Exploratory experiments on the chemistry of the "glyoxylate scenario": formation of ketosugars from dihydroxyfumarate.

In the context of a "glyoxylate scenario" of primordial metabolism, the reactions of dihydroxyfumarate (DHF) with reactive small molecule aldehydes (e.g., glyoxylate, formaldehyde, glycolaldehyde, and glyceraldehyde) in water were investigated and shown to form dihydroxyacetone, tetrulose, and the two pentuloses, with almost quantitative conversion.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrimidine derivatives as sub-micromolar affinity ligands of GalR2.

GalR1 and GalR2 represent unique pharmacological targets for treatment of seizures and epilepsy. A novel series of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and found to have sub-micromolar affinity for GalR2. Optimization of a series of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidines led to the discovery of several analogs with IC50 values ranging from 0.

Diastereoselective self-condensation of dihydroxyfumaric acid in water: potential route to sugars.

Jack of all trades: water-soluble salts of DHF underwent self-condensation to afford the threo diastereomer of pentulosonic acid, through differing reaction pathways contingent on the metal salt used. This transformation exemplifies the diverging roles of DHF as a nucleophile (a synthon for α-hydroxyacetyl anion) and an electrophile (an α-carboxyglycolaldehyde equivalent).