Simple Plug-In Synthetic Step for the Synthesis of (-)-Camphor from Renewable Starting Materials.

Racemic camphor and isoborneol are readily available as industrial side products, whereas (1R)-camphor is available from natural sources. Optically pure (1S)-camphor, however, is much more difficult to obtain. The synthesis of racemic camphor from α-pinene proceeds via an intermediary racemic isobornyl ester, which is then hydrolyzed and oxidized to give camphor. We reasoned that enantioselective hydrolysis of isobornyl esters would give facile access to optically pure isoborneol and camphor isomers, respectively. While screening of a set of commercial lipases and esterases in the kinetic resolution of racemic monoterpenols did not lead to the identification of any enantioselective enzymes, the cephalosporin Esterase B from Burkholderia gladioli (EstB) and Esterase C (EstC) from Rhodococcus rhodochrous showed outstanding enantioselectivity (E>100) towards the butyryl esters of isoborneol, borneol and fenchol. The enantioselectivity was higher with increasing chain length of the acyl moiety of the substrate. The kinetic resolution of isobornyl butyrate can be easily integrated into the production of camphor from α-pinene and thus allows the facile synthesis of optically pure monoterpenols from a renewable side-product.

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Camphor-Derived Diamines and Their Application as Thiourea Organocatalysts.

A series of 18 regio- and stereo-chemically diverse chiral non-racemic 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-diamines have been synthesized from commercial (1S)-(+)-ketopinic acid and (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid. The structures of the diamines are all based on the d-(+)-camphor scaffold and feature isomeric diversity in terms of regioisomeric attachment of the primary and the tertiary amine function and the exo/endo-isomerism. Diamines were transformed into the corresponding noncovalent bifunctional thiourea organocatalysts, which have been evaluated for catalytic activity in the conjugative addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl nucleophiles (dimethyl malonate, acetylacetone, and dibenzoylmethane) to trans-ß-nitrostyrene. The highest enantioselectivity was achieved in the reaction with acetylacetone as nucleophile using endo-1,3-diamine derived catalyst 52 (91.5:8.5 er). All new organocatalysts 48-63 have been fully characterized. The structures and the absolute configurations of eight intermediates and thiourea derivative 52 were also determined by X-ray diffraction.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel camphecene analogues as anti-influenza agents.

A chemical library was constructed based on the scaffold of camphecene (2-(E)-((1R,4R)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ylidene-aminoethanol). The modifications included introduction of mono-and bicyclic heterocyclic moieties in place of the terminal hydroxyl group of camphecene. All compounds were tested for cytotoxicity and anti-viral activity against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) in MDCK cells. Among 15 tested compounds 11 demonstrated a selectivity index (SI) higher than 10 and IC50 values in the micromolar range. The antiviral activity and toxicity were shown to strongly depend on the nature of the heterocyclic substituent. Compounds 2 and 14 demonstrated the highest virus-inhibiting activity with SIs of 106 and 183, and bearing pyrrolidine and piperidine moieties, correspondingly. Compound 14 was shown to interfere with viral reproduction at early stages of the viral life cycle (0-2 h post-infection). Taken together, our data suggest potential of camphecene derivatives in particular and camphor-based imine derivatives in general as effective anti-influenza compounds.

Synthesis of Camphor-Derived Bis(pyrazolylpyridine) Rhodium(III) Complexes: Structure-Reactivity Relationships and Biological Activity.

