Quinoline and ferrocene conjugates: Synthesis,computational study and biological evaluations

Novel O‐alkylated quinoline and N‐alkylated 4‐quinolone derivatives attached to the ferrocene moiety through 4,1‐ ( 7a–d , 8a–d and 12a–d ) and 1,4‐disubstituted ( 9a , 9b , 10a and 10b ) 1,2,3‐triazole moiety were synthesized. The observed regioselectivity of O‐ vs. N‐alkylation was explored by the use of NMR and computational techniques. Among the N‐alkylated derivatives, the quinolone‐ferrocene conjugate 9a displayed marked activities against chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis (K562) and Burkitt lymphoma (Raji). The 6‐chloroquinolone‐ferrocene conjugate 12c , with selective inhibitory activity on Raji cells and no cytostatic effect on normal MDCK1 cells was highlighted as the most promising anticancer organometallic complex in a group of O‐alkylated quinolines.     

Synthesis and Application of Tetraphosphane Ligands in Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydroformylation of Terminal Olefins: High Regioselectivity at High Temperature

A new class of substituted tetraphosphane ligands has been developed and applied in the rhodium‐catalyzed regioselective hydroformylation of terminal olefins. The high regioselectivity (linear selectivity is above 97 % for 1‐octene and 1‐hexene) at high temperature (140 °C) shown by these tetraphosphane ligands is remarkable considering the low regioselectivity commonly observed under similar reaction conditions when other bisphosphane analogues are used. The steric and electronic effects of substituents on the diarylphosphane moiety have also been examined.     

Iodine-catalyzed allylation and propargylation of indoles with allylic and propargylic acetates

A mild and efficient allylation/propargylation of indoles has been developed with high regioselectivity and excellent yields. In the presence of catalytic molecular iodine, various indoles could react with allylic/propargylic acetates smoothly at room temperature to exclusively provide C-3 alkylated products.     

Synthesis of novel quaternary amino acids using molybdenum-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

The Mo-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation using azlactones provides extraordinary levels of selectivity. Thus, a wide range of cinnamyl-type substrates react with 2-methyl and 2-benzyl azlactones to give only the product resulting from attack at the more substituted carbon. Using other alkyl substituents such as 2-methylthioethyl, isobutyl, allyl, and isopropyl provides products that still retain excellent regioselectivity but small quantities of the linear product are also observed. In all cases, excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity of the branched alkylated product are observed. This new asymmetric reaction provides ready access to unusual quarternary amino acids, important building blocks for biological applications. The reactions complements the Pd AAA wherein the cinnamyl substrate leads to only the product of attack at the primary terminus of the allyl moiety.     

Regioselectivity in the nitration of dialkoxybenzenes

Dinitrodialkoxybenzene derivatives are important precursors for Schiff base macrocycles and a variety of other molecules. During our investigations, we have found that the dinitration reaction of 1,2-dialkoxybenzenes proceeds with unusual regioselectivity, giving exclusively the desired 1,2-dialkoxy-4,5-dinitrobenzene product, but we have been unable to find a good explanation for this result. The dinitration of 1,4-dialkoxybenzene derivatives also exhibits surprising regioselectivity that has hitherto been left unexplained. Herein, we report a detailed DFT analysis of the regioselective dinitration of both 1,2- and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene. These results show that the reaction mechanism likely involves a single electron transfer (SET) process. In the case of the former isomer, the regioselectivity is mainly determined by the symmetry of the HOMO of the aromatic moiety that defines the structure of the SHOMO of the aromatic radical cation formed by the SET process. In the case of the latter isomer, the selectivity is due mainly to solvation effects and may thus be altered depending on the solvent environment. Synthetic studies of the nitration of 1,4-dialkoxybenzene derivatives using different solvent conditions support this conclusion and provide practical information for tuning the regioselectivity of the reaction.     

Bronsted acid catalysis of achiral enamine for regio- and enantioselective nitroso aldol synthesis

Two types of chiral Br?nsted acid catalysts have been shown to catalyze regio- and enantioselective nitroso aldol synthesis between nitrosobenzene and achiral enamine. The combination of Br?nsted acidity and amine moiety of enamine realizes complete regioselectivity with high enantioselectivity. After a survey of Br?nsted acid catalysts, 1-naphthyl glycolic acid is found to be optimal in the O-nitroso aldol pathway, while 1-naphthyl TADDOL is the best catalyst for the N-nitroso aldol pathway. This is based on our finding on the control of regioselectivity by changing the amine moiety of enamine and the choice of Br?nsted acidity.     

