Coumarins from free ortho-hydroxy cinnamates by Heck-Matsuda arylations: a scalable total synthesis of (R)-tolterodine.

Free ortho-hydroxy cinnamate ester derivatives are evaluated in the synthesis of structurally diverse 4-aryl-coumarins via a tandem Heck-Matsuda cyclization reaction. Free phenolic groups were considered incompatible with such a reaction, which usually provide the corresponding diazo dyes. A concise and scalable route employing a ligand-free, Pd-catalyzed Heck-Matsuda arylation under aerobic conditions for the preparation of (R)-Tolterodine in high overall yield and ee is also presented.

Selective base-promoted synthesis of substituted selenophenes by carbocyclization of (Z)-benzylselenoenynes.

We herein described the synthesis of several 3-benzyl-2,5-diarylselenophene derivatives in moderate to good yields using (Z)-benzylselenoenynes as starting material in carbocyclization reactions. The reactions were carried out under mild conditions using only t-BuOK as base, in the complete absence of transition metals or additives. The cyclized 3-benzyl-2,5-diarylselenophenes obtained in the current protocol appear highly promising and attractive intermediates for the synthesis of polysubstituted selenophenes. For instance, 3-benzyl-2,5-diphenylselenophene was treated with Br(2) provided the corresponding 3-benzyl-4-bromo-2,5-diphenylselenophene in high yield. 4-Bromoselenophene derivative was applied as substrate in the palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with boronic acids to give the Suzuki type products in excellent yields.

FeCl(3)-Diorganyl dichalcogenides promoted cyclization of 2-alkynylanisoles to 3-chalcogen benzo[b]furans.

A general synthesis of 3-chalcogen benzo[b]furans from the readily available 2-alkynylanisoles, via FeCl(3)/diorganyl dichalcogenides intramolecular cyclization, has been developed. Aryl and alkyl groups directly bonded to the chalcogen atom were used as cycling agents. The results revealed that the reaction significantly depends on the electronic effects of substituents in the aromatic ring bonded to the selenium atom of the diselenide species. We observed that the pathway of reaction was not sensitive to the nature of substituents in the aromatic ring of anisole since both the electron-donating and the electron-withdrawing groups delivered the products in similar yields. In addition, the obtained heterocycles were readily transformed to more complex products by using a chalcogen/lithium exchange reaction with n-BuLi followed by trapping of the lithium intermediate with aldehydes, furnishing the desired secondary alcohols in good yields.

Disubstituted diaryl diselenides inhibit delta-ALA-D and Na+, K+-ATPase activities in rat brain homogenates in vitro.

Toxicological and pharmacological studies demonstrated that the introduction of functional groups into the aromatic ring of diphenyl diselenide alter its effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of m-trifluoromethyl-diphenyl diselenide (m-CF(3)-C(6)H(4)Se)(2), p-chloro-diphenyl diselenide (p-Cl-C(6)H(4)Se)(2) and p-methoxyl-diphenyl diselenide (p-CH(3)O-C(6)H(4)Se)(2) on delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (delta-ALA-D) and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in rat brain homogenates. Diselenides inhibited delta-ALA-D activity (IC(50) 4-6 microM [concentration inhibiting 50%]), and dithiothreitol (DTT) restored the enzyme activity. ZnCl(2) (100 microM) did not restore delta-ALA-D inhibition caused by (p-Cl-C(6)H(4)Se)(2) and (m-CF(3)-C(6)H(4)Se)(2). Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity was more sensitive to (p-Cl-C(6)H(4)Se)(2) and (m-CF(3)-C(6)H(4)Se)(2) (IC(50) 6 microM) than (p-CH(3)O-C(6)H(4)Se)(2) and (PhSe)(2) (IC(50) 45 and 31 microM, respectively). DTT restored the activity of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase inhibited by diselenides. The effect of diselenides on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase is dependent on their substitutions in the aromatic ring. The mechanism through which diselenides inhibit delta-ALA-D and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities involves the oxidation of thiol groups.

Synthesis of natural polyacetylenes bearing furan rings.

The first total syntheses of four new polyacetylene compounds have been achieved using convergent routes, which involved Cadiot--Chodkiewicz copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to sp-sp centers as the key steps. 19-Furan-2-ylnonadeca-5,7-diynoic acid (1), 19-furan-2-ylnonadeca-5,7-diynoic acid methyl ester (2), 2-pentacosa-7,9-diynylfuran (3), and 21-furan-2-ylhenicosa-14,16-diyn-1-ol (4) were stable and could be readily identified, isolated, and purified in high overall yields.

Diphenyl diselenide-induced seizures in rat pups: possible interaction with glutamatergic system.

The aims of the present study were to investigate the possible involvement of glutamatergic system in seizures induced by diphenyl diselenide in rat pups (postnatal day, 12-14) and to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in seizures induced by diphenyl diselenide/glutamate. Glutamate (4 g/kg of body weight) administered in association with diphenyl diselenide (500 mg/kg of body weight) increased the latency for the appearance of the first seizure episode, reduced lipid peroxidation levels and catalase, Na+,K+-ATPase and delta-ALA-D activities. At the lowest dose (5 mg/kg of body weight), diphenyl diselenide reduced the appearance of seizure episodes induced by glutamate but did not alter the latency for the onset of the first episode. Glutamate uptake was inhibited in glutamate, diphenyl diselenide (the highest dose) and in the association of diphenyl diselenide (both doses) and glutamate groups. Pre-treatment with a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801 (5S,10R-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate), significantly prolonged the latency for the onset for the first convulsive episode. A non-NMDA receptor antagonist, DNQX (6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione), did not protect seizures induced by diphenyl diselenide. The results of the present study demonstrated that: (a) when diphenyl diselenide and glutamate were administered concomitantly in pups, glutamate was the main responsible for the neurotoxic effects; (b) oxidative stress was not involved in glutamate-induced seizures; (c) NMDA glutamatergic receptors, were at least in part, involved in diphenyl diselenide- induced seizures; and (d) diphenyl diselenide, at the lowest dose, protected seizures induced by glutamate.