Dimethyl Group Research Articles

Syntheses, spectroscopic properties and stereochemistry of bis-C-pivot macrocycles with two dialkyl phosphonate groups

Bis-C-pivot macrocycles containing dimethyl ( 1a, 2a) or diethyl phosphonate ( 1b, 2b) groups have been prepared by adding dimethyl or diethyl phosphite to two –CH N bonds in corresponding dibenzo-bis-imino crown ethers ( 1 and 2). Bis-C-pivot macrocycles possess two equivalent stereogenic centres giving rise to diastereoisomers ( meso and racemate). The structures were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, MS, TGA, DSC and NMR measurements. 1H, 13C and 31P NMR assignments were made for the isolated meso form of compounds 2a and 2b and for the meso and racemic forms of compounds 1a and 1b by analysis of chemical shifts, signal intensities and splitting patterns and the DEPT and 2D HETCOR NMR techniques. Thermal analysis and 1H NMR showed that the crystallised form of compound 1a contained an equimolar amount of water of crystallisation.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of the 12,12-Dimethyl Derivative of Aplog-1, an Anti-Proliferative Analog of Tumor-Promoting Aplysiatoxin

Aplog-1 is a unique analog of tumor-promoting aplysiatoxin that inhibits tumor-promotion by phorbol diesters and proliferation of tumor cells. While the structural features relevant to the biological activities of Aplog-1 remain to be identified, recent studies by us have suggested that local hydrophobicity around the spiroketal moiety of Aplog-1 is a crucial determinant of its anti-proliferative activity. This hypothesis led us to design 12,12-dimethyl-Aplog-1 (3), in which a hydrophobic geminal dimethyl group is installed proximal to the spiroketal moiety to improve biological potency. As expected, 3 was more effective than Aplog-1 in inhibiting cancer cell growth and binding to protein kinase Cδ, a putative receptor responsible for the biological response of Aplog-1. Moreover, an induction test on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen demonstrated 3 to be a better anti-tumor promoter than Aplog-1. These results indicate that 3 is a superior derivative of Aplog-1, and thus a more promising lead for anti-cancer drugs.

Synthesis and Photophysical Characterization of Stable Indium Bacteriochlorins

Bacteriochlorins have wide potential in photochemistry because of their strong absorption of near-infrared light, yet metallobacteriochlorins traditionally have been accessed with difficulty. Established acid-catalysis conditions [BF(3)·OEt(2) in CH(3)CN or TMSOTf/2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine in CH(2)Cl(2)] for the self-condensation of dihydrodipyrrin-acetals (bearing a geminal dimethyl group in the pyrroline ring) afford stable free base bacteriochlorins. Here, InBr(3) in CH(3)CN at room temperature was found to give directly the corresponding indium bacteriochlorin. Application of the new acid catalysis conditions has afforded four indium bacteriochlorins bearing aryl, alkyl/ester, or no substituents at the β-pyrrolic positions. The indium bacteriochlorins exhibit (i) a long-wavelength absorption band in the 741-782 nm range, which is shifted bathochromically by 22-32 nm versus the analogous free base species, (ii) fluorescence quantum yields (0.011-0.026) and average singlet lifetime (270 ps) diminished by an order of magnitude versus that (0.13-0.25; 4.0 ns) for the free base analogues, and (iii) higher average yield (0.9 versus 0.5) yet shorter average lifetime (30 vs 105 μs) of the lowest triplet excited state compared to the free base compounds. The differences in the excited-state properties of the indium chelates versus free base bacteriochlorins derive primarily from a 30-fold greater rate constant for S(1) → T(1) intersystem crossing, which stems from the heavy-atom effect on spin-orbit coupling. The trends in optical properties of the indium bacteriochlorins versus free base analogues, and the effects of 5-OMe versus 5-H substituents, correlate well with frontier molecular-orbital energies and energy gaps derived from density functional theory calculations. Collectively the synthesis, photophysical properties, and electronic characteristics of the indium bacteriochlorins and free base analogues reported herein should aid in the further design of such chromophores for diverse applications.

The C. elegans PRMT-3 possesses a type III protein arginine methyltransferase activity

Protein arginine methylation is a common post-translational modification in eukaryotes that is catalyzed by a family of the protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). PRMTs are classified into three types: type I and type II add asymmetrically and symmetrically dimethyl groups to arginine, respectively, while type III adds solely monomethyl group to arginine. However, although the enzymatic activity of type I and type II PRMTs have been reported, the substrate specificity and the methylation activity of type III PRMTs still remains unknown. Here, we report the characterization of Caenorhabditis elegans PRMT-2 and PRMT-3, both of which are highly homologous to human PRMT7. We find that these two PRMTs can bind to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), but only PRMT-3 has methyltransferase activity for histone H2A depending on its SAM-binding domain. Importantly, thin-layer chromatographic analysis demonstrates that PRMT-3 catalyzes the formation of monomethylated, but not dimethylated arginine. Our study thus identifies the first type III PRMT in C. elegans and provides a means to elucidate the physiological significance of arginine monomethylation in multicellular organisms.

