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Notes: Abstract The medical history of a 28-year-old non-insulin-dependent and non-diabetic patient with a hypoglycaemic episode before death is reported. At autopsy, an (surreptious) insulin administration was documented by lethally high serum insulin in central and peripheral blood during hypoglycaemia, According to the anamnesis, the judical inquiry and the autopsy findings, a suicidal intent, murder by insulin or Munchhausen-syndrome could be excluded. We therefore diagnosed a hypoglycaemia factitia caused by the diet.

Notes: Abstract Cryopreservation is the only available technique for long-term storage of pancreatic islets. The freezing/thawing protocol may cause considerable loss of viable islet tissue and impair its function in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate glucose and insulin levels after transplantation of fresh and cryo/thawed rat islets. Rat pancreatic islets were isolated following intraductal collagenase injection and Ficoll gradient purification. After isolation, islets were cultured for 24 h and then either transplanted or frozen after stepwise addition of DMSO according to Rajotte et al. and stored in liquid nitrogen. After rapid thawing islets were stepwise transferred into RPMI medium and cultured for another 24 h. The recipients were athymic mice with streptozotocine-induced diabetes. Two hundred fresh (n=13) or cryo/thawed (n=15) islets were transplanted beneath the renal capsule. Glucose levels were measured for 14 days and blood samples for insulin determination were obtained 15 min after i.p. glucagon (10 mg/kg) administration on day 14. Glucose levels were normalized (〈9 mmol/l) in all recipients within 3 days since transplantation. On day 14, mean fasting values±SE in fresh and cryo/thawed islet groups were 4.0±0.6 and 4.4±0.4 mmol/l, respectively (P〉0.05). Fasting insulin levels were higher in the cryo/thaw than in the fresh islet group (1.67±0.33 vs 0.57±0.13 ng/ml; P〈0.01). Post-glucagon levels did not differ significantly (1.45±0.24 vs 0.86±0.24 ng/ml; P=0.06). While glucagon significantly increased insulin levels (P〈0.01) in the fresh islet group, no change in insulin levels was observed (P〉0.05) in the cryo/thaw group. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated fragmentation of viable islet tissue which was more apparent in the cryo/thaw group. We conclude that in a short-term study cryo/thawed rat islets produce higher insulin levels than fresh islets transplanted into nude mice. This may be due to better islet survival or loss of feed-back regulation.

Notes: Abstract  Functional heterogeneity among pancreatic beta cells is a characteristic feature of the islets of Langerhans. Under physiological conditions, beta cells in the pancreas of fed rats exhibited heterogeneous immunohistochemical staining for insulin and glucokinase. Intracellular beta cell glucokinase staining was either faint or dense. In the pericapillary space beta cell glucokinase immunoreactivity had a polar orientation, with the highest density in cytoplasmic regions close to the blood vessels. Starvation resulted in a loss of heterogeneity with homogeneous insulin staining in all beta cells of the islets, and this was accompanied by a loss of heterogeneous glucokinase staining. The intracellular polarity of glucokinase staining in contact to blood vessels also disappeared after starvation. Refeeding resulted in the reappearance of intercellular heterogeneity. In dependence on the functional demand, the endocrine pancreas recruited insulin from beta cells according to a well-defined hierarchy, with an initial preferential mobilization of medullary beta cells. In the course of this process intracellular polarity of glucokinase staining reappeared in areas of the beta cell with functional contact to the GLUT2 glucose transporter in the plasma membrane. This can be regarded as the morphological correlate of an activation of the glucose signal recognition apparatus. Interestingly, the study also provides evidence that the changes in glucokinase distribution apparently preceded those in insulin distribution, which is in keeping with the central role of glucokinase as the glucose sensor of the pancreatic beta cell.

Notes: Abstract  A transgene reporter consisting of the bombyxin gene promoter and the green fluorescent protein coding region was introduced into intact brains of the silkworm Bombyx mori by in vitro electroporation. After in vitro culture of the brains, the fluorescence derived from the introduced reporter gene was observed in all cases in eight neurosecretory cells that had previously been identified as bombyxin-producing cells (BPCs). Although the fluorescence was not always observed in all cells, it was specific to BPCs, indicating that the reporter was under the control of the bombyxin gene promoter in a BPC-specific manner. Electroporatical introduction of a reporter gene was therefore found to be a suitable method for analyzing cell-specific expression in intact tissues and to be substitute for germ-line transmission of reporters in the transgenic system. Application of this technique enables us to analyze the cell-specific expression of transgene reporters within a few days and treat more than several dozens of the reporters within 1 month, which is difficult to do with the transgenic system.

Notes: Abstract Insulin has been suggested to prevent the induction of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in vitro in arterial smooth muscle, but whether such a mechanism is operative in vivo is not known. Therefore, we evaluated the sensitivity of smooth muscle NOS to induction by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in aortic rings of lean and obese Zucker rats, a model of experimental hyperinsulinaemia. In order to modulate the insulin and glucose balance of the rats, a 22-week-long treadmill exercise was included in the study. The training attenuated weight gain and reduced blood glucose in the obese and lean rats, whereas the abnormally high plasma insulin of the obese rats remained unaffected. A 6-h incubation of aortic rings with IL-1β (10 ng/ml) increased cyclic GMP in smooth muscle by approximately threefold in all groups, and this effect was prevented by methylene blue. The contractile sensitivity of endothelium-denuded aortic rings to phenylephrine was reduced by incubation with IL-1β (1 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml) in the exercised obese and lean rats, whereas no significant change was observed in the sedentary groups. The aortic maximal contractile force induced by phenylephrine was reduced in sedentary and exercised obese rats by incubation with IL-1β, while no change was detected in the lean rats. The aortic relaxation to exogenous L-arginine was augmented by IL-1β in all groups, while the relaxation sensitivity to L-arginine after induction by IL-1β was enhanced by exercise in the obese but not in the lean rats. Finally, the relaxation to nitroprusside was not significantly affected by IL-1β in any of the study groups. In conclusion, since maximal contractile force generation to phenylephrine was reduced by IL-1β in the obese but not in the lean rats, the sensitivity of NOS to induction by IL-1β was higher in arterial smooth muscle of the obese than the lean Zucker rats. Thus, this model of hyperinsulinaemia was not associated with reduced sensitivity of smooth muscle NOS to induction by IL-1β. Regular exercise did not change plasma insulin concentrations, but it enhanced the action of insulin in both strains as reflected by reduced blood glucose, and increased the sensitivity of smooth muscle NOS to induction by IL-1β.

Notes: Abstract  The role of membrane traffic in the stimulation of apical Na+ permeability caused by increases in cytoplasmic cyclic AMP was assessed by measuring the effects of forskolin on transepithelial capacitance (C T), transepithelial conductance (G T), and short-circuit current (I sc) in A6 cultured toad kidney cells. Apical water permeability was probed by recording cell volume changes after reducing the osmolality of the apical bath. We found that forskolin does not increase the osmotic water permeability of the apical membrane of A6 cells, and thus does not stimulate the insertion of water channels. Comparison of the effects of forskolin and insulin on Na+ transport demonstrated that both agents produce reversible increases in C T, G T and I sc. G T and C T increased proportionally during the rising phase of the insulin response. However, a non-linear relationship between both parameters was recorded when forskolin was given in NaCl Ringer’s solution. The relationship between C T and G T became linear after the effects of forskolin on Cl– conductances were eliminated by substituting Cl– by an impermeant anion. In contrast, in Cl–-containing Na+-free solutions, the non-linearity became more pronounced. Successive additions of insulin and forskolin caused additive increases in C T. Because increases in C T and Na+ transport occurred in the absence of stimulation of water permeability and increases of C T and G T were directly proportional when Na+ was the major permeating ion across the apical membrane, we suggest that the increase in apical Na+ permeability in the presence of either forskolin or insulin is due to the insertion of channels residing in intracellular pools. In contrast, the increased Cl– permeability caused by forskolin may be related to the activation of channels already present in the membrane.

Notes: Abstract  In the present work, we examined the effects of in vivo administration of insulin to rats made hypokalaemic by feeding a K+-free diet. The i.p. injection of insulin in the hypokalaemic rats provoked muscle paralysis within 3–5 h. Consistent with this observation, the skeletal muscle fibres of the paralysed rats were depolarized. In contrast, in the normokalaemic animals, insulin neither provoked paralysis nor produced significant fibre hyperpolarization. In the hypokalaemic rats, insulin almost completely abolished the sarcolemma adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ currents without altering the sensitivity of the channels to ATP or glibenclamide. In contrast, in the normokalaemic rats, insulin enhanced ATP-sensitive K+ currents that became also resistant to ATP and glibenclamide. Our experiments indicate that the modulation of the sarcolemma ATP-sensitive K+ channels by insulin is impaired in the hypokalaemic state. This phenomenon appears to be related to the fibre depolarization and paralysis observed in the same animals.

Notes: Abstract In this prospective study we aimed to compare insulin plus acarbose with insulin plus gliclazide with respect to their effect on insulin requirement, lipid profiles and body mass index (BMI) while achieving good glycemic control. Forty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were on conventional insulin therapy (subcutaneous insulin therapy consisting of regular and NPH insulin, two times a day) were included in the study. They were randomized to double blind treatment with insulin in combination with gliclazide or acarbose for 6 months. For both groups, acceptable glycemic control was achieved at the end of study period. The mean HbA1c levels decreased from 8.32±0.26 to 7.13±0.18% in acarbose group and 8.6±0.15 to 7.48±0.21% in the gliclazide group. The difference between groups was not significant (P 0.29). In the acarbose group, total cholesterol and LDL concentration decreased significantly while other parameters did not change. In the gliclazide group, HDL levels decreased significantly from 46.6±2.48 mg/dl to 41.3±2.09 mg/dl (P 0.001) BMI increased significantly from 27.60±1.21 kg/m2 to 28.69±1.26 kg/m2. (P 0.003) Total daily insulin dose was not changed in the acarbose group significantly, but increased from 42.6±2.73 to 49.27±3.58 U/day, which was significant in gliclazide group of (P 0.016). In the acarbose group, there were no significant differences between responders and nonresponders with respect to fasting and stimulated C-peptide, HbA1c levels and baseline BMI values. But in the gliclazide group, baseline BMI values were significantly higher in the nonresponding group compared to responders (P 0.02). In conclusion, combination of insulin with acarbose can be a good alternative for type 2 diabetic patients on insulin therapy; seems more beneficial than combination with gliclazide; may have advantage of achieving good glycemic control without increasing insulin dose and BMI; also may have the advantage of providing a decrease in LDL level, which are all important to prevent atherosclerosis.

