Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed O-H Insertions on O-Protected α-Diazo-ß-Hydroxyesters.

The X-H insertion reaction constitutes a powerful tool to create diversity through the diazo decomposition of diazocarbonyl compounds. However, until now, X-H insertion on α-diazo-ß-aryl-ß-hydroxyester scaffolds, readily prepared by aldol-type addition, remained a challenge for the organic chemist. We report herein the first O-H insertions on O-protected α-diazo-ß-aryl-ß-hydroxyesters, providing straightforward access to a wide range of α,ß-dioxygenated esters through modulation of the alcohol and of the aryl substituent. The key feature to achieving this transformation is the use of Rh(I) catalysts, which proved to be crucial to favor the targeted O-H insertion product over the competing 1,2-H and 1,2-Ar migration products. Overall, 32 O-H insertion products have been prepared, in moderate to good yields, with a diastereoisomeric ratio up to 7.5:1 in favor of the syn diastereoisomer.

Discovery of PIM-1 kinase inhibitors based on the 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole scaffold against prostate cancer: Design, synthesis, in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity investigation.

PIM-1 kinases play an established role in prostate cancer development and progression. This research work tackles the design and synthesis of new PIM-1 kinase targeting 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles 10a-g&11a-f, and investigation thereof as potential anti-cancer agents through in vitro cytotoxicity assay followed by in vivo studies along with exploration of this chemotype's plausible mechanism of action. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments have disclosed 10f as the most potent derivative against PC-3 cells (IC50 = 16 nM) compared to the reference drug Staurosporine (IC50 = 0.36 µM), also eliciting good cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 0.13 and 5.37 µM, respectively). Investigating PIM-1 kinase inhibitory activity of compound 10f revealed an IC50 of 17 nM paralleled to that of Staurosporine (IC50 = 16.7 nM). Furthermore, compound 10f displayed an antioxidant activity eliciting a DPPH inhibition ratio of 94% as compared to Trolox (96%). Further investigation demonstrated that 10f induced apoptosis in treated PC-3 cells by 43.2-fold (19.44%) compared to 0.45% in control. 10f also disrupted the PC-3 cell cycle by increasing the cell population at the PreG1-phase by 19.29-fold while decreasing the G2/M-phase by 0.56-fold compared to control. Moreover, 10f affected a downregulation of JAK2, STAT3 and Bcl-2 and upregulation of caspases 3, 8 and 9 levels that activated the caspase-dependent apoptosis. Finally, in vivo 10f-treatment caused a significant increase in tumor inhibition by 64.2% compared to 44.5% in Staurosporine treatment of the PC-3 xenograft mouse model. Additionally, it improved the hematological, biochemical parameters, and histopathological examinations compared to control untreated animals. Finally, docking of 10f with the ATP-binding site of PIM-1 kinase demonstrated good recognition of and effective binding to the active site. In conclusion, compound 10f represents a promising lead compound that merits further future optimization for controlling prostate cancer.

Acid-Catalyzed Decomposition of O-Silylated α-Diazo-ß-hydroxy Esters: Access to Mixed Monosilyl Acetals.

Acid-catalyzed decomposition of diazocarbonyl compounds triggers a wide range of transformations leading to synthetically useful building blocks with high diversity. In this field, the chemistry of α-diazo-ß-hydroxy ester substrates is largely dominated by migration processes. We describe herein a new approach to original mixed monosilyl acetals from O-protected α-diazo-ß-hydroxy-ß-aryl esters and alcohols, catalyzed by trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf). The ratio between these original mixed acetals, the symmetric acetals, and the migration products fluctuates depending on the catalyst, the nature of the alcohols, and the substituent on the aromatic ring. Fifty-six examples are reported herein with yields up to 71% and diastereoselectivity up to 6:1. Such mixed monosilyl acetals constitute a synthetic equivalent of α-substituted ß-oxoesters with high potential for further transformations.

Computational Insight into 1,2-Diamine, -Diether, and -Amino Ether Chiral Ligand-Mediated Carbolithiation: A Case of Enantioinduction Reversal.

trans-1,2-Cyclohexanediamine, -diether, and -amino ether were compared as chiral inducers in the asymmetric intramolecular carbolithiation of olefinic aryllithiums. Switching from diamine to ethereal ligands inverts the sense of asymmetric induction. This reversal of stereoselectivity was investigated through density functional theory calculations. High enantioselectivities observed with diether and amino ether ligands arise from favorable weak interactions between the ligand and the substrate. The relative efficiency of the three ligands and sense of stereoinduction for the most efficient diether and amino ether ligands prove to be foreseeable by modeling the reaction with the parent achiral 1,2-bidentate additives and comparing the diastereomeric transition states stemming from the two half-chair conformations of their lithium chelate.

