Alkyne Moiety Research Articles

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization Reactions of Allenynes for the Synthesis of Fused Cyclopropanes and Acenaphthenes.

A gold-catalyzed reaction of phenylene-tethered allenynes with benzofurans gave 1-(naphth-1-yl)cyclopropa[b]benzofuran derivatives, whereas the reaction of 1-allenyl-2-ethynyl-3-methylbenzene derivatives in the absence of benzofurans gave acenaphthenes in good yields. These results can be rationalized by nucleophilic attack of the alkyne moiety on an activated allene to form a vinyl cation intermediate.

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization Reactions of Allenynes for the Synthesis of Fused Cyclopropanes and Acenaphthenes

AbstractA gold‐catalyzed reaction of phenylene‐tethered allenynes with benzofurans gave 1‐(naphth‐1‐yl)cyclopropa[b]benzofuran derivatives, whereas the reaction of 1‐allenyl‐2‐ethynyl‐3‐methylbenzene derivatives in the absence of benzofurans gave acenaphthenes in good yields. These results can be rationalized by nucleophilic attack of the alkyne moiety on an activated allene to form a vinyl cation intermediate.

Chiral iminophosphorane catalyzed asymmetric Henry reaction of α,β-alkynyl ketoesters

α,β-Alkynyl ketoesters were introduced to the enantioselective Henry reaction (nitroaldol condensation) with nitromethane catalyzed by tartaric acid derived chiral iminophosphoranes. As such, a variety of optically active β-nitro-substituted tertiary alcohols bearing alkyne moieties were obtained in good to excellent yields (42%–99%) and moderate to good level of enantiomeric excess (up to 87% ee).

Controllable Covalent-Bound Nanoarchitectures from DNA Frames.

Could one manipulate nanoscale building blocks using chemical reactions like molecular synthesis to yield new supra-nanoscale objects? The precise control over the final architecture might be challenging due to the size mismatch of molecularly scaled reactive functional groups and nanoscale building blocks, which limits a control over the valence and specific locations of reaction spots. Taking advantage of programmable octahedral DNA frame, we report a facile approach of engineering chemical reactions between nanoscale building blocks toward formation of controlled nanoarchitectures. Azide and alkyne moieties were specifically anchored onto desired vertices of DNA frames, providing chemically reactive nanoconstructs with directionally defined valence. Akin to the conventional molecular reactions, the formation of a variety of nanoscale architectures was readily achieved upon mixing of the frames with the different reactive valence and at different stoichiometric ratios. This strategy may open a door for a programmable synthesis of supra-nanoscale structures with complex architectures and diversified functions.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of new alkyne derivatives of pentacyclic triterpenoids

Pentacyclic triterpene hydroxy acids were transformed into acetylene-containing derivatives: propargyl esters at the carboxy group and O-(hex-5-ynoyl) derivatives at the hydroxy group. The cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds was examined against HepG2 and Huh7 hepatocarcinoma cells and PC3 prostate cancer cells. The primary analysis of the structure—activity relationships was performed; glycyrrhetic acid derivatives showed the maximum enhancement in the cytotoxic properties upon introduction of an alkyne moiety.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Copper-Assisted Intermolecular Domino C-H Annulation of 1,3-Diynes with Picolinamides: Access to Pentacyclic π-Extended Systems.

A new mode of reactivity of 1,3-diynes in rhodium-catalyzed oxidative annulation reactions has enabled the rapid assembly of extended π systems from readily available picolinamide derivatives. The process involves a double C-H bond activation and the iterative annulation of two 1,3-diyne units, with each alkyne moiety engaged in an orchestrated insertion sequence with high regiocontrol, leading to the formation of five new C-C bonds and the construction of four fused rings in a single operation. Either isoquinoline-1-carboxamides or fused polycyclic systems can be accessed by a switch in the regioselectivity of the second diyne insertion depending on the reaction conditions. DFT theoretical calculations have elucidated that the cooperative participation of both rhodium and copper in substrate activation, favored in the presence of excess of the copper(II) salt, is key to such a reversal of regioselectivity and subsequent multiple cyclization leading to fused polycyclic products. The role of copper was found to be essential in assisting both multiple insertion and rhodium-walking sequences, with the implication of intermediates with a Rh-Cu bond (2.60 Å).

