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A series of NNO ketoimines bearing trifluoromethyl substituents were synthesized from the Schiff base condensation of 1,3-diketones (1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexanedione, 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione, and 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione, 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone) and 8-aminoquinoline or 8-amino-2-methylquinoline and isolated in 40-70% yield. The ketoimines were combined with zinc bis-(trimethylsilyl)amide to prepare a zinc amide complex in 41% yield or were combined with zinc bis-(trimethylsilyl)amide and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol to prepare zinc phenoxide complexes in 81-94% yield. The ketoimines and zinc complexes were characterized with (1)H, (13)C, and (19)F NMR, absorbance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The mononuclear solid state structures of the zinc amide and phenoxide complexes showed tridentate coordination of the zinc center by the ketoiminate and monodentate coordination by the amide or phenoxide. The zinc complexes were assessed for their ability to catalyze the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide into poly-lactic acid (PLA) with some complexes reaching 100% conversion in 3 h. As the monomer to catalyst ratio increased, the molecular weight of the isolated polymeric material increased in a nearly linear fashion while retaining a narrow molecular weight distribution. Homonuclear decoupled (1)H NMR spectra of the isolated polymeric material showed the retention of stereochemistry in the isotactic poly-L-lactic acid. Kinetic studies, where the substituents on the ketoiminate and quinolyl moiety were varied, showed that lower electron density on the Zn metal center yielded lower ROP catalytic activity than their electron rich counterparts. The complexes are proposed to use the coordination-insertion mechanism for living polymerization of L-lactide.

A new chiral (Rs)-2-phenyl-2-propyl sulfinamide has been designed and synthesized; its derived aldimines and ketimines have been applied for asymmetric addition reaction with allylmagnesium bromide. The reaction was conveniently performed at room temperature to give a series of homoallylic amines in high yields (up to quant) and diastereoselectivity (up to >99% de). The pure products were obtained by relying on group-assisted purification (GAP) chemistry to avoid traditional purification methods of column chromatography or recrystallization. The conversion of disulfide to (R(s))-thiosulfinate which contains a newly generated polar group was also confirmed to be of the GAP chemistry in which washing crude product can generate pure enantiomer. The absolute stereochemistry has been determined by X-ray analysis.

Complex cyclic azomethine imines possessing a β-aminocarbonyl motif can be accessed readily from simple alkenes and hydrazones. This alkene aminocarbonylation approach allows formation of ketone-derived azomethine imines of unprecedented complexity. Since unsymmetrical hydrazones are used, two stereoisomers are formed: the reactivity of chiral derivatives is explored in both intra- and intermolecular systems.

A novel fluorescent probe 1 is reported here with ratiometric response to hydrophobic proteins (casein) or proteins with hydrophobic pockets (BSA, HSA) through hydrophobic interaction. Probe 1 underwent deprotonation in aqueous solution at pH 7.4 and emitted blue fluorescence at 436 nm. Upon the addition of BSA, HSA or casein, the aggregation-induced emission fluorescence of 1 at 518 nm was turned on. The fluorescence intensity ratio, I518/I436 was linearly related to the concentrations of these proteins. The detection limits for BSA, HSA and casein based on IUPAC (CDL = 3Sb m(-1)) were 16.2 μg mL(-1), 10.5 μg mL(-1) and 5.7 μg mL(-1), respectively.

A series of boron ketoiminate derivatives that exhibited clear aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics (in THF: Φ(PL)≤0.01; in the solid state: Φ(PL)=0.30-0.76) were prepared by the reactions of 1,3-enaminoketone derivatives with boron trifluoride-diethyl etherate. The structures and optical properties were investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescent (PL) spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal measurements. These results indicate that the AIE characteristics were derived from molecular motions of the boron-chelating rings with a boron-nitrogen (B-N) bond. Furthermore, the optical properties were controllable by steric hindrance of the substituted groups on the nitrogen atom., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The synthesis of highly functionalized pyrroles has been achieved by reaction of rhodium-stabilized imino-carbenes with furans. The reaction features an initial [3+2] annulation to form bicyclic hemiaminals, followed by ring opening to generate trisubstituted pyrroles.

