Visible light-promoted C(sp3)-H α-carbamoylation of cyclic ethers with isocyanides.

A protocol exploiting isocyanides as carbamoylating agents for the α-C(sp3)-H functionalization of cyclic ethers has been optimized via a combined visible light-driven hydrogen atom transfer/Lewis acid-catalyzed approach. The isocyanide substrate scope revealed an exquisite functional group compatibility (18 examples, with yields up to 99%). Both radical and polar trapping, kinetic isotopic effect and real-time NMR studies support the mechanistic hypothesis and provide insightful details for the design of new chemical processes involving the generation of oxocarbenium ions.

Preparation of Chiral Photosensitive Organocatalysts and Their Application for the Enantioselective Synthesis of 1,2-Diamines.

Chiral phosphoric acid based organocatalysis and visible-light photocatalysis have both emerged as promising technologies for the sustainable production of fine chemicals. In this context, we have envisioned the design and the synthesis of a new class of chimeric catalytic entities that would feature both catalytic capabilities. Given their multitask nature, such catalysts would be particularly attractive for the development of new catalytic transformations, tandem processes in particular. Toward this goal, several BINOL-based chiral phosphoric acid backbones presenting one or two visible-light-sensitive thioxanthone moieties have been prepared and studied. The utility of these new photoactive chiral organocatalysts is then demonstrated in the enantioselective tandem three-component electrophilic amination of enecarbamates. Of note, the C1-symmetric organo/photocatalyst has shown a better catalytic activity than those presenting a C2 symmetry.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Dearomative (3 + 2) Cycloaddition of 3-Nitroindoles with Propargylic Nucleophiles: An Access to Cyclopenta[b]indolines.

The copper(I)-catalyzed dearomatization of 3-nitroindoles with propargylic nucleophiles is described. In mild reaction conditions, this original dearomative (3 + 2) cycloaddition process gives access to a wide variety of cyclopenta[b]indolines in good to excellent yields, with high functional group tolerance. The proof of concept that an enantioselective version of this reaction is accessible by employing chiral phosphorous ligands was obtained. A mechanism proposal is given based on kinetic studies.

HNTf2-catalyzed regioselective preparation of polysubstituted naphthalene derivatives through alkyne-aldehyde coupling.

We report herein the preparation of polysubstituted naphthalene derivatives by the original Brønsted-acid-catalyzed benzannulation reaction of phenylacetaldehydes with alkynes. This reaction, which was usually performed with Lewis acids under thermal activation, is efficiently promoted by 15 mol % of triflimide (HNTf2) at room temperature under metal-free and mild reaction conditions and leads with a perfect regioselectivity to a wide variety of diversely functionalized naphthalenes in 41-78% yield. A catalytic cycle is proposed together with some further applications of this catalytic system in the related benzannulation transformations of epoxide and acetal derivatives.

Copper(I)-amine metallo-organocatalyzed synthesis of carbo- and heterocyclic systems.

The efficient and atom economical synthesis of 5-membered cyclic structures has been achieved through the combination of amino catalysis and metal catalysis. The discovery of a novel metallo-organocatalytic system merging the use of a catalytic copper(I) complex and a catalytic amount of cyclohexylamine allowed the room temperature preparation of a broad range of skeletons such as cyclopentanes, indanes, pyrrolidines and tetrahydrofuran, important structural cores of many biologically relevant molecules. Mechanistic studies were presented.

Electrochemical Benzylic C-H Functionalization with Isocyanides.

We report the challenging direct carbamoylation or cyanation of benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds with an isocyanide via an electrochemical process giving rise to structures that are encountered in several biologically relevant compounds and drugs. This transformation proceeds under mild conditions without the need for any external oxidant and avoids the necessity to start from a prefunctionalized benzylic substrate or the deployment of the cation pool method. The anodic oxidation of the benzylic position and the subsequent addition of the isocyanide lead to the formation of a C-C bond and to a nitrilium cation that hydrolyzes to yield α-aryl acetamide derivatives, whereas the elimination of a t-butyl cation delivers α-aryl acetonitrile derivatives.

Redox Control of Particle Deposition from Drying Drops.

