A concise synthesis of photoactivatable 4-aroyl-L-phenylalanines

The Life of Pi Star: Exploring the Exciting and Forbidden Worlds of the Benzophenone Photophore

The widespread applications of benzophenone (BP) photochemistry in biological chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and material science have been prominent in both academic and industrial research. BP photophores have unique photochemical properties: upon n-π* excitation at 365 nm, a biradicaloid triplet state is formed reversibly, which can abstract a hydrogen atom from accessible C-H bonds; the radicals subsequently recombine, creating a stable covalent C-C bond. This light-directed covalent attachment process is exploited in many different ways: (i) binding/contact site mapping of ligand (or protein)-protein interactions; (ii) identification of molecular targets and interactome mapping; (iii) proteome profiling; (iv) bioconjugation and site-directed modification of biopolymers; (v) surface grafting and immobilization. BP photochemistry also has many practical advantages, including low reactivity toward water, stability in ambient light, and the convenient excitation at 365 nm. In addition, several BP-containing building blocks and reagents are commercially available. In this review, we explore the "forbidden" (transitions) and excitation-activated world of photoinduced covalent attachment of BP photophores by touring a colorful palette of recent examples. In this exploration, we will see the pros and cons of using BP photophores, and we hope that both novice and expert photolabelers will enjoy and be inspired by the breadth and depth of possibilities.

Synthesis and binding studies of two new macrocyclic receptors for the stereoselective recognition of dipeptides

We present here the design, synthesis, and analysis of a series of receptors for peptide ligands inspired by the hydrogen-bonding pattern of protein β-sheets. The receptors themselves can be regarded as strands 1 and 3 of a three-stranded β-sheet, with cross-linking between the chains through the 4-position of adjacent phenylalanine residues. We also report on the conformational equilibria of these receptors in solution as well as on their tendency to dimerize. ¹H NMR titration experiments are used to quantify the dimerization constants, as well as the association constant values of the 1:1 complexes formed between the receptors and a series of diamides and dipeptides. The receptors show moderate levels of selectivity in the molecular recognition of the hydrogen-bonding pattern present in the diamide series, selecting the α-amino acid-related hydrogen-bonding functionality. Only one of the two cyclic receptors shows modest signs of enantioselectivity and moderate diastereoselectivity in the recognition of the enantiomers and diastereoisomers of the Ala-Ala dipeptide (ΔΔG⁰₁ (DD-DL) = −1.08 kcal/mol and ΔΔG⁰₁ (DD-LD) = −0.89 kcal/mol). Surprisingly, the linear synthetic precursors show higher levels of stereoselectivity than their cyclic counterparts.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reactions of aryl halides and related compounds

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reactions of aromatic halides in the presence of various nucleophiles have undergone rapid development since the pioneering work of Heck and co-workers in 1974, such that nowadays a plethora of palladium catalysts are available for different carbonylative transformations. The carboxylic acid derivatives, aldehydes, and ketones prepared in this way are important intermediates in the manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other industrial products. In this Review, the recent academic developments in this area and the first industrial processes are summarized.