Relaxation dynamics of highly vibrationally excited picoline isomers (E(vib) = 38 300 cm(-1)) with CO2: the role of state density in impulsive collisions.

Strong collisions of highly vibrationally excited picoline isomers and CO2 (00(0)0) were investigated using high resolution transient IR absorption probing to investigate the role of donor state density. Vibrationally excited 3-picoline and 4-picoline (3-methylpyridine and 4 methylpyridine) with E(vib) = 38300 cm(-1) were prepared by 266 nm excitation followed by rapid internal conversion. Transient IR probe measurements of the nascent rotational and translational energy gain in CO2 (00(0)0) show that large DeltaE collisions for 3- and 4-picoline are similar to those for excited 2-picoline.

Biodendrimer-based hydrogel scaffolds for cartilage tissue repair.

Photo-crosslinkable dendritic macromolecules are attractive materials for the preparation of cartilage tissue engineering scaffolds that may be optimized for in situ formation of hydrated, mechanically stable, and well-integrated hydrogel scaffolds supporting chondrocytes and chondrogenesis. We designed and synthesized a novel hydrogel scaffold for cartilage repair, based on a multivalent and water-soluble tri-block copolymer consisting of a poly(ethylene glycol) core and methacrylated poly(glycerol succinic acid) dendrimer terminal blocks. The terminal methacrylates allow mild and biocompatible photo-crosslinking with a visible light, facilitating in vivo filling of irregularly shaped defects with the dendrimer-based scaffold.

Synthesis and aqueous aggregation properties of amphiphilic surface-block dendrimers.

[reaction: see text] A family of dendritic amphiphiles were synthesized from the natural metabolites of glycerol, succinic acid, and myristic acid. The surfaces of these dendrimers display different numbers of alkyl chains and carboxylic acids, varying the hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic ratio over a relatively broad range. In solution these dendritic amphiphiles form supramolecular structures, and these aggregates have been characterized by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and tensiometry.

Crotylsilane reagents in the synthesis of complex polyketide natural products: total synthesis of (+)-discodermolide.

An efficient, highly convergent stereocontrolled synthesis of (+)-discodermolide has been achieved with 2.1% overall yield (27 steps longest linear sequence). The absolute stereochemistry of the C1-C6 (12), C7-C14 (13), and C15-C24 (11) subunits was introduced using asymmetric crotylation methodology.

Stereocontrolled [4+2]-annulation accessing dihydropyrans: synthesis of the C1a-C10 fragment of kendomycin.

[reaction: see text] Development of new organosilane reagents bearing C-centered chirality where the stereocenter is fully substituted, and their use in the stereocontrolled synthesis of cis- and trans-dihydropyrans containing a trisubstituted olefin is described. The reagents participate in Lewis acid promoted [4+2]-annulations providing useful levels of selectivity with both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. A stereoselective synthesis of the C1a-C10 fragment of kendomycin (1) is also described.

Dendritic macromers as in situ polymerizing biomaterials for securing cataract incisions.

Dendritic macromers are attractive macromolecules for hydrogel formation since high cross-linking densities at low polymer concentration can be obtained, varied physical properties can be observed based on the macromer structure, and low viscous aqueous solutions can be injected in an in vivo site of irregular shaped to form a well-integrated polymer network. A peptide dendron possessing terminal cysteine residues was synthesized and characterized. When this peptide dendron was mixed with poly(ethylene glycol dialdehyde) in aqueous solution at pH = 7.

Decarboxylative aldol reactions of allyl beta-keto esters via heterobimetallic catalysis.

Mild and selective heterobimetallic-catalyzed decarboxylative aldol reactions involving allyl beta-keto esters have been developed. The reaction is promoted by Pd(0)- and Yb(III)-DIOP complexes at room temperature and involves the in situ formation of a ketone enolate from allyl beta-keto esters followed by addition of the enolate to aldehydes. The reaction is a new example of heterobimetallic catalysis in which the optimized reaction conditions require the addition of both metals.

