Catalyst- and solvent-free regiospecific SNHAr phosphinylation of pyridines with H-phosphinates mediated by benzoylphenylacetylene

Pyridines undergo a facile SNHAr phosphinylation with H-phosphinates under catalyst- and solvent-free conditions (50-55 °C) in the presence of benzoylphenylacetylene to afford 4-phosphinylpyridines in up to 68% yield. In this reaction, benzoylphenylacetylene activates the pyridine ring by the formation of a 1,3(4)-dipolar complex, deprotonates H-phosphinates to generate P-centered anions and finally acts as an oxidizer, being eliminated from an intermediate ion pair. Terminal electron-deficient acetylenes (methyl propiolate and benzoylacetylene) are inefficient as mediators in the above SNHAr process.

Derivatives of 9-phosphorylated acridine as butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors with antioxidant activity and the ability to inhibit β-amyloid self-aggregation: potential therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease

We investigated the inhibitory activities of novel 9-phosphoryl-9,10-dihydroacridines and 9-phosphorylacridines against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and carboxylesterase (CES). We also studied the abilities of the new compounds to interfere with the self-aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ42) in the thioflavin test as well as their antioxidant activities in the ABTS and FRAP assays. We used molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantum-chemical calculations to explain experimental results. All new compounds weakly inhibited AChE and off-target CES. Dihydroacridines with aryl substituents in the phosphoryl moiety inhibited BChE; the most active were the dibenzyloxy derivative 1d and its diphenethyl bioisostere 1e (IC50 = 2.90 ± 0.23 µM and 3.22 ± 0.25 µM, respectively). Only one acridine, 2d, an analog of dihydroacridine, 1d, was an effective BChE inhibitor (IC50 = 6.90 ± 0.55 μM), consistent with docking results. Dihydroacridines inhibited Aβ42 self-aggregation; 1d and 1e were the most active (58.9% ± 4.7% and 46.9% ± 4.2%, respectively). All dihydroacridines 1 demonstrated high ABTS•+-scavenging and iron-reducing activities comparable to Trolox, but acridines 2 were almost inactive. Observed features were well explained by quantum-chemical calculations. ADMET parameters calculated for all compounds predicted favorable intestinal absorption, good blood-brain barrier permeability, and low cardiac toxicity. Overall, the best results were obtained for two dihydroacridine derivatives 1d and 1e with dibenzyloxy and diphenethyl substituents in the phosphoryl moiety. These compounds displayed high inhibition of BChE activity and Aβ42 self-aggregation, high antioxidant activity, and favorable predicted ADMET profiles. Therefore, we consider 1d and 1e as lead compounds for further in-depth studies as potential anti-AD preparations.

New TEMPO-Appended 2,2'-Bipyridine-Based Eu(III), Tb(III), Gd(III) and Sm(III) Complexes: Synthesis, Photophysical Studies and Testing Photoluminescence-Based Bioimaging Abilities

Linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyloids and tau-protein are known to contain a large number of cysteine (Cys) residues. In addition, certain levels of some common biogenic thiols (cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), glutathione (GSH), etc.) in biological fluids are closely related to AD as well as other diseases. Therefore, probes with a selective interaction with the above-mentioned thiols can be used for the monitoring and visualizing changes of (bio)thiols in the biological fluids as well as in the brain of animal models of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, new Eu(III), Tb(III), Gd(III) and Sm(III) complexes of 2,2'-bipyridine ligands containing TEMPO fragments as receptor units for (bio)thiols are reported. The presence of free radical fragments of the ligand in the complexes was proved by using the electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method. Among all the complexes, the Eu(III) complex turned out to be the most promising one as luminescence- and spin-probe for the detection of biogenic thiols. The EPR and fluorescent titration methods showed the interaction of the resulting complex with free Cys and GSH in solution. To study the practical applicability of the probes for the monitoring of AD in-vivo, by using the above-mentioned Eu(III)-based probe, the staining of the brain of mice with amyloidosis and Vero cell cultures supplemented with the cysteine-enriched medium was studied as well as the fluorescence titration of Bovine Serum Albumin, BSA (as the model for the thiol moieties containing protein), was carried out. Based on the results of fluorescence titration, the formation of a non-covalent inclusion complex between the above-mentioned Eu(III) complex and BSA was suggested.

A BF3-mediated C–H/C–Li coupling of 1,3,7-triazapyrene with 2-thienyllithium in the design of push–pull fluorophores and chemosensors for nitroaromatics

A BF3-mediated strategy of oxidative nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen affords mono- and bis-substituted thiophene-derived 1,3,7-triazapyrene fluorophores of interest in the design of luminescent materials and chemosensors for nitroaromatics.

Electron-Deficient Acetylenes as Three-Modal Adjuvants in SNH Reaction of Pyridinoids with Phosphorus Nucleophiles

Publications covering a new easy metal-free functionalization of pyridinoids (pyridines, quinolines, isoquinolines, acridine) under the action of the system of electron-deficient acetylenes (acetylenecarboxylic acid esters, acylacetylenes)/P-nucleophiles (phosphine chalcogenides, H-phosphonates) are reviewed. Special attention is focused on a S_N^H reaction of the regioselective cross-coupling of pyridines with secondary phosphine chalcogenides triggered by acylacetylenes to give 4-chalcogenophosphorylpyridines. In these processes, acetylenes act as three-modal adjuvants (i) activating the pyridine ring towards P-nucleophiles, (ii) deprotonating the P-H bond and (iii) facilitating the nucleophilic addition of the P-centered anion to a heterocyclic moiety followed by the release of the selectively reduced acetylenes (E-alkenes).

Metal-Free C-H/C-H Coupling of 2H-Imidazole 1-Oxides with Polyphenols toward Imidazole-Linked Polyphenolic Compounds

The methodology of nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (S_N^H) was successfully applied as a convenient synthetic tool to afford azaheterocyclic derivatives of phenols of various architectures. A series of 26 novel imidazole-linked polyphenolic compounds were first prepared in 72-95% yields through the direct metal-free C-H/C-H coupling of polyphenols with 2H-imidazole 1-oxides. Comprehensive studies on the reaction condition optimization, scope, and limitations enabled the development of a straightforward method toward novel bifunctional derivatives bearing both phenolic and imidazole scaffolds of particular interest in the design of challenging molecules for versatile applications in medicinal chemistry and materials science.

C(sp2)-H functionalization in non-aromatic azomethine-based heterocycles

Direct C(sp2)-H functionalization of the endocyclic azomethine and aldonitrone moieties in non-aromatic azaheterocycles has established itself as a promising methodology over the last decade. Transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, α-metalation-electrophile quenching protocols, and (metal-free) nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen reactions (SNH) are the major routes applied on cyclic imines and their derivatives. In this overview, we show the tangible progress made in this area during the period from 2008 to 2020.

Metal-free SHN cross-coupling of pyridines with phosphine chalcogenides: polarization/deprotonation/oxidation effects of electron-deficient acetylenes

Terminal acylacetylenes act as trimodal auxiliaries in SHN cross-coupling of pyridines with phosphine chalcogenides. The reaction proceeds via phosphorylation of the pyridine 2 position followed by 2 → 4-migration of phosphoryl moieties.

Catalyst-Free Double CH-Functionalization of Quinolines with Phosphine Oxides via Two SNHAr Reaction Sequences

Quinolines undergo catalyst-free double CH-functionalization upon treatment with secondary phosphine oxides (70-75 °C, 20-48 h) followed by oxidation of the intermediate 2,4-bisphosphoryltetrahydroquinolines with chloranil. The yields of the target 2,4-bisphosphorylated quinolines are up to 77%. Thus, a double-S_N^HAr reaction sequence in the same molecule of quinoline has been realized. In the case of 2,4-bisphenylphosphoryltetrahydroquinolines, the aromatization occurs with elimination of one molecule of diphenylphosphine oxide to afford the products of monofunctionalization, 4-diphenylphosphorylquinolines, in 40-45% yields.

Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrazin-2(1 H)-ones via Tele-Nucleophilic Substitution of Hydrogen Involving Grignard Reactants and Electrophiles

The reaction of 6-chloro-1-methylpyrazin-2(1 H)-one with Grignard reactants followed by quenching with different electrophiles gave access to a variety of 3,6-difunctionalized 1-methylpyrazin-2(1 H)-ones. This regioselective three-component reaction represents the first example of a tele-nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (S_N^H) in which the anionic σ^H adduct is quenched by electrophiles (other than a proton) before elimination takes place. Quenching the reaction with iodine (I₂) or bromine (Br₂) provides an alternative reaction pathway, yielding a 3-functionalized 6-chloro-1-methylpyrazin-2(1 H)-one or 5-bromo-6-chloro-1-methylpyrazin-2(1 H)-one, respectively. The halogens present offer opportunities for further selective transformations.

Transition metal-free oxidative and deoxygenative C-H/C-Li cross-couplings of 2H-imidazole 1-oxides with carboranyl lithium as an efficient synthetic approach to azaheterocyclic carboranes

The direct C-H functionalization methodology has first been applied to perform transition metal-free C-H/C-Li cross-couplings of 2H-imidazole 1-oxides with carboranyllithium. This atom- and step-economical approach, based on one-pot reactions of nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (SN H) in non-aromatic azaheterocycles, affords novel imidazolyl-modified carboranes of two types (N-oxides and their deoxygenative analogues), which are particularly of interest in the design of advanced materials.

Electrochemical strategies for C-H functionalization and C-N bond formation

Conventional methods for carrying out carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation are typically conducted at elevated temperatures, and rely on expensive catalysts as well as the use of stoichiometric, and perhaps toxic, oxidants. In this regard, electrochemical synthesis has recently been recognized as a sustainable and scalable strategy for the construction of challenging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Here, electrosynthesis has proven to be an environmentally benign, highly effective and versatile platform for achieving a wide range of nonclassical bond disconnections via generation of radical intermediates under mild reaction conditions. This review provides an overview on the use of anodic electrochemical methods for expediting the development of carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation strategies. Emphasis is placed on methodology development and mechanistic insight and aims to provide inspiration for future synthetic applications in the field of electrosynthesis.

Metal-free site selective cross-coupling of pyridines with secondary phosphine chalcogenides using acylacetylenes as oxidants

Pyridines are easily cross-coupled with secondary phosphine chalcogenides in the presence of acylphenylacetylenes under mild conditions to afford 4-chalcogenophosphorylpyridines.

Studies on the interactions of 5-R-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazines with arynes: inverse demand aza-Diels–Alder reaction versus aryne-mediated domino process

The interactions between substituted 5-R-3-(pyridyl-2)-1,2,4-triazines with in situ generated substituted aryne intermediates have been studied.

Metal-free C–H functionalization of 2H-imidazole 1-oxides with pyrrolyl fragments in the design of novel azaheterocyclic ensembles

Novel pyrrolyl-2H-imidazoles have been synthesizedviametal-free C–H/C–H coupling reactions under mild conditions and in good to excellent yields.