[Q-markers of Yuquan Capsules based on serum pharmacochemistry of Chinese medicine].

This study analyzed the quality markers(Q-markers) of Yuquan Capsules(YQC) based on serum pharmacochemistry of Chinese medicine and detected the components and metabolites of YQC absorbed into the blood by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and UNIFI systems. As a result, 32 components of YQC were detected, including 17 prototype components and 15 metabolized components. Among them, 12 prototype components(ginsenoside Rh_2, genistein, formononetin, puerarin, daidzein, schizandrin A, schizandrin B, schizandrin C, schizandrol A, schizandrol B, gomisin D, and ononin) and 12 metabolized components(ginsenoside Rg_1, ginsenoside Rg_2, ginsenoside Rg_3, ginsenoside Ro, 3'-methoxypuerarin, daidzin, astragaloside Ⅱ, astragaloside Ⅳ, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and verbascoside) showed inhibitory effects and pharmacological activities against diabetes, and these 24 blood-entering components against diabetes were identified as Q-markers of YQC.

Manganese-Catalyzed Asymmetric Formal Hydroamination of Allylic Alcohols: A Remarkable Macrocyclic Ligand Effect.

A unique family of chiral peraza N6 -macrocyclic ligands, which are conformationally rigid and have a tunable saddle-shaped cavity, is described. Utilizing their manganese(I) complexes, the first example of earth-abundant transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric formal anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of allylic alcohols was realized, providing a practical access to synthetically important chiral γ-amino alcohols in excellent yields and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % yield and 98 % ee). The single-crystal structure of a MnI complex indicates that the manganese atom coordinates with the chiral dialkylamine moiety in a bidentate fashion. Further DFT calculations revealed that five of the six nitrogen atoms in the ligand were engaged in multiple noncovalent interactions with Mn, an isopropanol molecule, and a ß-amino ketone intermediate via coordination, hydrogen bonding, and/or CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions in the transition state, showing a remarkable role of the macrocyclic framework.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of 9-Phenanthrols.

The enantioselective hydrogenation of arenols to corresponding chiral cyclic alcohols remains a challenge because of their aromaticity and the difficulty in controlling the regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity. In this work, the first highly efficient ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of 9-phenanthrols has been successfully realized under mild conditions via trapping the unstable keto tautomers. The method provides a facile access to a range of chiral 9,10-dihydrophenanthren-9-ols with up to 98 % yield and >99 % ee. The hydrogenation pathway includes base-promoted tautomerization of 9-phenanthrols and Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of the in situ generated unstable keto tautomers.

Rhodium-Catalyzed ON-OFF Switchable Hydrogenation Using a Molecular Shuttle Based on a [2]Rotaxane with a Phosphine Ligand.

A novel pH-responsive molecular shuttle based on a [2]rotaxane with a phosphine ligand has been designed and synthesized. In the rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation of α,ß-dehydroamino acid esters and aryl enamides, ON/OFF-switchable catalysis was accomplished with high ON/OFF ratios by adjusting the movements of the rotaxane wheels located at the catalyst terminals with acid/base. Mechanistic studies using NMR spectroscopy and quasi in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that RhIII -hydride species are possibly formed in a H2 atmosphere when the catalyst is in the OFF state. During the reaction, a heterolytic activation of dihydrogen occurs by the interlocked rotaxane dibenzylamine and RhI catalytic center acting as a frustrated Lewis pair. Subsequent homolytic splitting of dihydrogen with the newly formed RhI -hydride species generates RhIII -hydride species. These findings show that a substrate-selective hydrogenation can be achieved by using the OFF-state catalyst.

Diaza-Crown Ether-Bridged Chiral Diphosphoramidite Ligands: Synthesis and Applications in Asymmetric Catalysis.

A small library of diaza-crown ether-bridged chiral diphosphoramidite ligands was prepared. In the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation and hydroformylation reactions, these ligands exhibited distinct properties in catalytic activity and/or enantioselectivity. Hydrogenated products with opposite absolute configurations could be obtained in high yields with excellent ee values by utilizing (S,S)-L1 and (S,S)-L3, respectively. Meanwhile, the addition of alkali metal cations caused variations in catalytic outcomes, showing the supramolecular tunability of these Rh/diphosphoramidite catalytic systems.

Enantioselective synthesis of tunable chiral pyridine-aminophosphine ligands and their applications in asymmetric hydrogenation.

