Atropisomeric myristinins: selective COX-2 inhibitors and antifungal agents from Myristica cinnamomea

Dehydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation of Alkenones to Phenols and Ketones on Carbon-Supported Noble Metals

The catalytic dehydrogenation of substituted alkenones on noble metal catalysts supported on carbon (Pt/C, Pd/C, Rh/C, and Ru/C) was investigated in an organic phase under inert conditions. The dehydrogenation and semihydrogenation of the enone starting materials resulted in aromatic compounds (primary products), saturated cyclic ketones (secondary products), and cyclic alcohols (minor products). Pd/C exhibits the highest catalytic activity, followed by Pt/C and Rh/C. Aromatic compounds remain the primary products, even in the presence of hydrogen donors. Joint experimental and theoretical analyses showed that the four catalytic materials stabilize a common dienol intermediate on the metal surfaces, formed by keto-enol tautomerization. This intermediate subsequently forms aromatic products upon dehydrogenation. The binding orientation of the enone reactants on the catalytic surface is strongly metal-dependent, as the M-O bond distance changes substantially according to the metal. The longer M-O bonds (Pt: 2.84 Å > Pd: 2.23 Å > Rh: 2.17 Å > Ru: 2.07 Å) correlate with faster reaction rates and more favorable keto-enol tautomerization, as shorter distances correspond to a more stabilized starting material. Tautomerization is shown to occur via a stepwise surface-assisted pathway. Overall, each of the studied metals exhibits a distinct balance of enthalpy and entropy of activation (ΔH°‡, ΔS°‡), offering unique possibilities in the realm of enone dehydrogenation reactions that can be achieved by suitable selection of catalytic materials.

Electrochemical decarboxylative alkylation of β-ketoacids with phenol derivatives

An electrochemical method for the decarboxylative alkylation of β-ketoacids with phenol derivatives has been developed. The protocol was carried out in readily available unseparated cells at room temperature in the absence of catalysts and oxidants. The corresponding aryl ketones were obtained in satisfactory yields without additional electrolytes, and were easy to produce in gram-scale synthesis. Based on control experiments and cyclic voltammetry, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed.

Acylphenols and Dimeric Acylphenols from the Genus Myristica: A Review of Their Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

The genus Myristica is a medicinally important genus belonging to the Myristicaceae. Traditional medicinal systems in Asia have employed plants from the genus Myristica to treat a variety of ailments. Acylphenols and dimeric acylphenols are a rare group of secondary metabolites, which, to date, have only been identified in the Myristicaceae, in particular, in the genus Myristica. The aim of the review would be to provide scientific evidence that the medicinal properties of the genus Myristica could be attributed to the acylphenols and dimeric acylphenols present in the various parts of its plants and highlight the potential in the development of the acylphenols and dimeric acylphenols as pharmaceutical products. SciFinder-n, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed were used to conduct the literature search between 2013-2022 on the phytochemistry and the pharmacology of acylphenols and dimeric acylphenols from the genus Myristica. The review discusses the distribution of the 25 acylphenols and dimeric acylphenols within the genus Myristica, their extraction, isolation, and characterization from the respective Myristica species, the structural similarities and differences within each group and between the different groups of the acylphenols and dimeric acylphenols, and their in vitro pharmacological activities.

Total synthesis of myristinins A–F and 3′-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxy-4-O-2′-cycloflavan by iterative generation of o-quinone methides

An iterative generation of o-quinone methides (o-QMs) and [4+2] cycloaddition followed by inter/intra-molecular Michael addition in a cascade sequence gave expedient access to the total synthesis of myristinins A–F and 3′-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxy-4-O-2′-cycloflavan and their analogues, respectively.

Construction of chiral chroman skeletons via catalytic asymmetric [4 + 2] cyclization of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted para-quinone methides catalyzed by a chiral-at-metal rhodium complex

Construction of chiral chroman skeletons via catalytic asymmetric [4 + 2] cyclization of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted p-QMs catalyzed by a chiral-at-metal rhodium complex.

Cajanusoids A-D, Unusual Atropisomeric Stilbene Dimers with PTP1B Inhibitory Activities from the Leaves of Cajanus cajan

Four novel stilbene dimers (1-4), together with their biosynthetically related stilbene monomers (5 and 6), were isolated from the leaves of Cajanus cajan. Their structures with absolute configurations were determined by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 are two novel dimeric stilbenes with an unusual coupling pattern that resulted in a rare configurationally stable Csp²-Csp³ chiral axis with both point and axial chirality in their molecules. Due to their unique inherent structural features, both of them naturally occur as equilibrating mixtures of unequally populated atropo-diastereomers and their respective enantiomers. Compounds 3 and 4 are two pairs of novel dimeric stilbene atropisomers featuring a rotationally hindered central biaryl axis. Notably, 3 contains a rare arylbenzoquinone core and 4 is a symmetric dimer with a C₂ symmetry axis. The hypothetical biosynthetic pathway of 1-4 was also proposed herein. All the new compounds exhibited significant protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) inhibition effects. In addition, the preliminary mode of action for the most potent compound 3 was investigated by molecular docking and binding free energy calculation.

Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Indole and Benzofuran Derivatives

Enantioselective hydrogenation of a broad spectrum of N-, O-, and S-containing aromatic benzoheterocycles or nonaromatic unsaturated heterocycles has been realized by using an Ir/SpinPHOX (SpinPHOX=spiro[4,4]-1,6-nonadiene-based phosphine-oxazoline) complex as the catalyst, affording an array of the corresponding chiral benzoheterocycles (30 examples) with excellent enantioselectivities (>99 % ee in most cases) and turnover numbers up to 500.

DNA Related Enzymes as Molecular Targets for Antiviral and Antitumoral Chemotherapy. A Natural Overview of the Current Perspectives

BACKGROUND

The discovery of new chemotherapeutic agents still remains a continuous goal to achieve. DNA polymerases and topoisomerases act in nucleic acids metabolism modulating different processes like replication, mitosis, damage repair, DNA topology and transcription. It has been widely documented that Polymerases serve as molecular targets for antiviral and antitumoral chemotherapy. Furthermore, telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein with exacerbated activity in most of the tumor cell lines, becoming as an emergent target in Cancer treatment.

METHODS

We undertook an exhaustive search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature related to the last decade. The characteristics of screened bibliography describe structure activity relationships and show the principal moieties involved. This work tries to summarize the investigation about natural and semi-synthetic products with natural origin with the faculty to inhibit key enzymes that play a crucial role in DNA metabolism.

RESULTS

Eighty-five data references were included in this review, showing natural products widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom and their bioactive properties such as tumor growing inhibitory effects, and anti-AIDS activity.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this review confirm the importance to find new drugs and biologically active natural products, and their potential medicinally useful benefits.

Organocatalytic asymmetric cascade 1,6-addition/hemiketalization/retro-Henry reaction of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted p-QMs with α-nitroketones

Novel organocatalytic asymmetric cascade 1,6-addition/hemiketalization/retro-Henry reaction is developed to give new chiral 2-(1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl)phenols with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities under mild reaction conditions.

Construction of chiral chroman scaffolds via catalytic asymmetric (4 + 2) cyclizations of para-quinone methide derivatives with 3-vinylindoles

The title reaction has been established in the presence of chiral phosphoric acid, affording chiral chroman derivatives bearing an indole moiety in high yields and with moderate to good stereoselectivities.

Organocatalytic and enantioselective [4+2] cyclization between hydroxymaleimides and ortho-hydroxyphenyl para-quinone methide-selective preparation of chiral hemiketals

A highly effective and enantioselective organocatalytic [4+2] cyclization has been disclosed, and a series of new chiral hemiketals containing chromane and succinimide frameworks have been firstly prepared in excellent results with 100% atom efficacy.

Catalyst-Free Synthesis of α-Functionalized 2H-Chromenes in Water: A Tandem Self-Promoted pseudo-Substitution and Decarboxylation Process

A catalyst-free decarboxylative reaction between β-keto acids and 2H-chromene acetals in water was developed. This reaction featured a broad substrate scope and easily obtainable starting materials to afford α-functionalized 2H-chromenes in high yields. The synthetic value of this protocol was also demonstrated by the scale-up synthesis and versatile conversions of the title product into other useful compounds. In addition, control experiments indicated that water was essential for the reactivity. Mechanistic studies further revealed that the reaction proceeded through a self-promoted tandem pseudo-substitution and decarboxylation process.

Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroboration of 2 H-Chromenes Using a Chiral Diphosphine Ligand

A highly regioselective asymmetric hydroboration of 2 H-chromenes catalyzed by the complex of CuCl and diphosphine ligand ( S, R)-DuanPhos has been realized under mild conditions to produce 3-boryl chromans, achieving good yields and excellent enantioselectivities up to 96% ee. This work provides an efficient approach to the synthesis of chiral 3-boryl chromans and derivatives.

Twelve formyl phloroglucinol meroterpenoids from the leaves of Eucalyptus robusta

Twelve formyl phloroglucinol meroterpenoids (FPMs) were isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus robusta Smith. Their structures were elucidated via spectroscopic data analysis, the circular dichroism (CD) exciton chirality method, Rh₂(OCOCF₃)₄-induced CD experiments, and application of the Snatzke chirality rules. Eucalrobusones Q, S, and X are the first FPMs that have been identified in which the C-7' of phloroglucinol is linked to the C-15 of cadinane, the C-4 of cubebane, and the C-8 of menthane, respectively. (+)-Eucalrobusone X exhibited the most potent antifungal ability against Candida albicans with a MIC₅₀ value of 10.78 μg/mL, and eucalrobusone U exhibited the greatest anti-C. glabrata activity with MIC₅₀ value of 1.53 μg/mL.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 2H-chromenes and terminal alkynes

An efficient copper-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 2H-chromenes and terminal alkynes mediated by DDQ has been established. A protic additive, EtOH, proved to be crucial for harmonizing the oxidation with a subsequent alkynylation step by retaining the oxidation state of an oxocarbenium ion in the form of acetal. The CDC reaction exhibits a good substrate scope, with a range of terminal aryl- and alkyl alkynes being well tolerated. The copper-catalyzed alkynylation of 2H-chromene acetals with terminal alkynes was also explored.

