Oxidation of sec‐alcohols with Ru(II)‐bearing microgel star polymer catalysts via hydrogen transfer reaction: Unique microgel‐core catalysis

Oxidation of sec‐alcohols was investigated with ruthenium‐bearing microgel core star polymer catalysts [Ru(II)‐Star]. The star polymer catalysts were directly prepared via RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), followed by the arm‐linking reaction with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate ( 1 ) in the presence of diphenylphosphinostyrene ( 2 ). The Ru(II)‐Star efficiently and homogeneously catalyzed the oxidation of 1‐phenylethanol ( S1 ) to give a corresponding ketone (acetophenone) in higher yield (92%) than the analogs of polymer‐supported ruthenium complexes. Importantly, the star catalyst afforded high recycling efficiency in the oxidation. They held catalytic activity against three times catalysis even though they were recovered under air‐exposure, whereas the conventional RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ lost the activity for same recycling procedure due to the deactivation by oxygen. The stability of the star catalysts during the recycle experiment was confirmed by detailed spectroscopic characterization. The star polymers also catalyzed oxidation for a wide range of sec‐alcohols with aromatic and aliphatic groups. The substrate affinity was different from that with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, suggesting the unique selectivity caused by the specific structure. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011.     

Microwave‐Assisted,Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed N‐Annulation Reactions of Aryl and α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones with Alkynes

New Rh^III‐catalyzed, one‐pot N‐annulation reactions of aryl and α,β‐unsaturated ketones with alkynes in the presence of ammonium acetate have been developed. Under microwave irradiation conditions, the processes lead to rapid formation of the respective isoquinoline and pyridine derivatives with efficiencies that are strongly dependent on the steric nature of the aryl ring and enone substituents. By employing this protocol, a variety of isoquinoline and pyridine derivatives were prepared in high yields. In addition, a new one‐pot approach to the synthesis of pyridines, involving four‐component reactions of ketones, formaldehyde, NH₄OAc, and alkynes, has been uncovered. This process takes place through a route involving initial aldol condensation of the ketone with formaldehyde to generate a branched α,β‐unsaturated ketone that then undergoes Rh^III‐catalyzed N‐annulation with NH₄OAc and the alkyne.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity studies of novel anion‐exchanged Titanocene Y derivatives

Starting from the potential anticancer drug candidate Titanocene Y {bis‐[(4‐methoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl]titanium(IV) dichloride}, anion exchange experiments were performed using silver malonate (1a) or silver cyclobutane‐1,1‐malonate (1b) in order to yield bis‐[(4‐methoxy‐benzyl)cyclopentadienyl] titanium(IV) malonate (2a) and bis‐[(4‐methoxy‐benzyl)cyclopentadienyl] titanium(IV) cyclobutane‐1,1‐malonate (2b). In addition, Titanocene Y was reacted with salicylic acid (3a) or 3,5‐dinitro‐salicylic acid (3b) in the presence of diethylamine to synthesize bis‐[(4‐methoxy‐benzyl)cyclopentadienyl] titanium(IV) salicylate (4a) or bis‐[(4‐methoxy‐benzyl)cyclopentadienyl] titanium(IV) 3,5‐dinitro‐salicylate (4b). These titanocenes had their cytotoxicity investigated through preliminary in vitro testing on the LLC‐PK (pig kidney epithelial) cell line in an MTT‐based assay in order to determine their IC50 values. Titanocenes 2a–b and 4a were found to have IC50 values of 74 ( ± 13) µM , 18 ( ± 5) µM and 49 ( ± 11) µM on the LLC‐PK cell line, while compound 4b was found to have lost all its cytotoxic activity on this cell line. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Easy α-alkylation of ketones with alcohols through a hydrogen autotransfer process catalyzed by RuCl2(DMSO)4

The electrophilic α-alkylation of ketones with alcohols is accomplished by a hydrogen autotransfer process catalyzed by RuCl₂(DMSO)₄. The reaction can produce either simple alkylated ketones or α,β-unsaturated ketones just by choosing the appropriate starting ketones (methyl ketones or bicyclic methylenic ketones, respectively), as well as quinolines (by using 2-aminobenzyl alcohol derivatives) or the corresponding alcohol derivatives by the addition of an extra equivalent of the initial alcohol. In the last case, after the above alkylation process reduction of the carbonyl compound takes place. A mechanistic study seems to indicate that the process goes through the oxidation of the alcohols with ruthenium (after a previous deprotonation) to yield the corresponding aldehyde and a ruthenium hydride intermediate. In turn, the aldehyde suffers a classical aldol reaction with the starting ketone to form the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ketone, which finally is reduced through a Michael-type addition by the aforementioned ruthenium hydride intermediate.     

