Furan-oxidation-triggered inducible DNA cross-linking: acyclic versus cyclic furan-containing building blocks--on the benefit of restoring the cyclic sugar backbone.

Oligodeoxynucleotides incorporating a reactive functionality can cause irreversible cross-linking to the target sequence and have been widely studied for their potential in inhibition of gene expression or development of diagnostic probes for gene analysis. Reactive oligonucleotides further show potential in a supramolecular context for the construction of nanometer-sized DNA-based objects. Inspired by the cytochrome P450 catalyzed transformation of furan into a reactive enal species, we recently introduced a furan-oxidation-based methodology for cross-linking of nucleic acids.

Experimental and computational study of the ring opening of tricyclic oxanorbornenes to polyhydro isoindole phosphonates.

Phosphonylated azaheterocycles are an important class of compounds with high biological potential as conformationally restricted bioisosteres of amino acids. Therefore, it is of interest to synthesize conformationally constrained amino phosphonates. We wanted to investigate possible routes via ring opening of alpha-amino phosphonates with an oxanorbornene skeleton, as these can be synthesized with high stereoselectivity.

Conformational sampling of macrocyclic alkenes using a Kennard-Stone-based algorithm.

The properties and functions of (bio)molecules are closely related to their molecular conformations. A variety of methods are available to sample the conformational space at a relatively low level of theory. If a higher level of theory is required, the computational cost can be reduced by selecting a uniformly distributed set of conformations from the ensemble of conformations generated at a low level of theory and by optimizing this selected set at a higher level.

Synthesis of tricyclic phosphonopyrrolidines via IMDAF: experimental and theoretical investigation of the observed stereoselectivity.

During the synthesis of tricyclic phosphonopyrrolidines via intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of 1-acylamino(furan-2-yl)methyl phosphonates, two isomers are formed in most cases. The presence of a short three-atom tether together with spectroscopic data, including difference NOE, revealed that the cycloaddition occurred exo, but the phosphonate substituent on the tether had an exo or endo orientation. This was confirmed via X-ray analysis.

Synthesis of N3,N'3-polymethylene-bis-hydantoins and their macrocyclic derivatives.

An efficient and straightforward two-step approach toward N3,N'3-polymethylene-bis-hydantoins was developed. As a first step, a pyroglutamate is reacted with a diisocyanate to produce a bis-carbamoyllactam. The second step is a double-ring transformation by treatment of this bis-carbamoyllactam with KOtBu in ethanol.

Synthesis of 1,3-dioxo-hexahydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]diazepine carboxylates, a new bicyclic skeleton formed by ring expansion-RCM methodology.

A short and elegant synthetic pathway was developed for the synthesis of 1,3-dioxo-hexahydropyrido[1,2-c][1,3]diazepine carboxylates, a new 1,3-diazepan-2,4-dione containing bicyclic moiety, starting from pyroglutamate esters.

Straightforward ring expansion of pyroglutamates to perhydro-1,3-diazepine-2,4-diones.

[reaction: see text] Perhydro-1,3-diazepine-2,4-diones are rare and can only be prepared, up to now, by special methods. A new one-step protocol was developed, comprising N-carbamoylation using an isocyanate followed by intramolecular ring expansion. This new methodology provides a straightforward access to this interesting seven-membered skeleton.