Advances in the Synthesis of Bioorthogonal Reagents: s-Tetrazines, 1,2,4-Triazines, Cyclooctynes, Heterocycloheptynes, and trans-Cyclooctenes

Aligned with the increasing importance of bioorthogonal chemistry has been an increasing demand for more potent, affordable, multifunctional, and programmable bioorthogonal reagents. More advanced synthetic chemistry techniques, including transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, C-H activation, photoinduced chemistry, and continuous flow chemistry, have been employed in synthesizing novel bioorthogonal reagents for universal purposes. We discuss herein recent developments regarding the synthesis of popular bioorthogonal reagents, with a focus on s-tetrazines, 1,2,4-triazines, trans-cyclooctenes, cyclooctynes, hetero-cycloheptynes, and -trans-cycloheptenes. This review aims to summarize and discuss the most representative synthetic approaches of these reagents and their derivatives that are useful in bioorthogonal chemistry. The preparation of these molecules and their derivatives utilizes both classical approaches as well as the latest organic chemistry methodologies.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Kadsura coccinea alleviate APAP-induced hepatotoxicity via oxidative stress inhibition and activating the Nrf2 pathway in vitro

Phytochemical investigation on the roots of Kadsura coccinea led to the isolation five previously unknown dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, named heilaohusuins A-E (1-5). Their structures determined by NMR spectroscopy, HR-ESI-MS, and ECD spectra. Hepatoprotection effects of a series of dibenzocyclooctadiene derivatives (1-68) were investigated against acetaminophen (APAP) induced HepG2 cells. Compounds 2, 10, 13, 21, 32, 41, 46, and 49 showed remarkable protective effects, increasing the viabilities to > 52.2% (bicyclol, 52.1 ± 1.3%) at 10 μM. The structure-activity relationships (SAR) for hepatoprotective activity were summarized, according to the activity results of dibenzocyclooctadiene derivatives. Furthermore, we found that one new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan heilaohusuin B attenuates hepatotoxicity, the mechanism might be closely correlated with oxidative stress inhibition via activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Bicyclo[6.1.0]nonene Precursors of the Bioorthogonal Reagents s-TCO and BCN

The cyclooctyne BCN and the trans-cyclooctene s-TCO are widely used in bioorthogonal chemistry. A bottleneck for their synthesis had been a poorly selective cyclopropanation with ethyl diazoacetate. Here, we describe that low catalyst loadings (0.27 mol %) of Rh2( S-BHTL)4 provide the BCN precursor with 79:21 syn/ anti selectivity. The synthesis of the s-TCO precursor was best achieved through a sequence of Rh2(OAc)4 (0.33 mol %)-catalyzed cyclopropanation, followed by ester hydrolysis under epimerizing conditions. Both sequences could be carried out on multigram scale.

Discovery and Development of a Three-Component Oxidopyrylium [5 + 2] Cycloaddition

α-Hydroxy-γ-pyrone-based oxidopyrylium cycloaddition reactions are useful methods for accessing a highly diverse range of oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane products. Intermolecular variants of the reaction require the formation of a methyl triflate-based pre-ylide salt that upon treatment with base in the presence of alkenes or alkynes leads to α-methoxyenone-containing bicyclic products. Herein, we describe our discovery that the use of ethanol-stabilized chloroform as solvent leads to the generation of α-ethoxyenone-containing bicyclic byproducts. This three-component process was further optimized by gently heating a mixture of a purified version of the oxidopyrylium dimer in the presence of an alcohol prior to addition of a dipolarophile. Using this convenient procedure, several new oxidopyrylium cycloaddition products can be generated in moderate yields. We also highlight the method in a tandem ring-opening/debenzylation method for the generation of α-hydroxytropolones.

