Zhong-Xing Jiang

Copper-Catalyzed Intermolecular Chloro- and Bromotrifluoromethylation of Alkenes.

A highly practical copper-catalyzed intermolecular halotrifluoromethylation of alkenes has been developed under mild reaction conditions. A variety of Cl/Br-containing trifluoromethyl derivatives were directly synthesized from a wide range of alkenes, including electron-deficient and unactivated alkenes.

Design and Synthesis of Fluorinated Dendrimers for Sensitive F-19 MRI

To achieve high sensitivity for (19)F MRI, a class of novel dendritic molecules with multiple pseudosymmetrical fluorines was designed and efficiently synthesized. Through iterative bromination and Williamson ether synthesis under mild conditions, a fluorinated dendrimer with 540 pseudosymmetrical fluorines was conveniently prepared without performing the group protection in a convergent way. The dendrimer is characterized by a strong (19)F NMR peak and short relaxation times. Eventually, an appreciably enhanced (19)F MRI at an extremely low concentration (18.5 μM) was achieved, which demonstrated the potential utility of such dendritic molecules in highly sensitive (19)F MRI.

Design and Synthesis of Fluorinated Amphiphile as 19F MRI/Fluorescence Dual-Imaging Agent by Tuning the Self-Assembly

Both (19)F MRI and optical imaging are powerful noninvasive molecular imaging modalities in biomedical applications. To integrate these two complementary imaging modalities, the design and synthesis of a novel (19)F MRI/fluorescence dual-modal imaging agent is reported herein. Through Sonogashira coupling reaction between the fluorinated phenylacetylene and 1,2,4,5-tetraiodobenzene, a fluorophore with 48 symmetrical fluorines at its periphery was constructed with high efficacy. High aqueous solubility was achieved by PEGylation of the fluorophore with monodisperse PEGs. However, an unexpected self-assembly of the PEGylated amphiphilic fluorophore in water turned off the (19)F NMR signal. However, hydrogenation of the triple bonds or introduction of branched monodisperse PEGs was able to efficiently tune the self-assembly, resulting in the turning on of the (19)F NMR signal. One of these amphiphiles combines the advantages of label-free fluorescence, high (19)F MRI sensitivity, biocompatibility, and excellent aqueous solubility. The results demonstrate the great potential of such amphiphiles for real-time (19)F MRI and fluorescence dual-modality imaging.

Highly Efficient Synthesis of Monodisperse Poly(ethylene glycols) and Derivatives through Macrocyclization of Oligo(ethylene glycols)

A macrocyclic sulfate (MCS)-based approach to monodisperse poly(ethylene glycols) (M-PEGs) and their monofunctionalized derivatives has been developed. Macrocyclization of oligo(ethylene glycols) (OEGs) provides MCS (up to a 62-membered macrocycle) as versatile precursors for a range of monofunctionalized M-PEGs. Through iterative nucleophilic ring-opening reactions of MCS without performing group protection and activation, a series of M-PEGs, including the unprecedented 64-mer (2850u2005Da), can be readily prepared. Synthetic simplicity coupled with versatility of this new strategy may pave the way for broader applications of M-PEGs.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 20-epi-amino-20-deoxysalinomycin derivatives

To improve the druggability of salinomycin, a 20-epi-amino-20-deoxysalinomycin derivatives library was synthesized with high efficacy from which a few salinomycin derivatives with high potency and selectivity were identified through comprehensive cytotoxicity assay, including a fluorine-19 magnetic resonance sensitive tool molecule. Using a K-ras cellular model, salinomycin and its derivatives showed different molecular mode of action from literature reports. These results would be valuable for developing salinomycin-based cancer therapy.

Fe2O3-Promoted Intermolecular Chlorotrifluoromethylthiolation of Alkenes

A simple, convenient method for intermolecular chlorotrifluoromethylthiolation of alkenes by using a low-cost and more abundant iron catalyst has been developed. This protocol provides a straightforward way to synthesize a variety of useful SCF3-containing chlorides from a wide range of alkenes, including electron-deficient, aromatic, and unactivated alkenes. Mechanistic studies indicate that this is a free radical transformation, and the stronger electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagent CF3SCl was generated in situ under the employed conditions. The synthetic applications of this approach were also explored by a variety of synthetically useful transformations.

One-pot synthesis of monodisperse dual-functionalized polyethylene glycols through macrocyclic sulfates

Dual-functionalization of monodisperse oligoethylene glycols, especially hetero-functionalization, provides a series of highly valuable intermediates for life and materials sciences. However, the existing methods for the preparation of these compounds suffer excessive protecting and activating group manipulation as well as tedious purification. Here, a one-pot dual-substitution strategy with macrocyclic sulfates of polyethylene glycols as the key intermediates was developed for the convenient and scalable preparation of a series of homo-functionalized and hetero-functionalized oligoethylene glycols in just 1 step. A high synthetic efficacy was achieved by avoiding the protecting and activating group manipulation and the intermediate purification.