Masatoshi Kawahata

Water-stable helical structure of tertiary amides of bicyclic β-amino acid bearing 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Full control of amide cis-trans equilibrium by bridgehead substitution.

Helical structures of oligomers of non-natural β-amino acids are significantly stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between main-chain amide moieties in many cases, but the structures are generally susceptible to the environment; that is, helices may unfold in protic solvents such as water. For the generation of non-hydrogen-bonded ordered structures of amides (tertiary amides in most cases), control of cis-trans isomerization is crucial, even though there is only a small sterical difference with respect to cis and trans orientations. We have established methods for synthesis of conformationally constrained β-proline mimics, that is, bridgehead-substituted 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-endo-carboxylic acids. Our crystallographic, 1D- and 2D-NMR, and CD spectroscopic studies in solution revealed that a bridgehead methoxymethyl substituent completely biased the cis-trans equilibrium to the cis-amide structure along the main chain, and helical structures based on the cis-amide linkage were generated independently of the number of residues, from the minimalist dimer through the tetramer, hexamer, and up to the octamer, and irrespective of the solvent (e.g., water, alcohol, halogenated solvents, and cyclohexane). Generality of the control of the amide equilibrium by bridgehead substitution was also examined.

Bis(methylthio)tetracenes: Synthesis, Crystal-Packing Structures, and OFET Properties

5,12-Bis(methylthio)tetracene (2) and 5,11-bis(methylthio)tetracene (3) were synthesized. DFT calculations indicate that the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of 2 and 3 are lowered by 0.13-0.24 eV and their HOMO-LUMO energy gaps are reduced by 0.1 eV relative to those of tetracene. X-ray crystallographic data revealed that 2 is arranged as a result of a 1-D slipped-cofacial π-stacking with S-S and S-π interactions, similar to the packing arrangement of 6,13-bis(methylthio)pentacene (1), whereas 3 exhibits a herringbone packing arrangement without S-S interactions. The OFET devices fabricated using spin-coated films of soluble 1 and 2, with a bottom-contact device configuration, exhibited hole mobilities as high as 1.3 × 10(-2) and 4.0 × 10(-2) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) with current on/off ratios of over 10(5) and 10(4), respectively.

Zierane sesquiterpene lactone, cembrane and fusicoccane diterpenoids, from the Tahitian liverwort Chandonanthus hirtellus.

Cembrane-type diterpenoids, 13,18,20-epi-iso-chandonanthone (1) and (8E)-4alpha-acetoxy-12alpha,13alpha-epoxycembra-1(15),8-diene (2), two fusicoccane-type diterpenoids, fusicoauritone 6alpha-methyl ether (3) and 6beta,10beta-epoxy-5beta-hydroxyfusicocc-2-ene (4) and a zierane sesquiterpene gamma-lactone, chandolide (5) were isolated from the Tahitian liverwort Chandonanthus hirtellus (Web.) Mitt., together with eight known diterpenoids, chandonanthine (6), fusicogigantone A (7), fusicogigantone B (8), fusicogigantepoxide (9), anadensin (10), fusicoauritone (11), ent-verticillol (12) and ent-epi-verticillol (13). Their structures were established by a combination of extensive NMR spectroscopy and/or X-ray crystallographic analyses. Compounds 1, 5 and 10 showed weak cytotoxic activity against HL-60. Compound 3 also indicated weak cytotoxic activity against KB cell lines.

Replacing alkyl sulfonamide with aromatic sulfonamide in sulfonamide-type RXR agonists favors switch towards antagonist activity.

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) ligands are attractive candidates for clinical application because of their activity against tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer, taxol-resistant lung cancer, metabolic syndrome, and allergy. Though several RXR ligands, especially RXR antagonists, have been reported, the rational molecular design of such compounds is not well advanced. 4-[N-Methanesulfonyl-N-(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)amino]nicotinic acid (5a) is a moderately RXRalpha-preferential agonist, and we examined the feasibility of replacing the methyl group on the sulfonamide with a longer alkyl chain or an aromatic ring as an approach to produce new RXR antagonists. Several of the resulting benzenesulfonanilide-type compounds showed RXR antagonist activity. This design strategy should be a useful approach for addressing the lack of structure diversity of RXR antagonists.

Novel pharmaceutical cocrystal consisting of paracetamol and trimethylglycine, a new promising cocrystal former

Paracetamol (APAP), a frequently used antipyretic drug, has poor compression moldability. In this study, we identified a novel cocrystal consisting of APAP and trimethylglycine (TMG) that exhibits improved tabletability. TMG was used instead of oxalic acid (OXA), which is a coformer reported previously. The cocrystal (APAP-TMG at a molar ratio of 1:1) was characterized by X-ray analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The crystal structure of APAP-TMG revealed that it was a cocrystal, since no proton was transferred between the APAP and TMG molecules. The compression and dissolution properties of APAP-TMG were similar to that of the APAP-OXA cocrystal. In addition, taste sensing measurements suggested that TMG has a sweet and umami taste, indicating that TMG should suppress the bitterness of APAP. From these results, TMG could be a safe and promising cocrystal former that could replace OXA, which can irritate tissues.

