Functionalized Polymers-Emerging Versatile Tools for Solution-Phase Chemistry and Automated Parallel Synthesis

Gelatin as It Is: History and Modernity

The data concerning the synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of one of the practically important proteins-gelatin, as well as the possibilities of its practical application, are systematized and discussed. When considering the latter, emphasis is placed on the use of gelatin in those areas of science and technology that are associated with the specifics of the spatial/molecular structure of this high-molecular compound, namely, as a binder for the silver halide photographic process, immobilized matrix systems with a nano-level organization of an immobilized substance, matrices for creating pharmaceutical/dosage forms and protein-based nanosystems. It was concluded that the use of this protein is promising in the future.

Gelatin Matrix as Functional Biomaterial for Immobilization of Nanoparticles of Metal-Containing Compounds

The data concerning the synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of specific functional biomaterials-biopolymer-immobilized matrix systems based on gelatin as an array and chemical compounds, which include atoms of various metal elements-are systematized and discussed. The features of this biopolymer which determine the specific properties of the immobilized matrix systems formed by it and their reactivity, are noted. Data on gelatin-immobilized systems in which immobilized substances are elemental metals and coordination compounds formed as a result of redox processes, nucleophilic/electrophilic substitution reactions, and self-assembly (template synthesis), are presented. The possibilities of the practical use of metal-containing gelatin-immobilized systems are promising for the future; in particular, their potential in medicine and pharmacology as a vehicle for "targeted" drug delivery to various internal organs/tissues of the body, and, also, as potential biosensors is noted.

A new procedure for thioester deprotection using thioglycolic acid in both homogeneous and heterogeneous phase

Classic acetyl thioester protection/deprotection methodologies are widely used in organic synthesis, but deprotection step usually requires harsh conditions not suitable for labile substrates. In this work, a new method for thioester deprotection using a thiotransesterification approach is described. Firstly, thioglycolic acid (TGA) was identified as a good deprotecting reagent in solution. In order to develop a thiol polymer-supported reagent, TGA was anchored to a PEG-based resin through an amide bond (TG-NCO-SH). Both homogeneous and heterogeneous approaches were conveniently carried out at room temperature, in aqueous buffer at pH 8. The mild conditions were suitable for alkyl and phenyl thioesters. Moreover labile thioesters containing thiazolidine and oxazolidine scaffolds, bearing amine, ester and acetal functionalities were also deprotected. The polymer-supported TGA gave better deprotection yields compared to TGA in solution, yields ranging from 61 to 90%. The feasibility of the recovery and reuse of TG-NCO-SH reagent was explored, showing it can be reused at least five times without lossing the activity.

An integrated console for capsule-based, automated organic synthesis

The current laboratory practices of organic synthesis are labor intensive, impose safety and environmental hazards, and hamper the implementation of artificial intelligence guided drug discovery. Using a combination of reagent design, hardware engineering, and a simple operating system we provide an instrument capable of executing complex organic reactions with prepacked capsules. The machine conducts coupling reactions and delivers the purified products with minimal user involvement. Two desirable reaction classes – the synthesis of saturated N-heterocycles and reductive amination – were implemented, along with multi-step sequences that provide drug-like organic molecules in a fully automated manner. We envision that this system will serve as a console for developers to provide synthetic methods as integrated, user-friendly packages for conducting organic synthesis in a safe and convenient fashion.

Using a combination of reagent design, hardware engineering, and a simple operating system we provide an instrument capable of executing complex organic reactions using prepacked capsules with minimal user involvement.

α-Aminoazoles/azines: key reaction partners for multicomponent reactions

Aromatic α-aminoazaheterocycles are the focus of significant investigations and exploration by researchers owing to their key role in diverse biological and physiological processes. The existence of their derivatives in numerous drugs and alkaloids is due to their heterocyclic nitrogenous nature. Therefore, the synthesis of a structurally diverse range of their derivatives through simple and convenient methods represents a vital field of synthetic organic chemistry. Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) provide a platform to introduce desirable structure diversity and complexity into a molecule in a single operation with a significant reduction in the use of harmful organic waste, and hence have attracted particular attention as an excellent tool to access these derivatives. This review covers the advances made from 2010 to the beginning of 2020 in terms of the utilization of α-aminoazaheterocycles as synthetic precursors in MCRs.

