Direct transformation of benzyl esters into esters, amides, and anhydrides using catalytic ferric(III) chloride under mild conditions.

A facile one-pot transformation of benzyl esters into esters, amides, and anhydrides is described. α,α-Dichlorodiphenylmethane and FeCl3 were employed as the chlorinating agent and catalyst respectively to convert benzyl esters into acid chloride intermediates, which directly reacted with alcohols, amines, and carboxylic acids. Various esters, amides, and anhydrides were readily obtained with high yields under mild conditions. This method is promising for the practical synthesis of esters, amides, and anhydrides from benzyl esters.

Visible-light-driven reactions for the synthesis of sulfur dioxide-inserted compounds: generation of S-F, S-O, and S-N bonds.

Sulfur dioxide-containing compounds such as sulfonyl fluorides, sulfonyl esters, and sulfonyl amides are important structural frameworks in many natural products, pharmaceuticals, and organic compounds. Thus, synthesis of these molecules is a very valuable research topic in organic chemistry. Various synthetic methods to introduce SO2 groups into the structure of organic compounds have been developed for the synthesis of biologically and pharmaceutically useful compounds. Recently, visible-light-driven reactions were carried out to create SO2-X (X = F, O, N) bonds, and their effective synthetic approaches were demonstrated. In this review, we summarized recent advances in visible-light-mediated synthetic strategies for generation of SO2-X (X = F, O, N) bonds for various synthetic applications along with proposed reaction mechanisms.

18F-Radiolabeled Translocator Protein (TSPO) PET Tracers: Recent Development of TSPO Radioligands and Their Application to PET Study.

Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is a transmembrane protein in the mitochondrial membrane, which has been identified as a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor. TSPO is generally present at high concentrations in steroid-producing cells and plays an important role in steroid synthesis, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. In the central nervous system, TSPO expression is relatively modest under normal physiological circumstances. However, some pathological disorders can lead to changes in TSPO expression. Overexpression of TSPO is associated with several diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammation, brain injury, and cancers. TSPO has therefore become an effective biomarker of related diseases. Positron emission tomography (PET), a non-invasive molecular imaging technique used for the clinical diagnosis of numerous diseases, can detect diseases related to TSPO expression. Several radiolabeled TSPO ligands have been developed for PET. In this review, we describe recent advances in the development of TSPO ligands, and 18F-radiolabeled TSPO in particular, as PET tracers. This review covers pharmacokinetic studies, preclinical and clinical trials of 18F-labeled TSPO PET ligands, and the synthesis of TSPO ligands.

Visible-light-induced one-pot synthesis of sulfonic esters via multicomponent reaction of arylazo sulfones and alcohols.

Sulfonic ester is a chemical structure common to many organic molecules, including biologically active compounds. Herein, a visible-light-induced synthetic method to prepare aryl sulfonic ester from arylazo sulfones was developed. In the present study, a one-pot reaction was carried out using arylazo sulfones, DABSO (DABCO·(SO2)2), and alcohols in the presence of CuI as a coupling catalyst and HCl as an additive to yield sulfonic esters via multicomponent reaction. This synthetic method afforded a wide range of sulfonic esters with high yields under mild conditions.

Visible-Light-Induced Catalytic Selective Halogenation with Photocatalyst.

Halide moieties are essential structures of compounds in organic chemistry due to their popularity and wide applications in many fields such as natural compounds, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Thus, many methods have been developed to introduce halides into various organic molecules. Recently, visible-light-driven reactions have emerged as useful methods of organic synthesis. Particularly, halogenation strategies using visible light have significantly improved the reaction efficiency and reduced toxicity, as well as promoted reactions under mild conditions. In this review, we have summarized recent studies in visible-light-mediated halogenation (chlorination, bromination, and iodination) with photocatalysts.