N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a central role in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, and are implicated in various neuronal disorders. We synthesized a diffusible photochromic glutamate analogue, azobenzene-triazole-glutamate (ATG), which is specific for NMDARs and functions as a photoswitchable agonist. ATG is inactive in its dark-adapted trans-isoform, but can be converted into its active cis-isoform using one-photon (near UV) or two-photon (740 nm) excitation. Irradiation with violet light photo-inactivates ATG within milliseconds, allowing agonist removal on the timescale of NMDAR deactivation. ATG is compatible with Ca2+ imaging and can be used to optically mimic synaptic coincidence detection protocols. Thus, ATG can be used like traditional caged glutamate compounds, but with the added advantages of NMDAR specificity, low antagonism of GABAR-mediated currents, and precise temporal control of agonist delivery.

A palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative alkenylation of stabilized enolates has been developed, which gives rise to alkenylated dicarbonyl products from enol carbonates regioselectively with concomitant installation of a quaternary all-carbon center. The broad scope of the reaction has been demonstrated by successfully utilizing a range of enolates and external phenol nucleophiles.

A biaryl banquet! Biphenyls with four ortho substituents, heteroaromatic compounds, iodinated biaryls, and medium rings containing biaryls are all readily synthesized by organocuprate oxidation. The utility of this new methodology is illustrated by the efficient synthesis of the medium‐ring core of sanguiin H‐5 (see scheme).