Robert D. Larsen

Bio: Robert D. Larsen is an academic researcher from Merck & Co.. The author has contributed to research in topics: Enantioselective synthesis & Palladium. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 147 publications receiving 3544 citations. Previous affiliations of Robert D. Larsen include Amgen & Pfizer.

An improved protocol for the preparation of 3-pyridyl- and some arylboronic acids.

Abstract: 3-Pyridylboronic acid was prepared in high yield and bulk quantity from 3-bromopyridine via a protocol of lithium-halogen exchange and "in situ quench". This technique was further studied and evaluated on other aryl halides in the preparation of arylboronic acids.

Practical Route to a New Class of LTD4 Receptor Antagonists

Abstract: A general approach to the synthesis of a new class of LTD4 antagonists is presented. The key diarylpropane framework was prepared by Claisen−Schmidt condensation and selective reduction of the enone. Depending on the bridge to the 7-chloroquinaldine moiety, alkylation or Heck coupling methodology was developed. The chiral sulfides were introduced by asymmetric reduction of the diarylpropanone intermediates and subsequent inversion of the chiral center.

Improved Fischer Indole Reaction for the Preparation of N,N-Dimethyltryptamines: Synthesis of L-695,894, a Potent 5-HT1D Receptor Agonist

Abstract: Among biologically active indoles, tryptamines show tremendous central nervous system activity. For example, the neurotransmitter serotonin (2) [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)l is involved in the regulation of various physiological functions, such as appetite, sleep, body temperature, blood pressure, and sexual behavior;l its N,Ndimethyl analogue bufotenine (3) is a hallucinogen. The N,N-dimethyltryptamines also act as ~ H T ~ D agonists and possess great potential for the treatment of migraine. Sumatriptan (4) is the first of this class of drugs to be approved for this use.2 L-695,894 (11, which contains the 3-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazole heterocycle instead of a sulfonamide, is also a potent ~-HTID agonist that is a potential agent for migraine the rap^.^ We now wish to disclose a highly efficient method for the preparation of N,Ndimethyltryptamines with application to the synthesis of L-695,894 (1).

Fluorine in pharmaceutical industry: fluorine-containing drugs introduced to the market in the last decade (2001-2011).

Abstract: Introduced to the Market in the Last Decade (2001−2011) Jiang Wang,† María Sańchez-Rosello,́‡,§ Jose ́ Luis Aceña, Carlos del Pozo,‡ Alexander E. Sorochinsky, Santos Fustero,*,‡,§ Vadim A. Soloshonok,* and Hong Liu*,† †Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China ‡Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicente Andreś Estelleś, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain Laboratorio de Molećulas Orgańicas, Centro de Investigacioń Príncipe Felipe, C/ Eduardo Primo Yuf́era 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain Department of Organic Chemistry I, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel Lardizab́al 3, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Alameda Urquijo, 36-5 Plaza Bizkaia, 48011 Bilbao, Spain Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and Petrochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Murmanska Street 1, 02660 Kyiv-94, Ukraine

Aryl-aryl bond formation by transition-metal-catalyzed direct arylation.

Abstract: The biaryl structural motif is a predominant feature in many pharmaceutically relevant and biologically active compounds. As a result, for over a century 1 organic chemists have sought to develop new and more efficient aryl -aryl bond-forming methods. Although there exist a variety of routes for the construction of aryl -aryl bonds, arguably the most common method is through the use of transition-metalmediated reactions. 2-4 While earlier reports focused on the use of stoichiometric quantities of a transition metal to carry out the desired transformation, modern methods of transitionmetal-catalyzed aryl -aryl coupling have focused on the development of high-yielding reactions achieved with excellent selectivity and high functional group tolerance under mild reaction conditions. Typically, these reactions involve either the coupling of an aryl halide or pseudohalide with an organometallic reagent (Scheme 1), or the homocoupling of two aryl halides or two organometallic reagents. Although a number of improvements have developed the former process into an industrially very useful and attractive method for the construction of aryl -aryl bonds, the need still exists for more efficient routes whereby the same outcome is accomplished, but with reduced waste and in fewer steps. In particular, the obligation to use coupling partners that are both activated is wasteful since it necessitates the installation and then subsequent disposal of stoichiometric activating agents. Furthermore, preparation of preactivated aryl substrates often requires several steps, which in itself can be a time-consuming and economically inefficient process.

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

Abstract: 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.

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions in total synthesis.

Abstract: In studying the evolution of organic chemistry and grasping its essence, one comes quickly to the conclusion that no other type of reaction plays as large a role in shaping this domain of science than carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The Grignard, Diels-Alder, and Wittig reactions are but three prominent examples of such processes, and are among those which have undeniably exercised decisive roles in the last century in the emergence of chemical synthesis as we know it today. In the last quarter of the 20th century, a new family of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions based on transition-metal catalysts evolved as powerful tools in synthesis. Among them, the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are the most prominent. In this Review, highlights of a number of selected syntheses are discussed. The examples chosen demonstrate the enormous power of these processes in the art of total synthesis and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.