N-methylation Reaction Research Articles

Synthesis and properties of (2-pyridyl)alkylamine- and (2-pyridyl)alkylamine–amide-coordinated copper(II) complexes: Structures and non-covalent interactions

Reaction of the ligand N-methyl- N-((6-pivaloylamido-2-pyridyl)methyl)- N-(2-pyridylethyl)amine (mpppa) with equimolar amounts of [Cu(H 2O) 6][ClO 4] 2 or CuCl 2 · 2H 2O in MeCN afforded mononuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(mpppa)][ClO 4] 2 ( 1) and [Cu(mpppa)Cl 2] ( 2). Crystal structure analysis reveals CuN 3O (two pyridyl, an aliphatic amine, and an amide oxygen) coordination in 1 and CuN 3Cl 2 (two pyridyl, an aliphatic amine, and two chlorides) coordination in 2. Crystal packing diagram of 1 reveals that one of the perchlorate counteranions provides weak coordination to copper(II) centers and in turn the copper(II) centers assume pseudo-six-coordination, generating 1D chain. Notably, one of the copper(II)-coordinated chloride ions in 2 participates in an intramolecular N–H⋯Cl interaction. Intermolecular C–H⋯Cl interactions in the solid state generate helical structure. Spectroscopic (IR, UV–Vis, and EPR) and redox properties of the two complexes have been investigated and compared.

A novel method for obtaining a quaternary salt of chitosan

A novel method for obtaining N, N, N-trimethylchitosan has been developed using dimethylsulfate as the methylant agent. Dimethylsulfate is not only more efficient but is less expensive than other commonly used agents. The resultant chitosan derivatives were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, CP-MAS 13C NMR, and a capillary viscometer. Films were processed by casting and then hydrophilic changes were assessed by water contact angle measurements. The highest degree of substitution ( DQ ¯ = 52.5 % ) was obtained after a 6 h long-term reaction at room temperature. The use of higher temperatures helped to provoke polymeric thermal degradation and favor O-methylation over a N-methylation reaction.

Artifacts in the GC–MS profiling of underivatized methamphetamine hydrochloride

When underivatized methamphetamine hydrochloride (MA·HCl) in methanol is subjected to the instant gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) profiling with old inlet liners at temperatures above 200 °C, appreciable amounts of N, N-dimethylamphetamine (DMA) and amphetamine (AP) are produced. The presence of these two artifacts is attributed to the N-demethylation and N-methylation reactions of MA as well as methyl group exchange with methanol. These artifacts are only produced in old injection port liners and at elevated temperatures. The formation of artifacts is proportional to concentration of MA·HCl. It is suggested that special cautions and measures be undertaken to prevent artifacts.

Highly specific N-monomethylation of primary aromatic amines

Abstract A synthetic methodology for the specific conversion of primary aromatic amines into their N-monomethyl derivatives under very mild conditions is presented. Anilines are treated with 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (nosyl) chloride to generate the corresponding sulfonamides 2 in high yields. The subsequent N-methylation reaction of the sulfonamides 2 with a solution of diazomethane is rapid and quantitative. Removal of the nosyl protecting group is readily carried out using the reagent system mercaptoacetic acid/1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) affording the N-monomethylated aromatic amines 4. The procedure is convenient, efficient, and gives rise to the N-monomethyl-anilines exclusively.

Anchoring Dyes into Multidimensional Large‐Pore Zeolites: A Prospective Use as Chromogenic Sensing Materials

A versatile procedure for anchoring dyes into the pores of multidimensional zeolites by including organic dye precursors in the synthesis gel has been developed. To prove the concept, an aniline-functionalised zeolite Beta was obtained by reaction of triethylorthosilicate (TEOS), tetraethylammonium hydroxide, and N-methyl,N-(propyl-3-trimethoxysilyl)aniline (MPTMSA) in the presence of HF. Further extraction of the structure-directing agents resulted in a highly crystalline, white, functionalised zeolite Beta containing anchored aniline groups. Similar organic functionalised molecular sieves (OFMS) have been explored as novel catalysts, but, as far as we know, OFMS have never been used as precursors for dye-immobilisation or to design new solid-based host systems for selective molecular sensing processes as is reported here. In a second step the solids containing dyes were prepared by reaction of the hybrid material with the appropriate reactives to obtain tricyanovinylbenzene, triphenylpyrylium, azoic, and squaraine derivatives. All these reactions are straightforward and involve electrophilic aromatic substitution or diazotisation reactions at the electron-rich aniline ring. The final dye-functionalised solid materials were isolated by simple filtration and washing procedures and have been characterised by a number of techniques. In all cases the Beta structure of the solid remains unaltered. Among the large number of areas where dye-containing zeolites might be of importance, we were interested in testing their unconventional use as heterosupramolecular hosts in chromogenic protocols. To check their potential use as chemosensors, microporous solids with anchored triphenylpyrilium and squaraine dyes were selected and used as sensors for the chromogenic discrimination of amines. It was found that the response of both solids to amines was basically governed by the three-dimensional (3D) solid architecture that tuned the intrinsic unselective reactivity of the pyrylium dye. By using new solid-state supramolecular chemistry protocols we believe that these, and similar future dye-zeolite hosts, might be promising new sensor materials allowing the visible discrimination of selected target guests by size and/or polarity within families or closely related molecules.