Notes: Abstract We investigated the effect of different doses of cyclosporin A (CyA) on glucose and insulin levels, as well as its residual effects on pancreatic islets ultrastructure after discontinuation of the drug. We studied four groups of Wistar rats. One control- (n = 5) and three experimental groups, n = 10 each, were treated with different doses of CyA IM for 14 days: group I, 5 mg/Kg; group II, 15 mg/Kg; and group III, 25 mg/Kg. Five animals of each group were sacrificed after 14 days, and the remaining five after 21 days to assess residual CyA effects. On the day of sacrifice, the rats underwent maltose absorption test, and glucose and insulin levels were measured. Pancreatic biopsies were obtained on day 21 to evaluate islets ultrastructure by electron microscopy. As a result, statistically significant, dose dependent (P 〈 0.05) increases in glucose and insulin levels were observed in CyA-treated groups. Groups II and III showed insulin levels significantly higher after fasting (P 〈 0.05) on day 14 comparing to the controls, while in groups I and II values returned to normal after CyA discontinuation. Group III showed persistently increased insulin levels on day 21. Pancreatic ultrastructural changes were observed only in group III. We can conclude that CyA effects on glucose and insulin levels were temporary and reversible at low doses. Ultrastuctural changes in the pancreatic islets may occur with high doses of CyA.

Notes: Abstract In subjects who maintain a constant body mass, the increased energy expenditure induced by exercise must be compensated by a similar increase in energy intake. Since leptin has been shown to decrease food intake in animals, it can be expected that physical exercise would increase energy intake by lowering plasma leptin concentrations. This effect may be secondary either to exercise-induced negative energy balance or to other effects of exercise. To delineate the effects of moderate physical activity on plasma leptin concentrations, 11 healthy lean subjects (4 men, 7 women) were studied on three occasions over 3 days; in study 1 they consumed an isoenergetic diet (1.3 times resting energy expenditure) over 3 days with no physical activity; in study 2 the subjects received the same diet as in study 1, but they exercised twice daily during the 3 days (cycling at 60 W for 30 min); in study 3 the subjects exercised twice daily during the 3 days, and their energy intake was increased by 18% to cover the extra energy expenditure induced by the physical activity. Fasting plasma leptin concentration (measured on the morning of day 4) was unaltered by exercise [8.64 (SEM 2.22) 7.17 (SEM 1.66), 7.33 (SEM 1.72) 1μg · l−1 in studies 1, 2 and 3, respectively]. It was concluded that a moderate physical activity performed over a 3-day period does not alter plasma leptin concentrations, even when energy balance is slightly negative. This argues against a direct effect of physical exercise on plasma leptin concentrations, when body composition is unaltered.

Notes: Abstract We undertook a genome-wide scan using 190 markers with an average separation of 20 cM in 49 Canadian Oji-Cree sib pairs affected with type 2 diabetes. Four of these markers, one each on chromosomes 6, 8, 16, and 22, showed both suggestive linkage and suggestive association with type 2 diabetes in the Oji-Cree. None of these markers corresponded to any chromosomal region or marker that has so far been linked with type 2 diabetes in other populations. Thus, there might be several genetic loci that confer susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in this study sample. We are following up on these preliminary leads by increasing the density of the markers within these linked and associated regions, and also by increasing the number of study subjects. Also, we found instances in which there were wide disparities between the Oji-Cree and reference Caucasians with respect to marker heterozygosity. This suggests that a particular set of markers for genome-wide scanning will have different informativeness in different ethnic groups. Thus, different marker sets will likely be required for different ethnic groups in order to maximize their information content for linkage calculations.

Notes: Abstract  Type III hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP) is a multifactorial disorder associated with homozygosity for the apolipoprotein (apo) E-2 allele. Factors which may promote the development of HLP include lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hyperinsulinemia. These factors were investigated in eight patients with type III HLP and in nine normolipidemic controls. In vitro the interaction of apoE with LPL was analyzed in cell binding assays. All type III HLP patients showed delayed triglyceride (TG) clearance and remnant lipoprotein accumulation in an oral fat tolerance test. Normolipidemic apoE-2/2 controls revealed normal TG clearance comparable to apoE3/3 controls. HLP patients showed lower LPL activity and mass than controls. Analysis of the LPL gene revealed an Asn 291→Ser mutation in three patients and a –93 T-G substitution combined with an Asp 9→Asn mutation in one control subject. In addition to LPL abnormalities, postprandial hyperinsulinemia was observed in five out of eight patients. In vitro LPL compensated the defective function of apoE-2 in mediating remnant lipoprotein binding to cells. In summary, seven out of eight patients with type III HLP showed LPL abnormalities and/or postprandial hyperinsulinemia. Together with the in vitro data these findings support a coordinate effect of apoE and LPL for the manifestation of type III HLP. Hyperinsulinemia appears to be an additional factor important for disease expression.

Notes: Abstract  Sixty-seven insulinomas were investigated by immunohistochemistry using site-directed antibodies against insulin, proinsulin, chromogranin A, HISL-19, and four proteins directly or indirectly involved in the proteolytic processing of proinsulin: the prohormone convertases PC2 and PC3, carboxypeptidase H (CPH) and 7B2. Results were expressed in a six-grade score according to the frequency of immunoreactive tumour cells. Insulin was expressed by all tumours, appearing in either a diffuse or a polarized pattern and being detected in more than 30% of tumour cells in all cases but three. Proinsulin was also expressed in all tumours, with more than 50% of tumour cells immunoreactive in all cases but 5. It was consistently localized in the Golgi apparatus. In about half the cases, moreover, it also showed diffuse cytoplasmic staining, usually with a very sparse distribution. Trabecular and solid insulinomas did not present specific, homogeneous patterns of insulin immunostaining. However, insulin immunoreactivity was much more abundant in trabecular than in solid neoplasms, being present in virtually all tumour cells (score 6) in 50% and 8% of cases, respectively. Virtually all insulinomas expressed PC2, PC3, CPH and 7B2, usually in 30–100% of tumour cells, with a frequency significantly related to that of insulin. However, detection of PC2 and 7B2 was slightly less frequent than that of PC3 and CPH. In consecutive sections these proteins were found to be mostly co-localized with insulin and chromogranin A but not with proinsulin. They were heavily expressed in all 10 tumours with more than 10% of cells showing cytoplasmic proinsulin immunoreactivity, indicating that the leakage of proinsulin from the Golgi compartment is not associated with faulty expression of converting enzymes and possibly reflects a saturated processing capacity. HISL-19 immunoreactivity was found in both Golgi apparatus and insulin stores, indicating that the relevant antigen is different from all other proteins investigated. These results do not support a defect in expression or localization of proinsulin-processing enzymes in most insulinomas.

Notes: Abstract To elucidate the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy many workers have examined nerve specimens from diabetic rats. While most workers found that animals with high blood glucose levels develop neuropathy, some researchers report that the peripheral nerves are normal in hyperglycaemic rats. Hypoglycaemia may also cause neuropathy. Some workers suggest that neuropathy is linked to fluctuations of the blood glucose level. In the present study we examine plantar nerves of diabetic BB/ Wor rats maintained on an eu-/hyperglycaemic or an eu-/ hypoglycaemic regime with insulin implants. Treatment with implants worked well. Light microscopic examination of nerve fibres in non-diabetic control rats and in eu-/ hyperglycaemic diabetic rats showed a normal picture. Preparations from eu-/hypoglycemic rats showed irregular myelin sheaths and signs of Wallerian degeneration. The lengths and diameters of the largest internodes were significantly subnormal. We conclude, that periodic moderate hypoglycaemia, but not periodic moderate hyperglycaemia, elicits neuropathy in diabetic BB/Wor rats treated with insulin implants.

Notes: Abstract Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that causes long-term secondary complications such as neuropathy. The occurrence of diabetic neuropathy has generally been thought of as being associated with hyperglycaemia. However, in a previous light microscopic examination of plantar nerves in diabetic BB/Wor rats treated with insulin implants we found that eu-/hyperglycaemic rats present a normal picture, whereas eu-/hypoglycaemic rats show severe changes. The aim of the present work is to supplement our previous light microscopic report with electron microsocpic data from the lateral plantar nerve of normal, eu-/hyperglycaemic and eu-/hypoglycaemic BB/Wor rats. Under the electron microscope lateral plantar nerves collected from eu-/hyperglycaemic rats presented a qualitatively normal picture. In addition, the fibre numbers and the size distribution of the myelinated fibres were normal. In contrast, specimens from eu-/hypoglycaemic BB/Wor rats showed severe qualitative changes, interpreted as signs of axonal de- and regeneration. The total number of axons was somewhat subnormal and the sizes of the myelinated fibres were strongly shifted towards smaller diameters. These data confirm our previous light microscopic observations. We conclude that eu-/hypoglycaemic BB/Wor rats treated with insulin implants, but not similarly treated eu-/hyperglycaemic animals, develop a neuropathy in their plantar nerves.

Notes: Abstract  Bombyxin G1 gene, a novel insulin-related peptide gene of the silkmoth Bombyx mori, has been identified. The G1 gene encodes a precursor peptide which shows 41–56% and 28% sequence identities with preprobombyxins previously characterized and human preproinsulin, respectively. The G1 gene forms a pair with bombyxin C2 gene with opposite transcriptional orientation in a bombyxin gene cluster. The bombyxin G1 mRNA in Bombyx brain was shown to locate in four pairs of medial neurosecretory cells.

Notes: Abstract Infantile cystinosis, a rare lysosomal storage disease of cystine, leads to Fanconi syndrome and end-stage renal failure. After renal transplantation, no recurrence of the disease occurs in the graft, but other organ involvement becomes evident later in life. Diabetes mellitus has been associated with cystinosis, but the mechanisms of impaired glucose tolerance have not yet been characterized. Here, we studied glucose tolerance, glucose constant decay (k-values), insulin and C-peptide by intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) in eight patients with infantile cystinosis (three with impaired GFR (CRF) and five after kidney transplantation (KTX)). For comparison, 15 age-matched children with CRF and 15 age-matched KTX patients were analysed. Both early and second insulin secretion phases were diminished in patients with infantile cystinosis, whereas in CRF, k-values were no different from control patients. After renal transplantation, k-values were significantly lower in cystinotic patients with a markedly reduced early insulin secretion phase. There was a significant negative correlation between k-values and age in patients with cystinosis. Repetitive IVGTTs in these patients demonstrated progressive but rather slow loss of first phase insulin secretion and C-peptide production, suggesting a slowly reducing secretion potential of the beta cell due to cystine storage. Conclusion Unlike type I diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance in patients with infantile cystinosis is characterized by a slow, progressive loss of insulin secretion and C-peptide production. For these patients, the data indicate a 50% risk of developing glucose intolerance by the age of 18 years. We recommend to perform intravenous glucose tolerance tests at 5-year intervals.

Notes: Abstract Cyclosporin A (CsA) at concentrations up to 1 μM induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in cultured rat hepatocytes for 48 h in the presence of insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF). The effect of CsA was evidenced by the DNA fragmentation pattern constituted by fragments of multiples of 180–200 base pairs, which is a characteristic of programmed cell death. The metabolic activity did not change significantly in the presence of 0.1 μM CsA and diminished to 49% of control in the presence of 1 μM CsA. Changes in the metabolic activity were correlated with a decrease in both [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake and DNA content, which reflects a decrease in the cell number. The treatment of cells with CsA (1 μM) decreased the metabolic activity/DNA content ratio by 24% with respect to dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) control, which also suggests, under these conditions, that the necrosis achieved is at most only 24%. In addition, the changes observed (apoptotic process, arrest of the cell cycle and apparition of a necrotic process) were correlated with an increase in the high-affinity guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) enzymes.

