Chiral Carborane Acids Decorated with Binol-Based Phosphonates: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application.

The syntheses of hexabrominated closo-carborates decorated with different chiral Binol-derived phosphonates and their conjugate acids are described. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals a polymeric structure for the sodium salt with the anionic units connected by [B-Br-Na-O═P]+ linkages. For the acid, coordination of the proton to the phosphonate's P═O oxygen atom is assumed. The pKa value was estimated by combining experiments and computations. Application of these Brønsted acids as chiral catalysts in an imino-ene and a Mukaiyama-Mannich reaction was moderately successful.

Electrophilic Activation of S-Si Reagents by Silylium Ions for Their Regio- and Diastereoselective Addition Across C-C Multiple Bonds.

A regioselective silylium-ion-promoted thiosilylation of internal C-C triple bonds with control over the double bond geometry is described. Both a C(sp2)-S and a C(sp2)-Si bond are formed with a trans relationship in this two-component reaction of an alkyne and a thiosilane. The resulting orthogonally functionalized C-C double bond can be chemoselectively defunctionalized or further processed by cross-coupling reactions with the alkene configuration retained. The procedure is also applicable to the regio- and diastereoselective thiosilylation of terminal allenes to arrive at allylic thioethers containing a vinylsilane unit. These reactions involve the electrophilic activation of the S-Si reagent, both a silylated thiophenol and even alkylthiol derivative, by an in situ-generated carbocation intermediate. The catalytic cycle is maintained by a bissilylated aryl- or alkylsulfonium ion as a shuttle for the cationic silicon electrophile. Its independent preparation and structural characterization by X-ray diffraction are also reported.

Intramolecular 7-endo-dig-Selective Carbosilylation of Internal Alkynes Involving Silylium-Ion Regeneration.

A catalytic silylium-ion-promoted intramolecular alkyne carbosilylation reaction is reported. The ring closure is initiated by electrophilic activation of the C-C triple bond by a silylium ion, and the catalytic cycle is then maintained by the protodesilylation of a stoichiometrically added allylsilane reagent. Exclusive 7-endo-dig selectivity is seen, leading to a series of silylated benzocycloheptene derivatives with a fully substituted vinylsilane. Control experiments showed that the catalytically active silylium ion can also be regenerated by protodesilylation of the vinylsilane product.

Defined positive charge patterns created on DNA nanostructures determine cellular uptake efficiency.

We provide an effective method to create DNA nanostructures below 100 nm with defined charge patterns and explore whether the density and location of charges affect the cellular uptake efficiency of nanoparticles (NPs). To avoid spontaneous charge neutralization, the negatively charged polymer nanopatterns were first created by in situ polymerization using photoresponsive monomers on DNA origami. Subsequent irradiation generated positive charges on the immobilized polymers, achieving precise positively charged patterns on the negatively charged DNA surface. Via this method, we have discovered that the positive charges located on the edges of nanostructures facilitate more efficient cellular uptake in comparison to the central counterparts. In addition, the high-density positive charge decoration could also enhance particle penetration into 3D multicellular spheroids. This strategy paves a new way to construct elaborate charge-separated substructures on NP surfaces and holds great promise for a deeper understanding of the influence between the surface charge distribution and nano-bio interactions.

Catalytic Atroposelective Electrophilic Amination of Indoles.

Reported here is the first catalytic atroposelective electrophilic amination of indoles, which delivers functionalized atropochiral N-sulfonyl-3-arylaminoindoles with excellent optical purity. This reaction was furnished by 1,6-nucleophilic addition to p-quinone diimines. Control experiments suggest an ionic mechanism that differs from the radical addition pathway commonly proposed for 1,6-addition to quinones. The origin of 1,6-addition selectivity was investigated through computational studies. Preliminary studies show that the obtained 3-aminoindoles atropisomers exhibit anticancer activities. This method is valuable with respect to enlarging the toolbox for atropochiral amine derivatives.

Harnessing structurally unbiased ortho-benzoquinone monoimine for biomimetic oxidative [4+2] cycloaddition with enamines.

Reported herein is the first catalytic oxidative [4+2] cycloaddition of 2-aminophenols with cyclic enamines. This biomimetic catalytic oxidative strategy expediently accommodates the very labile structurally unbiased ortho-quinone monoimine intermediate for cycloaddition by controlling its formation rate, thus refraining from otherwise prerequisite steric or electronic stabilization and allowing efficient assembly of various tricyclic 1,4-benzoxazines in a step and atom economic fashion.

Hemin-Catalyzed Oxidative Phenol-Hydrazone [3+3] Cycloaddition Enables Rapid Construction of 1,3,4-Oxadiazines.

Herein, we present a hemin-catalyzed oxidative phenol-hydrazone [3+3] cycloaddition that accommodates a broad spectrum of N-arylhydrazones, a class of less exploited 1,3-dipoles due to their significant Lewis basicity and weak tendency to undergo 1,2-prototropy to form azomethine imines. It renders expedient assembly of diversely functionalized 1,3,4-oxadiazines with excellent atom and step economy. Preliminary mechanistic studies point to the involvement of a one-electron oxidation pathway, which likely differs from the base-promoted aerobic oxidative scenario.

Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Intramolecular Electrophilic Sulfenoamination via Lewis Acid Activation of Disulfides under Aerobic Conditions.

The activation of disulfides by Cu(II) salts has been realized, which triggers a highly efficient electrophilic sulfenoamination of alkenes under aerobic conditions. Various sulfenyl N-heterocycles and their Selena counterparts were produced regioselectively, with no competing disulfidation products detected. Mechanistic studies suggest a profound influence of the counterions on the Lewis acidic copper center, and the important roles of oxygen and DMSO as co-oxidants for these cyclization processes.

Synergistic Catalysis-Enabled Thia-Aza-Prins Cyclization with DMSO and Disulfides: Entry to Sulfenylated 1,3-Oxazinanes and Oxazolidines.

A novel synergistically catalyzed thia-aza-Prins cyclization of alkenylamines with disulfides is reported, rendering the first synthesis of sulfenylated 1,3-oxazinanes and oxazolidines in good to high yields. Importantly, DMSO serves simultaneously as a reaction medium and a surrogate for formaldehyde. Mechanistic studies provide evidence that actions of CuBr2 and in situ formed sulfinic acids as a Lewis acid and Brønsted acid catalyst, respectively, synergistically catalyze these cyclization processes.

Iron-Catalyzed Regiospecific Intermolecular Radical Cyclization of Anilines: Strategy for Assembly of 2,2-Disubstituted Indolines.

The first regiospecific catalytic intermolecular assembly of 2,2-disubstituted indolines has been developed. This protocol is based on a ligand and directing group free, iron-catalyzed radical [3 + 2] process, allowing efficient coupling of different N-sulfonylanilines with various α-substituted styrenes. Preliminary mechanistic studies elucidated the radical mechanism involving a reactive and versatile anilino radical and the importance of iron complex as a Lewis acid, rendering both the reactivity and regiospecificity of this transformation.