Search

Synthesis of the C19-truncated maltepolide E has been accomplished via a diene–ene RCM strategy without damage to the C11–C14 alkenyl epoxy unit. Upon release of the C17-OH group, it attacked at the C14 position with double bond migration and epoxide ring-opening to furnish the C19-truncated maltepolide A and B as proposed for the biosynthesis of maltepolides. Preliminary cytotoxicity data of the synthesized C19-truncated maltepolides against L929 mouse fibroblast cell line suggest irrelevance of the vinyl epoxide and importance of the conjugated dienyl keto unit for the observed anticancer activity.

Background: Developing the high-efficiency and low-risk small-molecule greennematocide is the key of effective control of the nematodes. Paeonol, is a naturally occurring phenolic compound, isolated from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa and the whole plant of Cynanchum paniculatum. Due to its crucial phenolic ketone skeleton, modern biological science research has indicated that paeonol has a wide range of biological activities. The structural modification of paeonol into paeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives is a potential approach for the development of novel nematodes, which showed more toxicity than paeonol. However, there are no reports on the nematicidal activity of paeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives to control Heterodera glycines. Results: We always endeavor to discover and develop biorational natural products-based pesticidal agents, 4 significant intermediates and 21 novel 3/5(3,5)-(di)nitro/chloropaeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives were prepared, and their structures well characterized by 1H NMR, HRMS, MS, and mp. Due to the steric hindrance, the substituents on the C=N double bond of all hydrazine compounds adopted E configuration. Results of nematicidal activity revealed that, among all compounds, especially 5-nitropaeonol (5) and 3,5-dinitropaeonol (7) displayed the most potent nematicidal activity H. glycines in vivo with LC50 values of 0.0323 and 0.0367 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: It suggested that for the 3/5(3,5)-(di)nitro/chloropaeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives, a nitro group introduced at C5 position of 1 was necessary for obtaining the potent compound as nematicidal agents. These preliminary results will pave the way for further modification of paeonol in the development of potential new nematicides.

Ketones are one of the most important classes of organic compounds, and widely present in various pharmacological compounds, biologically active molecules and functional materials. Over the past few decades, transition metal-catalyzed conversion of aldehydes has been found to be a powerful method. With the continuous development in recent years, it has become an efficient and uncomplicated strategy for constructing ketones. There are four major mechanisms for transition metal-catalyzed ketone synthesis from aldehyde: (1) carbonyl-Heck reaction, that is 1,2-insertion of organometal species to aldehydic C=O double bond, (2) direct insertion of transition metal catalysts to aldehydic C-H bond, (3) aldehyde as acyl radical, (4) aldehyde as carbon radical acceptor. This article summarizes related reports on the transformations of aldehydes to generate corresponding ketones under different reaction conditions.

Hydric alcohols are important synthetic intermediates used to manufacture polymer, fine chemicals, and commodity products. Recent environmental problems due to fossil fuel-based non-degradable products have call for the advancement in research towards developing an alternate source that can sustainably substitute petroleum. In this direction, we have conceptualized a combined fermentation and catalytic process to obtain biorenewable branched diols from biomass. The significant yield of the desired diol products was obtained from different lignocellulose-based cyclic esters under optimized conditions. In order to know the universality of our process, saturated, partially saturated and unsaturated lactones were tested, which gave up to 99% conversion and (∼68-91%) diol’s yield. Finally, a plausible mechanism is proposed which is more likely to follow a pathway involving ring-opening reaction via partial hydrogenation of the double bond of the 6-amyl-α-pyrone. Keyords Biomass conversion, diols, 2-pyrone, hydrogenation, polymer precursor

The antioxidant capacity of β-carotene has been studied in terms of H-atom abstraction reactions using quantum chemical methods. These oxidation reactions are studied for the all-trans as well as 15,15'-cis isomers (15Z) of β-carotene, as the latter is only ~ 10 kJ/mol less stable than the all-trans isomer in the gas phase and about 9 kJ/mol less stable in aqueous solution. Hydrogen abstraction from the rotamers obtained through C-C single and double bond rotations has been shown to play an important role in determining the antioxidant capacity of β-carotene. Hydrogen abstraction from the C4 and C5-CH3 positions of the β-ionone rings and the C7 and C9 positions along the polyene chain of β-carotene by hydroxyl radical have been studied. In the all-trans form the most favorable H-atom abstraction reaction occurs at the C4 position of the terminal regions of the polyene -system of β-carotene, closely followed by hydrogen abstraction from the C5 methyl position. The H-atom abstraction reactions are more exothermic in water than in the gas phase due to solvation energies for the water product.

