Metal-free, visible-light induced enantioselective three-component dicarbofunctionalization and oxytrifluoromethylation of enamines via chiral phosphoric acid catalysis

Using diverse carbon-centered radical precursors and electron-rich (hetero)aromatics and alcohols as nucleophiles, a visible-light driven chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyzed asymmetric intermolecular, three-component radical-initiated dicarbofunctionalization and oxytrifluoromethylation of enamines was...

Mechanistic analysis of carbon–carbon bond formation by deoxypodophyllotoxin synthase

Deoxypodophyllotoxin contains a core of four fused rings (A to D) with three consecutive chiral centers, the last being created by the attachment of a peripheral trimethoxyphenyl ring (E) to ring C. Previous studies have suggested that the iron(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate–dependent (Fe/2OG) oxygenase, deoxypodophyllotoxin synthase (DPS), catalyzes the oxidative coupling of ring B and ring E to form ring C and complete the tetracyclic core. Despite recent efforts to deploy DPS in the preparation of deoxypodophyllotoxin analogs, the mechanism underlying the regio- and stereoselectivity of this cyclization event has not been elucidated. Herein, we report 1) two structures of DPS in complex with 2OG and (±)-yatein, 2) in vitro analysis of enzymatic reactivity with substrate analogs, and 3) model reactions addressing DPS’s catalytic mechanism. The results disfavor a prior proposal of on-pathway benzylic hydroxylation. Rather, the DPS-catalyzed cyclization likely proceeds by hydrogen atom abstraction from C7', oxidation of the benzylic radical to a carbocation, Friedel–Crafts-like ring closure, and rearomatization of ring B by C6 deprotonation. This mechanism adds to the known pathways for transformation of the carbon-centered radical in Fe/2OG enzymes and suggests what types of substrate modification are likely tolerable in DPS-catalyzed production of deoxypodophyllotoxin analogs.

A general strategy for C(sp3)–H functionalization with nucleophiles using methyl radical as a hydrogen atom abstractor

Photoredox catalysis has provided many approaches to C(sp3)–H functionalization that enable selective oxidation and C(sp3)–C bond formation via the intermediacy of a carbon-centered radical. While highly enabling, functionalization of the carbon-centered radical is largely mediated by electrophilic reagents. Notably, nucleophilic reagents represent an abundant and practical reagent class, motivating the interest in developing a general C(sp3)–H functionalization strategy with nucleophiles. Here we describe a strategy that transforms C(sp3)–H bonds into carbocations via sequential hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and oxidative radical-polar crossover. The resulting carbocation is functionalized by a variety of nucleophiles—including halides, water, alcohols, thiols, an electron-rich arene, and an azide—to effect diverse bond formations. Mechanistic studies indicate that HAT is mediated by methyl radical—a previously unexplored HAT agent with differing polarity to many of those used in photoredox catalysis—enabling new site-selectivity for late-stage C(sp3)–H functionalization.

Lipid Peroxidation

Lipid peroxidation (LPO) is initiated by the attack of free radicals (eg OH ·, O2- and H2O2) on cellular or organelle membranes phospholipids or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and with the formation of various types of aldehydes, ketones, alkanes, carboxylic acids and polymerization products. It is an autoxidation process that results. These products are highly reactive with other cellular components and serve as biological markers of LPO. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a toxic aldehyde end product of LPO, causes structural changes that mediate its oxidation, such as fragmentation, modification, and aggregation, especially in DNA and protein. The excessive binding of these reactive aldehydes to cellular proteins alters membrane permeability and electrolyte balance. Degradation of proteins leads to progressive degradation of the biological system mediated by oxidative stress. The chain reaction (CR) of LPO is initiated by the attack of free radicals on the PUFA of the cell membrane to form a carbon centered radical (R*). The O2 · - radical attacks the other lipid molecule to form lipid hydroperoxide (ROOH), thereby spreading the CR and forming the lipid peroxyl radical (ROO). These lipid hydroperoxides severely inhibit membrane functionality by allowing ions such as increased hardness and calcium to leak through the membrane. Damage to the lipid membrane and macromolecule oxidation can result in activation of necrotic or apoptotic tissue death pathways if severe enough.

