Biology‐Oriented Combined Solid‐ and Solution‐Phase Synthesis of a Macroline‐Like Compound Collection

Macrolines constitute a class of natural products that has more than 100 members and displays diverse biological activities. These compounds feature a cycloocta[b]indole scaffold that represents an interesting target structure for biology‐oriented synthesis (BIOS). We have presented a solid‐phase synthesis of isomerically pure cycloocta[b]indoles by employing the Pictet–Spengler reaction and the Dieckmann cyclization as key steps. The scope of this reaction sequence was investigated in more detail by using various additional diversification procedures, such as Pd‐catalyzed Sonogashira or Suzuki couplings on a solid phase, thus allowing, for example, the generation of 10‐substituted cycloocta[b]indole derivatives. Finally, solution‐phase decoration of the cycloocta[b]indole skeleton by reduction and saponification was evaluated, thereby further extending the scope of the solid‐phase synthesis.     

Efficient Total Synthesis of (S)‐14‐Azacamptothecin

An efficient total synthesis of (S)‐14‐azacamptothecin has been accomplished in 10 steps and 56 % overall yield from 5H‐pyrano[4,3‐d]pyrimidine 8 . A mild Hendrickson reagent‐triggered intramolecular cascade cyclization, a highly enantioselective dihydroxylation, and an efficient palladium‐catalyzed transformation of an O‐allyl into N‐allyl group are the key steps in the synthesis. This work provides a much higher overall yield than the previous achievement and shows sound flexibility for the further applications that will lead to new bioactive analogues.     

Synthesis,Biological Evaluation,and Crystallographic Studies of Extended Guanine‐Based (lin‐Benzoguanine) Inhibitors for tRNA‐Guanine Transglycosylase (TGT)

This paper describes the rational design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new generation of inhibitors of the bacterial enzyme tRNA‐guanine transglycosylase (TGT), which has been identified as a new target in the fight against bacillary dysentery (Shigellosis). The enzyme catalyzes the exchange of guanine in the anticodon wobble position of tRNA by the modified base preQ₁, a guanine derivative, according to a ping‐pong mechanism involving a covalent TGT‐tRNA intermediate (Fig. 2). Based on computer modeling (Fig. 3), lin‐benzoguanine (6‐aminoimidazol[4,5‐g]quinazolin‐8(7H)‐one ( 2 )) was selected as an extended central scaffold, to form up to seven in‐plane intermolecular H‐bonds with the protein while sandwiching between Tyr106 and Met260. Versatile synthetic protocols were developed for the synthesis of 2 , and derivatives with phenyl, benzyl, and 2‐phenylethyl side chains (i.e., 16, 17a , and 12a, 12b, 13, 17 , resp.) to reach into the lipophilic pocket lined by Val282, Val45, and Leu68 (Schemes 1–3). To account for the limited solubility of the new ligands and in consequence of a recently developed detailed understanding of the mechanism of TGT catalysis (Fig. 2), the enzyme kinetic assay was completely redesigned, providing competitive (K_ic) and uncompetitive (K_iu) inhibition constants with respect to tRNA binding by TGT. The modifications of the various parameters in the new assay are described in detail. Binding affinities of the new inhibitors were found to be in the single‐digit micromolar range (K_ic values, Fig. 8). Decoration of the lin‐benzoguanine scaffold with lipophilic residues only gave a modest improvement in biological activity which was explained on structural grounds with the help of four crystal structures (Fig. 10) obtained by soaking the protein with inhibitors 2 and 12a – 12c . Both biochemical and biostructural analyses reported in this paper provide a fertile basis for the development of more potent future generations of TGT inhibitors.     