Measurements of the kinetics of the OH‐initiated oxidation of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein

The mechanisms of the OH‐initiated oxidation of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein have been studied at 300 K and 100 Torr total pressure, using a turbulent flow technique coupled with laser‐induced fluorescence detection of the OH radical. The rate constants for the OH + methyl vinyl ketone and OH + methacrolein reactions were measured to be (1.78 ± 0.08) × 10^?11 and (3.22 ± 0.10) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, and were found to be in excellent agreement with previous studies. In the presence of O₂ and NO, the OH radical propagation and the loss of OH through radical termination resulting from the production of methyl vinyl ketone‐ and methacrolein‐based alkyl nitrates were measured at 100 Torr total pressure and compared to the simulations of the kinetics of these reaction systems. The results of these experiments are consistent with an overall rate constant of (2.0 ± 1.3) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for both the methyl vinyl ketone‐based peroxy radical + NO and methacrolein‐based peroxy radical + NO reactions, each with branching ratios of 0.90 ± 0.10 for the bimolecular channel (oxidation of NO to NO₂) and 0.10 ± 0.10 for the termolecular channel (production of methyl vinyl ketone‐ and methacrolein‐based alkyl nitrates). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 12–25, 2003     

Synthesis,characterization and biological evaluation of a cobalt(II) complex with 5‐chloro‐8‐hydroxyquinoline as anticancer agent

A new cobalt(II) complex ( 1 ) of 5‐chloro‐8‐hydroxyquinoline was prepared and structurally characterized using infrared spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction as well as powder X‐ray diffraction. Its biological activities including DNA binding and anticancer activity were investigated. The DNA binding study of complex 1 suggested that it interacted with calf thymus DNA mainly via an intercalative binding mode. The in vitro anticancer activity of complex 1 was screened against a series of tumor cell lines as well as the normal liver cell line HL‐7702 using MTT assay. complex 1 showed much higher cytotoxicity than corresponding metal salt and ligand towards the five tested tumor cell lines, in which T‐24 was the most sensitive tumor cell line towards 1, with IC₅₀ value of 7.04 ± 0.06 μM. complex 1 was found to greatly induce cell cycle arrest in T‐24 cells at S phase, and consequently to induce cell apoptosis in a dose‐dependent mode suggested by cell apoptosis analysis via Hoechst 33258 and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining assays. The cell apoptosis mechanism of 1 was studied targeting the mitochondrion‐mediated pathway, since the apoptotic mechanism in the T‐24 cells treated by 1 was investigated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, intracellular calcium concentration measurement and caspase‐9/3 activity assay. The results suggested that the cell apoptosis induced by 1 was closely related to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production and enhancement of intracellular [Ca²⁺], which would trigger the caspase‐9/3 activation via a mitochondrial dysfunction pathway. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Sustainable Synthesis of 2‐Benzoxazyl and 2‐Benzothiazyl Ketones from Alkynyl Bromides and 2‐Amino(thio)phenols Promoted by a Recyclable Catalytic System

An environmentally and economically sustainable synthesis of 2‐benzoxazyl ketones and 2‐benzothiazyl ketones through FeCl₃·6H₂O catalyzed tandem reactions of alkynyl bromides with 2‐amino(thio)phenols in [bmim]BF₄ has been developed. Remarkable advantages of this new synthetic strategy include high efficiency, readily available starting materials, and recyclable catalyst and reaction medium.     

Visible‐Light‐Promoted Selenylative Spirocyclization of Indolyl‐ynones toward the Formation of 3‐Selenospiroindolenine Anticancer Agents

A metal‐free and efficient visible‐light‐induced spirocyclization of indolyl‐ynones with diselenides at room temperature under air atmosphere to prepare 3‐selenospiroindolenines in moderate to good yields has been developed. The resulting products were tested for in vitro anticancer activity by MTT assay, and compounds 3 c and 3 e showed potent cancer cell‐growth inhibition activities.     