Attempts to spectroscopic and structural study of copper complexes, some Cu(II) Schiff base complexes were synthesized and characterized by means of electronic, IR, (1)HNMR spectra and elemental analysis. The thermal analyses of the complexes were investigated and the first order kinetic parameters were derived for them. The cyclic voltammetric studies in acetonitrile were proposed a monomeric structure for complexes. The structures of compounds were determined by ab initio calculations. In the solid state, the ligands exist as keto-amine/enol-imine tautomeric forms with an intramolecular hydrogen bond (N-H···O) between amine and carbonyl group. The kinetic studies of the tautomerism and equilibrium constant of the reactions were calculated using transition state theory. The optimized molecular geometry and atomic charges were calculated using MP2 method with 6-31G(d) basis set for H, C, N and O atoms and LANL2DZ for the Cu atom. The results suggested that, in the complexes, Cu(II) ion is in pseudo square-planar NO(3) coordination geometry. Also the bond lengths and angles were studied and compared., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The use of Schiff condensation followed by CuAAC affords complexes containing iminopyridine ligands functionalized either with a triazole ring or with a sulfonyl amido group via ring opening of the unstable sulfonyl triazole.

The coordination compounds of the Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal ions derived from imine based ligand, benzil bis(carbohydarzone) were structurally and pharmaceutically studied. The compounds have the general stoichiometry [M(L)]X(2) and [Co(L)X(2)], where M=Ni(II) and Cu(II), and X=NO(3)(-) and Cl(-) ions. The analytical techniques like elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, UV/Visible, NMR, ESI mass and EPR were used to study the compounds. The key IR bands, i.e., amide I, amide II and amide III stretching vibrations accounts for the tetradentate metal binding nature of the ligand. The electronic and EPR spectral results suggest the square planar Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes (g(iso)=2.11-2.22) and tetragonal geometry Co(II) complexes (g(iso)=2.10-2.17). To explore the compounds in the biological field, they were examined against the opportunistic pathogens, i.e., Alternaria brassicae, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum. The partial covalent character of metal-ligand bond is supported by the orbital reduction factor k (0.62-0.92) and nephalauxetic parameter β (0.55-0.57)., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Complementary regioselective synthesis of iminohydantoins from isocyanoacetamides controlled by the substituent on the amide group has been described. 4-Iminohydantoins were the major products when the starting materials were N-alkyl isocyanoamides, whereas 2-iminohydantoins were the major products with N-aryl isocyanoamides.

Addition of a Reformatsky reagent to α-aryl(alkyl) α-trifluoromethyl N-tert-butanesulfinyl hemiaminals, bench-stable surrogates of trifluoromethyl ketoimines, provided β-alkyl(aryl) β-trifluoromethyl β-amino acids derivatives in good yields and high diastereoselectivities. The N-tert-butanesulfinyl β(3,3)-amino esters were further utilized as versatile intermediates for the elaboration of heterodi- and -tripeptides.

A series of aryl imines have been synthesized by Fly-ash: H2SO4 catalyzed microwave assisted process under solvent-free conditions. The yields of the imines have been found to be more than 87%. The purity of all imines has been checked using their physical constants and spectral data as published earlier in literature. The UV λmaxCN(nm), infrared νCN(cm(-1)), NMR δ(ppm) of CH and CN spectral data have been correlated with Hammett substituent constants and F and R parameters using single and multi-linear regression analysis. From the results of statistical analysis, the effect of substituents on the above spectral data has been studied. The antimicrobial activities of All synthesised imines have been studied using Bauer-Kirby method., (Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A series of 1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-3-substituted phenylprop-2-en-1-ylidene] amino}-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2- thiols (6a-6f) were synthesized by the acid catalyzed nucleophilic addition reaction between 1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-3- phenylprop-2-en-1-ones (4a-4f) and 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol. All the synthesized compounds were characterised by IR, (1)HNMR, (13)CNMR, Mass and elemental analyses. A transition state calculation obtained from DFT study to explore the molecular mechanism of action of the synthetic route. The mechanism of synthesis revealed that the imidazole system can make an increase in the electrophilic character of carbonyl carbon in the benzimidazole chalcones. So the electron deficient carbonyl carbon could be efficiently attacked on the amino group of 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring to forms an imine linkage between the two heterocyclic systems. All the titled derivatives at a dose level of 10mg/kg body weight potentiate the hypnotic action of Phenobarbitone (at a dose of 10mg/kg body weight i.p.). The compounds such as 6b, 6a, and 6c showed a significant percentage increase in sleeping time relative to the control experiment 423.8, 387.6 and 329.5 respectively. The preclinical evaluation of the compounds was ascertained by blood-brain barrier, human oral absorption prediction and in silico toxicity assessment.

