Exploring Guanidinium Organocatalysts for Hypoiodite-Mediated Reactions

This account describes our recent work on developing guanidinium hypoiodite- catalysts for oxidative carbon-nitrogen and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. These reactions proceeded smoothly using guanidinium hypoiodite generated in situ by treating 1,3,4,6,7-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine hydroiodide salts with an oxidant. In this approach, the ionic interaction and hydrogen bonding ability of the guanidinium cations enable bond-forming reactions that have been difficult with conventional methods. Enantioselective oxidative carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction was also achieved by using a chiral guanidinium organocatalyst.     

Oxidative degradation of pentachlorophenol by an iron(III)-porphyrin catalyst bound to humic acid via formaldehyde polycondensation

Introduction of functional groups into humic substances is a novel trend in humic technology. In the present study, a biomimetic catalyst, 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5,10,15,20-tetrasulfonatophenyl porphine iron(III) (FeTPPSOH), was introduced into humic acid via formaldehyde polycondensation. In the presence of KHSO₅, the self-degradation of the prepared catalysts, which were called “resol,” was retarded. In addition, the catalytic activity, which was evaluated by the percent pentachlorophenol (PCP) disappearance and levels of dechlorination, was significantly greater for the resol catalysts. The results of the present study show that resol catalysts effectively enhance oxidative degradation of PCP. The byproducts of oxidation were investigated by GC/MS analysis of n-hexane extracts of the reaction mixtures. This analysis demonstrated that another advantage of resol catalysts is that they prevent the formation of more harmful dimers, such as octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.     

CXCR4 inhibition suppresses Cd-induced renal oxidative stress,apoptosis, and fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad pathway

This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in cadmium (Cd)-induced renal injury. CXCR4 and TGF-β1/Smad pathway protein levels were detected by western blotting. Indicators related to renal function and oxidative stress factors were assessed and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was evaluated by staining. TUNEL was used to measure apoptosis rate. PAS and Masson's trichrome staining were used to detect the level of renal fibrosis. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Cleaved-caspase 3, fibronectin, and collagen I proteins were detected by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence. The expression of CXCR4 was increased in a Cd-induced chronic renal injury model in rats. Si-CXCR4 decreased levels of TGF-β1, TGF-βR1, p-Smad2/Smad2, p-Smad3/Smad3, the renal weight index, urine protein, blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, and levels of MDA but raised the levels of SOD and GSH-Px. In addition, si-CXCR4 inhibited apoptosis in Cd-treated rats. CXCR4 inhibition alleviated fibrosis levels in Cd-treated rats. In Cd-treated cells, TGF-β attenuated the suppressive effect of CXCR4 inhibition on the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. TGF-β intervention increased MDA and ROS, and downregulated SOD and GSH-Px. TGF-β attenuated the inhibitory effect of CXCR4 on apoptosis and fibrosis. CXCR4 inhibition decreased levels of Cd-induced renal oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad pathway.     

Mononuclear,dinuclear and hydroxo-bridged tetranuclear complexes from reactions of Cu ions,mandelic acid and diimine ligands

The reaction of copper(II) hydroxocarbonate, mandelic acid (H₂MANO) and 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in water affords [Cu(bpy)(μ₂-MANO)]₂ · 8H₂O (1), [Cu(bpy)(MANO)] · 4H₂O (2) and the opened tetranuclear hydroxo-bridged copper(II) complexes of formulae [Cu₄(μ₃-OH)₂(μ₂-MANO)₂(bpy)₄](phglyo)₂ · 8H₂O (3) (phglyo = phenylglyoxylate) or [Cu₄(μ₃-OH)₂(μ₂-OH)₂(OH₂)₂(phen)₄](Bza)₂(OH)₂ · 5H₂O (4) (Bza = benzoate), respectively. The compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The formation of 3 and 4 takes place in basic media through dehydrogenation or oxidative dehydrogenation followed by in situ oxidative decarboxylation of mandelic acid to phenylglyoxylate or benzoate, respectively. These results indicate that cooperative catalysis of diimine ancillary ligands and copper(II) is essential.     

