α‐Sila‐Dipeptides: Synthesis and Characterization

The first two α‐sila‐dipeptides, 7 and cyclo‐sila‐dipeptide 8 , were synthesized and characterized by several methods, including X‐ray crystallography. Bulky t‐BuMe₂Si substituents provide some kinetic stabilization to the synthesized molecules. 7 and 8 are the first examples of a “Si for C switch” in the central α‐position of an amino acid or a peptide, in which silicon is bonded to both the amino and the carbonyl groups.     

Triphenylsilane‐fused Porphyrins

A reaction sequence of 2‐(diphenylsilyl)phenylation by Negishi coupling and intramolecular sila‐Friedel–Crafts reaction has been explored for the synthesis of mono‐triphenylsilane‐fused porphyrins 5 M and 6 M (M= Ni, Zn) and bis‐triphenylsilane‐fused porphyrins 7 M and 8 Ni . A triply linked triphenylsilane‐fused Ni^II porphyrin, 13 Ni , was synthesized in a stepwise manner involving the above reaction sequence and a final Pd‐catalyzed C?H activating arylative cyclization. The silicon atom in 13 Ni takes a distorted planarized structure with an almost perpendicular Si‐phenyl group, causing an electronic effect due to effective σ*–π* interaction.     

Functionalization of 2″‐C‐(Piperazinomethyl)‐2′,3′‐BcNA (Bicyclic Nucleic Acids) with Pyren‐1‐ylcarbonyl Units

Herein, we describe the incorporation of 2″‐C‐(piperazinomethyl)‐2′,3′‐BcNA (Bicyclic Nucleic Acids) into oligonucleotides via phosphoramidite chemistry and their subsequent solid‐phase functionalization with pyren‐1‐ylcarbonyl units after oligonucleotide synthesis. Thermal denaturation measurements showed that one modification led to increased thermal stability of the resulting duplex, and that two modifications could be incorporated in close proximity without decreasing the duplex stability (compared to the duplex stability of unmodified RNA). Fluorescence studies of the modified duplexes revealed that the structure and intensity of the fluorescence spectra were largely sequence‐dependent. Furthermore, molecular‐modeling studies showed that the pyrene moieties are placed in the major groove, and that the configuration at C(2″) is important for the thermal stability of the duplex.     

Enantio‐, Regio‐, and Chemoselective Lipase‐Catalyzed Polymer Synthesis

In contrast to chemical routes, enzymatic polymerization possesses favorable characteristics of mild reaction conditions, few by‐products, and high activity toward cyclic lactones which make it a promising technique for constructing polymeric materials. Meanwhile, it can avoid the trace residue of metallic catalysts and potential toxicity, and thus exhibits great potential in the biomedical fields. More importantly, lipase‐catalyzed polymer synthesis usually shows favorable enantio‐, regio‐, and chemoselectivity. Here, the history and recent developments in lipase‐catalyzed selective polymerization for constructing polymers with unique structures and properties are highlighted. In particular, the synthesis of polymeric materials which are difficult to prepare in a chemical route and the construction of polymers through the combination of selective enzymatic and chemical methods are focused. In addition, the future direction is proposed especially based on the rapid developments in computational chemistry and protein engineering techniques.     

Synthesis of Non‐Racemic 1‐Hydroxycycloalkene‐1‐carboxylic‐Acid Derivatives by Metathesis of α,α‐Dialkylated Glycolate Derivatives

A particularly flexible general way to synthesize 1‐hydroxycycloalkene‐1‐carboxylic‐acid derivatives from 2‐(tert‐butyl)‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐one ( 1 ), a chiral equivalent of glycolic acid, is reported. The method is based on a double enolate alkylation of the glycolate derivative, followed by ring closing metathesis. A formal synthesis of (−)‐quinic acid is reported to demonstrate the potential of this approach.     

One‐Pot Organocatalytic Tandem Aldol/Polycyclization Reactions between 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds and α,β,γ,δ‐Unsaturated Aldehydes for the Straightforward Assembly of Cyclopenta[b]furan‐Type Derivatives: New Insight into the Knoevenagel Reaction

A new cascade pathway viable for Knoevenagel chemistry that involves the coupling between 1,3‐dicarbonyl systems and α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The process comprises the combination of a classic aldol‐type condensation and a rare spontaneous metal‐free cycloisomerization, representing a convergent and innovative approach for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclopenta[b]furan‐type derivatives. The scope and limitations with respect to both reaction partners and mechanistic features were investigated. Meaningfully, our study provides valuable guidance concerning the structural and electronic effects controlling the reactivity of conjugated polyene carbonyl systems.     

