Double difunctionalization of vinyl ether tethered nucleophile with electron-deficient alkene in two-molecule photoredox system.

Double difunctionalization of a vinyl ether tethered hydroxy or carbamoyl group with electron-deficient alkenes such as acrylonitrile or acrylic esters was achieved by visible-light irradiation in a two-molecule photoredox system. Use of anhydrous acetonitrile solution as a solvent promoted both dimerization of the radical cation of electron-rich alkene with electron-rich alkene and intramolecular nucleophilic addition to generate an electron-rich radical that was added to electron-deficient alkene to furnish the double difunctionalized product. A variety of electronically differentiated rich and deficient alkenes were used in the photoreaction; a simple construction of a complex carbon framework containing acetal from simple alkenes was successful under mild conditions.

Amide-Directed Rhodium-Catalyzed Chain-Walking Hydrothiolation of Internal Alkenes.

We developed a rhodium-catalyzed chain-walking hydrothiolation process for internal alkenes, which offers a novel and efficient alternative for C(sp3)-H bond cleavage, while focusing on thiol incorporation. This method exclusively affords N,S-acetals at 36-90% yields. Regioconvergent hydrothiolation significantly improved the effectiveness of this transformation. Preliminary mechanistic investigations revealed that an amide-directing group is essential for regioselective synthesis, underlining its significance in this process.

Organic Photoredox Reactions in Two-Molecule Photoredox System.

Using our recent relevant results, this account shows the featured reactivities of two-molecule photoredox systems compared to one-molecule photoredox systems. The low efficiency of electron transfer processes, such as photoinduced and back-electron transfer, in the two-molecule photoredox system, furnishes unique products through different pathways. The facile replacement of photoredox catalysts with appropriate oxidation/reduction potentials in this system provides valuable insights into photoredox reactions.

Decarboxylative Side-Chain Functionalization of Aspartic/Glutamic Acids Using Two-Molecule Photoredox Catalysts.

The side-chain functionalization of aspartic/glutamic acid derivatives through photoinduced decarboxylation was achieved by using organic two-molecule photoredox catalysts without racemization under mild conditions. A facile process involving the preparation of substrates and photoinduced decarboxylative radical additions can provide easy access to the linked amino acids with carbohydrates and amino acids at the side chain.

9-Cyano-10-methoxycarbonylanthracene as a Visible Organic Photoredox Catalyst in the Two-Molecule Photoredox System.

Visible-light-induced decarboxylative and deboronative reactions using two-molecule organic photoredox catalysts, namely, phenanthrene (Phen) and biphenyl (BP), as electron donors and 9-cyano-10-methoxycarbonylanthracene 1a as an electron acceptor were achieved. The high solubility of 1a significantly improved the reaction efficiency and product yield. In addition, the facile tuning of the oxidation potential of the electron-donor molecule via the replacement of Phen with BP enabled the application of the two-molecule photoredox system to a wide range of substrates.

Visible- and UV-Light-Induced Decarboxylative Radical Reactions of Benzoic Acids Using Organic Photoredox Catalysts.

Photoinduced decarboxylative radical reactions of benzoic acids with electron-deficient alkenes, diborane, and acetonitrile under organic photoredox catalysis conditions and mild heating afforded adducts, arylboronate esters, and the reduction product, respectively. The reaction is thought to involve single-electron transfer promoted the generation of aryl radicals via decarboxylation. A diverse range of benzoic acids were found to be suitable substrates for this photoreaction. Only our two-molecule organic photoredox system can work well for the direct photoinduced decarboxylation of benzoic acids.

Photoinduced Electron Transfer-Promoted Reactions Using Exciplex-Type Organic Photoredox Catalyst Directly Linking Donor and Acceptor Arenes.

Directly linked donor and acceptor arenes, such as phenanthrene/naphthalene/biphenyl and 1,3-dicyanobenzene were found to work as photoredox catalysts in the photoreactions of indene, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene, and 4-methoxyphenylacetic acid. The new stable organic photocatalyst forms an intramolecular exciplex (excited complex) when irradiated in a polar solvent and shows redox catalyst activity, even at low concentrations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of an intramolecular exciplex working as a redox catalyst.

