Novel Synthesis of IMC-48 and Affinity Evaluation with Different i-Motif DNA Sequences.

During the last decade, the evidence for the biological relevance of i-motif DNA (i-DNA) has been accumulated. However, relatively few molecules were reported to interact with i-DNA, and a controversy concerning their binding mode, affinity, and selectivity persists in the literature. In this context, the cholestane derivative IMC-48 has been reported to modulate bcl-2 gene expression by stabilizing an i-motif structure in its promoter. In the present contribution, we report on a novel, more straightforward, synthesis of IMC-48 requiring fewer steps compared to the previous approach. Furthermore, the interaction of IMC-48 with four different i-motif DNA sequences was thoroughly investigated by bio-layer interferometry (BLI) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Surprisingly, our results show that IMC-48 is a very weak ligand of i-DNA as no quantifiable interaction or significant stabilization of i-motif structures could be observed, stimulating a quest for an alternative mechanism of its biological activity.

Multistep Continuous Flow Synthesis of Isolable NH2 -Sulfinamidines via Nucleophilic Addition to Transient Sulfurdiimide.

The growing interest in novel sulfur pharmacophores led to recent advances in the synthesis of some S(IV) and S(VI) motifs. However, preparation and isolation of uncommon primary sulfinamidines, the aza-analogues of sulfinamides, is highly desirable. Here we report a multistep continuous flow synthesis of poorly explored NH2 -sulfinamidines by nucleophilic attack of organometallic reagents to in situ prepared N-(trimethylsilyl)-N-trityl-λ4 -sulfanediimine (Tr-N=S=N-TMS). The transformation can additionally be realized under mild conditions, at room temperature, via a highly chemoselective halogen-lithium exchange of aryl bromides and iodides with n-butyllithium. Moreover, the synthetic potential of the methodology was assessed by exploring further manipulations of the products and accessing novel S(IV) analogues of celecoxib, tasisulam, and relevant sulfinimidoylureas.

Current trends in protein acetylation analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Acetylation is a widely occurring post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins that plays a crucial role in many cellular physiological and pathological processes. Over the last decade, acetylation analyses required the development of multiple methods to target individual acetylated proteins, as well as to cover a broader description of acetylated proteins that comprise the acetylome. Areas covered: This review discusses the different types of acetylation (N-ter/K-/O-acetylation) and then describes some major strategies that have been reported in the literature to detect, enrich, identify and quantify protein acetylation. The review highlights the advantages and limitations of these strategies, to guide researchers in designing their experimental investigations and analysis of protein acetylation. Finally, this review highlights the main applications of acetylomics (proteomics based on mass spectrometry) for understanding physiological and pathological conditions. Expert opinion: Recent advances in acetylomics have enhanced knowledge of the biological and pathological roles of protein acetylation and the acetylome. Besides, radiolabeling and western blotting remain also techniques-of-choice for targeted protein acetylation. Future challenges in acetylomics to analyze the N-ter and K-acetylome will most likely require enrichment/fractionation, MS instrumentation and bioinformatics. Challenges also remain to identify the potential biological roles of O-acetylation and cross-talk with other PTMs.

Diverse Natural Products from Dichlorocyclobutanones: An Evolutionary Tale.

