Asymmetric Catalytic Aza-Diels-Alder/Ring-Closing Cascade Reaction Forming Bicyclic Azaheterocycles by Trienamine Catalysis

An Enantioselective Aminocatalytic Cascade Reaction Affording Bioactive Hexahydroazulene Scaffolds

A novel cascade reaction initiated by an enantioselective aminocatalysed 1,3-dipolar [6+4] cycloaddition between catalytically generated trienamines and 3-oxidopyridinium betaines is presented. The [6+4] cycloadduct spontaneously undergoes an intramolecular enamine-mediated aldol, hydrolysis, and E1cb sequence, which ultimately affords a chiral hexahydroazulene framework. In this process, three new C-C bonds and three new stereocenters are formed, enabled by a formal unfolding of the pyridine moiety from the dipolar reagent. The hexahydroazulenes are formed with excellent diastereo-, regio- and periselectivity (>20 : 1), up to 96 % ee, and yields up to 52 %. Synthetic elaborations of this scaffold were performed, providing access to a variety of functionalised hydroazulene compounds, of which some were found to display biological activity in U-2OS osteosarcoma cells in cell painting assays.

Dearomative, aminocatalytic formal normal-electron-demand aza-Diels-Alder cycloaddition in the synthesis of tetrahydrofuropyridines

In the manuscript the application of dearomative formal normal-electron-demand aza-Diels-Alder cycloaddition in the synthesis of tetrahydrofuropyridines is described. The developed approach utilizes aminocatalytic activation of 2-alkyl-3-furfurals that proceeds via formation of the dearomatized dienamine intermediate. Initially obtained cycloadducts have been subjected to subsequent transformations providing access to tetrahydrofuropyridines or functionalized cinnamates. The mechanism of the process has been confirmed by DFT calculations.

N-Amidation of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocyclic Compounds: Can We Apply Enzymatic Tools?

Amide bond is often seen in value-added nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, which can present promising chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical significance. However, current synthesis methods in the preparation of amide-containing N-heterocyclic compounds have low specificity (large amount of by-products) and efficiency. In this study, we focused on reviewing the feasible enzymes (nitrogen acetyltransferase, carboxylic acid reductase, lipase, and cutinase) for the amidation of N-heterocyclic compounds; summarizing their advantages and weakness in the specific applications; and further predicting candidate enzymes through in silico structure-functional analysis. For future prospects, current enzymes demand further engineering and improving for practical industrial applications and more enzymatic tools need to be explored and developed for a broader range of N-heterocyclic substrates.

Covalent nanosynthesis of fluorene-based macrocycles and organic nanogrids

Gridization is an alternative way to create macromolecules of various sizes in addition to linear and dendritic polymerization as well as cyclization. Organic nanogrids are an expanding family of macrocycle-like closed structures at the nanoscale, but with a series of well-defined extension edges and vertices. Cyclic nanogrids can be used as nanoscale building blocks for the fabrication of not only rotaxanes, catenanes, knots, 3D cages, but also nanopolymers, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and complex molecular cross-scale architectures. In this review, the history of fluorene-based macrocycles has first been explored, followed by the development of the synthetic methodologies; in particular, fluorene-based nanogrids are highlighted owing to their features and applications. Typically, fluorenes are fused arenes with a hybrid entity between tetrahedral Csp³ and Csp². Four ingenious connection modes of fluorene-based macrocycles, including 2,7-, 3,6-, 9,9-, and 2,9-linkages, fully demonstrate the geometric possibilities of the macrocycles and nanogrids. Such fluorene-based nanogrids will give birth to organic intelligence.

Acyclic Twisted Amides

In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive overview of acyclic twisted amides, covering the literature since 1993 (the year of the first recognized report on acyclic twisted amides) through June 2020. The review focuses on classes of acyclic twisted amides and their key structural properties, such as amide bond twist and nitrogen pyramidalization, which are primarily responsible for disrupting n_N to π*_C═O conjugation. Through discussing acyclic twisted amides in comparison with the classic bridged lactams and conformationally restricted cyclic fused amides, the reader is provided with an overview of amidic distortion that results in novel conformational features of acyclic amides that can be exploited in various fields of chemistry ranging from organic synthesis and polymers to biochemistry and structural chemistry and the current position of acyclic twisted amides in modern chemistry.

