Unnatural Cyclopeptide Synthesis via Cu-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides.

Cyclic peptides are valued synthetic targets in organic and medicinal chemistry. Herein, we report an efficient strategy for the synthesis of unnatural cyclic peptides via the Cu-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethylene ylides. Linear precursors of different lengths and bearing diverse amino acids (26 examples) are shown to be compatible with this method, affording good yields and complete -diastereoselectivities.

Intramolecular Diels-Alder Reaction of Cyclopropenyl Vinylarenes: Access to Benzonorcarane Derivatives.

Intramolecular Diels-Alder vinylarene reaction (IMDAV) is a [4 + 2] cycloaddition that employs styrene derivatives as conjugated dienes, whose poor reactivity arises from the required loss of aromaticity, which is recovered by a subsequent [1,3]-H shift. Herein, we describe the use of cyclopropene as a dienophile, harnessing its strain energy to drive the IMDAV reaction. Benzonorcarane scaffolds form in good yields, excellent stereoselectivity, and broad functional tolerance.

Base-Induced Sulfoxide-Sulfenate Rearrangement of 2-Sulfinyl Dienes for the Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of Enantioenriched Dienyl Diols.

The base-induced [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of a series of enantiopure 2-sulfinyl dienes has been examined and optimized using a combination of NaH and PrOH. The reaction takes place by allylic deprotonation of the 2-sulfinyl diene to give a bis-allylic sulfoxide anion intermediate that after protonation undergoes sulfoxide-sulfenate rearrangement. Different substitution at the starting 2-sulfinyl dienes has allowed us to study the rearrangement finding that a terminal allylic alcohol is determinant to achieve complete regioselectivity and high enantioselectivities (90:10-95:5) with the sulfoxide as the only element of stereocontrol.

Diboron reagents in the deoxygenation of nitrones.

Bnep efficiently promotes the N-O cleavage of nitrones to form imines in very high yields a simple, efficient, sustainable, functional group tolerant and scalable protocol. The reaction occurs in the absence of additives through a concerted mechanism. We demonstrated that DMPO and TEMPO, typically used as radical traps, are also deoxygenated by diboron reagents, which demonstrates their limitation as mechanistic probes.

Age-dependent effect of the IFIH1/MDA5 gene variants on the risk of critical COVID-19.

MDA5, encoded by the IFIH1gene, is a cytoplasmic sensor of viral RNAs that triggers interferon (IFN) antiviral responses. Common and rare IFIH1 variants have been associated with the risk of type 1 diabetes and other immune-mediated disorders, and with the outcome of viral diseases. Variants associated with reduced IFN expression would increase the risk for severe viral disease.

Palladium-Catalyzed PIDA-Mediated δ-C(sp )-H Acetoxylation of Amino Acid Derivatives: Overriding Competitive Intramolecular Amination.

The selective δ-C(sp )-H acetoxylation of N-(SO Py)-protected amino acid derivatives has been accomplished by using palladium-catalysis and PhI(OAc) (PIDA) as both terminal oxidant and acetoxy source. The distinct structural and electronic features of the SO Py compared to more traditional carbonyl-based directing groups is essential to override the otherwise more favourable competitive intramolecular C-H amination. The δ-site selectivity predominates over traditionally more favorable 5-membered cyclopalladation at competitive γ-CH .

Catalytic enantioselective intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with fluorinated dipolarophiles.

An enantioselective synthesis of polycyclic fluorinated pyrrolidines has been achieved by Cu-catalyzed intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with fluorinated dipolarophiles. The method displays a wide scope and afforded the desired cycloadducts in high yields with up to 99% ee. These results demonstrate that fluoroalkyl substituents are excellent activating groups in this transformation.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Copper-Assisted Intermolecular Domino C-H Annulation of 1,3-Diynes with Picolinamides: Access to Pentacyclic π-Extended Systems.

A new mode of reactivity of 1,3-diynes in rhodium-catalyzed oxidative annulation reactions has enabled the rapid assembly of extended π systems from readily available picolinamide derivatives. The process involves a double C-H bond activation and the iterative annulation of two 1,3-diyne units, with each alkyne moiety engaged in an orchestrated insertion sequence with high regiocontrol, leading to the formation of five new C-C bonds and the construction of four fused rings in a single operation. Either isoquinoline-1-carboxamides or fused polycyclic systems can be accessed by a switch in the regioselectivity of the second diyne insertion depending on the reaction conditions.