11-Nor PGE2 was prepared in our laboratory several years ago and used to obtain the corresponding ring-expanded γ-butyrolactam, γ-butyrolactone, and cyclopentanone derivatives. The conversion of a cyclobutanone into a cyclopentanone had relatively little precedent and merited further study. It was soon found that the presence of a single chlorine adjacent to the carbonyl not only greatly accelerated the reaction with ethereal diazomethane, but also substantially enhanced its regioselectivity; not surprisingly, a second chlorine further increased both. The confluence of this finding and the discovery by Krepski and Hassner that the presence of phosphorus oxychloride significantly improved the Zn-mediated dehalogenation procedure for the preparation of α,α-dichlorocyclobutanones from olefins provided the starting point for decades' worth of exciting adventures in natural product synthesis. A wide variety of naturally occurring 5-membered carbocycles (e.g., hirsutanes, cuparenones, bakkanes, guaianolides, azulenes) could thus be prepared by using dichloroketene-olefin cycloaddition, followed by regioselective one-carbon ring expansion with diazomethane. Importantly, it was also found that natural γ-butyrolactones (e.g., ß-oxygenated γ-butyrolactones, lactone fatty acids) could be secured through regioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cycloadducts with m-CPBA and that naturally occurring γ-butyrolactam derivatives (e.g., amino acids, pyrrolidines, pyrrolizidines, indolizidines) could be efficiently obtained by regioselective Beckmann ring expansion of the adducts with O-(mesitylenesulfonyl)hydroxylamine (Tamura's reagent). These 5-membered carbocycles, γ-butyrolactones, and γ-butyrolactam derivatives were generally secured in enantiopure form through the use of either intrinsically chiral olefins or olefins bearing Stericol, a highly effective chiral auxiliary developed specifically for this "three-atom olefin annelation" approach. In addition, considerable useful chemistry has been developed in the context of this synthesis program. This includes new methods for olefin vicinal dicarboxylation, ß-methylene-γ-butyrolactonization, γ-butyrolactone and δ-valerolactone α-methylenations, transesterification, angelic ester synthesis, chiral enol and ynol ether preparations, dichloroacetylene synthesis, and trans, trans hydroxy triad introduction. This versatile dichlorocyclobutanone-centered approach to natural product synthesis, together with the attendant new methods that have been developed, forms the basis of this Account, which is presented as an evolutionary tale. It is hoped that the Account will stimulate other research groups to seek to exploit the rich chemistry of dichlorocyclobutanones for possible solutions to problems in organic synthesis.

Polyhydroxylated Quinolizidine Iminosugars as Nanomolar Selective Inhibitors of α-Glucosidases.

Polyhydroxylated quinolizidines bearing a hydroxymethyl group at the ring junction were synthesized from a readily available l-sorbose-derived ketonitrone. Evaluated as glycoside hydrolase inhibitors, these quinolizidines revealed to be potent and selective α-glucosidase inhibitors. Quinolizidine 9a is the first quinolizidine-scaffolded iminosugar exhibiting nanomolar inhibition of a glycoenzyme.

Ynol Ethers: Synthesis and Reactivity.

Ynol ethers are highly valuable substrates offering a wide range of reactivity. These highly electron-rich heterosubstitued alkynes can be of great synthetic potential. In this mini-review, the different methods for the synthesis of ynol ethers are first presented, divided in three main approaches involving a ß-elimination, a carbene rearrangement and a direct oxidation of an alkyne. Their reactivity is then summarized underlying their synthetic utility. This non-exhaustive review aims at presenting the intrinsic reactivity of these compounds, still underexploited in synthesis.

Kinetic resolution in the [2+2] cycloaddition of ketenes: an experimental and theoretical study.

The kinetic resolution of Z and E olefins by [2+2] cycloaddition with ketenes allows the isolation of pure E olefin, as well as the synthesis of pure cis-cyclobutanones, starting from Z/E mixtures. A computational rationale for this kinetic difference is reported. The obtained difference of energy of activation matches with the experimental results.

Highly diastereoselective addition of alkoxyethynyl aluminium reagents to N-tert-butylsulfinyl aldimines.

The addition of dimethylaluminium alkoxyacetylides to Ellman's sulfinylimines is described. The reaction proceeds with excellent diastereoselectivity and high yield to produce oxygenated propargylamines in one step starting from simple dichloroenol ethers.

Asymmetric synthesis of cyclobutanones: synthesis of cyclobut-G.

A simple, efficient, and stereoselective approach has been developed for obtaining chiral cis- and trans-disubstituted cyclobutanones from readily available alkyl- and functionalized alkyl-substituted enol ethers. The usefulness of these cyclobutanones is illustrated by an enantioselective synthesis of cyclobut-G (Lobucavir).

A Diels-Alder-based total synthesis of (-)-kainic acid.

An efficient synthesis of (-)-kainic acid, through a high-pressure-promoted Diels-Alder cycloaddition of a vinylogous malonate derived from 4-hydroxyproline, is described. The bicyclic adduct could be converted into the natural product with complete stereocontrol.

Asymmetric Intramolecular Buchner Reaction: From High Stereoselectivity to Coexistence of Norcaradiene, Cycloheptatriene, and an Intermediate Form in the Solid State.

