Tuning sterol extraction kinetics yields a renal-sparing polyene antifungal.

Decades of previous efforts to develop renal-sparing polyene antifungals were misguided by the classic membrane permeabilization model1. Recently, the clinically vital but also highly renal-toxic small-molecule natural product amphotericin B was instead found to kill fungi primarily by forming extramembraneous sponge-like aggregates that extract ergosterol from lipid bilayers2-6. Here we show that rapid and selective extraction of fungal ergosterol can yield potent and renal-sparing polyene antifungals. Cholesterol extraction was found to drive the toxicity of amphotericin B to human renal cells. Our examination of high-resolution structures of amphotericin B sponges in sterol-free and sterol-bound states guided us to a promising structural derivative that does not bind cholesterol and is thus renal sparing. This derivative was also less potent because it extracts ergosterol more slowly. Selective acceleration of ergosterol extraction with a second structural modification yielded a new polyene, AM-2-19, that is renal sparing in mice and primary human renal cells, potent against hundreds of pathogenic fungal strains, resistance evasive following serial passage in vitro and highly efficacious in animal models of invasive fungal infections. Thus, rational tuning of the dynamics of interactions between small molecules may lead to better treatments for fungal infections that still kill millions of people annually7,8 and potentially other resistance-evasive antimicrobials, including those that have recently been shown to operate through supramolecular structures that target specific lipids9.

Para-Selective Cyanation of Arenes by H-Bonded Template.

The significance of site selective functionalization stands upon the superior selectivity, easy synthesis and diverse product utility. In this work, we demonstrate the para-selective introduction of versatile nitrile moiety, enabled by a detachable and reusable H-bonded auxiliary. The methodology holds its efficiency irrespective of substrate electronic bias. The conspicuous shift in the step energetics was probed by both experimental and computational mechanistic tools, which heralds the inception of para-deuteration. The synthetic impact of the methodology was highlighted with reusability of directing group and post synthetic modifications.

Photocatalyzed borylation using water-soluble quantum dots.

The synthesis of arylboronates by Sandmeyer-type reactions in the presence of water still remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the use of water-soluble MPA-capped quantum dot (QD) photocatalysts for the borylation of diazonium salts in the presence of water. A biphasic system under mild acidic conditions remains critical to prevent decomposition and competitive disulphide bond formation. The present protocol offers a broader scope of substrates and borylating agents. Additionally, this catalytic system offers a significantly high turnover number (TON). The present methodology can effectively distinguish subtle reactivity differences between boronic acids and boronates. Mechanistic investigation suggests an excited-state electron transfer pathway.

H-bonded reusable template assisted para-selective ketonisation using soft electrophilic vinyl ethers.

In nature, enzymatic pathways generate Caryl-C(O) bonds in a site-selective fashion. Synthetically, Caryl-C(O) bonds are synthesised in organometallic reactions using prefunctionalized substrate materials. Electrophilic routes are largely limited to electron-rich systems, non-polar medium, and multiple product formations with a limited scope of general application. Herein we disclose a directed para-selective ketonisation technique of arenes, overriding electronic bias and structural congestion, in the presence of a polar protic solvent. The concept of hard-soft interaction along with in situ activation techniques is utilised to suppress the competitive routes. Mechanistic pathways are investigated both experimentally and computationally to establish the hypothesis. Synthetic utility of the protocol is highlighted in formal synthesis of drugs, drug cores, and bioactive molecules.

Fe-polyaniline composite nanofiber catalyst for chemoselective hydrolysis of oxime.

A facile chemoselective one-pot strategy for the deprotection of oxime has been developed using Fe0-polyaniline composite nanofiber (Fe0-PANI), as a catalyst. Nano material based Fe0-PANI catalyst has been synthesized via in-situ polymerization of ANI monomer and followed by reductive deposition of Fe0 onto PANI matrix. The catalyst was characterized by FE-SEM, HR-TEM, BET, XRD, ATR-FTIR, XPS and VSM techniques. The scope of the transformation was studied for aryl, alkyl and heteroarylketoxime with excellent chemoselectivity (>99%). Mechanistic investigations suggested the involvement of a cationic intermediate with Fe3+ active catalytic species. Substituent effect showed a linear free energy relationship. The activation energy (Ea) was calculated to be 17.46 kJ mol-1 for acetophenone oxime to acetophenone conversion. The recyclability of the catalyst demonstrated up to 10 cycles without any significant loss of efficiency. Based on the preliminary experiments a plausible mechanism has been proposed involving a carbocationic intermediate.

Experimental and Computational Exploration of para-Selective Silylation with a Hydrogen-Bonded Template.

