Allylic Hydroxyl Research Articles

Allylic hydroxylation of triterpenoids by a plant cytochrome P450 triggers key chemical transformations that produce a variety of bitter compounds

Cucurbitacins are highly oxygenated triterpenoids characteristic of plants in the family Cucurbitaceae and responsible for the bitter taste of these plants. Fruits of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) contain various cucurbitacins possessing an unusual ether bridge between C5 and C19, not observed in other Cucurbitaceae members. Using a combination of next-generation sequencing and RNA-Seq analysis and gene-to-gene co-expression analysis with the ConfeitoGUIplus software, we identified three P450 genes, CYP81AQ19, CYP88L7, and CYP88L8, expected to be involved in cucurbitacin biosynthesis. CYP81AQ19 co-expression with cucurbitadienol synthase in yeast resulted in the production of cucurbita-5,24-diene-3β,23α-diol. A mild acid treatment of this compound resulted in an isomerization of the C23-OH group to C25-OH with the concomitant migration of a double bond, suggesting that a nonenzymatic transformation may account for the observed C25-OH in the majority of cucurbitacins found in plants. The functional expression of CYP88L7 resulted in the production of hydroxylated C19 as well as C5-C19 ether-bridged products. A plausible mechanism for the formation of the C5-C19 ether bridge involves C7 and C19 hydroxylations, indicating a multifunctional nature of this P450. On the other hand, functional CYP88L8 expression gave a single product, a triterpene diol, indicating a monofunctional P450 catalyzing the C7 hydroxylation. Our findings of the roles of several plant P450s in cucurbitacin biosynthesis reveal that an allylic hydroxylation is a key enzymatic transformation that triggers subsequent processes to produce structurally diverse products.

The quantum chemical study of the mechanism of the epoxidation reaction of limonene and geraniol with peracetic and perbenzoic acids

Aim. To compare the mechanism of the epoxidation reaction of terpenes Geraniol and Limonene with peracetic acid and perbenzoic acid based on the quantum chemical study. Materials and methods . For the calculation the density functional theory (approximation UBH & HLYP/6-31G (d) Gaussian 09) method was applied. The specified density functional allows to correctly describing biradical structures; it is rather economic in terms of the computer time cost, which allows its use in the study of sufficiently complex organic compounds and reactions. Results and discussion . The quantum chemical study of mechanisms of the epoxidation reaction of such terpenes as Geraniol and Limonene with peracetic and perbenzonic acids using the density functional theory (approximation UBH & HLYP/6-31G (d) Gaussian 09 program) has been conducted. It has been shown that epoxidation of geraniol with both peroxyacids occurs preferably by the double bond C 6 =C 7 due to stabilization of the corresponding transition state as a result of formation of hydrogen bond between the allyl hydroxyl group and the oxygen atom of the peroxy acid. Epoxidation of Limonene with perbenzoic and peracetic acids occurs via the cyclic double bond characterized by the lowest activation barrier, and it is consistent with the regioselectivity of the process generally known and experimentally proven. Conclusions . The results obtained are consistent with the experimental data, confirming the correctness of the use of this UBH & HLYP/6-31G (d) approach to study the regiochemical pecularities of the epoxidation process of alkenes containing several isolated double bonds.

Boron‐Catalyzed C−C Functionalization of Allyl Alcohols

AbstractTris(pentafluorophenyl)borane‐catalyzed C−C bond functionalization of arylallyl alcohols using donor‐acceptor carbenes is presented. The allylic hydroxyl group is found to assist the product formation by neighboring group participation providing a clue towards mechanistic understanding. This method can also be employed to effect homologation of allyl alcohols to homoallyl alcohols. Overall, this metal‐free transformation presents a novel disconnection strategy towards carbon‐carbon bond scission and formation.magnified image

Direct Stereoselective Aziridination of Cyclohexenols with 3-Amino-2-(trifluoromethyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one in the Synthesis of Cyclitol Aziridine Glycosidase Inhibitors.

