Electrochemical oxidation of 2-substituted piperidines as a key step towards the synthesis of hydroxylated γ-amino acids

2-Substituted piperidines containing different oxygenated side chain functionalities were investigated in the electrochemical, anodic methoxylation. Surprisingly, the configuration of the side chain has a strong influence on the outcome of the electrochemical oxidation. Subsequent elimination of methanol from the oxidation products leads to N-protected eneamides, which upon ozonolysis can be converted to N,N-bisprotected γ-amino aldehydes that are useful building blocks for further synthetic transformations.     

Efficient Lewis acid ionic liquid-catalyzed synthesis of the key intermediate of coenzyme Q10 under microwave irradiation

An efficient synthesis of a valuable intermediate of coenzyme Q(10) by microwave-assisted Lewis acidic ionic liquid (IL)-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation is reported. The acidity of six [Etpy]BF(4)-based ionic liquids was characterized by means of the FT-IR technique using acetonitrile as a molecular probe. The catalytic activities of these ionic liquids were correlated with their Lewis acidity. With increasing Lewis acid strength of the ionic liquids, their catalytic activity in the Friedel-Crafts reaction increased, except for [Etpy]BF(4)-AlCl(3). The effects of the reaction system, the molar fraction of Lewis acid in the Lewis acid ILs and heating techniques were also investigated. Among the six Lewis acid ionic liquids tested [Etpy]BF(4)-ZnCl(2) showed the best catalytic activity, with a yield of 89% after a very short reaction time (150 seconds). This procedure has the advantages of higher efficiency, better reusability of ILs, energy conservation and eco-friendliness. The method has practical value for preparation of CoQ(10) on an industrial scale.     

Radical-initiated cyclization as a key step for the synthesis of oxoprotoberberine alkaloids

The oxoprotoberberine alkaloids 1a-d have been synthesized efficiently from the enamide derivatives 2a-d by a radical-initiated cyclization reaction utilizing n-Bu₃SnH/AIBN and CuCl. The enamide derivatives 2a-d were prepared from phenylethylamine analogues 5a-b, followed by acylation with acetic anhydride, Bischler-Napieralski cyclization with POCl₃ and benzoylation with the corresponding bromobenzoyl chloride, respectively.     

The use of coenzyme Q0 as a template in the development of a molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective recognition of coenzyme Q10

In this work, a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for use as a solid phase extraction sorbent was developed for the determination of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in liver extract. CoQ10 is an essential cofactor in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and a powerful antioxidant agent found in low concentrations in biological samples. This fact and its high hydrophobicity make the analysis of CoQ10 technically challenging. Accordingly, a MIP was synthesised using coenzyme Q0 as the template, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, acetonitrile as the porogen, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the crosslinker and benzoyl peroxide as the initiator. Various parameters affecting the polymer preparation and extraction efficiency were evaluated. Morphological characterisation of the MIP and its proper comparison with C18 as a sorbent in solid phase extraction were performed. The optimal conditions for the molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) consisted of 400 μL of sample mixed with 30 mg of MIP and 600 μL of water to reach the optimum solution loading. The loading was followed by a washing step consisting of 1 mL of a 1-propanol solution (1-propanol:water, 30:70,v/v) and elution with 1 mL of 1-propanol. After clean-up, the CoQ10 in the samples was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. The extraction recoveries were higher than 73.7% with good precision (3.6–8.3%). The limits of detection and quantification were 2.4 and 7.5 μg g⁻¹, respectively, and a linear range between 7.5 and 150 μg g⁻¹ of tissue was achieved. The new MISPE procedure provided a successful clean-up for the determination of CoQ10 in a complex matrix.     

An improved synthesis of the "miracle nutrient" coenzyme Q10

[reaction: see text] A new route to the key coupling partner, chloromethylated CoQ0 (1), allows for direct formation of CoQ10 (3) via nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling with the side chain in the form of an in situ-derived vinyl alane (2).     

One-pot reductive-cyclization as key step for the synthesis of rutaecarpine alkaloids

The quinazolinocarboline alkaloids including rutaecarpine (1a), euxylophoricine A (1b), and euxylophoricine C (1c) have been synthesized efficiently from the ring opened β-carboline derivative as key intermediate by a one-pot reductive-cyclization reaction. The key intermediate was prepared from tryptamine (6) following Bischler-Napieralski cyclization, benzoylation, and oxidative cleavage of the exocyclic double bond.     

A short,highly efficient synthesis of coenzyme Q(10)

The most efficient synthesis reported to date of ubiquinone (CoQ10) is described. A sequence consisting of six operations is involved which leads to crystalline material in an overall yield of >64%.     

The synthesis of 2-benzazocines using ring-closing metathesis as a key step

A number of protected 7-isopropoxy-8-methoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2-benzazocines were synthesized from 2-allyl-3-isopropoxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde using ring-closing metathesis as the key step. In addition, two 9-isopropoxy-8-methoxy-3,6-dihydro-2-benzazocines were synthesized from 5-isopropoxy-4-methoxy-2-[(1E)-3-phenyl-2-propenyl]benzaldehyde, which in turn was obtained from the thermal Claisen-Cope rearrangement of 4-methoxy-3-{[(2E)-3-phenyl-2-propenyl]oxy}benzaldehyde. Finally, five of the 2-benzazocine compounds were tested for anti-cancer activity.     

