Studies on the Oxidation of Aromatic Amines Catalyzed by Trametes versicolor Laccase.

The bio-oxidation of a series of aromatic amines catalyzed by T. versicolor laccase has been investigated exploiting either commercially available nitrogenous substrates [(E)-4-vinyl aniline and diphenyl amine] or ad hoc synthetized ones [(E)-4-styrylaniline, (E)-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)aniline and (E)-4-(((4-methoxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol]. At variance to their phenolic equivalents, the investigated aromatic amines were not converted into the expected cyclic dimeric structures under T. versicolor catalysis. The formation of complex oligomeric/polymeric or decomposition by-products was mainly observed, with the exception of the isolation of two interesting but unexpected chemical skeletons. Specifically, the biooxidation of diphenylamine resulted in an oxygenated quinone-like product, while, to our surprise, in the presence of T. versicolor laccase (E)-4-vinyl aniline was converted into a 1,2-substited cyclobutane ring. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of an enzymatically triggered [2 + 2] olefin cycloaddition. Possible reaction mechanisms to explain the formation of these products are also reported.

The Co-identity of Lipiarmycin A3 and Tiacumicin B.

The co-identity of the antibiotics lipiarmycin A3 obtained from Actinoplanes deccanensis and tiacumicin B obtained from Dactylosporangium aurantiacum was unambiguously demonstrated through a number of experimental means. Spectroscopic analyses performed on both the antibiotics themselves and on their derivatives showed no difference between the two series of compounds. Moreover, unambiguous confirmation of the postulated identity of the two compounds was achieved by chemical degradation of lipiarmycin A3 and isolation of (3S,4R)-pentane-1,3,4-triol triacetate whose relative configuration was assigned by comparison with the authentic erythro and threo pentane-1,3,4-triol triacetates, obtained by chemical synthesis.

Investigation of the stereochemical course of ene reductase-catalysed reactions by deuterium labelling.

The stereoselective reduction of suitably substituted C═C bonds mediated by enzymes, called ene reductases, has received great attention in the last decade. Some successful applications of this biocatalysed procedure to the synthesis of chiral active pharmaceutical ingredients have been reported in the literature. The generation of suitable models to be used for predicting the stereochemical outcome of this kind of reductions is a challenging task. In the last years we have exploited deuterium labelling to investigate the stereochemical course of the enzyme-mediated reductions of a wide collection of substrates belonging to well-defined chemical classes. The results of this research have allowed us to draw conclusions on the relationship between the structural characteristics of the substrate and the binding mode it adopts in the enzyme active site. The collected data can be exploited to create an empirical model to rationalise and predict the stereoselectivity of old yellow enzyme (OYE)-catalysed reductions.

The co-identity of lipiarmycin A3 and tiacumicin B.

The co-identity of the antibiotics lipiarmycin A3 obtained from Actinoplanes deccanensis and tiacumicin B obtained from Dactylosporangium aurantiacum was unambiguously demonstrated through a number of experimental means. Spectroscopic analyses performed on both the antibiotics themselves and on their derivatives showed no difference between the two series of compounds. Moreover, unambiguous confirmation of the postulated identity of the two compounds was achieved by chemical degradation of lipiarmycin A3 and isolation of (3S,4R)-pentane-1,3,4-triol triacetate whose relative configuration was assigned by comparison with the authentic erythro and threo pentane-1,3,4-triol triacetates, obtained by chemical synthesis.

Microbial transformations of the taxan ring of 10-DAB by some strains of the fungus Curvularia lunata: formation of the bis-abeotaxanes wallifoliol and 4-deacylwallifoliol.

The fermentation of 10-deacetylbaccatine III (10-DAB) (1) with Curvularia lunata afforded 4-deacylwallifoliol (4) and wallifoliol (5), the only natural taxoid with the unusual 5/6/6/6/4 ring system. The X-ray structure of compound 4 is reported. The skeletal rearrangements induced by the microbial enzymatic systems are also discussed.

Anomalous microbial transformations on the taxane ring of 10-DAB by a strain of the fungus Curvularia lunata: transbenzoylation, transacetylation, and opening of the oxetane ring.