Geminal dialkyl derivatives of N-substituted pantothenamides: Synthesis and antibacterial activity

As a key precursor of coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis, pantothenic acid has proven to be a useful backbone to elaborate probes of this biosynthetic pathway, study CoA-utilizing systems, and design molecules with antimicrobial activity. The increasing prevalence of bacterial strains resistant to one or more antibiotics has prompted a renewed interest for molecules with a novel mode of antibacterial action such as N-substituted pantothenamides. Although numerous derivatives have been reported, most are varied at the terminal N-substituent, and fewer at the β-alanine moiety. Modifications at the pantoyl portion are limited to the addition of an ω-methyl group. We report a synthetic route to N-substituted pantothenamides with various alkyl substituents replacing the geminal dimethyl groups. Our methodology is also applicable to the synthesis of pantothenic acid, pantetheine and CoA derivatives. Here a small library of new N-substituted pantothenamides was synthesized. Most of these compounds display antibacterial activity against sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Interestingly, replacement of the ProR methyl with an allyl group yielded a new N-substituted pantothenamide which is amongst the most potent reported so far.

Profile Control in Surface Amine Gradients Prepared by Controlled-Rate Infusion

Surface amine gradients that exhibit a wide variety of profiles, including those that incorporate spatially distinct regions having steep and gradual variations in chemical functionality, have been prepared by the sol-gel process using a controlled-rate infusion method. In this work, a substrate that incorporates dimethyl and Si-OH groups is temporally modified with an aminoalkoxysilane (NH(2)(CH(2))(3)Si(OC(2)H(5))(3)) to build a gradient film for which the amine content changes over a 10-20 mm distance. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements confirm the presence of a chemical gradient across the surface of the film. As expected, a greater density of amine functionalities and lower contact angle were found at the bottom of the gradient relative to the top. The local steepness of the gradient was systematically controlled by changing the rate of infusion. Fast rates of infusion created gradient surfaces where the amine content changed slowly along the surface and never reached saturation, whereas slow rates of infusion formed a surface exhibiting a steep rise in amine content followed by saturation. The steepness of the gradient was also changed at predefined positions along its length by programming the rate of infusion. Gradients prepared using six-step, three-step, and two-step programmed infusion rates are shown. The data fit nicely to a kinetic model that assumes first-order kinetics. The ability to manipulate the gradient profile is particularly vital for applications that rely on mass transport and/or those that require spatial control of gradient properties.

Influence of triazole dendritic additives in electrolytes on dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance

Novel triazole dendritic molecules bearing dimethyl isophthalate surface group are synthesized. The enhancement of triazole and carboxylate groups in the dendritic structures significantly alter the absorption, electrochemical and DSSCs behaviors. With dendritic additive DSSCs cell exhibited higher Voc values and power conversion efficiency (η) in I−/I3−redox couple under simulated AM 1.5 at 40 mW cm−2.

De novo synthesis and photophysical characterization of annulated bacteriochlorins. Mimicking and extending the properties of bacteriochlorophylls

Bacteriochlorophylls contain the bacteriochlorin chromophore and a fifth, five-membered oxopentano ring that encompasses positions 13–15 known as the “isocyclic” ring E. Such bacterio-131-oxophorbines have heretofore only been available in the naturally occurring compounds, and analogues bearing six-membered rings have only been available by derivatization of bacteriochlorophylls. A de novo route to synthetic bacteriochlorins, which bear a geminal dimethyl group in each pyrroline ring, has been extended to gain access to a bacterio-131-oxophorbine and bacteriochlorin-13,15-dicarboximides. The route relies on acid-catalyzed condensation of a dihydrodipyrrin-acetal to form the bacteriochlorin, which then is subjected to regioselective 15-bromination. Pd-mediated cyclization of the 15-bromobacteriochlorin bearing a 13-acetyl group (intramolecular α-arylation) or 13-ethoxycarbonyl group (carbamoylation and intramolecular imidation) gives the bacterio-131-oxophorbine or bacteriochlorin-13,15-dicarboximide, respectively. The resulting macrocycles exhibit absorption in the near-infrared spectral region (733–818 nm), which extends the spectral coverage beyond that obtained previously with synthetic bacteriochlorins that lack a fifth ring. The macrocycles also exhibit excited singlet-state lifetimes (1.9–4.6 ns) comparable to or longer than those of natural photosynthetic pigments. Density functional theory calculations predict that the bathochromically shifted absorption is primarily due to lowering of the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. The new route complements existing semisynthetic routes and should enable fundamental spectroscopic studies and diverse photochemical applications.

