Manabu Hatano

Human Gene Therapy for Malignant Gliomas (Glioblastoma Multiforme and Anaplastic Astrocytoma) by In Vivo Transduction with Human Interferon β Gene Using Cationic Liposomes

Transfer of interferon beta gene via cationic liposomes has been found to induce regression of experimental glioma. We performed a pilot clinical trial of safety and effectiveness of this interferon beta gene therapy in five patients with malignant glioma (glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma). Transgene expression and antitumor activity were detected in four patients. Two patients showed a partial response (>50% tumor reduction) and two others had stable disease 10 weeks after beginning therapy. One patient could not be evaluated because of previous treatment with gamma-knife therapy. This study suggests the feasibility and safety of interferon beta gene therapy, which may become an important treatment option for patients with malignant glioma.

Zinc(II)-Catalyzed Addition of Grignard Reagents to Ketones

The addition of organometallic reagents to carbonyl compounds has become a versatile method for synthesizing tertiary and secondary alcohols via carbon-carbon bond formation. However, due to the lack of good nucleophilicity or the presence of strong basicity of organometallic reagents, the efficient synthesis of tertiary alcohols from ketones has been particularly difficult and, thus, limited. We recently developed highly efficient catalytic alkylation and arylation reactions to ketones with Grignard reagents (RMgX: R = alkyl, aryl; X = Cl, Br, I) using ZnCl(2), Me(3)SiCH(2)MgCl, and LiCl, which effectively minimize problematic side reactions. In principle, RMgBr and RMgI are less reactive than RMgCl for the addition to carbonyl compounds. Therefore, this novel method with homogeneous catalytic ZnCl(2) x Me(3)SiCH(2)MgCl x LiCl is quite attractive, since RMgBr and RMgI, which are easily prepared and/or commercially available, like RMgCl, can be applied successfully. As well as ketones and aldehydes, aldimines were effectively applied to this catalysis, and the corresponding secondary amines were obtained in high yield. With regard to mechanistic details concerning beta-silyl effect and salt effect, in situ-prepared [R(Me(3)SiCH(2))(2)Zn](-)[Li](+)[MgX(2)](m)[LiCl](n) (X = Cl/Br/I) is speculated to be a key catalytic reagent to promote the reaction effectively. The simplicity of this reliable ZnCl(2) x Me(3)SiCH(2)MgCl x LiCl system in the addition of Grignard reagents to carbonyl compounds might be attractive for industrial as well as academic applications.

A highly efficient asymmetric Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction catalyzed by cationic chiral palladium(ii) complexes.

Cationic chiral palladium(ii) complexes are shown to catalyze the asymmetric coupling reaction of aryl boronates and aryl halides within a short period of time in good yield and enantioselectivity.

Chiral Lithium(I) Binaphtholate Salts for the Enantioselective Direct Mannich-Type Reaction with a Change of Syn/Anti and Absolute Stereochemistry

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective direct Mannich-type reaction of aldimines with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds using Li(I) BINOLate salts as effective Lewis acid-Brønsted base catalysts has been developed. Li(I) BINOLate salts offered high catalytic activity toward 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds such as diketone, ketoester, ketothioester, ketoamide, and ketolactone. The reactions proceeded at -78 degrees C within 1-2 h in the presence of 1-10 mol % catalyst, which showed a catalytic activity (turnover frequency = 284 h(-1)) quite unlike those of other previous catalysts. Anti products were selectively obtained from acyclic ketoesters without epimerization at an alpha-tertiary-carbon center, and these are valuable since previous catalysts often gave syn/anti mixtures or the stereochemistry has not yet been determined.

Magnesium(II)-Binaphtholate as a Practical Chiral Catalyst for the Enantioselective Direct Mannich-Type Reaction with Malonates

A highly enantioselective direct Mannich-type reaction of aldimines with dialkyl malonates was developed with the use of a Mg(II)-BINOLate salt, which was designed as a cooperative acid-base catalyst that can activate both aldimines and malonates. Optically active beta-aminoesters and alpha-halo-beta-aminoesters could be synthesized in high yields and with high enantioselectivities. This inexpensive and practical Mg(II)-BINOLate salt could be used in gram-scale catalysis.

Chiral magnesium(II) binaphtholates as cooperative Brønsted/Lewis acid-base catalysts for the highly enantioselective addition of phosphorus nucleophiles to α,β-unsaturated esters and ketones.

A little cooperation goes a long way: The cooperative Brønsted/Lewis acid-base supramolecular catalysts formed in situ from simple chiral magnesium(II) binaphtholate aqua complexes promoted the highly enantioselective 1,4-hydrophosphinylation of α,β-unsaturated esters with diaryl phosphine oxides and 1,2-hydrophosphonylation of α,β-unsaturated ketones with dialkyl phosphites (see scheme).

Chiral lanthanum(III)-binaphthyldisulfonate complexes for catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction.

A catalytic enantioselective Strecker reaction catalyzed by novel chiral lanthanum(III)-binaphthyl disulfonate complexes was developed. The key to promoting the reactions was a semistoichiometric amount of AcOH or i-PrCO(2)H, which takes advantage of HCN generation in situ. The corresponding cyanation products were obtained in high yields and with high enantioselectivities.

Ligand-Assisted Rate Acceleration in Lanthanum(III) Isopropoxide Catalyzed Transesterification of Carboxylic Esters

The transesterification of an equimolar mixture of carboxylic esters and primary (1°), secondary (2°), and tertiary (3°) alcohols in hydrocarbon solvents was promoted with high efficiency by a lanthanum(III) complex, which was prepared in situ from lanthanum(III) isopropoxide (1 mol %) and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol (2 mol %). The present La(III) catalyst was highly effective for the chemoselective transesterification in the presence of competitive 1°- and 2°-amines. Remarkably, esters were obtained in good to excellent yields as colorless materials without an inconvenient workup procedure.

Catalytic enantioselective alkyl and aryl addition to aldehydes and ketones with organozinc reagents derived from alkyl Grignard reagents or arylboronic acids

A highly practical, catalytic enantioselective alkyl and aryl addition to aldehydes and ketones with organozinc reagents, which were prepared in situ from commercially available Grignard reagents or arylboronic acids, was developed. A chiral phosphoramide ligand was essential for promoting the addition reactions in high yields with high enantioselectivities.

Lanthanum(III) Isopropoxide Catalyzed Chemoselective Transesterification of Dimethyl Carbonate and Methyl Carbamates

A practical transesterification of less reactive dimethyl carbonate and much less reactive methyl carbamates with primary (1°), secondary (2°), and tertiary (3°) alcohols was established with the use of a lanthanum(III) complex, which was prepared in situ from lanthanum(III) isopropoxide (3 mol %) and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol (6 mol %). In particular, corresponding carbonates and carbamates obtained were of synthetic utility from the viewpoint of the selective protection and/or deprotection of 1°-, 2°-, and 3°-alcohols.