Synthesis and cytotoxicity studies of artemisinin derivatives containing lipophilic alkyl carbon chains

[reaction: see text] Cytotoxic artemisinin derivatives have been synthesized by a modular approach of "artemisinin + linker + lipophilic alkyl carbon chain". A strong correlation between the length of the carbon chains and the cytotoxicities against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) was revealed. Notably, compared with artemisinin (IC(50) = 97 microM), up to 200-fold more potent cytotoxicity (IC(50) = 0.46 microM) could be achieved by attachment of a C(14)H(29) carbon chain to artemisinin via an amide linker.     

Gold-catalyzed highly enantioselective synthesis of axially chiral allenes

Axially chiral allenes are synthesized from chiral propargylamines catalyzed by KAuCl4 in high yields (up to 93% yield) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee) in CH3CN at 40 degrees C. The reaction has been applied to the synthesis of novel allene-modified artemisinin derivatives with the delicate endoperoxide moieties remaining intact. A tentative mechanism regarding gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydride transfer was proposed on the basis of deuterium-labeling experiments and ESI-MS analysis of the reaction mixture.     

Highly efficient and diastereoselective construction of bispirooxindoles through a cascade Michael-cyclization reaction

A series of bispirooxindole derivatives have been synthesized via a cascade Michael-Cyclization reaction between isothiocyanato oxindoles and methyleneindolinones with high yields (up to 98%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >95:5 dr) under mild conditions. The structure and effect on the reaction of less studied 4-substituted methyleneindolinones have also been investigated.     

Highly enantioselective synthesis of γ-substituted butenolides via the vinylogous Mukaiyama-Michael reaction catalyzed by a chiral scandium(III)-N,N'-dioxide complex

A highly efficient catalytic asymmetric vinylogous Mukaiyama-Michael reaction of the 2-silyloxyfuran with chalcone derivatives, catalyzed by a chiral N,N'-dioxide-scandium(III) complex, has been accomplished which tolerates a wide range of substrates. The reaction proceeds with complete regioselectivities, excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >99?:?1 dr) and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee) under mild conditions, delivering highly functionalized enantiomerically enriched anti-γ-substituted butenolides. The process is air-tolerant and easily manipulated with available reagents. In order to illustrate the synthetic potential of this reaction, the gram-scale synthesis and the elaboration of the butenolides have been explored. On the basis of the experimental results, a possible catalytic cycle and favorable stereorecognition model have been proposed.     

Alkylation of heme by the antimalarial drug artemisinin

The peroxide function of artemisinin has been activated by iron(II)-heme generated in situ from iron(III)-protoporphyrin-IX and glutathione, a biologically relevant reductant. In mild conditions, this reaction produced a high yield (85%) of heme derivatives alkylated at alpha-, beta-, and delta-meso positions by a C4-centered radical derived from artemisinin.     

Enantiopure beta-hydroxysulfoxide derivatives as novel chiral auxiliaries in asymmetric biaryl Suzuki reactions

[reaction: see text] Highly diastereoselective biaryl Suzuki coupling reactions of (1R)-1-(2-iodo or bromophenyl)-2-(R)-(4-tolylsulfinyl)-1-ethanol derivatives with various aryl- or naphthylboronic acids (or esters) were performed with high yields (up to 99%) and an excellent control of the axial chirality (up to 98% de).     

Highly efficient synthesis and solid-state characterization of 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(alkyl- and arylamino)benzenes and cyclization to their respective benzobis(imidazolium) salts

[reaction: see text] New synthetic methodology to a variety of 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzenes and their corresponding benzobis(imidazolium) salts has been accomplished. Palladium-catalyzed coupling of various 1,2,4,5-tetrabromo- or 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzenes with aryl- or tert-alkylamines afforded the respective tetrakis(N-substituted)aminobenzenes in excellent yields. This enabled comparative solid-state structural analyses of this elusive class of electron-rich arenes with their oxidized derivatives. The tetraamines were found to undergo formylative cyclization to the corresponding benzobis(imidazolium) salts in good to excellent yields.     

