A Simple and Cost-Effective FeCl3-Catalyzed Functionalization of Cellulose Nanofibrils: Toward Adhesive Nanocomposite Materials for Medical Implants.

In the present work, we explored Lewis acid catalysis, via FeCl3, for the heterogeneous surface functionalization of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). This approach, characterized by its simplicity and efficiency, facilitates the amidation of nonactivated carboxylic acids in carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibrils (c-CNF). Following the optimization of reaction conditions, we successfully introduced amine-containing polymers, such as polyethylenimine and Jeffamine, onto nanofibers. This introduction significantly enhanced the physicochemical properties of the CNF-based materials, resulting in improved characteristics such as adhesiveness and thermal stability. Reaction mechanistic investigations suggested that endocyclic oxygen of cellulose finely stabilizes the transition state required for further functionalization. Notably, a nanocomposite, containing CNF and a branched low molecular weight polyethylenimine (CNF-PEI 800), was synthesized using the catalytic reaction. The composite CNF-PEI 800 was thoroughly characterized having in mind its potential application as coating biomaterial for medical implants. The resulting CNF-PEI 800 hydrogel exhibits adhesive properties, which complement the established antibacterial qualities of polyethylenimine. Furthermore, CNF-PEI 800 demonstrates its ability to support the proliferation and differentiation of primary human osteoblasts over a period of 7 days.

KR-12 Derivatives Endow Nanocellulose with Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Role of Conjugation Chemistry.

This work combines the wound-healing-related properties of the host defense peptide KR-12 with wood-derived cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) to obtain bioactive materials, foreseen as a promising solution to treat chronic wounds. Amine coupling through carbodiimide chemistry, thiol-ene click chemistry, and Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition were investigated as methods to covalently immobilize KR-12 derivatives onto CNFs. The effects of different coupling chemistries on the bioactivity of the KR12-CNF conjugates were evaluated by assessing their antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Potential cytotoxic effects and the capacity of the materials to modulate the inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 245.6 macrophages were also investigated. The results show that KR-12 endowed CNFs with antibacterial activity against E. coli and exhibited anti-inflammatory properties and those conjugated by thiol-ene chemistry were the most bioactive. This finding is attributed to a favorable peptide conformation and accessibility (as shown by molecular dynamics simulations), driven by the selective chemistry and length of the linker in the conjugate. The results represent an advancement in the development of CNF-based materials for chronic wound care. This study provides new insights into the effect of the conjugation chemistry on the bioactivity of immobilized host defense peptides, which we believe to be of great value for the use of host defense peptides as therapeutic agents.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of N-Methylspiroindolines by Intramolecular Mizoroki-Heck Annulations.

Spiroindolines represent a privileged structure in medicinal chemistry, although stereocontrol around the spirocarbon can be a synthetic challenge. Here we present a palladium(0)-catalyzed intramolecular Mizoroki-Heck annulation reaction from (+)-Vince lactam-derived cyclopentenyl-tethered 2-bromo-N-methylanilines for the formation of N-methylspiroindolines. A series of 14 N-methylspiroindolines were synthesized in 59-81% yield with diastereoselectivity >98%, which was rationalized by density functional theory calculations and confirmed through X-ray crystallography. One spiroindoline was converted to an N- and C-terminal protected rigidified unnatural amino acid, which could be orthogonally deprotected.

Angiotensin II AT2 receptor ligands with phenylthiazole scaffolds.

The syntheses and the AT1R and AT2R binding data of a series of new small molecule ligands are reported. These ligands comprise a phenylthiazole scaffold rather than the biphenyl or phenylthiophene scaffolds found in essentially all of the previously described ligands originating from the nonselective AT1R/AT2R ligand L-162,313 and the AT2R selective agonist C21, the latter now in Phase II/III clinical trials. A phenylthiazole rather than the phenylthiophene scaffold that is present in the AT2R selective agonist C21 and in the AT2R selective antagonist C38 had a deleterious effect on the affinity to AT2R. Nevertheless, a significant improvement could be accomplished by introduction of a small bulky alkyl group in the 2-position of the imidazole ring attached through a methylene group bridge to the phenylthiazole scaffold. Hence, a combination of a 2-tert-butyl or a 2-isopropyl group and a butoxycarbonyl furnished potent AT2R selective ligands. Furthermore, a high affinity ligand derived from L-162,313 and exhibiting a > 35 fold selectivity for AT1R was identified (10). The ligand 21 with the 2-tert-butyl group and âˆ¼ 35 fold selectivity for AT2R, demonstrated high stability in human, rat and mouse liver microsomes and a very attractive profile with regard to the inhibition of common drug-metabolizing CYP enzymes. Thus, very low levels of inhibition of CYP 3A (5%), 2D6 (12%), 2C8 (26%), 2C9 (23%) and 2B6 (24%) were observed with the 2-tert-butyl derivative comprising the methoxycarbonyl sulfonamide function, levels that are significantly lower than those obtained with C21 under the same experimental conditions.

In Vitro Investigation of Thiol-Functionalized Cellulose Nanofibrils as a Chronic Wound Environment Modulator.

