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Strychnos nux-vomica L. (Loganiaceae) is famous for its monomeric alkaloid content, such as strychnine, a convulsant poison. The stem bark of the tree is traditionally used to treat intermittent fever in South East Asia. In various studies, it appeared that dimeric indolo-monoterpenic alkaloids possess a promising activity on Plasmodium falciparum. Three bisindolomonoterpenic alkaloids together with strychnochrysine, previously identified in the root bark of S. nux-vomica, were isolated from the stem bark. The structures of these compounds were established using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Stereochemistry of the compounds was confirmed by molecular modelling. This then allowed the structural determination of strychnoflavine, a coloured bisindole alkaloid previously isolated from the root bark of the tree. Moreover, the conformational inversion in alkaloids possessing an ether bond in the strychnane moiety could be easily predicted by specific δ (13)C NMR values. These longicaudatine-type alkaloids were found to display in vitro antiplasmodial activity against a chloroquine resistant strain and a chloroquine sensitive strain. The most interesting was strychnochrysine showing an IC(50) value at around 10 μM.

During our research on novel, non-traditional, bicyclic β-lactams as potential inhibitors of Penicillin Binding Proteins (PBPs), we focused on the synthesis of 1,3-bridged 2-azetidinones by RCM reaction from 1,3-bis-ω-alkenoyl-3(S)-amino-2-azetidinone precursors. Submitting the precursors to RCM, we faced an unexpected problem: cyclodimerization was the preferred outcome. This peculiar reactivity, explained by a computational study, led to unprecedented bis-azetidinyl-macrocycles acting as potent inhibitors of R39 D,D-carboxypeptidase, a bacterial model enzyme for PBPs.

The hetero Diets-Alder (HDA) reactions of 1-diethoxyphosphony1-1,3-butadiene with various nitroso dienophiles have been studied at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. Structural, energetic and electronic properties are discussed. These cycloadditions with nitroso dienophiles are characterized by a total proximal regioselectivity and an endo selectivity. The influence of the nitroso substitution on the activation barrier and the regiochemistry of the reaction is presented. The analysis of the chemical rearrangement along the intrinsic reaction pathway (IRC), based on bond order and on natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations, emphasizes the polar nature of these cycloadditions. Despite the early and the cyclic nature of the corresponding transition states, a two-center interaction governs this mechanism: these cycloadditions are Polar Diets-Alder reactions (P-DA). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The chemical investigation of the liana Strychnos moandaensis De Wild. led to the isolation of moandaensine, a novel dimeric indole alkaloid. The structure was elucidated by a thorough analysis of the spectroscopic data and by molecular modeling. Moandaensine, or methyl (2S)-2-[(2R,3E,12bS)-3ethylidene-2,4,6,7,12,12b-hexahydro-1H-indolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]-3-[(2S,3R)-3-ethyl-2-[(1R)-1(hydroxymethyl)-2-methoxy-2-oxo-ethyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-5-ium-7-yl]

The geometry, frequency and intensity of the vibrational bands of miconazole were derived from the density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the hybrid functional B3LYP and the 6-31G(d) basis set. Starting from the fully AM1 optimized geometries of miconazole/βCD/acids complexes, the miconazole/acid dimers were reoptimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Three acids were studied: maleic, fumaric and l -tartaric acids. To begin with the vibrational spectral data obtained from solid phase in mid FT-IR spectrum of miconazole and its dimers are assigned based on the results of the normal modes calculations. All the observed spectra and the calculated ones are found to be in good agreement. In a second step, theoretical results allowed the assignment of FT-IR spectrum for the miconazole/HPγCD inclusion complex produced by supercritical carbon dioxide treatment and confirmed the inclusion of miconazole. The experimental spectra for the miconazole/HPγCD/acids complexes prepared by supercritical carbon dioxide processing were also assigned using theoretical results. The results confirmed the presence of a genuine inclusion complex and also the interaction between miconazole and the acid.

The inclusion of miconazole into cyclodextrin cavity has been demonstrated by different authors. Preliminary studies have shown which fragment of the molecule is involved in the inclusion. In the present study, AM1 approximate molecular orbital calculations have been performed on several cyclodextrins complexes (βCD, HPβCD and HPγCD) with miconazole and acidic compounds (maleic, fumaric and L-tartaric acids) as partners. For all the binary complexes, the inclusion of the dichlorobenzene–CH 2 –O-group leads to the most stable complex. For the ternary complexes, depending on their conformation and/or their structures, the acids can either stabilize or destabilize the complex. All the theoretical results were in good agreement with experimental data of miconazole inclusion yields into cyclodextrins. This work clearly demonstrates that the structure of both cyclodextrin and acid plays a key-role in the formation of inclusion complexes.

