Vladimir P. Timofeev

A New Type of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropane Reactivity: The Generation of Formal 1,2‐ and 1,4‐Dipoles

A new type of donor-acceptor cyclopropane reactivity has been discovered. On treatment with anhydrous GaCl3 , they react as sources of even-numbered 1,2- and 1,4-dipoles instead of the classical odd-numbered 1,3-dipoles due to migration of positive charge from the benzyl center. This type of reactivity has been demonstrated for new reactions, namely, cyclodimerizations of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes that occur as [2+2]-, [3+2]-, [4+2]-, [5+2], [4+3]-, and [5+4]-annulations. The [4+2]-annulation of 2-arylcyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylates to give polysubstituted 2-aryltetralins has been developed in a preparative version that provides exceedingly high regio- and diastereoselectivity and high yields. The strategy for selective hetero-combination of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes was also been developed. The mechanisms of the discovered reactions involving the formation of a comparatively stable 1,2-ylide intermediate have been studied.

Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes as 1,2-Dipoles in GaCl3-Mediated [4 + 2]-Annulation with Alkenes: Easy Access to the Tetralin Skeleton

A new process for (4 + 2)-annulation of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes (DACs) with unsaturated compounds in the presence of anhydrous GaCl3 has been developed. In this process, DACs act as sources of formal 1,2- and 1,4-dipoles to give polysubstituted tetralins in high yields and with high regio- and diastereoselectivity. Alkenes with both aryl and alkyl substituents at the double bond undergo this reaction equally readily. A most likely mechanism of the reaction has been proposed. It involves preliminary generation of a key 1,2-dipolar gallium complex and its subsequent participation in annulation with an alkene.

The difference between ADP-beryllium fluoride and ADP-aluminium fluoride complexes of the spin-labeled myosin subfragment 1

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used for investigation of the structure of spin‐labeled myosin subfragment 1 (S1) containing ADP and phosphate analogues, such as orthovanadate, aluminium fluoride (AlF4), and beryllium fluoride (BeFx). It has been shown that the local conformational changes in the region of Cys‐707, induced by formation of the S1‐ADP‐BeFx complex, differ from those of S1 containing ADP‐AlF4 or other phosphate analogues but are similar to the changes which occur in the presence of ADP or ATPγS. It is suggested that S1‐ADP‐AlF4 and S1‐ADP‐BeFx complexes represent structural analogues of different transition states of the ATPase cycle, namely the intermediate states S1**‐ADP‐Pi and S1*‐ATP, respectively.

Stereoselective double lewis acid/organo-catalyzed dimerization of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes into substituted 2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes.

A new approach for the dimerization of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes (2-arylcyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylates) under double-catalysis conditions by treatment with 20 mol % of GaCl(3) and dimethyl 3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazoline-3,5-dicarboxylate as a specific organocatalyst has been found. Under these conditions, the starting compounds are regio- and stereospecifically converted into polysubstituted 2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes. Two new rings, one C-O bond, and two C-C bonds are formed in this process, and four stereocenters are thus created. The reaction mechanism was thoroughly studied by NMR spectroscopy, and a number of intermediates were detected.

Temperature-induced changes in copper centers and protein conformation of two fungal laccases from Coriolus hirsutus and Coriolus zonatus

The paper reports on two fungal laccases from Coriolus hirsutus and Coriolus zonatus and their type-2 copper-depleted derivatives. Temperature-induced changes of the copper centers were characterized by optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and the overall protein stability by differential scanning microcalorimetry. The intact enzymes showed highly cooperative thermal unfolding transitions at about 90 degrees C. Type-2 copper depletion led to uncoupling of the domains characterized by a different melting pattern which resolved three subtransitions. Melting curves monitored optically at 290, 340 and 610 nm showed additional transitions below thermal unfolding temperature. EPR spectra of the intact laccases showed the disintegration of the trinuclear copper cluster accompanied by loss of one of the copper ions and disappearance of the strong antiferromagnetic coupling in the type-3 site at 70 degrees C and above 70 degrees C. The copper centers of type-2 copper-depleted laccase showed reduced thermotolerance.

[4 + 2] Annulation of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Acetylenes Using 1,2-Zwitterionic Reactivity

A new process for the [4 + 2] annulation of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes with acetylenes under the effect of anhydrous GaCl3 using 1,2-zwitterion reactivity was elaborated. The reaction opens access to substituted dihydronaphthalenes, naphthalenes, and other fused carbocycles. The direction of the reaction can be efficiently controlled by temperature.

