Umpolung reactivity of strained C-C σ-bonds without transition-metal catalysis.

Umpolung is an old and important concept in organic chemistry, which significantly expands the chemical space and provides unique structures. While, previous research focused on carbonyls or imine derivatives, the umpolung reactivity of polarized C-C σ-bonds still needs to explore. Herein, we report an umpolung reaction of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) with electron-deficient alkenes to construct the C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond at the electrophilic position of C-C σ-bonds in BCBs without any transition-metal catalysis. Specifically, this transformation relies on the strain-release driven bridging σ-bonds in bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs), which are emerged as ene components, providing an efficient and straightforward synthesis route of various functionalized cyclobutenes and conjugated dienes, respectively. The synthetic utilities of this protocol are performed by several transformations. Preliminary mechanistic studies including density functional theory (DFT) calculation support the concerted Alder-ene type process of C-C σ-bond cleavage with hydrogen transfer. This work extends the umpolung reaction to C-C σ-bonds and provides high-value structural motifs.

Unlocking mild-condition benzene ring contraction using nonheme diiron N-oxygenase.

Benzene ring contractions are useful yet rare reactions that offer a convenient synthetic route to various valuable chemicals. However, the traditional methods of benzene contraction rely on noble-metal catalysts under extreme conditions with poor efficiency and uncontrollable selectivity. Mild-condition contractions of the benzene ring are rarely reported. This study presents a one-step, one-pot benzene ring contraction reaction mediated by an engineered nonheme diiron N-oxygenase. Using various aniline substrates as amine sources, the enzyme causes the phloroglucinol-benzene-ring contraction to afford a series of 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione structures. A reaction detail study reveals that the nonheme diiron N-oxygenase first oxidizes the aromatic amine to a nitroso intermediate, which then attacks the phloroglucinol anion and causes benzene ring contraction. Besides, we have identified two potent antitumor compounds from the ring-contracted products.

Copper-Catalyzed Hydroamination of gem-Difluoroalkenes Access to Diversified α-Difluoromethyl Amines.

The difluoromethyl group (CF2H) is of great importance in medicinal chemistry. We report herein an efficient method for the synthesis of diversified α-difluoromethyl amines through copper-catalyzed hydroamination of gem-difluoroalkenes, where the C-N bond formed via a α-CF2H transition-metal intermediate. This new reaction proceeds through Cu-H insertion to gem-difluoroalkenes and gives valuable alkyl-CF2H-containing compounds, which overcome the much more challenged ß-F elimination from α-fluoroalkyl organocopper species. The reaction exhibits broad substrate scope with readily available starting materials and commercial catalysis.

Highly Regio- and Enantioselective Hydrosilylation of gem-Difluoroalkenes by Nickel Catalysis.

The synthesis of small organic molecules with a difluoromethylated stereocenter is particularly attractive in drug discovery. Herein, we have developed an efficient method for the direct generation of difluoromethylated stereocenters through Ni0 -catalyzed regio- and enantioselective hydrosilylation of gem-difluoroalkenes. The reaction also represents the enantioselective construction of carbon(sp3 )-silicon bonds with nickel catalysis, which provides an atom- and step-economical synthesis route of high-value optically active α-difluoromethylsilanes. This protocol features readily available starting materials and commercial chiral catalysis, broad substrates spanning a range of functional groups with high yield (up to 99 % yield) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 96 % ee). The enantioenriched products undergo a variety of stereospecific transformations. Preliminary mechanistic studies were performed.

Regio- and enantioselective umpolung gem-difluoroallylation of hydrazones via palladium catalysis enabled by N-heterocyclic carbene ligand.

The enantioselective construction of C-CF2R (R: alkyl or fluoroalkyl) bonds has attracted the attention of synthetic chemists because of the importance of chiral fluorinated compounds in life and materials sciences. Catalytic asymmetric fluoroalkylation has mainly been realized under organocatalysis and Lewis acid catalysis, with substrates limited to carbonyl compounds. Few examples using transition-metal catalysis exist, owing to side reactions including decomposition and isomerization of fluoroalkylating reagents. Herein we report umpolung asymmetric difluoroallylation of hydrazones with 3-bromo-3,3-difluoropropene (BDFP) under palladium catalysis. Difluoroallylation products having quaternary chiral carbon centers are afforded in good yields with high α/γ- and enantioselectivities. The usefulness of the reaction products is demonstrated and an inner-sphere mechanism of the reaction is proposed. The use of chiral N-heterocyclic carbene as ligand is the key for the selectivities as well as the productivity of the reaction.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Chemodivergent Coupling of N-Phenoxyacetamides and Alkylidenecyclopropanes via C-H Activation.

Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation of N-phenoxyacetamides and chemodivergent coupling to alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) have been accomplished. With the assistance of the ring strain of ACPs, the coupling can be transannulative or nonannulative, delivering 3-ethylidenedihydrobenzofurans or dienes, respectively, under different reaction conditions, and the selectivity is mainly solvent-controlled. All of the reactions proceeded under mild conditions with a good substrate scope and excellent chemo- and diastereoselectivity.

Rh(iii)-Catalyzed acylation of heteroarenes with cyclobutenones via C-H/C-C bond activation.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C-H acylation of heteroarenes has been realized using cyclobutenones as an acylating reagent. This coupling proceeded via integration of C-H activation of heteroarenes and C-C cleavage of cyclobutenones. The reaction features excellent regio/chemoselectivity leading to versatile chalcones with exclusive E-selectivity.

Nickel(0)-Catalyzed Enantioselective [3+2] Annulation of Cyclopropenones and α,ß-Unsaturated Ketones/Imines.

Ni0 -catalyzed chemo- and enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition of cyclopropenones and α,ß-unsaturated ketones/imines is described. This reaction integrates C-C bond cleavage of cyclopropenones and enantioselective functionalization by carbonyl/imine group, offering a mild approach to γ-alkenyl butenolides and lactams in excellent enantioselectivity (88-98 % ee) through intermolecular C-C activation.

Mn(i)-Catalyzed nucleophilic addition/ring expansion via C-H activation and C-C cleavage.

Mn(i)-Catalyzed synthesis of seven- or eight-membered carbocycles is disclosed via C-H activation of heteroarenes and coupling with alkyne-functionalized 1,3-cyclopentadiones or 1,3-cyclohexadiones. This n to n + 2 (n = 5, 6) ring expansion reaction proceeded via a C-H alkenylation/carbonyl addition/retro-Aldol cascade. Structurally diverse mid-sized carbocycles were constructed via cleavage of both C-H and C-C bonds in a single operation.

Effects of novel pyrrolomycin MP1 in MYCN amplified chemoresistant neuroblastoma cell lines alone and combined with temsirolimus.

BACKGROUND: The activity of MP1, a pyrrolomycin, was studied in MYCN amplified neuroblastoma (NB) alone and combined with temsirolimus (TEM). METHODS: Activity of MP1 was tested in MYCN amplified (BE-2c, IMR) and non amplified (SKN-AS) NB cells. The effect of MP1 on MYCN, MCL-1, cleaved PARP, LC3II/LC3I, bcl-2, BAX, and BRD-4 were determined by western blot and RNAseq. The effect of MP1 on metabolism, mitochondrial morphology, and cell cycle was determined. Toxicology and efficacy of MP1 plus TEM were evaluated. RESULTS: The IC50 of MP1 was 0.096 µM in BE-2c cells compared to 0.89 µM in IMR, and >50 µM in SKN-AS. The IC50 of MP1 plus TEM in BE-2c cells was 0.023 µM. MP1 inhibited metabolism leading to quiescence and produced a decline in cell cycle S-phase. Electron microscopy showed cristae loss and rounding up of mitochondria. Gene and protein expression for MYCN and MCL-1 declined while LCII and cleaved PARP increased. Protein expression of BAX, bcl-2, and BRD-4 were not significantly changed after MP1 treatment. The in-vivo concentrations of MP1 in blood and tumor were sufficient to produce the biologic effects seen in-vitro. MP1 plus TEM produced a complete response in 3 out of 5 tumor bearing mice. In a second mouse study, the combination of MP1 and TEM slowed tumor growth compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: MP1 has a potent inhibitory effect on the viability of MYCN amplified NB. Inhibition of metabolism by MP1 induced quiescence and autophagy with a favorable toxicology and drug distribution profile. When combined with TEM anti-tumor activity was potentiated in-vitro and in-vivo.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral Biindolyls by Merging C-H Activation and Nucleophilic Cyclization.

Enantiomeric access to pentatomic biaryls is challenging due to their relatively low rotational barrier. Reported herein is the mild and highly enantioselective synthesis of 2,3'-biindolyls via underexplored integration of C-H activation and alkyne cyclization using a unified chiral Rh(III) catalyst. The reaction proceeded via initial C-H activation followed by alkyne cyclization. A chiral rhodacyclic intermediate has been isolated from stoichiometric C-H activation, which offers direct mechanistic insight.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed diverse [4 + 1] annulation of arenes with 1,3-enynes via sp3/sp2 C-H activation and 1,4-rhodium migration.

Nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds have a profound impact on human health. Despite the numerous synthetic methods, diversified, step-economic, and general synthesis of heterocycles remains limited. C-H bond functionalization catalyzed by rhodium(iii) cyclopentadienyls has proven to be a powerful strategy in the synthesis of diversified heterocycles. Herein we describe rhodium(iii)-catalyzed sp2 and sp3 C-H activation-oxidative annulations between aromatic substrates and 1,3-enynes, where alkenyl-to-allyl 1,4-rhodium(iii) migration enabled the generation of electrophilic rhodium(iii) π-allyls via remote C-H functionalization. Subsequent nucleophilic trapping of these species by various sp2-hybridized N-nucleophiles delivered three classes (external salts, inner salts, and neutral azacycles) of five-membered azacycles bearing a tetrasubstituted saturated carbon center, as a result of [4 + 1] annulation with the alkyne being a one-carbon synthon. All the reactions proceeded under relatively mild conditions with broad substrate scope, high efficiency, and excellent regioselectivity. The synthetic applications of this protocol have also been demonstrated, and experimental studies have been performed to support the proposed mechanism.

Chemodivergent Oxidative Annulation of Benzamides and Enynes via 1,4-Rhodium Migration.

Chemodivergent annulative couplings have been realized between N-methoxy benzamides and 1,3-enynes via Rh-catalyzed C-H activation and 1,4-Rh migration. Under Rh/copper catalyzed aerobic conditions, the nitrogen annulation occurred as the major pathway. The chemoselectivity was switched to the oxygen annulation under proper condition control with stoichiometric amounts of Cu(II) oxidant and NaOAc. Both coupling systems proceeded with a broad scope and functional group tolerance.

Ag(I)-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Addition and Friedel-Crafts Alkylation between α-Oxoketene Dithioacetals and Propargyl Carbonates.

Silver-catalyzed nucleophilic addition and intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation between α-oxoketene dithioacetals and tertiary propargylic carbonates have been realized. The reactions proceeded in moderate to good yields with broad substrate scope, providing a straightforward method for the synthesis of substituted indenes.

Redox-Divergent Synthesis of Fluoroalkylated Pyridines and 2-Pyridones through Cu-Catalyzed N-O Cleavage of Oxime Acetates.

Cu-catalyzed redox-divergent [3+3] coupling of oxime esters with ß-CF3 enones and acrylates is described. This redox-neutral coupling with enones and acrylates affords trifluoromethylated pyridines and pyridones, respectively. Under reductive conditions, difluoromethylated pyridines, difluoromethlated pyridones, and trifluoromethylated dihydropyridones are obtained. The reactions occur under mild conditions with broad substrate scope and regio/redox selectivity.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Diastereodivergent Spiroannulation of Cyclic Imines with Activated Alkenes.

Rh(III)-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of cyclic N-sulfonyl or N-acyl ketimines with activated alkenes has been realized, leading to the synthesis of spirocycles with three continuous stereogenic centers. This atom-economic reaction proceeded efficiently under mild and redox-neutral conditions via a C-H activation pathway, and the coupling is diastereodivergent, with the diastereoselectivity being controlled by silver additives.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Activation of Nitrones and Annulative Coupling with Nitroalkenes.

Rh(III)-catalyzed synthesis of nitro-functionalized indenes has been realized via C-H activation of arylnitrones and annulation with nitroolefins. The reaction proceeded in moderate to high yields with good functional group tolerance under ambient atmosphere.

Cp*Rh(III)-Catalyzed Mild Addition of C(sp3)-H Bonds to α,ß-Unsaturated Aldehydes and Ketones.

A Rh(III)-catalyzed addition of benzylic C(sp3)-H bond to α,ß-unsaturated ketones/aldehydes has been realized, leading to efficient synthesis of γ-aryl ketones/aldehydes. This atom-economic reaction proceeded under mild and redox-neutral conditions with a broad substrate scope. Besides benzylic C-H, allylic C-H bonds are also applicable when assisted by O-methyl ketoxime directing groups.

Tandem Thorpe Reaction/Palladium Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation: Access to Chiral ß-enaminonitriles with Excellent Enantioselectivity.

A new type of nucleophile, a 3-imino nitrile carbanion generated in situ by Thorpe reaction of acetonitrile with a base, was developed successfully and applied in a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation with mono-substituted allyl reagents under Pd/SIOCPhox catalysis, affording ß-enaminonitrile products in high yields with excellent regio- and enantioselectivities.

Palladium/N-heterocyclic carbene catalysed regio and diastereoselective reaction of ketones with allyl reagents via inner-sphere mechanism.

The palladium-catalysed allylic substitution reaction is one of the most important reactions in transition-metal catalysis and has been well-studied in the past decades. Most of the reactions proceed through an outer-sphere mechanism, affording linear products when monosubstituted allyl reagents are used. Here, we report an efficient Palladium-catalysed protocol for reactions of ß-substituted ketones with monosubstituted allyl substrates, simply by using N-heterocyclic carbene as ligand, leading to branched products with up to three contiguous stereocentres in a (syn, anti)-mode with excellent regio and diastereoselectivities. The scope of the protocol in organic synthesis has been examined preliminarily. Mechanistic studies by both experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the reaction proceeds via an inner-sphere mechanism-nucleophilic attack of enolate oxygen on Palladium followed by C-C bond-forming [3,3']-reductive elimination.