Gang Zhao

Step-Controlled Povarov-Type Reaction with 1,2-Dihydroquinolines as Precursors of Dienophiles: Direct Synthesis of Spirocyclic Bi-tetrahydroquinolines and Functionalized 1,2-Dihydroquinolines

A novel Povarov-type reaction for straightforward synthesis of novel spiro bi-tetrahydroquinolines with readily available 1,2-DHQs (1,2-dihydroquinolines) and aromatic imines was developed. The reaction could be selectively stopped at the first stage under a Brønsted acid catalyst to afford the corresponding functionalized 1,2-DHQs conveniently.

Investigation and Application of Amphoteric α-Amino Aldehyde: An in Situ Generated Species Based on Heyns Rearrangement

In situ generation of the reactive amphoteric α-amino aldehyde with simple α-hydroxy ketones and phenylamine via Heyns rearrangement was proven to be feasible. Metal-free domino reactions based on this reactive intermediate were effectively used to afford important N-heterocycles including polysubstituted pyrroles, indoles, and quinoxalines conveniently. A simple starting material, water as the only byproduct, and diversity of the useful products will make this method greatly attractive for pharmaceutics.

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of terpyridine-CuCl2 with cysteine

Interaction of the classical coordination complex TpyCuCl2 (Tpy = terpyridine) with cysteine was studied. Addition of cysteine to the solution of TpyCuCl2 was found to give greatly enhanced fluorescence. UV-vis absorption and mass spectroscopic analyses were conducted to investigate this reaction under various conditions. These studies indicate that in a pure water solution (pH = 6.10–6.55), cysteine can reduce Cu(II) to generate TpyCuSCH2CH(NH2)CO2H with greatly enhanced fluorescence. In a HEPES buffer solution (pH = 7.40), the Tpy ligand can be further displaced off the copper center, contributing to the enhanced fluorescence.

Bio-inspired enantioselective full transamination using readily available cyclodextrin

The mimics of vitamin B6-dependent enzymes that catalyzed an enantioselective full transamination in the pure aqueous phase have been realized for the first time through the establishment of a new “pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) catalyzed non-covalent cyclodextrin (CD)-keto acid inclusion complexes” system, and various optically active amino acids have been obtained.