Efficient oxidative radical cyclizations of ester enolates with carbocation desilylation as termination: synthesis of cyclopentanoid monoterpenes and analogues

[reaction: see text] An efficient oxidative radical cyclization approach for the synthesis of 2-alkenyl cyclopentane or cyclohexane carboxylates from omega-silylallyl ester enolates induced by recyclable SET oxidant ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate has been developed. A new tandem alkoxycarbonylation/oxidative radical cyclization/cationic termination process forms the basis for a five-step synthesis of the cyclopentanoid monoterpene dihydronepetalactone and analogues.     

Towards EPC-syntheses of the structural class of cochleamycins and macquarimicins. Part 3: EPC-syntheses of the β-keto lactone subunits and first attempts towards the syntheses of the pentacyclic antibiotics of this group

Practical EPC-syntheses of δ-substituted-β-keto δ-lactones, subunits of the cochleamycins and macquarimicins, are presented. In consequence Tietze's tandem reaction is employed to combine δ-allyl-β-keto δ-lactone with a hydrindene derivative, the second subunit of these acetogenic antibiotics. Model reactions for the final oxidative radical tandem cyclization reveal that the electrophilic radical cyclizes exclusively in exo-trig fashion. However, with the intended precursor of macquarimicin C allylic hydrogen abstraction thwarted the oxidative radical tandem cyclization.     

Radical Desulfur‐Fragmentation and Reconstruction of Enol Triflates: Facile Access to α‐Trifluoromethyl Ketones

We report an efficient oxidative radical desulfur‐fragmentation and reconstruction of enol triflates for the synthesis of α‐CF₃ ketones. Preliminary mechanistic studies disclosed that oxidative fragmentation to release a CF₃ radical from the triflyl group of enol triflate and subsequent addition of the CF₃ radical to another enol triflate form the desired α‐CF₃ ketones. This method provides a new approach to α‐CF₃ ketones, featuring the utilization of catalytic amount of oxidants, broad substrate scope, and potential to control the regioselectivity.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Oxidative Amination of Unactivated Internal Alkenes

A copper‐catalyzed oxidative amination of unactivated internal alkenes has been developed. The Wacker‐type oxidative alkene amination reaction is traditionally catalyzed by a palladium through a mechanism involving aminopalladation and β‐hydride elimination. Replacing the precious and scarce palladium with a cheap and abundant copper for this transformation has been challenging because of the difficulty associated with the aminocupration of internal alkenes. The combination of a simple copper salt, without additional ligand, as the catalyst and Dess–Martin periodinane as the oxidant, promotes efficiently the oxidative amination of allylic carbamates and ureas bearing di‐ and trisubstituted alkenes leading to oxazolidinones and imidazolidinones. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested a hybrid radical–organometallic mechanism involving an amidyl radical cyclization to form the key C?N bond.     

Mechanisms of antioxidant action: The photo-antioxidant mechanisms of the 4-alkyl-2-mercapto thiazolines in polypropylene

An explanation is given for the favourable effect of oxidative processing on the behaviour of the 4-alkyl-2-mercapto thiazoles (RMTs) as photo-antioxidants in polypropylene (PP). The thiols are shown to be oxidised to the corresponding disulphides, followed by further oxidation through radical intermediates to products which have undergone sulphur loss. The chemistry of the oxidative transformations is believed to involve radical species during the early stages of photo-oxidation.     

Aspects of Manganese (III) - Promoted Oxidative Free Radical Cyclizations to Functionalized Bicyclic Systems

The stereospecific formation of trans-decalin 7 from oxidative radical cyclization of 6 and formation of functionalized bicyclic systems from radical cyclization of 3 are detailed.     

Ruby Laser Irradiation (694 nm) of Human Skin Biopsies: Assessment by Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy of Free Radical Production and Oxidative Stress during Laser Depilation

Human skin biopsies (hair-bearing scalp skin and non-hair-bearing breast skin) were treated with t-butylhydroperoxide, irradiated with UV light (UVR) or irradiated with 694 nm ruby laser red light. Free-radical production and oxidative stress were assessed with electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) using the ascorbate radical as a marker. In comparison with both UVR and t-butyl-hydroperoxide (which readily induce the ascorbate radical in hair-bearing and hairless skin), 694 nm red light does not result in the formation of the ascorbate radical in detectable concentrations. Spin-trapping experiments with the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) showed that while free radicals could be detected after treatment of skin with t-butylhydroperoxide, radicals could not be trapped after laser treatment. Treatment of lasered skin (containing DMPO) with t-butylhydroperoxide produced radical adducts as well as the ascorbate radical, demonstrating that the laser neither depletes endogenous ascorbate nor the preadministered spin trap. It is concluded that 694 nm red light does not induce oxidative stress in human skin in levels comparable either to t-butyl hydroperoxide or UV light.     

