Franco Ghelfi

Silybin, a new iron-chelating agent

Silybin, a natural occurring flavolignan isolated from the fruits of Silibum marianum, has been reported to exert antioxidant and free radical scavenging abilities. It was suggested to act also as an iron chelator. The complexation and protonation equilibria of the ferric complex of this compound have been studied by potentiometric, spectrophotometric and electrochemical techniques. The formation of the complex silybin-Ga(III) in anhydrous DMSO-d6 has been studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy on silybin-Fe(III) complex confirm all data obtained by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The experimental results show that silybin binds Fe(III) even at acidic pH. Different ternary complexes were observed at increasing methoxide ion concentration and their stability constants have been calculated. The results show the possible role of silybin in relation to the chelation therapy of chronic iron overload, as occurs in the treatment of Cooleys anemia.

Halogen atom transfer radical cyclization of N-allyl-N-benzyl-2,2-dihaloamides to 2-pyrrolidinones, promoted by Fe0-FeCl3 or CuCl-TMEDA

Abstract The halogen atom transfer radical cyclization of a N-allyl-N-benzyl-2,2-dihaloamides to 2-pyrrolidinones has been carried out in high yields under mild conditions, in a reaction promoted by CuCl-TMEDA or Fe0-FeCl3 in acetonitrile or N,N-dimethylformamide, respectively.

The influence of benzylic protection and allylic substituents on the CuCl-TMEDA catalyzed rearrangement of N-allyl-N-benzyl-2,2-dihaloamides to gamma-lactams. Application to the stereoselective synthesis of pilolactam.

Abstract A number of N-benzylic protecting groups and allylic substituents have been investigated for the rearrangement, promoted by CuCl-TMEDA, of N-allyl-2,2-dihaloamides to 3,4-disubstituted γ-lactams. An appreciable chiral induction was observed at the C-4 site when α-phenylethylamine was used as a chiral protecting group, while an unexpected Diels-Alder reaction occurred when using a 2-furyl-methyl protection. This rearrangement has been applied to the synthesis of pilolactam, a drug with muscarinic activity.

Metal-catalysed radical cyclisations leading to N-heterocycles: new approaches to gabapentin and pulchellalactam

The copper(I) or ruthenium(II)-mediated radical cyclisation of halo-amides has been utilised to afford functionalised pyrrolidinones via 5-endo-trig or 5-exo-trig radical cyclisation pathways. This methodology has been applied to novel and concise syntheses of the anti-epileptic drug gabapentin and the biologically active natural product pulchellalactam.

Halogen atom transfer radical addition of α-polychloroesters to olefins promoted by Fe0 filings

Abstract The Kharasch addition of methyl 2,2-dichlorocarboxylates or trichloro acetic acid derivatives to alkenes, affording the corresponding 1:1 adducts, is promoted by the iron filings/N,N-dimethylformamide system.

The synthesis of functionalised β- and γ-lactams by cyclisation of enamides using copper(I) or ruthenium(II)

Abstract Cyclisation of a variety of halo-enamides with copper(I) or ruthenium(II) complexes has been investigated. The regioselectivity of the radical cyclisation, which can proceed via either a 4- exo or 5- endo pathway, to form β- or γ-lactam products respectively, is determined by the nature of the metal oxidant and the reaction conditions. Thus, whereas copper(I)/bipyridine reactions give predominantly γ-lactams, the use of copper(I)/TMEDA or dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) affords mainly β-lactams.

Synthesis of 5-methoxylated 3-pyrrolin-2-ones via the rearrangement of chlorinated pyrrolidin-2-ones

The reaction of N-substituted 4-methyl-2-pyrrolidinones or 4-diethoxyphosphoryl analogues, carrying at least two chlorine atoms between the C(3) and C(6) carbons, with alkaline methoxide in methanol afforded the corresponding 5-methoxylated 3-pyrrolin-2-ones, useful adducts for the preparation of agrochemicals or medicinal compounds.

Fe0 initiated halogen atom transfer radical addition of methyl 2-Br-2-Cl-carboxylates to olefins

Abstract The halogen atom transfer radical addition (HATRA) of methyl 2-Br-2-Cl-carboxylates to alkenes is obtained in good yields by catalytic amounts of iron filings in dimethylformamide/1,2-dichloroethane at 80°C under argon.

Acetals by AlFe-pillared montmorillonite catalysis

Abstract AlFe-pillared montmorillonite is an efficient catalyst for acetals preparation in CH2Cl2 at room temperature.

Sulfoxides from Thioethers and MnO2-HCl

Abstract Treatment of thioethers with manganese(IV)oxide-35% aqueous hydrogen chloride in methanol gives sulfoxides in high yields; sulfones are not produced