Hexachlorodisilane reduces phosphine oxides and sulfides to the corresponding phosphines with opposite stereoselectivities. Through quantum mechanical calculations, a new mechanistic picture is reported that explains these stereoselectivities. Phosphine oxides are shown to react via conventional phosphorane intermediates, but phosphine sulfides follow a dramatically different mechanism involving donor-stabilized SiCl₂.

Development of universal hybridization probes, that is, oligonucleotides displaying identical affinity toward matched and mismatched DNA/RNA targets, has been a longstanding goal due to potential applications as degenerate PCR primers and microarray probes. The classic approach toward this end has been the use of “universal bases” that either are based on hydrogen-bonding purine derivatives or aromatic base analogues without hydrogen-bonding capabilities. However, development of probes that result in truly universal hybridization without compromising duplex thermostability has proven challenging. Here we have used the “click reaction” to synthesize four C2′-pyrene-functionalized triazole-linked 2′-deoxyuridine phosphoramidites. We demonstrate that oligodeoxyribonucleotides modified with the corresponding monomers display (a) minimally decreased thermal affinity toward DNA/RNA complements relative to reference strands, (b) highly robust universal hybridization characteristics (average differences in thermal denaturation temperatures of matched vs mismatched duplexes involving monomer W are <1.7 °C), and (c) exceptional affinity toward DNA targets containing abasic sites opposite of the modification site (ΔT_m up to +25 °C). The latter observation, along with results from absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, suggests that the pyrene moiety is intercalating into the duplex whereby the opposing nucleotide is pushed into an extrahelical position. These properties render C2′-pyrene-functionalized triazole-linked DNA as promising universal hybridization probes for applications in nucleic acid chemistry and biotechnology.

A full account of the development of the base-mediated intramolecular Diels–Alder cycloadditions of tryptamine-derived Zincke aldehydes is described. This important complexity-generating transformation provides the tetracyclic core of many indole monoterpene alkaloids in only three steps from commercially available starting materials and played a key role in short syntheses of norfluorocurarine (five steps), dehydrodesacetylretuline (six steps), valparicine (seven steps), and strychnine (six steps). Reasonable mechanistic possibilities for this reaction, a surprisingly facile dimerization of the products, and an unexpected cycloreversion to regenerate Zincke aldehydes under specific conditions are also discussed.

Straightforward practical synthetic approaches to 3,4-bis- and 3,4,5-tris(trifluoromethyl)pyrazoles have been developed. The key step of the both syntheses is a transformation of the carboxylic group in a pyrazole core into the trifluoromethyl group by sulfur tetrafluoride. The elaborated synthetic protocols allow gram-scale preparation of the target products. The obtained compounds are comprehensively characterized by means of crystallographic analysis, determination of pK_a values and fluorescence measurements.

A synthetic approach to a set of three inherently chiral [n]cyclophanes, [n](1,6)pyrenophanes (29a–c, n = 8–10) was investigated. Progress toward 29a was thwarted by the failure of the key dithiacyclophane-forming reaction. For the next higher homologue, the synthesis was completed, but the desired [9](1,6)pyrenophane (29b) could only be partially separated from an isomeric pyrenophane, [9](1,8)pyrenophane (28b), and an unidentified byproduct. Work aimed at the synthesis of the next higher homologue resulted in the isolation of a 7:4 mixture of [10](1,8)pyrenophane (28c) and [10](1,6)pyrenophane (29c), which could not be separated by column chromatography or crystallization. However, single-crystal X-ray structures of 28c and 29c were obtained after manual separation of two crystals with different morphologies from the same batch of crystals obtained from the 7:4 mixture of 28c and 29c. The pyrene system of 29c was found to have a gentle end-to-end bend as well as a significant longitudinal twist. Short intermolecular C(sp³)–H···π contacts (2.64 to 2.76 Å) between H-atoms on the bridge and the centroids of three of the four six-membered rings of the pyrene system of a neighboring pyrenophane of like chirality give rise to the formation of single enantiomer columns. From a DNMR study of the mixture of 28c and 29c, the bridge in [10](1,8)pyrenophane (28c) was found to undergo a conformational flip from one side of the pyrene system to the other with ΔG^⧧ = 14.9 ± 0.2 kcal/mol. A two-stage preparative HPLC protocol was subsequently developed for the separation of 28c and 29c (Chiralpak AD-H column) and then the enantiomers of 29c (Chiralcel OJ-H column). This enabled the measurement of their optical rotations and CD spectra.

A simple synthesis of a hexadehydrotribenzo[a,e,i][12]annulene by insertion of acetylene into an open-chain diiodo precursor under Sonogashira coupling conditions has been developed and used to prepare a rigid three-armed star connector for testing as a building block for a two-dimensional hexagonal hydrogen-bonding array.

Dissection of stereoelectronic effects in the transition states (TSs) for noncatalyzed azide–alkyne cycloadditions suggests two approaches to selective transition state stabilization in this reaction. First, the formation of both 1,4- and 1,5-isomers is facilitated via hyperconjugative assistance to alkyne bending and C···N bond formation provided by antiperiplanar σ-acceptors at the propargylic carbons. In addition, the 1,5-TS can be stabilized via attractive C–H···F interactions. Although the two effects cannot stabilize the same transition state for the cycloaddition to α,α-difluorocyclooctyne (DIFO), they can act in a complementary, rather than competing, fashion in acyclic alkynes where B3LYP calculations predict up to ∼1 million-fold rate increase relative to 2-butyne. This analysis of stereoelectronic effects is complemented by the distortion analysis, which provides another clear evidence of selective TS stabilization. Changes in electrostatic potential along the reaction path revealed that azide polarization may create unfavorable electrostatic interactions (i.e., for the 1,5-regioisomer formation from 1-fluoro-2-butyne and methyl azide). This observation suggests that more reactive azides can be designed via manipulation of charge distribution in the azide moiety. Combination of these effects with the other activation strategies should lead to the rational design of robust acyclic and cyclic alkyne reagents for fast and tunable “click chemistry”. Further computational and experimental studies confirmed the generality of the above accelerating effects and compared them with the conjugative TS stabilization by π-acceptors.

The bond Fukui function is introduced and tested as a new reactivity index capable of predicting the evolution of bond breaking and formation processes during an organic reaction involving π conjugated systems. As an illustration, we examine many cases where substituted ethylenes and dienes may respond to different reagents to yield cycloaddition, Michael addition, and other reactions at double bonds.

A novel class of 1-C-arylglycals was developed and subjected to N-iodosuccinimide-mediated glycosylations with alcohols. Unexpectedly, all reactions provided 2-iodo-β-d-ketopyranosides in high yields and excellent stereoselectivity. After removal of the 2-iodide by radical conditions, the aryl group was smoothly oxidized to provide the corresponding β-Kdo glycosides. A mechanism for the stereoselective formation of β-d-ketopyranosides was proposed, which was supported by evidence from X-ray crystallography.

The relative reactivity of glucuronic acid esters was established in a series of competition experiments, in which two thioglucoside and/or thioglucuronic acid ester donors competed for a limited amount of activator (NIS-TfOH). Although glucuronic acid esters are often considered to be of very low reactivity, the series of competition reactions revealed that the reactivity of the glucuronic acid esters studied is sufficient to provide productive glycosylation reactions. The latter is illustrated in the synthesis of two Streptococcus pneumoniae trisaccharides, in which the applicability of the two similarly protected frame-shifted thiodisaccharide donors, Glc-GlcA and GlcA-Glc, were compared. The Glc-GlcA disaccharide, featuring the glucuronic acid donor moiety, proved to be the most productive in the assembly of a protected S. pneumoniae trisaccharide.