The coffee-ring effect (CRE), which denotes the accumulation of nonvolatile compounds at the periphery of a pinned sessile drying drop, is a universal and ubiquitous yet complex phenomenon. It is crucial to better understand and control it, either to avoid its various deleterious consequences in many processes requiring homogeneous deposition or to exploit it for applications ranging from controlled particle patterning to low cost diagnostics. Here, we report for the first time the use of a reduction-oxidation (redox) stimulus to cancel the CRE or harness it, leading to a robust and tunable control of particle deposition in drying sessile drops. This is achieved by implementing redox-sensitive ferrocenyl cationic surfactants of different chain lengths in drying drops containing anionic colloids. Varying surfactant hydrophobicity, concentration, and redox state allows us not only to control the overall distribution of deposited particles, including the possibility to fully cancel the CRE, but also to modify the microscopic organization of particles inside the deposit. Notably, with all other parameters being fixed, this method allows the adjustment of the deposited particle patterns, from polycrystalline rings to uniform disks, as a function of the oxidation rate. We show that the redox control can be achieved either chemically by the addition of oxidants or electrochemically by applying a potential for additive-free and reversible actuation in a closed system. This correlation between the redox state and the particle pattern opens a perspective for both redox-programmable particle patterning and original diagnostic applications based on the visual determination of a redox state. It also contributes to clarify the role of surfactant charge and its amphiphilic character in directing particle deposition from drying suspensions.

Electrochemical TEMPO-Catalyzed Oxidative Ugi-Type Reaction.

Oxidative isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (oxidative IMCRs) are very useful tools for the rapid construction of molecular diversity starting from readily available and stable substrates. Despite all their benefits, such multicomponent reactions are underdeveloped and strictly limited to 3-component processes. Indeed, in the presence of several reaction partners, the oxidation event needs to be rigorously chemoselective, which becomes incredibly more intricate as the number of reactive components increases. Nonetheless, we could overcome this significant pitfall and reach the first oxidative Ugi-type 4-IMCR by capitalizing on a very mild and green TEMPO-catalyzed electro-oxidation process. Employing alcohols as aldehyde surrogates and in the notable absence of any supporting electrolyte, this transformation proved to be extremely chemoselective in the presence of an amine and was compatible with a wide range of alcohols, amines, isocyanides, and carboxylic acids.

InCl3/CyNH2 cocatalyzed carbocyclization reaction: an entry to α-disubstituted exo-methylene cyclopentanes.

An efficient and cheap synthetic approach to functionalized exo-methylene cyclopentanes has been developed from α-disubstituted formyl-alkynes by merging amine catalysis with the indium activation of alkynes. We uncovered the crucial role of the amine cocatalyst and the development of a new cooperative catalytic system allowed the cyclization of a broad range of substrates. A mechanistic study was realized in order to rationalize the determining influence of the amine cocatalyst.

New picropodophyllin analogs via palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation-Hiyama cross-coupling sequences.

Unsaturated malonyl esters underwent Pd-catalyzed intramolecular allylic alkylation to give 4-vinyl-substituted gamma-lactones. In contrast to the formerly studied cyclization of malonamides, this reaction could be achieved only with a substrate incorporating a suitably positioned silicon moiety, which directs the ionization toward the desired eta(3)-allylpalladium complex. The resulting 4-[dimethyl-(2-thienyl)silylvinyl]lactone could be subsequently engaged into Hiyama couplings with various iodoarenes, to give the corresponding 4-(alpha-styryl)-gamma-lactones. The use of a specifically substituted iodoarene generated an advanced tetracyclic lactone intermediate incorporating rings A-D of lignans belonging to the podophyllotoxin family. Subsequent electrophilic aromatic substitution with a variety of electron-rich arenes afforded the target picropodophyllin analogs.

Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Dearomative [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of 3-Nitroindoles with Vinylcyclopropanes: An Entry to Stereodefined 2,3-Fused Cyclopentannulated Indoline Derivatives.

The palladium(0)-catalyzed diastereoselective dearomative cyclopentannulation of 3-nitroindoles with vinylcyclopropanes is described. This straightforward and highly atom-economical method leads to a wide range of functionalized indolines in good yields and diastereoselectivities and represents an unprecedented entry toward the valuable 2,3-fused cyclopentannulated indoline scaffold.

Asymmetric preparation of polysubstituted cyclopentanes by synergistic Pd(0)/amine catalyzed formal [3+2] cycloadditions of vinyl cyclopropanes with enals.

We report herein a novel diastereo- and enantiocontrolled preparation of polysubstituted cyclopentanes by the formal [3+2] cycloadditions of vinyl cyclopropanes with enals. In constrast with previously developed strategies, our original approach is based on the synergistic merger of iminium/enamine organocatalysis with palladium(0) catalysis.

