Nickel-Catalyzed Cyanation of Phenol Derivatives with Zn(CN)2 Involving C-O Bond Cleavage.

An efficient nickel-catalyzed cyanation of aryl sulfonates, fluorosulfonates, and sulfamates with Zn(CN)2 was developed, which provides a facile access to the nitrile products in generally good to excellent yields. The reaction is accomplished by using NiII complex as the precatalyst and DMAP as the additive. The method also displays wide functional group compatibility; for example, keto, methoxy, N, N-dimethylamino, cyano, ester, and pyridyl groups are well-tolerated during the reaction process.

Nickel-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Alkyne-Nitriles with Alkynes Assisted by Lewis Acids: Efficient Synthesis of Fused Pyridines.

A Ni/BPh3 catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of alkyne-nitriles with alkynes has been developed, which provides an efficient route to fused pyridines under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies indicate that an azanickelacycle via heterocoupling of an alkyne with a nitrile moiety is possibly formed as a key reaction intermediate. The Lewis acid catalyst is crucial to the successful transformation, which is suggested to promote the oxidative cyclization process.

Gold-Catalyzed Ring Expansion of Alkynyl Heterocycles through 1,2-Migration of an Endocyclic Carbon-Heteroatom Bond.

A mild and efficient gold-catalyzed oxidative ring-expansion of a series of alkynyl heterocycles using pyridine-N-oxide as the oxidant has been developed, which affords highly valuable six- or seven-membered heterocycles with wide functional group toleration. The reaction consists of a regioselective oxidation and a chemoselective migration of an endocyclic carbon-heteroatom bond (favored over C-H migration) with the order of migratory aptitude for carbon-heteroatom bonds being C-S>C-N>C-O. In the absence of an oxidant, polycyclic products are readily constructed through a ring-expansion/Nazarov cyclization reaction sequence.

DNA-Compatible Cyclization Reaction to Access 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-Triazoles.

DNA-encoded chemical library (DECL) technology is a commonly employed screening platform in both the pharmaceutical industry and academia. To expand the chemical space of DECLs, new and robust DNA-compatible reactions are sought after. In particular, DNA-compatible cyclization reactions are highly valued, as these reactions tend to be atom economical and thus may provide lead- and drug-like molecules. Herein, we report two new methodologies employing DNA-conjugated thiosemicarbazides as a common precursor, yielding highly substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-triazoles. These two novel DNA-compatible reactions feature a high conversion efficiency and broad substrate scope under mild conditions that do not observably degrade DNA.

Cobalt-catalyzed oxidative isocyanide insertion to amine-based bisnucleophiles: diverse synthesis of substituted 2-aminobenzimidazoles, 2-aminobenzothiazoles, and 2-aminobenzoxazoles.

Cobalt catalysis: Synthesis of substituted 2-aminobenzimidazoles, 2-aminobenzothiazoles, and 2-aminobenzoxazoles was achieved by using cobalt(II) acetate catalyzed isocyanide insertion to o-diaminobenzene, 2-aminobenzenethiol, and 2-aminophenol derivatives in 1,4-dioxane (see scheme). It was found that the reaction proceeded efficiently to give the desired products in up to 95 % isolated yields by C-N and C-S (O, N) formation in a single step.

DNA-Encoded Macrocyclic Peptide Libraries Enable the Discovery of a Neutral MDM2-p53 Inhibitor.

Synthetic macrocyclic peptides are an emerging molecular class for both targeting intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and providing an oral modality for drug targets typically addressed by biologics. Display technologies, such as mRNA and phage display, often yield peptides that are too large and too polar to achieve passive permeability or oral bioavailability without substantial off-platform medicinal chemistry. Herein, we use DNA-encoded cyclic peptide libraries to discover a neutral nonapeptide, UNP-6457, that inhibits MDM2-p53 interaction with an IC50 of 8.9 nM. X-ray structural analysis of the MDM2-UNP-6457 complex revealed mutual binding interactions and identified key ligand modification points which may be tuned to enhance its pharmacokinetic profile. These studies showcase how tailored DEL libraries can directly yield macrocyclic peptides benefiting from low MW, TPSA, and HBD/HBA counts that are capable of potently inhibiting therapeutically relevant protein-protein interactions.

Nickel-Catalyzed ß-Regioselective Amination/Cyclization of Ynamide-Nitriles with Amines: Synthesis of Functionalized 3-Aminoindoles and 4-Aminoisoquinolines.

A highly regioselective nickel/Lewis acid catalyzed amination/cyclization of ynamide-nitriles with amines involving ß-addition has been developed. The reaction offers an attractive and efficient route for the synthesis of 3-aminoindoles and 4-aminoisoquinoline derivatives. The Ts-group on the ynamide acts as a directing group to produce the alkenyl nickel species with high regioselectivity.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Formal Intramolecular Dehydro-Diels-Alder Reaction of Ynamide-ynes: Synthesis of Functionalized Benzo[ b]carbazoles.

A gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of ynamide-ynes via a formal dehydro-Diels-Alder reaction has been developed, providing an attractive route to diversely substituted benzo[ b]carbazoles. The reaction likely proceeds via regioselective attack of the pendant alkyne moiety to a keteniminium ion intermediate followed by benzannulation. The method offers several advantages such as high efficiency, mild reaction conditions, and wide functional group tolerance and serves as a highly useful complement to the thermal DDA reactions of ynamide-ynes.

Gold-Catalyzed Formal [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Ynamides with 4,5-Dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles: Synthesis of Functionalized 4-Aminoimidazoles.