The first preparation of iodoaziridines is described. The addition of diiodomethyllithium to N-Boc-imines affords these novel aziridines in high yields. The reaction proceeds in one-pot via a highly diastereoselective cyclisation of an amino gem-diiodide intermediate.

We modified the thiazolidinic ring at positions N3, C4, and C5, yielding compounds 6-24. Compounds with a phenyl at position N3, 15-19, 22-24, exhibited better inhibitory properties for cruzain and against the parasite than 2-iminothiazolidin-4-one 5. We were able to identify one high-efficacy trypanocidal compound, 2-minothiazolidin-4-one 18, which inhibited the activity of cruzain and the proliferation of epimastigotes and was cidal for trypomastigotes but was not toxic for splenocytes. Having located some of the structural determinants of the trypanocidal properties, we subsequently wished to determine if the exchange of the thiazolidine for a thiazole ring leaves the functional properties unaffected. We therefore tested thiazoles 26-45 and observed that they did not inhibit cruzain, but they exhibited trypanocidal effects. Parasite development was severely impaired when treated with 18, thus reinforcing the notion that this class of heterocycles can lead to useful cidal agents for Chagas disease.

Imines are selectively formed by coupling of nitriles and amines under mild hydrogen pressure. The reaction is catalyzed by a bipyridine-based PNN Ru(II) pincer complex and proceeds under mild, neutral conditions at 4 bar of H(2).

We describe the palladium-catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of 2-imidazolines. This reaction proceeds via the coupling of imines, acid chlorides and carbon monoxide to form imidazolinium carboxylates, followed by a decarboxylation. Decarboxylation in CHCl(3) is found to result in a mixture of imidazolinium and imidazolium salts. However, the addition of benzoic acid suppresses aromatization, and generates the trans-disubstituted imidazolines in good yield. Combining this reaction with subsequent nitrogen deprotection provides an overall synthesis of imidazolines from multiple available building blocks.

A chiral Pd(II)-bis(oxazoline) complex was found to be highly effective in promoting the first direct diastereo- and enantioselective addition of alkylazaarenes to N-Boc aldimines and nitroalkenes under mild conditions. Deprotection of Boc-protected products proceeded readily to provide amines in high yields.

A series of novel Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of tri and tetratopic hydrazones have been prepared. Ligands L(1)H(2) and L(2)H(2) were synthesized by the condensation of 2-formylphenoxyacetic acid with 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole and 2-hydroxy-3-hydrazinebenzopyrazine, respectively. The prepared complexes were characterized by the analytical and spectral techniques. All the complexes were found to be monomeric in nature with octahedral geometry. Both ligands were found to be electrochemically active in the working potential range showing single electron transfer process attributed to the deprotonation of carboxylic group of the 2-formylphenoxyacetic acid. The potency of the ligand and its complexes as antimicrobial agents has been investigated and made to interact with Escherichia coli DNA to investigate the binding/cleaving ability by absorption, hydrodynamic and electrophoresis studies., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

