Breaking The Monotony: Cobalt and Maleimide as a New Entrant to the Catellani Reaction

A catalytic system was discovered for the intramolecular C-H amidation of N-phenoxy acetamide derivatives. For the first time, a cobalt catalyst was employed for the Catellani reaction. Additionally, a monocyclic olefin, maleimide, was used as a transient mediator in place of bicyclic norbornenes. Maleimide promotes a Co(III) intermediate to undergo oxidative addition into the O–N bond to form a Co(V) nitrene species and subsequently directs nitrene addition to the ortho position. A plausible mechanism for the transformation is proposed, supported by experimental and density functional theory (DFT) computational studies. Further, the synthetic utility of this methodology was demonstrated via the ortho-amidation of estrone.

Low Molecular Weight, 4-O-Sulfation, and Sulfation at Meta-Fucose Positively Promote the Activities of Sea Cucumber Fucoidans on Improving Insulin Resistance in HFD-Fed Mice

Fucoidans from sea cucumber (SC-FUC) have been proven to alleviate insulin resistance in several species. However, there are few studies that clarify the relationship between their structure and bioactivity. The present study evaluated the influence of molecular weight (Mw), sulfation concentrations (Cs), and sulfation position on improving insulin resistance using SC-FUC. Results showed that fucoidans with lower Mw exerted stronger effects. Having a similar Mw, Acaudina molpadioides fucoidans (Am-FUC) with lower Cs and Holothuria tubulosa fucoidans with higher Cs showed similar activities. However, Isostichopus badionotus fucoidans (higher Cs) activity was superior to that of low-Mw Thelenota ananas fucoidans (Ta-LFUC, lower Cs). Eliminating the effects of Mw and Cs, the bioactivity of Am-FUC with sulfation at meta-fucose exceeded that of Ta-FUC with sulfation at ortho-position. Moreover, the effects of Pearsonothuria graeffei fucoidans with 4-O-sulfation were superior to those of Am-LFUC with 2-O-sulfation. These data indicate that low Mw, 4-O-sulfation, and sulfation at meta-fucose contributed considerably to insulin resistance alleviation by SC-FUC, which could accelerate the development of SC-FUC as a potential food supplement to alleviate insulin resistance.

Cyclization Reactions Involving 2-Aminoarenetellurols and Derivatives of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

The reductive cyclization of arenetellurols carrying α,β-unsaturated amide functionalities in the ortho position was investigated. Conceptually, such compounds can form 1,3-tellurazoles without the involvement of the unsaturation in the ring closure, they can form 1,4-tellurazinone derivatives, or they can undergo ring closure to 1,5-tellurazepinones. Amides derived from acrylic and methacrylic acid generated 1,5-tellurazepinones while 2-cinnamylamidobenzenetellurol cyclized to a 1,3-tellurazole derivative. In contrast, the reaction of acetylenedicarboxylic acid and its derivatives with 2-aminoarenetellurols generated 1,4-tellurazepinones, including a derivative of novel tricyclic naphtho [1, 4]tellurazinone. A comparison with analogous reactions of sulfur congeners indicates that their chemistry is a good predictor for the products obtained from 2-aminoarenetellurols. Selected compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The present work offers access to previously unexplored organotellurium heterocycles.

The bis(Biphenyl)phosphorus Fragment in Trivalent and Tetravalent P-Environments

Diaryl substituted phosphorus (III) compounds are commonly used motifs in synthesis. Although the basic synthetic routes to these molecules starting from PCl3 are well reported, sterically hindered aryl substituents can be difficult to introduce, especially if the P atom is in ortho position to another group. This work explores the chemistry of the bis(biphenyl)phosphorus(III) fragment. As third substituents, H, M, Cl, NR2, two group 14 element substituents and also Li were introduced in high-yielding processes offering a wide chemical variety of the bis(biphenyl) phosphine motif. In addition, also a tetravalent phosphine borane adduct was isolated. All structures were thoroughly investigated by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopic analysis. Furthermore, the reaction conditions are discussed in connection with the structures and four crystal structures of the aminophosphine, phosphine, phosphine borane and phosphide are provided. The latter crystallized as a dimer with a unique planar P2Li2 ring, which is stabilized by the non-covalent C⋯Li interaction arising from the biphenyl motif and represents a rare example of a donor-free planar P2Li2 ring.