A gold-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides with 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles has been developed. The reaction provides a concise and regioselective access to highly functionalized 4-aminoimidazoles likely via the formation of an α-imino gold carbene intermediate followed by cyclization. 4,5-Dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazole was found to act as an efficient N-iminonitrene equivalent in these reactions.

Synthesis of δ- and α-Carbolines via Nickel-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Functionalized Alkyne-Nitriles with Alkynes.

A new method for the synthesis of δ- and α-carbolines through Ni-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamide-nitriles or alkyne-cyanamides with alkynes has been developed. The catalytic system of NiCl2(DME)/dppp/Zn with a low-cost Ni(II)-precursor was first utilized in Ni-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, and the in situ generated Lewis acid may play an important role for the successful transformation. Not only internal alkynes but also terminal alkynes undergo the desired cycloaddition reactions efficiently to furnish the carboline derivatives with wide diversity and functional group tolerance.

Mineralized Collagen Regulates Macrophage Polarization During Bone Regeneration.

The host immune response to bone biomaterials is vital in determining the fate of scaffolds and also the outcomes of bone regeneration. Mineralized collagen is an ideal tissue-engineering scaffold for bone repair; however, little is known about its immunomodulatory properties after implantation. In this study, extrafibrillarly-mineralized collagen (EMC) and intrafibrillarly-mineralized collagen (IMC) scaffolds with different nanostructures were fabricated and their immunomodulatory properties via macrophage polarization during bone regeneration were investigated. Micro-CT findings showed that the IMC scaffold yielded more new bone formation than the EMC scaffold. In the defect area, more CD68 + CD163 + M2-like macrophages were observed in the IMC group, while M1-like macrophages positive for CD68 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increased dramatically in the EMC group. We further demonstrated, from the protein and RNA levels, that M2-associated anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10 and arginase-1 were highly expressed in the macrophages seeded on the IMC scaffold, while those seeded on the EMC scaffold expressed more M1-related genes iNOS and IL-6. Moreover, the macrophage polarization in response to the nanostructure of mineralized collagen scaffolds influenced the osteogenesis of human bone marrow stromal cells. These findings suggest that the nanostructure of mineralized collagen scaffolds affects macrophage functional polarization during bone regeneration. The immunomodulatory properties of biomaterial scaffolds can be a dictator of bone regeneration outcomes.

Surface Chemistry of Nanoscale Mineralized Collagen Regulates Periodontal Ligament Stem Cell Fate.

The interplay between stem cells and their extracellular microenvironment is of critical importance to the stem cell-based therapeutics in regenerative medicine. Mineralized collagen is the main component of bone extracellular matrix, but the effect of interfacial properties of mineralized collagen on subsequent cellular behaviors is unclear. This study examined the role of surface chemistry of nanoscale mineralized collagen on human periodontal ligament stem cell (hPDLSC) fate decisions. The intrafibrillarly mineralized collagen (IMC), fabricated by a biomimetic bottom-up approach, showed a bonelike hierarchy with nanohydroxyapatites (HAs) periodically embedded within fibrils. The infrared spectrum of the IMC showed the presence of phosphate, carbonate, amide I and II bands; and infrared mapping displayed uniform and higher spatial distribution of mineralization in the IMC. However, the distribution of the phosphate group differed far from that of the amide I group in the extrafibrillarly mineralized collagen (EMC), in which flowerlike HA clusters randomly depositing around the surface of the fibrils. Moreover, a large quantity of extrafibrillar HAs covered up the C═O stretch and N-H in-plane bend, resulting in substantial reduction of amide I and II bands. Cell experiments demonstrated that the hPDLSCs seeded on the IMC exhibited a highly branched, osteoblast-like polygonal shape with extended pseudopodia and thick stress fiber formation; while cells on the EMC displayed a spindle shape with less branch points and thin actin fibril formation. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of EMC was much lower than that of IMC. Interestingly, even without osteogenic induction, mRNA levels of major osteogenic differentiation genes were highly expressed in the IMC during cultivation time. These data suggest that the IMC with a similar nanotopography and surface chemistry to natural mineralized collagen directs hPDLSCs toward osteoblast differentiation, providing a promising scaffold in bone tissue regeneration.

Bioinspired Collagen-Apatite Nanocomposites for Bone Regeneration.

INTRODUCTION: Natural bone has a complex hierarchical nanostructure composed of well-organized collagen fibrils embedded with apatite crystallites. Bone tissue engineering requires scaffolds with structural properties and functionality similar to the natural bone. Inspired by bone, a collagen-apatite (Col-Ap) nanocomposite was fabricated with bonelike subfibrillar nanostructures using a modified bottom-up biomimetic approach and has a potential role in the healing of large bone defects in unresolved apical periodontitis. METHODS: The bone regeneration potential of the Col-Ap nanocomposite was investigated by comparing it with inorganic beta-tricalcium phosphate and organic pure collagen using a critical-sized rodent mandibular defect model. Micro-computed tomographic imaging and histologic staining were used to evaluate new bone formation in vivo. RESULTS: When compared with the beta-tricalcium phosphate and collagen scaffolds, the Col-Ap nanocomposite scaffold exhibited superior regeneration properties characterized by profuse deposition of new bony structures and vascularization at the defect center. Immunohistochemistry showed that the transcription factor osterix and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 were highly expressed in the Col-Ap group. The results indicate that the Col-Ap nanocomposite activates more bone-forming cells and stimulates more vascular tissue ingrowth. Furthermore, the Col-Ap nanocomposite induces extracellular matrix secretion and mineralization of rat bone marrow stem cells. The increased expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 may contribute to the formation of a mineralized extracellular matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The present study lays the foundation for the development of Col-Ap nanocomposite-based bone grafts for future clinical applications in bone regeneration of large periapical lesions after apical curettage or apicoectomy.