Rational design of pincer-nickel complexes for catalytic cyanomethylation of benzaldehyde: A systematic DFT study

The current study dwells upon the efforts to computationally probe a phosphine-free pincer-nickel complex that would demonstrate an efficiency better than the reported phosphine-based pincer-nickel complex (^iPr2 POCN^Et2 )Ni(CH₂ CN) for cyanomethylation reaction. For this purpose, the mechanism of cyanomethylation of benzaldehyde was studied quantum mechanically for a series of 11 pincer-nickel complexes. The energetics of various intermediates and transition states involved in the catalytic cycle for each catalyst was compared with the corresponding energetics of the Miller's catalyst (^iPr2 POCN^Et2 )Ni(CH₂ CN) that is reported to accomplish the cyanomethylation at room temperature. While pincer complexes (^iPr4 NNN)Ni(CH₂ CN) and (^iPr4 NCN)Ni(CH₂ CN) containing strong σ-donating amines were found to fare poorly, pincer-nickel complexes (^iPr2 NCN)Ni(CH₂ CN) and (^dm PheboxNCN)Ni(CH₂ CN) based on weaker σ-donating imines had energetics more favorable than the reported efficient catalyst (^iPr2 POCN^Et2 )Ni(CH₂ CN). While strong trans-influencing C as the pincer central atom was found to be pivotal for lowering the cyanomethylation kinetics, presence of a poor trans-influencing N proved to be detrimental on the overall energetics.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Spiro-α-methylene-γ-lactams via Chiral Quaternary 3-Aminooxindole Adducts Accessed by Zn-Mediated Allylation of Sulfinyl Ketimines

An efficient method for the stereoselective synthesis of α-methylene-γ-lactams via quaternary 3-aminooxindoles with very high selectivity (up to 98% ee) is described. The methodology leads to the construction of sterically congested chiral quaternary 3-aminooxindole adducts in good yield and with moderate to excellent diastereoselectivity (dr up to 95:5). The relative stereochemistry of the chiral quaternary 3-aminooxindoles adduct and the spiro-α-methylene-γ-lactam was confirmed to be syn by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Furthermore, the α-methylene-γ-lactam was successfully transformed into a range of chiral synthons.

Toward development of generic inhibitors against the 3C proteases of picornaviruses

Development of novel antivirals, which requires knowledge of the viral life cycle in molecular detail, is a daunting task, involving extensive investments, and frequently resulting in failure. As there exist significant commonalities among virus families in the manner of host interaction, identifying and targeting common rather than specific features may lead to the development of broadly useful antivirals. Here, we have targeted the 3C protease of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), a feco-orally transmitted virus of the family Picornaviridae, for identification of potential antivirals. The 3C protease is a viable drug target as it is required by HAV, as well as by other picornaviruses, for post-translational proteolysis of viral polyproteins and for inhibiting host innate immune pathways. Computational screening, followed by chemical synthesis and experimental validation resulted in identification of a few compounds which, at low micromolar concentrations, could inhibit HAV 3C activity. These compounds were further tested experimentally against the 3C protease of Human Rhinovirus, another member of the Picornaviridae family, with comparable results. Computational studies on 3C proteases from other members of the picornavirus family have indicated that the compounds identified could potentially be generic inhibitors for picornavirus 3C proteases.

DBU-Mediated Diastereoselective Aldol-Type Cyanomethylation of Isatins

An efficient, metal-free approach to 3-substituted 3-hydroxyoxindole by DBU-mediated highly diastereoselective addition of aryl acetonitrile to N-protected isatin under mild conditions has been developed. The reaction proceeds smoothly to produce respective cyanomethylated adducts in good yield and excellent diastereoselectivity. Further transformation of the cyanide group allowed the synthesis of an advance intermediate of corresponding (±) CPC analogue. The mechanistic insight toward the aldol-type cyanomethylation of N-tritylisatin with benzyl cyanide was obtained by DFT calculations.