Synthesis of Dihydropyridines and Pyridines from Imines and Alkynes via C-H Activation

A convenient one-pot C-H alkenylation/electrocyclization/aromatization sequence has been developed for the synthesis of highly substituted pyridine derivatives from alkynes and {alpha},{beta}-unsaturated N-benzyl aldimines and ketimines that proceeds through dihydropyridine intermediates. A new class of ligands for C-H activation was developed, providing broader scope for the alkenylation step than could be achieved with previously reported ligands. Substantial information was obtained about the mechanism of the reaction. This included the isolation of a C-H activated complex and its structure determination by X-ray analysis; in addition, kinetic simulations using the Copasi software were employed to determine rate constants for this transformation, implicating facile C-H oxidative addition and slow reductive elimination steps

The Stereoselective Formation of Bicyclic Enamines with Bridgehead Unsaturation via Tandem C-H Bond Activation/Alkenylation/Electrocyclization

Rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular C-H activation of {alpha}, {beta}-unsaturated imines in the presence of alkynes leads to a tandem process in which coupling to the alkyne occurs at the {beta}-C-H bond of the imine, followed by electrocyclization of the resulting azatriene intermediates to give dihydropyridines (eq 1). Consideration of the intramolecular version of this overall transformation (Scheme 1) raises interesting regiochemical issues. For example in a compound such as 1, where the nitrogen and alkyne are connected by a 4-carbon tether, the presumed first-formed hydrido(vinyl)rhodium function can add to the triple bond in a 1,2-fashion, producing complex 2 with a new endocyclic double bond. Alternatively, addition might occur in a 2,1-fashion, leading to product 4 with an exocyclic double bond. We now wish to report that this intramolecular cyclization occurs smoothly at 100 C, and the exocyclic double bond route is exclusively followed. Remarkably, products such as 4 do not resist further cyclization. Even though both the transition state for this process and the resulting product are presumably strained, the overall transformation leads to good yields of unusual bridgehead doubly-bonded enamines such as 5. The unique chemistry of conjugated enamine 5 is consistent with the increased strain of this molecule as well as with inhibited conjugation between the nitrogen lone pair and the adjacent double bond (vida infra). We began our investigation into the C-H activation/cyclization of alkyne-tethered imine 1 by extensive screening of transition metal catalysts for this process. Rhodium-based catalysts were found to be the most efficient (Table 1), leading exclusively to the bridgehead dienamine; none of the catalysts that were employed in the screening led to quinolizidine 3 or to the product of intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction. The optimized reaction conditions employ the electron-rich monophosphine ligand (p-NMe{sub 2})PhPEt{sub 2} in 1:1 ratio relative to the metal (entry 6). Other phosphine ligands also provided product 5, but lower yields were observed. Of particular note, the commercially available phosphine, PCy{sub 3}, gave yields that were nearly identical to those obtained using the optimized conditions (entry 4). Monitoring the progress of the reaction by NMR showed that the nine-membered ring aza-triene intermediate 4 was observed to form initially, as is proposed in Scheme 1. This intermediate undergoes spontaneous electrocyclization to form 5. In the Rh-H addition step, the geometry of the alkyne-tethered imine substrate presumably guides H-transfer to the less hindered site of the tethered alkyne. We also investigated the chemistry of 5 due to its novel structure. Upon treatment with Me{sub 2}SO{sub 4}, 5 was converted exclusively to N-methylated product 6, a regioselectivity that is opposite to that observed with acyclic and monocyclic enamines, which usually give C-alkylation (eq 2). Crystals of 6 suitable for X-ray analysis were obtained, and the resulting crystal structure (Figure 1) confirmed the structure for 5 proposed above. The bridgehead double bond of 6 is found to be significantly nonplanar (twist). The deviation from the optimal planar geometry caused by the bicyclic structure in 5 presumably also results in poor delocalization of the nitrogen lone pair electrons into the adjacent diene orbitals, which would account for the observation of N-alkylation

Real-Time, Single-Step Bioassay Using Nanoplasmonic Resonator With Ultra-High Sensitivity

