Dearomatization of Electron‐Deficient Phenols to ortho‐Quinones: Bidentate Nitrogen‐Ligated Iodine(V) Reagents

Despite their broad utility, the synthesis of ortho‐quinones remains a significant challenge, in particular, access to electron‐deficient derivatives remains an unsolved problem. Reported here is the first general method for the synthesis of electron‐deficient ortho‐quinones by direct oxidation of phenols. The reaction is enabled by a novel bidentate nitrogen‐ligated iodine(V) reagent, a previously unexplored class of compounds which we have termed Bi(N)‐HVIs. The reaction is extremely general and proceeds with excellent regioselectivity for the ortho over para isomer. Functionalization of the ortho‐quinone products was examined, resulting in a facile one‐pot synthesis of catechols, as well as the incorporation of a variety of heteroatom nucleophiles. This method represents the first synthetic application of Bi(N)‐HVIs and demonstrates their potential as a platform for the further development of highly reactive, but also highly tunable, I(V) reagents.     

Simultaneous analysis of catechol‐O‐methyl transferase activity,S‐adenosylhomocysteine and adenosine

Novel HPLC method utilizing UV‐detection was developed to analyse catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) products, vanillic acid and isovanillic acid, S‐adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and adenosine formed from dihydroxybenzoic acid and S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine (SAM) by incubation of the rat tissues. Entacapone, a COMT inhibitor, prevented the formation of SAH only partially in the striatal homogenate whereas in the kidney homogenate the increase of SAH was prevented by entacapone. In conclusion, this method was reliable, rapid and simple. COMT seemed to be partially responsible on the SAM utilizing methylations in the striatal homogenates while in the high COMT activity tissue, COMT was the main SAH producing methyltransferase. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

水相中5-（嘌呤-6-巯基）邻苯二酚衍生物的电化学合成

本文报道了6-巯基嘌呤存在时在水相中通过阳极氧化邻苯二酚来电化学合成5-(嘌呤-6-巯基)邻苯二酚衍生物。循环伏安法和控制电位电解的结果表明该类化合物的形成为EC过程,即邻苯二酚衍生物原料先是被电化学氧化成对应的邻苯醌衍生物,该醌非常活泼,进一步与6-巯基嘌呤发生迈克尔加成反应,原位转化生成化合物3a-3d。该工作进一步证明了水相中邻苯醌衍生物的电化学合成与原位转化是合成邻苯二酚衍生物的重要方法。     

An efficient conversion of catechols into 6H‐benzofuro[3,2‐c][1]‐benzopyran‐6‐one derivatives

Coupling of in‐situ generated o‐benzoquinones with 4‐hydroxycoumarin as a nucleophile has been studied in the presence of potassium ferricyanide as an oxidizing agent in aqueous solution. The results indicate that the quinones derived from catechols, participate in Michael addition reactions with 4‐hydroxycoumarin to form the 6H‐benzofuro[3,2‐c][1]benzopyran‐6‐one derivatives.     

One‐pot Regioselective Synthesis of Novel 1‐N‐Methyl‐spiro[2,3′]oxindole‐spiro[3,3″]‐1″‐N‐arylpyrrolidine‐2″,5″‐dione‐4‐arylpyrrolidines through Multicomponent 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction of Azomethine Ylide

An atom economic and facile synthesis of novel dispiro–oxindole–pyrrolidines has been achieved via a three‐component tandem cycloaddition of azomethine ylide generated in situ from isatin and sarcosine by decarboxylative condensation with N‐aryl‐3‐benzylidene‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione derivatives as dipolarophiles. The salient features of synthetic procedure are characterized by the mild reaction conditions, high yields, high regioselectivity and stereoselectivity, one‐pot procedure, and operational simplicity. This regioselectivity was assumed to be under the influence of π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings of azomethine ylide and N‐aryl‐3‐benzylidene‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐diones that further control the exo–endo selectivity of the reaction 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition. The regiochemistry and structures of the cycloadducts were determined with spectroscopic data.     