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Stitching Polymerization of 1,5‐Hexadiynes and Related Oligoalkynes

AbstractA new mode of polymerization, rhodium‐catalyzed stitching polymerization, has been developed for the synthesis of π‐conjugated polymers with bridged repeating units from nonconjugated 1,5‐hexadiynes containing both terminal and internal alkyne moieties as monomers. The polymerization proceeded smoothly with a high degree of stitching efficiency under mild conditions, and 1,5,9‐decatriyne and 1,5,9,13‐tetradecatetrayne monomers could also be employed. The present polymerization strategy would be particularly beneficial for the synthesis of polymers consisting of a repeating unit that is difficult to prepare as a stable monomer because it does not require the use of a preformed bridged π‐conjugated monomer.

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Stitching Polymerization of 1,5‐Hexadiynes and Related Oligoalkynes

A new mode of polymerization, rhodium-catalyzed stitching polymerization, has been developed for the synthesis of π-conjugated polymers with bridged repeating units from nonconjugated 1,5-hexadiynes containing both terminal and internal alkyne moieties as monomers. The polymerization proceeded smoothly with a high degree of stitching efficiency under mild conditions, and 1,5,9-decatriyne and 1,5,9,13-tetradecatetrayne monomers could also be employed. The present polymerization strategy would be particularly beneficial for the synthesis of polymers consisting of a repeating unit that is difficult to prepare as a stable monomer because it does not require the use of a preformed bridged π-conjugated monomer.

Synthesizing Highly Regular Single-Layer Alkynyl-Silver Networks at the Micrometer Scale via Gas-Mediated Surface Reaction.

Extended organometallic honeycomb alkynyl-silver networks have been synthesized on a noble metal surface under ultrahigh vacuum conditions via a gas-mediated surface reaction protocol. Specifically, the controlled exposure to molecular oxygen efficiently deprotonates terminal alkyne moieties of 1,3,5-tris(4-ethynylphenyl)benzene (Ext-TEB) precursors adsorbed on Ag(111). At Tsub = 200 K, this O2-mediated reaction pathway features high chemoselectivity without poisoning the surface. Through mild annealing to 375 K, long-range ordered alkynyl-silver networks incorporating substrate atoms evolve, featuring Ag- bis-acetylide motifs, high structural quality and a regular arrangement of nanopores with a van der Waals cavity of ≈8.3 nm2.

Semisynthesis of an Active Enzyme by Quantitative Click Ligation.

The incorporation of clickable noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) has proven to an invaluable tool in chemical biology and protein science research. Nevertheless, the number of examples in which the method is used for preparative purposes is extremely limited. We report the synthesis of an active enzyme by quantitative, Cu(I)-catalyzed ligation of two inactive protein halves, expressed and equipped with an azide and alkyne moiety, respectively, through ncAA incorporation. The reported quantitative conversion is exceptional given the large size of the protein fragments and the fact that no linker or excess of either of the polypeptides was used. The triazole bridge formed between the ncAA side chains was shown to effectively mimic a natural protein loop, providing an enzyme with the same activity as its natural counterpart. We envision that this strategy, termed split-click protein chemistry, can be used for the production of proteins that are difficult to express as full-length entities. It also paves the way for the design of new proteins with tailor-made functionalities.