In this study, the epoxidized palm oil was synthesized with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an oxygen donor and formic acid as an oxygen carrier. The effect of H2O2 concentration on the chemical structure and thermal properties of epoxidized palm oil was investigated. The FT-IR results showed the disappearance of unsaturated double bonds together with the formation of oxirane groups. The excess concentration of H2O2 caused an undesirable reaction that the oxirane ring was diminished. DSC results showed that the Tm and Tc of epoxidized palm oil were shifted toward higher values. The epoxidation of palm oil can be utilized as a reactant for bio-based epoxy resins, which improve local resource value-added palm oil in Thailand.

A BF3•OEt2 catalyzed highly chemoselective formal C=C double bond cleavage reaction of α,β-enones with diazoamides for the synthesis of 3-alkylated oxindoles is developed. Boron trifluoride etherate is found to be an effective catalyst for the chemoselective Cα-Cβ cleavage of enones to achieve the 3-alkylated oxindoles. The product formation indicates a selective β-carbon elimination pathway of α,β-enones using inexpensive BF3•OEt2 as a catalyst, transition metal-free conditions, an open-air environment, good functional tolerance and broad substrate scope. The synthetic utility of this protocol is highlighted by synthesizing spiro-indolooxiranes.

The application of a C(vinyl), C(aryl)-palladacycle from vinyl-containing substrates is challenging due to the interference of a reactive double bond in palladium catalysis. This Letter describes a [4 + 2] or [4 + 3] cyclization based on a C(vinyl), C(aryl)-palladacycle by employing α-oxocarboxylic acids as the insertion units under a palladium/air system. The reaction proceeded through the key vinyl C-H activation and dual decarboxylation sequence, forming phenanthrenes and cyclohepta[1,2,3-de]naphthalenes regioselectively in good yields. The synthetic versatility of this protocol is highlighted by the gram-scale synthesis and synthesizing functional material molecule.

Bridged indigos were synthesized by bridging the two nitrogen atoms in the indigo structure with a carbon chain, and their properties were carefully examined. These bridged indigos have intrinsic planar chirality, and the enantiomers were separated using chiral high-performance liquid chromatography. When the chiral bridged indigos were subjected to thermo- and photoisomerization, the corresponding (Z)-indigo was not observed at all, and racemization was observed. This phenomenon is caused by the low activation energy of inversion due to the 1.5 bond order of the double bond of the indigo skeleton and the large energy difference between the ground states of (E)-indigo and (Z)-indigo.

16,17-Dihydroheronamide C (8) and ent-heronamide C (ent-1) were designed as probes for the mode-of-action analysis of heronamide C (1). These molecules were synthesized by utilizing a highly modular strategy developed in the preceding paper. The evaluation of the antifungal activity of these compounds revealed the exceptional importance of the C16-C17 double bond for the antifungal activity of heronamide C and the existence of chiral recognition between heronamide C (1) and cell membrane components.

Arnebinones B, E, and D (1-3) have been found to be sensitive to light, generating complex and diverse proton transfer products when triggered by light. A unique two-step irreversible intramolecular proton transfer of 1 produced five scalemic mixtures, of which four possessed intriguing dual planar chirality. The unprecedented orientation epimerization equilibrium of the intra-annular double bond was first observed and researched in the homologous meroterpenoids by HPLC monitoring and DFT calculations. A "p-benzoquinone-CH2/CH-π" moiety in the structure was the common key feature for the occurrence of this type of photoenolization reaction. The product transformation processes and universality of this photoinduced irreversible proton transfer reaction were analyzed together with the cytotoxic activities of arnebinones B, D, and E, and their photoreaction products.

An efficient and versatile copper-catalyzed intermolecular radical [3+2] annulation of thioamides with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) is described. This two-component copper(II)-catalyzed transformation is achieved in one pot via cascade formation of C–S/C–N bonds through cyclization of an in situ generated N,S-acetal intermediate derived from a β-ketothioamide. This operationally simple method allows direct access to synthetically demanding thiazolidin-4-ones in good to excellent yields containing diverse functional groups of different electronic and steric nature. The readily available reaction partners, the avoidance of expensive/toxic reagents and a gram-scale synthesis are additional attributes of this strategy. AIBN plays a dual role as a radical initiator and an unusual source of a two-carbon coupling partner. Notably, the products possess Z stereochemistry with regard to the exo­cyclic C=C double bond at position 2 of the thiazolidine ring.