Bioinspired Peony‐Like β‐Ni(OH)2 Nanostructures with Enhanced Electrochemical Activity and Superhydrophobicity

Constructing complex nanostructures has become increasingly important in the development of hydrogen storage, self‐cleaning materials, and the formation of chiral branched nanowires. Several approaches have been developed to generate complex nanostructures, which have led to novel applications. Combining biology and nanotechnology through the utilization of biomolecules to chemically template the growth of complex nanostructures during synthesis has aroused great interest. Herein, we use a biomolecule‐assisted hydrothermal method to synthesize β‐phase Ni(OH)₂ peony‐like complex nanostructures with second‐order structure nanoplate structure. The novel β‐Ni(OH)₂ nanostructures exhibit high‐power Ni/MH battery performance, close to the theoretical capacity of Ni(OH)₂, as well as controlled wetting behavior. We demonstrate that this bioinspired route to generate a complex nanostructure has applications in environmental protection and green secondary cells. This approach opens up opportunities for the synthesis and potential applications of new kinds of nanostructures.     

Enantiospecific Synthesis of (R)‐3‐Amino‐4‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)butanoic Acid Using (S)‐Serine as a Chiral Pool

Starting from (S)‐serine, a new method was developed for the synthesis of the β‐amino acid part of sitagliptin in ten steps and with an overall yield of 30%. The crucial step of the synthesis was the ring opening of N‐ and O‐protected (R)‐aziridin‐2‐methanol with (2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)magnesium bromide to give N‐ and O‐protected (R)‐2‐amino‐3‐(2,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)propan‐1‐ol.     

An Efficient and Simple Method for Stereoselective Synthesis of N‐Substituted Iminosugars from D‐Xylose Derivative

A series of new N‐substituted iminosugars were successfully synthesized through a general synthetic route from D‐xylose derivative. This approach provided a convenient access to the synthesis of N‐alkylated iminosugars as potential glucosidase inhibitors, which included a reaction of reductive amination. Various N‐alkylated iminosugars were prepared in good yields with high stereoselectivity.     

Synthesis of (‐)‐herbertenediol and (aR,aS)‐mastigophorenes A via asymmetric intramolecular heck coupling reaction

Total enantioselective synthesis of the natural (‐)‐Herbertenediol (1) was accomplished in eleven steps with an overall yield of 15% starting from the 2‐methoxy‐4‐methyl‐phenol. The total synthesis features asymmetric intramolecular Heck reaction and Wolff‐Kishner‐Huang reduction. (aR, aS)‐Mastigophorenes A was also synthesized through the oxidative coupling reaction.     

Design,Synthesis, and Phenotypic Profiling of Pyrano‐Furo‐Pyridone Pseudo Natural Products

Natural products (NPs) inspire the design and synthesis of novel biologically relevant chemical matter, for instance through biology‐oriented synthesis (BIOS). However, BIOS is limited by the partial coverage of NP‐like chemical space by the guiding NPs. The design and synthesis of “pseudo NPs” overcomes these limitations by combining NP‐inspired strategies with fragment‐based compound design through de novo combination of NP‐derived fragments to unprecedented compound classes not accessible through biosynthesis. We describe the development and biological evaluation of pyrano‐furo‐pyridone (PFP) pseudo NPs, which combine pyridone‐ and dihydropyran NP fragments in three isomeric arrangements. Cheminformatic analysis indicates that the PFPs reside in an area of NP‐like chemical space not covered by existing NPs but rather by drugs and related compounds. Phenotypic profiling in a target‐agnostic “cell painting” assay revealed that PFPs induce formation of reactive oxygen species and are structurally novel inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I.     

Design,Synthesis, and Phenotypic Profiling of Pyrano‐Furo‐Pyridone Pseudo Natural Products

Natural products (NPs) inspire the design and synthesis of novel biologically relevant chemical matter, for instance through biology‐oriented synthesis (BIOS). However, BIOS is limited by the partial coverage of NP‐like chemical space by the guiding NPs. The design and synthesis of “pseudo NPs” overcomes these limitations by combining NP‐inspired strategies with fragment‐based compound design through de novo combination of NP‐derived fragments to unprecedented compound classes not accessible through biosynthesis. We describe the development and biological evaluation of pyrano‐furo‐pyridone (PFP) pseudo NPs, which combine pyridone‐ and dihydropyran NP fragments in three isomeric arrangements. Cheminformatic analysis indicates that the PFPs reside in an area of NP‐like chemical space not covered by existing NPs but rather by drugs and related compounds. Phenotypic profiling in a target‐agnostic “cell painting” assay revealed that PFPs induce formation of reactive oxygen species and are structurally novel inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I.     