Catalytic Atroposelective Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Substituted Indoles

Advances in asymmetric catalysis have led to enormous progress in the atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral biaryls. Because of the biological importance of indoles, stereogenic axes in aryl-substituted indoles have attracted considerable research attention in recent years. Here we present a summary of recent advances in the atroposelective synthesis of aryl-substituted indoles by dynamic kinetic resolution. While several researchers have developed enantioselective syntheses of 3-arylindoles, N-arylindoles have been much less studied. Accordingly, we have reported a Pictet–Spengler reaction with catalytic and enantioselective control of the axial chirality around the C−N bond of the product. A chiral phosphoric acid induces the cyclization smoothly and with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. To achieve this high selectivity, an NH group at the ortho position of the N-substituted aromatic ring that interacts favorably with the catalyst is required. Furthermore, when substituted aldehydes are used instead of paraformaldehyde, both the point and axial chiralities can be controlled during the cyclization.

Synthesis and Coordination of Bicyclic Phosphorus-Nitrogen Ligands

<p>This thesis describes the synthesis and coordination chemistry of bicyclic phosphorus-nitrogen (PN) ligands containing the rigid and preorganised bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one framework. The PN ligands were prepared via the Mannich condensation reaction of four different phosphorinanone classes with amines and aldehydes. The phosphorinanone compounds, 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-diphenyl-4-phenyl-4- phosphacyclohexanone (isomers 50 and 51), 3,5-diphenyl-4-phenyl-4- phosphacyclohexanone (44, 45) and 4-phenyl-4-phosphacyclohexanone (42) were prepared by literature methods, whereas the isomers of 4-t-butyl-2,6- di(carbomethoxy) - 3,5 - bis(p - dimethylaminophenyl) - 4 - phosphacyclohexanone (53, 54) were synthesised by the reaction of ButPH2 with 2,4-di(carbomethoxy)- 1,5 - bis(p - dimethylaminophenyl)penta - 1,4 - dien - 3 - one (38). The Mannich reactions of phosphorinanones 50 and 51 were not successful, whereas the reactions of 44, 45 and 42 produced unidentifiable products. The reaction of phosphorinanone 53 with methylamine and formaldehyde produced the bicyclic PN compound 7-t-butyl-1,5-di(carbomethoxy)-6,8-bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)- 3 - methyl - 3 - aza - 7 - phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan - 9 - one (65). The identical Mannich reaction of phosphorinanone 54 also yielded 65, as well as the PN compound 4-t-butyl-6-carbomethoxy-5-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)- 2-methyl-2-aza-4-phosphacyclohexanone (66) and the E/Z isomers of 3-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)methyl-2-propenoate (67). The bicyclic PN ligand 65 adopts a chair-chair conformation in solution and the solid state as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The coordination chemistry of this ligand was comprehensively explored with rhodium, palladium and platinum, and a wide range of complexes were synthesised including [ML2(65)] (M = Pd, Pt; L = Cl, Me), [ML(65)] (M = Rh, Pd, Pt; L = C2H4, cod, dba, norb) (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene, dba = trans,trans- dibenzylideneacetone, norb = norborn-2-ene), [Pd(n3 -C3H5)(65)]X (X = Cl, SbF6) and [PtL(65)]CH(SO2CF3)2 (L = 1-o,4-5-n-C8H13, 1-3-n-C8H13). Cycloplatination at the ortho-position of the 6,8-dimethylaminophenyl sub- stituents was an interesting feature of the coordination chemistry of PN ligand 65. Ortho-metallation at both dimethylaminophenyl groups led to the formation of complex [Pt(C2H4)(65-2H)] (76), whereas metallation of only one aryl group produced the complex [Pt(C8H13)(65-H)] (87). Further reaction of complex 76 yielded the trans- and cis-hydroxo-bridged dimers [Pt2(u-OH)2(65-H)2] (98, 101). The nitrogen donor atom is not coordinated to the platinum metal centres in the cyclometallated PN complexes. Protonation of [Pt(C2H4)(65)] (75) with CH2(SO2CF3)2 produced the hydride complex [PtH{CH(SO2CF3)2}(65)] (92) and the agostic ethyl complex [Pt(C2H5)(65)]CH(SO2CF3)2 (93). Similarly, protonation of [Pt(norb)(65)] (74) with CHPh(SO2CF3)2 gave the norbornyl agostic complex [Pt(C7H11)(65)]CPh(SO2CF3)2 (94) as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. In addition, hydrated analogues of some of the coordination complexes of PN ligand 65 mentioned previously were also observed. In such complexes, the central carbonyl group at position 9 was hydrated to form a geminal diol. The hydrated complexes exhibited similar chemical characteristics to their ketone counterparts. The 15N NMR chemical shifts of the nitrogen donor atom in PN ligand 65 and its various metal complexes were obtained from inversely-detected 1H- 15N HMBC experiments. The NMR data showed no explicit relationship between the coordination mode of the nitrogen group and the 15N chemical shift.</p>

