Synthesis of camphor derived ligands for applications in asymmetric catalysis.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2009.Chiral monoterpenes such as camphor have been widely used in the development of asymmetric catalysts with varying degrees of success. Pyridyl N-donor ligands derived from camphor have been extensively studied and have proven to be very successful. C3 pendant pyridyl alcohol ligands have been neglected until this study. Herein the synthesis of a series of six novel C3 pendant ligands is described. The ligands were synthesised in six steps (seven for ligand 4) using R-(+)-camphor as the starting material. Two alternative methods for the synthesis were investigated with the second method (Method B) proving to be superior. Several difficulties with regards to regioisomers and diastereomers were overcome in establishing the procedure for the synthesis of the ligands. The final compounds were successfully synthesised in moderate yields with absolute regio- and stereo-control. The ligands were evaluated as chiral catalysts in a series of different reactions. The first of these was the alkylation of a series of aldehydes using diethylzinc. This reaction was investigated in order to compare the efficacy of the novel compounds to previous camphor derived pyridyl alcohol ligands. All previous molecules of this type have been evaluated as catalysts in this reaction with varying degrees of success. The novel ligands successfully catalysed this reaction with moderate to good enantioselectivity (up to 85% ee). The results obtained showed these compounds to be significantly superior to a previous analogous C2 pendant β-amino alcohol reported in literature. The results were also comparable to other camphor derived pyridyl alcohol ligands reported previously. The synthesis of ligands 1-4 as well as their evaluation as catalysts in the alkylation of aldehydes with diethylzinc is discussed in detail in chapter 2 (Paper 1). The second reaction in which the ligands were evaluated was the Henry (Nitroaldol) reaction. This reaction has not seen many camphor derived ligands applied as catalysts. Two additional derivatives (5-6) were synthesized and all the compounds were screened as catalysts in this reaction. The ligands successfully catalyzed the reaction with good to excellent yields but only moderate selectivity (up to 56% ee). The details of this evaluation are discussed in chapter 3 (Paper 2). The final reaction in which the ligands were evaluated was the Diels-Alder reaction of 2- acrolyloxazolidinone with cyclopentadiene. The reaction was again successfully catalysed in moderate to good yields with good endo:exo selectivity but fairly poor stereoselectivity (up to 43% ee). Computational models of the proposed complexes were developed in order to explain the poor observed selectivity. The details of this study are reported in chapter 4 (Paper 3). Chapter 5 (Paper 4) involves a NMR and computational investigation of some of the ligands. Complete NMR elucidation using 2D NMR techniques were carried out for the selected ligands. Optimisation of the ligands using high level DFT calculations was carried out in order to aid in the visualisation of potential through space interactions within each molecule

Synthesis of camphor derived ligands for applications in asymmetric catalysis.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.Chiral crown ethers have recently been shown to be useful asymmetric catalysts in many carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. The design and synthesis of new chiral macrocycles and ligands for use in asymmetric catalysis is of great interest in the field of synthetic chemistry. Catalytic asymmetric Michael additions have been studied using chiral crown ethers as phase transfer catalysts. Many chiral crown ethers have been synthesised and tested in asymmetric catalysis but the design of these systems is still an area of much interest. The attempted synthesis of a new class of novel macrocycles such as 1 is described (chapter 2). The synthesis of a new class of chiral cage annulated macrocycles such as 2 is reported (chapter 3). The testing of these macrocycles as catalysts in the Michael addition of 2-nitropropane to chalcone was carried out with poor enantioselectivity being observed Recognition events in chemistry occur on a molecular scale that is difficult to monitor without the use of molecular devices. Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET) systems have been the subject of much research over the past three decades. The attempted synthesis of the first chiral PET sensor 3 is described (chapter 4)

Synthesis of chiral cage annulated macrocycles.

Master of Science in Chemistry. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2006.Chiral crown ethers have recently been shown to be useful asymmetric catalysts in many carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. The design and synthesis of new chiral macrocycles and ligands for use in asymmetric catalysis is of great interest in the field of synthetic chemistry. Catalytic asymmetric Michael additions have been studied using chiral crown ethers as phase transfer catalysts. Many chiral crown ethers have been synthesised and tested in asymmetric catalysis but the design of these systems is still an area of much interest. The attempted synthesis of a new class of novel macrocycles such as 1 is described (chapter 2). The synthesis of a new class of chiral cage annulated macrocycles such as 2 is reported (chapter 3). The testing of these macrocycles as catalysts in the Michael addition of 2-nitropropane to chalcone was carried out with poor enantioselectivity being observed Recognition events in chemistry occur on a molecular scale that is difficult to monitor without the use of molecular devices. Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET) systems have been the subject of much research over the past three decades. The attempted synthesis of the first chiral PET sensor 3 is described (chapter 4).Could not copy diagrams from abstract