From‐Core and From‐End Direct CH Arylations: A Step‐Saving New Synthetic Route to Thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD)‐Incorporated D‐‐π–A–π–D Functional Oligoaryls

In contrast to the traditional multistep synthesis, herein an efficient and fewer‐steps new synthetic strategy is demonstrated for the facile preparation of organic‐electronically important D–π–A–π–D‐type oligoaryls through sequential direct C?H arylations. This methodology has shown that the synthesis of thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD)‐ or furano[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (FPD)‐centred target molecules could be accessed step‐economically either from the core structure (acceptor) or from the end structure (donor), which supplied a more flexible and succinct new synthetic alternative to the preparation of the π‐functional small‐molecule semiconducting materials. In addition, optical and electrochemical properties of the synthesized oligoaryls were examined.     

gem‐Dimethyl‐bearing C‐Glucosides as Sodium‐glucose Co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors

Three novel gem‐dimethyl C‐glucosides were designed as sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and their syntheses started from D‐glucose and three 2‐substituted‐5‐bromobenzoic acids were achieved via a facile 8‐step protocol, with the key step being anhydrous aluminum chloride‐catalyzed Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of tertiary alcohols and phenetol. These three SGLT2 inhibitors were evaluated in vivo with a mice oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and the anti‐hyperglycemic activities of all these three compounds were comparable with that of the positive control Dapagliflozin.     

Synthesis and characterization of second‐generation S,S‐dialkyl‐S‐(dimethylhydroxyphenyl)sulfonium salt photoinitiators

A new, simplified method has been developed for the synthesis of S,S‐dialkyl‐S‐(dimethylhydroxyphenyl)sulfonium salt cationic photoinitiators. This novel method has successfully been used for the preparation of S,S‐dialkyl‐S‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)sulfonium and S,S‐dialkyl‐S‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)sulfonium salts showing a wide variation in the length and structure of the alkyl chains on the positively charged sulfur atom. These photoinitiators can also be prepared with a wide variety of different anions. The manipulation of the lengths of the alkyl chains permits the design of compatible photoinitiators for highly nonpolar monomers and oligomers such as epoxy‐functional silicones, epoxidized polybutadiene, and epoxidized vegetable oils. This article describes the synthesis and characterization of these photoinitiators. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2556–2569, 2003     

Total Synthesis of Marine Eicosanoid (−)‐Hybridalactone

(?)‐Hybridalactone ( 1 ) is a marine eicosanoid isolated from the red alga Laurencia hybrida. This natural product contains cyclopropane, cyclopentane, 13‐membered macrolactone and epoxide ring systems incorporating seven stereogenic centers. Moreover, this compound has an acid‐labile skipped Z,Z‐diene motif. In this paper, we report on the total synthesis of (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ). The unique eicosanoid (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ) was synthesized starting from optically active γ‐butyrolactone 2 in a linear sequence comprising 21 steps with an overall yield of 21.9 %. A key step in the synthesis of (?)‐hybridalactone ( 1 ) is the methyl phenylsulfonylacetate‐mediated one‐pot synthesis of the cis‐cyclopropane‐γ‐lactone derivative. This reaction provided an efficient and stereoselective access to cis‐cyclopropane‐γ‐lactone 12 . Further elaboration of the latter compounds through desulfonylation, epoxidation, oxidation, Wittig olefination and Shiina macrolactonization afforded (?)‐hybridalactone.     