Forskolin Editing via Radical Iodo- and Hydroalkylation

The modification of highly oxygenated forskolin as well as manoyl and epi-manoyl oxide, two less functionalized model substrates sharing the same polycyclic skeleton, via intermolecular carbon-centered radical addition to the vinyl moiety has been investigated. Highly regio- and reasonably stereoselective iodine atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) reactions were developed. Unprotected forskolin afforded an unexpected cyclic ether derivative. Protection of the 1,3-diol as an acetonide led the formation of the iodine ATRA product. Interestingly, by changing the mode of initiation of the radical process, in situ protection of the forskolin 1,3-diol moiety as a cyclic boronic ester took place during the iodine ATRA process without disruption of the radical chain process. This very mild radical-mediated in situ protection of 1,3-diol is expected to be of interest for a broad range of radical and non-radical transformations. Finally, by using our recently developed tert-butyl­catechol-mediated hydroalkylation procedure, highly efficient preparation of forskolin derivatives bearing an extra ester or sulfone group was achieved.

A Second Mechanism Employed by Artemisinins to Suppress Plasmodium Falciparum Hinges on Inhibition of Hematin Crystallization

Malaria is a pervasive disease that affects millions of lives each year in equatorial regions of the world. During the erythrocytic phase of the parasite life cycle, Plasmodium falciparum invade red blood cells, where they catabolize hemoglobin and sequester the released toxic heme as innocuous hemozoin crystals. Artemisinin-class drugs are activated in vivo by newly-released heme, which creates a carbon-centered radical that markedly reduces parasite density. Radical damage to parasite lipids and proteins is perceived to be artemisinins’ dominant mechanism of action. By contrast, quinoline-class antimalarials inhibit the formation of hemozoin and in this way suppress heme detoxification. Here, we combine malaria parasite assays and scanning probe microscopy of growing beta-hematin crystals to elucidate an unexpected mechanism employed by two widely administered antimalarials, artemisinin and artesunate, to subdue the erythrocytic phase of the parasite life cycle. We demonstrate that heme-drug adducts, produced after the radical activation of artemisinins and largely believed to be benign bystanders, potently kills P. falciparum at low concentrations. We show that these adducts inhibit b-hematin crystallization and heme detoxification, a pathway which complements the deleterious effect of radicals generated via parent drug activation. Our findings reveal an irreversible mechanism of heme-artemisinin adduct inhibition of heme crystallization, unique among antimalarials and common crystal growth inhibitors, that opens new avenues for evaluating drug dosing regimens and understanding growing resistance of P. falciparum to artemisinin.

Benzeneseleninic Acid in the Photo-Catalyzed Hydroxy-Selenylation of Styrenes

We established a new visible-light-mediated protocol for the regioselective β-hydroxyselenylation of olefins, employing benzeneseleninic acid as substrate. Regarding a novel approach, the benzeneseleninic acid emerges as an efficient and affordable reagent to be used as an electrophilic selenium source that can be easily converted to selenium-based radical species under visible-light conditions. In this sense, the photocatalytically formed PhSe• radical can react directly with unsaturated substrates, including alkenes, to access a new C–Se bond and a carbon-centered radical intermediate, which finally is trapped by a hydroxyl radical species, delivering the β-hydroxyselanyl compounds. Thus, despite the versatile utilities in organic synthesis, such as building blocks, the β-hydroxyselanyl compounds have demonstrated important biological activities. Based on that, we concentrated our efforts on developing a robust, effective, and environmentally benign methodology for their preparation. The optimal condition involves the reaction between styrene and 1.0 equivalent of phenylseleninic acid, in the presence of 5.0 mol% of eosin Y, as a cheap and easily available photocatalyst, with DMSO promoting the reaction medium. Satisfactorily, the system was irradiated with blue LED light for 2 h, to deliver the desired products in good yields.

Photocatalytic α-Alkylation of Amines with Alkyl Halides

a-Branched amines represent essential building blocks for organic synthesis. They are traditionally prepared through nucleophilic addition to imines. These methods often require highly reactive organometallic reagents and proceed under rigorous air- and moisture-free conditions. Here we describe an alternative approach that involves a net dehydrogenative coupling between alkyl bromides and amines. Mechanistically, the reaction likely involves photocatalytic generation of an a-amino radical and a stabilized carbon-centered radical (allyl, benzyl, a-carbonyl) followed by radical recombination. This approach offers a mild, atom-economical, redox neutral synthesis of a-branched amines that shows broad scope and avoids pre-metalated reagents.