5‐(Cyano)dibenzothiophenium Triflate: A Sulfur‐Based Reagent for Electrophilic Cyanation and Cyanocyclizations

The synthesis of 5-(cyano)dibenzothiophenium triflate 9, prepared by activation of dibenzo[b,d]thiophene-5-oxide with Tf2 O and subsequent reaction with TMSCN is reported, and its reactivity as electrophilic cyanation reagent evaluated. The scalable preparation, easy handling and broad substrate scope of the electrophilic cyanation promoted by 9, which includes amines, thiols, silyl enol ethers, alkenes, electron rich (hetero)arenes and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, illustrate the synthetic potential of this reagent. Importantly, Lewis acid activation of the reagent is not required for the transfer process. We additionally report herein biomimetic cyanocyclization cascade reactions, which are not promoted by typical electrophilic cyanation reagents, demonstrating the superior ability of 9 to trigger challenging transformations

Dimolybdenum Bis-2,4,6-triisopropyl-benzoate Bis-4-isonicotinate: A Redox Active Analogue of 4,4′-Bipyridine with Ambivalent Properties

The reaction between Mo2(TiPB)4 and 4-iso-nicotinic acid (2 equiv) in ethanol leads to the formation of trans-Mo2(TiPB)2(nic)2, I, where TiPB = 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoate and nic = 4-isonicotinate. The molecular structures of I and I·2DMSO were determined in the solid state by a single-crystal X-ray study, and its electronic structure was determined by DFT calculations on a model compound, where formate ligands were substituted for the bulky TiPB. The physicochemical properties of I are reported, and its potential as a redox active building block, a quasi-metalloorganic analogue of 4,4′-bipyridine, is described in the synthesis of molecular and solid-state assemblies. The molecular structure of I in the solid state consists of a 3-dimensional network in which each unit of Mo2(TiPB)2(nic)2 acts as a donor and acceptor via N to Mo coordination. In the structure of I·2DMSO, the DMSO ligands coordinate axially with the Mo−Mo bond via oxygen. The reaction between I and Rh2(O2CMe)4 is shown to give a 1-D polymeric chain in the solid state: [{Rh2(O2CMe)4}{Mo2(TiPB)2(nic)2}]∞, II. A similar structure was found for the product involving Rh2(O2CCMe3)4. Evidence is also reported for the formation of [(1,5-COD)MePt]2[μ-Mo2(TiPB)2(nic)2](PF6)2, III, and [(1,5-COD)Pt(μ-I)(PF6)2]n

Accessible Chiral Linker to Enhance Potency and Selectivity of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors

[Image: see text] The three important mammalian isozymes of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS). Inhibitors of nNOS show promise as treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Eight easily synthesized compounds containing either one (20a,b) or two (9a–d; 15a,b) 2-amino-4-methylpyridine groups with a chiral pyrrolidine linker were designed as selective nNOS inhibitors. Inhibitor 9c is the best of these compounds, having a potency of 9.7 nM and dual selectivity of 693 and 295 against eNOS and iNOS, respectively. Crystal structures of nNOS complexed with either 9a or 9c show a double-headed binding mode, where each 2-aminopyridine headgroup interacts with either a nNOS active site Glu residue or a heme propionate. In addition, the pyrrolidine nitrogen of 9c contributes additional hydrogen bonds to the heme propionate, resulting in a unique binding orientation. In contrast, the lack of hydrogen bonds from the pyrrolidine of 9a to the heme propionate allows the inhibitor to adopt two different binding orientations. Both 9a and 9c bind to eNOS in a single-headed mode, which is the structural basis for the isozyme selectivity