From Alkenes to Isoxazolines via Copper-Mediated Alkene Cleavage and Dipolar Cycloaddition

Identification of a novel small-molecule inhibitor of miR-29b attenuates muscle atrophy

Muscle atrophy is debilitating and can be induced by several stressors. Unfortunately, there are no effective pharmacological treatment until now. MicroRNA (miR)-29b is an important target that we identified to be commonly involved in multiple types of muscle atrophy. Although sequence-specific inhibition of miR-29b has been developed, in this study, we report a novel small-molecule miR-29b inhibitor that targets miR-29b hairpin precursor (pre-miR-29b) (Targapremir-29b-066 [TGP-29b-066]) considering both its three-dimensional structure and the thermodynamics of interaction between pre-miR-29b and the small molecule. This novel small-molecule inhibitor has been demonstrated to attenuate muscle atrophy induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), dexamethasone (Dex), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in C2C12 myotubes, as evidenced by increase in the diameter of myotube and decrease in the expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1. Moreover, it can also attenuate Ang II-induced muscle atrophy in mice, as evidenced by a similar increase in the diameter of myotube, reduced Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 expression, AKT-FOXO3A-mTOR signaling activation, and decreased apoptosis and autophagy. In summary, we experimentally identified and demonstrated a novel small-molecule inhibitor of miR-29b that could act as a potential therapeutic agent for muscle atrophy.

Novel Synthesis of Dihydroisoxazoles by p-TsOH-Participated 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Dipolarophiles withα-Nitroketones

This article reports in detail a method for the synthesis of 3-benzoxoxazoline by the reaction of alkenes (alkynes) and a variety of α-nitroketones in the presence of p-TsOH. The scope of alkenes is broad, including different alkenes and the alkyne. This reaction provides a convenient and efficient synthetic method of 3-benzoylisoxazolines.

Direct Nitration of Vinylcycles with Copper Nitrate

A direct nitration of vinylcyclopropanes is disclosed with Cu(NO₃)₂ and KI in a regio- and stereoselective manner to afford nitroalkenes efficiently, where the cyclopropane skeleton was retained. The given method could be extended to other vinylcycles as well as biomolecule derivatives with wide substrate scope, good functionality tolerance, and efficient synthesis modularity. Further transformations illustrated the obtained products as versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. The proposed ionic pathway could account for the untouched small ring and the effect of KI during the reaction.

From α-keto acids to nitrile oxides enabled by copper nitrate: a facile access to fused isoxazolines

An unprecedented generation of nitrile oxides was developed from α-keto acids and copper nitrate through a novel carbon–carbon bond cleavage mode, affording pharmacologically interesting fused isoxazolines via 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions.

Pd/Cu Dual-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Highly Functional All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters from Vinyl Carbonates

The challenging metal-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of highly functional quaternary carbon centers using decarboxylative C(sp³ )-C(sp³ ) bond formation reactions is reported. The key substrate, a vinyl cyclic carbonate, is activated to provide concomitantly both the requisite nucleophile (by formal umpolung) and electrophile reaction partner preceding the asymmetric cross-coupling process. A wide screening of reaction conditions, additives and catalyst precursors afforded a protocol that gave access to a series of compounds featuring densely functionalized, elusive quaternary carbon stereocenters in appreciable yield and with enantiomeric ratios (er's) of up to 90 : 10.

[2 + 2 + 1] Cycloaddition of N-tosylhydrazones, tert-butyl nitrite and alkenes: a general and practical access to isoxazolines

N-Tosylhydrazones have proven to be versatile synthons over the past several decades. However, to our knowledge, the construction of isoxazolines based on N-tosylhydrazones has not been examined. Herein, we report the first demonstrations of [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reactions that allow the facile synthesis of isoxazolines, employing N-tosylhydrazones, tert-butyl nitrite (TBN) and alkenes as reactants. This process represents a new type of cycloaddition reaction with a distinct mechanism that does not involve the participation of nitrile oxides. This approach is both general and practical and exhibits a wide substrate scope, nearly universal functional group compatibility, tolerance of moisture and air, the potential for functionalization of complex bioactive molecules and is readily scaled up. Both control experiments and theoretical calculations indicate that this transformation proceeds via the in situ generation of a nitronate from the coupling of N-tosylhydrazone and TBN, followed by cycloaddition with an alkene and subsequent elimination of a tert-butyloxy group to give the desired isoxazoline.

Oxidize Amines to Nitrile Oxides: One Type of Amine Oxidation and Its Application to Directly Construct Isoxazoles and Isoxazolines

A facile oxidative heterocyclization of commercially available amines and tert-butyl nitrite with alkynes or alkenes leading to isoxazoles or isoxazolines is described. The unprecedented strategy of the oxidation of an amine directly to a nitrile oxide was used in this cyclization process. This reaction is highly efficient, regiospecific, operationally simple, mild, and tolerant of a variety of functional groups. Control experiments support a nitrile oxide intermediate mechanism for this novel class of oxidative cyclization reactions. Moreover, synthetic applications toward bioactive molecular skeletons and the late-stage modification of drugs were realized.

[2 + 2 + 1] Heteroannulation of Alkenes with Enynyl Benziodoxolones and Silver Nitrite Involving C≡C bond Oxidative Cleavage: Entry to 3-Aryl-Δ2-isoxazolines

A copper-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] heteroannulation of alkenes with enynyl benziodoxolones and AgNO₂ involving oxidative cleavage of the C≡C bond promoted by cooperative Zn(OTf)₂, KOAc, and 4 Å MS for producing 3-aryl Δ²-isoxazolines is reported. Mechanistic studies indicate that AgNO₂ serves as the N/O two-atom unit source, enabling the formation of three bonds through NO₂ addition across the C≡C bond, NO-transfer, C≡C bond cleavage, and annulation cascades.