DNA-cleavage and antitumor activity of designed molecules with conjugated phosphine oxide-allene-ene-yne functionalities

Visible-Light-Induced Regioselective Radical-Polar Crossover 1,4-Hydrophosphinylation of 1,3-Enynes: Access to Trisubstituted Allenes Bearing a Phosphine Oxide Group

The radical 1,4-functionalizations of 1,3-enynes have emerged as a powerful strategy for the synthesis of multisubstituted allenes. However, the phosphorus-centered radical-initiated transformations remain largely elusive. Herein, visible-light photoredox catalytic regioselective radical hydrophosphinylation of 1,3-enynes with diaryl phosphine oxides as phosphinoyl radical precursors has been realized. This protocol features mild conditions, a wide substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance, producing a diverse range of phosphinoyl-substituted allenes in moderate to good yields with high atom economy. Detailed mechanistic experiments revealed a radical-polar crossover process in the reaction.

Nickel-catalyzed switchable 1,3-dienylation and enantioselective allenylation of phosphine oxides

The development of general catalytic methods for the regio- and stereoselective construction of phosphoryl derivatives from identical substrates remains a formidable challenge in organic synthesis. Enabled by the newly developed BDPP-type ligands, we disclosed a nickel-catalyzed allenylation of phosphine oxides rationally and predictably, allowing the construction of versatile chiral allenylphosphoryl derivatives with high enantiopurity (up to 94% e.e.). Alternatively, using an achiral phosphine ligand dcypbz under acidic conditions, we achieved a regiochemical switch of the 1,3-dienylation to afford functionalized phosphinoyl 1,3-butadienes (up to 93% yield). The salient features of this method include switchable reactivity, broad substrate scope, readily available feedstock, single-step preparation, and high asymmetric induction.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Difluoroalkylation and Phosphinoylation of 2-Vinyloxy Arylalkynes: Selective Synthesis of Difluoroalkyl-Containing Tetrasubstituted Alkenylphosphine Oxides

A Pd-catalyzed difluoroalkylation/cyclization/phosphinoylation of 2-vinyloxy arylalkynes with ethyl difluoroiodoacetate and diarylphosphine oxides has been successfully developed. This reaction allows the formation of C_sp3-CF₂, C_sp3-C_sp2, and C_sp2-P(O) bonds in one step, providing a straightforward route to difluoroalkyl-containing tetrasubstituted alkenylphosphine oxides with complete stereoselectivities under mild conditions.

Recent advances in the direct transformation of propargylic alcohols to allenes

This review summaries a view of the advances in the direct transformation of propargylic alcohols to functionalized allenes.

Catalysis and regioselectivity in hydrofunctionalization reactions of unsaturated carbon bonds. Part III

The review addresses the possibility of obtaining Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov isomers in the reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons with organophosphorus and organosulfur compounds having P–H and S–H bonds using metal salts or complexes as catalysts.

The bibliography includes 247 references.

Facilitating Myers–Saito cyclization through acid-triggered tautomerization for the development of maleimide-based antitumor agents

Enyne-allene compounds undergo Myers–Saito cyclization at physiological temperature to generate diradical intermediates that are capable of inducing DNA damage and cell death.

Bifunctionalized allenes. Part XIII. A convenient and efficient method for regioselective synthesis of phosphorylated α-hydroxyallenes with protected and unprotected hydroxy group

The paper describes a convenient and efficient method for regioselective synthesis of phosphorylated α-hydroxyallenes using an atom economical [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of intermediate propargyl phosphites or phosphinites. These can be readily prepared via reaction of protected alkynols with dimethyl chlorophosphite or chlorodiphenyl phosphine respectively in the presence of a base.

Constructing molecular complexity and diversity: total synthesis of natural products of biological and medicinal importance

The advent of organic synthesis and the understanding of the molecule as they occurred in the nineteenth century and were refined in the twentieth century constitute two of the most profound scientific developments of all time. These discoveries set in motion a revolution that shaped the landscape of the molecular sciences and changed the world. Organic synthesis played a major role in this revolution through its ability to construct the molecules of the living world and others like them whose primary element is carbon. Although the early beginnings of organic synthesis came about serendipitously, organic chemists quickly recognized its potential and moved decisively to advance and exploit it in myriad ways for the benefit of mankind. Indeed, from the early days of the synthesis of urea and the construction of the first carbon-carbon bond, the art of organic synthesis improved to impressively high levels of sophistication. Through its practice, today chemists can synthesize organic molecules--natural and designed--of all types of structural motifs and for all intents and purposes. The endeavor of constructing natural products--the organic molecules of nature--is justly called both a creative art and an exact science. Often called simply total synthesis, the replication of nature's molecules in the laboratory reflects and symbolizes the state of the art of synthesis in general. In the last few decades a surge in total synthesis endeavors around the world led to a remarkable collection of achievements that covers a wide ranging landscape of molecular complexity and diversity. In this article, we present highlights of some of our contributions in the field of total synthesis of natural products of biological and medicinal importance. For perspective, we also provide a listing of selected examples of additional natural products synthesized in other laboratories around the world over the last few years.

Aminyl and iminyl radicals from arylhydrazones in the photo-induced DNA cleavage

Photolytic cleavage of the nitrogen-nitrogen single bond in benzaldehyde phenylhydrazones produced aminyl (R2N*) and iminyl (R2C=N*) radicals. This photochemical property was utilized in the development of hydrazones as photo-induced DNA-cleaving agents. Irradiation with 350 nm UV light of arylhydrazones bearing substituents of various types in a phosphate buffer solution containing the supercoiled circular phiX174 RFI DNA at pH 6.0 resulted in single-strand cleavage of DNA. Attachment of the electron-donating OMe group to arylhydrazones increased their DNA-cleaving activity. Results from systematic studies indicate that both the aminyl and the iminyl radicals possessed DNA-cleaving ability.

[N]Chalcogena[N]pericyclynes: DFT Studies on Binaric Carbon−Chalcogen Compounds

[structure: see text] DFT studies on [N]chalcogena[N]pericyclynes (n = 3-6, 8) demonstrate their relative stability and hence their possible existence as stable species. By minimizing repulsive interactions between the chalcogens' lone pairs, the molecules adopt structures that resemble, in shape, cycloalkanes or elemental chalcogens. [3]Chalcogena[3]pericyclynes may be interconverted with their valence tautomers, benzene derivatives with three fused three-membered rings.