Photoinduced Intermolecular Hydroamination and Hydroetherification of Electron-rich Alkenes with Low Catalyst Loadings.

A photochemical method based on visible-light irradiation (blue LEDs/sunlight) has been developed for the intermolecular hydroamination and hydroetherification of electron-rich alkenes. This photochemical method is compatible with a wide range of azoles and electron-rich alkenes, such as vinyl ethers, vinyl sulfides and enamides, and is performed with low concentrations of photocatalyst (1000 ppm). Comprehensive mechanistic studies indicate that this process is initiated by the formation of an active radical cation intermediate through single electron oxidation of azole, which is mediated by excited Acr-Mes+ BF4-.

Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed intra- and intermolecular selenofunctionalization of alkenes under mild conditions.

Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed intra- and intermolecular selenofunctionalization of alkenes was achieved with electrophilic N-phenylselenophthalimide. This method provides straightforward and efficient access to various seleno-substituted heterocycles and vicinal Se heteroatom-disubstituted molecules under mild conditions. This reaction is compatible with various substrates/functional groups, and preliminary studies on the reaction mechanistic were also conducted.

Oxidative Three-Component Selenofunctionalization of Alkenes: Convenient Access to Vicinally Functionalized Selenides.

Three-component selenofunctionalization processes of olefins, diselenides and sulfonamides, water, alcohols, or acids utilizing 1-fluoropyridinium triflate (FP-OTf) as a reaction promoter are reported. Under the optimal conditions, a broad range of vicinally functionalized selenide derivatives was accessible with high yields and excellent functional group compatibilities. Mechanistic studies revealed that the FP-OTf played a key role in this selenofunctionalization process.

Photocatalytic Aerobic Cyclization of N-Propargylamides Enabled by Selenium-π-Acid Catalysis.

A dual catalytic approach combining photocatalyst and selenium-π-acid synergy has been used to cyclized of N-propargylamides. This method offers readily access to oxazole aldehydes under chemical oxidant-free conditions with low catalyst loadings, where air acts as a terminal and gratuitous oxidant. The reaction is demonstrated with a range of substrates, including aryl and alkyl propargyl amides, and in the late-stage functionalization of several amide-containing drug molecules. Mechanistic studies suggest that the acridinium catalyst is able to oxidize diselenide and generate singlet oxygen (1 O2 ), which is responsible for this transformation.

N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide-Mediated Intermolecular Carboselenenylation of Olefins with Aromatics and Diselenides.

Intermolecular carboselenenylation of easily accessible alkenes by utilizing diselenides and N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) under metal-free and mild conditions is reported. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the oxidation of diselenide by NFSI through a single-electron-transfer process produces an active selenenyl cationic radical species that initiates the intermolecular carboselenenylation of olefins, forming key Se-C and C-C bonds. Under optimized conditions, a broad spectrum of functionally and structurally diverse selenoether derivatives with promising yields is accessed with a very high functional group tolerance.

Redox-Activatable Theranostic Co-Prodrug for Precise Tumor Diagnosis and Selective Combination Chemotherapy.

A novel theranostic co-prodrug SCB has been designed by combining a co-prodrug from CDDO-Me and SAHA with a biotin-coupled near-infrared (NIR) probe hemicyanine via redox-responsive linker thiolactate to enhance the tumor theranostic efficacy and reduce the toxic side effects using both active and passive targeting strategies. SCB displayed reactive oxygen species (ROS)- and glutathione (GSH)-dependent release of NIR fluorescence and two parent drugs. Furthermore, the administration of SCB caused selective illumination of the tumor tissues for >24 h, thereby guiding precise removal of a tumor from intraoperative mice. Importantly, SCB exhibited highly efficient tumor inhibition, exerted selective combination therapy through prodrug mode, and minimized the adverse effects. Finally, SCB induced mitochondrial depolarization, DNA damage, and cell apoptosis through ROS generation and downregulation of HDAC6 protein, as verified by H2AX, Bax, cleaved-PARP, and Mcl-1 proteins. Thus, we suggest that SCB can provide a new platform for both precise diagnosis-guided tumor removal and selective combination therapy with high safety.

