Racemic Form Research Articles

Stereochemical insights into neuroprotective alkaloids from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia

A new alkaloid featured with a dibenz[c,e]azepin-5-one scaffold, namely emililactam A (3), together with a known pyrrolidine alkaloid (emilisonchine, 1) and a known flavonoid alkaloid [8-(2″-pyrrolidinone-5″-yl)-quercetin, 2] were isolated from the aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated as racemic forms which were further separated, for the first time, to their corresponding enantiomers [(+)-1/(−)-1 and (+)-2/(−)-2], respectively, by using chiral-phase HPLC. The structure of new compound 3 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. In addition, the absolute configurations of optically pure (+)-1/(−)-1 and (+)-2/(−)-2 were determined by the time-dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations. In an in vitro bioassay, compounds (+)-1, (−)-1, (±)-1, and 3 exhibited moderate neuroprotective effects against corticosterone-induced injuries of PC12 cells.

Progress towards the Total Syntheses of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids γ‐Lycorane

γ-Lycorane, a degradation product of the Aromaticaceae alkaloid lycorine, is one of the most attractive molecules in the Aromaticaceae family. It remains a popular target for synthesis due to its pentacyclic structure, which presents a vehicle for demonstrating the utility of new synthetic strategies. Various synthetic methods have been developed by synthetic chemists since the first synthesis of γ-lycorane by Nasuo in 1966. Thus, this review presents an overview of the literature on the ways utilized within the synthesis of γ-lycorane in racemic and enantiopure forms via electrophilic arylation, Pd-catalyzed C-C coupling, Bischler-Napieralski cyclization, Pictet-Spengler cyclization, photocyclization, radical cyclization, chiral pool synthesis, chiral auxiliary-mediated synthesis, and catalytic asymmetric synthesis, ranging from 1966 to 2022.

Anti-inflammatory aromadendrane- and cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids from the South China Sea sponge Acanthella cavernosa.

One new aromadendrane-type sesquiterpenoid, namely ximaocavernosin P [(+)-1], and three new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids, namely (+)-maninsigin D [(+)-4], (+)- and (−)-ximaocavernosin Q [(+)- and (−)-5], together with five related known ones [2, 3, (−)-4, 6, and 7], were isolated from the Hainan sponge Acanthella cavernosa. Compounds 4 and 5 were isolated as racemic forms, which were further separated to the corresponding enantiomers [(+)-4/(−)-4 and (+)-5/(−)-5], respectively, by using chiral-phase HPLC. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the reported data. In addition, the absolute configuration of optically pure (+)-1 and 2 were determined by time-dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations or X-ray diffraction analysis. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of these sesquiterpenoids and their internal correlation were proposed and discussed. In an in vitro bioassay, (+)-aristolone (3) exhibited promising anti-inflammatory activity by the inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-α and CCL2 release in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Synthetic Approaches to Diospongins: A Two Decade Journey

AbstractTetrahydropyran units having multiple stereogenic centers serve as excellent building blocks for various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In particular, the presence of the unique molecular architecture of the trisubstituted tetrahydropyran (THP) unit in diospongins enhances their biological activity due to multiple stereogenic centers and has attracted attention from the synthetic community over the last two decades. In this review, we discuss synthetic approaches to chiral and racemic forms of diospongins during the period 2006–2020 in chronological order.

Remarkable similarity of molecular packing in crystals of racemic and enantiopure 2-phenylpropionamide: Z' = 4 structures, molecular disorder, and the formation of a partial solid solution.