Effects of Active‐Site Modification and Quaternary Structure on the Regioselectivity of Catechol‐O‐Methyltransferase

Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT), an important therapeutic target in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, is also being developed for biocatalytic processes, including vanillin production, although lack of regioselectivity has precluded its more widespread application. By using structural and mechanistic information, regiocomplementary COMT variants were engineered that deliver either meta‐ or para‐methylated catechols. X‐ray crystallography further revealed how the active‐site residues and quaternary structure govern regioselectivity. Finally, analogues of AdoMet are accepted by the regiocomplementary COMT mutants and can be used to prepare alkylated catechols, including ethyl vanillin.     

Palladium-catalyzed regioselective cascade reaction of carbon dioxide,amines and allenes for the synthesis of functionalized carbamates

A palladium-catalyzed regioselective three-component cascade reaction of carbon dioxide,amines and allenes has been developed,providing an expedient and practical method for the construction of a range of functionalized carbamates containing dihydrobenzofuran or indole moiety in moderate to excellent yields.The broad substrate scope,good functional group tolerance and excellent chemo-and regioselectivity are the features of the transformation.     

Designing the Molybdopterin Core through Regioselective Coupling of Building Blocks

Molybdopterin is an essential cofactor for all forms of life. The cofactor is composed of a pterin moiety appended to a dithiolene‐functionalized pyran ring, and through the dithiolene moiety it binds metal ions. Different synthetic strategies for dithiolene‐functionalized pyran precursors that have been designed and synthesized are discussed. These precursors also harbor 1,2‐diketone or osone functionality that has been condensed with 1,2‐diaminobenzene or other heterocycles resulting in several quinoxaline or pterin derivatives. Use of additives improves the regioselectivity of the complexes. The molecules have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopies, as well as by mass spectrometry. In addition, several compounds have been crystallographically characterized. The geometries of the synthesized molecules are more planar than the geometry of the cofactor found in proteins.     

Ligand-Controlled Nickel-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Cross-Electrophile Alkyl-Alkyl Couplings of Alkyl Halides

Functionalizing specific positions on a saturated alkyl molecule is a key challenge in synthetic chemistry. Herein, a ligand-controlled regiodivergent alkylations of alkyl bromides at different positions by Ni-catalyzed alkyl-alkyl cross-electrophile coupling with the second alkyl bromides has been developed. The reaction undergoes site-selective isomerization on one alkyl bromides in a controlled manner, providing switchable access to diverse alkylated structures at different sites of alkyl bromides. The reaction occurs at three similar positions with excellent chemo- and regioselectivity, representing a remarkable ligand tuned reactivity between alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling and nickel migration along the hydrocarbon side chain. This reaction offers a catalytic platform to diverse saturated architectures by alkyl-alkyl bond-formation from identical starting materials.     

A simple one-pot synthesis of triflyl guanidines: access to highly substituted electron-poor guanidines

Unsymmetrical di- and trisubstituted triflyl guanidines are accessed through a simple, one-pot protocol from the corresponding isothiocyanate and amine. Furthermore, in the presence of base, trisubstituted triflyl guanidines are alkylated to obtain tetrasubstituted triflyl guanidines in high yields and complete regioselectivity.     

Regioselective 1,4-trifluoromethylation of α,β-enones using ‘protect-in-situ’ methodology

In a convenient and efficient procedure, the nucleophilic 1,4-trifluoromethylation of several α,β-enones using (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane was achieved. The high regioselectivity of the reaction has been reached by blocking the carbonyl moiety of the electrophile with a bulky aluminum-centered Lewis acid.     

Highly regioselective hydroformylation of 1,5-hexadiene to linear dialdehyde catalyzed by rhodium complexes with tetraphosphorus ligands

Rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1,5-hexadiene to corresponding dialdehydes was investigated using tetraphosphorus ligands. These ligands showed a high regioselectivity for linear aldehydes (linear to branch ratio up to 98%) in very good yield (up to 87%). It was found that the introduction of the substituents at the ortho position of the biphenyl moiety has little effect on the regioselectivity and the electron-donating substituents retard the reaction somewhat.     

Type-Two intramolecular diels-alder reactions of pyrazolo-o-quinodimethanes

Two isomeric series of homologous N-(acryloyloxy)alkylated pyrazolo-3-sulfolenes 10a-c and 18a-c have been efficiently synthesized from a common starting material, 4,6-dihydro-1H-thieno[3, 4-c]pyrazole (5). Thermolysis of these fused 3-sulfolenes provides the corresponding o-quinodimethanes which simultaneously undergo "type-two" intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions to form two- and three-atom-bridged tricyclic pyrazoles which are otherwise difficult to prepare. It was also demostrated that, depending on the N-substitution position of the pyrazolo-fused 3-sulfolenes, the temperature required for the thermal extrusion of SO(2) and the regioselectivity of the T2-IMDA reactions were influenced substantially.     

