Microwave-assisted Passerini reactions under solvent-free conditions

Various α-acyloxy carboxyamides were easily obtained combining three building blocks in one step: a carboxylic acid, an aldehyde and an isonitrile (Passerini reaction), using microwave irradiation under solvent-free conditions. The products were obtained in good yields (61-90%) and in short reaction times (< 5 min), using two different temperatures (60 and 120 ºC). At 120 ºC, the yields were higher and the reactions faster (< 1 min). Most of the obtained products are multifunctional allowing their application in consecutive Passerini reactionsDiversas α-acilóxi carboxamidas foram facilmente obtidas combinando três componentes em uma única etapa: um ácido carboxílico, um aldeído e uma isonitrila (reação de Passerini), usando irradiação de micro-ondas em condições sem solvente. Os produtos foram obtidos em bons rendimentos (61-90%) e em tempos reacionais bastante curtos (< 5 min), usando duas diferentes temperaturas (60 e 120 ºC). A 120 ºC, os rendimentos foram mais altos e as reações mais rápidas (< 1 min). Vários dos produtos formados são multifuncionais, possibilitando sua aplicação em reações de Passerini consecutiva

Studies on the niobium pentachloride-mediated nucleophilic additions to an enantiopure cyclic N-acyliminium ion derived from (S)-malic acid

The nucleophilic addition of several nucleophiles (allyltrimethylsilane, silyl enol ether from acetophenone, indole and N-sulfonylindole) to the enantiopure cyclic N-acyliminium ion 1a, derived from (S)-malic acid, promoted by niobium pentachloride is described. The products were obtained in good yields and in variable diastereoselectivities depending on the steric bulkiness of the nucleophile. The best results were obtained with the addition of indoles.A adição nucleofílica de vários nucleófilos (alilsilano, silil enol éter da acetofenona, indol e N-sulfonilindol) ao íon N-acilimínio enantiopuro 1a, derivado do ácido (S)-málico, promovida por pentacloreto de nióbio é descrita. Os produtos foram obtidos em bons rendimentos e em diastereosseletividades variáveis dependendo do volume estérico do nucleófilo. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a adição de indóis

Phytotoxicity Study of Ortho-Disubstituted Disulfides and Their Acyl Derivatives

Six different ortho-disubstituted disulfides were synthesized and evaluated in wheat coleoptiles bioassays. The most active ones were evaluated on seeds of four different plant species (Solanum lycopersicum L., Lolium rigidum Gaudin, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauvois, and Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. D. Webster) to evaluate their effects on the germination and plant growth, presenting, in general, higher activity than the model herbicide Logran. The results shown in this study indicate that these compounds are potential candidates as herbicide leads for weed control in agriculture

Intramolecular ene reactions catalyzed by NbCl5, TaCl5 and InCl3

Niobium pentachloride, tantalum pentachloride and indium trichloride efficiently catalysed the cyclization of (R)-citronellal to a mixture of isopulegol and neoisopulegol in good yields. A comparative study was carried out which demonstrated that NbCl5 is the most active Lewis acid whereas InCl3 is the most selective one. The selectivity of the reactions varied according to the Lewis acid used and to the solvent. The ene reaction of a 1,7-diene was also investigated. In this case, all Lewis acids tested showed excellent selectivity.Pentacloreto de nióbio, pentacloreto de tântalo e tricloreto de índio catalisaram eficientemente a ciclização do (R)-citronelal a uma mistura de isopulegol e neoisopulegol, em bons rendimentos. Um estudo comparativo foi realizado demonstrando que NbCl5 é o ácido de Lewis mais ativo enquanto que InCl3 é o mais seletivo. A seletividade das reações variou de acordo com o ácido de Lewis utilizado e o solvente. NbCl5 e TaCl5 mostraram ausência de seletividade enquanto que o InCl3 apresentou seletividade moderada em favor do isopulegol. A reação ene de um 1,7-dieno também foi investigada. Neste caso, todos os ácidos de Lewis testados apresentaram excelente seletividade

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

The present work describes the antibacterial and antifungal activities of several chalcones obtained by a straight Claisen-Schmidt aldol condensation determined by the minimal inhibitory concentration against different microorganisms (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi). Solid state crystal structures of seven chalcones were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Chemometric studies were carried out in order to identify a potential structure-activity relationship.O presente trabalho descreve as atividades antibacterianas e antifúngicas de diversas chalconas obtidas diretamente através da condensação aldólica tipo Claisen-Schmidt das quais se determinou a concentração inibitória mínima frente a diferentes microrganismos (bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas e fungos). Estruturas no estado sólido cristalino de sete chalconas foram determinadas por análise de difração de raios X (XRD). Estudos quimiométricos foram realizados com intuito de identificar uma potencial relação entre estrutura e atividade

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure &lt;= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Synthesis of (macro)heterocycles by consecutive/repetitive isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions

Isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions are a versatile tool in the synthesis of heterocycles. This review describes recently developed approaches based on the combination of consecutive or repetitive isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of structurally diverse heterocycles. These strategies have also allowed the synthesis of a plethora of macroheterocycles in a reduced number of steps

Synthesis of acylhydrazino-peptomers, a new class of peptidomimetics, by consecutive Ugi and hydrazino-Ugi reactions

Herein we describe a versatile approach for the synthesis of acylhydrazino-peptomers, a new class of peptidomimetics. The key idea in this approach is based on a simple route using a one-pot hydrazino-Ugi four-component reaction followed by a hydrazinolysis or hydrolysis reaction and subsequent hydrazino-Ugi reaction or classical Ugi reaction for the construction of acyclic acylhydrazino-peptomers. The consecutive multicomponent reactions produced a variety of acylhydrazino-peptomers in moderate to excellent yields (47–90%). These compounds are multifunctional intermediates that can be further functionalized to obtain new peptidomimetics with potential biological activity

Consecutive hydrazino-Ugi-azide reactions: synthesis of acylhydrazines bearing 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles

Isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (IMCRs) allow the construction of relatively complex molecules through a one-pot synthesis. The combination of IMCRs in a consecutive or sequential fashion further extends the complexity of the molecules obtained. Herein, we report the efficient application of this approach to the synthesis of acylhydrazines bearing 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles. Our strategy was accomplished in only three steps: first, a one-pot hydrazino-Ugi-azide four-component reaction; second a hydrazinolysis and finally an additional hydrazino-Ugi-azide reaction. This sequence provides the title compounds in moderate to excellent yields. The products synthesized herein contain functional groups within their structures that can be easily modified to obtain new acylhydrazino 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles