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Herein, we report the first chiral phosphoric acid (CPA)-catalyzed asymmetric addition of α-fluoro(phenylsulfonyl)methane (FSM) derivatives to in situ generated cyclic N-acyliminium.

The present study reports an asymmetric NHC-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of heterocyclic alkenes containing a polarized double bond with an azolium-dienolate intermediate generated from α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes without external oxidation of the Breslow intermediate. Heterocyclic cyclohexenones were produced in good isolated yields (typically about 90%) with good stereochemical outcomes (in most cases, dr20/1, and ee = 70-99%). The synthetic utility of the protocol was exemplified by the scope of heterocyclic alkenes.

The atom-economic method for the preparation of novel bispirocyclic compounds containing three fused heterocyclic scaffolds privileged in drug discovery was developed by using a chiral amine-squaramide Mannich reaction and Au(I)-catalyzed hydroamination. The developed synthetic strategy performed either stepwise or as a one-pot process allows the formation of chiral bispirocyclic [oxindole-pyrrolidine-pyrazolones] in high yields (up to 75%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99%).

Herein, we describe a versatile transition metal/oxidant free synthesis of the chiral 2H-1,4-benzoxazines through chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral oxetanes (30 examples) in up to 99% yield and 99% enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. The reported strategy not only complements the conventional 2H-1,4-benzoxazine synthetic strategies but also provides access to key intermediates of therapeutic candidates, i.e., prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonist and M1 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) compound VU0486846.

The present study reports an asymmetric NHC-catalyzed formal [4+2] cycloaddition of heterocyclic alkenes containing polarized double bond with azolium-dienolate intermediate generated from α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes without external oxidation of Breslow intermediate. Heterocyclic cyclohexenones were produced in good isolated yields (typically about 90%) with good stereochemical outcomes (typically dr > 20/1, and 70-99% ee). The synthetic utility of the protocol was exemplified by the scope of heterocyclic alkenes.

The present study reports an asymmetric organocascade reaction of oxindole-derived alkenes with 3-bromo-1-nitropropane efficiently catalyzed by the bifunctional catalyst. Spirooxindole-fused cyclopentanes were produced in moderate-to-good isolated yields (15-69%) with excellent stereochemical outcomes. The synthetic utility of the protocol was exemplified on a set of additional transformations of the corresponding spirooxidondole compounds.

The present study reports an asymmetric organocatalytic cascade reaction of oxindole derivates with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes efficiently catalyzed by simple chiral secondary amine. Spirooxindole-fused cyclopentanes were produced in excellent isolated yields (up to 98%) with excellent enantiopurities (up to 99% ee) and moderate to high diastereoselectivities. The synthetic utility of the protocol was exemplified on a set of additional transformations of the corresponding spiro compounds. In addition, a study showing the promising biological activity of selected enantioenriched products was accomplished.

The organocatalytic amination of pyrazol-5-ones with azodicarboxylates (catalyzed by quinine) is reported. This asymmetric process furnishes enantiomerically enriched hydrazine adducts containing quaternary stereocenters in high yields (74–96 %) and enantioselectivities (up to ee 97 %). Theoretical calculations allow us to propose the relations between quinine catalyst and reactants leading to observed stereochemical outcome and trends in the effectivity of the reaction.

The present report describes an organocatalytic cascade reaction between 2-alkylidene benzo­[b]­thiophenone derivatives and enones in the presence of the Cinchona alkaloid amine. Spirobenzothiophenonic cyclohexane derivatives containing three stereocenters were prepared via one-step synthesis in yields ranging from 88 to 96% and in enantioselectivities (enantiomeric excess (ee)) ranging from 85 to 97%, with diastereoselectivities of approximately 14/2/1. Therefore, this method provides an efficient route for the synthesis of a new class of optically active 2-spirobenzothiophenones.

Herein, we describe a versatile transition metal/oxidant free synthesis of the chiral 2

The present study reports the asymmetric cyclization of enals with vinylcyclopropane azlactones efficiently catalyzed by the combination of achiral Pd(0) complexes and chiral secondary amines. Corresponding spirocyclic azlactones were produced in high yields with moderate diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities. This protocol provides an efficient and easily-performed route to spirocyclic scaffolds, and densely functionalized cyclopentanes containing quaternary carbon centers.

In this study, we report an enantioselective synthesis of sulfur heterocycles containing the dihydro-2H-pyran moiety. The synthesis strategy is based on quinidine catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition between 3-alkylidene benzo[b]thiophenes and allenoates, affording the corresponding cycloadducts in high yields (up to 95%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). Moreover, cycloadducts can be isolated by simple filtration from the reaction media.