Structural characteristics that make chlorophylls green: interplay of hydrocarbon skeleton and substituents

Understanding the effects of substituents on natural photosynthetic pigments is essential for gaining a deep understanding of why such pigments were selected over the course of evolution for use in photosynthetic systems. This knowledge should provide for a more thoughtful design of artificial light-harvesting systems. The hydrocarbon skeleton of all chlorophylls is phorbine, which contains an annulated five-membered (isocyclic) ring in addition to the reduced pyrrole ring characteristic of chlorins. A phorbine and a 131-oxophorbine (which bears an oxo group in the isocyclic ring) were synthesized as benchmark molecules for fundamental spectral and photophysical studies. The phorbine and 131-oxophorbine macrocycles lack peripheral substituents other than a geminal dimethyl group in the reduced ring to stabilize the chlorin chromophore. The spectral properties and electronic structure of the zinc or free base 131-oxophorbine closely resemble those of the corresponding analogues of chlorophyll a. Accordingly, the fundamental electronic properties of chlorophylls are primarily a consequence of the 131-oxophorbine base macrocycle.

Facile synthesis of a B,D-tetradehydrocorrin and rearrangement to bacteriochlorins

Tetradehydrocorrins contain an A–D ring junction and a level of saturation intermediate between that of a corrin (characteristic of vitamin B12) and that of a corrole. Self-condensation of a p-tolyl-substituted dihydrodipyrrin-acetal (DHDPA-T) in CH2Cl2 containing Yb(OTf)3 at room temperature afforded the corresponding free base B,D-tetradehydrocorrin (TDC-T) as the sole macrocycle in 77% yield. The presence of a geminal dimethyl group in each of the reduced rings in TDC-T affords stability toward adventitious dehydrogenation. Treatment of TDC-T to acidic conditions results in rearrangement and loss of methanol to give a bacteriochlorin with or without a 5-methoxy substituent; the yield was 56% (5-methoxybacteriochlorin MeOBC-T), 35% (MeOBC-T) or 20% (5-unsubstituted bacteriochlorin HBC-T) with TMSOTf/CH2Cl2, BF3·OEt2/CH3CN or BF3·OEt2/CH2Cl2, respectively. TDC-T undergoes regioselective bromination with NBS to give the 10-bromotetradehydrocorrin in 22% yield. The conversion of the (non-aromatic) tetradehydrocorrin to the (aromatic) bacteriochlorin reflects the relative stability of the two macrocycles and indicates the former may be an intermediate—kinetically trapped or transient depending on catalysis conditions—upon dihydrodipyrrin-acetal self-condensation.

De novo synthesis and properties of analogues of the self-assembling chlorosomal bacteriochlorophylls

Natural photosynthetic pigments bacteriochlorophyllsc, d and e in green bacteria undergo self-assembly to create an organized antenna system known as the chlorosome, which collects photons and funnels the resulting excitation energy toward the reaction centers. Mimicry of chlorosome function is a central problem in supramolecular chemistry and artificial photosynthesis, and may have relevance for the design of photosynthesis-inspired solar cells. The main challenge in preparing artificial chlorosomes remains the synthesis of the appropriate pigment (chlorin) equipped with a set of functional groups suitable to direct the assembly and assure efficient energy transfer. Prior approaches have entailed derivatization of porphyrins or semisynthesis beginning with chlorophylls. This paper reports a third approach, the de novo synthesis of macrocycles that contain the same hydrocarbon skeleton as chlorosomal bacteriochlorophylls. The synthesis here of Zn(II) 3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-10-aryl-131-oxophorbines (the aryl group consists of phenyl, mesityl, or pentafluorophenyl) entails selective bromination of a 3,13-diacetyl-10-arylchlorin, palladium-catalyzed 131-oxophorbine formation, and selective reduction of the 3-acetyl group using BH3·tBuNH2. Each macrocycle contains a geminal dimethyl group in the pyrroline ring to provide stability toward adventitious dehydrogenation. A Zn(II) 7-(1-hydroxyethyl)-10-phenyl-17-oxochlorin also has been prepared. Altogether, 30 new hydroporphyrins were synthesized. The UV-Vis absorption spectra of the new chlorosomal bacteriochlorophyll mimics reveal a bathochromic shift of ∼1800 cm−1 of the Qy band in nonpolar solvent, indicating extensive assembly in solution. The Zn(II) 3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-10-aryl-131-oxophorbines differ in the propensity to form assemblies based on the 10-substituent in the following order: mesityl<phenyl<pentafluorophenyl. Infrared spectra show that assemblies also can be formed in solid media and likely involve hydrogen-bonding (or other) interactions of the ring E keto group.

