10.1002/jlcr.3504
The study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of specific deuterated derivatives of long-chain ceramides [EOS] and [EOP] found in the stratum corneum lipids, which are essential components of the skin's barrier function. The researchers replaced linoleic acid with a palmitic acid branched with a methyl group and introduced deuteration in the branched and terminal methyl groups to create these derivatives. The synthesized ceramides were then prepared for neutron scattering investigations. The chemicals used in the study included various fatty acids, deuterated compounds, and ceramide precursors, such as 6-bromohexanoic acid ethyl ester, malonic acid ethyl ester, and lithium aluminum deuteride. These chemicals served the purpose of creating the branched and deuterated fatty acids, which were then used to synthesize the ceramides [EOS] and [EOP]. The synthesized deuterated ceramides are valuable tools for investigating the influence of these long-chain ceramide species on the nanostructure of stratum corneum lipid model membranes, as they can be detected in the lipid model membranes and help to understand their structural role in the skin's barrier.
10.1016/j.tetlet.2009.01.062
The research aims to develop a synthetic route for these specific isotopically labeled glutamic acids with high enantioselectivity for metabolic analysis. The study employs key chemicals such as [2-13C] glycine, β-alanine, lithium aluminum deuteride (LiAlD4), and the (S,S)-Et-DuPHOS-Rh catalyst. The synthesis involves the preparation of a stable isotope-labeled dehydroornithine derivative through the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction, followed by asymmetric hydrogenation or deuteration using the (S,S)-Et-DuPHOS-Rh catalyst. Ruthenium-catalyzed oxidation is then used to convert the intermediate to the target glutamic acids. The enantiopurity of the final products is confirmed to be 99% ee by HPLC analysis. The research concludes that the asymmetric synthesis of (2S,3R)- and (2S,3S)-[2-13C;3-2H] glutamic acids has been successfully achieved with high enantioselectivity, and modifications to this procedure for synthesizing other labeled amino acids are underway.