Organocatalytic Cascade Reactions for the Diversification of Thiopyrano-Piperidone Fused Rings Utilizing Trienamine Activation

An aminocatalytic privileged diversity-oriented synthesis (ApDOS) strategy utilizing trienamine catalysis for the construction of diverse and complex thiopyrans-piperidone fused rings through a thia-Diels-Alder/nucleophilic ring-closing sequence by using dithioamides as activated heterodienophiles is reported. Following this strategy, a super cascade reaction to assemble nine fused rings can be achieved by employing a bis-dithioamide. Additionally, by linking an indole moiety on the dithioamide, a Pictet-Spengler type reaction can be promoted once the cascade sequence has been achieved, leading to more complex penta- hexa- and heptacyclic fused ring derivatives in a one-pot process. This investigation opens new perspectives for the synthesis of a new class of complex and diverse thiopyrans that contribute to populate new relevant regions in the chemical space.

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of isatin N,N'-cyclic azomethine imines with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by DBU in water

A simple and green procedure was established by [3 + 3] cycloaddition reaction of isatin derived cyclic imine 1,3-dipoles with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, giving the desired spiro heterocyclic oxindoles with aza-quaternary centers in good yields and diastereoselectivities. It should be noted that water can be employed as a suitable solvent for the improvement of diastereoselectivity.

A simple and green procedure was established by [3 + 3] cycloaddition reaction of isatin derived cyclic imine 1,3-dipoles with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, giving spirooxindoles with aza-quaternary center in good yields and diastereoselectivities.

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Food Safety

Food safety is a prevalent concern around the world. As such, detection, removal, and control of risks and hazardous substances present from harvest to consumption will always be necessary. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of functional materials, possess unique physical and chemical properties, demonstrating promise in food safety applications. In this review, the synthesis and porosity of MOFs are first introduced by some representative examples that pertain to the field of food safety. Following that, the application of MOFs and MOF-based materials in food safety monitoring, food processing, covering preservation, sanitation, and packaging is overviewed. Future perspectives, as well as potential opportunities and challenges faced by MOFs in this field will also be discussed. This review aims to promote the development and progress of MOF chemistry and application research in the field of food safety, potentially leading to novel solutions.

Enantioselective Construction of Octahydroquinolines via Trienamine-Mediated Diels-Alder Reactions

A trienamine-mediated asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction using a 5-nitro-2,3-dihydro-4-pyridone derivative as a dienophile in the presence of a secondary amine organocatalyst derived from cis-hydroxyproline was discovered. The reaction provides optically active octahydroquinolines through an endo-selective [4 + 2] cyclization pathway. The following stereoselective denitration, isomerization, and/or hydrogenation generated divergent stereoisomers of decahydroquinolines, which are useful synthons for the total synthesis of Lycopodium alkaloids.

Organic Synthesis: New Vistas in the Brazilian Landscape

In this overview, we present our analysis of the future of organic synthesis in Brazil, a highly innovative and strategic area of research which underpins our social and economical progress. Several different topics (automation, catalysis, green chemistry, scalability, methodological studies and total syntheses) were considered to hold promise for the future advance of chemical sciences in Brazil. In order to put it in perspective, contributions from Brazilian laboratories were selected by the citations received and importance for the field and were benchmarked against some of the most important results disclosed by authors worldwide. The picture that emerged reveals a thriving area of research, with new generations of well-trained and productive chemists engaged particularly in the areas of green chemistry and catalysis. In order to fulfill the promise of delivering more efficient and sustainable processes, an integration of the academic and industrial research agendas is to be expected. On the other hand, academic research in automation of chemical processes, a well established topic of investigation in industrial settings, has just recently began in Brazil and more academic laboratories are lining up to contribute. All these areas of research are expected to enable the future development of the almost unchartered field of scalability.

Asymmetric Diels–Alder cycloadditions of benzofulvene-based 2,4-dienals via trienamine activation

A new type of 2,4-dienal featuring a benzofulvene skeleton is utilised in asymmetric Diels–Alder cycloadditions with 3-olefinic oxindoles via trienamine catalysis.