Optimisation and scale-up of microwave assisted cyanation

Identification and Profiling of Hydantoins-A Novel Class of Potent Antimycobacterial DprE1 Inhibitors

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death worldwide from infectious diseases. With the development of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, there is an acute need for new medicines with novel modes of action. Herein, we report the discovery and profiling of a novel hydantoin-based family of antimycobacterial inhibitors of the decaprenylphospho-β-d-ribofuranose 2-oxidase (DprE1). In this study, we have prepared a library of more than a 100 compounds and evaluated them for their biological and physicochemical properties. The series is characterized by high enzymatic and whole-cell activity, low cytotoxicity, and a good overall physicochemical profile. In addition, we show that the series acts via reversible inhibition of the DprE1 enzyme. Overall, the novel compound family forms an attractive base for progression to further stages of optimization and may provide a promising drug candidate in the future.

Featuring Xantphos

This review highlights the use of the bisphosphine ligand group in homogeneous catalysis.

Mechanism of selective C–H cyanation of 2-phenylpyridine with benzyl nitrile catalyzed by CuBr: a DFT investigation

The mechanism of C–H cyanation of 2-phenylpyridine with 2-phenylacetonitrile catalyzed by the CuBr catalyst was elaborated based on DFT calculations.

One-step synthesis of pyridines and dihydropyridines in a continuous flow microwave reactor

The Bohlmann-Rahtz pyridine synthesis and the Hantzsch dihydropyridine synthesis can be carried out in a microwave flow reactor or using a conductive heating flow platform for the continuous processing of material. In the Bohlmann-Rahtz reaction, the use of a Brønsted acid catalyst allows Michael addition and cyclodehydration to be carried out in a single step without isolation of intermediates to give the corresponding trisubstituted pyridine as a single regioisomer in good yield. Furthermore, 3-substituted propargyl aldehydes undergo Hantzsch dihydropyridine synthesis in preference to Bohlmann-Rahtz reaction in a very high yielding process that is readily transferred to continuous flow processing.

Recent developments and perspectives in palladium-catalyzed cyanation of aryl halides: synthesis of benzonitriles

The palladium-catalyzed cyanation of Ar-X (X = I, Br, Cl, OTf, and H) allows for an efficient access towards benzonitriles. After its discovery in 1973 and following significant improvements in recent decades, this methodology has become nowadays the most popular for preparation of substituted aromatic nitriles. In this critical review, we summarize the important developments in this area from 2000 until 2010 (151 references).

Aromatic chloride to nitrile transformation: medicinal and synthetic chemistry

This review highlights the medicinal and synthetic chemistry relevance of replacing an aromatic chloride motif with an aromatic nitrile.

Mild and General Methods for the Palladium-Catalyzed Cyanation of Aryl and Heteroaryl Chlorides

[reaction: see text] New methods for the palladium-catalyzed cyanation of aryl and heteroaryl chlorides have been developed, featuring sterically demanding, electron-rich phosphines. Highly challenging electron-rich aryl chlorides, in addition to electron-neutral and electron-deficient substrates, as well as nitrogen- and sulfur-containing heteroaryl chlorides can all undergo efficient cyanation under relatively mild conditions using readily available materials. In terms of substrate scope and temperature, these methods compare very favorably with the state-of-the-art cyanations of aryl chlorides.