An organocatalytic asymmetric allylic amination of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with aromatic amines in the presence of β-isocupreidine is described. Chiral allylic amines were obtained in almost quantitative yields (90–96%) with moderate enantioselectivity. Recrystallization afforded products in good yields (45–73%) and high optical purity (82–99% ee). This method provides a facile and efficient route to obtain optically active β-lactams, including the building block of the cholesterol-lowering drug Ezetimibe.

The present study reports the organocatalytic enantioselective allylic amination of Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbamates efficiently catalyzed by a chiral amine in the presence of a Brønsted acid. Chiral allylic amines were produced in high yields (up to 98 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee). This method provides an efficient and easily performed route to prepare α-methylene-β-lactams, and other optically active β-lactams, such as the cholesterol-lowering drug Ezetimibe.

We report the first ring contraction/formal [6 + 2] cycloaddition using synergistic Pd(0)/secondary amine catalysis, obtaining [5,5]-spiropyrazolone derivatives in excellent yields and stereoselectivities. We detected the key palladium activated intermediate in its protonated form by mass spectrometry and characterized its structure by infrared spectroscopy and DFT calculations, allowing us to propose a conceivable mechanistic pathway for this reaction., The rapid generation of molecular complexity from simple reactants is a key challenge in organic synthesis. Spiro compounds, underrepresented 3D motifs in chemical libraries, represent a challenge due to the creation of spiro quaternary carbon and the need to control the 3D shape in one step. Herein, we report the first ring contraction/formal [6 + 2] cycloaddition using synergistic Pd(0)/secondary amine catalysis, obtaining [5,5]-spiropyrazolone derivatives in excellent yields and stereoselectivities. We demonstrate that this reaction has a broad scope of early and late stage derivatization that will benefit the creation of highly valuable chemical libraries using spiropyrazolone motifs. We detected the key palladium activated intermediate in its protonated form by mass spectrometry and characterized its structure by infrared spectroscopy and DFT calculations, allowing us to propose a conceivable mechanistic pathway for this reaction.

The enantioselective amination of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with silylated derivatives of tert-butylhydroxycarbamates using β-isocupreidine as an organocatalyst was investigated. The corresponding products were obtained in good yields with high enantioselectivities. The scope and limitations of the reported protocol were explored, and representative transformations of the adducts toward heterocyclic compounds were highlighted.

An asymmetric synthesis of α-spiro-δ-lactam via organocascade reaction from easily accessible starting materials is reported. The catalytic sequence undergoes enantioselective Michael addition of β-ketoamide to α,β-unsaturated aldehyde catalysed by a secondary amine catalyst, followed by hemiaminal annulation. Optically enantiopure compounds with two contiguous stereogenic centres are obtained in good yields and excellent selectivities (up to >20:1 dr and up to >99% ee).

In this study, we report a highly stereoselective addition of sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds to isatin-derived ketimines efficiently catalyzed by cinchonidine-derived bifunctional tertiary aminothiourea (1 mol%). This organocatalytic methodology furnishes a new type of optically active heterocyclic compound with two adjacent chiral quaternary carbon stereocenters in good yield (up to 98%), with excellent diastereoselectivity (up to 20 : 1 dr) and high enantioselectivity (up to 95% ee).

Ru-catalyzed cross-metathesis (CM) reaction between β-arylated α-methylidene-β-lactams and terminal olefins was developed. The CM reaction is effectively catalyzed with Hoveyda-Grubbs second-generation catalyst affording corresponding α-alkylidene-β-aryl-β-lactams in good isolated yields (41-83%) with exclusive Z-selectivity. The developed protocol was successfully applied for stereoselective preparation of Ezetimibe, the commercial cholesterol absorption inhibitor.