A small library of tunable chiral pyridine-aminophosphine ligands were enantioselectively synthesized based on chiral 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline scaffolds, which were obtained in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities via ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinolines. The protocol features a wide substrate scope and mild reaction conditions, enabling scalable synthesis. These chiral P,N ligands were successfully applied in the Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of benchmark olefins and challenging seven-membered cyclic imines including benzazepines and benzodiazepines. Excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity (up to 99% ee and >20 : 1 dr), and/or unprecedented chemoselectivity were obtained in the asymmetric hydrogenation of 2,4-diaryl-3H-benzo[b]azepines and 2,4-diaryl-3H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepines.

Consecutive Intermolecular Reductive Amination/Asymmetric Hydrogenation: Facile Access to Sterically Tunable Chiral Vicinal Diamines and N-Heterocyclic Carbenes.

A highly enantioselective iridium- or ruthenium-catalyzed intermolecular reductive amination/asymmetric hydrogenation relay with 2-quinoline aldehydes and aromatic amines has been developed. A broad range of sterically tunable chiral N,N'-diaryl vicinal diamines were obtained in high yields (up to 95 %) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99 % ee). The resulting chiral diamines could be readily transformed into sterically hindered chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors, which are otherwise difficult to access. The usefulness of this synthetic approach was further demonstrated by the successful application of one of the chiral vicinal diamines and chiral NHC ligands in a transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction and asymmetric ring-opening cross-metathesis, respectively.

Rapid Construction of Structurally Diverse Quinolizidines, Indolizidines, and Their Analogues via Ruthenium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cascade Hydrogenation/Reductive Amination.

A rapid construction of enantioenriched benzo-fused quinolizidines, indolizidines, and their analogues by ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric cascade hydrogenation/reductive amination of quinolinyl- and quinoxalinyl-containing ketones has been developed. This reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions, affording chiral benzo-fused aliphatic N-heterocyclic compounds with structural diversity in good yields (up to 95 %) with excellent diastereoselectivity (up to >20:1 dr) and enantioselectivity (up to >99 % ee). Furthermore, this catalytic protocol is applicable to the formal synthesis of (+)-gephyrotoxin.

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of In†Situ Generated Isochromenylium Intermediates by Copper/Ruthenium Tandem Catalysis.

The first asymmetric hydrogenation of in situ generated isochromenylium derivatives is enabled by tandem catalysis with a binary system consisting of Cu(OTf)2 and a chiral cationic ruthenium-diamine complex. A range of chiral 1H-isochromenes were obtained in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivity. These chiral 1H-isochromenes could be easily transformed into isochromanes, which represent an important structural motif in natural products and biologically active compounds. The chiral induction was rationalized by density functional theory calculations.

A Pronounced Halogen Effect on the Organogelation Properties of Peripherally Halogen Functionalized Poly(benzyl ether) Dendrons.

An interesting halogen-substituent effect on the organogelation properties of poly(benzyl ether) dendrons is reported. A new class of poly(benzyl ether) dendrons with halo substituents decorating their periphery was synthesized and fully characterized. A systematic study on the gelation abilities, thermotropic behaviors, aggregated microstructures, and mechanical properties of self-assembled organogels was performed to elucidate the halogen-substituent effects on their organogelation propensity. It was found that the exact halogen substitutions on the periphery of dendrons exert a profound effect on the organogelation propensity, and dendrons Gn -Cl (n=2, 3) and G2 -I proved to be highly efficient organogelators. The cooperation of multiple π-π, dispersive halogen, CH-π, and weak C-H⋅⋅⋅X hydrogen-bonding interactions were found to be the key contributor to forming the self-assembled gels. Dendritic organogels formed from Gn -Cl (n=2, 3) in 1,2-dichloroethane exhibited thixotropic-responsive properties, and such thixotropic organogels are promising materials for future research and applications.

From Weakness to Strength: C-H/π-Interaction-Guided Self-Assembly and Gelation of Poly(benzyl ether) Dendrimers.

The C-H/π interactions as the key driving force for the construction of supramolecular gels remain a great challenge because of their weak nature. We hereby employed for the first time weak C-H/π interactions for the construction of supramolecular dendritic gels based on peripherally methyl-functionalized poly(benzyl ether) dendrimers. Their gelation property is highly dependent on the nature of the peripheral methyl groups. Furthermore, single-crystal X-ray analysis and NMR spectroscopy revealed that multiple C-H/π interactions between the proton of the methyl group and the electron-rich peripheral methyl-substituted aryl ring played significant roles in the formation of supramolecular nanofibers and organogels. This study uncovers the critical role of weak noncovalent interactions and provides new insights into the further design of self-assembled nanomaterials.

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Quinoline Derivatives Catalyzed by Cationic Transition Metal Complexes of Chiral Diamine Ligands: Scope, Mechanism and Catalyst Recycling.

