An efficient process involving the catalytic kinetic resolution of racemic spiro-epoxyoxindoles with the simultaneous enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles has been realized using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst. The reaction provides two useful intermediates in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Performing the catalysis on a gram scale led to (R)-3-(3-indolyl)-oxindole-3-methanol, which was used in the asymmetric formal total synthesis of (+)-gliocladin C. Notably, the enantiomers (S)-3-(3-indolyl)-oxindole-3-methanol can be obtained easily by the reaction of the resolved spiro-epoxyoxindole with indole.

The C1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines and 1,2-dihydroisoquinoline constitute an important group and are interesting structural motifs found in many natural products and pharmaceuticals. In this context, a phosphoric-acid-catalyzed enantioselective dearomative arylation of isoquinolines was realized, providing the chiral dihydroisoquinolines with indole substituents at the C1-position in good results (up to >99% yield and 97% ee). The reaction features mild reaction conditions and operational simplicity, which make it an attractive approach to the discovery of biologically interesting α-indolisoquinolines.

Switching the chemo- or regioselectivity from identical starting materials under readily tunable reaction conditions represents a great challenge in medicinal and synthetic organic chemistry. Herein, we report the asymmetric dearomatization/oxa-Michael reaction and Friedel–Crafts alkylation of 1-naphthols at the C4 position, wherein the chemoselectivity could be switched easily by using different reaction conditions without changing the catalyst and the substrates. The reactions feature asymmetric Friedel–Crafts alkylation of 1-naphthols at the C4 position and asymmetric dearomatization without using specific substrates or stepwise protocols.

A highly enantioselective oxidative dearomatization of naphthols with quinones catalyzed by a chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acid is described. The strategy provides concise access to enantioenriched cyclohexadienones with a quinone moiety. Remarkably, the obtained products could be easily transformed to a potentially useful dihydronaphtho[2,1-b]benzofuran scaffold.

A mild and eco-friendly method was developed for the construction of 3-hydroxy-3-aminomethyloxindoles via the regio- and stereoselective ring-opening of spiro-epoxyoxindoles.

Anon-catalytic,mild, and easy-to-handle protecting group switched 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DC) between bior mono-N-protected Dha and C,N-cyclic azomethine imines, which affordv arious quaternary amino acids with diverse scaffolds,i sd isclosed. Specifically,n ormal-electron-demand 1,3-DC reaction occurs between biN protected Dha and C,Ncyclic azomethine imines,w hile inverse-electron-demand 1,3-DC reaction occurs between mono-N-protected Dha and C,Ncyclic azomethine imines.A bove all, the reactions can be carried out between peptides with Dha residues at the position of interest and C,N-cyclic azomethine imines,both in homogeneous phase and on resins in SPPS.I tp rovides an ew toolkit for late-stage peptide modification, labeling,and peptide-drug conjugation. To shed light on the high regioselectivity of the reaction, DFT calculations were carried out, which were qualitatively consistent with the experimental observations.

A catalyst-controlled switch of regioselectivity in asymmetric allylic alkylation of oxazolones with MBHCs was described. The SN2'-SN2' reaction catalysed by a quinine-derived base produced γ-selective secondary allylic oxazolone derivatives, whereas the addition-elimination reaction catalysed by an amino acid-derived bifunctional urea catalyst provided β-selective primary adducts.

Background and Purpose Apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) mimetic peptides (AAMPs) are short peptides that can mimic the physiological effects of apoA‐I, including the suppression of atherosclerosis by reversely transporting peripheral cholesterol to the liver. As the hydrophobicity of apoA‐I is considered important for its lipid transport, novel AAMPs were designed and synthesized in this study by gradually increasing the hydrophobicity of the parent peptide, and their anti‐atherosclerotic effects were tested. Experimental Approach Seventeen new AAMPs (P1–P17) with incrementally increased hydrophobicity were designed and synthesized by replacing the amino acids 221–240 of apoA‐I (VLESFKVSFLSALEEYTKKL). Their effects on cholesterol efflux were evaluated. Their cytotoxicity and haemolytic activity were also measured. The in vitro mechanism of the action of the new peptides was explored. Adult apolipoprotein E−/− mice were used to evaluate the anti‐atherosclerotic activity of the best candidate, and the mechanistic basis of its anti‐atherosclerotic effects was explored. Key Results Seventeen new AAMPs (P1–P17) were synthesized, and their cholesterol efflux activity and cytotoxicity were closely related to their hydrophobicity. P12 (FLEKLKELLEHLKELLTKLL) was the best candidate and most strongly promoted cholesterol efflux among the non‐toxic peptides (P1–P12). With its phospholipid affinity, P12 facilitated cholesterol transport through the ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1. In vivo, P12 exhibited prominent anti‐atherosclerotic activity via coupling with HDL. Conclusion and Implications P12 featured adequate hydrophobicity, which ensured its efficient binding with cytomembrane phospholipids, cholesterol and HDL, and provided a basis for its ability to reversely transport cholesterol and treat atherosclerosis.