Immobilized alpha-diazophosphonoacetate as a versatile key precursor for palladium catalyzed indole synthesis on a polymer support

Rh(II)-catalyzed N-H insertion reaction of immobilized alpha-diazophosphonoacetate with 2-haloanilines followed by Horner-Emmons reaction gave immobilized enaminoesters, which were efficiently cyclized to indoles via intramolecular palladium catalyzed reaction on a polymer support.     

A facile synthesis of the basic steroidal skeleton using a Pauson-Khand reaction as a key step

A high-yield synthesis of steroid-type molecules under mild reaction conditions is achieved in two steps involving nucleophilic addition of alkynyl cerium reagent to an easily enolizable carbonyl compound (beta-tetralone) followed by an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction.     

Palladium-catalysed cross-coupling as a key step in the synthesis of pyridyl-benzamides, -benzylamines and -sulfonamides

Novel N-, O- and S-substituted pyridyl-benzamides, -benzylamines and -sulfonamides were prepared by means of palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reactions. The synthetic approach, using Pd₂(dba)₃ as palladium source and rac-BINAP as supporting ligand, proved to be successful for CN, CO and CS cross-coupling reactions. One of the substrates underwent an unexpected nucleophilic aromatic substitution of fluorine, rather than the expected CN cross-coupling reaction.     

The synthesis of the pyranonaphthoquinones dehydroherbarin and anhydrofusarubin using Wacker oxidation methodology as a key step and other unexpected oxidation reactions with ceric ammonium nitrate and salcomine

The synthesis of two closely related pyranonaphthoquinones, dehydroherbarin and anhydrofusarubin, is described. The construction of the naphthalene nuclei was achieved using the Stobbe condensation reaction using 2,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde and 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde as their respective starting materials. Two key steps en route include a PIFA-mediated addition of a methoxy substituent onto the naphthalene skeleton and a Wacker oxidation reaction to construct the benzo[g]isochromene nucleus. Two interesting oxidation reactions of the intermediate isochromene enol ether of 7,9-dimethoxy-3-methyl-1H-benzo[g]isochromene-5-ol were observed. Treatment of the substrate with salcomine resulted in the formation of (3-formyl-4-hydroxy-6,8-dimethoxynaphthalene-2-yl)methyl acetate, while treatment of the same substrate with CAN resulted in the formation of racemic (3R,4R)-3-hydroxy-7,9-dimethoxy-3-methyl-5,10-dioxo-3,4,5,10-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[g]isochromen-4-yl nitrate.     

Formal synthesis of salinosporamide A using a nickel-catalyzed reductive aldol cyclization-lactonization as a key step

Application of a sequential nickel-catalyzed reductive aldol cyclization-lactonization reaction in a short formal synthesis of salinsporamide A, a potent 20S proteasome inhibitor and anti-cancer compound, is described.     

Monoprotection of diols as a key step for the selective synthesis of unequally disubstituted diamondoids (nanodiamonds)

The monoprotection (desymmetrization) of diamondoid, benzylic, and ethynyl diols has been achieved using fluorinated alcohols such as 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) under acidic conditions. This practical acid-catalyzed S(N)1 reaction opens the door for the synthesis of novel bifunctional diamondoids. With diamantane as an example, we show that the resulting monoethers can be used to prepare selectively, for instance, amino or nitro alcohols and unnatural amino acids. These are important compounds in terms of the exploration of electronic, pharmacological, and material properties of functionalized nanodiamonds.     

Enhancing regiocontrol in carboaluminations of terminal alkynes. Application to the one-pot synthesis of coenzyme Q10

Two new "generations" of methodological advances are reported for the Negishi carboalumination of terminal alkynes. Use of simple, inexpensive additives that alter the Al-Zr complex formed between Me(3)Al and Cp(2)ZrCl(2) give rise to an especially effective reagent mix that results in virtually complete control of regiochemistry upon carboalumination of 1-alkynes. One timely application to coenzyme Q10 is highlighted. Regioisomers from subsequent coupling, which would otherwise be very difficult to separate, are avoided.     

Microwave-assisted solid-phase organic synthesis (MASPOS) as a key step for an indole library construction

[reaction: see text] Microwave-assisted solid-phase organic synthesis (MASPOS) has been demonstrated to significantly facilitate the Cu(II)- or Pd(II)-mediated ring closure of the resin-bound 2-alkynylanilides. Under microwave irradiation at 200 degrees C [for Cu(OAc)(2), NMP] or 160 degrees C [for Pd(MeCN)(2)Cl(2), THF] for 10 min, 1-acyl-2-alkyl-5-arenesulfamoylindoles were obtained, after cleavage from the resin, in 95-99% purities and in 65-82% overall yields via a 5-step synthetic sequence.     

Assisted desolvation as a key kinetic step for crystal growth

The crystallization of materials from a supersaturated solution is a fundamental chemical process. Although several very successful models that provide a qualitative understanding of the crystal growth process exist, in most cases the atomistic detail of crystal growth is not fully understood. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations of the morphologically most important surfaces of barite in contact with a supersaturated solution have been performed. The simulations show that an ordered and tightly bound layer of water molecules is present on the crystal surface. The approach of an ion to the surface requires desolvation of both the surface and the ion itself leading to an activated process that is rate limiting for two-dimensional nucleation to occur. However, desolvation on specific surfaces can be assisted by anions adsorbed on the crystal surface. This hypothesis, corroborated by crystallization and scanning electron microscopy studies, allows the rationalization of the morphology of barite crystals grown at different supersaturations.