Merging Cobalt-Catalyzed C-H Activation with the Mannich Reaction: A Modular Approach to α-Substituted N-Sulfonyl Amines.

A three-component synthesis of α-substituted N-sulfonyl amines from aryl aldehydes, primary sulfonamides, and (hetero)arenes is described. This transformation enables a straightforward and modular synthesis of highly substituted sulfonamide scaffolds in good yields. The direct functionalization of C(sp2)-H bonds via cobalt-catalyzed C-H-activation offers an appealing and atom-economical alternative to classical methods for the synthesis of α-arylated amines such as the Petasis or Mannich-type reactions.

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective three-component synthesis of α-arylglycine derivatives from glyoxylic acid, sulfonamides and aryltrifluoroborates.

A palladium-catalyzed enantioselective three-component reaction of glyoxylic acid, sulfonamides and aryltrifluoroborates is described. This process provides modular access to the important α-arylglycine motif in moderate to good yields and enantioselectivies. The formed α-arylglycine products constitute useful building blocks for the synthesis of peptides or arylglycine-containing natural products.

Enhancing the chemosensitivity of HepG2 cells towards cisplatin by organoselenium pseudopeptides.

Despite all recent advances in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), chemotherapy resistance still represents a major challenge in its successful clinical management. Chemo-sensitization offers an attractive strategy to counter drug resistance. Herein we report the identification of novel organoselenium-based pseudopeptides as promising highly effective chemo-sensitizers in treating HCC with cisplatin. A series of functionalized pseudopeptide- (5-9 and 17-19), peptidomimetic- (10-12 and 20-23), and tetrazole-based (13-16 and 24-27) organoselenium compounds were synthesized via isonitrile-based multicomponent reactions from two novel selenium-containing isocyanides. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HepG2 and the non-cytotoxic doses were used to restor the sensitivity of the cells to cisplatin. New organoselenium compounds (7, 9, 15, or 23) led to an effective chemo-sensitization of HepG2 cells towards cisplatin (up-to 27-fold). Cell cycle studies indicate that the most potent peptidomimetic diselenide 23 arrested cells at the S phase and induced apoptosis via ROS modulation.

Oxyenamides as Versatile Building Blocks for a Highly Stereoselective One-Pot Synthesis of the 1,3-Diamino-2-ol-Scaffold Containing Three Continuous Stereocenters.

A highly diastereoselective one-pot synthesis of the 1,3-diamino-2-alcohol unit bearing three continuous stereocenters is described. This method utilizes 2-oxyenamides as a novel type of building block for the rapid assembly of the 1,3-diamine scaffold containing an additional stereogenic oxygen functionality at the C2 position. A stereoselective preparation of the required (Z)-oxyenamides is reported as well.

Iron(III)-Mediated Oxysulfonylation of Enamides with Sodium and Lithium Sulfinates.

An iron-mediated vicinal difunctionalization of enamides and enecarbamates with sulfinic acid salts and alcohols is described. This reaction proceeds under mild conditions and furnishes the oxysulfonylated products in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, the direct incorporation of sulfur dioxide into the sulfonylated products via organolithium chemistry has been achieved. The formed N-O-acetals are competent acylimine precursors. Their utilization as building blocks for the synthesis of biologically relevant ß-amidosulfones is described as well.

Manganese(iii) acetate-mediated direct C(sp2)-H-sulfonylation of enamides with sodium and lithium sulfinates.

A Mn(OAc)3 mediated oxidative C(sp2)-H sulfonylation of enamides and encarbamates with sodium and lithium sulfinates is reported. This operationally simple transformation provides a straightforward and highly stereoselective access to (E)-ß-amidovinyl sulfones in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds readily under mild conditions at room temperature and tolerates various sensitive functional groups. This process affords exclusively (E)-configurated ß-amidovinyl sulfones independent of the starting material configuration. Moreover, a direct transformation of organolithium reagents and sulfur dioxide into ß-amidovinyl sulfones is described.

An Enamide-Based Domino Reaction for a Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Tetrahydropyrans.