Two novel rhodium(III) complexes, namely, [RhIII(X)Cl3] (X = 2 2,6-bis((4 S,7 R)-7,8,8-trimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1 H-4,7-methanoindazol-3-yl)pyridine or 2,6-bis((4 S,7 R)-1,7,8,8-tetramethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1 H-4,7-methanoindazol-3-yl)pyridine), were synthesized from camphor derivatives of a bis(pyrazolylpyridine), tridentate nitrogen-donor chelate system, giving [RhIII(H2L*)Cl3] (1a) and [RhIII(Me2L*)Cl3] (1b). A rhodium(III) terpyridine (terpy) ligand complex, [RhIII(terpy)Cl3] (1c), was also synthesized. By single-crystal X-ray analysis, 1b crystallizes in an orthorhombic P212121 system, with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. Tridentate coordination by the N,N,N-donor localizes the central nitrogen atom close to the rhodium(III) center. Compounds 1a and 1b were reactive toward l-methionine (l-Met), guanosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP), and glutathione (GSH), with an order of reactivity of 5'-GMP > GSH > l-Met. The order of reactivity of the RhIII complexes was: 1b> 1a > 1c. The RhIII complexes showed affinity for calf thymus DNA and bovine serum albumin by UV-vis and emission spectral studies. Furthermore, 1b showed significant in vitro cytotoxicity against human epithelial colorectal carcinoma cells. Since the RhIII complexes have similar coordination modes, stability differences were evaluated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations (B3LYP(CPCM)/LANL2DZp). With (H2L*) and (terpy) as model ligands, DFT calculations suggest that both tridentate ligand systems have similar stability. In addition, molecular docking suggests that all test compounds have affinity for the minor groove of DNA, while 1b and 1c have potential for DNA intercalation.

Synthesis of camphecene derivatives using click chemistry methodology and study of their antiviral activity.

A series of seventeen tetrazole derivatives of 1,7,7-trimethyl-[2.2.1]bicycloheptane were synthesized using click chemistry methodology and characterized by spectral data. Studies of cytotoxicity and in vitro antiviral activity against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) in MDCK cells of the compounds obtained were performed. The structure-activity relationship analysis suggests that to possess virus-inhibiting activity, the compounds of this group should bear oxygen atom with a short linker (C2-C4), either as a hydroxyl group (18, 19, 29), keto-group (21) or as a part of a heterocycle (24). These compounds demonstrated low cytotoxicity along with high anti-viral activity.

Discovery of a new class of antiviral compounds: camphor imine derivatives.

A new class of compounds featuring a camphor moiety has been discovered that exhibits potent inhibitory activity against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H5N1) viruses. The synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic analysis; in addition the structures of compound 2 and 14 were elucidated by the X-ray diffraction technique. Structure-activity relationship studies have been conducted to identify the 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes2-ylidene group as the key functional group responsible for the observed antiviral activity. The most potent antiviral compound is imine 2 with therapeutic index more than 500.

[Curare-Like Camphor Derivatives and Their Biological Activity].

The synthesis and evaluation of muscle relaxant activity of series of dimeric camphor derivatives are described. Compounds in which the quaternary nitrogen atoms are separated by aromatic chain exhibited the highest efficiency as muscle relaxant. It was shown the screening of a charged atom and counter-ion does not have a significant role on the activity of the studied agents.

A scalable, nonenzymatic synthesis of highly stereopure difunctional C4 secondary methyl linchpin synthons.

In response to the continuing widespread use of heterodifunctional C4 secondary methyl building blocks in asymmetric synthesis, we have developed a mole-scale, two-step synthesis of a 1:1 mixture of the diastereomers of 3-bromo-2-methyl-1-propyl camphorsulfonate (casylate). One isomer (2S) has been crystallized to >99:1 dr in ∼25% yield. Equilibration of the mother liquor (enriched in 2R) to a 1:1 mixture and recrystallization significantly raises the overall yield of 2S. Applications of 2S include chemoselective Grignard coupling, enabling the very short synthesis of highly stereopure long-chain natural products containing remote, methyl-bearing stereogenic centers [e.g., (R)-tuberculostearic acid], with complete control of configuration. Also, Ag-mediated, completely chemoselective Br displacement from 2S leads to a range of >99:1 er difunctional synthons. Both applications incorporate concurrent recovery of CasO. The enantiomer of 2S can be made from commercial (1R)-10-CasOH.

Synthesis, surface and antimicrobial properties of some quaternary ammonium homochiral camphor sulfonamides.

A group of homochiral quaternary ammonium sulfonamides bearing hydrophobic camphor derived moieties were synthesized and characterized. The described synthetic procedure is quick and efficient. The novel quaternary ammonium bromides were tested as antimicrobial and antifungal agents. They exhibited strong antimicrobial and also antifungal activity, especially N-{2-[((1S, 4R)-7,7-dimethyl-2-oxobicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-1-yl)methylsulfonamido] ethyl}-N,N-dimethyltetradecan-1-aminium bromide 1c. The surface properties of prepared compounds were evaluated by surface tension measurements and critical micelle concentration (CMC) with surface tension at CMC (γCMC) was calculated.

