Photorearrangement of dihetarylethenes as a tool for the benzannulation of heterocycles.

A general strategy for the preparative benzannulation of aromatic heterocycles via photocyclization of 1,2-dihetarylethenes was proposed for the first time. The strategy includes two steps, namely, modular assembly of dihetarylethenes from widely available 3-hetarylacetic acids and 2-bromo-1-hetarylethanones, and subsequent preparative photorearrangement (using a UV lamp at 365 nm as the light source). This approach is efficient for the annulation of a wide range of heterocycles and provides C-, N-, O- or S-substituents in the benzoheterocycles obtained. The photochemical step is a metal-, acid-, and oxidant-free reaction, which requires non-inert conditions, and can be easily monitored by NMR spectroscopy. Applicability of the proposed strategy was tested in the synthesis of a wide range of substituted carbazoles and benzo[b]thiophenes as well as on a gram-scale benzannulation of 3-indoleacetic acid. Our study disclosed how to overcome two notable obstacles to the successful photorearrangement of dihetarylethenes: undesired reactions associated with photogenerated singlet oxygen, and the instability of desired products. The first problem was successfully solved by the addition of DABCO, while development of an in situ alkylation protocol to trap unstable photoproducts allowed us to overcome the second issue.

Structural and Spectral Properties of Photochromic Diarylethenes: Size Effect of the Ethene Bridge.

The effect of the size of the ethene bridge on the structural and spectral properties of photochromic diarylethenes, which remains a poorly understood phenomenon, was studied as applied to diarylethenes containing unsymmetrical (cyclohexenone and cyclopentenone) and symmetrical (cyclohexene and cyclopentene) ethene bridges. Thiophene, oxazole, and imidazole derivatives were used as aryl moieties. An increase in the size of the ethene bridge in the cycloalkenone series was found to be accompanied by a hypsochromic shift of the absorption maximum of the photoinduced form, whereas no difference was found for cycloalkenes. A detailed analysis of the NMR spectra (including 2D experiments) revealed previously unknown effects associated with the existence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond (CH···N) between the six-membered ethene bridge and the azole substituents. The NMR experimental data obtained were confirmed by DFT quantum chemical calculations and X-ray analysis. It was found that an intramolecular hydrogen bond favors an increase of the quantum yield of the photocyclization reaction.

Metabolic evolution and (13) C flux analysis of a succinate dehydrogenase deficient strain of Yarrowia lipolytica.

Bio-based succinic acid production can redirect industrial chemistry processes from using limited hydrocarbons to renewable carbohydrates. A fermentation process that does not require pH-titrating agents will be advantageous to the industry. Previously, a Yarrowia lipolytica strain that was defective for succinate dehydrogenase was constructed and was found to accumulate up to 17.5 g L(-1) of succinic acid when grown on glycerol without buffering. Here, a derivative mutant was isolated that produced 40.5 g L(-1) of succinic acid in 36 h with a yield of 0.32 g g(-1) glycerol. A combination approach of induced mutagenesis and metabolic evolution allowed isolation of another derivative that could utilize glucose efficiently and accumulated 50.2 g L(-1) succinic acid in 54 h with a yield of 0.43 g g(-1) . The parent strain of these isolated mutants was used for [1,6-(13) C2 ]glucose assimilation analysis. At least 35% glucose was estimated to be utilized through the pentose phosphate pathway, while ≥84% succinic acid was formed through the oxidative branch of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2425-2432. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Critical Influence of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Aging and Decomposition on the Utility of Biomass Conversion in Organic Synthesis.

Spectral studies revealed the presence of a specific arrangement of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) molecules in solution as a result of a hydrogen-bonding network, and this arrangement readily facilitates the aging of 5-HMF. Deterioration of the quality of this platform chemical limits its practical applications, especially in synthesis/pharma areas. The model drug Ranitidine (Zantac®) was synthesized with only 15 % yield starting from 5-HMF which was isolated and stored as an oil after a biomass conversion process. In contrast, a much higher yield of 65 % was obtained by using 5-HMF isolated in crystalline state from an optimized biomass conversion process. The molecular mechanisms responsible for 5-HMF decomposition in solution were established by NMR and ESI-MS studies. A highly selective synthesis of a 5-HMF derivative from glucose was achieved using a protecting group at O(6) position.