Theoretical prediction on the reactivity of the Co-mediated intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction for constructing bicyclo-skeletons in natural products

The Co2(CO)8-mediated intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction is an efficient approach for constructing polycyclic skeletons. Recently, some of us reported a series of this type reactions involving sterically-hindered enynes for synthesizing natural products with reasonable reaction rates and yields. However, the reason for the high reactivity of the reaction remains unclear. We employed density functional theory calculations to clarify the mechanism and reactivity for this reaction. In contrast with chain olefin reactants, CO insertion is considered to be the rate-determining step for the overall Pauson-Khand reaction of cyclooctene derivatives. The reduced activation free energy for the alkene insertion step is attributed to: i) the electron-withdrawing group in close proximity to the CC triple bond enhancing the reactivity of the alkyne moiety; ii) lower steric hindrance during alkene insertion when using the cyclooctene derivative. The effect of the substituent on the Co2(CO)8-mediated intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction was then investigated. Internal alkenes exhibit lower reactivity than terminal alkenes because of the steric hindrance introduced by the substituted group. The cis internal alkene exhibits higher reactivity than the trans internal alkene. An ester group in close proximity to the CC triple bond significantly enhances the reactivity.

Heteromultivalent Glycooligomers as Mimetics of Blood Group Antigens.

Precision glycomacromolecules have proven to be important tools for the investigation of multivalent carbohydrate-lectin interactions by presenting multiple glycan epitopes on a highly-defined synthetic scaffold. Herein, we present a new strategy for the versatile assembly of heteromultivalent glycomacromolecules that contain different carbohydrate motifs in proximity within the side chains. A new building block suitable for the solid-phase polymer synthesis of precision glycomacromolecules was developed with a branching point in the side chain that bears a free alkyne and a TIPS-protected alkyne moiety, which enables the subsequent attachment of different carbohydrate motifs by on-resin copper-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions. Applying this synthetic strategy, heteromultivalent glycooligomers presenting fragments of histo-blood group antigens and human milk oligosaccharides were synthesized and tested for their binding behavior towards bacterial lectin LecB.

The Alkyne Moiety as a Latent Electrophile in Irreversible Covalent Small Molecule Inhibitors of Cathepsin K.

Irreversible covalent inhibitors can have a beneficial pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics profile but are still often avoided due to the risk of indiscriminate covalent reactivity and the resulting adverse effects. To overcome this potential liability, we introduced an alkyne moiety as a latent electrophile into small molecule inhibitors of cathepsin K (CatK). Alkyne-based inhibitors do not show indiscriminate thiol reactivity but potently inhibit CatK protease activity by formation of an irreversible covalent bond with the catalytic cysteine residue, confirmed by crystal structure analysis. The rate of covalent bond formation (kinact) does not correlate with electrophilicity of the alkyne moiety, indicative of a proximity-driven reactivity. Inhibition of CatK-mediated bone resorption is validated in human osteoclasts. Together, this work illustrates the potential of alkynes as latent electrophiles in small molecule inhibitors, enabling the development of irreversible covalent inhibitors with an improved safety profile.

Synthesis of Highly Substituted Furans by a Cascade of Formal anti-Carbopalladation/Hydroxylation and Elimination.

Highly substituted furans are generated by a cascade of formal anti-carbopalladation, attack of a nucleophilic hydroxy group, and aromatization by elimination of the emerging dihydrofuran derivative. Mono-, di-, and trisubstituted furans were obtained in good to excellent yields. When we attempted to access tetrasubstituted furan derivatives, an additional rearrangement was observed that resulted in the formation of chromenes. Follow-up chemistry shows the utility of TMS as a protecting group for the alkyne moiety.

Modification of polyhydroxyalkanoates: Evaluation of the effectiveness of novel copper(II) catalysts in click chemistry

