Publications by authors named "Alison Frontier"

This manuscript describes a study of diverse reaction outcomes that stem from the ionization of -alkynyl-Prins adducts. Experimental results have demonstrated unexpected behavior in the nitrogen-containing systems compared to the analogous oxygen derivatives derived from -Prins/-Nazarov sequences. In-depth experimental studies and computational analysis revealed an intricate mechanism involving competing -Nazarov and -Nazarov pathways.

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Osteoporosis remains incurable. The most widely used antiresorptive agents, bisphosphonates (BPs), also inhibit bone formation, while the anabolic agent, teriparatide, does not inhibit bone resorption, and thus they have limited efficacy in preventing osteoporotic fractures and cause some side effects. Thus, there is an unmet need to develop dual antiresorptive and anabolic agents to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

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Osteoporosis is incurable because there are no dual antiresorptive and anabolic therapeutic agents that can be administered long-term. The most widely used antiresorptive agents, bisphosphonates (BPs), also inhibit bone formation and thus have limited effect in preventing osteoporotic fracture. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, prevents the lysosomal degradation of TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3), an NF-κB adaptor protein that limits bone resorption and maintains bone formation.

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This article is a comprehensive report describing our studies in the field of aza-alkynyl Prins chemistry, comparing and contrasting the different reaction partners and reactivities observed during method development. The synthetic strategies combine an alkynyl aza-Prins coupling with an annulation, enabling the preparation of different nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Different iminium ions are explored as viable electrophiles for an alkynyl Prins cyclization, terminated by capture with a halogen nucleophile to form a vinyl halide.

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The nitrogen-interrupted Nazarov cyclization can be a powerful method for the stereocontrolled synthesis of sp-rich -heterocycles. However, due to the incompatibility between the basicity of nitrogen and the acidic reaction conditions, examples of this type of Nazarov cyclization are scarce. Herein, we report a one-pot nitrogen-interrupted -Prins/-Nazarov coupling cascade that joins two simple building blocks, an enyne and a carbonyl partner, to furnish functionalized cyclopenta[]indolines with up to four contiguous stereocenters.

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We report a Brønsted acid-catalyzed carbocyclization cascade, featuring condensation of an alcohol/sulfonamide with an aldehyde followed by an intramolecular three-component coupling involving an alkyne, an oxocarbenium/iminium ion, and an arene. A formal cycloaddition is embedded in the cationic cascade, which enables the synthesis of a wide range of fused heterotricycles. The diastereoselectivity of the cascade is studied using secondary alcohols/sulfonamides with different carbonyl partners.

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In this report, we describe the application of an electrocyclization toward the synthesis of a high-nitrogen heterocycle. It entails the synthesis of a novel, high-nitrogen, 2-3-disubstituted tetrazolium salt via the tetraaza-Nazarov cyclization (4π electrocyclization) of 3-bromo-1,5-bis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole-1-5-yl)-formazan (BDNF). The cyclization takes place under mild conditions using the oxidant phenyliodine(III) diacetate (PIDA).

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This work describes an acid-promoted cyclization of triaryldivinyl ketones containing a thiophene moiety in the α-position. Two cyclization pathways are accessible: one a 4π-Nazarov cyclization and the other we propose to proceed through a 6π electrocyclic mechanism. The relative proportion of products from these divergent pathways is affected by reaction conditions and steric bulk in the substrate.

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Total synthesis has long been depicted as the quest to conquer the structures created by nature, requiring an unflinching, single-minded devotion to the task. The goal is achieved by chemists with grit, strength of will, and a competitive spirit. While there is some truth to this viewpoint, it does not fully capture the rich experiences gained in this research realm.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A new compound discovered enhances RNA binding in a key component of the spliceosome (U2AF2) and disrupts splicing by blocking assembly at a critical stage.
  • * This compound shows potential to selectively kill cells with cancer-related mutations in spliceosomal components, indicating that targeting spliceosome assembly could be an effective treatment strategy.
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In this report, we describe an alkynyl --Prins cyclization of 3-hydroxyisoindolones to prepare -Prins products. These Prins adducts undergo oxidation at the 3-isoindolone position after activation of the amide by triflic anhydride and 2-chloropyridine to form a pentadienyl cation capable of undergoing a -Nazarov cyclization. Using this methodology, angular-fused N-heterocyclic small molecules with two new rings, two new carbon-carbon bonds, a vinyl halide, and an -tertiary stereocenter can be obtained in good yields.

