Syntheses of Two Potential Ligands for Tc-99m Labeling as Diagnosis Agents of Alzheimer''''s Disease

Two types of ligands-biphenyl and stilbene derivatives, whichcan be labeled with Tc-99m for the diagnosis of Alzheimer'sdisease (AD) have been synthesized successfully. The key stepsin these two syntheses involved Suzuki reaction and Wittig reac-tion respectively. The new discovered debromination reactionmay be expanded to the compounds with double or triple bondadjacent to the carbon atom bearing the bromine atoms. Thesetypes of syntheses provide a route to a series of biphenyl andstilbene derivatives that will benefit the search of new imagingagents for AD.     

Novel Synthesis of Barbiturates

Knovenagel reaction of barbituric acid with different aldehydes were used to synthesize new barbiturates. This is a novel method which can be used to synthsis various types of new generation of barbiturates which are different from the previously reported.     

Enzymatic Promiscuity： Escherichia coli BioH Esterase-catalysed Aldol Reaction and Knoevenagel Reaction

Esterase BioH,which is obligatory for biotin synthesis in Escherichia coli,was found to exhibit a promiscuous ability to catalyse Aldol and Knoevenagel reactions with moderate to good yields.The reaction conditions including organic solvent,molar ratio of ketone to aldehyde,enzyme amount,and reaction time were investigated to evaluate the effect of different reaction conditions on yield.Target compounds were afforded in the best yield of 91.2％ for Aldol reaction and 54.7％ for Knoevenagel reaction.In addition,because the enzyme could be prepared with a low cost,this protocol could provide an economic route to conduct Aldol and Knoevenagel reactions,which expand the field of enzymatic promiscuity.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Dipolar Two-Photon Absorption Chromophores

It is a new interest to explore novel organic two-photon absorption (TPA) chromophores with large TPA cross section for their potential applications in various fields, such as three-dimensional optical data storage, micro- and nano-fabrication, biological imaging and optical limiting, and so on. As far as asymmetrical D-π-A type chromophores were concerned, larger TPA cross section can be obtained with the enhancement of electron-donation/electron-acception ability.[1] Recently, we have synthesized a series of new D-π-A type compounds. In these chromophores, stilbene or phenyl cyclo-bridged hexatriene is served as π-bridge, which terminated with a number of amino groups and dicyanomethylene unit (Scheme 1). All the chromophores can be obtained by the condensation reaction of aldehydes and active methyl or methenyl groups in good yields (72%～81%). The chromophores have been characterized by 1H NMR,IR, UV-vis, PL and EA. All these five chromophores in dilute solutions show strong red fluorescence (Table 1). The studies on the TPA properties are in progress.     

Environmentally Benign Oxidation of Some Organic Sulfides with 34% Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by Simple Heteropolyoxometalates

An environmentally benign oxygenation protocol was developed for selective oxidation of some types of aromatic and aliphatic sulfides in good to excellent yields utilizing 34% hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by simple heteropolyoxometalates in normal drinking water at room temperature. The catalysts could be recovered and reused for at least seven reaction cycles under the described reaction conditions without considerable loss of reactivity. This procedure introduced a new insight into the use of simple heteropolyanions as recoverable catalysts for the oxidation of organic sulfides by an environmentally acceptable protocol. Keywords     

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of β-amino alcohols by nitrene insertion

