Brønsted acid catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition for the synthesis of bisbenzannulated spiroketals with antifungal activities.

The intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of o-hydroxy benzyl alcohols with isochroman ketals was realized by CF3CO2H catalysis. A broad range of bisbenzannulated [6,6]-spiroketals were formed under the metal-free mild conditions in moderate to excellent yields (45-98%) with mostly excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr). Furthermore, the enantioselective version was also preliminarily investigated and the bisbenzannulated [6,6]-spiroketal was obtained with 61% ee in the presence of Sc(OTf)3/Feng's chiral N,N'-dioxide ligand. Some of the bisbenzannulated [6,6]-spiroketal products showed good in vitro antifungal activities against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani.

Iridium/Acid Dual-Catalyzed Enantioselective Aza-ene-type Allylic Alkylation of Nitro Ketene Aminals with Racemic Allylic Alcohols.

The enantioselective allylic alkylation of nitro ketene aminals with racemic allylic alcohols was realized by iridium/acid dual catalysis. An allyl group was installed on the α-position of nitro ketene aminals in a branched-selective manner in high efficiency with excellent enantioselectivities (93-99% ee). The protocol was applied to the late-stage modification of neonicotinoid insecticides, which directly furnished a novel neonicotinoid analogue with good insecticidal activity against Aphis craccivora (LC50 = 6.40 mg/L). On the basis of the control experiment, an aza-ene-type allylic alkylation reaction mechanism was proposed.

Design, Synthesis, and Insecticidal Evaluation of Neonicotinoids with Conjugated Diene.

Neonicotinoid insecticides acting on the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an essential role in contemporary pest control. In the present study, a series of novel neonicotinoid analogues with conjugated diene were synthesized. Bioassays indicated that compounds A3 and A12 had LC50 values of 1.26 and 1.24 mg/L against Myzus persicae, respectively, which were comparable to that of imidacloprid (IMI, LC50 = 0.78 mg/L). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to explain the differences in the insecticidal activities of target compounds. Molecular docking results indicate that compounds A3 and A12 interact favorably with Lymnaea stagnalis AChBP. The hydrolysis experiments confirmed that the stability of compounds A3 and A12 was enhanced in water.

N-Difluoromethylthiophthalimide Reagents for Modular Synthesis of Diversified α-Difluoromethylthiolated Ketones.

The compounds featuring α-difluorothiomethylated ketone skeleton derivatives are of particular interest in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Herein, we designed novel electrophilic N-difluoromethylthiophthalimide reagents that can be easily prepared with commercially available and economical chemicals. These reagents could smoothly react with various nucleophiles, such as Grignard reagents, boronic acids, ß-keto esters, and anilines, which affords structurally diverse α-difluoromethylthiolated ketones in good to excellent yields. The formal synthesis of active antifungal compounds positively confirmed the practicability of these reagents.

Ir-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cascade Allylation/Spiroketalization Reaction for Stereoselective Synthesis of Oxazoline-Spiroketals.

An asymmetric cascade allylation/spiroketalization reaction between 2-(1-hydroxyallyl)phenols and 5-methyleneoxazolines is accomplished by using a chiral Ir(I) catalyst derived from commercially available iridium precursor and the Carreira ligand. This protocol furnishes a class of structurally novel and unique oxazoline-spiroketals in up to 86% yield, >99% ee and >20:1 dr. Moreover, control experiments reveal that 4,4-disubstitution on 5-methyleneoxazolines is necessary to avoid the aromatization and for the spiroketalization to occur. On the basis of this, a plausible reaction mechanism is illustrated.

Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of Bisbenzannulated Spiroketals and Spiroaminals by Ir/Ag/Acid Ternary Catalysis.

We reported herein an iridium/silver/acid ternary catalytic system to access bisbenzannulated [6,6]-spiroketals in high efficiency with generally high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr, >99 % ee). In this procedure, readily available o-alkynylacetophenones undergo cycloisomerization to generate isochromenes in situ that participate in stereoselective allylation/spiroketalization sequence with 2-(1-hydroxyallyl)phenols. Meanwhile, 2-(1-hydroxyallyl)anilines were also compatible in this cascade reaction, furnishing structurally novel bisbenzannulated [6,6]-spiroaminals with good diastereoselectivities (8 : 1-12 : 1 dr) and excellent enantioselectivities (98 %->99 % ee). Moreover, experimental studies and theoretical calculations were performed to illustrate the reaction mechanism and stereochemistry.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiroketals and Spiroaminals via Gold and Iridium Sequential Catalysis.