A series of 2-aryl-and arylmethyl-3-dialkylphenylsilyl cycloalkanones have been prepared and resolved. The pure enantiomers were reduced to the corresponding cycloalkane derivatives. These were used for the in situ generation of enantiopure cycloalkylsilyl triflimides by protodesilylation with bis( trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide. The association of a bulky leaving group with a silicon atom carrying large substituents was again shown to favour the complexation of silicon with carbonyl groups: all these trialkylsilyl triflimides showed a high catalytic activity for Diels -Alder reactions. Enantiomeric excesses up to 59% were observed. This is the highest enantioselectivity ever observed for a Diels-Alder reaction catalysed by a silicon Lewis acid. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The inclusion complexes of tagitinin C with beta-, 2,6-di-O-methyl-beta- and gamma-cyclodextrin (CyD) was investigated in aqueous medium. The stoichiometric ratios and stability constants (K(f)) which describe the extent of formation of the complexes have been determined by UV spectroscopy and direct current tast polarography (DC(tast)), respectively. For each complex, a 1:1 molar ratio was formed in solution and the trend of stability constants was K(f) (2,6-di-O-methyl-beta-CyD)K(f) (gamma-CyD)K(f) (beta-CyD). The effect of molecular encapsulation on the photochemical conversion of tagitinin C was evaluated. No significant protection efficacy was noticed with beta- and gamma-CyD for the complexed drug with the respect to the free one. On the other hand, the photochemical conversion rate was slowed in presence of 2,6-di-O-methyl-beta-CyD. Data from (1)H NMR and ROESY experiments provided a clear evidence of formation of inclusion complexes. The lactone, the ester and the unsaturated ketone parts of tagitinin C inserted into the wide rim of the CyDs torus. These experimental results were confirmed by the molecular modeling using semiempirical Austin Model 1 (AM1) method.

HIV-1 infection of the brain and PAF neurotoxicity are implicated in AIDS dementia complex. We previously reported that a trisubstituted piperazine derivative is able to diminish both HIV-1 replication in monocyte-derived macrophages and PAF-induced platelet aggregation. We report in this work new compounds obtained by modifying its piperazine substituents. The structure-activity relationship study shows that a better dual activity or even pure antiretroviral compounds can be obtained in this series.

Dynamics of complex molecular systems in generalized coordinates (q,p) using numerical kinetic energy operators is investigated. The kinematical tools necessary for quantum, classical or semiclassical dynamics with or without constraints mainly come from the covariant and contravariant components of the metric tensor and their derivatives up to the second ones. These quantities are computed numerically but without any other approximation than the numerical precision by the code TNUM. This code generates kinetic energy operators in the internal coordinates of the Z-matrix describing the molecular frame geometry in the ab initio quantum chemistry step or in symmetry adapted coordinates [D. Lauvergnat, A. Nauts, J. Chem. Phys. 116 (2002) 8560]. Various reduced dimensionality models can be used in the upgraded code. The interface with an ab initio code is calibrated on a 22-atom system for which a two-dimensional quantum treatment with a constrained Hamiltonian has been carried out previously. The test application concerns the spreading properties of a wave packet in an unstable flat region around a valley ridge inflexion point between two transition states in the Endo-dimerization of cyclopentadiene. We perform here on-the-fly classical or semiclassical dynamics in full or reduced dimensionality.

The triplet Hartree–Fock (HF) instability is investigated through the examples of substituted ethylenes and the small linear conjugated systems butadiene, hexatriene, octatetraene. A statistical analysis is performed for several conformations of the latters. The second eigenvalue of the instability matrix appears to be able to discriminate the groups of unsaturated compounds. The HF instability is largely influenced by conjugation and mesomeric effects and thus by the geometry. The number of π electrons is also an important factor. The electronic correlation related to the HF instability is not quantified by the energy difference between the post-HF and HF levels.