Iodine pentoxide-mediated oxidative selenation and seleno/thiocyanation of electron-rich arenes.

A simple and efficient method for the regioselective selenation of electron-rich arenes by employing non-metal inorganic iodine pentoxide (I2O5) as a reaction promoter under ambient conditions has been developed. The present protocol showed broad functional group tolerance and easy-to-operate and time-economical features. Additionally, this protocol also allows access to 3-seleno and 3-thiocyanoindoles by the use of readily available selenocyanate and thiocyanate salts. A mechanistic study indicated that the transformation operated through selenenyl iodide-induced electrophilic substitution processes.

TME-targeting theranostic agent uses NIR tracking for tumor diagnosis and surgical resection and acts as chemotherapeutic showing enhanced efficiency and minimal toxicity.

Rationale: Precise diagnosis and effective therapy of the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains a challenge. Fluorescence tracers for monitoring primary tumors are currently reported; however, they face challenges in accurately delineating tumors in real-time during surgery, including interference from the background and insufficient accumulation of imaging reagents at tumor sites. Additionally, although the natural product podophyllotoxin (PPT) had potent and broad anti-tumor activity, the poor tumor target specificity and high toxicity of PPT extremely limited its clinical application. Methods: In the current study, a novel theranostic agent PBB was designed and synthesized by coupling the natural chemotherapeutic drug PPT with a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe hemicyanine (CyOH) via redox-responsive thiolactate linker and introducing biotin to CyOH to enhance the active target ability. The activation mechanism of PBB was characterized by absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and HPLC. Subsequently, we investigated its imaging action, anti-tumor activity, and toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Results:In vitro experiments, PBB was verified to possess a ROS/GSH-responsive molecular switch, impelling PBB to release a fluorescent fragment and active drug PPT and selectively lighting up tumor cells but not the normal cells. As such, PBB was demonstrated to selectively inhibit the growth of tumor cells by inducing intracellular accumulation of ROS and MMP depolarization. More importantly, PBB significantly suppressed hepatic tumor growth and minimized the adverse effects caused by PPT, including acute toxicity and impaired liver function. Finally, the NIR fluorescence accumulated in the tumor tissue and stayed continuous for over 24h, and PBB provided precise visualization and highly selective fluorescence diagnosis to guide tumor resection. Conclusions: Therefore, the multilevel targeting theranostic agent provided a novel tool for precise diagnosis, real-time monitoring, and efficient tumor chemotherapy with high safety.

Time-economical synthesis of selenofunctionalized heterocycles via I2O5-mediated selenylative heterocyclization.

A time-economical and robust synthesis of various selenofunctionalized heterocycles was accomplished via I2O5-mediated selenocyclizations of olefins with diselenides. Using this method, 116 selenomethyl-substituted heterocycles were synthesized with up to 97% isolated yield in minutes. Additional features of this new protocol include the use of an inorganic oxidant, mild conditions, and easy operation. Preliminary investigations suggest that the transformation operates through selenenyl iodide-induced electrophilic cyclization.

CtD strategy to construct stereochemically complex and structurally diverse compounds from griseofulvin.

The Complexity to Diversity (CtD) strategy, a strategy for the synthesis of stereochemically complex and structurally diverse small molecules from natural products using ring-distortion reactions, was applied in the synthesis of a 47-member compound collection from the natural product griseofulvin. A Tsuji-Trost allylation and oxa-Michael cyclization tandem reaction was used for the first time in the CtD strategy to generate complex ring fused compounds.

Iodosobenzene-Mediated Three-Component Selenofunctionalization of Olefins.

A three-component reaction of olefin, diselenide and water, alcohols, phenol, carboxylic acid, or amine by a commercially available hypervalent iodine(III) reagent, PhIO, was developed. This method provides access to a wide range of vicinally functionalized selenoderivatives under ambient conditions with mostly excellent yields and high diastereoselectivity. The developed reaction displays high levels of functional group compatibility and is suitable for the late-stage functionalization of styrene-functionalized biomolecules. Preliminary investigations on the mechanism of the reaction are also presented.