An isomeric series of dehydro[m]pyrido[n]annulenes incorporating strained 1,4-buta-1,3-diyne units have been synthesized, where m = 2, n = 14 (1a–d); m = 2, n = 15 (2a,b); and m = 3, n = 15 (3). The number of pyridine rings and annulene ring π-electrons are denoted by m and n, respectively. The X-ray crystal structures of 1b and 1c confirmed their cyclic formulation. All macrocycles were found to be luminescent chromophores with differing isomer-dependent proton and metal ion-sensory emission responses, which appear collectively as analyte-specific color patterns. Within the series studied, 1a was singular in displaying the highest luminescence quantum yield and sharing the strongest emission energy and molar absorption changes upon protonation and Hg^II binding. Spectroscopic and electrochemical results were supported by density functional theory calculations in showing 1a, 2a, and 3 to be low bandgap materials with lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals delocalized over the 1,4-di(pyridin-4-yl)buta-1,3-diyne bridges that provide a pathway for electronic communication between the nitrogens. Overall, the investigations suggest that 1a, 2a, and 3 would be excellent ligands for the construction of novel conjugated hybrid metallosupramolecular nanostructures, polymers, and ion-sensory systems.

A systematic study of the preparation of porphyrins with extended conjugation by meso,β-fusion with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is reported. The meso-positions of 5,15-unsubstituted porphyrins were readily functionalized with PAHs. Ring fusion using standard Scholl reaction conditions (FeCl₃, dichloromethane) occurs for perylene-substituted porphyrins to give a porphyrin β,meso annulated with perylene rings (0.7:1 ratio of syn and anti isomers). The naphthalene, pyrene, and coronene derivatives do not react under Scholl conditions but are fused using thermal cyclodehydrogenation at high temperatures, giving mixtures of syn and anti isomers of the meso,β-fused porphyrins. For pyrenyl-substituted porphyrins, a thermal method gives synthetically acceptable yields (>30%). Absorption spectra of the fused porphyrins undergo a progressive bathochromic shift in a series of naphthyl (λ_max = 730 nm), coronenyl (λ_max = 780 nm), pyrenyl (λ_max = 815 nm), and perylenyl (λ_max = 900 nm) annulated porphyrins. Despite being conjugated with unsubstituted fused PAHs, the β,meso-fused porphyrins are more soluble and processable than the parent nonfused precursors. Pyrenyl-fused porphyrins exhibit strong fluorescence in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region, with a progressive improvement in luminescent efficiency (up to 13% with λ_max = 829 nm) with increasing degree of fusion. Fused pyrenyl-porphyrins have been used as broadband absorption donor materials in photovoltaic cells, leading to devices that show comparatively high photovoltaic efficiencies.

Strategies for the formation of carbon–carbon bonds from the α-thioaryl carbonyl products of substituted lactams are described. Although direct functionalization is possible, a two step process of oxidation and magnesium-sulfoxide exchange has proven optimal. The oxidation step results in the formation of two diastereomers that exhibit markedly different levels of stability toward elimination, which is rationalized on the basis of quantum mechanical calculations and X-ray crystallography. Treatment of the sulfoxide with i-PrMgCl results in the formation of a magnesium enolate that will undergo an intramolecular Michael addition reaction to form two new stereogenic centers. The relationship between the substitution patterns of the sulfoxide substrate and the efficiency of the magnesium exchange reaction are also described.

In this article the utility of water-compatible amino-acid-based catalysts was explored in the development of diastereo- and enantioselective direct aldol reactions of a broad range of substrates. Chiral C₂-symmetrical proline- and valine-based amides and their Zn^II complexes were designed for use as efficient and flexible chiral catalysts for enantioselective aldol reactions in water, on water, and in the presence of water. The presence of 5 mol % of the prolinamide-based catalyst affords asymmetric intermolecular aldol reactions between unmodified ketones and various aldehydes to give anti products with excellent enantioselectivities. We also demonstrate aldol reactions of more demanding substrates with high affinity to water (i.e., acetone and formaldehyde). Newly designed serine-based organocatalyst promoted aldol reaction of hydroxyacetone leading to syn-diols. For presented catalytic systems organic solvent-free conditions are also acceptable, making the elaborated methodology interesting from a green chemistry perspectives.

7-Deazapurine and 8-aza-7-deazapurine nucleosides related to dA and dG bearing 7-octadiynyl or 7-tripropargylamine side chains as well as corresponding oligonucleotides were synthesized. “Click” conjugation with 1-azidomethyl pyrene (10) resulted in fluorescent derivatives. Octadiynyl conjugates show only monomer fluorescence, while the proximal alignment of pyrene residues in the tripropargylamine derivatives causes excimer emission. 8-Aza-7-deazapurine pyrene “click” conjugates exhibit fluorescence emission much higher than that of 7-deazapurine derivatives. They are quenched by intramolecular charge transfer between the nucleobase and the dye. Oligonucleotide single strands decorated with two “double clicked” pyrenes show weak or no excimer fluorescence. However, when duplexes carry proximal pyrenes in complementary strands, strong excimer fluorescence is observed. A single replacement of a canonical nucleoside by a pyrene conjugate stabilizes the duplex substantially, most likely by stacking interactions: 6–12 °C for duplexes with a modified “adenine” base and 2–6 °C for a modified “guanine” base. The favorable photophysical properties of 8-aza-7-deazapurine pyrene conjugates improve the utility of pyrene fluorescence reporters in oligonucleotide sensing as these nucleoside conjugates are not affected by nucleobase induced quenching.

The direct three-component aza-Diels–Alder reaction of aromatic aldehyde, aromatic amine, and 2-cyclohexen-1-one was catalyzed by hen egg white lysozyme for the first time. Under the optimized conditions investigated in this paper, the enzyme-catalyzed aza-Diels–Alder reaction gave yields up to 98% and stereoselectivity of endo/exo ratios up to 90:10.

Geometries and energies of the triplet and singlet states of 2-furanylnitrene and 3-furanylnitrene have been calculated by using spin–flip coupled-cluster methods. Calculations with triple-ζ basis sets predict a singlet–triplet splitting of 10.9 kcal/mol for 2-furanylnitrene, 4.5 kcal/mol smaller than that in phenylnitrene. In contrast, the singlet–triplet splitting in 3-furanylnitrene is computed to be 1.9 kcal/mol larger than that in phenylnitrene. The differences in the singlet–triplet splittings for the furanylnitrenes are attributed to the differences in the radical stabilizing abilities of the 2-furanyl- and 3-furanyl-groups compared to a phenyl ring. Comparison of the singlet–triplet splittings of more than 20 substituted aromatic nitrenes and the radical stabilizing ability of the aromatic systems reveals a high degree of correlation between the singlet–triplet splitting and the radical stabilizing ability, indicating that singlet states of aromatic nitrenes are preferentially stabilized by radical stabilizing substituents. The preferential stabilization of the singlet states is attributed to the decrease in electron pair repulsion resulting from increased delocalization of the radical electron.

