The Photochemistry of Polydonor-Substituted Phthalimides: Curtin-Hammett-Type Control of Competing Reactions of Potentially Interconverting Zwitterionic Biradical Intermediates

Efficient synthesis of bisulfide-bridged bicyclopeptides by intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer cycloreaction

Nine bisulfide-bridged bicyclopeptides were synthesized firstly by intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer cyclo-reaction using l-cystine as the linker.

Photo-induced synthesis and antitumor activity of marine zygosporamide analogs containing the isoindolinone fragment

Two novel marine zygosporamide analogs with the isoindolinone fragment were synthesized, and the binding of the compounds with the EGFR protein of liver cancer cells was studied with the aim of explaining the bioactivity difference.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Indoline from Achiral Phthalimide Involving Crystallization-Induced Deracemization

Asymmetric synthesis was performed by combining the photochemical reaction of an achiral substrate followed by crystallization-induced deracemization. The results indicated that a fused indoline produced by photochemical intramolecular δ-hydrogen abstraction and cyclization of N-(5-chloro-2-methylphenyl)phthalimide crystallized as a racemic conglomerate. Since this substrate has an aminal skeleton, racemization involving a ring-opening and ring-closing equilibrium process occurred under suitable conditions. Efficient racemization was observed in acetone containing a catalytic base, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU). Crystallization-induced dynamic deracemization by Viedma ripening from racemic indoline was performed with an excellent enantioselectivity of 99 % ee. Furthermore, one-pot asymmetric synthesis of the indoline was achieved by the photochemical reaction of achiral phthalimide followed by continuous attrition-enhanced deracemization converging to 99 % ee of enantiomeric crystals. This is the first example of asymmetric expression and amplification by photochemical hydrogen abstraction and crystallization-induced dynamic deracemization.

Control of Chemoselectivity of SET-Promoted Photoaddition Reactions of Fullerene C60 with α-Trimethylsilyl Group-Containing N-Alkylglycinates Yielding Aminomethyl-1,2-dihydrofullerenes or Fulleropyrrolidines

Knowledge about factors that govern chemoselectivity is pivotal to the design of reactions that are utilized to produce complex organic substances. In the current study, single-electron transfer (SET)-promoted photoaddition reactions of fullerene C₆₀ with both trimethylsilyl and various alkyl group-containing glycinates and ethyl N-alkyl-N-((trimethylsilyl)methyl)glycinates were explored to evaluate how the nature of N-alkyl substituents of glycinate substrates and reaction conditions govern the chemoselectivity of reaction pathways followed. The results showed that photoreactions of C₆₀ with glycinates, performed in deoxygenated conditions, produced aminomethyl-1,2-dihydrofullerenes efficiently through a pathway involving the addition of α-amino radical intermediates that are generated by sequential SET-solvent-assisted desilylation of glycinate substrates to C₆₀. Under oxygenated conditions, photoreactions of glycinate substrates, except N-benzyl-substituted analogues, did not take place efficiently owing to quenching of ³C₆₀* by oxygen. Interestingly, N-benzyl-substituted glycinates did react under these conditions to form fulleropyrrolidines through a pathway involving 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of in situ formed azomethine ylides to C₆₀. The ylide intermediates were formed by regioselective H-atom transfer from glycinates by singlet oxygen. Furthermore, methylene blue (MB)-photosensitized reactions of C₆₀ with glycinates under oxygenated conditions took place efficiently to produce fulleropyrrolidines independent of the nature of N-alkyl substituents of glycinates.

Photoinduced synthesis and antitumor activity of a phakellistatin 18 analog with an isoindolinone fragment

Photoinduced synthesis and antitumor activity of a phakellistatin 18 analog with an isoindolinone fragment.

Photo-induced synthesis of Axinastatin 3 analogs, the secondary structures and their in vitro antitumor activities

Cyclic peptides combine several favorable properties such as good binding affinity, target selectivity and low toxicity that make them an attractive modality for drug development. In an effort to identify what conformation could be accounting for the bioactive disparity of natural and synthetic cyclic peptides, some structurally-constrained analogs of cyclopeptide Axinastatin 3 were prepared by photo-induced single electron transfer (SET) reaction. Detailed stereochemistry study was performed by experimental electronic circular dichroism combined with theoretical calculations. Our study suggested that the cyclopeptide 1 with βI-turn presented stronger antitumor activity comparing with those without such secondary structures. Moreover, a rare 'π helix unit' (compound 3) was realized because of the constrained cyclic structure, which could be considered an important research object for future study of unique helix secondary structures.