DNA-PEG-DNA triblock macromolecules for reagentless DNA detection.

The sandwich assay is the most common design for electrochemical DNA sensors. This assay consists of three individual DNA components: an immobilized capture strand, a target strand, and a probe strand containing a redox-active reporter group. We report a simplified DNA assay where two strands of ssDNA, the capture and probe strands, are linked together via a flexible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer forming an ABA triblock macromolecule.

Total synthesis of (-)-callystatin A.

[reaction: see text] A convergent enantioselective synthesis of the natural product (-)-callystatin A (1) is described. Key features of the synthesis include a lipase-mediated kinetic resolution to install the C5 lactone stereochemistry, a hydrozirconation-based approach to the C8-C9 trisubstituted (Z)-olefin, and a stereoselective cross-coupling of a vinyl dibromide to install the C14-C15 trisubstituted (E)-olefin.

Total synthesis of (-)-apicularen A.

Complete details of an asymmetric synthesis of apicularen (1) are described. The synthesis has been accomplished using a highly diastereo- and enantioselective [4 + 2] annulation for the assembly of the functionalized pyran core. An underdeveloped lactonization method involving an NaH promoted transesterification of an advanced intermediate bearing an aryl cyanomethyl ester was used for the macrolactonization step.

Asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions catalyzed by chiral Brønsted acids.

Chiral BINOL-derived Brønsted acids catalyze the enantioselective asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction of cyclohexenone with aldehydes. The asymmetric MBH reaction requires 2-20 mol % of the chiral Brønsted acid 2e or 2f and triethylphosphine as the nucleophilic promoter. The reaction products are obtained in good yields (39-88%) and high enantioselectivities (67-96% ee).

Borrelidin induces the transcription of amino acid biosynthetic enzymes via a GCN4-dependent pathway.

Global cellular profiling of messenger RNA levels has been used to provide insight into the effects of the angiogenesis inhibitor borrelidin on the eukaryotic model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The most notable result of treatment with borrelidin is the induction of amino acid biosynthetic enzymes in a time-dependent fashion. We have ascertained that induction of this pathway involves the GCN4 transcription factor.

A mild, chemoselective protocol for the removal of thioketals and thioacetals mediated by Dess-Martin periodinane.

[reaction: see text] This paper describes the development of a useful procedure for the removal of thioacetals and thioketals using Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP) reagent. In contrast to existing methods, this protocol offers general reactivity, compatibility with a wide range of functional groups, and convenient reaction times. Also discussed are chemoselectivity experiments involving functionalities that may be subject to oxidation by DMP, qualitative effects of substrate on hydrolysis rate, and direct thioacetal to acetal conversions.

Hybridization of mismatched or partially matched DNA at surfaces.

We investigate how probe density influences hybridization for unlabeled target oligonucleotides that contain mismatched sequences or targets that access different binding locations on the immobilized probe. We find strong probe density effects influencing not only the efficiency of hybridization but also the kinetics of capture. Probe surfaces are used repeatedly, and the potentially large contributions of sample-to-sample variations in surface heterogeneity and nonspecific adsorption are addressed.

Asymmetric crotylation reactions in synthesis of polypropionate-derived macrolides: application to total synthesis of oleandolide.

Complete details of a convergent asymmetric synthesis of oleandolide (1), the aglycon of the macrolide antibiotic oleandomycin, is described. The synthesis has been achieved through the assembly and coupling of the left- and right-hand subunits 12 and 38, respectively. These subunits were prepared from chiral silane-based asymmetric crotylation reactions to control the stereochemical relationships.

Enantioselective synthesis of the protein phosphatase inhibitor (-)-motuporin.

A highly convergent asymmetric synthesis of the protein phosphatase inhibitor motuporin 1a is described. Synthesis and coupling of the individual peptide fragments [34 + 35 --> 51] followed by macrocyclization afforded the fully protected motuporin precursor 33, which is converted to the natural product by dehydration and ester hydrolysis. Six of the eight stereogenic centers associated with the natural product were introduced using asymmetric crotylsilane bond construction methodology.

