Base mediated aza-[2 + 1] annulation and regioselective aziridine ring-opening cascade: mild synthesis of functionalized ß-amino ketones from cyclic N-sulfonyl aldimines and α-carbonyl sulfonium salts.

Cyclic N-sulfonyl aldimines are well-known aza-[2C]-synthons for various [2 + n] annulation reactions. Herein we describe a novel base mediated [2 + 1] annulation and a regioselective aziridine ring-opening reaction cascade, which provides an efficient and distinct synthetic strategy from readily available cyclic N-sulfonyl aldimines and α-carbonyl sulfonium salts leading to ß-amino ketone derivatives through the corresponding fused tri-substituted aziridines. This one-pot, two-step process involves formation of C-C and C-N bonds and subsequent cleavage of a C-N bond. The features of the developed reaction include the use of mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, and excellent yields. The synthetic utility of this approach was demonstrated by gram-scale operation and further product derivatizations.

Minor alkaloids from an aqueous extract of the hook-bearing stem of Uncaria rhynchophylla.

Seven new monoterpene alkaloids (1 - 7), along with 16 known analogues, were isolated from an aqueous decoction of the hook-bearing stems of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gou-teng). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 are stereoisomers belonging to a novel type of pseudoindoxyl monoterpene alkaloids, 3 is the first monoterpene furoindole alkaloid from nature, and 4 - 7 are derivatives of the known monoterpene alkaloids featuring different structures.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Furans via Rh(II)-Catalyzed [2 + 3] Annulation of N-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with Enaminones.

An unprecedented [2 + 3] annulation of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with enaminones is reported for the access of polysubstituted furans. The key to the success of the transformations lies in the use of Rh(II)-Brønsted acid as cooperative catalysts. Unlike the conventional annulations of N-sulfony-l-1,2,3-triazoles, the Rh(II)-azavinyl carbenes species play dual functions in this work, enabled by the cleavage of the C(sp2)-N bond. The mechanism studies suggested that an intermolecular rearrangement of the TsNH- group is crucial to the annulation process.

Diverse neolignans and lignans from an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root head.

Neolignans and lignans with diverse new chemical structures, including eleven pairs of separated chiral enantiomers [(+)-/(-)-1-(+)-/(-)-5, (+)-/(-)-8, (+)-/(-)-10, and (+)-/(-)-12-(+)-/(-)-15], two achiral compounds (6 and 9), and an unseparated racemate [(±)-11], together with a new natural product (7) and 21 known derivatives, were isolated from an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root head (guitou). Among the chiral isolates, (+)-/(-)-13 and (+)-/(-)-15 were scalemic pairs with enantiomeric ratios of around 3:1 and 1.5:1, respectively, while others were enantiomeric equivalent pairs. This indicates that the diverse neolignans in A. sinensis are biosynthesized via different pathways with varying degrees of stereo-controlled manners.

Sulfonated alkaloids from an aqueous extract of Isatis indigotica roots.

Eleven new sulfonated alkaloids (1 - 11) having diverse structures were isolated from an aqueous extract of the Isatis indigotica root (ban lan gen). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis, chemical method, and theoretical calculation, of which (-)-4 was proved by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Minor monoterpene derivatives from an aqueous extract of the hook-bearing stem of Uncaria rhynchophylla.

Seven new minor monoterpene derivatives (1-7), together with six known analogues, were isolated from an aqueous decoction of the hook-bearing stems of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gou-teng). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, of which 1 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Base-Promoted Formal [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of α-Halohydroxamates with Carbon Disulfide to Synthesize Polysubstituted Rhodanines.

A concise and practical strategy via potassium-carbonate-mediated [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of α-halohydroxamates with the common solvent carbon disulfide for the synthesis of functionalized rhodanine derivatives in good to excellent yields is developed. The present methodology features a wide substrate scope as well as good functional group tolerance. The potential synthetic utility of this protocol is demonstrated by synthesis of a series of natural product derivatives containing rhodamine skeletons.

Strain-Driven Dyotropic Rearrangement: A Unified Ring-Expansion Approach to α-Methylene-γ-butyrolactones.

