Cation-induced ring-opening and oxidation reaction of photoreluctant spirooxazine–quinolizinium conjugates

• Phil M. Pithan,
• Sören Steup and
• Heiko Ihmels

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 904–916, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.82

• behavior as it can undergo isomerization and cyclization reactions. For example, the irradiation of a 5’-naphthylvinyl-substituted spirooxazine derivative led not only to a ring opening of the oxazine unit but also to an irreversible loss of the photochromic properties, resulting from a cyclization

Aldehydes as powerful initiators for photochemical transformations

• Maria A. Theodoropoulou,
• Nikolaos F. Nikitas and
• Christoforos G. Kokotos

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 833–857, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.76

• shed more light on some mechanistic pathways and set the key foundation for the further use as photoinitiators or photocatalysts. In 1961, Hammond and co-workers studied the cis/trans isomerization of the piperylenes (1,3-pentadienes) 61 and 62 in the presence of carbonyl compounds as photosensitizers

• (Scheme 15) [50]. Among the compounds tested, 1-naphthaldehyde (63) provided a photostationary mixture rich in the trans-diene (trans/cis ratio ≈ 13). A year later, the same group further studied the cis/trans isomerization of the piperylenes 61 and 62 utilizing energy transfer from the triplet states of

• transferred to the olefins in the Paterno–Büchi reaction, they performed a photochemical reaction between benzaldehyde (8) or benzophenone and the 3-methyl-2-pentenes 69 and 70, respectively. The isomerization of the starting olefins indicated a bimolecular energy transfer mechanism (Scheme 17). Benzophenone

Preparation of 2-phospholene oxides by the isomerization of 3-phospholene oxides

• Péter Bagi,
• Réka Herbay,
• Nikolett Péczka,
• Zoltán Mucsi,
• István Timári and
• György Keglevich

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 818–832, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.75

• -phospholene oxides in methanesulfonic acid, or via the formation of cyclic chlorophosphonium salts. Whereas mixtures of the 2- and 3-phospholene oxides formed, when the isomerization of 3-phospholene oxides was attempted under thermal conditions, or in the presence of a base. The mechanisms of the various

• double bond migration pathways were elucidated by quantum chemical calculations. Keywords: chlorophosphonium salts; isomerization; 2-phospholene oxides; 3-phospholene oxides; quantum chemistry; Introduction P-Heterocyclic derivatives are valuable targets in synthetic organophosphorus chemistry [1][2][3

• strategies for 2-phospholene oxides (Figure 1). A convenient strategy may involve the isomerization of 3-phospholene oxides to the corresponding 2-phospholene oxides. A few isomerizations resulting 2-phospholene derivatives have already been observed and published in the literature [58][59][60][61]. However

Combining enyne metathesis with long-established organic transformations: a powerful strategy for the sustainable synthesis of bioactive molecules

• Valerian Dragutan,
• Ileana Dragutan,
• Albert Demonceau and
• Lionel Delaude

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 738–755, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.68

• , which underwent a cross-metathesis with ethyl acrylate in the presence of the Hoveyda–Grubbs second-generation-type catalyst (10 mol %) leading to the corresponding vinyl ester 8 in 63% yield, as a convenient precursor to (+)-anthramycin. The latter was obtained via an isomerization of the double bond

Synthesis of disparlure and monachalure enantiomers from 2,3-butanediacetals

• Adam Drop,
• Hubert Wojtasek and
• Bożena Frąckowiak-Wojtasek

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 616–620, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.57

• isomerization of trans-2,3-butanediacetals to the cis-isomers has also been performed via dithiolate derivative 10 to obtain compound 13 (Scheme 2) [35]. However, attempts to isomerize dimethyl ester 9 in the same way gave a cyclic compound as a major product [36]. We have recently developed a simple and

• efficient method for the isomerization of trans-disubstituted butanediacetal derivative 11 with two different substituents (one ester group and one thioester group) to its cis derivative 14 which proceeded with 94% yield [37]. The cis-2,3-butanediacetals 12–14 have the appropriate configuration of the

• ), and (−)-monachalure (4) from diols 5–8. Isomerization of trans-2,3-butanediacetals 9–11 to cis-2,3-butanediacetals 12–14. Synthesis of diol 17 and its subsequent modifications. Synthesis of (+)-disparlure (1) and (+)-monachalure (2). Synthesis of (−)-disparlure (3) and (−)-monachalure (4). Conditions

