Anatoliy V. Vakulenko

Design, Synthesis, and Structure−Activity Relationship of a Novel Series of 2-Aryl 5-(4-Oxo-3-phenethyl-2-thioxothiazolidinylidenemethyl)furans as HIV-1 Entry Inhibitors⊥

We previously identified two small molecules targeting the HIV-1 gp41, N-(4-carboxy-3-hydroxy)phenyl-2,5-dimethylpyrrole 12 (NB-2) and N-(3-carboxy-4-chloro)phenylpyrrole 13 (NB-64), that inhibit HIV-1 infection at low micromolar levels. On the basis of molecular docking analysis, we designed a series of 2-aryl 5-(4-oxo-3-phenethyl-2-thioxothiazolidinylidenemethyl)furans. Compared with 12 and 13, these compounds have bigger molecular size (437-515 Da) and could occupy more space in the deep hydrophobic pocket on the gp41 NHR trimer. Fifteen 2-aryl 5-(4-oxo-3-phenethyl-2-thioxothiazolidinylidenemethyl)furans (11a-o) were synthesized by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling followed by a Knoevenagel condensation and tested for their anti-HIV-1 activity and cytotoxicity on MT-2 cells. We found that all 15 compounds had improved anti-HIV-1 activity and 3 of them (11a, 11b, and 11d) exhibited inhibitory activity against replication of HIV-1(IIIB) and 94UG103 at <100 nM range, more than 20-fold more potent than 12 and 13, suggesting that these compounds can serve as leads for development of novel small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors.

Preparation of nitropyridines by nitration of pyridines with nitric acid

Nitration of pyridines 1a-o with nitric acid in trifluoroacetic anhydride, gave the corresponding 3-nitropyridines 6a-n in yields of 10-83%.

Synthesis and Characterization of Blowing Agents and Hypergolics

Twelve energetic additives 7–18 were synthesized and evaluated for use as blowing agents. All blowing agent candidates were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and impact sensitivity testing. The X-ray crystal structure of pyrazolium nitrate was also determined. Hypergolic compounds imidazolidine 38a , hexahydropyrimidine 38b , and pyrrolidine derivatives 42 were obtained in improved 80–90% yields by the reduction of the corresponding carbonyl compounds with lithium aluminum hydride in ether under reflux for 12 h. Ignition delays (τexp, μs) were determined for compounds 38a,b and 42 .

Hydrohalogenation of N -acetyl(aroyl)-1,4-benzoquinone monoimines

New N-acetyl-1,4-benzoquinone monoimines alkyl-substituted in the quinoid ring were synthesized. The hydrohalogenation of N-acetyl(aroyl)-1,4-benzoquinone monoimines proceeds exclusively in keeping with the 1,4-addition. The hydrochlorination occurs along the ionic mechanism, in the hydrobromination grows the role of the radical mechanism.