Catalytic dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexanones and cyclohexenones

Prompted by the scant attention paid by published literature reviews to the comprehensive catalytic dehydrogenative aromatization of cyclohexa(e)nones, this review describes recent methods developed to-date involving transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative aromatization and metal-free strategies for the transformation of cyclohexa(e)nones to substituted phenols.

Tryptophan/copper-catalyzed aromatization reaction of chiral cyclohexanones to phenols

By merging organocatalysis with copper catalysis, a highly efficient stereospecific approach for the synthesis of chiral phenols from cyclohexanones has been developed for the first time. The aromatization reaction proceeds through the in situ formation of enone intermediates and further subsequent bromination/dehydrobromination reactions. And a series of functionalized phenol derivatives are obtained in good yields (up to 89%) and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

Unprecedented formation of 3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one in a reaction between 3,3a-dihydro-9H-furo[3,4-b]chromen-9-one and malononitrile

Chromone skeletons are widespread among natural products as well as bioactive molecules. Here, we describe an unprecedented reaction of furo[3,4-b]chromen-9-one with malononitrile to afford 3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-ones. Experimental data suggest that a sequence of Michael/retro-Michael/nucleophilic addition is involved in this unprecedented transformation.

A potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor from Myristica cinnamomea King

A dimeric acylphenol and a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor, giganteone D (IC50 5.05μM), was isolated and characterized from the bark of Myristica cinnamomea King. The bark also yielded an acylphenol with an unprecedented skeleton for which the name cinnamomeone A (IC50 358.80μM) was proposed. Their structures were established by means of NMR and MS spectrometric analyses. The Lineweaver-Burk plot of giganteone D indicated that it was a mixed-type inhibitor. This is the first report on the α-glucosidase inhibiting potential of acylphenols.

Enantioselective Multicomponent Condensation Reactions of Phenols, Aldehydes, and Boronates Catalyzed by Chiral Biphenols

Chiral diols and biphenols catalyze the multicomponent condensation reaction of phenols, aldehydes, and alkenyl or aryl boronates. The condensation products are formed in good yields and enantioselectivities. The reaction proceeds via an initial Friedel-Crafts alkylation of the aldehyde and phenol to yield an ortho-quinone methide that undergoes an enantioselective boronate addition. A cyclization pathway was discovered while exploring the scope of the reaction that provides access to chiral 2,4-diaryl chroman products, the core of which is a structural motif found in natural products.

Enantioselective copper-catalyzed alkynylation of benzopyranyl oxocarbenium ions

We have developed highly enantioselective, copper-catalyzed alkynylations of benzopyranyl acetals. By using a copper(I) catalyst equipped with a chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand, high yields and enantioselectivities are achieved in the alkynylation of widely available, racemic isochroman and chromene acetals to deliver α-chiral oxygen heterocycles. This method demonstrates that chiral organometallic nucleophiles can be successfully used in enantioselective additions to oxocarbenium ions.

Asymmetric boronate addition to o-quinone methides: ligand exchange, solvent effects, and Lewis acid catalysis

Density functional theory calculations suggest that asymmetric boronate addition to o-quinone methides proceeds via a Lewis acid catalyzed process through a closed six-membered transition structure. The BINOL-derived catalyst undergoes an exchange process with the original ethoxide boronate ligands. This activation mode successfully accounts for the sense and level of enantioselectivity observed experimentally. A qualitative model which accurately predicts the observed enantioselectivity has been developed and is consistent with results from our study of ketone propargylation demonstrating the reaction model's generality. The effects of replacing the BINOL framework with H8-BINOL have been rationalized.

Indium-catalyzed oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling of chromenes with 1,3-dicarbonyls and aryl rings

An efficient indium-catalyzed oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling of chromenes with 1,3-dicarbonyls and aryl rings promoted by DDQ was described.

Structurally diverse α-substituted benzopyran synthesis through a practical metal-free C(sp3)-H functionalization

A trityl ion-mediated practical C-H functionalization of a variety of benzopyrans with a wide range of nucleophiles (organoboranes and C-H molecules) at ambient temperature has been disclosed. The metal-free reaction has an excellent functional group tolerance and high chemoselectivity and displays a broad scope with respect to both benzopyran and nucleophile partners, efficiently affording a collection of benzopyrans bearing diverse skeletons and α-functionalities in one step.

Lewis acid promoted C–C and copper-catalyzed C–O bond formation: synthesis of neoflavans

An intramolecular [Cu]-catalyzed C–O bond formation for the synthesis of neoflavans is presented.