(E)-9-(2-iodovinyl)-9H-carbazole: a new coupling reagent for the synthesis of π-conjugated carbazoles

The one-pot synthesis of (E)-9-(2-iodovinyl)-9H-carbazole via sequential ruthenium-catalyzed silylative coupling of N-vinylcarbazole with vinyltrimethylsilane and iododesilylation is reported. Its use as a new building block in the palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions to yield new carbazole-containing (E)-but-1-en-3-ynes and (E,E)-buta-1,3-dienes is demonstrated.     

A new catalytic approach to germasiloxanes

A new ruthenium(0) complex catalyzed coupling reaction of silanols with vinylgermanes leading to SiO-Ge bond formation with the evolution of ethylene is described. Under optimum conditions the catalytic O-germylation of silanols gives exclusively germasiloxanes.     

A highly stereoselective synthesis of new styryl-π-conjugate organosilicon compounds

This work describes very precise and controlled catalytic transformations as useful tools for the synthesis of new trans-π-conjugated molecular and macromolecular organosilicon compounds. Several distyryl-arenes were obtained efficiently via silylative coupling in high yields and with excellent selectivity for new E,E-bis(silyl)arenes.     

Design,Sustainable Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Novel Dual α2A/5-HT7 Receptor Antagonist with Antidepressant-Like Properties

The complex pathophysiology of depression, together with the limits of currently available antidepressants, has resulted in the continuous quest for alternative therapeutic strategies. Numerous findings suggest that pharmacological blockade of α₂-adrenoceptor might be beneficial for the treatment of depressive symptoms by increasing both norepinephrine and serotonin levels in certain brain areas. Moreover, the antidepressant properties of 5-HT₇ receptor antagonists have been widely demonstrated in a large set of animal models. Considering the potential therapeutic advantages in targeting both α₂-adrenoceptors and 5-HT₇ receptors, we designed a small series of arylsulfonamide derivatives of (dihydrobenzofuranoxy)ethyl piperidines as dually active ligands. Following green chemistry principles, the designed compounds were synthesized entirely using a sustainable mechanochemical approach. The identified compound 8 behaved as a potent α_2A/5-HT₇ receptor antagonist and displayed moderate-to-high selectivity over α₁-adrenoceptor subtypes and selected serotonin and dopaminergic receptors. Finally, compound 8 improved performance of mice in the forced swim test, displaying similar potency to the reference drug mirtazapine.