Synthesis of Methyl Carbamates from Primary Aliphatic Amines and Dimethyl Carbonate in Supercritical CO2: Effects of Pressure and Cosolvents and Chemoselectivity

[reaction: see text] At 130 degrees C, in the presence of CO2 (5-200 bar), primary aliphatic amines react with dimethyl carbonate (MeOCO2Me, DMC) to yield methyl carbamates (RNHCO2Me) and N-methylation side-products (RNHMe and RNMe2). The pressure of CO2 largely influences both the reaction conversion and the selectivity toward urethanes: in general, conversion goes through a maximum (70-80%) in the midrange (40 bar) and drops at lower and higher pressures, whereas selectivity is continuously improved (from 50% up to 90%) by an increase of the pressure. This is explained by the multiple role of CO2 in (i) the acid/base equilibrium with aliphatic amines, (ii) the reactivity/solubility of RNHCO2- nucleophiles with/in DMC, and (iii) the inhibition of competitive N-methylation reaction of the substrates. Cosolvents also affect the reaction: in particular, a drop in selectivity is observed with polar protic media (i.e., MeOH), plausibly because of solvation effects (through H-bonds) of RNHCO2- moieties. The reaction shows also a good chemoselectivity: bifunctional aliphatic amines bearing either aromatic NH2 or OH substituents [XC6H4(CH2)n NH2, X = NH2, OH; n = 1, 2], undergo methoxycarbonylation reactions exclusively at aliphatic amino groups and give the corresponding methyl carbamates [XC6H4(CH2)n NHCO2Me] in 39-65% isolated yields.

11C]MADAM, a new serotonin transporter radioligand characterized in the monkey brain by PET

The aim of this study was to explore the potential of a new selective serotonin transporter (5-HTT) inhibitor, N,N-dimethyl-2-(2-amino-4-methylphenylthio)benzylamine (MADAM, K(i)=1.65 nM), as a PET radioligand for examination of 5-HTT in the nonhuman primate brain. MADAM was radiolabeled by an N-methylation reaction using [(11)C]methyl triflate and the binding was characterized by PET in four cynomolgus monkeys. Metabolite levels in plasma were measured by gradient high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The radiochemical incorporation yield of [(11)C]MADAM was 75-80% and the specific radioactivity at the time of administration was 34-652 GBq/micromol (n=8). The highest uptake of radioactivity was observed in striatum, thalamus, mesencephalon, and the lower brainstem. Lower binding was detected in neocortex and the lowest radioactive uptake was found in the cerebellum. This distribution is in accordance with the known expression of 5-HTT in vitro. The fraction of the total radioactivity in monkey plasma representing unchanged [(11)C]MADAM was 20% at 45 min after injection, as measured by gradient HPLC. Pretreatment measurements, using unlabeled citalopram, GBR 12909, and maprotiline, as well as a displacement measurement, using unlabeled MADAM, confirmed that [(11)C]MADAM binds selectively and reversibly to 5-HTT, and support the use of the cerebellum as reference region. The present characterization of binding in the monkey brain suggests that [(11)C]MADAM is a potential PET radioligand for quantitative studies of 5-HTT binding in the human brain.

NMR study of the phosphonomethylation reaction on chitosan

N-Phosphonomethylation of chitosan reaction was studied and optimized using different reaction conditions. NMR spectroscopy was an important tool in this work to study this reaction and the α-aminomethylphosphonic acid function introduced onto chitosan was unequivocally characterized by 31P and 13C NMR analyses. But surprisingly, whatever the reaction conditions used, N-phosphonomethylation reaction of chitosan cannot be dissociated from a side reaction: the N-methylation reaction of chitosan. A mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of this side product.