Synthesis and MDR inhibitory activity evaluation of derivatives of schizandrin A

Eighteen schizandrin A derivatives, possessing an acyl group at 7-OH and/or halogen(s) at C-4 and C-11, were designed and synthesized for evaluation of their in vitro ability to inhibit multidrug resistance (MDR). They exhibit weak ability to restore the intracellular Rhodamine 123 in human hepatocarcinoma MDR cell lines Bel7402 and HCT8 relative to the reference drug verapamil.

[Preparation of enteric nanoparticles of Schisandra total lignanoids and preliminary study on its pharmacokinetics]

To study the preparation method of Schisandra total lignanoids enteric (SLE) nanoparticles and evaluate its pharmacokinetics in rats, SLE nanoparticles were prepared by modified emulsion solvent diffusion method. The properties of SLE nanoparticles were evaluated of morphology, mean diameter and entrapment efficiency. An HPLC method was employed to determine the concentration of deoxyschisandrin (QS) and schisantherin A (SA) in plasma, which were used as an index of Schisandra total lignanoids, and the bioavailability of the nanoparticles was compared with the reference group by oral administration using SD rats. The nanoparticles observed by transmission electronmicroscopy were round, and the mean particle sizes of SLE were (36.7 +/- 4.4) nm. Entrapment efficiency of QS and SA were (97.5 +/- 0.7)% and (91.3 +/- 0.8)%, respectively. Its pharmacokinetic process calculated with 3p97 software was fitted to a one-compartment model. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed sustained-release property. Compared with reference formulation, the AUCs of SLE nanoparticles were 2.3 and 5.8 times separately. These results suggested that the incorporation into Eudragit S100 of Schisandra total lignanoids can improve the bioavailability.

Asymmetric synthesis of medium-sized rings by intramolecular Au(I)-catalyzed cyclopropanation

An efficient method for the asymmetric gold(I)-catalyzed preparation of medium sized rings has been developed. The method provides 7- to 9-membered rings in excellent yield. High enantioselectivities can be achieved for 7- and 8-membered ring products employing chiral gold(I) complexes. The results provide insight into the mechanism, showing the fluxional nature of gold(I)-stabilized vinyl carbenoid intermediates.

Spectroscopic, quantum chemical DFT/HF study and synthesis of [2.2.1] hept-2'-en-2'-amino-N-azatricyclo [3.2.1.0(2,4)] octane

The compound 4-N-bicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2'-en-2'-amino-N-azatricyclo [3.2.1.0(2,4)] octane (2) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, mass and NMR. Density functional theory (DFT) and Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations have been carried out for the title compound by using the standard 6-31G* basis set. The calculated results show that the predicted geometry can well reproduce the structural parameters. Predicted vibrational frequencies have been assigned and compared with experimental IR spectra and they complement each other. The theoretical electronic absorption spectra have been calculated by using CIS, TD-DFT and ZINDO methods. The (13)C NMR and (1)H NMR of compound (2) have been calculated by means of Becke 3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) density functional method with 6-31G* basis set. Comparison between the experimental and the theoretical results indicates that density functional B3LYP method is able to provide satisfactory results for predicting NMR properties. On the basis of vibrational analyses, the thermodynamic properties of the title compound at different temperatures have been calculated.

From lactose towards a novel galactosylated cyclooctenone

Lactose was converted into a disaccharide precursor incorporating an allyl vinyl ether substructure within the glucose residue by vinylation, regioselective silylation, tosylation and subsequent elimination. The thermal Claisen rearrangement led to a novel galactosylated cyclooctenone exhibiting a boat-chair conformation.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Eight-Membered Rings

Experiments to develop a rhodium catalyst for the [4 + 2 + 2] cycloisomerization of dienynes with a second alkyne are described. The generality of the reaction is probed in terms of dienyne structure and alkyne structure. A catalyst system that provides cyclooctatrienes in greater than 70% yield is reported. Several experiments to determine the nature of the catalyst are described.

Template synthesis of benzannulated triphosphacyclononanes—a new class of phosphacrowns via template assisted nucleophilic P–C bond formation

A 9-membered triphosphorus macrocycle with o-phenylene backbone functions has been stereoselectively prepared on a CpFe(+) template by two successive nucleophilic attacks of coordinated phosphide on a coordinated o-fluorophenylbiphosphine.

