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The reaction between 1-metalated 1-ethoxy 1,3-dienes and electrophiles yields (E)-1-substituted 1-ethoxy 1,3-dienes. These alpha-substituted alkoxy dienes produce alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds on acidic hydrolysis via a reaction pathway involving carbanionic intermediates. Use of crotonaldehyde as an electrophile produces an addition product, which on hydrolysis, yields three products depending on experimental conditions.

Abstract Background Strigolactones (SLs) are recently identified plant hormones modulating root and shoot branching. Besides their endogenous role within the producing organism, SLs are also key molecules in the communication of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and parasitic weeds. In fact SLs are exuded into the rhizosphere where they act as a host-derived signal, stimulating the germination of the seeds of parasitic plants which would not survive in the absence of a host root to colonize. Similarly, their perception by AM fungi causes extensive hyphal branching; this is a prerequisite for effective root colonization, since it increases the number of potential contact points with the host surface. In spite of the crucial and multifaceted biological role of SLs, there is no information on the receptor(s) which bind(s) such active molecules, neither in the producing plants, or in parasitic weeds or AM fungi. Results In this work, we applied homology modelling techniques to investigate the structure of the protein encoded by the gene Dwarf14, which was first identified in rice as conferring SLs insensitivity when mutated. The best sequence identity was with bacterial RsbQ. Both proteins belong to the superfamily of alpha/beta-fold hydrolases, some members of which play a role in the metabolism or signalling of plant hormones. The Dwarf14 (D14) structure was refined by means of molecular dynamics simulations. In order to support the hypothesis that D14 could be an endogenous SLs receptor, we performed docking experiments with a natural ligand. Conclusions It is suggested that D14 interacts with and thereby may act as a receptor for SLs in plants. This hypothesis offers a starting point to experimentally study the mechanism of its activity in vivo by means of structural, molecular and genetic approaches. Lastly, knowledge of the putative receptor structure will boost the research on analogues of the natural substrates as required for agricultural applications.

This review summarizes the advances made on the synthesis and functionalization of furans via gold catalysis during the period between 2016 and 2020. A separate section is dedicated to the tandem gold-catalyzed synthesis and functionalization of furans. 1 Introduction 2 Gold-Catalyzed Synthesis of Furans 2.1 Cycloisomerizations of Alkynyl and Cumulenyl Alcohols 2.2 Cycloisomerizations of Alkynyl and Allenyl Ketones 2.3 Reactions with External Oxidants 2.4 Miscellaneous 3 Gold-Catalyzed Functionalization of Furans 3.1 Cycloadditions 3.2 Furan Ring Decorations 3.3 Reactions Involving Furan Ring Opening 4 Gold-Catalyzed Tandem Synthesis and Functionalization of Furans- 4.1 Cycloisomerizations Followed by Gold-Catalyzed Cycloaddition 4.2 Cycloisomerizations to a Gold 1,3- or 1,4-Dipole and Intermolecular Annulation 4.3 Cycloisomerizations to a Gold Carbene and Intermolecular Trapping 5 Conclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective formal insertion (homologation) of a carbon unit bridging the two trifluoroacetamidoyl chlorides (TFAICs) units is reported. The tactic is levered on a highly chemoselective homologation–metalation–acyl nucleophilic substitution sequence which precisely enables to assemble novel trifluoromethylated β‐diketiminates within a single synthetic operation. Unlike previous homologations conducted with LiCH2Cl furnishing aziridines, herein we exploit the unique capability of iodomethyllithium to act contemporaneously as a C1 source (homologating effect) and metalating agent. The mechanistic rationale grounded on experimental evidences supports the hypothesized proposal and, the structural analysis gathers key aspects of this class of valuable ligands in catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gold(I)‐catalysed cyclization of N‐tosyl‐protected 5‐benzyl‐6‐((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyridines, prepared by the Sonogashira coupling of lactam‐derived enol triflates, provides tetrahydrobenzo[g]quinolines whose skeleton represents a recurrent motif in natural compounds. The Au(I)‐catalysed reaction is carried out with (C6F5)3PAuCl/AgNTf2 as the catalyst system and proceeds via a 6‐exo‐dig cyclization to form an exocyclic double bond, which eventually isomerises to the aromatic tetrahydrobenzo[g]quinoline. The mode of cyclization is discussed and supported by DFT calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An approach for the synthesis of functionalized trienes and regioselective formation of medium-ring lactones is discussed. Both reactions involves intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction which generate the macrocyclic rings. The reaction is performed at varying temperature and solvents to determine both the regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of the synthetic pathway. H nuclear magnetic spectra of the reaction is discussed.

3-ethoxyhexa-3,5-dien-1-ol is prepared from a reaction between an electrophile, ethylene oxide and an alpha-metalated alkoxy diene which involves an epoxide ring opening. Synthesis of 2- and 2,6-disubstituted tetrahydro-4H-pyran-4-ones involves these alpha-substituted alkoxy dienes as intermediates. Propylene oxide yields a mixture of cis and trans compounds. 1H NMR and gas chromatography analyses are employed to calculate the cis-trans ratio.

Answers to some queries such as, whether the presence of the N atom in the cyclic moiety of conjugated triene is necessary to attain electrocyclization under certain assumption are presented. Demonstration of the synthetic usefulness of the methodology, for the diasteroselective synthesis of cyclopenta-fused heterocyclic compounds, is presented.

Natural products containing a N‐heterocycle motif are widespread in nature and medicinal plants, in particular, have proved to be a source of almost unlimited N‐derived structures with high molecular diversity. Because of their intrinsic potential for use in both biomedical and agricultural applications, there is a general need for new compounds and for the synthesis of 'natural‐inspired' analogues. Importantly, transition of a natural product from discovery to a 'market lead' is associated with an increasingly challenging demand for more of the compound, which cannot be met by isolation from natural plant sources, often due to low extraction yields and uneven availability of the plant source itself. Synthesis remains the most reliable approach to provide valuable products for the market. In this review, a comprehensive overview of our contribution to synthetic access to N‐derived natural products is given. Major strengths of the proposed methodologies are discussed critically. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has been conducted on palladium-catalyzed cross- coupling reactions of alpha-alkoxyboronates with lactam-derived vinyl triflates. The methodology developed for the preparation of azacyclic compounds is described.

Abstract: Palladium(0)‐catalysed hydro‐alkylation or ‐alkenylation of alkoxyallenes with N‐tosylhydrazones gives direct access to conjugated and skipped 1‐alkoxydienes with high efficiency and excellent functional‐group compatibility. The reaction is proposed to involve the in situ‐formed t‐butanol as proton source in the key step of the allylpalladium(II) species generation. Moreover, lithium iodide or iodobenzene are employed as an unprecedented iodide (I−) reservoir to sustain the catalytic cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]