Ethyl α-(1-hydroxy-1-alkyl)methylallenoates and α-(1-hydroxy-1-aryl)methylallenoates containing not only electron-donating groups but also an electron-withdrawing group on the aryl group at the α-position have been shown to undergo an efficient and selective copper-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation to give functionalized 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-alkyl- and -aryl-2,5-dihydrofurans in good to excellent yields through a 5-endo mode.

While alternative methods of preparing dichloroindium hydride (HInCl₂) via the in situ reduction of InCl₃ using lithium amino borohydride (LAB) were explored, generation of HInCl₂ from the reduction of InCl₃ by sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) was also re-evaluated for comparison. The reductive capability of the InCl₃/NaBH₄ system was found to be highly dependent on the solvent used. Investigation by ¹¹B NMR spectroscopic analyses indicated that the reaction of InCl₃ with NaBH₄ in THF generates HInCl₂ along with borane–tetrahydrofuran (BH₃·THF) in situ. Nitriles underwent reduction to primary amines under optimized conditions at 25 °C using 1 equiv of anhydrous InCl₃ with 3 equiv of NaBH₄ in THF. A variety of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic nitriles were reduced to their corresponding primary amine in 70–99% isolated yields. Alkyl halide and nitrile functional groups were reduced in tandem by utilizing the reductive capabilities of both HInCl₂ and BH₃·THF in a one-pot reaction. Finally, the selective reduction of the carbon bromine bond in the presence of nitriles was achieved by generating HInCl₂ via the reduction InCl₃ with NaBH₄ in CH₃CN or with lithium dimethylaminoborohydride (MeLAB) in THF.

Various biologically relevant G-quadruplex DNA structures offer a platform for therapeutic intervention for altering the gene expression or by halting the function of proteins associated with telomeres. One of the prominent strategies to explore the therapeutic potential of quadruplex DNA structures is by stabilizing them with small molecule ligands. Here we report the synthesis of bisquinolinium and bispyridinium derivatives of 1,8-naphthyridine and their interaction with human telomeric DNA and promoter G-quadruplex forming DNAs. The interactions of ligands with quadruplex forming DNAs were studied by various biophysical, biochemical, and computational methods. Results indicated that bisquinolinium ligands bind tightly and selectively to quadruplex DNAs at low ligand concentration (∼0.2–0.4 μM). Furthermore, thermal melting studies revealed that ligands imparted higher stabilization for quadruplex DNA (an increase in the T_m of up to 21 °C for human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA and >25 °C for promoter G-quadruplex DNAs) than duplex DNA (ΔT_m ≤ 1.6 °C). Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the end-stacking binding mode was favored for ligands with low binding free energy. Taken together, the results indicate that the naphthyridine-based ligands with quinolinium and pyridinium side chains form a promising class of quadruplex DNA stabilizing agents having high selectivity for quadruplex DNA structures over duplex DNA structures.

We report herein the synthesis of 4-amino-2,8-dichloropyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives 2 and their regioselective diversification through S_NAr and metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. While amination of 2 took place selectively at C-2, the regioselectivity of thiol or thiolate addition depended on the reaction conditions. Selective C-8 addition was obtained in DMF with Hünig’s base and C-2 addition in ⁱPrOH. These C-2 or C-8 regioselective thiolations provided an opportunistic way to selectively activate either of the two positions toward the metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. The chloride could be efficiently substituted by Suzuki–Miyaura reaction and the sulfanyl group by Liebeskind–Srogl cross-coupling reaction, demonstrating the orthogonality of both reactive centers. The development of regioselective conditions for these different transformations yielded the synthesis of 4-amino-2,6,8-trisubstituted pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives, with various substituents.

Satisfactory procedures are described for the synthesis of 5,6- and 3,4-thiirane derivatives from the respective hexofuranose or hexopyranose epoxide precursors. The controlled ring-opening reaction of thiiranes by 1-thioaldoses was successfully accomplished to afford, regio- and stereoselectively, β-S-(1→4)-3,4-dithiodisaccharides. For instance, the regioselective attack of per-O-acetyl-1-thioglucose (16) to C-4 of 2-propyl 2,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-epithio-α-d-galactopyranoside (14) gave the derivative of Glcp-β-S-(1→4)-3,4-dithioGlcp-O-iPr (17). This thiodisaccharide was accompanied by the (1→3)-disulfide 18, formed between 16 and 17, and the symmetric (3→3)-disulfide 19, which resulted from the oxidative dimerization of 17. However, the S-acetyl derivative of 17 could be obtained in good yield (62%) by LiAlH₄ reduction of the crude mixture 17–19, followed by acetylation. The same sequence of reactions starting from 14 and the 1-thiolate of Galp afforded the per-O,S-acetyl derivative of Galp-β-S-(1→4)-3,4-dithio-α-d-Glcp-O-iPr (23), which was selectively S-deacetylated to give 25. The dithiosaccharides 17 and 25 are 3,4-di-S-analogues of derivatives of the natural disaccharides cellobiose and lactose, respectively. The ring-opening reaction of 5,6-epithiohexofuranoses of d-galacto (8) or l-altro (11) configuration with 1-thioaldoses was also regio- and stereoselective to give the respective β-S-(1→6)-linked 5,6-dithiodisaccharides 26 or 29 in excellent yields. Glycosylation of the free thiol group of 17, 25, or 26, using trichloroacetimidates as glycosyl donors, led to the corresponding branched dithiotrisaccharides. Some of them are sulfur analogues of derivatives of branched trisaccharides found in natural polysaccharides.

In this paper, a fully regiocontrolled synthesis of either 2- and 3-substituted benzo[b]furans is described. Direct reaction between phenols and α-bromoacetophenones in the presence of neutral alumina yields 2-substituted benzo[b]furans with complete regiocontrol. When a basic salt such as potassium carbonate is used, the corresponding 2-oxoether is obtained. Cyclization of these latter compounds promoted by neutral alumina yields the corresponding 3-substituted benzo[b]furans. Using the former method, Moracin M and other analogues can be obtained from commercial sources in two preparative steps. DFT calculations provide reasonable reaction paths to understand the formation of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans.

The reactions of peroxyl radicals are at the center of the oxidative degradation of essentially all petroleum-derived hydrocarbons and biological lipids and consequently, the inhibition of these processes by radical-trapping antioxidants. Recently described peroxyl radical clocks offer a simple, convenient, and inexpensive method of determining rate constants for H-atom transfer reactions to peroxyl radicals, greatly enabling the kinetic and mechanistic characterization of compounds with antioxidant properties. We follow up our preliminary communication on the development of a methodology utilizing tert-butyl styrylperacetate as a precursor to a versatile peroxyl radical clock with the present paper, wherein we describe a novel naphthyl analogue, which provides for much improved product resolution for analysis, and provide the complete details associated with its development and application. Using this new precursor, and with consideration of the expanded set of reaction products, inhibition rate constants were measured for a variety of representative phenolic and diarylamine radical-trapping antioxidants. We also provide details for the use of this methodology for the determination of mechanistic information, such as kinetic solvent effects, Arrhenius parameters, and kinetic isotope effects.

2-(2′-Hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) derivatives represent an important class of luminescent materials, as they can undergo excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The material’s ESIPT properties are dependent on the ratio of two different rotamers, whose interconversion is poorly understood. By using HBO derivative 4, the rotational energy barrier of 2- (2′,6′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole is determined to be 10.5 kcal/mol by variable-temperature NMR. Although a HBO derivative typically exhibits two rotamers with O···H–O (e.g., 1a) and N···H–O bonding (e.g., 1b), correlation of NMR with fluorescence data reveals that the rotamer with N···H–O bonding is predominant in the solution.

