A red light-triggered chemical tool for sequence-specific alkylation of G-quadruplex and I-motif DNA.

The importance of non-canonical DNA structures such as G-quadruplexes (G4) and intercalating-motifs (iMs) in the fine regulation of a variety of cellular processes has been recently demonstrated. As the crucial roles of these structures are being unravelled, it is becoming more and more important to develop tools that allow targeting these structures with the highest possible specificity. While targeting methodologies have been reported for G4s, this is not the case for iMs, as evidenced by the limited number of specific ligands able to bind the latter and the total absence of selective alkylating agents for their covalent targeting. Furthermore, strategies for the sequence-specific covalent targeting of G4s and iMs have not been reported thus far. Herein, we describe a simple methodology to achieve sequence-specific covalent targeting of G4 and iM DNA structures based on the combination of (i) a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) recognizing a specific sequence of interest, (ii) a pro-reactive moiety enabling a controlled alkylation reaction, and (iii) a G4 or iM ligand orienting the alkylating warhead to the reactive residues. This multi-component system allows for the targeting of specific G4 or iM sequences of interest in the presence of competing DNA sequences and under biologically relevant conditions.

On-DNA Derivatization of Quinoxalin-2-ones by Visible-Light-Triggered Alkylation with Carboxylic Acids.

An efficient visible-light-induced alkylation of DNA-tagged quinoxaline-2-ones was described. The methodology demonstrated moderate-to-excellent conversions under mild conditions. The reaction was found to be tolerant with both N-protected α-amino acids and aliphatic carboxylic acids and could be applied to the synthesis of focused DNA-encoded quinoxalin-2-one libraries.

Quaternary Charge-Transfer Complex Enables Photoenzymatic Intermolecular Hydroalkylation of Olefins.

Intermolecular C-C bond-forming reactions are underdeveloped transformations in the field of biocatalysis. Here we report a photoenzymatic intermolecular hydroalkylation of olefins catalyzed by flavin-dependent 'ene'-reductases. Radical initiation occurs via photoexcitation of a rare high-order enzyme-templated charge-transfer complex that forms between an alkene, α-chloroamide, and flavin hydroquinone. This unique mechanism ensures that radical formation only occurs when both substrates are present within the protein active site. This active site can control the radical terminating hydrogen atom transfer, enabling the synthesis of enantioenriched γ-stereogenic amides. This work highlights the potential for photoenzymatic catalysis to enable new biocatalytic transformations via previously unknown electron transfer mechanisms.

Photoenzymatic enantioselective intermolecular radical hydroalkylation.

Enzymes are increasingly explored for use in asymmetric synthesis1-3, but their applications are generally limited by the reactions available to naturally occurring enzymes. Recently, interest in photocatalysis4 has spurred the discovery of novel reactivity from known enzymes5. However, so far photoinduced enzymatic catalysis6 has not been used for the cross-coupling of two molecules. For example, the intermolecular coupling of alkenes with α-halo carbonyl compounds through a visible-light-induced radical hydroalkylation, which could provide access to important γ-chiral carbonyl compounds, has not yet been achieved by enzymes. The major challenges are the inherent poor photoreactivity of enzymes and the difficulty in achieving stereochemical control of the remote prochiral radical intermediate7. Here we report a visible-light-induced intermolecular radical hydroalkylation of terminal alkenes that does not occur naturally, catalysed by an 'ene' reductase using readily available α-halo carbonyl compounds as reactants. This method provides an efficient approach to the synthesis of various carbonyl compounds bearing a γ-stereocentre with excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to 99 per cent yield with 99 per cent enantiomeric excess), which otherwise are difficult to access using chemocatalysis. Mechanistic studies suggest that the formation of the complex of the substrates (α-halo carbonyl compounds) and the 'ene' reductase triggers the enantioselective photoinduced radical reaction. Our work further expands the reactivity repertoire of biocatalytic, synthetically useful asymmetric transformations by the merger of photocatalysis and enzyme catalysis.

Mechanism of Photoredox-Initiated C-C and C-N Bond Formation by Arylation of IPrAu(I)-CF3 and IPrAu(I)-Succinimide.

