C Atoms Research Articles

De Novo Synthesis of Bacteriochlorins Bearing Four Trideuteriomethyl Groups

Site-specific introduction of isotopes in tetrapyrrole macrocycles provides the foundation for probing physicochemical features germane to photosynthetic energy-transduction processes, but has chiefly been done with porphyrins rather than the more biologically relevant hydroporphyrin analogues of native photosynthetic pigments. A prior study incorporated pairwise 13C or 15N atoms in the skeleton of a bacteriochlorin containing a gem-dimethyl group in each pyrroline ring. Here, a complementary effort is reported that installs deuterium atoms in substituents at the perimeter of a bacteriochlorin. Thus, perdeuteriated 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione was converted in an 8-step synthesis via the intermediacy of tert-butyl 5-formyl-3,4-bis(trideuteriomethyl)pyrrole-2-carboxylate to the 2,3,12,13-tetrakis(trideuteriomethyl)-8,8,18,18-tetramethylbacteriochlorin (BC-2). The fidelity of isotope substitution was maintained throughout the synthesis. Resonance Raman spectroscopy of the copper chelate (CuBC-2) revealed that addition of the four β-pyrrolic substituents alone is not sufficient to account for the vibronic complexity observed for the copper chelate of bacteriochlorophyll a (CuBChl a). The increased vibronic activity exhibited by the natural pigments and CuBChl a must arise from the increased structural complexity of the macrocycle.

Structure, conformations, vibrations and quantum chemical investigations of 2–(1H–indol–3–yl)–2–oxoacetic acid

Detailed structural, electronic and vibrational properties of 2–(1H–indol–3–yl)–2–oxoacetic acid or 3–indoleglyoxylic acid (3IGA) have been analysed with the help of FT–IR, FT–Raman and FT–NMR spectra along with the support of the theoretical investigations by B3LYP method. The conformational investigations on 3IGA showed that s–trans–I conformer with intramolecular hydrogen bonding is the most stable one. The range of total electron density of the molecule 3IGA is found to be +7.383e × 10–2 to – 7.383e × 10–2 and the electrostatic potential of 3AI is in the range +1.167e × 10–2 to –1.167e × 10–2. The energy gap ΔE = (ELUMO–EHOMO) of 3IGA is 4.1008 eV. The n(O20) → π*(C18–O19) is strongly stabilized by 54.01 kcal mol–1. Significant lowering and broadening of the stretching O–H band indicates the presence of intramolecular O–H···O hydrogen bonding. The chemical shift of C2 (138.00 ppm) and C3 (112.57 ppm) is much higher in 3IGA when compared to indole 125.07 and 100.84 ppm, respectively. The atoms C3, C4, C7, C6 and N1 are favourable for the nucleophilic attack while C16, C18, C2, C9, C5 and C8 are favourable for electrophilic attack.

Synthesis of Amidoalkyl Naphthols in PEG-400 as a Green and Efficient Solvent and Theoretical Study of their Spectroscopic Properties

Abstract: An efficient synthesis of amidoalkyl naphthols from the multicomponent reaction of 2- naphthol, aromatic aldehydes, and benzamide derivatives using PEG-400 as an environmentally friendly solvent is described. The main advantage of this protocol is that the benzamide derivatives with low reactivity, such as 4-nitro benzamide, can react effectively. Also, the molecular structure, IR, and 13C NMR spectra of the synthesized compounds are also investigated theoretically. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level of theory are carried out to locate optimized geometries and calculate vibrational normal modes and 13C NMR chemical shifts. These calculations enable us to assign the observed FT-IR and 13C NMR peaks to the corresponding vibrational motions and 13C atoms, respectively.

Martini 3 Model of Cellulose Microfibrils: On the Route to Capture Large Conformational Changes of Polysaccharides.