Elaborating on previous studies by Lemieux for highly reactive “armed” bromides, we discovered that β-bromide of the superdisarmed (2-O-benzyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl) series can be directly obtained from the thioglycoside precursor. When this bromide is glycosidated, α-glycosides form exclusively; however, the yields of such transformations may be low due to the competing anomerization into α-bromide that is totally unreactive under the established reaction conditions.

The stereospecific synthesis of aryloxy and amino substituted E- and Z-ethyl-3-acrylates is of interest because of their potential in the polymer industry and in medicinal chemistry. During work on a copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of ethyl (E)- and (Z)-3-iodoacrylates with phenols and N-heterocycles, we discovered a very simple (nonmetallic) method for the stereospecific synthesis of aryloxy and amino substituted acrylates. To study this long-standing problem on the stereoselectivity of aryloxy and amino substituted acrylates, a series of O- and N-substituted nucleophiles was allowed to react with ethyl (E)- and (Z)-3-iodoacrylates. Screening of different bases indicated that DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) afforded successful conversion of ethyl (E)- and (Z)-3-iodoacrylates into aryloxy and amino substituted ethyl acrylates in a stereospecific manner. Herein are the details of this DABCO-mediated stereospecific synthesis of aryloxy and amino substituted E- or Z-acrylates.

Large, soluble polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been synthesized using Zr-mediated and Stille-type biphenylation reactions. Both the Zr and Stille methodologies have been adopted to incorporate tert-butyl substituents, permitting the direct synthesis of alkylated PAHs that are much more soluble than their unsubstituted analogues. To demonstrate the utility of these methods and the importance of solubilizing functionality, several large PAHs were synthesized and crystallographically characterized. The scope of the Zr-mediated and Stille methodologies is shown to be complementary. The Stille methodology often gives higher yields but is ineffective for the introduction of strain and failed with some polybrominated arenes. In these difficult cases, the zirconium methodology is effective, albeit in low yields.

The design, synthesis, and applications of potential substitutes of t-Bu-PHOX in asymmetric catalysis is reported. The design relies on the incorporation of geminal substituents at C5 in combination with a substituent at C4 other than t-butyl (i-Pr, i-Bu, or s-Bu). Most of these new members of the PHOX ligand family behave similarly in terms of stereoinduction to t-Bu-PHOX in three palladium-catalyzed asymmetric transformations. Electronically modified ligands were also prepared and used to improve the enantioselectivity in the Pd-catalyzed allylation reaction of fluorinated allyl enol carbonates.

Nonsymmetric cyclopentene-based dithienylethenes, containing both thienyl and benzothienyl units, have been synthesized for the first time, employing intramolecular McMurry reaction as a key transformation to target compounds 10 and 16. Photochromic properties of these compounds were examined in toluene and acetonitrile solutions, PMMA layers, solid films, and crystal phase. To explain an unprecedented single-crystalline photochromism phenomena of 10, X-ray crystallographic analysis was performed, revealing a significant influence of strong S···S interatomic interactions on the intramolecular distance between two photochemical reaction centers in the molecule. Compound 16 could be further synthetically modified in a step-by-step manner, thus serving as potential key intermediate to various complex bifunctional photochromic molecules.

An asymmetric concise total synthesis of the (+)-seco-C-oleanane 1 was accomplished. The successful route to this natural product involves as the key step a stepwise regio- and stereocontrolled catalytic radical polyene cascade cyclization from preoleanatetraene oxide (16), a process mediated by Cp₂TiCl. The use of this single-electron-transfer complex permits mild cyclization conditions without using unnecessary prefunctionalizations and stops the process at the bicyclic level. Theoretical data revealed high activation energy for the third ring closure, which would account for the control of the cyclization. This process also led to natural (−)-achilleol B, camelliol A, and (+)-seco-β-amyrin as minor compounds.

Coupled-cluster (CCSD) and density functional computations are used to investigate historically competing mechanisms for the permanganate oxidation of sulfides and sulfoxides. The calculations all lead to a mechanism of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of permanganate, as opposed to historical mechanisms of attack of the sulfur atom by one O or by Mn. Such a mechanism, reminiscent of ozonolysis, may prevail in most permanganate oxidations. The ab initio activation enthalpies are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data; the ab initio activation entropies are not, possibly because of problems with Eyring equation assumptions.

Total syntheses of kalkitoxin, isolated from the Caribbean Lyngbya majuscula, and its analogues, 3-epi-, 7-epi-, 8-epi-, 10-epi-, 10-nor-, and 16-nor-kalkitoxin, were achieved via oxazolidinone-based diastereoselective 1,4-addition reaction of a methyl group and efficient TiCl₄-mediated thiazoline ring formation as the key steps. The biological activities of synthetic kalkitoxin and its analogues were evaluated with brine shrimp.

A new 1,1′-thiobis(2-naphthoxy)-based receptor molecule (L) containing a benzimidazole moiety has been synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ESI-MS, and elemental analysis. The selectivity of L has been explored in aqueous methanol, resulting in selective (7.5 ± 0.5)-fold switch-on fluorescence response toward Ag⁺ among 14 different transition, alkali, and alkaline earth metal ions studied. The complexation of Ag⁺ by L has been addressed by ESI-MS, ¹H NMR, and UV–vis spectra. Microstructural features of L and its Ag⁺ complex have been measured by AFM and TEM. The morphological features of L alone and L in the presence of Ag⁺ differ dramatically both in shape and size, and the ion induces the formation of chains owing to its coordinating ability toward benzimidazole. Further, the in situ [Ag⁺–L] complex was titrated against 20 naturally occurring amino acids and found that this complex acts as a secondary recognition ensemble toward Cys, Asp, and Glu by switch-off fluorescence.

Stereodivergent total syntheses of ent-heliespirone A and C were both completed in 11 vessels and ∼24% combined overall yield (A + C). These syntheses employed an identical inverse demand Diels–Alder reaction between a surrogate for an extendedly conjugated γ–δ unsaturated ortho-quinone methide and l-lactic-acid-derived exocyclic enol ether. Novel reactions of special note include a diastereoselective reduction of a chroman spiroketal by combination of borontrifluoride etherate and triethyl silane, along with oxidative rupture of a chroman etherial ring into the corresponding p-quinone by argentic oxide (AgO). In addition, an unusual intramolecular etherification of a 3° alcohol caused by cerium ammonium nitrate was observed.

The total synthesis of (−)-apicularen A (1), a highly cytostatic 12-membered macrolide, and its analogues is described. The convergent and distinct approach not only provides 1, but also opens the opportunity to synthesizeC10–C11 functional analogues of 1. The key steps of the total synthesis include assembling of iodoalkene 12 and aldehyde 13by Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi (NHK) coupling, stereospecific construction of 2,6-trans-disubstituted dihydropyran by Pd(II)-catalyzed 1,3-chirality transfer reaction, and Yamaguchi macrolactonization. The (17E,20Z,22Z)-heptadienoylenamine moiety in the side chain is installed by an efficient Cu(I)-mediated coupling to complete the synthesis. Analogues of C11-epi-, C11-deoxy-C10-α-hydroxy-, and C10–C11 dehydrated apicularen A 3–5 were also prepared. Cytostatic activities of (−)-apicularen A and the three analogues for three different cancer cell lines are described.