The enantioselective cascade reaction between racemic 2-(1-hydroxyallyl)phenols and alkynols/alkynamides was realized by using a gold and iridium sequential catalytic system. In this procedure, the in situ generated exocyclic vinyl ethers or enamides undergo the asymmetric allylation/spiroketalization with π-ally-Ir amphiphilic species, which provides an efficient and straightforward access to spiroketals and spiroaminals with excellent enantioselectivities. Moreover, racemic 2-(1-hydroxyallyl)anilines were also suitable in this reaction along with a kinetic resolution process, affording enantioenriched spiroaminals and 2-(1-hydroxyallyl)anilines in good yields. The synthetic utility of this method has been demonstrated by efficient enantioselective synthesis of the analogue of Paecilospirone.

Regio- and Enantioselective γ-Allylic Alkylation of In Situ-Generated Free Dienolates via Scandium/Iridium Dual Catalysis.

An unprecedented asymmetric γ-allylic alkylation of free dienolates via Sc/Ir dual catalysis is reported, which affords a range of synthetically versatile γ-allylic crotonaldehydes in high efficiency with excellent chemo-, regio-, and enantioselectivities. The dienolates bearing no essential auxiliary groups were generated in situ by scandium triflate-mediated Meinwald rearrangement of vinyloxiranes atom-economically. With the assistance of computational density functional theory calculations, a Sc/Ir bimetallic catalytic cycle was proposed to illustrate the reaction mechanism.

TRIM32 Deficiency Impairs the Generation of Pyramidal Neurons in Developing Cerebral Cortex.

Excitatory-inhibitory imbalance (E/I) is a fundamental mechanism underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASD). TRIM32 is a risk gene genetically associated with ASD. The absence of TRIM32 causes impaired generation of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons, neural network hyperexcitability, and autism-like behavior in mice, emphasizing the role of TRIM32 in maintaining E/I balance, but despite the description of TRIM32 in regulating proliferation and differentiation of cultured mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs), the role of TRIM32 in cerebral cortical development, particularly in the production of excitatory pyramidal neurons, remains unknown. The present study observed that TRIM32 deficiency resulted in decreased numbers of distinct layer-specific cortical neurons and decreased radial glial cell (RGC) and intermediate progenitor cell (IPC) pool size. We further demonstrated that TRIM32 deficiency impairs self-renewal of RGCs and IPCs as indicated by decreased proliferation and mitosis. A TRIM32 deficiency also affects or influences the formation of cortical neurons. As a result, TRIM32-deficient mice showed smaller brain size. At the molecular level, RNAseq analysis indicated reduced Notch signalling in TRIM32-deficient mice. Therefore, the present study indicates a role for TRIM32 in pyramidal neuron generation. Impaired generation of excitatory pyramidal neurons may explain the hyperexcitability observed in TRIM32-deficient mice.

Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cascade Allylation/Pictet-Spengler Cyclization Reaction for the Enantioselective Synthesis of 1,3,4-Trisubstituted Tetrahydroisoquinolines.

An iridium-catalyzed trifluoroacetic acid-promoted asymmetric cascade allylation/Pictet-Spengler cyclization reaction of azomethine ylides with aromatic allylic alcohols is reported. This protocol provides a facile and scalable method for the construction of 1,3,4-trisubstituted tetrahydroisoquinolines containing two stereogenic centers in good yields (up to 96%) with generally excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and >99% ee). Furthermore, a series of aromatic heterocycle-fused piperidines were also obtained with excellent enantiocontrol by this methodology.

Sulfone as a Transient Activating Group in the Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4 + 3] Cycloaddition of Trimethylenemethane Enabling the Enantioselective Synthesis of Fused Azepines.

The palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 3] cycloaddition of a sulfonyl-trimethylenemethane (TMM) donor with azadienes furnished various sulfonyl-fused azepines with exclusive regioselectivities and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr, >99% ee) in high yields (up to 93%). Moreover, sulfone, serving as a transient activating group of the TMM species, can be easily removed from the cycloadducts to provide the structurally simple fused azepines with excellent enantioselectivities. This strategy demonstrates sulfonyl-TMM as an effective surrogate of naked TMM with high reactivity, exclusive regioselectivity, and excellent stereoselectivity.

Iridium-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective [4 + 3] Cycloaddition of 4-Indolyl Allylic Alcohols with Azomethine Ylides.

An unprecedented iridium-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 3] cycloaddition of racemic 4-indolyl allylic alcohols with azomethine ylides is reported. The ability of acid promoter zinc triflate to perform multiple roles is the key factor for the success of this strategy. This method provides scalable and efficient access to biologically important azepino[3,4,5-cd] indoles in good yields with generally excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and >99% ee). Mild reaction conditions, easily accessible substrates and chiral catalyst, and broad substrate scope highlight the practicality of this methodology.

Organocatalytic Regiodivergent Ring Expansion of Cyclobutanones for the Enantioselective Synthesis of Azepino[1,2-a]indoles and Cyclohepta[b]indoles.