Effect of platinum deposits on TiO2 on the anoxic photocatalytic degradation pathways of alkylamines in water: dealkylation and N-alkyation.

Most photocatalytic degradation (PCD) reactions of aquatic pollutants require the presence of dissolved oxygen and hence do not occur in anoxic suspensions. We investigated the PCD reactions of alkylamines in anoxic water using TiO2 deposited with Pt nanoparticles. Unlike typical PCD reactions, the absence of dissolved oxygen increases the PCD rates of alkylamines on Pt/TiO2 and generates products that are different from those formed on pure TiO2. In particular, N-alkylated amines (e.g., (CH3)3N produced from (CH3)2NH) as well as dealkylated amines are generated in a deaerated Pt/TiO2 suspension. This anoxic N-alkylation pathway is enabled only in the presence of Pt deposits on TiO2 and is applicable only to neutral alkylamines and not to alkylammonium cations. The Pt surface appears to interactwith the lone-pair electron on the N atom and catalyze the anoxic degradation of alkylamines mainly through a radical mechanism. Methyl radicals generated on Pt participate in the N-methylation reaction. The presence of intermediate methyl radicals on the Pt surface was verified by the detection of CH4 and CH3CH3 gases evolved during the PCD of (CH3)3N in an anoxic Pt/TiO2 suspension, whereas no such products were observed in a pure TiO2 suspension. The anoxic PCD of N-methylethylamine on Pt/TiO2 also produces both N-ethylated and N-methylated amines as byproducts, which indicates that both methyl and ethyl radicals are generated during the anoxic degradation process. From a practical point of view, the present finding that undesirable alkylated amines can be produced on Pt/TiO2 in anoxic conditions indicates that caution is necessary when applying Pt/TiO2 photocatalyst to the treatment of water that contains amines.

The nucleophilic addition of nitrones to carbonyl compounds: insights on the nature of the mechanism of the l-proline induced asymmetric reaction from a DFT analysis

The mechanism of the l-proline induced asymmetric nitrone–aldol reaction of N-methyl- C-ethylnitrone with dimethyl ketomalonate has been studied by using density functional theory at B3LYP/6-31G** level. The reaction was initialized by the addition of l-proline to the nitrone to form an aminal, which by elimination of the hydroxylamine gave a chiral enamine. The nucleophilic addition of this chiral enamine to dimethyl ketomalonate corresponds to stereoselective C–C bond-formation step. Further nucleophilic addition of hydroxylamine to the zwitterionic intermediate formed in the enamine addition gave a second aminal, which by l-proline elimination afforded the corresponding β-hydroxynitrone. The B3LYP/6-31G** results are in acceptable agreement with previous experiments, allowing us to explain the stereoselectivity on the C–C bond-formation step.

Cyanuric acid trace analysis by extractive methylation via phase-transfer catalysis and capillary gas chromatography coupled with flame thermoionic and mass-selective detection. Process parameter studies and kinetics.

A GC method using phase-transfer catalysis for the simultaneous derivatization, extraction, and preconcentration of the highly polar cyanuric acid (CYA) was developed. The method was based on the extractive N-methylation of the analyte of concern in two- and three-phase systems, whereby the 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)trione was formed. Subsequent detection was performed using flame thermoionic specific detection (FTD) and mass spectrometry (MS) selective-ion monitoring (SIM) using electron impact. The optimal experimental conditions related to pH, kind of catalyst and solvents, methyl iodide concentration, phase volumes, reaction time, temperature, and agitation were suitably established. Inter alia, the resulting method is highly sensitive, almost free from interferences, and was easily applied to the determination of cyanuric acid in swimming pool water, surface water, human urine, and simulated air filter samples. The minimal quantitable concentration was found to be less than 1 and 90 microg L(-1) using GC-MS-(SIM) and GC-FTD, respectively. The overall precision for the workup procedure did not exceed 3.6% (n = 6) for 5.0 microg L(-1) CYA-spiked urine and river water while the respective value for the same matrixes spiked at a concentration of 200 microg L(-1) was calculated to be in the range 1.9-4.0% (n = 6). The overall recovery from spiked samples was 98 +/- 5% for microgram per liter levels of CYA. A kinetic study conducted was helpful to get a better insight into the N-methylation reaction mechanism.

