PTSA catalyzed synthesis of functionalized dipyrazolo[1,5]diazocine-3,8-diones via the reaction of 3-aminopyrazolone with benzaldehyde derivatives

A simple procedure for the synthesis of dipyrazolo[1,5]diazocine-3,8-diones was developed via the one-pot reaction of 3-aminopyrazolone with substituted benzaldehydes in the presence of catalytic p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA).     

Synthesis of pseudopeptidic [(5H)-6-oxodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-5-yl]arylglycinamides by an Ugi 4CC/Staudinger/aza-Wittig sequence

Sequential Ugi reaction between p-substituted benzaldehydes, 2-acetyl or 2-benzoylanilines, cyclohexyl or benzyl isocyanides, and 2-azidobenzoic acid, followed by a Staudinger/aza-Wittig cyclization in the presence of triphenylphosphine afforded pseudopeptidic [(5H)-6-oxodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-5-yl]arylglycinamides.     

Light-Controlled Destruction and Assembly: Switching between Two Differently Composed Cage-Type Complexes

We report on two regioisomeric, diazocine ligands 1 and 2 that can both be photoswitched between the E- and Z-configurations with violet and green light. The self-assembly of the four species ( 1 -Z, 1 -E, 2 -Z, 2 -E) with Co^II ions was investigated upon changing the coordination vectors as a function of the ligand configuration (E vs Z) and regioisomer ( 1 vs 2 ). With 1 -Z, Co₂( 1 -Z)₃ was self-assembled, while a mixture of ill-defined species (oligomers) was observed with 2 -Z. Upon photoswitching with 385 nm to the E configurations, the opposite was observed with 1 -E forming oligomers and 2 -E forming Co₂( 2 -E)₃. Light-controlled dis/assembly was demonstrated in a ligand competition experiment with sub-stoichiometric amounts of Co^II ions; alternating irradiation with violet and green light resulted in the reversible transformation between Co₂( 1 -Z)₃ and Co₂( 2 -E)₃ over multiple cycles without significant fatigue by photoswitching.     

Dilactams. Synthesis of nonsymmetrical dibenzodiazocinediones

We report the first examples of nonsymmetrical dibenzodiazocinediones, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-substituted in the aromatic rings including a benzo pyridino diazocine, by a new short method without the requirement of protection. The procedure involves conversion of an anthranilic acid to its sulfinamide lactone followed by direct heating with a different N-alkylanthranilic acid.     

Sign Inversion in Photopharmacology: Incorporation of Cyclic Azobenzenes in Photoswitchable Potassium Channel Blockers and Openers

Photopharmacology relies on ligands that change their pharmacodynamics upon photoisomerization. Many of these ligands are azobenzenes that are thermodynamically more stable in their elongated trans‐configuration. Often, they are biologically active in this form and lose activity upon irradiation and photoisomerization to their cis‐isomer. Recently, cyclic azobenzenes, so‐called diazocines, have emerged, which are thermodynamically more stable in their bent cis‐form. Incorporation of these switches into a variety of photopharmaceuticals could convert dark‐active ligands into dark‐inactive ligands, which is preferred in most biological applications. This “pharmacological sign‐inversion” is demonstrated for a photochromic blocker of voltage‐gated potassium channels, termed CAL, and a photochromic opener of G protein‐coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels, termed CLOGO.