Synthesis of vinylidenecyclopropanes gold(I)-catalyzed cyclopropanation of vinyl arenes with -stannylated propargyl esters.

The reaction of -stannylated propargyl esters in the presence of a cationic gold(I) catalyst affords vinylidenecyclopropane derivatives as a mixture of diastereomers. The -geometry of the alkenes is almost entirely retained in the product. DFT calculations suggest the involvement of the gold(I)-stabilized propargyl cation as a resonance form of gold(I)-coordinated allenylidene species.

Site-Selective Incorporation of a Functional Group into Lys175 in the Vicinity of the Active Site of Chymotrypsin by Using Peptidyl α-Aminoalkylphosphonate Diphenyl Ester-Derivatives.

We previously reported that Lys175 in the region of the active site of chymotrypsin (Csin) could be site-selectively modified by using an -hydroxy succinimide (NHS) ester of the peptidyl derivative containing 1-amino-2-ethylphenylphosphonate diphenyl ester [NHS-Suc-Ala-Ala-Phe(OPh)]. In this study, the Lys175-selective modification method was expanded to incorporate functional groups into Lys 175 in Csin. Two types of peptidyl phosphonate derivatives with the dansyl group (Dan) as a functional molecule, Dan-β-Ala-[Asp(NHS) or Glu(NHS)]-Ala-Ala-()-Phe(OPh) (DanD and DanE, respectively), were synthesized, and their action was evaluated when modifying Lys175 in Csin.

Versatile Reactivity of Metalloid-Substituted π-Allylpalladium Species.

π-Allylpalladium complexes can not only serve as electrophilic allylating agents for a broad range of nucleophiles, but also nucleophilic allylating agents for electrophiles depending on their electronic environments. In contrast to these typical reactivities of π-allylpalladium complexes, silylated and borylated π-allylpalladium species show unique reactivities that can allow versatile transformations in addition to simple allylation. Herein, four different types of transformations that are in principle achieved via the inherently reactive silylated and borylated π-allylpalladium species as common intermediates are described.

Synthesis of Chloro-Substituted 6H-Dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one Natural Products, Graphislactone G, and Palmariols A and B.

A palladium-mediated intramolecular aryl-aryl coupling reaction was applied to the total synthesis of the bioactive natural products, graphislactone G (1), and palmariols A (2) and B (3), which possess an unusual chloro-subsutituent on the 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one skeleton. Based on the transition state model of the coupling reaction, the mechanistic aspect for the regioselectivity of the aryl-aryl coupling reaction is also discussed.

Preparation of Isodehydrodigallic Acid Using Ullmann Condensation.

Isodehydrodigallic acid, which is an important component of several ellagitannin compounds, was easily synthesized using a classical Ullmann condensation reaction.

Trialkylborane-Mediated Propargylation of Aldehydes Using γ-Stannylated Propargyl Acetates.

A transition-metal-free three-component process that combines aldehydes, 3-(tributylstannyl)propargyl acetates formed in situ from readily available propargyl acetates, and trialkylboranes provides access to a range of 1,2,4-trisubstituted homopropargylic alcohols. The addition of diisopropylamine plays a crucial role in the selective formation of homopropargylic alcohols. Importantly, this methodology can be extended to a single-flask reaction sequence starting from propargyl acetates.

Early identification of promiscuous attributes of aldose reductase inhibitors using a DMSO-perturbation assay.

Aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors are used clinically to treat long-term diabetic complications. Previous studies reported a series of AR inhibitory candidates, but unfortunately the mode of inhibition was poorly described due mainly to the lack of readily available methods for evaluating the specificity. The present study examined the AR inhibitory effects of novel synthetic hydantoins and their structural relatives, some of which were obtained from chemically engineered extracts of natural plants, and discovered several novel AR inhibitors with moderate inhibitory activity.

DMSO-Perturbing Assay for Identifying Promiscuous Enzyme Inhibitors.

In search for enzyme inhibitors, we often encounter "promiscuous" enzyme inhibitors exhibiting nonspecific binding property toward enzyme active site. Therefore, inhibitory candidates should be mechanistically characterized as early as possible in discovery processes. However, there remains a lack of highly reliable and readily available methodology to evaluate specificity of initial hits inhibitors.