Highly Efficient Non‐Palladium‐Catalyzed Controlled Synthesis and X‐ray Analysis of Functionalized 1,2‐Diaryl‐, 1,2,3‐Triaryl‐, and 1,2,3,4‐Tetraarylbenzenes

A general, two‐step, highly efficient synthesis of 1,2‐diaryl‐, 1,2,3‐triaryl‐, and 1,2,3,4‐tetraarylbenzenes from simple stitching of α‐oxo‐ketene‐S,S‐acetals and active methylene compounds via a lactone intermediate is described. This procedure offers easy access to highly functionalized arylated benzenes that contain sterically demanding groups in good to excellent yields. The novelty of the procedure lies in the construction of aromatic compounds with the desired conformational flexibility along the molecular axis in a transition‐metal‐free environment through easily accessible precursors. Crystal analysis of these arylated benzene scaffolds showed that the peripheral aryl rings are arranged in a propeller‐like fashion with respect to the central benzene ring. Examination of the crystal packing in the structure of a 1,2,3,4‐tetraarylbenzene revealed an N???π interaction between molecules related by a two‐fold screw axis running in the direction of the a axis. Interestingly, the repeating array of N???π interactions around the axis of this 1,2,3,4‐tetraarylbenzene forces the molecules into a helical pattern.     

2‐(1 H‐1,2,3‐Triazol‐4‐yl)‐Pyridine Ligands as Alternatives to 2,2′‐Bipyridines in Ruthenium(II) Complexes

The synthesis of a variety of 2‐(1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)‐pyridines by click chemistry is demonstrated to provide straightforward access to mono‐functionalized ligands. The ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone initiated by such a mono‐functionalized ligand highlights the synthetic potential of this class of bidentate ligands with respect to polymer chemistry or the attachment onto surfaces and nanoparticles. The coordination to Ru^II ions results in homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes with the resultant photophysical and electrochemical properties strongly dependent on the number of these ligands attached to the Ru^II core.     

Synthesis of a DNA Promoter Segment Containing All Four Epigenetic Nucleosides: 5‐Methyl‐, 5‐Hydroxymethyl‐, 5‐Formyl‐, and 5‐Carboxy‐2′‐Deoxycytidine

A 5‐formyl‐2′‐deoxycytidine (fdC) phosphoramidite building block that enables the synthesis of fdC‐containing DNA with excellent purity and yield has been developed. In combination with phosphoramidites for 5‐methyl‐dC, 5‐hydroxymethyl‐dC, and carboxy‐dC, it was possible to prepare a segment of the OCT‐4 promoter that contains all four epigenetic bases. Because of the enormous interest in these new epigenetic bases, the ability to insert all four of them into DNA should be of great value for the scientific community.     

Mechanistic Insights on the Iodine(III)‐Mediated α‐Oxidation of Ketones

The synthesis of α‐substituted carbonyl compounds is of great importance due to their ubiquity in both natural and man‐made biologically active compounds. The field of hypervalent iodine chemistry has been a great contributor to access these molecules. For example, the α‐oxidation of carbonyl compounds has been one of the most investigated iodine(III)‐mediated stereoselective transformations. Yet, it is also the transformation that has met the most challenge in terms of achieving high stereoselectivities. The different mechanistic pathways of the iodine(III)‐mediated α‐tosyloxylation of ketones have been investigated. The calculations suggest an unprecedented iodine(III)‐promoted enolization process. Indications that iodonium intermediates could serve as proficient Lewis acids are reported. This concept could have broad impact and foster new developments in the field of hypervalent iodine chemistry.     

Preparation of 6‐, 7‐, and 8‐substituted derivatives of 2‐Oxa‐1,3,4,10‐tetraazacyclopenta[b]fluoren‐9‐one

The preparation of a variety of derivatives of 2‐oxa‐1,3,4,10‐tetraazacyclopenta[b]fluoren‐9‐one 1 is described. A series of substituted indan‐1‐ones were prepared and oxidized with N‐bromosuccinimide and dimethyl sulfoxide to the corresponding ninhydrin derivatives. Cyclization of the ninhydrins with furazan‐3,4‐diamine yielded the target tetracycles. Appropiate choice of substituents in ninhydrins led to a preference for one regioisomer in the target tetracycles. This permitted the synthesis of a variety of 8‐substituted hetero‐cycles. In those instances where isomer formation was possible, structural assignments were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.     

