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The ability of phytosterol compounds to reduce plasma serum cholesterol levels in humans is well investigated. However, phytosterols are structurally similar to cholesterol with a double bond at the C5-6 position and are therefore susceptible to oxidation. Much research has been carried out on the biological effects of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in vitro. In contrast, there is less known about phytosterol oxidation products (POPs). From previous studies, it is apparent that oxidized derivatives of the phytosterols, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol, are cytotoxic in vitro but are less potent than their COP counterparts. In the present study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of oxidized derivatives of dihydrobrassicasterol (DHB) including 5α,6α-epoxyergostan-3β-ol (α-epoxide), 5β,6β-epoxyergostan-3β-ol (β-epoxide), ergost-5-en-7-on-3β-ol (7-keto), ergost-5-ene-3β,7β-diol (7-β-OH), and ergostane-3β,5α,6β-triol (triol) were evaluated in the U937 and HepG2 cell lines. In general, 7-keto, 7-β-OH, and triol derivatives had a significant cytotoxic impact on U937 and HepG2 cells. The oxides appear to be more toxic toward U937 cells. In line with previous findings, the POPs investigated in this study were less potent than the equivalent COPs. The results add to the body of data on the toxicity of individual POPs.

The propensity of a range of different sulfoxides and sulfones to cocrystallize with either 1,2- or 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene, via I···O=S halogen bonding, was investigated. Cocrystallization occurred exclusively with 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene in either a 1:1 or 1:2 stoichiometry of the organohalide and the sulfoxide, respectively, depending on the sulfoxide used. It was found that the stoichiometry observed was not necessarily related to whether the oxygen acts as a single halogen bond acceptor or if it is bifurcated; with I···π interactions observed in two of the cocrystals synthesized. Only those cocrystals with a 1:2 stoichiometry exhibit C–H···O hydrogen bonding in addition to I···O=S halogen bonding. Examination of the Cambridge Structural Database shows that (i) the I···O=S interaction is similar to other I···O interactions, and (ii) the I···π interaction is significant, with the distances in the two cocrystals among the shortest known.

An interesting synthesis of 2-aryl-substituted thiophenes (III) is achieved through coupling of the potassium carboxylate (I) with aryl halides, especially bromides.

The improved synthesis of the compounds (III), (IX), and (XIV), which are key intermediates in the synthesis of ellipticines (VII) and its derivatives, e.g. (XII), is presented.

A selective β-oxidation of a series of α-sulfanyl amides to the corresponding β-oxo-α-sulfanyl amides is described. This selective efficient oxidation of an unfunctionalised methyl or methylene group occurs under mild conditions, involving three sequential transformations conducted without isolation of the intermediates. Critically neither the sulfur nor the reactive α-CH bond is affected in the overall process.

On-flow ReactIR and (1)H NMR reaction monitoring, coupled with in situ intermediate characterization, was used to aid in the mechanistic elucidation of the N-chlorosuccinimide mediated transformation of an α-thioamide. Multiple intermediates in this reaction cascade are identified and characterized, and in particular, spectroscopic evidence for the intermediacy of the chlorosulfonium ion in the chlorination of α-thioamides is provided. Further to this, solvent effects on the outcome of the transformation are discussed. This work also demonstrates the utility of using a combination of ReactIR and flow NMR reaction monitoring (ReactNMR) for characterizing complex multicomponent reaction mixtures.

This review discusses strategies for the asymmetric synthesis of sulfoxides, compounds with many applications in stereoselective synthesis and in some cases with pharmaceutical application. The review describes asymmetric oxidation, including metal catalyzed and nonmetal and biological oxidation processes, in addition to synthetic approaches via nucleophilic substitution of appropriately substituted precursors. Kinetic resolution in oxidation of sulfoxides to the analogous sulfones is also discussed; in certain instances, access to enantioenriched sulfoxides can be achieved via a combination of asymmetric sulfide oxidation and complementary kinetic resolution in sulfoxide oxidation.

