Direct Synthesis of N‐Acyl‐N,O‐hemiacetals via Nucleophilic Addition of Unactivated Amides and Their O‐Acetylation: Access to α,α‐Difunctionalized N‐Acylimines

A mild, metal‐free synthesis of polyfunctionalized N‐acyl‐N,O‐hemiacetals was developed via the nucleophilic addition of unactivated amides to ketones. The protocol demonstrated a wide substrate scope, with good isolated yields. Additionally, their O‐acetylated products serve as a precursor of α,α‐difunctionalized N‐acylimines. An addition reaction of broad scope of nucleophiles to generate N‐acylimines is also reported.

     

One‐Pot Generation and Conversion of Trichloroacetimidates for the Racemization‐Free Allylation and Benzylation of α‐Hydroxyesters and the Enantiopure Synthesis of a Chiral Diglycole

O‐Allylations and O‐benzylations of a‐hydroxy esters ( 3a ‐ 3c ) are performed without racemization. The reagents applied, O‐allyl‐ and O‐benzyltrichloroacetimidate ( 5a , 5b ) are prepared and converted in a one‐pot‐procedure. After protection by benzylation (S)‐(‐)‐ethyl lactate ( 3a ) is converted by a sequence of carbonyl reduction, alcohol activation, ether formation, and deprotection to the optically active diglycole derivative 1a     

Controlled Production of Amyloid β Peptide from a Photo‐Triggered,Water‐Soluble Precursor “Click Peptide“

In biological experiments, poor solubility and uncontrolled assembly of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) 1–42 pose significant obstacles to establish an experiment system that clarifies the function of Aβ1–42 in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein, as an experimental tool to overcome these problems, we developed a water‐soluble photo‐“click peptide” with a coumarin‐derived photocleavable protective group that is based on an O‐acyl isopeptide method. The click peptide had nearly 100‐fold higher water solubility than Aβ1–42 and did not self‐assemble, as the isomerized structure in its peptide backbone drastically changed the conformation that was derived from Aβ1–42. Moreover, the click peptide afforded Aβ1–42 quickly under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 °C) by photoirradiation followed by an O–N intramolecular acyl migration. Because the in situ production of intact Aβ1–42 from the click peptide could improve the difficulties in handling Aβ1–42 caused by its poor solubility and highly aggregative nature, this click peptide strategy would provide a reliable experiment system for investigating the pathological function of Aβ1–42 in AD.     

First Examples of Proline‐Catalyzed Domino Knoevenagel/Hetero‐Diels–Alder/Elimination Reactions

A novel and efficient one‐pot synthesis of lactones (pyranones) has been achieved by domino Knoevenagel/hetero‐Diels–Alder/elimination reactions of O‐ and N‐prenyl aldehyde derivatives with Meldrum's acid in the presence of L ‐ or D ,L ‐proline. The reaction proceeds cleanly at room temperature to afford cis‐ or trans‐fused products in good yields with high diastereoselectivity.     

Synthesis of Amino Acid Conjugates and Further Derivatives of 3α‐Hydroxylup‐20(;29)ene‐23,28‐dioic acid

Triterpenes of betulinic acid type exhibit many interesting biological activities. Therefore a series of new 3α‐hydroxy‐lup‐20(29)‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid derivatives 2a—22 with putative pharmacological activities were synthesized. As starting compounds 3α‐hydroxy‐lup‐20(29)‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid ( 1a ), isolated from Schefflera octophylla, or its 3‐O‐acetyl derivative 1b were used. Mono‐ and diesters ( 2a—b from 1a , and 4d from 4c ) were prepared with CH₂N₂. Oxidation of the isopropenyl side chain with OsO₄ yielded the 20,29‐diols ( 4a—b from 1b , and 19 from 17 ), which were in the case of 4b further transformed to the 29‐norketones 8a/mdash;b . Oxidation of the isopropenyl side chain with m‐chloroperbenzoic acid afforded the 20,29‐epoxide 12 (from 1b ) and the 29‐aldehydes and a‐hydroxy aldehydes ( 13a—c from 2a, 14a—c from 2b , and 16a—c from 15a ). Ring A was modified by a tosylation—elimination sequence using p‐TsCl/NaOAc, which afforded diolefin 15a (from 2a ) with Δ^2,20(29) double bonds or 23‐nor‐Δ^3,20(29)diolefin 17 (from 1a ). Compounds 4b, 4c , and 8a were coupled with L ‐methionin, L ‐phenylalanin, L ‐alanin, L ‐serin, and L ‐glutaminic acid via amide bonds at positions 23 and 28 to afford the amino acid conjugates 5a—7b and 9a—11 .     