The full details of our enantioselective formal synthesis of the biologically active natural product berkelic acid are described. The insertion of the C-18 methyl group proved challenging, with three different approaches investigated to install the correct stereochemistry. Our initial Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons/oxa-Michael approach to the berkelic acid core proved unsuccessful upon translation to the natural product itself. However, addition of a silyl enol ether to an oxonium ion, followed by a one-pot debenzylation/spiroketalisation/thermodynamic equilibration procedure, afforded the tetracyclic structure of the berkelic acid core as a single diastereoisomer.

A modified Ullmann reaction using p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) guanidine as guanidinylation agent yielded various aryl and heteroaryl guanidines in good yields.

Activation of C2 and C3 of indoles by molecular iodine (I₂) and base followed by in situ reaction with 1-(2-tosylaminophenyl)ketones or 2-tosylaminobenzaldehyde can afford highly substituted indolo(2,3-b)quinolines in moderate to excellent yields (up to 99%). The reaction provides a metal-free selective difunctionalization of indoles. The synthetic potential of the protocol has been illustrated by the synthesis of neocryptolepine and its 11-methyl analogue.

A series of 4,4′-π-conjugated-2,2′-bipyridine chromophores (MS 1–8) were synthesized, and their photophysical and thermal properties were investigated. The title “push–pull’ chromophores”, except MS 1, were integrated with both alkoxy and alkylamino donor functionalities that differ in their donation capabilities. The oligophenylenevinylene (OPV) chromophores MS 4–8 are associated with a π-extended backbone in which the position and the number of alkoxy donors were systematically varied. All of the studied systems possess a D-π-A-A-π-D dyad archetype in which the A-A is the central 2,2′-bipyridine acceptor core that is electronically attached with the donor termini through π-linkers. The fluorescence quantum yields of the synthesized chromophores are found to be sensitive to the molecular archetype and the solvent medium. Out of the eight fluorescent compounds reported in this article, the compound MS 5 exhibits fluorescence in the solid state also. The modulating effect of the nature, position, and number of donor functionalities on the optical properties of these classes of compounds has further been comprehended on the basis of DFT and TD-DFT computation in a solvent reaction field.

Highly substituted p-benzoquinones were obtained in yields ranging from 39% to 98% by laccase-catalyzed domino reactions between hydroquinones and cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls using aerial oxygen as the oxidant. In almost all reactions bis-adducts with two adjacent 1,3-dicarbonyl substituents on the quinone moiety were formed selectively. The transformations can be regarded as domino oxidation/1,4-addition/oxidation/1,4-addition/oxidation processes. With unsubstituted hydroquinone as the substrate 2,3-disubstituted p-benzoquinones were isolated. Bis-adducts were also formed exclusively upon reaction with monosubstituted hydroquinones. In almost all cases the 2,3,5-trisubstituted p-benzoquinones were obtained. When 2,3-disubstituted hydroquinones were employed as starting materials the 2,3,5,6-tetrasubstitutedp-benzoquinones were isolated. The unambiguous structure elucidation of all products has been achieved by NMR spectroscopic methods including spin pattern analysis of the long-range coupled C═O carbons and ¹³C satellites analysis in ¹H NMR spectra.

A two-step synthesis of six-, seven-, eight-, and nine-member benzo-fused heterocycles in good to excellent yields is reported. The synthetic strategy involves the generation of a new intramolecular α-aryl ketone bond by the photostimulated S_RN1 reaction of ketone enolate anions linked to a pendant haloarene as the key step. On the other hand, an intramolecular C_Ar–C_Ar coupling led to the formation of five- and six-member benzo-fused heterocycles (9H-carbazole and phenanthridine) when an aromatic amide anion is competitively formed.

Fluorination of fluorophores can substantially enhance their photostability and improve spectroscopic properties. To facilitate access to fluorinated fluorophores, bis(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)methanone was synthesized by treatment of 2,4,5-trifluorobenzaldehyde with a Grignard reagent derived from 1-bromo-2,4,5-trifluorobenzene, followed by oxidation of the resulting benzyl alcohol. This hexafluorobenzophenone was subjected to sequential nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions, first at one or both of the more reactive 4,4′-fluorines, and second by cyclization through substitution of the less reactive 2,2′-fluorines, using a variety of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur nucleophiles, including hydroxide, methoxide, amines, and sulfide. This method yields symmetrical and asymmetrical fluorinated benzophenones, xanthones, acridones, and thioxanthones and provides scalable access to known and novel precursors to fluorinated analogues of fluorescein, rhodamine, and other derivatives. Spectroscopic studies revealed that several of these precursors are highly fluorescent, with tunable absorption and emission spectra, depending on the substituents. This approach should allow access to a wide variety of novel fluorinated fluorophores and related compounds.

Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura (SM) cross-coupling reaction with allylboronic acid pinacol ester and titanium assisted cross-metathesis (CM)/ring-closing metathesis (RCM) cascade has been used to synthesize macrocyclic cyclophane derivatives.

Two new pseudopeptidic molecules (one macrocyclic and one open chain) containing an acridine unit have been prepared. The fluorescence response of these receptors to a series of acids was measured in CHCl₃. Receptors are selective to H₂PO₄^– versus HSO₄^–, and an even higher selectivity is found over other anions such as Cl^–, Br^–, CH₃COO^–, and CF₃COO^–. We show that the macrocyclic receptor is more selective for H₂PO₄^– than the related open chain receptor. The supramolecular interactions of triprotonated receptors with different anions have been modeled in silico and have been studied by different experimental techniques. Optimized geometries obtained by computational calculations agree well with experimental data, in particular fluorescence experiments, suggesting that the selective supramolecular interaction takes places through coordination of the anions to the triprotonated form of the receptor.

A silver-mediated tandem protocol for the synthesis of quinolines involving the oxidative coupling/cyclization of N-arylimines and alkynes has been developed. We demonstrated that scenario-dependent metalation could occur either at the ortho C–H bond of an N-arylimine through protonation-driven enhancement of acidity or at the terminal C–H bond of an alkyne by virtue of the carbophilic π-acidity of silver. The diverse set of mechanistic manifolds implemented with a single type of experimental protocol points toward the importance of stringent reactivity analysis of each individual potentially reactive molecular site. Importantly, the direct arene C–H bond activation provides a unique and distinct mechanistic handle for the expansion of reactivity paradigms for silver. As expected, the protocol allows for the incorporation of both internal and terminal alkynes into the products, and in addition, both electron-withdrawing and -donating groups are tolerated on N-arylimines, thus enabling the vast expansion of substituent architectures on quinoline framework. Further, an intriguing phenomenon of structural isomerization and chemical bond cleavage has been observed for aliphatic internal alkynes.

A high-yielding route to substituted and functionalized dimethanoanthracenes by the Pd-catalyzed deoxyenation of the corresponding hydroquinone precursors is described. Attempts were made to deoxygenate the 9,10-dimesylate, ditosylate, and ditriflate derivatives of anti-dimethanoanthracene 1a, and it was found that under the studied conditions only the ditriflate 8a gave the corresponding deoxygenated aromatic scaffold. Optimization of the reaction conditions identified the Pd(OAc)₂/dppf tandem as a suitable catalytic system for this transformation. The presented strategy was further extended to a novel and efficient synthetic route to methanoanthracenes employing a one-pot Pd-catalyzed deoxygenation/hydrogenation sequence.

