Publications by authors named "J F G McCone"

The natural product (-)-TAN-2483B is a fungal secondary metabolite which displays promising anti-cancer and immunomodulatory activity. Our previous syntheses of (-)-TAN-2483B and sidechain analogues uncovered inhibitory activity against Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), an established drug target for various leukaemia and immunological diseases. A structure-based computational study using ensemble docking and molecular dynamics was performed to determine plausible binding modes for (-)-TAN-2483B and analogues in the Btk binding site.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The bulky β-diketiminate ligand frameworks [BDI] and [BDI] (BDI=[HC{C(Me)N-Dipp/Ar}] (Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dipp); Ar=2,6-dicyclohexylphyenyl (DCHP) or 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphyenyl (TCHP)) have been developed for the kinetic stabilisation of the first europium (II) hydride complexes, [(BDI)Eu(μ-H)], [(BDI)Eu(μ-H)] and [(BDI)Eu(μ-H)], respectively. These complexes represent the first step beyond the current lanthanide(II) hydrides that are all based on ytterbium. Tuning the steric profile of β-diketiminate ligands from a symmetrical to unsymmetrical disposition, enhanced solubility and stability in the solution-state.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nucleic-acid aptamers are bio-molecular recognition agents that bind to their targets with high specificity and affinity and hold promise in a range of biosensor and therapeutic applications. In the case of small-molecule targets, their small size and limited number of functional groups constitute challenges for their detection by aptamer-based biosensors because bio-recognition events may both be weak and produce poorly transduced signals. The binding affinity is principally used to characterize aptamer-ligand interactions; however, a structural understanding of bio-recognition is arguably more valuable in order to design a strong response in biosensor applications.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The first total synthesis of (-)-TAN-2483B, a fungal metabolite possessing a densely functionalized furo[3,4-]pyran-5-one framework, is achieved in 14 steps from d-mannose. Generation of the 2,6-pyran is by cyclopropane ring expansion followed by α-selective alkynylation. Julia-Kocienski olefination introduces the -propenyl side chain.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The fungal metabolite TAN-2483B has a 2,6-trans-relationship across the pyran ring of its furo[3,4-b]pyran-5-one core, which has thwarted previous attempts at its synthesis. We have now developed a chiral pool approach to this core and prepared side-chain analogues of TAN-2483B. The synthesis relies on ring expansion of a reactive furan ring-fused dibromocyclopropane and alkynylation of the resulting pyran.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF