Synthesis of Branch-Type 3-Allylindoles from N-Alkyl-N-cinnamyl-2-ethynylaniline Derivatives Using π-Allylpalladium Chloride Complex as a Catalyst.

The reaction of N-alkyl-N-cinnamyl-2-ethynylaniline derivatives 1 via annulation and aza-Claisen-type rearrangement easily afforded corresponding branch-type 3-allylindoles 2 with high regioselectivities in good yields using π-allylpalladium chloride complex as a catalyst.

Total synthesis of (-)-domoic acid, a potent ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist and the key compound in oceanic harmful algal blooms.

The stereo-controlled total synthesis of (-)-domoic acid is described. The critical construction of the C1'-C2' Z-configuration was accomplished by taking advantage of an unsaturated lactam structure. The side chain fragment was introduced in the final stages of synthesis through a modified Julia-Kocienski reaction, aiming for its efficient derivatization.

Mechanistic Details of Asymmetric Bromocyclization with BINAP Monoxide: Identification of Chiral Proton-Bridged Bisphosphine Oxide Complex and Its Application to Parallel Kinetic Resolution.

The mechanism of our previously reported catalytic asymmetric bromocyclization reactions using 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (BINAP) monoxide was examined in detail by the means of control experiments, NMR studies, X-ray structure analysis, and CryoSpray electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis. The chiral BINAP monoxide was transformed to a key catalyst precursor, proton-bridged bisphosphine oxide complex (POHOP·Br), in the presence of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and contaminating water. The thus-formed POHOP further reacts with NBS to afford BINAP dioxide and molecular bromine (Br2) simultaneously in equimolar amounts. While the resulting Br2 is activated by NBS to form a more reactive brominating reagent (Br2─NBS), BINAP dioxide serves as a bifunctional catalyst, acting as both a Lewis base that reacts with Br2─NBS to form a chiral brominating agent (P═O+─Br) and also as a Brønsted base for the activation of the substrate. By taking advantage of this novel concerted Lewis/Brønsted base catalysis by BINAP dioxide, we achieved the first regio- and chemodivergent parallel kinetic resolutions (PKRs) of racemic unsymmetrical bisallylic amides via bromocyclization.

Synthesis of 3-Allylindoles via Annulation of N-Allyl-2-ethynylaniline Derivatives Using a P,Olefin Type Ligand/Pd(0) Catalyst.

Annulation of N-allyl-2-ethynylaniline derivatives easily afforded the corresponding 2-substituted 3-allylindole derivatives in good to excellent yields using P,olefin ligand/palladium catalst systems.

Controlled Tetradeuteration of Straight-Chain Fatty Acids: Synthesis, Application, and Insight into the Metabolism of Oxidized Linoleic Acid.

We describe a concise and reliable protocol for the precisely controlled tetradeuteration of straight-chain fatty acids (FAs) at the α- and ß-positions that is generally applicable to a variety of FAs, including trans-FAs, polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs), and their oxidized derivatives. The precisely controlled introduction of four deuterium atoms into the FAs enables their persistent and quantitative tracking by LC-MS/MS analysis based on their molecular structures. In addition, the phosphatidylcholine (PC) species prepared from the tetradeuterated FAs thus obtained give a diagnostic peak, namely, a phosphocholine fragment that contains deuterium, in the LC-MS/MS analysis. With these features, the metabolism of a representative oxidized linoleic acid, that is, hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE), was investigated, leading to the identification of acyltransferases that transfer the acyl moiety derived from HODE to lysophosphatidylcholine.

Hydromagnesiation of 1,3-Enynes by Magnesium Hydride for Synthesis of Tri- and Tetra-substituted Allenes.

A protocol for regio-controlled hydromagnesiation of 1,3-enynes was developed using magnesium hydride that is generated in situ by solvothermal treatment of sodium hydride (NaH) and magnesium iodide (MgI2 ) in THF. The resulting allenylmagnesium species could be converted into tri- and tetra-substituted allenes by subsequent treatment with various carbon- and silicon-based electrophiles with the aid of CuCN as a catalyst.

Molecular Basis for Two Stereoselective Diels-Alderases that Produce Decalin Skeletons*.