A novel method for the highly stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydropyrans is reported. This domino reaction is based on a twofold addition of enamides to aldehydes followed by a subsequent cyclization and furnishes fully substituted tetrahydropyrans in high yields. Three new σ-bonds and five continuous stereogenic centers are formed in this one-pot process with a remarkable degree of diastereoselectivity. In most cases, the formation of only one out of 16 possible diastereomers is observed. Two different stereoisomers can be accessed in a controlled fashion starting either from an E- or a Z-configured enamide.

Radicals and Sulfur Dioxide: A Versatile Combination for the Construction of Sulfonyl-Containing Molecules.

Molecules containing a sulfonyl functionality, such as sulfones, sulfonyl chlorides or sulfonamides play an important role in organic chemistry and have found widespread application, especially in the construction of biologically active compounds. Recently, methods for the synthesis of the sulfonyl moiety utilizing sulfur dioxide as a key building block have received considerable attention. In this context, radical-based transformations with sulfur dioxide have emerged as a new and attractive approach for the construction of the sulfonyl functional group. This short review highlights recent advances in the use of sulfur dioxide in radical reactions and covers the historical background, which forms the basis for these current progresses. Limitations of the existing methods and potential further developments will be discussed.

Bi(OTf)3-Catalyzed Diastereoselective One-Pot Synthesis of 1,3-Diamines with Three Continuous Stereogenic Centers.

A highly modular, diastereoselective one-pot-synthesis of 1,3-diamines with three contiguous stereogenic centers is reported. Our method provides a fast and efficient access to 1,2- anti-2,3- anti-1,3-diamines from three readily available building blocks. This Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed reaction is insensitive to air and moisture and can be performed on a multigram scale.

Cytoprotective and antioxidant properties of organic selenides for the myelin-forming cells, oligodendrocytes.

Here a new series of twenty-one organoselenides, of potential protective activity, were synthesized and tested for their intrinsic cytotoxicity, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant capacities in oligodendrocytes. Most of the organoselenides were able to decrease the ROS levels, revealing antioxidant properties. Compounds 5b and 7b showed a high glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activities, which were 1.5 folds more active than ebselen. Remarkably, compound 5a diminished the formation of the oligodendrocytes SubG1 peak in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating its anti-apoptotic properties. Furthermore, based on the SwissADME web interface, we performed an in-silico structure-activity relationship to explore the drug-likeness of these organoselenides, predicting the pharmacokinetic parameters for compounds of interest that could cross the blood-brain barrier. Collectively, we present new organoselenide compounds with cytoprotective and antioxidant properties that can be considered as promising drug candidates for myelin diseases.

Copper-Catalyzed Remote para-C-H Functionalization of Anilines with Sodium and Lithium Sulfinates.

A copper-catalyzed, cross-dehydrogenative coupling of anilines with sodium and lithium sulfinates was developed. By using a cooperative reaction system with Mn(OAc)3 as stoichiometric co-oxidant a highly selective para-functionalization of anilines was accomplished. Various functional groups were tolerated and the desired products were obtained in high yields. This method not only provides a novel approach for the synthesis of arylsulfones but might also offer new opportunities for the development of copper-catalyzed para-selective C-H functionalizations.

Synthesis of sulfones via selective C-H-functionalization.

The synthesis of sulfones via a selective functionalization of C-H-bonds represents a powerful alternative to classical methods for the preparation of this important compound class. Within the last decade, significant progress has been made in this field. This review highlights recent advances in the area of metal-catalyzed as well as metal-free transformations for the direct sulfonylation of C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-H bonds.

One-pot synthesis of aryl sulfones from organometallic reagents and iodonium salts.

A transition-metal-free arylation of lithium, magnesium, and zinc sulfinates with diaryliodonium salts is described. The sulfinic acid salts were prepared from the reaction of the corresponding organometallic reagents and sulfur dioxide. Combination of the three single steps (preparation of the organometallic compound, sulfinate formation, and arylation) leads to a one-pot sequence for the synthesis of aryl sulfones from simple starting materials. The chemoselectivity of unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts has been investigated. Potential and limitations of this method will be discussed.

Bi(OTf)3-Catalyzed Multicomponent α-Amidoalkylation Reactions.