Synthesis of novel isoindole-containing phakellistatin 2 analogs and the conformation features affecting their antitumor activities

Two novel phakellistatin 2 analogs were synthesized and the conformational features affecting their antitumor activities were studied.

Photocyclization of Tetra- and Pentapeptides Containing Adamantylphthalimide and Phenylalanines: Reaction Efficiency and Diastereoselectivity

A series of tetrapeptides and pentapeptides was synthesized bearing a phthalimide chromophore at the N-terminus. The C-terminus of the peptides was strategically substituted with an amino acid, Phe, Phe(OMe), or Phe(OMe)₂ characterized by different oxidation potentials. The photochemical reactivity of the peptides was investigated by preparative irradiation and isolation of photoproducts, as well as with laser flash photolysis. Upon photoexcitation, the peptides undergo photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and decarboxylation, followed by diastereoselective cyclization with the retention of configuration for tetrapeptides or inversion of configuration for pentapeptides. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and NOE experiments enabled assignment of the stereochemistry of the cyclic peptides. MD simulations of the linear peptides disclosed conformational reasons for the observed diastereoselectivity, being due to the peptide backbone spatial orientation imposed by the Phe amino acids. The photochemical efficiency for the decarboxylation and cyclization is not dependent on the peptide length, but it depends on the oxidation potential of the amino acid at the C-terminus. The results described herein are particularly important for the rational design of efficient photochemical reactions for the preparation of cyclic peptides with the desired selectivity.

Photo-induced synthesis of chiral galaxamide analogs and the biological activities against human tumor cells

Two chiral analogs of galaxamide were synthesized by a photoinduced cyclization reaction.

Lewis Acid Induced Toggle from Ir(II) to Ir(IV) Pathways in Photocatalytic Reactions: Synthesis of Thiomorpholines and Thiazepanes from Aldehydes and SLAP Reagents

Redox neutral photocatalytic transformations often require careful pairing of the substrates and photoredox catalysts in order to achieve a catalytic cycle. This can limit the range of viable transformations, as we recently observed in attempting to extend the scope of the photocatalytic synthesis of N-heterocycles using silicon amine protocol (SLAP) reagents to include starting materials that require higher oxidation potentials. We now report that the inclusion of Lewis acids in photocatalytic reactions of organosilanes allows access to a distinct reaction pathway featuring an Ir(III)*/Ir(IV) couple instead of the previously employed Ir(III)*/Ir(II) pathway, enabling the transformation of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes to thiomorpholines and thiazepanes. The role of the Lewis acid in accepting an electron-either directly or via coordination to an imine-can be extended to other classes of photocatalysts and transformations, including oxidative cyclizations. The combination of light induced reactions and Lewis acids therefore promises access to new pathways and transformations that are not viable using the photocatalysts alone.

Photo-induced synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity of Fenestin A analogs

Two bioactive Fenestin A analogs were synthesized by photo-induced cyclization.

Evolution of neutral organic super-electron-donors and their applications

In recent times, metal-free chemistry has received significant attention due to its inherent qualities and its potential savings in the costs of (i) reagents and (ii) environmental treatments of residues. In this context, recently developed neutral organic electron-donors have shown an ability to perform challenging reductions that are traditionally the preserve of reactive metals and metal-based complexes, under mild reaction conditions. Hence, this feature article is aimed at describing the evolution of neutral organic super-electron-donors and their rapidly developing applications in electron-transfer reactions.

Direct and indirect single electron transfer (SET)-photochemical approaches for the preparation of novel phthalimide and naphthalimide-based lariat-type crown ethers

In this review, we describe direct and indirect photochemical approaches that have been developed for the preparation of phthalimide- and naphthalimide-based, lariat-type crown ethers. The direct route utilizes a strategy in which nitrogen-linked side chains containing polyethoxy-tethered phthalimides and naphthalimides, possessing terminal α-trialkylsilyl groups, are synthesized utilizing concise routes and UV-irradiation to form macrocyclic ring systems. In contrast, the indirect route developed for the synthesis of lariat-type crown ethers employs sequences in which SET-promoted macrocyclization reactions of α-trialkylsilyl-terminated, polyethoxy-tethered phthalimides and naphthalimides are followed by a side chain introduction through substitution reactions at the amidol centers in the macrocyclic ethers. The combined observations made in these investigations demonstrate the unique features of SET-promoted photocyclization reactions that make them well-suited for the use in the synthesis of functionalized crown ethers. In addition, while some limitations exist for the general use of SET-photochemical reactions in large-scale organic synthesis, important characteristics of the photoinduced macrocyclization reactions make them applicable to unique situations in which high temporal and spatial control is required.

