Organic reactions that involve the direct functionalization of non-activated C–H bonds represent an attractive class of transformations which maximize atom- and step-economy, and simplify chemical synthesis. Due to the high stability of C–H bonds, these processes, however, have most often required harsh reaction conditions, which has drastically limited their use as tools for the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Following the increased understanding of mechanistic aspects of C–H activation gained over recent years, great strides have been taken to design and develop new protocols that proceed efficiently under mild conditions and duly benefit from improved functional group tolerance and selectivity. In this review, we present the current state of the art in this field and detail C–H activation transformations reported since 2011 that proceed either at or below ambient temperature, in the absence of strongly acidic or basic additives or without strong oxidants. Furthermore, by identifying and discussing the major strategies that have led to these improvements, we hope that this review will serve as a useful conceptual overview and inspire the next generation of mild C–H transformations.

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Mild metal-catalyzed C–H activation: examples and concepts

The present review is devoted to summarizing the recent advances (2015-2017) in the field of metal-catalysed group-directed C-H functionalisation In order to clearly showcase the molecular diversity that can now be accessed by means of directed C-H functionalisation, the whole is organized following the directing groups installed on a substrate Its aim is to be a comprehensive reference work, where a specific directing group can be easily found, together with the transformations which have been carried out with it Hence, the primary format of this review is schemes accompanied with a concise explanatory text, in which the directing groups are ordered in sections according to their chemical structure The schemes feature typical substrates used, the products obtained as well as the required reaction conditions Importantly, each example is commented on with respect to the most important positive features and drawbacks, on aspects such as selectivity, substrate scope, reaction conditions, directing group removal, and greenness The targeted readership are both experts in the field of C-H functionalisation chemistry (to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress made in the last years) and, even more so, all organic chemists who want to introduce the C-H functionalisation way of thinking for a design of straightforward, efficient and step-economic synthetic routes towards molecules of interest to them Accordingly, this review should be of particular interest also for scientists from industrial R&D sector Hence, the overall goal of this review is to promote the application of C-H functionalisation reactions outside the research groups dedicated to method development and establishing it as a valuable reaction archetype in contemporary R&D, comparable to the role cross-coupling reactions play to date

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A comprehensive overview of directing groups applied in metal-catalysed C-H functionalisation chemistry.

https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/ws/files/10932724/DGH_TICB_2016.pdf

AMPK: An Energy-Sensing Pathway with Multiple Inputs and Outputs.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance (IR); however, a large variety of association and intervention studies as well as genetic manipulations in rodents have reported contrasting results. Indeed, even 39 years after the first publication describing a relationship between IR and diminished mitochondrial function, it is still unclear whether a direct relationship exists, and more importantly if changes in mitochondrial capacity are a cause or consequence of IR. This review will take a journey through the past and summarise the debate about the occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction and its possible role in causing decreased insulin action in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Evidence is presented from studies in various human populations, as well as rodents with genetic manipulations of pathways known to affect mitochondrial function and insulin action. Finally, we have discussed whether mitochondria are a potential target for the treatment of IR.

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Mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance: an update

Topics in current chemistry

Isoxazoles are important five-membered aromatic heterocycles in organic chemistry. Recently, many exciting advances in the synthesis and functionalization of isoxazoles have been reported. New transition metal-catalyzed reactions have resulted in the development of attractive and highly efficient synthetic approaches to densely functionalized isoxazoles. Complete control of regioselectivity can be achieved on the basis of a judicious choice of metal catalyst and reaction partners using dipolar cycloaddition and cycloisomerization reactions, while more recent studies have focused on the site-selective functionalization of isoxazoles via CH functionalization. New strategies for the use of isoxazoles as scaffolding templates in asymmetric synthesis have emerged, thus opening new prospects for the synthesis of enantioenriched motifs under the conditions that are orthogonal to other transformations. In this review, recent advances involving the synthesis and reactivity of isoxazoles are summarized. The review covers the period from January 2005 to June 2015.

Recent Developments in the Synthesis and Reactivity of Isoxazoles: Metal Catalysis and Beyond

A silver-catalyzed decarboxylative trifluoromethylthiolation of secondary and tertiary carboxylic acids under mild conditions tolerates a wide range of functional groups. The reaction was dramatically accelerated by its performance in an aqueous emulsion, which was formed by the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate to water. It was proposed that the radical, which was generated from the silver-catalyzed decarboxylation in the "oil-in-water" droplets, could easily react with the trifluoromethylthiolating reagent to form the product.

Silver-catalyzed decarboxylative trifluoromethylthiolation of aliphatic carboxylic acids in aqueous emulsion.

Transition-metal-catalyzed alkylation reactions of arenes have become a central transformation in organic synthesis. Herein, we report the first general strategy for alkylation of arenes with styrenes and alcohols catalyzed by carbon-based materials, exploiting the unique property of graphenes to produce valuable diarylalkane products in high yields and excellent regioselectivity. The protocol is characterized by a wide substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. Notably, this process constitutes the first general application of graphenes to promote direct C–C bond formation utilizing polar functional groups anchored on the GO surface, thus opening the door for an array of functional group alkylations using benign and readily available graphene materials. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via a tandem catalysis mechanism in which both of the coupling partners are activated by interaction with the GO surface.

Graphene-Catalyzed Direct Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Reactions: Mechanism, Selectivity, and Synthetic Utility.

Aims/hypothesis
Arctigenin is a natural compound that had never been previously demonstrated to have a glucose-lowering effect. Here it was found to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the mechanism by which this occurred, as well as the effects on glucose and lipid metabolism were investigated.

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Arctigenin, a natural compound, activates AMP-activated protein kinase via inhibition of mitochondria complex I and ameliorates metabolic disorders in ob/ob mice.

Herein, we describe the first structural characterization of N-alkylated twisted amides prepared directly by N-alkylation of the corresponding non-planar lactams. This study provides the first experimental evidence that N-alkylation results in a dramatic increase of non-planarity around the amide N-C(O) bond. Moreover, we report a rare example of a molecular wire supported by the same amide C=O-Ag bonds. Reactivity studies demonstrate rapid nucleophilic addition to the N-C(O) moiety of N-alkylated amides, indicating the lack of n(N) to π*(C=O) conjugation. Most crucially, we demonstrate that N-alkylation activates the otherwise unreactive amide bond towards σ N-C cleavage by switchable coordination.

Feng Hu

Papers

Recent Developments in the Synthesis and Reactivity of Isoxazoles: Metal Catalysis and Beyond

Silver-catalyzed decarboxylative trifluoromethylthiolation of aliphatic carboxylic acids in aqueous emulsion.

Graphene-Catalyzed Direct Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Reactions: Mechanism, Selectivity, and Synthetic Utility.

Arctigenin, a natural compound, activates AMP-activated protein kinase via inhibition of mitochondria complex I and ameliorates metabolic disorders in ob/ob mice.

Structural Characterization of N‐Alkylated Twisted Amides: Consequences for Amide Bond Resonance and N−C Cleavage