Ni-catalyzed arylation of bromomagnesium diarylamides with aryl N,N-dimethylsulfamates

The combination use of Ni(cod)₂ and N,N-1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4-imidazoline-2-ylidene as a catalyst successfully gave unsymmetrical N,N-diaryl-N′,N′-diphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamines through the arylation of bromomagnesium diarylamide with 1-(4′-diphenylamino-1,1′-biphenylyl) N,N-dimethylsulfamate. This Ni catalyst and Grignard reagents of diaryl or monoarylamides were also useful in the syntheses of various triarylamines and diarylamines from corresponding aryl N,N-dimethylsulfamates.     

Efficient bimetallic titanium catalyst for carbonyl-ene reaction

A new family of achiral 3,3′,5,5′-tetrasubstituted-2,2′,6,6′-tetrahydroxy biphenyl ligand 4 was developed. The axial chirality of the ligand could be induced by the chelation of 2,2′,6,6′-tetrahydroxy groups with (R)-BINOL-Ti(OⁱPr)₂ to form an axially chiral bimetallic titanium catalyst 9. Compared with (R)-BINOL-Ti(OⁱPr)₂ catalyst, this novel catalyst 9 exhibited excellent activity and enantioselectivity for the carbonyl-ene reaction of methylstyrene and ethyl glyoxylate. 3,3′,5,5′-Tetrasubstituted groups showed a remarkable effect on both enantioselectivity and yield. With 9d prepared from 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-2,2′,6,6′-tetrahydroxy biphenyl 4d as the catalyst, the best result, up to 97.6% ee and 99% yield, was obtained. Additionally, the bimetallic catalyst 9 also showed better catalytic capability than the corresponding monometallic catalyst.     

A practical synthesis of 2′-aminoacylamino-2′-deoxyadenosines

A practical and efficient synthesis of 2′-aminoacylamino-2′-deoxyadenosine derivatives is reported. EDCI/HOBt-mediated coupling of a 3′,5′-diprotected 2′-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine derivative to various N-Cbz-l-amino acid derivatives followed by global deprotection affords analytically pure 2′-aminoacylamino-2′-deoxyadenosine derivatives without the necessity for preparative HPLC purification. These compounds are non-hydrolysable isosteres of 2′-aminoacyladenosines, which are of use in X-ray studies for the elucidation of the editing mechanism of various tRNA synthetases.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-4′-thioribonucleosides: substrates for the synthesis of novel modified RNAs

We report herein the synthesis of appropriately protected 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-4′-thiouridine (5), -thiocytidine (7), and -thioadenosine (35) derivatives, substrates for the synthesis of novel modified RNAs. The synthesis of 5 and 7 was achieved via the reaction of 2,2′-O-anhydro-4′-thiouridine (3) with HF/pyridine in a manner similar to that of its 4′-O-congener whereas the synthesis of 35 from 4′-thioadenosine derivatives was unsuccessful. Accordingly, 35 was synthesized via the glycosylation of the fluorinated 4-thiosugar 25 with 6-chloropurine. The X-ray crystal structural analysis revealed that 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-4′-thiocytidine (8) adopted predominately the same C3′-endo conformation as 2′-deoxy-2′-fluorocytidine.     

Facile acid-catalyzed condensation of 2-hydroxy-2,2′-biindan-1,1′,3,3′-tetrone with phenols, methoxyaromatic systems and enols

Various phenols, methoxy aromatic compounds, 3- and 4-hydroxycoumarins and enols smoothly condense with 2-hydroxy-2,2′-biindan-1,1′,3,3′-tetrone 1 in an acid medium producing 2-aryl/alkyl-2,2′-biindan-1,1′,3,3′-tetrones in high yields. The adducts of resorcinol, 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene and α- and β-naphthols of 1 preferably remain in the intramolecular hemi-ketal form, confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. On the other hand para and meta substituted phenols condense with 1 in an acid medium to produce 6 or 7 substituted 2′,4-spiro(1′,3′-indanedion)-indeno[3,2-b]chromenes in good yields.     

On the oxidative coupling of N,N-disubstituted 2-aminothiophenes—synthesis of N,N′-persubstituted 5,5′-diamino-2,2′-bithiophenes

The oxidative coupling of N,N-disubstituted 2-aminothiophenes performed by several heavy-metal free oxidizing agents gives rise to the formation of N,N′-persubstituted 5,5′-diamino-2,2′-bithiophenes which are of interest as hole-transport materials for optoelectronic applications.     

