Qing-Long Xu

Direct stereospecific synthesis of unprotected N-H and N-Me aziridines from olefins.

Unadorned Aziridines Multiple catalytic methods have been developed to make aziridines—strained triangular carbon-nitrogen-carbon rings that function as versatile synthetic intermediates. However, the majority require protection of the nitrogen precursor with a sulfonyl group that is subsequently inconvenient to remove. Jat et al. (p. 61; see the Perspective by Türkmen and Aggarwal) used a hydroxylamine derivative as the nitrogen source together with an established rhodium catalyst to prepare a wide range of unprotected aziridines, with nitrogen bonded simply to hydrogen or a methyl group. A route to triangular carbon-nitrogen rings avoids placement of a hard-to-remove protecting group on the nitrogen precursor. Despite the prevalence of the N-H aziridine motif in bioactive natural products and the clear advantages of this unprotected parent structure over N-protected derivatives as a synthetic building block, no practical methods have emerged for direct synthesis of this compound class from unfunctionalized olefins. Here, we present a mild, versatile method for the direct stereospecific conversion of structurally diverse mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted olefins to N-H aziridines using O-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydroxylamine (DPH) via homogeneous rhodium catalysis with no external oxidants. This method is operationally simple (i.e., one-pot), scalable, and fast at ambient temperature, furnishing N-H aziridines in good-to-excellent yields. Likewise, N-alkyl aziridines are prepared from N-alkylated DPH derivatives. Quantum-mechanical calculations suggest a plausible Rh-nitrene pathway.

Current developments in pharmacological therapeutics for chronic constipation.

Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal disease severely affecting the patient׳s quality of life. The traditional treatment of constipation is the use of laxatives. Recently, several new drugs including lubiprostone, linaclotide and prucalopride have been approved for treatment of chronic constipation. However, a significant unmet medical need still remains, particularly among those patients achieving poor results by current therapies. The 5-HT4 receptor modulators velusetrag and naronapride, the guanylate cyclase C agonist plecanatide and the ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor elobixibat are recognized as the most promising drugs under investigation. Herein, we give a comprehensive review on the pharmacological therapeutics for the treatment of chronic constipation, with the purpose of reflecting the drug development trends in this field.

Construction of Oxadiazepines via Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Tandem 1,5-Hydride Shift/Cyclization

Expeditious access to oxadiazepines via 1,5-hydride shift/cyclization of pyrrolidine- or tetrahydroisoquinoline-containing nitrones has been developed. With 1,3-dipole nitrones serving as the hydride acceptors, this transformation was promoted by a Lewis acid, providing access to structurally diverse oxadiazepines in good yields. A one-pot process for in situ nitrone formation, a 1,5-hydride shift, and ring cyclization was also realized.

Formal [4 + 1] cycloaddition of o-quinone methides: facile synthesis of dihydrobenzofurans

An efficient and straightforward method for the rapid synthesis of 2-substituted dihydrobenzofurans has been developed via reaction of sulfur ylides with o-quinone methides (o-QMs), which were generated under mild conditions. The products could be obtained in excellent yields with various kinds of sulfur ylides.

N-Substituted 3(10H)-Acridones as Visible-Light, Water-Soluble Photocatalysts: Aerobic Oxidative Hydroxylation of Arylboronic Acids

We disclosed a novel water-soluble photocatalyst that could promote aerobic oxidative hydroxylation of arylboronic acids to furnish phenols in excellent yields. This transformation uses visible-light irradiation under environmentally friendly conditions, that is, water-soluble catalyst, metal-free, green oxidant, room temperature.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Arylglycine Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed α-Arylation of a Chiral Nickel(II) Glycinate

A practical and efficient stereoselective synthesis of arylglycine derivatives was realized via palladium-catalyzed α-arylation of a chiral nickel(II) glycinate complex with aryl bromides. The structurally diverse arylglycine products were obtained in excellent isolated yields and with good diastereoselectivity. A simple acidic hydrolysis furnished optically pure arylglycines in high yield, and the chiral ligand (S)-BPB could be efficiently recovered and reused.

Visible-light induced isoindoles formation to trigger intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions in the presence of air.

Visible-light induced isoindole formation triggered an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction with dienophiles such as acetylenedicarboxylate and maleimides in the presence of air. The reaction resulted in excellent diastereoselctivity and high yields under mild reaction conditions. This protocol provides an atom-economical, transition-metal-free (TM-free) and straightforward approach to structurally diverse bridged-ring heterocycles from easily accessible molecules.

Lewis acid-catalyzed redox-neutral amination of 2-(3-pyrroline-1-yl)benzaldehydes via intramolecular [1,5]-hydride shift/isomerization reaction.

Summary Lewis acid-catalyzed redox-neutral amination of 2-(3-pyrroline-1-yl)benzaldehydes via intramolcular [1,5]-hydride shift/isomerization reaction has been realized, using the inherent reducing power of 3-pyrrolines. A series of N-arylpyrrole containing amines are obtained in high yields.

Direct Intermolecular C-H Functionalization Triggered by 1,5-Hydride Shift: Access to N-Arylprolinamides via Ugi-Type Reaction

A novel Ugi-type reaction triggered by 1,5-hydride shift has been established, giving access to N-arylprolinamides and related compounds in high atom economy and good yields. This is an example of a two starting material-three component reaction. The benzyl alcohol substrate 1 acts as a dual synthon, which upon treatment with a Brønsted acid affords iminium ion and water. Nucleophilic attack at the iminium ion by the third component isocyanide, followed by hydrolysis with the endogenic water, gives the Ugi-type reaction products. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and is tolerable to a broad scope of substrates.

Organocatalytic Para-Selective Amination of Phenols with Iminoquinone Monoacetals

A highly selective para C-H amination of unprotected phenols with iminoquinone acetals was realized, giving the functional phenols in good to excellent yields. Overall, this transformation is operationally simple, proceeds with readily available phenols, and has wide substrate scope and low catalyst loading. The biarylamine product is stochastically formed via [5,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement of a mixed acetal species which is generated in situ under the reaction conditions.