Cyclophellitol aziridine and its configurational and functional isomers are powerful covalent inhibitors of retaining glycosidases, and find application in fundamental studies on glycosidases, amongst others in relation to inherited lysosomal storage disorders caused by glycosidase malfunctioning. Few direct and stereoselective aziridination methodologies are known for the synthesis of cyclophellitol aziridines. Herein, we present our studies on the scope of direct 3‐amino‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one‐mediated aziridination on a variety of configurational and functional cyclohexenol isosters. We demonstrate that the aziridination can be directed by an allylic or homoallylic hydroxyl through H‐bonding and that steric hindrance plays a key role in the diastereoselectivity of the reaction.

Synthesis of an Anti-hepatitis B Agent, 2'-Fluoro-6'-methylene-carbocyclic Adenosine (FMCA) and Its Phosphoramidate (FMCAP).

2'-Fluoro-6'-methylene-carbocyclic adenosine (FMCA, 12) and its phosphoramidate prodrug (FMCAP, 14) have been proven as a potential anti-HBV agent against both adefovir-resistant as well as lamivudine-resistant double (rtL180M/rtM204V) mutants. Furthermore, in vitro, these agents have demonstrated significant activity against lamivudine/entecavir triple mutants (L180M + S202G + M204V). These preliminary results encourage us for further biological evaluation of FMCA and FMCAP to develop as a potential clinical candidate as an anti-HBV agent, which may overcome the problem of drug resistance in HBV therapy. To support the preclinical exploration, a scalable synthesis of this molecule was needed. In this communication, a practical and scalable synthesis of FMCA, and its prodrug, is reported via ketone 1. The selective opening of the isopropylidene group of 2 led to compound 3. Protection of the allylic hydroxyl group of 3, followed by fluorination and deprotection, afforded the key intermediate 10, which was condensed with a Boc-protected adenine, followed by deprotection, furnished the target nucleoside FMCA (12) in high yield. Further coupling of phosphorochloridate of L-alanine isopropyl ester (13) with FMCA gave its phosphoramidate prodrug FMCAP (14) in good yield.

Identification of Novel Gymnodimines and Spirolides from the Marine Dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii

Cyclic imine toxins are neurotoxic, macrocyclic compounds produced by marine dinoflagellates. Mass spectrometric screenings of extracts from natural plankton assemblages revealed a high chemical diversity among this toxin class, yet only few toxins are structurally known. Here we report the structural characterization of four novel cyclic-imine toxins (two gymnodimines (GYMs) and two spirolides (SPXs)) from cultures of Alexandrium ostenfeldii. A GYM with m/z 510 (1) was identified as 16-desmethylGYM D. A GYM with m/z 526 was identified as the hydroxylated degradation product of (1) with an exocyclic methylene at C-17 and an allylic hydroxyl group at C-18. This compound was named GYM E (2). We further identified a SPX with m/z 694 as 20-hydroxy-13,19-didesmethylSPX C (10) and a SPX with m/z 696 as 20-hydroxy-13,19-didesmethylSPX D (11). This is the first report of GYMs without a methyl group at ring D and SPXs with hydroxyl groups at position C-20. These compounds can be conceived as derivatives of the same nascent polyketide chain, supporting the hypothesis that GYMs and SPXs are produced through common biosynthetic genes. Both novel GYMs 1 and 2 were detected in significant amounts in extracts from natural plankton assemblages (1: 447 pg; 2: 1250 pg; 11: 40 pg per mL filtered seawater respectively).

Proximal Pocket Controls Alkene Oxidation Selectivity of Cytochrome P450 and Chloroperoxidase toward Small, Nonpolar Substrates.

This paper examines the influence of the proximal pockets of cytochrome P450CAM and chloroperoxidase (CPO) on the relative favorability of catalytic epoxidation and allylic hydroxylation of olefins, a type of alkene oxidation selectivity. The study employs quantum mechanical models of the active site to isolate the proximal pocket's influence on the barrier for the selectivity-determining step for each reaction, using cyclohexene and cis-β-methylstyrene as substrates. The proximal pocket is found to preference epoxidation by 2-5 kcal/mol, the largest value being for CPO, converting the active heme-thiolate moiety from being intrinsically hydroxylation-selective to being intrinsically epoxidation-selective. This theoretical study, the first to correctly predict these enzymes' preference for epoxidation of allylic substrates, strongly suggests that the proximal pocket is the key determinant of alkene oxidation selectivity. The selectivity for epoxidation can be rationalized in terms of the proximal pocket's modulation of the thiolate's electron "push" and consequent influence on the heme redox potential and the basicity of the trans ligand.