Synthesis of two Unique Compounds,a Ceramide and a Cerebroside,Occurring in Human Stratum Corneum

The cerebroside 1a and the ceramide 1b , both playing important roles in epidermal barrier function, were synthesized by N‐acylation of 1‐O‐glucosylated C₁₈‐sphingosine 2 and C₁₈‐sphingosine 8 , respectively, with O‐acyl fatty acid 3 . The required compound 3 was obtained from ω‐hydroxy fatty acid 6 and linoleic acid 7 by esterification. The ω‐hydroxy C₃₀‐fatty acid 6 was prepared as follows: Copper‐catalyzed coupling of ω‐hydroxy alkyl halide 11 with the Grignard reagent derived from bromo compound 13 afforded after oxidation C₁₇‐aldehyde 15 . Wittig reaction with phosphonium salt 10 , derived from ω‐bromo‐tridecanoic acid 9 , and subsequent hydrogenation and O‐deprotection furnished 6 in high yield.     

Synthese des 5‐[(Acetylhydrazono)‐(4‐chlorphenyl)‐methyl]thiophen‐2‐yl‐esters der Trifluormethansulfonsäure

The synthesis of 5‐[(acetylhydrazono)‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐methyl]thiophen‐2‐yl ester of the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid ( 2a ) and its N‐methyl derivative 2b was attempted. Oxidation of 2‐thiophene boronic acid to 2‐hydroxythiophene and in situ reaction there of with triflic anhydride yielded the hitherto unknown thiophene‐2‐yl ester of the trifluormethanesulfonic acid ( 6 ) which was transformed under Friedel‐Crafts conditions into 5‐(4‐chlorobenzoyl)‐thiophene‐2‐yl ester of the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid ( 3 ). Reaction of 3 with acetyl hydrazine resulted in the formation of the title compound 2a , albeit in low yield. The conversion of N′‐[(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐methylen]‐N‐methylhydrazide ( 4b ) via boronic acid into 5‐[(acetylmethylhydrazono)‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐methyl]thiophen‐2‐yl ester of the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid ( 2b ) was not successful.     

Enzymatic Redox Cascade for One‐Pot Synthesis of Uridine 5′‐Diphosphate Xylose from Uridine 5′‐Diphosphate Glucose

Synthetic ways towards uridine 5′‐diphosphate (UDP)‐xylose are scarce and not well established, although this compound plays an important role in the glycobiology of various organisms and cell types. We show here how UDP‐glucose 6‐dehydrogenase (hUGDH) and UDP‐xylose synthase 1 (hUXS) from Homo sapiens can be used for the efficient production of pure UDP‐α‐xylose from UDP‐glucose. In a mimic of the natural biosynthetic route, UDP‐glucose is converted to UDP‐glucuronic acid by hUGDH, followed by subsequent formation of UDP‐xylose by hUXS. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) required in the hUGDH reaction is continuously regenerated in a three‐step chemo‐enzymatic cascade. In the first step, reduced NAD⁺ (NADH) is recycled by xylose reductase from Candida tenuis via reduction of 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone (PQ). Radical chemical re‐oxidation of this mediator in the second step reduces molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) that is cleaved by bovine liver catalase in the last step. A comprehensive analysis of the coupled chemo‐enzymatic reactions revealed pronounced inhibition of hUGDH by NADH and UDP‐xylose as well as an adequate oxygen supply for PQ re‐oxidation as major bottlenecks of effective performance of the overall multi‐step reaction system. Net oxidation of UDP‐glucose to UDP‐xylose by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) could thus be achieved when using an in situ oxygen supply through periodic external feed of H₂O₂ during the reaction. Engineering of the interrelated reaction parameters finally enabled production of 19.5 mM (10.5 g L ⁻¹) UDP‐α‐xylose. After two‐step chromatographic purification the compound was obtained in high purity (>98%) and good overall yield (46%). The results provide a strong case for application of multi‐step redox cascades in the synthesis of nucleotide sugar products.

