Phosphine-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Benzyl Halides and Fumarates.

A phosphine-catalyzed olefinic cross-coupling between benzyl halides and fumarates is described, which affords trisubstituted alkenes in good yields and excellent -selectivity under metal-free conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest a catalytic cycle involving phosphorus ylide formation, Michael addition, water-assisted hydrogen transfer, and phosphine elimination.

Catalyst-Free [3 + 3] Annulation/Oxidation of Cyclic Amidines with Activated Olefins: When the Substrate Olefin Is Also an Oxidant.

Herein we describe a catalyst-free regioselective [3 + 3] annulation/oxidation reaction of cyclic amidines such as DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo(5.4.0)undec-7-ene) and DBN (1,5-diazabicyclo(4.

Synthesis of 2-Chloro-3-amino indenone derivatives and their evaluation as inhibitors of DNA dealkylation repair.

DNA alkylation damage, emanating from the exposure to environmental alkylating agents or produced by certain endogenous metabolic processes, affects cell viability and genomic stability. Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase enzymes, such as Escherichia coli AlkB, are involved in protecting DNA from alkylation damage. Inspired by the natural product indenone derivatives reported to inhibit this class of enzymes, and a set of 2-chloro-3-amino indenone derivatives was synthesized and screened for their inhibitory properties against AlkB.

Multicomponent benzannulation of allylic P-ylides with isocyanates or aldehydes for construction of anilines and biaryls.

The reactivity of allylic phosphorus ylides generated in situ from alkoxycarbonylmethylenephosphoranes and propiolates is investigated toward isocyanates and aromatic aldehydes, which leads to one-pot multicomponent benzannulations for efficient synthesis of polysubstituted anilines and biaryls, respectively. The mechanism may involve a tandem [2+2] cycloaddition/fragmentation/Wittig/cyclization/elimination/aromatization sequence.

A three-component reaction of phosphorus ylides with isocyanates: facile synthesis of 2-amino-3-carboxylate-4-quinolones.

A three-component reaction between one molecule of phosphorus ylides (P-ylides) and two molecules of isocyanates for the rapid assembly of 2-amino-3-carboxylate-4-quinolones is described. The mechanism may involve the addition of a P-ylide to an isocyanate followed by 1,3-H shift to form a carbamoyl stabilized P-ylide. The intermediate then reacts with another aryl isocyanate via Wittig/ketenimine-ketene rearrangement/6π-electrocyclization/1,3-H shift to finally afford the 4-quinolones.

Silver-Catalyzed Activation of Terminal Alkynes for Synthesizing Nitrogen-Containing Molecules.

Alkynes are one of the most abundant chemicals in organic chemistry, and therefore the development of catalytic reactions to transform alkynes into other useful functionalities is of great value. In recent decades, extraordinary advances have been made in this area with transition-metal catalysis, and silver-based reagents are ideal for the activation of alkynes. This high reactivity is probably due to the superior π-Lewis acidic, carbophilic behavior of silver(I), allowing it to selectively activate carbon-carbon triple bonds (C≡C) through the formation of a silver-π complex.

Indenone derivatives as inhibitor of human DNA dealkylation repair enzyme AlkBH3.

The mammalian AlkB homologue-3 (AlkBH3) is a member of the dioxygenase family of enzymes that in humans is involved in DNA dealkylation repair. Because of its role in promoting tumor cell proliferation and metastasis of cancer, extensive efforts are being directed in developing selective inhibitors for AlkBH3. Here we report synthesis, screening and evaluation of panel of arylated indenone derivatives as new class of inhibitors of AlkBH3 DNA repair activity.

Iron-Catalyzed C-H Alkylation of Heterocyclic C-H Bonds.

An efficient, iron-catalyzed C-H alkylation of benzothiazoles by using alkyl diacyl peroxides and alkyl tert-butyl peresters which are readily accessible from carboxylic acids to synthesize 2-alkylbenzothiazoles is developed. This reaction is environmentally benign and compatible with a broad range of functional groups. Various primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl groups can be efficiently incorporated into diverse benzothiazoles.

A domino reaction of tetrahalo-7,7-dimethoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptenyl alcohols leading to indenones and a de novo synthesis of ninhydrin derivatives.

An efficient acid induced rearrangement of a tetrahalo-7,7-dimethoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptenyl system leading to substituted indenones is reported.