Enzymes catalyzing [4+2] cycloaddition have attracted increasing attention because of their key roles in natural product biosynthesis. Here, we solved the X-ray crystal structures of a pair of decalin synthases, Fsa2 and Phm7, that catalyze intramolecular [4+2] cycloadditions to form enantiomeric decalin scaffolds during biosynthesis of the HIV-1 integrase inhibitor equisetin and its stereochemical opposite, phomasetin. Computational modeling, using molecular dynamics simulations as well as quantum chemical calculations, demonstrates that the reactions proceed through synergetic conformational constraints assuring transition state-like substrates folds and their stabilization by specific protein-substrate interactions. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments verified the binding models. Intriguingly, the flexibility of bound substrates is largely different in two enzymes, suggesting the distinctive mechanism of dynamics regulation behind these stereoselective reactions. The proposed reaction mechanism herein deepens the basic understanding how these enzymes work but also provides a guiding principle to create artificial enzymes.

Cu(I)/sucrose-catalyzed hydroxylation of arenes in water: the dual role of sucrose.

A protocol for the hydroxylation of aryl halides catalyzed by copper(i) and sucrose in neat water has been developed. The dual role of sucrose, the reaction pathway, and the high selectivity for hydroxylation were investigated using a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques.

Copper-catalyzed arene amination in pure aqueous ammonia.

A simple protocol for copper-catalyzed arene amination using aqueous ammonia without any additional ligands and organic coordinating solvents has been developed. The reaction pathway via a Cu(i)/Cu(iii) mechanism is proposed based on the results of control experiments as well as DFT calculations.

A Simple and Easy Method of Monitoring Doxorubicin Release from a Liposomal Drug Formulation in the Serum Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy.

Formulation of a drug as liposomes facilitates its delivery to the disease target. Rightly, liposomes are gaining popularity in the medical field. In order for the drug to show efficacy, release of the encapsulated drug from the liposome at the target site is required. However, the release is affected by the permeability of the lipid bilayer of the liposome, and it is important to examine the effect of the surrounding environment on the permeability. In this study, we showed the usefulness of fluorescence analysis, especially fluorescence fingerprint, for a rapid and simple monitoring of release of an encapsulated anticancer drug (doxorubicin) from its liposomal formulation (DOXIL). Our result indicated that the release is accelerated by the existence of membrane permeable ions, such as tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, and blood proteins like albumin. Hence, monitoring of doxorubicin release by fluorescence analysis is useful for the efficacy evaluation of DOXIL in a biomimetic environment.

Controlled Reduction of Carboxamides to Alcohols or Amines by Zinc Hydrides.

New protocols for controlled reduction of carboxamides to either alcohols or amines were established using a combination of sodium hydride (NaH) and zinc halides (ZnX2 ). Use of a different halide on ZnX2 dictates the selectivity, wherein the NaH-ZnI2 system delivers alcohols and NaH-ZnCl2 gives amines. Extensive mechanistic studies by experimental and theoretical approaches imply that polymeric zinc hydride (ZnH2 )∞ is responsible for alcohol formation, whereas dimeric zinc chloride hydride (H-Zn-Cl)2 is the key species for the production of amines.

Deprotonative Metalation of Methoxy-Substituted Arenes Using Lithium 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidide: Experimental and Computational Study.

The reaction pathways of lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LiTMP)-mediated deprotonative metalation of methoxy-substituted arenes were investigated. Importantly, it was experimentally observed that, whereas TMEDA has no effect on the course of the reactions, the presence of more than the stoichiometric amount of LiCl is deleterious, in particular without an in situ trap. These effects were corroborated by the DFT calculations. The reaction mechanisms, such as the structure of the active species in the deprotonation event, the reaction pathways by each postulated LiTMP complex, the stabilization effects by in situ trapping using zinc species, and some kinetic interpretation, are discussed herein.

Control of the Stereochemical Course of [4+2] Cycloaddition during trans-Decalin Formation by Fsa2-Family Enzymes.

Enzyme-catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition has been proposed to be a key transformation process in various natural product biosynthetic pathways. Recently Fsa2 was found to be involved in stereospecific trans-decalin formation during the biosynthesis of equisetin, a potent HIV-1 integrase inhibitor. To understand the mechanisms by which fsa2 determines the stereochemistry of reaction products, we sought an fsa2 homologue that is involved in trans-decalin formation in the biosynthetic pathway of an enantiomerically opposite analogue, and we found phm7, which is involved in the biosynthesis of phomasetin. A decalin skeleton with an unnatural configuration was successfully constructed by gene replacement of phm7 with fsa2, thus demonstrating enzymatic control of all stereochemistry in the [4+2] cycloaddition. Our findings highlight enzyme-catalyzed [4+2] cycloaddition as a stereochemically divergent step in natural product biosynthetic pathways and open new avenues for generating derivatives with different stereochemistry.