3,4-Dihydro-2H,6H-pyrimido[1,2-c][1,3]benzothiazin-6-imine (PD 404182) is an antiretroviral agent with submicromolar inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 infection. In the current study, the structure-activity relationships of accessory groups at the 3- and 9-positions of pyrimido[1,2-c][1,3]benzothiazin-6-imine were investigated for the development of more potent anti-HIV agents. Several different derivatives containing a 9-aryl group were designed and synthesized using Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and Ullmann coupling reactions. Modification of the m-methoxyphenyl or benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl group resulted in improved anti-HIV activity. In addition, the 2,4-diazaspiro[5.5]undec-2-ene-fused benzo[e][1,3]thiazine derivatives were designed and tested for their anti-HIV activities. The most potent 9-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl) derivative was two-threefold more effective against several strains of HIV-1 and HIV-2 than the parent compound, PD 404182., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ninhydrin guanidinium chloride (3a,8b-dihydroxy-4-oxo-1H,2H,3H,3aH,4H,8bH-indeno [1,2-d]imidazolidin-2-iminium chloride) a semiorganic crystal was synthesized. The structure was determined using X-ray single crystal technique. Comparisons between the FT-IR spectrum of ninhydrin guanidinium chloride with ninhydrin were made. Melting point was found using thermal measurements. The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies and Mulliken charges of the compound in the ground state have been calculated by the density functional theory (DFT) method with 3-21G(d,p) basis set and theoretical frequencies were compared with the experimental FT-IR spectrum. Besides, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis, natural bond orbitals (NBO) and thermodynamic properties at various temperatures of the compound were investigated by theoretical calculations., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A general and practical Cu(I)-Fesulphos-catalyzed Mannich reaction of glycinate Schiff bases with aliphatic imines generated in situ from α-amido sulfones is described. Imines with linear and branched alkyl chains, including substrates bearing functional groups, can be efficiently applied. The resulting syn-configured orthogonally protected β-alkyl-α,β-diamino acid derivatives are produced with excellent levels of diastereo- (typically syn/anti >90 : <10) and enantioselectivity (generally ≥90% ee).

Cyclic azomethine imines possessing a β-aminocarbonyl motif are accessed from simple alkene and hydrazone starting materials. A thermal, concerted alkene aminocarbonylation pathway involving an imino-isocyanate intermediate is proposed and supported by DFT calculations. A notable feature of the process is the steric shielding present in the dipoles formed, which allows for facile purification of the products by chromatography or crystallization. In addition, a fluorenone-derived reagent is reported, which provides reactivity with several alkene classes and allows for mild derivatization of the dipoles into β-aminoamides, β-aminoesters, and β-amino acids.

Synthesis, spectroscopic, electrochemical behavior and theoretical investigation of some zinc complexes of a new Schiff base ligand of bis((E) 3-(2-nitrophenyl)-2-propenal)propane-1,2-diimine (L) with a general formula of ZnLX(2)(X=Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), SCN(-) and N(3)(-)) are described. The ligand and its complexes were identified by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, UV-Visible spectra, FT-IR spectra, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectra. The complexes were found to be molecular and non-electrolyte based on conductivity measurement. The spectral data confirm coordination of ligand and anions(X(-)) to zinc ion center. Electrochemical behavior of ligand and complexes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry technique exhibiting different redox behavior of complexes with respect to free ligand so that the ligand and complexes showed quasi-reversible and irreversible electron transfer processes respectively. Molecular structures of the ligand and complexes have been optimized at the UB3LYP/LANL2MB(*) level of theory. Accordingly some theoretical thermodynamical and/or structural parameters such as HF-energy, Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, selected bond distances, bond angles and torsion angles of optimized structures are presented., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The 1,2-addition of alkyl Grignard reagents to readily available N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines, bearing an α-silyloxy substituent, proceeds in high yields and excellent diastereocontrol. The utility of the present method was demonstrated by the synthesis, in enantiomerically pure form, of one recently disclosed β-secretase (BACE1) inhibitor.