Regioselectivity studies of sydnone cycloaddition reactions of azine-substituted alkynes

The synthesis of azine-substituted pyrazoles by a sydnone cycloaddition strategy is described. Incorporation of a 3-pyridyl moiety at the sydnone N-atom has little effect on either reactivity or regioselectivity, however, 2-ethynyl-pyridine and -pyrimidine undergo cycloaddition with surprisingly poor levels of regiocontrol. A rationale for the observed regiochemical trends and potential routes for improving selectivities are discussed.     

Ruthenium-catalysed linear-selective allylic alkylation of allyl acetates

The regioselectivity in the ruthenium-catalysed allylic alkylation of mono substituted allyl acetates with the malonate anion was highly controlled by Ru3(CO)12 with 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid, and the linear-type alkylated product was obtained.     

First functionalization by metallation of the pyridine moiety of 4-methoxypyridopyrimidines. Diazines: Part 38

Starting from pyridopyrimidin-4(3H)-ones, a general synthetic route leading to 4-methoxypyridopyrimidines is described. The first lithiation and functionalization of the pyridine moiety has been studied. According to various structural parameters, the regioselectivity of the metallation is discussed. The functionalization of the 4-methoxypyridopyrimidines via the metallation reaction, provides an efficient process to access new substituted pyridopyrimidines.     

Diastereoselective alkylations of oxazolidinone vinylogous glycolates

A highly Z-selective isomerization (double bond migration) was observed when oxazolidinone vinylogous glycolate was exposed to a strong base to give N-acyl oxazolidinone, bearing an electron rich olefin. The corresponding enolate was exposed to alkyl halides to provide alkylated compounds on the γ-position with respect to OBn group, with high regioselectivity and moderate diastereoselectivity. However, the nature of the chiral oxazolidinone leads to a significant increase in the reaction diastereoselectivity. A stereospecific formation of cis-olefin was also observed in these alkylated compounds.     

Stereoselective Triplet‐Sensitised Radical Reactions of Furanone Derivatives

The stereo‐ and regioselectivity of triplet‐sensitised radical reactions of furanone derivatives have been investigated. Furanones 7 a , b were excited to the ³ππ* state by triplet energy transfer from acetone. Intramolecular hydrogen abstraction then occurred such that hydrogen was transferred from the tetrahydropyran to the β position of the furanone moiety. Radical combination of the tetrahydropyranyl and the oxoallyl radicals led to the final products 8 a , b . In the intramolecular reaction, overall, a pyranyl group adds to the α position of the furanone. The effect of conformation was first investigated with compounds 9 a , b carrying an additional substituent on the tether between the furanone and pyranyl moiety. Further information on the effect of conformation and the relative configuration at the pyranyl anomeric centre and the furanone moiety was obtained from the transformations of the glucose derivatives 12 , 14 , 17 and 18 . Radical abstraction occurred at the anomeric centre and at the 5′‐position of the glucosyl moiety. Computational studies of the hydrogen‐abstraction step were carried out with model structures. The activation barriers of this step for different stereoisomers and the abstraction at the anomeric centre and at the 6‘‐position of the tetrahydropyranyl moiety were calculated. The results of this investigation are in accordance with experimental observations. Furthermore, they reveal that the reactivity and regioselectivity are mainly determined in the hydrogen‐abstraction step. Intramolecular hydrogen abstraction (almost simultaneous electron and proton transfer) in ³ππ* excited furanones only takes place under restricted structural conditions in a limited number of conformations that are defined by the relative configuration of the substrates. It is observed that in the biradical intermediate, back‐hydrogen transfer occurs leading to the starting compound. In the case of glucose derivatives, this reaction led to epimerisation at the anomeric centre.     

Gold-catalyzed approach to multisubstituted fulvenes via cycloisomerization of furan/ynes

A new approach to functionalized fulvenes with an enone or enal moiety has been developed through gold-catalyzed intramolecular cycloisomerization of furan/ynes with a two-carbon tether in between the furan and the triple bond. The reaction proceeds with complete regioselectivity via a 6-endo-cyclization and high stereoselectivity. Moreover, the E- or Z-stereochemistry of the double bond in fulvene products can be easily controlled by performing the reaction in different solvents.