An unprecedented strain-driven dyotropic rearrangement of α-methylene-ß-lactones has been realized, which enables the efficient access of a wide range of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones displaying remarkable structural diversity. Several appealing features of the reaction, including excellent efficiency, high stereospecificity, predictable chemoselectivity and broad substrate scope, render it a powerful tool for the synthesis of MBL-containing molecules of either natural or synthetic origin. Both experimental and computational evidences suggest that the new variant of dyotropic rearrangements proceed in a dualistic pattern: while an asynchronous concerted mechanism most likely accounts for the reactions featuring hydrogen migration, a stepwise process involving a phenonium ion intermediate is favored in the cases of aryl migration. The great synthetic potential of the title reaction is exemplified by its application to the efficient construction of several natural products and relevant scaffolds.

Covalent organic nanospheres: facile preparation and application in high-resolution gas chromatographic separation.

Covalent organic nanospheres (CONs), a new kind of nanospherical polymer, were fabricated by a facile and rapid room-temperature solution-phase strategy. CONs can be used as a new excellent separation medium in high-resolution gas chromatography due to their uniform morphology, good dispersion, and outstanding thermal and solvent stability.

Advances in the Total Synthesis of Xanthanolide-Type Sesquiterpenoids.

Xanthanolide-type sesquiterpenoids are a diverse family of natural products isolated primarily from the genus Xanthium (Compositae). The intriguing molecular architectures and biological profiles of these natural products have rendered them attractive targets for total synthesis. This focus review aims to provide an up-to-date summary of progress in the chemical synthesis of xanthanolide-type sesquiterpenoids. Different synthetic strategies to form 5/7-cis- and 5/7-trans-bicyclic xanthanolides are presented in chronological order, with an emphasis on the key elements used to forge the characteristic 5/7-bicyclic cores of the targets. Recent advances in the total syntheses of structurally more complicated polycyclic and dimeric xanthanolides are also discussed.

Enantioselective and Collective Total Syntheses of Xanthanolides.

An enantioselective synthesis of (+)-8-epi-xanthatin hinging on a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed tandem allylboration/lactonization reaction is reported. With (+)-8-epi-xanthatin as the precursor, the collective synthesis of a series of synthetically challenging xanthanolides was also accomplished. Among them, xanthipungolide, one of the most complex xanthanolide monomers, was accessed through a bioinspired tandem double-bond isomerization/6π electronic cyclization/intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, and pungiolides A, B, D, E, and L-N, a group of xanthanolide dimers, were assembled through a bioinspired Diels-Alder dimerization followed by late-stage diversification.

Total Synthesis of Homodimericin†A.

We report the concise total synthesis of homodimericin A (1), a recently identified fungal metabolite bearing an unprecedented molecular architecture. The success of the approach hinges on a series of rationally designed and bioinspired transformations, including a Moore rearrangement to assemble the monomeric hydroquinone precursor, homodimerization through double Michael addition to construct the planar A/B/C tricyclic framework, and a tandem Diels-Alder reaction/carbonyl-ene cyclization to forge the congested D/E/F tricyclic cage motif. Unequivocal evidence for the elucidated structure of homodimericin A was also provided by this study.

Rh(II)-Catalyzed Transannulation of N-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-Triazoles with 2,1-Benzisoxazoles or 1,2-Benzisoxazoles.

A Rh(II)-catalyzed transannulation of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with 2,1-benzisoxazoles has been developed, which affords an efficient method for the synthesis of quinazoline derivatives. The transformation represents an unprecedented example which utilizes N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole as an aza-[2C]-component in cycloadditions. Meanwhile, a Rh(II)-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with 1,2-benzisoxazoles is also presented, which enables the rapid synthesis of functionalized imidazole derivatives.

Total Syntheses of Periconiasins†A-E.

