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Development of drugs for new and persistent diseases will increasingly rely on the expansion of accessible chemical space to allow exploration of novel molecular targets. Here we report the synthesis of a library of novel fused heterobicyclic small molecules based on the 1,4-diazepine and 2,4-pyrrolidinedione scaffolds. Key chemical transformations included a Mannich-type condensation and chemoselective N -acylation reactions. Screening shows anti-cancer activity of several library compounds which suggests translational potential of this novel chemical scaffold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel approach for the syntheses of 6a-hydroxypterocarpans is reported. Its practicality is demonstrated by the synthesis of (±)-glycinol. The main feature is an intramolecular benzoin condensation catalyzed by nucleophilic carbenes to initiate assembly of the benzopyran and establish the 6a-hydroxy center. In addition, a one-pot method was developed to form an epoxide that facilitates subsequent cyclization leading to the benzofuran and direct production of (±)-glycinol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]