Notes: Abstract  Glucagon-like peptide 1 is a gastrointestinally derived hormone with profound effects on nutrient-induced pancreatic hormone release. GLP-1 modulates insulin, glucagon and somatostatin secretion by binding to guanine nucleotide binding protein-coupled receptors resulting in the activation of adenylate cyclase and generation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). In the B-cell, cAMP, via activation of protein kinase A, interacts with a plethora of signal transduction processes including ion channel activity, intracellular Ca2+ handling and exocytosis of the insulin-containing granules. The stimulatory action of GLP-1 on insulin secretion, contrary to that of the currently used hypoglycaemic sulphonylureas, is glucose dependent and requires the presence of normal or elevated concentrations of the sugar. For this reason, GLP-1 attracts much interest as a possible novel principle for the treatment of human type-2 diabetes. Here we review the actions of GLP-1 on islet cell function and attempt to integrate current knowledge into a working model for the control of pancreatic hormone secretion.

Notes: Abstract Insulin-mediated stimulation of blood flow to skeletal muscle has been proposed to be of major importance for insulin-mediated glucose uptake. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative importance of blood flow and glucose extraction as determinants of insulin-mediated glucose uptake in the human forearm. Forearm blood flow (FBF), glucose extraction and oxygen consumption were evaluated for 100 min during the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (92 mU/l) in nine healthy subjects. FBF was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Forearm glucose uptake increased sevenfold during the hyperinsulinaemia (P〈0.001). Forearm glucose extraction showed a minor increase during the first 10 min of hyperinsulinaemia, but the most marked increase took place between 10 and 20 min (+170%). Thereafter, only a minor further increase was seen. During the first 10 min of hyperinsulinaemia FBF was unchanged. Thereafter, FBF increased steadily to a plateau reached after 60 min (+50%, P〈0.001). A close relationship between whole body glucose uptake and FBF was seen at the end of the clamp (r = 0.75, P〈0.02), but at this time the relationship between whole body glucose uptake and forearm glucose extraction was not significant. The modest increase in O2 consumption seen at the beginning of the clamp (+19%) was not related to FBF during the early phase of the clamp. In conclusion, the early course of insulin-mediated glucose uptake in the human forearm was mainly due to an increase in glucose extraction. However, with time the insulin-mediated increase in blood flow increased in importance and after 100 min of hyperinsulinaemia FBF was the major determinant of glucose uptake.

Notes: To get informations on both the structure and dynamics of hydrogen chelates 1 of heteroaromatic systems, a great variety of quinazoline-2-acetonitrile chelates were synthesized (see 2-4). Similarly to the situation of the corresponding H-chelates in the pyrimidine-2-acetonitrile series, the investigation of these new derivatives 2-4 by NMR spectroscopic methods (DNMR, COSY, NOESY, ROESY, EXSY, HMQC, HMBC) confirms the presence of an equilibrium of the two possible H-chelate structures (two ‘rotamers’ I and II, i.e., (E)/(Z) isomers; see Scheme). The corresponding equilibria I ⇌ II were determined by complete 1H-NMR signal assignment at low temperatures (after freezing the rotational processes). In addition, the tautomer equilibria A ⇌ B (relative energies of the two minima of the nonsymmetrical double-well potential) for both ‘rotamers’ are ascertained by H,H and C,H couplings. The results are an important basis for the interpretation of both the UV/VIS absorptions and the dependence of fluorescence and fluorescence quantum yields on temperature.

Notes: Stereoselective reactions of phthalimido-substituted radicals derived from (±)-threonine with different radical traps are reported (Scheme 3, Table 1). A strong influence of the nature of the radical trap on the stereoselectivity was noticed. Small nucleophilic radical traps gave preferentially the syn products. The observed selectivities are explained with the A1,3 strain model and depend on steric and electronic effects (Fig. 2). Reactions with electrophilic radical traps such as diphenyl diselenide gave the anti diastereoisomers with moderate stereocontrol, presumably due to stereoelectronic effects. The same stereochemical outcome, i.e., preferential formation of the anti products, was observed for the reactions of the related N-phthaloyliminium ion (Scheme 5, Table 2). The stereochemistry of the ionic reaction is rationalized by a Felkin-Anh model (Fig. 3).

Notes: The cyclopalladation of 1,1′-azonaphthalene (= di(naphthalen-1-yl)diazene; 2) with bis(hexafluoroacetyl-acetonato)palladium(II) (3; [Pd(hfa)2]) yields the ortho-palladated complex (1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dionato-κ2O,O′)[1-(naphthalen-1-ylazo-κN2)naphthalen-2-yl-κC2]palladium(II) (4) as well as the peri-palladated complex (1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dionato-κ2O,O′)[8-(naphthalen-1-ylazo-κN2)naphthalen-1-yl-κC1]-palladium(II) (5); their structures were corroborated by X-ray analyses. The formation of the novel peri-metallated product 5 containing a six-membered palladacycle strongly depends upon the reaction conditions.

Notes: The photoisomerization behavior of three mono[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 1, 2, and 3, and three bis[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 4, 5, and 6, are investigated. The synthetic product (E)-1 could be almost quantitatively (〉 96%) converted into its isomer (Z)-1 under UV light irradiation. In the cases of (E)-2 and (E)-3, a mixture of (E)/(Z) ca. 1:2 was obtained, when the same conditions were applied. The comparison of their UV spectra provides the possible explanation for these different behaviors. Furthermore, it was noticed that the (Z) → (E) isomerization of the C=C bond took place during the purification by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and the (E)/(Z)-mixture is thus inseparable. The same feature could be observed during the isolation of the (Z,Z)-N,N′-bis[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-spermidines, (Z,Z)-4, (Z,Z)-5, and (Z,Z)-6. Nevertheless, the fractions of (Z,Z)-5 and (Z,Z)-6 were in almost pure state collected, and their 1-NMR spectra are presented.

Notes: The synthesis, absolute configuration, and olfactive evaluation of (-)-(E)-α-trans-bergamotenone (= (-)-(1′S,6′R,E)-5-(2′,6′-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2′-en-6′-yl)pent-3-en-2-one; (-)-1), as well as its homologue (-)-19 are reperted. The previously arbitrarily attributed absolute configuration of 1 and of (-)-α-trans-bergamotene (= (-)-(1 S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-ene; (-)-2), together with those of the structurally related aldehydes (-)-3a,b and alcohols (-)-4a,b, have been rigorously assigned.

Notes: (-)-(R)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-Hexafluorovaline hydrochloride ((R)-5) of 98% ee is prepared from β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid (= benzyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)but-2-enoate; 1) in 4 steps with an overall yield of 9.6%. Key step is the separation of the TsOH salts of the diastereoisomers obtained by anti-Michael addition of (+)-(R)-1-phenylethylamine (2) to 1 (→ (R,R)-3). In contrast to the published (S)-chirality, the X-ray structure analysis of (R,S)-6 reveals, that (R)-chirality has to be assigned to the levorotatory (-)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-hexafluorovaline hydrochloride.

Notes: The synthesis and characterization of tripodal dodecadentate ligands with salicylamide and bipyridine binding sites for iron(II) and iron(III) are presented.

Notes: The reaction of CuO'Bu with CO2, and iPr2NH in the presence of PPh3, gives the dialkylcarbamato complex [Cu(O2CNiPr2)(PPh3)2] (1). The CO2/R2NH system (R = Me, Et) in an appropriate organic medium reacts with Ag2O giving the corresponding N,N-dialkylcarbamato complexes of analytical formula [Ag(C2CNR2)] (R = Me, 2; R = Et, 3). The methyl derivative 2 was characterized by X-ray diffraction methods. Crystal data of 2: for [Ag2(O2CNMe2)2], C6H12Ag2N2O4, mol. wt. 391.9; monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 12.08(1), b = 3.797(2), c = 11.316(7) Å, β = 113.37(6)°, V = 476.3 Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 2.732 g cm-3; μ(MoKα) = 40.64 cm-1, F(000) = 376.0; R = 0.059, Rw = 0.067; g.o.f. 1.27. The structure consists of dinuclear [(Ag2OCNMe2)2] units with slightly distorted linearly two-coordinated Ag-atoms containing bridging carbamato groups to form a substantially planar eight-membered ring with an intra-annular Ag—Ag distance of 2.837(2) Å; the dinuclear units are further joined by Ag—O bonds to form an infinite array. Compound 3, which is presumably dinuclear, as suggested by cryoscopic measurements in benzene, undergoes a structural fission with PPh3, giving the mononuclear triphenylphosphine derivative [Ag(O2CNEt2)(PPh3)2] (4). The amine-catalyzed conversion of Ag2O into Ag2CO3, in the presence of the iPr2NH/CO2 system, is also reported. Cl-Exchange from [AuCl(PPh3)] with [Ag(O2CNEt2)] (3) gives the first N,N-dialkylcarbamato complex of gold, namely [Au(O2CNEt2)(PPh3)] (5), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system: C23H25AuNO2P · 0.5 C7H16, mol. wt. 625.5, space group P21/c; a = 13.212(5), b = 12.25(1), c = 16.795(6) Å, β = 109.09(2)°, V = 2568(2) Å3, Z = 4, Dc, = 1.618 g cm-3; μ(AgKα) = 31.40 cm-1, F(000) = 1236.0; R = 0.058; Rw = 0.064; g.o.f. 2.121. The compound contains two-coordinated Au-atom, namely to the P-atom and to the O-atom of the monodentate carbamato group, the P—Au—O bond angle being 174.7(3)°. The reaction with MeI showed these compounds to react predominantly at the carbamato O-atom giving the corresponding urethanes R2NCO2Me. Evidence was gathered for the transient coordination of CO to Ag in 3.

Notes: The reactions of α-diazo ketones 1a,b with 9H-fluorene-9-thione (2f) in THF at room temperature yielded the symmetrical 1,3-dithiolanes 7a,b, whereas 1b and 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dithione (2d) in THF at 60° led to a mixture of two stereoisomeric 1,3-oxathiole derivatives cis- and trans-9a (Scheme 2). With 2-diazo-1,2-diphenylethanone (1c), thio ketones 2a-d as well as 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thione 2g reacted to give 1,3-oxathiole derivatives exclusively (Schemes 3 and 4). As the reactions with 1c were more sluggish than those with 1a,b, they were catalyzed either by the addition of LiClO4 or by Rh2(OAc)4. In the case of 2d in THF/LiClO4 at room temperature, a mixture of the monoadduct 4d and the stereoisomeric bis-adducts cis- and trans-9b was formed. Monoadduct 4d could be transformed to cis- and trans-9b by treatment with 1c in the presence of Rh2(OAc)4 (Scheme 4). Xanthione (2e) and 1c in THF at room temperature reacted only when catalyzed with Rh2(OAc)4, and, in contrast to the previous reactions, the benzoyl-substituted thiirane derivative 5a was the sole product (Scheme 4). Both types of reaction were observed with α-diazo amides 1d,e (Schemes 5-7). It is worth mentioning that formation of 1,3-oxathiole or thiirane is not only dependent on the type of the carbonyl compound 2 but also on the α-diazo amide. In the case of 1d and thioxocyclobutanone 2c in THF at room temperature, the primary cycloadduct 12 was the main product. Heating the mixture to 60°, 1,3-oxathiole 10d as well as the spirocyclic thiirane-carboxamide 11b were formed. Thiirane-carboxamides 11d-g were desulfurized with (Me2N)3P in THF at 60°, yielding the corresponding acrylamide derivatives (Scheme 7). All reactions are rationalized by a mechanism via initial formation of acyl-substituted thiocarbonyl ylides which undergo either a 1,5-dipolar electrocyclization to give 1,3-oxathiole derivatives or a 1,3-dipolar electrocyclization to yield thiiranes. Only in the case of the most reactive 9H-fluorene-9-thione (2f) is the thiocarbonyl ylide trapped by a second molecule of 2f to give 1,3-dithiolane derivatives by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.