The first and collective total syntheses of periconiasins A-E, a group of naturally occurring cytochalasans, were achieved by a series of rationally designed or bioinspired transformations. Salient features of the syntheses include a tandem aldol condensation/Grob fragmentation to assemble the linear polyketide-amino acid hybrid precursor, a Diels-Alder macrocylization to construct the 9/6/5 tricyclic core of periconiasins A-C, and a transannular carbonyl-ene reaction to forge the polycyclic framework of periconiasins D and E.

Rhodium(II)-Catalyzed Formal [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of N-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with Isoxazoles: Entry to Polysubstituted 3-Aminopyrroles.

A novel rhodium(II)-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with isoxazoles has been achieved that provides an efficient method for the synthesis of polysubstituted 3-aminopyrrole derivatives. An operationally simple one-pot synthesis of the titled compounds from terminal alkynes, tosyl azide, and isoxazoles was also developed. The presented reaction affords an illustrative example of employing 1,2,3-triazoles as the [2C]-component in relevant cycloaddition reactions.

Discovery of Imidazo[1,2-α][1,8]naphthyridine Derivatives as Potential HCV Entry Inhibitor.

RO8191 represents a newly discovered small-molecule IFN-like agent that displays potent anti-HCV activity. With it as lead, a series of compounds bearing an imidazo[1,2-α][1,8]naphthyridine core and an amide bond-linked side chain were designed and synthesized. These compounds were evaluated on HCV cell culture system (HCVcc-hRluc-JFH1), and some of them exhibited remarkable anti-HCV activity (EC50 = 0.017-0.159 µM) and low toxicity (CC50 > 25 µM). Moreover, it was revealed that these newly identified anti-HCV agents exert their antiviral effect through a distinct mechanism of action from that of RO8191 by targeting the viral entry process. Thus, our study provides a starting point for the development of potential HCV entry inhibitor.

Rh(II)-catalyzed cycloadditions of 1-tosyl 1,2,3-triazoles with 2H-azirines: switchable reactivity of Rh-azavinylcarbene as [2C]- or aza-[3C]-synthon.

The Rh(II)-catalyzed formal [3+2] and [3+3] cycloadditions of 1-tosyl 1,2,3-triazoles with 2H-azirines have been developed, which enable the efficient synthesis of polysubstituted 3-aminopyrroles and 1,2-dihydropyrazines, respectively. The reported [3+2] cycloaddition represents the first application of 1-sulfonyl 1,2,3-triazole as a [2C]-component in relevant cycloaddition reactions.

Enantiomeric separation of chiral pesticides by high-performance liquid chromatography on an amylose tris-(S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate chiral stationary phase.

Amylose tris-(S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate chiral stationary phase (CSP) was prepared. The direct enantiomeric separation of chiral pesticides on this CSP had been studied by HPLC. The mobile phase was n-hexane-isopropanol at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The effects of isopropanol content and column temperature on retention and enantioselectivity were investigated. Thirty-two samples were tested, of which ten interacted enantioselectively with the CSP. Five samples were completely resolved and another five underwent near-baseline or partial resolution. The enantiomers were identified by a circular dichroism detector. Linear van't Hoff plots were established and the thermodynamic parameters were thus calculated.

[In-situ sol-gel preparation of nano silica porous layer capillary columns and their applications in gas chromatography].

A new method is described to prepare nano silica porous layer columns by using in-situ sol-gel synthesis technology. By the interaction of ethyl acetate and water glass solution, the nano silica was synthesized on the inner surface of fused silica capillary. The influence of reaction conditions on the morphology surface area, pore volume and pore size was investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that when the mole ratio of ethyl acetate to silica was 0.82, the particle size of the superfine silica powder was in the range of 25-50 nm, the BET specific surface area was 420 m2/g, and the total pore volume was 0.68 cm3/g. The nano silica porous layer on the inner surface of fused silica capillary was formed by bonding reactions through cross-linked polysiloxane chains, and deactivated by 1 g/L KCl. The column shows sufficient selectivity, stable retention performance, proper resistance to water, good reproducibility, and unique activity. The column is suitable for the analysis of chlorofluorocarbons, halohydrocarbons, sulfur compounds, and light hydrocarbons C1-C4.