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A nanocatalyst with chiral amino alcohol catalytic function was efficiently employed in the Henry reaction, easily recovered by centrifugation and reused without loss of activity.

Fluorescent atomically precise Ag38(11-azido-2-ol-undecane-thiolate)24 nanoclusters are easily prepared using sodium ascorbate as a "green"reducer and are extensively characterized by way of elemental analyses, ATR-FTIR, XRD, SAXS, UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopies, and theoretical modeling. The fluorescence and the atomically determined stoichiometry and structure, the facile and environmentally green synthesis, together with the novel presence of terminal azido groups in the ligands which opens the way to "click"-binding a wide set of molecular species, make Ag38(11-azido-2-ol-undecane-thiolate)24 nanoclusters uniquely appealing systems for biosensing, recognition and functionalization in biomedicine applications and in catalysis. This journal is

With the aim to easily recover and reuse the catalyst, an efficient amino alcohol catalyst previously tested in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to several aromatic aldehydes has been immobilized on proper functionalized superparamagnetic core-shell magnetite-silica nanoparticles and employed in the Henry reaction in the semi-homogeneous phase. The nanocatalyst exhibits a promising catalytic activity that remains unchanged in the three catalytic cycles performed. The results prove that highly efficient catalysts, by being immobilized on suitable magnetic nanosupports, can be easily recovered and reused, maintaining their catalytic behavior.

Fluorescent atomically precise Ag

A stereodivergent approach for producing piperidine iminosugars has been developed employing a common optically active precursor. The key steps of the synthetic pathway are the double diastereoselection in the asymmetric dihydroxylation of the suitable chiral vinyl epoxy ester and the regio- and stereospecific opening of the epoxide ring with azide. The synthesis of two piperidine iminosugars, 1-deoxy-D-altronojirimycin and 1-deoxy-D-nojirimycin, was achieved by two related routes.

Noble metal thiolate nanoclusters are a new class of nanomaterials with molecular-like properties such as high dispersibility and fluorescence in the visible and infrared spectral region, properties highly requested in biomedicine for imaging, sensing and drug delivery applications. We report on three new silver phenylethane thiolate nanoclusters, differing for slight modifications of the preparation, i.e., the reaction solvent and the thiolate quantity, producing changes in the nanocluster composition as well as in the fluorescence behavior. All samples, excited in the range 250–500 nm, emit around 400 and 700 nm differing in the emission maxima and behavior. The silver thiolate nanoclusters have been characterized by way of C, H, S elemental analyses and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) to determine the nanocluster composition, Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) to investigate the nanocluster morphology and UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy to study their optical properties.

The first stereocontrolled total synthesis of iminosugar 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-iditol is described. The key step in our approach was the double diastereoselection in the asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) of suitable optically active olefin, the chiral vinyl azido alcohol 9. Performing the AD using the most common Cinchona alkaloids as ligands enabled us to identify the ligand of choice for the stereodivergent synthesis of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-iditol and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-galactitol. These type of iminosugars, both natural and unnatural, are intensively studied for their promising chemotherapeutic properties against viral infections, diabetes, cancer, and tuberculosis.

A linear β-amino alcohol ligand, previously found to be a very efficient catalyst for enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc to aromatic aldehydes, has been anchored on differently functionalized superparamagnetic core-shell magnetite-silica nanoparticles (1a and 1b). Its catalytic activity in the addition of dialkylzinc to aldehydes has been evaluated, leading to promising results, especially in the case of 1b for which the recovery by simple magnetic decantation and reuse was successfully verified. This journal is

Herein we describe a versatile approach to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids skeleton by tailoring our original strategy already used for the pyrrolidine iminosugars synthesis. The key steps are the regio- and stereoselective azidolysis of the suitable chiral vinyl epoxide and then asymmetric dihydroxylation of the corresponding azido alcohol by using (DHQ)2AQN as the ligand. Further optimized elaborations addressed to the closure of the two rings allowed us to achieve the target iminosugar with complete stereocontrol. The wide range of pyrrolizidine iminosugars’ biological properties make them a key focus of new drug research and therefore the development of synthetic strategies for obtaining them is of decisive importance.

