Bio-inspired stabilization of sulfenyl iodide RS-I in a Zr(IV)-based metal-organic framework

A Zr(IV)-based metal-organic framework (MOF) appended with free-standing thiol (-SH) groups was found to react readily with I2 molecules to form sulfenyl iodide (S-I) units. In contrast to its solution chemistry of facile disproportionation into disulfide and I2, the sulfenyl iodide (SI) function, anchored onto the rigid MOF grid and thus prevented from approaching one another to undergo the dismutation reaction, exhibits distinct stability even at elevated temperatures (e.g., 90 °C). On a conceptual plane, this simple and effective solid host also captures the spatial confinement observed for the complex biomacromolecular scaffolds involved in iodine thyroid chemistry, wherein the spatial isolation and consequent stabilization of sulfenyl/selenenyl iodides are exerted by means of the protein scaffolds.

A Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylation Approach to Eight-Membered Lactam Derivatives with Antitumor Activity

The reactivity of 2-(2-alkynylphenoxy)anilines under PdI2 /KI-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation conditions has been studied. Although a different reaction pathway could have been operating, N-palladation followed by CO insertion was the favored pathway with all substrates tested, including those containing an internal or terminal triple bond. This led to the formation of a carbamoylpalladium species, the fate of which, as predicted by theoretical calculations, strongly depended on the nature of the substituent on the triple bond. In particular, 8-endo-dig cyclization preferentially occurred when the triple bond was terminal, leading to the formation of carbonylated ζ-lactam derivatives, the structures of which have been confirmed by XRD analysis. These novel medium-sized heterocyclic compounds showed antitumor activity against both estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and triple negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cell lines. In particular, ζ-lactam 3 j' may represent a novel and promising antitumor agent because biological tests clearly demonstrate that this compound significantly reduces cell viability and motility in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, without affecting normal breast epithelial cell viability.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Substituted Oxocene Cores by Lewis Acid Promoted Cyclization

Substituted oxocene derivatives have been synthesized by Lewis acid catalyzed reactions of ε-hydroxyalkene and substituted aromatic aldehydes. The Cu(OTf)2-bis-phosphine catalyzed reaction typically provides substituted dihydropyran derivatives through an olefin migration followed by a Prins cyclization. The corresponding reaction catalyzed by TMSOTf or BF3·OEt2 provided eight-membered cyclic ethers (oxocenes), selectively. This methodology provides convenient access to a variety of 2,4,8-trisubstituted oxocenes in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities.

A new microwave-assisted thionation-heterocyclization process leading to benzo[c]thiophene-1(3H)-thione and 1H-isothiochromene-1-thione derivatives

The first example of a MW-assisted tandem thionation/S-cyclization process, leading to benzothiophenethione and isothiochromenethione derivatives, is reported.

A visible-light photocatalytic N-radical cascade of hydrazones for the synthesis of dihydropyrazole-fused benzosultams

An efficient N-centred radical 5-exo cyclization/addition/aromatization cascade by cooperative visible light photoredox and cobalt catalysis is described, giving dihydropyrazole-fused benzosultams in satisfactory yields.

Seven-membered rings through metal-free rearrangement mediated by hypervalent iodine

A versatile and metal-free approach for the synthesis of carbocycles and of heterocycles bearing seven- and eight-membered rings is described. The strategy is based on ring expansion of 1-vinylcycloalkanols (or the corresponding silyl or methyl ether) mediated by the hypervalent iodine reagent HTIB (PhI(OH)OTs). Reaction conditions can be easily adjusted to give ring expansion products bearing different functional groups. A route to medium-ring lactones was also developed.

Importance and synthesis of benzannulated medium-sized and macrocyclic rings (BMRs)

Cyclic molecular frameworks, especially the benzannulated medium-sized and macrocyclic ring (BMR) systems, constitute an integral component of a large number of biologically significant natural or synthetic molecules.