Cascade Mn‐Mediated γ‐Alkylation/oxa‐Michael Addition of Enones with 1,3‐Dicarbonyls

A radical‐based strategy for regioselective γ‐C?C bond formation/oxa‐conjugate addition, forming the tetrahydrobenzofuran core common to many bioactive natural products is described. The technique utilizes readily available enone derivatives and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds as coupling partners in an oxidative formal [3+2] cycloaddition mediated by Mn^III. The transformation delivers polycyclic products in good yields and proceeds with complete regiocontrol and excellent stereoselectivity. Sterically encumbered substrates are notably well‐tolerated and bond formation occurs readily to form neopentyl and all‐carbon quaternary centers in good yields. Several stereo‐ and chemoselective transformations of the products are described.     

Lysozyme oxidation by singlet molecular oxygen: Peptide characterization using [18O]‐labeling oxygen and nLC‐MS/MS

Singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂) is generated in biological systems and reacts with different biomolecules. Proteins are a major target for ¹O₂, and His, Tyr, Met, Cys, and Trp are oxidized at physiological pH. In the present study, the modification of lysozyme protein by ¹O₂ was investigated using mass spectrometry approaches. The experimental findings showed methionine, histidine, and tryptophan oxidation. The experiments were achieved using [¹⁸O]‐labeled ¹O₂ released from thermolabile endoperoxides in association with nano‐scale liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The structural characterization by nLC‐MS/MS of the amino acids in the tryptic peptides of the proteins showed addition of [¹⁸O]‐labeling atoms in different amino acids.     

4‐OH‐TEMPO/TCQ/TBN/HCl: A Metal‐Free Catalytic System for Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols under Mild Conditions

A green and economical catalyst system, 4‐OH‐TEMPO/TCQ/TBN/HCl, for the aerobic oxidation of a broad range of primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds has been developed. These reactions proceed without transition‐metals under mild conditions with excellent yields.     

Non‐Heme‐Type Ruthenium Catalyzed Chemo‐ and Site‐Selective C−H Oxidation

Herein, we developed a Ru(II)(BPGA) complex that could be used to catalyze chemo‐ and site‐selective C?H oxidation. The described ruthenium complex was designed by replacing one pyridyl group on tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine with an electron‐donating amide ligand that was critical for promoting this type of reaction. More importantly, higher reactivities and better chemo‐, and site‐selectivities were observed for reactions using the cis‐ruthenium complex rather than the trans‐one. This reaction could be used to convert sterically less hindered methyne and/or methylene C?H bonds of a various organic substrates, including natural products, into valuable alcohol or ketone products.