General Strategy for Stereoselective Synthesis of 1-Substituted Exo,Endo-2,6-Diaryl-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes: Total Synthesis of (±)-Gmelinol

[reaction: see text] A general strategy for stereoselective synthesis of 1-substituted exo,endo-2,6-diaryl-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes including (+/-)-gmelinol from (2,3-trans)-(4,5-cis)-alpha-aroylparaconic esters, which are readily obtained from the reaction of vicinal dianions derived from alpha-aroylsuccinic esters with aromatic aldehydes, is described. The synthetic sequence involves alpha-methylation or alpha-hydroxylation, reduction, bislactonization, and reduction followed by furofuran formation.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignan Natural Products

[structure: see text] Full details of the asymmetric total syntheses of the dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans interiotherin A, angeloylgomisin R, gomisin O, and gomisin E (epigomisin O) are presented. The syntheses were based on a unified synthetic strategy involving a novel crotylation using the Leighton auxiliary that occurred with excellent asymmetric induction (>98:2 enantiomeric ratio), a diastereoselective hydroboration/Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction sequence, and an atropdiastereoselective biarylcuprate coupling, both of which occurred with total (>20:1) stereocontrol. The syntheses were achieved in six to eight steps from simple aromatic precursors.

Asymmetric Synthesis of the Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignans Interiotherin A and Gomisin R

[structure: see text] Asymmetric total syntheses of the dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans interiotherin A and angeloylgomisin R are reported. The syntheses were based on an atropdiastereoselective, copper-promoted biaryl coupling reaction, a diastereoselective hydroboration/Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction sequence, and an asymmetric boron-mediated tiglylation of an aryl aldehyde precursor.

A novel and efficient synthesis of bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones and sigmatropic shifts in ground and excited states: stereoselective route to cis-decalins and diquinane frameworks

A new and efficient synthesis of a variety of highly embellished bicyclooctenones having an endo-vinyl moiety and their sigmatropic shifts in ground and excited states leading to a stereoselective route to substituted cis-decalins and diquinane frameworks have been described. Functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones having an endo-vinyl group and a beta,gamma-enone chromophore were prepared by in situ generation of 6-chloromethyl-6-hydroxycyclohexadienones and cycloaddition with butadiene (also generated in situ) followed by manipulation of the adducts. The presence of contiguous carbonyl, hydroxyl, and chloromethyl groups in adducts led to the introduction of various alkyl groups alpha to the ketone in a stereoselective fashion. The 3,3-sigmatropic shift in the bridged bicyclic compounds gave the corresponding cis-decalins, whereas the triplet sensitized irradiation led to the formation of diquinanes as a result of a 1,2-acyl shift.

GABA receptor antagonists and insecticides: common structural features of 4-alkyl-1-phenylpyrazoles and 4-alkyl-1-phenyltrioxabicyclooctanes

Fipronil [5-amino-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole] is one of the most important insecticides. Structure-activity studies described here reveal that fipronil retains its very high binding potency at the human beta3 and house fly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and toxicity to house flies on replacing the pyrazole trifluoromethylsulfinyl moiety with tert-butyl or isopropyl and the phenyl trifluoromethyl substituent with ethynyl, trifluoromethoxy, bromo or chloro. Among the compounds studied, those with other alkyl groups at the 4-position of the pyrazole, as well as phenyl substitution without one or both of the 2,6-dichloro groups, are less effective. 5-Amino-4-tert-butyl-3-cyano-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-ethynylphenyl)pyrazole is highly effective and almost isosteric with 4-tert-butyl-3-cyano-1-(4-ethynylphenyl)-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (the most potent 4-alkyl-1-phenyltrioxabicyclooctane) as a noncompetitive GABA antagonist and insecticide. These findings are interpreted as three binding subsites in the GABA receptor: a hydrophobic site undergoing steric interaction with the tert-butyl or equivalent group; a hydrogen bonding site to pyrazole N-2; a pi bonding site to the face of the phenyl moiety; with supplemental enhancement by the 3-cyano and 4-ethynyl substituents.