Substituted acetamides (many of which are chiral) are known to be pharmacologically active. 2-Phenylpropionamide (2PPA) is one of the simplest chiral α-substituted acetamides and thus is of interest as a model compound in the growth and design of pharmaceutical crystals. In this study, the crystal structures of racemic and enantiopure forms of 2PPA were determined for the first time using single crystal X-ray diffraction at 100 K. The relationship between the signs of optical rotation and the absolute configurations is (+)-(S)-2PPA and (-)-(R)-2PPA. Four symmetrically independent molecules with different conformations are observed in crystals of both racemic and enantiopure forms. Remarkably, all forms adopt very similar supramolecular structures, H-bonded corrugated layers, that can be described using a graph set. The outer surfaces of these layers are built of nonpolar phenyl groups, and their inner structures are composed of H-bonded amide groups. The presence of these layers determines the thin plate shape of 2PPA crystals. Spectroscopically, the racemic and enantiopure forms substantially differ only in the low-frequency Raman region. X-ray diffraction data suggest that the racemic form of 2PPA is a partial solid solution made possible by statistical occupancy of molecular positions by (R)- and (S)-enantiomers.

Influence of Wallach’s Rule on Chiral AIE Systems and Its Application in Cryptographic Information Storage

Influence of Wallach’s Rule on Chiral AIE Systems and Its Application in Cryptographic Information Storage

A Novel Trisubstituted Tetrahydropyran as a Possible Pheromone Component for the South American Cerambycid Beetle Macropophora accentifer.

A novel trisubstituted tetrahydropyran was isolated and identified from the sex-specific volatiles produced by males of the cerambycid beetle Macropophora accentifer (Olivier), a serious pest of citrus and other fruit crops in South America. The compound was the major component in the headspace volatiles, and it was synthesized in racemic form. However, in field trials, the racemate was only weakly attractive to beetles of both sexes, suggesting that attraction might be inhibited by the presence of the "unnatural" enantiomer in the racemate. Alternatively, the male-produced volatiles contained a number of minor and trace components, including a compound tentatively identified as a homolog of the major component, as well as a number of unsaturated 8-carbon alcohols and aldehydes. Further work is required to conclusively identify and synthesize these minor components, to determine whether one or more of them are crucial components of the active pheromone blend for this species.

Quantitative Analysis of Lactone Enantiomers in Butter and Margarine through the Combination of Solvent Extraction and Enantioselective Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

We quantified the enantiomeric distributions of δ- and γ-lactones in butter, fermented butter, and margarine through the combination of solvent extraction and enantioselective gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main lactones in butter and fermented butter comprised (R)-δ-decalactone, (R)-δ-dodecalactone, (R)-δ-tetradecalactone, (R)-δ-hexadecalactone, and (R)-γ-dodecalactone. In contrast, margarine samples consisted of only δ-decalactone and δ-dodecalactone in racemic forms, indicating that synthetic aroma chemicals were added to margarine. After heat treatment, 13 types of lactones were detected in butter and fermented butter. In heated butter and fermented butter, major δ-lactones in the (R)-form were abundant, but only δ-octalactone in the (S)-form was detected. In contrast, γ-dodecalactone (main γ-lactone in the heated samples) was abundant in the (R)-form, whereas other γ-lactones were detected in the racemic form. These results suggested that the major lactones in dairy products are in the (R)-form. Furthermore, the heat treatment affected the enantiomeric distribution of lactones in butter and fermented butter.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Meptazinol.

The first enantioselective synthesis of (S)-meptazinol in 14 steps from commercially available ethyl 4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate, being widely used in racemic form for pain treatment, and, en route, the formal synthesis of two anti-Alzheimer's agents are reported. A novel ring expansion of 2-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes, readily available via the stereoselective cyclopropanation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine-4-ols, provides an effective entry to 3,3-disubstituted azepanes that represent the core for a variety of approved drugs.

Metalloceneincorporated Hybrid Singly N-Methyl N-Confused Calixphyrins: Synthesis, Characterization, Protonation and Deprotonation Studies.