Bicyclic compounds bearing a quaternary stereogenic center have been obtained using asymmetric intramolecular Buchner reaction with excellent yields and level of enantioselectivity. X-ray crystallography determination of the absolute configuration of one product has led to the serendipitous observation of an unusual behavior within the crystal structure, with equilibrating norcaradiene and cycloheptatriene valence isomers at the solid state, as well as an even more unexpected intermediate form. DFT calculations were performed to support these observations.

Synthesis of γ-Lactams by Formal Cycloadditions with Ketenes.

The synthesis of γ-lactams is reported by a formal (3+2) cycloaddition between readily available ketenes and aziridines or a one-pot formal (2+1+2) cycloaddition using imines as aziridine precursors. The method is practical, is scalable, and affords high yields. It also offers a high level of regio- and diastereoselectivity on a wide range of substrates as well as a high stereoselectivity in the case of enantiopure aziridines.

Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-castanospermine through enol ether metathesis-hydroboration/oxidation.

An asymmetric synthesis of (+)-castanospermine is presented in which enol ether metathesis-hydroboration/oxidation is used for stereoselective installation of the trans-trans hydroxyl groups on the piperidine ring of the alkaloid.

Expedient approach to chiral cyclobutanones: asymmetric synthesis of cyclobut-G.

An efficient one-pot asymmetric synthesis of cyclobutanones from chiral enol ethers is described. The approach is illustrated with alkyl- and functionalized alkyl-substituted enol ethers (nine examples). A new enantioselective synthesis of cyclobut-G (Lobucavir) could thus be achieved.

Total Synthesis of Proteasome Inhibitor (-)-Omuralide through Asymmetric Ketene [2 + 2]-Cycloaddition.

The total synthesis of (-)-omuralide, a potent specific proteasome inhibitor, has been achieved through an unprecedented route. The C3 and C4 chiral centers of the natural product have been selectively installed by an asymmetric [2 + 2]-cycloaddition between an unusual oxadisilinane ketene and a chiral enol ether, while the γ-lactam core was prepared by a single-pot two-step Beckmann transposition. The C5 quaternary center was eventually defined by an original selective oxidative desymmetrization of a spiro cyclic oxadisilinane thanks to the anchimeric assistance of a proximal hydroxyl group.

Aziridination of Cyclic Nitrones Targeting Constrained Iminosugars.

Rare C-7-substituted aziridinyl iminosugars can be synthesized through a short reaction sequence involving 1,3-cycloaddition of cyclic nitrones with alkynes and a Baldwin rearrangement of isoxazolines into bicyclic 2-acylaziridines. The method is efficient and completely diastereoselective, producing stable aziridinyl iminosugars in high yields.

Stereodivergent Synthesis of Pseudotabersonine Alkaloids.

An eight-step stereodivergent synthesis of enantiomerically pure (-)-14-epi-pseudotabersonine and (+)-pseudotabersonine has been developed from a common N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimine key intermediate.

Asymmetric [2 + 2] cycloaddition: total synthesis of (-)-swainsonine and (+)-6-epicastanospermine.

[reaction: see text] An asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-swainsonine and (+)-6-epicastanospermine is described from a common intermediate, which is obtained through diastereoselective [2 + 2] cycloaddition of dichloroketene to a chiral enol ether.

High-pressure Diels-Alder approach to natural kainic acid.

The first Diels-Alder based synthesis of (-)-kainic acid is described. Danishefsky's diene and a vinylogous malonate derived from 4-hydroxyproline combine under high pressure to afford a key bicyclic intermediate with virtually no loss of enantiopurity. This adduct can be converted into the natural product with complete stereocontrol. [reaction: see text].

Thermal [2 + 2]-Cycloaddition of Ketenes with Chiral Enol Ethers: Route to Densely Substituted Cyclobutanones.

Access to chiral polysubstituted cyclobutanones by [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of ketenes with chiral acyclic enol ethers is reported. A wide variety of easily accessible di- and monosubstituted ketenes were found to react with a very high degree of stereoselectivity with chiral, Stericol derived, acyclic enol ethers. This combination of simple reagents provides straightforward entry to highly substituted enantioenriched cyclobutanones.