Control of Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers by Restriction of Crystallization of Soft Segment.

Mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers based on either polyether or polycarbonate (PC)-glycols, 4,4’-dipheylmethane diisocyanate (1,1’-methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene)), 1,4-butanediol, were controlled by restriction of crystallization of polymer glycols. For the polyether glycol based-polyurethane elastomers (PUEs), poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol (PTMG), and PTMG incorporating dimethyl groups (PTG-X) and methyl side groups (PTG-L) were employed as a polymer glycol. For the PC-glycol, the randomly copolymerized PC-glycols with hexamethylene (C6) and tetramethylene (C4) units between carbonate groups with various composition ratios (C4/C6 = 0/100, 50/50, 70/30 and 90/10) were employed. The degree of microphase separation and mechanical properties of both the PUEs were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic viscoelastic property measurements and tensile testing. Mechanical properties could be controlled by changing the molar ratio of two different monomer components.

Simultaneous determination of phthalates and adipates in human serum using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with solid‐phase extraction

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of phthalates and adipates in human serum. The phthalates and adipates studied were dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, diethyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, bis(2-butoxyethyl) adipate and di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, with diisooctyl phthalate as internal standard. The extraction and cleaning up procedure was carried out with solid-phase extraction cartridges containing dimethyl butylamine groups, which showed extraction efficiencies over 88% for each analyte and the internal standard. The calibration curves obtained were linear with correlation coefficients greater than 0.98. For all analytes, the assay gave CV% values for intra-day precision from 4.9 to 13.3% and mean accuracy values from 91.4 to 108.4%, while inter-day precision was 5.2-13.4% and mean accuracy 91.0-110.2%. The limits of detection for the assay of phthalates and adipates were in the range 0.7-4.5 ng/mL. The method is simple, sensitive and accurate, and allows for simultaneous determination of nanogram levels of phthalates and adipates in human serum. It was successfully applied to an investigation on the level of phthalates and adipates in a non-occupationally exposed population.

Brevibacillus laterosporus strain BPM3, a potential biocontrol agent isolated from a natural hot water spring of Assam, India

A bacterial strain designated as BPM3 isolated from mud of a natural hot water spring of Nambar Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam, India, strongly inhibited growth of phytopathogenic fungi ( Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, F. semitectum, Magnaporthe grisea and Rhizoctonia oryzae) and gram-positive bacterium ( Staphylococcus aureus). The maximum growth and antagonistic activity was recorded at 30 °C, pH 8.5 when starch and peptone were amended as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. In greenhouse experiment, this bacterium (BPM3) suppressed blast disease of rice by 30–67% and protected the weight loss by 35–56.5%. The maximum disease protection (67%) and weight loss protection (56.5%) were recorded when the bacterium was applied before 2 days of the pathogen inoculation. Antifungal and antibacterial compounds were isolated from the bacterium which also inhibited the growth of these targeted pathogens. The compounds were purified and on spectroscopic analysis of a purified fraction having R f 0.22 which showed strong antifungal and antibacterial activity indicated the presence of C–H, carbonyl group, dimethyl group, –CH 2 and methyl group. The bacterium was characterized by morphological, biochemical and molecular approaches and confirmed that the strain BPM3 is Brevibacillus laterosporus.

Detailed analysis of the charge transfer complex N,N‐dimethylaniline–SO2 by Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

AbstractAlthough the amine sulfur dioxide chemistry was well characterized in the past both experimentally and theoretically, no systematic Raman spectroscopic study describes the interaction between N,N‐dimethylaniline (DMA) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The formation of a deep red oil by the reaction of SO2 with DMA is an evidence of the charge transfer (CT) nature of the DMA–SO2 interaction. The DMA–SO2 normal Raman spectrum shows the appearance of two intense bands at 1110 and 1151 cm−1, which are enhanced when resonance is approached. These bands are assigned to νs(SO2) and ν(ϕN) vibrational modes, respectively, confirming the interaction between SO2 and the amine via the nitrogen atom. The dimethyl group steric effect favors the interaction of SO2 with the ring π electrons, which gives rise to a π–π* low‐energy CT electronic transition, as confirmed by time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. In addition, the calculated Raman DMA–SO2 spectrum at the B3LYP/6‐311 + + g(3df,3pd) level shows good agreement with the experimental results (vibrational wavenumbers and relative intensities), allowing a complete assignment of the vibrational modes. A better understanding of the intermolecular interactions in this model system can be extremely useful in designing new materials to absorb, detect, or even quantify SO2. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