This personal account is focused on the asymmetric hydrogenation of quinolines and their analogues recently developed by using phosphorus-free chiral cationic ruthenium(II)/η6 -arene-N-monosulfonylated diamine complexes. In our initial study, the chiral Ru-diamine complexes were found to be highly effective catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of difficult quinoline substrates in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) with unprecedentedly excellent enantioselectivity. Our further systematic study revealed that a wide range of quinoline derivatives could be efficiently hydrogenated in alcoholic solvents, or under solvent-free and concentrated conditions with good to excellent stereoselectivity. Complexes of iridium analogues could also efficiently catalyze the asymmetric hydrogenation of quinolines in undegassed solvent. Asymmetric tandem reduction of various 2-(aroylmethyl)quinolines was achieved in high yield with excellent enantioselectivity and good diastereoselectivity. More challenging substrates, alkyl- and aryl-substituted 1,5- and 1,8-naphthyridine derivatives were successfully hydrogenated with these chiral ruthenium catalysts to give 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyridines with good to excellent enantioselectivity. Unlike the asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones, quinoline is reduced via a stepwise H+ /H- transfer process outside the coordination sphere rather than a concerted mechanism. The enantioselectivity originates from the CH/π attraction between the η6 -arene ligand in the Ru-complex and the fused phenyl ring of dihydroquinoline via a 10-membered ring transition state with the participation of TfO- anion. In addition, the Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of quinolines could be carried out in some environmentally benign reaction media, such as undegassed water, RTILs and oligo(ethylene glycol)s (OEGs). In the latter two cases, unique chemoselectivity and/or reactivity were observed. Catalyst recycling could also be realized by using [BMIM]PF6 and OEGs as solvents, as well as via magnetic nanoparticles. Applications of this catalytic protocol were also exemplified by the employments of the reduced products for the syntheses of some important natural alkaloids, pharmaceutical intermediates, as well as chiral diamine ligands.

Highly Enantioselective Direct Synthesis of Endocyclic Vicinal Diamines through Chiral Ru(diamine)-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of 2,2'-Bisquinoline Derivatives.

An asymmetric hydrogenation of 2,2'-bisquinoline and bisquinoxaline derivatives, catalyzed by chiral cationic ruthenium diamine complexes, was developed. A broad range of chiral endocyclic vicinal diamines were obtained in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to 93:7 dl/meso and >99 % ee). These chiral diamines could be easily transformed into a new class of chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), which are important but difficult to access.

Asymmetric hydrogenation in the core of dendrimers.

The transition metal complexes containing chiral phosphorus ligands are the most widely and successfully used catalysts in asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds. However, a major problem associated with these homogeneous catalytic systems is the separation and recycling of the often expensive and easily oxidized chiral catalysts. In addition, many hydrogenation reactions still lack efficient chiral catalysts, and the stereoselectivities in many hydrogenation reactions are substrate-dependent. Therefore, the development of highly effective and recyclable chiral phosphorus catalysts is highly desirable. Over the past few decades, a number of chiral catalysts have been successfully anchored onto different supports, such as cross-linked polymeric resins and inorganic materials. However, most of the classical supported chiral catalysts suffered from inferior catalytic properties to their homogeneous counterparts due to poor accessibility, random anchoring, and disturbed geometry of the active sites in the solid matrix. To overcome this drawback, dendrimers, which have well-defined and globular macromolecular architectures serve as a promising type of soluble catalyst support. The catalytic sites are generally located at the core or on the periphery of the dendrimer, and the resulting dendritic catalysts are designable. Incorporation of a chiral catalyst into a sterically demanding dendrimer will create a specific microenvironment around the catalytic site and thus influence the catalytic performance of the metal center, like an enzyme does. In this Account, we survey the development of core-functionalized chiral dendritic phosphorus ligands for asymmetric hydrogenation mainly by our research group. Several series of chiral dendritic phosphorus ligands, including diphosphines, monodentate phosphoramidites, and P,N-ligands, have been synthesized by attaching the corresponding chiral phosphorus units into the core or the focal point of Fréchet-type dendrons. Their transition metal (Ru, Rh, or Ir) complexes have been applied in the asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins and ketones, as well as some challenging imine-type substrates. All reactions were carried out in a homogeneous manner, and the structure-property relationships in some cases were established. The sterically demanding dendritic wedges were found to play important roles in catalytic properties, and better catalytic activities or enantioselectivities or both than those obtained from the corresponding monomeric catalysts were achieved in most cases. In addition, the dendritic catalysts could be readily recycled by means of solvent precipitation, water- or temperature-induced two-phase separation. Our study has thus demonstrated that dendrimer catalysis could combine the advantages of both classical heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis.

