Synthesis of depressin, cryptomeridiol and 4-epi-cryptomeridiol enabled by a terpenoid chiral pool-producing platform

• Yao Kong,
• Tao Wang,
• Chen Wang,
• Pengcheng Zhang,
• Yuanning Liu,
• Kaibiao Wang,
• Fen Liu,
• Hongli Jia and
• Zhengren Xu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 683–690, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.53

• compounds 1, 2, and 3 is depicted in Scheme 1 [40][41][42]. We envisioned that by selective oxidation at C5, compound 1 could be directly obtained from casbene (4). The macrocyclic casbane-type skeleton could be produced by an engineered heterologous host harboring both casbene synthase (CS) and an

• pool’ strategy, the stage was set forth for the late-stage modification of the corresponding terpene skeletons for the synthesis of the targeted natural products (Scheme 2) [55]. Formally, a selective oxidation of the allylic C5 position would give 1 directly (Scheme 2a). Considering the limited

Regioselective approach to 5-arylsulfonylisoxazoles and their antimicrobial activity

• Artem S. Sazonov,
• Dmitry A. Vasilenko,
• Denis V. Porfiriev,
• Yuri K. Grishin,
• Rimma A. Gazzaeva,
• Alisa P. Chernyshova,
• Maxim A. Kryakvin,
• Anna A. Baranova,
• Vera A. Alferova and
• Elena B. Averina

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 592–602, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.45

• nucleophilic aromatic substitution with thiophenols followed by oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA). The scope of the reactions was explored, demonstrating high yields across a variety of functional groups and substituents. Optimized conditions enabled selective oxidation of thioaryl groups to

Modern synthetic pathways towards eribulin and its subunits

• Sebastian Dominik Graf

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 495–526, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.37

• allylation, 280 was isolated as a single diastereomer upon recrystallization. The dihydroxylation, oxidative cleavage and reduction with NaBH4 afforded diol 281, whose primary alcohol unit was protected enabling the selective oxidation towards ketone 283. Olefination with 293 (Nysted reagent) and

Ring contraction and ring expansion reactions in terpenoid biosynthesis and their application to total synthesis

• Nicolas Kratena,
• Nicolas Heinzig and
• Peter Gärtner

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 289–343, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.21

• provide the essential carbocation stabilisation (likely via cation–π interactions) and thus facilitate alkyl migration. The resulting 5,7-bicyclic carbocation 14b is further elaborated and decorated by selective oxidation reactions to build up the family of pseudolaric acids. For example, after a second

• way of selective oxidation at C-17 (possibly through HAT and SET-induced generation of the positive charge as described in other examples above) the C-17-centred carbocation 114a can undergo a cascade rearrangement, consisting of an initial 1,2-methyl migration to 114b, followed by the crucial 1,2

• (via cations 132c and 132d) and finally elimination to give 132e, with the full skeleton assembled. After selective oxidation of the C-16 position giving 132f, spiroacetal formation and esterification with the side-chain ketone affords spirochensilide A (131). The A-ring-seco triterpenoid holophyllane

Circumventing Mukaiyama oxidation: selective S–O bond formation via sulfenamide–alcohol coupling

• Guoling Huang,
• Huarui Zhu,
• Shuting Zhou,
• Wanlin Zheng,
• Fangpeng Liang,
• Zhibo Zhao,
• Yifei Chen and
• Xunbo Lu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 158–166, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.9

• versatile intermediates for enantioselective S–C bond formation under mild and metal-free conditions. Keywords: asymmetric synthesis; late-stage functionalization; selective oxidation; sulfenamides; sulfinimidate esters; Introduction Sulfur is a privileged heteroatom in organic chemistry, celebrated for

Total syntheses of highly oxidative Ryania diterpenoids facilitated by innovations in synthetic strategies

• Zhi-Qi Cao,
• Jin-Bao Qiao and
• Yu-Ming Zhao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2553–2570, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.198

