Synthesis and antibacterial activity of four natural chalcones and their derivatives

Four natural chalcones bearing hydroxyisoprenyl or prenyl groups, named Paratocarpin E (2), Xanthoangelol D (3), Angusticornin A (4) and Kanzonol C (5), were prepared by employing the Claisen-Schmidt condensation as the key step. In an attempt to investigate the effect of the hydroxyisoprenyl group on biological activity, two of their derivatives were also prepared for antibacterial activity research. The synthesized compounds were investigated for their expected antibacterial activities against Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) as well as Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Paratocarpin E (2) was found to be the most potent against two Gram positive bacteria while the majority of the remaining compounds showed promising activity as well. However, all of the compounds were inactive against both Gram-negative bacteria.     

Synthesis,anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of 2-[4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid derivatives

The title compounds 3a–l have been synthesized by the reaction of thiocarbohydrazide with substituted phenoxy acetic acid to obtained substituted 1,2,4-triazoles (1). Compound 1 was treated with various substituted aromatic aldehydes which results in 4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazol-3(4H)-thiones (2a–g), further 2a–g is converted to 2-[4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3a–l) derivatives by the reaction with chloroacetic acid. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Among the series 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-(phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3d), 2-[4-(4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-(phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3e), 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3j) and 2-[5-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)]-4-(4-chlorobenzylideneamino)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3k) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with P < 0.001 (63.4%, 62.0%, 64.1% and 62.5% edema inhibition, respectively), as compared to the standard drug diclofenac (67.0%) after third hour respectively and also compounds 3j, 3k exhibited significant analgesic activity with P < 0.001 (55.9% and 54.9% protection, respectively) and less ulcerogenic activity as compared with standard drug aspirin (57.8%).     

Structural elucidation,antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of chemical composition from Jinsi Huangju (Chrysanthemum morifolium) flowers

Six new compounds (huangjusus A-F), including three caffeic acid glycosides (1–3), one quinic acid derivative (4), one dihydroflavone glycoside (11) and one monoterpene (31), together with thirty-eight known compounds (5–10, 12–30, 32–44), were obtained from “Jinsi Huangju” (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) flowers. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of the data obtained from different spectroscopic techniques. Among these compounds, five new (1–4 and 11) and ten known (5–9, 12, 13, 17, 40, and 42) compounds demonstrated significant 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging effects with IC₅₀ values of 4.22–19.90 μM. Furthermore, three new compounds (1, 11, and 31) and seven known compounds (13, 19, 21, 29, 30, 39, and 41) exhibited potent hepatoprotective activities against N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-induced toxicity in HepG2 cells with the cell survival rates of 61.53 %, 63.55 %, 60.01 %, 63.05 %, 59.75 %, 59.15 %, 61.07 %, 62.72 %, 58.86 %, and 58.76 % (positive control bicyclol, 58.41 %), respectively, at a concentration of 10 μM. These results indicate the potency of the flowers against radicals and in hepatoprotections.     

Spectroscopic,anti-bacterial,anti-cancer and molecular docking of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with (E)-4-((dimethylamino)methyl)-2-((4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)diazenyl)phenol ligand

New ligand (E)-4-((dimethylamino)methyl)-2-((4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)diazenyl)phenol (HDmazo) was prepared by the coupling reaction between 4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-amine and 4-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenol. Moreover, the [MCl₂(HDmazo)] and [M(HDmazo)₂] [M^II = Pd and Pt] were prepared using the direct reaction of equivalent molar of HDmazo and Na₂PdCl₄ or K₂PtCl₄. The HDmazo and its complexes were investigated by different spectroscopic techniques. In complexes (1–2) HDmazo ligand behaves as bidentate style through the nitrogen of azo group and nitrogen of thiazole ring towards Pd(II) and Pt(II). Or in a bidentate fashion via the oxygen atom of the hydroxylate group and nitrogen atom of azo group as mono-anion in complexes (3–4). Further, the study of biological activity against four pathogenic bacteria showed that compound (3) exhibited good activity compared to other compounds. Additional the anti-tumor action against A2870 cell lines was screened, and the complexes (1) and (2) displayed good activity with 7.45 ± 0.98 µM and 13.23 ± 1.43 µM, respectively. The binding mechanism of the prepared compounds with EGFR tyrosine kinase, was investigated using molecular docking experiments.     