Rational design and isolation of two hitherto unknown highly stable single conformer of ferrocene incorporated meso-aryl substituted singly N-methyl N-confused-calixphyrins have been achieved in quantitative yields. The solid-state crystal structure reveals the obvious trans-geometry for the meso-protons with the possibility for both the macrocycles to exist either racemic or enantiomer forms. However, thorough solution-state spectroscopic characterization strongly concludes the experimental isolation of a single isomer for both the macrocycles. The drastic modification of UV-vis spectral patterns upon imine pyrrole N protonation and amine pyrrole NH deprotonation of both the calixphyrins could pave way for these macrocycles to act as opto-electronic materials. The conformational preorganization and protonation and deprotonation induced conformational reorganization have been extensively studied by solution state spectroscopic techniques, solid state X-ray crystal structure and in depth DFT level theoretical calculations.

Enantioselective toxicity, degradation and transformation of the chiral insecticide fipronil in two algae culture

The occurrence of pesticides and their metabolites in the environment can alter the ecological relationships between aquatic food chains. Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide which release in the environment may harm the non-target organisms. However, the toxicity and biotransformation of its two enantiomers are far from fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the aquatic toxicity and environmental behavior of fipronil at enantiomeric level using two freshwater algae, Scenedesmus quaclricauda (S. quaclricauda), and Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) through an integrative approach the transformation process of the individual enantiomer isolated and in racemic form. The 72 h-EC50 values of rac-, R-, S-fipronil varied from 3.27 to 7.24 mg L−1 with R-fipronil posing a more significant effect on algal growth inhibition. Chlorophyll a was more susceptible to fipronil exposure than chlorophyll b and carotenoids. Enantioselective alterations on physiological and biochemical parameters (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and the activities of antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were also observed. The half-lives (T1/2) of R-fipronil and S-fipronil in algae culture were 3.4–3.5 d and 4.0–4.9 d, respectively. By the end of the 17-d exposure, the enantiomer fractions (EFs) increased to 0.59, indicating a preferential depuration of R-fipronil. The metabolites monitoring showed the fipronil sulfide was the main metabolite followed by fipronil sulfone. The results revealed that the enantiomers of fipronil pose enantiospecific behaviors induced by these two algae, with the R-enantiomer more toxic to algal growth and favorable in degradation. These analyses are beneficial for understanding the ecological effect of chiral pesticide in aquatic environment, and the enantiomeric differences of the toxicity, degradation and the formation of toxic metabolites could be helpful for the eco-environmental risk evaluation.

Stereoselective Promiscuous Reactions Catalyzed by Lipases.

The ability of lipases to display activity beyond their physiological reactions, so-called “catalytic promiscuity”, has gained increasing interest in the last two decades as an important tool for expanding the application of these enzymes in organic synthesis. Some lipases have been shown to be effective in catalyzing a variety of C-C bond formation reactions and most of the investigations have been directed to the optimization of the products yield through a careful tuning of the experimental parameters. Despite the fact that new stereogenic carbons are formed in many of the tested reactions, the target products have been often obtained in racemic form and examples of an efficient asymmetric induction by the used lipases are quite limited. The aim of this review, mainly focused on those lipase-catalyzed promiscuous reactions in which optically active products have been obtained, is to offer a current state of art together with a perspective in this field of asymmetric synthesis.

Synthetic Approaches of Aplykurodinone‐1: A Minireview

AbstractAplykurodinone‐1, a marine steroid with intriguing molecular architecture and promising biological activities, has captured the attention of many synthetic chemists. In this paper we have overviewed the synthetic approaches of aplykurodinone‐1 to date, with a focus on the novel strategies utilized to improve the synthetic efficiency. This review summarizes the contribution of different research groups in the total or formal synthesis of aplykurodinone‐1 in either racemic or enantiomeric form.