4-[2-(2,2-Dimethyl-4,6-dioxo-1,3-dioxan-5-ylidene)hydrazin-1-yl]benzonitrile

In the title compound, C13H11N3O4, the dioxane ring adopts an envelope conformation with the C atom bonded to the dimethyl group in the flap position [deviation = 0.613 (1) Å]. The nitrile group and the attached benzene ring are roughly coplanar [maximum deviation = 0.087 (1) Å]. An intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond involving the hydrazinyl group generates an S(6) ring. The N—N and C—N bond lengths indicate that the compound may be a mixture of the azo and hydrazone tautomeric forms but the presence of the N-bound H atom supports the hydrazone form. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O, C—H⋯N and C—H⋯π inter­actions.

Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Naphthoquinone Esters with 2′-Cyclopentyl and 2′-Cyclohexyl Substituents

Twelve novel naphthoquinone esters containing cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl substituents at C-2' of the propyl chain were synthesized by starting from 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid via alkylation with cyclopentyl ester and cyclohexyl ester. They were evaluated for cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines (human epidermoid carcinoma (KB), human cervical carcinoma (HeLa), and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG(2))). In comparison to naphthoquinone esters with the 2',2'-dimethyl group, the naphthoquinones with a 2'-cyclopentyl substituent showed stronger activity than those with a 2'-cyclohexyl substituent, but less than that with the 2',2'-dimethyl group. This work provides new information about the effect of 2'-position substituents on the cytotoxicity of naphthoquinone ester analogues.

Approaches to the total synthesis of biologically active natural products: studies directed towards bryostatins

Progress on a total synthesis of the marine natural products, the bryostatins, is reviewed. Following studies aimed at the synthesis of the 1,16- and 17,27-fragments, procedures for the assembly of the macrocyclic ring of the bryostatins were investigated. Although ring-closing metathesis was not found to be useful for the synthesis of bryostatins with geminal dimethyl groups at C18, the modified Julia reaction was found to be useful for the stereoselective formation of the 16,17-double-bond and led to a synthesis of an advanced macrocyclic intermediate. Several novel synthetic procedures feature in this work.

ChemInform Abstract: Rational Synthesis of meso-Substituted Chlorin Building Blocks.

Chlorins bearing synthetic handles at specific sites about the perimeter of the macrocycle constitute valuable building blocks. We previously developed methodology for preparing meso-substituted chlorin building blocks and now present methodology for preparing several complementary beta-substituted chlorin building blocks. The chlorins bear one or two beta substituents, one meso substituent, a geminal dimethyl group to lock in the chlorin hydrogenation level, and no flanking meso and beta substituents. The synthesis involves convergent joining of an Eastern half and a Western half. New routes have been developed to two beta-substituted bromo-dipyrromethane monocarbinols (Eastern halves). A new beta-substituted Western half was prepared following the method for preparing an unsubstituted Western half (3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrodipyrrin). Chlorin formation is achieved by a two-flask process of acid-catalyzed condensation followed by metal-mediated oxidative cyclization. beta-Substituted chlorins have been prepared in 18-24% yield bearing a 4-iodophenyl group at the 8-position, a 4-iodophenyl group or a 4-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]phenyl group at the 12-position, and a 4-iodophenyl group and a 4-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]phenyl group at diametrically opposed beta-positions (2, 12). The latter building block makes possible the stepwise construction of linear multi-chlorin architectures. The chlorins exhibit typical absorption and fluorescence spectra. A systematic shift in the absorption maximum (637-655 nm for the free base chlorins, 606-628 nm for the zinc chlorins) and intensity of the chlorin Q(y)() band (epsilon up to 79 000 M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)) is observed depending on the location of the substituents. The characteristic spectral features and location of substituents in defined positions make these chlorins well suited for a variety of applications in biomimetic and materials chemistry.

2-(2,2-Dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-yloxy)-N-(o-tolyl)acetamide

In the title compound, C19H21NO3, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the two benzene rings is 38.13 (12)°. The furan ring adopts an envelope-like conformation with the C atom bonded to the dimethyl groups displaced by 0.356 (2) Å from the plane through the other four atoms. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into inversion dimers by weak C—H⋯O inter­molecular inter­actions.