Disproportionation reaction of diarylmethylisopropyl ethers: a versatile access to diarylmethanes from diarylcarbinols speeded up by the use of microwave irradiation

Photo-Induced Ruthenium-Catalyzed C-H Benzylations and Allylations at Room Temperature

The ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of diarylmethane compounds was realized under exceedingly mild photoredox conditions without the use of exogenous photocatalysts. The versatility and robustness of the ruthenium-catalyzed C-H benzylation was reflected by an ample scope, including multifold C-H functionalizations, as well as transformable pyrazoles, imidates and sensitive nucleosides. Mechanistic studies were indicative of a photoactive cyclometalated ruthenium complex, which also enabled versatile C-H allylations.

Developments of isoCombretastatin A-4 derivatives as highly cytotoxic agents

Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) is a natural anti-cancer agent isolated in 1989 from the African willow tree, Combretum caffrum. Due to its chemical simplicity, this (Z)-stilbene has been the subject of many structural modifications mainly to improve its chemical and metabolic stability. Beside a large number of synthetic analogues, isoCombretastatin A-4 (isoCA-4), has proved to be a solution of choice since this non-natural isomer of CA-4 is stable, easier to synthesize and has equivalent antitumor properties as CA-4. In this review, we will present the structure-activity relationships (SARs) around isoCA-4 since its discovery in 2007. In a first part, we will describe some alternatives to replace the phenol B-ring of isoCA-4, then we will focus on the variations made on the 1,1-ethylene double bond and then, we will evocate very recent exiting results concerning the possible replacements of the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl A-ring of isoCA-4 by suitable heterocycles.

B(C6F5)3 catalysed reduction of para-quinone methides and fuchsones to access unsymmetrical diaryl- and triarylmethanes: elaboration to beclobrate

An effective method for the synthesis of diaryl- and triarylmethane derivatives through a Lewis acid catalyzed reduction of para-quinone methides and fuchsones, respectively, using the Hantzsch ester as a hydride surrogate is described.

Diarylmethanes through an Unprecedented Palladium-Catalyzed C-C Cross-Coupling of 1-(Aryl)methoxy-1 H-Benzotriazoles with Arylboronic Acids

1-(Aryl)methoxy-1H-benzotriazoles (ArCH2OBt) are bench-stable reagents that are prepared readily from 1H-benzotriazol-1-yl-4-methylbenzenesulfonate (BtOTs) and benzylic alcohols. These compounds, which contain a N-O-C bond, undergo cross-coupling with arylboronic acids by C-O bond scission with catalysts that comprise Pd(OAc)2 and biarylphosphine ligands. Such reactivity of ArCH2OBt derivatives, leading to diarylmethanes, has not been described previously and constitutes a new activation of benzylic alcohols. With regard to the various ligands-metal complexes that support catalytic activity, it appears that those with smaller "percent buried volumes" (%Vbur) provide better outcomes. This factor has been evaluated in the initial optimization studies and in further reactions with difficult coupling partners. Ligand electronics of the biaryl moiety seem to play a lesser role in this type of reaction. The bis-coordinating bis[(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether appears to be suitable to improve the yields of low-yielding reactions.

Synthetic methodologies of achiral diarylmethanols, diaryl and triarylmethanes (TRAMs) and medicinal properties of diaryl and triarylmethanes-an overview

This review covers the synthesis of achiral diarylmethanols, diaryl and triarylmethanes and the bioactivities of diaryl and triarylmethanes during 1995 to 2013.

B-ring-modified isocombretastatin A-4 analogues endowed with interesting anticancer activities

A novel class of isocombretastatin A-4 (isoCA-4) analogues with modifications at the 3'-position of the B-ring by replacement with C-linked substituents was studied. Exploration of the structure-activity relationships of theses analogues led to the identification of several compounds that exhibit excellent antiproliferative activities in the nanomolar concentration range against H1299, MDA-MB231, HCT116, and K562 cancer cell lines; they also inhibit tubulin polymerization with potency similar to that of isoCA-4. 1,1-Diarylethylenes 8 and 17, respectively with (E)-propen-3-ol and propyn-3-ol substituents at the 3'-position of the B-ring, proved to be the most active in this series. Both compounds led to the arrest of various cancer cell lines at the G(2) /M phase of the cell cycle and strongly induced apoptosis. Docking of compounds 8 and 17 in the colchicine binding site indicated that their C3' substituents guide the positioning of the B-ring in a manner different from that observed for isoCA-4.

Regioselective ruthenium-catalyzed direct benzylations of arenes through C-H bond cleavages

Highly regioselective ruthenium-catalyzed direct benzylations through C-H bond cleavages were accomplished under remarkably mild, nonacidic reaction conditions, for which experimental studies suggested a S(E)Ar-type mechanism not to be operative.

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of benzylic zinc reagents with aromatic bromides, chlorides and tosylates

Benzylic zinc reagents prepared by direct insertion of zinc to benzylic chlorides in the presence of LiCl undergo smooth cross-coupling reactions with aromatic chlorides, bromides and tosylates using Ni(acac)(2) and PPh(3) as a catalyst system.