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate reduction of α,β-unsaturated esters with chiral phenol–carbene ligands

• Shohei Mimura,
• Sho Mizushima,
• Yohei Shimizu and
• Masaya Sawamura

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 537–543, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.50

• π-complex C undergoes 1,4-hydrocupration to afford copper enolate D. During our initial investigations, we observed configurational isomerization from 1a to (E)-1a when the reaction was conducted in the absence of alcoholic protonation reagents. This observation implied that the 1,4-hydrocupration

Architecture and synthesis of P,N-heterocyclic phosphine ligands

• Wisdom A. Munzeiwa,
• Bernard Omondi and
• Vincent O. Nyamori

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 362–383, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.35

• -quinolyhydrazine (112) at a molar ratio of 2:1 in the presence of a base gave compound 113 in very good yield. Heating of compound 113 in toluene induced isomerization where the pendant arm is shifted to the quinoline ring via a P–C migration to obtain compound 114. The corresponding P–N and P–P rearrangements

p-Pyridinyl oxime carbamates: synthesis, DNA binding, DNA photocleaving activity and theoretical photodegradation studies

• Panagiotis S. Gritzapis,
• Panayiotis C. Varras,
• Nikolaos-Panagiotis Andreou,
• Katerina R. Katsani,
• Konstantinos Dafnopoulos,
• George Psomas,
• Zisis V. Peitsinis,
• Alexandros E. Koumbis and
• Konstantina C. Fylaktakidou

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 337–350, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.33

• under reflux were identical, meaning that no isomerization or decomposition occurred and that the delivered product in both cases is the more thermodynamically stable. Interestingly, although carbamates are important in both medicinal and polymer chemistry, besides compound 23 [61], all the rest were

Reversible photoswitching of the DNA-binding properties of styrylquinolizinium derivatives through photochromic [2 + 2] cycloaddition and cycloreversion

• Sarah Kölsch,
• Heiko Ihmels,
• Jochen Mattay,
• Norbert Sewald and
• Brian O. Patrick

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 111–124, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.13

• electrocyclization or E-to-Z isomerization reactions, whereas the well-established photochromic cycloaddition–cycloreversion equilibrium to establish photoswitchable DNA binders has so far been widely neglected. In fact, there is only one reported example for the use of the reversible photoinduced dimerization of

• of the initially formed Z-isomers Z-3a and Z-3b, with both processes generally being possible starting from 3b and 3c (Scheme 2). On the one hand, the photometric monitoring as well as the 1H NMR spectroscopic studies of the photoreaction of 3b indicated a preceding E-to-Z isomerization (cf

• other hand, the reaction was performed using suspensions, so that the reaction may also have taken place with undissolved solid in which the E-to-Z isomerization was most likely suppressed due to the restricted space in the confined medium. Thus, the selective formation of the dimers 4b and 4c is

Photocontrolled DNA minor groove interactions of imidazole/pyrrole polyamides

• Sabrina Müller,
• Jannik Paulus,
• Jochen Mattay,
• Heiko Ihmels,
• Veronica I. Dodero and
• Norbert Sewald

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 60–70, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.8

• peptides or small molecules, thereby controlling geometry and functionality. E-to-Z photoisomerization usually is achieved upon irradiation at 350 nm (π–π* transition), while the Z-to-E isomerization proceeds photochemically upon irradiation at >400 nm (n–π* transition) or thermally. Photoswitchable

• substance, once located at the DNA target, with an external stimulus. Azobenzenes are photoswitchable molecules capable of generating significant structural changes in peptides or small molecules, thereby controlling their geometry and functionality upon irradiation [10][11][12][13]. While isomerization of

• replacement of the γ-aminobutyric acid linker between the two hairpin strands by a photoswitchable azobenzene motif. As the azobenzene moiety undergoes a considerable steric reorganization upon isomerization from the E- to the Z-configuration, the end-to-end distance in a 4,4'-disubstituted azobenzene changes

Starazo triple switches – synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,3,5-tris(arylazo)benzenes

• Andreas H. Heindl and
• Hermann A. Wegner

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 22–31, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.4

• characterized in terms of their isomerization behavior using UV–vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The efficient synthesis of this new class of unsymmetrical tris(arylazo)benzenes opened new avenues to novel multistate switching materials. Keywords: multistate photoswitches; synthesis; tris(arylazo)benzene