An effective one-pot access to polynuclear dispiroheterocyclic structures comprising pyrrolidinyloxindole and imidazothiazolotriazine moieties via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition strategy.

An effective and highly regio- and diastereoselective one-pot method for the synthesis of new polynuclear dispiroheterocyclic systems with five stereogenic centers (dispiro[imidazo[4,5-e]thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazine-6,3'-pyrrolidine-2',3''-indoles]) comprising pyrrolidinyloxindole and imidazo[4,5-e]thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazine moieties has been developed. The method relies on a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated in situ from isatin derivatives and sarcosine to 6-benzylideneimidazo[4,5-e]thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazine-2,7-diones.

General Photoinduced Sequential Electrocyclization/[1,9]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement/Ring-Opening Reaction of Diarylethenes.

A novel and efficient photochemical transformation of diarylethenes comprising a five-membered heterocyclic ring and phenyl moiety is described. This reaction provides a simple method for the preparation of functionalized naphthalene derivatives via photorearrangement reaction of diarylethenes, and the process is characterized by high efficiency that was determined by NMR monitoring. Some mechanistic aspects of this process have been also explored. It was found that the reaction includes tandem transformation of three basic processes: the photocyclization of the hexatriene system, [1,9]-sigmatropic rearrangement, and heterocyclic ring opening. Diarylethenes with different heterocycle moieties (thiophene, benzo[b]thiophene, furan, indole, imidazole, thiazole, oxazole, pyrazole) have been involved into this process, and the target naphthalenes with good yields have been obtained. The opportunity for use in the transformation of diarylethenes with different heterocyclic residues permits synthesis of naphthalenes with desired functional groups. The general character and high efficiency of the reaction promise that the transformation can be an effective synthetic route for the annulation of benzene rings to various aromatic systems, including heterocycles.

Regio- and chemoselective bromination of 2,3-diarylcyclopent-2-en-1-ones.

The bromination of 2,3-diarylcyclopent-2-en-1-ones under various conditions has been studied. It was found that depending on the brominating reagent and nature of solvent the bromine atom can be introduced at the 4- or 5-position of the ethene "bridge", as well as into the aryl moieties. Aryl group bromination is accomplished with such reagents as molecular bromine, N-bromosuccinimide, or tetrabutylammonium tribromide. 5-Bromocyclopentenones with very high efficiency can be obtained by the reaction with copper(II) bromide in methanol, while 4-bromoketones are prepared in n-propyl acetate. The developed methods can be highly useful for the synthesis of bromo-substituted 2-cyclopenten-1-ones and their close analogues, which are important synthons in organic synthesis and for the preparation of a variety of useful substances.

Derivatives of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxylic acid as novel fibrinogen receptor antagonists.

It has been proposed a novel method for obtaining of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxylic acid as Arg-mimetic within the framework of search for novel fibrinogen receptor antagonists. New alpha (IIb)beta(3) antagonists were prepared on a base of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-carboxylic acid. Their high antiaggregatory activities in a human platelet rich plasma and ability to block FITC-Fg binding to alpha (IIb)beta(3) on washed human platelets were estimated.

Structure of the glycerol phosphate-containing O-specific polysaccharide and serological studies on the lipopolysaccharides of Citrobacter werkmanii PCM 1548 and PCM 1549 (serogroup O14).

The O-specific polysaccharide was obtained by mild acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide of Citrobacter werkmanii PCM 1548 and PCM 1549 (serogroup O14) and found to contain D-glucose, D-glucosamine and glycerol-1-phosphate in molar ratios 2 : 2 : 1. Based on methylation analysis and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data, it was established that the O-specific polysaccharides from both strains have the identical branched tetrasaccharide repeating unit with 3,6-disubstituted GlcNAc, followed by 2,4-disubstituted Glc residues carrying at the branching points lateral residues of Glc and GlcNAc at positions 6 and 2, respectively. Glycerol-1-phosphate is linked to position 6 of the chain Glc. All sugars have a beta configuration, except for the side-chain Glc, which is alpha. Serological studies revealed a close relatedness of the lipopolysaccharides of C. werkmanii PCM 1548 and PCM 1549, both belonging to serogroup O14. In immunoblotting, anti-C. werkmanii PCM 1548 serum showed no cross-reactivity with the O-polysaccharide bands of the lipopolysaccharides of Citrobacter youngae PCM 1550 (serogroup O16) and Hafnia alvei PCM 1207, also containing a lateral glycerol phosphate residue.

