Long hydrocarbon chain ether diols and ether diacids that favorably alter lipid disorders in vivo.

Long hydrocarbon chain ethers with bis-terminal hydroxyl or carboxyl groups have been synthesized and evaluated for their potential to favorably alter lipid disorders including metabolic syndrome. Compounds were assessed for their effects on the de novo incorporation of radiolabeled acetate into lipids in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes as well as for their effects on lipid and glycemic variables in female obese Zucker fatty rats following 1 and 2 weeks of daily oral administration. The most active compounds were found to be symmetrical with four to five methylene groups separating the central ether functionality and the gem dimethyl or methyl/aryl substituents. Biological activity was found to be greatest for tetramethyl-substituted ether diols (e.g., 28 and 31), while bis(arylmethyl) derivatives (e.g., 10, 11, and 27), diethers (e.g., 49, 50, and 56), and diphenyl ethers (e.g., 35 and 36) were the least active. For the most biologically active compound 28, we observed as much as a 346% increase in serum HDL-cholesterol and a 71% reduction in serum triglycerides at the highest dose administered (100 mg/kg) after 2 weeks of treatment. For compound 31 we observed a 69% reduction in non-HDL-cholesterol, accompanied by a 131% increase in HDL-cholesterol and an 84% reduction in serum triglycerides under the same treatment conditions.

1H NMR spectroscopic characterization of solutions of Sepia melanin, Sepia melanin free acid and human hair melanin.

A 1H nuclear magnetic resonance study of Sepia melanin, Sepia melanin free acid (Sepia MFA) and human hair melanin was carried out in deuterium oxide solution at pH 10-11. The empirical formula of Sepia MFA was calculated and used to estimate the number of protons in the aromatic region of the Sepia MFA polymeric chain and to suggest a possible monomeric unit profile.

1,2- vs 1,4-Addition of acylbenzotriazoles to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. A novel route to 3-alkyl-4,6-diaryl-3,4-dihydropyran-2-ones.

Lithiation of aliphatic 1-acylbenzotriazoles with subsequent reaction with alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes affords either 3,4,6-trisubstituted 3,4-dihydropyran-2-ones or 1,3-dienes depending on the carbonyl reagent used. Substituent effects on product yield and isomer ratio are discussed.

A novel rearrangement to 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines.

Reactions of benzyl bromide or benzyl cinnamate with N-(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)arylimidoyl chlorides (2a,b) in the presence of t-BuOK occur with opening of the benzotriazole ring affording 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines (3a,b). A possible reaction mechanism is discussed.

Synthesis of New N-Pivot Lariat Crown Ethers Containing a Propylene Linkage in the Side Arm.

A series of new 15- and 18-membered N-pivot lariat aza-crown ethers having a propylene linkage in the side arm was prepared starting from functionalized diethanolamines and functionalized lariat aza-crown ethers containing the easily modified benzotriazole moiety. Addition reactions of such derivatives to electron-rich vinyl ethers or vinylamides followed by displacement of the benzotriazolyl group in the addition products by hydrogen (by reduction with LiAlH(4)) gives a variety of N-(3-oxo-3-substituted)- and N-(3-aza-3-substituted)propylene side-armed derivatives of aza-crown ethers. Stability constants for the complexes of several synthesized lariats with metal cations are discussed.