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8-(Biphenyl-4-yl)-8-hydroxy­penta­cyclo­[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecan-11-one ethyl­ene ketal

The title compound, C25H24O3, synthesized as a potential chiral catalyst, exhibits a range of C—C bond lengths in the penta­cyclo­undecane cage between 1.5144 (18) and 1.5856 (16) Å. The two benzene rings are not planar with respect to each other, but rather are twisted at a torsion angle of 34.67 (17)°. The mol­ecule has an intra­molecular O—H⋯O inter­action and participates in two C—H⋯O inter­molecular inter­actions to form a one-dimensional chain

(4-Hydr­oxy-3-nitro­benz­yl)methyl­ammonium chloride

The title compound, C8H11N2O3 +·Cl−, was synthesized as an inter­mediate in the development of a new sugar sensor. The structure displays N—H⋯Cl and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding, as well as weak O—H⋯Cl inter­actions and π–π stacking (3.298 Å). There are two formula units in the asymmetric unit

2-(Tricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]dec-2-ylamino)ethanol hemihydrate

The title adamantane derivative, C12H21NO·0.5H2O, was synthesized as part of an investigation into the biological activities of cage amino–alcohol compounds as potential anti-tuberculosis agents. The structure displays inter­molecular O—H⋯N, N—H⋯O, O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding and a layered packing structure with distinct hydro­philic and hydro­phobic regions. The water molecule lies on a twofold rotation axis

Vδ2+ T cell response to malaria correlates with protection from infection but is attenuated with repeated exposure.

Vδ2+ γδ T cells are semi-innate T cells that expand markedly following P. falciparum (Pf) infection in naïve adults, but are lost and become dysfunctional among children repeatedly exposed to malaria. The role of these cells in mediating clinical immunity (i.e. protection against symptoms) to malaria remains unclear. We measured Vδ2+ T cell absolute counts at acute and convalescent malaria timepoints (n = 43), and Vδ2+ counts, cellular phenotype, and cytokine production following in vitro stimulation at asymptomatic visits (n = 377), among children aged 6 months to 10 years living in Uganda. Increasing age was associated with diminished in vivo expansion following malaria, and lower Vδ2 absolute counts overall, among children living in a high transmission setting. Microscopic parasitemia and expression of the immunoregulatory markers Tim-3 and CD57 were associated with diminished Vδ2+ T cell pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Higher Vδ2 pro-inflammatory cytokine production was associated with protection from subsequent Pf infection, but also with an increased odds of symptoms once infected. Vδ2+ T cells may play a role in preventing malaria infection in children living in endemic settings; progressive loss and dysfunction of these cells may represent a disease tolerance mechanism that contributes to the development of clinical immunity to malaria

N-(2-Hydroxy­ethyl)-N-(tricyclo­[3.3.1.13,7]dec-2-yl)benzamide

The title adamantane derivative, C19H25NO2, was synthesized as part of a study into potential anti­tuberculosis agents. The adamantane skeleton displays shorter than normal C—C bond lengths ranging between 1.5230 (15) and 1.5329 (16) Å. The structure displays O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding and an inter­digitated layered packing structure with distinct hydro­philic and hydro­phobic regions

FCRL5 Delineates Functionally Impaired Memory B Cells Associated with Plasmodium falciparum Exposure.

Exposure to Plasmodium falciparum is associated with circulating "atypical" memory B cells (atMBCs), which appear similar to dysfunctional B cells found in HIV-infected individuals. Functional analysis of atMBCs has been limited, with one report suggesting these cells are not dysfunctional but produce protective antibodies. To better understand the function of malaria-associated atMBCs, we performed global transcriptome analysis of these cells, obtained from individuals living in an area of high malaria endemicity in Uganda. Comparison of gene expression data suggested down-modulation of B cell receptor signaling and apoptosis in atMBCs compared to classical MBCs. Additionally, in contrast to previous reports, we found upregulation of Fc receptor-like 5 (FCRL5), but not FCRL4, on atMBCs. Atypical MBCs were poor spontaneous producers of antibody ex vivo, and higher surface expression of FCRL5 defined a distinct subset of atMBCs compromised in its ability to produce antibody upon stimulation. Moreover, higher levels of P. falciparum exposure were associated with increased frequencies of FCRL5+ atMBCs. Together, our findings suggest that FCLR5+ identifies a functionally distinct, and perhaps dysfunctional, subset of MBCs in individuals exposed to P. falciparum