Copper(I)-Catalyzed Formation of Isoquinoline and Quinoline Substituted Isobenzofurans

Phosphinylation/cyclization of propynolaldehydes to isobenzo-furanylic phosphine oxides displaying AIE properties

Investigating organic reactions to synthesize novel molecules that exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics is becoming a research hotspot. Herein, we develop a one-pot phosphinylation/cyclization reaction between propynolaldehydes and diarylphosphine oxides to generate isobenzofuran-substituted phosphine oxides (IBFPOs) displaying AIE properties. Such a reaction possesses benefits such as metal-free synthesis, simple operation and wide substrate applicability. Further structural modifications of the products have been implemented through the palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira reaction, Ullmann coupling and Diels-Alder addition. Furthermore, these AIE luminogens (AIEgens), which have satisfactory quantum yields and tunable emission covering the entire visible region, can be employed for the cell imaging of lipid droplets in HeLa cells. Notably, quantitative evaluation of the phototherapy effect demonstrates that one of these presented AIEgens, namely IBFPO-3j, displays high type-I reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency, enabling its effective application in photodynamic therapy in a hypoxic environment.

Mechanisms of Copper-Induced Autophagy and Links with Human Diseases

As a structural and catalytic cofactor, copper is involved in many biological pathways and is required for the biochemistry of all living organisms. However, excess intracellular copper can induce cell death due to its potential to catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species, thus copper homeostasis is strictly regulated. And the deficiency or accumulation of intracellular copper is connected with various pathological conditions. Since the success of platinum-based compounds in the clinical treatment of various types of neoplasias, metal-based drugs have shown encouraging perspectives for drug development. Compared to platinum, copper is an essential intracellular trace element that may have better prospects for drug development than platinum. Recently, the potential therapeutic role of copper-induced autophagy in chronic diseases such as Parkinson's, Wilson's, and cardiovascular disease has already been demonstrated. In brief, copper ions, numerous copper complexes, and copper-based nano-preparations could induce autophagy, a lysosome-dependent process that plays an important role in various human diseases. In this review, we not only focus on the current advances in elucidating the mechanisms of copper or copper-based compounds/preparations on the regulation of autophagy but also outline the association between copper-induced autophagy and human diseases.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Chemoselective [4 + 2] Annulations for the Synthesis of [1,3]Oxazinoindolones: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

The interaction of N-alkoxy-1H-indole-1-carboxamides with transition metals leads to indole-fused heterocyclic scaffolds through directing group leaving/migration, [3 + 2], N-C2 [4 + 1], and [4 + 2] annulations. However, the corresponding O-C2 [4 + 2] annulation reactions have never been reported. Herein, we report the chemoselective annulation of N-alkoxy-1H-indole-1-carboxamides catalyzed by Rh(III), affording [1,3]oxazinoindolones through a hitherto unknown reaction pathway. This unprecedented C2 oxygen cyclization, rather than the known C2 nitrogen cyclization to form oxazinoindolones via five key steps, has been explained using density functional theory.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Indenylidene Derivatives via 1,5-Acryl Migration

A novel gold (I)-catalyzed synthetic strategy has been achieved for an efficient construction of indenylidene derivatives from substituted 1,6-diynes. This reaction describes the unique reactivity of gold catalysis in facilitating the intramolecular [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement, 5-exo dig cyclization followed by 1,5-migration of acryl group, resulting in the formation of substituted indenylidenes. Various substituted indenylidenes were successfully synthesized with up to 92 % yields. In this protocol, two new C-C bonds were sequentially formed atom economically in one pot.

Dual gold-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of benzofulvenes via 5-endo dig cyclization

An efficient dual gold-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of benzofulvenes has been developed from substituted allyloxy 1,5-diynes via 5-endo dig cyclization. In this intramolecular organic transformation a new C-C bond formation occurs and moderate to very good yields are obtained in one pot.

Catalyst- and Additive-Free Methodical Ring Expansion Protocol to Access Benzooxepino-Fused Pyrroles

An efficient metal-free, additive-free synthetic method was developed to access benzooxepino-fused pyrrole derivatives from alkynyl substituted aziridines. In this organic transformation, two new C-C bonds were formed via initial cleavage of C-C bond of aziridine ring by in situ generated azomethine ylides. Moderate to excellent yields of benzooxepino-fused pyrroles were obtained atom economically in the presence of t-BuOH in one-pot.

Synthesis of Isoquinoline-Derived Diene Esters and Quinolin-2(1H)-ylidene-Substituted 1,5-Diones from Enynones and (Iso) Quinoline N-Oxides

An efficient synthetic method was developed to access isoquinoline-derived diene esters from enynones and isoquinoline-N-oxides in an atom-economic manner. The isoquinoline-substituted diene esters were obtained in moderate to excellent yields via [3 + 2]-cycloaddition and isoxazole ring opening followed by a [1,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement reaction, which resulted in one C-C and two C-O bond formations. Further, quinolin-2(1H)-ylidene-substituted 1,5-diones were achieved by reaction of enynones with quinoline-N-oxides in very good to high yields.

Copper-catalyzed [1,3]-nitrogen rearrangement of O-aryl ketoximes via oxidative addition of N–O bond in inverse electron flow†

The [1,3]-nitrogen rearrangement reactions of O-aryl ketoximes were promoted by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-copper catalysts and BF₃·OEt₂ as an additive, affording ortho-aminophenol derivatives in good yields. The reaction of substrates with electron-withdrawing substituents on the phenol moiety are accelerated by adding silver salt and modifying the substituent at the nitrogen atom. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the rate-determining step of this reaction is the oxidative addition of the N–O bond of the substrate to the copper catalyst. The negative ρ values of the substituent at both the oxime carbon and phenoxy group indicate that the donation of electrons by the oxygen and nitrogen atoms accelerates the oxidative addition.

[1,3]-Nitrogen rearrangement reactions of O-aryl ketoximes was catalytically promoted by IPrCuBr and BF₃·OEt₂. The oxidative addition of the N–O bond to the Cu catalyst is accelerated by donation of electrons from both nitrogen and oxygen atoms.