Sequential Intermolecular Radical Addition and Reductive Radical Cyclization of Tyrosine and Phenylalanine Derivatives with Alkenes via Photoinduced Decarboxylation: Access to Ring-Constrained γ-Amino Acids.

Sequential radical addition to alkenes and reductive radical cyclization of phenylalanine and tyrosine derivatives via photoinduced decarboxylation furnished ring-constrained γ-amino acids under mild conditions. A variety of alkenes such as acrylamides and acrylic esters could be employed in the photoinduced radical cascade cyclization. The yields of the ring-constrained γ-amino acids are dependent on the electron-accepting ability and steric hindrance of the alkene used. The proposed sequential reaction can also be applied for direct tethering of dipeptides to yield unique ring-constrained tetrapeptides.

Synthesis of 23-, 25-, 27-, and 29-Membered ( Z)-Selective Unsaturated and Saturated Macrocyclic Lactones from 16- and 17-Membered Macrocyclic Lactones and Bromoalcohols by Wittig Reaction, Yamaguchi Macrolactonization, and Photoinduced Decarboxylative Radical Macrolactonization.

A new strategy for the synthesis of 23-, 25-, 27-, and 29-membered ( Z)-selective unsaturated and saturated macrocyclic lactones from commercially available 16- and 17-membered macrocyclic lactones and bromoalcohols by Wittig reaction, Yamaguchi macrolactonization, and photoinduced decarboxylative radical macrolactonization is described. The position of the unsaturated part in the macrocyclic lactones can be controlled by changing the number of carbons in the starting materials. This protocol can provide facile access to the desired large-ring ( Z)-selective unsaturated and saturated macrocyclic lactones from simple starting materials.

Two Types of Cross-Coupling Reactions between Electron-Rich and Electron-Deficient Alkenes Assisted by Nucleophilic Addition Using an Organic Photoredox Catalyst.

Two types of photoreactions between electronically differentiated donor and acceptor alkenes assisted by nucleophilic addition using an organic photoredox catalyst efficiently afforded 1:1 or 2:1 cross-coupling adducts. A variety of alkenes and alcohols were employed in the photoreaction. Control of the reaction pathway (i.e., the formation of the 1:1 or 2:1 adduct) was achieved by varying the concentration of the alcohol used. Detailed mechanistic studies suggested that the organic photoredox catalyst acts as an effective electron mediator to promote the formation of the cross-coupling adducts.

Strategy for O-Alkylation of Serine and Threonine from Serinyl and Threoninyl Acetic Acids by Photoinduced Decarboxylative Radical Reactions: Connection between Serine/Threonine and Carbohydrates/Amino Acids at the Side Chain.

O-Alkylations of serine and threonine derivatives at the hydroxy group were achieved using photoinduced decarboxylative radical reactions of serinyl and threoninyl acetic acids with an organic photocatalyst without racemization under mild conditions. Photoinduced decarboxylative radical additions of serinyl and threoninyl acetic acids to electron-deficient alkenes provided linked serine and threonine with carbohydrates and amino acids at the side chain. In addition, O-methylations containing deuterium and O-benzylation of serine were performed under similar photochemical conditions.

Metal-Free Photoinduced Decarboxylative Radical Polymerization Using Carboxylic Acids as Benign Radical Initiators: Introduction of Complex Molecules into Polymer Chain Ends.

Metal-free photoinduced decarboxylative radical polymerization of aliphatic carboxylic acids with a variety of monomers was found to proceed smoothly to give the corresponding polymers under mild conditions. Complex carboxylic acids such as those of sugars, steroids, and peptides can function as benign radical initiators via decarboxylation and can be incorporated at the polymer chain ends. This synthetic methodology represents a facile introduction of molecules and functionalities to polymers by using commercially available carboxylic acids.

Synthesis of Substituted 3(2H)-Furanones Using Alkylative Intramolecular Cyclization of Sulfonium Salts.

The facile alkylative intramolecular cyclization of 3-alkoxycarbonyl-2-oxopropyldiphenylsulfonium salts is described. This simple method can be readily applied to the synthesis of a novel family of 4-alkylated 3(2H)-furanones in moderate to high yields under mild conditions via a one-pot process.

New charge-bearing amino acid residues that promote ß-sheet secondary structure.

