Pd/C-Catalyzed coupling and cyclization of β-bromo-α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids with terminal alkynes leading to alkylidenefuranones

A Platform for the Synthesis of Oxidation Products of Bilirubin

Bilirubin is the principal product of heme catabolism. High concentrations of the pigment are neurotoxic, yet slightly elevated levels are beneficial. Being a potent antioxidant, oxidative transformations of bilirubin occur in vivo and lead to various oxidized fragments. The mechanisms of their formation, intrinsic biological activities, and potential roles in human pathophysiology are poorly understood. Degradation methods have been used to obtain samples of bilirubin oxidation products for research. Here, we report a complementary, fully synthetic method of preparation. Our strategy leverages repeating substitution patterns in the parent tetracyclic pigment. Functionalized ready-to-couple γ-lactone, γ-lactam, and pyrrole monocyclic building blocks were designed and efficiently synthesized. Subsequent modular combinations, supported by metal-catalyzed borylation and cross-coupling chemistries, translated into the concise assembly of the structurally diverse bilirubin oxidation products (BOXes, propentdyopents, and biopyrrins). The discovery of a new photoisomer of biopyrrin A named lumipyrrin is reported. Synthetic bilirubin oxidation products made available in sufficient purity and quantity will support future in vitro and in vivo investigations.

Pd(II)-SDP-catalyzed enantioselective 5-exo-dig cyclization of γ-alkynoic acids: application to the synthesis of functionalized dihydofuran-2(3H)-ones containing a chiral quaternary carbon center

The Pd(II)-SDP-catalyzed first enantioselective intramolecular cyclization of α,α-disubstituted γ-alkynoic acids is described. This 5-exo-dig cyclization afforded dihydrofuran-2(3H)-ones bearing a chiral quaternary carbon center in excellent yields with enantioselectivities up to 71%. A mechanism involving palladium(II) species is proposed to rationalize the outcome of the reaction.