Visible-Light-Mediated Oxidative Coupling of Vinylarenes with Bromocarboxylates Leading to γ-Ketoesters.

A photocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of γ-ketoesters was reported. Using DMSO as both the solvent and terminal oxidant, oxidative coupling of vinylarenes with bromocarboxylates proceeded readily, giving a variety of γ-ketoesters in good isolated yields and with a broad functional-group tolerance.

Sohlh1 is required for synaptonemal complex formation by transcriptionally regulating meiotic genes during spermatogenesis in mice.

Gonad-specific transcription factor spermatogenesis- and oogenesis-specific helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (SOHLH1) plays a key role in the transcriptional regulation of the expression of differentiating spermatogonial genes. However, its role in spermatocytes (meiotic male germ cells) remains largely unknown. In this study, Sohlh1 knockout (KO) male mice displayed meiotic defects at the zygotene stage during spermatogenesis. Microarray analyses identified 66 upregulated genes and 139 downregulated genes in Sohlh1 KO testes compared with those in wild-type testes at postnatal Day 7.5. Among many of the downregulated genes, Sycp1 and Sycp3, which encode synaptonemal complex proteins 1 and 3 (SYCP1 and SYCP3), respectively, were significantly reduced in Sohlh1 knockout mice. Transmission electron microscopy revealed no formation of the synaptonemal complex in Sohlh1 KO spermatocytes. Luciferase reporter and chromatin-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that SOHLH1 enhanced the expression of the Sycp1 and Sycp3 genes by binding the -1276, -708, and -94 basepairs (bp) E-boxes upstream of the Sycp1 promoter and the -64 and -43 bp E-boxes upstream of the Sycp3 promoter. Our data suggest that SOHLH1 transcriptionally regulates the expression of many target genes critical for the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis.

Primordial follicle activation is affected by the absence of Sohlh1 in mice.

Previous studies have reported that only primordial follicles and empty follicles can be found in 7.5 days postparturition (dpp) Sohlh1-/- mouse ovaries and females are infertility. There appears to be a defect in follicle development during the primordial-to-primary follicle transition in Sohlh1-/- mouse ovaries. However, detailed analyses of these phenomena have not been performed. In this study, we used Sohlh1-/- transgenic mice to explore the role of Sohlh1 in folliculogenesis. The results showed that only primordial follicles and empty follicles can be observed in Sohlh1-/- ovaries from 0.5 to 23.5 dpp. The expression of Foxo3 and FOXO3 was downregulated; nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of FOXO3 was normal in 7.5-dpp Sohlh1+/+ but not Sohlh1-/- ovaries; and primordial follicle activation (PFA) was not observed in 7.5-dpp Sohlh1-/- mice. The expression levels of KIT, AKT, and P308-AKT were downregulated (p < 0.05), whereas that of P473-AKT was not significantly changed (p > 0.05). The KIT/PI3K/AKT pathway was inhibited. Furthermore, we conducted a dual luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The results showed that SOHLH1 can upregulate the Kit gene by binding to the -3698 bp E-box motif. The absence of Sohlh1 may affect PFA in mouse ovaries via downregulation of Kit and inhibition of the KIT/PI3K/AKT pathway.

Preparation of oxazolines and oxazoles via a PhI(OAc)2-promoted cyclization of N-propargylamides.

A metal-free cyclization of N-propargylamides for the synthesis of various oxazolines and oxazoles via a 5-exo-dig process is presented. Using (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (PIDA) as a reaction promoter and lithium iodide (LiI) as an iodine source, intramolecular iodooxygenation of N-propargylamides proceeded readily, leading to the corresponding (E)-5-iodomethylene-2-oxazolines in good to excellent isolated yields. In addition, using the PhI(OAc)2/LiI system, N-propargylamides can be converted to the corresponding oxazole-5-carbaldehydes in the presence of oxygen under visible light irradiation. The resulting products can be further converted into various oxazoline and oxazole derivatives after simple derivatizations, and this method ultimately offers an efficient route to a variety of biologically active structures.

