Next-Generation Tags for Fluorine Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: Designing Amplification of Chemical Shift Sensitivity.

Fluorine NMR is a highly sensitive technique for delineating the conformational states of biomolecules and has shown great utility in drug screening and in understanding protein function. Current fluorinated protein tags leverage the intrinsic chemical shift sensitivity of the 19F nucleus to detect subtle changes in protein conformation and topology. This chemical shift sensitivity can be amplified by embedding the fluorine or trifluoromethyl reporter within a pyridone. Due to their polarizability and rapid tautomerization, pyridones exhibit a greater range of electron delocalization and correspondingly greater 19F NMR chemical shift dispersion. To assess the chemical shift sensitivity of these tautomeric probes to the local environment, 19F NMR spectra of all possible monofluorinated and trifluoromethyl-tagged versions of 2-pyridone were recorded in methanol/water mixtures ranging from 100% methanol to 100% water. 4-Fluoro-2-pyridone and 6-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridone (6-TFP) displayed the greatest sensitivity of the monofluorinated and trifluoromethylated pyridones, exceeding that of known conventional CF3 reporters. To evaluate the utility of tautomeric pyridone tags for 19F NMR of biomolecules, the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα) and human serum albumin (HSA) were each labeled with a thiol-reactive derivative of 6-TFP and the spectra were recorded as a function of various adjuvants and drugs. The tautomeric tag outperformed the conventional tag, 2-bromo-N-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)acetamide through the improved resolution of several functional states.

TOCSY, hydrogen decoupling and computational calculations to an unequivocal structural elucidation of a new sesquiterpene derivative and identification of other constituents from Praxelis sanctopaulensis.

INTRODUCTION: Praxelis genus comprises 24 species, however, only two species of this genus have been chemically investigated. Here we investigated Praxelis sanctopaulensis, a native plant from Brazil, that occurs mainly in Cerrado regions. OBJECTIVE: The goal was to identify the specialised metabolites from P. sanctopaulensis, and compare with those described from Praxelis and Chromolaena species. METHODS: The phytochemical study of P. sanctopaulensis was performed through different chromatography techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). The structures of the compounds were established based on spectroscopic analysis, total correlated spectroscopy (TOCSY), hydrogen decoupling and computational calculations was used to an unequivocal structural elucidation of a new sesquiterpene. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and antimicrobial assay was performed by the microdilution method. Comparison of the flavonoids described P. sanctopaulensis was carried out using principal component analysis. RESULTS: The phytochemical investigation of P. sanctopaulensis led to the isolation of a pair of diastereomers, praxilone A and praxilone B. Seven known compounds were isolated from this species, another 14 fatty acids were detected in hexane fraction, and 26 compounds were identified from ethyl acetate fraction. All these compounds are being described for the first time in this species, with the exception of viridifloric acid. The ethyl acetate fraction showed potent antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS: Forty-seven compounds are described from P. sanctopaulensis. The combination of different techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and computational calculations allowed the unequivocal structure elucidation of a new cadinene. The clustering analysis showed similarities between the flavonoids identified in P. sanctopaulensis and in Chromolaena species.

Novel arylcarbamate-N-acylhydrazones derivatives as promising BuChE inhibitors: Design, synthesis, molecular modeling and biological evaluation.

A novel series of arylcarbamate-N-acylhydrazones derivatives have been designed and synthesized as potential anti-cholinesterase agents. In vitro studies revealed that these compounds demonstrated selective for butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) with potent inhibitory activity. The compounds 10a-d, 12b and 12d were the most potent BuChE inhibitors with IC50 values of 0.07-2.07 µM, highlighting the compound 10c (IC50 = 0.07 µM) which showed inhibitory activity 50 times greater than the reference drug donepezil (IC50 = 3.54 µM). The activity data indicates that the position of the carbamate group in the aromatic ring has a greater influence on the inhibitory activity of the derivatives. The enzyme kinetics studies indicate that the compound 10c has a non-competitive inhibition against BuChE with Ki value of 0.097 mM. Molecular modeling studies corroborated the in vitro inhibitory mode of interaction and show that compound 10c is stabilized into hBuChE by strong hydrogen bond interaction with Tyr128, π-π stacking interaction with Trp82 and CH⋯O interactions with His438, Gly121 and Glu197. Based on these data, compound10cwas identified as low-cost promising candidate for a drug prototype for AD treatment.

