Synthesis and Characterization of a [1,2,6]Diazaphosphonine Oxide: An Example of a Photoswitchable Phosphorus-Containing Cyclic Azobenzene.

We report herein the synthesis and characterization of a phosphorus-containing cyclic azobenzene as a new photoswitchable scaffold. This backbone reveals high bidirectional photoswitching yields and high thermal stability for both isomers, with t1/2 > 90 days at 60 °C. Both E- and Z-isomers have been characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Fluorinated 2-Azetines: Synthesis, Applications, Biological Tests, and Development of a Catalytic Process.

An efficient and straightforward phosphine-promoted tandem aza-Michael addition/intramolecular Wittig reaction was developed for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized 2-azetines. After demonstrating that this transformation could be made catalytic in phosphine through in situ reduction of phosphine oxide with phenylsilane, different post-transformation steps have been demonstrated, including an original [2 + 2] photodimerization. Preliminary biological tests highlighted that these fluorinated 1,2-dihydroazete-2,3-dicarboxylates exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the human tumor cell line.

Synthesis of chiral polycyclic N-heterocycles via gold(I)-catalyzed 1,6-enyne cyclization/intramolecular nucleophilic addition.

Cycloisomerization of N-tethered indole- and dihydropyrrole-arylpropargyl substrates into complex polycycles was investigated by using gold(I) catalysis. Enantioselectivities up to 93% ee were obtained in the asymmetric version of this process. DFT calculations rationalized the reactivity observed for the formation of such complex molecular frameworks.

Synthesis of Cyclopentenones with C4-Quaternary Stereocenters via Stereospecific [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement and Applications in Total Synthesis of Sesquiterpenoids.

A cationic gold(I)-catalyzed asymmetric [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of sulfonium leads after cyclization to cyclopentenones with a C4-quaternary stereocenter. Starting with simple vinyl sulfoxides and propargyl silane, numerous compounds were isolated with moderate to good yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses (26 examples). The application of this simple methodology allowed the efficient total synthesis of five natural sesquiterpenoids, including enokipodin A and B, hitoyopodin A, lagopodin A, and isocuparene-3,4-diol.

Enantioselective Au(I)-catalyzed dearomatization of 1-naphthols with allenamides through Tethered Counterion-Directed Catalysis.

The Tethered Counterion-Directed Catalysis (TCDC) approach has been applied to the enantioselective Au(I) catalyzed dearomatizations of 1-naphthols with allenamides. Stereocontrol is ensured by the intramolecular ion-pairing between the chiral gold-tethered phosphate and an iminium unit, that provides a rigid, well-defined chiral environment to the key electrophilic intermediate.

Triazonine-based bistable photoswitches: synthesis, characterization and photochromic properties.

We disclose here dibenzotriazonines as a new class of nine-membered cyclic azobenzenes displaying a nitrogen function in the saturated ring chain. The specific features of these compounds are (i) a preferred E-configuration, (ii) high bi-directional photoswitching and (iii) good thermal stability of both E- and Z-forms.

Synthesis and properties of photoswitchable diphosphines and gold(I) complexes derived from azobenzenes.

Diphosphines displaying azobenzene scaffolds and the corresponding bis-gold chloride complexes have been prepared and fully characterized by photophysical, spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies. DFT calculations provide complementary information on their electronic, structural and spectroscopic properties. Comparative investigations have been carried out on compounds featuring phosphorus functions in the meta- and para-positions, respectively, with respect to the azo functions, as well as on diphosphines with an ortho-tetrafluoro substituted azobenzene core. The effects of the substitution patterns on structural and spectroscopic properties are discussed.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,4-Dicarbonyl Derivatives via Sulfonium [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement.

An efficient and straightforward gold-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of 2-substituted 4-oxo-4-arylbutanal derivatives from commercially available or easily accessible alkynes and vinylsulfoxide substrates has been developed. Extension of the methodology to the use of 1-cycloalkenyl sulfoxides allowed the facile synthesis of five-, six-, and seven-membered-ring cycloalkyl-1-one backbone. Subsequently, the tetrahydrocycloalkyl[b]pyrrole derivatives, which are found in many active pharmaceutical ingredients, were isolated in good yields. Mechanistic investigation highlighted a [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of a sulfonium intermediate in this process.