Design,synthesis, antimicrobial evaluations and in silico studies of novel pyrazol-5(4H)-one and 1H-pyrazol-5-ol derivatives

A new series of 1,4-disubstituted 3-methylpyrazol-5(4H)-one derivatives were synthesized by reacting various substituted aromatic aldehydes with 3-methylpyrazol-5(4H)-one derivatives through Knoevenagel condensation by conventional as well as by exposure to microwave irradiations. After that newly synthesized compounds of 1,4-disubstituted 3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ol were prepared from these derivatives by reduction reaction of sodium borohydride at 0–5 °C. Sixty-four heterocyclic compounds containing a pyrazole moiety were synthesized with good to excellent yields (51 to 91%). Compounds (3d, 3m, 4a, 4b, 4d, and 4g) showed potent antibacterial activity against MSSA (Methicillin-susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus) and MRSA (Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus) with MIC (the minimum inhibitory concentration) ranging between 4 and 16 µg/mL as compared to ciprofloxacin (MIC = 8–16 µg/mL). Compounds (4a, 4h, 4i, and 4l) showed potent antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger with MIC ranging between 16 and 32 µg/mL as compared to fluconazole (MIC = 128 µg/mL). In particular, compound 4a exhibited the strongest activity among the synthesized compounds in both bacterial and fungal strains with MIC ranging between 4 and 16 µg/mL. Furthermore, the nine most active compounds showed a good ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profile in comparison to ciprofloxacin and fluconazole as reference drugs. Molecular docking predicted that DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase) protein from Staphylococcus aureus and NMT (N-myristoyl transferase) protein from Candida albicans are the most suitable targets for the antimicrobial activities of these potent compounds.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of Schiff bases and 2-azetidinones derived from quinazolin-4(3H)-one

A series of 2-oxo-azetidinyl-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones 5a–k have been synthesized from Schiff bases 4a–k. Schiff bases were synthesized by the condensation reaction of compound 3 with substituted aromatic aldehydes. The benzoxazinone 2 was prepared by the cyclization reaction of acid chloride 1 with 5-bromo anthranilic acid. Further reaction of benzoxazinone 2 with hydrazine hydrate yielded compound 3. The structures of the synthesized compounds were elucidated on the basis of elemental analyses as well as IR and NMR spectral data. Schiff bases 4a–k and 2-azetidinones 5a–k were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities in vitro. Compounds having chloro and methoxy groups exhibited good antimicrobial activity.     

Synthesis of thiazole clubbed pyrazole derivatives as apoptosis inducers and anti-infective agents

Fourteen N-[{(substituted-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-3-aryl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}methylene]-5-substituted-thiazol-2-amine (5a-n) analogs were synthesized by the reaction of 3-aryl-1-(thiazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde and substituted thiazole amines. The structures of prepared compounds were delineated by elemental analysis, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectra. These analogs were scrutinized for in vitro anti-infective and cytotoxic activities. Some thaizole clubbed pyrazole derivatives were assessed for their cytological changes in germ cells of Capra hircus by using histomorphological analysis, fluorescence assay and apoptosis quantification. Compound 5l having 4-NO₂ substituent induced the significant apoptosis in tested cells of Capra hircus. The results revealed that compounds 5c, 5e, 5k, and 5l have commendable antibacterial activity within MIC range of 62.5–250 μg/ml. Compound 5c emerged as a potent antimalarial compound by exhibiting IC₅₀ value of 0.23 μg/ml and compound 5j induced paralysis of Pherentima posthuma at 8.6 ± 1.94 min and death at 20 ± 5.04 min, respectively. Compound 5j revealed an excellent cytotoxicity at IC₅₀ value of 30.7 and < 10 μg/ml against MCF-7 and HeLa cells, respectively. Individually, compounds 5c, 5j and 5l could be considered as promising anti-infective and cytotoxic compounds.     

Palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions of (ArCH2)Ti(O-i-Pr)3 with aromatic or heteroaromatic bromides

Three benzyltitanium compounds of (ArCH₂)Ti(O-i-Pr)₃ (Ar = Ph (1a), 4-MeOC₆H₄ (1b), 4-FC₆H₄ (1c)) were prepared and used as benzyl nucleophiles for coupling reactions with aromatic or heteroaromatic bromides. The simple catalytic system of 1 mol % Pd(OAc)₂ and 2 mol % PCy₃ worked efficiently for a wide variety of aromatic bromides, producing diarylmethanes in good to excellent yields of up to 96%. Coupling reactions of hindered aromatic bromides or aromatic bromides containing electron-withdrawing substituents were slower over longer reaction times of 3–6 h. Reactions of heteroaromatic bromides of bromopyridines, bromofurans, or bromothiophenes with benzyl reagents of 1a or 1b required either longer reaction times of 12–24 h or a higher reaction temperature of 80 °C, producing pyridyl-, furyl-, and thienyl-arylmethanes in moderate yields.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of some novel thieno[2,3-c]pyridazines using 3-amino-5-phenyl-2-ethoxycarbonylthieno[2,3-c]pyridazine as a starting material