Enzymatic Synthesis of 7′,5′‐Bicyclo‐DNA Oligonucleotides

The selection of artificial genetic polymers with tailor‐made properties for their application in synthetic biology requires the exploration of new nucleosidic scaffolds that can be used in selection experiments. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a bicyclo‐DNA triphosphate (i.e., 7′,5′‐bc‐TTP) and show its potential to serve for the generation of new xenonucleic acids (XNAs) based on this scaffold. 7′,5′‐bc‐TTP is a good substrate for Therminator DNA polymerase, and up to seven modified units can be incorporated into a growing DNA chain. In addition, this scaffold sustains XNA‐dependent DNA synthesis and potentially also XNA‐dependent XNA synthesis. However, DNA‐dependent XNA synthesis on longer templates is hampered by competitive misincorporation of deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) caused by the slow rate of incorporation of 7′,5′‐bc‐TTP.     

Synthesis of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles 9. Preparation and carbon‐carbon bond cleavage of spiro[cycloalkane[1′,2′,4′]‐triazolo[1′,5′‐a][1′,3′,5′]triazine] derivatives and related compounds

Diaminomethylenehydrazones of cyclic ketones 1–5 reacted with ethyl N‐cyanoimidate (I) at room temperature or with bis(methylthio)methylenecyanamide (II) under brief heating to give directly the corresponding spiro[cycloalkane[1′,2′,4′]triazolo[1′,5′,‐a][1′,3′‐5′]triazine] derivatives 7–12 in moderate to high yields. Ring‐opening reaction of the spiro[cycloalkanetriazolotriazine] derivatives occurred at the cycloalkane moiety upon heating in solution to give 2‐alkyl‐5‐amino[1,2,4]triazolotriazines 13–16. Diaminomethylenehydrazones 17–19, of hindered acyclic ketones, gave 2‐methyl‐7‐methylthio[1,2,4]‐triazolo[1,5‐a][1,3,5]triazines 21–23 by the reaction with II as the main products with apparent loss of 2‐methylpropane from the potential precursor, 2‐tert‐butyl‐2‐methyl‐7‐methylthio[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]‐[1,3,5]triazines 20, in good yields. In general, bis(methylthio)methylenecyanamide II was found to be a favorable reagent to the one‐step synthesis of the spiro[cycloalkanetriazolotriazine] derivatives from the diaminomethylenehydrazones. The spectral data and structural assignments of the fused triazine products are discussed.     

Tandem Reaction of Deprotonation-Oxidation-Wittig Reaction: Stereoselective Synthesis of (E)-α,β-Unsaturated Enoates

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Synthesis and Applications of Silyl 2‐Methylprop‐2‐ene‐1‐sulfinates in Preparative Silylation and GC‐Derivatization Reactions of Polyols and Carbohydrates

Trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, tert‐butyldimethylsilyl, and triisopropylsilyl 2‐methylprop‐2‐ene‐1‐sulfinates were prepared through (CuOTf)₂?C₆H₆‐catalyzed sila‐ene reactions of the corresponding methallylsilanes with SO₂ at 50 °C. Sterically hindered, epimerizable, and base‐sensitive alcohols gave the corresponding silyl ethers in high yields and purities at room temperature and under neutral conditions. As the byproducts of the silylation reaction (SO₂+isobutylene) are volatile, the workup was simplified to solvent evaporation. The developed method can be employed for the chemo‐ and regioselective semiprotection of polyols and glycosides and for the silylation of unstable aldols. The high reactivity of the developed reagents is shown by the synthesis of sterically hindered per‐O‐tert‐butyldimethylsilyl‐α‐d ‐glucopyranose, the X‐ray crystallographic analysis of which is the first for a per‐O‐silylated hexopyranose. The per‐O‐silylation of polyols, hydroxy carboxylic acids, and carbohydrates with trimethylsilyl 2‐methylprop‐2‐ene‐1‐sulfinate was coupled with the GC analysis of nonvolatile polyhydroxy compounds both qualitatively and quantitatively.     