     

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Tetrahydrofurano‐ and Tetrahydropyrano‐dihydropyrroles Containing N,O‐Acetal Moieties via Rhodium‐Catalyzed Transannulation of N‐Sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles with Oxacycloalkenes

Diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydro‐furanodihydropyrroles and tetrahydropyranodihydropyrroles containing N,O‐acetal moieties is reported via rhodium‐catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation of N‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles with oxacycloalkenes. A multitude of functionalized pyrroles possessing hydroxyalkyl group at C3‐position could be prepared via Rh‐catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation/acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening reaction. A three component, one‐pot method is also achieved starting from terminal alkynes, tosyl azides, and dihydrofurans.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of 5‐(1‐Arylvinyl)‐1H‐benzimidazoles: Overcoming the Limitation of Acetamide Partners

A new one‐pot palladium‐catalyzed process between N‐tosylhydrazones, N‐(dihalophenyl)‐imidates, and amines was designed. This reaction involves Barluenga cross‐coupling and N‐arylation followed by cyclization to produce functionalized benzimidazoles. During this transformation, one C C bond and two C N bonds were created by a single palladium‐catalyzed reaction. Depending on the starting materials, a library of 5‐(1‐arylvinyl)‐1H‐benzimidazoles was synthesized. Among several arylvinylbenzimidazole derivatives evaluated, one compound exhibits excellent antiproliferative activity in the nanomolar concentration range against human colon carcinoma cell lines (HCT‐116) and human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell lines (A549).

     

Formal N‐Acylation Reaction of Azaaromatics with Acylzirconocene Chloride Complexes and 1,1,1,3,3,3‐Hexafluoro‐2‐propanol

In the presence of 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol (1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol, HFIP), isoquinolines react with acylzirconocene chlorides to give N‐acyl adducts with incorporation of a proton at the C‐1 position. The present procedure could be applied to the reaction of quinolines. These reactions provide us with an alternative method for the Reissert‐type reduction reactions of azaaromatics with N‐acylating reagents and reducing reagents.

     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐ and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]

Poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] was synthesized in an aqueous hydrochloric acid medium with a determined feed ratio by chemical oxidative polymerization. This polymer was used as a functional conducting polymer intermediate because of its side‐group reactivity. To synthesize the alkyl‐substituted copolymer, the initial copolymer was reacted with NaH to obtain the N‐ and O‐anionic copolymer after the reaction with octadecyl bromide to prepare the octadecyl‐substituted polymer. The microstructure of the obtained polymers was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, and X‐ray diffraction. The thermal behavior of the polymers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of obtained copolymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cyclic voltammetry investigation showed the electroactivity of poly [aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and N and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]. The conductivities of the polymers were 5 × 10^?5 S/cm for poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and 5 ×10^?7 S/cm for the octadecyl‐substituted copolymer. The conductivity measurements were performed with a four‐point probe method. The solubility of the initial copolymer in common organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and dimethylformamide was greater than polyaniline. The alkylated copolymer was mainly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as n‐hexane and cyclohexane. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Selective Aryl Ring C–H Activation of N‐Acyl‐2‐aminobiaryls: Efficient Access to Multiaryl‐Substituted Naphthalenes

Palladium‐catalyzed cycloaromatization of N‐acyl‐2‐aminobiaryls, through a sequence of ortho C−H bond activation/alkyne insertion/meta C−H bond activation/alkyne insertion, was developed. An efficient synthesis of multiaryl‐substituted naphthalenes, N‐[2‐(5,6,7,8‐tetraarylnaphthalen‐1‐yl)aryl]acetamides, was demonstrated using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant. Furthermore, through Buchwald's synthetic protocol, two compounds were converted into corresponding fluorescent carbazoles in 30–40% yield by intramolecular C−N bond formation.

