The coupling of aromatic moieties with saturated heterocyclic partners is currently an area of significant interest for the pharmaceutical industry. Herein, we present a procedure for the metal-free coupling of 4-, 5-, and 6-membered saturated heterocyclic p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) sulfonylhydrazones with aryl and heteroaromatic boronic acids. This procedure enables a simple, two-step synthesis of a range of functionalized sp(2)-sp(3) linked bicyclic building blocks, including oxetanes, piperidines, and azetidines, from their parent ketones.

(2016). Iterative reactions of transient boronic acids enable sequential C-C bond formation. Nature Chemistry, 8 (4), 360-363. Copyright and re-use policySee http://shura.shu.ac.uk/information.html Sheffield Hallam University Research Archivehttp://shura.shu.ac.uk The ability to form multiple carbon-carbon bonds in a controlled sequence and thus rapidly build molecular complexity in an iterative fashion is an important goal in modern chemical synthesis. In recent times, transition metal-catalysed coupling reactions have dominated in the development of C-C bond forming processes. A desire to reduce the reliance on precious metals and a need to obtain products with very low levels of metal impurities has brought a renewed focus on metal-free coupling processes. Here, we report the in situ preparation of reactive allylic and benzylic boronic acids, obtained by reacting flow-generated diazo compounds with boronic acids, and their application in controlled iterative C-C bond forming reactions is described. Thus far we have shown the formation of up to three C-C bonds in a sequence including the final trapping of a reactive boronic acid species with an aldehyde to generate a range of new chemical structures. Iterative reactions of transient boronic acids enable sequential C-C bond formation IntroductionThe generation of C-C bonds is at the heart of synthetic organic chemistry. 1 The ability to form multiple C-C bonds using iterative or one-pot methods allows a rapid increase in molecular complexity.2-5 While many such sequences are known, there is still room to exploit new reactivity patterns and different chemical combinations derived from reactive intermediates. 6 In recent times, transition metal chemistry has dominated C-C bond cross-coupling strategies. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] This powerful approach has been central to the planning and execution of modern synthesis programs both in academia and industry. Nevertheless, the desire of industry to reduce its reliance on the use of precious metals in coupling reactions and the need for very low metal levels in active pharmaceutical ingredients has increased interest in metal-free coupling processes considerably. 14 Boronic esters 15 and acids 16 are considered to be important coupling partners as they are versatile intermediates for the preparation of a wide variety of molecules. For example, Barluenga 17 and others [18][19][20] recently demonstrated the powerful application of a reductive metal-free cross-coupling between tosylhydrazones and boronic acids. The reaction likely proceeds via a carbene-like species which on combination with a boronic acid initiates a sequence of reactions that terminates in the formation of a coupling product. However, high temperatures are necessary to affect these coupling processes so that any further exploitation of potentially useful intermediates in the reaction has not been possible so far.From our own mechanistic studies based on the use of flow-generated diazo compounds, 21 in the metal-free cross-coupling with aryl boronic a...

BackgroundUse of supplements to aid performance is common practice amongst recreationally active individuals, including those without a sufficient evidence base. This investigation sought to assess whether acute supplementation with 8 g of citrulline malate (CM) (1.11: 1 ratio) would improve anaerobic performance.MethodsA randomised double blind placebo control trial was employed, using a counterbalanced design. We recruited recreationally active men and women to take part in an isokinetic chair protocol, based on German Volume Training (GVT) whereby participants attempted to perform 10 sets of 10 repetitions against a force representing 70% of their peak concentric force.ResultsThe number of repetitions achieved over the course of the GVT was 94.0 ± 7.9 and 90.9 ± 13.9 for placebo and CM respectively. There was no significant difference between the placebo and CM treatment for number of repetitions (P = 0.33), isometric (P = 0.60), concentric (P = 0.38), or eccentric (P = 0.65) peak force following the GVT. Total muscle soreness was significantly higher in the CM compared to the placebo treatment following the GVT protocol over 72 h (P = 0.01); although this was not accompanied by a greater workload/number of repetitions in the CM group.ConclusionsWe conclude that an acute dose of CM does not significantly affect anaerobic performance using an isokinetic chair in recreational active participants. Practical implications include precaution in recommending CM supplementation. Coaches and athletes should be aware of the disparity between the chemical analyses of the products reviewed in the present investigation versus the manufacturers’ claims.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12970-018-0245-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Preparation of ketones by insertion of diazo compounds into the formyl C-H bond of an aldehyde is an attractive procedure, but use of structurally diverse diazo compounds is hampered by preparation and safety issues. A convenient procedure for the synthesis of unsymmetrical ketones from bench-stable tosylhydrazones and aryl aldehydes is reported. The procedure can be performed in one pot from the parent carbonyl compound and needs only a base, with no additional promoters being required.