The fermentation of 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB) (1) with Curvularia lunata afforded the taxane hemiacetals 2a and 3, characterized by extensive structural modification, including C-2 to C-1 transbenzoylation, oxidation of the C-2 hydroxyl, formation of a C-9/C13 hemiacetal, epimerization at C-10, and migration of the endocyclic double bond to an exocyclic location. In compound 3, an acetate-assisted opening of the oxetane ring was also observed.

Validating a strategy for molecular dynamics simulations of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes through single-crystal X-ray and NMR experimental data: a case study.

A theoretical and experimental study about the formation and structure of the inclusion complex (-)-menthyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside 1 with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) 2 is presented as paradigmatic case study to test the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The customary methodological approach-the use of experimental geometrical parameters as restraints for MD runs-is logically reversed and the calculated structures are a posteriori compared with those obtained from NMR spectroscopy in D(2)O solution and single crystal X-ray diffraction so as to validate the simulation procedure. The guest molecule 1 allows for a broad repertoire of intermolecular interactions (dipolar, hydrophobic, hydrogen bonds) concurring to stabilize the host-guest complex, thus providing the general applicability of the simulation procedure to cyclodextrin physical chemistry. Many starting geometries of the host-guest association were chosen, not assuming any a priori inclusion. The simulation protocol, involving energy minimization and MD runs in explicit water, yielded four possible inclusion geometries, ruling out higher-energy outer adducts. By analysis of the average energy at room temperature, the most stable geometry in solution was eventually obtained, while the kinetics of formation showed that it is also kinetically favored. The reliability of such geometry was thoroughly checked against the NOE distances via the pair distribution functions, that is, the statistical distribution of intermolecular distances among selected diagnostic atoms calculated from the MD trajectories at room temperature. An analogous procedure was adopted both with implicit solvent and in vacuo. The most stable geometry matched that found with explicit solvent but major differences were observed in the relative stability of the metastable complexes as a consequence of the lack of hydration on the polar moiety of the guest. Finally, a control set of geometrical parameters of the thermodynamically favored complex matched the corresponding one obtained from the X-ray structure, while local conformational differences were indicative of packing effects.

Monitoring the synthetic procedures of commercial drugs by 2H NMR spectroscopy: the case of ibuprofen and naproxen.

We determined the D/H isotope ratios of some ibuprofen and naproxen samples by (2)H NMR spectroscopy. Some of these values were found to be useful for collecting hints on the synthetic procedures employed to prepare these drugs. Site-specific isotope ratio analysis shows great potentials in the fight against patent infringement.

Impurities of tazarotene: isolation and structural characterisation.

Two impurities showing structures 5 and 6 were isolated and characterised by means of NMR analysis, during the optimisation of a synthetic procedure to tazarotene. Impurity 5, i.e. ethyl 6-((4,4-dimethyl-4H-thiochromen-6-yl)ethynyl)nicotinate, was a by-product of the reduction of the intermediate sulfoxide 7 with PCl(3). Impurity 6, i.e. 1,4-bis(4,4-dimethylthiochroman-6-yl)buta-1,3-diyne, was due to a side reaction of the Sonogashira coupling.

Microbial transformation of spirolaxine, a bioactive undecaketide fungal metabolite from the basidiomycete Sporotrichum laxum.

Incubation of (+)-spirolaxine (= (3R)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-{5-[(2R,5R,7R)-2-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-7-yl]pentyl}-2-benzofuran-1(3H)-one; 1a) with Bacillus megaterium afforded two new mono- and one new dihydroxylated metabolite(s), all OH groups being introduced on the non-activated six-membered ring. In contrast, exposure of 1a to Cunninghamella echinulata gave rise to hydroxylation on the five-membered ring of the parent structure. The structures and absolute configurations of the new products 1b-e were deduced on the basis of MS and NMR data. The metabolite 1b was investigated, in comparison to 1a, for its cytotoxicity (sulforhodamin-B test) and for its antiproliferative activity towards bovine microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC).