Linderolides A-F, eudesmane-type sesquiterpene lactones and linderoline, a germacrane-type sesquiterpene from the roots of Lindera strychnifolia and their inhibitory activity on NO production in RAW 264.7 cells in vitro.

From the roots of Lindera strychnifolia, seven sesquiterpenes, named linderolides A-F and linderoline, were isolated together with six known compounds. The structures of linderolides A-F were elucidated to be eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes and linderoline was found to be a derivative of a germacrane-type sesquiterpene. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic evidence and that of linderolide A was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The inhibitory activity toward NO production was assayed using RAW264.7 cells with evaluating the cell growth by MTT method, linderolides C, D and F being found to be moderately active.

Stille coupling via C-N bond cleavage.

Cross-coupling is a fundamental reaction in the synthesis of functional molecules, and has been widely applied, for example, to phenols, anilines, alcohols, amines and their derivatives. Here we report the Ni-catalysed Stille cross-coupling reaction of quaternary ammonium salts via C–N bond cleavage. Aryl/alkyl-trimethylammonium salts [Ar/R–NMe3]+ react smoothly with arylstannanes in 1:1 molar ratio in the presence of a catalytic amount of commercially available Ni(cod)2 and imidazole ligand together with 3.0 equivalents of CsF, affording the corresponding biaryl with broad functional group compatibility. The reaction pathway, including C–N bond cleavage step, is proposed based on the experimental and computational findings, as well as isolation and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of Ni-containing intermediates. This reaction should be widely applicable for transformation of amines/quaternary ammonium salts into multi-aromatics.

Crystal structure, docking study and structure-activity relationship of carborane-containing androgen receptor antagonist 3-(12-hydroxymethyl-1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)benzonitrile.

A potent androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, 3-(12-hydroxymethyl-1,12 dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)benzonitrile (3a, BA341), contains a p-carborane cage as a hydrophobic pharmacophore. We elucidated the structural properties of 3a by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and conducted a docking study of 3a with hAR LBD. The cyano group of 3a formed hydrogen bonds with Gln711 and Arg752 and the hydroxymethyl group did so with Asn705 and Thr877 in hAR LBD. The bulky p-carborane cage was accommodated in the hydrophobic pocket of hAR LBD. To understand the structure-activity relationship around the hydroxymethyl group of 3a, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated the biological activities of various novel AR ligands. Since the biological activities of carbonyl compounds 8a, 8b, and 8c were similar to or weaker than those of the parent hydroxyl compounds 3a, 7a, and 7b, it seems to be necessary to have not only a hydrogen bonding acceptor, but also a hydrogen bonding donor adjacent to the hydroxymethyl group of 3a for efficient interaction with hAR LBD.

Nonplanar Structures of Thioamides Derived from 7-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Electronically Tunable Planarity of Thioamides

X-ray crystallographic analysis showed that N-thiobenzoyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane displays marked nonplanarity of the thioamide (1a, alpha = 167.1 degrees and |tau| = 11.2 degrees) as compared with the corresponding monocyclic pyrrolidine thioamide (2a, alpha = 174.7 degrees and |tau| = 3.9 degrees). In a series of para-substituted or unsubstituted thioaroyl-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes (1a-1h), the planarity of the thioamide depended significantly on the electronic nature of the substituent; for example, in the p-nitro-substituted compound, planarity was substantially restored (1h, alpha = 175.2 degrees and |tau| = 0.1 degrees). In solution, increasing electron-withdrawing character of the aromatic substituent was associated with a larger rotational barrier of the bicyclic thioamides, as determined by means of variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy and line shape analysis. The reduced rotational barrier, that is, reduced enthalpy of activation (DeltaH(double dagger)) for thioamide rotation, of 1a as compared with that of 2a in nitrobenzene-d5 is consistent with the postulate that 1a assumes a nonplanar thioamide structure in solution. These results indicate that the planarity of thioamides based on 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane is controlled by electronic factors in the solid phase and in solution.

Assembly Modulation by Adjusting Countercharges of Heterobimetallic Supramolecular Polymers Composed of Tris(spiroborate) Twin Bowls

Heterobimetallic supramolecular polymers were prepared by treatment of the supramolecular polymers composed of tris(spiroborate) type molecular connecting modules with a potassium cation. On the other hand, the addition of a barium cation led to dissociation of the supramolecular polymer chain. Modulation of polymer formation was realized by the use of small metal cations as a control factor.