In this study, we report a highly stereoselective and versatile synthesis of spiro pyrazolones, promising motifs that are being employed as pharmacophores. The new synthetic strategy merges organocatalysis and metal catalysis to create a synergistic catalysis using proline derivatives and Pd catalysts. This protocol is suitable for late-stage functionalization, which is very important in drug discovery. Additionally, a thorough computational study proved to be very useful to elucidate the function of the different catalysts along the reaction, showing a peculiar feature: the –CPh2OSiMe3 group of the proline catalyst switches its role during the reaction. In the initial Michael reaction, this group plays its commonly-assumed role of bulky blocking group, but the same group generates π–Pd interactions and acts as a directing group in the subsequent Pd-catalyzed Conia-ene reaction. This finding might be very relevant especially for processes with many steps, such as cascade reactions, in which functional groups are assumed to play the same role during all reaction steps., R. P. H. and J. V. A.-R. thank Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (CTQ2017-88091-P) and Gobierno de Aragón Fondo Social Europeo (E07_17R) for funding their research. S. P. and J. V. thank the Czech Science Foundation (No 18-20645S) for funding the study. M. M. and R. R. are grateful for EPSRC Core Capability Funding (EP/K039466/1). R. R. thanks Alessandra Carnero for initial studies.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to develop a prototype of an artificial blood vessel which has similar mechanical properties to a human saphenous vein graft and to experimentally verify the function of the prosthesis via ovine carotid bypass implantation. Material and methods: The prototype of an artificial graft prosthesis for low flow was developed and manufactured from a collagenous matrix and reinforcing polyester mesh. We compared the results of both the pressurisation and the mechanical stress evaluation tests of VSM with four types of hybrid vascular graft. The most similar graft (type II) was chosen for the first ovine model implantation. Results: Dominant behavior e.g. mechanical response of VSM graft in plots of circumferential and axial stress during loading is observed in circumferential direction. Average results of used VSM showed area of ideal mechanical response and the properties of artificial blood vessels were fitted into this area. Developed graft remained patent after 161 days of follow up in ovine model. Conclusions: The mechanical properties of the graft were designed and adjusted to be similar to the behaviour of human saphenous veins. This approach showed promising results and enhanced the final performance of the prosthesis.

Infections of the musculoskeletal system present a serious problem with regard to the field of orthopedic and trauma medicine. The aim of the experiment described in this study was to develop a resorbable nanostructured composite layer with the controlled elution of antibiotics. The layer is composed of collagen, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, and vancomycin hydrochloride (10 wt%). The stability of the collagen was enhanced by means of cross-linking. Four cross-linking agents were studied, namely an ethanol solution, a phosphate buffer solution of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide, genipin, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid. High performance liquid chromatography was used so as to characterize the in vitro release rates of the vancomycin and its crystalline degradation antibiotically inactive products over a 21-day period. The maximum concentration of the released active form of vancomycin (approximately 265 mg/L) exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentration up to an order of 17 times without triggering the burst releasing effect. At the end of the experiment, the minimum inhibitory concentration was exceeded by up to 6 times (approximately 100 mg/L). It was determined that the modification of collagen with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles does not negatively influence the sustainable release of vancomycin. The balance of vancomycin and its degradation products was observed after 14 days of incubation.

The inflation-extension tests were performed with developed hybrid composite manufactured from biological collagenous matrix and reinforced with polyester mesh. One sample was made without the mesh. This control specimen showed compliant and almost linear behavior. Tests of samples with integrated mesh in the matrix demonstrated that mechanical properties of final composite could be modulated by placing of its reinforced component in the matrix. It was shown that we can obtain response from stiff and linear to nonlinear and very compliant depending on the position of the mesh within biological matter.

In the present study, inflation tests with free axial extension of 15 human vena saphena magna were conducted ex vivo to obtain data suitable for multi-axial constitutive modeling at overloading conditions (pressures up to approximately 15 kPa). Subsequently the data were fitted with a hyperelastic, nonlinear and anisotropic constitutive model based on the theory of the closed thick-walled tube. It was observed that initial highly deformable behavior (up to approximately 2.5 kPa) in the pressure–circumferential stretch response is followed by progressive large strain stiffening. Contrary to that, samples were much stiffer in longitudinal direction, where the observed stretches were in the range 0.98–1.03 during the entire pressurization in most cases. The effect of possible residual stress was evaluated in a simulation of the intramural stress distribution with the opening angle prescribed to 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, and 50°. The result suggests that the optimal opening angle making the stress distribution through the wall thickness uniform is about 40°. The material parameters presented here are suitable for use in mechanobiological simulations describing the adaptation of the autologous vein wall after bypass surgery.

The alkynylation of various nitrogen- and/or sulphur-containing heterocyclic compounds using hypervalent iodine TMS-EBX by utilization of tertiary amines under mild conditions is described. The developed metal-free methodology furnishes the corresponding alkynylated heterocycles bearing quaternary carbon in high yields.

An asymmetric organocatalytic addition of fluorinated phenylsulfonylnitromethane to isatin-derived ketimines was developed. The reaction was efficiently catalyzed by a chiral tertiary amine, cinchonine. This methodology provides a new type of optically active compound with two adjacent quaternary carbon stereocenters in good yield (up to 96%), with moderate diastereoselectivity (up to 5.7 : 1 dr) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98/96% ee).