A Protocol To Transform Sulfones into Nitrones and Aldehydes.

A simple method to transform sulfones into nitrones and therefore into the corresponding carbonyl derivatives has been developed. Some examples demonstrate that it is a new reliable and versatile reaction in the toolbox of sulfones that has great synthetic potential. NMR and computational studies were used to elucidate the mechanism.

Expanding the Potential of Heteroaryl Vinyl Sulfones.

The easily available vinyl sulfone 3 showed great potential for new applications in several fields such as organic synthesis and bioconjugate formation. This was demonstrated by performing a systematic assessment of its reactivity in Michael, radical, and cycloaddition reactions. Heteroaryl vinyl sulfone 3 presented excellent output in terms of reactivity and selectivity, proving superior to phenyl vinyl sulfone 1 and with clear advantages over bis-sulfone 2.

Stereoselective Ag-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Activated Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Azomethine Ylides.

A silver-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of fluorinated azomethine ylides and activated olefins is reported. The reaction offers a straightforward and atom-economical procedure for the preparation of fluorinated pyrrolidines. Broad scope and high levels of diastereoselectivity have been achieved simply by using AgOAc/PPh3 as the catalyst system.

Rh/Rh catalyst-controlled divergent aryl/heteroaryl C-H bond functionalization of picolinamides with alkynes.

The ability to establish switchable site-selectivity through catalyst control in the direct functionalization of molecules that contain distinct C-H bonds remains a demanding challenge that would enable the construction of diverse scaffolds from the same starting materials. Herein we describe the realization of this goal, namely a divergent heteroaryl/aryl C-H functionalization of aromatic picolinamide derivatives, targeting two distinct C-H sites, either at the pyridine ring or at the arene unit, to afford isoquinoline or -olefinated benzylamine (or phenethylamine) derivatives. This complementary reactivity has been achieved on the basis of a Rh/Rh switch in the catalyst, resulting in different mechanistic outcomes.

Asymmetric nucleophilic monofluorobenzylation of allyl and propargyl halides mediated by a remote sulfinyl group: synthesis of homoallylic and homopropargylic fluorides.

Fluorinated 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)benzyl carbanions react with allyl and propargyl halides in a highly stereoselective way, providing homoallylic and homopropargylic fluorides, respectively, with high optical purity. Theoretical calculations found transition states for these transformations whose relative stabilities are consistent with the experimentally observed stereoselectivity.

Intermolecular alkyl radical additions to enantiopure N-tert-butanesulfinyl aldimines.

The sulfinyl group in (R)-N-tert-butanesulfinyl aldimines provides efficient control of the stereoselectivity in the intermolecular reactions with alkyl radicals. The methodology is applicable to aryl, heteroaryl, benzyl, and alkynyl imines, even those containing CN, CO2Me, COR, and OH groups. The best results are attained with hindered radicals (tertiary and secondary ones) without C═N bond reduction.

Role of quaternary ammonium salts as new additives in the enantioselective organocatalytic β-benzylation of enals.

We report herein the efficiency of quaternary ammonium salts as co-catalysts in organocatalytic Michael reactions involving iminium activation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The enantioselective formal benzylation of these substrates has been optimized and used to rationalize the role of the ammonium salts in these processes.

Regiocontrolled Cu(I)-catalyzed borylation of propargylic-functionalized internal alkynes.

Good to excellent reactivity and regiocontrol have been achieved in the Cu(I)-catalyzed borylation of dialkyl internal alkynes with bis(pinacolato)diboron. The presence of a propargylic polar group (OH, OR, SAr, SO(2)Ar, or NHTs), in combination with PCy(3) as ligand, allowed maximizing the reactivity and site-selectivity (β to the propargylic function). DFT calculations suggest a subtle orbitalic influence from the propargylic group, matched with ligand and substrate size effects, as key factors involved in the high β-selectivity.

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure anti-1,2-diaryl and syn-1,2-alkylaryl vic-selenoamines.

Phenylselenyl benzylcarbanion stabilized by an (S)-2-p-tolylsulfinyl group evolves in a highly stereoselective way in the reactions with (S)-N-(p-tolylsulfinyl)imines at -98 °C affording diastereomerically pure 1,2-selenoamino derivatives in good yields. The syn or anti relationship of the obtained compounds depends on the alkyl or aryl character of the imine. They are easily transformed into enantiomerically pure (1R,2S)-1-aryl[or (1S,2S)-1-alkyl]-2-(phenylseleno)-2-phenylethylamines by reaction with t-BuLi and subsequent methanolysis of the generated sulfinamide derivatives with TFA.