High resolution data from all-atom molecular simulations is used to parameterize a Martini 3 coarse-grained (CG) model of cellulose I allomorphs and cellulose type-II fibrils. In this case, elementary molecules are represented by four effective beads centred in the positions of O2, O3, C6, and O6 atoms in the D-glucose cellulose subunit. Non-bonded interactions between CG beads are tuned according to a low statistical criterion of structural deviation using the Martini 3 type of interactions and are capable of being indistinguishable for all studied cases. To maintain the crystalline structure of each single cellulose chain in the microfibrils, elastic potentials are employed to retain the ribbon-like structure in each chain. We find that our model is capable of describing different fibril-twist angles associated with each type of cellulose fibril in close agreement with atomistic simulation. Furthermore, our CG model poses a very small deviation from the native-like structure, making it appropriate to capture large conformational changes such as those that occur during the self-assembly process. We expect to provide a computational model suitable for several new applications such as cellulose self-assembly in different aqueous solutions and the thermal treatment of fibrils of great importance in bioindustrial applications.

Catalyst-Free Site Selective Hydroxyalkylation of 5-Phenylthiophen-2-amine with α-Trifluoromethyl Ketones through Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution.

An original and effective approach for achieving trifluoromethyl hydroxyalkylation of 5-phenylthiophen-2-amine using α-trifluoromethyl ketones is described. In the last few years, reaction of Friedel-Crafts had been widely used to realize hydroxyalkylation on heterocycles such as indoles or thiophenes by means of Lewis acid as catalyst. Additionally, amine functions are rarely free when carbonyl reagents are used because of their tendency to form imines. This is the first time that a site-selective electrophilic aromatic substitution on C3 atom of an unprotected 5-phenylthiophen-2-amine moiety is reported. The liberty to allow reaction in neutral conditions between free amine is valuable in a synthesis pathway. The reaction proceeds smoothly using an atom-economical metal-and catalyst-free methodology in good to excellent yields. A mechanism similar to an electrophilic aromatic substitution has been proposed.

New BODIPY Dyes Based on Benzoxazole as Photosensitizers in Radical Polymerization of Acrylate Monomers.

A series of 2-phenacylbenzoxazole difluoroboranes named BODIPY dyes (1–8) was designed and applied as photosensitizers (PS) for radical photopolymerization of acrylate monomer. The light absorption within the ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) range (λmax = 350–410 nm; εmax = 23,000–42,500 M−1cm−1), that is strongly influenced by the substituents on the C3 and C4 atoms of phenyl ring, matched the emission of the Omnicure S2000 light within 320–500 nm. The photosensitizer possess fluorescence quantum yield from about 0.005 to 0.99. The 2-phenacylbenzoxazole difluoroboranes, together with borate salt (Bor), iodonium salt (Iod) or pyridinium salt (Pyr) acting as co-initiators, can generate active radicals upon the irradiation with a High Pressure Mercury Lamp which initiates a high-performance UV–Vis light-induced radical polymerization at 320–500 nm. The polymers obtained are characterized by strong photoluminescence. It was found that the type of radical generator (co-initiator) has a significant effect on the kinetic of radical polymerization of acrylate monomer. Moreover, the chemical structure of the BODIPY dyes does not influence the photoinitiating ability of the photoinitiator. The concentration of the photoinitiating system affects the photoinitiating performance. These 2-phenacylbenzoxazole difluoroborane-based photoinitiating systems have promising applications in UV–Vis-light induced polymerization.

Crystal structures of a 6-dimethylallyltryptophan synthase, IptA: Insights into substrate tolerance and enhancement of prenyltransferase activity

