The Sonogashira Reaction: A Booming Methodology in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Pre-catalyst resting states: a kinetic, thermodynamic and quantum mechanical analyses of [PdCl2(2-oxazoline)2] complexes

The treatment of cold ( approximately 3 degrees C) methanolic solutions of Li(2)PdCl(4) with two equivalents of 2-phenyl-2-oxazoline (Phox) results in the isolation of [PdCl(2)(Phox)(2)] (3). This complex undergoes remarkably slow isomerisation (CHCl(3)-d) at room temperature to a corresponding thermodynamic form. In addition to a theoretical treatment (DFT), the isomerisation behaviour has been analysed both kinetically and thermodynamically. These investigations lead to the conclusion that the initially formed (i.e. kinetic) isomer of 3 is the cis-form which undergoes conversion to the corresponding thermodynamic trans-form via a dissociative (D) mechanism involving loss of a Phox ligand. The activation parameters DeltaS(double dagger) and DeltaH(double dagger) are found to be +304 (+/-3) J K(-1) mol(-1) and +176 (+/-1) kJ mol(-1), respectively and indicate a high barrier to Pd-N bond cleavage under these conditions. The thermodynamic parameters show the expected endothermic nature of this process (+140 +/- 17 kJ mol(-1)) and a slight positive overall entropy (DeltaS degrees = +17 +/- 2 J K(-1) mol(-1)); this latter parameter is presumably due to the formation of the lower dipole moment trans-product when compared to the cis-isomer. Calculated (DFT) values of DeltaG(double dagger) and DeltaH(double dagger) are in excellent agreement to those found experimentally. Further theoretical investigation suggests that two 14-electron three-coordinate T-shaped transition states (i.e., [PdCl(2)(Phox)](double dagger)) are involved; the form pre-disposed to yield the thermodynamic trans-product following re-attachment of the released oxazoline is found to be energetically favoured. The analogous alkyloxazoline system [PdCl(2)(Meox)(2)] (4: Meox = 2-methyl-2-oxazoline) has likewise been investigated. This material gives no indication of cis-trans isomerisation behaviour in solution (NMR) and is shown to exist (X-ray) in the trans-form in the solid-state (as do previously reported crystalline samples of 3). A DFT study of 4 reveals similar values of DeltaS(double dagger) and DeltaH(double dagger) if a D type mechanism were operating to rapidly convert cis- to trans-4. However, a significantly higher thermodynamic stability of the trans-isomer relative to the cis-form is revealed versus similar calculations of the Phox derivative 3. This suggests the possibility that (i) reactions of Meox with Li(2)PdCl(4) may lead directly to the trans-form of [PdCl(2)(Meox)(2)] or alternatively (ii) that alkyloxazoline complexes such as 4 may have a different, and presumably much more rapid, mechanism for isomerisation. The results are placed into the context that isomerisation behaviour, or lack thereof, could play a key preliminary role in later substrate modification. This is due to the fact that [PdX(2)(oxazoline)(2)] compounds are well-known (pre-)catalysts for C-C bond forming chemistry.

Click chemistry, a powerful tool for pharmaceutical sciences

Click chemistry refers to a group of reactions that are fast, simple to use, easy to purify, versatile, regiospecific, and give high product yields. While there are a number of reactions that fulfill the criteria, the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides and terminal alkynes has emerged as the frontrunner. It has found applications in a wide variety of research areas, including materials sciences, polymer chemistry, and pharmaceutical sciences. In this manuscript, important aspects of the Huisgen cycloaddition will be reviewed, along with some of its many pharmaceutical applications. Bioconjugation, nanoparticle surface modification, and pharmaceutical-related polymer chemistry will all be covered. Limitations of the reaction will also be discussed.

Linear free-energy correlation analysis of the electronic effects of the substituents in the Sonogashira coupling reaction

Relative rate constants (krel) for the Sonogashira coupling were determined in competitive reactions between iodobenzene and a series of para- and meta-substituted iodobenzenes and compared to the charge on iodine and the z-component of the quadrupole moment of the iodine-bearing carbon. We use an Hammett correlation analysis and the computational data to provide further evidence that the rate limiting step of the Sonogashira reaction is the initial oxidative addition of Pd to the carbon-iodine bond.Key words: Sonogashira, competitive reactions, Hammett correlation.