Traceability of synthetic drugs by position-specific deuterium isotope ratio analysis: the case of Prozac and the fluoxetine generics.

Samples of fluoxetine of different origin were submitted to natural abundance 2H NMR spectroscopy. The deuterium content at the various sites of the molecule was found to depend on its synthetic history. Hints on the synthetic procedure can be obtained by comparison with standard compounds, whose synthesis is known. These preliminary results give an idea of the potential of site-specific isotope ratio analysis in the fight against patent infringement and drug counterfeiting.

Isolation and characterisation of impurities in adapalene.

Three impurities of structure 2-4 were isolated and characterised during the optimisation of a synthetic procedure to adapalene. Impurity 1 was a by-product of the Friedel-Crafts reaction of adamantanol with 4-bromoanisole. Impurities 3 and 4 were due to side reactions of the final Negishi coupling.

Isolation and characterisation of a phenolic impurity in a commercial sample of duloxetine.

A phenolic impurity of duloxetine hydrochloride was isolated and characterised (MS, NMR, X-ray-analysis).

Absolute configuration of sporotricale and structure of 6-hydroxysporotricale.

The absolute configuration of the two stereocenters of (+)-sporotricale (2a), a bioactive phthalide secondary metabolite, was determined through circular dichroism and by applying Mosher's method. The structure of 6-hydroxysporotricale (2c), isolated from cultures in vitro of Sporotrichum laxum, was also elucidated.

Enzyme-mediated preparation of the enantiomerically enriched isomers of the odorous tetrahydropyranyl acetates Jasmal and Jessemal, and their olfactory evaluation.

All four stereoisomers of the fragrance Jasmal of structure 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-3-pentyl-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate were prepared by enzymatic resolutions of the corresponding alcohols. The absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by comparison with the enantiomer (3R,4S)-1 prepared from L-tartaric acid. The four stereoisomers of the fragrance Jessemal of structure 3-butyl-5-methyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate were obtained starting from the epoxy alcohol 10, which was obtained in an optically pure state by enzymatic resolution of the racemic mixture. The olfactory evaluations of all stereoisomers are reported. (1)H-NMR Conformational analysis of diastereoisomers (3RS,4RS,5RS)-2 and (3RS,4SR,5RS)-2 is also reported.

The prediction of isotopic patterns in phenylpropanoids from their precursors and the mechanism of the NIH-shift: basis of the isotopic characteristics of natural aromatic compounds.

The theoretical 2H-distribution in the aromatic ring of phenylpropanoids can be predicted from that of their precursors--erythrose-4-phosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate and NADPH--and by invoking the mechanism of the NIH-shift and implied deuterium isotope effects. For each position in the non-oxygenated ring, the predicted natural 2H-abundance is in excellent agreement with experimental data obtained from quantitative 2H NMR-measurements on natural compounds, especially concerning the relative 2H-abundances p > o > or = m. For the p-hydroxylated derivatives, the experimentally determined 2H-abundance sequence order m > o can also be deduced, assuming an anisotropic migration (intramolecular isotope effect) of the p-hydrogen atom to the two differently 2H-substituted m-positions during the NIH-shift (intramolecular hydrogen transfer) and an in vivo deuterium kinetic isotope effect of approximately 1.20 on the final hydrogen elimination from the proposed ketodiene intermediate. The predicted 2H-distribution pattern of methyl salicylate 10, a representative of an o-hydroxylated natural compound, is in excellent agreement with that reported from 2H NMR analyses. However, for salicyl alcohol, minor differences between the theoretical and experimentally determined pattern are found that cannot yet be satisfactorily explained. On the other hand, a very good agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental pattern of coumarin, provided a deuterium kinetic isotope effect of approximately 1.30 is assumed for the elimination of the H-atoms from the ketodiene intermediate. The secondary m-hydroxylation of p-coumaric acid in the biosynthesis of vanillin seems to proceed without large isotope effects. Parallel differences are also observed for the 18O-kinetic isotope effects on the corresponding monooxygenase-catalysed reactions. The results demonstrate convincingly that the mechanisms of these general reactions of the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway are identical and follow general principles. Small observed differences between the 2H-patterns of individual natural aromatic compounds originating from the same hydroxylation type can therefore be assigned to differences of the patterns of the precursors, the extent and the orientation of the hydrogen migration, and the kinetic isotope effect on the final hydrogen elimination. The evidence for the existence of general systematic rules governing isotopic patterns in the shikimic acid pathway and its subsequent reactions is further supported by the recently reported 13C-distribution pattern of vanillin, which is also in agreement with that predicted from the precursors. Hence, it is apparent that the systematics of the isotope patterns of phenylpropanoids are in line with the generally accepted biosynthetic reactions in the shikimic acid pathway and that this knowledge can strengthen their value as an essential support for the distinction of natural and synthetic aromatic compounds.

