Masataka Ihara

Reversible Near-Infrared pH Probes Based on Benzo[a]phenoxazine

Several benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives containing substituted N-aromatic groups are evaluated for their pH-dependent absorption and emission properties. Among the compounds exhibiting optical responses under near-neutral and subacid pH conditions, benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives with an electron-withdrawing aromatic group attached to nitrogen of the imino group show potential application as near-infrared pH sensors. Three water-soluble pH probes based on benzo[a]phenoxazine with different pyridinium structures are designed and synthesized. Their reversible pH-dependent emissions in buffer solution containing 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) locate in 625-850 nm with the fluorescent enhancement of 8.2-40.1 times, and their calculated pKa values are 2.7, 5.8, and 7.1, respectively. A composite probe containing the three benzo[a]phenoxazines shows a linear pH-emission relationship in the range of pH 1.9-8.0. Real-time detection of intracellular pH using an in vitro assay with HeLa cells is also reported.

Discovery of Novel Benzo[a]phenoxazine SSJ-183 as a Drug Candidate for Malaria

Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites in tropical and subtropical regions. Even inhabitants of temperate zones are exposed to the danger of malaria infection because of travel and global warming. Novel, effective, safe, and inexpensive drugs are required to treat malaria and contribute to the global goal of eradication. A search for new antimalarial agents has been performed by the synthesis of new benzo[a]phenoxazines, followed by biological evaluations. The derivative SSJ-183 (5), having a 4-aminopyridine group, showed an IC50 value against Plasmodium falciparum of 7.6 nM and a selectivity index of >7300. Cure was achieved by three oral doses of 5 at 100 mg/kg to mice infected with the Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. The safety of 5 was supported by acute toxicity testing in mice with single doses up to 2000 mg/kg po, chromosome aberration test, in vitro as well as in vivo micronucleus tests, and phototoxicity studies in mice. Thus, 5 is a promising candidate as a new antimalarial agent.

Ruthenium-catalyzed ring expansion reaction of allenylcyclobutanols

Abstract A novel method for the synthesis of α-substituted cyclopentanones by the ruthenium-catalyzed rearrangement of allenylcyclobutanols with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds has been developed.

Fluorinated rhodacyanine (SJL-01) possessing high efficacy for visceral leishmaniasis (VL)

Anti-Leishmania in vitro and in vivo activities of various rhodacyanine derivatives have been examined. Among them, the fluorinatied variant SJL-01 (8) showed IC(50) of 0.011 microM against Leishmania donovani strain MHOM/ET/67/L82 (selective index of >15000) and 95-97% inhibition against L. donovani strain MHOM/ET/67/HU in female BALB/c mice by 1.3-12.5 mg/kg x 5 iv administrations. Negative results on chromosomal aberration test and in vitro micronucleus test suggest that compound 8 is a hopeful candidate for visceral leishmaniasis (VL).

Computer based design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel indole derivatives as HCV NS3-4A serine protease inhibitors

A series of novel indoles were designed and their molecular modeling simulation study including fitting to a 3D pharmacophore model using CATALYST program and their docking into the NS3 active site was examined as HCV NS3 protease inhibitor. Several compounds showed significant high simulation docking score and fit values. The designed compounds were synthesized and biologically evaluated in vitro using an NS3 protease binding assay, where compounds 10a-k showed significant inhibitory activity (> or =67% inhibition at 100 microg/mL). Of these, compounds 10c and 10f demonstrated potent HCV NS3 protease inhibitors with IC(50) values of 15 and 13 microM, respectively. Enantio-selective Michael addition of an indole derivative in the presence of catalytic amount of AlCl(3) and quinine at room temperature afforded the adduct 7e in excellent yield with 73% ee. The product was converted into 10l, which showed lower activity than the mixture of the corresponding diastereoisomers.

Regiocontrolled Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Allenes Using Palladium and Platinum Catalysts

Studies about the regiocontrolled addition of arylboronic acids to allenes using a palladium or a platinum catalyst have been described. The selectivity of the reaction can be altered by the choice of the metal reagent and base. Contrary to the formation of endo-olefinic products in the reactions using hydroxopalladium complex, predominant production of exo-olefinic products was observed by the reaction with hydroxoplatinum complex.

Palladium-catalyzed carbon dioxide elimination–fixation reaction of 6-methoxycarbonyloxy-2,4-hexadien-1-ols

Abstract Cyclic carbonates substituted with 1,3-butadienyl moiety were synthesized by a palladium-catalyzed reaction of dienylic carbonates including a carbon dioxide elimination–fixation process. The reaction proceeded via a migration–isomerization of the resulting π-allylpalladium intermediates to afford trans -1,3-dienyl-substituted cyclic carbonates in a selective manner.

Synthesis and in Vitro Antiprotozoal Activities of Water-Soluble, Inexpensive 3,7-Bis(dialkylamino)phenoxazin-5-ium Derivatives

3,7-Bis(dialkylamino)phenoxazinium salts were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro activities against Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei rhodesiense, and Leishmania donovani. Notably, the compounds showed potent antiprotozoal activities, especially against P. falciparum and T. cruzi. The compounds with alkyl side chains less than three carbons in length possessed good activities with high selective indices.

Ruthenium-catalyzed ring expansion reaction of 1-acetylenylcyclobutanols with methyl vinyl ketone

A novel type of ruthenium-catalyzed cascade ring expansion reaction is reported. A 1,2-rearrangement of acetylenylcyclobutanol followed by carbon-carbon bond formation with methyl vinyl ketone proceeds in one-pot process. This reaction enables to synthesize 2-alkylidenecyclopentanones in a stereoselective manner using appropriate ruthenium catalysts.

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)- and (+)-petrosin.

The enantioselective total synthesis of (-)- and (+)-petrosin is described. The union of two key segments was executed by Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. The quinolizidine rings were stereoselectively constructed via a diastereoselective Mannich reaction and an aza-Michael reaction. The 16-membered ring was constructed by ring-closing metathesis with the second-generation Grubbs catalyst.