Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with breakdown of the myelin sheath that coats neurons in the central nervous system. The cause of MS is not known, although the pathogenesis involves destruction of myelin by the immune system. It was the aim of this study to examine the abundant myelin protein, myelin basic protein (MBP), to determine if there are sites of modification that may be charact...

Complexation of copper(I) with the binucleating ligand, 1,3-bis(9-methyl-1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)propane, mphenpr, result in formation of helical dimers, [Cu2(mphenpr)2](2+). The resolution of the enantiomeric forms of the dimers has been carried out with Δ-[As(cat)3](-) as resolving agent and X-ray structures for two compounds, P-[Cu2(mphenpr)2](Δ-[As(cat)3])2 and P-[Cu2(mphenpr)2](Δ-[As(cat)3...

In a previous communication I we reported on the action of weak and of stronger alkali on dextro-alanyl-dextro-alanine anhydride. I t was observed that the anhydride was partially racemized if it was allowed to remain in an aqueous solution containing one equivalent of sodium hydroxide for 24 hours. When the concentration of the alkali was increased tenfold, the anhydride was rapidly converted ...

An efficient triphenylphosphine oxide-catalyzed amidation and esterification for the rapid synthesis of a series dipeptides, amides, esters is described. This reaction applicable to challenging couplings hindered carboxylic acids with weakly nucleophilic amines or alcohols, giving products in good yields (67–90%) without racemization. system employs highly reactive intermediate Ph3PCl2 as activ...

A Ru-based half sandwich complex used in amine and alcohol racemization reactions was found to be active in the splitting of secondary amines to primary amines using NH3. Conversions up to 80% along with very high selectivities were achieved. However, after about 80% conversion the catalyst lost activity. Similar to Shvo's catalyst, the complex might deactivate under the influence of ammonia. I...

An Oxyma derivative, (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-cyano-2-(hydroxyimino)acetate (2), displayed remarkable physicochemical properties as a peptide-coupling additive for peptide-forming reactions in water. Short peptides to oligopeptides could be synthesized by using 2, EDCI, and NaHCO(3) in water without measurable racemization. Significantly, a simple basic and acidic aqueous workup...

Microwave dielectric heating proved to be an efficient method for the one-pot and stepwise syntheses of symmetrical and unsymmetrical naphthalenediimide derivatives of alpha-amino acids. Acid-labile side chain protecting groups are stable under the reaction conditions; protection of the alpha-carboxylic group is not required. The stepwise condensation of different amino acids resulted in high y...