A dual sensor spin trap for use with EPR spectroscopy

Redox active metal ions, carbon-centered radicals, and oxygen-centered radicals are important to oxidative stress. A radical detector combining a nitrone spin trap, a phenol, and a cyclopropane radical clocklike unit was prepared and used with EPR spectroscopy to detect and distinguish between hydroxyl radicals, methyl radicals, and iron(III) ions. Iron(III) reacts with the phenol unit inducing opening of the cyclopropane ring and cyclization to generate a stable nitroxyl radical.     

Barton radical reactions of 2-C-branched carbohydrates

Barton esters have been introduced into the side chain of carbohydrates with high yields in only a few steps from easily available glycals. Their radical reactions afford 2-C-methyl and 2-C-bromomethyl hexoses, pentoses and disaccharides in good yields in analytically pure form. Since the Barton esters have been synthesized by an oxidative radical addition and their transformations by reductive radical processes, our results demonstrate the power of such reactions in carbohydrate chemistry.     

A furoindoline synthesis by remote radical functionalization

The preliminary results of an investigation toward a synthesis of furoindolines from 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)indolines by remote radical functionalization are described. Using an oxidative radical cyclization, it was discovered that the intramolecular hydrogen abstraction was only successful when the resulting radical (and hence carbocation) was resonance stabilized by adjacent tertiary amine and phenyl groups. The successful cyclization affords diastereomeric furoindolines, one of which contains a highly strained trans-fused 5,5-ring system. This furoindoline synthesis contains a rare example of an alkoxy radical promoted hydrogen atom transfer of a proton attached to a nitrogen-substituted carbon.     

Polyhalides as Efficient and Mild Oxidants for Oxidative Carbene Organocatalysis by Radical Processes

Simple and inexpensive polyhalides (CCl₄ and C₂Cl₆) have been found to be effective and versatile oxidants in removing electrons from Breslow intermediates under N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis. This oxidative reaction involves multiple single‐electron‐transfer (SET) processes and several radical intermediates. The α, β, and γ‐carbon atoms of aldehydes and enals could be readily functionalized. Given the low cost of the oxidants and the broad applicability of the reactions, this study is expected to greatly enhance the feasibility of oxidative NHC catalysis for large‐scale applications. Also this new SET radical process with polyhalides as single‐electron oxidants will open a new avenue in the development of NHC‐catalyzed radical reactions.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies on oxidative polymerization mechanism of furan derivatives

The oxidative polymerization of furan, 3-methylfuran and 2,2′,5′,2″-terfuran, induced by iodine in organic solvents having different donicity, was investigated by time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The reaction was monitored starting from the onset of the process and radical species arising from the monomers in early stages of the polymerization reaction were detected. The comparison between experimental and theoretical hyperfine coupling constants, obtained by simulated EPR spectra and theoretical ab initio calculations, respectively, allowed one to structurally characterize the above radical species, thus enabling mechanistic conclusions about oxidative coupling. Moreover, the analysis of the time evolution of EPR spectrum during the oxidative polymerization process was used for evaluating the relative amount of localized and mobile radical species along the polymer backbone, thus getting preliminary information about conjugation extent and electroconducting properties of the final material. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1901–1910, 1998     

Statins: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) Reductase Inhibitors Demonstrate Anti-Atherosclerotic Character due to Their Antioxidant Capacity

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of multiple etiologies. It is associated with the accumulation of oxidized lipids in arterial lesions leading to coronary heart disease. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (commonly known as statins) are widely used in cardiovascular disease prevention to lower the cholesterol. The antioxidant activity of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors was studied by lipid peroxidation inhibition assay, DPPH, and hydroxyl radical scavenging-activity methods. The lovastatin (93%) and simvastatin (96%) showed significant action of lipid peroxidation inhibition compared to other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of simvastatin was 38% and 33%, respectively. The oxidative modification of serum lipid due to reactive oxygen species causes atherosclerosis. This study revealed the importance of lovastatin and simvastatin to prevent oxidative stress-related cardiovascular diseases.     