Homology Modeling and Molecular Docking Studies of (S)‐Scoulerine 9‐O‐Methyltransferase from Coptis chinensis

(S)‐Scoulerine 9‐O‐methyltransferase (SMT), belonging to the S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine (SAM)‐dependent O‐methyltransferase family, is an essential enzyme in the berberine biosynthetic pathways. In order to study the interactions of SMT with its substrate and further to understand the catalytic mechanism and substrate specificity, a three dimensional model of SMT from Coptis chinensis was constructed by homology modeling using the crystal structure of caffeic acid/5‐hydroxyferulic acid 3/5‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) as a template. The three dimensional structure of SMT, which was mainly composed of α‐helices and some β‐sheets, was similar to that of COMT. In contrast with COMT, the non‐conserved residues in the substrate binding pocket of SMT might be responsible for their differences in the substrate specificity. Val119 and Asp254 in SMT were the key residues for orienting substrate for methylation as both residues had H‐bonds with (S)‐scoulerine. The methylation of (S)‐scoulerine involved deprotonation of the 9‐hydroxyl group by His253 and Asp254 in SMT followed by a nucleophilic attack on the SAM‐methyl resulting in the product, (S)‐tetrahydrocolumbamine.     

Chemical and Electrochemical Syntheses of Benzo[b](1,4)‐diazepine‐7,8‐diones

Electrochemical and chemical syntheses of benzodiazepinediones were carried out from the reaction of catechols with N,N′‐dialkylproylenediamine in aqueous solution at room temperature, using CV and controlled‐potential coulometry with K₃Fe(CN)₆ as an oxidant.     

Diastereo‐ and Regioselective Addition of Thioamide Dianions to Imines and Aziridines: Synthesis of N‐Thioacyl‐1,2‐diamines and N‐Thioacyl‐1,3‐diamines

Addition reactions of thioamide dianions that were derived from N‐arylmethyl thioamides to imines and aziridines were carried out. The reactions of imines gave the addition products of N‐thioacyl‐1,2‐diamines in a highly diastereoselective manner in good‐to‐excellent yields. The diastereomeric purity of these N‐thioacyl‐1,2‐diamines could be enriched by simple recrystallization. The reduction of N‐thioacyl‐1,2‐diamines with LiAlH₄ gave their corresponding 1,2‐diamines in moderate‐to‐good yields with retention of their stereochemistry. The oxidative‐desulfurization/cyclization of an N‐thioacyl‐1,2‐diamine in CuCl₂/O₂ and I₂/pyridine systems gave the cyclized product in moderate yield and the trans isomer was obtained as the sole product. On the other hand, a similar cyclization reaction with antiformin (aq. NaClO) as an oxidant gave the cis isomer as the major product. The reactions of N‐tosylaziridines gave the addition products of N‐thioacyl‐1,3‐diamines with low diastereoselectivity but high regioselectivity and in good‐to‐excellent yields. The use of AlMe₃ as an additive improved the efficiency and regioselectivity of the reaction. The stereochemistry of the obtained products was determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

Ultrasound‐Assisted Wittig Reaction: A Short,Efficient Synthesis of 2‐Methoxy‐6‐Alkyl‐1,4‐Benzoquinones

A short, efficient synthesis of 2‐methoxy‐6‐alkyl‐1,4‐benzoquinones is described. Ultrasound‐assisted Wittig reaction of alkyltriphenyl phosphonium bromides with o‐vanillin in basic aqueous conditions followed by reduction with Na/n‐BuOH gave 2‐methoxy‐6‐alkylphenols. Oxidation of 2‐methoxy‐6‐alkylphenols with Fremy's salt produced the title compounds.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylative Annulation of 1‐Hydroxy‐o‐Carborane and Internal Alkynes via Regioselective B‐H Activation

A Pd‐catalyzed three‐component carbonylative‐annulation of 1‐hydroxy‐o‐carborane, internal alkyne and carbon monoxide has been achieved via direct and regioselective cage B?H activation. A class of C,B‐substituted carborano‐coumarin derivatives with potential applications in pharmaceuticals were facilely prepared in moderate to high yields with excellent chemoselectivity and regioselectivity. A plausible reaction mechanism including CO insertion, electrophilic B?H metalation, alkyne insertion and reductive elimination was proposed.     

