Bioinspired total syntheses of natural products: a personal adventure

• Zhengyi Qin,
• Yuting Yang,
• Nuran Yan,
• Xinyu Liang,
• Zhiyu Zhang,
• Yaxuan Duan,
• Huilin Li and
• Xuegong She

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2048–2061, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.160

• . By analyzing the structure, we supposed that there might exist an inversed pathway in which tabertinggine could be converted into the ibogamine aza-[2.2.2] bridged skeleton through intramolecular aza-Michael addition of the enone moiety to form the C21–N bond and a subsequent C16–N bond cleavage

• might undergo benzylic oxidations and intramolecular dehydration to access a diaryltetrahydrofuran (THF) skeleton. Then, oxidation of one aryl group through phenol oxidation would generate a putative cyclohexadienone intermediate to be further captured by the other phenol to access eupodienone through a

α-Ketoglutaric acid in Ugi reactions and Ugi/aza-Wittig tandem reactions

• Vladyslav O. Honcharov,
• Yana I. Sakhno,
• Olena H. Shvets,
• Vyacheslav E. Saraev,
• Svitlana V. Shishkina,
• Tetyana V. Shcherbakova and
• Valentyn A. Chebanov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2021–2029, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.157

• in 33–93% yields (Scheme 3; Table 3). According to the literature [31][53], this reaction proceeds through the formation of an iminophosphorane intermediate (Scheme 3), the product of a Staudinger reaction, which, however, was not isolated because it easily undergoes intramolecular cyclization on a

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

• rearrangements via the 1,2-silyl shift, enabled by the β-cation-stabilizing properties of silyl groups [19][20]. This phenomenon has been successfully employed in 1,3-difunctionalization events in both intermolecular [21] and intramolecular fashion [22] (Scheme 1B). Thus far such propargylsilane rearrangements

• likely formed via the allylic cation intermediate Int-1 (Scheme 2), from where on two competing mechanistic pathways are possible. Deprotonation of the β-H and reductive elimination affords diene 10. Alternatively, an intramolecular cyclization leads to silylindenes 11. We were interested to see whether

• described by us recently, among other possible transformations [21][22]. Interestingly, the addition of O-nucleophiles to form 1,3-carbofunctionalization products, can only be achieved in an intramolecular fashion. In the presence of an excess (5 equiv) of external an O-nucleophile R–OX (alcohol, carboxylic

Asymmetric total synthesis of tricyclic prostaglandin D2 metabolite methyl ester via oxidative radical cyclization

• Miao Xiao,
• Liuyang Pu,
• Qiaoli Shang,
• Lei Zhu and
• Jun Huang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1964–1972, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.152

• proposed mechanism to 21 involved the formation of an electron-deficient, resonance-stabilized radical species, followed by intramolecular alkylation of the unactivated alkene to generate radical 29 via a diastereoselective 5-exo-trig cyclization step. Radical intermediate 29 was trapped by 2,4,6

Enantioselective desymmetrization strategy of prochiral 1,3-diols in natural product synthesis

• Lihua Wei,
• Rui Yang,
• Zhifeng Shi and
• Zhiqiang Ma

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1932–1963, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.151

• intramolecular cyclization of 16 generated benzofuran 17 in 83% yield. After protecting the phenolic hydroxy group of 17, cross-metathesis (CM) with allylic alcohol 18 catalyzed by 13 furnished intermediate 19. Desilylation of 19 produced heliannuol G (20) and heliannuol H (21), with the structure of 21

• in intramolecular [7-exo] and [8-endo] cyclization, furnishing the 7-membered cyclic ether 40 and 8-membered cyclic ether 41, respectively. Finally, MOM deprotection produced (−)-heliannuol D (42) and (+)-heliannuol A (43). In 2002, Chênevert and co-workers completed the total synthesis of (S)-α

• suppress potential intramolecular acyl migration. To further improve the optical purity of monoester 53, a Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipase-mediated kinetic resolution was performed with ethoxyvinyl butyrate 54, ultimately achieving monoester 53 with 97% ee in 60% yield and the diester 53a. With