Notes: The synthesis of a series of chiral enantiomerically pure C2-symmetric binucleating ligands is reported. Ligands of type 1-4, which consist of a phenolic or heterocyclic unit bridging two chiral dihydrooxazole rings. are readily accessible from chiral amino alcohols. Ligands 5a and 5b are composed of a cyclic urea or thiourea unit, respectively, and two 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole rings containing a stereogenic center next to the N-atom. Compounds of this type are readily assembled from ethane-1,2-diamine and an imidothioic ester derived from pyroglutamic acid. These new ligands, which can coordinate two metals in close proximity to each other, are of interest regarding possible applications in asymmetric catalysis.

Notes: Stability constants have been measured for a series of ligands based on a 2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis[1H-benzimidazole] unit which forms dinuclear double-stranded helical complexes with copper(I). Variation of different structural parameters confirms the importance of the coordinate bond, the stacking interactions, and the weakly bridging pyridine units observed by X-ray crystallography. The stabilities of the complexes depend strongly on the solvent, and in MeCN, which is a good solvent for copper(I), the complexes are less stable and assemble in a stepwise manner. The interconversion of the enantiomers may be followed by 1H-NMR and takes place on a millisecond time scale around room temperature. The trends in lability are similar to those found for the stability of the complexes.

Notes: Oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-8-methylguanosine (m8c7Gd; 2b) were prepared. For this purpose, the phosphonate 3a and the phosphoramidite 3b were synthesized and employed in solidphase oligodeoxyribonucleotide synthesis. The structures and the thermodynamic data of duplex formation of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing 2b were investigated by temperature-dependent CD and UV spectra and compared with those containing 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-7-methylguanosine (m7c7Gd) or 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-guanosine (c7Gd; 2a). In general, compound 2b reduces the duplex stability. In case of the sequence d(m8c7G-C)4 (18), the B → Z transition was facilitated by the incorporation of 2b. Moreover, a single 7-deaza-8-methylguanine residue present in an oligodeoxyribonucleotide tract of guanine residues destabilizes the dG quadruplex significantly. This destabilization is more pronounced than in the case of 7-deazaguanine or 7-deaza-7-methyl-guanine.

Notes: Absolute rate constants and their Arrhenius parameters are obtained for the addition of a cyclic malonyl radical derived from Meldrum's acid to 20 mono- or 1,1-disubstituted alkenes in (±)-propylene oxide and for the addition of the open-chain di(tert-butyl)malonyl radical to six mono- or 1,1-disubstituted alkenes in 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane by time-resolved electron spin resonance spectroscopy. At room temperature, the radicals add at the unsubstituted C-atoms with rate constants ranging from 1.1. 105 M-1S-1 (acrolein) to 2.4. 106 M-1S-1 (1,1-diphenylethene). The frequency factors are in the narrow ranges of log (A/M-1S-1) = 8.7 ± 0.1 for the cyclic and log (A/M-1S-1) = 8.2 ± 0.2 for the open-chain malonyl species, whereas the activation energies vary from 12.9 kJ/mol (1,1-diphenylethene) to 21.7 kJ/mol (acrylonitrile). They correlate with the alkene ionization potentials and, more weakly, with the reaction enthalpy. No correlation was found between the activation energies and the alkene electron affinities. Hence, the results confirm and quantify the electrophilic nature of malonyl radicals in addition reactions.

Notes: An asymmetric synthesis of (-)-(4R)-dihydroisomyricoidine (28), a 13-membered amino lactam of type A, was performed by a diastereoselective Michael addition between the spermidine derivative 3 and the commercially available optically active ethyl carboxylate 4, and the cyclization of the resulting ω-amino acid 7 using diethyl phosphorocyanidate ((EtO)2POCN), followed by a Wittig reaction to introduce the (Z)-side chain. Some side reactions are also discussed.

Notes: Natural free carboxylic acids from the hadromerid sponge Diacarnus levii (Kelly-Borges and Vacelet) were esterified to yield the new cyclic norditerpene peroxides ent-muqubilin benzyl ester (= (αR,3S,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-[(E)-4-methyl-6-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)hex-3-enyl]-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid benzyl ester; 6, diacarnoate B methyl ester(= (αS,3R,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-{2-(4aS,8aS)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-3-oxo-2,5,5,8a-tetramethylnaphthalen-1-yl)ethyl}-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid methyl ester; 9), and deoxydiacarnoate B benzyl ester (= (αS,3R,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-{2-[(4aS,8aS)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-1-naphthalenyl]ethyl}-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid benzyl ester; 10), which were isolated following extensive chromatography. The relative configuration of the peroxide/α-methylacetate moiety of 6, 9, and 10, was directly determined from their NMR spectra. The absolute configurations of the peroxide/α-methylacetate moiety was deduced from comparative 1H-NMR data of the (S)- and (R)-phenylglycine methyl ester derivatives 7 and 8 as well as 11/13 and 12/14, all obtained from a mixture of the precursors of 3, 6, and 10. The absolute configuration at the carbobicyclic moiety of enone 9 and of 10, is identical, as established by chemical interconversion, 9 and 10 belong to the normal labdane series according to empirical CD rules, applied either directly to 9 or to the parent (+)-sclareolide-derived enone 20. In contrast, molar rotation additivity rules suggest the ent-labdane configuration for 9 and 10. The epidioxides 1-3, 6, and 10 proved active in vitro against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum; especially the previously isolated methyl 3-epinuapapuanoate (2) was active against a chloroquine-resistant strain, and this with a good security index.

Notes: 3-Hydroxy-2-cyanoalk-2-enamides, and 2-cyano-2-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylidene)- and 2-cyano-2-(tetrahydropyran-2-ylidene)acetamides with N-alkyl and N-aryl substituents have been synthesized in three steps from cyanoacetic acid. Their conformations were investigated by X-ray crystallography and 1H-NMR ROESY spectroscopy at room temperature. The enolic compounds 1-3 adopt an extended conformation stabilized by a strong intramolecular O—H … O=C bond both in the solid state and in (D6)DMSO solution. In contrast, the structure of the cyclic derivatives 5a,b-8a,b is solvent-dependent. In the solid state and in CDCl3 solution, the compounds adopt an extended conformation of type I or III, while, in (D6)DMSO solution, their structures undergo time-dependent (Z)/(E)-isomerization structures (of type II or IV). This observation is compatible with a dipolar transition state of rotation. The kinetics of the isomerization are controlled by the N-substituent, the N-(t-Bu) derivatives 7a and 7b having the highest barrier of rotation around the C=C bond. The whole body of experimental evidence together with the results of molecular-mechanics calculations with I-IV, indicate that, in DMSO, two (E)/(Z)-isomers with two conformations are present, and that they undergo interconversion at room temperature with four different constants. The very fast exchange rates kI,II and kIII,IV in the NMR time-scale might be responsible for the detection of only two isomers.

Notes: A new acylated dimeric secoiridoid glycoside, seemannoside A (2), has been isolated from the aerial parts of Lisianthius seemannii (GRISEB) O. KUNTZE (Gentianaceae). The structure was established by spectroscopic analysis (UV, MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR, and 2D-NMR experiments) and chemical reactions as (E-4′-O-p-coumaroyl)lisianthioside. The structure of the (Z)-isomer (seemannoside B, 3), also present in the plant, was confirmed by LC/UV/1H-NMR analysis. The active principle, 6, responsible for the antifungal activity of the apolar extract against Cladosporium cucumerinum, has been isolated. Its structure has been established by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis as a rare type of aglycone monoterpene dimer.

Notes: Asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of the pentadienoic and hexadienoic acids 2a,b with the chiral chloronitroso derivative 3 gave the primary adducts 4a,b with good-to-excellent enantioselectivity. Subsequent as- or trans-dihydroxylation and hydrogenolytic cleavage of the N—O bond led to the 5-amino-5-deoxypentono-δ-lactams 13a, 14, 15a, and 16 in the D-ribose, L-arabinose, D-xylose, and L-lyxose series, respectively, and to the 5-amino-5,6-dideoxyhexono-δ-lactams 13b and 15b in the D-allose and D-glucose series, respectively.

Notes: The synthesis of the monomeric building block 13 and its constitutional isomer 12 of a new type of DNA analog, distamycin-NA, is presented (Schemes 1 and 2). This building block consists of a uracil base attached to a thiophene core unit via a biaryl-like axis. Next to the biaryl-like axis on the thiophene chromophore, a carboxy and an amino substituent are located allowing for oligomerization via peptide coupling. The proof of constitution and the conformational preferences about the biaryl-like axis were established by means of X-ray analyses of the corresponding nitro derivatives 10 and 11. Thus, the uracil bases are propeller-twisted relative to the thiophene core, and bidentate H-bonds occur between two uracil bases in the crystals. The two amino-acid building blocks 12 and 13 were coupled to give the dimers 15 and 16 using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in THF/LiCl and DMF, respectively. While the dimer 15 showed no atropisomerism on the NMR time scale at room temperature, its isomer 16 occurred as distinct diastereoisomers due to the hindered rotation around its biaryl-like axis. Variable-temperature 1H-NMR experiments allowed to determine a rotational barrier of 19 ± 1 kcal/mol in 16. The experimental data were complemented by AM1 calculations.

Notes: Heating of a mixture of N,N′-(thiocarbonyl)diimidazole (= 1,1′-(carbonothioyl)bis[1H-imidazole]; 1) and 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole 2a or 2b gave the 1,3-dithiolanes 4a and 4b, respectively, via a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the corresponding ‘thiocarbonyl methanides’ 3a,b onto the C=S group of 1 (Schemes 1 and 2). The adamantane derivative 4b was not stable in the presence of 1H-imidazole and during chromatographic workup. The isolated 1,3-dithiole 5 is the product of a base-catalyzed elimination of 1H-imidazole from the initial cycloadduct 4b. The formation of the S,N-acetal 6 can be rationalized by a protonation of the ‘thiocarbonyl ylide’ 3b followed by a nucleophilic addition of 1H-imidazole. With the diazo compounds 8a-e (Scheme 3) 1 underwent a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to give the corresponding 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives 9, which spontaneously eliminated 1H-imidazole to yield (1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 10. The structures of 10a and 10d were established by X-ray crystallography. In the case of diazodiphenylmethane (8f), the initial cycloadduct 9f decomposed via a ‘twofold extrusion’ of N2 and S to give 1,1′-(2,2-diphenylethenylidene)bis[1H-imidazole] (11; Scheme 3).