Continuous-Flow Amide and Ester Reductions Using Neat Borane Dimethylsulfide Complex

Reductions of amides and esters are of critical importance in synthetic chemistry, and there are numerous protocols for executing these transformations employing traditional batch conditions. Notably, strategies based on flow chemistry, especially for amide reductions, are much less explored. Herein, a simple process was developed in which neat borane dimethylsulfide complex (BH₃ ⋅DMS) was used to reduce various esters and amides under continuous-flow conditions. Taking advantage of the solvent-free nature of the commercially available borane reagent, high substrate concentrations were realized, allowing outstanding productivity and a significant reduction in E-factors. In addition, with carefully optimized short residence times, the corresponding alcohols and amines were obtained in high selectivity and high yields. The synthetic utility of the inexpensive and easily implemented flow protocol was further corroborated by multigram-scale syntheses of pharmaceutically relevant products. Owing to its beneficial features, including low solvent and reducing agent consumption, high selectivity, simplicity, and inherent scalability, the present process demonstrates fewer environmental concerns than most typical batch reductions using metal hydrides as reducing agents.

Polymer-Supported Formate and Magnesium: An Efficient Transfer Hydrogenation System for the Facile Reduction of Azo Compounds

A mild and efficient method was developed for the chemo-selective reduction of azo compounds to the corresponding amine/s using recyclable polymer-supported formate as hydrogen donor in the presence of low cost magnesium powder at room temperature.

Polymer-supported metal catalysts for the heterogeneous polymerisation of lactones

Polymer-supported metal catalysts are used for the heterogeneous polymerisation of renewable lactones, towards the efficient and environmentally benign production of sustainable polymers.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones catalyzed by SbCl3

Antimony(III) trichloride (SbCl3) is an effective catalyst (1 mol%) for the condensation of anthranilic amide with various aldehydes or ketones to quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives in good to excellent yields under microwave irradiation. The process is carried out within several minutes under solvent-free conditions. This general methodology has the advantages of simplicity, mild reaction conditions and high yields of products.

High-yielding continuous-flow synthesis of antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine

Numerous synthetic methods for the continuous preparation of fine chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API’s) have been reported in recent years resulting in a dramatic improvement in process efficiencies. Herein we report a highly efficient continuous synthesis of the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Key improvements in the new process include the elimination of protecting groups with an overall yield improvement of 52% over the current commercial process. The continuous process employs a combination of packed bed reactors with continuous stirred tank reactors for the direct conversion of the starting materials to the product. This high-yielding, multigram-scale continuous synthesis provides an opportunity to achieve increase global access to hydroxychloroquine for treatment of malaria.

Forged and fashioned for faithfulness-ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts bearing ammonium tags

In this article, the synthesis and applications of selected ammonium tagged Ru-alkylidene metathesis catalysts were described. Because of the straightforward synthesis, the first generation of onium-tagged catalysts have the ammonium group installed in the benzylidene ligand. Such catalysts usually give relatively pure metathesis products, and are used in polar solvents and water, or immobilised on various supports. Later, catalysts tagged in the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (NHC) were developed to offer higher stability and even lower metal contamination levels. Due to minimal leaching, the non-dissociating ligand tagged systems were successfully immobilised on various supports, including zeolites and Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and used in batch and in continuous flow conditions.

Chiral catalysts immobilized on achiral polymers: effect of the polymer support on the performance of the catalyst

Achiral polymeric supports can have important positive effects on the activity, stability and selectivity of supported chiral catalysts.

MCM-41-Immobilised Nitrogen and Sulfur Mixed Tridentate Palladium(0) Complex: A Highly Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for the Suzuki Reaction of Aryl Bromides in Air

The novel MCM-41-immobilised nitrogen and sulfur mixed tridentate palladium(0) complex [MCM-41-2N,S-Pd(0)] was prepared from 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyltrimethoxysilane by immobilisation on MCM-41, followed by reaction with thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and PdCl2 and then reduction with hydrazine hydrate. This phosphine-free heterogeneous palladium(0) complex was a highly active catalyst for the Suzuki reaction of aryl bromides in air and could be recycled at least 8 times without significant loss of activity.

Enhanced site-selectivity in acylation reactions with substrate-optimized catalysts on solid supports

A concept for site-selective acylation is presented, using substrate-optimized DMAP–peptide conjugates on a solid support.

A highly efficient heterogeneous copper-catalyzed three-component coupling of tetrahydroisoquinolines, aldehydes and 1-alkynes

A highly efficient heterogeneous copper-catalyzed three-component coupling of tetrahydroisoquinolines, aldehydes and 1-alkynes has been described.

Tuning transthyretin amyloidosis inhibition properties of iododiflunisal by combinatorial engineering of the nonsalicylic ring substitutions

Two series of iododiflunisal and diflunisal analogues have been obtained by using a two step sequential reaction solution-phase parallel synthesis. The synthesis combined an aqueous Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and a mild electrophilic aromatic iodination step using a new polymer-supported iodonium version of Barluenga's reagent. From a selected set of 77 noniodinated and 77 iodinated diflunisal analogues, a subset of good transthyretin amyloid inhibitors has been obtained with improved turbidimetry inhibition constants, high binding affinity to transthyretin, and good selectivity for TTR compared to other thyroxine binding proteins.

Poly(ω-bromoalkylnorbornenes-co-norbornene) by ROMP-hydrogenation: a robust support amenable to post-polymerization functionalization

The new polymers described have a saturated backbone and a bromo-substituent as the entry point to other functional groups of choice.

A highly efficient and reusable MCM-41-immobilized bipyridine copper(i) catalyst for the C–Se coupling of organoboronic acids with diaryl diselenides

A heterogeneous copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of diaryl diselenides with organoboronic acids for the synthesis of diorganyl selenides has been described.

Anchoring of ruthenium onto imine-functionalized zeolite beta: an efficient route for the synthesis of 4H-benzo[b]pyrans and pyrano[c]chromenes

The synthesis and characterization of a highly efficient and reusable catalyst, ruthenium immobilized in zeolite beta, are reported. The catalyst was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, BET surface area measurements, scanning electron micrographs, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, inductive coupled plasma, and elemental analysis. The supported material was used as an efficient catalyst for the one-pot three-component synthesis of 4H-benzo[b]pyrans and pyrano[c]chromenes in good yields. The catalyst was separated from the reaction mixture and reused up to five runs without significant loss of activity.

Synthesis and application of monodisperse oligo(oxyethylene)-grafted polystyrene resins for solid-phase organic synthesis

In a preliminary investigation by our group, we found that poly(styrene-oxyethylene) graft copolymers (PS-PEG), for example, TentaGel resins, are advantageous for gel-phase (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Because of the solution-like environment provided by the PS-PEG resins, good spectral quality of the attached moiety can be achieved, which is useful for nondestructive on-resin analysis. The general drawbacks of such resins are low loading capacities and the intense signal in the spectra resulting from the PEG linker (>50 units). Here, we describe the characterization of solvent-dependent swelling and reaction kinetics on a new type of resin for solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS) that allows an accurate monitoring by gel-phase NMR without the above disadvantages. A series of polystyrene-oligo(oxyethylene) graft copolymers containing monodisperse PEG units (n = 2-12) was synthesized. A strong correlation between the linker (PEG) length and the line widths in the (13)C gel-phase spectra was observed, with a grafted PEG chain of 8 units giving similar results in terms of reactivity and gel-phase NMR monitoring to TentaGel resin. Multistep on-resin reaction sequences were performed to prove the applicability of the resins in solid-phase organic synthesis.

Diphosphino-Functionalised MCM-41-Supported Palladium Complex: An Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for the Formylation of Aryl Halides

The heterogeneous formylation of aryl halides with HCO2Na at atmospheric pressure by carbon monoxide was readily achieved in the presence of the diphosphino-functionalised MCM-41-supported palladium complex in DMF to afford the corresponding aromatic aldehydes in good to excellent yields. This heterogeneous palladium catalyst can be recovered by simple filtration and reused 10 times without any loss of activity.