorophenol cross-acclimated to 4-chlorophenol but did not utilize 3-chlorophenol. This sludge also degraded 2,4-dichlorophenol. Sludge acclimated to 3-chlorophenol cross-acclimated to 4-chlorophenol but not to 2-chlorophenol. This sludge degraded 3,4- and 3,5-dichlorophenol but not 2,3- or 2,5-dichlorophenol. The specific cross-acclimation patterns observed for monochlorophenol degradation demonstrated the existence of two unique microbial activities that were in turn different from fresh sludge. The sludge acclimated to 4-chlorophenol could degrade all three monochlorophenol isomers and 2,4- and 3,4-dichlorophenol. The active microbial population in this sludge appeared to be a mixture of populations present in the 2-chlorphenol- and 3-chlorophenol-acclimated sludges, both of which could utilize 4-chlorophenol. Experiments with 14C-radiolabeled p-chlorophenol, o-chlorophenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol demonstrated that these compounds were converted to 14CH4 and 14CO2.