Synthesis and Coordination of Bicyclic Phosphorus-Nitrogen Ligands

<p>This thesis describes the synthesis and coordination chemistry of bicyclic phosphorus-nitrogen (PN) ligands containing the rigid and preorganised bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one framework. The PN ligands were prepared via the Mannich condensation reaction of four different phosphorinanone classes with amines and aldehydes. The phosphorinanone compounds, 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-diphenyl-4-phenyl-4- phosphacyclohexanone (isomers 50 and 51), 3,5-diphenyl-4-phenyl-4- phosphacyclohexanone (44, 45) and 4-phenyl-4-phosphacyclohexanone (42) were prepared by literature methods, whereas the isomers of 4-t-butyl-2,6- di(carbomethoxy) - 3,5 - bis(p - dimethylaminophenyl) - 4 - phosphacyclohexanone (53, 54) were synthesised by the reaction of ButPH2 with 2,4-di(carbomethoxy)- 1,5 - bis(p - dimethylaminophenyl)penta - 1,4 - dien - 3 - one (38). The Mannich reactions of phosphorinanones 50 and 51 were not successful, whereas the reactions of 44, 45 and 42 produced unidentifiable products. The reaction of phosphorinanone 53 with methylamine and formaldehyde produced the bicyclic PN compound 7-t-butyl-1,5-di(carbomethoxy)-6,8-bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)- 3 - methyl - 3 - aza - 7 - phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan - 9 - one (65). The identical Mannich reaction of phosphorinanone 54 also yielded 65, as well as the PN compound 4-t-butyl-6-carbomethoxy-5-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)- 2-methyl-2-aza-4-phosphacyclohexanone (66) and the E/Z isomers of 3-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)methyl-2-propenoate (67). The bicyclic PN ligand 65 adopts a chair-chair conformation in solution and the solid state as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The coordination chemistry of this ligand was comprehensively explored with rhodium, palladium and platinum, and a wide range of complexes were synthesised including [ML2(65)] (M = Pd, Pt; L = Cl, Me), [ML(65)] (M = Rh, Pd, Pt; L = C2H4, cod, dba, norb) (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene, dba = trans,trans- dibenzylideneacetone, norb = norborn-2-ene), [Pd(n3 -C3H5)(65)]X (X = Cl, SbF6) and [PtL(65)]CH(SO2CF3)2 (L = 1-o,4-5-n-C8H13, 1-3-n-C8H13). Cycloplatination at the ortho-position of the 6,8-dimethylaminophenyl sub- stituents was an interesting feature of the coordination chemistry of PN ligand 65. Ortho-metallation at both dimethylaminophenyl groups led to the formation of complex [Pt(C2H4)(65-2H)] (76), whereas metallation of only one aryl group produced the complex [Pt(C8H13)(65-H)] (87). Further reaction of complex 76 yielded the trans- and cis-hydroxo-bridged dimers [Pt2(u-OH)2(65-H)2] (98, 101). The nitrogen donor atom is not coordinated to the platinum metal centres in the cyclometallated PN complexes. Protonation of [Pt(C2H4)(65)] (75) with CH2(SO2CF3)2 produced the hydride complex [PtH{CH(SO2CF3)2}(65)] (92) and the agostic ethyl complex [Pt(C2H5)(65)]CH(SO2CF3)2 (93). Similarly, protonation of [Pt(norb)(65)] (74) with CHPh(SO2CF3)2 gave the norbornyl agostic complex [Pt(C7H11)(65)]CPh(SO2CF3)2 (94) as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. In addition, hydrated analogues of some of the coordination complexes of PN ligand 65 mentioned previously were also observed. In such complexes, the central carbonyl group at position 9 was hydrated to form a geminal diol. The hydrated complexes exhibited similar chemical characteristics to their ketone counterparts. The 15N NMR chemical shifts of the nitrogen donor atom in PN ligand 65 and its various metal complexes were obtained from inversely-detected 1H- 15N HMBC experiments. The NMR data showed no explicit relationship between the coordination mode of the nitrogen group and the 15N chemical shift.</p>

