X-ray crystallographic structure of a novel enantiopure chiral isothiourea with potential applications in enantioselective synthesis.

The synthesis of a chiral isothiourea, namely, (4aR,8aR)-3-phenyl-4a,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-9-ium bromide, CHNS·Br, with potential organocatalytic and anti-inflammatory activity is reported. The preparation of the heterocycle of interest was carried out in two high-yielding steps. The hydrobromide salt of the isothiourea of interest provided suitable crystals for X-ray diffraction analysis, the results of which are reported.

Mechanoenzymology in the Kinetic Resolution of β-Blockers: Propranolol as a Case Study.

Recent advances in biotechnology, protein engineering, and enzymatic immobilization have made it possible to carry out biocatalytic transformations through alternative non-conventional activation strategies. In particular, mechanoenzymology (i.e.

Structure and Conformation of Novel BODIPY Ugi Adducts.

Two novel BODIPY-Ugi (boron dipyrromethene) adducts exhibit peculiar room temperature (T=20 °C) H-1 NMR spectra in that several protons located at the aromatic aniline-type ring are lost in the baseline. This observation revealed the existence of a dynamic conformational process where rotation around the C-N bond is hindered. Variable-temperature H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopic analysis confirmed this conclusion; that is, low-temperature spectra show distinct signals for all four aromatic protons below coalescence, whereas average signals are recorded above coalescence (T=+120 °C).

Mechanoenzymology: State of the Art and Challenges towards Highly Sustainable Biocatalysis.

Global awareness of the importance of developing environmentally friendlier and more sustainable methods for the synthesis of valuable chemical compounds has led to the design of novel synthetic strategies, involving bio- and organocatalysis as well as the application of novel efficient and ground-breaking technologies such as present-day solvent-free mechanochemistry. In this regard, the evaluation of biocatalytic protocols mediated by the combination of mechanical activation and enzymatic catalysis has recently attracted the attention of the chemical community. Such mechanoenzymatic strategy represents an innovative and promising "green" approach in chemical synthesis that poses nevertheless new paradigms regarding the relative resilience of biomolecules to the mechanochemical stress and to the apparent high energy, at least in so-called hot-spots, during the milling process.

New Mesoporous Silica-Supported Organocatalysts Based on (2)-(1,2,4-Triazol-3-yl)-Proline: Efficient, Reusable, and Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Asymmetric Aldol Reaction.

Novel organocatalytic systems based on the recently developed ()-proline derivative (2)-[5-(benzylthio)-4-phenyl-(1,2,4-triazol)-3-yl]-pyrrolidine supported on mesoporous silica were prepared and their efficiency was assessed in the asymmetric aldol reaction. These materials were fully characterized by FT-IR, MS, XRD, and SEM microscopy, gathering relevant information regarding composition, morphology, and organocatalyst distribution in the doped silica. Careful optimization of the reaction conditions required for their application as catalysts in asymmetric aldol reactions between ketones and aldehydes afforded the anticipated aldol products with excellent yields and moderate diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Novel Methodologies for Chemical Activation in Organic Synthesis under Solvent-Free Reaction Conditions.

One central challenge for XXI century chemists is the development of sustainable processes that do not represent a risk either to humanity or to the environment. In this regard, the search for more efficient and clean alternatives to achieve the chemical activation of molecules involved in chemical transformations has played a prominent role in recent years. The use of microwave or UV-Vis light irradiation, and mechanochemical activation is already widespread in many laboratories.

Green synthesis of bioactive oligopeptides promoted by recyclable nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite.

The pharmaceutical industry is showing renewed interest in therapeutic peptides. Unfortunately, the chemical synthesis of peptides remains very expensive and problematic in terms of environmental sustainability. Hence, making peptides 'greener' has become a new front line for the expansion of peptide market.

Biomimetic Non-Heme Iron-Catalyzed Epoxidation of Challenging Terminal Alkenes Using Aqueous HO as an Environmentally Friendly Oxidant.

Catalysis mediated by iron complexes is emerging as an eco-friendly and inexpensive option in comparison to traditional metal catalysis. The epoxidation of alkenes constitutes an attractive application of iron(III) catalysis, in which terminal olefins are challenging substrates. Herein, we describe our study on the design of biomimetic non-heme ligands for the in situ generation of iron(III) complexes and their evaluation as potential catalysts in epoxidation of terminal olefins.

Density Functional Theory Computational Reexamination of the Anomeric Effect in 2-Methoxy- and 2-Cyano-1,3-dioxanes and 1,3-Dithianes. Stereoelectronic Interactions Involving the Cyano (C≡N:) Group Revealed by Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) Analysis.

