Catalytic ring-closing olefin metathesis of sulfur-containing species: Heteroatom and other effects

Ruthenium Metathesis: A Key Step To Access a New Cyclic Tetrasubstituted Olefin Platform

An rapid and mild synthetic route for the preparation of cyclic tetrasubstituted platforms via ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis (RCM) has been developed. This process tolerates a wide range of functionalities such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, silicon, and carbon tethered groups, as well as very challenging fluorine and boron atoms (36 derivatives, up to 96%). This diversity-oriented method was further demonstrated by the postfunctionalization reactions, such as Pd-couplings, N-substitution, and reductive amination introducing a morpholine moiety.

Modification of Proteins Using Olefin Metathesis

Olefin metathesis has revolutionized synthetic approaches to carbon-carbon bond formation. With a rich history beginning in industrial settings through its advancement in academic laboratories leading to new and highly active metathesis catalysts, olefin metathesis has found use in the generation of complex natural products, the cyclization of bioactive materials, and in the polymerization of new and unique polymer architectures. Throughout this review, we will trace the deployment of olefin metathesis-based strategies for the modification of proteins, a process which has been facilitated by the extensive development of stable, isolable, and highly active transition-metal-based metathesis catalysts. We first begin by summarizing early works which detail peptide modification strategies that played a vital role in identifying stable metathesis catalysts. We then delve into protein modification using cross metathesis and finish with recent work on the generation of protein-polymer conjugates through ring-opening metathesis polymerization.

Activation by allylic alcohols of sulfur-containing dienes to ruthenium-catalysed ring-closing metathesis

The presence of an allylic alcohol facilitates ring-closing metathesis of sulfur-containing substrates with Grubbs’ dihydroimidazole ruthenium complex.

Tetrathiafulvalene-containing polymers for simultaneous non-covalent modification and electronic modulation of MoS2 nanomaterials

Polymers with pendent tetrathiafulvalene groups for solubilization and electronic modification of MoS₂ nanosheets.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) such as MoS₂ comprise an important class of 2D semiconductors with numerous interesting electronic and mechanical features. Full utilization of TMDCs in materials and devices, however, necessitates robust functionalization methods. We report well-defined tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based polymers, exploiting synthetic routes that overcome challenges previously associated with these systems. These platforms enable basal plane coordinative interactions with MoS₂, conceptually in parallel with pyrene-containing platforms for graphene and carbon nanotube modification. Not yet reported for TMDCs, these non-covalent interactions are universal and effective for MoS₂ irrespective of the lattice structure, affording significantly enhanced solution stabilization of the nanosheets. Additionally, the TTF-functionalized polymers offer electronic structure modulation of MoS₂ by ground state charge transfer and work function reduction, demonstrated using Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). Notably, coordination and electronic effects are amplified for the TTF–polymers over TTF itself. Experiments are supported by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations that probe polymer–TTF surface interactions with MoS₂ and the resultant impact on electronic properties.

Design and synthesis of hybrid cyclophanes containing thiophene and indole units via Grignard reaction, Fischer indolization and ring-closing metathesis as key steps

We demonstrate a new synthetic strategy to cyclophanes containing thiophene and indole moieties via Grignard addition, Fischer indolization and ring-closing metathesis as key steps.

Toward the Synthesis of Nuphar Sesquiterpene Thioalkaloids: Stereodivergent Rhodium-Catalyzed Synthesis of the Thiolane Subunit

A stereodivergent approach to the central thiolane subunit of Nuphar sesquiterpene thioalkaloids has been developed. This approach features a rhodium-catalyzed Stevens-type rearrangement in conjunction with an enzyme resolution reaction. Further elaboration into a polycyclic ring system via alcohol oxidation and ring-closing metathesis is also described.

Allyl sulphides in olefin metathesis: catalyst considerations and traceless promotion of ring-closing metathesis

Allyl sulphides provoke rapid olefin metathesis when matched with an appropriate catalyst. In relay metathesis, allyl sulphides can serve as traceless promoters that facilitate the synthesis of non-sulphide targets.

