Total Synthesis of (−)-Dysithiazolamide

Photochemically induced chloromethylation/cyclization of benzimidazole derivatives with CCl4/CHCl3

Herein, it is reported that a series of trichloromethyl/dichloromethyl substituted benzimidazole derivatives have been synthesized by dechlorination of CCl4/CHCl3 to form polychloromethyl radicals and cyclization with an unactivated olefin under a purple LED lamp. The protocol features a wide substrate scope, high atom economy, and excellent regioselectivity, and is easy to scale up.

Metal-free polychloromethylation/cyclization of unactivated alkenes towards ring-fused tricyclic indolones and benzoimidazoles

Polychloromethylative cyclization of N-alkenyl indoles was developed under metal-free conditions to afford tricyclic pyridoindolones and pyrroloindolones in moderate to good yields. In the reaction, commercially available CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 were employed as tri- and dichloromethyl radical sources. Moreover, tri- and dichloromethylated polycyclic benzoimidazoles can also be obtained under standard conditions.

Naturally Occurring Organohalogen Compounds-A Comprehensive Review

The present volume is the third in a trilogy that documents naturally occurring organohalogen compounds, bringing the total number-from fewer than 25 in 1968-to approximately 8000 compounds to date. Nearly all of these natural products contain chlorine or bromine, with a few containing iodine and, fewer still, fluorine. Produced by ubiquitous marine (algae, sponges, corals, bryozoa, nudibranchs, fungi, bacteria) and terrestrial organisms (plants, fungi, bacteria, insects, higher animals) and universal abiotic processes (volcanos, forest fires, geothermal events), organohalogens pervade the global ecosystem. Newly identified extraterrestrial sources are also documented. In addition to chemical structures, biological activity, biohalogenation, biodegradation, natural function, and future outlook are presented.

Metal-free polychloromethyl radical-initiated cyclization of unactivated N-allylindoles towards pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles

A metal-free polychloromethyl radical-initiated cyclization of unactivated alkenes was developed using CH₂Cl₂ and CHCl₃ as the di- and trichloromethyl radical sources. Variously substituted N-allyl-indoles were successfully transformed into the corresponding C2-(di- and trichloromethyl) pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles in moderate to good yields. This reaction has a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. Dibromomethylated products can also be obtained using CH₂Br₂ under standard conditions.

Radical-Mediated Cascade Spirocyclization of N-Benzylacrylamides with Polyhaloalkanes: Access to Polyhalo-Substituted Azaspirocyclohexadienones

A novel and mild metal-free catalyzed radical-mediated cascade spirocyclization of N-benzylacrylamides with polyhaloalkanes is proposed for the preparation of polyhalo-substituted azaspirocyclohexadienones. Notably, polyhaloalkanes are employed as efficient alkyl radical sources via the cleavage of C(sp³)-H bonds. This protocol undergoes a cascade radical addition and intramolecular cyclization/dearomatization process, and enables the easy construction of multiple chemical bonds and a spiro ring in a single reaction.

Photophysics, photochemistry and bioimaging application of 8-azapurine derivatives

New 2-aryl-1,2,3-triazolopyrimidines were designed, synthesized, and characterized. Their optical properties were thoroughly studied in the solid phase, in solution and in a biological environment. Density Functional Theory (DFT) based calculations were performed, including the molecular geometry optimization for both the ground state and the first singlet excited state, the prediction of the UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra, the determination of the molecular electrostatic properties and the solvent effect on the optical properties. The emission intensity was revealed to increase in time upon irradiation. Mass spectrometric research, quantum mechanical calculations, and analysis of literature data suggested a possible photo-transformation pathway through the homolytic cleavage of one of the C-Cl bonds upon irradiation with UV light. The structure of the active intermediate was identified by the series of mass spectrometry experiments and via synthesis of putative transformation products. The kinetic parameters measured in different solvents allowed estimating the rate of these photo-transformations. Biological experiments demonstrated that 2-aryl-1,2,3-triazolopyrimidines penetrate cells and selectively accumulate in the cell membrane and the Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum. Their unique properties pave the way for new possible applications of fluorescent 8-azapurines in biology and medicine.

Free Radical-Promoted Monochloroalkylarylation of Alkenes with Chloralkanes

Free radical-initiated cascade cyclization of unactivated alkenes with chloralkanes, which undergoes selective activation of the α-C(sp³)-H bond of chloralkanes, provides a protocol for the synthesis of chlorinated heterocycles or polycyclic compounds. A series of radical inhibition experiments, radical capture operations, and radical clock tests were studied in this system.