There is currently a huge need for new, improved therapeutic approaches for the treatment of chronic wounds. One promising strategy is to develop wound dressings capable of modulating the chronic wound environment (e.g., by controlling the high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proteases). Here, we selected the thiol-containing amino acid cysteine to endow wood-derived cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) with bioactivity toward the modulation of ROS levels and protease activity. Cysteine was covalently incorporated into CNF and the functionalized material, herein referred as cys-CNF, was characterized in terms of chemical structure, degree of substitution, radical scavenging capacity, and inhibition of protease activity. The stability of the thiol groups was evaluated over time, and an in vitro cytotoxicity study with human dermal fibroblasts was performed to evaluate the safety profile of cys-CNF. Results showed that cys-CNF was able to efficiently control the activity of the metalloprotease collagenase and to inhibit the free radical DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), activities that were correlated with the presence of free thiol groups on the nanofibers. The stability study showed that the reactivity of the thiol groups challenged the bioactivity over time. Nevertheless, preparing the material as an aerogel and storing it in an inert atmosphere were shown to be valid approaches to increase the stability of the thiol groups in cys-CNF. No signs of toxicity were observed on the dermal fibroblasts when exposed to cys-CNF (concentration range 0.1-0.5 mg/mL). The present work highlights cys-CNF as a promising novel material for the development of bioactive wound dressings for the treatment of chronic wounds.

In Vitro Anticancer Activity and Mechanism of Action of an Aziridinyl Galactopyranoside.

We recently screened a series of new aziridines ß-D-galactopyranoside derivatives for selective anticancer activity and identified 2-methyl-2,3-[N-(4-methylbenzenesulfonyl)imino]propyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-O-(S)-benzylidene-ß-D-galactopyranoside (AzGalp) as the most promising compound. In this article, we explore the possible mechanisms involved in the cytotoxicity of this aziridine and evaluate its selective anticancer activity using cancer cells and normal cells from a variety of tissues. Our data show that AzGalp induces DNA damage (comet assay). Cells deficient in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway were hypersensitive to the cytotoxicity of this compound. These results suggest that AzGalp induces bulky DNA adducts, and that cancer cells lacking a functional NER pathway may be particularly vulnerable to the anticancer effects of this aziridine. Several experiments revealed that neither the generation of oxidative stress nor the inhibition of glycolysis played a significant role in the cytotoxicity of AzGalp. Combinations of AzGalp with oxaliplatin or 5-fluorouracil slightly improved the ability of both anticancer drugs to selectively kill cancer cells. AzGalp also showed selective cytotoxicity against a panel of malignant cells versus normal cells; the highest selectivity was observed for two acute promyelocytic leukemia cell lines. Additional preclinical studies are necessary to evaluate the anticancer potential of AzGalp.

Copper Reactivity Can Be Tuned to Catalyze the Stereoselective Synthesis of 2-Deoxyglycosides from Glycals.

We demonstrate that tuning the reactivity of Cu by the choice of oxidation state and counterion leads to the activation of both "armed" and "disarmed" type glycals toward direct glycosylation leading to the α-stereoselective synthesis of deoxyglycosides in good to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies show that CuI is essential for effective catalysis and stereocontrol and that the reaction proceeds through dual activation of both the enol ether as well as the OH nucleophile.

Advances in dual functional antimicrobial and osteoinductive biomaterials for orthopaedic applications.

A vast growing problem in orthopaedic medicine is the increase of clinical cases with antibiotic resistant pathogenic microbes, which is predicted to cause higher mortality than all cancers combined by 2050. Bone infectious diseases limit the healing ability of tissues and increase the risk of future injuries due to pathologic tissue remodelling. The traditional treatment for bone infections has several drawbacks and limitations, such as lengthy antibiotic treatment, extensive surgical interventions, and removal of orthopaedic implants and/or prosthesis, all of these resulting in long-term rehabilitation. This is a huge burden to the public health system resulting in increased healthcare costs. Current technologies e.g. co-delivery systems, where antibacterial and osteoinductive agents are delivered encounter challenges such as site-specific delivery, sustained and prolonged release, and biocompatibility. In this review, these aspects are highlighted to promote the invention of the next generation biomaterials to prevent and/or treat bone infections and promote tissue regeneration.

Substrate-Controlled Direct α-Stereoselective Synthesis of Deoxyglycosides from Glycals Using B(C6F5)3 as Catalyst.

B(C6F5)3 enables the metal-free unprecedented substrate-controlled direct α-stereoselective synthesis of deoxyglycosides from glycals. 2,3-Unsaturated α- O-glycoside products are obtained with deactivated glycals at 75 °C in the presence of the catalyst, while 2-deoxyglycosides are formed using activated glycals that bear no leaving group at C-3 at lower temperatures. The reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields via concomitant borane activation of glycal donor and nucleophile acceptor. The method is exemplified with the synthesis of a series of rare and biologically relevant glycoside analogues.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Direct Stereoselective Synthesis of Deoxyglycosides from Glycals.

