Sandip Murarka

Abstract: The first example of a catalytic enantioselective intramolecular hydride shift/ring closure reaction is reported. This redox neutral reaction cascade allows for the efficient formation of ring-fused tetrahydroquinolines in high enantioselectivities.

Abstract: Cyclic aminals were prepared through a Bronsted acid-promoted reaction. This redox neutral process involves iminium ion formation, 1,5 H-transfer, followed by ring closure.

Abstract: Polycyclic tetrahydroquinolines were prepared by an efficient Lewis acid catalyzed 1,5-hydride shift, ring closure sequence Gadolinium triflate was identified as a catalyst that is superior to scandium triflate as well as other Lewis acids An approach toward a catalytic enantioselective variant is also described

Abstract: Recent years have witnessed a resurgence of novel, efficient and practical protocols for radical-mediated cross-coupling reactions involving N-(acyloxy)phthalimides (NHPI esters) as redox-active esters. After the initial discovery of the redox-active properties of NHPI esters, exciting examples of SET-based cross-coupling reactions under thermal or photolytic conditions leading to diverse C–X (X=C, B, Si, Se, S) bonds have been published. The operational simplicity and broad applicability exhibited in redox-active NHPI ester-based cross-couplings bode well for their widespread adoption. The review presented herein covers all the recent developments in the field of redox-active ester (RAE)-based cross-couplings since the initial discovery. Depending on the conditions employed the reactions have been categorized into photoinduced and non-photoinduced cross-couplings with representative examples and insightful mechanistic discussions.

Abstract: A simple and efficient direct radical arylation of unactivated arenes is described which uses cheap and commercially available phenyl hydrazine as an initiator. The reaction occurs through a base promoted homolytic aromatic substitution (BHAS) mechanism involving aryl radicals and aryl radical anions as intermediates and offers a practical approach for preparation of an array of substituted biaryls.

Abstract: Beijing National Laboratory of Molecular Sciences (BNLMS) and Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Green Chemistry Center, Peking University, 202 Chengfu Road, 098#, Beijing 100871, China State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, China State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 200060, China

Abstract: Heterocycles constitute the largest and the most diverse family of organic compounds Among them, aromatic heterocycles represent structural motifs found in a great number of biologically active natural and synthetic compounds, drugs, and agrochemicals Moreover, aromatic heterocycles are widely used for synthesis of dyes and polymeric materials of high value 1 There are numerous reports on employment of aromatic heterocycles as intermediates in organic synthesis 2 Although, a variety of highly efficient methodologies for synthesis of aromatic heterocycles and their derivatives have been reported in the past, the development of novel methodologies is in cuntinious demand Particlularly, development of new synthetic approaches toward heterocycles, aiming at achieving greater levels of molecular complexity and better functional group compatibilities in a convergent and atom economical fashions from readily accessible starting materials and under mild reaction conditions, is one of a major research endeavor in modern synthetic organic chemistry Transition metal-catalyzed transformations, which often help to meet the above criteria, are among the most attractive synthetic tools Several excellent reviews dealing with transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of heterocyclic compounds have been published in literature during recent years Many of them highlighted the use of a particular transition metal, such as gold,3 silver,4 palladium,5 copper,6 cobalt,7 ruthenium,8 iron,9 mercury,10 rare-earth metals,11 and others Another array of reviews described the use of a specific kind of transformation, for instance, intramolecular nucleophilic attack of heteroatom at multiple C–C bonds,12 Sonogashira reaction,13 cycloaddition reactions,14 cycloisomerization reactions,15 C–H bond activation processes,16 metathesis reactions,17 etc Reviews devoted to an application of a particular type of starting materials have also been published Thus, for example, applications of isocyanides,18 diazocompounds,19 or azides20 have been discussed In addition, a significant attention was given to transition metal-catalyzed multicomponent syntheses of heterocycles21 Finally, syntheses of heterocycles featuring formation of intermediates, such as nitrenes,22 vinylidenes,23 carbenes, and carbenoids24 have also been reviewed The main focus of the present review is a transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of aromatic monocyclic heterocycles The organization of the review is rather classical and is based on a heterocycle, categorized in the following order: (a) ring size of heterocycle, (b) number of heteroatoms, (c) type of heterocycle, and (d) a class of transformation involved A brief mechanistic discussion is given to provide information about a possible reaction pathway when necessary The review mostly discusses recent literature, starting from 200425 until the end of 2011, however, some earlier parent transformations are discussed when needed

Abstract: RAS proteins are binary switches, cycling between ON and OFF states during signal transduction. These switches are normally tightly controlled, but in RAS-related diseases, such as cancer, RASopathies, and many psychiatric disorders, mutations in the RAS genes or their regulators render RAS proteins persistently active. The structural basis of the switch and many of the pathways that RAS controls are well known, but the precise mechanisms by which RAS proteins function are less clear. All RAS biology occurs in membranes: a precise understanding of RAS' interaction with membranes is essential to understand RAS action and to intervene in RAS-driven diseases.