New advances in the catalysis of organic reactions by iron compounds

The review summarizes and systematizes the literature data on a new promising application area of iron compounds, that is, catalysis of organic reactions. The considered reactions include halogenation, formation of C−C bonds with the participation of various substrates, new methods for the synthesis of ethers and aromatic and heteroaromatic carboxylic acid esters, N-alkylation of aliphatic and aromatic amines and amidation of olefins and cyclopropane-containing hydrocarbons. The advances in the synthesis of quinolines and unusual cyclization reactions catalyzed by iron complexes are described.

The bibliography includes 144 references.

Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Hydrazide-Hydrazones as Inhibitors of Laccase from Trametes versicolor

A series of hydrazide-hydrazones 1-3, the imine derivatives of hydrazides and aldehydes bearing benzene rings, were screened as inhibitors of laccase from Trametes versicolor. Laccase is a copper-containing enzyme which inhibition might prevent or reduce the activity of the plant pathogens that produce it in various biochemical processes. The kinetic and molecular modeling studies were performed and for selected compounds, the docking results were discussed. Seven 4-hydroxybenzhydrazide (4-HBAH) derivatives exhibited micromolar activity Ki = 24-674 µM with the predicted and desirable competitive type of inhibition. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that a slim salicylic aldehyde framework had a pivotal role in stabilization of the molecules near the substrate docking site. Furthermore, the presence of phenyl and bulky tert-butyl substituents in position 3 in salicylic aldehyde fragment favored strong interaction with the substrate-binding pocket in laccase. Both 3- and 4-HBAH derivatives containing larger 3-tert-butyl-5-methyl- or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-benzylidene unit, did not bind to the active site of laccase and, interestingly, acted as non-competitive (Ki = 32.0 µM) or uncompetitive (Ki = 17.9 µM) inhibitors, respectively. From the easily available laccase inhibitors only sodium azide, harmful to environment and non-specific, was over 6 times more active than the above compounds.

Metal complex catalysis in the chemistry of lower diamondoids

The review presents the first survey of published data on the use of compounds, complexes and nanoparticles of transition metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, V, Mo, Cu, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, Os, Au, Re and Th) in the catalytic transformations of lower diamondoids — adamantane, diamantane and their derivatives. Catalytic halogenation, oxidation, alkylation and cross-coupling reactions are considered, and the formation pathways of C–N, C–S and C–Se bonds in the series of adamantanoids are discussed. Reaction conditions, appropriate catalytic systems and the structures of products are presented.

The bibliography includes 242 references.