Synthesis of the C1'-C11' oxazole-containing side chain of leucascandrolide A. Application of a Sonogashira cross-coupling.

An efficient, convergent synthesis of the C1'-C11' side chain (3) of leucascandrolide A (1) has been achieved. The key bond connection is made through the use of a palladium(0)-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling between trifloyl oxazole (4) and alkynylmetal species (5).

Synthesis and V-ATPase inhibition of simplified lobatamide analogues.

[structure: see text] Simplified analogues of the lobatamides have been synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of bovine V-ATPase. The salicylate phenol, enamide NH, and the ortho-substitution of the salicylate ester have been shown to be important for V-ATPase inhibitory activity.

Sonogashira coupling of functionalized trifloyl oxazoles and thiazoles with terminal alkynes: synthesis of disubstituted heterocycles.

[reaction: see text] This paper describes Sonogashira cross-coupling of functionalized 2-, 4-, and 5-trifloyl oxazoles and thiazoles with terminal alkynes. This methodology has been extended to 2,4-ditrifloylthiazoles, which results in regioselective cross-coupling at the C2-position of the thiazole. The resulting 2-alkynyl-4-trifloylthiazoles are effective electrophiles in a second palladium(0)-mediated cross-coupling reaction.

Studies directed toward the total synthesis of discodermolide: asymmetric synthesis of the C1-C14 fragment.

[structure: see text] A convergent and stereoselective assembly of the C1-C14 subunit of marine natural product (+)-discodermolide has been completed. The approach employs chiral allylsilane bond construction methodology to establish four of the eight stereogenic centers. Key fragment coupling is achieved via an efficient stereoselective acetate aldol reaction between C1-C6 and C7-C14 subunits.

Total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of the salicylate antitumor macrolide lobatamide C(1).

The total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of the potent antitumor macrolide lobatamide C is reported. The synthesis involves Cu(I)-mediated enamide formation and Na(2)CO(3)-mediated esterification of a beta-hydroxy acid and a salicylate cyanomethyl ester. Macrolactonization was accomplished using a Mitsunobu protocol.

Studies toward the synthesis of (-)-zampanolide: preparation of N-acyl hemiaminal model systems.

[structure: see text] Synthesis of N-acyl hemiaminal model systems related to the side chain of the antitumor natural product zampanolide is reported. Key steps involve oxidative decarboxylation of N-acyl-alpha-amino acid intermediates, followed by ytterbium triflate mediated solvolysis. Evidence for stabilization of the N-acyl hemiaminal moiety in model compounds by an intramolecular hydrogen-bonding network is described.

Stereoselective additions of chiral (E)-crotylsilanes to thionium ions: asymmetric synthesis of homoallylic thioethers.

Stereochemically well-defined homoallylic thioethers 3 are synthesized via Lewis acid promoted condensation reaction between chiral organosilane reagents 2 and in situ generated thionium ions. The stereochemical course of the reaction is consistent with earlier reports concerning crotylsilations of oxonium ions.

Synthetic studies toward bioactive cyclic peroxides from the marine sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus.

[reaction: see text] The total synthesis of two stereoisomers of a bioactive cyclic peroxide isolated from the marine sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus has been achieved in 18 steps with an overall yield of 2.8%. Diels-Alder addition of singlet oxygen to an acyclic triene carboxylic acid precursor was used to construct the 3,6-dihydro-1,2-dioxin ring.

Combinatorial synthesis of natural product-like molecules using a first-generation spiroketal scaffold.

Recently, significant attention has been focused on the synthesis small-molecule libraries based on natural product or natural product-like structures. In this paper, we report our initial studies on the use of the 1,7-dioxaspiro[5,5]undecane (spiroketal) moiety as a rigid-core template for elaboration using parallel synthesis techniques. The synthesis of a spiroketal scaffold that is reminiscent of the spiroketal subunits found in the spiroketal macrolide antibiotics will be described.