Synthesis and antifungal activity of new hybrids pyrimido[4,5-d]pyridazinone-N-acylhydrazones.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic mycosis in Latin America for which there is a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. There are no specific drugs to treat the systemic disease. Thus, there is a need for further studies focused on the development of specific drugs. In this work we synthesized new hybrids pyrimido[4,5-d]pyridazinone-N-acylhydrazone (5a-p) by simple methodologies with good yields. The antifungal activity of compounds was evaluated against P. brasiliensis (Pb18) and Candida spp. Compounds 5a, 5f, 5i, 5 k, 5m and 5n showed significant inhibition against Pb18 with MIC of 0.125 to 64 µg mL-1. Compound 5a is the most promising, showing potent fungicidal profile with MFC of 0.5 µg mL-1, synergic effect with amphotericin B, besides showing no toxicity against HeLa and Vero cells.

Structural Characterization and Biological Evaluation of 18-Nor-ent-labdane Diterpenoids from Grazielia gaudichaudeana.

The phytochemical investigation of Grazielia gaudichaudeana aerial parts yielded 15 compounds, including diterpenes, triterpenes, sterols and flavonoids. With exception to ent-kaurenoic acid diterpenes, the compounds isolated are being described for the first time in this species. Some unusual 1 H-NMR chemical shifts of 18-nor-ent-labdane (7-9) led us carry out a conformational analysis by theoretical calculations in order to support the experimental data. Moreover, due to the limitation of studies focused on pharmacological potential of Grazielia gaudichaudeana, the present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiviral, antileishmanial and antimicrobial activities from the extract, fractions and isolated compounds obtained from this species. Ethyl acetate fraction showed significant activity in the antiproliferative assay, with GI50 range of 3.9 to 27.2 µg mL-1 . Dichloromethane fraction, rich in diterpenoids, inhibited all human tumor cell lines tested, and the nor-labdane 7 showed potent cytotoxic activity against glioma and ovary cancer cell lines.

Strong hyperconjugative interactions limit solvent and substituent influence on conformational equilibrium: the case of cis-2-halocyclohexylamines.

The presence of strong stereoelectronic interactions involving the substituents in cis-2-substituted cyclohexanes may lead to results different from those expected. In this work, we studied the conformational behavior of cis-2-fluoro- (F), cis-2-chloro- (Cl), cis-2-bromo- (Br) and cis-2-iodocyclohexylamine (I) by dynamic NMR and theoretical calculations. The experimental data pointed to an equilibrium strongly shifted toward the ea conformer (equatorial amine group and axial halogen), with populations greater than 90% for F, Cl and Br in both dichloromethane-d 2 and methanol-d 4. Theoretical calculations (M06-2X/6-311++G(2df,2p)) were in agreement with the experimental, with no influence of the solvent or the halogen on the equilibrium. A principal component analysis of natural bond orbital energies pointed to the σ*C-X and σC-H orbitals and the halogen lone pairs (LPX) as the most significant for the hyperconjugative interactions that influenced the equilibrium. The σC-H → σ*C-X hyperconjugation and the interactions involving the LPX counterbalance each other, explaining the non-influence of the halogen on the conformational equilibrium. These interactions are responsible for the strong preference for the ea conformer in cis-2-halocyclohexylamines, being strong enough to restrain the shift in the equilibrium due to other factors such as steric repulsion or solvent effects.

Targeting the Homoserine Dehydrogenase of Paracoccidioides Species for Treatment of Systemic Fungal Infections.

This work evaluated new potential inhibitors of the enzyme homoserine dehydrogenase (HSD) of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, one of the etiological agents of paracoccidioidomycosis. The tertiary structure of the protein bonded to the analogue NAD, and l-homoserine was modeled by homology. The model with the best output was subjected to gradient minimization, redocking, and molecular dynamics simulation. Virtual screening simulations with 187,841 molecules purchasable from the Zinc database were performed. After the screenings, 14 molecules were selected and analyzed by the use of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity criteria, resulting in four compounds for in vitro assays. The molecules HS1 and HS2 were promising, exhibiting MICs of 64 and 32 µg · ml-1, respectively, for the Pb18 isolate of P. brasilensis, 64 µg · ml-1 for two isolates of P. lutzii, and also synergy with itraconazole. The application of these molecules to human-pathogenic fungi confirmed that the HSD enzyme may be used as a target for the development of drugs with specific action against paracoccidioidomycosis; moreover, these compounds may serve as leads in the design of new antifungals.

Acidities under the Perspective of Energy Decomposition Analysis.

