Cyclization of Propargylic Amides: Mild Access to Oxazole Derivatives

The substrate scope, the mechanistic aspects of the gold‐catalyzed oxazole synthesis, and substrates with different aliphatic, aromatic, and functional groups in the side chain were investigated. Even molecules with several propargyl amide groups could easily be converted, delivering di‐ and trioxazoles with interesting optical properties. Furthermore, the scope of the gold(I)‐catalyzed alkylidene synthesis was investigated. Further functionalizations of these isolable intermediates of the oxazole synthesis were developed and chelate ligands can be obtained. The use of Barluenga’s reagent offers a new and mild access to the synthetically valuable iodoalkylideneoxazoles from propargylic amides, this reagent being superior to other sources of halogens.     

EPR study of nitroxides formed from the reaction of nitric oxide with photolyzed amides

Free radicals generated from UV irradiation of simple aliphatic amides in anaerobic and nitric oxide (NO)‐saturated liquid mixtures or solutions gave EPR spectra of nitroxides. The application of isotopic effects to EPR spectra and the generation of radicals by transient radical attack on substrate molecules or by photolysing amine or acetoin were used to help identify photochemically produced radicals from the amides. The aliphatic amides used were formamide, acetamide and their N‐methyl‐ or deuterium‐substituted derivatives. Transient radicals used to attack the amides via hydrogen‐atom abstraction were generated from the initiator AIBN or AAPH. The observation of various nitroxides indicates the reactivity of NO for trapping acyl, carbamoyl and other carbon‐centered radicals. Possibly mechanistic pathways diagnosed with this trap are proposed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Aldol Reaction of an α‐Azido Amide

A direct aldol reaction of an α‐azido 7‐azaindolinylamide, promoted by a Cu‐based cooperative catalyst, is documented. Aromatic aldehydes bearing an ortho substituent exhibited diastereodivergency depending on the nature of the chiral ligands used. Smooth reactions with ynals highlighted the broad substrate scope. A vicinal azido alcohol unit in the product allowed direct access to the corresponding aziridine and facile hydrolysis of the 7‐azaindolinylamide moiety furnished enantioenriched β‐hydroxy‐α‐azido carboxylic acid derivatives.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling: Direct Transformation of Aldehydes into Esters and Amides

By exploring a new mode of nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling, a method to directly transform both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes into either esters or amides has been developed. The success of this oxidative coupling depends on the appropriate choice of catalyst and organic oxidant, including the use of either α,α,α‐trifluoroacetophenone or excess aldehyde. Mechanistic data that supports a catalytic cycle involving oxidative addition into the aldehyde C? H bond is also presented.     

A Unified Strategy to 6–5–6–5–6‐Membered Epipolythiodiketopiperazines: Studies towards the Total Synthesis of Scabrosin Diacetate and Haematocin

The family of epipolythiodiketopiperazine (ETP) natural products consists of over 200 members possessing a wide diversity of structures and biological activity. Recently, the subgroup of 6–5–6–5–6‐membered ETPs has gained substantial attention, which has resulted in several total syntheses. Despite all the efforts that have been invested into accessing these complex structures, no synthesis of scabrosin diacetate ( 1 a ) and its related esters has been reported. Herein, our attempts towards scabrosin diacetate ( 1 a ) and haematocin ( 3 ) starting from diketopiperazine 12 a as a late‐stage intermediate are presented. Diketopiperazine 12 a can be conveniently accessed in multigram quantities from aldehyde 18 and diketopiperazine 21 and was envisioned to serve as a general platform for the synthesis of 6–5–6–5–6‐membered ETPs.     

Iron‐Catalyzed C(sp2)H and C(sp3)H Methylations of Amides and Anilides

The so‐called magic methyl effect significantly boosts the bioactivities and physical properties of pharmacologically active drugs. Direct introduction of the methyl group by C?H activation was accomplished with a versatile iron catalyst, which enabled the C?H methylation of (hetero)benzamides, anilides, alkenes, and even alkanes by triazole assistance in a chemo‐, site‐ and diastereo‐selective fashion.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Hydroxy Amides and β‐Amino Alcohols from α‐Keto Amides

Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched α‐hydroxy amides and β‐amino alcohols has been accomplished by enantioselective reduction of α‐keto amides with hydrosilanes. A series of α‐keto amides were reduced in the presence of chiral Cu^II/(S)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS catalyst to give the corresponding optically active α‐hydroxy amides with excellent enantioselectivities by using (EtO)₃SiH as a reducing agent. Furthermore, a one‐pot complete reduction of both ketone and amide groups of α‐keto amides has been achieved using the same chiral copper catalyst followed by tetra‐n‐butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) catalyst in presence of (EtO)₃SiH to afford the corresponding chiral β‐amino alcohol derivatives.     

Improvement of the Thermal Stability of TEMPO‐Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibrils by Heat‐Induced Conversion of Ionic Bonds to Amide Bonds

Improving thermal stability of TEMPO‐oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNs) is a major challenge for the development and preparation of new nanocomposites. However, thermal degradation of TOCNs occurs at 220 °C. The present study reports a simple way to improve thermal stability of TOCNs by the heat‐induced conversion of ionic bonds to amide bonds. Coupling amine‐terminated polyethylene glycol to the TOCNs is performed through ionic bond formation. Films are produced from the dispersions by the casting method. Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis confirm conversion of ionic bonds to amide bonds for the modified TOCN samples after heating. As a result, improvement of TOCNs' thermal stability by up to 90 °C is successfully achieved.