Zinc Substitution of Cobalt in Vitamin B12: Zincobyric acid and Zincobalamin as Luminescent Structural B12‐Mimics

Replacing the central cobalt ion of vitamin B₁₂ by other metals has been a long‐held aspiration within the B₁₂‐field. Herein, we describe the synthesis from hydrogenobyric acid of zincobyric acid ( Znby ) and zincobalamin ( Znbl ), the Zn‐analogues of the natural cobalt‐corrins cobyric acid and vitamin B₁₂, respectively. The solution structures of Znby and Znbl were studied by NMR‐spectroscopy. Single crystals of Znby were produced, providing the first X‐ray crystallographic structure of a zinc corrin. The structures of Znby and of computationally generated Znbl were found to resemble the corresponding Co^II‐corrins, making such Zn‐corrins potentially useful for investigations of B₁₂‐dependent processes. The singlet excited state of Znby had a short life‐time, limited by rapid intersystem crossing to the triplet state. Znby allowed the unprecedented observation of a corrin triplet (E^T=190 kJ mol^?1) and was found to be an excellent photo‐sensitizer for ¹O₂ (Φ_Δ=0.70).     

Combining Imine Condensation Chemistry with [3,3] Diaza-Cope Rearrangement for One-Step Formation of Hydrolytically Stable Chiral Architectures

Dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) has, in recent years, provided valuable tools to synthesize molecular architectures of increasing complexity. We have also taken advantage of imine DCC chemistry to prepare TPMA -based supramolecular cages for molecular recognition applications. However, the versatility of this approach has as a major drawback the intrinsic hydrolytic lability of imines, which hampers some applications. We present herein a synthetic strategy that combines the advantages of a thermodynamic-driven formation of a supramolecular structure using imine chemistry, together with the possibility to synthetize chiral hydrolytically stable structures through a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. A preliminary mechanistic analysis of this one-pot synthesis and the scope of the reaction are also discussed.     

A Divergent Polyene Cyclization for the Total Synthesis of Greenwayodendrines,Greenwaylactams, Polysin and Polyveoline

We present a concise asymmetric total synthesis (5–8 steps) of nine sesquiterpenoid alkaloids featuring four different tetra-/pentacyclic scaffolds. To this end, a novel, bioinspired indole N-terminated cationic tricyclization has been developed, enabling the divergent synthesis of greenwayodendrines and polysin. Subtle variation of the C2-substituted indole cyclization precursor allowed switching between indole N- and C-termination. For the latter, a subsequent Witkop oxidation enabled conversion of the cyclopentene-fused indole into the eight-membered benzolactam to directly furnish the family of greenwaylactams. In addition, a diastereomeric C-termination product has been elaborated to provide access to polyveoline.     

Electroactive thiazole derivatives capped with ferrocenyl units showing charge-transfer transition and selective ion-sensing properties: a combined experimental and theoretical study

The synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties, and X-ray characterization of two thiazole derivatives capped by ferrocenyl groups (5 and 7) and their model compounds with one ferrocenyl, either at 2 or 5 position of the mono- or bis-thiazolyl rings (3, 9, 11, and 14), are presented. Bisferrocenyl thiazole 5 forms the mixed-valence species 5*+ by partial oxidation which, interestingly, shows an intramolecular electron-transfer phenomenon. Moreover, the reported heteroaromatic compounds show selective ion-sensing properties. Thus, ferrocenylthiazoles linked across the 5 position of the heteroaromatic ring are selective chemosensors for Hg2+ and Pb2+ metal ions; 5-ferrocenylthiazole 3 operates through two channels, optical and redox, for Hg2+ and only optical for Pb2+, whereas 1,1'-bis(thiazolyl)ferrocene 14 is only an optical sensor for both metal ions. Moreover, complex 3 behaves as an electrochemically induced switchable chemosensor because of the low metal-ion affinity of the oxidized 3*+ species. On the other hand, ferrocenylthiazole 9, in which the heterocyclic ring and the ferrocene group are linked across the 2 position, is a selective redox sensor for Hg2+ metal ions, and it responds optically, as does bis(thiazolyl)ferrocene 11, to a narrow range of cations (Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+). Finally, bis(ferrocenyl)thiazole 5 is a dual optical and redox sensor for Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+, whereas bis(ferrocenyl) compound 7, bearing a bis(thiazole) unit as a bridge, is only a chromogenic sensor for Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+. The experimental data and conclusions about both the electronic and ion-sensing properties are supported by DFT calculations which show, in addition, an unprecedented intramolecular electron-transfer reorganization after the first one-electron oxidation of compound 5.     

A Novel Method for the Introduction of a 5β‐Methyl Group into 4,5α‐Epoxymorphinan‐6‐ones via the Enol Ether

The introduction of a 5β‐methyl group into 14‐alkoxy substituted naltrexone derivatives was accomplished via the enol ethers 2a and 2b by means of the `LICKOR' (t‐BuLi/t‐BuOK) base system. According to this new method, the highly selective δ‐opioid antagonist HS 378 ( 7b ) and its 14‐methoxy analog 7a , both originally prepared in nine steps from thebaine, are now available in only four steps.