Catalytic atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral benzonitriles via chirality control during bond dissociation and CN group formation

The applications of axially chiral benzonitriles and their derivatives remain mostly unexplored due to their synthetic difficulties. Here we disclose an unusual strategy for atroposelective access to benzonitriles via formation of the nitrile unit on biaryl scaffolds pre-installed with stereogenic axes in racemic forms. Our method starts with racemic 2-arylbenzaldehydes and sulfonamides as the substrates and N-heterocyclic carbenes as the organocatalysts to afford axially chiral benzonitriles in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. DFT calculations suggest that the loss of p-toluenesulfinate group is both the rate-determining and stereo-determining step. The axial chirality is controlled during the bond dissociation and CN group formation. The reaction features a dynamic kinetic resolution process modulated by both covalent and non-covalent catalytic interactions. The axially chiral benzonitriles from our method can be easily converted to a large set of functional molecules that show promising catalytic activities for chemical syntheses and anti-bacterial activities for plant protections.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Vibrational Circular Dichroism Assisted Elucidation of the Solution-State Supramolecular Speciation in Racemic and Enantiopure Ketoprofen.

The molecular structure and solution-state molecular interactions in the popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, ketoprofen, are extensively studied with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the chemical behavior of its solution state and its connection to its nucleation pathway and crystallization outcome. Using as reference solid-state X-ray structures of enantiomeric and racemic forms of ketoprofen, a set of self-assembly models underpinned by density functional theory calculations has been considered for the analysis of spectroscopic data, infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), obtained for solutions of the samples as a function of composition and solvent. From our results it can be concluded that, contrary to the general belief for generic carboxylic acids, there are no cyclic dimeric structures of ketoprofen present in solution, but rather linear arrays made up of two (in high polar or diluted media) or more units (in low polar or low dilution media). This observation is in line with the idea that the weak contacts (other than H-bonding) would hold the key to molecular self-assembly, in agreement with recent studies on other aromatic carboxylic acids.

Efficacy of the R(+)-enantiomer of alpha-lipoic acid in clinical practice

The article presents current data from the scientific medical literature on the effective use of the R(+)-enantiomer of α-lipoic acid in various pathological conditions. The authors analyze the literature data on the comparative assessment of the activity of racemic and dextrorotatory forms of thioctic (alpha-lipoic) acid in low back pain, the effect of the R(+)-enantiomer in combination with hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the production of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α and vascular endothelial growth factor in the healing of chronic ulcers of the lower extremities, as well as the use of R-α-lipoic acid in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. It should be noted that recently around the world there is a tendency to gradual transition from the course treatment of diabetic neuropathy towards long-term and continuous use of pathogenetic therapies in order to maintain their positive effects. Alpha-lipoic acid is widely used in neurological practice, as evidenced by our data. Also, α-lipoic acid is actively used in gastroenterology in the treatment of chronic liver diseases. Currently, the action of α-lipoic acid is being actively studied in terms of the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Based on the analyzed data, the authors concluded that it is the R(+)-enantiomer of α-lipoic acid that has a positive biological effect, and treatment with it should be carried out almost constantly, taking breaks in its intake. The duration of R-α-lipoic acid use depends on the specific clinical situation, and given the current personalized approach to treatment, as shown by the analysis of modern medical sources, people with diabetes in a state of decompensation of carbohydrate metabolism should be prescribed it for 6 months continuously with a break of 2 months and repeated courses.

DFT study on the mechanisms of α‐C cross coupling of π‐bonds catalyzed by iron complexes

AbstractThe mechanisms of α‐C cross coupling of π‐bonds catalyzed by iron complexes have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the B3LYP‐D3BJ in solvation model density (SMD) (dichloromethane). The results show that the overall catalytic cycle includes the deprotonation of α‐position of alkynes, electrophilic functionalization, protonation and BF3 departure, alkynes exchange, and catalyst regeneration. The deprotonation step of α‐position of alkynes is the rate‐determining step in the whole catalytic cycle where the energy barrier ΔGsol in dichloromethane solution is 11.6 kcal/mol. Our results also show that the product is in a racemic form, which keeps consistent with the experimental results.