Difference between Enzymatic and Chemical N-methylations of Protoberberine-Type Alkaloid, Dependent on the Stereoisomer of (−)-N-methyl-7,8,13,13a-tetrahydroberberinium Salt

Abstract A possible relation between the stereostructure of (−)-(13aS)-tetrahydroberberine (1) and its enzymatic/chemical N-methylation, an important biosynthetic reaction to isoquinoline alkaloids in plants, was examined by CD spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic, and energy calculation methods. The CD measurements indicated that 1 has two conformers (cis and trans) concerning the ring junction of the quinolizidine skeleton, and exist with a cis/trans ratio of about 1/4 in a diethyl ether : 2-methylbutane : ethanol (5 : 5 : 2) mixture. The dimensional/conformational difference between these cis and trans conformers was clarified by the X-ray crystal-structure analyses of two stereoisomers of N-methylated 1 (3 and 4). By using these structural parameters, the progress of N-methylation was simulated by energy profile calculations, suggesting that the cis and trans conformers are the major substrate for the enzymatic and chemical N-methylation reactions, respectively. Taking these results and the simulation of N-methylation of 1 by S-adenosyl-l-methionine at the binding pocket of N-methyltransferase into consideration, different pathways for chemical and enzymatic N-methylations of 1 have been proposed.

Carbon‐11 labelling of madam in two different positions: A highly selective pet radioligand for the serotonin transporter

Imaging by scintigraphy the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) in the living human brain would be of great value in research on the pathophysiology and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. For that reason, and in order to obtain a selective radiotracer applicable to PET, we report here the carbon-11 labelling of a selective 5-HTT radioligand: N, N-dimethyl-2-(2-amino-4-methylphenylthio)benzylamine or MADAM in two different positions: [p-11C-methyl]MADAM and [N-11C-methyl]MADAM. The synthesis of Bu3Sn-ADAM and N-dimethyl-MADAM is described. [p-11C-methyl]MADAM was obtained by a Stille coupling reaction between Bu3Sn-ADAM and [11C]methyl iodide using palladium (0) as a catalyst without (Ia) or with copper chloride as a co-catalyst (Ib). [N-11C-methyl]MADAM was obtained by an N-methylation reaction between N-demethyl-MADAM and [11C]methyl iodide (II). The carbon-11 incorporation yield in [p-11C-methyl]MADAM was 10–30% (Ia and Ib) and in [N-11C-methyl]MADAM was 75-80% (II). The final product in each case was obtained in 30 min total synthesis time, including HPLC purification and with >99% radiochemical purity. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fluorometric determination of N-nitroso-N-methylurea with nicotinamide and acetophenone.

A fluorometric method for the determination of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) has been developed. It is based on the N-methylation reaction of nicotinamide with NMU and a subsequent condensation reaction with acetophenone, followed by an acid treatment to form a fluorescent 2,7-naphthyridine derivative. This method enabled the determination of NMU in the range 0.05 - 2 nmol/200 microl with a relative standard deviation of ca. 3%. It was applied to the determination of NMU formed from a precursor N-methylurea (MU) under simulated gastric conditions containing nitrite and thiocyanate ions at pH 3.0 in the presence of fresh orange juice and milk. NMU was extracted by an Extrelut 20 column and then determined. The mean recoveries of NMU added to the simulated gastric juice containing water, orange juice and milk were 86.5, 85.1 and 69.8%, respectively. The amounts of NMU formed from MU were found to decrease to below 25% in the presence of orange juice and milk.

Effect of β-Adrenoceptor Antagonists on Phospholipid N-Methylation Activities of Cardiac Sarcolemma

BACKGROUND: Some beta-adrenoceptor antagonists exert a negative inotropic action by affecting Ca(2+) fluxes in the myocardial cell as a consequence of their interaction with sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticular membranes. This action may be caused by their effects on the chemicophysical properties of membranes phospholipids. Because phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) N-methylation can influence the chemicophysical properties of membranes, these agents may affect PE N-methylation. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of propranolol, acebutolol, and atenolol on PE-N-methylation in rat heart sarcolemma (SL). METHODS AND RESULTS: Sarcolemmal membrane was isolated from rat hearts by the hypotonic shock LiBr method. Incorporation of radiolabeled methyl groups from S-adenosyl-l-methionine was assayed at three catalytic sites involved in the PE N-methylation reaction in the presence and absence of these drugs. A biphasic effect of propranolol at site I was noted; low concentrations (10(-8) M) were inhibitor. Acebutolol (10(-9)-10(-3) M) depressed methyl group incorporation in SL at site II in a dose-dependent manner, whereas atenolol showed no effect. Propranolol also exerted a biphasic effect on sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) methylation at site I, whereas acebutolol depressed the SR enzyme activity at site II and atenolol had no effect. The mitochondrial methyltransferase activities at sites I, II, and III were unaltered by any of these drugs. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that propranolol and acebutolol alter SL and SR PE N-methyltransferase activity at site I and site II, respectively, either by affecting the enzyme directly or by changing the physiochemical properties of the membrane.