Polyallenes, as a typical type of reactive polymers, are of great significance and have aroused widespread interest because they contain double bonds that can be post-modified into other functionalities to afford varieties of functional materials. This Minireview firstly highlights the recent advances in the preparation of polyallenes, including preparation of helical polyallenes through directly polymerization of chiral allene monomers or helix-sense-selective polymerization (HSSP) of achiral allene monomers, synthesis of 1,2-regulated polyallenes and 2,3-regulated polyallenes via selective polymerization of allene monomers, polymerization of allene monomers catalyzed by Ni(II)-terminated poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), and so on. Then, latest progress on the self-assembly and stimuli-responses of polyallene-based diblock, ABA and ABC triblock copolymers is summarized. We hope this Minireview will inspire more interest in developing polyallenes and encourage further advances in functional materials.

Amidation is an important reaction for bioderived platform molecules, which can be upgraded for use in applications such as polymers. However, fundamental understanding of the reaction especially in the presence of multiple groups is still lacking. In this study, the amidation of dimethyl fumarate, maleate, and succinate through ester ammonolysis was examined. The reaction networks and significant side reactions, such as conjugate addition and ring closing, were determined. A preliminary kinetic comparison among additional C4 and C6 esters showed a significant correlation between molecular structure and ammonolysis reactivity. Esters with a C=C double bond in the molecule backbone were found to have higher ammonolysis reactivity. To improve the selectivity to unsaturated amides rather than byproducts, the effects of thermal conditions and additives in dimethyl fumarate ammonolysis were examined. Lower temperature and decreasing methoxide ion concentration in the solution relative to the base case conditions increased the fumaramide selectivity from 67.1 to 90.6%.

Functionalized disilenes are valuable auxiliary tools in preparative chemistry. In the following review the various synthetic potential of disilenes as precursors is presented. Upon consumption of the Si=Si unit in disilenes, cyclic, polycyclic and cluster-like arrangements are obtainable.

The aim of the present study is to report the isolation, structural elucidation, and antiviral evaluation of four new withanolide-type steroids, named nicansteroidins A-D (1-4), together with nine related known compounds (5-13) isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis nicandroides. Their structures were established based on an extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Outstandingly, nicansteroidins A and B possess an unusual side chain with an exocyclic double bond on the δ-lactone system, whereas nicansteroidins C and D have an uncommon cycloperoxide functionality in ring A as distinct structural motifs. Their biological evaluation as inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication revealed that two compounds from this series, 7 and 13, displayed strong inhibition of HIV-1 replication with IC50 values lower than 2 μM. Moreover, cellular mechanism experiments showed that the main target of these compounds in the HIV replication cycle is viral transcription. This study is the first report of withanolide-type steroids as HIV inhibitors and provides insight into their potential as candidates for further preclinical studies.

Biotransformation of betulonic acid (1) by Rhizopus arrhizus CGMCC 3.868 resulted in the production of 16 new (3, 5, 6, and 9-21) and five known compounds. Structures of the new compounds were established by analysis of spectroscopic data. Hydroxylation, acetylation, oxygenation, glycosylation, and addition reactions involved the C-20-C-29 double bond. Antineuroinflammatory activities of the obtained compounds in NO production were tested in lipopolysaccharides-induced BV-2 cells. Compared with the substrate betulonic acid, biotransformation products 3, 8, 9, 14, and 21 exhibited an improved inhibitory effect, with IC50 values of 10.26, 11.09, 5.38, 1.55, and 4.69 μM, lower than that of the positive control, NG-monomethyl-l-arginine.

The ligand-regulated regiodivergent hydroarylation of the distal double bond of allenamides with aryl boronic acid was achieved in the presence of palladium(II) catalysts, delivering a variety of functionalized enamide with excellent E selectivity and Markovnikov/anti-Markovnikov selectivity. Two possible coordination intermediates were proposed to be responsible for the regiodivergent hydroarylation: (1) The coordination Intermediate I, which was proposed to be formed through the coordination of MeCN, distal double bond, phenyl to palladium, led to the aryl group away from the Intermediate I, inducing excellent E selectivity and anti-Markovnikov selectivity. (2) A switch of regioselectivity to 1,2-Markovnikov hydroarylation was obtained using bidentate phosphine ligand (dppf or Xantphos). The formed coordination Intermediate II led to the N-tether away from the Intermediate II and at the trans position of aryl, resulting in excellent E selectivity and Markovnikov selectivity. Meanwhile, tentative investigation on the mechanism proved that the hydron source of this hydroarylation is more likely to be boronic acid. The transmetallation between aryl boronic acid and palladium catalyst was the initial step of this transformation.

The mechanisms by which the complexes CpCoL2 (Cp = C5H5; L = CO or CH2=CH2) mediate the cycloisomerizations of α,δ,ω-enynenes containing allylic ether linkages are probed by DFT methods. The outcomes corroborate experimental results and provide energetic and structural details of the trajectories leading to 3-(oxacyclopentyl or cycloalkyl)furans via the intermediacy of isolable CpCo-η 4-dienes. They comprise initial stereoselective complexation of one of the double bonds and the triple bond, rate-determining oxidative coupling to a triplet 16e cobalta-2-cyclopentene, and terminal double bond docking, followed by stereocontrolled insertion to assemble intermediate cis- and trans-fused triplet cobalta-4-cycloheptenes. A common indicator of the energetic facility of the latter is the extent of parallel alignment of the alkene moiety and its target Co–Cα bond. The cobalta-4-cycloheptenes transform further by β-hydride elimination–reductive elimination to furnish CpCo-η 4-dienes, which are sufficiently kinetically protected to allow for their experimental observation. The cascade continues through cobalt-mediated hydride shifts and dissociation of the aromatic furan ring. The findings in silico with respect to the stereo-, regio-, and chemoselectivity are in consonance with those obtained in vitro.

A simple and efficient protocol has been described for the synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyri­dines and 3,5-disubstituted-1,2,4-oxadiazoles by reacting 2-hydrazinylpyridine and benzamidoximes, respec­tively, with styrenes via TBAI/TBHP-mediated oxidative cleavage of C=C bond under ligand- and metal-free conditions.

Conjugated azapolyenes (azabuta-1,3-dienes, aza-/diaza-/oxaza-/oxadiazahexa-1,3,5-trienes) are highly reactive in electrocyclization reactions, which makes them convenient precursors for the synthesis of a wide range of four-, five-, and six-membered nitrogen heterocycles that are of relevance for medicinal chemistry. Ring opening reactions of 2H-azirines and azoles containing an N–N or N–O bond, initiated by a transition metal carbene, have become increasingly important in recent years, since they easily allow the generation of azapolyenes with different numbers of double bonds and heteroatoms in various positions. This review summarizes the literature, published mainly in the last decade, on the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of electrocyclizations of azapolyenes generated by the carbene method.

Acetylene derivatives of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, i.e., 5-(2-arylethynyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles, have been obtained, for the first time reported, from 5-(2-arylethenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles by their bromination at the carbon–carbon double bond followed by di-dehydrobromination with NaNH2 in liquid NH3. The reaction of the acetylenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with arenes in neat triflic acid TfOH (CF3SO3H) at room temperature for 1 h resulted in the formation of E/Z-5-(2,2-diarylethenyl)-3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as products of regioselective hydroarylation of the acetylene bond. The addition of TfOH to the acetylene bond of these oxadiazoles quantitatively resulted in E/Z-vinyl triflates. The reactions of the cationic intermediates have been studied by DFT calculations and the reaction mechanisms are discussed.

Abstract The paper describes the synthesis of novel strained hydrocarbons based on a diene of the norbornene series, namely 5-methylene-2-norbornene, using catalytic cyclopropanation with diazomethane. The study demonstrated the possibility of selective cyclopropanation solely along the endocyclic double bond. The physicochemical properties of the hydrocarbons were investigated systematically. These hydrocarbons were shown to have an advantageous combination of high density, low freezing point, and high energy density value. The study’s findings indicate that the compounds synthesized are promising as a component of high-energy-density fuels for modern jet engines.

The reported methods and data for the synthesis and reactivity of electron-deficient 3-vinylchromones containing electron-withdrawing­ groups at the exo-cyclic double bond are summarized and systematized for the first time. The main methods for obtaining these compounds are Knoevenagel condensation, Wittig reaction, and palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings. The most important chemical properties are transformations under the action of mono- and dinucleophiles, ambiphilic cyclizations, and cycloaddition reactions. The cross-conjugated and polyelectrophilic dienone system in 3-vinylchromones provides their high reactivity and makes these compounds valuable building blocks for the preparation of more complex heterocyclic systems. Chemical transformations of 3-vinylchromones usually begin with an attack of the C-2 atom and are accompanied by the opening of the pyrone ring followed by recyclization, in which the carbonyl group of chromone, an exo-double bond or a substituent on it can take part. The mechanisms of the reactions are discussed, the conditions for their implementation are described, and the yields of the resulting products are given. This review focuses on an analysis and generalization of the knowledge that has accumulated on the chemistry of electron-deficient 3-vinylchromones, mostly over the past 15 years.1 Introduction2 Synthesis of 3-Vinylchromones3 Reactions with Mononucleophiles4 Reactions with Dinucleophiles5 Ambiphilic Cyclization6 Cycloaddition Reactions7 Other Reactions8 Conclusion