Cytochrome b5 enhances androgen synthesis by rapidly reducing the CYP17A1 oxy-complex in the lyase step.

Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) catalyzes the synthesis of androgens from the steroid precursors pregnenolone and progesterone in a two-step reaction process: allylic hydroxylation and carbo-carbon bond scission. Cytochrome b5 (Cyt-b5 ) is a stimulator of the second lyase reaction, but the chemical mechanism is unclear. We have shown previously that this stimulatory effect requires redox active Cyt-b5 . To investigate the origin of the lyase reaction enhancement by electron transfer from Cyt-b5 , we measured the reduction rates of oxy-ferrous substrate-bound CYP17A1 by Cyt-b5 and by cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) coincorporated in Nanodiscs using stopped flow spectroscopy. We observed that Cyt-b5 reduces oxy-ferrous CYP17A1 10-fold faster than CPR, with the rate similar to that observed in a ternary complex of all three proteins.

Photoactivatable Rhodamine Spiroamides and Diazoketones Decorated with "Universal Hydrophilizer" or Hydroxyl Groups.

Photoactivatable rhodamine spiroamides and spirocyclic diazoketones emerged recently as synthetic markers applicable in multicolor super-resolution microscopy. However, their applicability in single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) is often limited by aggregation, unspecific adhesion, and low reactivity caused by insufficient solubility and precipitation from aqueous solutions. We report here two synthetic modifications increasing the polarity of compact polycyclic and hydrophobic labels decorated with a reactive group: attachment of 3-sulfo-l-alanyl-beta-alanine dipeptide (a "universal hydrophilizer") or allylic hydroxylation in photosensitive rhodamine diazoketones (and spiroamides). The super-resolution images of tubulin and keratin filaments in fixed and living cells exemplify the performance of "blinking" spiroamides derived from N, N, N', N'-tetramethyl rhodamine.

Comparative study of structures and properties of HTPBs synthesized via three different polymerization methods

Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadienes (HTPBs) were obtained via free radical polymerization, living anionic polymerization, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Although the differently synthesized microstructures of HTPBs have a very similar molecular weight, we observed a significant difference in the molecular weight distribution, in the types of addition microstructures, and in the kinds of hydroxyl terminal groups. The HTPB prepared via living anionic polymerization is nearly monodisperse with a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) value lower than 1.1, whereas the free radical and the ring-opening metathesis polymerization processes yielded HTPBs with an Mw/Mn value higher than 1.3. Furthermore, these three polymerization processes led to different percentages of 1,4-addition microstructures, and various types of hydroxyl terminal groups in the polymer backbone. The HTPB prepared via free radical polymerization contains 77.3% of 1,4-addition microstructures and three types of allyl hydroxyl groups, whereas the HTPB synthesized via the living anionic polymerization contains 90.7% of 1,4-addition microstructures and two types of aliphatic hydroxyl groups. The HTPB produced using the ring-opening metathesis polymerization only contains 1,4-addition microstructures (100%) and two types of allyl hydroxyl groups. Finally, the differences of HTPBs' hydroxyl values, thermal properties and viscosity have been further explored, suggesting that HTPBs have the similar glass-transition temperatures and decomposing temperatures, but different hydroxyl values and viscosities.

Influence of Conserved Structural Elements of the Proximal Pocket in HEME-Thiolate Enzymes on Oxygen Insertion Reactions

In many heme-thiolate enzymes, the chemical transformations of substrates occur in a binding site located on the distal side of the heme. The opposite (proximal) side of the heme is characterized by conserved structural elements that vary subtly from enzyme to enzyme. These structural elements include hydrogen bonds to the proximal sulfur and the dipole moment of an alpha helix that terminates in the proximal cysteine ligand. We present research on two heme-thiolate enzymes, chloroperoxidase and cytochrome P450CAM, that shows that these structural elements have significant influence on a wide range of reactivities (formation of compound I, epoxidation and allylic hydroxylation of alkene substrates, regioselectivity and even enantiospecificity). The fine-tuning of these structural motifs can select among closely related modes of reactivity.