This review provides an overview of the norcaradiene–cycloheptatriene equilibrium with particular emphasis on the influence of substitution on the position of equilibrium. Figure options Download full-size image Download as PowerPoint slide

Background Many computational chemistry analyses require the generation of conformers, either on-the-fly, or in advance. We present Confab, an open source command-line application for the systematic generation of low-energy conformers according to a diversity criterion. Results Confab generates conformations using the 'torsion driving approach' which involves iterating systematically through a set of allowed torsion angles for each rotatable bond. Energy is assessed using the MMFF94 forcefield. Diversity is measured using the heavy-atom root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) relative to conformers already stored. We investigated the recovery of crystal structures for a dataset of 1000 ligands from the Protein Data Bank with fewer than 1 million conformations. Confab can recover 97% of the molecules to within 1.5 Å at a diversity level of 1.5 Å and an energy cutoff of 50 kcal/mol. Conclusions Confab is available from http://confab.googlecode.com.

Hydrolase catalysed kinetic resolutions leading to a series of 3-aryl alkanoic acids (⩾94% ee) are described. Hydrolysis of the ethyl esters with a series of hydrolases was undertaken to identify biocatalysts that yield the corresponding acids with excellent enantiopurity in each case. Steric and electronic effects on the efficiency and enantioselectivity of the biocatalytic transformation were also explored.

Cocrystal formation between nicotinamide and five fenamic acid derivative drugs (flufenamic acid, niflumic tolfenamic acid, mefenamic acid and meclofenamic acid) was investigated using solution-based and solid-state preparation methods. It was anticipated that the well-known acid-aromatic nitrogen heterosynthon would provide a sufficient driving force for cocrystallization. The experiments yielded cocrystals with four of the five acids. Although the structures of these molecules are similar, they showed marked differences in both the stability and the stoichiometry of the cocrystals. A detailed analysis of the structures and properties of both the starting materials and the cocrystals allows a tentative explanation of these differences, but it also shows that even though all four cocrystals utilize one of the most predictable supramolecular synthons (COOH center dot center dot center dot N), their structures and properties remain elusive to design.

Absolute stereochemistry of oils and viscous liquids can be difficult to determine. Co-crystallization involves generating a crystalline material consisting of more than one neutral compound. The combination of co-crystallization with both X-ray diffraction and chiral HPLC was particularly powerful in overcoming these difficulties for a series of chiral 3-arylbutanoic acids. Co-crystallization offers advantages over salt formation because co-crystals dissociate in solution, meaning identical HPLC conditions can be used for both the materials of interest and their co-crystals.

Attempts to co-crystallise 3-arylbutanoic acid derivatives with isonicotinamide have led to co-crystals and novel polymorphs of the isonicotinamide co-former appearing under similar crystallisation conditions.

Nucleocidin 1 has been synthesised from the adenosine derivative 4via the intermediacy of the dihalogeno compound 9. The latter compound showed slight but significant activity against HIVinfected cells while the isomer 10 and the monohalogeno compound 60 were inactive. Synthetic approaches towards other 4′-fluorinated nucleoside derivatives are also described. The epimeric 4′fluorinated nucleosides 26 and 27 displayed similar activity against HIV-infected cells to that observed for the dihalogenated compound 9.

Rhodium catalyzed O-H insertion reactions employing α-diazophosphonate 20 with appropriately protected thymidine, uridine, cytosine, adenosine and guanosine derivatives leads to novel 5'-phosphononucleoside derivatives. Deprotection led to a novel series of phosphono derivatives bearing a carboxylic acid moiety adjacent to the phosphonate group with potential antiviral and/or anticancer activity. The phosphononucleosides bearing an α-carboxylic acid group are envisaged as potential diphosphate mimics. Conversion to mono- and diphosphorylated phosphononucleosides has been effected for evaluation as nucleoside triphosphate mimics. Most of the novel phosphononucleosides proved to be inactive against a variety of DNA and RNA viruses. Only the phosphono AZT derivatives 56-59 showed weak activity against HIV-1 and HIV-2. ispartof: Journal of Organic Chemistry vol:76 issue:1 pages:105-26 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Investigation of the stereoselective reaction of α-thiopropanoyloxazolidin-2-ones with NCS to yield α-thio-β-chloropropenyloxazolidin-2-ones is described. Diastereoselective sulfur oxidation of the resulting α-thio-β-chloropropenyloxazolidin-2-ones is also discussed, with modest diastereocontrol achieved. However, through a combination of diastereoselective oxidation and subsequent kinetic resolution in the sulfoxide oxidation, diastereoselectivities of up to 94% de are achieved.