Herein, we report on the photoredox-initiated gold-mediated C(sp2)-CF3 and C(sp2)-N coupling reactions. By adopting gold as a platform for probing metallaphotoredox catalysis, we demonstrate that cationic gold(III) complexes are the key intermediates of the C-C and C-N coupling reactions. The high-valent gold(III) intermediates are accessed by virtue of photoredox catalysis through a radical chain process. In addition, the bond-forming step of the coupling reactions is the reductive elimination from cationic gold(III) intermediates, which is supported by isolation and crystallographic characterization of key Au(III) intermediates.

Catalyst-free and visible light promoted trifluoromethylation and perfluoroalkylation of uracils and cytosines.

Fluoroalkylated enaminones, such as trifluridine and 5-trifluoromethyluracil, have widespread applications in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Although these kinds of pharmaceutical agent often bear CF3 and perfluoroalkyl motifs in the core structure, access to such analogues typically requires multi-step synthesis. Here, we report a mild, metal-free and operationally simple strategy for the direct perfluoroalkylation of uracils, cytosines and pyridinones through a visible-light induced pathway from perfluoroalkyl iodides. This photochemical transformation features synthetic simplicity, mild reaction conditions without any photoredox catalyst, and high functional group tolerance, providing a facile route for applications in medicinal chemistry.

Multicomponent synthesis of tertiary alkylamines by photocatalytic olefin-hydroaminoalkylation.

There is evidence to suggest that increasing the level of saturation (that is, the number of sp3-hybridized carbon atoms) of small molecules can increase their likelihood of success in the drug discovery pipeline1. Owing to their favourable physical properties, alkylamines have become ubiquitous among pharmaceutical agents, small-molecule biological probes and pre-clinical candidates2. Despite their importance, the synthesis of amines is still dominated by two methods: N-alkylation and carbonyl reductive amination3. Therefore, the increasing demand for saturated polar molecules in drug discovery has continued to drive the development of practical catalytic methods for the synthesis of complex alkylamines4-7. In particular, processes that transform accessible feedstocks into sp3-rich architectures provide a strategic advantage in the synthesis of complex alkylamines. Here we report a multicomponent, reductive photocatalytic technology that combines readily available dialkylamines, carbonyls and alkenes to build architecturally complex and functionally diverse tertiary alkylamines in a single step. This olefin-hydroaminoalkylation process involves a visible-light-mediated reduction of in-situ-generated iminium ions to selectively furnish previously inaccessible alkyl-substituted α-amino radicals, which subsequently react with alkenes to form C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds. The operationally straightforward reaction exhibits broad functional-group tolerance, facilitates the synthesis of drug-like amines that are not readily accessible by other methods and is amenable to late-stage functionalization applications, making it of interest in areas such as pharmaceutical and agrochemical research.

Copper-Catalyzed Alkylation of Aliphatic Amines Induced by Visible Light.

Although the alkylation of an amine by an alkyl halide serves as a "textbook example" of a nucleophilic substitution reaction, the selective mono-alkylation of aliphatic amines by unactivated, hindered halides persists as a largely unsolved challenge in organic synthesis. We report herein that primary aliphatic amines can be cleanly mono-alkylated by unactivated secondary alkyl iodides in the presence of visible light and a copper catalyst. The method operates under mild conditions (-10 °C), displays good functional-group compatibility, and employs commercially available catalyst components. A trapping experiment with TEMPO is consistent with C-N bond formation via an alkyl radical in an out-of-cage process.

Directed γ-C(sp3)-H Alkylation of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives through Visible Light Photoredox Catalysis.

Visible light photoredox catalysis enables direct γ- C(sp3)-H alkylation of saturated aliphatic carbonyl compounds. Electron-deficient alkenes are used as the coupling partners in this reaction. Distinguished site selectivity is controlled by the predominant 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer of an amidyl radical generated in situ.

Visible-Light-Induced Direct Difluoroalkylation of Uracils, Pyridinones, and Coumarins.