Notes: The synthesis of new deoxyribose nucleosides by coupling chloropurines with modified D-ribose derivatives is reported. The methyl 2-deoxy-N-methyl-3-O-(p-toluoyl)-α-D-ribofuranosiduronamide (α-D-8) and the corresponding anomer β-D-8 were synthesized starting from the commercially available 2-deoxy-D-ribose (1) (Scheme 1). Reaction of α-D-8 with the silylated derivative of 2,6-dichloro-9H-purine (9) afforded regioselectively the N9-(2′-deoxyribonucleoside) 10 as anomeric mixture (Scheme 2), whereas β-D-8 did not react. Glycosylation of 9 or of 6-chloro-9H-purine (17) with 1,2-di-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-N-methyl-β-D-ribofuranuronamide (13) yielded only the protected β-D-anomers 14 and 18, respectively (Scheme 3). Subsequent deacetylation and dechlorination afforded the desired nucleosides β-D-11, β-D-12,15, and 16. The 3′-deoxy-2-chloroadenosine derivative 15 showed the highest affinity and selectivity for adenotin binding site vs. A1 and A2A adenosine receptor subtypes.

Notes: (S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine ((S)-13) of 81 % ee is prepared from hexafluoroacetone (l) and ethyl bromopyruvate (= ethyl 2-oxopropanoate) in 7 steps with an overall yield of 18% (Schemes 1 and 2). Key step in this sequence is the highly enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl group in α-keto ester 4 either by bakers' yeast (91 % ee) or by ‘catecholborane’ 6 utilizing an oxazaborolidine catalyst, yielding hydroxy ester (R)-5 with 99% ee. The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray analysis of the HCl adduct (S,R)-9b of (2S)-N-[(R)- l-phenylethyl]-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-hexafluoroleucine ethyl ester.

Notes: N-Fmoc-Protected (Fmoc = (9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl) β-amino acids are required for an efficient synthesis of β-oligopeptides on solid support. Enantiomerically pure Fmoc-β3-amino acids β3: side chain and NH2 at C(3)(= C(β)) were prepared from Fmoc-protected (S)- and (R)-α-amino acids with aliphatic, aromatic, and functionalized side chains, using the standard or an optimized Arndt-Eistert reaction sequence. Fmoc-β2- Amino acids (β2 side chain at C(2), NH2 at C(3)(= C(β))) configuration bearing the side chain of Ala, Val, Leu, and Phe were synthesized via the Evans' chiral auxiliary methodology. The target β3-heptapeptides 5-8, a β3- pentadecapeptide 9 and a β2-heptapeptide 10 were synthesized on a manual solid-phase synthesis apparatus using conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis procedures (Scheme 3). In the case of β3-peptides, two methods were used to anchor the first β-amino acid: esterification of the ortho-chlorotrityl chloride resin with the first Fmoc-β-amino acid 2 (Method I, Scheme 2) or acylation of the 4-(benzyloxy)benzyl alcohol resin (Wang resin) with the ketene intermediates from the Wolff rearrangement of amino-acid-derived diazo ketone 1 (Method II, Scheme 2). The former technique provided better results, as exemplified by the synthesis of the heptapeptides 5 and 6 (Table 2). The intermediate from the Wolff rearrangement of diazo ketones 1 was also used for sequential peptide-bond formation on solid support (synthesis of the tetrapeptides 11 and 12). The CD spectra of the β2- and β3-peptides 5, 9, and 10 show the typical pattern previously assigned to an (M) 31 helical secondary structure (Fig.). The most intense CD absorption was observed with the pentadecapeptide 9 (strong broad negative Cotton effect at ca. 213 nm); compared to the analogous heptapeptide 5, this corresponds to a 2.5 fold increase in the molar ellipticity per residue!

Notes: On irradiation (350 nm) in the presence of excess 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene, the newly synthesized title compound 5 affords as main products the unexpected cyclopropylpyrrolidine 10 (50%) and the spiro-oxetane 9 (25%).

Notes: Among seventeen different Lewis acids, TiCl4 was found to be the best catalyst for the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene to N,N′-fumaroylbis[(2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam] ((-)-1). Independently of the TiCl4 molar concentration, almost constant and complete (98-89% d.e.) diastereofacial π-selection was achieved in the Diels-Alder addition of (-)-1 to cyclopentadiene, cyclohexadiene, isoprene, and 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene.

Notes: A new facile synthesis of N,S- and N,Se-acetals starting from aldehydes and primary amines is presented (Schemes 3-5). These acetals are used as precursors for stereoselective radical deuteration and allylation reactions (Schemes 6 and 7, Tables 1 and 2). The stereochemical outcome of the reactions depends on the radical trap and the substituents at the N-atom. Deuterations give always anti products with moderate to high selectivities. The allylation reactions give either syn or anti products with low to moderate selectivities. The observed stereoselectivities can be explained with a model based on minimization of A1,3 strain and are controlled by steric and stereoelectronic effects.

Notes: Based on O-methylasparvenone (1), a N-free 5HT2C antagonist with moderate affinity (pKi = 6.7), derivatives bearing dimethylamino (7), (dimethylamino)methyl (17, 18, 21, and 22), and aminomethyl substituents (26) in place of the benzylic OH group of 1 as well as pyrrolidine- (33) and piperidine-fused derivatives (29, 43, and 45) were synthesized. In contrast to the lead structure 1, these new ligands were active in vivo in the rat. The tricycles 33 and 45 display high affinities for the 5HT2C receptor (pKi = 8).

Notes: Thermal reactions of 1,2,3-trisubstituted aziridines 1 with 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thiones 6 in toluene yielded, in general, a mixture of two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic [2+3] cycloadducts. The formation of these products can be explained by a stereoselective electrocyclic ring opening of 1 to give an azomethine ylide 2 as the reactive intermediate, which is trapped immediately by 6 via a stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Only in the case of trans-dimethyl 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)aziridine-2,3-dicarboxylate (trans-1a), four diastereoisomeric cycloadducts were formed (Scheme 4). This result is rationalized by an isomerization of the intermediate azomethine ylide cis-2a to trans -2a.

Notes: Due to their small mass, adjacent protons (or H-atoms) of molecular systems may exhibit quantum entanglement (or quantum correlations), even at ambient conditions. The considerable thermal disturbance and/or manybody interactions of condensed matter and the associated decoherence effect, however, cause this protonic entanglement to be restricted in space and time. Some aspects of entanglement and decoherence are mentioned. Extending our previous theoretical work, in the present paper the focus is on the possible existence of entangled protons belonging to the H-bonds of adjacent base pairs of B-type DNA. Based on the ‘working hypothesis’ that this effect does really exist, the most probable ‘positions’ for the appearance of protonic entanglement in DNA sequences are qualitatively determined. Furthermore, these ‘positions’ appear to correspond uniquely to dimers of adjacent base pairs of DNA. As a consequence, one can straightforwardly search for an enhanced appearance of such entangled H-bonds in DNA sequences of living organisms, using the existing DNA databases. A quantitative analysis of protein-coding DNA sequences of various organisms has been performed, the results of which provide strong evidence for the existence of the considered effect. The most striking finding may be summarized as follows: Quantum entanglement appears preferably between the third base of a codon and the first base of the following one. Quantitative estimates of this and further obtained results are presented. It is also shown that quantum-chemical considerations of stacking energies cannot account for the results. The new findings provide first evidence for the biological significance of entangled H-bonds.

Notes: The title compounds D-10 and L-10 were prepared from 1 in eight steps and in a combined overall yield of 41-49%.

Notes: The reaction of N,N'-dimethyl-2-nitroethene-1,1-diamine (8) with α,ß-unsaturated acyl isothiocyanates 9 affords 3,3-diamino-2-nitroacrylthioamides 10 (Scheme 2) in moderate-to-good yields. Cyclization of 10 under acidic conditions gives 1,3-thiazin-4-one derivatives of type 11. Oxidative cyclization of 10 with diethyl azodicaboxylate leads to 4-nitro-1,2-thiazol-5(2H)-imine derivatives 12.

Notes: The CH2Cl2 extract of Monotes engleri Gilg. (Dipterocarpaceae) showed antifungal activity against the yeast Candida albicans in our bioautographic TLC assays. After a first fractionation of the crude extract, the bioactivity was located in one of the fractions. To perform an efficient targeted isolation of the active compounds, LC/UV/MS and LC/UV/NMR analyses of the crude extract and the active fraction were performed. LC/UV/, LC/MS, and LC/NMR data (1D and 2D) allowed the identification of 1 as (2S)-2,3-dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-{3-hydroxy-4-[(3-methylbut-2-enyl) oxy]phenyl}-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, a new prenylated flavanone, named monoteson A. Subsequent isolation of 1 has permitted the determination of its absolute configuration on the basis of CD measurements. Theree other prenylated flavanoes 2-4 were isolated from the same extract. Compound 3 was identified as 2- (3, 5-dihydroxyphenyl) -2,3-dihydro-5, 7-dihydroxy-6, 8-bis (3-methylbut-2-enyl)-4 H-1-benzopyran-4-one, another new natural product, named monotesone B. The structures of 2 and 4 were established as selinone and lonchocarpol A, respectively. The antifungal activity against Candida albicans was determined for all compounds.

Notes: The disubstituted clusters[Ir4(CO)10(μ2-L—L)] with one edge-bridging ligand have a ground-state geometry with all COs terminal (L—L = (MeS)2CHMe, cluster 1) or with three edge-bridging COs (L—L = (Ph2P)2CHMe, cluste 2; L—L =Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2, cluster 3) in the solid state and in solution. A comparative 13C-NMR study of 1-3 shows that their respective ground-state geometries are merely relative minima of energy in the same kinetic profile of successive fluxional processes consisting of a merry-go-round of six COs about a unique trangular face and the rotation of terminal COs about one Ir-atom. The factors affecting the activation energy of the merry-go-round result from the relative bites of the bidentate ligands in the ground-state geometry, as shown by a comparison of the molecular structures of 2 and 3.

Notes: The kinetics of the reaction between pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) with carbidopa, hydralazine, and isoniazid, in aqueous solution at variable pH and constant ionic strength of 0.1M was studied spectrophotometrically. The rate constants of formation and hydrolysis of the resulting Schiff base, and its stability were determined in a wide range of pH. A comparison is made of the formation rate constants with those of PLP with hydrazine. The reactivity shows the sequence isoniazid 〉 hydrazine 〉 carbidopa 〉 hydralazine in the whole range of pH studied. The Schiff bases studied are more stable than those formed by PLP and hexylamine and as stable as those described for the reactions of PLP with poly(L-lysine) or copolypeptides containing L-lysine.

Notes: The coordination behavior of chiral binucleating ligands of type 1-4 with various transition metals has been investigated. 1H-NMR Titration experiments with zinc(II) salts gave detailed structural information about the structure of the resulting zinc complexes. Ligand 1 forms an unusual C3-symmetric dinuclear zinc complex [Zn2CIL3] (8a) which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Treatment of complex 8a with various carboxylic acids resulted in ligand-exchange reactions. With ligand 2, a hydroxo-bridged dinuclear copper complex 15 was synthesized and its structure elucidated by X-ray analysis. Solution studies UV and 1H-NMR spectroscopy of the reaction of ligand 3 with ZnII and NII salts revealed the formation of dimeric species of the type [M2X4L2]. Ligand 4 formed well-defined dinuclear complexes with NiII and CuII salts of which the corresponding NiII complex [Ni2(AcO)2(ClO4)2L] (22a) was characterized by crystal-structure analysis.