• isomerization can be reversed either by irradiation with visible light (ca. 450 nm) or thermally, upon heating. The thermal back-isomerization rate can be controlled by various factors: Functional group substitutions on the phenyl rings determine the thermal half-lives of (Z)-ABs [1]. For example, o-fluoro

• their isomerization properties [3][4]. Also, the incorporation of AB units into cyclic [5] or macrocyclic structures can control the switching, depending, i.a., on symmetry and ring strain [6][7][8][9]. By combining these approaches, half-lives can be tuned from milliseconds to years. The incorporation

Synthesis of C-glycosyl phosphonate derivatives of 4-amino-4-deoxy-α-ʟ-arabinose

• Lukáš Kerner and
• Paul Kosma

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 9–14, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.2

• loading of the column mainly produced the endo-glycal 14 as the major product (55%) as well as the exo-isomer (31%), since Cs2CO3 was still present to induce isomerization. In contrast, direct separation of a concentrated reaction mixture by HPLC afforded 12 as the major product (61%), with isolation of

Synthesis and characterization of bis(4-amino-2-bromo-6-methoxy)azobenzene derivatives

• David Martínez-López,
• Amirhossein Babalhavaeji,
• Diego Sampedro and
• G. Andrew Woolley

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 3000–3008, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.296

• isomerization cycles [10]. Efforts to apply 1 to photocontrol protein–protein interactions have recently been reported [13]. Despite the usefulness of 1 as a photoswitch, compounds undergoing photoisomerization at longer wavelengths (>700 nm) would be valuable since the penetration of light through tissue is

• isomerization with 720 nm light under physiological conditions [8]. While the photoswitching properties of 3 are suitable for the use in biological systems, the overall size of 3 may limit the possibilities for the use as a component of photopharmaceutical agents. Currently, most photopharmaceutical agents are

Design, synthesis and investigation of water-soluble hemi-indigo photoswitches for bioapplications

• Daria V. Berdnikova

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2822–2829, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.275

• high importance for biological applications. Herein, the synthesis and adjustment of the substitution pattern of hemi-indigo derivatives for the efficient photoswitching in aqueous medium are described. Detailed characterization of the photoinduced isomerization of hemi-indigo derivatives in water is

• of the dimethylamino-substituted hemi-indigo Z-1a was observed in water with 10% DMSO, i.e., only irradiation with violet light (420 nm) led to the residual isomerization (Figure 1A). Additionally, the hemi-indigo Z-1a was hardly soluble in aqueous medium and rather fast precipitation took place even

• biological studies, the dimethylamino derivative Z-1a was excluded from further studies. In contrast, mono- and dimethoxy-substituted hemi-indigo derivatives Z-1b and Z-1c showed pronounced spectral changes upon irradiation indicating an efficient Z–E isomerization of the C–C-double bond (Figure 1B and

Chemical tuning of photoswitchable azobenzenes: a photopharmacological case study using nicotinic transmission

• Lorenzo Sansalone,
• Jun Zhao,
• Matthew T. Richers and
• Graham C. R. Ellis-Davies

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2812–2821, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.274

• ][13], specifically the spectral separation of the n–π* transitions of the trans and cis configurations. Since the maleimide functionality of 1 is quite hydrolytically sensitive at neutral pH, we characterized precursor 2. This photochrome underwent the expected trans–cis isomerization (Figure 2a). The

Photoreversible stretching of a BAPTA chelator marshalling Ca²⁺-binding in aqueous media

• Aurélien Ducrot,
• Arnaud Tron,
• Robin Bofinger,
• Ingrid Sanz Beguer,
• Jean-Luc Pozzo and
• Nathan D. McClenaghan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2801–2811, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.273

• state (PSS) for the E→Z photoisomerization at 365 nm was 88:12 in favor of the cis-form (Figure 4). The reversibility of the photoswitching of the supramolecular host was tested over several isomerization cycles with little evidence of fatigue (Figure 5). Thermal isomerization Z→E resulted in the

• presence of the ion has the effect of reducing the reversibility of the isomerization cycles due to an apparent accelerated degradation, which may be attributed to rendering an unwanted photochemical pathway more competitive. The fatigue study showed that more than 90% of 1E were recovered after each cycle

A chiral self-sorting photoresponsive coordination cage based on overcrowded alkenes

• Constantin Stuckhardt,
• Diederik Roke,
• Wojciech Danowski,
• Edwin Otten,
• Sander J. Wezenberg and
• Ben L. Feringa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2767–2773, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.268

