Synthesis and Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Alkyl Amine-Boranes. A Boryl Radical-Enabled Strategy.

Alkyl organoborons are powerful materials for the construction of C(sp3)-C(sp2) bonds, predominantly via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. These species are generally assembled using 2-electron processes that harness the ability of boron reagents to act as both electrophiles and nucleophiles. Herein, we demonstrate an alternative borylation strategy based on the reactivity of amine-ligated boryl radicals. This process features the use of a carboxylic acid containing amine-ligated borane that acts as boryl radical precursor for photoredox oxidation and decarboxylation. The resulting amine-ligated boryl radical undergoes facile addition to styrenes and imines through radical-polar crossover manifolds. This delivers a new class of sp3-organoborons that are stable solids and do not undergo protodeboronation. These novel materials include unprotected α-amino derivatives that are generally unstable. Crucially, these aliphatic organoboron species can be directly engaged in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings with structurally complex aryl halides. Preliminary studies suggest that they enable slow-release of the corresponding and often difficult to handle alkyl boronic acids.

Merging Halogen-Atom Transfer (XAT) and Copper Catalysis for the Modular Suzuki-Miyaura-Type Cross-Coupling of Alkyl Iodides and Organoborons.

We report here a mechanistically distinct approach to achieve Suzuki-Miyaura-type cross-couplings between alkyl iodides and aryl organoborons. This process requires a copper catalyst but, in contrast with previous approaches based on palladium and nickel systems, does not utilizes the metal for the activation of the alkyl electrophile. Instead, this strategy exploits the halogen-atom-transfer ability of α-aminoalkyl radicals to convert secondary alkyl iodides into the corresponding alkyl radicals that then are coupled with aryl, vinyl, alkynyl, benzyl, and allyl boronate species. These novel coupling reactions feature a simple setup and conditions (1 h at room temperature) and facilitate access to privileged motifs targeted by the pharmaceutical sector.

Stereodivergent synthesis of alkenes by controllable syn-/anti-fragmentation of ß-hydroxysulfonyl intermediates.

The reduction of the carbonyl group in acylated trifluoroethyl alkanesulfonates follows the Felkin-Ahn selectivity, and the so-formed diastereomeric ß-hydroxysulfonyl intermediates undergo syn- and anti-fragmentation, depending on the reaction conditions. In effect, isomeric E- and Z-alkenes are formed in a stereodivergent manner, which mimics the mechanistic manifold of the Peterson olefination.

Experimental and Theoretical Insights into Molecular and Solid-State Properties of Isomeric Bis(salicylaldehydes).

A series of five bis(salicylaldehydes), including four isomeric compounds based on a benzene scaffold and a closely related naphthalene derivative, were investigated in order to elucidate the impact of resonance effects and intramolecular hydrogen bonds (HBs) on the macroscopic properties of these systems. Density functional theory (DFT) computations revealed important differences between isomers on the molecular level, which was reflected in different charge distributions, aromatic C-C bond orders, and aromaticity characters. The consequences of these features were evidenced by the UV-vis absorption spectra: for 1,3-diformyl-4,6-dihydroxybenzene (2), the longest wavelength absorption band is observed at 285 nm, while its isomers 1,4-diformyl-2,5-dihydroxybenzene (1), 1,4-diformyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzene (3), and 1,2-diformyl-3,6-dihydroxybenzene (4) are characterized by absorption in the visible range (379-407 nm). The specificity of 2 results from simultaneous lowering and elevation of HOMO and LUMO energy levels, respectively. We have found that the HOMO/LUMO energy variations follow trends observed in isomeric dihydroxybenzenes (HOMO) and phthalaldehydes (LUMO), and these effects operate separately to some extent. Furthermore, theoretical calculations indicate that the UV-vis spectral properties of bis(salicylaldehydes) are directly transferable to the corresponding bis(salicylaldimines) and their boron complexes. Finally, the influence of structural and molecular stabilization effects was analyzed by means of X-ray structural analysis and periodic DFT computations.

Halogen-atom and group transfer reactivity enabled by hydrogen tunneling.

