Synthesis of new arylidencycloalkylpyrazoles of potential biological interest

Indazoles and pyrazoles are known to be pharmaceutically relevant molecules. In particular their application as both analgesic and antitumoral drugs has been reported. In order to investigate the properties of compounds belonging to these families, we have synthesised new cycloalkylpyrazoles bearing an arylidene group on the cycloalkyl ring, with the aim of modifying the biological profile of these molecules.     

Cyclometalated AuIII Complexes for Cysteine Arylation in Zinc Finger Protein Domains: towards Controlled Reductive Elimination

With the aim of exploiting the use of organometallic species for the efficient modification of proteins through C-atom transfer, the gold-mediated cysteine arylation through a reductive elimination process occurring from the reaction of cyclometalated Au^III C^N complexes with a zinc finger peptide (Cys₂His₂ type) is here reported. Among the four selected Au^III cyclometalated compounds, the [Au(C^CON)Cl₂] complex featuring the 2-benzoylpyridine (C^CON) scaffold was identified as the most prone to reductive elimination and Cys arylation in buffered aqueous solution (pH 7.4) at 37 °C by high-resolution LC electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. DFT and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) studies permitted to propose a mechanism for the title reaction that is in line with the experimental results. Overall, the results provide new insights into the reactivity of cytotoxic organogold compounds with biologically important zinc finger domains and identify initial structure–activity relationships to enable Au^III-catalyzed reductive elimination in aqueous media.     

Studies on the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. XI. Cleavage of 1,3-benzodioxoles by magnesium bromide-acetic anhydride

The cleavage reaction of some 1,3-benzodioxole derivatives with magnesium bromide and acetic anhydride has been studied. The reactions have been carried out in acetonitrile solution at room temperature. In all of the 1,3-benzodioxoles studied, the opening of the heterocyclic ring with formation of bromides, alkenes and their corresponding products of hydrolysis have been observed. The competitive electrophilic substitution on the benzene ring was very limited and was insignificant when a large excess of the cleavage reagent was used. The structures of newly prepared compounds have been determined by elemental analysis, spectroscopic data and comparison with authentic samples.     

A convenient synthesis of new heterocycles from benzimidazoles and carbon suboxide

The reaction of carbon suboxide with 2-substituted benzimidazoles was investigated. By this reaction 1,3-diazino- (pyrimido-), 1,3-oxazino- and 1,3-thiazinobenzimidazole-1,3-diones are obtained.     

Synthesis of coumarin-3-O-acylisoureas by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

The synthesis and isolation of some O-acylisoureas are described. The reaction between dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide and coumarin-3-carboxylic acids leads to coumarin-dicyclohexylisourea derivatives, isolated as the main products, and to coumarin-dicyclohexylurea derivatives as byproducts.     

Comparison of ion trap and sector instruments in the study of fragmentation patterns of coumarins

The mass spectra of a series of differently substituted coumarins were obtained by high- and low-energy collision experiments. The results obtained by the two techniques show peculiar differences, mainly in the presence, under ion trap conditions, of a high relative abundance of M^+·. The results support the validity of the ion trap technique basic studies of mass Spectrometry.     

Novel reactions of carbon suboxide. Synthesis of 1,5-benzodioxepins, 1,5-benzoxathiepins and 1,5-benzoxazepins

The preparation of 1,5-benzodioxepins, 1,5-benzoxathiepins and 1,5-benzoxazepins derivatives is described here. The structure of the products has been determined by elemental analysis and spectroscopic data.     

A New Facile Synthesis of 2-Alkylcyclopent-2-Enones

A new, simple and short route to 2-alkylcyclopent-2-enones starting from inxpensive terminal epoxides is described.     

Influence of steric interactions and random side chain variations on the mesomorphic properties of bowlic mesogens

The effect of structural variations on the mesomorphic nature of columnar liquid crystals of general structure I is studied. X-ray crystal structure analyses of compounds la and 2a reveal the columnar organization of the macrocyclic cores in the solid state. The up and down asymmetry of the cores is resolved in an alternating sequence of up-up and down-down intermolecular contacts. Specific interactions between the R substituents are present, which influence the stacking distance between the cores in the down-down intermolecular contacts. Statistical incorporation of different side chains on the same macrocyclic core produces, when the difference in length between the alkyl chains is appropriate, random mixtures having wide mesomorphic ranges. The increase of disorder associated with the statistical side chain distribution on the core and with the structural heterogeneity of each component of the mixture have the effect of depressing mainly the crystal-mesophase transition temperature.     

C−C Cross-Couplings from a Cyclometalated Au(III) C N Complex: Mechanistic Insights and Synthetic Developments

In recent years, the reactivity of gold complexes was shown to extend well beyond π-activation and to hold promises to achieve selective cross-couplings in several C−C and C−E (E=heteroatom) bond forming reactions. Here, with the aim of exploiting new organometallic species for cross-coupling reactions, we report on the Au(III)-mediated C(sp²)−C(sp) occurring upon reaction of the cyclometalated complex [Au(C^CH2N)Cl₂] ( 1 , C^CH2N=2-benzylpyridine) with AgPhCC. The reaction progress has been monitored by NMR spectroscopy, demonstrating the involvement of a number of key intermediates, whose structures have been unambiguously ascertained through 1D and 2D NMR analyses (¹H, ¹³C, ¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹³C HSQC and ¹H-¹³C HMBC) as well as by HR-ESI-MS and X-ray diffraction studies. Furthermore, crystallographic studies have serendipitously resulted in the authentication of zwitterionic Au(I) complexes as side-products arising from cyclization of the coupling product in the coordination sphere of gold. The experimental work has been paralleled and complemented by DFT calculations of the reaction profiles, providing valuable insight into the structure and energetics of the key intermediates and transition states, as well as on the coordination sphere of gold along the whole process. Of note, the broader scope of the cross-coupling at the Au(III) C^CH2N centre has also been demonstrated studying the reaction of 1 with C(sp²)-based nucleophiles, namely vinyl and heteroaryl tin and zinc reagents. These reactions stand as rare examples of C(sp²)−C(sp²) cross-couplings at Au(III).