Dimethylallyltryptophan synthases (DMATSs) catalyze the prenyl transfer reaction from dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) to an indole ring. IptA, a member of the DMATS family, is involved in biosynthesis of 6-dimethylallylindole-3-carbaldehyde in Streptomyces sp. SN-593 and catalyzes the C6-prenylation of l-Trp. The enzyme exhibits prenyl acceptor promiscuity and can accept various Trp derivatives, as observed in several other DMATS family members. Although many crystal structures of DMATS have been determined to date, the structural basis of substrate promiscuity and the acceptance of alternatives to indole-containing natural substrates remain to be clarified. In this study, we determined the crystal structures of the ternary l-Trp derivative (5-methyl-, 6-methyl-, and Nα-methyl-l-Trp) -DMSPP (dimethylallyl S-thiolopyrophosphate; stable analog of DMAPP) -enzyme complex of IptA, in addition to the substrate-free IptA and ternary l-Trp-DMSPP-IptA complex crystal structures. The overall structure of IptA exhibited a typical ABBA-fold, which is commonly found in DMATS family members, while l-Trp and DMSPP are found in a tunnel located inside the ABBA barrel. The crystal structure of the ternary l-Trp-DMSPP-enzyme complex can explain the electrophilic substitution at the C6 atom of l-Trp, which is assisted by Glu84 and His294, as previously suggested for other DMATSs. Although l-Trp snugly fitted into the active site pocket and the unoccupied space around l-Trp is very limited in the l-Trp-DMSPP-IptA complex structure, the enzyme can accommodate 5-methyl- and 6-methyl-l-Trp by slight relocation of the substrate indole ring and adjacent side chain in the active site, resulting in a higher prenylation activity for 5-methyl-l-Trp and C7 prenylation of 6-methyl-l-Trp. Like many other DMATSs, IptA cannot utilize prenyl donors larger than DMAPP. To enlarge the prenyl donor-binding pocket, the W154A mutation was introduced. As expected, this mutant produced prenylated l-Trp from l-Trp and geranyl- and farnesyl pyrophosphate.

Amphiphilic cyclodextrins: Dimerization and diazepam binding explored by molecular dynamics simulations

Amphiphilic cyclodextrins spontaneously aggregate to form different supramolecular assemblies with potential applications in drug release. Herein, we employ extended molecular dynamics simulations in order to characterize the structure and dynamics in explicit solvent of several amphiphilic derivatives of the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) molecule, with aliphatic chains ester-bound to the wide rim of the hydrophobic cavity. We also study the binding properties considering a typical guest (diazepam) and the dimerization of these macrocyclic systems, assessing the relative stability of the complexes by means of end-point free energy methods. Different lengths (C4, C10, and C14 atoms) are considered for the alkyl side chains included in the amphiphilic β-CD-Cn molecules. According to the simulations, the length of these Cn moieties determines the complexing and aggregation capabilities of the β-CD-Cn systems. Compared to the native β-CD, the alkyl side chains in the β-CD-Cn molecules destabilize the inclusion complexes with diazepam and hinder the access of guest molecules to the hydrophobic cavity. In turn, dimerization is favored in the largest amphiphilic derivatives associated to the hydrophobic interaction between the Cn fragments.

Stable Diarylamine-Substituted Tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl Radicals: One-Step Synthesis, Near-Infrared Emission, and Redox Chemistry

Stable Diarylamine-Substituted Tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl Radicals: One-Step Synthesis, Near-Infrared Emission, and Redox Chemistry

Hollongdione arylidene derivatives induce antiproliferative activity against melanoma and breast cancer through pro-apoptotic and antiangiogenic mechanisms

The use of natural compounds as starting point for semisynthetic derivatives has already been proven as a valuable source of active anticancer agents. Hollongdione (4,4,8,14-tetramethyl-18-norpregnan-3,20-dion), obtained by few steps from dammarane type triterpenoid dipterocarpol, was chemically modified at C2 and C21 carbon atoms by the Claisen-Schmidt aldol condensation to give a series of arylidene derivatives. The anticancer activity of the obtained compounds was assessed on NCI-60 cancer cell panel, revealing strong antiproliferative effects against a large variety of cancer cells. 2,21-Bis-[3-pyridinyl]-methylidenohollongdione 9 emerged as the most active derivative as indicated by its GI50 values in the micromolar range which, combined with its high selectivity index values, indicated its suitability for deeper biological investigation. The mechanisms involved in compound 9 antiproliferative activity, were investigated through in vitro (DAPI staining) and ex vivo (CAM assay) tests, which exhibited its apoptotic and antiangiogenic activities. In addition, compound 9 showed an overall inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. rtPCR analysis identified the more intimate activity at pro-survival/pro-apoptotic gene level. Collectively, the hollongdione derivative stand as a promising therapeutic option against melanoma and breast cancer provided that future in vivo analysis will certify its clinical efficacy.