Chiral β-amino alcohols are important building blocks for the synthesis of drugs, natural products, chiral auxiliaries, chiral ligands and chiral organocatalysts. The catalytic asymmetric β-amination of alcohols offers a direct strategy to access this class of molecules. Herein, we report a general intramolecular C(sp³)–H nitrene insertion method for the synthesis of chiral oxazolidin-2-ones as precursors of chiral β-amino alcohols. Specifically, the ring-closing C(sp³)–H amination of N-benzoyloxycarbamates with 2 mol% of a chiral ruthenium catalyst provides cyclic carbamates in up to 99% yield and with up to 99% ee.The method is applicable to benzylic, allylic, and propargylic C–H bonds and can even be applied to completely non-activated C(sp³)–H bonds, although with somewhat reduced yields and stereoselectivities. The obtained cyclic carbamates can subsequently be hydrolyzed to obtain chiral β-amino alcohols. The method is very practical as the catalyst can be easily synthesized on a gram scale and can be recycled after the reaction for further use. The synthetic value of the new method is demonstrated with the asymmetric synthesis of a chiral oxazolidin-2-one as intermediate for the synthesis of the natural product aurantioclavine and chiral β-amino alcohols that are intermediates for the synthesis of chiral amino acids, indane-derived chiral Box-ligands, and the natural products dihydrohamacanthin A and dragmacidin A.     

Kinetics of the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane over a VMgO Catalyst

The reaction kinetics of the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane was studied at 475-550℃ over a VMgO catalyst. Vanadium-magnesium-oxides are among the most selective and active catalysts for the dehydrogenation of propane to propylene. Selectivity to propylene up to about 60% was obtained at 10% conversion, but the selectivity decreased with increasing conversion. No oxygenates were detected, the only by-products were CO and CO2. The reaction rate of propane was found to be first order in propane and close to zero order in oxygen, which is in agreement with a Mars van Krevelen mechanism with the activation of the hydrocarbon as the rate determining step. The activation energy of the conversion of propane was found to be 122±6 kJ/mol.     

A sulfonate-based Cu(Ⅰ) metal-organic framework as a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of propargylamines under solvent-free conditions

A new highly efficient and reusable Cu(Ⅰ)-MOF has been developed for the synthesis of propargylamine compounds via the three-component reaction of secondary amines,alkynes.and aromatic aldehydes under solvent-free conditions.The desired propargylamines were obtained in good to excellent yields with a low catalyst loading.The catalyst may be recovered and reused for up to 5 cycles without major loss of activity.This protocol has the advantages of excellent yields,low catalyst loading,and catalyst recyclability.     

Catalytic transformation of cellulose and its derived carbohydrates into chemicals involving C–C bond cleavage

The catalytic transformation of cellulose, the major component of abundant and renewable lignocellulosic biomass, into building-block chemicals is a key to establishing sustainable chemical processes. Cellulose is a polymer of glucose and a lot research effort has been devoted to the conversion of cellulose to six-carbon platform compounds such as glucose and glucose derivatives through C–O bond activation. There also exist considerable studies on the catalytic cleavage of C–C bonds in biomass for the production of high-value chemicals, in particular polyols and organic acids such as ethylene glycol and lactic acid. This review article highlights recent advances in the development of new catalytic systems and new strategies for the selective cleavage of C–C bonds in cellulose and its derived carbohydrates under inert, reductive and oxidative atmospheres to produce C1–C5polyols and organic acids. The key factors that influence the catalytic performance will be clarified to provide insights for the design of more efficient catalysts for the transformation of cellulose with precise cleavage of C–C bonds to high-value chemicals. The reaction mechanisms will also be discussed to understand deeply how the selective cleavage of C–C bonds can be achieved in biomass.     

Resonance Rayleigh scattering spectrum for the chelate of lanthanum(Ⅲ) with sodium tanshinon ⅡA silate and its analytical application

In a pH 3.6―5.0 HAc-NaAc buffer solution, when sodium tanshinon ⅡA silate (STSⅡA) reacts with La(Ⅲ) to form a chelate, the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) intensity can be en-hanced greatly and a new RRS spectrum will appear. The maximum RRS peak is located at 306 nm and the RRS intensity is proportional to the concentration of STSⅡA in a certain range. The method is very sensitive and the detection limit for STSⅡA (3σ/K) is 82.12 ng·mL?1. The optimum reaction condi-tions and the effect of coexisting substances have been investigated. A new, simple and fast method for the determination of STSⅡA based on RRS method is developed. It can be applied to the deter-mination of STSⅡA in the synthesis samples and Nuoxinkang injection. Combined with infrared ab-sorption and NMR spectra, the structure of the chelate and the reasons of RRS enhancement are also discussed.     

Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on Schiff base‐functionalized mesoporous silica as a highly efficient and magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for Heck coupling reaction

A new magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst was prepared by functionalization of mesoporous silica (SBA‐15) with a Schiff base ligand, and then immobilization of palladium nanoparticles on it using a simple procedure. This heterogeneous catalyst was fully characterized using appropriate analyses and its catalytic efficiency was investigated in Heck reaction using iodo‐, bromo‐ and chlorobenzene derivatives and styrene, with the aim of synthesizing stilbene derivatives, a class of compounds with a variety of pharmacological properties. Some of the characteristics of this nanocatalyst include good dispersion of palladium nanoparticles on the SBA‐15 support, easy separation, catalyses the production of stilbene derivatives in a short time with excellent yields even for bromo‐ and chlorobenzene, and preservation of its catalytic activity after eight reaction cycles.     

Novel Carbazole‐Based N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands to Access Synthetically Relevant Stilbenes in Pd‐Catalyzed Coupling Processes

A series of new carbazole‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been synthesized in a simple and facile synthetic route and subsequently used in a Pd/carbazole‐based NHC catalytic system, which was found to be effective in catalyzing Heck reactions to provide substituted stilbene derivatives in good yields. Several bioactive stilbenes, including pterostilbene, pinosylvin, trimethoxy resveratrol, and resveratrol, were synthesized in good yields, and a 10 mmol scale‐up was also performed for trimethoxy resveratrol. The synthetic application was also extended by performing a double‐tandem chemoselective Heck reaction followed by Miyaura borylation in a one‐pot procedure to give single‐step access to synthetically useful stilbenyl boronate esters. Similarly, a unique triple‐tandem protocol of a chemoselective Heck reaction/Miyaura borylation/Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction sequence was performed for the one‐pot modification of biologically relevant molecules.     

Synthesis of p-Nitro-stilbene Derivatives with Different Linking Bonds:An Attempt to Tune Spectroscopy of Dyes with Molecular Engineering

The synthesis, characterization and spectroscopy of a range of novel substituted p‐nitro‐stilbene derivatives with different bridging bonds were presented. The molecular structure characterization was carried out with ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence of the compounds were investigated in various solvents. The maximal absorption wavelength of the nitro‐stilbene derivatives with an ether bond exhibited approximate 30 to 40 nm bathochromic shift compared to that of nitro‐stilbene dyes with an ester bond. Furthermore, the nitro‐stilbene derivatives with an ether bond displayed obvious photoluminescence, while the nitro‐stilbene derivatives with an ester bond showed weak fluorescence emission. The detection of the cyclic voltammograms of the nitro‐stilbene derivatives showed that the nitro‐stilbene compounds with different linking bonds exhibited different redox proceses at various scan rates. The theroretical calculations of HOMO and LUMO energy of nitro‐stilbene derivatives showed that the energy gaps between HOMO and LUMO of 3 and 4 were lower than those of 1 and 2 . The electron density of the frontier orbitals of nitro‐stilbene derivatives was observed to be affacted by the linking bonds, which thus made it possible to tune the spectroscopy of these dyes with chemical strategy. The differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry showed that the thermal stabilities of these dyes were not much affected by the linking bond. The results presented in this paper would be great interest in development of ideal nitro‐stilbene derivatives for special purposes.     

Novel Chiral Aminophosphine Ligand:Synthesis and Application in Saymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation Reaction

A new chiral aminophosphine ligand 6,6′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphinoamino)biphenyl(DMBDPPABP) was prepared and its rhodium complex was found to be an effective catalyst for the asymmetric hydrogenation of amidoacrylic acid and its dervatives.The effects of solvent and reaction temperature on enantioselectivity were also studied.     