• Pd2(stable Z-1)4; KB = 1758 ± 39 M−1 for Pd2(stable E-1)4 at 293 K). Finally, the photochemical and thermal isomerization behavior of the complexes was studied. Initially, the behavior of ligand 1 was studied by UV–vis and NMR spectroscopy, showing similar behavior as related first generation

• THI of this isomer. Conversion of cage Pd2(stable E-1)4 to Pd2(unstable Z-1)4 by photochemical E/Z isomerization of ligand stable E-1 to unstable Z-1 was performed by irradiation of a sample of Pd2(stable E-1)4 at 312 nm at −20 °C (Figure 5iv). Signals of cage Pd2(stable Z-1)4 disappeared and the

• experiments highlight the reversible formation of Pd2(unstable Z-1)4 through photochemical E/Z isomerization of the ligands. On the other hand, allowing the THI of ligands unstable Z-1 in cage Pd2(unstable Z-1)4 to take place by leaving the solution at room temperature for 5 d did not lead to the formation of

A combinatorial approach to improving the performance of azoarene photoswitches

• Joaquin Calbo,
• Aditya R. Thawani,
• Rosina S. L. Gibson,
• Andrew J. P. White and
• Matthew J. Fuchter

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2753–2764, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.266

• demonstrate slow thermal Z–E relaxation and the potential to switch with red light, while the o-fluoro compounds reported by Hecht and co-workers [13][14] offer excellent two-way isomerization with visible light and the longest thermal half-life reported for an azobenzene molecule (≈700 days at 25 °C) to date

• (≈1000 days at 25 °C); one of the most stable azo photoswitches reported to date. We further extended the family of arylazopyrazoles with the help of theoretical modelling and discovered 3pzH to be near quantitatively (>98%) switched back and forth between isomers, with a long thermal isomerization half

• drastically increase the isomerization half-life (to months or years) and allow further tuning of the photoaddressability of each isomer. We believe that the structure–property relationships described will guide further development of azoheteroarene photoswitches (particularly arylazopyrazoles), and their use

Acid-catalyzed rearrangements in arenes: interconversions in the quaterphenyl series

• Sarah L. Skraba-Joiner,
• Carter J. Holt and
• Richard P. Johnson

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2655–2663, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.258

• rearrangements had been described previously. Isomerization of o,o’-quaterphenyl (17) with SnCl4/AlCl3 catalysis has been reported to yield a mixture of p,p’- (12), m,p’- (13), and m,m’-quaterphenyl (14) [34]. p,p’-Quaterphenyl (12) and m,m’-quaterphenyl (14) were available commercially. To complete the series

AgNTf₂-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides with unprotected isoxazol-5-amines: efficient access to functionalized 5-amino-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide derivatives

• Ziping Cao,
• Jiekun Zhu,
• Li Liu,
• Yuanling Pang,
• Laijin Tian,
• Xuejun Sun and
• Xin Meng

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2623–2630, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.255

• derivatives can be obtained in up to 99% yield. The reaction mechanism might involve the generation of an unusual α-imino silver carbene intermediate (or a silver-stabilized carbocation) and subsequent cyclization/isomerization to build the significant pyrrole-3-carboxamide motif. The reaction features the

• silver catalyst from E along with the formation of enamide motif affords 3H-pyrrole F. A final aromatization step by isomerization provides the desire cyclic product 10aa. Notably, two possible cyclization routes from D’ (or D) to give 7-membered rings G and H cannot be achieved through the attack of the

• then cyclization/isomerization to complete the formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition process. This reaction highlights the use of an inexpensive catalyst, and simple work-up without column chromatographic purification for most of the products. Furthermore, these products contain the core structure of many

A toolbox of molecular photoswitches to modulate the CXCR3 chemokine receptor with light

• Xavier Gómez-Santacana,
• Sabrina M. de Munnik,
• Tamara A. M. Mocking,
• Niels J. Hauwert,
• Shanliang Sun,
• Prashanna Vijayachandran,
• Iwan J. P. de Esch,
• Henry F. Vischer,
• Maikel Wijtmans and
• Rob Leurs

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2509–2523, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.244

• pharmacological alternative, especially with respect to spatial and temporal precision [1][2]. Photochromic ligands usually contain a molecular photoswitch (photoswitchable moiety) that under certain wavelengths of illumination undergoes an isomerization event, thereby changing the properties of the molecule and

