Regioselective synthesis of heteroaryl triflones by LDA (lithium diisopropylamide)-mediated anionic thia-Fries rearrangement

Metabolic, toxicological, chemical, and commercial perspectives on esterification of dietary polyphenols: a review

Molecular modifications have been practiced for more than a century and nowadays they are widely applied in food, pharmaceutical, or other industries to manipulate the physicochemical, bioactivity, metabolic/catabolic, and pharmacokinetic properties. Among various structural modifications, the esterification/O-acylation has been well-established in altering lipophilicity and bioactivity of parent bioactive compounds, especially natural polyphenolics, while maintaining their high biocompatibility. Meanwhile, various classic chemical and enzymatic protocols and other recently emerged cell factory technology are being employed as viable esterification strategies. In this contribution, the main motivations of phenolic esterification, including the tendency to replace synthetic alkyl phenolics with safer alternatives in the food industry to improve the bioavailability of phenolics as dietary supplements/pharmaceuticals, are discussed. In addition, the toxicity, metabolism, and commercial application of synthetic and natural phenolics are briefly introduced. Under these contexts, the mechanisms and reaction features of several most prevalent chemical and enzymatic esterification pathways are demonstrated. In addition, insights into the studies of esterification modification of natural phenolic compounds and specific pros/cons of various reaction systems with regard to their practical application are provided.

Trivalent Phosphine-Catalyzed [4+1] Spiro-annulation Reaction Using Allenyl Imide and Methylene Cyclocompounds

The trivalent phosphine-catalyzed [4+1] spiro-annulation reaction of allenyl imide and activated methylene cyclocompounds has been developed for the construction of various spiro-2-cyclopenten-1-ones. Oxindoles, 3-isochromanones, and 2-indanones are selected as 1C synthons to capture the in situ-generated bis-electrophilic α,β-unsaturated ketenyl phosphonium intermediate, affording the corresponding monospiro- and bispiro-cyclopentenones in good to excellent yields (≤91%) under mild conditions. The primary attempt at asymmetric catalysis using monophosphine (R)-SITCP provides promising enantioselectivity (45% ee). A plausible reaction mechanism is also proposed.

Integrated analysis of natural glycans using a versatile pyrazolone-type heterobifunctional tag ANPMP

Glycans mediate various biological processes through carbohydrate-protein interactions, and glycan microarrays have become indispensable tools for understanding these mechanisms. However, advances in functional glycomics are hindered by the absence of convenient and universal methods for obtaining natural glycan libraries with diverse structures from glycoconjugates. To address this challenge, we have developed an integrative approach that enables one-pot release and simultaneously capture, separation, structural characterization, and functional analysis of N/O-glycans. Using this approach, glycoconjugates are incubated with a pyrazolone-type heterobifunctional tag-ANPMP to obtain glycan-2ANPMP conjugates, which are then converted to glycan-AEPMP conjugates. We prepared a tagged glycan library from porcine gastric mucin, soy protein, human milk oligosaccharides, etc. Following derivatization by N-acetylation and permethylation, glycans were subjected to detailed structural characterization by ESI-MSn analysis, which revealed >83 highly pure glycan-AEPMPs containing various natural glycan epitopes. A shotgun microarray is constructed to study the fine details of glycan-bindings by proteins and antisera.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Polysubstituted Sulfonated Pyrazoles via Cascade Intermolecular Condensation, Radical-Radical Cross Coupling Sulfonylation, and Pyrazole Annulation

Electrochemical synthesis of polysubstituted sulfonated pyrazoles from enaminones and sulfonyl hydrazides was established under metal-free, exogenous-oxidant-free, and mild conditions. By judicious choice of different electrochemical reaction conditions, NH₂-functionalized enaminones or N,N-disubstituted enaminones can react with aryl/alkyl sulfonyl hydrazides to afford tetra- or trisubstituted sulfonated pyrazoles in moderate to good yields, respectively. The gram-scale electrochemical transformation demonstrated the efficiency and practicability of this synthetic strategy. In addition, the sulfonated NH-pyrazole can be obtained via the dissociation of the N-tosyl group. Mechanistic studies reveal that the electrochemical cascade reaction synthesis of polysubstituted sulfonated pyrazoles proceeded via the sequence of intermolecular condensation, radical-radical cross coupling sulfonylation, and pyrazole annulation.

