Synthesis and analytical characterization of all N–N-coupled, dimeric oxidation products of α-tocopheramine: hydrazo-, azo-, and azoxy-tocopherol

Tocopherols are a mixture of antioxidants which are commonly referred to as vitamin E. Tocopheramines differ from tocopherols by an amino function in lieu of the phenolic OH group. They are potent antioxidants which are used in biomedical scenarios as well as stabilizers for polymers against aging. While in aqueous media α-tocopheramine is mainly oxidized to α-tocopherylquinone and N-oxidized by-products, oxidation in apolar media or in polymeric matrices mainly leads to dimeric compounds of hitherto unknown structure. In the present study, we synthesized the whole array of N,N-dimerization product of α-tocopheramine, including the hydrazo, azo, and azoxy derivatives for the first time, and provided comprehensive analytical data as well as general protocols to access the compounds in straightforward syntheses. These results can now be used to identify the common oxidation by-products of α -tocopheramine in different reaction systems. Graphic abstract

Late 3d Metal-Catalyzed (Cross-) Dimerization of Terminal and Internal Alkynes

This review will outline the recent advances in chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective (cross-) dimerization of terminal alkynes to generate 1,3-enynes using different types of iron and cobalt catalysts with altering oxidation states of the active species. In general, the used ligands have a crucial effect on the stereoselectivity of the reaction; e.g., bidentate phosphine ligands in cobalt catalysts can generate the E-configured head-to-head dimerization product, while tridentate phosphine ligands can generate either the Z-configured head-to-head dimerization product or the branched head-to-tail isomer. Furthermore, the hydroalkynylation of silyl-substituted acetylenes as donors to internal alkynes as acceptors will be discussed using cobalt and nickel catalysts.

Biomimetic Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Binuclear Ruthenium (IV) Nitrido-Chloride Complex with Lithium Counter-Cations

The lithium salt of the binuclear nitrido complex of ruthenium (IV) Li3(Ru2NCl8·2H2O) was synthesized. Using UV spectroscopy and voltammetry, we studied complex behavior in aqueous solutions. It was found that in dilute solutions of this compound, Cl− ions are replaced by H2O molecules, and the intra-sphere redox reaction between Ru (IV) and H2O, as well as the oxidation of water with the formation of oxygen and the acidic dissociation of coordinated water molecules also have been taking place. It was established by IR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometric analysis that not only the binuclear structure of the complex is preserved in acidic solutions, but also its dimerization product into the tetra-ruthenium dinitrido cluster Ru4N2O5+, which is a catalyst for the water oxidation reaction. The activity of the catalyst was TOF = 0.33 s−1, TON = 304.

8,18-Dithia-1,4,11,14-tetraazapentacyclo[11.7.0.03,11.05,9.015,19]icosa-3,5(9),6,13,15(19),16-hexaene-10,20-dione

4H-3λ2-Thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives are of interest as biologically active compounds. In this communication, 2-(chloromethyl)-4H-3λ2-thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-one (1) was investigated in the reaction with ammonia, potassium phthalimide, and other basic agents. The dimerization product—8,18-dithia-1,4,11,14-tetrazapentacyclo[11.7.0.03,11.05,9.015,19]icosa-3,5(9),6,13,15(19),16-hexaene-10,20-dione was formed in the reaction with potassium phthalimide in DMF, by heating at 110 °C for 5 h. The structure of the newly synthesized compound was established by means of elemental analysis, high resolution mass-spectrometry, 1H, 13C NMR, and IR spectroscopy, and mass-spectrometry.

Unprecedented and Scalable Copper (I)-Catalyzed Oxidation of the Csp2-H bond on 2-phenyl-naphthalene-1,3-diol with Atmospheric Oxygen: synthesis of 2-Hydroxy-3-phenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone via direct Csp2-O bond formation

The Csp2-O bond formation via direct oxidation of the Csp2-H bond on electron-rich compounds such as naphthols, is a process that generally requires drastic reaction conditions like high temperature or pressure. Addition of strong oxidants as H2O2, hypervalent iodine reagents (λ3 o λ5), expensive transition metals or rare earth elements, such as Mo, Ru Pt or Ce, is usually necessary. As part of this study on oxidative dimerization of phenols towards the total synthesis of ningalin D, 1,3-naphthalenediol was explored as starting material using stoichiometric amounts of Cu(I) and atmospheric molecular oxygen. A novel two-step sequence reaction for the formation of a 1,4-naphthoquinone was found instead of a dimerization product. The synthesis of this compound involves two consecutive oxidation processes.

Induction of IL-25 secretion from tumour-associated fibroblasts suppresses mammary tumour metastasis

Tumour-associated fibroblasts (TAFs), as a functionally supportive microenvironment, play an essential role in tumour progression. Here we investigate the role of IL-25, an endogenous anticancer factor secreted from TAFs, in suppression of mouse 4T1 mammary tumour metastasis. We show that a synthetic dihydrobenzofuran lignan (Q2-3), the dimerization product of plant caffeic acid methyl ester, suppresses 4T1 metastasis by increasing fibroblastic IL-25 activity. The secretion of IL-25 from treated human or mouse fibroblasts is enhanced in vitro, and this activity confers a strong suppressive effect on growth activity of test carcinoma cells. Subsequent in vivo experiments showed that the anti-metastatic effects of Q2-3 on 4T1 and human MDA-MD-231 tumour cells are additive when employed in combination with the clinically used drug, docetaxel. Altogether, our findings reveal that the release of IL-25 from TAFs may serve as a check point for control of mammary tumour metastasis and that phytochemical Q2-3 can efficiently promote such anticancer activities.

Reduction of dichloro(diaza-phospha)stibanes – isolation of a donor-stabilized distibenium dication

A bulky NPN-substituted dichlorostibane was reduced with KC8to afford a distibenium compound with a [Sb2]2+ion which can be regarded as a dimerization product of a stiba-phospha-diazanediyl singlet biradicaloid. The intermediate formation of this singlet stiba-phospha-diazanediyl was proven by trapping experiments.

Biotransformation and Cytotoxic Activity of Guaiacol Dimer

Guaiacol, a phenolic compound is known as an anticancer. Dimerization of guaiacol has been done by biotransformation using peroxidase enzyme as biocatalyst. This enzyme was isolated from Indonesian plant, kailan (Brassica oleraceae var. alboglabra). Analysis of dimerization product was carried out by TLC, IR, LC-MS, and NMR. Whilst analysis of in-vitro cytotoxic activity was carried out by MTT method against breast cancer T47D and MCF7 cells. The result showed that the dimerization reaction gave O-para dehydroguaiacol. The in-vitro cytotoxic activity analysis showed that O-para dehydroguaiacol compound has potency as anti-breast cancer.