Early steps of oxidative damage in DNA quadruplexes are position-dependent: Quantum mechanical and molecular dynamics analysis of human telomeric sequence containing ionized guanine

Guanine radical cation (G•+) is a key intermediate in many oxidative processes occurring in nucleic acids. Here, by combining mixed Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanics calculations and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, we study how the structural behaviour of a tract GGG(TTAGGG)3 (hereafter Tel21) of the human telomeric sequence, folded in an antiparallel quadruple helix, changes when one of the G bases is ionized to G•+ (Tel21+). Once assessed that the electron-hole is localized on a single G, we perform MD simulations of twelve Tel21+ systems, differing in the position of G•+ in the sequence. When G•+ is located in the tetrad adjacent to the diagonal loop, we observe substantial structural rearrangements, which can decrease the electrostatic repulsion with the inner Na+ ions and increase the solvent exposed surface of G•+. Analysis of solvation patterns of G•+ provides new insights on the main reactions of G•+, i.e. the deprotonation at two different sites and hydration at the C8 atom, the first steps of the processes producing 8oxo-Guanine. We suggest the main structural determinants of the relative reactivity of each position and our conclusions, consistent with the available experimental trends, can help rationalizing the reactivity of other G-quadruplex topologies.

Effects of number, type and length of the alkyl-chain on the structure and property of indazole derivatives used as corrosion inhibitors

In this study, three series of new indazole derivatives linked with double long alkyl-chains (N-alkyl-chain, O-alkyl-chain or S-alkyl-chain) were designed. Then, to estimate the potential used as corrosion inhibitors and effects of number, type and length, their geometries, frontier molecular orbital energies, global electrophilicity index, nucleophilicity index, absolute electronegativity, absolute hardness, softness, a fraction of electrons transferred, Fukui functions and binding energy were investigated by the density functional theory method and molecular dynamics simulation. The results showed that the introduced second long chain has significant effects on the anti-corrosive properties and is very helpful for improving the inhibition efficiency. Among three long-chains, the N-alkyl-chain is favorable for donating electrons to metals, while the S-chain is good for accepting electrons to form feedback bonds. Both the N-alkyl-chain and O-alkyl-chains are much more convenient for forming big water-block than the S-alkyl chain. As a result, inhibitors linked with two N-alkyl-chains may have higher inhibition efficiency than others. When the length of the long-chain is longer than eight carbon atoms, most anti-corrosive properties will not change any more obvious, but the binding energy will decrease, and the adsorption strength between inhibitors and metals may be weakened because of the curling, bending and repulsion of long chains. The N3/O/S, N1, C1, C4, C6 and C7 atoms are possible reactive sites to donate electrons, while N2, C1, C4, C5, C7 and N1 atoms are the main electrophilic centers to form feedback bonds. This work may be helpful for developing new multi-chain organic corrosion inhibitors.

Sulfation of arabinogalactan with sulfamic acid under homogeneous conditions in dimethylsulfoxide medium.

Sulfation of larch wood arabinogalactan (AG) with sulfamic acid in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) medium in the presence of urea was studied for the first time. The use of DMSO as a solvent instead of more toxic 1,4-dioxane allows to sulfate AG under homogeneous conditions. The sulfated AG with a high sulfur content (12.0–12.5 wt %) was produced by sulfation at a temperature of 85–90 °C, the molar ratio of AG / sulfating agent equal to 1:0.85 during 2–3 h. The introduction of sulfate groups into the structure of arabinogalactan was confirmed by the appearance of new absorption bands in FTIR and FT Raman spectra, characteristic for the vibrations of the sulfate groups. It was proved by 13C NMR spectroscopy that the predominant substitution of the primary hydroxyl groups at C6 carbon atoms of the terminal galactose units of main and side chains of arabinogalactan takes place. Simultaneously, the hydroxyl groups associated with C2 and C4 carbon atoms of galactose unit of the main chain are only partially sulfated. According to results of GPC study, the sulfated AG is characterized by a narrow molecular weight distribution with an average molecular weight of 18.8 kDa and a polydispersity of 1.3.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00226-021-01341-2.

Synthesis and Oxidative Transformations of New Chiral Pinane-Type γ-Ketothiols: Stereochemical Features of Reactions.