Readily Accessible 1,2-Amino Ether Ligands for Enantioselective Intramolecular Carbolithiation.

A new class of chiral 1,2-amino ether ligands, readily accessible from naturally occurring α-amino- or α-hydroxy acids, was found to provide high levels of both conversion and stereocontrol (up to 95:5 er) in intramolecular carbolithiation reactions, outperforming the benchmark ligand (-)-sparteine. The ligand could be used in a substoichiometric amount (0.25 equiv) without significant loss of enantioselectivity.

Chemoselective deprotonative lithiation of azobenzenes: reactions and mechanisms.

Whereas standard strong bases (n-BuLi, s-BuLi/TMEDA, n-BuLi/t-BuOK, TMPMgCl·LiCl, and LDA) reduce the N═N bond of the parent azobenzene (Y = H), aromatic H→Li permutation occurs with LTMP when a suitable director of lithiation (Y = OMe, CONEt2, F) is present in the benzene residue of the azo compound. The method allows direct access to new substituted azobenzenes.

A facile and versatile approach to design self-assembled monolayers on glass using thiol-ene chemistry.

This work describes an integrated approach for designing on demand Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) on silicon oxides and particularly glass substrates for cell biology applications. Starting from commercially available compounds, the strategy relies on thiol-ene reaction and provides high quality SAMs exhibiting adhesive and anti-adhesive patterns.

ortho-Lithium/magnesium carboxylate-driven aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions on unprotected naphthoic acids.

Substitution of an ortho-fluoro or methoxy group in 1- and 2-naphthoic acids furnishing substituted naphthoic acids occurs in good to excellent yields upon reaction with alkyl/vinyl/aryl organolithium and Grignard reagents, in the absence of a metal catalyst without the need to protect the carboxyl (CO(2)H) group. This novel nucleophilic aromatic substitution is presumed to proceed via a precoordination of the organometallic with the substrate, followed by an addition/elimination.

Selectivity in C-alkylation of dianions of protected 6-methyluridine.

A regioselective synthesis of 6-ω-alkenyluridines 3, precursors of potent antiviral and antitumor cyclonucleosides 5, is described. While ω-alkenyl halides do not alkylate 6-lithiouridine, compounds 3 were prepared in a regioselective manner by sequential treatment of 6-methyluridine 2 with LTMP or LDA (4 equiv) in THF at -30 °C followed by alkylation with ω-alkenyl bromides.

Evidence for a trianion intermediate in the metalation of 4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-8-methyl-2-naphthoic acid. Methodology and application to racemic 5,5'-didesisopropyl-5,5'-dialkylapogossypol derivatives.

The metalation of 4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-8-methyl-2-naphthoic acid (8) affording trianion 6 is presented and applied to the regioselective efficient construction of a series of 5,5'-didesisopropyl-5,5'-dialkylapogossypol derivatives 3 that are potent pan-active inhibitors of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins.

Synthesis of N-aryl and N-alkyl anthranilic acids via S(N)Ar reaction of unprotected 2-fluoro- and 2-methoxybenzoic acids by lithioamides.

Substitution of the fluoro or methoxy group in unprotected 2-fluoro- and 2-methoxybenzoic acids to afford N-aryl and N-alkyl anthranilic acids occurs upon reaction with lithioamides under mild conditions in the absence of a metal catalyst.

On the mechanism of the directed ortho and remote metalation reactions of N,N-dialkylbiphenyl 2-carboxamides.

A study concerning the mechanism of the LDA-mediated ortho and remote metalation of N,N-dialkyl-2-biphenyl carboxamides (e.g., 4a) is reported. On the basis of site-selective lithiation/electrophile quench experiments, including deuteration, the LDA metalation of 4 is proposed to involve initial amide-base complexation (CIPE) and equilibrium formation of 5, whose fast reaction with an in situ electrophile (TMSCl) to afford 6 prevents its equilibration with 7. In the absence of an electrophile, 5 undergoes equilibration via 4a with 7, whose fate is instantaneous cyclization to a stable tetrahedral carbinolamine oxide 8 which, only upon hydrolysis, affords fluorenone (3).

First general, direct, and regioselective synthesis of substituted methoxybenzoic acids by ortho metalation.

New general methodology of value in aromatic chemistry based on ortho-metalation sites in o-, m-, and p-anisic acids (1-3) (Scheme 1) is described. The metalation can be selectively directed to either of the ortho positions by varying the base, metalation temperature, and exposure times. Metalation of o-anisic acid (1) with s-BuLi/TMEDA in THF at -78 degrees C occurs exclusively in the position adjacente to the carboxylate. On the other hand, a reversal of regioselectivity is observed with n-BuLi/t-BuOK. With LTMP at 0 degrees C, the two directors of m-anisic acid (2) function in concert to direct introduction of the metal between them while n-BuLi/t-BuOK removes preferentially the proton located ortho to the methoxy and para to the carboxylate (H-4). s-BuLi/TMEDA reacts with p-anisic acid (3) exclusively in the vicinity of the carboxylate. According to these methodologies, routes to very simple methoxybenzoic acids with a variety of functionalities that are not easily accessible by other means have been developed (Table 1).