Mechanistic study of enzyme catalyzed polymerization of 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Horseradish peroxidase catalyzed polymerization of 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate (HQS) has been studied by in-situ NMR spectroscopy. The 2, 4 and 7 positions of the HQS are involved in oxidative free radical coupling with other HQS molecules with the order of reactivity being 7 ≥ 2 > 4. A mechanism for the oxidative free radical coupling and structure of the resulting polymer is proposed, which is supported by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Mechanism of Iodine(III)-Promoted Oxidative Dearomatizing Hydroxylation of Phenols: Evidence for a Radical-Chain Pathway

The oxidative dearomatization of phenols with the addition of nucleophiles to the aromatic ring induced by hypervalent iodine(III) reagents and catalysts has emerged as a highly useful synthetic approach. However, experimental mechanistic studies of this important process have been extremely scarce. In this report, we describe systematic investigations of the dearomatizing hydroxylation of phenols using an array of experimental techniques. Kinetics, EPR spectroscopy, and reactions with radical probes demonstrate that the transformation proceeds by a radical-chain mechanism, with a phenoxyl radical being the key chain-carrying intermediate. Moreover, UV and NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and cyclic voltammetry show that before reacting with the phenoxyl radical, the water molecule becomes activated by the interaction with the iodine(III) center, causing the Umpolung of this formally nucleophilic substrate. The radical-chain mechanism allows the rationalization of all existing observations regarding the iodine(III)-promoted oxidative dearomatization of phenols.     

TBHP/AIBN-Mediated Synthesis of 2-Amino-thioazoles from Active Methylene Ketones and Thiourea under Metal-free Conditions

A new oxidative system of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)/azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN) has been used for the first time for a convenient, metal-free synthesis of substituted 2-aminothioazoles from active methylene ketone derivatives and thiourea. The reaction is postulated to proceed via an oxidative cyclization initiated by a radical process and followed by a condensation reaction.     

Electrochemical Study on DNA Damage Based on the Direct Oxidation of 8‐Hydroxydeoxyguanosine at an Electrochemically Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

The study of DNA damage induced by Fenton reaction (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) in vitro was performed based on the direct electrochemical oxidation of 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OH‐dG), the biomarker of DNA oxidative damage, at an electrochemically modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The effects of antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, and hydroxyl‐radical scavenger (mannitol) on the DNA damage were also investigated. 8‐OH‐dG, the oxidation product of guanine residues in DNA, has shown significantly oxidative peak on the electrochemically modified GCE. The oxidative peak current of 8‐OH‐dG was linear with the damaged DNA concentration in the range of 10–200 mg/L. The experimental results demonstrate that ascorbic acid has ambivalent effect on DNA oxidative stress. It can promote DNA oxidative damage when ascorbic acid concentration is below 1.5 mM and protect DNA from damage in the range of 1.5–2.5 mM. As a hydroxyl‐radical scavenger, mannitol inhibits significantly DNA oxidative damage. The influence of Fe²⁺, as reactant, and EDTA as iron chelator in the system were also studied. The proposed electrochemical method can be used for the estimation of DNA oxidative damage from new point of view.     

Electrochemical radical arylsulfonylation/semipinacol rearrangement sequences of alkenylcyclobutanols: Synthesis of β-sulfonated cyclic ketones

Electrochemical oxidative radical sulfonylation/semipinacol rearrangement sequences of alkenylcyclobutanols have been developed. The reaction proceeds in an undivided electrochemical cell equipped with platinum plate electrodes employing sodium iodide as a redox catalyst and a supporting electrolyte. This approach is environmentally benign by using shelf-stable arylsulfonyl hydrazides as arylsulfonyl radical precursor and electrons as oxidizing reagents. The present protocol offers a facile way to prepare β-sulfonated cyclic ketone derivatives.     

Concise Synthesis of Polysubstituted Carbohelicenes by a C−H Activation/Radical Reaction/C−H Activation Sequence

Disclosed herein is the merging of C?H activation and radical chemistry, enabling rapid access to a structurally diverse family of fused carbohelicenes through the fusion of α‐acetylnaphthalenes with alkynes under oxidative conditions. This cascade process exhibits exquisite chemoselectivity and regioselectivity. The reaction pathway was analyzed by intermediate separations, control experiments, radical trapping, EPR, MALDI‐TOF‐MS, and ESI‐HRMS experiments, and shown to involve a C2?H activation/radical reaction/C8?H activation relay.     

Synthesis of the Northern hemisphere of the briaranes

A highly functionalized fragment corresponding to the Northern hemisphere of the briaranes has been synthesized employing a sulfonyl diene Diels-Alder reaction, oxidative desulfonylation, Eschenmoser rearrangement and Keck radical allylation.