Preparation of polysubstituted dihydrofurans through a PhI(OAc)2-promoted haloenolcyclization of olefinic dicarbonyl compounds.

A metal-free cyclization of olefinic dicarbonyl compounds for the synthesis of various 5-halomethyl-4,5-dihydrofurans is presented. Using (diacetoxyiodo)benzene as the reaction promoter and halotrimethylsilane as the halogen source, the intramolecular haloenolcyclization of the 2-allyl-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds smoothly proceeded, leading to the corresponding 5-halomethyl-4,5-dihydrofurans in good to excellent isolated yields. Moreover, the resulting 5-iodomethyl products could be converted to functionalized furans in almost quantitative yields by treatment with DBU followed by acid-catalyzed rearrangement. The reactions could be carried out on a gram scale and did not require harsh reaction conditions. The good isolated yields, mild conditions, and operational simplicity make this reaction a viable method for the construction of different dihydrofuran and furan structures.

Development of novel ß-carboline-based hydroxamate derivatives as HDAC inhibitors with antiproliferative and antimetastatic activities in human cancer cells.

A series of novel ß-carboline-based hydroxamate derivatives 12a-k were designed and synthesized, and their biological activities in a series of in vitro assays were evaluated. Several of these ß-carboline derivatives not only showed excellent HDAC1/3/6 inhibitory effects, but also displayed significant antitumor activities against five human cancer cells. The most potent compound 12f demonstrated the highest anticancer potency against cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 0.53-1.56 µM, which was considerably more potent than harmine (IC50 = 46.7-55.3 µM) and also three-to ten-fold lower than that of SAHA (IC50 = 4.48-6.26 µM). Immunoblot analysis revealed that 12f dose-dependently inhibited histone H3 and α-tubulin acetylation, confirming its HDAC inhibitory effects. Moreover, 12f significantly arrested HepG2 cells at G2/M phase through inhibiting cell cycle related protein CDK1 and cyclin B in a concentration dependent manner. Interestingly, 12f also exerted strong anti-metastasis activity by simultaneously reducing the protein level of MMP2 and MMP9 and inhibiting MAPK signaling pathway.

Asymmetric One-Pot Synthesis of (3R,3aS,6aR)-Hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furan-3-ol: A Key Component of Current HIV Protease Inhibitors.

A concise and efficient synthesis of (3R,3aS,6aR)-hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furan-3-ol, a key building block for several clinical and experimental HIV protease inhibitors including the highly important drug darunavir, was achieved via a one-pot procedure using furan and Cbz-protected glycol aldehyde as starting materials. A [2+2]-photocycloaddition between both reactants which can be prepared from wood-based starting materials according to the principles of xylochemistry, followed by hydrogenation and lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution afforded the target compound in high yield and up to 99% ee.

Total Synthesis of Phenanthroindolizidine Alkaloids by Combining Iodoaminocyclization with Free Radical Cyclization.

A concise and modular synthesis of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids was achieved by combining iodoaminocylization with a free radical cyclization approach. The route described allowed the preparation of (±)-tylophorine, (±)-antofine, and (±)-deoxypergularinine in six steps. When commercially available l-prolinol was used as a chiral building block, (S)-(+)-tylophorine was also synthesized in 49% yield and >99% ee over five linear steps.

Preparation of trans-2-Substituted-4-halopiperidines and cis-2-Substituted-4-halotetrahydropyrans via AlCl3-Catalyzed Prins Reaction.

A general and practical method for the preparation of trans-2-substituted-4-halopiperidines and cis-2-substituted-4-halotetrahydropyrans is reported. Using 5 mol % of AlCl3 as the catalyst and 2 equiv of trimethylsilyl halides as the halide sources, aza-Prins cyclization of N-tosyl homoallylamine or Prins cyclization of homoallylic alcohol with carbonyl compounds could be readily realized, giving the corresponding trans-2-substituted-4-halopiperidines or cis-2-substituted-4-halotetrahydropyrans in high yields and satisfactory diastereoselectivity.