Fumigaclavine C attenuates adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and ameliorates lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Fumigaclavine C (FC), an active indole alkaloid, is obtained from endophytic Aspergillus terreus (strain No. FC118) by the root of Rhizophora stylosa (Rhizophoraceae). This study is designed to evaluate whether FC has anti-adipogenic effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and whether it ameliorates lipid accumulation in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. FC notably increased the levels of glycerol in the culture supernatants and markedly reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. FC differentially inhibited the expressions of adipogenesis-related genes, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor proteins, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins, and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins. FC markedly reduced the expressions of lipid synthesis-related genes, such as the fatty acid binding protein, lipoprotein lipase, and fatty acid synthase. Furthermore, FC significantly increased the expressions of lipolysis-related genes, such as the hormone-sensitive lipase, Aquaporin-7, and adipose triglyceride lipase. In HFD-induced obese mice, intraperitoneal injections of FC decreased both the body weight and visceral adipose tissue weight. FC administration significantly reduced lipid accumulation. Moreover, FC could dose-dependently and differentially regulate the expressions of lipid metabolism-related transcription factors. All these data indicated that FC exhibited anti-obesity effects through modulating adipogenesis and lipolysis.

Alkylation of terminal alkynes with transient σ-alkylpalladium(II) complexes: a carboalkynylation route to alkyl-substituted alkynes.

A mild and general alkylation of terminal alkynes with transient σ-alkylpalladium(II) complexes for assembling alkyl-substituted alkynes is described. This method represents a new way to the use of transient σ-alkylpalladium(II) complexes in organic synthesis through 1,2-carboalkynylation of alkenes.

Rhodium-catalyzed synthesis of isoquinolines and indenes from benzylidenehydrazones and internal alkynes.

A new route is presented for the selective assembly of isoquinolines and indenes by rhodium-catalyzed tandem cyclization of benzylidenehydrazones with internal alkynes. This method involves the selective cleavage of the N-N bond and the C═N bonds and is dependent on the substituents of the benzylidenehydrazone.

Palladium-catalyzed methylation of alkynyl C(sp)-H bonds with dimethyl sulfonium ylides.

A novel palladium-catalyzed methylation protocol for the synthesis of methyl-functionalized internal alkynes has been established. This methylation method is achieved through a C(sp)-C(sp(3)) bond formation process and represents a new synthetic application of sulfonium ylides.

Direct α-arylation of α-amino carbonyl compounds with indoles using visible light photoredox catalysis.

A general and mild method for the construction of functionalized 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-amino-carbonyl compounds was achieved, which represents the first example of direct α-arylation of α-amino carbonyl compounds with indoles using the visible light photoredox catalysis strategy.

Copper-catalyzed C-H oxidation/cross-coupling of α-amino carbonyl compounds.

Keeping options open: the new and mild title reaction involving indoles selectively furnishes 1 and 2 with the aid of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). The method represents the first example of a copper-catalyzed α arylation of α-amino carbonyl substrates leading to α-aryl α-imino and α-aryl α-oxo carbonyl compounds using a C-H oxidation strategy.

Palladium-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation of arynes with methyl allyl carbonates: selective synthesis of 1H-inden-1-ones.

A selective protocol for the synthesis of 2-methylene-3-substituted-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones and 2-benzylidene-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones has been developed via palladium-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation reactions of arynes with allyl carbonates and carbon monooxide (CO). It is noteworthy that the selectivity of this new route is depended on both substrates and ligands.

Palladium-catalyzed cocyclotrimerization of allenes with arynes: selective synthesis of phenanthrenes.

Palladium-catalyzed cocyclotrimerization of allenes with arynes has been developed for selectively synthesizing phenanthrenes. In the presence of [(allyl)PdCl](2) and P(o-tol)(3), a variety of allenes, including internal and terminal allenes, underwent the cocyclotrimerization with arynes to afford the corresponding phenanthrenes in moderate to good yields. The results showed the selectivity of the reaction based on allenes.

Cycloaddition of arynes with iodonium ylides: a mild and general route for the synthesis of benzofuran derivatives.

A mild and general cycloaddition of arynes with iodonium ylides protocol has been developed for the synthesis of benzofurans. In the presence of CsF, ortho-silyl aryltriflates were reacted with iodonium ylides smoothly at room temperature in moderate to good yields.

Halopalladation/decarboxylation/carbon-carbon forming domino process: synthesis of 5-halo-6-substituted benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]furans.

A novel and general halopalladation/decarboxylation/carbon-carbon forming domino protocol is described for the synthesis of 5-halo-6-substituted benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]furans. The protocol represents the first example of trapping the sigma-vinylpalladium intermediate, generated from halopalladation of alkynes, by the decarboxylative coupling reaction.