[3+2] Photooxygenation of aryl cylopropanes via visible light photocatalysis.

We report that Ru(bpz)32+ is an excellent sensitizer for the photooxygenation of aryl cyclopropanes upon irradiation with visible light. The effectiveness of this photocatalyst enables the synthesis of a range of five-membered endoperoxides in excellent yield with quite low (0.5 mol%) catalyst loadings even when standard household light sources are utilized.

Photolysis, OH reactivity and ozone reactivity of a proxy for isoprene-derived hydroperoxyenals (HPALDs).

The C(5)-hydroperoxyenals (C(5)-HPALDs) are a newly-recognized class of multi-functional hydrocarbons produced during the hydroxyl radical (OH)-initiated oxidation of isoprene. Recent theoretical calculations suggest that fast photolysis of these compounds may be an important OH source in high-isoprene, low-NO regions. We report experimental constraints for key parameters of photolysis, OH reaction and ozone reaction of these compounds as derived from a closely-related, custom-synthesized C(6)-HPALD. The photolysis quantum yield is 1.0 ± 0.4 over the range 300-400 nm, assuming an absorption cross section equal to the average of those measured for several analogous enals. The yield of OH from photolysis was determined as 1.0 ± 0.8. The OH reaction rate constant is (5.1 ± 1.8) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 296 K. The ozone reaction rate constant is (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10(-18) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 296 K. These results are consistent with previous first-principles estimates, though the nature and fate of secondary oxidation products remains uncertain. Incorporation of C(5)-HPALD chemistry with the above parameters in a 0-D box model, along with experimentally-constrained rates for C(5)-HPALD production from isomerization of first-generation isoprene hydroxyperoxy radicals, is found to enhance modeled OH concentrations by 5-16% relative to the traditional isoprene oxidation mechanism for the chemical regimes of recent observational studies in rural and remote regions. This enhancement in OH will increase if C(5)-HPALD photo-oxidation products also photolyze to yield additional OH or if the C(5)-HPALD production rate is faster than has been observed.

Endoperoxide synthesis by photocatalytic aerobic [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions.

Structurally novel endoperoxides can be sythesized by the photocatalytic cyclotrimerization of bis(styrene) substrates with molecular oxygen. The optimal catalyst for this process is Ru(bpz)(3)(2+), which is a markedly more efficient catalyst for these photooxygention reactions than conventional organic photosensitizers. The 1,2-dioxolane products are amenable to synthetic manipulation and can be easily processed to 1,4-diols and γ-hydroxyketones. An initial screen of the biological activity of these compounds reveals promising inhibition of cancer cell growth.

Novel 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-benzo[d]azepine derivatives of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine, selective and orally bioavailable ALK inhibitors with antitumor efficacy in ALCL mouse models.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of potent and selective anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors from a novel class of 2,4-diaminopyrimidines, incorporating 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-benzo[d]azepine fragments, is described. An orally bioavailable analogue (18) that displayed antitumor efficacy in ALCL xenograft models in mice was identified and extensively profiled.

Enantioselective total synthesis of brevetoxin A: unified strategy for the B, E, G, and J subunits.

Brevetoxin A is a decacyclic ladder toxin that possesses 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-membered oxacycles, as well as 22 tetrahedral stereocenters. Herein, we describe a unified approach to the B, E, G, and J rings based upon a ring-closing metathesis strategy from the corresponding dienes. The enolate technologies developed in our laboratory allowed access to the precursor acyclic dienes for the B, E, and G medium-ring ethers. The strategies developed for the syntheses of these four monocycles ultimately provided multigram quantities of each of the rings, supporting our efforts toward the completion of a convergent synthesis of brevetoxin A.

Total synthesis of brevetoxin A.

A total synthesis of brevetoxin A is reported. Two tetracyclic coupling partners, prepared from previously reported advanced fragments, were effectively united via a Horner-Wittig olefination. The resulting octacycle was progressed to substrates that were explored for reductive etherification, the success of which led to a penultimate tetraol intermediate. The tetraol was converted to the natural product through an expeditious selective oxidative process followed by methylenation.

Convergent, stereoselective synthesis of the GHIJ fragment of brevetoxin A.

[reaction: see text] A stereoselective synthesis of the GHIJ fragment of brevetoxin A utilizing a convergent assembly strategy is described. Glycolate alkylation, ring-closing metathesis, and Hosomi-Sakurai reactions were central operations in the construction of the G ring and J ring subunits, which were united through a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons coupling. Subsequent dehydrative cyclization produced an endocyclic enol ether that was further elaborated to the tetracyclic GHIJ fragment of brevetoxin A.