A regiodivergent organocatalytic enantioselective Michael addition/three-atom ring expansion sequence of electron-withdrawing group activated cyclobutanones with 2-nitrovinylindoles was developed. A series of azepino[1,2-a]indoles were obtained with exclusive regioselectivities and high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr, 96% ee) with the application of the N1 nucleophilic site of the indole nucleus. Meanwhile, various cyclohepta[b]indoles could be accessed with high enantiopurity (up to 96% ee) through the Michael addition/boron-trifluoride-etherate-promoted indole C3-attack ring expansion process.

Catalytic Asymmetric [3 + 2] Annulation via Indolyl Copper-Allenylidene Intermediates: Diastereo- and Enantioselective Assembly of Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles.

A catalytic asymmetric decarboxylative [3 + 2] annulation via indolyl copper-allenylidene amphiphilic intermediates has been developed. This protocol offers a straightforward method for the synthesis of biologically important pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles bearing contiguous quaternary and tertiary stereogenic centers with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and >99% ee). In addition, the diversity-oriented synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles was achieved via versatile transformations of the alkyne-containing cycloadducts.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [4+3] Cyclization of Trimethylenemethane: Regio-, Diastereo-, and Enantioselective Construction of Benzofuro[3,2-b]azepine Skeletons.

The palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4+3] cyclization of trimethylenemethane donors with benzofuran-derived azadienes furnishes chiral benzofuro[3,2-b]azepine frameworks in high yields (up to 98 %) with exclusive regioselectivities and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 d.r., >99 % ee). This catalytic asymmetric [4+3] cyclization of Pd-trimethylenemethane can enrich the arsenal of Pd-TMM reactions in organic synthesis. In addition, this strategy provides an alternative approach to chiral azepines by a transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric [4+3] cyclization.

Ligand-controlled switch in diastereoselectivities: catalytic asymmetric construction of spirocyclic pyrrolidine-azetidine/oxe(thie)tane derivatives.

An efficient catalytic asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with four-membered ring-containing exocyclic alkenes has been developed, and either the exo or endo spirocyclic pyrrolidine-azetidine/oxe(thie)tane derivatives were diastereodivergently generated by employing Cu(i)/tBu-Phosferrox and a Cu(i)/N,O-ligand complex, respectively. Notably, various heteroatom-containing (N, O, S) exocyclic alkenes were found to be well-tolerated in this transformation.

Enantioselective Construction of Dihydropyrido[1,2-a]indoles via Organocatalytic Arylmethylation of 2-Enals with Inert Aryl Methane Nucleophiles.

An organocatalytic asymmetric arylmethylation/N-hemiacetalization of 2-indolyl methane derivatives and 2-enals was developed. Notably, the 2-methyl of indole was readily deprotonated to produce highly reactive nucleophilic species by introducing the nitro group at the C3 position of the indole ring. A spectrum of valuable chiral dihydropyrido[1,2-a]indoles were efficiently constructed with excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee). Furthermore, the corresponding products could be easily functionalized via simple deprotonation and treatment with other electrophiles with excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1 dr).

Enantioselective Construction of CF3-Containing Spirooxindole γ-Lactones via Organocatalytic Asymmetric Michael/Lactonization.

A highly enantioselective Michael/lactonization cascade reaction of 3-hydroxyoxindoles with 3-trifluoroethylidene oxindoles was developed. The use of a cinchona-derived squaramide catalyst is essential in achieving high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. This reaction represents the first example of intramolecular amide C-N bond cleavage and lactonization of 3-hydroxyoxindoles with 3-trifluoroethylidene oxindoles, which provides an efficient and convenient approach to diverse CF3-containing spirooxindole γ-lactones in high yields and good to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Asymmetric Construction of 3-Azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane Skeleton with Five Contiguous Stereogenic Centers by Cu-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Trisubstituted Cyclopropenes.

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral cyclopropenes via a Cu(CH3CN)4BF4/Ph-Phosferrox complex catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides was described. A variety of complex 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivatives bearing five contiguous stereogenic centers and two all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers were directly synthesized as a single isomer in excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (97 → 99% ee). Notably, various functional groups (CO2R, CN, CONMe2, and Ph) of cyclopropenes were found to be well-tolerated in this transformation. The cycloadduct was conveniently converted to a biologically important GABA derivative via LiAlH4 reduction and subsequent hydrolysis.

ß-Silyl Acrylates in Asymmetric [3 + 2] Cycloadditions Affording Pyrrolidine Azasugar Derivatives.

A highly efficient copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with 3-silyl unsaturated esters has been developed, providing elegant access to chiral 3-silylpyrrolidine derivatives bearing contiguous stereogenic centers in moderate-to-excellent yields (up to 99%) with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (dr up to >99:1; ee up to 96%). Notably, the 3-silylpyrrolidines can easily be converted to pyrrolidine azasugar derivatives with potential biological activities by the reduction of two ester groups and carbon-silicon bond oxidation.