Design and synthesis of large Stokes shift DNA dyes with reduced genotoxicity.

Despite intensive search over the past decades, only a few small-molecule DNA fluorescent dyes were found with large Stokes shifts. These molecules, however, are often too toxic for widespread usage. Here, we designed DNA-specific fluorescent dyes rooted in benzimidazole architectures with a hitherto unexplored molecular framework based on thiazole-benzimidazole scaffolding. We further incorporated a pyrazole ring with an extended sidechain to prevent cell penetration. These novel benzimidazole derivatives were predicted by quantum calculations and subsequently validated to have large Stokes shifts ranging from 135 to 143 nm, with their emission colors changed from capri blue for the Hoechst reference compound to iguana green. These readily-synthesized compounds, which displayed improved DNA staining intensity and detection limits along with a complete loss of capability for cellular membrane permeation and negligible mutagenic effects as designed, offer a safer alternative to the existing high-performance small-molecule DNA fluorescent dyes.

N-Arylation of Amino Acid Esters via an I2-Mediated Metal-Free Multicomponent Benzannulation Strategy.

Herein, we present a novel method for the N-arylation of amino acid esters using α-bromoacetaldehyde acetal and acetoacetate via an I2-mediated metal-free benzannulation strategy, which disclosed the first synthetic application of N-arylation of amino acids using nonaromatic building blocks. The synthesized N-arylated amino acid derivatives were found to possess promising selective inhibition against human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cells, human melanoma cells, and human normal liver cells, with an IC50 value as low as 16.79 µg·mL-1.

Sequential Continuous-Flow Synthesis of 3-Aryl Benzofuranones.

A sequential continuous-flow system to produce 3-aryl benzofuranones was developed. Starting from 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol and glyoxylic acid monohydrate, both the initial cyclocondensation and the subsequent Friedel-Crafts alkylation were catalyzed by the same heterogeneous catalyst, Amberlyst-15H. The catalyst has a promising life-time for these two steps, and it was able to be recovered and reused for several runs without deactivation. By using the established flow system, 5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-3H-benzofuran-2-one (Irganox HP-136), which is a commercial antioxidant, was prepared in 88% two-step yield. Reactions with various aromatic compounds proceeded well under flow conditions to afford 3-aryl benzo-furanone derivatives in high yields with good functional group compatibility.

Efficient Synthesis of (-)-Corynoline by Enantioselective Palladium-Catalyzed α-Arylation with Sterically Hindered Substrates.

Sterically hindered substrates can be employed in an enantioselective palladium-catalyzed α-arylation with the chiral monophosphorus ligand BI-DIME. This process enabled an efficient synthesis of the antidepressant (S)-nafenodone, a four-step enantioselective synthesis of the Sceletium alkaloid (+)-sceletium A-4, a concise five-step enantioselective synthesis of (-)-corynoline, as well as a three-step preparation of (-)-DeN-corynoline.

A highly efficient and aerobic protocol for the synthesis of N-heteroaryl substituted 9-arylcarbazolyl derivatives via a palladium-catalyzed ligand-free Suzuki reaction.

A palladium-catalyzed aerobic and ligand-free Suzuki reaction in aqueous ethanol has been developed for the synthesis of N-heteroaryl substituted 9-arylcarbazolyl derivatives. A number of N-heteroaryl halides, namely 2-halogenated pyridines, 2-bromoquinoline, 5-bromopyrimidine and 2-chloropyrazine, were coupled with 4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenylboronic acid (CPBA) or 9-phenyl-9H-carbazol-3-ylboronic acid (PCBA) efficiently to afford good to excellent yields in a short reaction time. Moreover, the catalytic system of Pd(OAc)(2)-EtOH/H(2)O-K(2)CO(3) was successfully extended to the cross-couplings of N-heteroaryl halides with various arylboronic acids. The results demonstrated that the cross-coupling reaction in the present protocol was promoted by oxygen.