3-Amino-5-phenyl-2-ethoxycarbonylthieno[2,3-c]pyridazine (6) was prepared by reaction of 4-cyano-6-phenylpyridazine-3(2H)-thione (4) with ethyl chloroacetate in the presence of sodium ethoxide. Hydrazinolysis of compound 6 yielded the corresponding carbohydrazide, (9) which on treatment with acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate produced the novel thieno[2,3-c]pyridazines (10 and 11). Treatment of compound 9 with nitrous acid yielded the corresponding carboazide (13), which upon boiling in toluene furnished imidazo[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]pyridazine (15). Pyrimidothienopyridazines (16–18) were achieved by cyclocondensation of compound 9 with some reagents, namely acetic anhydride, formic acid, and triethyl orthoformate. The newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analyses and spectral data. The antibacterial activities of the new compounds were also evaluated.     

Design,synthesis of new novel quinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives incorporating hydrazone,hydrazine, and pyrazole moieties as antimicrobial potential with in-silico ADME and molecular docking simulation

A series of 6-(morpholinosulfonyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one based hydrazone, hydrazine, and pyrazole moieties were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. All the synthesized quinoxaline derivatives were characterized by IR, NMR (¹H /¹³C), and EI MS. The results displayed good to moderate antimicrobial potential against six bacterial, and two fungal standard strains. Among the tested derivatives, six quinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives 4a, 7, 8a, 11b, 13, and 16 exhibited a significant antibacterial activity with MIC values (0.97–62.5 µg/mL), and MBC values (1.94–88.8 µg/mL) compared with Tetracycline (MICs = 15.62–62.5 µg/mL, and MBCs = 18.74–93.75 µg/mL), and Amphotericin B (MICs = 12.49–88.8 µg/mL, and MFC = 34.62–65.62 µg/mL). In addition, according to CLSI standards, the most active quinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives demonstrated bactericidal and fungicidal behavior. Moreover, the most active quinoxaline derivatives showed a considerable antibacterial activity with bactericidal potential against multi-drug resistance bacteria (MDRB) strains with MIC values ranged between (1.95–15.62 µg/mL), and MBC values (3.31–31.25 µg/mL) near to standard Norfloxacin (MIC = 0.78–3.13 µg/mL, and MBC = 1.4–5.32 µg/mL. Further, in vitro S. aureus DNA gyrase inhibition activity were evaluated for the promising derivatives and displayed potency with IC₅₀ values (10.93 ± 1.81–26.18 ± 1.22 µM) compared with Ciprofloxacin (26.31 ± 1.64 µM). Interestingly, these derivatives revealed as good immunomodulatory agents by a percentage ranging between 82.8 ± 0.37 and 142.4 ± 0.98 %. Finally, some in silico ADME, toxicity prediction, and molecular docking simulation were performed and showed a promising safety profile with good binding mode.     

Composés á structure imidazopyridinyl-arylpropénone,nouveaux agents anti-infectieux potentiels

This paper describes the design by juxtaposition of anti-infectious moieties, a series of hybrid imidazopyridinyl-arylpropenone compounds. These compounds (5a–y) were synthesized by a crotonization reaction of 1-(2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)ethanone (3) with benzaldehyde derivatives (4). Spectral determination of structure of those compounds was performed by NMR and ESI mass spectroscopy. From the screening of antiparasitic and antimicrobial activities, the compound 5q (IC₅₀ = 1.52 μM) was identified for possible development against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The compounds 5n, 5s and 5w showed a veterinary interest due to their nematicidal activities (LC₁₀₀) against Haemonchus contortus from 7.1 to 1.5 nM. Against candidiasis, three other compounds (5e, 5g, 5v) inhibited drug-resistant strains of Candida albicans (MIQ = 1.25 to 0.31 μg). This study showed that the arylpropenone functional group vectorised by imidazopyridine could be considered as a new pharmacophore with potential anti-infectious activities.     