Data-Driven Analysis of Fluorination of Ligands of Aminergic G Protein Coupled Receptors

Currently, G protein-coupled receptors are the targets with the highest number of drugs in many therapeutic areas. Fluorination has become a common strategy in designing highly active biological compounds, as evidenced by the steadily increasing number of newly approved fluorine-containing drugs. Herein, we identified in the ChEMBL database and analysed 1554 target-based FSAR sets (non-fluorinated compounds and their fluorinated analogues) comprising 966 unique non-fluorinated and 2457 unique fluorinated compounds active against 33 different aminergic GPCRs. Although a relatively small number of activity cliffs (defined as a pair of structurally similar compounds showing significant differences of activity −ΔpPot > 1.7) was found in FSAR sets, it is clear that appropriately introduced fluorine can increase ligand potency more than 50-fold. The analysis of matched molecular pairs (MMPs) networks indicated that the fluorination of the aromatic ring showed no clear trend towards a positive or negative effect on affinity; however, a favourable site for a positive potency effect of fluorination was the ortho position. Fluorination of aliphatic fragments more often led to a decrease in biological activity. The results may constitute the rules of thumb for fluorination of aminergic receptor ligands and provide insights into the role of fluorine substitutions in medicinal chemistry.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties of 2-Substituted Quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

Quinazolinones represent an important scaffold in medicinal chemistry with diverse biological activities. Here, two series of 2-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones were synthesized and evaluated for their antioxidant properties using three different methods, namely DPPH, ABTS and TEACCUPRAC, to obtain key information about the structure–antioxidant activity relationships of a diverse set of substituents at position 2 of the main quinazolinone scaffold. Regarding the antioxidant activity, ABTS and TEACCUPRAC assays were more sensitive and gave more reliable results than the DPPH assay. To obtain antioxidant activity of 2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one, the presence of at least one hydroxyl group in addition to the methoxy substituent or the second hydroxyl on the phenyl ring in the ortho or para positions is required. An additional ethylene linker between quinazolinone ring and phenolic substituent, present in the second series (compounds 25a and 25b), leads to increased antioxidant activity. Furthermore, in addition to antioxidant activity, the derivatives with two hydroxyl groups in the ortho position on the phenyl ring exhibited metal-chelating properties. Our study represents a successful use of three different antioxidant activity evaluation methods to define 2-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one 21e as a potent antioxidant with promising metal-chelating properties.