An efficient and general method for the synthesis of difluoroalkylated uracils, pyridinones, and coumarins through visible-light-induced reaction with commercial materials is developed. The strategy proceeds with high efficiency under mild reaction conditions and shows excellent functional group compatibility, even toward bromide and hydroxyl group, thus demonstrates high potent application in a late-stage fluoroalkylation. Moreover, the difluoroalkylated products can be further transformed to a diverse variety of difluoroalkylated heterocycles, including molecules of potential biological activity.

Catalytic alkylation of remote C-H bonds enabled by proton-coupled electron transfer.

Despite advances in hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalysis, there are currently no molecular HAT catalysts that are capable of homolysing the strong nitrogen-hydrogen (N-H) bonds of N-alkyl amides. The motivation to develop amide homolysis protocols stems from the utility of the resultant amidyl radicals, which are involved in various synthetically useful transformations, including olefin amination and directed carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond functionalization. In the latter process-a subset of the classical Hofmann-Löffler-Freytag reaction-amidyl radicals remove hydrogen atoms from unactivated aliphatic C-H bonds. Although powerful, these transformations typically require oxidative N-prefunctionalization of the amide starting materials to achieve efficient amidyl generation. Moreover, because these N-activating groups are often incorporated into the final products, these methods are generally not amenable to the direct construction of carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds. Here we report an approach that overcomes these limitations by homolysing the N-H bonds of N-alkyl amides via proton-coupled electron transfer. In this protocol, an excited-state iridium photocatalyst and a weak phosphate base cooperatively serve to remove both a proton and an electron from an amide substrate in a concerted elementary step. The resultant amidyl radical intermediates are shown to promote subsequent C-H abstraction and radical alkylation steps. This C-H alkylation represents a catalytic variant of the Hofmann-Löffler-Freytag reaction, using simple, unfunctionalized amides to direct the formation of new C-C bonds. Given the prevalence of amides in pharmaceuticals and natural products, we anticipate that this method will simplify the synthesis and structural elaboration of amine-containing targets. Moreover, this study demonstrates that concerted proton-coupled electron transfer can enable homolytic activation of common organic functional groups that are energetically inaccessible using traditional HAT-based approaches.

Visible-light-induced chemoselective reductive decarboxylative alkynylation under biomolecule-compatible conditions.

We report a visible-light-induced reductive decarboxylative C(sp(3))-C(sp) bond coupling reaction to construct aryl, alkyl and silyl substituted alkynes at room temperature in organic solvents or neutral aqueous solutions. This chemoselective alkynylation was compatible with various functional groups and biomolecules, and did not affect the protein enzyme activity.

Microwave assisted synthesis and evaluation of modified pea starch as tablet superdisintegrant.

In the present study, cross linked sodium carboxymethylated pea starch (SCPS) was synthesized and evaluated as tablet superdisintegrant in diclofenac sodium based tablets. SCPS was synthesized using native pea starch with monochloroacetic acid and NaOH in microwave radiation environment. Finally the dried product was cross-linked with phosphorous oxychloride, which produced granular highly swellable starch. SCPS with degree of substitution of 0.34 was formed and it was further evaluated as superdisintegrant in diclofenac sodium based tablets. Diclofenac sodium tablets were prepared by direct compression method with 2, 4, 6 and 8%w/w of SCPS as superdisintegrant and further comparatively evaluated for in vitro disintegration and dissolution study with Sodium starch glycolate containing tablets as reference. The results revealed that SCPS could be a promising superdisintegrant for immediate release tablets in concentration dependant manner.

Chlorobaculum tepidum regulates chlorosome structure and function in response to temperature and electron donor availability.

Green sulfur bacteria (GSB) rely on the chlorosome, a light-harvesting apparatus comprised almost entirely of self-organizing arrays of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) molecules, to harvest light energy and pass it to the reaction center. In Chlorobaculum tepidum, over 97% of the total BChl is made up of a mixture of four BChl c homologs in the chlorosome that differ in the number and identity of alkyl side chains attached to the chlorin ring. C. tepidum has been reported to vary the distribution of BChl c homologs with growth light intensity, with the highest degree of BChl c alkylation observed under low-light conditions. Here, we provide evidence that this functional response at the level of the chlorosome can be induced not only by light intensity, but also by temperature and a mutation that prevents phototrophic thiosulfate oxidation. Furthermore, we show that in conjunction with these functional adjustments, the fraction of cellular volume occupied by chlorosomes was altered in response to environmental conditions that perturb the balance between energy absorbed by the light-harvesting apparatus and energy utilized by downstream metabolic reactions.

