A de novo Synthesis of Oxindoles from Cyclohexanone-Derived γ-Keto-Ester Acceptors Using a Desaturative Amination–Cyclization Approach

Here we report a desaturative approach for oxindole synthesis. This method uses simple ethyl 2-(2-oxocyclohexyl)acetates and primary amine building blocks as coupling partners. A dual photoredox–cobalt manifold is used to generate a secondary aniline that, upon heating, cyclizes with the pendent ester functionality. The process operates under mild conditions and was applied to the modification of several amino acids, the blockbuster drug mexiletine, as well as the formation of dihydroquinolinones.

Decarboxylative/Oxidative Amidation of Aryl α-Ketocarboxylic Acids with Nitroarenes and Nitroso Compounds in Aqueous Medium

The decarboxylative/oxidative amidation of aryl α-ketocarboxylic acids with 5-aryl-3-nitroisoxazole-4-carboxylates and substituted dinitrobenzenes under oxidative aqueous conditions to afford N-aryl amides is described. The reaction is suggested to proceed via a radical pathway in which a benzoyl nitroxyl radical, the key intermediate formed from reaction between nitroarene and benzoyl radical from glyoxalic acid, couples with hydroxyl radical from water to produce amide. Mechanistic insight allowed the scope of the strategy to be expanded to the synthesis of amides via reaction between aryl α-ketocarboxylic acids and nitroso compounds.

A dual photoredox-nickel strategy for remote functionalization via iminyl radicals: radical ring-opening-arylation, -vinylation and -alkylation cascades

A divergent strategy for the remote arylation, vinylation and alkylation of nitriles is described. These processes proceed through the photoredox generation of a cyclic iminyl radical and its following ring-opening reaction. The distal nitrile radical is then engaged in nickel-based catalytic cycles to form C-C bonds with aryl bromides, alkynes and alkyl bromides.

β-carboline-based turn-on fluorescence chemosensor for quantitative detection of fluoride at PPB level

A novel β-carboline-based chemosensor, having an acidic NH proton that leads to fluoride-induced deprotonation involving a vivid color change from colorless to yellow is described. The absorption spectrum of the chemosensor in acetonitrile has a peak at 375 nm, which changes to 428 nm with the gradual addition of only fluoride in the solution with a clear isosbestic points at 357 nm and 392 nm. More interestingly, the chemosensor gives a turn-on type of fluorescence at 554 nm in the presence of fluoride. Further it was found that the sensor is highly selective towards fluoride over other anions including chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, borate, perchlorate and can quantitatively detect fluoride at ppb level with a limit of detection of 0.02 mg/ L or 20 ppb. The chemosensor was successfully demonstrated to assess the fluoride concentration in the tap water.

Correction: A dual photoredox-nickel strategy for remote functionalization via iminyl radicals: radical ring-opening-arylation, -vinylation and -alkylation cascades

Correction for ‘A dual photoredox-nickel strategy for remote functionalization via iminyl radicals: radical ring-opening-arylation, -vinylation and -alkylation cascades’ by Elizabeth M. Dauncey et al., Chem. Sci., 2019, 10, 7728–7733.

Synthesis of S-(-)-5,6-Dihydrocanthin-4-ones via a Triple Cooperative Catalysis-Mediated Domino Reaction

An enantioselective synthesis of S-(-)-5,6-dihydrocanthin-4-ones via a triple cooperative catalysis-mediated domino reaction having a broad substrate scope is reported. The reaction between substituted 1-formyl-9H-β-carbolines and terminal alkynes in the presence of catalytic amounts of Jorgensen-Hayashi catalyst, copper iodide, and Hunig base proceeded via a multicascade route, affording the title compounds in good yields and excellent ees with interesting mechanistic features. These compounds were assessed for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum strains. Additionally, 5,6-dihydrocanthin-4-ones are demonstrated to be a versatile precursor to different fused β-carboline derivatives via simple synthetic transformations.

Synthesis of 3,4,5-Trisubstituted Isoxazoles from Morita-Baylis-Hillman Acetates by an NaNO2 /I2 -Mediated Domino Reaction

An efficient NaNO2 /I2 -mediated one-pot transformation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) acetates into alkyl 3-nitro-5-(aryl/alkyl)isoxazole-4-carboxylates is described. In a cascade event, initial Michael addition of NaNO2 to the MBH acetate furnishes the allylnitro intermediate which undergoes I2 -catalyzed oxidative α-CH nitration of the nitromethyl subunit followed by [3+2] cycloaddition to afford the title compounds. Structural elaborations of these highly substituted isoxazoles by SN Ar reactions and hydrogenolysis allows access to useful products.

Synthesis of β-Carboline-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Their Antiproliferative and Antimetastatic Activities against Human Breast Cancer Cells

A series of novel β-carboline-based N-heterocyclic carbenes was prepared via Mannich reaction between methyl 1-(dimethoxymethyl)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylate, formaldehyde, and primary amines. All compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity using human breast cancer and lung cancer cell lines. Three compounds, 3c, 3j, and 3h, were discovered to display IC50 less than 10 μM against human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells at 24 h of treatment. Pharmacologically these compounds lead to G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and induction of cellular apoptosis by triggering intrinsic apoptotic pathway through depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspases. At lower concentrations, these compounds also showed antimigratory and antiinvasive effects against highly metastatic human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells via aberration of MAP-kinase signaling and by the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases. However, these analogues lack in vivo effect in mouse model which may be attributed to their strong affinity to HSA that was investigated spectroscopically with compound 3h.

Synthesis of N-alkyl pyrroles via decarboxylation/dehydration in neutral ionic liquid under catalyst-free conditions

A catalyst-free benign route toN-alkyl pyrroles by reacting aromatic, heteroaromatic or aliphatic aldehydes with 4-hydroxyproline in neutral ionic liquid under microwave irradiation is presented.