A New and Convenient Synthesis of Amino‐phthalimide (1H‐Isoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione) Derivatives and Their Photoluminescent Properties

A new and convenient synthesis for amino‐phthalimide (1H‐isoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione) derivatives has been developed starting from an α,β‐unsaturated ketone. The ketones were reacted with amines to give aromatic amine products. This is the first time that substituted amine groups have been incorporated in aromatic rings. The mechanism of the product formation is rationalized by the 1,2‐addition of amines to ketones. All aromatic compounds exhibited high fluorescence properties at the blue‐green region.     

Studies toward the Synthesis of (R)‐(+)‐Harmicine

The study toward the total synthesis of (R)‐(+)‐harmicine is reported in this paper. The enantioselective synthesis of pyrrolidinone, the main backbone of of (R)‐(+)‐harmicine, has been completed by the methodology based on photo‐induced Wolff rearrangement of α‐diazo‐β‐carbonyl compounds.     

Solid‐Phase Synthesis of (Poly)phosphorylated Nucleosides and Conjugates

Succinyl‐cycloSal‐phosphate triesters of ribo‐ and 2′‐deoxyribonucleosides were attached to aminomethyl polystyrene as an insoluble solid support and reacted with phosphate‐containing nucleophiles yielding nucleoside di‐ and triphosphates, nucleoside diphosphate sugars, and dinucleoside polyphosphates in high purity after cleavage from the solid support. Here, reactive cycloSal‐phosphate triesters were used as immobilized reagents that led to a generally applicable method for the efficient synthesis of phosphorylated biomolecules and phosphate‐bridged bioconjugates.     

Biology‐Oriented Synthesis of a Withanolide‐Inspired Compound Collection Reveals Novel Modulators of Hedgehog Signaling

Biology‐oriented synthesis employs the structural information encoded in complex natural products to guide the synthesis of compound collections enriched in bioactivity. The trans‐hydrindane dehydro‐δ‐lactone motif defines the characteristic scaffold of the steroid‐like withanolides, a plant‐derived natural product class with a diverse pattern of bioactivity. A withanolide‐inspired compound collection was synthesized by making use of three key intermediates that contain this characteristic framework derivatized with different reactive functional groups. Biological evaluation of the compound collection in cell‐based assays that monitored biological signal‐transduction processes revealed a novel class of Hedgehog signaling inhibitors that target the protein Smoothened.     

Lewis base‐catalyzed electrophilic lactonization of selenyl bromide resin and facile solid‐phase synthesis of furan‐2(5H)‐one derivatives

A facile solid‐phase synthesis approach was developed for the rapid synthesis of multi‐substituted furan‐2(5H)‐one derivatives libraries. The synthetic strategy included the selenyl bromide resin‐induced electrophilic lactonization catalyzed by Lewis base, lithiation, nucleophilic substitution and oxidation–elimination of the selenium resins. The advantages of the new method are good yields, high purity, straightforward operations and high diversity of the products, lack of odor, and good stability of the selenium resins. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Copper‐Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction and ‘Click Strategy’ for the Stereoselective Synthesis of a New Series of Oxazolone Peptidomimetics with α‐Acylamino Amide and β‐Amido Ketone Structures

A novel ‘click ligation’ strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of a medium‐size library of structurally complex and functionally diverse oxazolone peptidomimetics, which contain α‐acylamino carboxamide or β‐amido ketone residues, is presented. Most of these molecules have lipophilicity constant values (log P) in the qualifying range for cell permeability, and that indicates the possibilities of these new molecules to be used in the search for potential inhibitors for a broad spectrum of enzymes.     

The First Stereoselective Total Synthesis of a Naturally Occurring Bioactive Diarylheptanoid, (3R,6E)‐1,7‐Bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)hept‐6‐en‐3‐ol,through Two Different Approaches

The stereoselective total synthesis of a naturally occurring bioactive diarylheptanoid, (3R,6E)‐1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)hept‐6‐en‐3‐ol, has been accomplished starting from 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde through two different approaches involving Wittig olefination, hydrolytic kinetic resolution of a racemic epoxide, and olefin cross‐metathesis reaction as the key steps.