Direct Synthesis of Cyclopropanes from gem-Dialkyl Groups through Double C-H Activation.

Cyclopropanes are important structural motifs found in numerous bioactive molecules, and a number of methods are available for their synthesis. However, one of the simplest cyclopropanation reactions involving the intramolecular coupling of two C-H bonds on gem-dialkyl groups has remained an elusive transformation. We demonstrate herein that this reaction is accessible using aryl bromide or triflate precursors and the 1,4-Pd shift mechanism. The use of pivalate as the base was found to be crucial to divert the mechanistic pathway toward the cyclopropane instead of the previously obtained benzocyclobutene product. Stoichiometric mechanistic studies allowed the identification of aryl- and alkylpalladium pivalates, which are in equilibrium via a five-membered palladacycle. With pivalate, a second C(sp3)-H activation leading to the four-membered palladacycle intermediate and the cyclopropane product is favored. A catalytic reaction was developed and showed a broad scope for the generation of diverse arylcyclopropanes, including valuable bicyclo[3.1.0] systems. This method was applied to a concise synthesis of lemborexant, a recently approved anti-insomnia drug.

Inhibition of p53-Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) Interactions with 3,3'-Spirocyclopentene Oxindole Derivatives.

3,3'-Spirocyclopentene oxindoles structurally related to Wang's spiropyrrolidine oxindoles have been highlighted as a new class of antiproliferative agents against cancer cell lines with wild-type p53 status (IC50 up to 0.96 µM on SJSA-1 and 2.9 µM in HCT116 p53-wt). Inhibition of the MDM2-p53 interactions has been demonstrated through in vitro HTRF assays (IC50 up to 3.1 nM), while Western blot analysis showed activation of p53 selectively in HCT116 cancer cell lines with wild-type p53.

Site- and Enantioselective C-H Oxygenation Catalyzed by a Chiral Manganese Porphyrin Complex with a Remote Binding Site.

A chiral manganese porphyrin complex with a two-point hydrogen-bonding site was prepared and probed in catalytic C-H oxygenation reactions of 3,4-dihydroquinolones. The desired oxygenation occurred with perfect site selectivity at the C4 methylene group and with high enantioselectivity in favor of the respective 4S-configured secondary alcohols (12 examples, 29-97 % conversion, 19-68 % yield, 87-99 % ee). Mechanistic studies support the hypothesis that the reaction proceeds through a rate- and selectivity-determining attack of the reactive manganese oxo complex at the hydrogen-bound substrate and an oxygen transfer by a rebound mechanism.

Synthesis and evaluation of 1,2-trans alkyl galactofuranoside mimetics as mycobacteriostatic agents.

The simple octyl ß-D-galactofuranoside was previously described as a good bacteriostatic agent against Mycobacterium smegmatis, a non-pathogenic model of M. tuberculosis. In order to decipher its mechanism of action, STD NMR on whole M. smegmatis cells was implemented. It outlined the crucial role of the alkyl chain and the possibility of modulation on the furanosyl entity. Then, 16 new alkyl furanosides were synthesized in order to optimize the mycobacteriostatic activity. They all present the pending alkyl chain in a 1,2-trans configuration relative to the sugar ring. Three families were studied that differ by a substituent on the primary position of the galactofuranose ring, the series or the pending alkyl chain. Four of these neofuranosides showed growth inhibition inferior to the parent octyl ß-D-galactofuranoside. Double alkyl chains at C-1 and a polar substituent on the primary position of the furanoside significantly favored the activity. Finally, a mixed biantennary alkyl/aryl ß-D-galactofuranoside exhibited the best growth inhibition concentration at 90 µM.

Phosphahelicenes in asymmetric organocatalysis: [3+2] cyclizations of γ-substituted allenes and electron-poor olefins.

The first use of phosphahelicene in enantioselective organocatalysis is reported. New chiral phosphahelicenes have been prepared and enable highly enantioselective [3+2] cyclization reactions between arylidene- or alkylidenemalononitriles and γ-substituted allenoates or cyanoallenes. These reactions afford cyclopentene derivatives in both high yields and diastereoselectivities, with enantiomeric excesses of up to 97 %.

Synthesis of 3,3'-spirocyclic oxindoles via phosphine catalyzed [4 + 2] cyclizations.

Triphenylphosphine promoted reactions between 3-arylideneoxindoles and δ-aryl-substituted penta-2,3-dienoates afford an unprecedented access to spirocyclic oxindoles with functionalized six-membered rings. In these new [4 + 2] cyclization processes, the allenoates operate as the four-carbon synthons, thanks to the involvement of the substituted δ-carbons. These reactions give excellent control of the relative stereochemistry of the three stereogenic centers. The stereochemistry of the final product has been ascertained by X-ray diffraction studies.

Phosphine-catalyzed synthesis of 3,3-spirocyclopenteneoxindoles from γ-substituted allenoates: systematic studies and targeted applications.

The phosphine-promoted [3 + 2] cyclizations between γ-substituted allenoates and arylideneoxindoles have been applied to the stereoselective synthesis of spiro(cyclopentene)oxindoles with trisubstituted cyclopentene units. It has been demonstrated that PPh(3) operates a very efficient control of the relative stereochemistry of the three stereogenic centers of the final spiranic products. Focused experiments have been carried out then so as to access carbocyclic analogues of an important series of anticancer agents inhibiting MDM2-p53 interactions.