Uniting C1-Ammonium Enolates and Transition Metal Electrophiles via Cooperative Catalysis: The Direct Asymmetric α-Allylation of Aryl Acetic Acid Esters.

The direct, catalytic, asymmetric α-functionalization of acyclic esters constitutes a significant challenge in the area of asymmetric catalysis, particularly where the configurational integrity of the products is problematic. Through the unprecedented merger of two independent, yet complementary, catalysis events it has been possible to facilitate the direct asymmetric α-allylation of readily available aryl acetic acid esters. Since enantioselection is determined by the nucleophile, this conceptual approach to cooperative catalysis constitutes a potentially general solution to the direct catalytic asymmetric α-functionalization of acyclic esters.

A Comparative Photophysical Study of Structural Modifications of Thioflavin T-Inspired Fluorophores.

The benzothiazolium salt, Thioflavin T (ThT), has been widely adopted as the "gold-standard" fluorescent reporter of amyloid in vitro. Its properties as a molecular rotor result in a large-scale (∼1000-fold) fluorescence turn-on upon binding to ß-sheets in amyloidogenic proteins. However, the complex photophysics of ThT combined with the intricate and varied nature of the amyloid binding motif means these interactions are poorly understood. To study this important class of fluorophores, we present a detailed photophysical characterization and comparison of a novel library of 12 ThT-inspired fluorescent probes for amyloid protein (PAPs), where both the charge and donor capacity of the heterocyclic and aminobenzene components have been interrogated, respectively. This enables direct photophysical juxtaposition of two structural groups: the neutral "PAP" (class 1) and the charged "mPAP" fluorophores (class 2). We quantify binding and optical properties at both the bulk and single-aggregate levels with some derivatives showing higher aggregate affinity and brightness than ThT. Finally, we demonstrate their abilities to perform super-resolution imaging of α-synuclein fibrils with localization precisions of ∼16 nm. The properties of the derivatives provide new insights into the relationship between chemical structure and function of benzothiazole probes.

ThX - a next-generation probe for the early detection of amyloid aggregates.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are associated with protein misfolding and aggregation. Recent studies suggest that the small, rare and heterogeneous oligomeric species, formed early on in the aggregation process, may be a source of cytotoxicity. Thioflavin T (ThT) is currently the gold-standard fluorescent probe for the study of amyloid proteins and aggregation processes. However, the poor photophysical and binding properties of ThT impairs the study of oligomers. To overcome this challenge, we have designed Thioflavin X, (ThX), a next-generation fluorescent probe which displays superior properties; including a 5-fold increase in brightness and 7-fold increase in binding affinity to amyloidogenic proteins. As an extrinsic dye, this can be used to study unique structural amyloid features both in bulk and on a single-aggregate level. Furthermore, ThX can be used as a super-resolution imaging probe in single-molecule localisation microscopy. Finally, the improved optical properties (extinction coefficient, quantum yield and brightness) of ThX can be used to monitor structural differences in oligomeric species, not observed via traditional ThT imaging.

Bifunctional fluorescent probes for detection of amyloid aggregates and reactive oxygen species.

Protein aggregation into amyloid deposits and oxidative stress are key features of many neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. We report here the creation of four highly sensitive bifunctional fluorescent probes, capable of H2O2 and/or amyloid aggregate detection. These bifunctional sensors use a benzothiazole core for amyloid localization and boronic ester oxidation to specifically detect H2O2. We characterized the optical properties of these probes using both bulk fluorescence measurements and single-aggregate fluorescence imaging, and quantify changes in their fluorescence properties upon addition of amyloid aggregates of α-synuclein and pathophysiological H2O2 concentrations. Our results indicate these new probes will be useful to detect and monitor neurodegenerative disease.

Correction to 'Bifunctional fluorescent probes for detection of amyloid aggregates and reactive oxygen species'.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171399.].

Chemoselective and Diastereoconvergent Cu(II)-Catalyzed Aerobic Endoperoxidation of Polycarbonyls.

The diastereoconvergent synthesis of spirocyclic endoperoxides using a Meldrum's acid scaffold has been accomplished by employing readily available feedstock chemicals. Site selective C-H oxidation of the bis(ß-dicarbonyl) substrates was performed using elemental oxygen as the stoichiometric oxidant and a commercial Cu(II) catalyst. Sequential hydrogenolysis and ionic reduction of these endoperoxides provided fully substituted tetrahydrofurans in high yields and diastereoselectivity.

Asymmetric synthesis of anti-ß-amino-α-hydroxy esters via dynamic kinetic resolution of ß-amino-α-keto esters.

A method for the asymmetric synthesis of enantioenriched anti-α-hydroxy-ß-amino acid derivatives by enantioconvergent reduction of the corresponding racemic α-keto esters is presented. The requisite α-keto esters are prepared via Mannich addition of ethyl diazoacetate to imines followed by oxidation of the diazo group with Oxone. Implementation of a recently developed dynamic kinetic resolution of ß-substituted-α-keto esters via Ru(II)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation provides the title motif in routinely high diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

Cu(II)-catalyzed aerobic hydroperoxidation of Meldrum's acid derivatives and application in intramolecular oxidation: a conceptual blueprint for O2/H2 dihydroxylation.

Aerobic hydroperoxidation of Meldrum's acid derivatives via a Cu(II)-catalyzed process is presented. The mild reaction conditions are tolerant to pendant unsaturation allowing the formation of endoperoxides via electrophilic activation. Cleavage of the O-O bond provides 1,n-diols with differentiation of the hydroxy groups.