Preparation of various enantiomerically pure (benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols

(S)-(−)-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (S)-(−)-(benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols 7a–9a, 7b–9b and their (R)-(+)-acetates 10a–12a and 10b–12b were prepared in high enantiomeric excess via lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (Amano AK) catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b with vinyl acetate in tert-butyl methyl ether or toluene at 23 °C. The enantioselectivity of this transformation was dependent on the length of the alkyl chain with E-values ranging from 30 to 57. Several benzotriazole substituted ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b were synthesized from 1H-benzotriazole and corresponding haloketones. These compounds were stereoselectively reduced with Baker’s yeast in water or in organic solvent containing 5% v/v of water at 30 °C to give the (S)-(−)-alcohol. Better stereoselectivity was observed in the kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b (ee = 69–92% at 44–52% conversion) compared to reduction of corresponding prochiral ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b with Baker’s yeast (ee = 40–67% at 39–89% conversion). Enhanced enantioselectivities were observed at lower temperatures.     

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of some novel 2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives bearing urea,thiourea and sulphonamide functionalities

A variety of novel 2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives (1–29) bearing urea, thiourea and sulphonamide functionalities at position 3 of biological interest have been synthesized and screened for their anti-inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-6) and antimicrobial activities (antibacterial and antifungal). “Biological evaluation study revealed that the compounds 3, 4, 6, 9, 16 and 18 were found to have promising anti-inflammatory activity (up to 62–84% TNF-α and 73–92% IL-6 inhibitory activity) at concentration of 10 μM with reference to standard dexamethasone (75% TNF-α and 84% IL-6 inhibitory activities at 1 μM) and 7, 10, 12, 23, 25 and 28 have antimicrobial activity at MIC of 10–30 μg/mL against selected pathogenic bacteria and fungi.”     

Preparation of half-titanocenes of thiophene-fused trimethylcyclopentadienyl ligands and their ethylene copolymerization reactivity

Methylthiophene-fused or dimethylthiophene-fused trimethylcyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride complexes, (η⁵-Me₄RC₇S)TiCl₃ (R = Me or H), are prepared, from which a chloride ligand is replaced with 2,6-diisopropylphenoxy, di(tert-butyl)ketimide, or tri(tert-butyl)phosphinimide ligand to yield (η⁵-Me₄RC₇S)TiXCl₂ (11, R = Me, X = iPr₂C₆H₃O–; 12, R = H, X = iPr₂C₆H₃O–; 13, R = Me, X = tBu₂C = N–; 14, R = H, X = tBu₂C = N–; 15, R = Me, X = tBu₃P = N–; 16, R = H, X = tBu₃P = N–). The molecular structures of 11, 14, and 16 are confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The Cp(centroid)–Ti–N angles of 11, 14, and 16 (119.83°, 111.98°, and 125.34°, respectively) are significantly larger than the corresponding angle observed for the related thiophene-fused and tetrahydroquinaldine-linked cyclopentadienyl complex (1), [(η⁵-(Me₄C₇S)-(2-MeC₉H₉N-κN)]TiMe₂ (106.6°). The phenoxy complexes 11 and 12 show negligible activity, while the ketimido and phosphinimido complexes 13–16 exhibit good activities (5–20 × 10⁶ g/molTi h) for ethylene/1-octene copolymerization. The ketimido-complexes 13 and 14 are able to incorporate a high amount of 1-octene (15–16 mol%), while the phosphinimido-complexes 15 and 16 are not as capable (8 mol% 1-octene) under the identical polymerization conditions. The catalytic performance of 13–16 is inferior to 1 in terms of activity and comonomer incorporation.     

A facile synthesis of novel 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones using microwave heating

(Z)-5-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-oxoethylidene)-3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (7a–w) have been synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation reaction of 3-(aryl/alkyl-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (3a–d) with suitably substituted 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)2-oxoacetaldehydes (6a–g) under microwave conditions. The thioxothiazolidin-4-ones were prepared from the corresponding aryl/alkyl amines (1a–d) and di-(carboxymethyl)-trithiocarbonyl (2). The aldehydes (6a–g) were synthesized from the corresponding acid chlorides (5a–g) using HsnBu₃.     