Regioselective Arylation and Alkynylation of 2,3‐Dibromo‐1H‐inden‐1‐one by Suzuki?Miyaura and Sonogashira Cross‐Coupling Reactions

Suzuki? Miyaura reactions of 2,3‐dibromo‐1H‐inden‐1‐one afforded a wide range of arylated 1H‐inden‐1‐ones. Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions gave alkynylated indenones. The reactions proceeded with very good regioselectivity in the less sterically hindered and more electron‐deficient position 3.     

Application of Functionalized N,S‐Ketene Acetals–Microwave‐Assisted Three‐Component Domino Reaction for Rapid Direct Access to Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines

Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines have been successfully synthesized in moderate to good yields via a tandem three‐component reaction of ethyl 2‐(3‐oxo‐3‐arylpropanethioamido)acetates with aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile by means of microwave irradiation using DABCO as the catalyst. The advantages of this method including high chemo‐ and regioselectivity make this new strategy highly attractive.     

Reactions of 4,5‐Dihydro‐1,4‐Benzothiazepin‐3(2H)‐one 1,1‐Dioxide and 1,5‐Dihydro‐4,1‐Benzothiazepin‐2(3H)‐one 4,4‐Dioxide Derivatives with Vilsmeier Reagent and DMFDMA

The regioselectivity of the interaction between isomeric 4,5‐dihydro‐1,4‐benzothiazepin‐3(2H)‐one 1,1‐dioxide and 1,5‐dihydro‐4,1‐benzothiazepin‐2(3H)‐one 4,4‐dioxide derivatives with the Vilsmeier reagent and DMFDMA (N,N‐dimethylformamide dimethylacetal) has been investigated. The structures of synthesized compounds are confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis, and X‐ray data.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed trans‐Selective Hydrostannation of Alkynes

In contrast to all other transition‐metal‐catalyzed hydrostannation reactions documented in the literature, the addition of Bu₃SnH across various types of alkynes proceeds with excellent trans selectivity, provided the reaction is catalyzed by [Cp*Ru]‐based complexes. This method is distinguished by a broad substrate scope and a remarkable compatibility with functional groups, including various substituents that would neither survive under the conditions of established Lewis acid mediated trans hydrostannations nor withstand free‐radical reactions. In case of unsymmetrical alkynes, a cooperative effect between the proper catalyst and protic functionality in the substrate allows outstanding levels of regioselectivity to be secured as well.     

First Total Synthesis of 9‐Hydroxy‐8H‐pyrano[3,2‐f]indol‐2‐one

A simple and efficient approach to synthesize a novel pyrrolocoumarin 9‐hydroxy‐8H‐pyrano[3,2‐f]indol‐2‐one ( 7 ) has been described. Starting from vanillin, the key intermediate 7‐methoxy‐1H‐indol‐6‐yl propiolate ( 6 ) was synthesized in six steps. Then, the target compound was obtained by forming pyrone‐ring and demethylation simultaneously in one step. A plausible mechanism invoking PtCl₄ catalyzed one‐step reaction of cyclization and demethylation was also presented.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Dispiro[oxindole‐3,3′‐pyrrolidines] by Three‐Component [3+2] Cycloadditions of in situ‐Generated Azomethine Ylides with 3‐Benzylidene‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indol‐2‐ones

An efficient one‐pot, three‐component synthesis of novel dispiro[oxindole‐3,3′‐pyrrolidines] by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides, in situ generated by reaction of 1,2‐diones with sarcosine and subsequent decarboxylation, with a series of (E)‐3‐benzylidene‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indol‐2‐ones is reported. Molecular complexity is generated in only one synthetic step. All reactions proceed with excellent regioselectivity and in good‐to‐excellent yields. The workup is easy, the reaction times are short, and no catalyst is required.     