Notes: Why Pentose- and Not Hexose-Nucleic Acids? Purine-Purine Pairing in homo-DNA: Guanine,Isoguanine, 2,6-Diaminopurine, and XanthineThis paper concludes the series of reports in this journal [1-4] on the chemistry of homo-DNA, the constitutionally simplifie dmodel system of hexopyranosyl-(6′ → 4′)-oligonucleotide systems stidued in our laboratory as potentially natural-nucleic-acid alternatives in the context of a chemical aetiology of nucleic-acid structure. The report describes the synthesis and pairing properties of homo-DNA oligonucleotides which contain as nucleobases exclusively purines, and gives, together with part III of the series [3], a survey of what we know today about purine-purine pairingin homo-DNA. In addition, the paper discusses those aspects of the chemistry of homo-DNA which, we think, influence the way how some of the structural features of DNA (and RNA) are to be interpreted on a qualitative level.Purine-purine pairing occurs in the homo-DNA domain in great variety. Most prominent is a novel tridentate Watson-Crick pair between guanine and isoguanine, as well as one between 2,6-diaminopurine and xanthinone, both giving rise to very stable duplexes containing the all-purine strands in antiparallel orientation. For the guanine-isoguanine pair, constitutional assignment is based on temperature-dependent UV and CD spectroscopy of various guanine- and isoguanine-containg duplexes in comparison with duplexes known to be paired in the reverse guanine is replaced by 7-carbauguanine. Isoguanine and 2,6-diaminopurine also have the capability of self-pariring in the reverse-Hoogsteen mode, as previously observed for adenine and guanine [3]. In this type of pairing, the interchangeably. Fig. 36 provides an overall survey of the relative strength of pairing in all possible purine-purine combinations.Watson-Crick pairing of isoguanine with guanine demands the former to participate in its 3H-tautomeric form; hitherto this specific tautomer had not been considered in the pairing chemistry of isoguanine. Whereas (cumulative) purine-purine pairing in DNA (reverse-Hoogsten or Hoogsteen) seems to occur in triplexes and tetrapalexes only, its occurrence in duplexes in a characteristic feature of homo-DNA chemistry. The occurrence of purine-purine Watson-Crick base pairs is probably a consequence of homo-DNA's quasi-linear ladder structure [1][4]. In a double helix, the distance between the two sugar C-atoms, on which a base pair is anchored, is expected to be constrained by the dimensions of the helix; in a linear duplex, however, there would be no restrictions with regard to base-pair length. Homo-DNA's ladder-like model also allows one to recognize one of the reasons why nucleic-acid duplexes prefer to pair in antiparallel, rather than parallel strand orientation: in homo-DNA duplexes, (averaged) backbone and base pair axes are strongly inclined toward one another [4]; the stronger this inclination, the higher the preference for antiparallel strand orientation is expected to be (Fig. 16).In retrospect, homo-DNA turns out to be one of the first artificial oligonucleotide systems (cf. Footnote 65) to demonstrate in a comprehensive way that informational base pairing involving purines and pyrimidines is not a capability unique to ribofuranosyl systems. Stability and helical shape of pairing complexes are not necessary conditions of one another; it is the potential for extensive conformational cooperativity of hte backbone structure with respect to the constellational demands of base pairing and base stacking that determines whether or nor a given type of base-carrying backbone structure is an informational pairing system. From the viewpoint of the chemical aetiology of nucleic-acid structure, which inspired our investigations on hexopyranosyl-(6′ → 4′)-oligonucleotide systems in the first place, the work on homo-DNA is only an extensive model study, because homo-DNA is not to be considered a potential natural-nucleic-acid altenratie. In retrospect, it seems fortunate that the model study was carried out, because without it we could hardly have comprehended the pairing behavior of the proper nucleic-acid alternatives which we have studied later and which will be discussed in Part VI of this series.The English footnotes to Fig. 1-49 provide an extension of this summary.

Notes: ‘Fully chiral’ dendrimers, containing a stereogenic center at each and every branching point, have been prepared using a chiral core triol with aromatic elongating units (cf. 27) and chiral branch diols (cf. 8, 12, and 24) as building blocks. The biggest dendrimer prepared is of the 4th generation (33: 46 building blocks, 93 stereogenic centers, 1028 possible stereoisomers), and has been obtained by a convergent growth approach in 32 steps starting from the biopolymer poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid] (P(3-HB)). All compounds were shown to be monodisperse by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Spin-lattice relaxation-time (T1) measurements and size-exclusion chromatography show typical features of structurally related achiral dendrimers. The influence of the chiral building blocks on the shape of the whole dendrimer has been investigated by chiroptical measurements: the specific rotation can be considered as average of all chiroptical properties of its constituent chiral units, independent of the solvent, the concentration, and the temperature. On the other hand, regularity in the circular dichroism (CD) spectra is completely lost with variation of the solvent (cf. Fig. 13).

Notes: The first steps, believed to be involved in the highly enantioselective copolymerization of styrene and carbon monoxide to poly[1-oxo-2-phenylpropane-1,3-diyl] with phosphinodihydrooxazole-palladium(II) complexes, were investigated. The insertion of carbon monoxide into [Pd(Me)(P^N)(solvent)] TfO (P^N = (S)-2-[2-(5H-benzo[b]phosphindol-5-yl)phenyl]4-benzyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole (1)) and of styrene into [Pd(Me)(P^N)(solvent)] TfO were highly regioselective (alkyl and acyl substituents trans to N); moreover, the olefin insertion took place with essentially complete enantioface discrimination.

Notes: The [4 + 2] cycloadduct 17 of 2,3-dimethylidene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene and 4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione (PTAD) was subjected to a triplet-sensitized di-π-methane rearrangement. Hydrolysis of the resulting urazol 18 gave the hydrocarbon 7. Hydrolysis of 18 at lower base concentrations led to isomeric stable semicarbazides 24 and 25, which were submitted NiO2 or MnO2 oxidation, to give the target compound 7, and oxidation products 26 and 27.

Notes: The difference between the strong inhibition of retaining β-glucosidases by the tetrazole 1 and the weak inhibition by the triazole 3 has been explained by the protonation by the enzymic catalytic acid of N(3) of 1, replaced by CH in 3. One also expects a contribution to the inhibition from the charge-dipole interaction between the enzymic catalytic nucleophile and the azole ring. The extent of this contribution was estimated from the calculated, distance-dependent heats of formation of the acetate-azole complexes. The calculations were validated by comparison of the charge-dipole interaction between phosphate and the inhibitors 1 and 3 in the glycogen phosphorylase b (GPb)-azole-phosphate complexes, as derived from differences in the Ki values for 1 and 3, while the structural invariance of the complexes was demonstrated by X-ray analysis. The difference between the charge-dipole interactions of (dihydrogen) phosphate and 1 or 3 as derived from Δ Ki is 1.1 kcal mol-1, while the calculated difference is 1.3 kcal mol-1. The calculated difference for the interaction of 1 or 3 with acetate, representing the catalytic nucleophile in β-glycosidases, is 2.0 kcal mol-1, while the differences of the binding energies as derived from the Ki values for the inhibition by 1 or 3 of different β-glycosidases range from 2.4 to 5.3 5 kcal mol-1. The calculated difference for 1 and the imidazole 6 is 2.5 kcal mol-1 in favour of 1, whereas the Ki-derived difference is 3.7 kcal mol-1 in favour of 6, equal to the calculated difference between 1 and the protonated imidazole 6. Thus, protonation by the catalytic acid and the charge-dipole interaction with the catalytic nucleophile contribute cooperatively to the binding of inhibitors possessing a trigonal anomeric centre bonded to a heteroatom.

Notes: Described are the preparation of nanocrystals and the synthesis of molecules that may be covalently or noncovalently assembled in solution to yield heterosupermolecules possessing a well-defined heterosupramolecular function. Also described are preparative and synthetic methods that yield organized assemblies of heterosupermolecules possessing an addressable heterosupramolecular function. Finally, the development of these synthetic strategies to permit the covalent and noncovalent assembly and organization of a wide range of condensed phase and molecular components is outlined.

Notes: For a comparison with the corresponding α- and β-hexapeptides H-(Val-Ala-Leu)2-OH (A) and H-(β-HVal-β-HAla-β-HLeu)2-OH (B), we have now prepared the corresponding γ-hexapeptide 1 built from the homochirally similar (S)-4-aminobutanoic acid, (R)-4-amino-5-methylhexanoic acid, and (R)-4-amino-6-methylheptanoic acid. The precursors were prepared either by double Arndt-Eistert homologation of the protected amino acids Boc-Val-OH, Boc-Ala-OH, and Boc-Leu-OH (Schemes 1 and 2), or by the superior route involving olefination/hydrogenation of the corresponding aldehydes (Boc-valinal, Boc-alaninal, and Boc-leucinal; Scheme 3). Conventional peptide-coupling methodology (EDC/HOBt) furnished the γ-hexapeptide 1 (through the intermediate γ-di- and γ-tripeptide derivatives 9-11). Analysis of NMR measurements in (D5)pyridine and CD3OH solution (COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) reveals that the γ-hexapeptide 1 adopts a right-handed helical structure ((P)-2.61 helix of ca. 5-Å pitch, containing 14-membered H-bonded rings) which is to be compared with the left-handed helix of the corresponding β-peptide B ((M)-31 helix of 5-Å pitch, 14-membered H-bonded rings) and with the familiar right-handed, so-called α-helix of α-peptides ((P)-3.61 helix of 5.4-Å pitch, 13-membered rings). Like the helix sense, the helix dipole reverses when going from α-, (N + → C) to β-(C + → N) to γ-peptides (N + → C). The surprising difference between the natural α-, and the analogous β- and γ-peptides is that the helix stability increases upon homologation of the residues.

Notes: 7-O-Substituted analogs of deaminodeoxycolchinol thiomethyl ether were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on tubulin polymerization in vitro. Ketone 9, a key compound in this study, was derived from thiocolchicone 6 by reaction with aniline. Reaction of compound 6 with MeNH2 or BuNH2 gave tetracyclic lactams 7 and 8, respectively. Optically active alcohols 11a and 11b were obtained from racemic 11 by chemical resolution including a separation of the comphanate diastereoisomers 12a and 12b, followed by basic hydrolysis. The (aR,7R)-configuration of 12b was verified by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Almost all racemic and optically active 7-O-acyl or 7-O-aroyl compounds had strong inhibitory effects on the tubulin polymerization reaction, with IC50 values from 1.7 to 5.1 μM. A few agents, such as the lactams 7 and 8, the camphanates 12a and 12b, the cyclohexanecarboxylates 19a and 19b, and, most notably, the (7S)-benzoate 15a, had negligible effects on polymerization, yielding IC50 values greater than 40μM. Ketone 9 showed strong inhibition of tubulin polymerization comparable to that of thiocolchicone (6). Optically active alcohol 11a and acyl esters 13a and 14a with a (7S)-configuration were more active than the (7R)-esters 13b and 14b. However, the esters 15a-17a with a (7S)-configuration were less active than the (7R)-isomers 15b-17b, in which the (7R)-benzoate 15b was at least 15-fold more inhibitory than the (7S)-isomer 15a. For the most part, the agents causing strongest inhibition of polymerization also caused the greatest inhibition of [3H]colchicine binding. NMR and optical rotatory data indicate that, in polar solvents, the equilibrium in esters with a 7-O-aroyl substituent, i.e., 15a,b, 16a,b, and 17a,b, is reversed from (aS) to (aR) or from (aR) to (aS), as compared to nonpolar solvents.