3- and 19-oximes of 16alpha,17alpha-cyclohexanoprogesterone derivatives: synthesis and interactions with progesterone receptor and other proteins.

Series of 3- and 19-oximes of 16alpha,17alpha-cyclohexanoprogesterone derivatives (pregna-d'-pentaranes) have been synthesized with the aim of probing the surfaces of progesterone receptor's and two other protein ligand binding pockets neighboring to 3- and 19-positions of steroid core. The same derivatives were also studied as possible intermediates for attachment to matrixes. The data on affinity constants suggest the presence of hydrophobic cavities with hydrophilic necks in the progesterone receptor and serum pentaranophylin near C19 of bound ligand and the lack of such a cavity in uterine pentaranophylin. Any of 3-oxime substitutions were found to significantly diminish the ligand affinity for the progesterone receptor. It was also found that some of these modifications, in the Z-configuration particularly, might increase the affinity for serum and uterine pentaranophylins. The latter finding suggests the presence of large cavities near C3 of bound ligand in these proteins and interchangeability between 3-keto and 3-oxime groups in ligand-protein interactions.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide of Rahnella aquatilis 95 U003.

The O-polysaccharide of Rahnella aquatilis 95 U003 was obtained by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide and studied by sugar and methylation analyses, Smith degradation and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, including 2D (1)H,(1)H COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, H-detected (1)H,(13)C HSQC and HMQC-TOCSY experiments. The O-polysaccharide was found to have a branched hexasaccharide repeating unit of the following structure: [carbohydrate structure: see text]

Aerobic Dimerization of Ethyl 4-Thienyl-3-ketobutanoate toward a Modifiable Photochromic Diarylethene Precursor.

A unique chemical transformation, the base-induced aerobic dimerization of ethyl 4-(2,5-dimethylthiophen-3-yl)-3-ketobutanoate leading to photochromic diarylethene with a 4-hydroxy-4-methylcyclopent-2-ene-1-one as an ethene bridge, is described. This compound is easily subjected to various chemical modifications and can be used as a new diarylethene precursor to produce photoactive compounds with desired properties and functions.

Triaryl-Substituted Divinyl Ketones Cyclization: Nazarov Reaction versus Friedel-Crafts Electrophilic Substitution.

The acid-catalyzed cyclization of a wide range of triaryl-substituted divinyl ketones has been studied. It was found that the reaction pathway strongly depends on the nature of the aryl substituent at the α-position to the carbonyl group. An electron-rich aromatic substituent promotes the reaction to proceed through the intramolecular Friedel-Crafts electrophilic substitution giving dihydronaphthalene derivatives. In contrast, the presence of an electron-deficient substituent is favorable for the Nazarov 4π-conrotatory cyclization yielding triaryl-substituted cyclopentenones. The electrophilic substitution reaction was applied to thiophene and thiazole derivatives.

Hydroxylation and epimerization of ecdysteroids in alkaline media: stereoselective synthesis of 9α-hydroxy-5α-ecdysteroids.

Autoxidation of diacetonides of 20-hydroxyecdysone and ponasterone A under treatment with excess of NaOH in methanol leads to the formation of 9α-hydroxy-5α-ecdysteroids previously not described. Their structures have been determined by detailed NMR analysis. Catalytic hydrogenation (Pd-C, MeOH-MeONa) of hydroxylated ecdysteroids affords the 7,8α-dihydro-9α-hydroxy-5α-ecdysteroids.

Photoinduced skeletal rearrangement of diarylethenes comprising oxazole and phenyl rings.

