One-Pot Synthesis of Polysubstituted 3-Amino-2-oxo-2,7-dihydro-1H-azepines

Catalytic asymmetric construction of 1,5-remote Si- and C-stereocenters via desymmetrizing ene reaction of bis(methallyl)silanes

The catalytic enantioselective synthesis of chiral silanes has long been a challenging pursuit. Achieving simultaneous construction of remote Si- and C-stereogenic centers in an acyclic molecule via desymmetrization is particularly difficult. Herein, we realized an example of a chiral nickel(ii) complex-catalyzed desymmetrizing carbonyl-ene reaction of bis(methallyl)silanes with α-keto aldehyde monohydrates, enabling the highly chemo-, diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of chiral δ-hydroxy silanes featuring 1,5-remote Si- and C-stereocenters. This protocol demonstrated good functional group tolerance and a broad substrate scope. A bioactivity study revealed its potential applications in the synthesis of bioactive molecules.

Bimetallic tandem catalysis-enabled enantioselective cycloisomerization/carbonyl-ene reaction for construction of 5-oxazoylmethyl α-silyl alcohol

A bimetallic tandem catalysis-enabled enantioselective cycloisomerization/carbonyl-ene reaction was developed. The reaction proceeded well with a broad range of N-propargylamides and acylsilanes, affording the target chiral 5-oxazoylmethyl α-silyl alcohols in up to 95% yield and 99% ee under mild conditions. Importantly, this facile protocol was available for the late-stage modification of several bioactive molecules. Based on the mechanistic study and control experiments, a possible catalytic cycle and transition state are proposed to elucidate the reaction process and enantioinduction.

2,5-Diketopiperazine Derivatives as Potential Anti-Influenza (H5N2) Agents: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Study

2,5-Diketopiperazine derivatives, consisting of benzylidene and alkylidene substituents at 3 and 6 positions, have been considered as a core structure for their antiviral activities. Herein, the novel N-substituted 2,5-Diketopiperazine derivatives were successfully prepared and their antiviral activities against influenza virus were evaluated by monitoring viral propagation in embryonated chicken eggs. It was found that (3Z,6Z)-3-benzylidene-6-(2-methyl propylidene)-4-substituted-2,5-Diketopiperazines (13b–d), (3Z,6E)-3-benzylidene-6-(2-methylpropyli dene)-1-(1-ethyl pyrrolidine)-2,5-Diketopiperazine (14c), and Lansai-C exhibited negative results in influenza virus propagation at a concentration of 25 µg/mL. Additionally, molecular docking study revealed that 13b–d and 14c bound in 430-cavity of neuraminidase from H5N2 avian influenza virus and the synthesized derivatives also strongly interacted with the key amino acid residues, including Arg371, Pro326, Ile427, and Thr439.

Proximity-Induced Magnetism in a Topological Insulator/Half-Metallic Ferromagnetic Thin Film Heterostructure

Topological insulator (TI) Bi2Se3 thin films were prepared on half-metallic ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin film by magnetron sputtering, forming a TI/FM heterostructure. The conductivity of Bi2Se3was modified by La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 at high- and low-temperature regions via different mechanisms, which could be explained by the short-range interactions and long-range interaction between ferromagnetic insulator and Bi2Se3 due to the proximity effect. Magnetic and transport measurements prove that the ferromagnetic phase and extra magnetic moment are induced in Bi2Se3 films. The weak anti-localized (WAL) effect was suppressed in Bi2Se3 films, accounting for the magnetism of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 layers. This work clarifies the special behavior in Bi2Se3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterojunctions, which provides an effective way to study the magnetic proximity effect of the ferromagnetic phase in topological insulators.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Alsmaphorazine C and Formal Synthesis of (+)-Strictamine: A Photo-Fries Approach

A bioinspired photo-Fries/imine capture cascade reaction was developed in continuous-flow mode, which facilitated the rapid construction of a series of diversely functionalized 2,7-heterocycle-fused tetrahydrocarbazoles, the ubiquitous core structures embedded in strychnos and akuammiline-type monoterpene indole alkaloids. The synthetic utility of this novel method has been preliminarily explored by the first total synthesis of (+)-alsmaphorazine C and formal synthesis of (+)-strictamine in a concise and efficient manner.