Synthesis of some new 4-oxo-thiazolidines,tetrazole and triazole derived from 2-SH-benzothiazole and antimicrobial screening of some synthesized

A new heterocyclic derivative of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) comprising 4-oxothiazolidines, tetrazole and triazole, through the reaction of (MBT) with hydrazine hydrate obtained 2-hydrazobenothiazol (1), which was condensed with various aromatic aldehydes. Azomethine derivatives (2a–c) are converted into a number of 4-oxothiazolidines (3a–c) and tetrazole derivatives (4a–c), through the reaction of azomethine derivatives (2a–c) with mercaptoacetic acid and sodium azide, respectively. Also the reaction of compound (1) with triethylorthoformate and nitrous acid to produce the corresponding (triazole and tetrazole) benzothiazole (5,6) was reported.Triazole moieties reported condensation (MBT) with ethylbromo acetate and potassium hydroxide by the fusion method and resulted in ester-2-mercaptobenzothiazole (7), which was treated with hydrazine hydrate to give a hydrazine derivative (8), then converting these compounds (8) to phenyl semicarbazide (9) and phenyl thiosemicarbazide (10) derivatives. Cyclization compounds (9,10) in alkaline media (4 N·NaOH) gave triazoles compounds (11,12). Furthermore the compound (8) was converted to the dithiocarbazate salt (13) which was then cyclized with hydrazine hydrate to give substituted triazole (14). The prepared compounds were identified by spectral methods (FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR) and some of its physical properties were measured and furthermore the effects of the preparing compounds on some strains of bacteria were studied.     

Palladium complexes of P,P and P,S type bidentate ligands: Implication in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction

New palladium complexes of the type [PdCl₂(η²–P∩P)] (1a,1b) and [PdCl₂(η²–P∩S)] (1c,1d) have been synthesised by the reaction of PdCl₂ with P,P and P,S type bidentate ligands in 1:1 mol ratio, where, P∩P = 9,9–dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphanyl) xanthene {Xantphos}(a) or bis(2-diphenylphosphanylphenyl)ether{DPEphos}(b); P∩S = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenyl -phosphanyl) xanthenemonosulfide {Xantphos(S)}(c) or bis(2-diphenylphosphanyl phenyl) ether monosulfide {DPEphos(S)}(d). The complexes are characterized by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy together with the single crystal X-ray structure determination of 1a and 1d. The palladium atom in all the complexes occupies the centre of a slightly distorted square planar environment formed by a P atom, a P/S atom and two Cl atoms. The catalytic activities of 1a–1d investigated for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions at room temperature exhibit higher yield of the coupling products than catalysed by PdCl₂ itself. Among 1a–1d, the palladium complexes of bidentate phosphine (1a, 1b) show higher efficacy than their monosulfide analogues (1c, 1d). However, the recycling experiments with the catalysts for a selected coupling reaction between 4-bromobenzonitrile and phenylboronic acid exhibit that 1c and 1d are more efficient than 1a and 1b, which may be due to the donor effect of the P,S ligands during catalytic reaction.     

Palladium complexes of P,P and P,S type bidentate ligands: Implication in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction

New palladium complexes of the type [PdCl₂(η²–P∩P)] (1a,1b) and [PdCl₂(η²–P∩S)] (1c,1d) have been synthesised by the reaction of PdCl₂ with P,P and P,S type bidentate ligands in 1:1 mol ratio, where, P∩P = 9,9–dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphanyl) xanthene {Xantphos}(a) or bis(2-diphenylphosphanylphenyl)ether{DPEphos}(b); P∩S = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenyl -phosphanyl) xanthenemonosulfide {Xantphos(S)}(c) or bis(2-diphenylphosphanyl phenyl) ether monosulfide {DPEphos(S)}(d). The complexes are characterized by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy together with the single crystal X-ray structure determination of 1a and 1d. The palladium atom in all the complexes occupies the centre of a slightly distorted square planar environment formed by a P atom, a P/S atom and two Cl atoms. The catalytic activities of 1a–1d investigated for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions at room temperature exhibit higher yield of the coupling products than catalysed by PdCl₂ itself. Among 1a–1d, the palladium complexes of bidentate phosphine (1a, 1b) show higher efficacy than their monosulfide analogues (1c, 1d). However, the recycling experiments with the catalysts for a selected coupling reaction between 4-bromobenzonitrile and phenylboronic acid exhibit that 1c and 1d are more efficient than 1a and 1b, which may be due to the donor effect of the P,S ligands during catalytic reaction.     

Synthesis of the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-stereoisomers of the respective E- and Z-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoate using yeast whole cell bioreduction of the parent ketones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain DBM 2115, was successfully employed in the reduction of the separated Z- and E-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 1 and 2, in order to prepare the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-enantiomers of the corresponding ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 3–6. The products were obtained with the required absolute configuration: (1S,2S)-3 (ee = 98%; yield 48%), (1R,2S)-4 (ee = >99%; yield 45%), (1S,2S)-5 (ee = 98.5%; yield 47%), and (1R,2S)-6 (ee = >99%; chemical yield 44%).