Enantioselective gold(i)-catalyzed cyclization/intermolecular nucleophilic additions of 1,5-enyne derivatives.

An enantioselective Au(i)-catalyzed cyclization/nucleophilic addition process is developed, starting from 1,5-enyne substrates. A broad scope of O-, N- and C-nucleophiles was introduced in order to provide the corresponding chiral cyclopentene derivatives in moderate to high yields and up to 96 : 4 enantiomeric ratio.

Tethered Counterion-Directed Catalysis: Merging the Chiral Ion-Pairing and Bifunctional Ligand Strategies in Enantioselective Gold(I) Catalysis.

Tethering a metal complex to its phosphate counterion via a phosphine ligand enables a new strategy in asymmetric counteranion-directed catalysis (ACDC). A straightforward, scalable synthetic route gives access to the gold(I) complex of a phosphine displaying a chiral phosphoric acid function. The complex generates a catalytically active species with an unprecedented intramolecular relationship between the cationic Au(I) center and the phosphate counterion. The benefits of tethering the two functions of the catalyst are demonstrated here in a tandem cycloisomerization/nucleophilic addition reaction, by attaining high enantioselectivity levels (up to 97% ee) at an unusually low 0.2 mol % catalyst loading. Remarkably, the method is also compatible with a silver-free protocol.

Enantioselective Gold(I)-Catalyzed Hydrative Cyclizations of N-Propargyl-ynamides into 3,6-Dihydropyridinones.

This study discloses the first enantioselective variant of the gold(I)-catalyzed hydrative cyclizations of ynamides, which have been implemented by using bis-gold(I) complexes of chiral diphosphines. Starting from N-propargyl-ynamides and water in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid, the cyclization reactions afford N-tosyl-3,6-dihydropyridin-2(1H)-ones in good isolated yields and with high levels of stereocontrol (20 examples, enantiomeric ratios up to 94:6).

Phosphahelicenes with (Thio)Phosphinic Acid and Ester Functions by the Oxidative Photocyclisation Approach.

Phosphahelicenes with thiophosphinic acid and ester functions have been obtained by the oxidative photocyclisation of olefins bearing both a benzophenanthrene and a benzophosphole unit. When the method has been extended to olefins bearing a partially saturated benzophospholene unit, a divergent regioselectivity of the photocyclisation step has been observed, leading to new helicenes in which the phosphorus function is located on the external rim of the helical backbone. The observed regioselectivity correlates well with the free-valence numbers of the atoms involved in the photocyclisation reaction (DFT calculations).

Thioarylative Radical Cyclization of Yne-Dienone.

We herein demonstrated a N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI)-mediated chemo- and regioselective radical cyclization of yne-dienone with thiols to construct 3-thioaryl bearing [6,6]-fused dihydrochromenone derivatives. This transformation tolerates common functional groups and has broad scope. The reaction proceeds via the attack of a thioaryl radical to alkyne over the activated Michael acceptor. The TEMPO quenching experiment suggests the involvement of a radical intermediate. Synthetic versatility of 3-thioaryldihydrochromenones is also showcased.

Catalytic and Asymmetric Process via PIII/PV═O Redox Cycling: Access to (Trifluoromethyl)cyclobutenes via a Michael Addition/Wittig Olefination Reaction.

In the present study, we report the first enantioselective and highly efficient phosphine-catalyzed process via a chemoselective in situ phosphine oxide reduction. Starting with 4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dione and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate substrates, highly functionalized fluorinated cyclobutenes were obtained in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Using the same methodology, CF3-spirocyclobutene derivatives were also synthesized (34 examples, up to 95% ee).

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of a chiral bis-phosphahelicene palladium (II) complex.