Stereoselective electrochemical intramolecular imino-pinacol reaction: a straightforward entry to enantiopure piperazines

• Margherita Gazzotti,
• Fabrizio Medici,
• Valerio Chiroli,
• Laura Raimondi,
• Sergio Rossi and
• Maurizio Benaglia

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1897–1908, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.147

• Margherita Gazzotti Fabrizio Medici Valerio Chiroli Laura Raimondi Sergio Rossi Maurizio Benaglia Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Golgi 19, IT-20133 Milano, Italy 10.3762/bjoc.21.147 Abstract The stereoselective electroreductive intramolecular coupling of chiral

• for different N-benzyl benzaldimines in moderate to good yields. In 1991, Shono’s research group described the electroreductive intramolecular coupling of aromatic diimines, carried out in DMF in the presence of methanesulfonic acid in a divided cell equipped with a lead cathode, a carbon rod anode

• , and a ceramic diaphragm [44]. This method was found to be effective for synthesizing trans-2,3-diarylpiperazines through the intramolecular reductive coupling of 1,2-diimines and seven- and eight-membered heterocycles which were obtained in moderate to good yields via the cyclization of 1,3- and 1,4

Preparation of spirocyclic oxindoles by cyclisation of an oxime to a nitrone and dipolar cycloaddition

• Beth L. Ritchie,
• Alexandra Longcake and
• Iain Coldham

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1890–1896, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.146

• -containing compounds makes use of intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions [15], including examples with nitrone ylides [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Our research group has exploited this approach for the synthesis of alkaloids such as myrioxazine A and aspidospermidine [23][24]. With a nitrone 1,3

• approach. This generates the desired spirooxindole connected to a bicyclic amine, with functionality related to the natural products. It is likely that unactivated dipolarophiles could be successful in related intramolecular cycloadditions [18]. Hence this approach could allow access the spirooxindole and

Chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of helically chiral, planarly chiral and inherently chiral molecules

• Wei Liu and
• Xiaoyu Yang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1864–1889, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.145

• planarly chiral paracyclophanes [39]. Commenced with a macrocyclization precursor 36 featuring both a hydroxy group and an allenamide moiety, the CPA-catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular addition led to the successful construction of planarly chiral macrocycles 37 (Scheme 10). This method demonstrated broad

• acid substrates 43 which, upon treatment with ynamide 44, yielded the vinyl acetate intermediate INT-A (Scheme 13). Subsequently, the one-pot CPA-catalyzed intramolecular esterification of this intermediate afforded the planarly chiral macrocycles 45 with good yield and high enantioselectivity

• macrocyclization strategy [53]. Starting from the linear precursor 60 bearing two triazine moieties, the intramolecular SNAr reaction catalyzed by CPA 13 (30 mol %) led to macrocyclization, which produced the inherently chiral N3,O-calix[2]arene[2]triazines 61 with high enantioselectivity, albeit in moderate yield

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

• the time within 50% of the metastable isomer is thermally converted to the stable one [3]. It depends on the photoswitch class, solvent, substitution pattern, and temperature. For some photoswitch classes, proton exchange and intramolecular hydrogen bonds are known to accelerate the thermal relaxation

• bromide 47, followed by Fmoc protection of 56, Boc deprotection of 57, reduction of the NO2 group to NO and intramolecular Mills coupling to form 35h. Removal of the Fmoc protecting group under basic conditions affords the unsubstituted product 35d which, after N-alkylation or acylation affords the

• Wiedbrauk and Dube [93]. Double-bond-substituted hemithioindigos 93 are synthesised by functionalising 87 with an aliphatic or aromatic 88 and subsequent intramolecular aldol reaction to 90. Treatment with SOCl2 and with the aromatic nucleophile or a cross-coupling partner of choice affords 93 (Scheme 27

Fe-catalyzed efficient synthesis of 2,4- and 4-substituted quinolines via C(sp²)–C(sp²) bond scission of styrenes