Z‐Shaped Pyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles and Their Transformation into π‐Expanded Indolo[3,2‐b]indoles

Sterically hindered 1,4‐dihydropyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles possessing ortho‐(arylethynyl)phenyl substituents at positions‐2 and ‐5 were efficiently synthesized through a sila‐Sonogashira reaction. These unique Z‐shaped dyes showed relatively strong fluorescence in solution. Detailed optimization revealed that, in the presence of InCl₃, these alkynes readily undergo an intramolecular double cyclization to give hexacyclic products bearing an indolo[3,2‐b]indole skeleton in remarkable yields. Steady‐state UV–visible spectroscopy revealed that upon photoexcitation, the prepared Z‐shaped alkynes undergo mostly radiative relaxation leading to high fluorescence quantum yields. In the case of 7,14‐dihydrobenzo[g]benzo[6,7]indolo[3,2‐b]indoles, we believe that the substantial planarization of geometry in the excited state, is the underlying reason for the observed large Stokes shifts. The presence of additional electron‐withdrawing groups makes it possible to further alter the photophysical properties. The two‐photon absorption cross‐section values of both families of dyes were found to be modest and the nature of the excited state responsible for two‐photon absorption appeared to be strongly affected by the presence of peripheral groups. Serendipitous synthesis of unusual double‐Z‐shaped alkyne by Sonogashira and Glaser coupling is also reported.     

Highly Chemo‐, Enantio‐, and Regioselective Synthesis of α,α‐Disubstituted Furanones by Cu‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition

A highly chemo‐, enantio‐, and regioselective synthesis of furanones bearing an α,α‐disubstituted quaternary stereogenic center is reported. The Cu‐catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of organoaluminum reagents to unsaturated ketoesters at room temperature and subsequent lactonization took place. Synthetic transformations of furanones represent facile approaches to various cyclic or acyclic compounds bearing a quaternary stereogenic center.     

Enantioselective Pd‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation Reactions of Dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolone Substrates: Efficient Syntheses of (−)‐Goniomitine, (+)‐Aspidospermidine,and (−)‐Quebrachamine

The successful application of dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolone (DHPI) substrates in Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation chemistry facilitates rapid access to multiple alkaloid frameworks in an enantioselective fashion. Strategic bromination at the indole C3 position greatly improved the allylic alkylation chemistry and enabled a highly efficient Negishi cross‐coupling downstream. The first catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (?)‐goniomitine, along with divergent formal syntheses of (+)‐aspidospermidine and (?)‐quebrachamine, are reported herein.     

Enantioselective Pd‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation Reactions of Dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolone Substrates: Efficient Syntheses of (−)‐Goniomitine, (+)‐Aspidospermidine,and (−)‐Quebrachamine

The successful application of dihydropyrido[1,2‐a]indolone (DHPI) substrates in Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation chemistry facilitates rapid access to multiple alkaloid frameworks in an enantioselective fashion. Strategic bromination at the indole C3 position greatly improved the allylic alkylation chemistry and enabled a highly efficient Negishi cross‐coupling downstream. The first catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of (−)‐goniomitine, along with divergent formal syntheses of (+)‐aspidospermidine and (−)‐quebrachamine, are reported herein.     

Multistep Flow Synthesis of 5‐Amino‐2‐aryl‐2H‐[1,2,3]‐triazole‐4‐carbonitriles

1,2,3‐Triazole has become one of the most important heterocycles in contemporary medicinal chemistry. The development of the copper‐catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition has allowed the efficient synthesis of 1‐substituted 1,2,3‐triazoles. However, only a few methods are available for the selective preparation of 2‐substituted 1,2,3‐triazole isomers. In this context, we decided to develop an efficient flow synthesis for the preparation of various 2‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles. Our strategy involves a three‐step synthesis under continuous‐flow conditions that starts from the diazotization of anilines and subsequent reaction with malononitrile, followed by nucleophilic addition of amines, and finally employs a catalytic copper(II) cyclization. Potential safety hazards associated with the formation of reactive diazonium species have been addressed by inline quenching. The use of flow equipment allows reliable scale up processes with precise control of the reaction conditions. Synthesis of 2‐substituted 1,2,3‐triazoles has been achieved in good yields with excellent selectivities, thus providing a wide range of 1,2,3‐triazoles.