• of (+)-ryanodol (4) in just 15 steps, highlighting the Pauson–Khand cyclization and a selenium dioxide-mediated selective oxidation as key transformations [48] (Scheme 7). To construct the multi-substituted five-membered ring in the target molecule, the authors strategically employed the Pauson–Khand

C2 to C6 biobased carbonyl platforms for fine chemistry

• Jingjing Jiang,
• Muhammad Noman Haider Tariq,
• Florence Popowycz,
• Yanlong Gu and
• Yves Queneau

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2103–2172, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.165

• -synthesis of formamides and formates was achieved in particularly good yield by selective oxidation of DHA using a Cu/Al2O3 catalyst with single active CuII species at room temperature without using a base (Scheme 20). 1-Hydroxypropan-2-one Gu et al. reported the [3 + 2] cyclization reaction of 1

The application of desymmetric enantioselective reduction of cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in the total synthesis of terpenoid and alkaloid natural products

• Dong-Xing Tan and
• Fu-She Han

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2085–2102, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.164

• to ketone 48 via a seven-step transformation. Finally, removal of the TBS group in 48 followed by a sequential reduction and selective oxidation of allylic primary alcohol achieved the total synthesis of (−)-cyrneine A (7). The authors then moved forward to the synthesis of other target molecules

• (Scheme 3) [31][32]. Oxidation state adjustment of 48 led to the ketone 49. Starting from this common intermediate, firstly, base-promoted double bond migration and oxidation at the γ-position gave tertiary alcohol 50. Deprotection of acetyl in 50 followed by selective oxidation delivered (−)-cyrneine B

• (9). Secondly, a based-mediated concomitant double bond migration and deacetylation, and selective oxidation of allylic primary alcohol accomplished the total synthesis of (−)-glaucopine C (10). On the other hand, Barton–McCombie deoxygenation and isopropylation of 43 produced ketone 52. Subsequently

Red light excitation: illuminating photocatalysis in a new spectrum

• Lucas Fortier,
• Corentin Lefebvre and
• Norbert Hoffmann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 296–326, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.22

• sustainable photocatalysis, with applications ranging from selective oxidation to cross-dehydrogenative coupling. These organic systems are valued for their reduced environmental impact, their wide availability, and tunability, making them viable alternatives to traditional metal-based catalysts for red-light

A review of recent advances in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical late-stage functionalization classified by anodic oxidation, cathodic reduction, and paired electrolysis

• Nian Li,
• Ruzal Sitdikov,
• Ajit Prabhakar Kale,
• Joost Steverlynck,
• Bo Li and
• Magnus Rueping

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2500–2566, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.214

• triacetoxylates, including the LSF of bioactive compound analogues (Scheme 50). The mechanism involves the photoexcitation of TAC+, which facilitates the selective oxidation of C–H bonds in alkylarenes. This process efficiently forms multiple C–O bonds while minimizing the risk of overoxidation. The versatility

Hydrogen-bond activation enables aziridination of unactivated olefins with simple iminoiodinanes

• Phong Thai,
• Lauv Patel,
• Diyasha Manna and
• David C. Powers

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2305–2312, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.197

• the potential for chemical non-innocence of fluorinated alcohol solvents in NGT catalysis. Keywords: aziridination; electrochemistry; H-bond activation; hypervalent iodine; nitrene transfer; Introduction Hypervalent iodine reagents find widespread application in selective oxidation chemistry due to

Novel oxidative routes to N-arylpyridoindazolium salts

• Oleg A. Levitskiy,
• Yuri K. Grishin and
• Tatiana V. Magdesieva

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1906–1913, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.166

• diphenylamines yielding N,N-diarylbenzidines and N,N-diaryldihydrophenazines were reported in [21]. By varying the reaction conditions and additional substituents in the phenyl rings, a possibility for the selective oxidation of ortho-(2-pyridyl)diphenylamine to the corresponding nitroxide, as well as the

Oxidation of benzylic alcohols to carbonyls using N-heterocyclic stabilized λ³-iodanes