The Diels–Alder reaction of N-benzylcytisine with N-methyl- and N-benzylmaleimides is 100% endo-selective and gives the corresponding syn- and anti-diastereomers in 11–42% isolated yields. The studies of the reaction progress with LCMS and NMR along with detailed quantum chemical calculations revealed that some Diels–Alder adducts are kinetically and their isomers are thermodynamically controlled products. The Pd/C-catalyzed hydrogenation of benzyl-protected cytisine amine derivatives resulted in the removal of the benzyl group and the addition of hydrogen to the C=C double bond to give the corresponding secondary amines in 45–84% yield. The complete reduction of carbonyl groups in a cytisine derivative with LiAlH4 in THF under reflux afforded the respective tricyclic triamine. Quantum mechanical calculations for the mechanism of the Diels–Alder reaction between the simplest model compounds are presented.

Populusene A (1), an unprecedented carbon skeleton featuring a bicyclo[8.4.1]pentadecane nucleus and a bridgehead double bond (anti-Bredt system), and populusin A (2), a cembrane-type diterpenoid possessing an uncommon dioxatricyclo[6.6.1.12,5]hexadecane scaffold, were isolated from the exudates of Populus euphratica. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic, computational, and crystallographic methods. A plausible biosynthetic route for 1 and 2 was proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to significantly inhibit the production of TNF-α and IL-6 and the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and p-NF-κB at 125 nM in RAW264.7 cells.

Due to the high risk of heart disease caused by the intake of trans fatty acids, a method to eliminate trans fatty acids from foods has become a critical issue. Herein, we engineered fatty acid photo-decarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis (CvFAP) to selectively catalyze the decarboxylation of trans fatty acids to yield readily-removed hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, while cis fatty acids remained unchanged. An efficient protein engineering based on FRISM strategy was implemented to intensify the electronic interaction between the residues and the double bond of the substrate that stabilized the binding of elaidic acid in the channel. For the model compounds, oleic acid and elaidic acid, the best mutant, V453E, showed a one-thousand-fold improvement in the trans-over-cis (ToC) selectivity compared with wild type (WT). As the first report of the direct biocatalytic decarboxylation resolution of trans/cis fatty acids, this work offers a safe, facile, and eco-friendly process to eliminate trans fatty acids from edible oils.

Presented herein is a novel and efficient α-C(sp3)-H alkenylation of cyclic amines with maleimides. Mechanistically, this C(sp3)-H/C(sp2)-H cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction involves a cascade procedure including oxidative α-amino radical formation from the cyclic amine substrate and nucleophilic addition of the in situ formed α-amino radical onto the electron-deficient carbon-carbon double bond of maleimide followed by oxidation and β-elimination. Notably, this direct α-functionalization provides an effective alternative to the conventional ionic reaction mode, in which an imine or iminium intermediate is formed to react with electron-rich coupling partners other than electron-deficient ones. In general, this method features readily available and structurally diverse substrates, a green and economical catalyst, a unique reaction pathway, mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, and excellent atom economy. This new reaction enriches the application of Fe(III)-catalyzed C(sp3)-H activation and functionalization.

2- and 4-(Arylmethylideneamino)phenols react with Reformatsky reagent, obtained from methyl 1-bromocyclohexanecarboxylate and zinc, to form 3-aryl-2-[2-(or 4-)hydroxyphenyl]-2-azaspiro[3.5]nonan-1-ones. The reaction involves the initial addition of the organozinc reagent across the C=N double bond of the Schiff base and the subsequent intramolecular cyclization of the adduct via the nucleophilic attack of the nitrogen atom on the ester carbonyl carbon atom. The structures of the products were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.

The asymmetric reduction of activated C=C bonds such as enones is well established for non‐enzymatic methods as well as in biocatalysis. However, the asymmetric reduction of unfunctionalized C=C bonds is mainly performed with transition metal catalysts whereas biocatalytic approaches are lacking. We have tested two FAD‐dependent archaeal geranylgeranyl reductases (GGR) for the asymmetric reduction of isolated C=C bonds. The reduction of up to four double bonds in terpene chains with different chain lengths and head groups was confirmed. Methyl‐branched E‐alkenes were chemoselectively reduced in the presence of cyclic, terminal or activated alkenes. Using a removable succinate “spacer”, farnesol and geraniol could be quantitatively reduced (>99 %). The reduction is strictly (R)‐selective (enantiomeric excess >99 %). Hence, GGRs are promising biocatalysts for the asymmetric reduction of unactivated isolated C=C bonds, opening new opportunities for the synthesis of enantiopure branched alkyl chains., Archaeal geranylgeranyl reductases were tested for the biocatalytic asymmetric reduction of isolated unfunctionalized C=C bonds. The reduction of acyclic terpene chains with different head groups showed great tolerance for substrates, without affecting cyclic or terminal C=C bonds. Moreover, the introduction of a succinate hemiester significantly increased conversion. The reaction is highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective (ee>99 %).

