10.1002/cctc.201700427
The research presents a groundbreaking three-step, one-pot chemoenzymatic process for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure α-hydroxy carboxamides, leveraging a tandem reaction that includes enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis, a Passerini reaction, and enzymatic kinetic resolution. The study evaluates a variety of aromatic and aliphatic vinyl esters and isocyanides as substrates, utilizing enzymes like Pseudomonas cepacia lipase and Novozym 435 to achieve high yields and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). The experiments involve the hydrolysis of vinyl esters to generate aldehydes and carboxylic acids, which then react with isocyanides in the Passerini reaction to form α-acyloxy carboxamides. These are subsequently resolved enzymatically to yield the final products. Analyses include NMR spectroscopy for structural confirmation, high-resolution mass spectrometry for molecular weight determination, and chiral HPLC for enantiomeric excess assessment. This approach not only simplifies the synthesis but also aligns with green chemistry principles by minimizing waste and reducing production costs.
10.1016/j.steroids.2008.06.002
The research focuses on the synthesis of novel 4-azasteroids, a class of steroidal compounds with potential biological activities, through an intramolecular Ugi reaction. The purpose of this study was to develop a new synthetic strategy that could rapidly generate structurally diverse 4-azasteroids, which are of interest due to their potential as drugs for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and their antifungal and antibacterial properties. The researchers successfully synthesized a range of 4-azasteroids by varying the nature of the components necessary for the multicomponent reaction, using a variety of amines and isocyanides with cholesterol-derived oxoacid as the starting materials. The conclusions drawn from the study suggest that this methodology can be applied to obtain 4-azasteroids targeted for finding new biologically active compounds, with the structural variety of the side chain depending on the selected isonitrile. The research concluded that, except for aniline and tert-butylamine, the reaction worked well with a set of structurally diverse amines, generating a family of novel N-substituted 4-azasteroids with low stereoselectivity.
10.1021/acs.joc.0c01861
The research focuses on the ligand-controlled palladium-catalyzed divergent synthesis of isonitriles and nitriles from benzylic carbonates and TMSCN. The study explores the selective formation of benzylic isonitriles using bisphosphine-ligated palladium catalysts, such as BINAP or DPEphos, and the exclusive formation of benzylic nitriles under phosphine-ligand-free conditions. Mechanistic studies reveal that isonitriles are the primary products under both sets of conditions, but in the absence of phosphine ligands, they isomerize into nitriles. The experiments involve the optimization of reaction conditions with various bidentate phosphine ligands and Pd catalyst precursors, and the examination of the reaction's generality with different benzylic carbonates. Analyses include 1H NMR, 13C{1H}, and 19F{1H} NMR spectroscopy for product characterization, as well as HRMS data for molecular weight confirmation. The research also includes control experiments with optically active substrates and Hammet analysis to probe the reaction mechanism, ultimately suggesting the involvement of free benzyl cation intermediates and the formation of more electrophilic heterogeneous Pd species in the absence of external phosphine ligands.
10.1021/cc100032d
The study presents a novel one-pot multicomponent reaction for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b][1,4]oxazepine and malonamide derivatives. The reaction involves 2-aminophenols, Meldrum’s acid, and isocyanides, and it proceeds at ambient temperature with good to excellent yields. These chemicals serve to create a new class of substituted malonamide and tetrahydrobenzo[b][1,4]oxazepine derivatives, which are significant in medicinal chemistry due to their potential as ionophores for selective electrodes, liquid-liquid extractants for nuclear waste management, and pharmaceutical compounds with diverse biological activities, including anticancer properties.
10.1002/anie.200800494
The study presents a novel catalytic three-component Ugi reaction, which is a significant advancement in the field of multicomponent reactions (MCRs) for diversity-oriented synthesis. This reaction involves combining an aldehyde, a primary amine, and an isocyanide to produce α-amino amides, which are valuable for the synthesis of α-amino acids and their derivatives. The researchers identified phenyl phosphinic acid as the most effective catalyst for this atom-economic reaction, which proceeds via a nitrilium ion intermediate and results in water as the sole by-product. The study explored the reaction's scope by testing various aldehydes, amines, and isocyanides, demonstrating good yields for a broad range of substrates. This new reaction offers a practical and efficient method for generating α-amino amides and may have applications in the synthesis of pharmaceutical and agrochemical substance libraries.
10.1002/anie.201812779
The study details a copper-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between various isocyanoacetates and phosphaalkynes, using copper bromide, dppm, and potassium carbonate as catalysts. This method yields 1,3-azaphospholes in high yields and with complete selectivity. The authors optimized the reaction conditions and explored the reactivity of different isocyanoacetates and phosphaalkynes, demonstrating the versatility of the method. They also prepared and characterized several copper complexes to understand the active species involved in the catalytic process. Detailed molecular structures were determined using X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations were performed to elucidate the reaction pathway and selectivity. The study concludes that the bimetallic copper structure with a vacant site enables the coordination of both isocyanide and phosphaalkyne, leading to the formation of 1,3-azaphospholes.