Chiral γ-ketothiols, thioacetates, thiobenzoate, disulfides, sulfones, thiosulfonates, and sulfonic acids were obtained from β-pinene for the first time. New compounds open up prospects for the synthesis of other polyfunctional compounds combining a biologically active pinane fragment with various pharmacophore groups. It was shown that the syntheses of sulfanyl and sulfonyl derivatives based on 2-norpinanone are characterized by high stereoselectivity in comparison with similar reactions of pinocarvone. The conditions for the preparation of diastereomerically pure thioacetyl and thiobenzoyl derivatives based on pinocarvone, as well as for the chemoselective oxidation of γ-ketothiols with chlorine dioxide to the corresponding thiolsulfonates and sulfonic acids, were selected. The effect of the VO(acac)2 catalyst on the increase in the yields of thiosulfonates was shown. A new direction of the transformation of thiosulfonates with the formation of sulfones was revealed. In the case of pinocarvone-based sulfones, the configuration is inversed at the C2 atom. An epimerization scheme is proposed.

A comprehensive theoretical analysis of Curtius rearrangement of syn-syn and syn-anti conformers of oxalyl diazide

The complete theoretical study of thermal Curtius rearrangement of syn-syn and syn-anti conformers of oxalyl diazide, in the gas phase and in solution has been established for the first time. The inexplicit solvent effect was taken into account via the self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) method. The gas and solution phases of all optimized geometries of the mentioned conformers associated with the Curtius rearrangement along the concerted and stepwise pathways were reported using the polarized continuum model and non-electrostatic terms from the SMD universal solvation model. The Curtius rearrangement of syn-syn and syn-anti conformers was taken place via concerted and stepwise pathways, respectively. The syn-syn conformer of oxalyl diazide is more stable than the syn-anti conformer in the gas phase and solution, and rearranged to syn-carbonyl azide isocyanate via an exergonic concerted mechanism with a single transition state. Nevertheless, the rearrangement of syn-anti conformer occurred through the two transition states and an intermediate, which the first and second steps are endergonic and exergonic, respectively. Theoretical results point out that the concerted pathway is predominant with 102-106 and 104-105 times faster than the stepwise mechanism in gas phase and solution, respectively. Topological analysis of the electron localization function at the B3LYP/6–311++G (2d,d,p) level of theory indicate that the catastrophe sequence 1-6-C†TSC†F C†C-0 begins with the N4–N5 bond breaking, elimination of nitrogen molecule and increasing of non-bonding monosynaptic attractor on N4 atom, and then changing of topological signature of C2–N4 bond, breaking of C1–C2 bond, and formation of pseudo-radical centers on C1 and C2 atoms. Subsequently, annihilation of pseudo-radical centers on the C1 atom, change of topological signature of C2–N4 and formation of C1–N4 bond were executed. The obtained results of ELF calculations show that the reaction takes place via a concerted mechanism but highly asynchronous process.

Enormous Promotion of Photocatalytic Activity through the Use of Near-Single Layer Covalent Organic Frameworks

Enormous Promotion of Photocatalytic Activity through the Use of Near-Single Layer Covalent Organic Frameworks

High-performance LED induces cationic photopolymerization using novel 1,3,5-triaryl-2-pyrazoline as photosensitizer

A series of 1,3,5-triaryl-2-pyrazolines was designed and synthesized as photosensitizers for cationic photopolymerization (CP). The light absorption within the ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) range (λmax = 344–376 nm; εmax = 17,300–20,000 M−1 cm−1), which was strongly influenced by the substituents on the C3 atom of pyrazoline ring, matched the emission of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) within 365–425 nm. The pyrazolines, together with iodonium salt (Iod) or sulfonium salts, can generate acid upon the irradiation with LEDs, and the quantum yields of the systems were high enough (0.11–0.17 for Iod and 0.04–0.12 for sulfonium salts) for high-performance LED-induced CP at 365–425 nm irradiation. UV–vis spectra, theoretical calculation, electrochemistry, electron spin resonance–spin trapping, and fluorescence quenching were investigated to determine the photochemical mechanism. The introduction of electron-pushing group and heterocycle rings can efficiently enhance the sensitization capabilities of pyrazolines to onium salts. These pyrazoline-based photoinitiating systems have promising applications in LED-induced photopolymerization.