Presented herein is an effective preparation of succinimide spiro-fused sultams through the coupling reaction of N-(phenylsulfonyl)acetamides with maleimides. It is deduced that this reaction should proceed through a cascade process including Rh(III)-catalyzed C(sp2)-H bond cleavage of N-(phenylsulfonyl)acetamide, maleimide double bond insertion into the C-Rh bond, β-hydride elimination, reductive elimination, and intramolecular aza-Michael addition. Notably, this cascade procedure features simultaneous annulation and spirocyclization through traceless fusion of the directing group into target product by using air as an economical oxidant to assist the regeneration of the active Rh(III) catalyst. This new method has several advantages including readily accessible starting materials with broad scope, significantly reduced synthetic steps, redox-neutral conditions, high atom-economy, and sustainability.

Foslevodopa (FLD, levodopa 4'-monophosphate, 3) and foscarbidopa (FCD, carbidopa 4'-monophosphate, 4) were identified as water-soluble prodrugs of levodopa (LD, 1) and carbidopa (CD, 2), respectively, which are useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Herein, we describe asymmetric syntheses of FLD (3) and FCD (4) drug substances and their manufacture at pilot scale. The synthesis of FLD (3) employs a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination reaction followed by enantioselective hydrogenation of the double bond as key steps to introduce the α-amino acid moiety with the desired stereochemistry. The synthesis of FCD (4) features a Mizoroki-Heck reaction followed by enantioselective hydrazination to install the quaternary chiral center bearing a hydrazine moiety.

Olefin double-bond functionalization has been established as an excellent strategy for the construction of elaborate molecules. In particular, the hydroalkylation of olefins represents a straightforward strategy for the synthesis of new C(sp3)–C(sp3) bonds, with concomitant formation of challenging quaternary carbon centers. In the last 20 years, numerous hydroalkylation methodologies have emerged that have explored the diverse reactivity patterns of the olefin double bond. This review presents examples of olefins acting as electrophilic partners when coordinated with electrophilic transition-metal complexes or, in more recent approaches, when used as precursors of nucleophilic radical species in metal hydride hydrogen atom transfer reactions. This unique reactivity, combined with the wide availability of olefins as starting materials and the success reported in the construction of all-carbon C(sp3) quaternary centers, makes hydroalkylation reactions an ideal platform for the synthesis of molecules with increased molecular complexity.

Pd-catalyzed arylation of grosshemin by iodoarenes synthesized products with an exocyclic C-11,13 double bond in the (E)- and (Z)-configurations. The structures of four compounds were established by X-ray crystal structure analyses. The antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of the new compounds were assessed.

Geminal difluoroalkenes are readily available building blocks for the synthesis of a broad spectrum of organofluorine compounds. The review summarizes published data on radical reactions involving geminal difluoroalkenes. These processes include addition of a radical species to a double bond or one-electron reduction of the difluoroalkene fragment. Particular emphasis has been placed on photocatalytic reactions initiated by visible light.

The titled 2,1‐benzazaphosphole (1) (i. e. ArP, where Ar=2‐(DippN=CH)C6H4, Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3) showed a spectacular reactivity behaving both as a reactive heterodiene in hetero‐Diels‐Alder (DA) reactions or as a hidden phosphinidene in the coordination toward selected transition metals (TMs). Thus, 1 reacts with electron‐deficient alkynes RC≡CR (R=CO2Me, C5F4N) giving 1‐phospha‐1,4‐dihydro‐iminonaphthalenes 2 and 3, that undergo hydrogen migration producing 1‐phosphanaphthalenes 4 and 5. Compound 1 is also able to activate the C=C double bond in selected N‐alkyl/aryl‐maleimides RN(C(O)CH)2 (R=Me, tBu, Ph) resulting in the addition products 7–9 with bridged bicyclic [2.2.1] structures. The binding of the maleimides to 1 is semi‐reversible upon heating. By contrast, when 1 was treated with selected TM complexes, it serves as a 4e donor bridging two TMs thus producing complexes [μ‐ArP(AuCl)2] (10), [(μ‐ArP)4Ag4][X]4 (X=BF4 (11), OTf (12)) and [μ‐ArP(Co2(CO)6)] (13). The structure and electron distribution of the starting material 1 as well as of other compounds were also studied from the theoretical point of view., The dualistic behavior of the titled 2,1‐benzazaphosphole, behaving as a heterodiene versus a hidden phosphinidene, has been theoretically predicted based on an NTR analysis. This spectacular feature has been proven chemically as well. Thus, it is able to participate in hetero‐Diels‐Alder reactions forming expected heterocycles, but it also serves as a 4e ligand, using two phosphorus electron lone pairs, bridging two transition metals (Au, Ag and Co).

