Catalytic borylation of o-xylene and heteroarenes via C–H activation

Iridium and rhodium complexes catalyze the borylation of xylene and different heteroarenes using pinacolborane via C–H activation. Various five-membered heterocycles such as thiophene, pyrrole, thionaphthene, and indole derivatives yield the borylated products in moderate to good yields. In general, the reactions proceed with high selectivity to give borylation ortho to the heteroatom.     

��Gold standard�� coupled-cluster study of acetylene pentamers and hexamers via molecular tailoring approach

Due to high scaling order of MP2 and CCSD(T) methods, it is either difficult or at times even impossible to treat even moderately sized molecular systems with elaborate basis sets such as aug-cc-pVXZ (X?=?D, T, Q). In the present work, several structures of acetylene pentamers and hexamers are explored at MP2 and CCSD(T) levels of theory as?prototypical examples of clusters bound by CH···?? interactions. To enable this investigation, fragment-based method Molecular Tailoring Approach (MTA) is employed. It is shown that these acetylene assemblies can be treated with substantial reduction in computational resources and time, yet retaining a sub-millihartree accuracy in the energy. Further, using standard extrapolation methodologies, stabilization energies at the complete basis set limit of the acetylene clusters under consideration are determined at MP2 and CCSD(T) levels of theory. To test out the feasibility of treating a large cluster at MP2 level, a demonstrative calculation on a dodecamer of acetylene is reported.     

Total synthesis of podophyllotoxin and select analog designs via C–H activation

An account of our previously disclosed total synthesis of the aryltetralin lignan natural product podophyllotoxin, a building block used in the synthesis of the FDA-approved anticancer drug etoposide, is disclosed. A C–H activation disconnection was viewed as being amenable to the preparation of E-ring modified analogs but proved challenging to execute. Various insights into palladium-catalyzed C–H arylation reactions on complex scaffolds are reported ultimately leading to the implementation of this strategy and the synthesis of compounds inaccessible by semisynthetic means.     

Efficient assembly of α-aryl and α-vinyl nitriles via iron-catalyzed ether bond activation

A novel and practical method for the synthesis of diverse α-aryl and α-vinyl nitriles was developed via an iron-catalyzed sp³ C–O ether bond cleavage with C–C bond formation in the reaction of π-activated ethers with TMSCN.     

Manganese-catalyzed bicyclic annulations of imines and α,β-unsaturated esters via C-H activation

A manganese-catalyzed bicyclic annulation of imines with α,β-unsaturated esters via C–H activation is described, which provides an expedient access to fused β-lactams in one-step operation with high efficiency and good functional group tolerance. Of note, both ketimines and aldimines are amenable to this transformation. Mechanistic studies have identified a five-membered azamanganacycle as the key reaction intermediate.     

Copper and zinc co-catalyzed synthesis of imidazoles via the activation of sp C–H and N–H bonds

An efficient and facile approach to synthesize imidazoles from amidines and arylketone via oxidative coupling of sp³ C–H bond and N–H bond is reported. This strategy exhibits high performance in terms of regioselectivity with moderate to high yields by using easily available materials, and provides an alternative method to synthesize multi-substituted imidazole skeletons.     

Combination of living anionic polymerization and ATRP via ��click�� chemistry as a versatile route to multiple responsive triblock terpolymers and corresponding hydrogels

A combination of anionic polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ??click?? chemistry was used to construct trishydrophilic ABC triblock terpolymers composed of a pH-sensitive A block, a water-soluble B block and two different thermo-sensitive C blocks without any block sequence limitation problems. First, an azido end-functionalized poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VP-b-PEO-N₃) diblock copolymer was synthesized by anionic polymerization. In a second step, poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POEGMA) were synthesized via ATRP using an alkyne functionalized initiator. The resulting polymers were attached to the P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymer using the 1,3-dipolar Huisgen cycloaddition (??click?? chemistry). For the ??click?? step, P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymers with either an azidoacetyl or a 2-azidoisobutyryl group were tested. In the latter case, however, a side reaction involving the cleavage of the formed ??click?? product via nucleophilic substitution occurred, preventing a permanent attachment of PDMAEMA or POEGMA to the P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymer. Finally, P2VP-b-PEO-b-POEGMA (with POEGMA=P(MEO₂MA-co-MEO_8.5MA)) and P2VP-b-PEO-b-PDMAEMA triblock terpolymers were successfully synthesized and used to construct stimuli-responsive hydrogels. A concentrated solution of P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-P[(MEO₂MA)₈₉-co-(MEO_8.5MA)₇] showed a gel?Csol?Cgel transition at pH?7 upon temperature increase, whereas in the case of P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-PDMAEMA₇₀, a gel?Csol or a weak gel?Cstrong gel transition was observed, depending on the applied pH. Finally, the addition of trivalent hexacyanocobaltate(III) ions to the P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-PDMAEMA₇₀ solution induced an upper critical solution temperature for the PDMAEMA block, which led to gel formation. This allows for the construction of light-sensitive hydrogels, utilizing the photo-aquation of hexacyanocobaltate(III) ions.     

Copper-catalyzed regioselective allylic oxidation of olefins via C–H activation

A regioselective oxidation of allylic C–H bond to C–O bond catalyzed by copper (I) was developed with diacyl peroxides as oxidants. The oxidation of allylic C–H bond was accomplished with good yield and regioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. This method has a broad substrate scope including cyclic olefins, terminal and internal acyclic olefins and allyl benzene compounds. The reaction proceeds by a radical mechanism as suggested by spin trapping experiments.     