Catalysis‐Enabled Concise and Stereoselective Total Synthesis of the Tricyclic Prostaglandin D2 Metabolite Methyl Ester

AbstractA concise and stereoselective total synthesis of the clinically relevant tricyclic prostaglandin D2 metabolite (tricyclic‐PGDM) methyl ester in racemic form was accomplished in eight steps from a readily available known cyclopentene‐diol derivative. The synthesis features a nickel‐catalyzed Ueno–Stork‐type dicarbofunctionalization to generate two consecutive stereocenters, a palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative spirolactonization to build the core oxaspirolactone, and a Z‐selective cross‐metathesis to introduce the (Z)‐3‐butenoate side chain, a group challenging to introduce through traditional Wittig protocols and troublesome for the two previous total syntheses. A general Z‐selective cross‐metathesis protocol to construct (Z)‐β,γ‐unsaturated esters was also developed that has broad functional group tolerance and high stereoselectivity. Additionally, our synthesis already accumulated 75 mg of valuable material for an 18O‐tricyclic‐PGDM‐based assay used in clinical settings for inflammation.

Catalysis-Enabled Concise and Stereoselective Total Synthesis of the Tricyclic Prostaglandin D2 Metabolite Methyl Ester.

A concise and stereoselective total synthesis of the clinically relevant tricyclic prostaglandin D2 metabolite (tricyclic-PGDM) methyl ester in racemic form was accomplished in eight steps from a readily available known cyclopentene-diol derivative. The synthesis features a nickel-catalyzed Ueno-Stork-type dicarbofunctionalization to generate two consecutive stereocenters, a palladium-catalyzed carbonylative spirolactonization to build the core oxaspirolactone, and a Z-selective cross-metathesis to introduce the (Z)-3-butenoate side chain, a group challenging to introduce through traditional Wittig protocols and troublesome for the two previous total syntheses. A general Z-selective cross-metathesis protocol to construct (Z)-β,γ-unsaturated esters was also developed that has broad functional group tolerance and high stereoselectivity. Additionally, our synthesis already accumulated 75 mg of valuable material for an 18 O-tricyclic-PGDM-based assay used in clinical settings for inflammation.

Determination of the enantiomers of salmeterol xinafoate in salmeterol fluticasone powder inhalant by chiral nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

昔萘酸沙美特罗是目前治疗哮喘夜间发作和哮喘维持治疗的理想药物之一,它在临床上以外消旋体形式给药。昔萘酸沙美特罗的两个对映体在药理活性和毒理作用等方面差异较大,建立昔萘酸沙美特罗对映体的手性分离分析方法对提高手性药物质量、保证临床用药安全有效具有重要意义。该文以L(+)-酒石酸-硼酸络合酸为手性选择剂,建立了测定沙美特罗替卡松粉吸入剂中昔萘酸沙美特罗对映体含量的非水毛细管电泳法。实验考察了L(+)-酒石酸浓度、硼酸浓度和表观pH(apparent pH, pH* )对手性分离效果的影响。优化的缓冲溶液为:含120.0 mmol/L L(+)-酒石酸和120.0 mmol/L硼酸的甲醇溶液,pH* 为0.93;其他实验条件为:未涂层弹性熔融石英毛细管(内径50.0 μm,总长度64.5 cm,有效长度55.5 cm),重力进样17.5 cm×10.0 s,检测波长225 nm,室温,工作电压20.0 kV。在优化的实验条件下,昔萘酸沙美特罗的两个对映体在18.0 min内获得了2.18的分离度;在27.5~800.0 mg/L质量浓度范围内,与峰面积呈现良好的线性关系,相关系数(r)大于0.9990;检出限和定量限分别为7.5和25.0 mg/L;加标回收率为98.1%~101.9%,相对标准偏差为1.2%~1.9%。随机购买市面上出售的沙美特罗替卡松粉吸入剂,对其昔萘酸沙美特罗对映体的含量进行了分析检测。结果显示,昔萘酸沙美特罗对映体1和对映体2的标示量百分含量均为98.7%, RSD分别为2.5%和2.7%。该方法操作简便易行,结果准确可靠,消耗低,可用于市售沙美特罗替卡松粉吸入剂中昔萘酸沙美特罗对映体的含量测定。