Diastereoselective radical cyclization reactions; the synthesis of O -methylcorytenchirine

Highly diastereoselective cyclization of radicals such as 4 provides a model for the synthesis of 8-substituted berbines. Thus the reaction of 6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline 21 with the acid chloride 19 affords the key intermediate 22, which undergoes free radical cyclization on treatment with tributylstannane to give (±)-23 as the sole product. Reduction of 23 affords (±)-O-methylcorytenchirine 14. The carbamate 24 does not undergo radical cyclization when treated with tributylstannane, but the acetyl pyridine 33 affords the cyclized products 37 and 38 in reasonable yield and with good diastereoselectivity

Resolution of (±)-nipecotic acid ((±)-3-piperidinecarboxylic acid) by separation of palladium(II) diastereomers containing orthometallated (S)-(-)-1-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]naphthalene

An efficient resolution of (±)-nipecotic acid has been achieved by the fractional crystallization of internally diastereomeric palladium(II) complexes containing the chelated carboxylate and orthometallated (S)-(-)-1-[1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]naphthalene

A biocompatible reverse thermoresponsive polymer for ocular drug delivery

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss, the treatment of which may require monthly intravitreal injections. This is a burden on patients and health services, and new delivery modalities that reduce injection frequency are required. To that end, we investigated the suitability of a novel reverse thermoresponsive polymer (RTP) as an ocular drug-delivery vehicle. In this work, we detail the structure and synthesis of a novel RTP, and determine drug release curves for two drugs commonly used in the treatment of AMD, bevacizumab and aflibercept. Biocompatibility of the RTP was assessed in vitro in human and rat cell lines and in vivo following intravitreal injection in rats. Bevacizumab demonstrated a more appropriate release profile than aflibercept, with 67% released within 14 days and 78% released in total over a 183-day period. No toxic effects of RTP were seen in human or rat cells in up to 14 days of co-culture with RTP. Following intravitreal injection, intraocular pressure was unaffected by the presence of RTP and no changes in retinal function or structure were observed at 1 week or 1 month post-injection. RTP injection did not cause inflammation, gliosis or apoptosis in the retina. This work demonstrates the potential suitability of the novel RTP as a sustained-release vehicle for ocular drug delivery for anti-neovascular therapies. Optimization of polymer chemistry for optimal drug loading and release is needed