Effects of alkoxy groups on arene rings of lignin β-O-4 model compounds on the efficiencies of single electron transfer-promoted photochemical and enzymatic C-C Bond Cleavage Reactions

To gain information about how alkoxy substitution in arene rings of β-O-4 structural units within lignin governs the efficiencies/rates of radical cation C1-C2 bond cleavage reactions, single electron transfer (SET) photochemical and lignin peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation reactions of dimeric/tetrameric model compounds have been explored. The results show that the radical cations derived from less alkoxy-substituted dimeric β-O-4 models undergo more rapid C1-C2 bond cleavage than those of more alkoxy-substituted analogues. These findings gained support from the results of DFT calculations, which demonstrate that C1-C2 bond dissociation energies of β-O-4 radical cations decrease as the degree of alkoxy substitution decreases. In SET reactions of tetrameric compounds consisting of two β-O-4 units, containing different degrees of alkoxy substitution, regioselective radical cation C-C bond cleavage was observed to occur in one case at the C1-C2 bond in the less alkoxy-substituted β-O-4 moiety. However, regioselective C1-C2 cleavage in the more alkoxy-substituted β-O-4 moiety was observed in another case, suggesting that other factors might participate in controlling this process. These observations show that lignins containing greater proportions of less rather than more alkoxylated rings as part of β-O-4 units would be more efficiently cleaved by SET mechanisms.

O-H insertion and tandem N-H insertion/cyclization reactions using an iron porphyrin as catalyst with diazo compounds as carbene sources

Iron(III) tetraphenylporphyrin chloride, Fe(TPP)Cl , efficiently catalyzed the insertion of carbenes derived from methyl 2-phenyldiazoacetates into O-H bonds of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols, with yields generally above 80%. Although the analogous N-H insertions are rapid at room temperature, the O-H insertion reactions are slower and required heating in refluxing methylene chloride for about 8 hours using 1.0 mol.% catalyst. Fe(TPP)Cl was also found to be effective for tandem N-H insertion/cyclization reactions when 1,2-diamines and 1,2-alcoholamines were treated with diazo reagents to give piperazinones and morpholinones and related analogs such as quinoxalinones and benzoxazin-2-ones. This approach provides a new one-pot route for synthesizing these classes of heterocyclic compounds.

Exploration of photochemical reactions of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted uracil, pyridone, and pyrrolidone derivatives

Photochemical reactions of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted uracil, pyridone and pyrrolidone derivatives were carried out to determine if silicone containing substituents have an impact on excited state reaction profiles. The results show that ultraviolet irradiation of N-trimethylsilylmethyl substituted uracils in the presence of substituted alkenes leads to efficient formation of both dimeric and cross [2+2]-cycloaddition products. Qualitatively similar observations were made in a study of the photochemistry of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-2-pyridone. The combined results demonstrate that [2+2]-photocycloaddition is a more efficient excited state reaction pathway for the uracil and pyridone substrates as compared to other processes, such as ylide-forming trimethylsilyl group C-to-O migration. Finally, photoreactions of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-2-pyrrolidone in solutions containing dipolarophiles, such as methyl acrylate, lead to the formation of the desilylation product, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone by way of a simple, non-ylide generating, protodesilylation process. In addition, observations were made which show that orbital symmetry allowed photocycloreversion reactions of dimeric uracil derivatives, involving cyclobutane ring splitting, to take place. These processes, which lead to the formation of monomeric uracils, appear to be stimulated by the presence of electron donor groups on the cyclobutane ring, a likely result of a new SET promoted cyclobutane ring cleavage pathway. In the cases of N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted cyclobutane derivatives that possess phthalimide groups, highly efficient excited state cleavage of the cyclobutane moiety occurs to produce uracil derivatives and corresponding vinyl phthalimide.

