Abstract: Methods and compositions for the catalytic oxidation of pharmaceutically active compounds, and more particularly to ex vivo methods for predicting in vivo metabolism of pharmaceutically active compounds, including predicting in vivo interaction between two or more pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the catalytic oxidation of pharmaceutically active compounds, and more particularly to ex vivo methods for predicting in vivo metabolism of pharmaceutically active compounds, including predicting in vivo interaction between two or more pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the catalytic oxidation of pharmaceutically active compounds, and more particularly to ex vivo methods for predicting in vivo metabolism of pharmaceutically active compounds, including predicting in vivo interaction between two or more pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: A method of decomposing an organic substrate includes identifying an organic substrate or its constituents having one or more desired or undesired properties; and contacting the organic substrate with an oxidizing agent and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of sterically hindered and electronically activated metallotetraphenylporphyrins, metallophthalocyanines and metallosalen complexes in an aqueous or aqueous-organic solution to produce a treated composition comprising one or more degradation products, wherein the degradation products have one or more desired properties and/or lack the undesired properties of the organic substrate.

Abstract: Non-natural amino acids such as 2-alkylated amino acids allow for the synthesis of a wider variety of peptidal and non-peptidal pharmaceutically active agents. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods of preparing 2-alkylcysteine derivatives. In another embodiment, the method comprises forming a 2-alkylcysteine derivative from a cysteine derivative in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. In particular, the present invention provides methods for preparing 2-methylcysteine derivatives. The present invention also discloses a method of preparing a class of iron chelating agents related to desferrithiocin, all of which contain a thiazoline ring. In one aspect, an aryl nitrile or imidate is condensed with cysteine or a 2-alkyl cysteine. The present invention also relates to the preparation of 4,5-dihydro-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-alkyl-thiazole-4-carboxylic acids, such as 4,5-dihydro-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A useful and efficient method of preparing an alkylated thiazoline carboxylic acid, or a derivative thereof, comprises coupling a substituted aryl nitrile such as, for example, 2,4-dimethoxybenzonitrile or 4-methoxybenzonitrile, with a cysteine ester to form a substituted thiazoline carboxylic acid ester; optionally hydrolyzing the substituted thiazoline carboxylic acid ester to form a substituted thiazoline carboxylic acid; optionally, protecting the carboxyl group; alkylating the thiazoline ring at the 4-carbon position, as indicated in Structural Formula (I), with a compound of the formula R1-L, wherein R1 is as defined above and L is a leaving group, in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst; and, optionally, deprotecting the carboxyl group. In one embodiment of the present invention, a cinchona-alkaloid derived phase transfer catalyst is used to alkylate a protected substituted thiazoline carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Non-natural amino acids such as 2-alkylated amino acids allow for the synthesis of a wider variety of peptidal and non-peptidal pharmaceutically active agents. A method of preparing a 2-alkyl amino acid involves a Michael-type addition of a nucleophile to a dialkyl 2-methylidenylpropan-1,3-dioate and the conversion of a ester moiety into an amino moiety. The present invention also discloses a method of preparing a class of iron chelating agents related to desferrithiocin, all of which contain a thiazoline ring. In this method, an aryl nitrile or imidate is condensed with cysteine, a 2-alkyl cysteine, or a cysteine ester.

Abstract: A method of preparing a 2-alkyl amino acid involves the aziridination of an alkylacrylate and the opening of the aziridine ring by addition of a side chain. This method can result in the preparation of enantiomeric excess of a 2-alkyl amino acid. The invention also discloses a method of preparing a class of iron chelating agents related to desferrithiocin, all of which contain a thiazoline ring. In this method, an aryl nitrile or imidate is condensed with cysteine, a 2-alkyl cysteine, or a cysteine ester.

Abstract: Non-natural amino acids such as 2-alkylated amino acids allow for the synthesis of a wider variety of peptidal and non-peptidal pharmaceutically active agents. A method of preparing a 2-alkyl amino acid involves reacting cysteine (or a salt or an ester thereof) and an aryl carboxylic acid to form a thiazoline ring, stereospecifically alkylating the thiazoline ring, and hydrolyzing the thiazoline ring to obtain a 2-alkylcysteine (or related compound). The present invention also discloses a method of preparing a class of iron chelating agents related to desferrithiocin, all of which contain a thiazoline ring. In this method, an aryl nitrile or imidate is condensed with cysteine, a 2-alkyl cysteine, or a cysteine ester.

Abstract: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, such as that caused by Clostridium difficile, represents a serious medical complication that can result from administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic to a subject. Such diarrhea leads to significant potassium loss from the subject. The present invention discloses a polymeric therapeutic agent that treats antibiotic-associated diarrhea and is physiologically potassium neutral. This polymer contains polystyrene sodium sulfonate and polystyrene potassium sulfonate repeat units.

Abstract: Benzimidates can be reacted with a large number of nucleophiles, leading to a wide variety of products. The present invention discloses a facile synthesis for ethyl 2,4-dihydroxybenzimidate, and ethers and diethers thereof, from 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid or 2,4-dibenzyloxybenzoic acid. The present invention also discloses a method of preparing a class of iron chelating agents related to desferrithiocin, all of which contain a thiazoline ring. In this method, 2,4-dihydroxybenzonitrile is condensed with (S)-2-methylcysteine.