The total synthesis of d,l-hapalindoles J and U has been accomplished. Hapalindole J was prepared in 11% overall yield over 11 synthetic steps and hapalindole U was prepared in 25% overall yield over 13 synthetic steps from commercially available materials. The route employs a novel silyl ether-based strategy for accessing the 6:5:6:6 ring system of the hapalindoles rapidly and in good yields.

The diastereoselective addition of lithiated vinyl sulfoxides to enantiopure sulfinimines provides direct access to a wide assortment of allylic sulfinamides in good yields and excellent selectivities. These adducts are key precursors to differently functionalized cis- and trans-dihydropyrroles. Modulation of the protecting group on nitrogen prior to cyclization has a significant impact on the stereochemical outcome, allowing for the selective preparation of 2,5-cis- or 2,5-trans-3-sulfinyl disubstituted dihydropyrroles from a common sulfinamide intermediate. Further research on halocyclization conditions has also yielded a stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted vinyl aziridines from these chiral sulfinamides, simply by changing the halogenating agent.

A method of preparing enantiopure hydroxy-γ-butyrolactones containing multiple contiguous stereocenters in high yield with good diastereoselectivity has been developed. Osmium tetroxide mediated dihydroxylation of a range of β-alkenyl-β-hydroxy-N-acyloxazolidin-2-ones results in formation of triols that undergo spontaneous intramolecular 5-exo-trig cyclization reactions to provide hydroxy-γ-butyrolactones. The stereochemistry of these hydroxy-γ-butyrolactones has been established using NOE spectroscopy, which revealed that 1-substituted, 1,1-disubstituted, (E)-1,2-disubstituted, (Z)-1,2-disubstituted, and 1,1,2-trisubstituted alkenes undergo dihydroxylation with anti-diastereoselectivity, while 1,2,2-trisubstituted systems afford syn-diastereoisomers. The synthetic utility of this methodology has been demonstrated for the asymmetric synthesis of the natural product 2-deoxy-d-ribonolactone.

The conformation of a cholate hexamer with a clicked tether in between two tricholate units and pyrene groups at the chain ends was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. In contrast to the parent cholate hexamer that folded in all micelles investigated, the folding of the clicked hexamer was highly dependent on the type of surfactant used to solubilize the compound. The clicked oligocholate folded in the Brij 35 micelle, possibly due to the latter’s small size and strong internal hydrophobicity. The oligocholate formed intermolecular aggregates in SDS solutions below the CMC of the surfactant. The aggregates were dissociated by the SDS micelles but the individual oligocholate stayed unfolded. In Triton X-100 and sodium cholate solutions, the aggregated, unfolded, and folded oligocholates coexisted and gradual unfolding occurred with an increasing concentration of the surfactant. The conformation of the clicked oligocholate was sensitive to the nonideal mixing of ionic/nonionic micelles and to the unconventional aggregation of sodium cholate.

Rate constants for acid-catalyzed dehydration of cis-2-substituted 1,2-dihydro-naphthols are well correlated by the Taft relationship log k = −0.49 – 8.8σ_I, with minor negative deviations for OH and OMe. By contrast the trans substituents show a poor correlation with σ_I and in most cases react more slowly than their cis isomers. The behavior is consistent with rate-determining formation of a 2-substituted carbocation (naphthalenium ion) intermediate that for cis reactants possesses a 2-C–H bond suitably oriented for hyperconjugation with the charge center. For the trans isomers the 2-substituent itself is oriented for hyperconjugation in the initially formed conformation of the cation. It is argued that k_cis/k_trans rate ratios for substituents (Me, 8.4; Bu^t, 12.7; Ph, 3.8; NH₃⁺, 160; OH, 440) reflect their hyperconjugating ability relative to hydrogen. Faster reactions of trans isomers are observed for substitutents known (RS, N₃) or suspected (EtSO, EtSO₂) of stabilizing the cation by a π or σ neighboring group effect. The good Taft correlation is taken to indicate that cis substuents are reacting normally, differentiated only by their inductive effects. The slower reactions of the trans isomers are the judged to be “abnormal”. This is confirmed by comparing effects of cis and trans β-OH substituents on the reactivities of dihydro phenols, naphthols, and phenanthrols. Whereas k_H/k_OH for cis substituents varies by less than 8-fold and is consistent with the influence of an inductive effect of the OH group (k_H/k_OH ≈ 2000), k_H/k_OH for the trans substituents varies by 3 orders of magnitude, reflecting the additional influence of the lesser hyperconjugating ability of a C–OH bond compared to a C–H bond. The magnitude and variation of this difference is consistent with C–H hyperconjugation conferring aromatic character on the arenium ions

A new strategy for synthesizing taiwaniaquinoids, a group of terpenoids with an unusual rearranged 5(6→7) or 6-nor-5(6→7)abeo-abietane skeleton, which exhibit promising biological activities, is reported. The procedure, based on the cleavage of the C7–C8 double bond of abietane diterpenes, is the only one yet reported for synthesizing C₂₀ taiwaniaquinoids bearing a carbon function on the cyclopentane B ring; it is also applicable to the synthesis of the wide variety of existing taiwaniaquinoids. Utilizing this, (−)-taiwaniaquinone A, F, G, and H, (−)-taiwaniaquinol B, and (−)-dichroanone have been synthesized from (+)-abietic acid. The versatility of this strategy allows us to propose the abietane C7–C8 cleavage as a possible biosynthetic pathway to this type of rearranged diterpenes; this proposal seems to be supported by phytochemical evidence.

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have attracted increasing attention due to high potentiality in nanoelectronics. In the present study, quantum-chemical calculations of structural and nonlinear optical properties have been first carried out for the nanoelectronical materials, a new series of ladder-type N-annulated quaterrylenes and their imide chromophores. The effects of the solvent, terminal groups, the number of N-annulated bridges, and π-conjugated length are discussed in detail. The solvent effect is significant on the one-photon absorption (OPA). Moreover, the OPA and two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of the two series of DI and N-MI molecules show a clear solvent dependence, which is attributed to the carboximide substitution featuring larger polarization. Introducing electron-donating groups and dicarboximides and increasing the conjugated length lead to red-shifts of the OPA, emission, and TPA spectra, lower emission lifetimes, and enhanced TPA cross sections (δ_max), but further extension of the conjugated framework does not always promote an increase of δ_max. The changing trends of δ_max can be explained by the transition moment and the intramolecular charge transfer. All N-annulated quaterrylene and their imide derivatives possess small energy gaps, intense near-infrared absorption and emission, and large δ_max, which are important for use as two-photon fluorescent labeling materials.

Radical cyclization of iodoketone 3 afforded cis-hydrindanone 8. Compound 8 was converted into key intermediate 5 via conventional transformations. Annulation of a spiro-lactal unit to 5 was pursued with three different approaches. In the first approach, radical cyclization of propargyl ester 17 provided spiro-lactone 18 with an undesired stereochemistry. Attempts to invert the stereochemistry at the spiro-center via retro-aldol and aldol condensation of compound 20 failed. In the second approach, key intermediate 5 was transformed into 23. Acylation of compound 23 gave 24 as a single diastereomer with the desired stereochemistry but in low yield. NBS bromination of 24 followed by lactone formation gave 26 in low yield. Alternatively, allylic oxidation of 24 with SeO₂ followed by lactonization gave 26 also in low yield. Finally, a third approach employing a semipinacol-type rearrangement of epoxy-alcohol 33 gave aldehyde 34 with the desired stereochemistry. Treatment of compound 34 with HCl in MeOH effected spiro-lactal formation and provided (±)-peribysin E. The overall yield of our synthesis is 3.2% from 2-methylcyclohenen-1-one.