3,4-Dihydro-2H,6H-pyrimido[1,2-c][1,3]benzothiazin-6-imine (PD 404182) is a virucidal heterocyclic compound active against various viruses, including HCV, HIV, and simian immunodeficiency virus. Using facile synthetic approaches that we developed for the synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-c][1,3]benzothiazin-6-imines and related tricyclic derivatives, the parallel structural optimizations of the central 1,3-thiazin-2-imine core, the benzene part, and the cyclic amidine part of PD 404182 were investigated. Replacement of the 6-6-6 pyrimido[1,2-c][1,3]benzothiazin-6-imine framework with 5-6-6 or 6-6-5 derivatives led to a significant loss of anti-HIV activity, and introduction of a hydrophobic group at the 9- or 10-positions improved the potency. In addition, we demonstrated that the PD 404182 derivative exerts anti-HIV effects at an early stage of viral infection.

Twenty five Imine resveratrol analogues (IRAs) were synthesized, replacing the C=C bond in resveratrol with CN bond, as well as substitution modifications on aromatic rings. Radical scavenging activities against DPPH, along with singlet oxygen quenching capacities were evaluated, and further confirmed using density functional theory calculations (DFT). It was found that IRAs bearing ortho-OH on B ring have better radical scavenging activities against DPPH than resveratrol, these compounds were also found to be effective (1)O(2) quenchers. Theoretical studies on the reaction mechanism of these compounds with (1)O(2) suggest that the 1,3-addition to a double bond with a -OH group with the formation of allylic hydroperoxide is the most probable reaction route., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Free imine imidazol-2-imine ligands with two different substitution patterns have been isolated for the first time and they were found to exist as an equilibrium mixture of geometric and mesomeric isomers. The relative ratios of these isomers are dependent on both the nature of the substituents and of the solvent. The synthesis of the titanium(IV) alkyl and arylimido complexes of these ligands was unexpectedly found to be very selective and was successfully achieved only with the lesser sterically-demanding 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl derivative IMesN^Imine 2a. The solid-state structure of the alkylimido complex further confirms the zwitterionic character of the ligand. The isolated titanium imido complexes were found to be active catalysts for the polymerisation of ethylene.

It has come to light: Renewed interest in conversions of highly oxygenated materials has motivated studies of the organometallic-catalyzed photocatalytic dehydrogenative decarbonylation of primary alcohols into alkanes, CO, and H(2). Methanol, ethanol, benzyl alcohol, and cyclohexanemethanol are readily decarbonylated. The photocatalysts are also active for amine dehydrogenation to give N-alkyl aldimines and H(2)., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A one-pot, three-component coupling was accomplished via the nucleophilic addition of an alkylsamarium(III) species to isocyanides and the subsequent addition of the resultant imidoyl samarium(III) species to isocyanates under mild conditions for the formation of α-iminocarboxamides. The developed sequential C-C bond-forming procedure enabled the rapid synthesis of the α-iminocarboxamides in good to excellent yields from readily available starting materials.

Overexpression of human GSTA1-1 in tumor cells is part of MDR mechanisms. We report on the synthesis of 11 pyrrole derivatives as hGSTA1-1 inhibitors starting from 1-methyl-2-[(2-nitrobenzylsulfanyl]-1H-pyrrole. Molecular modeling revealed two locations in the enzyme H binding site: the catalytic primary one accommodating shorter and longer derivatives and the secondary one, where shorter derivatives can occupy. Derivative 9, displaying the highest inhibition and bearing a p-nitroarylimino moiety, and derivative 4, lacking this moiety, were studied kinetically. Derivative 9 binds (K(i(9)) = 71 ± 4 μM) at the primary site competitively vs CDNB. Derivative 4 binds (K(i(4)) = 135 ± 27 μM) at the primary and secondary sites, allowing the binding of a second molecule (4 or CDNB) leading to formation of unreactive and reactive complexes, respectively. The arylmethylsulfonylpyrrole core structure is a new pharmacophore for hGSTA1-1, whereas its derivative 9 may serve as a lead structure.