Recent Developments on the Synthesis and Bioactivity of Ilamycins/Rufomycins and Cyclomarins, Marine Cyclopeptides That Demonstrate Anti-Malaria and Anti-Tuberculosis Activity

Ilamycins/rufomycins and cyclomarins are marine cycloheptapeptides containing unusual amino acids. Produced by Streptomyces sp., these compounds show potent activity against a range of mycobacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The cyclomarins are also very potent inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum. Biosynthetically the cyclopeptides are obtained via a heptamodular nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) that directly incorporates some of the nonproteinogenic amino acids. A wide range of derivatives can be obtained by fermentation, while bioengineering also allows the mutasynthesis of derivatives, especially cyclomarins. Other derivatives are accessible by semisynthesis or total syntheses, reported for both natural product classes. The anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) activity results from the binding of the peptides to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the bacterial protease-associated unfoldase ClpC1, causing cell death by the uncontrolled proteolytic activity of this enzyme. Diadenosine triphosphate hydrolase (PfAp3Aase) was found to be the active target of the cyclomarins in Plasmodia. SAR studies with natural and synthetic derivatives on ilamycins/rufomycins and cyclomarins indicate which parts of the molecules can be simplified or otherwise modified without losing activity for either target. This review examines all aspects of the research conducted in the syntheses of these interesting cyclopeptides.

Marine Natural Products from Indonesian Waters

Natural products are primal and have been a driver in the evolution of organic chemistry and ultimately in science. The chemical structures obtained from marine organisms are diverse, reflecting biodiversity of genes, species and ecosystems. Biodiversity is an extraordinary feature of life and provides benefits to humanity while promoting the importance of environment conservation. This review covers the literature on marine natural products (MNPs) discovered in Indonesian waters published from January 1970 to December 2017, and includes 732 original MNPs, 4 structures isolated for the first time but known to be synthetic entities, 34 structural revisions, 9 artifacts, and 4 proposed MNPs. Indonesian MNPs were found in 270 papers from 94 species, 106 genera, 64 families, 32 orders, 14 classes, 10 phyla, and 5 kingdoms. The emphasis is placed on the structures of organic molecules (original and revised), relevant biological activities, structure elucidation, chemical ecology aspects, biosynthesis, and bioorganic studies. Through the synthesis of past and future data, huge and partly undescribed biodiversity of marine tropical invertebrates and their importance for crucial societal benefits should greatly be appreciated.

Solvent-tuned chemoselective carboazidation and diazidation of alkenes via iron catalysis

A solvent-tuned chemoselective carboazidation and diazidation of alkenes with CH₂Cl₂ and TMSN₃ through iron catalysis has been described.

Total Synthesis of Anti-tuberculosis Natural Products Ilamycins E1 and F

The first total synthesis of the potent anti-tuberculosis cyclopeptide natural products ilamycins E₁ and F was achieved. This highly convergent strategy consists of the synthesis of the two units 10 and 11 and linking them together to form the macrocyclic lactam 31. The upper unit 10 was prepared from tryptophan in five steps, and the lower unit 11 was prepared from glutamic acid in thirteen steps. Conversion of ilamycin F, the most abundant of the cyclopeptides, into the more active congener, ilamycin E₁, was also accomplished. This would provide sufficient material of ilamycin E₁ for more extensive biological studies.

Metal-free radical cascade chloromethylation of unactivated alkenes: synthesis of polychloro-substituted indolines

The di- and trichloromethylation of N-allyl anilines with CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃ and CCl₄ was developed, leading to di- and trichloromethylated indolines.

Total synthesis of largamide B

Total synthesis of the cyanobacterial metabolite largamide B and the disproval of its originally assigned stereochemistry as well as confirmation of the revised stereochemistry are reported.

Structure-based design of potent and selective 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) inhibitors

Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1(PDK1) is a master regulator of the AGC family of kinases and an integral component of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. As this pathway is among the most commonly deregulated across all cancers, a selective inhibitor of PDK1 might have utility as an anticancer agent. Herein we describe our lead optimization of compound 1 toward highly potent and selective PDK1 inhibitors via a structure-based design strategy. The most potent and selective inhibitors demonstrated submicromolar activity as measured by inhibition of phosphorylation of PDK1 substrates as well as antiproliferative activity against a subset of AML cell lines. In addition, reduction of phosphorylation of PDK1 substrates was demonstrated in vivo in mice bearing OCl-AML2 xenografts. These observations demonstrate the utility of these molecules as tools to further delineate the biology of PDK1 and the potential pharmacological uses of a PDK1 inhibitor.