Gabriella Egri

Baker's yeast mediated stereoselective biotransformation of 1-acetoxy-3-aryloxypropan-2-ones

Abstract A series of 1-acetoxy-3-aryloxypropan-2-ones 1a–m were synthesized and subjected to biotransformation by bakers yeast yielding optically active monoacetates 5 or ent - 5 and/or diols 4 of moderate to excellent enantiomeric purity. The dependence of the reduction/hydrolysis ratio and stereoselectivity on the size and substitution pattern of the aromatic moiety in the substrate is also discussed.

Synthesis, absolute configuration and intermediates of 9-fluoro- 6,7- dihydro-5-methyl-1-oxo-1H,5H-benzo[i.j]quinolizine-2-carboxylic acid (flumequine)

Abstract The antibacterial agent 9-fluoro-6,7-dihydro-5-methyl-1-oxo-1H,5H-benzo[i,j]quinolizine-2-carboxylic acid (flumequine) was synthesized in optically active form from 6-fluoro-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (FTHQ). Racemic FTHQ was resolved with the enantiomers of 3-bromocamphor-8-sulfonic acid. The configurations were established by X-ray structures of the two diastereoisomeric salts. Enantiomeric excesses were determined by 1H NMR analysis.

Multimodality imaging using SPECT/CT and MRI and ligand functionalized 99mTc-labeled magnetic microbubbles

BackgroundIn the present study, we used multimodal imaging to investigate biodistribution in rats after intravenous administration of a new 99mTc-labeled delivery system consisting of polymer-shelled microbubbles (MBs) functionalized with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), thiolated poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), chitosan, 1,4,7-triacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA), NOTA-super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION), or DTPA-SPION.MethodsExaminations utilizing planar dynamic scintigraphy and hybrid imaging were performed using a commercially available single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) system. For SPION containing MBs, the biodistribution pattern of 99mTc-labeled NOTA-SPION and DTPA-SPION MBs was investigated and co-registered using fusion SPECT/CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moreover, to evaluate the biodistribution, organs were removed and radioactivity was measured and calculated as percentage of injected dose.ResultsSPECT/CT and MRI showed that the distribution of 99mTc-labeled ligand-functionalized MBs varied with the type of ligand as well as with the presence of SPION. The highest uptake was observed in the lungs 1 h post injection of 99mTc-labeled DTPA and chitosan MBs, while a similar distribution to the lungs and the liver was seen after the administration of PMAA MBs. The highest counts of 99mTc-labeled NOTA-SPION and DTPA-SPION MBs were observed in the lungs, liver, and kidneys 1 h post injection. The highest counts were observed in the liver, spleen, and kidneys as confirmed by MRI 24 h post injection. Furthermore, the results obtained from organ measurements were in good agreement with those obtained from SPECT/CT.ConclusionsIn conclusion, microbubbles functionalized by different ligands can be labeled with radiotracers and utilized for SPECT/CT imaging, while the incorporation of SPION in MB shells enables imaging using MR. Our investigation revealed that biodistribution may be modified using different ligands. Furthermore, using a single contrast agent with fusion SPECT/CT/MR multimodal imaging enables visualization of functional and anatomical information in one image, thus improving the diagnostic benefit for patients.

Kinetic resolution of 2-acylated-1,2-diols by lipase-catalyzed enantiomer selective acylation

Abstract Enantiomer selectivity of lipase catalyzed acylation of 2-acylated 1,2-diols was studied. First, acylation of 2-acetoxyheptan-1-ol rac-3b with vinyl acetate was investigated by varying the enzyme and the solvent, showing the highest enantiomer selectivity by using lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PfL) in hexane-vinyl acetate (VA). We have found varying or even reversed enantiomer selectivity for different secondary acyl moieties in 2-acyloxyheptan-1-ols rac-3bA-F. Next, all six possible types of enantiomer selective biotransformations (hydrolysis of diacetate and the two kinds of monoacetetes; acylation of diol and the two kinds of monoacetates) were compared on two model diols rac-4b,d. Among the transformations investigated, acetylation of secondary monoacetates rac-3b,d showed the highest enantiomer selectivity. Finally, PfL catalyzed acetylations of several 2-acetylated 1,2-diols rac-3a-g were investigated under our optimum conditions.

