A Domino 10-Step Total Synthesis of FR252921 and Its Analogues, Complex Macrocyclic Immunosuppressants.

FR252921, FR252922, and FR256523 are a family of potent macrocyclic polyene immunosuppressive agents with a novel mode of action. However, the lack of an efficient and flexible synthesis has hindered further biological studies, mostly due to the fact that the natural products appear to be kinetic isomers regarding the triene moiety. Herein, we report the development and application of an unprecedented, unique domino Suzuki-Miyaura/4π-electrocyclic ring-opening macrocyclization, resulting in a concise, unified, and stereoselective synthetic route to these complex targets in only 10 steps. This in turn enables ready access to a range of unnatural analogues, among which several compounds showed inhibition of T-lymphocyte proliferation at levels equal or superior to those of the natural products themselves.

Phosphahelicenes: From Chiroptical and Photophysical Properties to OLED Applications.

Herein, the experimental physicochemical and chiroptical properties of a series of phosphahelicenes are reported, focusing on their UV/Vis absorption, luminescence, electronic circular dichroism, optical rotations, and circularly polarized luminescence. Furthermore, detailed analysis of absorption and ECD spectra performed with the help of quantum-chemical calculations allowed us to highlight general features of these helicenic phosphines. Finally, due to well-suited electrochemical properties and thermal stability, the systems were successfully used as emitters in organic light-emitting diodes.

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of a chiral bis-phosphahelicene palladium (II) complex.

As a complement to our previous studies on the development of a class of chiral phosphahelicenes, this article discloses the synthesis, spectroscopic, and structural characterizations of a new phosphahelicene transition metal complex. It demonstrates the ability of these hindered chiral ligands to coordinate Pd (II) in trans-complexes Cl2 Pd(L*)2 . In the solid state, the complex adopts a C2-symmetric arrangement with two ligands facing each other on the same face of the coordination plane. X-Ray data highlight bending of the Pd (II) unit from the expected planar coordination geometry that might be due to a significant π-π stacking effect between the central rings of two helical units.

C-H Activation Enables a Concise Total Synthesis of Quinine and Analogues with Enhanced Antimalarial Activity.

We report a novel approach to the classical natural product quinine that is based on two stereoselective key steps, namely a C-H activation and an aldol reaction, to unite the two heterocyclic moieties of the target molecule. This straightforward and flexible strategy enables a concise synthesis of natural (-)-quinine, the first synthesis of unnatural (+)-quinine, and also provides access to unprecedented C3-aryl analogues, which were prepared in only six steps. We additionally demonstrate that these structural analogues exhibit improved antimalarial activity compared with (-)-quinine both in vitro and in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Synthesis of New Phosphahelicene Scaffolds and Development of Gold(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allenene Cyclizations.

This paper reports on the development of an efficient synthesis of enantiopure phospha[6]helicenes through a [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerization reaction. The corresponding gold complexes proved to be highly efficient both in terms of catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in [2+2] and [4+2] cycloaddition reactions. Furthermore, in the presence of an external nucleophile, such as water or alcohols, the tandem cyclization/addition reactions take place in high yields and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Phosphahelicenes in asymmetric organocatalysis: [3+2] cyclizations of γ-substituted allenes and electron-poor olefins.

The first use of phosphahelicene in enantioselective organocatalysis is reported. New chiral phosphahelicenes have been prepared and enable highly enantioselective [3+2] cyclization reactions between arylidene- or alkylidenemalononitriles and γ-substituted allenoates or cyanoallenes. These reactions afford cyclopentene derivatives in both high yields and diastereoselectivities, with enantiomeric excesses of up to 97 %.

Phosphathiahelicenes: synthesis and uses in enantioselective gold catalysis.

Enantiomerically pure thiahelicenes displaying a terminal phosphole unit and a stereogenic phosphorus center have been prepared by oxidative photocyclization of a diaryl-olefin precursor. Starting from one of these phosphathiahelicene oxides, the corresponding trivalent phosphine-Au(I) complex is obtained with complete diastereoselectivity. It affords a new, excellent precatalyst for the enantioselective cycloisomerization of N-tethered enynes (up to 96 % ee).

Helicenes with embedded phosphole units in enantioselective gold catalysis.

This paper discloses the first uses of phosphahelicenes as chiral ligands in transition-metal catalysis. Unlike all known helical phosphines used so far in catalysis, the phosphorus function of phosphahelicenes is embedded in the helical structure itself. This crucial structural feature originates unprecedented catalytic behaviors and efficiency. An appropriate design and fine tuning allowed both high catalytic activity and good enantiomeric excesses to be attained in the gold promoted cycloisomerizations of N-tethered 1,6-enynes and dien-ynes.

Total syntheses of the coumarin-containing natural products pimpinellin and fraxetin using Au(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation (IMHA) chemistry.

The title natural products (1 and 2, respectively) have been synthesized by Au(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation (IMHA) of the relevant aryl propiolate esters (e.g., 13), which were themselves formed by reaction of the corresponding phenols with either 3-(trimethylsilyl)propiolic acid or propiolic acid and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. (±)-Purpurasol (3) was readily derived from fraxetin (2) by established procedures.

A three-membered ring approach to carbonyl olefination.

The carbon-carbon double bond, with its diverse and multifaceted reactivity, occupies a prominent position in organic synthesis. Although a variety of simple alkenes are readily available, the mild and chemoselective introduction of a unit of unsaturation into a functionalized organic molecule remains an ongoing area of research, and the olefination of carbonyl compounds is a cornerstone of such approaches. Here we show the direct olefination of hydrazones via the intermediacy of three-membered ring species generated by addition of sulfoxonium ylides, departing from the general dogma of alkenes synthesis from carbonyls. Moreover, the mild reaction conditions and operational simplicity of the transformation render the methodology appealing from a practical point of view.

The synthesis of substituted phosphathiahelicenes via regioselective bromination of a preformed helical scaffold: a new approach to modular ligands for enantioselective gold-catalysis.

Substituted phosphathiahelicenes have been prepared via a straightforward two-step procedure involving the regioselective bromination of a preformed helical scaffold, followed by palladium catalyzed coupling reactions. The new helicenes have been used as ligands in gold(i)-catalyzed [4+2] cyclizations of 1,6-enynes. The resulting dihydro-cyclopenta[b]naphthalene derivative was obtained in excellent yields and with up to 91% ee.

A [2+2+2] cyclization strategy for the synthesis of phosphorus embedding [6]helicene-like structures.

A Ni(0) promoted intramolecular [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of triynes provides suitable access to a new series of phosphorus embedding helicenes. [6]Oxahelicenes in which the helical sequence terminates with a phosphole oxide unit have been prepared in both racemic and enantiopure forms and characterized by X-ray diffraction studies.