The ability of cyclodextrins (CDs) to increase the solubility of cyproterone acetate (CPA) was previously shown by phase-solubility and NMR studies [1]. In the present work, the influence of various CDs on the stability of CPA was studied in pH 6 and pH 8 aqueous solutions at 25 °C. Different CDs were tested: hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB), hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HPγCD) and γ-cyclodextrin (γCD). At pH 6, the presence of these CDs reduces the degradation of CPA. Nevertheless, at pH 8, the γ-CD derivatives are ineffective against the degradation of CPA, whereas the β-CD derivatives (HPβCD and RAMEB) allow decreasing CPA hydrolysis. Molecular modeling was performed to theoretically calculate some of the most energetically favorable conformations for γ-CD and RAMEB complexes with CPA. The position of the ester group in the CD cavity seems to be the most important factor influencing the hydrolysis of CPA. Other factors, such as the size of the cavity, the substitution of the CD hydroxyls and the stability constant also have a strong incidence on CPA stability.

4-(Alkylamino)carbonyl-1-(alkoxy)carbonyl-2-azetidinones (9-11) have been prepared in five steps from 4-(benzyloxy)carbonyl-1-(t-butyldimethyl)silyl-2-azetidinone (1). The beta-lactam reactivity of 9 has been established by 1H NMR experiment. Compound 11 was a good reversible inhibitor of PPE and HLE. Based on theoretical design, series of 2-azetidinones (12-17) and 4-(alkoxy)carbonyl-2-azetidinones (18-21) bearing various carbonyl (ester, thiolester, amide) and thiocarbonyl (thioamide) functionalities at position N1 were similarly prepared. In the absence of C4-substituent, the compounds were inactive against elastases. On the other hand, 4-(benzyloxy)carbonyl-1-(ethylthioxy)carbonyl-2-azetidinone (19) and 4-(benzyloxy)carbonyl-1-(benzylamino)thiocarbonyl-2-azetidinone (21) were both good reversible inhibitors, but acting most probably via different mechanisms (enzymic processing of the exocyclic ester function or beta-lactam ring opening).

A series of 1,4-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)azetidin-2-ones, designed as potential suicide-inhibitors of serine proteases, has been synthesized and evaluated against porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE). The most active compound (K(i)similar to10 muM; reversible inhibitor) was equipped with phenethyloxycarbonyl and benzyloxycarbonyl side-chains at positions N1 and C4, respectively, with the (S)-configuration. H-1 NMR spectroscopic analysis of the reaction mixtures showed that the ester function is preferentially hydrolyzed, in both chemical and enzyme-catalyzed reactions, with regard to the azetidinone and urethane functions. Considering the three potentially sensitive carbonyl functions and the two stereoisomers, ab initio calculations were performed to determine the energetic barriers required to reach the transition state structures of hydrolysis in a model of the enzyme pocket. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A series of imidazolopyrazinones 3, substituted at C-2, and C-2/C-6, has been prepared. The compounds behaved as quenchers of superoxide anion. The more active compounds are structurally related to coelenterazine, a natural substrate of marine bioluminescence. Theoretical parameters based on Hartree-Fock instabilities have been examined.

Novel coumarinic derivatives were synthesized and tested for their inhibitory potency toward α-CT and HLE. Cycloalkyl esters and amides were found to be essentially inactive on both enzymes. On the opposite, aromatic esters strongly inactivated α-CT whereas HLE was less efficiently inhibited with dichlorophenyl ester derivatives (k(inact)/K(I)=4000M-1 s-1 for 36). Representative examples of amide, ester, thioester and ketone derivatives were prepared in order to evaluate the influence of the link between the coumarinic ring and the phenyl side chain. The irreversible inactivation of α-CT by 6-chloromethyl derivatives should be due to alkylation of a histidine residue as suggested by the amino acid analysis of the modified chymotrypsin. Conversely the inhibition of HLE was transient. Intrinsic reactivity of coumarins has been calculated using a model of a nucleophilic reaction between the ligand and the couple methanol-water. From this calculation, it appears that differences in the inhibitory potency expressed by these molecules cannot only be explained by differences in the reactivity of the lactonic carbonyl group toward the nucleophilic attack. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.

