Benedek Vakulya

Bio: Benedek Vakulya is an academic researcher from Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Michael reaction & Enantioselective synthesis. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 4 publications receiving 985 citations.

Epi-Cinchona Based Thiourea Organocatalyst Family as an Efficient Asymmetric Michael Addition Promoter: Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Nitroalkanes to Chalcones and α,β-Unsaturated N-Acylpyrroles

Abstract: A small set of easily available epi-cinchona based thiourea organocatalysts have been synthesized and tested in enantioselective Michael addition of nitroalkanes to chalcones. These bifunctional catalyst systems promoted the conjugate additions with high enantioselectivities and chemical yields. The extension of this methodology was further explored to encompass α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles, as a chalcone mimic. Functionally, the N-acylpyrrole moiety in the adduct acts as an ester surrogate; therefore, it can easily be transformed to various valuable and biologically relevant compounds. This approach allowed the concise stereoselective synthesis of (R)-rolipram.

Highly Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Nitromethane to Chalcones Using Bifunctional Cinchona Organocatalysts.

Abstract: Cinchona alkaloid-derived chiral bifunctional thiourea organocatalysts were synthesized and applied in the Michael addition between nitromethane and chalcones with high ee and chemical yields.

epi‐Cinchona‐Based Thiourea Organocatalyst Family as an Efficient Asymmetric Michael Addition Promoter: Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Nitroalkanes to Chalcones and α,β‐Unsaturated N‐Acylpyrroles.

Abstract: A small set of easily available epi-cinchona based thiourea organocatalysts have been synthesized and tested in enantioselective Michael addition of nitroalkanes to chalcones. These bifunctional catalyst systems promoted the conjugate additions with high enantioselectivities and chemical yields. The extension of this methodology was further explored to encompass α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles, as a chalcone mimic. Functionally, the N-acylpyrrole moiety in the adduct acts as an ester surrogate; therefore, it can easily be transformed to various valuable and biologically relevant compounds. This approach allowed the concise stereoselective synthesis of (R)-rolipram.

Asymmetric catalysis by chiral hydrogen-bond donors.

Abstract: Hydrogen bonding is responsible for the structure of much of the world around us. The unusual and complex properties of bulk water, the ability of proteins to fold into stable three-dimensional structures, the fidelity of DNA base pairing, and the binding of ligands to receptors are among the manifestations of this ubiquitous noncovalent interaction. In addition to its primacy as a structural determinant, hydrogen bonding plays a crucial functional role in catalysis. Hydrogen bonding to an electrophile serves to decrease the electron density of this species, activating it toward nucleophilic attack. This principle is employed frequently by Nature's catalysts, enzymes, for the acceleration of a wide range of chemical processes. Recently, organic chemists have begun to appreciate the tremendous potential offered by hydrogen bonding as a mechanism for electrophile activation in small-molecule, synthetic catalyst systems. In particular, chiral hydrogen-bond donors have emerged as a broadly applicable class of catalysts for enantioselective synthesis. This review documents these advances, emphasizing the structural and mechanistic features that contribute to high enantioselectivity in hydrogen-bond-mediated catalytic processes.

Asymmetric Organocatalysis: From Infancy to Adolescence

Abstract: After an initial period of validating asymmetric organocatalysis by using a wide range of important model reactions that constitute the essential tools of organic synthesis, the time has now been reached when organocatalysis can be used to address specific issues and solve pending problems of stereochemical relevance. This Review deals with selected studies reported in 2006 and the first half of 2007, and is intended to highlight four main aspects that may be taken as testimony of the present status and prospective of organocatalysis: a) chemical efficiency; b) discovery of new substrate combinations to give new asymmetric syntheses; c) development of new catalysts for specific purposes by using mechanistic findings; and d) applications of organocatalytic reactions in the asymmetric total synthesis of target natural products and known compounds of biological and pharmaceutical relevance.

(Thio)urea organocatalysis—What can be learnt from anion recognition?

Abstract: The present critical review outlines the close relationship and mutual interplay between molecular recognition, active site considerations in enzyme catalysis involving anions, and organocatalysis utilizing explicit hydrogen bonding. These interconnections are generally not made although, as we demonstrate, they are quite apparent as exemplified with pertinent examples in the field of (thio)urea organocatalysis. Indeed, the concepts of anion binding or binding with negatively (partially) charged heteroatoms is key for designing new organocatalytic transformations. Utilizing anions through recognition with hydrogen-bonding organocatalysts is still in its infancy but bears great potential. In turn, the discovery and mechanistic elucidation of such reactions is likely to improve the understanding of enzyme active sites (108 references).

Chalcone: A Privileged Structure in Medicinal Chemistry.

Abstract: Privileged structures have been widely used as an effective template in medicinal chemistry for drug discovery. Chalcone is a common simple scaffold found in many naturally occurring compounds. Many chalcone derivatives have also been prepared due to their convenient synthesis. These natural products and synthetic compounds have shown numerous interesting biological activities with clinical potentials against various diseases. This review aims to highlight the recent evidence of chalcone as a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry. Multiple aspects of chalcone will be summarized herein, including the isolation of novel chalcone derivatives, the development of new synthetic methodologies, the evaluation of their biological properties, and the exploration of the mechanisms of action as well as target identification. This review is expected to be a comprehensive, authoritative, and critical review of the chalcone template to the chemistry community.