Synthesis of O-aminodihydroartemisinin via TMS triflate catalyzed C-O coupling reaction

O-Aminodihydroartemisinin was synthesized for the first time via TMS triflate catalyzed coupling reaction of O-acetylartemisinin. The reaction proceeds with high yield without losing the endoperoxide of the artemisinin backbone. The new coupling reaction was employed to prepare artemisinin O-glycosides with improved water solubility. O-Aminodihydroartemisinin reacts readily with benzaldehyde to give the corresponding oxime derivative, demonstrating the potential of this compound for the preparation of various artemisinin conjugates.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of itaconic acid and enol acetate derivatives with the Rh-TangPhos catalyst

[reaction: see text] The Rh-TangPhos catalyst has been used for asymmetric hydrogenation of itaconic acid and enol acetate derivatives. A variety of chiral 2-substituted succinic acids and chiral acetates have been obtained in excellent ee values (up to 99% ee).     

Synergistic chiral ion pair catalysts for asymmetric catalytic synthesis of quaternary α,β-diamino acids

The combination of a chiral phosphate anion with a silver ion has been demonstrated as a powerful and synergistic ion pair catalyst for the aza-Mannich reaction. A series of valuable quaternary α,β-diamino acid derivatives was obtained in high yield, and with excellent diastereo- (up to 25:1 dr) and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). The adducts can be smoothly transformed into the corresponding protected chiral quaternary α,β-diamino acids by a one-pot hydrolysis reaction.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric domino aza-Michael-Mannich reaction: synthesis of tetrahydroimidazopyrimidine derivatives

Highly substituted tetrahydroimidazopyrimidine derivatives with three chiral centers have been synthesized for the first time using an organocatalytic asymmetric domino aza-Michael-Mannich reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and N-arylidene-1H-imidazol-2-amines. This efficient approach furnishes the products in good yields (42-87%) with excellent stereoselectivities (>20:1 dr, up to >99% ee).     

金鸡纳生物碱-9-O-三甲基硅衍生物催化的不对称“中断的”Feist-Bénary反应

将6种金鸡纳生物碱-9-O-三甲基硅(TMS)衍生物用于催化环己二酮与溴乙酰甲酸乙酯/β-取代的溴乙酰甲酸乙酯的不对称“中断的”Feist-Bénary反应,得到了高的化学产率(85％～97％)和最高达90％ee的立体选择性。     

Combining prolinamides with 2-pyrrolidinone: Novel organocatalysts for the asymmetric aldol reaction

Peptides and especially prolinamides have been identified as excellent organocatalysts for the aldol reaction. The combination of prolinamides with derivatives bearing the 2-pyrrolidinone scaffold, deriving from pyroglutamic acid, led to the identification of novel organocatalysts for the intermolecular asymmetric aldol reaction. The new hybrids were tested both in organic and aqueous media. Among the compounds tested, 22 afforded the best results in petroleum ether, while 25 afforded the products in brine in high yields and selectivities. Then, various ketones and aldehydes were utilized and the products of the aldol reaction were obtained in high yields (up to 100%) with excellent diastereo- (up to 97:3 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).     

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes to maleimides catalyzed by new primary amine-squaramide bifunctional organocatalysts

New bifunctional primary amine-squaramides catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition reaction of α,α-disubstituted aldehydes to maleimides has been developed. This organocatalytic asymmetric reaction provides easy access to functionalized succinimides with a broad substrate scope. Both enantiomers of desired succinimide derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 98%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99%?ee).     

Highly enantio- and diastereoselective Brassard type hetero-Diels-Alder approach to 5-methyl-containing alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactones

Two efficient new chiral copper (II) Schiff base complexes were developed for the highly enantio- and diastereoselective HDA reaction of Brassard type diene 1b with aldehydes, to afford the corresponding 5-methyl-containing alpha,beta-unsaturated delta-lactone derivatives in moderate yields, high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 anti/syn). On the basis of the absolute configuration of 4a-4j disclosed by X-ray diffraction and CD analysis, a possible transition-state model for the enantio- and diastereoselective catalytic reaction has been proposed.     