2-Thio-3-chloroacrylamides undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with diazoalkanes leading to a series of novel pyrazolines and pyrazoles. The mechanistic and synthetic features of the cycloadditions to the 2-thio-3-chloroacrylamides at both the sulfide and sulfoxide levels of oxidation are rationalised on the basis of the nature of the substituents.

The stereoselectivity of title oxidation reaction is strongly influenced by the structure of the auxiliary at the chloroacrylamide substrates (I), (III), (V).

The reaction of β-chloroacrylamides, derived from sulfides or sulfoxides, with nitriloxide (II) proceeds with complete regio- and diastereoselectivities.

The Diels–Alder cycloadditions of cyclopentadiene and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene to a range of 2-thio-3-chloroacrylamides under thermal, catalytic and microwave conditions is described. The influence of reaction conditions on the outcome of the cycloadditions, in particular the stereoselectivity and reaction efficiency, is discussed. While the cycloadditions have been attempted at the sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone levels of oxidation, use of the sulfoxide derivatives is clearly beneficial for stereoselective construction of Diels–Alder cycloadducts.

The design of co-crystals requires knowledge of robust supramol. synthons. The sulfoxide is a potent H bond acceptor and was used as a co-crystal former with a range of NH functional groups, via N-H···O=S H bonds. The NH functional group retains favorable H bond motifs from its own structure in all cases where this is possible, with the sulfoxide interacting in a discrete, capping fashion in four cases and in a bifurcated, bridging fashion in the three other cases presented here. Crystallog. data are given for 7 co-formers, dibenzyl sulfoxide and cyclohexanecarbothioamide.

Dietary exposure to phytosterols has increased in recent years due to the incorporation of these compounds into cholesterol-lowering products. Previous studies have investigated the cytotoxic effects of the oxidized derivatives of β-sitosterol and determined that phytosterol oxidation products (POP) have a similar but less potent toxicity compared to their cholesterol equivalents. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of the oxidized derivatives of stigmasterol were investigated in the U937 cell line. The stigmasta-5,22-diene-3β,7β-diol (7β-OH), 5,6-epoxystigmasta-22,23-diol (epoxydiol), 5,6,22,23-diepoxystigmastane (diepoxide), and (22R,23R)-stigmast-5-ene-3β,22,23-triol (22R,23R-triol) derivatives were identified as the most cytotoxic, and the mode of cell death was identified as apoptosis in cells incubated with 7β-OH, epoxydiol, and diepoxide stigmasterol. The antioxidants α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and β-carotene did not protect against apoptosis induced by 7β-OH and diepoxide stigmasterol; however, α-tocopherol was found to protect against epoxydiol-induced apoptosis. The cellular antioxidant, glutathione, was depleted and the apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, was down-regulated by the stigmasterol oxides identified as apoptotic.

Nucleocidin 1 has been synthesised from the adenosine derivative 4via the intermediacy of the dihalogeno compound 9. The latter compound showed slight but significant activity against HIVinfected cells while the isomer 10 and the monohalogeno compound 60 were inactive. Synthetic approaches towards other 4′-fluorinated nucleoside derivatives are also described. The epimeric 4′fluorinated nucleosides 26 and 27 displayed similar activity against HIV-infected cells to that observed for the dihalogenated compound 9.