Au(I) in combination with AgOTf enables the unprecedented direct and α-stereoselective catalytic synthesis of deoxyglycosides from glycals. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the reaction proceeds via Au(I)-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization of the enol ether glycoside. The room temperature reaction is high yielding and amenable to a wide range of glycal donors and OH nucleophiles.

Palladium-Catalyzed Direct Stereoselective Synthesis of Deoxyglycosides from Glycals.

Palladium(II) in combination with a monodentate phosphine ligand enables the unprecedented direct and α-stereoselective catalytic synthesis of deoxyglycosides from glycals. Initial mechanistic studies suggest that in the presence of N-phenyl-2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)pyrrole as the ligand, the reaction proceeds via an alkoxy palladium intermediate that increases the proton acidity and oxygen nucleophilicity of the alcohol. The method is demonstrated with a wide range of glycal donors and acceptors, including substrates bearing alkene functionalities.

Cooperative Brønsted Acid-Type Organocatalysis for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Deoxyglycosides.

A practical approach for the α-stereoselective synthesis of deoxyglycosides using cooperative Brønsted acid-type organocatalysis has been developed. The method is tolerant of a wide range of glycoside donors and acceptors, and its versatility is exemplified in the one-pot synthesis of a trisaccharide. Mechanistic studies suggest that thiourea-induced acid amplification of the chiral acid via H-bonding is key for the enhancement in reaction rate and yield, while stereocontrol is dependent on the chirality of the acid.

Combined heterogeneous metal/chiral amine: multiple relay catalysis for versatile eco-friendly synthesis.

Herein is described a versatile and broad synergistic strategy for expansion of chemical space and the synthesis of valuable molecules (e.g. carbocycles and heterocycles), with up to three quaternary stereocenters, in a highly enantioselective fashion from simple alcohols (31 examples, 95:5 to >99.5:0.5 e.r.) using integrated heterogeneous metal/chiral amine multiple relay catalysis and air/O2 as the terminal oxidant. A novel highly 1,4-selective heterogeneous metal/amine co-catalyzed hydrogenation of enals was also added to the relay catalysis sequences.

Aziridines from alkenyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside derivatives: Stereoselective synthesis and in vitro selective anticancer activity.

A series of new aziridines ß-D-galactopyranoside derivatives were synthesized from alkenyl ß-D-galactopyranosides employing Sharpless conditions. The structures of the compounds were established by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, MS, HRMS and elemental analysis. The stereoselectivity of the reaction and the structural requirements of the alkenyl precursor for improving diastereoisomeric excesses of the direct aziridination reaction were also studied. The new compounds were subjected to a preliminary screening for cytotoxic activity against human lung cancer cells vs. human non-malignant lung cells. Terminal aziridine derivatives showed activity and, most notably, selectivity. One of the most active and selective compounds was also evaluated against breast cancer cells, melanoma cells, and non-malignant cells from the same origin. Its cytotoxic activity was similar to that of the positive controls, displaying a highly selective cytotoxic activity against both types of cancer cells.

A palladium/chiral amine co-catalyzed enantioselective dynamic cascade reaction: synthesis of polysubstituted carbocycles with a quaternary carbon stereocenter.

Polysubstituted 5- and 6-membered carbocycles were synthesized by the title reaction. The one-pot dynamic relay process generates four new stereocenters, including a quaternary carbon center, in a highly enantioselective fashion (99.5:0.5→99:0.5 e.r.) by using a simple combination of palladium and chiral amine co-catalysts.

Highly enantioselective cascade transformations by merging heterogeneous transition metal catalysis with asymmetric aminocatalysis.

The concept of combining heterogeneous transition metal and amine catalysis for enantioselective cascade reactions has not yet been realized. This is of great advantage since it would allow for the recycling of expensive and non-environmentally friendly transition metals. We disclose that the use of a heterogeneous Pd-catalyst in combination with a simple chiral amine co-catalyst allows for highly enantioselective cascade transformations. The preparative power of this process has been demonstrated in the context of asymmetric cascade Michael/carbocyclization transformations that delivers cyclopentenes bearing an all carbon quaternary stereocenters in high yields with up to 30:1 dr and 99% ee. Moreover, a variety of highly enantioselective cascade hetero-Michael/carbocyclizations were developed for the one-pot synthesis of valuable dihydrofurans and pyrrolidines (up to 98% ee) by using bench-stable heterogeneous Pd and chiral amines as co-catalysts.

Isoprenyl-thiourea and urea derivatives as new farnesyl diphosphate analogues: synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities.

A series of new isoprenyl-thiourea and urea derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of alkyl or aryl isothiocyanate or isocyanate and primary amines. The structures of the compounds were established by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, MS, HRMS and elemental analysis. The new compounds were screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity against seven strains representing different types of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. More than a third of the synthesized compounds showed variable inhibition activities against the tested strains. Best antimicrobial activities were found for those thiourea analogues with 3-methyl-2-butenyl, isobutyl or isopentyl groups and aromatic rings possessing electron withdrawing substituents. The new compounds were also subjected to a preliminary screening for antitumoral activity. The presence of a highly lipophilic group and an electron withdrawing group in the aromatic rings enhanced anticancer activity of the synthesized compounds, showing in most cases more activity than that of the controls.