A study aimed at the synthesis and structure optimization of new, efficient, optically active β-amino alcohol ligands with a structure suitable for immobilization on magnetite nanoparticles has been carried out. The optimized homogeneous amino alcohol catalysts 13a and 13b, the chirality of which arises from the Sharpless epoxidation of suitable allyl alcohols, were tested by employing the well-established enantioselective amino alcohol-promoted addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde, giving the corresponding benzyl alcohol with nearly quantitative yield and ee = 95%. Then, their broad applicability as chiral catalysts was evaluated by carrying out the same reaction on a family of aldehydes, including variously substituted aromatic ones as well as an aliphatic analogue. The results have confirmed the validity of the fine-tuning process performed on ligands 13a and 13b. In fact, both exhibited excellent catalytic activity as demonstrated by the chemical yields and ee obtained from all the tested aldehydes, almost independent of the position and type of substitution in the aromatic ring.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin with a serious impact on human health. In Mediterranean countries, the black Aspergilli group, in particular Aspergillus carbonarius, causes the highest OTA contamination. Here we describe the synthesis of three polyphenolic flavonoids: 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-flavone (MOS), 5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavone (NEG), and 5,6 dihydroxy-flavone (DHF), as well as their effect on the prevention of OTA biosynthesis and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity in A. carbonarius cultured in a conducive liquid medium. The best control effect on OTA biosynthesis was achieved using NEG and DHF. In fungal cultures treated with these compounds at 5, 25, and 50 &mu, g/mL, OTA biosynthesis significantly decreased throughout the 8-day experiment. NEG and DHF appear to have an inhibiting effect also on the activity of LOX, whereas MOS, which did not significantly inhibit OTA production, had no effect on LOX activity. The presence of free hydroxyls in catecholic position in the molecule appears to be a determining factor for significantly inhibiting OTA biosynthesis. However, the presence of a methoxy group in C-7 in NEG could slightly lower the molecule&rsquo, s reactivity increasing OTA inhibition by this molecule at 5 &mu, g/mL. Polyphenolic flavonoids present in edible plants may be easily synthesized and used to control OTA biosynthesis.

Negletein has been shown to have therapeutic potential for inflammation-associated diseases, but its effect on neurite outgrowth is still unknown. The present study showed that negletein alone did not trigger PC12 cells to differentiate and extend neurites. When compared with the cells in the untreated control, a significant (P

A study of the stereochemical control on the asymmetric dihydroxylation of the double bond of optically active vinyl epoxides and their derivatives (bromo derivatives, azido derivatives, and vinyl aziridines) was carried out and the obtained results are herein reported. The most interesting results were obtained on trans α,β-unsaturated epoxy esters, which were successfully converted with a diastereomeric ratio >80% into the corresponding diols using either the matched or the mismatched conditions, depending on the ligand used. Unprotected bromo derivatives and unprotected aziridines did not afford significant results, while for the protected bromo derivatives, azido derivatives, and N-Boc protected aziridines the matched conditions led to a diastereomeric ratio >95%. Chirality 28:387-393, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Drawing inspiration from the structural features of some natural polyphenols, the synthesis of two different model compounds as potential inhibitors of HIV integrase (IN) has been described. The former was characterised by a diketo acid (DKA) bioisostere, such as a β-hydroxycarbonyl moiety, between two fragments containing aromatic groups, while in the latter an epoxide linked two polyoxygenated aromatic residues. The moieties present in the structures are thought to function by chelating divalent metal ions on the enzyme catalytic site. Overall, 10 compounds were prepared and some of that submitted to molecular modelling studies (to investigate their interactions with the active site of IN), to metal titration studies (to detect their chelating capability) and to biological assays.

Two conformationally constrained compounds similar to chicoric acid but lacking the catechol and carboxyl groups were prepared. In these analogues, the single bond between the two caffeoyl fragments has been replaced with a chiral oxirane ring and both aromatic residues modified protecting completely or partially the catechol moiety as methyl ether. Preliminary molecular modelling studies carried out on the two analogues showed interactions near the active site of HIV integrase; however, in comparison with raltegravir, the biological evaluation confirmed that CAA-1 and CAA-2 were unable to inhibit infection at lower concentration.

Background: Apoptosis is a route of cell death induced by a highly regulated intracellular program. An increase in apoptotic activity could lead to neurodegenerative pathologies, whereas a decrease in apoptotic activity could lead to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Objective: The aim of this research was to synthesize ten styrylheterocycle compounds, analogs of resveratrol, having a thiophene ring substituted in position 2- or 3- and a benzene ring with one or two hydroxy and methoxy groups. The compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity against the U-937 cancer cell line. Method: The experiments were conducted at 1000 µM, 250 µM, 100 µM, and 50 µM in order to measure apoptotic activity (% hypodiploid nuclei). The cytotoxicity was expressed as the concentration of a substance able to inhibit 50% of the metabolic activity in an MTS assay (maCC50), and as the percentage of cellular death (% Death Cell.) at 1000 µM and 100 µM. Results: Changing the phenyl group in a thienyl group occupying the 2- or 3-position almost always leads to an improvement in apoptosis. In addition, whereas the presence of a hydroxy group makes the molecules more cytotoxic than resveratrol, it also improves apoptosis. However, the presence of a methoxy group in the phenyl ring leads to collapse of the cytotoxicity, thereby allowing an increase in the analytical concentrations, and verifying that, at 1000 µM, the compounds 3b and 3c show apoptosis levels of 81% and 72%, respectively. Conclusion: We look forward to synthesizing other heterocyclic molecules to find even more active derivatives endowed with anti-cancer potential.