Objectives We examined the role of C-fms+ cells in response to vascular injury with a focus on the temporal and spatial platelet interactions, monocyte survival and proliferation within the evolving neointimal lesion and monocyte proliferation within the circulation and specified monocyte reservoir sites. Finally, we investigated the therapeutic effect of C-fms kinase inhibition (CFKI) on neointimal hyperplasia post vessel injury. Methods and results We utilized murine carotid-wire injury, a transgenic C-fms reporting mouse model, confocal microscopy, shear-flow studies, specific C-fms signalling inhibition to determine the activation, mobilization and recruitment of C-fms+ monocytes in the context of early and late vessel remodelling. C-fms+ cells were recruited as early as 4 h and accumulated over time in the neointima following injury. Monocyte interaction with platelet thrombus under flow and in vivo, in addition to monocyte mobilisation into the circulation post-injury was impaired by CFKI administration. Sustained inhibition of C-fms over 1–2 weeks abrogated the neointimal response but preserved re-endothelialisation post-injury. Conclusion These data establish C-fms as a key regulator of the vascular response to injury and a potentially attractive therapeutic target in disease states where neointimal hyperplasia, monocyte activation and pathologic remodelling are prominent and endothelial homeostasis is desirable.

α-Phenylthio secondary propanamides 1a-e are converted stereospecifically on treatment with NCS to the analogous (Z)-α-phenylthio-β-chloro propenamides 2a-e. Extension to longer chain secondary amide derivatives 1f-g is also possible, albeit less efficiently and without any appreciable stereoselectivity.

Baker’s yeast mediated enantioselective reduction of 1-methylsulfonylalkan-2-ones, forming the corresponding alcohols with up to 87% ee, is described.

Introduction of a benzenesulfonylmethyl group at the unactivated γ-carbon of carboxylic acid derivatives has been achieved through a combination of rhodium acetate catalysed carbenoid CH insertion and baker's yeast mediated kinetic resolution. Access to the two complementary enantiomeric series of 6 with excellent enantiocontrol is possible.

2-Thio-3-chloroacrylamides undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with diazoalkanes leading to a series of novel pyrazolines and pyrazoles. The mechanistic and synthetic features of the cycloadditions to the 2-thio-3-chloroacrylamides at both the sulfide and sulfoxide levels of oxidation are rationalised on the basis of the nature of the substituents.

Diazo transfer adjacent to sulfoxides to form stable α-diazo-β-oxo sulfoxides has been achieved in cyclic systems.

Rhodium(II) acetate catalysed intramolecular Buchner cyclisation of a series of diazoketones 1 proceeds with excellent diastereoselectivity to produce the trans substituted azulenones 2, which exist as a rapidly equilibrating cycloheptatriene–norcaradiene system, from which the norcaradiene tautomers can be efficiently trapped as PTAD cycloadducts 4. The cyclisation–cycloaddition sequence can be conducted in either a stepwise or a tandem process, leading to the pentacyclic systems 4 as a single diastereomer in each case. In the reaction of diazoketone 1f intramolecular cyclopropanation competes with cyclisation to the aromatic ring.

2-Benzenesulfonylcyclopentanone 1 and cyclohexanone 2 undergo efficient dynamic kinetic resolution on treatment with baker's yeast, under a range of conditions including in organic solvents, to form the corresponding cis -2-benzenesulfonylcycloalkanols 5 and 6 in excellent enantiopurity. Reduction of larger ring derivatives is much less efficient.

This critical review, which is relevant to researchers in synthetic organic chemistry, focuses on asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with acrylamides. The use of chiral acrylamides as dipolarophiles leads to high levels of stereocontrol, due to conformational constraint in the acrylamides. Employment of chiral tertiary acrylamides containing nitrogen heterocycles is particularly effective in controlling the stereoselectivity. Following a general overview of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, the main body of the review focuses on asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of acrylamides with nitrile oxides, nitrones, diazoalkanes and azomethine ylides, with particular emphasis on the rationale for the observed stereocontrol (215 references).