Semi-synthetic salinomycin analogs exert cytotoxic activity against human colorectal cancer stem cells

Salinomycin, a polyether antibiotic, is a well-known inhibitor of human cancer stem cells. Chemical modification of the allylic C20 hydroxyl of salinomycin has enabled access to synthetic analogs that display increased cytotoxic activity compared to the native structure. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of a cohort of C20-O-acyl analogs of salinomycin on human colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro. Two human colorectal cancer cell lines (SW480 and SW620) were exposed to three C20-O-acylated analogs and salinomycin. The impact of salinomycin and its analogs on tumor cell number, migration, cell death, and cancer stem cell specifity was analyzed. Exposure of human colorectal cancer cells to the C20-O-acylated analogs of salinomycin resulted in reduced tumor cell number and impaired tumor cell migration at lower concentrations than salinomycin. When used at higher (micromolar) concentrations, these effects were accompanied by induction of apoptotic cell death. Salinomycin analogs further expose improved activity against cancer stem cells compared to salinomycin.

Hydroxylative activity of Aspergillus niger towards androst-4-ene and androst-5-ene steroids

Aspergillus niger, one of fungal species most frequently used for experimental and industrial-scale biotransformations of various organic compounds, is generally known to transform steroids at 16β position. In this work, application of the strain A. niger KCH910 to bioconversion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenediol and testosterone is described, with emphasis on the metabolic steps leading to the products. Evidence from this study indicated that incubated 5-ene steroids underwent bioconversion within two metabolic pathways: oxidation by the action of 3β-HSD (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) to 4-ene steroids, and minor allylic hydroxylation to epimeric 7-alcohols. Further transformation of the 3-oxo-4-ene metabolites resulted in non-selective 16-hydroxylation. It is the first report on an A. niger strain able to introduce not only 16β- but also 16α-hydroxyl function into steroids.

Phosphinophosphonates and Their Tris-pivaloyloxymethyl Prodrugs Reveal a Negatively Cooperative Butyrophilin Activation Mechanism.

Butyrophilin 3A1 (BTN3A1) binds small phosphorus-containing molecules, which initiates transmembrane signaling and activates butyrophilin-responsive cells. We synthesized several phosphinophosphonates and their corresponding tris-pivaloyloxymethyl (tris-POM) prodrugs and examined their effects on BTN3A1. An analog of (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl diphosphate (HMBPP) bound to BTN3A1 with intermediate affinity, which was enthalpy-driven. Docking studies revealed binding to the basic surface pocket and interactions between the allylic hydroxyl group and the BTN3A1 backbone. The phosphinophosphonate stimulated proliferation of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells with moderate activity (EC50 = 26 μM). Cellular potency was enhanced >600-fold in the tris-POM prodrug (EC50 = 0.041 μM). The novel prodrug also induced T cell mediated leukemia cell lysis. Analysis of dose-response data reveals HMBPP-induced Hill coefficients of 0.69 for target cell lysis and 0.68 in interferon secretion. Together, tris-POM prodrugs enhance the cellular activity of phosphinophosphonates, reveal structure-activity relationships of butyrophilin ligands, and support a negatively cooperative model of cellular butyrophilin activation.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Allenes by Catalytic Traceless Petasis Reactions.

Allenes are useful functional groups in synthesis as a result of their inherent chemical properties and established reactivity patterns. One property of chemical bonding renders 1,3-substituted allenes chiral, making them attractive targets for asymmetric synthesis. While there are many enantioselective methods to synthesize chiral allenes from chiral starting materials, fewer methods exist to directly synthesize enantioenriched chiral allenes from achiral precursors. We report here an asymmetric boronate addition to sulfonyl hydrazones catalyzed by chiral biphenols to access enantioenriched allenes in a traceless Petasis reaction. The resulting Mannich product from nucleophilic addition eliminates sulfinic acid, yielding a propargylic diazene that performs an alkyne walk to afford the allene. Two enantioselective approaches have been developed; alkynyl boronates add to glycolaldehyde imine to afford allylic hydroxyl allenes, and allyl boronates add to alkynyl imines to form 1,3-alkenyl allenes. In both cases, the products are obtained in high yields and enantioselectivities.

