Modular synthesis of (E)-cinnamaldehydes directly from allylarenes via a metal-free DDQ-mediated oxidative process

Establishment of an MR1 Presentation Reporter Screening System and Identification of Phenylpropanoid Derivatives as MR1 Ligands

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T cells that are modulated by ligands presented on MHC class I-related proteins (MR1). These cells have attracted attention as potential drug targets because of their involvement in the initial response to infection and various disorders. Herein, we have established the MR1 presentation reporter assay system employing split-luciferase, which enables the efficient exploration of MR1 ligands. Using our screening system, we identified phenylpropanoid derivatives as MR1 ligands, including coniferyl aldehyde, which have an ability to inhibit the MR1-MAIT cell axis. Further, the structure-activity relationship study of coniferyl aldehyde analogs revealed the key structural features of ligands required for MR1 recognition. These results will contribute to identifying a broad range of endogenous and exogenous MR1 ligands and to developing novel MAIT cell modulators.

Intertwining Olefin Thianthrenation with Kornblum/Ganem Oxidations: Ene-type Oxidation to Furnish α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyls

A widely applicable, practical, and scalable synthetic method for efficient ene-type double oxidation of alkenes is reported via a two-step alkenyl thianthrenium umpolung/Kornblum-Ganem oxidation strategy. This chemo- and stereoselective procedure allows easy access to various α,β-unsaturated carbonyls that may be otherwise difficult or cumbersome to synthesize by conventional methods. For α-olefins, this metal-free transformation can be tuned according to synthetic needs to produce either the elusive (Z)-unsaturated aldehydes or their (E) counterparts. Moreover, this strategy has enabled streamlined synthesis of distinct butadienyl pheromones and kairomones.

Synthesis and Photophysical Characterizations of Pyrroloquinolone Photosensitizers for Singlet Oxygen Production

A series of pyrroloquinolone photosensitizers bearing different halogen substituents (Cl, Br, I) on the heterocyclic framework was studied. These structures were readily prepared through a multi-step synthetic sequence involving an oxidative protocol as an important step to access the quinolone framework. Spectroscopic characterizations and computational investigations were carried out to study the dyes before and after the oxidative step. Interestingly, the fluorescence emission was significantly reduced upon oxidation. In spite of a low photostability under UV light, the pyrroloquinolone photosensitizers proved effective to produce singlet oxygen. Higher singlet oxygen quantum yields were obtained with photosensitizers bearing halogen atoms with a higher atomic number.

Methylene Capping Facilitates Cross-Metathesis Reactions of Enals: A Short Synthesis of 7-Methoxywutaifuranal from the Xylochemical Isoeugenol

Four combinations of type-I olefins isoeugenol and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene with type-II olefins acrolein and crotonaldehyde were investigated in cross-metathesis (CM) reactions. While both type-I olefins are suitable CM partners for this transformation, we observed synthetically useful conversions only with type-II olefin crotonaldehyde. For economic reasons, isoeugenol, a cheap xylochemical available from renewable lignocellulose or from clove oil, is the preferred type-I CM partner. Nearly quantitative conversions to coniferyl aldehyde by the CM reaction of isoeugenol and crotonaldehyde can be obtained at ambient temperature without a solvent or at high substrate concentrations of 2 mol·L^-1 with the second-generation Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst. Under these conditions, the ratio of reactants can be reduced to 1:1.5 and catalyst loadings as low as 0.25 mol % are possible. The high reactivity of the isoeugenol/crotonaldehyde combination in olefin metathesis reactions was demonstrated by a short synthesis of the natural product 7-methoxywutaifuranal, which was obtained from isoeugenol in a 44% yield over five steps. We suggest that the superior performance of crotonaldehyde in the CM reactions investigated can be rationalized by "methylene capping", i.e., the steric stabilization of the propagating Ru-alkylidene species.

Structure and Properties of Oxidized Chitosan Grafted Cashmere Fiber by Amide Covalent Modification

In this study, oxidized chitosan grafted cashmere fibers (OCGCFs) were obtained by crosslinking the oxidized chitosan onto cashmere fibers by amide covalent modification. A novel method was developed for the selective oxidation of the C6 primary hydroxyls into carboxyl groups for chitosan. The effect of oxidization reaction parameters of HNO₃/H₃PO₄-NaNO₂ mediated oxidation system on the oxidation degree, structure, and properties of chitosan were investigated. The chemical structure of the oxidized chitosan was characterized by solid-state cross-polarization magic angle spinning carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CP/MAS ¹³C-NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and its morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, the effect of the oxidized chitosan grafting on OCGCF was examined, and the physical properties, moisture regain, and antibacterial activity of OCGCFs were also evaluated. The results showed that oxidation of chitosan mostly occurred at the C6 primary hydroxyl groups. Moreover, an oxidized chitosan with 43.5-56.8% carboxyl content was realized by ranging the oxidation time from 30 to 180 min. The resulting OCGCF had a C-N amido bond, formed as a result of the reaction between the primary amines in the cashmere fibers and the carboxyl groups in the oxidized chitosan through the amide reaction. The OCGCF exhibited good moisture regain and remarkable bacteriostasis against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria with its durability.

Iron(III)/O2-Mediated Regioselective Oxidative Cleavage of 1-Arylbutadienes to Cinnamaldehydes

A simple, efficient, and environmentally benevolent regioselective oxidative cleavage of 1-arylbutadienes to cinnamaldehydes mediated by iron(III) sulfate/O₂ has been developed. The reaction offered good yields and excellent regioselectivity and showed good functional group tolerance (31 examples). The method is important, as few reports with limited substrate scope are available for such excellent oxidative cleavage of conjugated dienes.