The regioselective conversion of C-H bonds into C-Si bonds is extremely important owing to the natural abundance and non-toxicity of silicon. Classical silylation reactions often suffer from poor functional group compatibility, low atom economy, and insufficient regioselectivity. Herein, we disclose a template-assisted method for the regioselective para silylation of toluene derivatives. A new template was designed, and the origin of selectivity was analyzed experimentally and computationally. An interesting substrate-solvent hydrogen-bonding interaction was observed. Kinetic, spectroscopic, and computational studies shed light on the reaction mechanism. The synthetic significance of this strategy was highlighted by the generation of a precursor of a potential lipophilic bioisostere of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), various late-stage diversifications, and by mimicking enzymatic transformations.

Directing group assisted meta-hydroxylation by C-H activation.

meta-Hydroxylated cores are ubiquitous in natural products. Herein, we disclose the first template assisted meta-hydroxylation reaction. Experimental and in silico studies helped us to gain valuable mechanistic insights, including the role of the hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) solvent, during C-H hydroxylation. The reactive intermediates, prior to the C-H activation, have been detected by spectroscopic techniques. Additionally, the C-O bond formation has been extended to meta-acetoxylation. The preparation of a phase II quinone reductase activity inducer and a resveratrol precursor illustrated the synthetic significance of the present strategy.

Remote para-C-H Functionalization of Arenes by a D-Shaped Biphenyl Template-Based Assembly.

Site-selective C-H functionalization has emerged as an efficient tool in simplifying the synthesis of complex molecules. Most often, directing group (DG)-assisted metallacycle formation serves as an efficient strategy to ensure promising regioselectivity. A wide variety of ortho- and meta-C-H functionalizations stand as examples in this regard. Yet despite this significant progress, DG-assisted selective para-C-H functionalization in arenes has remained unexplored, mainly because it involves the formation of a geometrically constrained metallacyclic transition state. Here we report an easily recyclable, novel Si-containing biphenyl-based template that directs efficient functionalization of the distal p-C-H bond of toluene by forming a D-shaped assembly. This DG allows the required flexibility to support the formation of an oversized pre-transition state. By overcoming electronic and steric bias, para-olefination and acetoxylation were successfully performed while undermining o- and m-C-H activation. The applicability of this D-shaped biphenyl template-based strategy is demonstrated by synthesizing various complex molecules.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed meta-C-H Olefination: Constructing Multisubstituted Arenes through Homo-Diolefination and Sequential Hetero-Diolefination.

Divinylbenzene derivatives represent an important class of molecular building blocks in organic chemistry and materials science. Reported herein is the palladium-catalyzed synthesis of divinylbenzenes by meta-C-H olefination of sulfone-based arenes. Successful sequential olefinations in a position-selective manner provided a novel route for the synthesis of hetero-dialkenylated products, which are difficult to access using conventional methods. Additionally, 1,3,5-trialkenylated compounds can be generated upon successful removal of the directing group.

Meta-selective arene C-H bond olefination of arylacetic acid using a nitrile-based directing group.

A nitrile-based template attached with a phenylacetic acid framework promoted meta-selective C-H bond olefination. This palladium-catalyzed protocol is applicable to a wide range of substituted phenylacetic acids and tolerates a variety of functional groups. The versatility of this operationally simple method has been demonstrated through drug diversification.

Direct synthesis of α-trifluoromethyl ketone from (hetero)arylacetylene: design, intermediate trapping, and mechanistic investigations.

Regioselective addition across the alkynes has been achieved in a silver-catalyzed protocol utilizing Langlois reagent (CF3SO2Na) and molecular O2 to access medicinally active α-trifluoromethyl ketone compounds. This method was successful in producing α-trifluoromethyl ketone in heterocyclic scaffolds, which are incompatible with earlier strategies. Experimental findings suggest a mechanism involving α-styrenyl radical intermediate and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) solvent, which leads to crystallographically characterized N-methylsuccinimide. Isotope labeling, kinetic studies, and intermediate trapping further helped to gain insight into this energy-demanding process.

Synthesis of bis(heteroaryl) ketones by removal of benzylic CHR and CO groups.

A copper-catalyzed method for synthesis of diaryl ketones (Ar-CO-Ar') through removal of benzylic -CH2-, -CO-, and -CHR- groups from Ar-CO-CXR-Ar' has been discovered. A number of symmetrical and unsymmetrical heterocyclic ketones, which are usually difficult to synthesize, can be prepared in good to excellent yields. This method was applied to the synthesis of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug suprofen (47% yield over three steps). Based on preliminary mechanistic and kinetic studies, an active Cu/O2 species is proposed to mediate the rearrangement reaction.

Synthesis of (E)-nitroolefins via decarboxylative nitration using t-butylnitrite (t-BuONO) and TEMPO.

Nitroolefins are usually synthesized using the Henry reaction. Here we report an alternative metal-free decarboxylative nitration protocol for the preparation of the nitroolefins from α,ß-unsaturated carboxylic acids using t-butylnitrite (t-BuONO) and TEMPO. α,ß-Unsaturated carboxylic acids bearing ß-aromatic and ß-heteroaromatic substituents gave (E)-nitroolefins exclusively under mild conditions. A radical based pathway has been proposed for this decarboxylative nitration reaction.