Preparation and evaluation of dual-mode floating gastroretentive tablets containing itraconazole.

The aims of the present study were to prepare new dual-mode floating gastroretentive tablets (DF-GRT) containing itraconazole (ITR) and to evaluate influence of the dosage forms on pharmacokinetic parameters of ITR. The solubility of ITR was enhanced around 200 times (from 1.54 to 248.38 µg/mL) by preparing solid dispersion (SD) with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. Buoyancy of DF-GRT containing ITR-SD was established by both camphor sublimation and gas generation. Camphor sublimation decreased density of DF-GRT by making pores in tablet matrix, which led to elimination of lag time for floating. Carbon dioxide generated by sodium bicarbonate and citric acid helped to maintain buoyancy of DF-GRT. Therefore DF-GRT floated on the medium without lag time until disintegrated entirely during in vitro release study. They released 89.11% of the drug at 2 h. Residual camphor was <0.5 wt% after sublimation. The pharmacokinetics of DF-GRT was evaluated in six miniature pigs and compared to immediate release tablets (IRT). Mean AUC ratio of GRT/IRT was 1.36 but there was no statistical difference between AUC values. However delayed tmax, increased MRT and equivalent Cmax of DF-GRT supposed it could be a promising tool for gastroretentive drug delivery system containing ITR.

New quaternary ammonium camphor derivatives and their antiviral activity, genotoxic effects and cytotoxicity.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel series of dimeric camphor derivatives are described. The resulting compounds were studied for their antiviral activity, cyto- and genotoxicity. Compounds 3a and 3d in which the quaternary nitrogen atoms are separated by the C5H10 and С9H18 aliphatic chain, exhibited the highest efficiency as an agent inhibiting the reproduction of the influenza virus A(H1N1)pdm09. The cytotoxicity data of compounds 3 and 4 revealed their moderate activity against malignant cell lines; compound 3f had the highest activity for the CEM-13 cells. These results show close agreement with the data of independent studies on toxicity of these compounds, in particular that the toxicity of compounds strongly depends on spacer length.

The syntheses of new camphorsulfonylated ligands derived from 2-amino-2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl and their enantioselectivities in the addition of dialkylzinc reagents to aldehydes.

A series of new camphorsulfonylated ligands derived from chiral 2-amino-2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl (NOBIN) and (+)-camphorsulfonic acid were synthesized by a short and simple synthetic sequence, and their enantioselective catalytic activities were assessed in the nucleophilic addition reaction of dialkylzinc reagents to aldehydes in the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide. The most efficient ligand, N-hydroxycamphorsulfonylated (S)-NOBIN, gave (S)-addition products with good yields and up to 87% of ee value. The (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and (13)C NMR results of the titanium titration experiments on this ligand indicate that the most likely catalytic reactive species involved in this catalytic asymmetric addition is a bimetallic titanium complex. A possible catalytic reaction mechanism is proposed.

Anti-AIDS agents 85. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 1R,2R-dicamphanoyl-3,3-dimethyldihydropyrano-[2,3-c]xanthen-7(1H)-one (DCX) derivatives as novel anti-HIV agents.

In this study, 1R,2R-dicamphanoyl-3,3-dimethydihydropyrano[2,3-c]xanthen-7(1H)-one (DCX) derivatives were designed and synthesized as novel anti-HIV agents against both wild-type and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor-resistant HIV-1 (RTMDR-1) strains. Twenty-four DCX analogs (6-29) were synthesized and evaluated against the non-drug-resistant HIV-1 NL4-3 strain, and selected analogs were also screened for their ability to inhibit the RTMDR-1 strain. Compared with the control 2-ethyl-3',4'-di-O-(-)-camphanoyl-2',2'-dimethyldihydropyrano[2,3-f]chromone (2-EDCP, 2), one of the best anti-HIV coumarin derivatives in our prior study, three DCX compounds (7, 12, and 22) showed better activity against both HIV strains with an EC(50) range of 0.062-0.081 µM, and five additional compounds (8, 11, 16, 18, and 21) exhibited comparable anti-HIV potency. Six DCX analogs (7, 11-12, 18, and 21-22) also showed enhanced selectivity index (SI) values in comparison to the control. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) information suggested that the extended conjugated system of the pyranoxanthone skeleton facilitates the interaction of the small DCX molecule within the viral binding pocket, consequently leading to enhanced anti-HIV activity and selectivity. Compared to DCP compounds, DCX analogs are a more promising new class of anti-HIV agents.

