Modern Trends of Organic Chemistry in Russian Universities

© 2018, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. This review is devoted to the scientific achievements of the departments of organic chemistry in higher schools of Russia within the past decade

Decatungstate‐mediated C(sp3)‒H Heteroarylation via Radical‐Polar Crossover in Batch and Flow

Photocatalytic hydrogen atom transfer is a very powerful strategy for the regioselective C(sp(3))–H functionalization of organic molecules. Herein, we report on the unprecedented combination of decatungstate hydrogen atom transfer photocatalysis with the oxidative radical–polar crossover concept to access the direct net‐oxidative C(sp(3))–H heteroarylation. The present methodology demonstrates a high functional group tolerance (40 examples) and is scalable when using continuous‐flow reactor technology. The developed protocol is also amenable to the late‐stage functionalization of biologically relevant molecules such as stanozolol, (−)‐ambroxide, podophyllotoxin, and dideoxyribose

A First-in-Class β-Glucuronidase Responsive Conjugate for Selective Dual Targeted and Photodynamic Therapy of Bladder Cancer

In this report, we present a novel prodrug strategy that can significantly improve the efficiency and selectivity of combined therapy for bladder cancer. Our approach involved the synthesis of a conjugate based on a chlorin-e6 photosensitizer and a derivative of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor cabozantinib, linked by a β-glucuronidase-responsive linker. Upon activation by β-glucuronidase, which is overproduced in various tumors and localized in lysosomes, this conjugate released both therapeutic modules within targeted cells. This activation was accompanied by the recovery of its fluorescence and the generation of reactive oxygen species. Investigation of photodynamic and dark toxicity in vitro revealed that the novel conjugate had an excellent safety profile and was able to inhibit tumor cells proliferation at submicromolar concentrations. Additionally, combined therapy effects were also observed in 3D models of tumor growth, demonstrating synergistic suppression through the activation of both photodynamic and targeted therapy