Trialkylborane-Mediated Multicomponent Reaction for the Diastereoselective Synthesis of Anti-δ,δ-Disubstituted Homoallylic Alcohols.

The trialkylborane/O-mediated reaction of propargyl acetates having a tributylstannyl group at an alkyne terminus with aldehydes in a THF-HO solvent system gave anti-δ,δ-disubstituted homoallylic alcohols with good to high diastereoselectivity. Intriguingly, two alkyl groups derived from trialkylborane were embedded into the reaction product. The trialkylborane plays a key role not only as a radical initiator but also as a source of alkyl radicals.

Improved Synthesis of Nigricanin.

An ellagic acid-related natural product, nigricanin (1), was synthesized via the Ullmann coupling reaction of 2-bromo-3,4-dialkoxybenzaldehyde (4) followed by the Cannizzaro reaction for desymmetrization of the symmetric biaryl compound (5). Compared to our previously reported study, the presented synthesis improved the sequence step number.

Controllable Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-Homoallylic Alcohols Using a Palladium-Catalyzed Three-Component Reaction.

Diastereoselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-homoallylic alcohols using a Pd-catalyzed three-component reaction of 3-(pinacolatoboryl)allyl benzoates, aldehydes, and aryl stannanes was developed, which provides an alternative method for the allylboration of aldehydes using α,γ-diaryl-substituted allylboronates. Both sets of reaction conditions enable access to either (Z)- or (E)-homoallylic alcohols with good to high alkene stereocontrol. The present method showed good functional group compatibility and generality.

Synthesis of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Aldo-Keto Reductase 1B10 and Their Efficacy against Proliferation, Metastasis, and Cisplatin Resistance of Lung Cancer Cells.

Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is overexpressed in several extraintestinal cancers, particularly in non-small-cell lung cancer, where AKR1B10 is a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Selective AKR1B10 inhibitors are required because compounds should not inhibit the highly related aldose reductase that is involved in monosaccharide and prostaglandin metabolism. Currently, 7-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenylimino)-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid benzylamide (HMPC) is known to be the most potent competitive inhibitor of AKR1B10, but it is nonselective.

A novel serine racemase inhibitor suppresses neuronal over-activation in vivo.

Serine racemase (SRR) is an enzyme that produces d-serine from l-serine. d-Serine acts as an endogenous coagonist of NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs), which regulate many physiological functions. Over-activation of NMDARs induces excitotoxicity, which is observed in many neurodegenerative disorders and epilepsy states.

Site-selective chemical modification of chymotrypsin using peptidyl derivatives bearing optically active diphenyl 1-amino-2-phenylethylphosphonate: Stereochemical effect of the diphenyl phosphonate moiety.

Diphenyl (α-aminoalkyl)phosphonates act as mechanism-based inhibitors against serine proteases by forming a covalent bond with the hydroxy group of the active center Ser residue. Because the covalent bond was found to be broken and replaced by 2-pyridinaldoxime methiodide (2PAM), we employed a peptidyl derivative bearing diphenyl 1-amino-2-phenylethylphosphonate moiety (Phe(p) (OPh)2 ) to target the active site of chymotrypsin and to selectively anchor to Lys175 in the vicinity of the active site. Previously, it was reported that the configuration of the α-carbon of phosphorus in diphenyl (α-aminoalkyl)phosphonates affects the inactivation reaction of serine proteases, i.

Pd-Catalyzed Three-Component Reaction of 3-(Pinacolatoboryl)ally Acetates, Aldehydes, and Organoboranes: A New Entry to Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)-anti-Homoallylic Alcohols.

The Pd-catalyzed three-component reaction of 3-(pinacolatoboryl)allyl acetates, aldehydes, and organoboranes is described. The reaction is initiated by the formation of an allylic gem-palladium/boryl intermediate, which then undergoes allylation of aldehydes by allylboronates followed by a coupling reaction of in situ generated (Z)-vinylpalladium acetates with organoboranes to provide the (Z)-anti-homoallylic alcohols with high levels of diastereoselectivity and alkene stereocontrol.

