Current Organic Chemistry - Volume 19, Issue 20, 2015

The presence of organic molecules in meteorites clearly indicates the occurrence of a large panel of chemical reactions in space conditions. The scenarios in which these transformations take place are diverse and fascinating: proto-stellar nebulae, dense or rarefied clouds of interstellar and cosmic dust particles, comets, meteorites, proto-planets and asteroids. High energy particles (cosmic rays and solar winds), heat, electr Read More

(+)-Lactacystin (1) is a natural substance that was firstly isolated in 1991 from bacteria of the genus Streptomyces, and it was studied for its ability to inhibit cell growth. Its mechanism of action is the inhibition of the 20S proteasome, which together with two 19S regulatory sub-units makes up the 26S proteasome complex; this is a part of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) in eukaryotic cells. 1 accumulates particularly in Read More

Effects of oxygen depletion on cellular membranes are still poorly understood. Amphiphilic molecules are known to modulate the plasma membrane lipid bilayer’s physical properties; in turn, mechanical properties of the lipid bilayer affect signal transduction through numerous mechanosensitive transmembrane proteins including ion channels, receptor tyrosine kinases, NADPH oxidases and G-protein coupled re Read More

During the years different types of N-sulfonic acids are prepared and used as efficient catalysts for the promotion of various types of organic reactions. These methods lead to high yields of the products under mild conditions during acceptable reaction times. These catalysts are recyclable and can be reused in their activities.

A convenient and practical approach for the total synthesis of Xestoaminol C has been accomplished with 16.43% overall yield from commercially available D-glucose. The synthesis involves SN2 type centre inversion with azido group, Staudinger reaction, Wittig olefination and Pearlman’s catalytic hydrogenation.