Intramolecular aldol cyclization of C-4-ulopyranosyl-2'-oxoalkanes controlled by steric effects. Asymmetric synthesis of substituted 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanones and -octenones and cyclopentenones

Whereas C-2- and 4-ulopyranosyl compounds (C-2- and C-4-ulosides) can be converted to cyclopentenones under base conditions through beta-elimination and ring contraction, base-initiated beta-elimination of C-glycosyl 2'-aldehydes and 2'-ketones results in the formation of acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes or ketones. By combining both molecular features we synthesized 1-C-(4-ulopyranosyl)-2-oxoalkanes 6, 13, and 20 and investigated their reactions when they were treated with base. Both alpha- and beta-anomers of C-(4-ulopyranosyl)acetaldehydes 6 and 13 underwent a fast intramolecular aldol reaction between the C-5 enolate and 2'-aldehyde to form optically pure 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanones, which further transformed to 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octenones 14 and 15 by beta-elimination. However, this aldol reaction did not occur when 1-C-(4-ulopyranosyl)propan-2-one 20 was treated with base because of steric hindrance exerted by the additional methyl group. Instead, an alternate C-3 enolization led to beta-elimination and further electro-ring opening to form an acyclic enol, which was then converted through a disrotatory intramolecular aldol cyclization to a cis-substituted cyclopentenone 21.

Mechanistic Studies of the Transfer Dehydrogenation of Cyclooctane Catalyzed by Iridium Bis(phosphinite) p-XPCP Pincer Complexes

Reaction of bis(phosphinite) PCP iridium pincer complexes (p-XPCP)IrHCl (5a-f) [X = MeO (5a), Me (5b), H (5c), F (5d), C(6)F(5) (5e), Ar(F)(= 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) (5f)] with NaOtBu in neat cyclooctane (COA) generates 1:1 mixtures of the respective (p-XPCP)IrH(2) complexes 4a-f and the cyclooctene (COE) olefin complexes (p-XPCP)Ir(COE) (6a-f) at 23 degrees C. At higher temperatures, complexes 4 and 6 are equilibrated because of the degenerate transfer dehydrogenation of COA with free COE (6 + COA right harpoon over left harpoon 4 + 2COE), as was shown by temperature-dependent equilibrium constants and spin saturation transfer experiments at 80 degrees C. At this temperature, the COE complexes 6 exchange with free COE on the NMR time scale with the more electron-deficient complexes 6 exchanging COE faster. The exchange is dissociative and zero order in [COE]. Further analysis reveals that the stoichiometric hydrogenation of COE by complex 4f, and thus the separated back reaction 4f + 2COE --> 6f + COA proceeds at temperatures as low as -100 degrees C with the intermediacy of two isomeric complexes (p-Ar(F)PCP)Ir(H)(2)(COE) (8f, 8f'). COE deuteration with the perdeuterated complex 4f-d(38) at -100 degrees C results in hydrogen incorporation into the hydridic sites of complexes 8f,8f'-d(38) but not in the hydridic sites of complex 4f-d(38), thus rendering COE migratory insertion in complexes 8f,8f' reversible and COE coordination by complex 4f rate-determining for the overall COE deuteration.

New synthesis of (S)-dimethyl-4,4′-dimethoxy-5,6,5′,6′-dimethenedioxy-biphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxylate by configuration transform

(R/S)-4,4'-Dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethenedioxy-2,2'-di-(4(S)-methyl-oxazoline-1)-biphenyl has been synthesized from dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethenedioxy-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate, and then the diastereoisomer mixture was almost fully converted to a single diastereoisomer with S-configuration ((S)-3) through the key configuration transform promoted by CuI, which was confirmed by CD, HPLC and (13)C NMR. The C(2)-symmetric biphenyl, (S)-dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethenedioxy-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate was prepared easily via the hydrolysis and ester exchange of (S)-3.