5‐exo versus 6‐endo Thiyl‐Radical Cyclizations in Organic Synthesis

Since the discovery of the radical mediated thiol‐ene and thiol‐yne reactions, these reactions have been employed in an intramolecular manner for the synthesis of sulfur‐containing heterocycles. Although closely related on a mechanistic basis, the thiol‐ene and thiol‐yne cyclization can differ greatly in regioselectivity and product distribution, with the thiol‐ene process being more predictable and thus attracting greater utilization. Herein, we review intramolecular thiyl‐radical addition reactions and the factors leading to the observed regioselectivity in examples in which both the 5‐exo and 6‐endo mode of cyclization are feasible. We highlight the applications of these important reactions for organic synthesis in the recent literature.     

Preparation and Recognition Properties of Vanillin‐Imprinted Polymers

Some new molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared by different protocols involving vanillin as the imprinted molecule, methacrylic acid (= 2‐methylprop‐2‐enoic acid; MAA) as the functional monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA = 2‐methylprop‐2‐enoic acid ethane‐1,2‐diyl ester) as the cross‐linking agent. The adsorption property of the imprinted polymers was studied by UV spectrophotometry and HPLC. The results indicated that the porogen solvent had a certain influence on the adsorption performance of the polymer. The vanillin‐imprinted polymer MIP₁ prepared with MeOH as porogen, exhibited advantageous characteristics, i.e., a high binding activity, a good selectivity, and a rapid adsorption equilibrium. The binding parameters studied by Scatchard analysis established that there are two types of binding sites in MIP₁. Finally, by packing an SPE column (SPE = solid‐phase extraction) with the polymer MIP₁, the vanillin was separated and enriched successfully by this sorbent from the samples of Vanilla fragrans and beer.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Hydrocarbazoles Catalyzed by an Octahedral Chiral‐at‐Rhodium Lewis Acid

A bis‐cyclometalated chiral‐at‐metal rhodium complex catalyzes the Diels–Alder reaction between N‐Boc‐protected 3‐vinylindoles (Boc=tert‐butyloxycarbonyl) and β‐carboxylic ester‐substituted α,β‐unsaturated 2‐acyl imidazoles with good‐to‐excellent regioselectivity (up to 99:1) and excellent diastereoselectivity (>50:1 d.r.) as well as enantioselectivity (92–99 % ee) under optimized conditions. The rhodium catalyst serves as a chiral Lewis acid to activate the 2‐acyl imidazole dienophile by two‐point binding and overrules the preferred regioselectivity of the uncatalyzed reaction.     

Regio‐ and Stereoselective Allylic Substitutions of Chiral Secondary Alkylcopper Reagents: Total Synthesis of (+)‐Lasiol, (+)‐13‐Norfaranal,and (+)‐Faranal

Chiral secondary alkylcopper reagents were prepared from chiral secondary alkyl iodides by a retentive I/Li exchange followed by a retentive transmetalation with CuBr?P(OEt)₃. Switching the solvent to THF significantly increased their configurational stability and made these copper reagents suitable for regioselective allylic substitutions. The optically enriched copper species underwent S_N2 substitutions with allylic bromides (up to >99 % S_N2 regioselectivity). The addition of ZnCl₂ and the use of chiral allylic phosphates allowed to switch the regioselectivity towards S_N2′ substitution (up to >99 % S_N2′ regioselectivity) and to perform highly selective anti‐S_N2′ substitutions with absolute control over two adjacent stereocenters. This method was applied in the total synthesis of the three ant pheromones (+)‐lasiol, (+)‐13‐norfaranal, and (+)‐faranal (up to 98:2 dr, 99 % ee).