The synthesis of the first family of fully substituted cucurbit[n]uril is discussed, and the structural features of precursor glycolurils are highlighted in their importance to achieving higher homologues. The members of the family, where n = 5–7, have been fully characterized, and increased binding affinities have been identified for dioxane in CyP₆Q[6] and adamantyl NH₃⁺ in CyP₇Q[7]. A higher homologue is indicated but not conclusively identified.

Various substituted aryl-pyridyl ketones were hydrogenated in the presence of Ru-XylSunPhos-Daipen bifunctional catalytic system with enantiomeric excesses up to 99.5%. Upon introduction of a readily removable ortho-bromo atom to the phenyl ring, enantiomerically enriched 4-chlorophenylpyridylmethanol was obtained by hydrogenation method with 97.3% ee, which provided an important chiral intermediate for some histamine H₁ antagonists.

A copper-catalyzed annulative amination approach to 3-aminobenzofurans and -indoles from o-alkynylphenols and -anilines has been developed. The Cu-based catalysis is based on an umpolung, electrophilic amination with O-benzoyl hydroxylamines and enables the mild and convergent synthesis of various 3-aminobenzoheteroles of biological and pharmaceutical interest. Some mechanistic investigations and an application of this protocol to construction of more complex tricyclic framework are also described.

Aliphatic or aromatic N,N-disubstituted nitrosamine was generated in fair to excellent yield from the reaction of a secondary or tertiary amine with o-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) or o-iodosylbenzoic acid (IBA)/R₄NX (X = halide) and nitromethane. The product yield was strongly influenced by both the halide of R₄NX and iodanes. IBX gave a higher yield than IBA, while the halides follow F^– > Cl^– > Br^– ∼ I^–. Nitrous acid formed in situ from nitromethane and IBX (or IBA)/halides is likely responsible for the observed reaction.

Diphenylparabanic acid was found to react with >2 equiv of organolithiums at −78 °C to effectively give the corresponding symmetrical α-diketones. However, upon treatment with 1 equiv of organolithium, the parabanic acid gave mainly 5-substituted 5-hydroxyimidazolidine-2,4-diones. On the other hand, Grignard reagents were less reactive toward the parabanic acid at low temperature, and selectively gave the corresponding 5-hydroxyimidazolidine-2,4-diones even if more than 1 equiv of the reagents was used. A tandem process in which the parabanic acid was first reacted with a Grignard reagent and then reacted in one-pot with an organolithium effectively gave the unsymmetrical α-diketone. 5-Substituted 5-hydroxyimidazolidine-2,4-diones were useful as versatile precursors for preparing α-ketocarboxylic acids as well as unsymmetrical α-diketones.

The mechanism of the acid-catalyzed intramolecular Schmidt reaction of 2-azidopropylcyclohexanones was studied using density functional theory (primarily M06-2X). The reaction was found to proceed through rapid formation of azidohydrin intermediates followed by rate-determining concerted N₂-loss/shift of the alkyl group antiperiplanar to the N₂ leaving group. For cases where steric, lone pair–cation, and cation−π effects have been invoked previously as regiocontrol elements, the origins and magnitudes of these effects have been examined theoretically.

The novel three-component chiral derivatization protocols have been derived for ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopic discrimination of a series of chiral hydroxy acids by their coordination and self-assembly with optically active α-methylbenzylamine and 2-formylphenylboronic acid. In addition, the optically pure (S)-mandelic acid in combination with 2-formylphenylboronic acid permits visualization of enantiomers of primary amines. These protocols have been demonstrated on enantiodiscrimination of chiral amines and hydroxy acids.

A five-step synthesis of the natural product angelicoin A using a late stage highly regioselective palladium(0)-catalyzed decarboxylative prenyl migration and aromatization sequence as the key step is reported. The method was extended with geranyl migration in eight-step total syntheses of hericenone J and hericenol A from geraniol.

A comprehensive understanding of the C–H bond cleavage step by the concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD) pathway is important in further development of cross-coupling reactions using different catalysts. Distortion–interaction analysis of the C–H bond cleavage over a wide range of (hetero)aromatics has been performed in an attempt to quantify the various contributions to the CMD transition state (TS). The (hetero)aromatics evaluated were divided in different categories to allow an easier understanding of their reactivity and to quantify activation characteristics of different arene substituents. The CMD pathway to the C–H bond cleavage for different classes of arenes is also presented, including the formation of pre-CMD intermediates and the analysis of bonding interactions in TS structures. The effects of remote C2 substituents on the reactivity of thiophenes were evaluated computationally and were corroborated experimentally with competition studies. We show that nucleophilicity of thiophenes, evaluated by Hammett σ_p parameters, correlates with each of the distortion–interaction parameters. In the final part of this manuscript, we set the initial equations that can assist in the development of predictive guidelines for the functionalization of C–H bonds catalyzed by transition metal catalysts.

In the orignial 1,3,5,7-tetraphenyl aza-BODIPY, replacing the phenyl rings with thiophene achieved significant bathochromic shifts. One of the target molecules, DPDTAB, emitting strong NIR fluorescence with a quantum yield of 0.46 in acetonitrile, is a very competitive NIR fluorophore.

Titanium(IV)-promoted regioselective ring-opening reaction of chiral epoxy–allyl alcohols (Sharpless conditions as the key strategic step) is developed as a tool for ready access to chiral 5,6-dihydroxyoct-7-en-4-yl alkoxylates. Later, the synthetic utility of products thereof was demonstrated through the RCM based stereoselective synthesis of various natural products.

Two phloroglucinols named tomentosones A and B (1 and 2) that each possess a novel hexacyclic ring system were isolated from the CH₂Cl₂ extract of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaves. Their structures were elucidated from analyses of 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Tomentosone A inhibited the growth of chloroquine-resistant and -sensitive strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, with IC₅₀ values of 1.49 μM and 1.0 μM, respectively, while tomentosone B was significantly less active.

The configuration at phosphorus in cyclic (S)-HPMPC (1, cidofovir) and (S)-HPMPA (2) phenyl ester (5 and 6, respectively) diastereomers ((R_p)-5, (R_p)-6, (S_p)-6) was determined by X-ray crystallography and correlated to their ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectra in solution. (R_p)-5 and (R_p)-6 have chair conformations with the nucleobase substituent equatorial and the P-OPh axial. Perhaps surprisingly, (S_p)-6 is (a, a) in the crystal and exists largely as an equilibrium of (a, a)/(e, e) conformers in chloroform or acetonitrile.

A process has been designed and demonstrated for the asymmetric synthesis of sulfinamides using quinine as auxiliary. A variety of chiral sulfinamides including N-alkyl sulfinamides with diverse structure were prepared in good yields and excellent enantioselectivity starting from easily available and inexpensive reagents. The auxiliary quinine could be recovered and recycled.

Carbodiimides 4, obtained from aza-Wittig reactions of iminophosphorane 3 with aryl isocyanates, reacted with secondary amines in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium alkoxide to give 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles 7 in good yields. However, 4-acylimidazoles 11 were obtained, as phenols were used in the presence of a catalytic amount of potassium carbonate due to further air oxidation of the expected products 10.

