Radical S-Adenosyl-l-Methionine Enzyme PylB: A C-Centered Radical to Convert l-Lysine into (3R)-3-Methyl-d-Ornithine.

PylB is a radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) enzyme predicted to convert l-lysine into (3R)-3-methyl-d-ornithine, a precursor in the biosynthesis of the 22nd proteogenic amino acid pyrrolysine. This protein highly resembles that of the radical SAM tyrosine and tryptophan lyases, which activate their substrate by abstracting a H atom from the amino-nitrogen position. Here, combining in vitro assays, analytical methods, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and theoretical methods, we demonstrated that instead, PylB activates its substrate by abstracting a H atom from the Cγ position of l-lysine to afford the radical-based ß-scission. Strikingly, we also showed that PylB catalyzes the reverse reaction, converting (3R)-3-methyl-d-ornithine into l-lysine and using catalytic amounts of the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical. Finally, we identified significant in vitro production of 5'-thioadenosine, an unexpected shunt product that we propose to result from the quenching of the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical species by the nearby [Fe4S4] cluster.

Unbiased C3-Electrophilic Indoles: Triflic Acid Mediated C3-Regioselective Hydroarylation of N-H Indoles.

The direct dearomative addition of arenes to the C3 position of unprotected indoles is reported under operationally simple conditions, using triflic acid at room temperature. The present regioselective hydroarylation is a straightforward manner to generate an electrophilic indole at the C3 position from unbiased indoles in sharp contrast to previous strategies. This atom-economical method delivers biologically relevant 3-arylindolines and 3,3-spiroindolines in high yields and regioselectivities from both intra- and intermolecular processes. DFT computations suggest the stabilization of cationic or dicationic intermediates with H-bonded (TfOH)n clusters.

Exploring the Biosynthetic Potential of TsrM, a B12 -dependent Radical SAM Methyltransferase Catalyzing Non-radical Reactions.

B12 -dependent radical SAM enzymes are an emerging enzyme family with approximately 200,000 proteins. These enzymes have been shown to catalyze chemically challenging reactions such as methyl transfer to sp2- and sp3-hybridized carbon atoms. However, to date we have little information regarding their complex mechanisms and their biosynthetic potential. Here we show, using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, mutagenesis and synthetic probes that the vitamin B12 -dependent radical SAM enzyme TsrM catalyzes not only C- but also N-methyl transfer reactions further expanding its synthetic versatility. We also demonstrate that TsrM has the unique ability to directly transfer a methyl group to the benzyl core of tryptophan, including the least reactive position C4. Collectively, our study supports that TsrM catalyzes non-radical reactions and establishes the usefulness of radical SAM enzymes for novel biosynthetic schemes including serial alkylation reactions at particularly inert C-H bonds.

Enantioselective Au(I)-catalyzed dearomatization of 1-naphthols with allenamides through Tethered Counterion-Directed Catalysis.

The Tethered Counterion-Directed Catalysis (TCDC) approach has been applied to the enantioselective Au(I) catalyzed dearomatizations of 1-naphthols with allenamides. Stereocontrol is ensured by the intramolecular ion-pairing between the chiral gold-tethered phosphate and an iminium unit, that provides a rigid, well-defined chiral environment to the key electrophilic intermediate.

Au(I)-Catalyzed Pictet-Spengler Reactions All around the Indole Ring.

Au(I) complexes catalyze iso-Pictet-Spengler reactions. Ethylamine or methylamine chains were introduced at C2, C4, or the nitrogen atom of the indole ring, and the corresponding substrates were reacted in the presence of aldehydes and catalytic amounts of Au(I) complexes, leading to a variety of polycyclic scaffolds. Selectivity could be achieved in the course of a double iso-Pictet-Spengler reaction involving two successive aldehydes, leading to highly complex molecules.

Gold-catalyzed enantioselective functionalization of indoles.

Gold catalysis and indole chemistry are two mature and prolific fields. The gold-catalyzed functionalization of indoles has produced numerous results and paved the way for novel strategies in the building of molecular complexity. However - and curiously - though enantioselective gold catalysis is now a well-established field, it has been relatively little applied to the modification of indoles. This review highlights most of the enantioselective gold-catalyzed examples of the functionalization of indoles in order to emphasize the strengths and limitations of the method.