Preparation and characterization of the inclusion complex of Ofloxacin with ��-CD and HP-��-CD

The formation of the inclusion complexes of Ofloxacin with cyclodextrins (CDs) including ??-cyclodextrin (??-CD), and hydroxypropyl-??-cyclodextrin (HP-??-CD) were studied by Fluorescence, UV?CVis absorption spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) in solution. Experimental conditions including the concentration of various CDs and media acidity were investigated in detail at room temperature. The results suggested that in different pH solutions, CDs have different inclusive capacity to different forms Ofloxacin. ??-CD was most suitable for inclusion of neutral form and HP-??-CD was suitable for acidic form. The binding constant (K) of the inclusion complex was determined by fluorescence measurement, and the complexation ratio was determined as 1:1 in the concentration range used in this study. A mechanism was proposed to explain the inclusion process based on the experimental NMR data.     

Palladium catalyzed annulation of benzylamines and arynes via C–H activation to construct 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine derivatives

An efficient and versatile strategy employing palladium catalyst to synthesize 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine derivatives by annulation of benzylamines and arynes through C–H activation has been reported. This is promising one pot methodology which includes the use of Kobayashi's aryne precursor to construct plethora of 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine derivatives in moderate to good yield.     

Activation of PPAR�� induces profound multilocularization of adipocytes in adult mouse white adipose tissues

We sought to determine the effects of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) on multilocularization of adipocytes in adult white adipose tissue (WAT). Male C57BL/6 normal, db/db, and ob/ob mice were treated with agonists of PPAR-γ, PPAR-α, or β₃-adrenoceptor for 3 weeks. To distinguish multilocular adipocytes from unilocular adipocytes, whole-mounted adipose tissues were co-immunostained for perilipin and collagen IV. PPAR-γ activation with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone induced a profound change of unilocular adipocytes into smaller, multilocular adipocytes in adult WAT in a time-dependent, dose-dependent, and reversible manner. PPAR-α activation with fenofibrate did not affect the number of locules or remodeling. db/db and ob/ob obese mice exhibited less multilocularization in response to PPAR-γ activation compared to normal mice. Nevertheless, all adipocytes activated by PPAR-γ contained a single nucleus regardless of locule number. Multilocular adipocytes induced by PPAR-γ activation contained substantially increased mitochondrial content and enhanced expression of uncoupling protein-1, PPAR-γ coactivator-1-α , and perilipin. Taken together, PPAR-γ activation induces profound multilocularization and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis in the adipocytes of adult WAT. These changes may affect the overall function of WAT.     

Rhodium catalyzed regioselective arene homologation of aryl urea via double C–H bond activation and migratory insertion of alkyne

A convenient rhodium catalyzed oxidative arene homologation of aniline derivatives with symmetrical or unsymmetrical alkynes using Cu(OAc)_2 as oxidant is described. Urea group is shown to be effective as a directing group for initial ortho C–H activation. Two migratory insertion events of alkyne into Rh–C bond occur successively, both with complete regioselectivity. This method is particularly useful for synthesis of polyarenes with different substituents, which has not been reported with conventional protocol. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the observed data.     

A comparative study of fragment screening methods on the p38�� kinase: new methods, new insights

The stress-activated kinase p38α was used to evaluate a fragment-based drug discovery approach using the BioFocus fragment library. Compounds were screened by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on a Biacore(?) T100 against p38α and two selectivity targets. A sub-set of our library was the focus of detailed follow-up analyses that included hit confirmation, affinity determination on 24 confirmed, selective hits and competition assays of these hits with respect to a known ATP binding site inhibitor. In addition, functional activity against p38α was assessed in a biochemical assay using a mobility shift platform (LC3000, Caliper LifeSciences). A selection of fragments was also evaluated using fluorescence lifetime (FLEXYTE(?)) and microscale thermophoresis (Nanotemper) technologies. A good correlation between the data for the different assays was found. Crystal structures were solved for four of the small molecules complexed to p38α. Interestingly, as determined both by X-ray analysis and SPR competition experiments, three of the complexes involved the fragment at the ATP binding site, while the fourth compound bound in a distal site that may offer potential as a novel drug target site. A first round of optimization around the remotely bound fragment has led to the identification of a series of triazole-containing compounds. This approach could form the basis for developing novel and active p38α inhibitors. More broadly, it illustrates the power of combining a range of biophysical and biochemical techniques to the discovery of fragments that facilitate the development of novel modulators of kinase and other drug targets.     

Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Tetra-Substituted Thiophenes as Inhibitors of p38α MAPK

p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays a role in several cellular processes and consequently has been a therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. A number of known p38α MAPK inhibitors contain vicinal 4-fluorophenyl/4-pyridyl rings connected to either a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle. In this study, a small library of substituted thiophene-based compounds bearing the vicinal 4-fluorophenyl/4-pyridyl rings was designed using computational docking as a visualisation tool. Compounds were synthesised and evaluated in a fluorescence polarisation binding assay. The synthesised analogues had a higher binding affinity to the active phosphorylated form of p38α MAPK than the inactive nonphosphorylated form of the protein. 4-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)thiophen-3-yl)pyridine had a K_i value of 0.6 μm to active p38α MAPK highlighting that substitution of the core ring to a thiophene retains affinity to the enzyme and can be utilised in p38α MAPK inhibitors. This compound was further elaborated using a substituted phenyl ring in order to probe the second hydrophobic pocket. Many of these analogues exhibited low micromolar affinity to active p38α MAPK. The suppression of neonatal rat fibroblast collagen synthesis was also observed suggesting that further development of these compounds may lead to potential therapeutics having cardioprotective properties.     

Synthesis of fused heterocycles via Pd-catalyzed multiple aromatic C–H activation reactions

Recent developments in the synthesis of fused heterocycles using Pd-catalyzed multiple aromatic C–H activation is discussed in this highlight.