Toward 2-Thiophyne: Ketocarbene versus Hetaryne Intermediates from 2-(Trimethylsilyl)thiophen-3-yl Triflate

The reaction of 2-(trimethylsilyl)thiophen-3-yl triflate with CsF in the presence of 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylcyclopentadienone affords 4,5,6,7-tetraphenylbenzo[b]thiophene, as it would be expected from the hypothesized generation and trapping of 2-thiophyne. However, a detailed experimental and computational study discards the intermediacy of this elusive 5-membered hetaryne. Instead, a complex mechanism involving the generation of an intermediate ketocarbene, which adds to the cyclopentadienone to give an isolable tricyclic intermediate, followed by thermal rearrangements, is proposed.

N-Triflination of pyrazolones: a new method for N-S bond formation

A simple method, which takes place quickly in 5 min, is developed for the N-triflination of pyrazolones using CF3SO2Na (Langlois reagent) and phenyliodine(iii)bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA). This reaction takes place at the imine nitrogen centre instead of the more reactive C4-position, forming a new N-S bond. A variety of pyrazolone derivatives were subjected to the reaction. Unlike the previous reports on sulfenylation or sulfonylation of pyrazolone, wherein the corresponding C-S bond is formed, this new method leads to the formation of the hetero-hetero atom bond (N-S bond) at room temperature.

Diversity-oriented functionalization of 2-pyridones and uracils

Heterocycles 2-pyridone and uracil are privileged pharmacophores. Diversity-oriented synthesis of their derivatives is in urgent need in medicinal chemistry. Herein, we report a palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis enabled dual-functionalization of iodinated 2-pyridones and uracils. The success of this research depends on the use of two unique norbornene derivatives as the mediator. Readily available alkyl halides/tosylates and aryl bromides are utilized as ortho-alkylating and -arylating reagents, respectively. Widely accessible ipso-terminating reagents, including H/DCO2Na, boronic acid/ester, terminal alkene and alkyne are compatible with this protocol. Thus, a large number of valuable 2-pyridone derivatives, including deuterium/CD3-labeled 2-pyridones, bicyclic 2-pyridones, 2-pyridone-fenofibrate conjugate, axially chiral 2-pyridone (97% ee), as well as uracil and thymine derivatives, can be quickly prepared in a predictable manner (79 examples reported), which will be very useful in new drug discovery.

Synthetic and mechanistic aspects of sulfonyl migrations

Sulfonyl migrations, frequently described as ‘unusual’ or ‘unexpected’, from the last 20 years, including 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-, 1,5-, 1,6- and 1,7-sulfonyl shifts, through either radical or polar processes, either inter- or intramolecularly are reviewed.

The anionic Fries rearrangement: a convenient route to ortho-functionalized aromatics

The scope and mechanism of anionic (hetero-) Fries rearrangements are summarized for various migrating groups and arenes, including applications and computational studies.

Synthesis of Aryl Triflones through the Trifluoromethanesulfonylation of Benzynes

The direct synthesis of aryl triflones, that is, trifluoromethanesulfonyl arenes, was achieved through the trifluoromethanesulfonylation of benzynes. The trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, one of the fluorinated functional groups, is a highly electron-negative and mild lipophilic substituent. Aryl triflones have high potential in the synthesis of bioactive compounds and specialty materials. The treatment of 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl trifluoromethanesulfonates with cesium fluoride in the presence of 15-crown-5 generated benzynes, which reacted with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate followed by protonation with tBuOH under heating conditions, provided aryl triflones in moderated to good yields. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical triflones were nicely accessed under the same reaction conditions. Interestingly, the trifluoromethanesulfonylation of unsymmetrical benzyne precursors proceeded smoothly to furnish corresponding aryl triflones in good yields with good to high regioselectivities. The balance of polarization of electric charge as well as steric hindrance of the benzyne intermediates are central factors to control the outcome of regioselectivity.

Electrophilic Triflyl-arylation and Triflyl-pyridylation by Unsymmetrical Aryl/Pyridyl-λ3-iodonium Salts: Synthesis of Aryl and Pyridyl Triflones

Unsymmetrical diaryl-λ³-iodonium salts containing aryl triflone (Ar-SO₂CF₃) were designed and synthesized. X-ray crystal structure analysis of the salt indicated a T-shaped geometry at the iodine atom. The salts were found to be powerful electrophilic reagents for triflyl-arylation of C-, N-, and O-centered nucleophiles under mild conditions. Electrophilic transfer of pyridine triflone (Py-SO₂CF₃) to nucleophiles was also realized by the use of corresponding triflylpyridyl-aryl-λ³-iodonium salts. Selection of auxiliaries (dummy ligands) of unsymmetrical diaryl-λ³-iodonium salts is crucial for this transformation.