B(C6 F5 )3 /Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Ketimine-Ene Reaction of 2-Aryl-3H-indol-3-ones and α-Methylstyrenes

The enantioselective ketimine-ene reaction is one of the most challenging stereocontrolled reaction types in organic synthesis. In this work, catalytic enantioselective ketimine-ene reactions of 2-aryl-3H-indol-3-ones with α-methylstyrenes were achieved by utilizing a B(C₆ F₅ )₃ /chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyst. These ketimine-ene reactions proceed well with low catalyst loading (B(C₆ F₅ )₃ /CPA=2 mol %/2 mol %) under mild conditions, providing rapid and facile access to a series of functionalized 2-allyl-indolin-3-ones with very good reactivity (up to 99 % yield) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Theoretical calculations reveal that enhancement of the acidity of the chiral phosphoric acid by B(C₆ F₅ )₃ significantly reduces the activation free energy barrier. Furthermore, collective favorable hydrogen-bonding interactions, especially the enhanced N-H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen-bonding interaction, differentiates the free energy of the transition states of CPA and B(C₆ F₅ )₃ /CPA, thereby inducing the improvement of stereoselectivity.

Enantioselective nickel-catalyzed arylative and alkenylative intramolecular 1,2-allylations of tethered allene-ketones

The enantioselective nickel-catalyzed reaction of tethered allene-ketones with (hetero)arylboronic acids or potassium vinyltrifluoroborate is described. Carbonickelation of the allene gives allylnickel species, which undergo cyclization by 1,2-allylation to produce chiral tertiary-alcohol-containing aza- and carbocycles in high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Ene reactions of 2-borylated α-methylstyrenes: a practical route to 4-methylenechromanes and derivatives

4-Methylenechromanes were prepared via a three-step process from 2-borylated α-methylstyrenes. This sequence is based on a key glyoxylate-ene reaction catalyzed by scandium(iii) triflate. The resulting γ-hydroxy boronates, which cyclise to seven-membered homologues of benzoxaborole on silica gel, were cleanly oxidized with sodium perborate, and then cyclised under Mitsunobu conditions. Additionally, several further functional transformations of 4-methylenechromanes or their precursors were carried out to illustrate the synthetic potential of these intermediates.

Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Coupling of Arylboronic Acids, 1,3-Enynes, and Imines by Alkenyl-to-Allyl 1,4-Rhodium(I) Migration

A chiral rhodium complex catalyzes the highly enantioselective coupling of arylboronic acids, 1,3-enynes, and imines to give homoallylic sulfamates. The key step is the generation of allylrhodium(I) species by alkenyl-to-allyl 1,4-rhodium(I) migration.

Arylative Intramolecular Allylation of Ketones with 1,3-Enynes Enabled by Catalytic Alkenyl-to-Allyl 1,4-Rhodium(I) Migration

Alkenyl‐to‐allyl 1,4‐rhodium(I) migration enables the generation of nucleophilic allylrhodium(I) species by remote C−H activation. This new mode of reactivity was employed in the diastereoselective reaction of arylboron reagents with substrates containing a 1,3‐enyne tethered to a ketone, to give products containing three contiguous stereocenters. The products can be obtained in high enantioselectivities using a chiral sulfur‐alkene ligand.

Theoretical and experimental studies on the structure–property relationship of chiral N,N′-dioxide–metal catalysts probed by the carbonyl–ene reaction of isatin

Variation of the linkage or chiral backbone of an N,N′-dioxide ligand adjusts the blocking effect of ortho-iPr on the reaction site, affecting the enantiodifferentiation of two competing pathways.

Catalytic asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of enones with isatins to access functionalized spirooxindole tetrahydropyrans: scope, derivatization, and discovery of bioactives

Concise hetero-Diels–Alder reactions were developed to provide various functionalized spirooxindole tetrahydropyrans useful for the discovery of bioactive molecules.

A catalytic asymmetric carbonyl–ene reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters with 5-methyleneoxazolines

A catalytic asymmetric carbonyl–ene reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters with 5-methyleneoxazolines was accomplished. The process was based on the utilization of a chiral N,N′-dioxide/Mg^II catalyst, providing the desired products with excellent outcomes.