Rhodium carboxylate catalyzed aromatic addition reactions of a range of diazoketones bearing methoxy-substituted aryl rings have been explored. While the existence of norcaradiene−cycloheptatriene equilibria in related compounds is well established, the aromatic addition products in this study display more complex dynamic equilibria due to conjugation with the methoxy group; the experimental evidence for this is discussed in detail. In the azulenone products 21−26 derived from p-methoxy-substituted diazoketones 14−16, the diastereomers interconvert via a spiro intermediate 39. A related mechanistic process in the azulenones 43−46 derived from the o-methoxy-substituted diazoketones 17, 18 interconverts regioisomers, explaining the conflicting reports for the regioselectivity of the cyclization of diazoketone 1. With the m-methoxy-substituted diazoketone 19, involvement of the methoxy group through a different pathway results in fragmentation of the azulenone to form the tetralone 47. With the azulenones 21...

Diastereoselective sulfur oxidation in 2-thio-3-chloroacrylamides is described. A range of chiral amine auxiliaries were incorporated in the β-chloroacrylamide, and the efficiency with which the stereochemistry was relayed to the sulfur centre during sulfoxidation was investigated. Diastereomeric ratios of up to 3.3:1 were achieved.

Excellent enantiocontrol (up to 98% ee) is achieved in copper catalyzed C-H insertions of alpha-diazosulfones to form thiopyrans, with up to 60% ee in C-H insertions leading to sulfolanes.

With a view to their use in the kinetic resolution of racemic non-natural amino acids, five variants of the enzyme L-phenylalanine dehydrogenase, the wild-type enzyme from Bacillus sphaericus and four active-site mutants, have been tested with a range of amino acids. In each case, the rates of reaction with 0.2 mM L-amino acid and with the racemic mixture at 0.4 mM were compared, so that the starting concentration of the active substrate was kept constant. Although the D-amino acids are not substrates, they were inhibitory in all cases. The extent of inhibition, however, varied greatly from compound to compound and among the mutants. With the N145L mutant and DL 4-O-Me-Phe, the equimolar D-enantiomer gave 83.2% inhibition, and with the wild-type enzyme there was 86.7% inhibition with racemic norleucine. By contrast, with these same substrates the N145V mutant showed less than 9% and 24% inhibition respectively. The N145A mutant was selected for use with DL-4-Cl-Phe. The pH was decreased from the enzyme's optimum of 10.4 to 9.5 to minimise breakdown of the coenzyme NAD(+), and the coenzyme was recycled by molecular oxygen with the assistance of a commercial diaphorase. Reaction on a 200 micromole scale in 20 ml ethanolamine HCl buffer, pH 9.5, with 25 microg N145A enzyme and 100 microg diaphorase, was monitored by chiral HPLC. The L-isomer was removed to an extent of99% after 40 h, with the D-isomer peak undiminished. The pure D-isomer was isolated from the reaction mixture in 85% overall yield after ion-exchange chromatography.

An investigation of the chemoselective and enantioselective oxidation of α-thio-β-chloroacrylamides is described. The α-thio-β-chloroacrylamides can be selectively oxidised to either the racemic sulfoxide or the sulfone very efficiently. The asymmetric sulfur oxidation of α-thio-β-chloroacrylamides is also discussed, with sulfoxide enantioselectivities of up to 52% ee achieved using the Kagan oxidation, and up to 71% ee when the Bolm oxidation is employed. While the enantioselectivities achieved are modest, these are among the most highly functionalised sulfides investigated in catalytic asymmetric oxidation, and the resulting enantioenriched sulfoxides have significant synthetic potential.

Investigation of the reaction of α-thioamides, α-esters and α-nitriles with NBS and NCS is described. The scope of this stereoselective oxidative transformation to the β-haloacrylamides, β-acrylates and β-acrylonitriles has been determined. A mechanistic rationale to explain the observed differences in reactivity between the amide, ester and nitrile series is proposed.

