Emerging Organometallic Methods for the Synthesis of C-Branched (Hetero)aryl,Alkenyl, and Alkyl Glycosides: C−H Functionalization and Dual Photoredox Approaches

Transition-metal-catalyzed C−H functionalization and photoredox nickel dual catalysis have emerged as innovative and powerful avenues for the synthesis of C-branched glycosides. These two concepts have been recently established and provide efficient and mild methods for accessing a series of valuable complex C-branched glycosides of great interest. Herein, recent developments in the synthesis of C-branched aryl/alkenyl/alkyl glycosides through these two approaches are highlighted.     

Hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of perfluoroalkyl thioamides with electron-rich 1,3-dienes: synthesis of new 2-aminosubstituted-3,6-dihydro-2H-thiopyrans and related compounds

Hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of perfluoroalkyl thioamides with electron-rich 1,3-dienes such as 2,3-dimethylbutadiene, isoprene or penta-1,3-diene gave a simple and efficient access to new 2-aminosubstituted-3,6-dihydro-2H-thiopyrans. Three different procedures were used depending on the nature of the polyfluoroalkyl chains (R_F=CF₃, (CF₂)_nCF₃, (CF₂)₄H) and on the nitrogen substituents of the thioamides (R¹, R²=H, p-Tol, morpholino, Ac). Moreover, cycloadditions of silyloxydienes (1- or 2-trimethylsilyloxy-1,3-butadiene and Danishefsky's diene) with N-acyl,N-tolyl trifluoromethylthioamides afforded in almost all cases the corresponding 3,6-dihydro-2H-thiopyrans or 3-oxo-tetrahydrothiopyrans. For non-symmetrical 1,3-dienes, the regio- and stereochemistry of the reactions were studied (especially using X-ray diffraction analysis) indicating a strong similarity with those reported for fluorinated thiocarboxyl derivatives. Finally, two silylated 3,6-dihydro-2H-thiopyrans underwent an unexpected base-induced ring contraction to give new 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones.     

The structural analysis of large noncovalent oxygen binding proteins by MALLS and ESI-MS: a review on annelid hexagonal bilayer hemoglobin and crustacean hemocyanin

Understanding the function of macromolecular complexes is related to a precise knowledge of their structure. These large complexes are often fragile high molecular mass noncovalent multimeric proteins. Classical biochemical methods for determination of their native mass and subunit composition were used to resolve their quaternary structure, sometimes leading to different models. Recently, the development of mass spectrometry and multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) has enabled absolute determination of native masses and subunit masses. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used in denaturing and native conditions to probe subunit composition and noncovalent assemblies masses up to 2.25 MDa. In a complementary way, MALLS provides mass and size estimation in various aqueous solvents. ESI-MS method can also give insights into post-translational modifications (glycosylation, disulfide bridges ). By combining native mass and subunit composition data, structural models can be proposed for large edifices such as annelid extracellular hexagonal bilayer hemoglobins (HBL Hb) and crustacean hemocyanins (Hc). Association/dissociation mechanisms, protein-protein interactions, structural diversity among species and environmental adaptations can also be addressed with these methods. With their absolute mass determination, the very high precision of spectrometry and the versatile nature of light scattering, ESI-MS and MALLS have provided a wealth of data helping to resolve parts of controversies for HBL-Hb models and opening access to new fields of investigation in structural diversity and molecular adaptation. In this review we will focus on annelid HBL-Hb and on crustacean Hc and on the original contributions of ESI-MS and MALLS in this field.     

A polyplex qPCR-based binding assay for protein-DNA interactions

The measurement of protein-DNA interactions is difficult and often involves radioisotope-labelled DNA to obtain the desired assay sensitivity. More recently, high-throughput proteomic approaches were developed but they generally lack sensitivity. For these methods, the level of technical difficulties involved is high due to the need for specialised facilities or equipment and training. The new qPCR-based DNA-binding assay involves immunoprecipitation of a GFP-tagged DNA-binding protein in complex with various DNA targets (Ter sites) followed by qPCR quantification, affording a very sensitive and quantitative method that can be performed in polyplex. Using a single binding reaction, the binding specificity of the DNA replication terminator protein Tus for ten termination sites TerA-J could be obtained for the first time in just a few hours. This new qPCR DNA-binding assay can easily be adapted to determine the binding specificity of virtually any soluble and functional epitope-tagged DNA-binding protein.     

A rapid and efficient synthesis of a new pyrrolobenzodiazocines via an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction

New pyrrolobenzodiazocines 3 have been prepared by an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts process from pyrrolobenzoacrylamides 2. The cyclisation process involving a 1,4-intramolecular addition of a pyrrole onto acrylamide led to the formation of an eight-membered ring.     

Synthesis of chiral 13C,77Se-labeled selones

Stable isotope-labeled N-acyl selones have been constructed in fewer than four steps from readily available starting materials. Site-specific labeling was achieved using the following synthons: bromo[2-(13)C]acetic acid, [(13)C]formic acid, and elemental (77)Se. These labeled selones have been found to provide unique insights into enolate structure and may be useful in the detection and quantitation of remotely disposed chiral centers in compounds in short supply.     

A domino N-amidoacylation/aldol-type condensation approach to the synthesis of the topo-I inhibitor Rosettacin and derivatives

The pot, atom, and step-economic synthesis of Rosettacin topo-I poison and its derivatives has been achieved using a novel domino N-amidoacylation/aldol-type condensation, followed by decarboxylation of the ester function. The key domino procedure simply involves mixing HOBt ester as new reagent with lactam and NaH together in THF or THF/ DMF. The reaction seems to be general and led to suitable N-heterocyclic products in moderate to good yields.     

New and expeditious tandem sequence aza-Michael/intramolecular nucleophilic substitution route to substituted gamma-lactams: synthesis of the tricyclic core of (+/-)-martinellines

A new and highly diastereoselective tandem reaction aza-Michael/intramolecular nucleophilic substitution is presented. This unprecedented tandem reaction between N-substituted alpha-bromoacetamides and Michael acceptors proceeds with good yields and excellent diastereoselectivity to provide the corresponding trisubstituted gamma-lactam systems. An application to the concise synthesis of the tricyclic core of (+/-)-martinelline alkaloids is also described.