Novel Benzyl‐ or 4‐Cyanobenzyl‐Substituted N‐Heterocyclic (Bromo)(carbene)silver(I) and (Carbene)(chloro)gold(I) Complexes: Synthesis and Preliminary Cytotoxicity Studies

N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes bromo(1,3‐dibenzyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)silver(I) ( 2a ), bromo[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene]silver(I) ( 2b ), and bromo[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene]silver(I) ( 2c ) were prepared by the reaction of 1,3‐dibenzyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium bromide ( 1a ), 3‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium bromide ( 1b ), and 3‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐3‐ium bromide ( 1c ), respectively, with silver(I) oxide. NHC Complexes chloro(1,3‐dibenzyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene)gold(I) ( 3a ), chloro[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene]gold(I) ( 3b ), and chloro[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,3‐dihydro‐2H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene]gold(I) ( 3c ) were prepared via transmetallation of corresponding (bromo)(NHC)silver(I) complexes with chloro(dimethylsulfido)gold(I). The complex 3a was characterized in two polymorphic forms by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction showing two rotamers in the solid state. The cytotoxicities of all three bromo(NHC)silver(I) complexes and three (chloro)(NHC)gold(I) complexes were investigated through 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bormide (MTT)‐based preliminary in vitro testing on the Caki‐1 cell line in order to determine their IC₅₀ values. (Bromo)(NHC)silver(I) complexes 2a – 2c and (chloro)(NHC)gold(I) complexes 3a – 3c were found to have IC₅₀ values of 27±2, 28±2, 34±6, 10±1, 12±5, and 12±3 μM , respectively, on the Caki‐1 cell line.     

Kinetics Study on Oxidation of β‐Isophorone Using Molecular Oxygen

The oxidation kinetics of β‐isophorone (β‐IP) using molecular oxygen catalyzed by iron(III) acetylacetonate was investigated in a lab‐scale agitator bubbling reactor. β‐IP was found to give keto‐isophorone (KIP) and 4‐hydroxy‐3,5,5‐trimethyl‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one (HIP) along with little isomerization product α‐isophorone (α‐IP). The results show that the oxidation reaction took place in the pseudo–first‐order fast reaction regime. The experiment was conducted under the mass transfer reaction regime as the mass transfer resistances could not be easily eliminated. The intrinsic kinetics was obtained through apparent kinetics. The activation energy of oxidation of β‐IP to KIP is 70.5 ± 4.1 kJ mol^–1, and the value of ln A_KIP is 33.53 ± 1.22. Meanwhile, the activation energy of oxidation of β‐IP to HIP is 86.4 ± 5.4 kJ mol^–1 and the value of ln A_HIP is 36.23 ± 1.52, which could provide theoretical basis for industrial design, amplification of reactor, and the optimization of reaction.     

Cyclopentanes from N‐Aminoglyconolactams: Reaction Mechanism and Improved Access to Diazocyclopentanones

One of the two mechanisms to rationalize the Pb(OAc)₄ oxidation of 1 to 2 and 3 postulates the intermediate generation of a carbene 25 via the acetoxy‐diazepinone 22 and the oxadiazoline 23 (Scheme 2). This mechanism was excluded on the basis of the oxidation of the diazepinone 32 that was synthesized in six steps from the ribonolactone 26 . Oxidation of 32 with Pb(OAc)₄ provided the unstable acetoxy‐diazepinone intermediate 22 , its C(5) epimer, and the stable 5‐O‐acetyl‐1,5‐ribonolactone 33 ; the ¹H‐NMR spectra of the products of the oxidation of 32 and the decomposition of 22 showed no evidence for the formation of the acetoxy epoxide 2 and the diazo ketone 3 , excluding 22 as intermediate in the oxidation of 1 . To increase the yield of the diazo‐cyclopentanones, we oxidized the acetohydrazide 34 , the 4‐toluenesulfonohydrazide 44 , and the N,O‐diacetate 46 with Pb(OAc)₄. Oxidation of the acetohydrazide 34 with Pb(OAc)₄ led to a higher yield of the diazo ketone 3 (40%) than oxidation of the N‐amino‐ribonolactam 1 without affecting the yield of 2 . Oxidation of the 4‐toluenesulfonohydrazide 44 gave mostly the product 45 of C‐acetoxylation, while the analogous oxidation of 46 gave the acetoxy lactone 33 ; neither 2 nor 3 could be detected among the products, excluding 46 as intermediate of the oxidation of 34 . Oxidation of the N‐acetamido‐lyxonolactam 47 with Pb(OAc)₄ provided the diazo ketone 8 (77 vs. 37% from 5 ); higher yields of diazo ketones resulted also from the oxidation of the acetohydrazides 48 and 49 .     

Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Propargylic Alkylation of Propargyl β‐Ketoesters with a Chiral Ketimine P,N,N‐Ligand

The first enantioselective copper‐catalyzed decarboxylative propargylic alkylation has been developed. Treatment of propargyl β‐ketoesters with a catalyst, prepared in situ from [Cu(CH₃CN)₄BF₄] and a newly developed chiral tridentate ketimine P,N,N‐ligand under mild reaction conditions, generates β‐ethynyl ketones in good yields and with high enantioselectivities without requiring the pregeneration of ketone enolates. This new process provides facile access to a range of chiral β‐ethynyl ketones in a highly enantioenriched form.     

PPh3⋅HBr‐DMSO Mediated Expedient Synthesis of γ‐Substituted β,γ‐Unsaturated α‐Ketomethylthioesters and α‐Bromo Enals: Application to the Synthesis of 2‐Methylsulfanyl‐3(2 H)‐furanones

An efficient chemoselective general procedure for the synthesis of γ‐substituted β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketomethylthioesters from α,β‐unsaturated ketones has been achieved through an unprecedented PPh₃?HBr‐DMSO mediated oxidative bromination and Kornblum oxidation sequence. The newly developed reagent system serves admirably for the synthesis of α‐bromoenals from enals. Furthermore, AuCl₃‐catalyzed efficient access to 3(2H)‐furanones from the above intermediates under extremely mild conditions are described.     

Combining Photoredox‐Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation and Oxidation with DMSO: Facile Synthesis of α‐Trifluoromethylated Ketones from Aromatic Alkenes

Trifluoromethylated ketones are useful building blocks for organic compounds with a trifluoromethyl group. A new and facile synthesis of ketones with a trifluoromethyl substituent in the α‐position proceeds through a one‐pot photoredox‐catalyzed trifluoromethylation–oxidation sequence of aromatic alkenes. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) serves as a key and mild oxidant under these photocatalytic conditions. Furthermore, an iridium photocatalyst, fac[Ir(ppy)₃] (ppy=2‐phenylpyridine), turned out to be crucial for the present photoredox process.     

A Light/Ketone/Copper System for Carboxylation of Allylic C−H Bonds of Alkenes with CO2

A photo‐induced carboxylation reaction of allylic C?H bonds of simple alkenes with CO₂ is prompted by means of a ketone and a copper complex. The unique carboxylation reaction proceeds through a sequence of an endergonic photoreaction of ketones with alkenes forming homoallyl alcohol intermediates and a thermal copper‐catalyzed allyl transfer reaction from the homoallyl alcohols to CO₂ through C?C bond cleavage.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed N‐Desulfonylative Amination versus N‐to‐O 1,5‐Sulfonyl Migration: A Versatile Approach to 1‐Azabicycloalkanes

Valuable 1‐azabicycloalkane derivatives have been synthesized through a novel gold(I)‐catalyzed desulfonylative cyclization strategy. An ammoniumation reaction of ynones substituted at the 1‐position with an N‐sulfonyl azacycle took place in the presence of a gold cation by intramolecular cyclization of the disubstituted sulfonamide moiety onto the triple bond. Depending on the size of the heterocyclic ring and substitution of the substrates, two unprecedented forms of nucleophilic attack on the sulfonyl group were exploited, that is, a N‐desulfonylation in the presence of an external protic O nucleophile (37–87 %, 10 examples) and a unique N‐to‐O 1,5‐sulfonyl migration (60–98 %, 9 examples).     