An operationally simple, one-pot synthetic protocol for the formation of all-carbon, highly substituted five- and six-membered rings is described. In this two-step procedure, an asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates with allylmalononitrile, catalyzed by a chiral tertiary amine, is followed by a ring-closing alkene metathesis (RCM) reaction. Products are obtained in high yields, and an excellent level of optical purity of some of the target compounds is achieved after just a single recrystallization.

The reaction mechanism of a tandem conjugate addition/α-alkylation of enals leading to functionalized cyclopentanes catalyzed by O-trimethylsilyldiphenylprolinol was investigated by mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. We have shown that the high stereoselectivity of the reaction depends on the energy discrimination between the two stereoisomers formed by the condensation of the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde (cinnamaldehyde) and the catalyst. The stereoselectivity of this step depends on the solvent used. The experimental activation barriers were determined to be E(a) = 25 ± 7 kJ mol(-1) (Arrhenius equation), ΔH(‡) = 23 ± 7 kJ mol(-1), and ΔG(‡) = 101 ± 9 kJ mol(-1) (Eyring equation).

Two different enantioselective organocatalytic cascade reactions to form new sulfur-containing spirocyclic scaffolds are described. In the first approach, benzothiophen-2-one and enals react in the presence of a secondary amine catalyst through a Michael/Michael/Aldol sequence to afford the final spiro-cyclohexene carbaldehydes in good yields (up to 68 %) and with excellent selectivities [20:1 diastereomeric ratio (dr), up to 99 % ee]. In the second approach, the double Michael addition of benzothiophen-2-one to aromatic dienones with primary amine catalysis produces the corresponding spiro-cyclohexanones in good yields (up to 76 %) and with moderate-to-high selectivities (up to 12:1 dr, up to 90 % ee). Moreover, the use of N-phenylrhodanine as the bis-nucleophile for these reactions also allowed the formation of the corresponding spirocyclic adducts.

In this paper, we studied a designed series of aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors. The series was derived from a known AR binder, which had previously been shown to form a halogen bond between its bromine atom and the oxygen atom of the Thr-113 side chain of AR. In the series, the strength of the halogen bond was modulated by two factors, namely bromine-iodine substitution and the fluorination of the aromatic ring in several positions. The role of the single halogen bond in AR-ligand binding was elucidated by advanced binding free energy calculations involving the semiempirical quantum chemical Hamiltonian. The results were complemented with ultrahigh-resolution X-ray crystallography and IC50 measurements. All of the AR inhibitors studied were shown by X-ray crystallography to bind in an identical manner. Further, it was demonstrated that it was possible to decrease the IC50 value by about 1 order of magnitude by tuning the strength of the halogen bond by a monoatomic substitution. The calculations revealed that the protein-ligand interaction energy increased upon the substitution of iodine for bromine or upon the addition of electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms to the ring. However, the effect on the binding affinity was found to be more complex due to the change of the solvation/desolvation properties within the ligand series. The study shows that it is possible to modulate the strength of a halogen bond in a protein-ligand complex as was designed based on the previous studies of low-molecular-weight complexes.

Organocatalytic alkynylation of nucleophilic fluorocarbons using hypervalent iodine compounds under cinchona-based catalysis, namely using O-allyl N-anthracenyl cinchona alkaloid derivative II, is described. The reaction gives the final fluoro-propargyl compounds in good to excellent yields (up to 91%) and with moderate to low enantioselectivity (up to 61% ee). The reaction represents the first example of the use of hypervalent iodine compounds for the construction of fluorinated compounds and opens access to the preparation of biologically attractive compounds such as 1,2,3-triazoles.

The highly enantioselective organocatalytic α-selenylation reaction of aldehydes using a hypervalent iodine compound as an oxidative agent from commercially available phenyl diselenide under mild oxidative conditions is described. This transformation affords α-selenyl aldehydes in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. By using hypervalent iodine compounds, it opens up a suitable and alternative way for the preparation of biologically active building blocks such as β-hydroxy alcohols, α-amino acids, and α-hydroxy esters.