Metal-mediated dearomatization leading to 2-azaspiro[4.5]decanes via tandem nucleophilic aromatic addition–Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination–oxidative demetalation sequences

A ruthenium-mediated dearomatization sequence has been developed that delivers structurally intriguing azaspirolactam products in stereoselective fashion. Treatment of (η⁶-arene)Ru(cyclopentadienyl) complexes bearing N-benzyl-β-amido phosphonate side chains with excess NaH results in intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic addition to the ipso position of the coordinated arenes. Subsequent Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reaction with added aldehydes affords olefinated spirolactam cyclohexadienyl ruthenium complexes. Mild oxidation with CuCl₂ or CuBr₂ under CO effects removal and recovery of the CpRu(II) fragment. Substituents present on the cyclohexadienyl skeleton influence the outcome of demetalation and products obtained in this study include functionalized 2-azaspiro[4.5]decanes and tetrahydroisoquinolinones.     

Oxidative alkylamination of azinones as a direct route to aminoazinones: study of some condensed diazinones

Oxidative alkylamination of azinones is a promising method for the preparation of a great variety of alkylaminoazinones. Treatment of 6,8-dimethyl-2-R-pyrimido[4,5-c]pyridazin-3,5,7(2H,6H,8H)-triones 7, 1,3-dimethyl-5-R-pteridin-2,4,6(1H,3H,6H)-triones 8 and 1,3,6-trimethylpyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2,4,7(1H,3H,6H)-trione 9 with alkylamine/AgPy₂MnO₄ or alkylamine/KMnO₄ has been shown to produce their 4-, 7- and 5-alkylamino derivatives, respectively, in good yields. While 1-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one 10 is smoothly alkylaminated under the above conditions giving 3-alkylamino derivatives, quinoxaline itself does not take part in this reaction. Factors influencing oxidative alkylamination of azinones and a regioselectivity of the process are discussed.     

Lewis acid-assisted oxidative cross-coupling of 2-naphthol derivatives with copper catalysts

The oxidative coupling reactions between 2-naphthol and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid derivatives using a copper catalyst under an O₂ atmosphere in the presence of a catalytic amount of the Lewis acid, such as Yb(OTf)₃, were carried out. A highly cross-coupling selective or specific reaction effectively proceeded to give a C₁ symmetrical BINOL derivative.     

Efficient oxidative deprotection of trimethylsilyl, tetrahydropyranyl and methoxymethyl ethers under solvent-free conditions

A mild, efficient and fast method for direct oxidation of trimethylsilyl, tetrahydropyranyl and methoxymethyl ethers to their corresponding carbonyl compounds using trinitratocerium（Ⅳ） bromate （TNCB） supported on NaHSO4.H2O under solvent-free conditions is reported.     

Efficient total halogen-free photochemical bleaching of kraft pulps using alkaline hydrogen peroxide

Total halogen-free bleaching of kraft pulps was conducted by an oxidative photochemical process at room temperature using alkaline hydrogen peroxide. Selection of an appropriate wavelength of light was crucial for effective bleaching and avoiding degradation of cellulose. The wavelength of the light has to be selected so that the light is absorbed only by the colored compounds in the pulps and not by the bleaching reagents or the pulp itself. When a long-wavelength black-light fluorescent lamp was used in combination with aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution at pH 11, the bleaching efficiency for hardwood and softwood kraft pulps reached the same level as that obtained by conventional two-stage elemental chlorine-free processes.     

Fluorometric determination of thiol redox state

This work presents a fluorometric thiol redox state (TRS) method based on the thiol-specific fluorescent probe monobromobimane. It determines the concentrations of non-protein (NP) thiols glutathione, cysteine and N-acetylcysteine, the protein (P) thiols, as well as the contribution of these components to symmetric and mixed disulfides (NPSSR, NPSSC, NPSSCAc, PSSR, PSSC, PSSCAc, PSSP). The method is very sensitive since it measures as low as 30 pmol -SH groups in samples with a minimum of 1–5 mg total protein, making possible the measurement of oxidative stress–related TRS components even in biological fluids such as cerebrospinal. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.