RFCCtf18 and the Swi1-Swi3 complex function in separate and redundant pathways required for the stabilization of replication forks to facilitate sister chromatid cohesion in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Sister chromatid cohesion is established during S phase near the replication fork. However, how DNA replication is coordinated with chromosomal cohesion pathway is largely unknown. Here, we report studies of fission yeast Ctf18, a subunit of the RFC(Ctf18) replication factor C complex, and Chl1, a putative DNA helicase. We show that RFC(Ctf18) is essential in the absence of the Swi1-Swi3 replication fork protection complex required for the S phase stress response. Loss of Ctf18 leads to an increased sensitivity to S phase stressing agents, a decreased level of Cds1 kinase activity, and accumulation of DNA damage during S phase. Ctf18 associates with chromatin during S phase, and it is required for the proper resumption of replication after fork arrest. We also show that chl1Delta is synthetically lethal with ctf18Delta and that a dosage increase of chl1(+) rescues sensitivities of swi1Delta to S phase stressing agents, indicating that Chl1 is involved in the S phase stress response. Finally, we demonstrate that inactivation of Ctf18, Chl1, or Swi1-Swi3 leads to defective centromere cohesion, suggesting the role of these proteins in chromosome segregation. We propose that RFC(Ctf18) and the Swi1-Swi3 complex function in separate and redundant pathways essential for replication fork stabilization to facilitate sister chromatid cohesion in fission yeast.

Novel regioselective hydroxyl-alkylation of 4,5-diphenylimidazole-2-thione and a competitive intramolecular ring closure of the S-hydroxyalkyl-imidazoles to imidazo[2,1-b]thiazines and thiazoles. Role of catalyst, microwave irradiation, and solid support.

Under both conventional method (CM) and microwave (MW) irradiation (MWI) conditions, alkylation of 4,5-diphenylimidazole-2-thione (1) with halogeno-alkanols 2 or 5, chloroglycerol 11 and 2,3-O-isopropylidene-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-glycerol (8) in presence of sodium ethoxide or sodium acetate in alcohol afforded regioselectively the corresponding S-alkylated analogues 3, 6, 9, and 12; they also were obtained using MW in absence and presence of bentonite as solid support with no change in regioselectivity. In the presence of potassium carbonate in DMF, the bisalkylated analogues 4, 7, 10, and 13 were obtained except in case of compound 13 where it was accompanied with the imidazothiazine 14. A convenient approach for imidazo-[2,1-b]thiazines and thiazoles 14-16 could be achieved by intramolecular dehydrative ring closure of the S-hydroxyalkylated imidazoles 3, 6, and 12 using potassium carbonate in DMF under both conventional and microwave methods. Isopropylidenation of 12 and 13 and deprotection of 9 and 10 also were investigated.

Novel regioselective formation of S- and N-hydroxyl-alkyls of 5-(3-chlorobenzo[b]thien-2-yl)-3-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazole and a facile synthesis of triazolo-thiazoles and thiazolo-triazoles. Role of catalyst and microwave.

Regioselective alkylation of 5-(3-chlorobenzo[b]thien-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (1) with hydroxy alkylating agents 2, 3, 13, and the 2,3-O-isopropylidene-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-glycerol (10) afforded the corresponding S-alkylated derivatives 6, 7, 11, and 14 under both conventional and microwave irradiation conditions; bentonite as a solid support gave better results, with no change in regioselectivity. A facile intramolecular dehydrative ring closure of 6, 7, 11, and 14 using K(2)CO(3) in DMF afforded the corresponding fused triazolo-thiazines and thiazolo-triazole 17-19. The isopropylidenes and acetyl derivatives of the products were prepared.