The rationalization of acid/base behavior is a central concern for chemistry and related fields. In this work, we describe an alternative approach toward the understanding of gas phase acidities based on the localized molecular orbital energy decomposition analysis (LMOEDA) method. Upon partitioning the molecules (and the corresponding anions) over the X-OH (or X-O-) bond, we have observed a perfect correlation between the interaction energy of the two fragments and the acidity, as given by the energy difference between the anion and the neutral molecule. On the basis of this correlation, acidities could be interpreted according to the energy components provided by LMOEDA, namely, electrostatic, exchange repulsion, polarization, and dispersion. For example, alkyl groups increase the gas phase acidities of alcohols mainly due to electrostatic and polarization interactions. Carboxylic acids are stronger acids than alcohols through the ability of oxygen to stabilize the extra charge formed in the anion (electrostatic interactions) and also through a decrease of exchange repulsions between the two fragments. Polarization interaction (orbital relaxation) also plays an important role. Electrostatic and polarization interactions dominate the enhanced acidity of sulfuric acid over ethanol. Electrostatic and polarization interactions are also responsible for the higher acidity of sulfuric over boric acid. The anomalous behavior of formic acid compared to acetic, propionic, and butyric acids is also explained. The examples worked in this report evince the still unexplored potential of energy decomposition to the comprehension of acid/base phenomena.

NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations in the conformational analysis of 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one 3-halo-derivatives.

This study reports the results of ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure calculations as well as (3)J(HH) experimental and calculated coupling constant data obtained in the investigation of the conformational equilibrium of 3-halo-derivatives of 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one. The five-membered ring assumes an envelope conformation owing to the plane of formation of the O═C-N-R bond, with C4 forming the "envelope lid". When the conformation changes, the "lid" alternates between positions above and below the amide plane. The α-carbonyl halogen assumes two positions: a pseudo-axial and a pseudo-equatorial. In the gaseous phase, the calculations indicate that the pseudo-axial conformer is more stable and preferable going down the halogen family. Natural bond orbital analysis showed that electronic delocalization is significant only for the iodo derivative. In the other derivatives, the electrostatic repulsion between oxygen and the halogen determines the conformational equilibrium. When the solvated molecule was taken into account, the pseudo-equatorial conformer population increased with the relative permittivity of the solvent. This variation was strong in the fluoro derivative, and the preference was inverted. In the chlorine derivative, the two populations became closer in methanol and acetonitrile. In the bromine and iodine derivatives, the percentage of pseudo-equatorial conformer increased only slightly owing to the dipole moment of the conformation: the pseudo-equatorial conformation has a greater dipole moment and thus is stable in media with high relative permittivity.

Conformational analysis of cis-2-halocyclohexanols; solvent effects by NMR and theoretical calculations.

Conformational problems often involve very small energy differences, even low as 0.5 kcal mol(-1). This accuracy can be achieved by theoretical methods in the gas phase with the appropriate accounting of electron correlation. The solution behavior, on the other hand, comprises a much greater challenge. In this study, we conduct and analysis for cis-2-fluoro-, cis-2-chloro-, and cis-2-bromocyclohexanol using low temperature NMR experiments and theoretical calculations (DFT, perturbation theory, and classical molecular dynamics simulations). In the experimental part, the conformers' populations were measured at 193 K in CD(2)Cl(2), acetone-d(6), and methanol-d(4) solutions; the preferred conformer has the hydroxyl group in the equatorial and the halogen in the axial position (ea), and its population stays at about 60-70%, no matter the solvent or the halogen. Theoretical calculations, on the other hand, put the ae conformer at a lower energy in the gas phase (MP2/6-311++G(3df,2p)). Moreover, the theoretical calculations predict a markedly increase in the conformational energy on going from fluorine to bromine, which is not observed experimentally. The solvation models IEF-PCM and C-PCM were tested with two different approaches for defining the atomic radii used to build the molecular cavity, from which it was found that only with explicit consideration of hydrogens can the conformational preference be properly described. Molecular dynamic simulations in combination with ab initio calculations showed that the ea conformer is slightly favored by hydrogen bonding.

Medium effect on the rotational barrier of N,N,N'-trimethylurea and N,N,N'-trimethylthiourea: experimental and theoretical study.

