Thiazolidinones: novel insights from microwave synthesis, computational studies, and potentially bioactive hybrids

• Luan A. Martinho,
• Victor H. J. G. Praciano,
• Guilherme D. R. Matos,
• Claudia C. Gatto and
• Carlos Kleber Z. Andrade

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2618–2636, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.203

• -benzylidenethiazol-4-one (3’) in moderate yield (Scheme 1). The implications and scope of this finding will be published in due course. Switching to aromatic (pyridine) or tertiary amines (Et3N) resulted in low yields (Table 1, entries 11 and 12). In contrast, the use of ethylenediamine (EDA) stood out, delivering

Effect of a photoswitchable rotaxane on membrane permeabilization across lipid compositions

• Udyogi N. K. Conthagamage,
• Lilia Lopez,
• Zuliah A. Abdulsalam and
• Víctor García-López

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2498–2512, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.192

• permeabilization in bilayers of varying rigidity and whether membrane phase influences its photoswitching behavior. To address these questions, we investigated the light-induced switching of rotaxane 1 in large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) composed of lipids representative of distinct membrane phases. Membrane

• five switching cycles. The total incubation time of the LUVs with rotaxane 1 was 68 minutes, during which the cumulative irradiation time was 5 minutes at 370 nm and 5 minutes at 467 nm (Table 1, Figure 4b, Figure 5, and Supporting Information File 1, S2.3). This experimental setup enabled a direct

• accumulation, rather than by direct alterations in lipid packing from the azobenzene moiety itself [15]. For instance, in EYPC/Chol 8:2 bilayers, azobenzene switching likely leads to a redistribution of the rotaxane within the membrane, with the macrocycle positioned closer to the lipid–water interface in the

Rotaxanes with integrated photoswitches: design principles, functional behavior, and emerging applications

• Jullyane Emi Matsushima,
• Khushbu,
• Zuliah Abdulsalam,
• Udyogi Navodya Kulathilaka Conthagamage and
• Víctor García-López

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2345–2366, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.179

• shuttling dynamics. In this review, we discuss key examples of photoswitchable rotaxanes, organized according to the position of the photoswitch, either embedded in the axle or incorporated into the macrocycle. We examine the major classes of photoswitches used, including their switching mechanisms and the

• , thereby avoiding the terminal cationic sites [25]. The shuttling is restored by the thermal reaction that regenerates the neutral acridane [24][25][26]. The same group also demonstrated that similar rotaxanes can be incorporated onto gold nanoparticles and retain their photoreactivity and switching

• unhindered macrocycle movement, enabling effective K+ ion transport. Upon photoisomerization, the cis isomer restricts the macrocycle’s motion and slows ion transport (Figure 6). Importantly, this switching is reversible, permitting precise light-triggered control of ion transport. Such photoswitchable and

Comparative analysis of complanadine A total syntheses

• Reem Al-Ahmad and
• Mingji Dai

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2334–2344, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.178

• alkyne-nitrile partner, the undesired regioisomer (2,2’-bipyridyl product) was obtained as the major product. Switching the alkyne-nitrile partner from 19, bearing a benzyl group, to the formyl-substituted partner 23, combined with addition of 8 equivalents of PPh3, successfully inverted the

Aryl iodane-induced cascade arylation–1,2-silyl shift–heterocyclization of propargylsilanes under copper catalysis

• Rasma Kroņkalne,
• Rūdolfs Beļaunieks,
• Armands Sebris,
• Anatoly Mishnev and
• Māris Turks

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1984–1994, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.154

• -donating substituents demonstrated higher yields (p-Tol > p-BrC6H4) (Table 2, entries 3 and 4). The p-bromo-substituted iodane I-6, albeit in a more modest yield, gave the diene 10d with 98:2 selectivity. Switching to the more sterically challenged triisopropylsilyl (TIPS) group (Table 2, entry 2) resulted

Photochemical reduction of acylimidazolium salts

• Michael Jakob,
• Nick Bechler,
• Hassan Abdelwahab,
• Fabian Weber,
• Janos Wasternack,
• Leonardo Kleebauer,
• Jan P. Götze and
• Matthew N. Hopkinson

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1973–1983, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.153

• , switching from MeCN to the chlorinated solvents DCM, DCE and chlorobenzene led to a decline in the formation of the fully reduced product 2 with O-benzoylated species 3 being obtained as the major product (38% in DCM, 35% in DCE, 38% in PhCl cf. 6–8% of 2, Table 1, entries 10–12). Significant reduction of 1

• efficiency observed upon switching from blue to UV-A light irradiation. Nevertheless, alternative scenarios involving the potential formation of excited donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes between benzoylazolium species 1 and DIPEA were considered. Measurements of the UV–vis spectra in the presence of the amine

• above. A further intriguing result was obtained upon switching from a chlorosilane to a hydrosilane. To our surprise, irradiating benzoylimidazolium species 1 with UV-A light (λmax = 370 nm) in MeCN (0.05 M) in the presence Et3SiH (TESH, 1.2 equiv) led to smooth conversion into the silylated species 5

Photoswitches beyond azobenzene: a beginner’s guide

• Michela Marcon,
• Christoph Haag and
• Burkhard König

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1808–1853, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.143

• explain the important terminology and discuss the synthesis, switching mechanisms, and properties of seven interesting photoswitch classes, namely azoheteroarenes, diazocines, indigoid photoswitches, arylhydrazones, diarylethenes, fulgides, and spiropyrans. Keywords: photoswitches; photoswitch properties

• ; synthesis of photoswitches; switching mechanisms; tutorial review; Introduction Photophysical properties and switching mechanism Key learning points Switching mechanisms and the change in properties. Overview of the major classes of photoswitches beyond azobenzenes. Main synthetic pathways for their

• be easily calculated. According to the thermal half-life, photoswitches are usually classified in P-type (thermally stable, with long half-life) and T-type (thermally unstable) [3]. The quantum yield Φ measures the efficiency of the switching, and it relates the number of photons absorbed nx to the

Research progress on calixarene/pillararene-based controlled drug release systems

• Liu-Huan Yi,
• Jian Qin,
• Si-Ran Lu,
• Liu-Pan Yang,
• Li-Li Wang and
• Huan Yao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1757–1785, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.139

• to particular light wavelengths, displays reversible switching between its trans and cis forms, a molecular behavior well-documented in light-responsive systems. Initially, Azo-SMX, bearing an azobenzene unit, exists in a trans form and creates a stable complex with the PA5 component within the

Preparation of a furfural-derived enantioenriched vinyloxazoline building block and exploring its reactivity

• Madara Darzina,
• Anna Lielpetere and
• Aigars Jirgensons

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1737–1741, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.136

• . Further scale-up could be achieved by switching to flow conditions, or designing a continuous tank reactor [27]. Several attempts were made to explore enantioenriched vinyloxazoline 6 as a chiral building block. While additions to the double bond were not successful, vinyloxazoline 6 was found to be a

Approaches to stereoselective 1,1'-glycosylation

• Daniele Zucchetta and
• Alla Zamyatina

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1700–1718, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.133

• (Scheme 2). Switching from “disarming” ester to “arming” benzyl protecting groups, as in the donor 21, enhanced the activation of the glycosidic center, resulting in the formation of a substantial amount of the methyl glycoside by-product and a reduced yield of the 1,1'-disaccharide 22. Securing the

Azobenzene protonation as a tool for temperature sensing

• Antti Siiskonen,
• Sami Vesamäki and
• Arri Priimagi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1528–1534, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.115

• heavy metal detection [16][19] and humidity sensing [20]. The color changes can be either reversible or irreversible, depending on the mechanism of operation. Spectral tuning also enables switching with low-energy light, eliminating the need for potentially harmful UV irradiation [21]. Utilizing

• different azo compounds [23][24][25]. More recent work has harnessed protonation to enable red-light switching [12][13][26] and to control the stability of the cis-isomer [27][28][29]. These studies have focused on how protonation affects isomerization, with less attention given on how external stimuli

Highly distinguishable isomeric states of a tripodal arylazopyrazole derivative on graphite through electron/hole-induced switching at ambient conditions

• Himani Malik,
• Sudha Devi,
• Debapriya Gupta,
• Ankit Kumar Gaur,
• Sugumar Venkataramani and
• Thiruvancheril G. Gopakumar

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1496–1507, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.112

• states in solution phase, all the eight states are remarkably stable on the surface and are well distinguishable by the tunneling current passing through the molecule at the tunneling junction. The change in current upon switching between these states is approximately an order of magnitude. This is

• atomically precise write and read tool like an STM tip. Keywords: azo compounds; electron/hole-induced isomerization; isomerization; molecular switches; switching; Introduction Molecular electronic devices have been predicted to outperform silicon-based devices [1][2]. Reprogrammable arrays of molecular

• triggered through external stimuli to induce the switching and to modulate the function. Photo-triggerable molecular switches like azobenzene (AB) [10][11][12][13], spiropyran [14], diarylethene [15] and multifunctional AB [16] have attracted a lot of interest due to the distinct differences in the

Advances in nitrogen-containing helicenes: synthesis, chiroptical properties, and optoelectronic applications

• Meng Qiu,
• Jing Du,
• Nai-Te Yao,
• Xin-Yue Wang and
• Han-Yuan Gong

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1422–1453, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.106

• with Ru(II) to form NIR-emissive complexes that exhibit redox-responsive chiroptical switching, notably with complex 8 showing reversible electronic circular dichroism (ECD) upon oxidation [21]. Liao and co-workers introduced a narrowband CP-TADF emitter 9, characterized by a narrow emission bandwidth

• BCPL value of 13.2 M−1 cm−1. Notably, compound 21c undergoes reversible redox interconversion to its radical cation 21c•+ and dicationic 21c2+ states via chemical oxidation, enabling controllable switching between antiaromatic and aromatic configurations. These results provide a compelling strategy for

Tautomerism and switching in 7-hydroxy-8-(azophenyl)quinoline and similar compounds

• Lidia Zaharieva,
• Vera Deneva,
• Fadhil S. Kamounah,
• Nikolay Vassilev,
• Ivan Angelov,
• Michael Pittelkow and
• Liudmil Antonov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1404–1421, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.105

• solution as a mixture of azo and two hydrazone tautomers, as shown by the experimental and theoretical results, upon irradiation switching, based on long-range proton transfer, occurs in a limited extent. 8-(4-Hydroxy-1,2,3,5-tetrafluorophenyldiazenyl)quinolin-7-ol exists as a single enol (azo) tautomer

• E/Z isomerization around the C=N bond leads to reduced efficiency of the tautomeric based switching [52]. In this respect, based on the excellent stability of the azo compounds, it is interesting to understand the effect of the competitive proton transfer and E/Z switching by replacement of the

• OH functionality in compound 2 gives possibility to influence the tautomerism in this compound dynamically by protonation/deprotonation. The tautomeric and switching properties of compounds 1 and 2 have been revealed by using quantum-chemical calculations, UV–vis and NMR spectroscopy and UV

Oxetanes: formation, reactivity and total syntheses of natural products

• Peter Gabko,
• Martin Kalník and
• Maroš Bella

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1324–1373, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.101

• alkenes and high diastereocontrol (dr ≥ 80:20) was achieved for trisubstituted ones. Switching the bromonium activator to the iodonium analogue only led to a lower yield. This haloetherification method was further expanded by McLaughlin and Roberts in 2022 who reported a convenient two-step sequence

• % yield. Interestingly, only the xylono-lactone showed complete inversion of the configuration at C-2 while the lyxono-lactone showed complete retention of the configuration. The ribono- and arabinono-lactone displayed predominant retention and inversion, respectively. Switching the triflyl group for the

A versatile route towards 6-arylpipecolic acids

• Erich Gebel,
• Cornelia Göcke,
• Carolin Gruner and
• Norbert Sewald

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1104–1115, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.88

• given by switching one in an equatorial position. Using Pd/C and H2 for hydrogenation reactions usually leads to reduction of double or triple bonds, while aromatic systems tend not to be affected [58]. However, 3m and 3p undergo hydrogenation in the aromatic moiety, while 3p displays a complete

On the photoluminescence in triarylmethyl-centered mono-, di-, and multiradicals

• Daniel Straub,
• Markus Gross,
• Mona E. Arnold,
• Julia Zolg and
• Alexander J. C. Kuehne

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 964–998, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.80

• [79]. In the latter case, alternation of an electric field would realign the mesogen allowing for reversible switching between CPL and depolarized emission. Multi-donor-functionalized triarylmethyl radicals Before iodinated TTM derivatives became available – enabling mild reaction conditions for

Recent advances in controllable/divergent synthesis

• Jilei Cao,
• Leiyang Bai and
• Xuefeng Jiang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 890–914, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.73

• afforded phenanthridinones. Intriguingly, switching to the electron-rich bidentate ligand bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) redirected the pathway to yield acridones. Time-dependent NMR studies revealed that the selectivity hinges on the aryne release kinetics from its precursor. Employing CsF

• )–H functionalization/thiolation to deliver indane-fused pyrrolidines 43 in excellent yields (up to 92%). Strikingly, switching the solvent to acetonitrile completely suppresses carbene formation under identical conditions, redirecting the pathway toward an unconventional diazo reduction wherein aryl

Synthesis and photoinduced switching properties of C₇-heteroatom containing push–pull norbornadiene derivatives

• Daniel Krappmann and
• Andreas Hirsch

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 807–816, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.64

• , it is essential not only to achieve a high storage density and good quantum efficiency for the isomerization process but also to ensure large half-lifes and durability in switching reliability [20]. By making structural adjustments to the parent carbon scaffold, it is possible to target specific

• variations in the switching properties. However, it is important to note that altering one property typically impacts other characteristics as well [21][22]. In this regard, both the substitution of the NBD periphery to produce push–pull derivatives and the variation of the central scaffold itself have been

• considering the carbon-based scaffold as superior regarding their properties, while also highlighting some unique properties exhibited by heterocyclic derivatives [21]. C7-substituted NBD species have been scarcely investigated in terms of their switching behavior but have been employed as synthetic

Orthogonal photoswitching of heterobivalent azobenzene glycoclusters: the effect of glycoligand orientation in bacterial adhesion

• Leon M. Friedrich and
• Thisbe K. Lindhorst

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 736–748, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.57

• UV–vis spectra of the two photoswitchable units. This design laid the basis for a robust switching cycle comprising the EManEGlc, the EManZGlc, and the ZManZGlc isomer of 1 [24]. In this contribution, we address the question of how the different isomers of 1 perform as inhibitors of bacterial

• leading to PSS with E/Z ratios of 18:82 for 3 and 4 and 3:97 for 5. Back switching occurs upon irradiation with 435 nm light that excites the n–π* band of the Z isomers and leads to almost identical E/Z ratios (64:36 and 65:35) in all three cases (3, 4, and 5). Irradiation of 5 with 520 nm light, on the

• Table 1 shows that the PSS values of the bis-azobenzene glycoclusters 1 and 2 are in a similar range. Furthermore, the glycoazobenzene antennas comprised in 1 and 2 show a similar switching behavior as the individual antennas 6αMan 3, 6βGlc 4, and 3αMan 5. Wavelength-selective photoswitching of 2 as

Recent advances in allylation of chiral secondary alkylcopper species

• Minjae Kim,
• Gwanggyun Kim,
• Doyoon Kim,
• Jun Hee Lee and
• Seung Hwan Cho

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 639–658, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.51

• breakthrough in this process was the discovery of a solvent effect: switching from Et2O/hexane to THF at −50 °C after organocopper species formation dramatically enhances configurational stability. Further investigations into the stability of the secondary organocopper species 14a revealed the critical

• -substituted terminal alkynes 42, including the industrially relevant acetylene and propyne. Interestingly, switching to the ligand (S,S)-Ph-BPE (L1) resulted in the asymmetric 1,2-difunctionalization of aryl-substituted terminal alkynes 42. The high levels of regio- and stereoselectivity achieved under mild

Synthesis of N-acetyl diazocine derivatives via cross-coupling reaction

• Thomas Brandt,
• Pascal Lentes,
• Jeremy Rudtke,
• Michael Hösgen,
• Christian Näther and
• Rainer Herges

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 490–499, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.36

• Abstract Diazocines are photoswitches derived from azobenzenes by bridging the two phenyl rings in ortho position with a CH2CH2 group forming an eight membered (diazocine) ring. Diazocine is superior to most azobenzenes in almost all photophysical properties (switching efficiency, quantum yield

• , wavelengths etc.). The biggest advantage, especially in photopharmacology and when used in photoswitchable materials, is the inverted thermodynamic stability of the two switching states (isomers). The Z isomer is more stable than the E form. However, one disadvantage that it shares with the frequently used

• azobenzene is that the switching efficiency decreases sharply with increasing water content in the solvent. In a recently published paper, we reported that replacing one CH2 group in the bridge with NCOCH3 not only confers intrinsic water solubility, but also largely eliminates the problem of reduced

Beyond symmetric self-assembly and effective molarity: unlocking functional enzyme mimics with robust organic cages

• Keith G. Andrews

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 421–443, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.30

• studying switchable, functionally dynamic and strained systems, since metastable cavities are less likely to tolerate the structural strain that switching can induce [345][436][437]. We end by noting a recent perspective on cavity catalysis, which concluded that: “How much of a real comparison can be drawn

Identification and removal of a cryptic impurity in pomalidomide-PEG based PROTAC

• Bingnan Wang,
• Yong Lu and
• Chuo Chen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 407–411, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.28

• formed due to the decomposition of DMF. Whereas switching the solvent could prevent its formation, the accumulation of 7 remained an issue, giving no substantial improvement in the yield of 3 in, for example, NMP. In MeCN, glutarimide displacement became a major reaction. Because NMP was significantly

Synthesis, structure, ionochromic and cytotoxic properties of new 2-(indolin-2-yl)-1,3-tropolones

• Yurii A. Sayapin,
• Eugeny A. Gusakov,
• Inna O. Tupaeva,
• Alexander D. Dubonosov,
• Igor V. Dorogan,
• Valery V. Tkachev,
• Anna S. Goncharova,
• Gennady V. Shilov,
• Natalia S. Kuznetsova,
• Svetlana Y. Filippova,
• Tatyana A. Krasnikova,
• Yanis A. Boumber,
• Alexey Y. Maksimov,
• Sergey M. Aldoshin and
• Vladimir I. Minkin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 358–368, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.26

• determined. The structure of 2-(3,3-dimethyl-3H-benzo[g]indolin-2-yl)-5,6,7-trichloro-1,3-tropolone was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compounds obtained are capable of switching emission at 420–440 nm and 476–530 nm upon successive exposure to CN− and Hg2+ ions in an acetonitrile solution. 2