Acid-Base-Catalysed Condensation Reaction in Water: Isoxazolines and Isoxazoles from Nitroacetates and Dipolarophiles

Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex-Enabled Autoinductive Conversion of Acylnitromethanes to Acylnitrile Oxides in a Photochemical Machetti-De Sarlo Reaction: Synthesis of 5-Substituted 3-Acylisoxazoles

A photochemical Machetti-De Sarlo reaction has been developed for preparing 5-substituted 3-acylisoxazoles from acylnitromethanes and terminal alkynes. This photochemical protocol utilizes an innovative electron donor-acceptor complex, generated in situ from acylnitromethanes, catalytic LiOtBu, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, as a photosensitizer to promote rapid conversion with a broad substrate scope in up to 80% efficiency. A sigmoidal autoinductive kinetic profile is revealed, demonstrating the novel and unique dual catalysis in the first photochemical approach of this reaction.

Manganese-Catalyzed 5-Endo-trig Oxygenative Cyclization of α,β-Unsaturated Oximes under Air and Ambient Conditions for the Synthesis of 4,5-Dihydroisoxazoles

The stereoselective 5-endo-trig oxygenative cyclization of α,β-unsaturated oximes was achieved using molecular oxygen (O2) and a manganese catalyst. Several 4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles were obtained in high yields by directly incorporating O2 from the atmosphere (eliminating the necessity for a pure oxygen environment) and using an unprecedentedly low loading of Mn(acac)3 (as little as 0.020 mol %) without additional additives. Because of its desirable features, such as operational simplicity, inexpensive catalyst, mild reaction conditions (open flask conditions at room temperature), and broad substrate compatibility, this novel reaction provides an attractive synthetic approach to producing 4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles.

Electrochemical assembly of isoxazoles via a four-component domino reaction

Multicomponent domino reactions via electrochemical annulations have emerged as a robust strategy for the rapid assembly of heterocyclics. Herein, an electrochemical annulation via a [1 + 2 + 1 + 1] four-component domino reaction was accomplished in a user-friendly undivided cell setup to assemble valuable five-membered isoxazole motifs. Our approach is characterized by a high level functional group tolerance and operational simplicity, avoiding the tedious and time-consuming preparation of pre-functionalized substrates. Detailed mechanistic studies were conducted including isotopic labeling, kinetic studies, cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis, and intermediate characterization, providing support for a radical pathway.

tert-Butyl nitrite triggered radical cascade reaction for synthesizing isoxazoles by a one-pot multicomponent strategy

A metal-free radical cyclization/dehydrogenation cascade of alkenes with aldehydes has been developed for the synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles in a one-pot system. This protocol features excellent functional group tolerance and operational simplicity, and is easily scaled up. The radical process is well supported by TEMPO-adducts and the intermediate β-carbonyl ketoxime.

Greener Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles in Water, PEG, and Bio-Based Solvents

The solvents used in chemistry are a fundamental element of the environmental performance of processes in corporate and academic laboratories. Their influence on costs, health safety, and nature cannot be neglected. Quantitatively, solvents are the most abundant constituents of chemical transformations; therefore, acting on solvents and replacing standard solvents with safer products can have a great ecological impact. However, not all green solvents are suitable for the wide scope of organic chemistry reactions. A second point to consider is that 50% of pharmaceutical drugs are nitrogen heterocycles compounds. It therefore appeared important to provide an overview of the more ecological methodologies for synthesizing this class of compounds. In this review, all publications since 2000 that describe green reactions leading to the formation of nitrogen heterocycles using safe solvents were considered. We chose water, PEG, and bio-based solvents for their negligible toxicity. The synthesis of five-, six-, and seven-membered aromatic nitrogen heterocycles using green reactions reported in the literature to date is described.

Harnessing the TEMPO-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation for Machetti-De Sarlo Reaction toward Sustainable Synthesis of Isoxazole Libraries

A practical synthesis of isoxazole/isoxazoline derivatives via Machetti-De Sarlo reaction under sustainable conditions has been accomplished. This protocol involves the use of readily available 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) to catalyze the cyclocondensation of primary nitroalkanes with alkynes/alkenes to afford a library of isoxazole/isoxazoline products. From an eco-benign perspective, notable advantages of this method are as follows: (i) water as the solvent, (ii) air as the oxidant, (iii) transition metal-free, (iv) no base required, (v) no toxic byproduct, (vi) no need of solvent extraction, (vii) diverse substrate scope, (viii) high chemical yields, (ix) excellent chemo- and regioselectivity, (x) short reaction time, (xi) gram-scale synthesis, (xii) extension to heterogeneous version, and (xiii) catalyst recyclability. For these reasons, the developed method is appropriate for safe laboratory use and can be expected to inspire the progress of TEMPO-based organocatalysis for the preparation of isoxazole/isoxazoline moieties in an environmentally benign fashion.

