Nickel,Cobalt and Palladium Catalysed C−H Functionalization of Un‐Activated C(sp3)−H Bond

This review represents nickel, cobalt and palladium catalyzed C?H activation of sp³ carbon, with special emphasis on methyl C?H activation. The importance of directing group assistance and effect of ligand on β‐ or γ‐ C(sp³)?H activation is summarized in this review. The mechanistic study for Ni, Co and Pd catalyzed sp³ C?H bond functionalization also discussed in detail.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization and antibacterial activity of O,O’-dialkyl and alkylene dithiophosphatogold (III)dichloride; crystal structure of [S2POCMe2CMe2O]AuCl2

Abstract

O, O’-Dialkyl and alkylene dithiophosphatogold (III)dichloride complexes of the type [(RO)₂PS₂]AuCl₂ and [S₂POGO]AuCl₂, where R?=?Et, nPr, iPr, iBu, Ph, cyclohexyl and cyclopentyl, where G?=?CMe₂CMe₂-, have been synthesized in 80-90% yields by reaction of the corresponding acid or sodium salts of the appropriate dithiophosphoric acids in 1:1 ratio with gold (III) chloride in dry dichloromethane at room temperature. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR and (¹H, ^l3C, and ³¹P) NMR. The crystal structure of [S₂POCMe₂CMe₂O]AuCl₂, was determined. These new complexes have shown their growth inhibiting potential against various bacterial strains with moderate to good activity.     

A short and efficient synthesis of (±)-β-cuparenone

A Wittig olefination-Claisen rearrangement strategy has been applied to achieve one of the shortest and efficient synthesis of (±)-β-cuparenone.     

Controlling Peptide Self‐Assembly through a Native Chemical Ligation/Desulfurization Strategy

Self‐assembled peptides were synthesized by using a native chemical ligation (NCL)/desulfurization strategy that maintained the chemical diversity of the self‐assembled peptides. Herein, we employed oxo‐ester‐mediated NCL reactions to incorporate cysteine, a cysteine‐based dipeptide, and a sterically hindered unnatural amino acid (penicillamine) into peptides. Self‐assembly of the peptides resulted in the formation of self‐supporting gels. Microscopy analysis indicated the formation of helical nanofibers, which were responsible for the formation of gel matrices. The self‐assembly of the ligated peptides was governed by covalent and non‐covalent interactions, as confirmed by FTIR, CD, fluorescence spectroscopy, and MS (ESI) analyses. Peptide disassembly was induced by desulfurization reactions with tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) and glutathione at 80 °C. Desulfurization reactions of the ligated peptides converted the Cys and penicillamine functionalities into Ala and Val moieties, respectively. The self‐supporting gels showed significant shear‐thinning and thixotropic properties.     

Dynamics of Nucleic Acids at Room Temperature Revealed by Pulsed EPR Spectroscopy

The investigation of the structure and conformational dynamics of biomolecules under physiological conditions is challenging for structural biology. Although pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (like PELDOR) techniques provide long‐range distance and orientation information with high accuracy, such studies are usually performed at cryogenic temperatures. At room temperature (RT) PELDOR studies are seemingly impossible due to short electronic relaxation times and loss of dipolar interactions through rotational averaging. We incorporated the rigid nitroxide spin label Ç into a DNA duplex and immobilized the sample on a solid support to overcome this limitation. This enabled orientation‐selective PELDOR measurements at RT. A comparison with data recorded at 50 K revealed averaging of internal dynamics, which occur on the ns time range at RT. Thus, our approach adds a new method to study structural and dynamical processes at physiological temperature in the <10 μs time range with atomistic resolution.     

Synthesis of bis-allyloxy functionalized polystyrene and poly (methyl methacrylate) macromonomers using a new ATRP initiator

A new bis-allyloxy functionalized ATRP initiator, viz, 4,4-bis (4-(allyloxy) phenyl) pentyl-2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate was synthesized starting from commercially available 4,4-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) pentanoic acid. Atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in bulk and that of methyl methacrylate in anisole using CuBr/N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine system was carried out. The kinetic study of styrene polymerization showed controlled polymerization behavior. Bis-allyloxy functionalized well-defined polystyrene (M_n^GPC: 13,600–28,250, PDI: 1.07–1.09) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (M_n^GPC: 10,100–18,450, PDI: 1.23–1.34) macromonomers were obtained. The presence of allyloxy functionality was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The reactivity of allyloxy functionality was demonstrated by carrying out organic reactions such as addition of bromine and hydrosilylation on polystyrene macromonomer. Polystyrene macromonomer with bis-allyloxy functionality was transformed into bis-epoxy functionalized polystyrene macromonomer using 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid.     

Organelle‐Targeted BODIPY Photocages: Visible‐Light‐Mediated Subcellular Photorelease

Photocaging facilitates non‐invasive and precise spatio‐temporal control over the release of biologically relevant small‐ and macro‐molecules using light. However, sub‐cellular organelles are dispersed in cells in a manner that renders selective light‐irradiation of a complete organelle impractical. Organelle‐specific photocages could provide a powerful method for releasing bioactive molecules in sub‐cellular locations. Herein, we report a general post‐synthetic method for the chemical functionalization and further conjugation of meso‐methyl BODIPY photocages and the synthesis of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐, lysosome‐, and mitochondria‐targeted derivatives. We also demonstrate that 2,4‐dinitrophenol, a mitochondrial uncoupler, and puromycin, a protein biosynthesis inhibitor, can be selectively photoreleased in mitochondria and ER, respectively, in live cells by using visible light. Additionally, photocaging is shown to lead to higher efficacy of the released molecules, probably owing to a localized and abrupt release.     

Inverse kinetic isotope effect in Magtrieve™ mediated oxidation or deoximation of benzaldoxime: mechanistic implication

Magtrieve? (CrO₂) mediated reactions with benzaldoxime (1a) and its deuterium congener (d-1a) led to the observation of inverse deuterium kinetic isotope effect (i-DKIE) for the substrate’s oxidation (Eq. 1a) as well as deoximation (Eq. 2a) process. Disappearance of the starting material 1a and formation of the products—1,3-dipolar cycloaddition product (4a) as well as benzaldehyde (3a)—followed a typical 1st-order kinetics. The observed k_D/k_H values, in the range of 2–4, suggest for a strong secondary isotope effect which was further evidenced by the fact that d-labeling was retained in 3a. Therefore, the observed i-SDKIE supports our original hypothesis that aldoxime (with sp²-C) interacts with CrO₂ in a rate determining step to form a tetrahedral (now with sp³-C) structure, possibly like 6, which may act as a common intermediate for both the pathways.     

A novel and efficient total synthesis of (±)-physostigmine

Application of the Wittig olefination-Claisen rearrangement protocol for the total synthesis of (±)-physostigmine.