Building Blocks

N-(Propan-2-yl)benzenecarbonimidoyl chloride (PCI) is a synthetic, water-soluble drug that is used to treat anaerobic infections. PCI binds to the imidoyl group of bacterial enzymes, such as penicillinase and beta-lactamase, and inhibits their activity. It has been shown that PCI has an affinity for copper ions in the crystallographic analysis. This affinity can be optimized by changing the substituents on the phenyl ring to increase affinity for copper ions. The oxadiazoles and hydroxyalkyl groups are also being considered for optimization of this compound. PCI has been shown to inhibit the growth of various bacteria in screening tests with a shift in its absorption spectrum.

2-(Benzyloxy)propanoic acid is a carboxylic acid that is used in biotechnology as a substrate for the production of optically pure carboxylic acids. It can be converted to pure hydroxyapatite, which is an important component of bone grafts and dentures. The microbial synthesis of 2-(benzyloxy)propanoic acid has been studied extensively. The n-terminal amino group can be removed by reduction with sodium sulfate or sodium borohydride, and the resulting alcohols can be converted to esters either enzymatically or with organic acids. 2-(Benzyloxy)propanoic acid also reacts with dodecyl mercaptan to give the corresponding dodecyl sulfate.

Versatile small molecule scaffold

9-Chlorofluorene is a synthetic chemical that has been used as an intermediate for the production of polymers and dyes. It is a colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. 9-Chlorofluorene reacts with hydrogen chloride to form the chlorinated derivative, fluorene dichloride. This chemical is also known to react with other compounds such as alcohols, amines, and phenols in the presence of moisture or heat to produce unwanted byproducts including aldehydes, chlorides, and hydrocarbons. 9-Chlorofluorene may be contaminated with impurities such as carbon tetrachloride, which can lead to toxic effects on humans and animals. There are bioassays that measure the toxicity of this substance in mice. The toxicity of 9-chlorofluorene has been shown to depend on the electron transfer reactions it undergoes during metabolism.

2-Anilinopyridine is a reactive compound that binds to the mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibits the electron transport chain. It has been shown to be cytotoxic against colorectal adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. 2-Anilinopyridine binds to the carbonyl group of proteins, disrupting the function of proteins and leading to cell death by apoptosis. The compound was tested in vivo in a mouse model for cancer and showed promising results. 2-Anilinopyridine has also been shown to induce DNA strand breaks, which are used as biomarkers for carcinogenicity.