Synthesis of 7-alkylidene-7,12-dihydroindolo[3,2-d]benzazepine-6-(5H)-ones (7-alkylidene-paullones) by N-cyclization-oxidative Heck cascade and characterization as sirtuin modulators.

An extension of our reported protocol to benzofused heterocyclic derivatives (benzofurans, indoles, isochromeneimines), involving a palladium-induced cascade of N-cyclization and oxidative Heck reactions of o-alkynylanilines, has allowed the preparation of indolobenzazepinones (paullones) with an alkylidene group at C7 in just 3-4 steps from ortho-iodoanilines. Some of these compounds behave as Sirt1 activators in biochemical assays.

Synthesis of trisubstituted furans from epoxypropargyl esters by sequential SmI2-promoted reduction-elimination and Pd(II)-catalyzed cycloisomerization.

A two-step one-pot synthesis of 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans 8 from 4,5-epoxyalk-2-ynyl esters 6 is described. The sequence is initiated by a SmI2-promoted reduction that takes advantage of the ability of the alkynyloxirane moiety present in 6 to accept electrons from SmI2. The resulting organosamarium species then eliminates an adjacent acetate or benzoate leaving group, leading to the formation of unstable 2,3,4-trien-1-ols 7. Without isolation, these are cycloisomerized to furans 8 by treatment with a catalytic amount of a Pd(II) complex and a proton source. The whole sequence takes place under mild reaction conditions. Some useful functional groups such as cyano and alpha,beta-unsaturated esters are tolerated, but benzyl- and silyl-protected hydroxyl groups are deprotected to some extent. Starting materials can be easily assembled using reliable reactions from acetylene, an aldehyde or ketone, and a vinyl halide fragment. This offers the possibility of introducing branched substituents at C-5 of the furan ring.

Synthesis of vinyl- and alkynylcyclopentanetetraols by SmI2/Pd(0)-promoted carbohydrate ring-contraction.

A variety of vinyl- or alkynyl-substituted polyhydroxylated cyclopentanes and cyclobutanes are prepared in enantiomerically pure form from appropriate carbohydrate precursors, in a direct one-step ring-contraction procedure promoted by SmI2 and catalytic Pd(O). This reaction is thought to proceed through intermediate ring-opened allyl- or allenylsamarium complexes that undergo ring-closure by intramolecular carbonyl addition. A predominant trans relationship is found between vinyl (or alkynyl) and hydroxyl groups at the two newly created stereogenic centers, with good to excellent levels of stereoselectivity being observed in the formation of homopropargyl cyclopentanol products. Under appropriate conditions, preparatively useful yields are realized of stereoisomers not directly available using alternative methodology.

Development of a novel 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 analog with potent ability to induce HL-60 cell differentiation without modulating calcium metabolism.

We describe several novel analogs of the seco-steroid 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] and their effects on differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 human myeloid leukemic cells in vitro as well as their effects on calcium metabolism in vivo. The 1 alpha-25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-26,27F6-vitamin D3 is the most potent analog reported to date, having about 80-fold more activity than the reference 1,25(OH)2D3 for inhibition of proliferation and induction of differentiation of HL-60 cells. Also, this analog decreased RNA expression of MYC oncogene in HL-60 by 90% at 5 x 10(-10) mol/L. Intriguingly, intestinal calcium absorption and bone calcium mobilization mediated in vivo by 1 alpha-25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-26,27F6-D3 was found to be markedly (15-fold) less than that of 1,25(OH)2D3. In addition, 1 alpha-25(OH)2D3 bound to 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors of both HL-60 and intestine more avidly than did 1 alpha-25(OH)2-16ene-23yne-26,27F6-D3. This novel analog may open up new therapeutic strategies for several hematopoietic, skin, and bone abnormalities and may provide a new tool to understand how vitamin D3 seco-steroids induce cellular differentiation.

Synthesis and response of new microsensor coatings-II Acridinium betaines and anionic surfactants.

Four acridinium betaines and two ionic surfactants were synthesized, and evaluated as chemical microsensor coatings by exposure to vapors of chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). Two of the acridinium betaines showed selective and reversible responses (of 9.8 and 6.8 kHz) as SAW (surface acoustic wave) coatings in the detection of CEES vapor: there appears to be a connection between the long alkyl chain (C-12 and C-14) in the acridinium molecules and the response. Response times were generally less than 30 sec but desorption was significantly slower. The ionic surfactant coatings show small SAW changes (> 0.5 kHz) in response to DMMP vapor, and somewhat greater responses (20- and 68-fold), as chemiresistors, to CEES vapor. In each case the response occurred within 3 min, with return nearly to baseline levels within 6 min of cessation of exposure to the vapor. The responses were reproducible within +/- 5%.