We report the synthesis of quinolines using cyclopropenes and an azidobenziodazolone (ABZ) hypervalent iodine reagent as an azide radical source under visible-light irradiation. Multisubstituted quinoline products were obtained in 34-81% yield. The reaction was most efficient for 3-trifluoromethylcyclopropenes, affording valuable 4-trifluoromethylquinolines. The transformation probably proceeds through the cyclization of an iminyl radical formed by the addition of the azide radical on the cyclopropene double bond, followed by ring-opening and fragmentation.

The development of synthetic strategies enabling the stereo- and regio-selective synthesis of organic molecules is indispensable in the pharmaceutical industry. This work describes a stereo- and regioselective synthesis of (E)/(Z)-1,1-disubstituted-3-(1-arylalkylidene)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans catalyzed by palladium. The DHIBFs are achieved from readily available aryl bromides and ortho-alkyne tertiary alcohols via intermolecular aryl Heck coupling and intramolecular oxo-cyclization of the suitably situated hydroxyl group. Significantly, it was demonstrated that a Z-isomer was formed as a substantial isomer at 80 °C for 6 h, whereas the stable E-isomer was the predominant one at slightly vigorous conditions (100 °C for 12 h). In addition, careful observation has also led to the realization that this double isomerization from Z- to E-isomer was triggered in the NMR tube itself in CDCl3 at room temperature. Significantly, this protocol, for the first time, enabled the synthesis of heavily substituted dihydroisobenzofurans, especially, bearing a tetra-substituted double bond.

Rearrangements of 3-tert-butyl-8-methyl-4-phenylethynyl-1,4-dihydropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine derivatives by the action of bases led to the formation of aromatic (E)- or (Z)-4-styryl-functionalized compounds. At the same time, 4-styryl-1,4-dihydropyrazolotriazines did not rearrange to form the expected 4-phenylethylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine. The latter was obtained via an alternative route by the addition reaction of phenylethynylmagnesium bromide to 3-tert-butyl-8-methylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine, as well as by reduction of double bonds in the ring and side chain of the 4-styryl derivative with subsequent selective oxidation by N-bromosuccinimide. The spectral and X-ray structural data as well as the antimicrobial properties of the synthesized compounds are discussed.

Acrylamides are versatile building blocks that are easily obtained from readily available starting materials. During the last 20 years, these valuable substrates bearing a nucleophilic nitrogen atom and an electrophilic double bond have proven to be efficient domino partners, leading to a wide variety of complex aza-heterocycles of synthetic relevance. In this non-exhaustive review, metal-free and metal-triggered reactions followed by an annulation will be presented; these two approaches allow good modulation of the reactivity of the polyvalent acrylamides.1 Introduction2 Metal-Free Annulations2.1 Domino Reactions Triggered by a Michael Addition2.2 Domino Reactions Triggered by an Aza-Michael Addition2.3 Domino Processes Triggered by an Acylation Reaction2.4 Domino Reactions Triggered by a Baylis–Hillman Reaction2.5 Cycloadditions and Domino Reactions2.6 Miscellaneous Domino Reactions3 Metal-Triggered/Mediated Annulations3.1 Zinc-Promoted Transformations3.2 Rhodium-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades3.3 Cobalt-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades3.4 Ruthenium-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades3.5 Iron-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades3.6 Palladium-Catalyzed Functionalization/Annulation Cascades3.7 Copper-Catalyzed Transformations3.8 Transition Metals Acting in Tandem in Domino Processes4 Radical Cascade Reactions5 Conclusion

Three new alkamides, tulipiferamides A-C (1-3, respectively), and 30 known compounds (4-33) were obtained from the roots of Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae). Dehydrotemisin (4), an elemane sesquiterpene lactone, was isolated for the first time from nature. The structures were deduced by the interpretation of NMR spectroscopic and MS spectral data. The geometries of the double bonds in tulipiferamides A-C (1-3, respectively) were determined on the basis of 1H-1H coupling constants and 13C chemical shifts. The presence of the alkamide type in this plant is reported for the first time. An analysis of the inflammatory response revealed that seven compounds (1, 4, 7, 9, 14, 23, and 27) suppressed the nitric oxide production induced by LPS in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, tulipiferamide A (1) inhibits NF-κB activation by selectively targeting IKKβ, an upstream kinase of NF-κB, resulting in the suppression of inflammatory mediators, including iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6. Our results provide a rationale for the further development of tulipiferamide A as a selective IKKβ inhibitor to modulate inflammatory diseases.