• Thomas J. Kuczmera,
• Pim Puylaert and
• Boris J. Nachtsheim

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1677–1683, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.149

• the corresponding carboxylic acids [16]. Additives such as bromide salts or Al2O3 can eliminate this problem and allow selective oxidation to some extent [17][18][19][20]. During the past years, N-heterocycle-stabilized iodanes (NHIs) were demonstrated as suitable tools for various applications among

Synthesis of π-conjugated polycyclic compounds by late-stage extrusion of chalcogen fragments

• Aissam Okba,
• Pablo Simón Marqués,
• Kyohei Matsuo,
• Naoki Aratani,
• Hiroko Yamada,
• Gwénaël Rapenne and
• Claire Kammerer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 287–305, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.30

• selective oxidation of thiepine and selenepine to give rise to the corresponding sulfoxide 29b, selenoxide 29c and sulfone 30b in excellent yields. All the prepared chalcogen-doped HBC derivatives exhibit good solubility in organic solvents, in line with their highly distorted saddle-shaped or helical

Selective and scalable oxygenation of heteroatoms using the elements of nature: air, water, and light

• Damiano Diprima,
• Hannes Gemoets,
• Stefano Bonciolini and
• Koen Van Aken

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1146–1154, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.82

• of heteroatoms, making them a promising alternative to traditional oxidants in the chemical industry [9]. Our interest in sustainable oxidation methodologies led us to study the selective oxidation of various heteroatoms to their corresponding oxides, including sulfides to sulfoxides, phosphine to

Transition-metal-catalyzed C–H bond activation as a sustainable strategy for the synthesis of fluorinated molecules: an overview

• Louis Monsigny,
• Floriane Doche and
• Tatiana Besset

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 448–473, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.35

• methyl, methoxy or methylthio groups (17b–d) or by halogen (17e) was achieved (Scheme 8, up to 77% yield). Note that in case of disubstituted 2-(4-ethoxy-3-fluorophenyl)pyridine (17h), the expected product 18h was isolated in 31% yield. Moreover, selective oxidation of the SCF3 residue into the

• approach. Of high interest, the modularity of the SCF2CO2Et was highlighted by its conversion into various other fluorinated residues (amide, carboxylic acid) and its selective oxidation into the corresponding sulfoxide and sulfone. I.5) Trifluoromethylselenolation of aromatic and vinylic C(sp2)–H bonds by

Combretastatins D series and analogues: from isolation, synthetic challenges and biological activities

• Jorge de Lima Neto and
• Paulo Henrique Menezes

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 399–427, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.31

• to both, cleavage of the Piv group and reduction of the aldehyde yielding the diol 147. Selective oxidation [67] of the benzyl alcohol with MnO2 gave the compound 148, which was esterified with S-acetylthioacetic acid (129) and reduced to the benzyl alcohol 150. Deacetylation followed by

Redox-active molecules as organocatalysts for selective oxidative transformations – an unperceived organocatalysis field

• Elena R. Lopat’eva,
• Igor B. Krylov,
• Dmitry A. Lapshin and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1672–1695, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.179

• oxidation of substrates with activated CH-bonds, such as alkylarenes (Scheme 6). At higher temperatures, even unactivated alkanes can be functionalized [75][81]. The NHPI/Co(OAc)2 system was successfully employed for the selective oxidation of methylarenes to aromatic carboxylic acids [78] (in AcOH medium

Lewis acid-catalyzed Pudovik reaction–phospha-Brook rearrangement sequence to access phosphoric esters

• Jin Yang,
• Dang-Wei Qian and
• Shang-Dong Yang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1188–1194, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.123

• Jin Yang Dang-Wei Qian Shang-Dong Yang State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China 10.3762/bjoc.18.123 Abstract

Electro-conversion of cumene into acetophenone using boron-doped diamond electrodes

• Mana Kitano,
• Tsuyoshi Saitoh,
• Shigeru Nishiyama,
• Yasuaki Einaga and
• Takashi Yamamoto

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1154–1158, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.119

• -doped diamond electrode; electrosynthesis; oxidation; Introduction Selective oxidation of aromatic alkyl side chains is an important molecular transformation process to obtain various rubbers, resins, fine chemicals, and other industrial products [1][2]: terephthalic acid from p-xylene, cumene

Electrochemical Friedel–Crafts-type amidomethylation of arenes by a novel electrochemical oxidation system using a quasi-divided cell and trialkylammonium tetrafluoroborate

• Hisanori Senboku,
• Mizuki Hayama and
• Hidetoshi Matsuno

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1040–1046, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.105

• in selective oxidation of the solvent, DMA, which is the substance with the largest amount at the anode [28][29]. Conclusion We have developed a novel electrochemical oxidation system using a quasi-divided cell and trialkylammonium tetrafluoroborates, especially iPr2NHEtBF4, both as a supporting

Menadione: a platform and a target to valuable compounds synthesis

• Acácio S. de Souza,
• Ruan Carlos B. Ribeiro,
• Dora C. S. Costa,
• Fernanda P. Pauli,
• David R. Pinho,
• Matheus G. de Moraes,
• Fernando de C. da Silva,
• Luana da S. M. Forezi and
• Vitor F. Ferreira

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 381–419, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.43

• manganese(II) naphthenate (MnPc)-catalyzed oxidation of 16 to furnish 10 in 60% yield with 75.6% conversion and 80% selectivity (Table 1, entry 8) [54]. The MnPc catalyst improves the stability of H2O2 and thus promotes a selective oxidation [54]. The approach developed by Beller’s group, which applied a

• -methylnaphthol (17) oxidation occurs via a thermal ISC (spin inversion) [73]. Additionally, a zwitterionic intermediate formed in the rate-limiting step contributes significantly to the O2-based selective oxidation. However, this oxidation mechanism could be modified by the addition of initiators or bases and

Site-selective reactions mediated by molecular containers

• Rui Wang and
• Yang Yu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 309–324, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.35

• functionalization of C–H bonds brings reaction economy and effectiveness. However, owing to the rifeness of the reactivity-similar C–H bonds, it is hard to achieve discriminate control over the product site-selectivity. In nature, the site-selective oxidation of C–H bonds is facilitated by enzymes with the donor

• by water-soluble cavitands E and F. Site-selective hydrogenation of polyenols mediated by supramolecular encapsulated rhodium catalyst. Site-selective oxidation of steroids using cyclodextrin as the anchoring template. Site-selective oxidations of linear diterpenoids with the help of cage host A

Progress and challenges in the synthesis of sequence controlled polysaccharides

• Giulio Fittolani,
• Theodore Tyrikos-Ergas,
• Denisa Vargová,
• Manishkumar A. Chaube and
• Martina Delbianco

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1981–2025, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.129

Cerium-photocatalyzed aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols to aldehydes and ketones

• Girish Suresh Yedase,
• Sumit Kumar,
• Jessica Stahl,
• Burkhard König and
• Veera Reddy Yatham

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1727–1732, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.121

• ; aldehydes; cerium; oxidation; ketones; visible light; Introduction The selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds [1][2] is an important process for producing a wide range of value-added fine chemicals [3][4][5][6]. In the traditional oxidation process stoichiometric amounts of oxidants such as

• yields (5 and 7%, respectively). In addition, when the mixture of 3-phenylproponol (1ah) and 3-bromobenzylic alcohol (1t) was subjected to the standard reaction conditions, we observed the selective oxidation of the benzylic alcohol giving the expected product in 44% yield (Scheme 3). The efficiency of

• 4.3 mmol of 1a and reaction time was 72 h; b42 h reaction time; c48 h reaction time. Selective oxidation of 3-bromobenzyl alcohol in the presence of 3-phenylpropanol. Compound 1af was recovered unchanged from the reaction mixture. Optimization of the reaction conditions.a Supporting Information