Studies leading to the development of a single-electron transfer (SET) photochemical strategy for syntheses of macrocyclic polyethers, polythioethers, and polyamides

Organic photochemists began to recognize in the 1970s that a new mechanistic pathway involving excited-state single-electron transfer (SET) could be used to drive unique photochemical reactions. Arnold's seminal studies demonstrated that SET photochemical reactions proceed by way of ion radical intermediates, the properties of which govern the nature of the ensuing reaction pathways. Thus, in contrast to classical photochemical reactions, SET-promoted excited-state processes are controlled by the nature and rates of secondary reactions of intermediate ion radicals. In this Account, we discuss our work in harnessing SET pathways for photochemical synthesis, focusing on the successful production of macrocyclic polyethers, polythioethers, and polyamides. One major thrust of our studies in SET photochemistry has been to develop new, efficient reactions that can be used for the preparation of important natural and non-natural substances. Our efforts with α-silyl donor-tethered phthalimides and naphthalimides have led to the discovery of efficient photochemical processes in which excited-state SET is followed by regioselective formation of carbon-centered radicals. The radical formation takes place through nucleophile-assisted desilylation of intermediate α-silyl-substituted ether-, thioether-, amine-, and amide-centered cation radicals. Early laser flash photolysis studies demonstrated that the rates of methanol- and water-promoted bimolecular desilylations of cation radicals (derived from α-silyl electron donors) exceeded the rates of other cation radical α-fragmentation processes, such as α-deprotonation. In addition, mechanistic analyses of a variety of SET-promoted photocyclization reactions of α-silyl polydonor-linked phthalimides and naphthalimides showed that the chemical and quantum efficiencies of the processes are highly dependent on the lengths and types of the chains connecting the imide acceptor and α-silyl electron donor centers. We also observed that reaction efficiencies are controlled by the rates of desilylation at the α-silyl donor cation radical moieties in intermediate zwitterionic biradicals that are formed by either direct excited-state intramolecular SET or by SET between the donor sites in the intervening chains. It is important to note that knowledge about how these factors govern product yields, regiochemical selectivities, and quantum efficiencies was crucial for the design of synthetically useful photochemical reactions of linked polydonor-acceptor substrates. The fruits of these insights are exemplified by synthetic applications in the concise preparation of cyclic peptide mimics, crown ethers and their lariat- and bis-analogs, and substances that serve as fluorescence sensors for important heavy metal cations.

Photoinitiated domino reactions: N-(adamantyl)phthalimides and N-(adamantylalkyl)phthalimides

Phthalimides 1-6 undergo photochemical reactions upon direct irradiation as well as triplet sensitization and give rise to new products. Besides formation of the primary photoproducts, the first photochemical step initiates a subsequent thermal domino reaction or a domino sequence of a thermal and a photochemical reaction. The latter, involving two photochemical intramolecular gamma-H abstractions, was observed with phthalimides 1, 3, and 6 and delivered stereospecifically the hexacyclic benzazepine products 12, 19, and 27, respectively. The lowest triplet states of 1-6 were characterized in several solvents upon direct and acetone-sensitized excitation. The intermolecular electron transfer from triethylamine and DABCO was studied, and the radical anions were observed. Electrochemical measurements showed that intramolecular electron transfer from the adamantyl group of 1-6 to the lowest triplet state of the phthalimides is not feasible. The formation of products can be explained by intramolecular H-abstraction from the (alkyl)adamantane to the excited phthalimide, either from the excited singlet state or a hidden upper excited triplet state.

Photoaddition reactions of 1,2-diketones with silyl ketene acetals. formation of beta-hydroxy-gamma-ketoesters

Photochemical reactions taking place between 1,2-diketones and silyl ketene acetals and their excited state reaction mechanisms have been explored. Irradiation of benzene, acetone, or acetonitrile solutions containing 1,2-diketones and silyl ketene acetals is observed to promote formation of 1,4-dioxenes, resulting from [4 + 2]-cycloaddition, oxetanes, arising by Paterno-Buchi processes, and beta-hydroxy-gamma-ketoesters, generated by SET-promoted Claisen-type condensation. These competitive pathways leading from the excited states of the 1,2-diketones to these products are influenced by solvent polarity and the nature of the silyl ketene acetal and 1,2-diketone. The Claisen-type condensation process, following an SET desilylation pathway and predominating when the photoreactions are carried out in the polar solvent acetonitrile, represents an efficient method to prepare a variety of diversely substituted beta-hydoxy-gamma-ketoesters.