Synergy in synthesis : Strategic consideration of metathesis and Suzuki–Miyaura (SM) cross‐coupling for C? C bond‐formation processes has opened up new and “green” synthetic routes to various complex targets. The use of this synergistic combination for the synthesis of supramolecular ligands, polyaromatic compounds, and complex natural products is covered in this Focus Review.
“ Quat's” the story? N‐Aryl amides are effective directing/activating groups for chlorosilane Lewis acids. This aspect has been exploited for the development of the first simple and general method for the highly enantioselective Pictet–Spengler reaction of ketimines derived from α‐ketoamides leading to quaternary α‐amino acid derivatives (see scheme).
Intelligent design : The total synthesis of the cytotoxic (?)‐FR182877 relies on 1) tandem Diels–Alder reactions to close rings A–D (see scheme), 2) a palladium‐mediated 7‐exo‐trig reaction, and 3) an iridium‐mediated isomerization followed by epimerization and stereoselective reduction.
Pass the salt, please! State‐of‐the‐art computations indicate that the stacking complex of a guanine quartet and an adenine quartet (G4A4) can function as a potent ditopic receptor for NaCl in aqueous solution (see picture; Na+, Cl? yellow, O red, N blue, C black, H white).
Inorganic enzyme? Ceria nanoparticles exhibit unique oxidase‐like activity at acidic pH values. These redox catalysts can be used in immunoassays (ELISA) when modified with targeting ligands (see picture; light blue and yellow structures are nanoparticles with attached ligands). This modification allows both for binding and for detection by the catalytic oxidation of sensitive colorimetric dyes (e.g. TMB).
Simple addition : Copper(II) aqua complex 1 can be prepared in a one‐pot synthesis and is self‐assembled by H‐bond interactions. Complex 1 is shown to accelerate the nitroaldol reaction on water, which is a heterogeneous process, requiring no additive or base, and 1 can be recycled without loss of activity.
Unstable? We're able! 1,n‐Glycols serve as synthetic equivalents to unstable dialdehydes in two‐directional carbonyl allylation from the alcohol oxidation level under iridium‐catalyzed transfer hydrogenation conditions. Iterative asymmetric allylation employing 1,3‐propanediol enables the rapid assembly of protected 1,3‐polyol substructures with exceptional levels of stereocontrol.
Tea time! Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) could be readily prepared by a general strategy involving the reduction of aqueous HAuCl4 in the presence of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Spheroidal and triangular gold nanoparticles were observed depending on the TCM used. The strategy exemplified the universal application of plant bioresources for the synthesis of GNPs and catalytic purposes.
As simple as it gets! Potassium tert‐butoxide alone catalyzes the direct dehydrogenative Si? O coupling of several synthetically important silanes with 1°, 2°, and even 3° alcohols without the need for stoichiometric hydrochloric acid scavengers. The stereoretentive mechanism is probed with a silicon‐stereogenic silane.
Playing the sax : The enantioselective total syntheses of (?)‐ and (+)‐decarbamoyloxysaxitoxin (doSTX) and (+)‐saxitoxin (STX) are reported. A new methodology was developed for the synthesis of STXs, featuring discriminative reduction of the nitro group and N? O bond in nitroisoxazolidine.
Indoles are not indolent : Various indoles react with arylboronic acids chemodivergently. C? H arylation of free indole and N‐methylindole gives the corresponding C(2)‐arylated indoles A whereas N‐acylated, N‐benzoylated, and N‐Boc‐protected indoles provide the corresponding arylcarboaminoxylated products B with excellent diastereoselectivity in good to excellent yields.
“My first experiment was preparation of proline‐derived chiral ligands for asymmetric alkylation. My favorite subjects at school were history and English…?.” This and more about Keisuke Suzuki can be found on page 2635.
Three attractions in one cage : Various magnetic networks are formed in the three polymorphs of an organic magnet, BBTDA(=benzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d′]bis[1,3,2]dithiazole)?GaBr4. The three phases show quite different magnetic behaviors in spite of having the same chemical formula. Their magnetic differences originate from the relative configuration of the neighboring organic radical molecules in their crystals.
Eines der Haupttoxine bei Fischvergiftungen, das Ciguatoxin (siehe Struktur), war Ziel einer Totalsynthese. Der Syntheseweg beruht auf der Kupplung dreier Segmente, und die Schlüsselumwandlungen umfassen eine Komplexbildung zwischen Acetylen und Dicobalthexacarbonyl.
Chalcogen‐transfer reagents? The bonding in the dicationic rings C2N2E2+ (see picture) differs from that in N‐heterocyclic carbenes and their isovalent p‐block analogues in accommodating a lone pair of electrons with π symmetry, as well as σ symmetry, on the chalcogen center. The labile electrophilic chalcogenium dications (E2+) are potentially versatile chalcogen‐transfer reagents in reactions with a variety of inorganic and organic substrates.
Always on the move : Molecular dynamics of perylene cores in columnar structures influences the processability and self‐healing of these materials. A combination of X‐ray scattering and advanced solid‐state NMR methods show that these systems have restricted angular mobility of the cores even in the frozen phase, and a cooperative spiral type of motion in the liquid crystalline phase (see picture).