As a complement to our previous studies on the development of a class of chiral phosphahelicenes, this article discloses the synthesis, spectroscopic, and structural characterizations of a new phosphahelicene transition metal complex. It demonstrates the ability of these hindered chiral ligands to coordinate Pd (II) in trans-complexes Cl2 Pd(L*)2 . In the solid state, the complex adopts a C2-symmetric arrangement with two ligands facing each other on the same face of the coordination plane. X-Ray data highlight bending of the Pd (II) unit from the expected planar coordination geometry that might be due to a significant π-π stacking effect between the central rings of two helical units.

Phosphahelicenes: From Chiroptical and Photophysical Properties to OLED Applications.

Herein, the experimental physicochemical and chiroptical properties of a series of phosphahelicenes are reported, focusing on their UV/Vis absorption, luminescence, electronic circular dichroism, optical rotations, and circularly polarized luminescence. Furthermore, detailed analysis of absorption and ECD spectra performed with the help of quantum-chemical calculations allowed us to highlight general features of these helicenic phosphines. Finally, due to well-suited electrochemical properties and thermal stability, the systems were successfully used as emitters in organic light-emitting diodes.

Inhibition of p53-Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) Interactions with 3,3'-Spirocyclopentene Oxindole Derivatives.

3,3'-Spirocyclopentene oxindoles structurally related to Wang's spiropyrrolidine oxindoles have been highlighted as a new class of antiproliferative agents against cancer cell lines with wild-type p53 status (IC50 up to 0.96 µM on SJSA-1 and 2.9 µM in HCT116 p53-wt). Inhibition of the MDM2-p53 interactions has been demonstrated through in vitro HTRF assays (IC50 up to 3.1 nM), while Western blot analysis showed activation of p53 selectively in HCT116 cancer cell lines with wild-type p53.

Phosphine-Catalyzed Reaction between 2-Aminobenzaldehydes and Dialkyl Acetylenedicarboxylates: Synthesis of 1,2-Dihydroquinoline Derivatives and Toward the Development of an Olefination Reaction.

A series of 1,2-dihydroquinolines were synthesized in good to excellent yields by reacting 2-aminobenzaldehyde derivatives and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates with catalytic amounts of phosphine. This reaction was rendered catalytic by the selective in situ phosphine oxide reduction with the use of phenylsilane. Furthermore, with the same starting materials and with an additional role of the reducing agent, a new olefination reaction was discovered. Hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange experiments revealed the possible mechanism of this reaction.

Phosphine-Promoted Synthesis of 9 H-Pyrrolo[1,2- a]indole Derivatives via an γ-Umpolung Addition/Intramolecular Wittig Reaction.

The synthesis of substituted 9 H-pyrrolo[1,2- a]indole products from 1 H-indole-2-carbaldehydes and allenoates is described, using a phosphine-promoted Michael addition/intramolecular Wittig reaction. This halide- and base-free methodology provides an efficient access to different tricyclic nitrogen-containing heterocycles (18 examples, 32-88% isolated yields).

Revised Theoretical Model on Enantiocontrol in Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed H-Transfer Hydrogenation of Quinoline.

The enantioselective H-transfer hydrogenation of quinoline by Hantzsch ester is a relevant example of Brønsted acid catalyzed cascade reactions, with phosphoric acid being a privileged catalyst. The generally accepted mechanism points out the hydride transfer step as the rate- and stereodetermining step, however computations based on these models do not totally fit with experimental observations. We hereby present a computational study that enlightens the stereochemical outcome and quantitatively reproduces the experimental enantiomeric excesses in a series of H-transfer hydrogenations. Our calculations suggest that the high stereocontrol usually attained with BINOL-derived phosphoric acids results mostly from the steric constraints generated by an aryl substituent of the catalyst, which hinders the access of the Hantzsch ester to the catalytic site and enforces approach through a specific way. It relies on a new model involving the preferential assembly of one of the stereomeric complexes formed by the chiral phosphoric acid and the two reaction partners. The stereodetermining step thus occurs prior to the H-transfer step.