Molecular Dynamic and Docking Simulation to Prevent Thymine Dimer as the Main Reason for Skin Cancer

Two major types can be repaired UV-induced DNA lesions. The first one is a light-dependent process that reverts UV damage applying particular wavelengths. The second is a light-independent process that excises the light-damaged region under novo synthesis of an intact DNA. The iGEMDOCK has been used for this study, and the acceptable thymine dimer can be defined for the binding site in whole DNA structures. The DNA is worked with two thymine in a segment of nucleic acids, and iGEMDOCK can help to prepare a suitable binding between them. The total energies of the model systems are a total of several partial energies as follows: E(system) = E(bond) + E(angle) + E(torsion) +E(over) +E(vdW) + E(Coulomb) + E(Specific). EvdW +E(Coulomb) represents the dispersive and electrostatic energies contribution between all atoms, respectively. Finally, E(Specific) is system-specific energy such as lone-pair, conjugation, and hydrogen binding. The DFT and HF calculations of the thymine dimer exhibited that the ring fusion at the C5 and C6 atoms of two thymine bases produced a four-member cyclo-butane puckered ring, as well as the feature, is seen with the MPn or Moller-Pleset level. In addition, the UV radiations between 360 nm to 200 nm have been investigated for the study of thymine dimers.

Resonance assignment and secondary structure of DbpA protein from the European species, Borrelia afzelii

Decorin binding proteins (Dbps) mediate attachment of spirochetes in host organisms during the early stages of Lyme disease infection. Previously, different binding mechanisms of Dbps to glycosaminoglycans have been elucidated for the pathogenic species Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. afzelii. We are investigating various European Borrelia spirochetes and their interactions at the atomic level using NMR. We report preparative scale recombinant expression of uniformly stable isotope enriched B. afzelii DbpA in Escherichia coli, its chromatographic purification, and solution NMR assignments of its backbone and sidechain 1H, 13C, and 15N atoms. This data was used to predict secondary structure propensity, which we compared to the North American B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and European B. garinii DbpA for which solution NMR structures had been determined previously. Backbone dynamics of DbpA from B. afzelii were elucidated from spin relaxation and heteronuclear NOE experiments. NMR-based secondary structure analysis together with the backbone dynamics characterization provided a first look into structural differences of B. afzelii DbpA compared to the North American species and will serve as the basis for further investigation of how these changes affect interactions with host components.

Mechanism and Selectivity of Cyclopropanation of 3-Alkenyl-oxindoles with Sulfoxonium Ylides Catalyzed by a Chiral N,N'-Dioxide-Mg(II) Complex.

The mechanism and stereoselectivity of an asymmetric cyclopropanation reaction between 3-alkenyl-oxindole and sulfoxonium ylide catalyzed by a chiral N,N'-dioxide-Mg(II) complex were explored using the B3LYP-D3(BJ) functional and the def2-TZVP basis set. The noncatalytic reaction occurred via a stepwise mechanism, with activation barriers of 21.6-23.5 kcal mol-1. The C2-Cα bond formed followed by the carbanion SN2 substitution, constructing a three-membered ring in spiro-cyclopropyl oxindoles, accompanied by the release of dimethylsulfoxide. The electron-withdrawing N-protecting t-butyloxy carbonyl (Boc) and acetyl (Ac) groups in isatin enhanced the local electrophilicity of the C2 atom and the repulsion between the two COPh groups in the reactants, contributing to high reactivity as well as good diastereoselectivity results. The N-Boc-3-phenacylideneoxindole coordinated to the chiral ligand (L-PiPr2) in a bidentate fashion, forming a hexacoordinate-Mg(II) complex as the reactive species. The origin of enantioselectivity was from the shielding effect of 2,6-diisopropylphenyl groups in the ligand toward the si-face of oxindole. The repulsion between the SO(CH3)2 and COPh groups in 3-alkenyl-oxindole and the neighboring ortho-iPr group in the ligand directed the re-face of ylide to attack the re-face of oxindole preferably, contributing to the high diastereoselectivity of the product. A metal-ion-ligand matching relationship was important for a good asymmetric induction effect of the chiral N,N'-dioxide-metal catalyst. A large chiral cavity in the Zn(II) catalyst weakened the shielding effect of 2,6-diisopropylphenyl groups in the ligand toward the prochiral face of oxindole, leading to inferior enantioselectivity observed in the experiment.