The novel azomethine, 3-((3,5-dimethylphenylimino)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol (HL) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, (1)H, (13)C NMR spectroscopy and single crystal analysis. The title compound has been screened for its biological activities including enzymatic study, antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxicity, antioxidant and interaction with CTDNA, and showed remarkable activities in each area of research. The titled compound interacts with DNA via two binding modes: intercalation and groove binding. In intercalation the compound inserts itself into the base pairs of DNA and the compound-DNA complex is stabilized by π-π stacking. Interaction via groove binding may be due to hydrogen bonding to bases, typically to N3 of adenine and O2 of thymine. The synthesized compound was also found to be an effective antioxidant of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and gives percent inhibition (%I) of 90.7 at a concentration level of 31.3μg/mL., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A homologous series of four molecules in which a phenol unit is linked covalently to a rhenium(I) tricarbonyl diimine photooxidant via a variable number of p-xylene spacers (n = 0-3) was synthesized and investigated. The species with a single p-xylene spacer was structurally characterized to get some benchmark distances. Photoexcitation of the metal complex in the shortest dyad (n = 0) triggers release of the phenolic proton to the acetonitrile/water solvent mixture; a H/D kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of 2.0 ± 0.4 is associated with this process. Thus, the shortest dyad basically acts like a photoacid. The next two longer dyads (n = 1, 2) exhibit intramolecular photoinduced phenol-to-rhenium electron transfer in the rate-determining excited-state deactivation step, and there is no significant KIE in this case. For the dyad with n = 1, transient absorption spectroscopy provided evidence for release of the phenolic proton to the solvent upon oxidation of the phenol by intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer. Subsequent thermal charge recombination is associated with a H/D KIE of 3.6 ± 0.4 and therefore is likely to involve proton motion in the rate-determining reaction step. Thus, some of the longer dyads (n = 1, 2) exhibit photoinduced proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), albeit in a stepwise (electron transfer followed by proton transfer) rather than concerted manner. Our study demonstrates that electronically strongly coupled donor-acceptor systems may exhibit significantly different photoinduced PCET chemistry than electronically weakly coupled donor-bridge-acceptor molecules.

This short perspective reports on the synthesis and applications of a class of chiral amino carbonyl compounds, masked oxo-sulfinamides where the amine is protected with an N-sulfinyl moiety and the carbonyl group is protected as the ketal or 1,3-dithiane. These polyfunctionalized chiral building blocks are prepared by addition of organometallic reagents to masked oxo-sulfinimines (N-sulfinyl imines) or the addition of oxo-organometallic reagents and lithio-1,3-dithianes to sulfinimines. Because unmasking of the amino and carbonyl groups results in cyclic imines, these chiral building blocks are particularly useful for the asymmetric synthesis of functionalized nitrogen heterocycles, including prolines, pipecolic acids, pyrrolidines, homotropinones, tropinones, and tropane alkaloids such as cocaine and C-1 cocaine analogues.

Poly(ethylene imine)s (PEIs) are widely used in different applications, but most extensively investigated as non-viral vector systems. The high ability of cationic PEIs to complex and condense negatively charged DNA and RNA combined with their inherent proton sponge behavior accounts for the excellent efficiency in gene delivery. Further chemical modifications of the polymer expand the application potential, primarily aiming at increased transfection efficiency, cell selectivity and reduced cytotoxicity. Improvements in the synthesis of tailor-made PEIs in combination with new in-depth analytical techniques offer the possibility to produce highly purified polymers with defined structures. The contemporary strategies towards linear and branched poly(ethylene imine)s with modified surface characteristics, PEI-based copolymers as well as conjugates with bioactive molecules will be discussed. In this regard, the versatile branched PEIs have been successfully modified in a statistical manner, whereas the linear counterparts open avenues to design and synthesize well-defined architectures, in order to exploit their high potential in gene delivery.

A simple, environmentally friendly, and very efficient procedure for the synthesis of optically pure N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)imines has been developed with microwave-promoted condensation of aldehydes and ketones using (R)-2-methylpropane-2-sulfinamide in the presence of Ti(OEt)(4), under solvent-free conditions. This procedure allows for the preparation of a variety of sulfinyl aldimines with excellent yields and purities in only 10 min, making any further purification of the imines unnecessary. Several sulfinyl ketimines have also been prepared in good yields by extension of the reaction times to 1 h. This methodology has proved to be equally efficient for the synthesis of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)imines. Conventional heating has also been shown to be useful to promote these reactions, especially for the synthesis of aldimines.