Fluorescent dendritic organogels based on 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole: emission enhancement and multiple stimuli-responsive properties.

A new highly efficient and versatile poly(benzyl ether) dendritic organogelator HPB-G1 with 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HPB) at the focal point has been designed and synthesized. HPB-G1 can form stable organogels toward various apolar and polar organic solvents. Further studies revealed that intermolecular multiple π-π stacking interactions are the main driving forces for the formation of the organogels. Notably, dendron HPB-G1 exhibited a significantly enhanced emission in the gel state in contrast to weak emission in solution. Most interestingly, these dendritic organogels exhibited multiple stimuli-responsive behaviors upon exposure to environmental stimuli, including temperature, sonication, shear stress, and the presence of anions, metal cations, acids/bases, thus leading to reversible sol-gel phase transitions.

Asymmetric ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation of 2,6-disubstituted 1,5-naphthyridines: access to chiral 1,5-diaza-cis-decalins.

The first asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) of 2,6-disubstituted and 2,3,6-trisubstituted 1,5-naphthyridines, catalyzed by chiral cationic ruthenium diamine complexes, has been developed. A wide range of 1,5-naphthyridine derivatives were efficiently hydrogenated to give 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,5-naphthyridines with up to 99 % ee and full conversions. This facile and green protocol is applicable to the scaled-up synthesis of optically pure 1,5-diaza-cis-decalins, which have been used as rigid chelating diamine ligands for asymmetric synthesis.

Cation-triggered switchable asymmetric catalysis with chiral Aza-CrownPhos.

An aza-crown ether, modified phosphoramidite ligand, has been designed and synthesized. The ON/OFF reversible switch of catalytic activity for its rhodium catalyst was thoroughly investigated in the asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydroamino acid esters modulated by host-guest interactions. In the OFF state, the catalyst is almost inactive (less than 1% conversion) because of the formation of an intermolecular sandwich complex by two aza-crown ether moities and the cationic rhodium metal center. In using alkali-metal-cations as the trigger, the catalytic activity was turned ON and consequently resulted in full conversions and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).

Advances in transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of heteroaromatic compounds.

Transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of heteroaromatic compounds is undoubtedly a straightforward and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of a wide range of optically active heterocyclic compounds, which are widespread and ubiquitous in naturally occurring and artificial bioactive molecules. Over the past decade, a number of transition metal (Ir, Rh, Ru, and Pd) catalysts bearing chiral phosphorus ligands, amine-tosylamine ligands, and N-heterocyclic carbene ligands have been developed for such challenging transformation. This review will describe the significant contributions concerning the transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of N-, O-, and S-containing heteroaromatic compounds, with emphasis on the evolution of different chiral ligands, related catalyst immobilization, and mechanism investigations.

Podand-based dimeric chromium(III)-salen complex for asymmetric Henry reaction: cooperative catalysis promoted by complexation of alkali metal ions.

A new kind of podand-based dimeric salen ligand was synthesized, and its association with potassium cations was investigated by (1) H NMR spectroscopy. The corresponding Cr(III) -salen dimer was assembled by a supramolecular host-guest self-assembly process and was then used as a catalyst in highly efficient and enantioselective asymmetric Henry reactions. Regulation by KBArF (BArF =[3,5-(CF3 )2 C6 H3 ]4 B) led to remarkable improvements in yield (by up to 58 %) and enantioselectivity (for example, from 80 % ee to 96 % ee).

A new class of dendritic metallogels with multiple stimuli-responsiveness and as templates for the in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

A new class of poly(aryl ether) dendritic ligands containing a pyridine functionality at the focal point and the corresponding Ag(I) complexes through metal-ligand coordination were designed, synthesized, and fully characterized. Compared with the dendritic ligands, the corresponding dendritic complexes exhibited much better gelation ability for various organic solvents at very low critical gelation concentrations. The gel-sol phase transition temperatures and morphologies could be finely tuned by binding silver ion to the ligand. A preliminary study revealed that multiple noncovalent interactions, such as Ag(I) -pyridine coordination, solvophobic interaction, and π-π stacking, synergistically enable the formation of stable metallogels. Interestingly, these metallogels could intelligently respond to multiple external stimuli including temperature, chemicals, and shear stress, leading to gel-sol phase transitions. In addition, these dendritic metallogels were successfully applied as templates for the in situ formation and stabilization of silver nanoparticles without the use of any chemical reducing/stabilizing agents.