The generation of carbon radicals by halogen-atom and group transfer reactions is generally achieved using tin and silicon reagents that maximize the interplay of enthalpic (thermodynamic) and polar (kinetic) effects. In this work, we demonstrate a distinct reactivity mode enabled by quantum mechanical tunneling that uses the cyclohexadiene derivative γ-terpinene as the abstractor under mild photochemical conditions. This protocol activates alkyl and aryl halides as well as several alcohol and thiol derivatives. Experimental and computational studies unveiled a noncanonical pathway whereby a cyclohexadienyl radical undergoes concerted aromatization and halogen-atom or group abstraction through the reactivity of an effective H atom. This activation mechanism is seemingly thermodynamically and kinetically unfavorable but is rendered feasible through quantum tunneling.

Functionalization of 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-Triazoles via Selective Zincation or Magnesiation Using 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidyl Bases.

We report the metalation of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole scaffolds via regioselective zincation or magnesiation using the TMP bases (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) TMP2Zn·2LiCl, TMP2Zn·2MgCl2·2LiCl, TMPMgCl·LiCl, and TMPZnCl·LiCl under mild conditions in THF. Subsequent trapping with various electrophiles including hydroxylamino benzoates gives access to functionalized heterocycles while tolerating many functional groups.

Olefination with Sulfonyl Halides and Esters: Scope, Limitations, and Mechanistic Studies of the Hawkins Reaction.

Carbanions of alkanesulfonyl halides and esters react with nonenolizable carbonyl compounds to give olefins. Mechanistic studies reveal that initial aldol-type addition of the carbanions is followed by cyclization-fragmentation to alkenes, and the leaving group on the sulfonyl moiety (RSO2X) controls carbanion stability and rate of the olefin formation.

First report of seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep in Pomerania, northern Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Toxoplasmosis is parasitic disease which has economic relevance for both veterinary and human medicine. In sheep, toxoplasmosis is a major cause of abortion and can thus cause reproductive problems. The current study aimed to determine the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in sheep from 13 districts of northern Poland and thereby obtain actual data about T. gondii seroprevalence in this population of animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples from 1,646 animals from 99 herds were collected, and an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on native Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) was used for serological testing. The diagnostic sensitivity of diagnostic test used in this study was 98.6%, and specificity 94.9% for the group of 113 sheep sera (74 seropositive and 39 seronegative) previously characterized by using an commercial agglutination test. RESULTS: Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 921 (55.9%) of all tested animals. The percentage of infected sheep was the highest (67.6%) for older animals (>6 years), whereas for younger ones it was significantly lower (50.1% - 57.2% for 1-5-year-old animals, respectively). Furthermore, a higher percentage of seropositive animals was noted among males (63%) than females (55.5%). The results also showed that the size of the herd is not a factor which may affect the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in the examined population of sheep. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that T. gondii infection in sheep from region of northern Poland is relatively high, and consumption of ovine meat and milk can be regarded as a significant source of infection for humans.

Epidemiological study of Toxoplasma gondii infection among cattle in Northern Poland.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a significant disease in livestock and humans. Because of medical and veterinary importance it is essential to study the prevalence of T. gondii infection among human and animals in various parts of the word. In this study, 4033 cattle from eight provinces of Northern Poland (belonging to 190 herds) were tested for IgG antibodies against T. gondii by an in-house ELISA technique based on native Toxoplasma lysate antigen. The diagnostic sensitivity of test used in this study was 96.3%, and specificity was 98% for the group of 77 cattle sera (27 seropositive and 50 seronegative) previously characterized with the use of agglutination and immunofluorescence methods. A 127 (3.15%) out of all tested animals belonging to 72 (37.9%) out of 190 herds were founded as positive. Furthermore, our results showed that the way of feeding and farming, the size of the herd and the age of animals have the influence on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among cattle. The percentage of infected cattle was the highest for old animals which belongs to the small herds with the traditional way of farming. These results indicate that T. gondii infection in cattle from Northern Poland is relatively low and consumption of beef and milk can be regarded as a poor source of infection for humans.