This study reports DFT geometry optimization of the anancomeric (ring conformationally anchored) axial r2-methoxy- trans-4, trans-6-dimethyl- and r-2-cyano- trans-4, trans-6-dimethyl-1,3-dioxanes (1-ax and 3-ax, respectively), the equatorial isomers (2-eq and 4-eq, respectively), the axial r2-methoxy- and r2-cyano- trans-4, trans-6-dimethyl-1,3-dithianes (5-ax and 7-ax, respectively), and the equatorial isomers (6-eq and 8-eq, respectively). The computational results reproduce the anomeric effect in 1-8, and most importantly, Weinhold's NBO analysis supports the contribution of n(X) → σ*(C-Y) stereoelectronic interactions that stabilize the axial isomers. Furthermore, NBO analysis of delocalization energy E(2) of properly aligned filled/empty orbitals in these isomeric 2-polar-substituted heterocycles reveals that n(O) → σ*(C-H) is responsible for the increased charge density at C(2)-H in the equatorial isomers, providing an explanation for the computational observation that very recently led Wiberg, Bailey, Lambert, and Stempel ( J.

Stereoelectronic Interactions Exhibited by J One-Bond Coupling Constants and Examination of the Possible Existence of the Intramolecular α-Effect in Six-Membered Oxygen-Containing Heterocycles.

For more than five decades since its original conception, the α-effect has been advocated with arguments based on kinetic reactivity data. The present study was undertaken with the aim of gathering theoretical information on thermodynamic bond energy data in systems that could in principle give rise to intramolecular α-effects. In particular, oxygen-containing six-membered rings oxa-, 1,2-dioxa-, 1,3-dioxa-, 1,2,4-trioxa-, and 1,2,4,5-tetraoxacyclohexane were optimized at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory, and the magnitude of all C-H one-bond coupling constants was determined.

One-Pot Lipase-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of (R)-(-)-N-Benzyl-3-(benzylamino)butanamide: The Effect of Solvent Polarity on Enantioselectivity.

The use of the solvent engineering has been applied for controlling the resolution of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of β-aminoacids via Michael addition reactions. The strategy consisted of the thermodynamic control of products at equilibrium using the lipase CalB as a catalyst. The enzymatic chemo- and enantioselective synthesis of ()-(-)--benzyl-3-(benzylamino)butanamide is reported, showing the influence of the solvent on the chemoselectivity of the -Michael addition and the subsequent kinetic resolution of the Michael adduct; both processes are catalyzed by CalB and both are influenced by the nature of the solvent medium.

Gas-Phase Acidities and Basicities of Alanines and N-Benzylalanines by the Extended Kinetic Method.

This paper reports an experimental determination of the gas-phase acidities and basicities of N-benzylalanines, in both their α and β forms, by means of the extended kinetic method (EKM). The experimental gas-phase acidity of β-alanine was also determined. Standard ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the G3 level were performed for alanines, and at the G3(MP2)//B3LYP level for N-benzylalanines.

Correction: Mechanochemical enzymatic resolution of -benzylated-β-amino esters.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.13.

Mechanochemical enzymatic resolution of -benzylated-β-amino esters.

The use of mechanochemistry to carry out enantioselective reactions has been explored in the last ten years with excellent results. Several chiral organocatalysts and even enzymes have proved to be resistant to milling conditions, which allows for rather efficient enantioselective transformations under ball-milling conditions. The present article reports the first example of a liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) mechanochemical enzymatic resolution of racemic β-amino esters employing lipase B (CALB) to afford highly valuable enantioenriched -benzylated-β-amino acids in good yields.

Asymmetric Michael Addition Organocatalyzed by α,β-Dipeptides under Solvent-Free Reaction Conditions.

The application of six novel α,β-dipeptides as chiral organocatalysts in the asymmetric Michael addition reaction between enolizable aldehydes and -arylmaleimides or nitroolefins is described. With -arylmaleimides as substrates, the best results were achieved with dipeptide as a catalyst in the presence of aq. NaOH.

Stereoelectronic Interactions as a Probe for the Existence of the Intramolecular α-Effect.

The first systematic study of the intramolecular α-effect, both in the stable ground-state structures and in the high-energy intermediates, was accomplished using the anomeric effect as an internal stereoelectronic probe. Contrary to the expectations based on the simple orbital mixing model, the lone pairs in a pair of neutral directly connected heteroatoms are not raised in energy to become stronger donors toward adjacent σ- and π-acceptors. Instead, the key n→σ* interactions (X,Y = O,N) in the "α-systems" (both acyclic and constrained within a heterocyclohexane frame) are weaker than n→σ* interactions in "normal" systems.

Improving the Catalytic Performance of (S)-Proline as Organocatalyst in Asymmetric Aldol Reactions in the Presence of Solvate Ionic Liquids: Involvement of a Supramolecular Aggregate.

For the first time, a highly efficient and stereoselective asymmetric aldol reaction employing (S)-proline in the presence of solvate ionic liquids is reported. The reaction seems to proceed via a supramolecular aggregate of (S)-proline, the solvate ionic liquid, and water, affording high yields and excellent stereoselectivities with low catalyst loadings.

Integrin Ligands with α/β-Hybrid Peptide Structure: Design, Bioactivity, and Conformational Aspects.

