Wender A. Silva

Novel Supramolecular Palladium Catalyst for the Asymmetric Reduction of Imines in Aqueous Media

A novel approach to the asymmetric reduction of dihydro-beta-carboline derivatives to the corresponding tetrahydro-beta-carbolines is described based on the supramolecular lyophilized complex formed from beta-cyclodextrin/imines as an enzyme mimetic and palladium hydride as the reducing agent. The methodology allowed us to develop a short and efficient preparation of (R)-harmicine and (R)-deplancheine alkaloids in high overall yields and ee of 89 and 90%, respectively.

Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction: ESI-MS(/MS) Investigation with Charge Tags and Ionic Liquid Effect Origin Revealed by DFT Calculations

The use of a charge-tagged acrylate derivative bearing an imidazolium tag to study the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction via ESI-MS(/MS) monitoring and the effect of such tag (imidazolium cations and ion pairs) over TSs is described. The ionic nature of the substrate was meant to facilitate ESI transfer to the gas phase for direct mass spectrometric analysis. The detection and characterization of charged intermediates has suggested major reaction pathways. DFT calculations considering the effect of a polar and protic solvent (methanol), of a polar and aprotic solvent (acetonitrile), and of no solvent (gas phase) were used to predict possible TSs through a common accepted intermediate. The controversial proton transfer step, which may proceed via Aggarwals or McQuades proposals, was evaluated. Calculations predicted the formation of electrostatic intermediate complexes with both the cation and anion when charge-tagged reagents are used. These complexes contribute to the positive ionic liquid effect, and based on the formation of these unique complexes, a rationale for the ionic liquid effect is proposed. These complexes also pointed to a plausible explanation for the positive ionic liquid effect observed in several reactions that are difficult to be carried out in organic solvents but have shown a beneficial effect when performed in ionic liquids.

Condensed, solution and gas phase behaviour of mono- and dinuclear 2,6-diacetylpyridine (dap) hydrazone copper complexes probed by X-ray, mass spectrometry and theoretical calculations

We describe the synthesis of novel mononuclear and dinuclear copper complexes and an investigation of their behaviour in solution using mass spectrometry (ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS) and in the solid state using X-ray crystallography. The complexes were synthesized from two widely used diacetylpryridine (dap) ligands, i.e. 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(benzoic acid hydrazone) and 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(2-aminobenzoic acid hydrazone). Theoretical calculations (DFT) were used to predict the complex geometries of these new structures, their equilibrium in solution and energies associated with the transformations.

Biological and structure-activity evaluation of chalcone derivatives against bacteria and fungi

O presente trabalho descreve as atividades antibacterianas e antifungicas de diversas chalconas obtidas diretamente atraves da condensacao aldolica tipo Claisen-Schmidt das quais se determinou a concentracao inibitoria minima frente a diferentes microrganismos (bacterias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas e fungos). Estruturas no estado solido cristalino de sete chalconas foram determinadas por analise de difracao de raios X (XRD). Estudos quimiometricos foram realizados com intuito de identificar uma potencial relacao entre estrutura e atividade.

Synthesis of 2-arylbenzimidazoles under mild conditions catalyzed by a heteropolyacid-containing task-specific ionic liquid and catalyst investigation by electrospray (tandem) mass spectrometry

A task-specific ionic liquid constituted by a Bronsted acid (1-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-methyl-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate) as the cation, namely MSI, and by [PW12O40]3− as the triply charged counter-anion, namely PW (a heteropolyacid derivative), was used as an efficient catalyst for the condensation reaction between aldehydes and o-phenylenediamines.

Structure and theoretical approaches to a chalcone derivative

Chalcones are α,β-unsaturated aromatic ketones which can present a wide range of biological activities. Here, the structure of the chalcone (E)-1-(4-biphenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique and compared to those of similar compounds whose crystal structures are available in the Cambridge Structural Database. These comparisons have allowed us to conclude that electron delocalization is abrogated through the biphenyl and carbonyl moieties, while resonance effects are increased through the trimethoxyphenyl group and the olefin carbons. Single-molecule calculations of the asymmetric unit using the DFT method have strengthened these structural relationships, since experimental and theoretical molecular geometries were similar. For instance, the global minimum for the optimized structure occurs when one of the four dihedral angles on the bridge between the two rings of biphenyl is 40.25°, a value close to that of the corresponding torsion determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis [41.7(3)°]. Our theoretical approaches further suggest another stable conformer for different torsions around this bridge, although this conformer was not found in the crystal phase because C–H···π intermolecular interactions contributing to assemble the supramolecular architecture of the studied compound keep only the conformer observed. Other face-to-face π···π stacking interactions and C–H···Ο contacts are also responsible for the crystal assembly.

Fluorescent Peptoids as Selective Live Cell Imaging Probes

This paper describes the synthesis of fluorescent peptoids using the Ugi multicomponent reaction (4CR). The four synthesized structures had their photophysical properties evaluated and their potential as biomarkers established. The peptidomimetics were used at very low concentrations (10 nM) to follow their internalization in breast cancer cells and had their localization precisely determined. One of the new peptoids displayed mitochondrial affinity and stained this important organelle selectively. Co-staining experiments using MitoTracker Red confirmed the localization inside live cells.

(2E,4E)-1-(2-Hy-droxy-phen-yl)-5-phenyl-penta-2,4-dien-1-one.

In the structure of the title chalcone, C17H14O2, derived from cinnamaldehyde, the olefine group has a trans configuration. The molecular conformation is stabilized by an intramolecular O—H⋯O hydrogen-bond interaction with graph-set motif S(6).

Computational approach for the design of AP1867 analogs: aiming at new synthetic routes for potential immunosuppressant agents.

Abstract Molecular modelling and synthetic arguments are valuable tools for the design of potential immunosuppressant agents. In this paper, eight proline-based compounds related to the AP1867 structure are studied and at least one of them is found to be a structurally good candidate for the inhibition of FKBP protein. Theoretical calculations were carried out to locate the most energetically favorable chemical substituent group relative to a core skeleton group on interaction with the FKBP binding cavity. Connolly accessible surface calculations have complemented the molecular mechanics and dynamics approaches. Calculated results were also analyzed on the basis of hydrogen bond interactions, relative energies of interaction, root-mean square deviations of amino acid residues of the crystallized protein, and orientation of the substituent groups within the active site. The results show a significant reduction in the relative interaction energies and very good shape complementarities between our final analog compound and the FKBP binding pocket.

From Live Cells to Caenorhabditis elegans: Selective Staining and Quantification of Lipid Structures Using a Fluorescent Hybrid Benzothiadiazole Derivative

The current article describes the synthesis, characterization, and application of a designed hybrid fluorescent BTD–coumarin (2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-coumarin) derivative (named BTD-Lip). The use of BTD-Lip for live-cells staining showed excellent results, and lipid droplets (LDs) could be selectively stained. When compared with the commercially available dye (BODIPY) for LD staining, it was noted that the designed hybrid fluorescence was capable of staining a considerable larger number of LDs in both live and fixed cells (ca. 40% more). The new dye was also tested on live Caenorhabditis elegans (complex model) and showed an impressive selectivity inside the worm, whereas the commercial dye showed no selectivity in the complex model.