The aim of this study was to develop an osteo-inductive resorbable layer allowing the controlled elution of antibiotics to be used as a bone/implant bioactive interface particularly in the case of prosthetic joint infections, or as a preventative procedure with respect to primary joint replacement at a potentially infected site. An evaluation was performed of the vancomycin release kinetics, antimicrobial efficiency and cytocompatibility of collagen/hydroxyapatite layers containing vancomycin prepared employing different hydroxyapatite concentrations. Collagen layers with various levels of porosity and structure were prepared using three different methods: by means of the lyophilisation and electrospinning of dispersions with 0, 5 and 15 wt% of hydroxyapatite and 10 wt% of vancomycin, and by means of the electrospinning of dispersions with 0, 5 and 15 wt% of hydroxyapatite followed by impregnation with 10 wt% of vancomycin. The maximum concentration of the released active form of vancomycin characterised by means of HPLC was achieved via the vancomycin impregnation of the electrospun layers, whereas the lowest concentration was determined for those layers electrospun directly from a collagen solution containing vancomycin. Agar diffusion testing revealed that the electrospun impregnated layers exhibited the highest level of activity. It was determined that modification using hydroxyapatite exerts no strong effect on vancomycin evolution. All the tested samples exhibited sufficient cytocompatibility with no indication of cytotoxic effects using human osteoblastic cells in direct contact with the layers or in 24-hour infusions thereof. The results herein suggest that nano-structured collagen-hydroxyapatite layers impregnated with vancomycin following cross-linking provide suitable candidates for use as local drug delivery carriers.

Human enzyme aldo-keto reductase family member 1B10 (AKR1B10) has evolved as a tumor marker and promising antineoplastic target. It shares high structural similarity with the diabetes target enzyme aldose reductase (AR). Starting from the potent AR inhibitor IDD388, we have synthesized a series of derivatives bearing the same halophenoxyacetic acid moiety with an increasing number of bromine (Br) atoms on its aryl moiety. Next, by means of IC50 measurements, X-ray crystallography, WaterMap analysis, and advanced binding free energy calculations with a quantum-mechanical (QM) approach, we have studied their structure-activity relationship (SAR) against both enzymes. The introduction of Br substituents decreases AR inhibition potency but improves it in the case of AKR1B10. Indeed, the Br atoms in ortho position may impede these drugs to fit into the AR prototypical specificity pocket. For AKR1B10, the smaller aryl moieties of MK181 and IDD388 can bind into the external loop A subpocket. Instead, the bulkier MK184, MK319, and MK204 open an inner specificity pocket in AKR1B10 characterized by a π-π stacking interaction of their aryl moieties and Trp112 side chain in the native conformation (not possible in AR). Among the three compounds, only MK204 can make a strong halogen bond with the protein (-4.4 kcal/mol, using QM calculations), while presenting the lowest desolvation cost among all the series, translated into the most selective and inhibitory potency AKR1B10 (IC50 = 80 nM). Overall, SAR of these IDD388 polyhalogenated derivatives have unveiled several distinctive AKR1B10 features (shape, flexibility, hydration) that can be exploited to design novel types of AKR1B10 selective drugs.

Easy as py: The organocatalytic enantioselective amination of pyrazolones is reported. The reaction between pyrazolones and diazodicarboxylates is simple and is catalyzed by quinine to afford the final aminopyarazolone derivatives in excellent yields and good enantioselectivity.

An enantioselective tandem reaction between dialkyl 2-haloethylmalonates and aromatic enals catalyzed by secondary amine catalysts is described. The reaction proceeds through a Michael/α-alkylation reaction sequence to afford the final 1,1,2,3-tetrasubstituted cyclopentanes in good yields (up to 75 %) with high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity (up to 20:1 dr and 93 % ee). Moreover, the Michael/α-alkylation reaction also proceeds with a low catalyst loading (5 mol-%) with only a slight influence on selectivity and O- and N-alkylation products were not observed.

The highly enantioselective organo-co-catalytic aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH)-type reaction between N-carbamate-protected imines and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The organic co-catalytic system of proline and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) enables the asymmetric synthesis of the corresponding N-Boc- and N-Cbz-protected β-amino-α-alkylidene-aldehydes in good to high yields and up to 99% ee. In the case of aza-MBH-type addition of enals to phenylprop-2-ene-1-imines, the co-catalytic reaction exhibits excellent 1,2-selectivity. The organo-co-catalytic aza-MBH-type reaction can also be performed by the direct highly enantioselective addition of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to bench-stableN-carbamate-protected α-amidosulfones to give the corresponding β-amino-α-alkylidene-aldehydes with up to 99% ee.The organo-co-catalytic aza-MBH-type reaction is also an expeditious entry to nearly enantiomerically pure β-amino-α-alkylidene-amino acids and β-amino-α-alkylidene-lactams (99% ee). The mechanism and stereochemistry of the chiral amine and DABCO co-catalyzed aza-MBH-type reaction arealso discussed.

Correction for ‘A formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of sulfur-containing alkylidene heterocycles with allenic compounds’ by Vojtěch Dočekal et al., Org. Chem. Front., 2019, 6, 3259–3263.