Baker's yeast mediated reduction of dihydroxyacetone derivatives

Several monoprotected dihydroxyacetone derivatives 4a‐d and their acetates 5a‐d were prepared and subjected to biotransformation with baker’s yeast. The simple chemical modification of the substrates (i.e. transforming the relatively small hydrophilic hydroxymethyl group into a larger hydrophobic acetoxymethyl moiety) inverted the sense of enantiotope selectivity of these reductions yielding optically active diols 6a‐d, or their enantiomeric acetates (7a‐d) and diols (ent-6a‐d), respectively.

Biodistribution, kinetics, and biological fate of SPION microbubbles in the rat.

Background In the present investigation, we studied the kinetics and biodistribution of a contrast agent consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microbubbles containing superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPION) trapped between the PVA layers (SPION microbubbles). Methods The biological fate of SPION microbubbles was determined in Sprague-Dawley rats after intravenous administration. Biodistribution and elimination of the microbubbles were studied in rats using magnetic resonance imaging for a period of 6 weeks. The rats were sacrificed and perfusion-fixated at different time points. The magnetic resonance imaging results obtained were compared with histopathologic findings in different organs. Results SPION microbubbles could be detected in the liver using magnetic resonance imaging as early as 10 minutes post injection. The maximum signal was detected between 24 hours and one week post injection. Histopathology showed the presence of clustered SPION microbubbles predominantly in the lungs from the first time point investigated (10 minutes). The frequency of microbubbles declined in the pulmonary vasculature and increased in pulmonary, hepatic, and splenic macrophages over time, resulting in a relative shift from the lungs to the spleen and liver. Meanwhile, macrophages showed increasing signs of cytoplasmic iron accumulation, initially in the lungs, then followed by other organs. Conclusion The present investigation highlights the biological behavior of SPION microbubbles, including organ distribution over time and indications for biodegradation. The present results are essential for developing SPION microbubbles as a potential contrast agent and/or a drug delivery vehicle for specific organs. Such a vehicle will facilitate the use of multimodality imaging techniques, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and single positron emission computed tomography, and hence improve diagnostics, therapy, and the ability to monitor the efficacy of treatment.

Unusual phenomena during the resolution of 6-fluoro-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (FTHQ): Thermodynamic-kinetic control

Abstract 6-Fluoro-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (FTHQ) was resolved in several different solvents by tartaric acid derivatives as the most common acidic resolving agents available in industrial quantities. Strong reaction kinetics and solvent dependence were observed, curiously without solvation. In possession of these findings, an economic resolution process is proposed, which is completed by the incorporation of a racemization step.

Resolution of α-phenylethylamine by its acidic derivatives

Abstract α-Phenylethylamine was resolved by its own derivatives formed with a homologous series of dicarboxylic acids. The structure of the oxalamic acid diastereoisomeric salts was investigated by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method.

Resolution of the flumequine intermediate 6-fluoro-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline

Abstract Racemic 6-fluoro-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (FTHQ) was resolved by the N -phthaloyl derivative of the ( R )-enantiomer. The enantiomeric mixture was very effectively enriched by recrystallisation from either the melt (working best for mixtures of relatively high starting enantiomeric purities) or from solution of its hydrochloride salt (giving good results when applied for mixtures of moderate to medium enantiomeric purities).

Synthesis and lipase-catalyzed asymmetric acetylation of 3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylpropanal acetals

Abstract Prochiral dialkylacetal derivatives of 3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylpropanal 6a-e were synthesized from the corresponding 2-substituted diethyl malonates 5a-e and subjected to asymmetric enzymatic acetylation. The diethyl malonates 5a-f were prepared from diethyl chloromethylenemalonate 3 by using either a one- or a two-step process. Asymmetric acetylation of 3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylpropanal diethyl acetal 6b with several enzymes was studied first, showing the highest enantiotopic selectivity with lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (PfL). Solvent effect was also investigated: the best selectivity was obtained in a mixture of hexane and diethyl ether. Furthermore, several other acetals 6a-e were also tested under the optimal acetylation conditions.