A novel photochemical rearrangement of diarylethenes bearing oxazole and benzene derivatives as aryl moieties that results in the formation of polyaromatic systems was investigated. The mechanism of the transformation includes photocyclization, sequential [1,9] and [1,3]-hydrogen shifts, as well as a lateral oxazole ring-opening process. It was shown that this reaction can be an effective synthetically preparative method for the preparation of naphthalene (polyaromatic) derivatives.

Malonyl-ginsenoside content of a cell-suspension culture of Panax japonicus var. repens.

The presence of large amounts of ginsenosides malonyl-Rb1, -Rc, -Rb2, and -Rd in a suspension culture of Panax japonicus var. repens cells was demonstrated for the first time. Identification of ginsenoside malonyl-Rb1 was based on chromatographic, chemical, and spectroscopic evidence. Ginsenosides malonyl-Rc, -Rb2, and -Rd were identified on the basis of chromatographic and chemical data. Content and composition of the individual ginsenosides (Rg1, R0, malonyl-Rb1, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd) were monitored in the suspension culture over 4 years. The RP-HPLC-UV analysis showed that Rg1, R0, and malonyl-Rb1 accounted for more than 75% of the total pool of ginsenosides. In accordance with this result, and data analysis reported in the literature, we propose that ginsenoside formation in the cells of P. japonicus var. repens in vitro is closely related to the cellular compartmentation of these substances. In particular, the accumulation of the 20(S)-protopanaxadiol ginsenosides (especially Rb1) is strongly dependent on their pattern of malonylation, which likely targets them for transport into the vacuole.

The first molecular level monitoring of carbohydrate conversion to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in ionic liquids. B2O3--an efficient dual-function metal-free promoter for environmentally benign applications.

The mechanistic nature of the conversion of carbohydrates to the sustainable platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) was revealed at the molecular level. A detailed study of the key sugar units involved in the biomass conversion process has shown that the simple dissolution of fructose in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride significantly changes the anomeric composition and favors the formation of the open fructoketose form. A special NMR approach was developed for the determination of molecular structures and monitoring of chemical reactions directly in ionic liquids. The transformation of glucose to 5-HMF has been followed in situ through the detection of intermediate species. A new environmentally benign, easily available, metal-free promoter with a dual functionality (B(2)O(3)) was developed for carbohydrate conversion to 5-HMF.

A novel galactofuranan from the cell wall of Arthrobacter sp. VKM Ас-2576.

The investigated cell wall polysaccharide of Arthrobacter sp. VKM Ac-2576 (phylum Actinobacteria) is a (1→6)-linked ß-D-galactofuranan with the α-D-GlcpNAc3NAc residues that glycosylate virtually all (~90%) hydroxyl groups at C-2 of galactose. Its repeating unit has the following structure: →6)D-ß-Galf-(1→2) ↑ α-D-GlcpNAc3NAc-(1 (90%). The structure of the polysaccharide was established by chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods; it is identified for the first time.

Structure of the O-polysaccharide of Azorhizobium caulinodans HAMBI 216; identification of 3-C-methyl-D-rhamnose as a component of bacterial polysaccharides.

The O-polysaccharide was obtained from the lipopolysaccharide of the stem-nodulating nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azorhizobium caulinodans HAMBI 216 and studied by sugar and methylation analyses along with (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide was found to have a linear pentasaccharide repeating unit containing D-rhamnose and its rarely occurring 2-O-methyl (Rha2OMe) and 3-C-methyl (Rha3CMe) derivatives and having the following structure: →3)-α-D-Rhap2OMe-(1→2)-ß-D-Rhap3CMe-(1→3)-α-D-Rhap-(1→2)-ß-D-Rhap3CMe-(1→3)-α-D-Rhap-(1→ .

Structure of the O-polysaccharide of Pragia fontium 27480 containing 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxy-d-mannuronic acid.

The following structure of the O-polysaccharide of Pragia fontium 27480 was elucidated by sugar analysis, including determination of the absolute configurations of the monosaccharides, and Smith degradation along with 1D and 2D (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy: →4)-ß-d-ManpNAc3NAcA-(1→2)-α-l-Rhap-(1→3)-ß-l-Rhap-(1→4)-α-d-GlcpNAc-(1→ where ManNAc3NAcA stands for 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxymannuronic acid.