Gold-Catalyzed Spirocyclization Reactions of N-Propargyl Tryptamines and Tryptophans in Aqueous Media.

N-Propargyl tryptamine and tryptophan derivatives that are readily available from both synthetic and biocatalytic approaches undergo gold-catalyzed dearomative cyclizations in aqueous media to the corresponding spirocyclic derivatives. In addition to the efficiency of the method, operating in aqueous media affords a selective entry to C2-unsubstituted spiroindolenines that have long remained unattainable by Au(I) catalysis. Moderate to excellent yields of the desired spirocyclic products bearing various substituents were obtained.

Tethered Counterion-Directed Catalysis: Merging the Chiral Ion-Pairing and Bifunctional Ligand Strategies in Enantioselective Gold(I) Catalysis.

Tethering a metal complex to its phosphate counterion via a phosphine ligand enables a new strategy in asymmetric counteranion-directed catalysis (ACDC). A straightforward, scalable synthetic route gives access to the gold(I) complex of a phosphine displaying a chiral phosphoric acid function. The complex generates a catalytically active species with an unprecedented intramolecular relationship between the cationic Au(I) center and the phosphate counterion. The benefits of tethering the two functions of the catalyst are demonstrated here in a tandem cycloisomerization/nucleophilic addition reaction, by attaining high enantioselectivity levels (up to 97% ee) at an unusually low 0.2 mol % catalyst loading. Remarkably, the method is also compatible with a silver-free protocol.

Enantioselective Gold-Catalyzed Pictet-Spengler Reaction.

Cationic chiral Au(I) complexes catalyze asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reactions between tryptamines and arylaldehydes. The resulting tetrahydro-ß-carbolines are obtained with wide functional group tolerance in high yield and with high enantioselectivities (up to 95%). Aldehydes bearing polar or protic functions are well tolerated. The reaction features a hitherto unknown C2-auration of the indole as the key step, supported by density functional theory calculations.

Dissecting the Gold(I)-Catalyzed Carboaminations of N-Allyl Tetrahydro-ß-carbolines to Allenes.

N-Allyl tetrahydro-ß-carbolines undergo gold-catalyzed cyclizations that lead to tetracyclic compounds, resulting from both ring closure and the transfer of the allylic group from the nitrogen to the carbon backbone. The final skeleton obtained depends on the nature of both the R2 group of the allene and the R3 group of the allylic residue. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations allowed the determination of all the mechanistic pathways involved in these processes, stemming from a common intermediate that evolves differently according to the substituents nature.

Short Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Rhazinilam Using a Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cyclization.

(R)-(-)-Rhazinilam has been synthesized in nine steps and 20% overall yield. The key steps involve two metal-catalyzed processes: the enantioselective gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of an allene-functionalized pyrrole and the palladium-catalyzed hydrocarboxylation of a vinyl moiety with formate as a CO surrogate. This novel strategy represents the shortest and highest yielding enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-rhazinilam.

When Phosphosugars Meet Gold: Synthesis and Catalytic Activities of Phostones and Polyhydroxylated Phosphonite Au(I) Complexes.

The synthesis and characterization of P-chiral phosphonite-, phosphonate- and thiophosphonate-Au(I) complexes are reported. These novel ligands for Au(I) are based on glycomimetic phosphorus scaffolds, obtained from the chiral pool. The catalytic activities of these complexes are shown in the cyclization of allenols and the hydroamination of 2-(2-propynyl)aniline combined with an organocatalyzed reduction to the corresponding 2-phenyl tetrahydroquinoline. All described gold complexes present excellent catalytic activities.

Self-Relay Gold(I)-Catalyzed Pictet-Spengler/Cyclization Cascade Reaction for the Rapid Elaboration of Pentacyclic Indole Derivatives.

Gold-catalyzed cascade reactions allow the rapid elaboration of pentacyclic indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines from N-allyl tryptamines and ortho-alkynylarylaldehydes. The tandem process combines a gold-catalyzed Pictet-Spengler reaction and a cyclization occurring concomitantly with an allyl transfer from the nitrogen atom to the stilbene function. Various substituted allyls were successfully transferred, furnishing the products in yields typically ranging from 60-98 % in high diastereoselectivity. Tryptamines bearing a butenol chain undergo an additional cyclization to chiral hemiaminals in high diastereoselectivities.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Chiral Polycyclic Indolic Architectures through Pd(0) -Catalyzed Tandem Deprotection/Cyclization of Tetrahydro-ß-carbolines on Allenes.