The solvent effect for rotation about the conjugated C-N(CH(3))(2) bond has been studied for N,N,N'-trimethylurea (TMU) and N,N,N'-trimethylthiourea (TMT) by dynamic NMR and theoretical calculations. The experimental part comprised the measurement of activation parameters (DeltaH(++), DeltaS(++), and DeltaG(++)) by DNMR in CD(2)Cl(2), CD(3)OD, and D(2)O/CD(3)OD solutions. In methanol, TMU and TMT present similar rotational barriers, 11.3 +/- 0.6 and 10.5 +/- 0.3 kcal/mol, respectively. However, in D(2)O/CD(3)OD solution TMU has its barrier raised to 12.4 kcal/mol, whereas that of TMT remains unchanged. Molecular dynamics simulations combined to quantum chemical methods (HF, B3LYP, B3LYP-D, M06-2X, and MP2) showed that hydrogen bonding affects the rotational barriers of TMU and TMT in markedly different ways. For TMU, the rotational barrier increases due to hydrogen bonding whereas for TMT it decreases. This behavior is a consequence of the distinct ways the ground and the transition states for rotation experience hydrogen bonding. More specifically, the ground state of TMU can form strong hydrogen bonds at the carbonyl group, which stabilize the ground state relative to the transition state. On the other hand, the sulfur of TMT showed to be a poor proton acceptor, in such a way that only the nitrogen of the twisted transition state is involved in hydrogen bonding.

Effect of sulfur oxidation on the transmission mechanism of 4J(HH) NMR coupling constants in 1,3-dithiane.

Long-range 4J(HH) couplings in 1,3-dithiane derivatives are rationalized in terms of the effects of hyperconjugative interactions involving the S=O group. Theoretical and experimental studies of 4J(HH) couplings were carried out in 1,3-dithiane-1-oxide (2), cis-1,3-dithiane-1,3-dioxide (3), 1,3-dithiane-1,1,3-trioxide (4), and 1,3-dithiane-1,1,3,3-tetraoxide (5) compounds. Hyperconjugative interactions were studied with the natural bond orbital, NBO, method. Hyperconjugative interactions involving the LP(O), oxygen lone pair and sigma*(C2-S1) and sigma*(S1-C6) antibonding orbitals yield an increase of 4J(H(eq)-H(eq)) couplings. Long-range 4J(H(ax)-H(ax)) couplings were also observed between hydrogen atoms in axial orientation, which are rationalized as originating in hyperconjugative interactions involving the bonding sigma(C6-H(ax)) and antibonding sigma*(S=O) orbitals. The symmetry for orbital interactions is possible only when the S=O group is in the axial orientation.

Theoretical and experimental investigation on the rotational isomerism in alpha-fluoroacetophenones.

The geometries involved in the conformational equilibria of alpha-fluoroacetophenone, p-nitro-alpha-fluoroacetophenone, and p-methoxy-alpha-fluoroacetophenone were investigated. Theoretical calculations showed that cis and gauche forms (F-C-C=O) are their most stable conformers and that in the vapor phase the gauche conformer is predominant. The three compounds were synthesized, and the conformational behavior in solution was estimated from infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra obtained in solvents of different polarity. Their IR spectra showed one carbonyl absorption for the cis and one for the gauche conformer, and that the cis conformer was preferred in the more polar solvents. (1)J(CF), (2)J(C(O)F), and (2)J(HF) coupling constants were obtained from their NMR spectra, and they also showed a preference for the cis conformer when more polar solvents were used. The vapor phase calculations showed a conformational preference for the gauche form. However, when the solvent effects were included in the calculations, the results were in complete agreement with the experimental data (NMR and IR), the cis conformer being the most stable one.

One-Pot Highly Regioselective Synthesis of α-Ketoamide N-Arylpyrazoles from Secondary ß-Enamino Diketones.

An efficient one-pot method is described for the highly regioselective synthesis of α-ketoamide N-arylpyrazoles from secondary ß-enamino diketones. For this, the key intermediate, 4-acyl 3,5-dihydroxypyrrolone, was generated in situ and underwent bimolecular nucleophilic substitution at C-5 by arylhydrazine, with subsequent heterocyclization at the carbonyl carbon of the acyl group. This strategy allowed for regiochemical control of α-ketoamide N-arylpyrazoles from ß-enamino diketones and arylhydrazines.

Novel 4-methoxynaphthalene-N-acylhydrazones as potential for paracoccidioidomycosis and tuberculosis co-infection.

Aim: 17 new 4-methoxynaphthalene-N-acylhydrazones were synthesized in order to evaluate their biological action against important pathogens. Methods: In vitro susceptibility assays of compounds were performed against Paracoccidioidesbrasiliensis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: Compounds 4a, 4b and 4k were the most potent against P. brasiliensis, two with minimum inhibitory concentrations of ≤1 µg ml-1 and exhibited pharmacological synergy with amphotericin B. The compounds also showed activity against M. tuberculosis, with 4c and 4k being the more promising. Compound 4k showed good synergistic antimycobacterium activity with ethambutol. None of the compounds tested showed toxicity. Conclusion: We highlight the compound 4k, as a potential agent for the treatment of patients co-infected with paracoccidioidomycosis and tuberculosis.