Anti-AIDS agents 87. New bio-isosteric dicamphanoyl-dihydropyranochromone (DCP) and dicamphanoyl-khellactone (DCK) analogues with potent anti-HIV activity.

Six 3'R,4'R-di-O-(S)-camphanoyl-2',2'-dimethyldihydropyrano[2,3-f]chromone (DCP) and two 3'R,4'R-di-O-(S)-camphanoyl-(+)-cis-khellactone (DCK) derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for inhibition of HIV-1(NL4-3) replication in TZM-bl cells. 2-Ethyl-2'-monomethyl-1'-oxa- and -1'-thia-DCP (5a, 6a), as well as 2-ethyl-1'-thia-DCP (7a) exhibited potent anti-HIV activity with EC(50) values of 30, 38 and 54 nM and therapeutic indexes of 152.6, 48.0 and 100.0, respectively, which were better than or comparable to those of the lead compound 2-ethyl-DCP in the same assay. 4-Methyl-1'-thia-DCK (8a) also showed significant inhibitory activity with an EC(50) of 128 nM and TI of 237.9.

Anti-AIDS agents 86. Synthesis and anti-HIV evaluation of 2',3'-seco-3'-nor DCP and DCK analogues.

In a continuing study of novel anti-HIV agents with drug-like structures and properties, 30 1'-O-, 1'-S-, 4'-O- and 4'-substituted-2',3'-seco-3'-nor DCP and DCK analogues (8-37) were designed and synthesized. All newly synthesized seco-compounds were screened against HIV-1(NL4-3) and a multiple reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor-resistant (RTMDR) strain in the TZM-bl cell line, using seco-DCK (7) and 2-ethyl-DCP (4) as controls. Several compounds (14, 18, 19, 22-24, and 32) exhibited potent anti-HIV activity with EC(50) values ranging from 0.93 to 1.93 µM and therapeutic index (TI) values ranging from 20 to 39. 1'-O-Isopropoxy-2',3'-seco-3'-nor-DCP (12) showed the greatest potency among the newly synthesized compounds with EC(50) values of 0.47 and 0.88 µM, and TI of 96 and 51, respectively, against HIV-1(NL4-3) and RTMDR strains. The seco-compounds exhibited better chemical stability in acidic conditions compared with DCP and DCK compounds. Overall, the results suggested that seco-DCP analogues with simplified structures may be more favorable for development as novel anti-HIV candidates.

Anti-AIDS agents 84. Synthesis and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity of 2'-monomethyl-4-methyl- and 1'-thia-4-methyl-(3'R,4'R)-3',4'-di-O-(S)-camphanoyl-(+)-cis-khellactone (DCK) analogs.

In a continuing investigation into the pharmacophores and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of (3'R,4'R)-3',4'-di-O-(S)-camphanoyl-(+)-cis-khellactone (DCK) as a potent anti-HIV agent, 2'-monomethyl substituted 1'-oxa, 1'-thia, 1'-sulfoxide, and 1'-sulfone analogs were synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of HIV-1 replication in H9 lymphocytes. Among them, 2'S-monomethyl-4-methyl DCK (5a)(‡) and 2'S-monomethyl-1'-thia-4-methyl DCK (7a) exhibited potent anti-HIV activity with EC(50) values of 40.2 and 39.1 nM and remarkable therapeutic indexes of 705 and 1000, respectively, which were better than those of the lead compound DCK in the same assay. In contrast, the corresponding isomeric 2'R-monomethyl-4-methyl DCK (6) and 2'R-monomethyl-1'-thia-4-methyl DCK (8) showed much weaker inhibitory activity against HIV-1 replication. Therefore, the bioassay results suggest that the spatial orientation of the 2'-methyl group in DCK analogs can have important effects on anti-HIV activity of this compound class.