[A novel decarboxylation method for the preparation of 5,6,7,8,10-hexahydro-5.9-methanobicyclobenzocyclooctene]

Several methods were described earlier for the synthesis of 5,6,7,8,9,10-hexahydro-5,9-methanobicyclobenzocyclooctene (5). A novel simple method is described in this paper by the persulfate (II)/silver (I) ion catalyzed decarboxylation refluxing in water-acetonitrile mixture from corresponding 4 carboxylic acid, which was prepared earlier in four steps starting from tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (1).

Total Synthesis of (+)-Isoschizandrin Utilizing a Samarium(II) Iodide-Promoted 8-Endo Ketyl−Olefin Cyclization

The 13-step synthesis of (+)-isoschizandrin reported herein features a samarium(II) iodide-promoted 8-endo ketyl-olefin coupling to assemble the eight-membered ring present in the target concomitantly with the required functionality and stereochemistry. In constructing (+)-isoschizandrin as a single atropisomer, the synthesis utilizes a kinetic resolution of a seven-membered lactone using a CBS-oxazaborolidine.

Formal intermolecular 4 + 4 approach to cyclooctanoids: 4 + 3 capture of the Nazarov oxyallyl intermediate with simple 1,3-dienes

[reaction: see text] Simple 1,4-dien-3-ones and 1,3-dienes react in the presence of BF(3).OEt(2) via a domino Nazarov electrocyclization/intermolecular [4 + 3]-cycloaddition sequence to furnish keto-bridged cyclooctenes in good yield. Most cases showed high diastereofacial selectivity and/or endo/exo selectivity, and surprising levels of regioselectivity were observed when isoprene was used as the diene partner.

Synthesis and nicotinic binding studies on enantiopure pinnamine variants with an 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety

Bioisosteric replacement of the 9-azabicyclo[4.2.1]nonane pharmacophoric element of the novel alkaloidal marine toxine pinnamine (5) by the 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety resulted in conformationally restricted analogues 6a and 6c of (-)-ferruginine (4). Key step in the diastereoselective synthesis of these pyranotropanes was the condensation of enantiopure ecgonine methyl ester (9) from the "chiral pool" with the lithium anion of N-tert-butylbutyraldimin and subsequent cyclisation with TFA. The potential nAChR ligands were tested for their in vitro affinity for the (alpha4)2(beta2)3 and the alpha7* nAChR subtypes. Despite obvious structural similarities with the potent alkaloids pinnamine (5) and (-)-ferruginine (4) the pyranotropanes 6a and 6c exhibited distinctly lower nAChR affinities.

Modes of methyleneoxy bridging and their effect on tetrahydronaphthalene lignan cytotoxicity

Dioxatricyclodecane, oxabicyclooctane, and benzodihydropyran derivatives of alpha-conidendrin (ACON), podophyllotoxin (PT), and sikkimotoxin (SK) were prepared to learn which methyleneoxy bridging modes and arene and aryl substituents coincided with high cytotoxicity. PT-derived dioxatricyclodecane 14 showed in vitro activity at 10(-8) M. SK analogue 12 was less active, and ACON analogue 11 was inactive at 10(-4) M. In vivo intraperitoneal and subcutaneous activities of 14 were observed. In vitro cytotoxicities were higher for oxabicyclooctanes when hydroxymethyl group and methyleneoxy bridge were cis, as in deoxypicropodophyllin analog20, rather than trans, as in PT analogue 5. Acetylation of the hydroxymethyl group of 20 lowered activities, whereas acetylation of 5 increased or lowered activities. Reduction of the hydroxymethyl group of 5 to a methyl group increased cytotoxicities. Molecular dynamics indicated the THN scaffold of benzodihydropyrans was conformationally mobile, but scaffolds of oxabicyclooctanes and dioxatricyclodecanes were immobile. Each of three PT-benzodihydropyrans was less active than its oxabicyclooctane counterpart.