Practical and convenient synthesis of 1,6-di- or 1,2,5,6-tetra-arylhexa-1,3,5-trienes by the dimerization of Pd(0)-complexed alkenylcarbenes generated from π-allylpalladium intermediates.

Pd(0)-complexed 3-aryl or 2,3-diaryl propenylcarbenes generated from α-silyl-, α-germyl-, or α-boryl-σ-allylpalladium intermediates undergo self-dimerization to provide 1,6-di- or 1,2,5,6-tetraarylhexa-1,3,5-trienes in good to high yields. This method allows the use of a π-allylpalladium intermediate for a carbenoid precursor. Furthermore, the obtained 1,2,5,6-tetraarylhexa-1,3,5-trienes exhibit aggregation-induced emission enhancement property.

Facile preparation of dehydrodigallic acid and its derivative for the synthesis of ellagitannins.

A facile method for the synthesis of dehydrodigallic acid, which is a fundamental structure of ellagitannins, was developed. A classical Ullmann condition was effective for the formation of the highly hindered biaryl ether structure, and we clarified that the suitable protection of the phenolic hydroxy groups was crucial in this reaction. In this way, the synthesis of dehydrodigallic acid and its derivative was successfully performed.

Au(I)-Catalyzed cycloisomerizations terminated by sp(3) C-H bond insertion.

The gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1,5-enynes and 1,4-allylallenes to tetracyclododecane and tetracyclotridecane derivatives, respectively, is reported. Complexation of the cationic gold(I) complex to either the alkyne or allene moiety induces an intramolecular addition of the alkene, leading to a gold(I)-stabilized carbenoid intermediate. This intermediate undergoes a formal sp(3) C-H insertion to generate the tetracyclic adduct.

Gold-catalyzed intermolecular addition of alcohols toward the allenic bond of 4-vinylidene-2-oxazolidinones.

Gold catalyzed intermolecular addition of alcohols toward the proximal allenic double bond of 4-vinylidene-2-oxazolidinones gives hydroalkoxylation products, which can be easily converted into the corresponding novel spiro dihydrofuran or dihydropyran derivatives in high yield.

Chameleon reactivity of the allene bond of 4-vinylidene-2-oxazolidinone: novel through-space conjugative nucleophilic addition of electron-rich alkenes and hetero-nucleophiles.

The Calpha==Cbeta double bond of allene carbamates 1 serves as an electron acceptor similar to the double bond of conjugated enones by means of a through-space interaction with the N--SO2 bond; the carbamate double bond is thus subject to nucleophilic addition for a wide variety of nucleophiles, which proceeds under mild conditions by heating at 70-100 degrees C. Depending on the kind of nucleophiles, 1 displays three different reaction modes: 1) Typically enol ethers and allylsilanes promote 1,3-sulfonyl migration of 1 and undergo the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction with the 1-aza-1,3-butadiene intermediates II thus formed to furnish bicyclic 2-alkoxy-5-sulfonyltetrahydropyridines 2 and 2-silylmethyl-5-sulfonyltetrahydropyridines 3, respectively, with high regio- and stereoselectivity and retention of configuration of the double bonds of these electron-rich alkenes; 2) silanes (RnSiH4-n, n=1-3) and thiols deliver the hydride and the thiolate at the Cbeta carbon and promote the 1,3-sulfonyl migration, followed by protonation of the thus-formed carbamate anion (Z)-III to provide, for example, (Z)-4 a and (Z)-4 j, respectively; 3) alcohols simply add to the Calpha==Cbeta double bond and provide (E)-6. Usually, the reaction with alcohols is accompanied by the second pathway, giving rise to, for example, (Z)-4 b in addition to (E)-6 b.

Stereoselective synthesis of vinylsilanes by a gold(I)-catalyzed acetylenic sila-cope rearrangement.

Cationic tri-tert-butylphosphinegold(I) serves as a catalyst in the sila-Cope rearrangement of acetylenic allylsilanes. When phenol is employed as a nucleophile, the reaction allows for the stereoselective synthesis of vinylsilanes. Alternatively, use of methanol as a nucleophile leads to cyclic vinylsilanes, which can be viewed as latent vinylsilanes that are revealed on treatment with a mild Lewis acid.