RNA and Protein Interactions Modulated by Protein Arginine Methylation

This review summarizes the current status of protein arginine N-methylation reactions. These covalent modifications of proteins are now recognized in a number of eukaryotic proteins and their functional significance is beginning to be understood. Genes that encode those methyltransferases specific for catalyzing the formation of asymmetric dimethylarginine have been identified. The enzyme modifies a number of generally nuclear or nucleolar proteins that interact with nucleic acids, particularly RNA. Postulated roles for these reactions include signal transduction, nuclear transport, or a direct modulation of nucleic acid interactions. A second methyltransferase activity that symmetrically dimethylates an arginine residue in myelin basic protein, a major component of the axon sheath, has also been characterized. However, a gene encoding this activity has not been identified to date and the cellular function for this methylation reaction has not been clearly established. From the analysis of the sequences surrounding known arginine methylation sites, we have determined consensus methyl-accepting sequences that may be useful in identifying novel substrates for these enzymes and may shed further light on their physiological role.

Synthesis of O-[11C]Acetyl CoA, O-[11C]Acetyl-L-carnitine, and L-[11C]carnitine labelled in specific positions, applied in PET studies on rhesus monkey.

The syntheses of L-carnitine, O-acetyl CoA, and O-acetyl-L-carnitine labelled with 11C at the 1- or 2-position of the acetyl group or the N-methyl position of carnitine, using the enzymes acetyl CoA synthetase and carnitine acetyltransferase, are described. With a total synthesis time of 45 min, O-[1-11C]acetyl CoA and O-[2[11C]acetyl CoA was obtained in 60-70% decay-corrected radiochemical yield, and O-[1-11C]acetyl-L-carnitine and O-[2-11C] acetyl-L-carnitine in 70-80% yield, based on [1-11C]acetate or [2-11C]acetate, respectively. By an N-methylation reaction with [11C]methyl iodide, L-[methyl-11C]carnitine was obtained within 30 min, and O-acetyl-L-[methyl-11C]carnitine within 40 min, giving a decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 60% and 40-50%, respectively, based on [11C]methyl iodide. Initial data of the kinetics of the different 11C-labelled L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitines in renal cortex of anaesthetized monkey (Macaca mulatta) are presented.

C‐Phosphorylated pyrazoles. Reaction of N‐methyl‐ and N‐phenylpyrazoles with phosphorus(III) halides

AbstractThe reactions of N‐methyl‐ and N‐phenylpyrazole derivatives with phosphorus(III) halides have been studied. The preparative method for synthesis of a variety of 4‐phosphorylated pyrazoles, including pyrazolyl substituted halo‐ and dihalophosphines, has been elaborated. Migration of an alkyl group from O to P(III) in 4‐phosphorylated 5‐alkoxypyrazoles was found to give a P‐ylides in a vinylogous manner with respect to the Arbuzov reaction. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Cobalt(II) Chloride–Grignard reagent: an alternative to tin hydride in aryl radical cyclisations

Reaction of N-methyl, N-acryloyl-2-haloanilines with anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride and a Grignard reagent leads to formation of indol-2(3H)-ones via a reductive aryl radical cyclisation.

Mechanism of cyclosporin A biosynthesis. Evidence for synthesis via a single linear undecapeptide precursor.

Cyclosporin A is synthesized by cyclosporin synthetase, a multienzyme polypeptide. This enzyme catalyzes at least 40 reaction steps in an assembly belt-like mechanism. It activates all constituent amino acids of cyclosporin A to thioesters via amino acyladenylates and carries out specific N-methylation reactions. During elongation, the activated amino acids are linked by peptide bonds leading to enzyme-bound nascent peptide chains. Some of the linear peptides of the growing cyclosporin A chain were isolated and their N-terminal amino acid was determined. D-Alanine at position 8 of the cyclosporin A molecule was found to be a starting amino acid in the biosynthetic process of cyclosporin A formation. Four intermediate peptides of the growing peptide chain of cyclosporin A could be isolated and identified. All of them represent partial sequences of cyclosporin A starting with D-alanine. That these intermediate peptides were bound by thioester linkage to cyclosporin synthetase could be demonstrated by liberation of the peptides with performic acid. The peptides strongly suggest the stepwise synthesis of a single linear peptide precursor of cyclosporin A.