Proteinogenic amino acid residues that promote ß-sheet secondary structure are hydrophobic (e.g., Ile or Val) or only moderately polar (e.g., Thr). The design of peptides intended to display ß-sheet secondary structure in water typically requires one set of residues to ensure conformational stability and an orthogonal set, with charged side chains, to ensure aqueous solubility and discourage self-association. Here we describe new amino acids that manifest substantial ß-sheet propensity, by virtue of ß-branching, and also bear an ionizable group in the side chain.

Photoinduced electron transfer promoted radical ring expansion and cyclization reactions of α-(ω-carboxyalkyl) ß-keto esters.

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) promoted decarboxylation of α-(ω-carboxyalkyl) ß-keto esters undergoes radical ring expansion and cyclization reactions. This mild and environmentally friendly method can provide one-carbon expanded γ-keto esters and bicyclic alcohols, and the product distribution is strongly dependent on the length of the alkyl chain containing the terminal carboxylate group.

Radical photocyclization route for macrocyclic lactone ring expansion and conversion to macrocyclic lactams and ketones.

A new method for the synthesis of macrocyclic lactones, lactams, and ketones, which utilizes photoinduced intramolecular radical cyclization reactions of substrates containing tethered carboxylic acids and α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl moieties, has been uncovered. Photocyclization of the carboxylic acids tethered acrylate ester, which were prepared starting from the macrocyclic lactones, gave the two-carbon elongated macrocyclic lactones via decarboxylation. Similar photoreactions of carboxylic acid tethered acryl amide or α,ß-unsaturated ketone moieties, which were also prepared starting from the macrocyclic lactones, produced macrocyclic lactams or ketones, respectively. The simple approach can be readily applied to the preparation of a variety of macrocyclic lactones, lactams, and ketones with tunable ring sizes.

A mild deuterium exchange reaction of free carboxylic acids by photochemical decarboxylation.

Deuterium exchange of a carboxy group was achieved by photochemical decarboxylation of free carboxylic acids in the presence of thiol and a small amount of D(2)O, and a deuterated product with excellent deuterium content was obtained; this reaction is a practical means of synthesizing regioselective deuterium-labelled compounds under mild reaction conditions.

Influence of solvent, electron acceptors and arenes on photochemical decarboxylation of free carboxylic acids via single electron transfer (SET).

Single electron transfer (SET)-photochemical decarboxylation of free carboxylic acids was performed in a polar solvent using several arenes such as phenanthrene, naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, biphenyl, triphenylene, and chrysene in the presence of various electron acceptors such as 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-dicyanobenzenes, methyl 4-cyanobenzoate, and 1,4-dicyanonaphthalene. The decarboxylation reaction was influenced by the arenes, electron acceptors, and solvent. The best result was achieved by the photoreaction using biphenyl and 1,4-dicyanonaphthalene in aqueous acetonitrile.

Inter- and intramolecular addition reactions of electron-deficient alkenes with alkyl radicals, generated by SET-photochemical decarboxylation of carboxylic acids, serve as a mild and efficient method for the preparation of gamma-amino acids and macrocyclic lactones.

Inter- and intramolecular additions of alkyl radicals, generated by SET photochemical decarboxylation reactions of free carboxylic acids, to electron-deficient alkenes take place under mild conditions as part of efficient routes for the formation of N-Boc gamma-amino acids and macrocyclic lactones.

Transformation of ergosterol peroxide to cytotoxic substances by rat intestinal bacteria.

Ergosterol peroxide (EPO, 1) is a major antitumor sterol produced by edible or medicinal mushrooms. Following oral administration of 1 to rats or anaerobic in vitro incubation of 1 with rat fecal bacteria, three metabolites were detected and their structures were identified to be 5alpha,6alpha-epoxyergosta-8(14),22-diene-3beta,7alpha-diol (M1, 2), 5alpha,6alpha-epoxyergosta-8,22-diene-3beta,7alpha-diol (M2, 3), and 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-3beta-hydroxyergosta-22-ene-7-one (M3, 4) by spectroscopic analysis. Of these, M2 and M3 showed more potent inhibitory activity than the original compound 1 against proliferation of CACO-2, WiDr, DLD-1 and Colo320 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. These findings suggest that bacterial metabolites of EPO play a significant role in its cytotoxic activity against human colorectal cancer cells.