Notes: As a continuation of our previous studies on the synthesis and antiplatelet activity of quinolin-2(1H)-ones with an α-methylidene-γ-butyrolactone substituted at O(8), the O(6)- and N(1)-substituted isomers were synthesized and evaluated for antiplatelet activity against thrombin (Thr)-, arachidonic acid (AA)-, collagen (Col)-, and platelet-activating-factor (PAF)-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets. These compounds were synthesized from 6-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-one via alkylation and Reformatsky-type condensation (Schemes 1 and 2). All of them were found to inhibit the platelet aggregation perfectly which was induced by AA and Col. 6-Substituted isomers 5b-g exhibited very strong inhibitory activities against AA- and PAF- induced aggregation and are approximately ten times more potent than their 8-substituted counterparts. However, the 1-substituted (11a and 11b) and the 1,6-disubstituted (6) counterparts were relatively inactive. Their effects on the Ca2+-dependent vasoconstriction induced by high K+, and the phasic and tonic vasoconstrictions induced by norepinephrine (NE) in rat aorta were also evaluated. Except 5g, all of them were found to have significant inhibitory activity on the NE-induced phasic and tonic vasoconstrictions. Compounds 6 and 11b also exhibited strong inhibitory activity on high-K+ medium, Ca2+-induced vasoconstriction.

Notes: The photolysis of N-alkylpyridinium halides 9a-e in alkaline H2O gave 6-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexenol derivatives 10a-e. N-Substituents bearing ether, acetal, and alcohol functions were found to do not adversely influence the photochemical reaction course. The free OH groups of the N-(3-hydroxypropyl) derivative 10d were protected by benzoylation. The ensuing dibenzoate 14 underwent stereocontrolled opening of the aziridine ring on reaction with MeSH/BF3 to give a thioether 15. With benzoic acid in CHCI3, 10d gave the 4-hydroxy-5-aminocyclopent-2-enyl benzoate 11. The meso-2-aminocyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol 12 was obtained by hydrolysis of 11. On reaction with Boc2O and NaI, the aziridine ring of 14 was converted to a bicyclic compound 17. Hydrolysis of 17 provided the trans-1,3-diol 18, the epimer of 12. Face-selective dihydroxylation of Boc-protected 12 gave a meso-aminocyclopentanetetrol 23 which was characterized upon peracetylation. Dihydroxylation of 15 provided a racemic analogue of epi-mannostatin A (26).

Notes: An alternative synthesis of enantiomerically pure SDZ 220-881 (1a) and SDZ EAB 515 (1b) starting from L-Z-tyrosine is described.

Notes: Bicyclic thiohydantoins were synthesized in a stereoselective manner by reacting (2R)/(2S)-diastereoisomer mixtures of 1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acids or their dimethyl diesters with PhNCS. 5,5-Dimethyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid with PhNCS led to a cyclization involving the C=O group at the C(2) center of the thiazolidine ring, while the acid's dimethyl diester gave cyclization involving the C=O group at C(4). In contrast, reactions involving unsubstituted 1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid or its dimethyl diester led to thiohydantoins in which the ring closure had taken place only with the COO group at C(4). Independently of the direction of the ring closure, all reactions produce exclusively products with the (R)-configuration at C(2). The configurational assignments were based on 1H- and 13C-NMR studies, and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses.

Notes: The new, axially chiral bis(4,5-dihydrooxazoles) 4 have been synthesized in a straightforward manner, starting from the substituted, racemic 1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxylic acids 1 and optically active amino alcohols 2. The adducts were resolved by medium-performance liquid chromatography (MPLC; see Scheme 1). Formation of Cu1 complexes of 4 was followed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic behavior of these complexes has been investigated by asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate. Beside the influence of steric factors, a significant electronic effect on asymmetric induction could also be observed (see Scheme 2 and Table).

Notes: The synthesis of the enantiomerically pure, bridgehead-functionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]octanes 11 and 16, containing a conformationally fixed trihydroxypropyl (aminodihydroxypropyl) unit, as well as the X-ray structure of 11 are described. These compounds are of interest as sugar surrogates in the preparation of DNA analogs. Compounds 11 and 16 became available in 10 and 12 steps, respectively, and in an overall yield of 11 and 4% from D-arabinose via a highly stereoselective pinacol coupling as the key step.

Notes: New derivatives of campholenaldehyde (= 2-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-enyl)ethanal bearing two cyclopropane moieties were synthesized, and the structure of the stereoisomer responsible for its exceptionally strong, diffusive, and natural sandalwood-oil scent, ((1S,2S)-1-methyl-2-{[1S,3R,5R)-1,2,2-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-yl]methyl}cyclopropyl)methanol (13a), was elucidated.

Notes: Titanium-dioxide surfaces have been glycosylated with the benzyl-, 4-fluorobenzyl-, and acetyl-protected diazirines 1-3. The modified TiO2 surfaces were characterized by contact-angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPES), and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The main by-products of the glucosidation (mostly azines and trehaloses) were identified. Their physisorption slightly reduces the efficiency of the glucosidation by 1 mM solution of 1 or 2 in CH2Cl2, but this influence is neutralized by repeating the glucosidation, or by using a 100 mM solution of the diazirines. The immobilized, acetylated glucosyl moieties were deacetylated in situ. Calculations based on the XPES peaks of Ti 2p and F 1s for the TiO2 surface modified with 2 indicated 1.5 ± 0.9 immobilized glucosyl moieties per nm2.

Notes: A Chemotaxonomic survey for biologically active compounds from Malaysian Calophyllum species led to the findings of the four new benzoylcoumarins 1a, 2, 3, and 4a (including the unusual prenylated 6-benzoylcoumann 1a), two uncommon coumarins 5 and 6a with a pyran-4-one moiety fused at C(6) and C(7), and compounds 7a, 9, and 10, all isolated from the bark of C. teysmannii var. inophylloide. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformations. X-Ray crystal-structure determination of 2 provided information on the conformational preferences of substituents in this class of coumarins. The syntheses of the cytotoxic calanone (7a) and of some related coumarins are described.

Notes: The heme-thiolate protein chloroperoxidase (CPO) catalyzes the chlorination of activated C—H bonds. A reaction mechanism is proposed for this enzymatic transformation (Scheme 1), and a new iron(III) porphyrinate complex 13 is synthesized containing pentafluorophenyl groups at two meso-positions and a thiophenolato ligand coordinating to the Fe-atom (Schemes 2 and 3). Due to the presence of the electron-withdrawing substituents, the catalyst 13 is appreciably resistant to oxidants (HOCl) and chlorinates, e.g., monochlorodimedone (5), with turnover numbers up to 1530. The redox potential of 13, E0 = - 134 mV, and the Soret band (λmax 448 nm) of the CO adduct of the reduced state of 13 are close to the corresponding values of the enzyme CPO.

Notes: The chemical synthesis of 2′-amino-2′-deoxyribonucleosides of uracil, cytosine, adenine, and guanine, and their conversion into suitably protected 3′-phosphoramidite building blocks 35-40 for oligonucleotide synthesis are described. The aglycone and the 2′-amino functions were protected using the 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) group. The synthesis of the 3′-O-succinyl (3′-O-(3-carboxypropanoyl))-substituted starting nucleoside 41 is described and its behavior examined in solution and on solid phase with regard to an anticipated migration during 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) deprotection. Oligonucleotides were prepared using the new building blocks, and their hybridization properties were studied by UV-melting techniques.

Notes: Chiral supermolecules may be obtained from suitable achiral molecular constituents associated through a dissymmetrizing interaction mode. This is the case for the supermolecules I-IV formed by hydrogen-bonding association between the achiral complementary components 1a,b and 2a,b,c. The crystal structures of the supermolecular pairs I-III and of the homochiral aggregate of two ternary supermolecules IV have been determined. The structural data are discussed.

Notes: Various bifunctional amino-protecting groups such as the phthaloyl, succinyl, and glutaryl group were investigated as potential linker molecules for attachment to solid-support materials. Pentane-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid 1,3-anhydride (16) offered the best properties and reacted with the amino groups of differently sugar-protected adenosine (see 20 and 22), cytidine (see 29), and guanosine derivatives (see 32) to the corresponding 2-(2-carboxyethyl)glutaryl derivatives 23, 24, 30, and 33. The usefulness of the new linker-type molecules was demonstrated by the solid-support synthesis of the potentially antivirally active 3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′-5′)-2′-adenylic acid 2′-{2-[(adenin-9-yl)methoxy]ethyl} ester (38) starting from the 2′-end with N6,N6-[2-(2-carboxyethyl)glutaryl]-9-{{2-[(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)ethoxy]methyl}adenine (12).

Notes: An efficient stereocontrolled synthesis of (S)-N-Cbz-serine (Cbz = benzyloxycarbonyl; 12) and of its (R)-enantiomer is reported. Kinetic resolution of the easily available racemic 3-(hydroxymethyl)-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones is performed in the key step via acetylation by the immobilized Mucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme IM) at 60°. This method is characterized by high enantiomer purity (ee's ges; 99%) of the intermediary alcohols (+)-8 and (+)-9 and acetates (-)-10 and (-)-11, as well as of the final products (S)- and (R)-N-Cbz-serine, simple recycling of the biocatalyst, complete recovery of 2-aminobenzophenones (3 and 4) and their recycling into production of 1,4-benzodiazepines, and possibility to selectively racemize ‘wrong’ enantiomers of the alcohols 8 and 9 in the presence of Amberlite CG 400.

Notes: The fate of an insect juvenile hormone analog applied to the insect body of the flesh fly (Sarcophaga bullata) or the tsetse fly (Glossina palpalis), respectively, was studied using three different radiolabeled positions in the parent biologically active compound 1. Several metabolites were found and analyzed. A mechanism of degradation of the applied molecule was designed using a combination of several radioanalytical methods. A unique monitoring of the applied compound and its metabolites was provided, based on the different radiolabeling of the structure (cf. 1a-1c), and established their fate in an insect body during a 10-day experiment. A 14C and 3H radiolabeling, respectively, was employed to synthesize three different radiolabeled forms 1a-1c derived from the parent non-labeled 1. A combination of three different ways of radiolabeling resulted in an advantage in tracing the metabolic pathway of degradation of the employed compound 1 in its radiolabeled forms 1a-1c.