Pyrrolidinyl-camphor derivatives as a new class of organocatalyst for direct asymmetric Michael addition of aldehydes and ketones to beta-nitroalkenes.

Practical and convenient synthetic routes have been developed for the synthesis of a new class of pyrrolidinyl-camphor derivatives (7 a-h). These novel compounds were screened as catalysts for the direct Michael addition of symmetrical alpha,alpha-disubstituted aldehydes to beta-nitroalkenes. When this asymmetric transformation was catalyzed by organocatalyst 7 f, the desired Michael adducts were obtained in high chemical yields, with high to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 98:2 diastereomeric ratio (d.r.) and 99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)). The scope of the catalytic system was expanded to encompass various aldehydes and ketones as the donor sources. The synthetic application was demonstrated by the synthesis of a tetrasubstituted-cyclohexane derivative from (S)-citronellal, with high stereoselectivity.

Comparative analysis of IR and vibrational circular dichroism spectra for a series of camphor-related molecules.

The absorption spectra and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra in the mid-IR range 1600-950 cm(-1) of 10 camphor-related compounds have been recorded and compared to DFT calculated spectra at the B3PW91/TZ2P level and have been examined together with the corresponding data of the parent molecules. The rigidity of the bridged structure common to all compounds investigated permits (a) identification of three spectroscopic regions in the mid-IR range that can be "used" separately by the interested stereochemist for structural diagnosis and assignment of some major characteristics of the VCD spectra in these regions to what we call "skeletal chiral sense" and (b) recognition of possible conformers for flexible substituent groups, when present. VCD spectra of the 10 molecules have been recorded and analyzed also in the CH-stretching region, 3100-2800 cm(-1). Here, we have been able to identify and characterize features of vibrational excitons by comparison of data within the 10-molecule class. To find a theoretical justification of result (a), we have examined the potential energy distribution of the normal modes in the mid-IR range, the partitioning of the calculated rotational strengths in terms of contributions from all couples of internal coordinates, the angle formed by the two vectors, the electric dipole transition moment and the magnetic dipole transition moment, and finally the overlap of normal modes of different molecules. A discussion is provided as to the usability of the introduced algorithms.

Synthesis and some reactions of dibutyltin (S)- and (R)-camphorsulfonyl hydrides.

The synthesis and physical properties of dibutyltin (S)-camphorsulfonyl hydride (1) and dibutyltin (R)-camphorsulfonyl hydride (2), and diphenyltin (S)-camphorsulfonyl hydride (3) as well as that of their organotin precursors are described. Their reactivity with different amines as triethylamine, morpholine and pyridine has been compared with other mixed hydrides as dibutyltin chloride hydride, dibutyltin acetate hydride and dibutyltin dihydride. It has been studied also the possibility of using of dibutyltin (R)- or (S)-camphorsulfonyl hydrides for the stereoselective reduction of different ketones as acetophenone, menthon, camphor and cyclopropyl-(4-metoxyphenyl)-methanone. The reduction of acetophenone with studied camphorsulfonyl hydrides carried out in benzene at room temperature afforded 1-phenylethanol with relatively low enantioselectivity. Addition of 10 equiv. of MnCl(2)*4H(2)O or ZnCl(2) to the reduction mixture involving dibutyltin (S)-camphorsulfonyl hydride (1) and acetophenone and carried out in methanol and tetrahydrofuran, respectively, resulted in remarkable increase in enantioselectivity. The comparative kinetic studies of reduction of acetophenone by different hydrides proved that dibutyltin camphorsulfonyl hydride is significantly more reactive in comparison with dibutyltin chloro hydride and dibutyltin acetate hydride. Analogous results have been obtained from kinetic studies for different tin hydrides with chosen amines. The outcome of these studies supported by theoretical calculations led to the conclusion that the order of reactivity of the studied hydrides correlates with the rate of their homolytic decomposition at room temperature.

Camphor sulfonamide derivatives as novel, potent and selective CXCR3 antagonists.

A series of N-arylpiperazine camphor sulfonamides was discovered as novel CXCR3 antagonists. The synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and optimization of the initial hit that resulted in the identification of potent and selective CXCR3 antagonists are described.