Several unsaturated sulfonamides underwent intramolecular aziridination when treated with PhI(OAc)(2), MgO, and catalytic Rh(2)(OAc)(4) to give bicyclic aziridines in excellent yield. Treatment of the resulting azabicyclic sulfonamides in methanol in the presence of p-TsOH resulted in exclusive opening of the aziridine ring at the most substituted position affording six- and seven-membered ring products in high yield. In contrast, the intramolecular aziridination of several cycloalkenyl-substituted carbamates did not require a Rh(II) catalyst and proceeded via an iminoiodinane intermediate. The resulting tricyclic aziridines underwent ring opening when treated with various nucleophiles to give anti-derived products as expected for nucleophilic attack at the three-membered ring. The iodine(III)-mediated reaction of a 3-indolyl-substituted carbamate, however, required a Rh(II) catalyst. The expected aziridine was not observed, but rather simultaneous spirocyclization of C(3) and stereoselective syn-acylation at C(2) occurred to give compound 41, whose structure was unequivocally established by an X-ray crystallographic study. The reaction proceeds in a stepwise manner via a metal-free zwitterionic intermediate which is attacked by a nucleophilic reagent on the same side of the amide anion. Related reactions occurred with both a 2-indolyl- and 3-benzofuranyl-substituted carbamate but with lower stereoselectivity.

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The regiospecific introduction of substituents into the 4-position of 2,3-dihydroindoles (indolines), which is significant for the synthesis of various natural products and pharmaceuticals, was achieved by rhodium(I)-catalyzed cyclotrimerizations of 1 with acetylene to give 2. Up to four substituents can be introduced simultaneously into the indoline core by using this novel strategy. R=OH, OBzl, Otetrahydropyranyl, NHSO(2)C(6)H(4)CH(3); Ts=H(3)CC(6)H(4)SO(2).

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Inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDAC) are currently developed for the treatment of cancer. These include compounds with a sulfur containing head group like depsipeptide, alkylthiols, thiocarboxylates, and trithiocarbonates with a carbonyl group in the alpha-position. In the present investigation, we report on the synthesis and comprehensive SAR analysis of HDAC inhibitors bearing a tri- or dithiocarbonate motif. Such trithiocarbonates are readily accessible from either preformed or in situ prepared alpha-halogenated methylaryl ketones. A HDAC isotype selectivity and a substrate competitive mode-of-action is shown for defined analogues. Exploration of the head group showed the necessity of the dithio-alpha-carbonyl motif for potent HDAC inhibition. Highly potent, substrate competitive HDAC6 selective inhibitors were identified (12ac:IC 50 = 65 nM and K i = 110 nM). Trithiocarbonate analogues with an aminoquinoline-substituted pyridinyl-thienoacetyl cap demonstrate a cytotoxicity profile and potency comparable to that of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) as an approved cancer drug.

[reaction: see text] The iodine(III)-mediated aziridination reaction of an indolyl-substituted carbamate requires a Rh(II) catalyst and proceeds by a metallonitrene intermediate. Stepwise addition across the indole pi-bond followed by Rh(II) detachment generates a metal-free zwitterion, which ultimately leads to the observed products. In contrast, intramolecular aziridination of several cycloalkenyl carbamates does not require a Rh(II) catalyst and occurs via an iminoiodinane intermediate.

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