Notes: Previous work has indicated orbital-symmetry effects upon forward electron transfer in bimolecular systems, with magnitude similar to that encountered in rigid monomolecular systems. The present work, which employs back electron transfer, supports and extends these earlier findings.

Notes: According to ab-initio calculations, the CF…HO H-bond in 1,3-diaxial 3-fluorocyclohexanol is characterized by d(F…H) = 2.08 Å, and ∠ (F…H—O) = 138°, and by ΔE between 1.2 and 4.1 kcal/mol, depending upon the reference system. Relative to the OH stretching frequency of axial cyclohexanol, the OH stretching frequency of 1,3-diaxial 3-fluorocyclohexanol is shifted by Δω = 7 cm-1. The rigid fluoro diols D-4 and L-4 were prepared from tetrahydroxy-p-benzoquinone in 11 steps and 1% overall yield. The IR spectrum of 4 in CCl4 soln. is characterized by Δν = 7 cm-1 for the axial and Δν = 44 cm-1 for the equatorial OH group. A relatively strong intramolecular CF…HO bond of 4 in CCl4 is evidenced by the large through-space coupling 5J(F,HO) of 9.3 Hz. Nevertheless, this FHO bond is disrupted in ethereal solvents, while the bifurcated O…HO bond subsists. In CCl4, the carbene generated from the glucosylidene-derived diazirine 5 reacted more rapidly with the axial OH group of D-4 and L-4 than with the equatorial one. This regioselectivity is in keeping with the weaker H-bond of the axial OH group. The regioselectivity is lower in ethers, but its solvent dependence does not parallel solvent basicity. This is not satisfactorily explained by the differential interaction of the ether solvents with the axial and equatorial OH groups, as evidenced by the solvent dependence of their chemical shift, but must also reflect the different interaction of the solvents with the carbene derived from 5, leading to ylides. The lower solvent dependence of the anomeric selectivity for the glycosidation of the equatorial OH group is a consequence of the coordination of the intermediate oxycarbenium ion with O—C(1) and O—C(3) rather than with the solvent. Under conditions of competitive glycosylation in CCl4, the fluoro alcohol D-22 reacted more slowly than the alcohol L-24, evidencing the intramolecular F…HO H-bond.

Notes: Khusimone (1), one of the main odor-donating compounds of vetiver oil, is subject of the following study on structure/odor relationship. The omittance of the methano bridge of the tricyclic khusimone should lead to the bicyclic partial structure (-)-2. Unexpectedly, (-)-2 could not be obtained since epimerization favored (-)-16. The stereochemical key step of the synthesis of the hydrazulene nucleus is based on a highly diastereoselective conjugate addition to a chiral oxocyclopent-1-ene-1-carboxylate.

Notes: A convenient preparation of (1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-(neopentyloxy)isoborneol (= (1R,2S,3R,4S)-3-(2,2-dimethyl-propoxy)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol; 1a), a valuable chiral auxiliary, is described. The synthesis involves six steps starting from the readily available camphorquinone (5) and gives 1a in 48% overall yield. The key step is the chemoselective hydrolysis of the less hindered 1,3-dioxolane moiety in the camphorquinone di-acetal 4.

Notes: A novel general synthesis of 2,4,5-tri- and 2,4,5,6-tetrasubstituted pyrimidines 5a-d and 7a, e, f, g by condensation of thiouronium salts of type 3 with (ethoxymethylidene)malononitrile (4) and [bis(methylthio)methylidene]malononitrile (6), respectively, was first established in solution (Scheme 1) and successfully transferred onto solid support by using the polymer-bound thiouronium salt 11 (Scheme 3). Further investigations were directed toward a multidirectional cleavage procedure of the 2-(alkylsulfinyl) intermediates, obtained from the 2-(alkylthio)pyrimidines 7a (Scheme 2) or 12 and 14 (Schemes 3 and 4), with different nucleophiles to form highly substituted pyrimidines. In addition, fused-heterocycle derivatives 22a--h, 24a-c, and 26a-e were generated in good-to-excellent yields by condensation of 7a, e, h with versatile isocyanates and isothiocyanates, with subsequent alkylation (Scheme 5).

Notes: Introduction of the non-complexing chiral (S)-2-methylbutoxy substituent close to the complexing site of a bis[(bipyridinyl)methoxy]calixarene podand resulted in the induction of an enantiomeric excess of ca. 30 % in the corresponding chiral CuI complex. Structural investigations by high-resolution NMR studies led us to propose the left-handed prohelical [CuI(bpy)2] substructure for the major enantiomer.

Notes: The insecticidal polyether antibiotic X-206 (1) complexes potassium ions using nearly all of its O-atoms either for binding to the metal ion or for participation in a H-bonding network which helps to hold X-206 in the ionophoric tertiary structure. The group OH—C(22) is not involved in these processes. It was supposed that derivatization of this group would not affect the ionophoric properties and would produce insecticidally active compounds. The chemistry leading to selective modification of OH—C(22) via the intermediate 6 was developed. The potassium-binding properties and insecticidal activities of the MeCOO—C(22) and MeO—C(22) compounds 3 and 11, respectively, confirmed that derivatization of the peripheral OH—C(22) was a valid strategy for the synthesis of biologically active compounds.

Notes: The lactam 21 was obtained in an overall yield of 72% from the hydroxy amide 16 by oxidation with the Dess-Martin periodinane, acid-catalysed isomerization of the oxidation products in toluene, whereupon 18/19 precipitated, and reductive dehydroxylation of 18/19 (Et3SiH/BF3 · OEt2; Scheme 1). The amide 16 was obtained by ammonolysis of the N-acetylglucosamine-derived lactone 15. Depending on the oxidation method, 16 yielded the keto amide 17, the hydroxy lactams 18/19, and the pyrrolidinecarboxamide 20 in widely different proportions. The pyrrolidinecarboxamide 20 was not reduced under the conditions of the reductive dehydroxylation. Hydrogenolysis of the benzyl-protected lactam 21 gave the trihydroxy lactam 22, while reduction with NaBH4/BF3 · OEt2 led to the 2-acetamidopiperidine derivative 24 (Scheme 2). Selective (tert-butoxy)carbonylation of the lactam 21 (→ 25) followed by NaBH4 reduction and acid-catalysed solvolysis in EtOH led to the α-ethoxycarbamates 28/29. Similarly, (tert-butoxy) carbonylation of 1 (→ 31) followed by reduction to 32/33 and glycosidation yielded the ethoxycarbamate 34. Treatment of the GlcNAc-derived ethyl glycosides 28/29 with Me3SiCN/BF3 · OEt2 gave the equatorial amino nitrile 30. Under similar conditions, the Glc-derived glycoside 34 led to the iminooxazolidinone 35. In the presence of a larger proportion of Me3SiCN at 5°, 34 was transformed into the axial, selectively monodebenzylated amino nitrile 36.

Notes: The reaction of 2-(trimethylsilyl)thiazole (2-TST) with several ketones was tested in the presence or absence of aldehydes. The keto aldehyde 5 (Scheme 2) was prepared from 1 via the hydroxy aldehyde 4 in 3 steps. It reacted with 2-TST to give, after desilylation and acetylation, the bis-thiazole 6. The ketone 11, obtained from 4 in 3 steps, reacted with 2-TST to give, after desilylation, 12. The ketofuranose 17 (Scheme 3) reacted with 2-TST to yield exclusively the more stable D-gluco epimer 18. The reaction of the ketone 11 (Scheme 2) with 2-TST was faster in the presence of 1 equiv. of the keto aldehyde 5, suggesting that an aldehyde promotes the indirect and intermolecular addition of 2-TST to a ketone. We have studied the effect of several aldehydes on the rate of the reaction of the ketones 11 and 17 with 2-TST at different temperatures and at different concentrations of the ketones and of the aldehydes. Electrophilic aldehydes, and particularly 2-fluorobenzaldehyde (0.1 equiv.), promote the addition of 2-TST to electrophilic ketones.

Notes: The synthesis of the Fmoc-protected amino acid 2 is presented. First attempts of amide-bond formation to the homodimer 4 in solution showed only poor coupling yields indicative for the low reactivity of the amino and carboxy groups in the building blocks 1 and 2, respectively (Scheme 1). Best coupling yields were found using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) without any additive. The oligomerization of building block 2 adopting the Fmoc ((9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl) solid-phase synthesis yielded a mixture of N-terminal-modified distamycin-NA derivatives. By combined HPLC and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis, the N-terminal functional groups could be identified as acetamide and N,N-dimethylformamidine functions, arising from coupling of the N-terminus of the growing chain with residual AcOH or DCC-activated solvent DMF. An improved preparation of building block 2 and coupling protocol led to the prevention of the N-terminal acetylation. However, ‘amidination’ could not be circumvented. A thus isolated tetramer of 2, containing a lysine unit at the C-terminus and a N,N-dimethylformamidine-modified N-terminus, not unexpectedly, showed no complementary base pairing to DNA and RNA, as determined by standard UV-melting-curve analysis.

Notes: (S)-4,4,4-Trifluoro-3-hydroxybutanoic acid was used as a starting material for the synthesis of dendritic branches (16-21, 30-32) which were attached to a chiral triol (6 or ent-6), derived from (R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid, to give CF3-substituted dendrimers (33-36, 38-40) and dendritic compounds (37) of 1st and 2nd generation. The key steps in these syntheses are diastereoselective aldol additions of dioxanone enolates (building blocks and intermediates 6-15, 22, 23, and 25-28) and Williamson etherifications of benzylic-branch bromides with triols (intermediates and products 16-21, 28, and 30-40). The surfaces of the dendrimers are covered with MeO (33-35, 38-40) or allyloxy groups (36 and 37). The new dendrimers are characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy. 19F-NMR Signals of the CF3 groups reveal constitutional heterotopicities caused by substituents which are separated from the F-nuclei by up to 15 bonds (through a 1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diyl spacer!) (Fig. 6).

Notes: An explanation for the very high diastereoselectivity observed for the reactions of carbonyl-substituted (arylsulfinyl)methyl radicals is presented, based on experimental results and semiempirical calculations. The influence of dipole-dipole interactions, allylic 1,3-strain (A1,3 strain), allylic 1,2-strain (A1,2 strain), and coulombic interactions is discussed based on stereoselectivities observed with (alkoxycarbonyl)-, cyano-, and aryl-substituted (arylsulfinyl)methyl radicals. In the second part, the effect of solvents and Lewis acids on the stereoselectivity of reactions of (arylsulfinyl)- and (alkylsulfinyl)benzyl radicals has been examined.

Notes: Compounds 6-13 were prepared starting from 1-(triphenlymethyl)-protected 1H-imidazoles 14 and 15 in several steps. Lithiation with BuLi in THF followed by reaction with (triphenylmethoxy)acetaldehyde (16) afforded 17 and 18, respectively. O-Methylation of 17 and 18 gave diethers 19 and 20, respectively. The N- and O-trityl protecting groups of 17-20 were cleaved by acid treatment to give deprotected compounds 21-24. Acylation with equimolar amounts (for mono- or di-O-acylation) of the corresponding acyl chlorides yielded 1H-imidazoles 6-13. Compounds 7, 8, 10, and 11 exhibited moderate protein kinase C inhibition.