Divergent Synthesis and Evaluation of the in vitro Cytotoxicity Profiles of 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophenyl-2-propen-1-one Analogues

A new series of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT)-appended propenones were prepared by condensation reaction and their in vitro cytotoxicity effects were evaluated against five human cancer cell lines. Preliminary structure-activity relationships of EDOT-incorporated 2-propenone derivatives were also established. The EDOT-appended enones demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines. The most active analogue, (E)-3-(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (3 p, GI₅₀ =110 nm), severely inhibited the clonogenic potential of cancer cells, and induced cell-cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and caused an accumulation of HCT116 colon cancer cells with >4 N DNA content. Also, 3 p exhibited weak inhibition of the enzymatic activity of human topoisomerase I. Molecular docking studies indicated preferential binding of the compounds to the ATP-binding pocket of the human checkpoint 2 kinase (Chk2) catalytic domain, thus, identifying a novel diaryl 2-propenone chemotype for the development of potent inhibitors of Chk2.

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Combination Therapy: a Biodistribution and Efficacy Pilot Study

A drug delivery system (DDS) for combined therapy, based on a short oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube, is reported. It was prepared exploiting a synthetic approach which allowed loading of two drugs, doxorubicin and metformin, the targeting agent biotin and a radiolabeling tag, to enable labeling with Ga-68 or Cu-64 in order to perform an extensive biodistribution study by PET/CT. The DDS biodistribution profile changes with different administration methods. Once administered at therapeutic doses, the DDS showed a marginal beneficial effect on 4T1 tumor bearing mice, a syngeneic and orthotopic model of triple negative breast cancer, with survival extended by 1 week and 2 days in 20% of the mice. This is encouraging given the aggressiveness of the 4T1 tumor. Furthermore our DDS was well tolerated, ruling out concerns regarding the toxicity of carbon nanotubes.

Understanding the Exceptional Properties of Nitroacetamides in Water: A Computational Model Including the Solvent

Proton transfer in water involving C–H bonds is a challenge and nitro compounds have been studied for many years as good examples. The effect of substituents on acidity of protons geminal to the nitro group is exploited here with new pKa measurements and electronic structure models, the latter including explicit water environment. Substituents with the amide moiety display an exceptional combination of acidity and solubility in water. In order to find a rationale for the unexpected pKa changes in the (ZZ′)NCO- substituents, we measured and modeled the pKa with Z=Z′=H and Z=Z′=methyl. The dominant contribution to the observed pKa can be understood with advanced computational experiments, where the geminal proton is smoothly moved to the solvent bath. These models, mostly based on density-functional theory (DFT), include the explicit solvent (water) and statistical thermal fluctuations. As a first approximation, the change of pKa can be correlated with the average energy difference between the two tautomeric forms (aci and nitro, respectively). The contribution of the solvent molecules interacting with the solute to the proton transfer mechanism is made evident.

The synthetic and therapeutic expedition of isoxazole and its analogs

Isoxazole, constituting an important family of five-membered heterocycles with one oxygen atom and one nitrogen atom at adjacent positions is of immense importance because of its wide spectrum of biological activities and therapeutic potential. It is, therefore, of prime importance that the development of new synthetic strategies and designing of new isoxazole derivatives should be based on the most recent knowledge emerging from the latest research. This review is an endeavor to highlight the progress in the chemistry and biological activity of isoxazole derivatives which could provide a low-height flying bird's eye view of isoxazole derivatives to the medicinal chemists for the development of clinically viable drugs using this information.

Enolate-mediated 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of β-functionalized ketones with nitrile oxides: direct access to 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles

Enolate-mediated [3 + 2] organocatalytic 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of β-functionalized ketones with nitrile oxides have been developed. This strategy could generate 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazole in high yields and regioselectivities.

Synthesis of Bicyclic Isoxazoles and Isoxazolines via Intramolecular Nitrile Oxide Cycloaddition

An efficient and straight forward procedure for the syntheses of bicyclic isoxazole/isoxazoline derivatives from the corresponding dimethyl-2-(2-nitro-1-aryl/alkyl)-2-(prop-2-yn-1yl)malonates or dimethyl 2-allyl-2-(2-nitro-1-aryl/alkyl ethyl)malonate is described. High yields and simple operations are important features of this methodology.

Environmentally Benign Lewis Acid Promoted [2+3]-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitrile Imines with Alkenes in Water

Mild and environmentally benign Lewis acid promoted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of α-hydrazonyl chlorides with alkenes in water are reported. These α-hydrazonyl chlorides, in the presence of Lewis acids, generate nitrile imines in situ which react with dipolarophiles to furnish the corresponding cycloaddition products. In many cases, the required times for the completion of the Lewis acid promoted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions in water were comparable to the equivalent reactions performed in an organic solvent. Analogous tetrahexylammonium chloride promoted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions were also performed. The comparison of reaction times and cycloadduct yields for the aforementioned 1,3-dipolar reactions in aqueous and organic media as well as the proposed role of the Lewis acid in the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction are described.