A series of new enantiomerically pure acylnitroso compounds have been prepared and tested as dienophiles for the asymmetric oxyamination of dienes. Very high selectivities were obtained with acylnitroso compounds derived from diphenylmethoxymethyl pyrrolidine 2c, the C-2-symmetric pyrrolidines 2d-e and camphorsultam 2f. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

In the continuation of our investigations on the structure of platelet-activating factor (PAF)-receptor, 25 additional 2-substituted 1,4-bis-(poly- and mono methoxybenzoyl)-piperazines were synthesized and their in vitro biological activities measured. Substituent at position 2 is representative of the classical balance lipophilicity/hydrophilicity, i.e. alkyl, phenylalkyl, alkoxy and polyalkoxy groups. A potent PAF-induced platelet aggregation inhibitory activity measured in PRP medium is obtained with 5c , IC 50 = 6 × 10 −8 M, which displaces the [ 3 H]PAF from platelet membrane with an EC 50 = 6 × 10 −8 M, and compound 4 presents an EC 50 of 3 × 10 −8 M. Examination of structure-activity relationships shows that molecules bearing a hydrophilic or slightly hydrophobic appendix in position-2 are still potent; their IC 50 being included between 10 −6 and 10 −7 M. After quantitative analysis, it seems that in PRP medium, the role of serum albumin must be taken into account instead of a pure hydrophobic interaction of the appendix Z into the receptor. The role of the methoxy groups in producing a potent antagonistic activity is demonstrated by syntheses of several 2-octylpiperazine analogs. These specific features will be quatitatively analysed in the following related publication (part 3).

In this paper, we describe the isolation and structural determination of 2,7-dihydroxyapogeissoschizine, a new alkaloid from the root bark of Strychnos gossweileri. Elucidation of its structure is based mainly on 1D and 2D NMR studies; its conformation was optimized by energy minimization. This type of skeleton is related to geissoschizine but with the notable diffrence that the 1 and 17 positions are joined giving an additional fused ring. Such a seven-membered ring has ,to our knowledge, only been observed in apogeissoschizine, obtained after chemical tratment of two alkaloids ( geissospermine and geissoschizine). 2,7-dihydroxyapogeissoschizine is therefore, the first natural product possessing this skeleton. According to a preliminary test, this new alkaloid shows low toxicity to B16 melanoma cells, but not for non-cancer 3T3 fibroblasts cultured in vitro.THese results have to be confirmed by further tests.

3-Ethylthiohomopenems 5a and 5b were prepared from alpha-amino-gamma-butyrolactone. Compound 5a showed weak antibacterial properties.

This work analyses a case where Murrell's proposal, stating that a second-order point must lie above a first-order one, is apparently violated. Study at the SCF-UMP2 level within the D95 + + basis set, of one critical point of the O 2 HF − anion, previously proposed to be of order two by Lopez, shows the importance of the electronic correlation. The critical point associated with the 2 Π state should rather be considered as a superposition of two first-order ones. The present analysis reveals that this contradistinction can be explained by three unconsidered elements: the local symmetry, the electronic correlation and the internal variables description.

The synthesis of three classes of potential antibiotic compounds derived from 4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole and related to β-lactam antibiotics is described. Their originality belongs to the replacement of the β-lactam carbonyl moiety by another electrophilic centre of the same sp2 geometry. As a result, their interaction with the bacterial target enzyme might lead to the formation of a covalent complex different from the classical acylenzyme. A theoretical study of their structural analogy and their reactivity compared to those of a model β-lactam justifies their interest in the present context. However, the actual biological results indicate a lack of antibacterial activity.

In the present work, the conformation analysis, electrostatic potential calculations, and proton affinity evaluation are carried out for Cinchona alkaloids using theoretical molecular mechanics and quantum mechanical methods. The most probable conformation of the active erythro isomers at the receptor site seems to be that which enables the molecule to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In epiquinidine, the mutual orientation of O(12) and N(1) atoms favors intra- rather than intermolecular bonding, and this might be responsible for its inactivity. Comparison of the shape and size of the negative electrostatic potential areas provides a tentative explanation for the interaction of different erythro diastereoisomers with the same putative receptor, as well as for lack of such interaction in epiquinidine. The protonation energies calculated for cinchonidine and cinchonine confirm the higher basicity of the aliphatic N(1) as compared with that of the aromatic N(13) atom.

The conditions of CN bond breakage by the serine peptidases have been analysed. A two-way table has been generated where either formamide or protonated formamide serves as minimal model of the scissile CN bond and where either methanol or the couple CH 3 O − H + serves as minimal model of the attacking nucleophile. An addition-elimination reaction is proposed which links the enzyme acylation and deacylation steps.