Transition-metal-free Chemoselective Oxidative C-C Coupling of the sp3 C-H Bond of Oxindoles with Arenes and Addition to Alkene: Synthesis of 3-Aryl Oxindoles, and Benzofuro- and Indoloindoles

A transition-metal (TM)-free and halogen-free NaOtBu-mediated oxidative cross-coupling between the sp³ C-H bond of oxindoles and sp² C-H bond of nitroarenes has been developed to access 3-aryl substituted and 3,3-aryldisubstituted oxindoles in DMSO at room temperature in a short time. Interestingly, the sp³ C-H bond of oxindoles could also react with styrene under TM-free conditions for the practical synthesis of quaternary 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles. The synthesized 3-oxindoles have also been further transformed into advanced heterocycles, that is, benzofuroindoles, indoloindoles, and substituted indoles. Mechanistic experiments of the reaction suggests the formation of an anion intermediate from the sp³ C-H bond of oxindole by tert-butoxide base in DMSO. The addition of nitrobenzene to the in-situ generated carbanion leads to the 3-(nitrophenyl)oxindolyl carbanion in DMSO which is subsequently oxidized to 3-(nitro-aryl) oxindole by DMSO.

Integration of oxidative arylation with sulfonyl migration: one-pot tandem synthesis of densely functionalized (NH)-pyrroles

A one-pot synthesis of 2-aryl-3-alkyl/aryl-sulfonyl-(NH)-pyrroles from N-sulfonylpyrroles, developed for the first time, via palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-2 arylation followed by sulfonyl migration is described.

Metal-free molecular iodine-catalyzed direct sulfonylation of pyrazolones with sodium sulfinates leading to sulfonated pyrazoles at room temperature

A simple and highly efficient iodine-catalyzed sulfonylation of pyrazolones with sodium sulfinates has been developed under mild and metal-free conditions.

Synthesis of aryl triflones by insertion of arynes into C–SO2CF3 bonds

A new approach toward the synthesis of aryl triflones was achieved by the formal insertion of arynes into C–SO₂CF₃ bonds.

A new vinyl selenone-based domino approach to spirocyclopropyl oxindoles endowed with anti-HIV RT activity

Herein, we disclose a general and flexible access to spirocyclopropyl oxindoles by a domino Michael/intramolecular nucleophilic substitution pathway with variously substituted vinyl selenones and enolizable oxindoles in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The spirocyclopropyl oxindole being a privileged scaffold, some of the synthesized compounds were selected for biological evaluation. Compound showed selective anti-HIV-1 activity thanks to its ability to inhibit the reverse transcriptase.

Development of a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between 2-azidoarylboronic pinacolate esters and vinyl triflates to enable the synthesis of [2,3]-fused indole heterocycles

The scope and limitations of a Suzuki reaction between 2-azidoarylboronic acid pinacolate esters and vinyl triflates are reported. This cross-coupling reaction enables the regioselective synthesis of indoles after a subsequent Rh(II)2-catalyzed sp(2)-C-H bond amination reaction.

Diastereoselective additive trifluoromethylation/halogenation of isoxazole triflones: synthesis of all-carbon-functionalized trifluoromethyl isoxazoline triflones

Highly functionalized 5-trifluoromethyl-2-isoxazoline derivatives featuring a triflyl (SO2CF3) group at the 4-position were successfully synthesized via diastereoselective trifluoromethylation and halogenation of isoxazole triflones using the Ruppert- Prakash reagent. The trifluoromethylation is quite general in terms of the substrates including 3,5-diaryl isoxazole triflones and 3-aryl-5-styrylisoxazole triflones to provide products in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. The highly functionalized 5-trifluoromethyl-2-isoxazoline derivatives are expected to be a new class of antiparasiticides. Thus the triflyl group both activates isoxazoles and the 4-postion of CF3 adducts, and has a potential biological function.

Trifluoromethanesulfonyl hypervalent iodonium ylide for copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylthiolation of enamines, indoles, and β-keto esters

A novel electrophilic-type trifluoromethylthiolation reagent, a trifluoromethanesulfonyl hypervalent iodonium ylide, was designed and reacted well with various nucleophiles to afford the desired CF3S-substituted products. In situ reduction of the trifluoromethanesulfonyl group to give the trifluoromethylthio group, which is the key step in this process, was realized in the presence of copper(I) chloride.