Cyanoacetylenic alcohols, R1R2C(OH)C≡C–CN, the closest derivatives of cyanoacetylene, an abundant interstellar molecule, are now becoming important compounds in the area of modern organic synthesis that tends to mimic Nature. The presence of highly reactive C≡C and C≡N bonds in close proximity to a hydroxy group endows cyanoacetylenic alcohols with a chemical trinity of mutually influencing functions, leading to a myriad number of chemical transformations. All reactions of cyanoacetylenic alcohols parallel modern organic synthesis, whilst being biomimetic. To react, they do not need transition metals (and in most cases, no metals at all, except for physiologically indispensable Na+ and K+), proceed at ambient temperature and often in aqueous media. Fundamentally, their reactions are 100% atom-economic because they are almost exclusively addition processes. Typically, the cyano, acetylene and hydroxy functions of cyanoacetylenic alcohols behave as an inseparable entity, leading to reaction products with multiple functional groups. This allows hydroxy, carbonyl, carboxylic, imino, amino, amido, cyanoamido, cyano, various P-containing, ether and ester functions, along with double bonds, different fundamental heterocycles (furans, furanones, pyrazoles, oxazoles, pyridines, pyrimidines, purines, etc.) and diverse polycyclic systems to be integrated in a single molecular architecture. This review focuses on an analysis and generalization of the knowledge that has accumulated on the chemistry of cyanoacetylenic alcohols, mostly over the past 15 years.1 Introduction2 Nucleophilic Addition to Cyanoacetylenic Alcohols and Subsequent Transformations of the Adducts3 Annulation with Nonaromatic Nitrogen Heterocycles4 Annulation with Aromatic Nitrogen Heterocycles5 Modification of Amino Acids6 Modifications of Nucleobases7 Modification of Nucleosides8 Conclusion

The first enantioselective total synthesis of cerorubenic acid-III is described in detail. Different strategies and attempts, based on a type II [5+2] cycloaddition reaction, leading to the bicyclo[4.4.1] ring system with a strained bridgehead double bond, are depicted. Furthermore, sodium naphthalenide was found to be efficient in the chemoselective reduction of 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octene, with three transformations completed in one operation. An unusual SN1 transannular cyclization reaction was applied to construct the synthetically challenging vinylcyclopropane moiety. This strategy enabled the total synthesis of cerorubenic acid-III in 19 steps.

Geminal diacetates have been used as sustainable acyl donors for enzymatic acylation of chiral and nonchiral alcohols. Especially, it was revealed that geminal diacetates showed higher reactivity than vinyl acetate for hydrolases that are sensitive to acetaldehyde. Under optimized conditions for enzymatic acylation, several synthetically relevant saturated and unsaturated acetates of various primary alcohols were obtained in very high yields up to 98% without E/Z isomerization of the double bond. Subsequently, the acyl donor was recreated from the resulting aldehyde and reused constantly in acylation. Therefore, the developed process is characterized by high atomic efficiency. Moreover, it was shown that acylation using geminal diacetates resulted in remarkable regioselectivity by discriminating among the primary and secondary hydroxyl groups in 1-phenyl-1,3-propanediol providing exclusively 3-acetoxy-1-phenyl-propan-1-ol in good yield. Further, enzymatic kinetic resolution (EKR) and chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) protocols were developed using geminal diacetate as an acylating agent, resulting in chiral acetates in high yields up to 94% with enantiomeric excesses exceeding 99%.

Two eudesmane-guaiane/lindenane heterocoupled sesquiterpenoid dimers, horienoids A (1) and B (2) with new carbon skeletons, from Hedyosmum orientale were characterized by a combined method. Compound 1 featured a unique 2,10-dioxabicyclo[6.2.1]undecane core moiety with an anti-Bredt bridgehead double bond. Their biogenetic pathways were proposed to involve Diels-Alder and cascade rearrangement reactions as the key steps. Compound 2 exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells.

4-Pyrones bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups react with nonstabilized azomethine ylides to form pyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidines in moderate to good yields. The reaction proceeds chemoselectively as a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the azomethine ylide at the carbon–carbon double bond of the pyrone activated by the electron-withdrawing substituent. The reactivity of 4-pyrones toward azomethine ylides was rationalized by computational studies with the use of reactivity indexes. The pyrano[2,3-c]pyrrolidine moiety could be modified, for example by a ring-opening transformation under the action of hydrazine to provide pyrazolyl-substituted pyrrolidines.