Copper‐Catalyzed Radical/Radical CH/PH Cross‐Coupling: α‐Phosphorylation of Aryl Ketone O‐Acetyloximes

The selective radical/radical cross‐coupling of two different organic radicals is a great challenge due to the inherent activity of radicals. In this paper, a copper‐catalyzed radical/radical C? H/P? H cross‐coupling has been developed. It provides a radical/radical cross‐coupling in a selective manner. This work offers a simple way toward β‐ketophosphonates by oxidative coupling of aryl ketone o‐acetyloximes with phosphine oxides using CuCl as catalyst and PCy₃ as ligand in dioxane under N₂ atmosphere at 130 °C for 5 h, and yields ranging from 47 % to 86 %. The preliminary mechanistic studies by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) showed that, 1) the reduction of ketone o‐acetyloximes generates iminium radicals, which could isomerize to α‐sp³‐carbon radical species; 2) phosphorus radicals were generated from the oxidation of phosphine oxides. Various aryl ketone o‐acetyloximes and phosphine oxides were suitable for this transformation.     

Structural Optimization of Photoswitch Ligands for Surface Attachment of α‐Chymotrypsin and Regulation of Its Surface Binding

A modified gold surface that allows photoregulated binding of α‐chymotrypsin has previously been reported. Here the development of this surface is reported, through the synthesis of a series of trifluoromethyl ketones and α‐keto esters containing the azobenzene group and a surface attachment group as photoswitch inhibitors of α‐chymotrypsin. All of the compounds are inhibitors of the enzyme, with activity that can be modulated by photoisomerization. The best photoswitch shows a reversible change in IC₅₀ inhibition constant of >5.3 times on photoisomerization. The trifluoromethyl ketone 1 exhibited excellent photoswitching and was attached to a gold surface in a two‐step procedure involving an azide–alkyne cycloaddition. The resulting modified surface bound α‐chymotrypsin to a degree that could be modulated by UV/Vis irradiation, showing “slow‐tight” enzyme binding as observed for inhibitors in solution.     

Synthesis of Substituted Quinolinyl Ether‐based Inhibitors of PI3K as Potential Anticancer Agents

A new strategy for the preparation of 8‐quinolyl ethers 3 ( a – g ), 5 ( a – g ), and 7 ( a – d ) was studied by copper (II)‐catalyzed methodology in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ and acetone–water mixture (1:1). Screening of quinolinyl‐8‐ethers was investigated against anticancer expressive studies to validate new chemical entity in medicinal chemistry. Approaches were evaluated against breast cancer (MCF‐7), skin cancer (G‐361), and colon cancer (HCT 116) cell lines. Inhibitory potentials against phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K) enzyme responsible for cancer development have been evaluated by competitive ELISA studies. In PI3K assay, 3a – c were inactive (IC₅₀ > 5 μM), while 3e – g , 5a , 5c – e , 5g , 7a , and 7d showed a moderate activity (IC₅₀ ≥ 0.05 μM). Compounds ( 5b , 5f , 7b , and 7c ) showed significant activity (IC₅₀ < 1.0 μM); thus, their anticancer activities were carried out. Anticancer activity was found to be selective towards breast cancer (MCF‐7); 5b , 5f , 7b , and 7c showed predominant relative percentage activities of 74.12%, 79.04%, 72.56%, and 78.47%, with IC₅₀ values of 5b (2.27 ± 0.88 μM), 5f (1.38 ± 0.60 μM), 7b (2.64 ± 0.86 μM), and 7c (1.87 ± 0.68 μM) compared with the standard doxorubicin 73.14% inhibition (IC₅₀ = 1.98 ± 0.75 μM). Docking study also conducted to find out the binding interactions with p110α (PDB ID: 3T8M) enzyme. Compounds 5b , 5f , 7b , and 7c showed best docking score into the active site of PI3K 12.59, 10.51, 56.52, and 8.61 nM. Structure–activity relationship studies demonstrated that the synthesized compounds are the potential PI3K inhibitors to treat various cancer‐related diseases.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Intramolecular Homologation of Ketones with α‐Diazoesters: Synthesis of Cyclic α‐Aryl/Alkyl β‐Ketoesters

A catalytic asymmetric intramolecular homologation of simple ketones with α‐diazoesters was firstly accomplished with a chiral N,N′‐dioxide–Sc(OTf)₃ complex. This method provides an efficient access to chiral cyclic α‐aryl/alkyl β‐ketoesters containing an all‐carbon quaternary stereocenter. Under mild conditions, a variety of aryl‐ and alkyl‐substituted ketone groups reacted with α‐diazoester groups smoothly through an intramolecular addition/rearrangement process, producing the β‐ketoesters in high yield and enantiomeric excess.