Lewis acid-catalysed alkylation of para-substituted phenols using α-chloro sulphides as electrophiles yields sulphenylated γ-lactones which can be desulphurised with zinc in acetic acid or Raney nickel. This synthesis has been applied to p-cresol, 2-naphthol, and two phenolic dihydrocinnamates. Alkylation of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene yields homogentisic acid dimethyl ether after desulphurisation and hydrolysis.

Enantioselective vanadium-catalysed oxidation of aryl benzyl sulfides using Bolm’s procedure is accompanied by kinetic resolution in the oxidation of the resulting sulfoxides which enhances the enantiopurities of the sulfoxides recovered (typically >90 % ee), albeit with an associated reduction in yield. The effects of ligand, solvent and reaction conditions are discussed in detail.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)

Nuts contain bioactive constituents that elicit cardio-protective effects including phytosterols, tocopherols and squalene. The objective of the present study was to determine the total oil content, peroxide value, fatty acid composition and levels of tocopherols, squalene and phytosterols in oil extracted from freshly ground brazil, pecan, pine, pistachio and cashew nuts. The total oil content of the nuts ranged from 40.4 to 60.8% (w/w) while the peroxide values ranged from 0.14 to 0.22 mEq O2/kg oil. The most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid (C18:1), while linoleic acid (C18:2) was the most prevalent polyunsaturated fatty acid. The levels of total tocopherols ranged from 60.8 to 291.0 mg/g. Squalene ranged from 39.5 mg/g oil in the pine nut to 1377.8 mg/g oil in the brazil nut. beta-Sitosterol was the most prevalent phytosterol, ranging in concentration from 1325.4 to 4685.9 mg/g oil. In conclusion, the present data indicate that nuts are a good dietary source of unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene and phytosterols.

The unsaponifiable lipid fraction of plant-based foods is a potential source of bioactive components such as phytosterols, squalene, and tocopherols. The objective of the present study was to determine the levels of phytosterols, and squalene, as well as tocopherols (alpha and beta + gamma) in selected grains, seeds, and legumes. The method comprised acid hydrolysis and lipid extraction followed by alkaline saponification, prior to analysis by HPLC. In addition, the fatty acid profile of the foods was determined via total lipid extraction, fatty acid derivitisation and GC analysis. In general, beta-sitosterol was the most prevalent phytosterol, ranging in concentration from 24.9 mg/100 g in pumpkin seed to 191.4 mg/100 g in peas. Squalene identified in all foods examined in this study, was particularly abundant in pumpkin seed (89.0 mg/100 g). The sum of alpha- and beta+ gamma-tocopherols ranged from 0.1 mg/100 g in rye to 15.9 mg/100 g in pumpkin seeds. Total oil content ranged from 0.9% (w/w) in butter beans to 42.3% (w/w) in pumpkin seed and the type of fat, in all foods examined, was predominantly unsaturated. In conclusion, seeds, grains, and legumes are a rich natural source of phytosterols. Additionally, they contain noticeable amounts of squalene and tocopherols, and in general, their fatty acid profile is favorable.

Wild-type phenylalanine dehydrogenase from Bacillus sphaericus, and three mutants N145A, N145V and N145L, are used with a coenzyme recycling system to synthesise L-phenylalanine and three non-natural amino acids (p-F-phenylalanine, p-MeO-phenylalanine and p-CF(3)-phenylalanine) on a millimole scale. A range of reaction conditions are investigated. The kinetic parameters of WT PheDH and N145A towards p-CF(3)-phenylpyruvate are compared, emphasising the value of protein engineering in creating improved biocatalysts.

Beta-sitosterol is the most prevalent plant cholesterol derivative (phytosterol) and can undergo similar oxidation to cholesterol, leading to beta-sitosterol oxides. The biological impact of phytosterol oxides has only been evaluated in a phytosterol blend (usually of beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and dihydrobrassicasterol). The lack of pure phytosterols, including beta-sitosterol, hinders the collection of significant toxicity data on the individual beta-sitosterol oxides. An efficient synthetic route to multi-gram quantities of pure beta-sitosterol is described here, together with the first syntheses and characterisation of pure beta-sitosterol oxides.