Enantioenriched N-allyl tetrahydro-ß-carbolines were prepared by chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed Pictet-Spengler reactions. The compounds undergo Pd(0) -catalyzed cyclizations through a tandem deprotection/cyclization process. The regioselectivity of the attack is controlled by the chain length and by the substitution pattern of the allene function. Products resulting from 5-exo- or 6-exo-attack were obtained with diastereoisomeric ratio up to 95:5. Azepinopyrrido[3,4-b]indoles were obtained by 7-endo-cyclizations.

Domino formation of enamines--intramolecular cyclizations to 1-aminotetralins from γ-arylallene aldehydes and amines.

1,5-/1,6-Allenals conjugated to an aromatic ring undergo a cyclization, in the presence of an amine, that leads to tricyclic compounds including the 1-aminotetralin scaffold. This domino process combines the in situ formation of the enamine and the cyclization affording the tricyclic 1-aminotetralins in very high diastereoselectivities.

Synthesis and evaluation of di- and trimeric hydroxylamine-based ß-(1→3)-glucan mimetics.

Di- and trimeric hydroxylamine-based mimetics of ß-(1→3)-glucans have been accessed by an asymmetric synthesis route featuring an iterative double ring-closing reductive amination reaction. These oligomeric hydroxylamines are demonstrated to inhibit the staining of human neutrophils and of mouse macrophages by fluorescent anti-CR3 and anti-dectin-1 antibodies, respectively, and to stimulate phagocytosis, all in a linkage-dependent manner suggestive of binding to the lectin domains of complement receptor 3 (CR3) and dectin-1. The ability of these relatively short mimetics to bind to CR3 and dectin-1, as compared to the greater degree of polymerization required in ß-(1→3)-glucans, is discussed in terms of the increased hydrophobicity of the α-face on replacement of the glycosidic bond by the hydroxylamine linkage.

1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine derivatives as potent Staphylococcus aureus NorA efflux pump inhibitors.

The synthesis of 37 1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine derivatives, including 12 new compounds, was achieved through a series of simple and efficient chemical modifications. These indole derivatives displayed modest or no intrinsic anti-staphylococcal activity. By contrast, several of the compounds restored, in a concentration-dependent manner, the antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus strains that were resistant to fluoroquinolones due to overexpression of the NorA efflux pump. Structure-activity relationships studies revealed that the indolic aldonitrones halogenated at position 5 of the indole core were the most efficient inhibitors of the S. aureus NorA efflux pump. Among the compounds, (Z)-N-benzylidene-2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-1-(5-iodo-1H-indol-3-yl)ethanamine oxide led to a fourfold decrease of the ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration against the SA-1199B strain when used at a concentration of 0.5 mg L(-1) . To the best of our knowledge, this activity is the highest reported to date for an indolic NorA inhibitor. In addition, a new antibacterial compound, tert-butyl (2-(3-hydroxyureido)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)carbamate, which is not toxic for human cells, was also found.

Pd(0)-catalyzed tandem deprotection/cyclization of tetrahydro-ß-carbolines on allenes: application to the synthesis of indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines.

The pallado-catalyzed tandem deprotection/cyclization reaction of enantioenriched N-allyl tetrahydro-ß-carbolines on allenes is described. The first step generates in situ a deprotected tetrahydro-ß-carboline, which then undergoes a cyclization on the allene function via an intermediate π-allyl Pd(II) derivative. This reaction results in the synthesis of various chiral indolic tetracycles (mainly indolo[2,3a]quinolizidine derivatives) presenting a vinyl function.

Alternative synthesis of P-chiral phosphonite-borane complexes: application to the synthesis of phostone-phostone dimers.

An improved strategy for the synthesis of P-chiral gluco- and manno-phosphonite-borane complexes is described on the basis of the addition of diethyl phosphonite-borane to a glucal-derived aldehyde, followed by a cyclization coupled with an ethyl/methyl exchange. This direct P(III) strategy facilitates the obtention of various P-chiral phosphonite-boranes, of which further coupling reactions are described leading to the selective synthesis of two phostone dimers.