     

Improved conversion of 6‐endo‐tosyloxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐ones into 6‐exo‐acetoxy and 6‐exo‐benzoyloxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐ones

The reaction conditions for the conversion of 6‐endo‐tosyloxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐one ( 7b ) into 6‐exo‐acetoxy ( 8b ) and 6‐exo‐benzoyloxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐one ( 8a ), respectively, were improved. Thus known 6‐endo‐tosyloxy‐bicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐ones (+)‐(1RS,6SR,8SR,11RS)‐11‐[(4‐toluenesulfonyl)oxy]tricyclo[6.2.2.0^1,6]dodecan‐9‐one ( 1a ), 13‐methyl‐15‐oxo‐9β,13b‐ethano‐9β‐podocarpan‐12β‐yl‐4‐toluenesulfonate ( 3a ), and methyl (13R)‐16‐oxo‐13‐[(4‐tolylsulfonyl)oxy]‐17‐noratisan‐18‐oate ( 5 ), were converted,in comparable yields, as previously recorded, but much shorter times, into (+)‐(1RS,6SR,8SR,11SR)‐11‐(benzoyloxy) tricyclo[6.2.2.0^1,6]dodecan‐9‐one ( 2 ), 13‐methyl‐15‐oxo‐9β,13β‐ethano‐9β‐podocarpan‐12α‐yl benzoate ( 4 ), and methyl (13S)‐13‐(benzoyloxy)‐16‐oxo‐17‐noratisan‐18‐oate ( 6 ), respectively.     

Chiral recognition of enantiomeric isobornyl methacrylate‐containing hydrogels with α‐cyclodextrin

Two enantiomers of isobornyl methacrylate (iBMA) were prepared by reducing (1R,4R)‐(+)‐camphor and (1S,4S)‐(?)‐camphor followed by simple methacrylation reaction. The iBMA enantiomers were incorporated into hydrophilic polymer networks by free radical polymerization with N,N‐dimethylacrylamide and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate at different molar ratios. The influence of α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) and randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin (rβ‐CD), and thereby enantioselectivity, on the swelling behaviour of the enantiomeric networks in water and alcoholic solutions was examined. An increase of swelling was observed on addition of α‐CD and rβ‐CD. While rβ‐CD showed a greater influence on the swelling itself, only α‐CD was able to achieve a minor differentiation between the polymer networks by their enantiomeric components and therefore a chiral recognition of the iBMA moieties. These results were validated using rheological measurements. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Catalyst‐Free Domino Reaction of 1‐Acryloyl‐1‐N‐arylcarbamylcyclopropanes with Amines: One‐Pot Approach to 2,3,6,7‐Tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,2‐c]pyridin‐4(5H)‐ones

A facile one‐pot, catalyst‐free reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 2,3,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[3,2‐c]pyridin‐4(5H)‐ones from readily available 1‐acryloyl‐1‐N‐arylcarbamylcyclopropanes and amines using a domino ring‐opening/cyclization/aza‐addition sequence.

     

5‐(Piperidin‐4‐yl)‐3‐Hydroxypyrazole: A Novel Scaffold for Probing the Orthosteric γ‐Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor Binding Site