TiCl4-Mediated Preparation of Thiophthalide Derivatives via Formal Thio-Passerini Reactions.

By the formal extension of the Passerini reaction to thiocarbonyl derivatives, the straightforward preparation of thiophthalides is disclosed. This method involves the intermediate formation of a sulfanyl-phthalide and a titanium tetrachloride mediated isocyanide insertion reaction. When tert-butyl thiol is used, thanks to the deprotection of the tert-butyl group, a thiophthalide resulting from a 1,5-Mumm rearrangement is isolated. Owing to the multifaceted activity of TiCl4, all steps may conveniently be performed in one pot, starting directly from 2-formylbenzoic acids, tert-butyl thiol, and various isocyanides.

Enantioselective metallo-organocatalyzed preparation of cyclopentanes bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter.

Enantioselective metallo-organocatalyzed carbocyclizations of formyl-alkynes have been developed. The cooperation between aminocatalysis and a chiral copper(I) complex granted access to enantio-enriched cyclopentanes through the challenging formation of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters.

Practical and efficient iridium catalysis for benzannulation: an entry to isoindolines.

Iridium(III) catalysis provides a convenient and general method for the synthesis of isoindolines via [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions of diynes and alkynes. The reaction proceeds smoothly in environmentally benign and non-distilled isopropyl alcohol, providing highly functionalized aromatic compounds in moderate to excellent yields.

Combined InCl3- and amine-catalyzed intramolecular addition of alpha-disubstituted aldehydes onto unactivated alkynes.

The combination of enamine-type catalysis to the indium-catalyzed activation of alkynes allows the efficient preparation of functionalized cyclopentanes bearing a quaternary stereogenic center. A broad range of formylalkynyl derivatives has been prepared. The InCl(3)/(Cy)(i-Pr)NH system efficiently promotes the carbocyclization reaction of alpha-disubstituted aldehydes in good to excellent yields.

Chiral undecagold clusters: synthesis, characterization and investigation in catalysis.

Enantiopure undecagold clusters protected by chiral atropisomeric diphosphine ligands (P^P) have been synthesized by the stoichiometric reduction of the corresponding (P^P)(AuCl)(2) complexes with NaBH(4). The molecular mono-disperse [Au(11)(P^P)(4)Cl(2)]Cl species have been thoroughly characterized using an array of analytical techniques. (31)P NMR experiments suggested the presence of a slow intramolecular ligand exchange process. Circular dichroism measurements showed that enantiomeric clusters display mirror-image chiroptical activity. Such undecagold clusters containing two chloride ligands bound to the peripheral Au(I) atoms were expected to display a carbophilic Lewis acidity similar to the well-documented molecular Au(I) complex catalysts. Chloride abstraction, performed to generate active Au(+) sites, induced the Au(11) cluster evolution to larger gold clusters and nanoparticles, together with Au(I) complexes, which, in fact, perform the catalysis. This result was corroborated by running an asymmetric tandem hydroarylation-carbocyclization reaction, for which the enantiomeric excesses obtained with Au(11) clusters are similar to those reported using Au(I) complexes.

Homologation of boronic esters with lithiated epoxides for the stereocontrolled synthesis of 1,2- and 1,3-diols and 1,2,4-triols.

Lithiated epoxides react stereospecifically with boronic esters to give syn-1,2-diols, a process that can be used iteratively to create triols containing four stereogenic centers.

An aptly positioned azido group in the spacer of a protein cross-linker for facile mapping of lysines in close proximity.

Cross-links between amino acid residues in close proximity can provide distance constraints for the validation of models of the 3D structure proteins. The mapping of cross-links by the identification of linked peptides in proteolytic digests is facilitated by cleavable cross-linkers that enable isolation of the cleavage products while preserving information about the linkage. We present an amine-specific cross-linker, bis(succinimidyl)-3-azidomethyl glutarate (BAMG), that fulfils these requirements. Two parallel reaction pathways are induced by tris(carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) in cross-linked peptides from BAMG-treated cytochrome c. One pathway leads to cleavage of the cross-linked species, while in the other the azido group of BAMG is reduced to an amino group without cleavage. Cross-linked peptides and peptides modified by partially hydrolysed BAMG yield distinct sets of TCEP-induced reaction products. These can be isolated by reversed-phase diagonal chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry to reveal the identity of the parent compounds. The ease with which cross-link-derived reaction products can be isolated and identified indicates that the mapping of cross-links in complex biological assemblies and mixtures of protein complexes might become feasible in the near future.