Total Synthesis of (+)‐Machaeriols B and C and of Their Enantiomers with a Cannabinoid Structure

An efficient and concise synthesis of the biologically interesting (+)‐machaeriol B ( 2 ) and its enantiomer 5 was accomplished from O‐phenylhydroxylamine ( 7 ) in four steps (Scheme 2). In addition, the first total synthesis of natural (+)‐machaeriol C ( 3 ) and its enantiomer 6 was achieved from the readily available ester 15 in eight steps (Scheme 4). The key strategies in the syntheses of 2 and 5 involved benzofuran formation through a [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement and trans‐hexahydrodibenzopyran formation by a domino aldol‐type/hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction. In the case of 3 and 6 , the key steps were stilbene formation by a Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction and trans‐hexahydrodibenzopyran formation by domino reactions.     

Access to Paullone Analogues by Intramolecular Heck Reaction

The syntheses of paullone ( 1a ) and three paullone derivatives, including a sulfur analogue ( 2a ), a tricyclic derivative ( 2b ), and a ring‐enlarged variant ( 2c ), are described, Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular Heck reaction being the key step. The kinase‐inhibitory properties of the novel paullone analogues were investigated.     

Synthesis of Some Novel Class of Regioselective Spiro Isoxazolidine Derivatives via 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction of N‐Benzyl‐C‐fluoro‐substituted Phenyl Nitrones in Ionic Liquid

Synthesis of some new class of regioselective spiro isoxazolidine derivatives have been described using N‐benzyl‐C‐fluoro substituted‐phenyl nitrones with new dipolarophiles via 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction in ionic liquid. The novel spiro cycloadducts found to exhibit good synthetic potentiality as they could be converted into synthetically more important spiro 1,3‐amino alcohols. Simple reaction methodology, noninvolvent of catalysts, good to excellent yields, and greener approaches are the important features noticed in this syntheses.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Anti‐Markovnikov Hydroamination of Alkylidenecyclopropanes

The cationic gold phosphine complex [{PCy₂(o‐biphenyl)}Au(NCMe)]⁺SbF₆^? (Cy=cyclohexyl) catalyzes the intermolecular, anti‐Markovnikov hydroamination reaction of monosubstituted and cis‐ and trans‐disubstituted alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) with imidazolidin‐2‐ones and other nucleophiles. This reaction forms 1‐cyclopropyl alkylamine derivatives in high yield and with high regio‐ and diastereoselectivity. NMR spectroscopic analysis of gold π‐ACP complexes and control experiments point to the sp hybridization of the ACP internal alkene carbon atom as controlling the regiochemistry of the ACP hydroamination reaction.     

Collective Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Tryptophan‐Based Dimeric Diketopiperazine Alkaloids

A concise two one‐pot synthesis of WIN 64821, eurocristatine, 15,15′‐bis‐epi‐eurocristatine, ditryptophenaline, ditryptoleucine A, WIN 64745, cristatumin C, asperdimin, naseseazine A, and naseseazine B is detailed, based on a unique bioinspired dimerization reaction of tryptophan derivatives in aqueous acidic solution and a one‐pot procedure for the construction of diketopiperazine rings. Total yields of these alkaloid syntheses were from 10 up to 27 %. In addition, 1′‐(2‐phenylethylene)‐ditryptophenaline was synthesized by using three one‐pot operations. The studies detailed herein provided synthesized natural products for inhibitory activities of ubiquitin‐specific protease 7 (USP7) and foam cell formation in macrophages. The newly listed biological evaluation for tryptophan‐based dimeric diketopiperazine alkaloids discovered 15,15′‐bis‐epi‐eurocristatine, 1′‐(2‐phenylethylene)‐ditryptophenaline, and WIN 64745 as new drug candidates.