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The defining feature of the Nazarov cyclization is a 4π-conrotatory electrocyclization, resulting in the stereospecific formation of functionalized cyclopentanones. The reaction provides access to structural motifs that are found in many natural products and drug targets. Harnessing the full potential of the Nazarov cyclization broadens its utility by enabling the development of new methodologies and synthetic strategies.

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A novel metal-free double-annulation cascade for the construction of unusual fused heterocyclic systems is described. This simple protocol enables the sequential assembly of two rings in one pot from two simple precursors. Acidic conditions promote the condensation and the intramolecular alkynyl Prins reaction of an enyne or arenyne alcohol with a cyclic hemiaminal to form a five-, six-, or seven-membered oxacycle followed by a seven- or eight-membered azacycle.

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A stereocontrolled -Prins/-Nazarov cyclization protocol is reported, where chiral information from a secondary alcohol is relayed through several intermediates yielding halocyclopentene products diastereoselectively. An enantiopure product is obtained when a nonracemic secondary alcohol is used. Experimental and computational studies are described, enabling the design and synthesis of systems that ionize and cyclize with >95% chirality transfer through a mechanism involving the creation and preservation of transient helical chirality in a pentadienyl cation intermediate.

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Cobalt-mimochrome VI*a (CoMC6*a) is a synthetic mini-protein that catalyzes aqueous proton reduction to hydrogen (H). In buffered water, there are multiple possible proton donors, complicating the elucidation of the mechanism. We have found that the buffer p and sterics have significant effects on activity, evaluated via cyclic voltammetry (CV).

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In this report, we describe a halo-Prins/aryl halo-Nazarov cyclization strategy that employs readily available starting materials, inexpensive reagents, and convenient reaction procedures to generate functionalized haloindenes and indanones. The scope and limitations of the method are outlined, demonstrating that aromatic systems readily react under mild, catalytic conditions when this strategy is implemented. Furthermore, we present both experimental and computational data supporting the notion that cyclizations of 3-halopentadienyl cationic intermediates are more kinetically accessible, as well as more thermodynamically favorable, than cyclizations of the analogous 3-oxypentadienyl cationic systems.

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Three cation-π cyclization cascades initiated at alkylidene β-ketoesters bearing pendent alkenes are described. Depending upon the alkene substitution pattern and the reaction conditions employed, it is possible to achieve selective synthesis of the three different types of products, including 1-halo-3-carbomethoxycyclohexanes, spiro-fused tricyclic systems, and [4.3.

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An expedient strategy for the synthesis of polycyclic small molecules is described. The method first joins together two achiral building blocks (an enyne and an aldehyde or a ketone) using an alkynyl halo-Prins protocol. Then, in the same reaction vessel, acidic conditions initiate a cationic cascade that includes a stereospecific halo-Nazarov electrocyclization and a diastereoselective Friedel-Crafts allylation.

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A diastereoselective two-step strategy for the synthesis of densely functionalized 1-halocyclopentenes with several chiral centers has been developed. In the first step, a multicomponent alkynyl halo-Prins reaction joins an enyne, a carbonyl derivative, and either a chloride, bromide, or iodide to produce a cyclic ether intermediate. In the subsequent step, the intermediate is ionized to generate a halopentadienyl cation, which undergoes an interrupted halo-Nazarov cyclization.

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A 1,6 conjugate addition/Nazarov electrocyclization/internal redox cyclization sequence was developed. Various 5-hydroxycyclopentenones were made through the 1,6-conjugate addition initiated Nazarov reaction with excellent diastereoselectivities. Under thermal conditions, these underwent a through-space 1,5-hydride-transfer/ring-closure reaction to form bridged bicyclic N-heterocyclic compounds with up to four stereogenic centers.

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Synthetic efforts toward the rapid assembly of the AB ring system of the tetrapetalones is described. Key to this work was the use of [3+2] cycloaddition/oxidative extrusion methodology to furnish functionalized aryl enones. The Nazarov cyclization of these substrates was examined, and optimized to generate the AB ring carbon skeleton.

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Nucleophilic catalysts for a 1,6 addition/Nazarov cyclization/elimination sequence were evaluated for their ability to induce enantioselectivity in the electrocyclization step. Of the tertiary amines examined, it was found that a cinchona alkaloid derivative was able to generate substituted 5-hydroxy γ-methylene cyclopentenones with excellent enantioselectivity. The study results suggest that successful cyclization depends upon the ability of the dienyl diketone substrate to readily adopt an - conformation.

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