• Prafull A. Jagtap,
• Manish M. Petkar,
• Vaishnavi R. Sawant and
• Bhalchandra M. Bhanage

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1799–1807, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.142

• cycloaddition, tandem annulation, intramolecular cyclization, and cross-coupling reactions are commonly employed under thermal conditions, utilizing metal catalysts based on Pd, Ru, Au, Cu, and Fe to access a wide array of substituted quinoline frameworks [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. Conversely, in

Unique halogen–π association detected in single crystals of C–N atropisomeric N-(2-halophenyl)quinolin-2-one derivatives and the thione analogue

• Mai Uchibori,
• Nanami Murate,
• Kanako Shima,
• Tatsunori Sakagami,
• Ko Kanehisa,
• Gary James Richards,
• Akiko Hori and
• Osamu Kitagawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1748–1756, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.138

• bromine atom and the π*-orbital of the quinoline-2-thione ring, rather than through π-type halogen bonding. Various C–N atropisomeric compounds and their intermolecular interactions in single crystals. Intramolecular associations detected in crystals of rac-1a and rac-1b. Intramolecular association

Thermodynamics and polarity-driven properties of fluorinated cyclopropanes

• Matheus P. Freitas

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1742–1747, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.137

• its ability to form ion complexes and self-assemble into a stacking arrangement [12][13][14]. Therefore, understanding the energetics and polarity of fluorinated cyclopropanes is crucial for elucidating the intramolecular forces that govern the stability of molecular structures. Moreover, these

• preclude its synthesis, as the all-cis-1,2,3-trifluorocyclopropane framework has been successfully prepared in earlier studies [17]. To better understand the intramolecular interactions that govern the stability of fluorinated cyclopropanes, the sets of di-, tri-, and tetrafluorinated cyclopropane isomers

• intramolecular forces in fluorinated systems but also provide a molecular framework for the design of advanced applications. Fluorinated cyclopropanes exhibit considerable potential in pharmaceuticals, where polarity influences drug solubility and activity, and in material sciences, particularly for the

Convenient alternative synthesis of the Malassezia-derived virulence factor malassezione and related compounds

• Karu Ramesh and
• Stephen L. Bearne

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1730–1736, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.135

• -protected malassezione, which upon deprotection yields malassezione in an overall yield of ca. 20%. This is an improvement over the preparation of the isonitrile followed by an Fe hydride initiated isonitrile–olefin intramolecular coupling reaction, which generated malassezione with an overall yield of ca

• [20], or, more recently, (iii) prepared via an Fe hydride initiated isonitrile–olefin intramolecular coupling reaction (Scheme 1A) [18]. The reported synthetic route relies on an initial 4-step preparation of the isonitrile precursor, which was accomplished in an overall yield of ca. 14%. The

• . 20% (4 steps) relative to an overall yield of ca. 5% via the preparation of the isonitrile followed by the Fe hydride initiated isonitrile–olefin intramolecular coupling reaction [18]. Protection of the indole nitrogens with the Boc group was preferable to the use of benzyl protecting groups since

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

• sucrose derivatives in plants [79][80][81]. In this case, the carboxymethyl group in the 2-thioethyl fructofuranoside was locked by an intramolecular bridge formed by the TIPDS group to the C4–OH [1,4-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl) bridge], resulting in a β-directing fructofuranosyl donor

• well known for their strong 1,2-trans-stereodirecting effect [44][90][91]. On the other hand, the use of N-Troc and N-Fmoc as protecting groups in GlcN-based lactol acceptors offers the advantage of stabilizing the α-configuration via an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the axial anomeric hydroxy

• unconventional approaches, including intramolecular aglycon delivery (IAD), are particularly impressive [114]. As the synthesis of α,α-1,1'-linked disaccharides has already been systematically reviewed [36], particularly with respect to the synthesis of trehalose-containing lipids of mycobacteria [37], this

Catalytic asymmetric reactions of isocyanides for constructing non-central chirality

• Jia-Yu Liao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1648–1660, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.129

