Potent Cytotoxicity of Novel L-Shaped Ortho-Quinone Analogs through Inducing Apoptosis.

Twenty-seven L-shaped ortho-quinone analogs were designed and synthesized using a one pot double-radical synthetic strategy followed by removing methyl at C-3 of the furan ring and introducing a diverse side chain at C-2 of the furan ring. The synthetic derivatives were investigated for their cytotoxicity activities against human leukemia cells K562, prostate cancer cells PC3, and melanoma cells WM9. Compounds , , , , , , , , , , , , , and exhibited a better broad-spectrum cytotoxicity on three cancer cells.

Phase-shifted pentafluorobutane nanoparticles for ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-mediated hypoxia modulation.

The integration of ultrasound (US) contrast enhancement with oxygen-loading nanoagents provide the synergistic strategy for simultaneously US imaging and hypoxic microenvironment modulation. Herein, we synthesize pentafluorobutane (PFB)-loading methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) nanoparticle as the novel US-contrast-enhanced agent and demonstrate that PFB@PLLA effectively loads oxygen. We characterize the nanosize, phase-transformation property and oxygen-loading amount of PFB@PLLA and investigate the effectiveness of these nanoagents in US-contrast-enhanced imaging.

Design and Synthesis of Flavonoidal Ethers and Their Anti-Cancer Activity In Vitro.

Flavonoids are well-characterized polyphenolic compounds with pharmacological and therapeutic activities. However, most flavonoids have not been developed into clinical drugs, due to poor bioavailability. Herein, we report a strategy to increase the drugability of flavonoids by constructing C(sp)-O bonds and stereo- as well as regioselective alkenylation of hydroxyl groups of flavonoids with ethyl-2,3-butadienoate allenes.

Ir-Catalyzed Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Communesin F.

The first catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of the heptacyclic alkaloid (-)-communesin F is described. A key step features an iridium-catalyzed asymmetric intermolecular cascade cyclization, constructing the lower N,N-aminal-containing CDEF tetracyclic core in one step. Another notable element is the closure of final ring system (A ring) via a facile reduction of a twisted amide and concomitant cyclization activated by mesylation of N,O-hemiaminal intermediate.

Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Indole Cyclization: Application to the Total Synthesis and Absolute Stereochemical Assignment of (-)-Aspidophylline A.

The first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-aspidophylline A, including assignment of its absolute configuration has been accomplished. A key element of the synthesis is a highly enantioselective indole allylic alkylation/iminium cyclization cascade which was developed by employing a combination of Lewis acid activation and an iridium/ligand catalyst. This strategy relies on the direct use of 2,3-disubstituted indoles with secondary allylic alcohols appended at C2 and heteronucleophiles appended at C3, indoles which are easily prepared from simple starting materials under C-H activation conditions.