A nanoplasmonic resonator (NPR) comprising a metallic nanodisk with alternating shielding layer(s), having a tagged biomolecule conjugated or tethered to the surface of the nanoplasmonic resonator for highly sensitive measurement of enzymatic activity. NPRs enhance Raman signals in a highly reproducible manner, enabling fast detection of protease and enzyme activity, such as Prostate Specific Antigen (paPSA), in real-time, at picomolar sensitivity levels. Experiments on extracellular fluid (ECF) from paPSA-positive cells demonstrate specific detection in a complex bio-fluid background in real-time single-step detection in very small sample volumes

Synthesis of a Benzodiazepine-derived Rhodium NHC Complex by C-H Bond Activation

The synthesis and characterization of a Rh(I)-NHC complex generated by C-H activation of 1,4-benzodiazepine heterocycle are reported. This complex constitutes a rare example of a carbene tautomer of a 1,4-benzodiazepine aldimine stabilized by transition metal coordination and demonstrates the ability of the catalytically relevant RhCl(PCy{sub 3}){sub 2} fragment to induce NHC-forming tautomerization of heterocycles possessing a single carbene-stabilizing heteroatom. Implications for the synthesis of benzodiazepines and related pharmacophores via C-H functionalization are discussed

Down-regulation of BDNF in cell and animal models increases striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase 61 (STEP61) levels

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates synaptic strengthening and memory consolidation, and altered BDNF expression is implicated in a number of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. BDNF potentiates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function through activation of Fyn and ERK1/2. STriatal-Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP) is also implicated in many of the same disorders as BDNF but, in contrast to BDNF, STEP opposes the development of synaptic strengthening. STEP-mediated dephosphorylation of the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2B promotes internalization of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors, while dephosphorylation of the kinases Fyn, Pyk2, and ERK1/2 leads to their inactivation. Thus, STEP and BDNF have opposing functions. In this study, we demonstrate that manipulation of BDNF expression has a reciprocal effect on STEP61 levels. Reduced BDNF signaling leads to elevation of STEP61 both in BDNF(+/-) mice and after acute BDNF knockdown in cortical cultures. Moreover, a newly identified STEP inhibitor reverses the biochemical and motor abnormalities in BDNF(+/-) mice. In contrast, increased BDNF signaling upon treatment with a tropomyosin receptor kinase B agonist results in degradation of STEP61 and a subsequent increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of STEP substrates in cultured neurons and in mouse frontal cortex. These findings indicate that BDNF-tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling leads to degradation of STEP61 , while decreased BDNF expression results in increased STEP61 activity. A better understanding of the opposing interaction between STEP and BDNF in normal cognitive functions and in neuropsychiatric disorders will hopefully lead to better therapeutic strategies. Altered expression of BDNF and STEP61 has been implicated in several neurological disorders. BDNF and STEP61 are known to regulate synaptic strengthening, but in opposite directions. Here, we report that reduced BDNF signaling leads to elevation of STEP61 both in BDNF(+/-) mice and after acute BDNF knockdown in cortical cultures. In contrast, activation of TrkB receptor results in the degradation of STEP61 and reverses hyperlocomotor activity in BDNF(+/-) mice. Moreover, inhibition of STEP61 by TC-2153 is sufficient to enhance the Tyr phosphorylation of STEP substrates and also reverses hyperlocomotion in BDNF(+/-) mice. These findings give us a better understanding of the regulation of STEP61 by BDNF in normal cognitive functions and in neuropsychiatric disorders

Landscape science: a Russian geographical tradition

The Russian geographical tradition of landscape science (landshaftovedenie) is analyzed with particular reference to its initiator, Lev Semenovich Berg (1876-1950). The differences between prevailing Russian and Western concepts of landscape in geography are discussed, and their common origins in German geographical thought in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are delineated. It is argued that the principal differences are accounted for by a number of factors, of which Russia's own distinctive tradition in environmental science deriving from the work of V. V. Dokuchaev (1846-1903), the activities of certain key individuals (such as Berg and C. O. Sauer), and the very different social and political circumstances in different parts of the world appear to be the most significant. At the same time it is noted that neither in Russia nor in the West have geographers succeeded in specifying an agreed and unproblematic understanding of landscape, or more broadly in promoting a common geographical conception of human-environment relationships. In light of such uncertainties, the latter part of the article argues for closer international links between the variant landscape traditions in geography as an important contribution to the quest for sustainability