The allylic chalcogen effect in olefin metathesis

Olefin metathesis has emerged as a powerful tool in organic synthesis. The activating effect of an allylic hydroxy group in metathesis has been known for more than 10 years, and many organic chemists have taken advantage of this positive influence for efficient synthesis of natural products. Recently, the discovery of the rate enhancement by allyl sulfides in aqueous cross-metathesis has allowed the first examples of such a reaction on proteins. This led to a new benchmark in substrate complexity for cross-metathesis and expanded the potential of olefin metathesis for other applications in chemical biology. The enhanced reactivity of allyl sulfide, along with earlier reports of a similar effect by allylic hydroxy groups, suggests that allyl chalcogens generally play an important role in modulating the rate of olefin metathesis. In this review, we discuss the effect of allylic chalcogens in olefin metathesis and highlight its most recent applications in synthetic chemistry and protein modifications.

Synthesis of macrocyclic trypanosomal cysteine protease inhibitors

The importance of cysteine proteases in parasites, compounded with the lack of redundancy compared to their mammalian hosts makes proteases attractive targets for the development of new therapeutic agents. The binding mode of K11002 to cruzain, the major cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi was used in the design of conformationally constrained inhibitors. Vinyl sulfone-containing macrocycles were synthesized via olefin ring-closing metathesis and evaluated against cruzain and the closely related cysteine protease, rhodesain.

Olefin cross-metathesis of a vinyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on Au(111): electrochemical study using a ferrocenyl redox center

Self-assembled thiol monolayers bound to single-crystal Au(111) surfaces containing a terminal olefin have been prepared and used to monitor electrochemically the cross-metathesis (CM) between the surface and an olefin-terminated ferrocenyl (Fc) derivative from solution over time. Mixed SAM surfaces were prepared by first adsorbing a diluent for 2 days followed by the olefinic alkanethiol for known adsorption time intervals; three diluents of varying length were used. The oxidation peak areas from the voltammetry show the CM reaction yields a maximum amount of product at 100-150 min. Beyond this time, thiol desorption is apparent and the Fc oxidation peaks diminished. A kinetic simulation of the interfacial reactions involving CM and desorption reactions are described and aided in the interpretation of the voltammetric responses. The length of the diluent and the coverage of surface olefins were important factors in limiting undesirable self-CM reactions on the surface, and a model of the relationship between the diluent and surface concentration of olefin is described. This study shows that attention to monolayer formation and reaction conditions are important parameters when maximizing CM yields on surfaces.

Synthesis of 2-Phosphonopyrroles via a One-Pot RCM/Oxidation Sequence

A four-step synthesis of 2-phosphonopyrroles is presented starting from suitable aldehydes. The key step in the synthesis involves a one-pot ring-closing metathesis/oxidation sequence of a functionalized alpha-aminoalkenyl phosphonate. Notwithstanding the presence of a nucleophilic nitrogen atom and high substitution patterns in the substrate, the results of the RCM reaction are excellent using mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, a synergism is observed between the RCM catalyst and the oxidizing agent, causing higher oxidation rates and allowing reaction for substrates that normally fail to ring close under standard RCM conditions.

Synthesis of macrocyclic analogues of the neuroprotective agent glycyl-l-prolyl-l-glutamic acid (GPE)

The syntheses of seven macrocyclic analogues of the neuroprotective tripeptide glycyl-L-prolyl-L-glutamic acid (GPE) are described. Macrocycles 6 and 7 mimic the cis conformer of GPE whereas macrocycles 2-5, 8, and 9 mimic the trans conformer of GPE. The macrocyclic peptides of well-defined geometry were prepared via Grubbs ring closing metathesis of an appropriate diene precursor. In turn each of the diene precursors were prepared from the readily available allyl-substituted amino acid building blocks 12, 13, 14, 27, 36 and 51.

Olefin Metathesis: Catalyst Development, Microwave Catalysis, and Domino Applications

Olefin metathesis, a process by which alkylidene groups on alkenes are exchanged, is reviewed with reference to the historical development of functional catalysts and microwave catalysis. The advent of new catalysts and improved reaction conditions has paved the way for the development of new and versatile domino processes that combine either different metathesis events or a key metathesis reaction with another reaction in a particularly atom economic and ‘green’ sense. We review this area as a convenient route to some otherwise difficult to prepare systems.