Straightforward synthesis of 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydronucleoside-5′-aldehydes via 2′,3′-O-orthoester group elimination: a simple route to 3′,4′-didehydronucleosides

Straightforward, high-yielding syntheses of 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydronucleoside-5′-aldehydes and 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-didehydronucleosides starting from 2′,3′-O-orthoester derivatives of ribonucleosides are described.     

Methyltrioxorhenium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of 2-naphthols to binaphthols

A variety of 2-naphthols have been selectively oxidized to their corresponding 1,1′-bi-2-naphthols in excellent yields with molecular oxygen using methyltrioxorhenium as catalyst.     

Dimerization of 2-pyridylisonitriles produces π-extended fused heteroarenes useful as highly selective colorimetric and optical probes for copper ion

A very simple synthesis of pyrido[2″,1″:2′,3′]imidazo[4′,5′:4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines 2 was achieved from the dimerization of 2-pyridylisonitriles. The optical responses of these π-extended fused heteroarenes to a series of metal ions were investigated by means of UV-visible absorption spectrum in acetonitrile. It was found that most of compounds 2 selectively responded to Cu²⁺, and the limit of detection was about 3.5×10⁻⁷ M when using the best probe, 3,9-dimethylpyrido[2″,1″:2′,3′]imidazo[4′,5′:4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine 2d. Meanwhile some compounds 2 specifically showed a color change from colorless to red or yellow when they are exposed to copper ion in acetonitrile, whereas other transitional, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions could not induce a color change. This work not only established a direct access to π-extended fused heteroarenes, but also supplied novel sensitive and selective colorimetric and optical probes for copper ion.     

Highly diastereoselective chemoenzymatic synthesis of (2′R)- and (2′S)-2′-deoxy[2′-H]guanosines

In an effort to develop an efficient synthetic method of highly diastereoselective (2′R)- and (2′S)-2′-deoxy[2′-²H]guanosines, chemoenzymatic conversion was investigated. The synthesis of (2′R > 98% de)-2′-deoxy[2′-²H]guanosine was achieved by biological transdeoxyribosylation using (2′R > 98% de)-2′-deoxy[2′-²H]uridine, 2,6-diaminopurine, and Enterobacter aerogenes AJ-11125, followed by treatment with adenosine deaminase. (2′S > 98% de)-2′-Deoxy[2′-²H]guanosine was synthesized from (2′S > 98% de)-2′-deoxy[2′-²H]uridine and 2,6-diaminopurine using thymidine phosphorylase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase instead of E. aerogenes AJ-11125.     

A concise synthesis of 3′-α-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine (FddG) via 3′-α-selective fluorination of 8,2′-thioanhydronucleoside

The antiviral nucleoside 3′-α-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine (FddG) was synthesized via 3′-α-selective fluorination of 8,2′-thioanhydronucleoside as the key step. Desulfurization of 3′-α-fluoro-3′-deoxy-8,2′-thioanhydronucleoside could be achieved by the treatment with Raney Ni in toluene. This method provides a concise route to 3′-α-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides that avoids the use of explosive and expensive SF₄-related fluorinating reagents.     

Synthesis, experimental and theoretical NMR study of 2′-hydroxychalcones bearing a nitro substituent on their B ring

The synthesis of several 2′-hydroxynitrochalcones has been accomplished by an aldol reaction of equimolar amounts of the appropriate 2′-hydroxyacetophenones with nitrobenzaldehydes in alkaline medium. The reaction of 2′-hydroxyacetophenones bearing a 6′-methoxy with 2- or 4-nitrobenzaldehydes gave the expected 2′-hydroxynitrochalcones and also 4-methoxynitroaurones, being the latter ones the unique reaction products when using 2 molar equiv of nitrobenzaldehydes. The reaction mechanisms for the formation of both products are discussed. The ¹³C NMR chemical shifts have been discussed first by means of an empirical additive model and then by comparison with GIAO/B3LYP calculated absolute shieldings.     

A single chalcone and additional rotenoids from Lonchocarpus nicou

The lipophile extract of Lonchocarpusnicou roots afforded the new pyranochalcone 3-O-methylabyssinone A as well as the new rotenoids 7′-hydroxytephrosin, and 7′-nor-6′-oxo-2′,3′-dehydrorotenone, both compounds occurring with the known 7′-hydroxydeguelin and 7′-nor-6′-oxo-2′,3′-dehydro-12aβ-hydroxyrotenone. Furthermore, two rotenoid epoxides previously reported as resulting from the direct oxidative conversion of rotenone and 12aβ-hydroxyrotenone, respectively, were isolated for the first time from a plant source. All the structures were established on the basis of UV, MS, and NMR data.     