Toxicity of (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmastane derivatives to cultured cancer cells.

Toxicity of eight 22,23-dihydroxystigmastane derivatives (four pairs of (22R,23R)- and (22S,23S)-isomers differing in steroid backbone structure) to human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells was compared. For every pair of structurally related compounds, (22R,23R) isomer was found to be significantly more toxic than (22S,23S) isomer. Computational analysis showed that side chain of (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmastane derivatives is rigid, whereas that of (22S,23S)-isomers is rather flexible. Structure of steroid backbone significantly affects cytotoxicity of (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmastane derivatives to human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, human ovary carcinoma CaOv cells, and human prostate carcinoma LnCaP cells. (22R,23R)-3beta,22,23-trihydroxystigmast-5-ene and (22R,23R)-3beta,22,23-trihydroxystigmast-5-en-7-one, both comprising equatorial 3beta-hydroxyl group, exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, while the most polar 28-homobrassinolide and 28-homocastasterone, both comprising 2alpha,3alpha-dihydroxy groups, exhibited the lowest toxicity. Binding of (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmastane derivatives to plasmatic membrane was suggested to be important for cytotoxicity.

Synthesis of 21-nitrogen substituted pregna-5,17(20)-dienes from pregnenolone

The facile synthesis of six [17(20)Z]- and [17(20)E]-isomeric 3β-hydroxy-pregna-5,17(20)-dien-21-oyl amides and three [17(20)E]-3β-hydroxy-2-[prergna-5,17(20)-dien-20-yl]-oxazolines from pregnenolone is presented. The synthetic scheme consists of transformation of pregnenolone into the known 17α-bromo-21-iodo-3β-acetoxypregn-5-en-20-one followed by reaction with ethanolamine, 2-methyl-2-aminopropanol, and (1-aminocyclohexyl)methanol resulted in mixture of [17(20)E]- and [17(20)Z]-pregna-5,17(20)-dien-21-(2-hydroxy)-oyl amides; separation of [17(20)E]- and [17(20)Z]-isomers; their cyclization into [17(20)E]-oxazolines under action of POCl(3) in pyridine, and removal of acetate protecting groups. Significantly different orientation of nitrogen containing substituents in [17(20)Z]- and [17(20)E]-isomers regarding to steroid backbone enables their configuration to be easily identified by NMR spectroscopy. All synthesized compounds did not exhibit marked toxic effects in three cell lines (MCF-7, Hep G2, and LNCaP). In androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells all testing compounds at concentrations of 50 nM potently stimulated proliferation.

Oxazolinyl derivatives of [17(20)E]-21-norpregnene differing in the structure of A and B rings. Facile synthesis and inhibition of CYP17A1 catalytic activity

Five 4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazole derivatives of [17(20)E]-21-norpregnene, comprising 3β-hydroxy-5-ene (1), 3,6-dioxo-4-ene (2), 3-oxo-4-ene (3), 3α,5α-cyclo-6-oxo (4), 3β-hydroxy-6-oxo (5) fragments were synthesized. Synthesis was conducted with improved procedure, based on reaction of suitably protected [17(20)E]-pregnen-21-oic acids with ethanolamine in presence of triphenyl phosphine, carbon tetrachloride, and triethyl amine. Potency of the compounds 1-5 to inhibit 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17A1) activity was studied by highly sensitive electrochemical method, using the enzyme immobilization technique. Compounds 1 and 3 were found to be potent CYP17A1 inhibitors, compounds 2 and 5 were not active, compound 4 strongly and irreversibly suppressed the enzyme activity. Molecular docking of compounds 1-5 in the active site of CYP17A1 showed that positions of all compounds in the enzyme active site were similar.

[17(20)E]- and [17(20)Z]-pregna-5,17(20)-dien-21-oylamides. Facile synthesis and primary evaluation for cancer cells proliferation

Reaction of 17alpha-bromo-21-iodo-3beta-acetoxypregn-5-en-20-one with ammonia, primary, and secondary amines is simple and convenient method for preparation of [17(20)E]- and [17(20)Z]-pregna-5,17(20)-dien-21-oylamides. Synthesis and characteristics of 12 related amides are presented. Primary testing on cells proliferation indicated differing effects of synthesized compounds on androgen insensitive MCF-7 cells and androgen sensitive LNCaP cells.