Determination of the synthetic origin of methamphetamine samples by 2H NMR spectroscopy.

Samples of methamphetamine, prepared according to the most common synthetic pathways, were submitted to natural-abundance 2H NMR spectroscopy. The deuterium content at the various sites of the molecule was found to depend on its synthetic history. The technique provides a chemical fingerprint of methamphetamine samples and can give hints to trace back the starting materials and the synthetic procedures.

Stable isotope characterization of the ortho-oxygenated phenylpropanoids: coumarin and melilotol.

The natural abundance 2H NMR spectra of extractive coumarin 10 and of its dihydroderivative melilotol 11 produced by baker's yeast reduction has been compared with synthetic materials. Diagnostic for the differentiation of 10 are the (D/H)beta values, which are in the 128.1-133.6 ppm interval for the natural compounds but 258.5 and 189.8 ppm for the synthetic materials. Such a dramatic difference is also found for methyl cinnamate 12, which shows (D/H)beta values of 127.2 and 515.8 ppm, respectively. In extractive 10, the ratio (D/H)4para/(D/H)6ortho = 1.24 is similar to that observed in structurally related salicin and methyl salicylate. Coumarin 10 is transformed in salicyl alcohol 9, providing diacetate 14, showing in the natural series the trend (D/H)3meta > (D/H)4para > (D/H)5meta approximately (D/H)6ortho. A similar trend is shown also by the synthetic 10. A clear distinction between extractive and synthetic 10 is obtained through delta18O determinations on 10 and on chroman 13. The bulk delta18O values in the extractive series of 10 are 20.3, 23.6, and 22.6 per thousand, while those of the aromatic oxygen are 2.3, 0.5, and -0.5 per thousand. In the synthetic sample, the values are 12.6 and 5.6 per thousand, respectively. As a final product, the reduction of 10 leads to the dihydroderivative 11. Both the baker's yeast reduction and the catalytic hydrogenation lead to a marked decrease of the deuterium content of 11, which is stronger for the beta-position than for the alpha-position.

Phthalazine PDE IV inhibitors: conformational study of some 6-methoxy-1,4-disubstituted derivatives.

This report describes the detailed conformational analysis and synthesis of a series of phthalazine phosphodiesterase-type (IV) (PDE IV) inhibitors bearing either mono- or dichloro 4-methylenepyridine at the 'down' position of the phthalazine nucleus or different heterocycles at the 'top' position 4 of the phthalazine moiety. Both the mono- and dichloro 4-methylenepyridine units linked at carbon C1 of the phthalazine nucleus show identical conformational behaviour with the substituent preferentially oriented towards the external part of the molecule and the pyridine plane almost orthogonal to that of phthalazine ring. The heterocyclic five-membered rings linked at carbon C4 of phthalazine show quite different conformational behaviour. The 1,3-thiazole ring exists in a well-defined conformation almost coplanar with respect to the phthalazine nucleus while the 1,2,4-triazole and the 1,3-diazole heterocycles show a great conformational freedom with large torsion angles. Compound 3 bearing the thiazole ring at C4 displays the major biological activity, thus suggesting that a planar and rather rigid conformation of the pentacycle should favour the PDE IV inhibition capacity of this class of compounds.