The Formation of Inherently Chiral Calix[4]quinolines by Doebner-Miller Reaction of Aldehydes and Aminocalixarenes.

The formation of inherently chiral calix[4]arenes by the intramolecular cyclization approach suffers from a limited number of suitable substrates for these reactions. Here, we report an easy way to prepare one class of such compounds: calixquinolines, which can be obtained by the reaction of aldehydes with easily accessible aminocalix[4]arenes in acidic conditions (Doebner-Miller reaction). The synthetic procedure represents a very straightforward approach to the inherently chiral macrocyclic systems. The complexation studies revealed the ability of these compounds to complex quaternary ammonium salts with different stoichiometries depending on the guest molecules. At the same time, the ability of enantioselective complexation of chiral N-methylammonium salts was demonstrated.

Enantioselective complexation of 1-phenylethanol with chiral compounds bearing urea moiety.

A detailed study of diastereomeric complexes of chiral ureido-1,1'-binaphthalene derivatives with chiral 1-phenylethanol showed that a derivative bearing only one urea unit makes five times more stable complex with (S)-enantiomer than with (R)-enantiomer of the alcohol. This phenomenon could be used in chiral discrimination processes. The influence of individual parts of the structure on the complexation properties is shown. The probable structure of diastereomeric complexes based on experimental results and computational methods is proposed.

Detection of mosquito-only flaviviruses in Europe.

The genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, includes a number of important arthropod-transmitted human pathogens such as dengue viruses, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and yellow fever virus. In addition, the genus includes flaviviruses without a known vertebrate reservoir, which have been detected only in insects, particularly in mosquitoes, such as cell fusing agent virus, Kamiti River virus, Culex flavivirus, Aedes flavivirus, Quang Binh virus, Nakiwogo virus and Calbertado virus. Reports of the detection of these viruses with no recognized pathogenic role in humans are increasing in mosquitoes collected around the world, particularly in those sampled in entomological surveys targeting pathogenic flaviviruses. The presence of six potential flaviviruses, detected from independent European arbovirus surveys undertaken in the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the UK between 2007 and 2010, is reported in this work. Whilst the Aedes flaviviruses, detected in Italy from Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, had already been isolated in Japan, the remaining five viruses have not been reported previously: one was detected in Italy, Portugal and Spain from Aedes mosquitoes (particularly from Aedes caspius), one in Portugal and Spain from Culex theileri mosquitoes, one in the Czech Republic and Italy from Aedes vexans, one in the Czech Republic from Aedes vexans and the last in the UK from Aedes cinereus. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the close relationship of these putative viruses to other insect-only flaviviruses.

Ketone transformation as a pathway to inherently chiral rigidified calix[4]arenes.

The preparation of inherently chiral rigidified calix[4]arenes with an intact cavity is a synthetic challenge due to the complicated synthesis of the starting compounds. Here, we report on a novel strategy for bridging the upper rim of calix[4]arenes consisting in carbonyl group formation and subsequent "extension" into a two-atom bridge using corresponding rearrangement reactions (Baeyer-Villiger, Beckmann). The resulting inherently chiral compounds are potentially applicable in the design of novel receptors. The complexation properties towards selected quaternary ammonium salts were studied by 1H NMR titration. Unusual complexation stoichiometries can be observed depending on the enantiomeric purity (racemic mixture versus pure enantiomers) of an amidic receptor 7 used.

Inherently Chiral Upper-Rim-Bridged Calix[4]arenes Possessing a Seven Membered Ring.

The mercuration of calix[4]arene immobilized in the cone conformation allowed the introduction of an amino group at the meta position of the basic skeleton. Acylation and subsequent intramolecular Bischler-Napieralski-type cyclization led to a novel type of bridged calixarene containing a seven-membered ring. These compounds with an enlarged and rigidified cavity represent a unique and inherently chiral system that may potentially be applicable for the design of chiral receptors. The absolute configuration of one enantiomer, obtained by resolution of the racemate using chiral HPLC, was assigned by single-crystal structure determination.