The direct functionalization of C-H bonds in organic compounds has recently emerged as a powerful and ideal method for the formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. This Review provides an overview of C-H bond functionalization strategies for the rapid synthesis of biologically active compounds such as natural products and pharmaceutical targets.

C-H bond functionalization: emerging synthetic tools for natural products and pharmaceuticals

The terms 'antioxidant', 'oxidative stress' and 'oxidative damage' are widely used but rarely defined. This brief review attempts to define them and to examine the ways in which oxidative stress and oxidative damage can affect cell behaviour both in vivo and in cell culture, using cancer as an example.

Biochemistry of oxidative stress

Die direkte Funktionalisierung von C-H-Bindungen in organischen Molekulen hat sich in jungster Zeit zu einer wirksamen und idealen Methode entwickelt, mit der Kohlenstoff-Kohlenstoff- und Kohlenstoff-Heteroatom-Bindungen geknupft werden konnen. Der Aufsatz gibt einen Uberblick uber die Strategien, die durch Funktionalisierung von C-H-Bindungen eine rasche Synthese von biologisch aktiven Verbindungen wie Naturstoffen und pharmazeutischen Zielsubstanzen ermoglichen.

Funktionalisierung von C‐H‐Bindungen: neue Synthesemethoden für Naturstoffe und Pharmazeutika

This Perspective illustrates the defining characteristics of free radical chemistry, beginning with its rich and storied history. Studies from our laboratory are discussed along with recent developments emanating from others in this burgeoning area. The practicality and chemoselectivity of radical reactions enable rapid access to molecules of relevance to drug discovery, agrochemistry, material science, and other disciplines. Thus, these reactive intermediates possess inherent translational potential, as they can be widely used to expedite scientific endeavors for the betterment of humankind.

Radicals: Reactive Intermediates with Translational Potential

A longstanding research goal has been to understand the nature and role of copper–oxygen intermediates within copper-containing enzymes and abiological catalysts. Synthetic chemistry has played a pivotal role in highlighting the viability of proposed intermediates and expanding the library of known copper–oxygen cores. In addition to the number of new complexes that have been synthesized since the previous reviews on this topic in this journal (Mirica, L. M.; Ottenwaelder, X.; Stack, T. D. P. Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 1013–1046 and Lewis, E. A.; Tolman, W. B. Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 1047–1076), the field has seen significant expansion in the (1) range of cores synthesized and characterized, (2) amount of mechanistic work performed, particularly in the area of organic substrate oxidation, and (3) use of computational methods for both the corroboration and prediction of proposed intermediates. The scope of this review has been limited to well-characterized examples of copper–oxygen species but seeks to provide a ...

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Copper–Oxygen Complexes Revisited: Structures, Spectroscopy, and Reactivity

The Cu-catalyzed oxidation of ketones with O2 has recently been extensively utilized to cleave the α-C–C bond. This report examines the selective aerobic hydroxylation of tertiary α-C–H bonds in ketones without C–C cleavage. We set out to understand the underlying mechanisms of these two possible reactivity modes. Using experimental, in situ IR spectroscopic, and computational studies, we investigated several mechanisms. Our data suggest that both C–C cleavage and C–H hydroxylation pathways proceed via a common key intermediate, i.e., an α-peroxo ketone. The fate of this peroxide dictates the ultimate product selectivity. Specifically, we uncovered the role of hppH [= 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine] to act not only as a base in the transformation but also as a reductant of the peroxide to the corresponding α-hydroxy ketone. This reduction may also be accomplished through exogenous phosphine additives, therefore allowing the tuning of reduction efficiency toward higher driving forces, i...

Factors That Control C-C Cleavage versus C-H Bond Hydroxylation in Copper-Catalyzed Oxidations of Ketones with O2.

Full control over the selectivity of carbon-carbon double-bond migrations would enable access to stereochemically defined olefins that are central to the pharmaceutical, food, fragrance, materials, and petrochemical arenas. The vast majority of double-bond migrations investigated over the past 60 years capitalize on precious-metal hydrides that are frequently associated with reversible equilibria, hydrogen scrambling, incomplete E/Z stereoselection, and/or high cost. Here, we report a fundamentally different, radical-based approach. We showcase a nonprecious, reductant-free, and atom-economical nickel (Ni)(I)-catalyzed intramolecular 1,3-hydrogen atom relocation to yield E-olefins within 3 hours at room temperature. Remote installations of E-olefins over extended distances are also demonstrated.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/363/6425/391.full.pdf

E-Olefins through intramolecular radical relocation

A powerful intramolecular Schmidt reaction starting from primary azidoalcohols is reported. This approach involves a nonacidic activation of the alcohol via triflation. The synthetic potential offered by the mild reaction conditions is demonstrated by a highly selective synthesis of (−)-indolizidine 167B.

Intramolecular Schmidt reaction involving primary azidoalcohols under nonacidic conditions: synthesis of indolizidine (-)-167B.

Potassium tert-butoxide acts as a nucleophilic oxygen source during the hydration of nitriles to give the corresponding amides under anhydrous conditions. The reaction proceeds smoothly for a broad range of substrates under mild conditions, providing an efficient and economically affordable synthetic route to the amides in excellent yields. This protocol does not need any transition-metal catalyst or any special experimental setup and is easily scalable to bulk scale synthesis. A single-electron-transfer radical mechanism as well as an ionic mechanism have been proposed for the hydration process.

Transition-Metal-Free Hydration of Nitriles Using Potassium tert-Butoxide under Anhydrous Conditions

Recent advances in radical azidation using sulfonyl azides are presented. For instance, radical carboazidation using α-iodoketones, desulfitative carboazidation, and anti- Markovnikov hydroazidation of alkenes are described. These novel methods tolerate a large number of functional groups and allow the synthesis of organic azides that would be difficult to synthesize otherwise. The transformation of the azides using reductive processes as well as a Schmidt reaction under nonacidic conditions were used to synthesize alkaloids includ- ing indolizidine 167B, monomorine I, cylindricine C, and lepadiformine C.

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Ajoy Kapat

Papers

Factors That Control C-C Cleavage versus C-H Bond Hydroxylation in Copper-Catalyzed Oxidations of Ketones with O2.

E-Olefins through intramolecular radical relocation

Intramolecular Schmidt reaction involving primary azidoalcohols under nonacidic conditions: synthesis of indolizidine (-)-167B.

Transition-Metal-Free Hydration of Nitriles Using Potassium tert-Butoxide under Anhydrous Conditions

Radical azidation reactions and their application in the synthesis of alkaloids