"Dumbbell"- and "Clackers"-Shaped Dimeric Derivatives of Monocarba-closo-dodecaborate.

We designed, synthesized, and characterized two types of dimeric forms of monocarba-closo-dodecaborate, namely, a "dumbbell"-shaped dianion having a C-C bond and a "clackers"-shaped monoanion having an iodonium linker. The unique architectures of these anionic molecules were established by X-ray analysis. Spectroscopic analysis, DFT calculations, and reactivity experiments revealed high anionic and chemical stability of both anions, which are crucial properties for weakly coordinating anions.

"Naked" Lithium Cation: Strongly Activated Metal Cations Facilitated by Carborane Anions.

Experimental and spectroscopic studies revealed unprecedented reactivity of a "naked" lithium cation with very weakly coordinating anions, including carborane anions. The superactivated lithium cation has greatly enhanced Lewis acidic character and mediates various organic reactions such as carbonyl-ene reaction, NBS-bromination of unactivated aromatics, and Friedel-Crafts alkylation, which are not promoted by conventional lithium salts. Chemical robustness of the counteranion also plays an important role in the chemistry of the strongly activated lithium cation.

Nucleophilic Amination of Methoxy Arenes Promoted by a Sodium Hydride/Iodide Composite.

A method for the nucleophilic amination of methoxy arenes was established by using sodium hydride (NaH) in the presence of lithium iodide (LiI). This method offers an efficient route to benzannulated nitrogen heterocycles. Mechanistic studies showed that the reaction proceeds through an unusual concerted nucleophilic aromatic substitution.

Direct Hydroxylation and Amination of Arenes via Deprotonative Cupration.

Deprotonative directed ortho cupration of aromatic/heteroaromatic C-H bond and subsequent oxidation with t-BuOOH furnished functionalized phenols in high yields with high regio- and chemoselectivity. DFT calculations revealed that this hydroxylation reaction proceeds via a copper (I → III → I) redox mechanism. Application of this reaction to aromatic C-H amination using BnONH2 efficiently afforded the corresponding primary anilines. These reactions show broad scope and good functional group compatibility. Catalytic versions of these transformations are also demonstrated.

Conjugation between σ- and π-Aromaticity in 1-C-Arylated Monocarba-closo-dodecaborate Anions.

Conjugation between σ- and π-aromatic moieties in 1-C-arylated monocarba-closo-dodecaborate anion derivatives 2 has been identified by means of kinetic experimental studies combined with theoretical calculations. We found that the reaction rate of iodination at the 12-B vertex of the carborane anion cage was affected by distal substituents on the benzene ring connected at the antipodal carbon vertex. Hammett and Yukawa-Tsuno plots indicated that substantial resonance effects are involved. Density functional theory calculations enabled detailed interpretation of the electronic interaction.

Perfluoroalkyl and -aryl zinc ate complexes: generation, reactivity, and synthetic application.

A combination of dimethylzinc, perfluoroalkyl iodide, and LiCl afforded a new type of perfluoroalkyl (RF ) zinc ate complex. These complexes show much greater thermal stability than conventional perfluorinated metal species, such as RF -lithium species and Grignard reagents, and they can be used at room temperature or higher. The results of DFT calculations on the origin of the enhanced stability are reported and the synthetic utility of RF -zincate complexes is demonstrated.

Trans-diborylation of alkynes: pseudo-intramolecular strategy utilizing a propargylic alcohol unit.

We present the first trans-selective diborylation reaction of alkynes. By means of theoretical calculation-assisted reaction analysis, we designed a pseudo-intramolecular reaction of diboron, propargyl alcohol, and a base to facilitate B-B bond activation and C-B bond formation with high efficiency. This approach provides synthetically versatile and densely functionalized 4-borylated 1,2-oxaborol-2(5H)-oles (vinyldiboronates) in a straightforward manner. Detailed computational analysis showed that the directing alkoxide functionality markedly lowers the activation energy of B-C bond formation.