1,2-dithiin annelated with bicyclo[2.2.2]octene frameworks. One-electron and two-electron oxidations and formation of a novel 2,3,5,6-tetrathiabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene radical cation with remarkable stability owing to a strong transannular interaction

A stable derivative of 1,2-dithiin annelated with bicyclo[2.2.2]octene frameworks 4 was synthesized as red crystals by the reaction of a dilithiated dimer of bicyclo[2.2.2]octene with elemental sulfur in 59% yield. The cyclic voltammetry of 4 in CH(2)Cl(2) at -78 degrees C showed two reversible oxidation waves at E(1/2) +0.18 V and +0.72 V versus Fc/Fc(+), indicating that the radical cation and dication of 4 are stable under these conditions. Upon chemical one-electron oxidation of 4 in a rather low concentration (4.0 x 10(-4) M) with a 1.5 equiv of SbCl(5) in CH(2)Cl(2), a radical cation 4.+ was formed, whose spin distribution was determined by ESR spectroscopy and by the results of theoretical calculations (UB3LYP/6-31G). The electronic absorption spectrum of 4.+ in CH(2)Cl(2) exhibited a maximum absorption at 428 nm (epsilon = 2.3 x 10(3)), which was hypsochromically shifted from that of neutral 4 (469 nm). When the radical cation 4.+ was produced in higher concentration (0.06 M) in CH(2)Cl(2), a disproportionation was found to take place to give a SbCl(6)(-) salt of remarkably stable radical cation 5.+ having a novel 2,3,5,6-tetrathiabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene structure. In the X-ray structure of 5.+SbCl(6)(-), the transannular distance (2.794(3) A) between the sulfur atoms was found to be less than the sum of the van der Waals radii of a sulfur atom (3.70 A), suggesting the existence of a bonding interaction between the two disulfide linkages. The theoretical calculations (UB3LYP/6-31G) suggested that this transannular interaction could be described as the resonance between the limiting structures, each of them having a two-center three-electron bond between two sulfur atoms belonging to two different disulfide linkages: thus, both the spin and positive charge are equally delocalized to the four sulfur atoms, causing a great stabilization of 5.+. On the other hand, the 1,2-dithiin radical cation 4.+ was found to readily react with triplet oxygen with subsequent rearrangement to give the 1,2-dithiolium derivative 6+ having a carboxyl group. Finally, the reaction of 4 with an excess amount of SbF(5) gave the corresponding dication 4(2+), which was found to be a 6pi aromatic system on the basis of the results of NMR measurement and theoretical calculations.

Total synthesis of (+/-)-mycoepoxydiene, a novel fungal metabolite having an oxygen-bridged cyclooctadiene skeleton

[reaction: see text] The first total synthesis of (+/-)-mycoepoxydiene has been accomplished. A ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) approach was employed for the construction of the oxygen-bridged eight-membered bicyclic skeleton. The RCM product was converted to the target natural product featuring the oxidative rearrangement of a furfuryl alcohol introduced as the side chain and the stereoselective 1,2-reduction of a delta-keto-beta,gamma-unsaturated alpha-lactol intermediate.

[Total synthesis of schizandrin, the main active ingredient isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine fructus schizandrae]

In this paper, schizandrin(9), the main active ingredient isolated from Schisandra chinensis, was synthesized from gallic acid by a new route. This route consists of only nine steps, including reductive-coupling reaction of compound(5) and dehydryoxylatic reaction of compound(6) to give compounds(7Z, 7E). By hydroboration, compound (8) was obtained from compound(7Z). With the presence of thallium trifluoroacetate (TTFA) and 2, 3-dichloro-5, 6-dicyano-1, 4-benzoquinone (DDQ) compound (9) is obtained from compound (8) by intramolecular nonphenolic oxidative coupling. These compounds were identified by elemental analysis, MS, UV, IR and NMR spectra.