A bismuth(III) triflate catalyzed three-component synthesis of α-substituted amides starting from amides, aldehydes, and (hetero)arenes is reported. The reaction has a broad substrate scope, encompassing formaldehyde as well as aryl and alkyl aldehydes. Low catalyst loadings are required, and water is formed as the only side product. The scope and limitation of this method will be discussed.

Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed three-component synthesis of α-amino acid derivatives.

A highly efficient Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of arylglycines from readily available starting materials is described. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and provides a general route to various N-protected arylglycines.

Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spiroisoindolinones from Enamides.

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of spiroisoindolinones from enamides and 3-hydroxy-isoindolinones is reported. The reaction proceeds rapidly in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid as a Brønsted acid catalyst and affords a variety of densely substituted spiroisoindolinones with three contiguous stereogenic centers in high yields (≤98%) and diastereoselectivities (up to dr >98:<2:0:0).

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric three-component reaction between glyoxylic acid, sulfonamides and arylboronic acids for the synthesis of α-arylglycine derivatives.

A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric three-component synthesis of α-arylglycine derivatives starting from glyoxylic acid, sulfonamides and arylboronic acids is reported. This novel, operationally simple method offers access to the α-arylglycine scaffold in good yields and enantioselectivities. The utilization of α tailored catalyst system enables the enantioselective synthesis of the desired α-arylglycines despite a fast racemic background reaction. The obtained products can be directly employed as building blocks in peptide synthesis.

Glutathione kinetically outcompetes reactions between dimedone and a cyclic sulfenamide or physiological sulfenic acids.

Dimedone and its derivates are used as selective probes for the nucleophilic detection of sulfenic acids in biological samples. Qualitative analyses suggested that dimedone also reacts with cyclic sulfenamides. Furthermore, under physiological conditions, dimedone must compete with the highly concentrated nucleophile glutathione. We therefore quantified the reaction kinetics for a cyclic sulfenamide model peptide and the sulfenic acids of glutathione and a model peroxiredoxin in the presence or absence of dimedone and glutathione. We show that the cyclic sulfenamide is stabilized at lower pH and that it reacts with dimedone. While reactions between dimedone and sulfenic acids or the cyclic sulfenamide have similar rate constants, glutathione kinetically outcompetes dimedone as a nucleophile by several orders of magnitude. Our comparative in vitro and intracellular analyses challenge the selectivity of dimedone. Consequently, the dimedone labeling of cysteinyl residues inside living cells points towards unidentified reaction pathways or unknown, kinetically competitive redox species.

Endogenous anti-tumorigenic nitro-fatty acids inhibit the ubiquitin-proteasome system by directly targeting the 26S proteasome.

Nitro-fatty acids (NFAs) are endogenous lipid mediators causing a spectrum of anti-inflammatory effects by covalent modification of key proteins within inflammatory signaling pathways. Recent animal models of solid tumors have helped demonstrate their potential as anti-tumorigenic therapeutics. This study evaluated the anti-tumorigenic effects of NFAs in colon carcinoma cells and other solid and leukemic tumor cell lines. NFAs inhibited the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) by directly targeting the 26S proteasome, leading to polyubiquitination and inhibition of the proteasome activities. UPS suppression induced the unfolded protein response, resulting in tumor cell death. The NFA-mediated effects were substantial, specific, and enduring, representing a unique mode of action for UPS suppression. This study provides mechanistic insights into the biological actions of NFAs as possible endogenous tumor-suppressive factors, indicating that NFAs might be key structures for designing a novel class of direct proteasome inhibitors.

Scalable synthesis of cortistatin A and related structures.

Full details are provided for an improved synthesis of cortistatin A and related structures as well as the underlying logic and evolution of strategy. The highly functionalized cortistatin A-ring embedded with a key heteroadamantane was synthesized by a simple and scalable five-step sequence. A chemoselective, tandem geminal dihalogenation of an unactivated methyl group, a reductive fragmentation/trapping/elimination of a bromocyclopropane, and a facile chemoselective etherification reaction afforded the cortistatin A core, dubbed "cortistatinone". A selective Δ(16)-alkene reduction with Raney Ni provided cortistatin A. With this scalable and practical route, copious quantities of cortistatinone, Δ(16)-cortistatin A (the equipotent direct precursor to cortistatin A), and its related analogues were prepared for further biological studies.