A new silicon reagent, difluoro(trimethylsilyl)acetonitrile, was prepared by insertion of difluorocarbene into silyl cyanide. The obtained silane served as a good cyanodifluoromethylating reagent toward aldehydes, N-tosylimines, N-alkylimines, and enamines under basic or acidic conditions.

A synthetic method of azaspirocyclohexadienones has been developed through copper-catalyzed aerobic spirocyclization of biaryl-N-H-imines prepared by the reaction of biarylcarbonitriles and Grignard reagents.

In this study, a new chitosan derivative (ketimine) was synthesized by condensation of chitosan with 4,6-diacetylresorcinol (DAR) at heterogeneous medium. The ketimine derivative of chitosan (DAR-chitosan) was characterized by elemental (C, H, N), spectral (DR-UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopy), structural (powder XRD), and morphological (SEM) analyses. The degree of substitution (DS) of DAR-chitosan was evaluated by elemental analysis and (13)C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy and found to be around 12%. The copper (II) metal complex of DAR-chitosan was prepared and characterized by FT-IR, DR-UV-vis and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Thermal behaviors of the synthesized compounds were investigated by DSC and TG-DTG-DTA analysis. The catalytic activity of copper (II) complex of chitosan derivative (DAR-chitosan-Cu) was investigated on hydrogen peroxide decomposition. The copper chelate showed high efficiency (over 80%) towards the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide as heterogeneous catalyst., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We report here an operationally simple, palladium-catalyzed cyclization reaction of N-aryl imines, affording indoles via the oxidative linkage of two C-H bonds under mild conditions using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant. The process allows quick and atom-economical assembly of indole rings from inexpensive and readily available anilines and ketones and tolerates a broad range of functional groups.

Novel insecticidal anthranilamides with elaborated sulfur-containing groups are described. The synthesis of compounds with functional groups such as sulfoximines and scarcely reported groups such as sulfonimidoyl hydrazides and hydroxylamides, their in vitro and in vivo biological activity as well as their physical properties are reported., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Reduction of imine-anthracenone compounds selectively produces secondary alcohols leaving the external imine group unreacted. Addition of the Zn(II) ion induces a metal-mediated imine-enamine tautomerization reaction that is selective for Zn(II), a new fluorescence detection method not previously observed for this important cation.

The use of a BINOL-derived phosphate as a chiral anionic phase-transfer catalyst in a nonpolar solvent allows the enantioselective fluorination of enamides using Selectfluor as the fluorinating reagent. We demonstrate that a wide range of stable and synthetically versatile α-(fluoro)benzoylimines can be readily accessed with high enantioselectivity. These compounds have the potential to be readily elaborated into a range of highly stereodefined β-fluoroamines, compounds that constitute highly valuable building blocks of particular importance in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals.

A highly effective catalytic enantioselective direct aminal synthesis was developed. Chiral ammonium 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-disulfonates, which were prepared in situ from (R)-BINSA and achiral amines, promoted the enantioselective addition of primary amides to aromatic aldimines.

A simple and general method in the synthesis of N-alkoxycarbonyl ketimines derived from isatins has been described first. Generally, the enantioselective addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to this kind of ketimine affords chiral 3-amino oxindoles in high yield and excellent ee.

The ability of merging the properties of poly(2-oxazoline)s and poly(ethylene imine) is of high interest for various biomedical applications, including gene delivery, biosensors, and switchable surfaces and nanoparticles. In the present research, a methodology for the controlled and selective hydrolysis of (co)poly(2-oxazoline)s is developed in an ethanol-water solvent mixture, opening the path toward a wide range of block poly(2-oxazoline-co-ethylene imine) (POx-PEI) copolymers with tunable properties. The unexpected influence of the selected ethanol-water binary solvent mixture on the hydrolysis kinetics and selectivity is highlighted in the pursue of well-defined POx-PEI block copolymers., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A diastereoselective access to β-lactam fused spirocyclic oxindoles and related compounds bearing all carbon spiro centers is described. This N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed process employed challenging β,β-disubstituted α,β-unsaturated imines to react with enals.