Copper(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions, click reactions, are an established synthetic tool to derivatize polymers. Only a few catalytic systems have been explored towards the derivatization of functionalized poly(3‑hydroxyalkanoate)s, PHAs, using click reactions. Here, the performances of three Cu(II)-catalysts supported by tetradentate polypyridyl ligands, [Cu(L1)ClO4]ClO4, [Cu(L2)ClO4]ClO4 and [Cu(L3)ClO4]ClO4, were examined in click reactions on functionalized PHAs carrying either terminal azido or alkyne groups in the side chain and the results were compared to the traditional CuSO4·5H2O/Na ascorbate and the organo-soluble Cu(I) bromotris(triphenylphosphine)copper(I), CuBr(PPh3)3 catalysts. It was determined that the effectiveness of the catalytic systems depended on the molecular architecture of the polymer and the nature of the small molecule reactants to be clicked onto the PHA. Click reactions on PHAs with terminal azido groups were catalyzed with Cu(II)-catalysts, but not with CuBr(PPh3)3. For alkyne-containing polymers CuBr(PPH3)3 effected 65% conversion in contrast to Cu(II) catalysts that were ineffective. While no strong trend was found, differences in the effectiveness were related to dissimilarities in the accessibility of the alkyne moiety for the reactive Cu(I) species. Propargyl benzoate was most effectively clicked onto a azido PHA (100% conversion) when catalyzed by CuSO4·5H2O/Na ascorbate, however the click reaction with a similar reactant, propargyl acetate, was more effectively catalyzed by a Cu(II)-catalyst supported by a tetradentate polypyridyl ligand (44% conversion).

Alkyne Versus Ynamide Reactivity: Regioselective Radical Cyclization of Yne-Ynamides.

Ynamides are typically more reactive than simple alkynes and olefins. However, a serendipitous observation revealed a rare case where the reactivity of simple alkynes exceeds that of ynamides. This led to the development of a unique sulfur-radical-triggered cyclization of yne-tethered ynamides, which involves attack of the alkyne by a thiyl radical followed by cyclization with the ynamide. A wide range of novel 4-thioaryl pyrroles that could tolerate common functional moieties and N-protecting groups were expediently constructed by this strategy. The current method contrasts with the typical cyclization of yne-ynamides, which involves the attack of the alkyne moiety by the ynamide core. Control experiments and DFT calculations supported the participation of the sulfur radical in the reaction and the regioselective cyclization. The synthetic potential of the substituted pyrroles is also discussed.

Alkyne Versus Ynamide Reactivity: Regioselective Radical Cyclization of Yne‐Ynamides

AbstractYnamides are typically more reactive than simple alkynes and olefins. However, a serendipitous observation revealed a rare case where the reactivity of simple alkynes exceeds that of ynamides. This led to the development of a unique sulfur‐radical‐triggered cyclization of yne‐tethered ynamides, which involves attack of the alkyne by a thiyl radical followed by cyclization with the ynamide. A wide range of novel 4‐thioaryl pyrroles that could tolerate common functional moieties and N‐protecting groups were expediently constructed by this strategy. The current method contrasts with the typical cyclization of yne‐ynamides, which involves the attack of the alkyne moiety by the ynamide core. Control experiments and DFT calculations supported the participation of the sulfur radical in the reaction and the regioselective cyclization. The synthetic potential of the substituted pyrroles is also discussed.

Synthesis of 2-Azidomethyl-5-ethynylfuran: A New Bio-Derived Self-Clickable Building Block

2-Azidomethyl-5-ethynylfuran, a new ambivalent compound with both azide and alkyne moieties that can be used as a self-clickable monomer, is synthesized starting directly from renewable biomass. The reactivity of the azide group linked to furfural is tested via the efficient preparation of a broad range of furfural-containing triazoles in good to excellent yields using a ‘green’ copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition procedure. Access to new bio-based chemicals and oligomeric materials via a click-chemistry approach is also demonstrated using this bio-derived building block.

A facile preparation of functional cycloalkynes via an azide-to-cycloalkyne switching approach.

A facile method for preparing various functional cycloalkynes, including proteins incorporated with a cycloalkyne moiety, from the corresponding azides is developed. Treatment of diynes bearing strained and terminal alkyne moieties with a copper salt enabled terminal alkyne-selective click conjugation with azides, whereas a more azidophilic strained alkyne moiety was transiently protected from the click reaction via complexation with copper.

Copper-catalysed enantioselective intramolecular etherification of propargylic esters: synthetic approach to chiral isochromans.

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral isochromans bearing a terminal alkyne moiety has been accomplished by copper-catalysed enantioselective intramolecular propargylic substitution reactions of propargylic esters with alcoholic nucleophiles. This method represents the first successful example which directly introduced a terminal alkyne group into chiral isochromans.