Divergent synthesis of fused Benzo-xanthene and oxazine derivatives via Cu-catalyst

Cu-Cu₂O combination showed synergic effects in catalyzing intramolecular Ullmann coupling reaction for halo-Betti bases to afford fused benzo-xanthenes from both electron-rich and electron-deficient aromatic systems in good yield under mild reaction conditions. The sterically hindered halo-Betti bases also provided products in excellent yield. Under optimized condition, a gram scale reaction was also performed to afford the product in excellent yield. However, without ortho-halo substituted Betti-bases failed to afford fused benzo-xanthene derivatives. Exploring the reaction optimization without Cu metal, serendipitously it was produced 1,3-oxazine derivatives in excellent yield via intramolecular cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction. Similarly, electron-rich, electron-deficient and sterically hindered Betti-bases provided the products in good to excellent yield under mild condition.     

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of spiro[tetrahydrothiophene-3,3′-pyrazol] with an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter via [3 + 2] cascade Michael/Michael cyclization catalyzed by DABCO

The diastereoselective formation of spiro[tetrahydro thiophene-3,3′-pyrazol] derivatives has been achieved via a Michael/Michael cyclization reaction. The reaction was performed using trans-ethyl 4-mercapto-2-butenoate 1 with various 4-benzylidene-5-methyl-2-phenylpyrazolones 2 catalyzed by 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in toluene at 0 °C. The reaction proceeds rapidly and affords the corresponding spiro[tetrahydrothiophene-3,3′-pyrazol] derivatives in excellent yields and moderate to excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 98% yield and >20:1 dr).     

Nanoporous phenanthroline polymer locked Pd as highly efficient catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling reaction at room temperature

Because of the intrinsic advantages, Suzuki coupling reactions have been one of the most popular coupling reactions in organic synthesis, however developing a high-performance heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki coupling reactions in aqueous media at low temperature (e.g. room temperature) is still a challenge. Herein, a heterogeneous catalyst with coordinated Pd as active site and a designed conjugated phenanthroline based porous polymer (CPP) as support was fabricated. Systematically investigation on CPP support by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that the derived CPP catalyst support owns a porous structure, moderately good surface area (141 m²/g) and an excellent thermal stability. As a heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of biphenyl derivatives via Suzuki coupling, Pd/CPP achieves an excellent catalytic performance and recycling ability towards Suzuki reaction of various reactants at room temperature in ethanol-water medium.     

Highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of indene derivatives via electrophilic cyclization

[reaction: see text] Indene or naphthalene derivatives are readily prepared in moderate to excellent yields with high regio- and stereoselectivity under very mild reaction conditions by the reaction of acetylenic malonates and ketones with I2, ICl, or NIS. The resulting iodides can be further elaborated using palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions.     

Synthesis of azobenzenes: the coloured pieces of molecular materials

Azobenzenes are ubiquitous motifs very important in many areas of science. Azo compounds display crucial properties for important applications, mainly for the chemical industry. Because of their discovery, the main application of aromatic azo compounds has been their use as dyes. These compounds are excellent candidates to function as molecular switches because of their efficient cis-trans isomerization in the presence of appropriate radiation. The classical methods for the synthesis of azo compounds are the azo coupling reaction (coupling of diazonium salts with activated aromatic compounds), the Mills reaction (reaction between aromatic nitroso derivatives and anilines) and the Wallach reaction (transformation of azoxybenzenes into 4-hydroxy substituted azoderivatives in acid media). More recently, other preparative methods have been reported. This critical review covers the various synthetic methods reported on azo compounds with special emphasis on the more recent ones and their mechanistic aspects (170 references).