Solvent and additive-free selective aerobic allylic hydroxylation of β-pinene catalyzed by metalloporphyrins

Metallodeuteroporphyrins (MDPs) were employed as the catalysts for aerobic oxidation of β-pinene in absence of solvents and additives. Allylic hydroxylation products were found to be the main products from this protocol. The catalytic activity of MDPs with different metal nuclei and the influences of technological conditions on this reaction were investigated. This catalytic system has bright application prospect since only eco-friendly and readily available dioxygen were needed.

Synthesis and Diels–Alder reactions of novel styrylcyclohexenol dienes: a general pathway for the synthesis of tricyclic lactone and octahydronaphthalene systems

A series of novel (E)-5,5-dimethyl-3-styrylcyclohex-2-en-1-ol dienes were synthesized by reduction of the respective ketones and their Diels–Alder reactivity explored with N-phenylmaleimide and methyl acrylate. Consequently, two groups of novel products were synthesized in high yields. In reactions with N-phenylmaleimide, the initially formed cycloadducts undergo an additional in situ lactonization to give tricyclic lactone systems, due to spontaneous attack of the allylic hydroxyl on the neighboring carbonyl group of the dienophile residue. All reactions proceeded stereoselectively to give solely the endo products.

Total synthesis of atropurpuran.

Due to their architectural intricacy and biological significance, the synthesis of polycyclic diterpenes and their biogenetically related alkaloids have been the subject of considerable interest over the last few decades, with progress including the impressive synthesis of several elusive targets. Despite tremendous efforts, conquering the unique structural types of this large natural product family remains a long-term challenge. The arcutane diterpenes and related alkaloids, bearing a congested tetracyclo[5.3.3.04,9.04,12]tridecane unit, are included in these unsolved enigmas. Here we report a concise approach to the construction of the core structure of these molecules and the first total synthesis of (±)-atropurpuran. Pivotal features of the synthesis include an oxidative dearomatization/intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition cascade, sequential aldol and ketyl-olefin cyclizations to assemble the highly caged framework, and a chemoselective and stereoselective reduction to install the requisite allylic hydroxyl group in the target molecule.

Domino reactions of cyclic enaminones leading to selective synthesis of pentacyclic indoles and its functionalization

A new multicomponent domino reaction of cyclic enaminones with acenaphthylene-1,2-dione in an anhydride solvent has been established, providing selective protocol to pentacyclic indoles with different substituted patterns (up to 50 examples). Both substitutions on the cyclic enaminone ring and reaction temperatures showed obvious impact on the reaction pathways. For instance, selective allylic hydroxylation and allylic esterification of in situ generated indoles depend on reaction temperatures. With special substituents, the reactions underwent dehydrogenation process to give access to different substituted fused indoles with good to excellent yields. These reactions feature mild conditions, convenient one-pot operation and short reaction times. The purification of products only needs to be washed by 95% ethanol without traditional chromatography and recrystallization, which characterizes group-assisted purification (GAP) chemistry.

Microbial diversification of Diels-Alder cycloadducts by whole cells of Penicillium brasilianum.

Functionalizations of cycloadducts are important steps for the use of Diels-Alder reactions in the construction of complex cyclic or polycyclic molecules from relatively simple starting materials. In the present work, we studied the ability of Penicillium brasilianum to perform microbial transformations of racemic Diels-Alder endo-cycloadducts. Thus, Diels-Alder products, obtained from reacting cyclopentadiene or 2,3-dimethylbutadiene with alkylated para-benzoquinones, were transformed by the resting cells of P. brasilianum producing new functionalized polycyclic compounds. These biotransformations yielded novel products of oxidation and ring closure, reduction of the C=C or C=O in [Formula: see text]-unsaturated system, and allylic hydroxylations. The reduction products (conjugated double bond and carbonyl group) were also synthesized, and the enantioselectivity of both in vitro and in vivo processes was evaluated. In all cases, the microbiological transformations were enantioselective. In silico docking studies of the Diels-Alder cycloadducts with P. brasilianum oxidoreductase "old yellow enzymes" shed more light on these transformations.