New 4-methoxy-naphthalene derivatives as promisor antifungal agents for paracoccidioidomycosis treatment.

AIM: Novel 4-methoxy-naphthalene derivatives were synthesized based on hits structures in order to evaluate the antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides spp. METHODS: Antifungal activity of compounds was evaluated against P. brasiliensis and most promising compounds 2 and 3 were tested against eight clinically important fungal species. RESULTS: Compound 3 was the more active compound with MIC 8 to 32 µg.ml-1 for Paracoccidioides spp without toxicity monkey kidney and murine macrophagecells. Carbohydrazide 3 showed good synergistic antifungal activity with amphotericin B against P. brasiliensis specie. Titration assay of carbohydrazide 3 with PbHSD enzyme demonstrates the binding ligand-protein. Molecular dynamics simulations show that ligand 3 let the PbHSD protein more stable. CONCLUSION: New carbohydrazide 3 is an attractive lead for drug development to treat paracoccidioidomycoses.

Development of methodologies for the regioselective synthesis of four series of regioisomer isoxazoles from ß-enamino diketones.

Four methodologies are reported for the regioselective synthesis of four series of regioisomer isoxazoles from cyclocondensation of ß-enamino diketones and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Regiochemical control was achieved by varying reaction conditions and substrate structure. The mild reaction conditions used to access 4,5-disubstituted, 3,4-disubtituted, and 3,4,5-trisubstituted regioisomer isoxazoles, as well as the pharmacological and synthetic potential of the products, make these novel methodologies very powerful.

Thiosemicarbazone@Gold nanoparticle hybrid as selective SERS substrate for Hg2+ ions.

The Raman spectral profile of p-methylcarbohydrazonethioamide (MCHT) is completely changed due to strong SERS effects upon bonding onto gold nanoparticles surface, but some vibrational modes are further enhanced in the presence of Hg(II) ions. The lack of SERS response for most common metal ions indicates that the coordinating groups are interacting with the gold nanoparticles surface and not available for binding metal ions in solution, except for mercury ions. The selective enhancement of some vibrational modes is consistent with significant conformational changes upon binding of Hg(II) ion onto the AuNP@MCHT hybrid, as confirmed by TEM/EDS measurements, demonstrating its potentiality as a highly selective and sensitive SERS substrate.

Conformational equilibrium of phenylacetic acid and its halogenated analogues through theoretical studies, NMR and IR spectroscopy.

This paper presents a study on the conformational preferences of phenylacetic acid (PA) and its halogenated analogues (FPA, CPA, BPA). To clarify the effects that rule these molecules' behaviour, theoretical calculations were used, for both the isolated phase and solution, combined with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Most conformations of phenylacetic acid and its halogenated derivatives are stabilized through the hyperconjugative effect, which rules the conformational preference. NMR analyses showed that even with the variation in medium polarity, there was no significant change in the conformation population. Infrared spectroscopy showed similar results for all compounds under study. In most spectra, two bands were found through the carbonyl deconvolution, which is in accordance with the theoretical data. It was possible to prove that variation in the nature of the substituent in the ortho position had no significant influence on the conformational equilibrium.

Synthesis and evaluation against Leishmania amazonensis of novel pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyridazinone-N-acylhydrazone-(bi)thiophene hybrids.

A new series of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-7-one derivatives were synthesised and evaluated for their in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania amazonensis promastigote and axenic amastigote forms. The results showed that the pyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyridazin-7-one-N-acylhydrazone-(bi)thiophene hybrids 5b, 6b and 6d exhibit better antileishmanial activity with IC50 84.96, 3.63 and 10.79 µM, against the promastigote form and IC50 32.71, 2.32 and >100 µM against the axenic amastigote form, respectively. The active compounds had their cytotoxicity tested against macrophages and fibroblast cells with a higher selectivity index than 10 for compounds 6b and 6d. Molecular docking studies were performed for all active compounds using the enzyme trypanothione reductase (TR) to investigate a possible action mechanism. The results suggested that active compounds had interactions with the residues of amino acids Gly 13, Thr 51, Thr 160, Gly 161, Tyr 198, Arg 287, Asp 327, Thr 335, which may inhibit the enzyme TR.