Highly Stereoselective Diels-Alder Reactions Catalyzed by Diboronate Complexes.

A highly enantioselective catalytic system for exo-Diels-Alder reactions was developed based on the newly discovered bispyrrolidine diboronates (BPDB). Activated by various Lewis or Brønsted acids, BPDB can catalyze highly stereoselective asymmetric exo-Diels-Alder reactions of monocarbonyl-based dienophiles. When 1,2-dicarbonyl-based dienophiles are used, the catalyst can sterically distinguish between the two binding sites, which leads to highly regioselective asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions. BPDB can be prepared as crystalline solids on a large scale and are stable under ambient condition. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of the structure for acid-activated BPDB indicated that its activation involves cleavage of a labile B←N bond.

Ir-Catalyzed Regio- and Enantioselective Hydroalkynylation of Trisubstituted Alkene to Access All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters.

The stereoselective construction of all-carbon quaternary stereocenters, especially acyclic ones, represents an important challenge in organic synthesis. In particular, homopropargyl amides with a quaternary stereocenter ß to a nitrogen atom are valuable synthetic intermediates, which could be transformed to diverse chiral structures through alkyne transformations. However, highly enantioselective synthetic methods for homopropargyl amides with a ß quaternary stereocenter are extremely rare. We report here unprecedented substrate-directed, iridium-catalyzed enantioselective hydroalkynylations of trisubstituted alkenes to form an acyclic all-carbon quaternary stereocenter ß to a nitrogen atom. The hydroalkynylation of enamide occurred with unconventional selectivity, favoring the more hindered reaction site. Homopropargyl amides with ß-stereocenters were prepared in high regio- and enantioselectivities. Combined experimental and computational studies revealed the origin of the regio- and enantioselectivities.

Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Propargyl Amide with Vicinal Stereocenters through Ir-Catalyzed Hydroalkynylation.

Chiral propargyl amines are valuable synthetic intermediates for the preparation of biologically active compounds and functionalized amines. Catalytic methods to access propargyl amines containing vicinal stereocenters with high diastereoselectivity are particularly rare. We report an unprecedented strategy for the synthesis of enantioenriched propargyl amines with two stereogenic centres. An iridium complex, ligated by a phosphoramidite ligand, catalyzes the hydroalkynylation of ß,ß-disubstituted enamides to afford propargyl amides in a highly regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective fashion. Stereodivergent synthesis of all four possible stereoisomers was achieved using this strategy.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Lancifodilactone G Acetate. 2. Final Phase and Completion of the Total Synthesis.

The asymmetric total synthesis of lancifodilactone G acetate was accomplished in 28 steps. The key steps in this synthesis include (i) an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction for formation of the scaffold of the BC ring; (ii) an intramolecular ring-closing metathesis reaction for the formation of the trisubstituted cyclooctene using a Hoveyda-Grubbs II catalyst; (iii) an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction for construction of the sterically congested F ring; (iv) sequential cross-metathesis, hydrogenation, and lactonization reactions for installation of the anomerically stabilized bis-spiro ketal fragment of lancifodilactone G; and (v) a Dieckmann-type condensation reaction for installation of the A ring. The strategy and chemistry developed for the total synthesis will be useful in the synthesis of other natural products and complex molecules.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Lancifodilactone G Acetate.

Asymmetric total synthesis of structurally intriguing and highly oxygenated lancifodilactone G acetate (7) has been achieved for the first time in 28 steps from a cheap commodity chemical, 2-(triisopropylsiloxy)-1,3-butadiene.

Catalytic and Enantioselective Diels-Alder Reactions of (E)-4-Oxopent-2-enoates.

Novel oxazaborolidines activated by the strong acid triflimide or AlBr3 form cationic chiral catalysts. These are effective catalysts for highly regio- and enantioselective Diels-Alder reactions using substituted (E)-4-oxopent-2-enoates as dienophiles.

An experimental study on (131)I-CHIBA-1001: a radioligand for α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

OBJECTIVE: The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a vital role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and depression. However, there is currently no suitable positron emission tomography (PET) or Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) radioligands for imaging α7 nAChRs in brain. Here our aim is to radiosynthesize a novel SPECT radioligand (131)I-CHIBA-1001 for whole body biodistribution study and in vivo imaging of α7 nAChRs in brain. METHOD: (131)I-CHIBA-1001 was radiosynthesized by chloramine-T method. Different conditions of reaction time and temperature were tested to get a better radiolabeling yield. Radiolabeling yield and radiochemical purities of (131)I-CHIBA-1001 were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Whole body biodistribution study was performed at different time points post injection of (131)I-CHIBA-1001 in KM mice. Monkey subject was used for in vivo SPECT imaging in brain. RESULT: The radiolabeling yield of (131)I-CHIBA-1001 reached 96% within 1.5∼2.0 h at 90∼95°C. The radiochemical purity reached more than 99% after HPLC purification. (131)I-CHIBA-1001 was highly stable in saline and fresh human serum in room temperature and 37°C separately. The biodistribution data of brain at 15, 30, and 60 min were 11.05±1.04%ID/g, 8.8±0.04%ID/g and 6.28±1.13%ID/g, respectively. In experimental SPECT imaging, the distribution of radioactivity in the brain regions was paralleled with the distribution of α7 nAChRs in the monkey brain. Moreover, in the blocking SPECT imaging study, the selective α7 nAChR agonist SSR180711 blocked the radioactive uptake in the brain successfully. CONCLUSION: The CHIBA-1001 can be successfully radiolabeled with (131)I using the chloramine-T method. (131)I-CHIBA-1001 can successfully accumulate in the monkey brain and image the α7 acetylcholine receptors. (131)I-CHIBA-1001 can be a candidate for imagingα7 acetylcholine receptors, which will be of great value for the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases.