Remote Stereoinduction in the Organocuprate-Mediated Allylic Alkylation of Allylic <i>gem</i>-Dichlorides: Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of (<i>Z</i>)‑Chloroalkene Dipeptide Isosteres

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of (<i>Z</i>)-chloroalkene dipeptide isosteres has been achieved by 1,4-asymmetric induction in the organocuprate-mediated allylic alkylation adjacent to the chiral center of allylic <i>gem</i>-dichlorides. The reaction proceeds with a variety of heterocuprates prepared from CuCN and various organometallic reagents. It allows rapid construction of valuable architectures of l,d-type and l,l-type (<i>Z</i>)-chloroalkene dipeptide isosteres from the corresponding (<i>E</i>)- and (<i>Z</i>)-allylic <i>gem</i>-dichlorides in high yields, with excellent (<i>Z</i>)-selectivity and diastereoselectivity

Stereoselective Formation of Trisubstituted (<i>Z</i>)‑Chloroalkenes Adjacent to a Tertiary Carbon Stereogenic Center by Organocuprate-Mediated Reduction/Alkylation

A robust and efficient method for the synthesis of trisubstituted (<i>Z</i>)-chloroalkenes is described. A one-pot reaction of γ,γ-dichloro-α,β-enoyl sultams involving organocuprate-mediated reduction/asymmetric alkylation affords α-chiral (<i>Z</i>)-chloroalkene derivatives in moderate to high yields with excellent diastereoselectivity, and allylic alkylation of internal allylic <i>gem</i>-dichlorides is also demonstrated. This study provides the first examples of the use of allylic <i>gem</i>-dichlorides adjacent to the chiral center for novel 1,4-asymmetric induction

Tuning the Catalyst Reactivity of Imidazolylidene Catalysts through Substituent Effects on the <i>N</i>‑Aryl Groups

A series of imidazolium salts with various <i>N</i>-aryl groups were synthesized, and their catalytic activities were evaluated to investigate the contribution of the <i>N</i>-aryl groups to the catalytic activity in the synthesis of γ-butyrolactone through an a³→d³-umpolung addition. Imidazolylidenes with 2,6-diethylphenyl groups were effective catalysts, and several mechanistic studies, including a deuterium kinetic isotope effect study, revealed that both steric and kinetic effects were responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity

Utilization of the Heavy Atom Effect for the Development of a Photosensitive 8‑Azacoumarin-Type Photolabile Protecting Group

A remarkable improvement of the photochemical properties of coumarin-type photolabile protecting groups was achieved by iodine substitution. The newly identified 7-hydroxy-6-iodo-8-azacoumarin (8-aza-Ihc)-caged acetate showed excellent photolytic efficiency, significantly higher than that of the corresponding bromine-containing coumarin- and azacoumarin-type caging groups. The results provide a solid approach to improving the photosensitivity of photolabile protecting groups

Isostere-Based Design of 8‑Azacoumarin-Type Photolabile Protecting Groups: A Hydrophilicity-Increasing Strategy for Coumarin-4-ylmethyls

Described is the development of 8-azacoumarin-4-ylmethyl groups as aqueous photolabile protecting groups. A key feature of the strategy is the isosteric replacement of the C7–C8 enol double bond of the Bhc derivative with an amide bond, resulting in conversion of the chromophore from coumarin to 8-azacoumarin. This strategy makes dramatically enhanced water solubility and facile photocleavage possible

Synthesis and Characterization of Quantum Dot Nanoparticles Bound to the Plant Volatile Precursor of Hydroxy-apo-10′-carotenal

This study is focused on the synthesis and characterization of hydroxy-apo-10′-carotenal/quantum dot (QD) conjugates aiming at the <i>in vivo</i> visualization of β-ionone, a carotenoid-derived volatile compound known for its important contribution to the flavor and aroma of many fruits, vegetables, and plants. The synthesis of nanoparticles bound to plant volatile precursors was achieved via coupling reaction of the QD to C₂₇-aldehyde which was prepared from α-ionone via 12 steps in 2.4% overall yield. The formation of the QD-conjugate was confirmed by measuring its fluorescence spectrum to observe the occurrence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Cell-Permeable Stapled Peptides Based on HIV‑1 Integrase Inhibitors Derived from HIV‑1 Gene Products

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is an enzyme which is indispensable for the stable infection of host cells because it catalyzes the insertion of viral DNA into the genome and thus is an attractive target for the development of anti-HIV agents. Earlier, we found Vpr-derived peptides with inhibitory activity against HIV-1 IN. These Vpr-derived peptides are originally located in an α-helical region of the parent Vpr protein. Addition of an octa-arginyl group to the inhibitory peptides caused significant inhibition against HIV replication associated with an increase in cell permeability but also relatively high cytotoxicity. In the current study, stapled peptides, a new class of stabilized α-helical peptidomimetics were adopted to enhance the cell permeability of the above lead peptides. A series of stapled peptides, which have a hydrocarbon link formed by a ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis reaction between successive turns of α-helix, were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for biological activity. In cell-based assays some of the stapled peptides showed potent anti-HIV activity comparable with that of the original octa-arginine-containing peptide (<b>2</b>) but with lower cytotoxicity. Fluorescent imaging experiments revealed that these stapled peptides are significantly cell permeable, and CD analysis showed they form α-helical structures, whereas the unstapled congeners form β-sheet structures. The application of this stapling strategy to Vpr-derived IN inhibitory peptides led to a remarkable increase in their potency in cells and a significant reduction of their cytotoxicity