A series of bioisosteric N₁‐ and N₂‐substituted 5‐(piperidin‐4‐yl)‐3‐hydroxypyrazole analogues of the partial GABA_AR agonists 4‐PIOL and 4‐PHP have been designed, synthesized, and characterized pharmacologically. The unsubstituted 3‐hydroxypyrazole analogue of 4‐PIOL ( 2 a ; IC₅₀～300 μM ) is a weak antagonist at the α₁β₂γ₂ GABA_AR, whereas substituting the N₁‐ or N₂‐position with alkyl or aryl substituents resulted in antagonists with binding affinities in the high nanomolar to low micromolar range at native rat GABA_ARs. Docking studies using a α₁β₂γ₂ GABA_AR homology model along with the obtained SAR indicate that the N₁‐substituted analogues of 4‐PIOL and 4‐PHP, 2 a – k , and previously reported 3‐substituted 4‐PHP analogues share a common binding mode to the orthosteric binding site in the receptor. Interestingly, the core scaffold of the N₂‐substituted analogues of 4‐PIOL and 4‐PHP, 3 b – k , are suggested to flip 180° thereby adapting to the binding pocket and addressing a cavity situated above the core scaffold.     

Efficient and Flexible Synthesis of Highly Functionalised 4‐Aminooxazoles by a Gold‐Catalysed Intermolecular Formal [3+2] Dipolar Cycloaddition

Oxazoles are important motifs within bioactive and functional materials. Complex, fully substituted and functionalised 4‐aminooxazoles are accessed by an efficient intermolecular reaction between an ynamide and an N‐acylpyridinium N‐aminide in the presence of a gold catalyst. The formal [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition employs a nucleophilic nitrenoid approach to access the 1,3‐N,O‐dipole character in a controllable fashion. The selectivity for a cycloaddition pathway provides a stark contrast against the indiscriminate reactivity of electrophilic acyl nitrenes. Protocols for the formation of acyl‐functionalised aminides are reported from accessible precursors including carboxylic esters and acids. The function of these aminides in the oxazole‐forming reaction has been explored and it is shown that substantial elaboration is accommodated despite proximity to the reactive centre. As a result functional oxazole‐based motifs, such as chiral oxazoles with biologically pertinent substitution patterns, are readily accessible. The use of ynamide types that are unexplored or little used in gold catalysis has been evaluated. Unusual all‐heteroatom substitution patterns around the oxazole are shown to be accessible using thio‐ynamides. The study shows that a close stoichiometry of reactants is suitable alongside relatively low loadings of the bench‐stable precatalysts in practically straightforward multi‐mmol scale reactions. The efficiency and flexibility of this regioselective intermolecular preparation is demonstrated in the ready synthesis of oxazoles with substantial structural and functional group variation.

     

Synthesis and characterization of novel core‐shell magnetic nanogels based on 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid in aqueous media

Ultrafine well‐dispersed Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were directly prepared in aqueous solution using controlled coprecipitation method. The synthesis of Fe₃O₄/poly (2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid) (PAMPS), Fe₃O₄/poly (acrylamide‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid) poly(AM‐co‐AMPS) and Fe₃O₄/poly (acrylic acid‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid) poly(AA‐co‐AMPS) ‐core/shell nanogels are reported. The nanogels were prepared via crosslinking copolymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid, acrylamide and acrylic acid monomers in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker, N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) and potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) as redox initiator system. The results of FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectra indicated that the compositions of the prepared nanogels are consistent with the designed structure. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements were used to determine the size of both magnetite and stabilized polymer coated magnetite nanoparticles. The data showed that the mean particle size of synthesized magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles was about 10 nm. The diameter of the stabilized polymer coated Fe₃O₄ nanogels ranged from 50 to 250 nm based on polymer type. TEM micrographs proved that nanogels possess the spherical morphology before and after swelling. These nanogels exhibited pH‐induced phase transition due to protonation of AMPS copolymer chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Malonic Acid Half Thioesters to Coumarin‐3‐carboxylic Acids Using N‐Heteroarenesulfonyl Cinchona Alkaloid Amides

We disclose herein an efficient enantioselective conjugate addition reaction between coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acids and malonic acid half thioesters (MAHTs). The reaction was catalyzed by N‐heteroarenesulfonyl Cinchona alkaloid amides to afford double‐decarboxylative conjugate addition products in good yield with high enantioselectivity. The reaction of various coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acids with MAHTs gave products in high yield with high enantioselectivity.