A cis-ß-iron(III) SALPN catalyst for hydrogen atom transfer reductions and olefin cross couplings.

An inexpensive Fe(III) SALPN catalyst for MHAT reactions such as reductions of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and olefin cross couplings is reported. The majority of these reactions proceeded in good yields and high stereoselectivities with low catalyst loadings at room temperature.

Synthesis of acyloin natural products by Mukaiyama hydration.

The acyloin natural products are a family of bioactive compounds isolated from fungi and myxobacteria. The total synthesis of 7 members of the acyloin family was achieved via a HWE reaction followed by Mukaiyama-Isayama hydration, using novel Co(II) and Co(III) Schiff base SALPN complexes as catalysts for the key enone hydration step. Furthermore, we have shown that a mild acyloin rearrangement is possible under Mukaiyama hydration conditions, which was crucial in the success of this approach.

Chemistry and biology of spiroacetals from myxobacteria.

This review details the isolation, biosynthesis, biological activity and synthesis of spiroacetals from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. The strategies utilised to access the challenging structures and stereochemistry of these natural products are highlighted.

Amidino-rocaglates (ADRs), a class of synthetic rocaglates, are potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication through inhibition of viral protein synthesis.

Coronaviruses are highly transmissible respiratory viruses that cause symptoms ranging from mild congestion to severe respiratory distress. The recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has underscored the need for new antivirals with broad-acting mechanisms to combat increasing emergence of new variants. Currently, there are only a few antivirals approved for treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Previously, the rocaglate natural product silvestrol and synthetic rocaglates such as CR-1-31b were shown to have antiviral effects by inhibiting eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1 (eIF4A) function and virus protein synthesis. In this study, we evaluated amidino-rocaglates (ADRs), a class of synthetic rocaglates with the most potent eIF4A-inhibitory activity to-date, for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This class of compounds showed low nanomolar potency against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and in multiple cell types, including human lung-derived cells, with strong inhibition of virus over host protein synthesis and low cytotoxicity. The most potent ADRs were also shown to be active against two highly pathogenic and distantly related coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Mechanistically, cells with mutations of eIF4A1, which are known to reduce rocaglate interaction displayed reduced ADR-associated loss of cellular function, consistent with targeting of protein synthesis. Overall, ADRs and derivatives may offer new potential treatments for SARS-CoV-2 with the goal of developing a broad-acting anti-coronavirus agent.

An effective cis-ß-octahedral Mn(iii) SALPN catalyst for the Mukaiyama-Isayama hydration of α,ß-unsaturated esters.

Two cis-ß-MnIIISALPN catalysts were synthesised and tested in the Mukaiyama-Isayama hydration of α,ß-unsaturated esters. The MnIIIEtOSALPN(acac) complex 7 is the most active and catalyses hydration with little or no detectable undesired alkene reduction. This catalyst is superior for alkene hydration compared to the originally reported Mn(dpm)3 catalyst.