Directed ortho-metalation of unprotected benzoic acids. Methodology and regioselective synthesis of useful contiguously 3- and 6-substituted 2-methoxybenzoic acid building blocks.

[reaction: see text] By treatment with s-BuLi/TMEDA at -78 degrees C, unprotected 2-methoxybenzoic acid is deprotonated exclusively in the position ortho to the carboxylate. A reversal of regioselectivity is observed when the acid is treated with n-BuLi/t-BuOK. These results are of general utility for the one-pot preparation of a variety of very simple 3- and 6-substituted 2-methoxybenzoic acids that are not easily accessible by conventional means. The potential usefulness of the method is demonstrated by the expedient synthesis of lunularic acid.

Toward a better understanding on the mechanism of ortholithiation. Tuning of selectivities in the metalation of meta-anisic acid by an appropriate choice of base.

[reaction: see text] If employed in THF at 0 degrees C, LTMP metalates meta-anisic acid at the doubly activated position. In contrast, n-BuLi/t-BuOK deprotonates position C-4 preferentially at low temperature. Functionalization at C-6 requires protection of the C-2 site beforehand. As a result of these findings, a new mechanism is proposed for the heteroatom-directed ortholithiation of aromatic compounds.

The first regioselective metalation and functionalization of unprotected 4-halobenzoic acids.

[reaction: see text] By treatment with s-BuLi, s-BuLi/TMEDA, or t-BuLi at approximately -78 degrees C, 4-fluoro- and 4-chlorobenzoic acids (1a,b) are metalated preferentially in the position adjacent to the carboxylate. A complete reversal in regioselectivity is observed for 1a when treated with LTMP; a sequential process involving a rapid intraaggregate lithiation through a quasi dianion complex "QUADAC" is postulated to explain the unusual reactivity of Me(2)S(2) and I(2).

Contribution to the study of the mechanism of directed remote-metalation. Evidence for the intermediacy of a geminal dimetallo dialkoxide C(OM)2 (M = Li, K), first doubly charged director of ortho metalation.

The mechanism of the metalation of 2-biphenyl carboxylic acid (1) with the Lochmann-Schlosser superbase was determined by deuteriolysis. Both ortho (C(3)) and remote (C(2')) positions are metalated. The C(2')-metalated species 2 cyclizes instantaneously. Under suitable conditions, the doubly charged geminal dimetallo dialkoxide group C(OM)(2) 4 directs metalation in the adjacent position (C(1)), affording a stable 1-metallo-9H-fluorene-9,9-dimetallo dialkoxide 5 that can be trapped by diverse electrophiles to give 1-substituted 9H-fluoren-9-ones 7 and 9 after acidic workup. [structure: see text]

Selectivities in reactions of organolithium reagents with unprotected 2-halobenzoic acids.

[reaction: see text] Exposing 2-fluorobenzoic acid (1a) to 2.2 equiv of LTMP at ca. -78 degrees C leads to deprotonation at the 3-position whereas 2-chloro/bromobenzoic acids (1b,c) are lithiated adjacent to the carboxylate. The resulting dianions 3Li-1a and 6Li-1b,c are trapped as such by chlorotrimethylsilane. In the absence of internal quench, 6Li-1b,c isomerize to the more stable 3Li-1b,c. The latter eliminate lithium halide and set free benzyne-3-carboxylate (2) that reacts regioselectively with LTMP to give 3-tetramethylpiperidinobenzoic acid (3).

Total synthesis of (s)-(+)-citreofuran by ring closing alkyne metathesis.

A concise total synthesis of citreofuran 4 is described, a structurally unique octaketide derivative belonging to the curvularin family. Key steps involve the elaboration of orsellinic acid methyl ester 5 to acid 14, which converts, on attempted formation of the corresponding acid chloride, to the 3-alkoxyisocoumarin derivative 20. This heterocycle can be used as an activated ester to give ketone 21 on treatment with 3-pentynylmagnesium bromide in the presence of TMSCl as the activating agent. Ring- closing alkyne metathesis (RCAM) of diyne 21 catalyzed by (tBuO)(3)W[triple bond]CCMe(3) affords the strained cycloalkyne 22. Treatment with acid renders its triple bond susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the adjacent carbonyl group, thus leading to a transannular cycloaromatization with formation of the intact skeleton of citreofuran. An X-ray crystallographic study reveals conformational details about this natural product. Finally, it is shown that 4 as well as its protected precursor 23 are able to cleave double-stranded DNA under oxidative conditions.