Crystal structure of a benzimidazole hepatitis C virus inhibitor free and in complex with the viral RNA target.

The crystal structure of 8-((dimethylamino)methyl)-1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-1,7,8,9-tetrahydrochromeno[5,6-d]imidazol-2-amine (), an inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site, is described and compared to the structure of the compound in complex with the viral RNA target. Compound crystallized by pentane vapor diffusion into dichloroethane solution. It crystallized in the monoclinic system, P2/c space group with unit cell parameters = 15.

New route to the ergoline skeleton via cyclization of 4-unsubstituted indoles.

A new route to the ergoline skeleton has been developed that does not require prior functionalization of the indole 4-position. The indole nucleus is introduced late in the synthesis to allow for eventual efficient introduction of substituents in this region. Key steps include Negishi coupling of a three-carbon chain to a bromonicotinate ester, Fischer indole synthesis to facilitate incorporation of substituents via phenylhydrazines, and Pd-catalyzed cyclization to form the ergoline C ring.

Structure of a hepatitis C virus RNA domain in complex with a translation inhibitor reveals a binding mode reminiscent of riboswitches.

The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genome is essential for the initiation of viral protein synthesis. IRES domains adopt well-defined folds that are potential targets for antiviral translation inhibitors. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of the IRES subdomain IIa in complex with a benzimidazole translation inhibitor at 2.

An efficient new route to dihydropyranobenzimidazole inhibitors of HCV replication.

A class of dihydropyranobenzimidazole inhibitors was recently discovered that acts against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a new way, binding to the IRES-IIa subdomain of the highly conserved 5' untranslated region of the viral RNA and thus preventing the ribosome from initiating translation. However, the reported synthesis of these compounds is lengthy and low-yielding, the intermediates are troublesome to purify, and the route is poorly structured for the creation of libraries. We report a streamlined route to this class of inhibitors in which yields are far higher and most intermediates are crystalline.

Wittig reactions in water media employing stabilized ylides with aldehydes. Synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters from mixing aldehydes, alpha-bromoesters, and Ph3P in aqueous NaHCO3.

Water is demonstrated to be an effective medium for the Wittig reaction over a wide range of stabilized ylides and aldehydes. Despite sometimes poor solubility of the reactants, good chemical yields normally ranging from 80 to 98% and high E-selectivities (up to 99%) are achieved, and the rate of the reactions in water is unexpectedly accelerated. The efficiency of water as a medium in the Wittig reaction is compared to conventional organic solvents ranging from carbon tetrachloride to methanol.

The conformation of acetylated virginiamycin M1 and virginiamycin M1 in explicit solvents.

The three-dimensional structure of acetylated virginiamycin M(1) (acetylated VM1) in chloroform and in a water/acetonitrile mixture (83:17 v/v) have been established through 2D high resolution NMR experiments and molecular dynamics modeling and the results compared with the conformation of the antibiotic VM1 in the same and other solvents. The results indicated that acetylation of the C-14 OH group of VM1 caused it to rotate about 90 degrees from the position it assumed in non-acetylated VM1. The conformation of both VM1 and acetylated VM1 appear to flatten in moving from a nonpolar to polar solvent.

The conformational flexibility of the antibiotic virginiamycin M(1).

The antibiotic virginiamycin is a combination of two molecules, virginiamycin M(1) (VM1) and virginiamycin S(1) (VS1) or analogues, which function synergistically by binding to bacterial ribosomes and inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Both VM1 and VS1 dissolve poorly in water and are soluble in more hydrophobic solvents. We have recently reported that the 3D conformation of VM1 in CDCl(3) solution differs markedly from the conformation bound to a VM1 binding enzyme and to 50S ribosomes as found by X-ray crystallographic studies.

Conjugate additions of a simple monosilylcopper reagent with use of the CuI.DMS complex: stereoselectivities and a dramatic impact by DMS.

Conjugate additions utilizing the simple monosilylcuprate reagent Li[PhMe2SiCuI] to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds are described. The presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), either as a component originating from the (CuI)4(DMS)3 complex or as a solvent added, has an amazing influence on both chemical yield and the level of diastereomeric ratio (dr) of the products. Gilman-type silylcyanocuprates {Li(Ph2MeSi)2Cu/LiCN} have previously been used to guarantee good results in conjugate addition reactions.

Solvent affects the conformation of virginiamycin M1 (pristinamycin IIA, streptogramin A).

The streptogramins are antibiotics which act by binding two different components at separate nearby sites on the bacterial 50S ribosome, inhibiting protein synthesis. The first component, a macrolactone, is common to many of the streptogramin antibiotics and, thus, is referred to by many names including virginiamycin M1(VM1), pristinamycin IIA, ostreogrycin A and streptogramin A. X-Ray crystallographic studies of VM1 bound to ribosomes and to a deactivating enzyme show a different conformation to that of VM1 in chloroform solution.

Direct copper(I) iodide dimethyl sulfide catalyzed conjugate addition of alkenyl groups from vinylzirconocene reagents.

[reaction: see text] CuI.0.75DMS complex is an excellent catalyst for the direct conjugate addition of alkenyl groups from vinylzirconocene reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones.

The remarkable ability of lithium ion to reverse the stereoselectivity in the conjugate addition of Li[BuCuI] to a chiral N-crotonyl-2-oxazolidinone.

[reaction: see text] The influence of lithium ions on the conjugate addition of the monoorganocuprate reagent, Li[BuCuI], to a chiral crotonate has been investigated. The results show that iodotrimethylsilane (TMSI) is crucial for the asymmetric conjugate addition of the copper reagent, but only in THF or when 12-crown-4 is used. The reaction is thought not to involve any halosilane in any critical steps in the organocopper mechanisms conducted in Et(2)O.

Employing the simple monosilylcopper reagent, Li[PhMe2SiCuI], in 1,4-addition reactions.

Conjugate addition reactions using the simple Li[PhMe2SiCuI] reagent to a variety of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is described; dimethyl sulfide from the purification of CuI plays a key role for very high yields as well as high stereoselectivities in the formation of beta-silyl carbonyl compounds.