The increased accumulation of iron in the brain in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is well documented, and excess iron is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease. The adverse effects of accumulated iron in AD brain may include the oxidative stress, altered amyloid beta-metabolism and the augmented toxicity of metal-bound amyloid beta 42. In this study, we have shown that exogenously added iron in the form of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) leads to considerable accumulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) without a corresponding change in the concerned gene expression in cultured SHSY5Y cells during exposure up to 48 h. This phenomenon is also associated with increased β-secretase activity and augmented release of amyloid beta 42 in the medium. Further, the increase in β-secretase activity, in SHSY5Y cells, upon exposure to iron apparently involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NF-κB activation. The synthetic flavone negletein (5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone), which is a known chelator for iron, can significantly prevent the effects of FAC on APP metabolism in SHSY5Y cells. Further, this compound inhibits the iron-dependent formation of ROS and also blocks the iron-induced oligomerization of amyloid beta 42 in vitro. In concentrations used in this study, negletein alone appears to have only marginal toxic effects on cell viability, but, on the other hand, the drug is capable of ameliorating the iron-induced loss of cell viability considerably. Our results provide the initial evidence of potential therapeutic effects of negletein, which should be explored in suitable animal models of AD.

The Lewis acid-catalyzed regioselective azidolysis of 2,3-three membered heterocyclic amines has been investigated. The results obtained demonstrated that using TMSN3 as a source of azide, the appropriate choice of Lewis acid allowed to obtain different regio- and stereocontrolled precursors of aminoalcoholic and triaminic sequences. Considering the occurrence of these moieties in the structure of many biologically active compounds, the present methodologies could represent a powerful tool in organic synthesis for the preparation of interesting molecules.

Herein the total synthesis of the pyrrolidine alkaloids 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-d-galactitol and its diastereoisomer 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-d-glucitol is described, starting from a common optically active precursor. The key step in our approach was the double diastereoselection in the asymmetric dihydroxylation of chiral vinyl azido alcohols, obtained by means of two different regio- and stereoselective nucleophilic openings of the corresponding chiral vinyl epoxide.

A stereocontrolled, facile and high-yield approach for producing (+)-altroDNJ, has been developed starting from the inexpensive commercial cis 2-butene-1,4-diol. Sharpless epoxidation and a subsequent dihydroxylation were used for the introduction of all stereocentres; finally, the ring closure under basic conditions afforded the piperidine heterocycle.

A convenient strategy for the preparation of compounds bearing the benzofuran skeleton starting from tyrosol, a phenol largely present in olive oil production waste, with no biological importance, is reported. A bromination/methoxylation sequence, already described for the synthetic transformation of naturally occurring compounds, was exploited. Depending on the solvent used for the methoxylation reaction together with the presence of a 4-phenol moiety respect to the side chain, benzodihydrofurans or a benzofurans derivative can be obtained.

Negletein has been shown to have therapeutic potential for inflammation-associated diseases, but its effect on neurite outgrowth is still unknown. The present study showed that negletein alone did not trigger PC12 cells to differentiate and extend neurites. When compared with the cells in the untreated control, a significant (P 0.05) induction and a higher neurite outgrowth activity was observed when the cells were cotreated with negletein (10 µM) and a low dose of nerve growth factor (NGF; 5 ng/mL). The neurite outgrowth process was blocked by the tyrosine kinase receptor (Trk) inhibitor, K252a, suggesting that the neuritogenic effect was NGF-dependent. Negletein (10 µM) together with NGF (5 ng/mL) enhanced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), protein kinase B (Akt), and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). The growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and the NGF level were also upregulated by negletein (10 µM) and a low dose of NGF (5 ng/mL). Negletein at nanomolar concentration also was found to be sufficient to mediate the survival of serum-deprived PC12 cells up to 72 h. Taken together, negletein might be useful as an efficient bioactive compound to protect neurons from cell death and promote neuritogenesis. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(6):591-599, 2016.

A study of the stereochemical control on the asymmetric dihydroxylation of the double bond of optically active vinyl epoxides and their derivatives (bromo derivatives, azido derivatives, and vinyl aziridines) was carried out and the obtained results are herein reported. The most interesting results were obtained on trans α,β-unsaturated epoxy esters, which were successfully converted with a diastereomeric ratio80% into the corresponding diols using either the matched or the mismatched conditions, depending on the ligand used. Unprotected bromo derivatives and unprotected aziridines did not afford significant results, while for the protected bromo derivatives, azido derivatives, and N-Boc protected aziridines the matched conditions led to a diastereomeric ratio95%. Chirality 28:387-393, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An easy and general azidolysis of vinylepoxides mediated by BF3·OEt2 and TMSN3 recently reported by our group has been extended to vinylaziridines. The reaction affords unsaturated azido derivatives with complete stereoselectivity and regioselectivity, when in the presence of electron-poor olefins, regardless of the size of substituents on the heterocyclic ring.

Starting from 2,3-aziridine alcohols, a novel and versatile preparation of optically active amino polyol was achieved using a simple strategy with few purification steps and a good overall yield.

An expeditious synthesis of three polyoxygenated flavones mosloflavone, negletein and baicalein. starting from crysin, an easily available flavone, by a bromination/methoxylation procedure is reported The convergent synthesis exploits a base induced Wesley-Moser type rearrangement (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

A novel and efficient one-pot stereoselective transformation of N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-2,3-aziridino alcohols into 4-substituted and 4,5-disubstituted oxazolidin-2-ones has been developed; these functionalized products are amenable to other elaborations, some of which are described. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Starting from a single suitable functionalised epoxide, a highly efficient stereoselective synthesis of d - erythro -sphingosine and d - lyxo -phytosphingosine is described. The approach allows the formal preparation of all stereoisomers of these sphingoid structures.

The stereocontrolled condensation of methyl ketones to trans alpha,beta-aziridine aldehydes creates functionalized aldols, valuable precursors for different amino hydroxylated structures, such as amino alcohols, amino diols, alpha-tetrahydrofuryl amides, and alpha-furyl amides.

An efficient and simple one-pot procedure for selective etherification of 2-aryl-ethylalcohols has been achieved through Amberlyst 15-catalyzed reaction in dimethyl carbonate (DMC). Moreover, the polymer catalyst could be recovered and reused with no effect on its activity. The reaction mechanism involves the formation of phenonium ion which has been demonstrated by a C-C bond forming reaction. Theoretical studies are in agreement with and thus explain experimental results. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The results obtained in the MgBr2‐mediated opening of 2,3‐bifunctionalised aziridines are reported. The study shows that, at least for the Z stereoisomers, the bromide attacks the aziridine ring in the α position to all functional groups considered with high regioselectivity, thus suggesting a strong aptitude for MgBr2 to coordinate a benzyloxy function.

Peptidic aminopeptidase inhibitors, bestatin, phebestin and probestin have been prepared by stereo- and regiocontrolled reactions from a common α,β-epoxy ester precursor.

A mild and inexpensive Ti(O i -Pr) 4 -mediated aminolysis of 2,3-epoxy amides has been developed. The reaction proceeds with excellent regioselectivity, regardless of the steric hindrance of the substituents on the heterocyclic ring, providing vicinal amino alcohols that are very suitable for synthetic applications.

A study on the addition of boron enolates of methyl ketones to trans α,β-epoxy aldehydes is reported. The reaction proceeds with an excellent anti stereoselectivity, consistent with the Felkin–Ahn model, toward the synthesis of hydroxylated compounds with defined stereochemistry.

A study of the organometallic addition to α,β-epoxy aldehydes in “non-chelation controlled” conditions is reported. The conditions able to give the best stereoselectivities are used to prepare the Abbott amino diol. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2002)

An one-pot procedure for the synthesis of diprotected amino alcohols from 1,2-trans-substituted vinyl aziridines is studied.

The Lewis acid-catalyzed regioselective azidolysis of 2,3-three membered heterocyclic amines has been investigated. The results obtained demonstrated that using TMSN3 as a source of azide, the appropriate choice of Lewis acid allowed to obtain different regio- and stereocontrolled precursors of aminoalcoholic and triaminic sequences. Considering the occurrence of these moieties in the structure of many biologically active compounds, the present methodologies could represent a powerful tool in organic synthesis for the preparation of interesting molecules.