The synthesis of optically pure (+)-ambrisentan has been achieved from 3,3-diphenylacrylate in four steps with 53% overall yield and >99% ee at the >100 g scale without column purification. The chiral epoxide intermediate was prepared via asymmetric epoxidation with a fructose-derived diacetate ketone as catalyst.

A facile convergent synthesis of the tricyclic core 2 of roseophilin is described, which represents the shortest route so far for the formal synthesis of roseophilin. The key step was a tandem pyrrole acylation-Nazarov cyclization reaction to form the cyclopenta[b]pyrrole moiety 4.

An efficient regioselective protocol for the C–C bond formation by the unexpected α,α-diarylation of aromatic ketones with unactivated arenes in the presence of selenium dioxide and boron trifluoride etherate has been developed. The generality and functional tolerance of this protocol is demonstrated by the synthesis of a series of triarylethanones.

A new practical and concise total synthesis of enantiopure camptothecin and SN-38 (14% overall yield, 99.9% ee and 99.9% purity) was described, starting from inexpensive and readily available materials. The development of column chromatography-free purification was achieved in all steps, which offers an economic industrial process to the camptothecin-family alkaloids.

Substitution of an ortho-fluoro or methoxy group in 1- and 2-naphthoic acids furnishing substituted naphthoic acids occurs in good to excellent yields upon reaction with alkyl/vinyl/aryl organolithium and Grignard reagents, in the absence of a metal catalyst without the need to protect the carboxyl (CO₂H) group. This novel nucleophilic aromatic substitution is presumed to proceed via a precoordination of the organometallic with the substrate, followed by an addition/elimination.

A concise synthesis of the Alzheimer’s therapeutic (+)-phenserine is described. The approach features an interrupted Fischer indolization to construct the pyrrolidinoindoline core, in addition to a classical resolution to arrive at phenserine in enantioenriched form.

We report synthesis of dibenzoaluminepin as the first aluminepin, an aluminum analogue of borepin and gallepin. This compound contains one molecule of ethereal solvent on the Al atom, which adopts a tetrahedral geometry. The central 7-membered aluminepin ring has a boatlike conformation and was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ¹H/¹³C NMR, and DFT studies. In addition, NICS, NBO, and theoretical calculations provide insight into the nature of the bonding and aromaticity of aluminepins.

The synthesis of β-hydroxy-γ-amino acids via SmI₂-mediated Reformatsky reactions of α-chloroacetyloxazolidinones with aminoaldehydes is reported. Diastereoselective coupling is demonstrated to depend on the absolute configuration of the Evans chiral auxiliary employed in the reaction, allowing erythro or threo products to be obtained selectively. The potential utility of the methodology is exemplified by the facile synthesis of biologically relevant N-Boc-isostatine (2b) and N-Boc-dolaisoleucine (3c).

Palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of bromomaleimides with a diverse range of terminal alkynes has been demonstrated to furnish the corresponding alkynylmaleimides in very good yields. This coupling reaction followed by selective reduction of the triple bond to single bond have been utilized as the decisive steps to accomplish the first total synthesis of natural products (±)-luffarin X and (±)-cacospongionolide C.

The catalytic direct α-alkylation of aldehydes with 2-(bromomethyl)acrylates has been accomplished, giving rise to α-branched and functionalized aldehydes of high diastereo- and enantiopurity. The influence of the nature of the ester group of the acrylates in reaction stereoselectivity and especially in reactivity is investigated. Optimum conditions implicate the use of phenyl acrylates in conjunction with organocatalyst 8. Application of thus obtained adducts in synthesis is illustrated with a concise stereocontrolled preparation of trisubstituted cyclopentenes.

We have developed an efficient method for selective monobenzoylation of 1,2- and 1,3-diols in water catalyzed by Me₂SnCl₂. Treatment of 1,2- and 1,3-diols with benzoyl chlorides, DMT-MM, and potassium carbonate in the presence of a catalytic amount of Me₂SnCl₂ and DMAP in water at room temperature gave monobenzoates in up to 97% yield.

Enantioselective conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to enones, catalyzed by Cu-Taniaphos or Josiphos complex, affords chiral enolates. Ensuing one-pot Mannich reaction with TiCl₄-generated imine leads to aminocarbonyl compounds with benzyloxycarbonyl-protected nitrogen. Both diastereomers of these compounds are isolated in moderate yields but high enantiomeric purities (up to er 97.5:2.5).

A novel and simple transition metal-free direct arylation of arene and N-heteroarenes with diaryliodonium salts has been developed. This cross-coupling reaction is promoted only by base and gives the desired products in moderate to good yields.

We report the first enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-scuteflorin A in 14% overall yield, employing a chiral iminium salt to effect an organocatalytic asymmetric epoxidation of xanthyletin in >99% ee as the key step.

Kinetic and computational studies on the amidation of esters with mixtures of formamide and sodium methoxide are described. Rate studies are consistent with a fast deprotonation of formamide followed by two reversible acyl transfers affected by solvent participation. MP2 calculations suggest that the first acyl transfer between the ester and sodium formamide is rate-determining. The transition structures leading to the formation and collapse of the first tetrahedral intermediate are calculated to be isoenergetic.

An efficient stereocontrolled preparation of (2R,R_S)-2-allyl-(N-tert-butylsulfinyl)piperidine and its enantiomer is detailed. The sequence requires only two synthetic operations with one-column chromatography and is readily scaled up. The versatility of these chiral building blocks was exemplified by the total or formal synthesis of some natural and unnatural alkaloids.

The Lewis base adduct of B₂pin₂ and the NHC (1,3-bis(cyclohexyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), which was proposed to act as a source of nucleophilic boryl groups in the β-borylation of α,β-unsaturated ketones, has been isolated, and its solid state structure and solution behavior was studied. In solution, the binding is weak, and NMR spectroscopy reveals a rapid exchange of the NHC between the two boron centers. DFT calculations reveal that the exchange involves dissociation and reassociation of NHC rather than an intramolecular process.

We have developed a simple and practical process for the oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds by using a low catalytic amount of DDQ, NaNO₂ as a cocatalyst, and molecular oxygen as terminal oxidant. Nitric oxide generated in situ by NaNO₂ in the presence of AcOH is essential for the realization of the catalytic cycle at room temperature. The practical utility of this catalytic process has been demonstrated in the gram-scale oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol.

Mannopyranose-derived methyl 1,2-orthoacetates (R = Me) and 1,2-orthobenzoates (R = Ph) undergo stereoselective formation of 1α,1′β-disaccharides, upon treatment with BF₃·Et₂O in CH₂Cl₂, rather than the expected acid-catalyzed reaction leading to methyl glycosides by way of a rearrangement–glycosylation process of the liberated methanol.

A facile and general method leading to polyfunctionalized quinolines was developed. In the presence of a highly efficient combination encompassing (PPh)₃AuCl and AgOTf, the reactions between 2-aminocarbonyls and an array of internal alkynes proceeded smoothly to afford quinoline derivatives in good to excellent yields (up to 93%).

A novel method for asymmetric synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted indolines has been developed. The strategy involves the (−)-sparteine-mediated electrophilic substitution of 2-benzyl N-pivaloylaniline with aromatic or α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and subsequent intramolecular nucleophilic substitution. The simple protocol for two-step process can produce highly enantioenriched indolines 3a–o up to 98:2 er.