Shekaraiah Devari

Capsaicin production by Alternaria alternata, an endophytic fungus from Capsicum annum; LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis

Alternaria alternata, an endophytic fungus capable of producing capsaicin (1) was isolated from Capsicum annum. The endophyte was found to produce capsaicin upto three generations. Upscaling of the fermentation broth led to the isolation of one known and one compound characterized as 2,4-di-tert-butyl phenol (2) and alternariol-10-methyl ether (3) respectively. Compound 1 and 3 were identified and quantified using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) system through multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Furthermore, compound 3 displayed a range of cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines and was found to induce apoptosis evidenced by Hoechst staining and loss of mitochondrial-membrane potential in HL-60 cells.

Metal free access to quinolines via C–C bond cleavage of styrenes

A new metal free self-sorting tandem reaction between styrenes and anilines to access 2,4-disubstituted quinolines has been developed. The reaction relies on simultaneous C–C and C–N bond formation along with a C–C bond cleavage, under metal free conditions. The reaction proceeds efficiently over a broad range of substrates with excellent functional group tolerance. The utility of the method was also demonstrated in a first synthesis of bis-indoles from styrenes.

Copper-Manganese Spinel Oxide Catalyzed Synthesis of Amides and Azobenzenes via Aminyl Radical Cations

A highly efficient Cu–Mn‐catalyzed process for the aminolysis of esters was developed. Also, the catalyst promoted the self‐ and cross‐dehydrogenative coupling of anilines to generate symmetrical and unsymmetrical azobenzenes, respectively. The reactions were performed under neutral conditions with an inexpensive catalyst, gave high yields, and offered wide functional group tolerance.

A general metal-free approach for the stereoselective synthesis of C-glycals from unactivated alkynes

Summary A novel metal-free strategy for a rapid and α-selctive C-alkynylation of glycals was developed. The reaction utilizes TMSOTf as a promoter to generate in situ trimethylsilylacetylene for C-alkynylation. Thanks to this methodology, we can access C-glycosides in a single step from a variety of acetylenes , i.e., arylacetylenes and most importantly aliphatic alkynes.

Radical–radical cross coupling reactions of photo-excited fluorenones

Radical-radical cross coupling reactions of photoexcited 9-fluorenones have been accomplished for the first time, leading to the synthesis of 9-alkyl, pyrollidinyl and spiro-THF derivatives of 9-fluorenones. The method also reveals, for the first time, the behaviour of ketyl radicals in decarboxyaltive alkylation and ring expansion reactions.