• spatial disposition similar to the original biaryl unit and, therefore, a similar biological activity that might change upon isomerization of the azobenzene [8]. The second reason for the success of azobenzene in the photopharmacology field is the robust photoisomerization. It provides typically high

• substituent to the binding site of the receptor [24]. In order to obtain an efficacy photoswitching, we opted for replacing the biaryl moiety for an azobenzene in an azologization approach (Figure 1D) with the expectation that the isomerization of the azobenzene would provide changes in 3D shape that are

In search of visible-light photoresponsive peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) for reversible control of DNA hybridization

• Lei Zhang,
• Greta Linden and
• Olalla Vázquez

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2500–2508, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.243

• tetra-ortho-fluoroazobenzene–PNA conjugates have promising properties (fast reversible isomerization, exceptional thermal stability, high isomer conversions and sensitivity to visible-light irradiation) as reversible modulators to control oligonucleotide hybridization in biological contexts. Furthermore

• after the cleavage from the solid support. Among the initial studied photoswitchable PNAs, the PNA12(oF4Azo) (3) displayed the most promising properties as reversible modulator of oligonucleotide hybridization. Thus, it displayed the fastest reversible isomerization (≈2 s for cis → trans and ≈120 s for

• perform the isomerization after duplex hybridization, which resulted in only a constant 36% cis-isomer rate. The obtained TM values suggested that the localization of the oF4Azo affects both the duplex stability and isomer differences. Thus, the incorporation of oF4Azo near the center of the PNA (7 and 8

Experimental and computational electrochemistry of quinazolinespirohexadienone molecular switches – differential electrochromic vs photochromic behavior

• Eric W. Webb,
• Jonathan P. Moerdyk,
• Kyndra B. Sluiter,
• Benjamin J. Pollock,
• Amy L. Speelman,
• Eugene J. Lynch,
• William F. Polik and
• Jason G. Gillmore

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2473–2485, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.240

• photochromism results from a spirocyclic ring-opening or other isomerization which results in increased conjugation. Electrochromism is also of increasing materials relevance, e.g., for self-dimming automotive mirror and aircraft window darkening applications [6][7][8]. In electrochromic applications, the color

• as photooxidants, the difference in the reduction potential between LW and SW would need to be increased further, and LW would need to be more reducible to be of use in photooxidation of relevant substrates (e.g., Dewar benzenes, quadricyclanes, or bishomocubanes as quantum amplified isomerization

• above. In the cases of both D0 and T0, the longer bond is the one broken in the isomerization of SW 3a to eLW 5a and pLW 4a, respectively. Similar results are also observed for S0. Though the differences are much more modest in S0, the heteroN–C bond is computed to be both longer and weaker, as in D0

Self-assembled coordination thioether silver(I) macrocyclic complexes for homogeneous catalysis

• Zhen Cao,
• Aline Lacoudre,
• Cybille Rossy and
• Brigitte Bibal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2465–2472, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.239

• the 9,10-aryl substituents in respect to the anthracene core, without any indication of a syn-to-anti isomerization. Four silver(I) complexes 1a–d were prepared in excellent yield (77–92%) by mixing the ligand and the following silver salts in a 1:1 ratio in dichloromethane at room temperature: AgOTf

Ultrafast processes triggered by one- and two-photon excitation of a photochromic and luminescent hydrazone

• Alessandro Iagatti,
• Baihao Shao,
• Alberto Credi,
• Barbara Ventura,
• Ivan Aprahamian and
• Mariangela Di Donato

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2019, 15, 2438–2446, doi:10.3762/bjoc.15.236

• , belonging to the hydrazone family. The outstanding properties of this molecule, involving fluorescence toggling, bistability, high isomerization quantum yield and non-negligible two-photon absorption cross section, make it very promising for numerous applications. Here we show that the light induced Z/E

• isomerization occurs on a fast <1 ps timescale in both toluene and acetonitrile, while the excited state lifetime of the Z-form depends on solvent polarity, suggesting a partial charge transfer nature of its low lying excited state. Time-resolved luminescence measurements evidence the presence of a main

• shown in Figure 1. Irradiation of a solution of 1 using 442 nm light induces a Z/E isomerization resulting in a color change, evidenced by the decrease of the absorption at 395 nm and the appearance of a new band with a maximum at 343 nm. The E-form is extremely stable (half-life of 75 years in toluene