An organocatalytic approach to enantiomerically enriched α-arylcyclohexenones and cyclohexanones.

The presence of a p-nitrophenyl group converts acetone into an excellent and versatile nucleophile in organocatalytic processes, able to react with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes affording β-substituted α-arylcyclohexenones via a Michael reaction/aldol reaction/dehydration sequence, which occurs in good yields, ee up to 96% and complete diastereoselectivity. The resulting compounds are excellent synthons for the diastereoselective preparation of a variety of synthetically useful polysubstituted cyclohexanones and derivatives.

Synthesis of optically pure vic-sulfanyl amines mediated by a remote sulfinyl group.

Enantiomerically pure syn-1,2-diaryl-1,2-sulfanylamine derivatives can be obtained in a completely stereoselective manner by reaction of the benzylcarbanion Li-(S)-1 with N-phenyl (or PMP)-arylidene aldimines and further desulfinylation with t-BuLi. Theoretical studies at the DFT (mPW1PW91) level with the CPCM model, by using the Gaussian09 program, provide a good explanation for the stereochemical results.

Chiral monofluorobenzyl carbanions: synthesis of enantiopure β-fluorinated β-phenylethylamines.

The preparation of a stabilized monofluorobenzyl carbanion by means of a remote homochiral sulfinyl group and its completely stereoselective reactions with N-p-tolylsulfinylimines are described. The use of these reactions followed by the simultaneous removal of both chiral auxiliaries with tBuLi, which occurs without epimerization at the benzylic position, provides the quickest entry to enantiomerically pure β-fluorinated β-phenylethylamines.

2-(p-Tolylsulfinyl)benzyl halides as efficient precursors of optically pure trans-2,3-disubstituted aziridines.

Aziridination of (R)-N-sulfinylaldimines (aryl, heteroaryl and alkenyl derivatives) with 2-(p-tolyl sulfinyl)benzyl iodide in the presence of sodium hexamethyl disilazide takes place with almost complete control of the stereoselectivity (facial and anti/syn) and with very high yields affording optically pure N-sulfinyl trans-2,3-disubstituted aziridines 7. Simultaneous removal of both C- and N-p-tolylsulfinyl groups with tBuLi provides the corresponding trans-NH aziridines 8 without affecting their optical purity. Some experimental results suggest these processes evolve through benzyl halocarbenoids as intermediates, whereas theoretical calculations support the formation of benzyl carbanions.

Stereoselective control of planar alpha-dimethylsulfonium benzyl carbanions. Synthesis of optically pure trans-aziridines.

(R)-N-sulfinylimine and (S)-N-sulfinylimine react with the ylide derived from (S)-dimethyl-[2-(p-toluenesulfinyl)phenyl]sulfonium salt, affording trans-2,3-disubstituted aziridines. A complete trans selectivity in low facial diastereoselectivity is observed when the configuration at the sulfur atoms of the reagents is the same. Otherwise, when their configurations are different, the reaction evolved with total facial diastereoselectivity and the cis/trans ratio ranged between 1/4.

On the origin of the regioselectivity in glycosylation reactions of 1,2-diols.

The assistance of neighboring protecting groups with different orientations in 1,2-diol acceptors and the reactivity of both reaction partners, the donor and the acceptor, have been evaluated as factors that determine the regioselectivity of glycosylation reactions. It has been established, by experimental and theoretical studies, that the regioselectivity for the glycosylation of a given OH group can be considerably increased by the presence of groups able to form a hydrogen bond with that OH group. Moreover higher regioselectivities are observed when armed donor/activated acceptor combinations are avoided.

Stereoselective addition of alpha-methylsulfenyl benzyl carbanions to N-sulfinylketimines: asymmetric synthesis of alpha,alpha-dibranched beta-sulfanyl amines.

(R)- and (S)-N-sulfinylketimines react with the ortho-sulfinyl benzyl carbanion derived from (S)-1 affording epimeric mixtures at the benzylic carbon of alpha,alpha-dibranched beta-sulfanyl amines. The N-sulfinyl group completely controls the configuration at the quaternary carbon bonded to the nitrogen, whereas the C-sulfinyl group is responsible for the level of asymmetric induction. High stereoselectivity can be achieved when the configuration at the sulfur atoms of the reagents are opposite (matched pair).