Synthesis of cyclic sulfones by ring-closing metathesis

A general and highly efficient synthesis of cyclic sulfones based on ring-closing metathesis has been developed. The synthetic utility of the resulting cyclic sulfones was demonstrated by their participation in stereoselective Diels-Alder reactions and transformation to cyclic dienes by the Ramberg-Bäcklund reaction.

Olefin metatheses in metal coordination spheres: versatile new strategies for the construction of novel monohapto or polyhapto cyclic, macrocyclic, polymacrocyclic, and bridging ligands

The broad applicability of the title reaction is established through studies of neutral and charged, coordinatively saturated and unsaturated, octahedral and square planar rhenium, platinum, rhodium, and tungsten complexes with cyclopentadienyl, phosphine, and thioether ligands which contain terminal olefins. Grubbs' catalyst, [Ru(=CHPh)(PCy3)2(Cl)2], is used at 2-9 mol% levels (0.0095-0.00042 M, CH2-Cl2). Key data are as follows: [(eta5-C5H4(CH2)6CH=CH2)Re(NO)(PPh3)-(CH3)], intermolecular metathesis (95 %); [(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(E(CH2CH=CH2)2)]+ TfO (E=S, PMe, PPh), formation of five-membered heterocycles (96-64%; crystal structure E = PMe); [(eta5-C5Me5)Re(NO)(PPh((CH2)6CH=CH2)2)(L)]n+ nBF4-(L/n = CO/1, Cl/0), intramolecular macrocyclization (94-89%; crystal structure L= Cl); fac-[(CO)3Re(Br)(PPh2(CH2)6CH=CH2)2] and cis-[(Cl)2Pt(PPh2(CH2)6CH=CH2)2], intramolecular macrocyclizations (80-71%; crystal structures of each and a hydrogenation product); cis-[(Cl)2Pt(S(R)(CH2)6CH= CH2)2], intra-/intermolecular macrocyclization (R=Et, 55%/24%; tBu, 72%/ <4%); trans-[(Cl)(L)M(PPh2(CH2)6CH=CH2)2] (M/L = Rh/CO, Pt/C6F5) intramolecular macrocyclization (90-83%; crystal structure of hydrogenation product, M=Pt); fac-[W(CO)3(PPh((CH2)6CH=CH2)2)3], intramolecular trimacrocyclization (83 %) to a complex mixture of triphosphine, diphosphine/ monophosphine, and tris(monophosphine) complexes, from which two isomers of the first type are crystallized. The macrocycle conformations, and basis for the high yields, are analyzed.

Enamide-olefin ring-closing metathesis

[reaction: see text] The first examples of ring-closing metathesis reactions of olefin-containing enamides using ruthenium-based catalysts have been demonstrated. A preliminary investigation into the scope and limitations, leading to protected five- and six-membered cyclic enamides, will be presented.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of nonylprodigiosin and macrocyclic prodigiosin analogues

Nonylprodigiosin (4) and various of its analogues have been prepared by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of a well accessible pyrrolyl triflate with (hetero)aryl boronic acid derivatives bearing alkenyl side chains. The resulting alkenes or dienes were subjected to metathesis dimerization or ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions, respectively, by using a ruthenium indenylidene complex as the catalyst. The biological activity of the products thus obtained was tested in two different assays monitoring i) the proliferation of murine spleen cells induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and concanavalin A (Con A), and ii) the vacuolar acidification of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. Compounds 4 and 21 suppressed Con A-induced T-cell proliferation much more potently than LPS-induced B-cell proliferation. Furthermore, compounds 4 and 26 markedly inhibited vacuolar acidification, although other compounds exhibited no or only marginal effects. Thus, the immunosuppressive activity of prodigiosins toward T-cell proliferation seems to be mediated through cellular targets distinct from vacuolar acidification, and the prodigiosin analogues might be powerful tools to dissect these biological responses. The X-ray crystal structure of the macrocyclic product 25 has been determined, showing that the replacement of one pyrrole ring of the parent compound 4 by a phenyl group does not alter the overall electronic features of the remaining heterocyclic ring system of these alkaloids.