Syntheses of 2′-C-amidoalkyl and 2′-C-cyanoalkyl containing oligodeoxyribonucleotides and assessment of their hybridisation affinity for complementary DNA and RNA

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing 2′-C-branched nucleosides with an amide or nitrile appended to either a one or two carbon alkyl chain have been synthesised. The phosphoramidites of the 2′-C-modified nucleosides were prepared and incorporated into the oligonucleotides using automated DNA synthesis. The duplex stability with complementary RNA and DNA was measured by UV melting experiments, in order to assess whether the amide/nitrile function could induce any duplex stability without the presence of the 2′-oxygen. The duplex stabilities of the oligonucleotides containing the 2′-C-modifications were decreased in the absence of the 2′-oxygen.     

Synthesis,cytotoxicity and antiviral activity studies of the conjugates of cobalt bis(1,2-dicarbollide)(-I) with 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and its cyclic derivatives

A series of novel conjugates of cobalt bis(1,2-dicarbollide)(-I) with 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and its cyclic derivatives were synthesized. Conjugates with 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine were prepared by the direct Sonogashira coupling of a series of cobalt bis(1,2-dicarbollide)(-I) terminal alkynes and 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine. Their furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(3H)-one isomers were obtained either by intermolecular cyclization of the above conjugates or by Sonogashira coupling using Pd/C as a catalyst. Action of ammonia on these furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(3H)-one conjugates resulted in pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(3H)-one conjugates. Most of the designed compounds have shown low cytotoxicity in several cell lines. Some 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine and furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2(3H)-one conjugates have also presented antiviral activity.     

New reagent for the preparation of oligonucleotides involving a 5′-thiophosphate or a 5′-phosphate group

We report here a novel, simple reagent enabling the chemical incorporation of a thiophosphate or a phosphate group at the 5′-end of oligonucleotides using very mild basic deprotection conditions. This method can be useful in the case of alkali sensitive modified oligonucleotides. This reagent also gives access to the preparation of bifunctional oligonucleotides with either a thiophosphate group at the 5′-end and a phosphate at the 3′-end, or two thiophosphate groups at both the 5′- and the 3′-ends, or a 5′-thiophosphate group and a 3′-amino-containing linker.     

A convenient, large-scale synthesis of 4′-carboxamido N-Boc-2′,6′-dimethyl-l-phenylalanines

A large-scale synthesis of a series of 4′-carboxamido N-Boc-2′,6′-dimethyl-l-phenylalanines is described. This method features mild reaction conditions and high chemical yields from commercially available N-Boc-2′,6′-dimethyl-l-tyrosine methyl ester.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of binuclear lanthanide complexes with chiral NOBIN-based NNO ligands

Two new amido binuclear complexes {(1)YN(SiMe₃)₂}₂ · C₇H₈ (3 · C₇H₈) and {(2)SmN(SiMe₃)₂}₂ · C₆H₁₄ (4 · C₆H₁₄) have been readily prepared in good yields by amine elimination reaction between Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ (Ln = Sm, Y) and chiral NNO ligands, (S)-2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (1H₂) and (S)-5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′-octahydro-2-(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (2H₂), respectively. They both have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, elemental analyses, and X-ray diffraction analyses. They are active catalysts for asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes and ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide, affording cyclic amines in excellent conversions with moderate ee values and isotactic-rich polylactides, respectively.     

Efficient preparation of 9-Z-11-methylretinal and 11-Z-11-methylretinal

[2-(β-Ionylidene)propyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide is reacted with 3-methyl-4-oxobut-2-enenitrile in refluxing 1,2-epoxybutane to give a mixture of 11-Z- and all-E-11-methylretinal via DIBAL-H reduction. In an analogous fashion, β-ionyl triphenylphosphonium bromide is reacted with 3,5-dimethyl-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienenitrile in 1,2-epoxybutane followed by subsequent DIBAL-H reduction to afford a mixture of new products consisting of 9-Z-11-methylretinal, its all-E isomer and 1-(2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohex-2′-en-1′-yl)-6-(buten-2″-al-3″-yl)-3,5-dimethylcyclohexa-1,3-diene. These molecules were obtained in pure form by HPLC.     

The first approach to optically active 2,2′-bipyridine alkyl sulfoxides

The synthesis of 6,6′-bis(alkylsulfanyl)-2,2′-bipyridines and their asymmetric oxidation to non-racemic 2,2′-bipyridine alkyl sulfoxides using either (+)-(8,8-dichlorocamphorylsulfonyl)oxaziridine or a modified Sharpless reagent is reported.