Design of (N)-methanocarba adenosine 5'-uronamides as species-independent A3 receptor-selective agonists

2-Chloro-5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine analogues containing the (N)-methanocarba (bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane) ring system as a ribose substitute display increased selectivity as agonists of the human A(3) adenosine receptor (AR). However, the selectivity in mouse was greatly reduced due to an increased tolerance of this ring system at the mouse A(1)AR. Therefore, we varied substituents at the N(6) and C2 positions in search of compounds that have improved A(3)AR selectivity and are species independent. An N(6)-methyl analogue was balanced in affinity at mouse A(1)/A(3)ARs, with high selectivity in comparison to the A(2A)AR. Substitution of the 2-chloro atom with larger and more hydrophobic substituents, such as iodo and alkynyl groups, tended to increase the A(3)AR selectivity (up to 430-fold) in mouse and preserve it in human. Extended and chemically functionalized alkynyl chains attached at the C2 position of the purine moiety preserved A(3)AR selectivity more effectively than similar chains attached at the 3-position of the N(6)-benzyl group.

Peptide/protein-polymer conjugates: synthetic strategies and design concepts

This feature article provides a compilation of tools available for preparing well-defined peptide/protein-polymer conjugates, which are defined as hybrid constructs combining (i) a defined number of peptide/protein segments with uniform chain lengths and defined monomer sequences (primary structure) with (ii) a defined number of synthetic polymer chains. The first section describes methods for post-translational, or direct, introduction of chemoselective handles onto natural or synthetic peptides/proteins. Addressed topics include the residue- and/or site-specific modification of peptides/proteins at Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr and Val residues and methods for producing peptides/proteins containing non-canonical amino acids by peptide synthesis and protein engineering. In the second section, methods for introducing chemoselective groups onto the side-chain or chain-end of synthetic polymers produced by radical, anionic, cationic, metathesis and ring-opening polymerization are described. The final section discusses convergent and divergent strategies for covalently assembling polymers and peptides/proteins. An overview of the use of chemoselective reactions such as Heck, Sonogashira and Suzuki coupling, Diels-Alder cycloaddition, Click chemistry, Staudinger ligation, Michael's addition, reductive alkylation and oxime/hydrazone chemistry for the convergent synthesis of peptide/protein-polymer conjugates is given. Divergent approaches for preparing peptide/protein-polymer conjugates which are discussed include peptide synthesis from synthetic polymer supports, polymerization from peptide/protein macroinitiators or chain transfer agents and the polymerization of peptide side-chain monomers.

Sequential intermolecular aminopalladation/ortho-arene C-H activation reactions of N-phenylpropiolamides with phthalimide

A novel palladium-catalyzed intermolecular aminopalladation/C-H activation method for selectively synthesizing (E)-(2-oxindolin-3-ylidene)phthalimides has been developed. In the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and PhI(OAc)2, alkynes were difunctionalized with a phthalimide and an arene sp2 C-H bond to selectively synthesize (E)-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)phthalimides, which products are of great potential pharmaceutical value products in many major therapeutic areas, such as oncology, inflammation, neurology, immunology, and endocrinology. To the best of our knowledge, the reaction serves as the first example of intermolecular aminopalladation/C-H activation reactions of alkynes.

Organic carbonates as alternative solvents for palladium-catalyzed substitution reactions

Organic carbonates, such as propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, and diethyl carbonate, were tested in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions of rac-1,3-diphenyl-3-acetoxy-prop-1-ene with dimethyl malonate or benzylamine as nucleophiles. Bidentate diphosphanes were used as chiral ligands. The application of monodentate phosphanes capable of self-assembling with the metal was likewise tested. In the substitution reaction with dimethyl malonate, enantioselectivities up to 98% were achieved. In the amination reaction, the chiral product was obtained with up to 83% ee. The results confirm that these "green solvents" can be advantageously used for this catalytic transformation as an alternative to those solvents usually employed which run some risk of being harmful to the environment.