Integrins are cell surface receptors for proteins of the extracellular matrix and plasma-borne adhesive proteins. Their involvement in diverse pathologies prompted medicinal chemists to develop small-molecule antagonists, and very often such molecules are peptidomimetics designed on the basis of the short native ligand-integrin recognition motifs. This review deals with peptidomimetic integrin ligands composed of α- and β-amino acids.

Theoretical Evidence for the Relevance of n(F) → σ*(C-X) (X = H, C, O, S) Stereoelectronic Interactions.

Theoretical calculations on r-1,c-3,c-5-trifluorocyclohexane (1), r-2,c-4,c-6-trifluoro-1,3,5-trioxane (2), and r-2,c-4,c-6-trifluoro-1,3,5-trithiane (3) confirm the importance of n(F) → σ*(C-Y)gem, where Y = H, C, O, S, hyperconjugative interactions; that is, contrary to common wisdom, fluorine is a good lone pair electron donor toward geminal sigma bonds. This conclusion is in line with the recent observations reported by O'Hagan and co-workers, who synthesized and examined all-cis 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluoro-cyclohexane (Nat. Chem.

Tandem Approach to Benzothieno- and Benzofuropyridines from o-Alkynyl Aldehydes via Silver-Catalyzed 6-endo-dig Ring Closure.

An operationally simple silver-catalyzed tandem strategy for the synthesis of benzothienopyridines 7a-t and benzofuropyridines 8a-p by the reaction of o-alkynyl aldehyde 4a-t and 5a-p with tert-butylamine 6 under mild reaction conditions is described. The present methodology provides a facile conversion of easily accessible o-alkynyl aldehydes into medicinally useful heterocycles in good to excellent yields under mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions with excellent regioselectivity. The developed chemistry has been successfully extended for the selective synthesis of C-4 deuterated benzothienopyridines 7u-v and benzofuropyridines 8q-r.

Dehydro-β-proline Containing α4β1 Integrin Antagonists: Stereochemical Recognition in Ligand-Receptor Interplay.

A novel class of dehydro-β-proline-containing peptidomimetics, designed to be effective as α4β1 integrin ligands, has been developed on the basis of the fundamental requirements for the interactions of these transmembrane receptors with bioactive ligands. Dehydro-β-proline ring has been synthesized through an original pathway, involving ring closing metathesis of a diallylamino derivative. The synthesized products showed to be effective and selective as α4β1 integrin antagonists and displayed IC50 values in the nanomolar range in cell adhesion inhibition assays and in VCAM-1-induced phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinases.

Theoretical examination of the S-C-P anomeric effect.

Three decades after the discovery of a strong S-C-P anomeric effect in 2-diphenylphosphinoyl-1,3-dithiane (1) and 2-trimethylphosphonium-1,3-dithiane (4), its definitive interpretation is still lacking. The present study reports DFT geometry optimizations of 1-ax, 1-eq, 4-ax, and 4-eq, which do reproduce the S-C-P anomeric effect in 1 and 4, worth 5.45 and 3.

Enantiopure 1,2,3-triazolyl-β-amino acids via click cycloaddition reaction on racemic alkynyl precursors followed by separation of stereoisomers.

In recent years, peptidomimetics have gained enormous importance in drug design aiming to achieve increased drug metabolic stability and higher selectivity. In the field of peptidomimetics, β-peptides incorporating β2- and β3-amino acids (the higher homologs of natural α-amino acids) provide a powerful method for the synthesis of peptidomimetics with particular secondary structures. In this regard, 1,2,3-triazole-modified peptidomimetics can act as effective peptide surrogates, and therefore have gained considerable attention.

Asymmetric allylation of α-ketoester-derived N-benzoylhydrazones promoted by chiral sulfoxides/N-oxides Lewis bases: highly enantioselective synthesis of quaternary α-substituted α-allyl-α-amino acids.

Chiral sulfoxides/N-oxides (R)-1 and (R,R)-2 are effective chiral promoters in the enantioselective allylation of α-keto ester N-benzoylhydrazone derivatives 3a-g to generate the corresponding N-benzoylhydrazine derivatives 4a-g, with enantiomeric excesses as high as 98%. Representative hydrazine derivatives 4a-b were subsequently treated with SmI2, and the resulting amino esters 5a-b with LiOH to obtain quaternary α-substituted α-allyl α-amino acids 6a-b, whose absolute configuration was assigned as (S), with fundament on chemical correlation and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data.

Modulation of αvβ₃- and α₅β₁-integrin-mediated adhesion by dehydro-β-amino acids containing peptidomimetics.

A novel class of low molecular weight ligands of αvβ₃ and α₅β₁ integrins, that possess a dehydro-β-amino acid as conformationally constrained core, linked to the pharmacophoric moieties mimicking the RGD recognition sequence, have been synthesized through a very simple protocol. Cell adhesion assays and integrin-mediated signaling activation experiments suggested a good affinity of these compounds toward both integrin receptors. Moreover, further elongation with two glycine units allowed to obtain an excellent dual inhibitor.