• condensation between 27 and the aldehyde afforded INT-A, which was activated by the CPA catalyst through hydrogen bonding interaction. The nucleophilic addition of isocyanide to Int-A produced INT-B bearing a stereogenic center. Subsequently, INT-B underwent intramolecular cyclization to generate axially

Photocatalysis and photochemistry in organic synthesis

• Timothy Noël and
• Bartholomäus Pieber

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1645–1647, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.128

• ], hydrogen atom transfer [22], halogen atom transfer [23], and energy transfer catalysis [24][25] – have been established as powerful additions to the arsenal of photon-driven reactions. Three articles in this thematic issue exemplify this: The Molloy group developed an intramolecular [2 + 2]-cycloaddition

• of alkenylboronic esters using energy transfer catalysis [26]. Gualandi and co-workers leveraged a combination of photoredox and HAT catalysis to realize the intramolecular nucleophilic amidation of alkenes with β-lactams [27]. Further, Luridiana and colleagues developed a method for the alkylation

Formal synthesis of a selective estrogen receptor modulator with tetrahydrofluorenone structure using [3 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition of yne-vinylcyclopropanes and CO

• Jing Zhang,
• Guanyu Zhang,
• Hongxi Bai and
• Zhi-Xiang Yu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1639–1644, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.127

• annulation to construct the C ring (cyclohexenone ring), and an intramolecular SN2 reaction to build the D ring (five-membered ring) [15][16][17][18]. In 2013, Wallace and co-workers disclosed the second route for this molecule (Scheme 2B) [19], in which the five-membered ring B was formed by utilizing

• is the retrosynthetic analysis for the key intermediate 1, which can reach the final compound VI via chlorination and demethylation [19]. Target molecule 1 can be accessed by decarboxylation reaction from compound 13, prepared by an intramolecular Heck reaction between the β-ketoester and the vinyl

Transition-state aromaticity and its relationship with reactivity in pericyclic reactions

• Israel Fernández

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1613–1626, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.125

• reaction coordinate, and particularly, at the transition state region. This results from the formation of a stabilizing, intramolecular CH3–OH···O=CH2 hydrogen bond at the initial stages of the process which brings together both reactants, significantly enhancing the orbital interactions (mainly HOMO–LUMO

• this case, as the reactions are intramolecular, the ASM terms are referred to the initial reactants and are computed by considering the interaction between E=CH• and •CH=CH–C≡CH radicals. As shown in Figure 8, although the change in the interaction (ΔΔEint) between the fragments is stronger for the

Synthesis of optically active folded cyclic dimers and trimers

• Ena Kumamoto,
• Kana Ogawa,
• Kazunori Okamoto and
• Yasuhiro Morisaki

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1603–1612, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.124

• ]paracyclophanes via Wurtz-type intramolecular cyclization [3]. [2.2]Paracyclophane has a molecular structure in which two benzene rings are stacked face-to-face with ethylene chains at the para positions. Various studies have been conducted on their reactivities and physical properties derived from their unique

Thermodynamic equilibrium between locally excited and charge transfer states in perylene–phenothiazine dyads

• Issei Fukunaga,
• Shunsuke Kobashi,
• Yuki Nagai,
• Hiroki Horita,
• Hiromitsu Maeda and
• Yoichi Kobayashi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1577–1586, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.121

• simple molecular framework, subtle intramolecular interactions – such as increased conjugation induced by planarization – can have a significant impact on the nature of photoinduced charge separation. Such molecules with finely tunable excited-state dynamics are expected to play an important role in the

Synthesis of an aza[5]helicene-incorporated macrocyclic heteroarene via oxidation of an o-phenylene-pyrrole-thiophene icosamer

• Yusuke Matsuo,
• Aoi Nakagawa,
• Shu Seki and
• Takayuki Tanaka

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1561–1567, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.119

• , Japan 10.3762/bjoc.21.119 Abstract The intramolecular oxidative fusion reaction of macrocyclic heteroaromatic arrays has provided strained polycyclic heteroaromatic macrocycles as promising functional molecules. In this study, we prepared an ortho-phenylene-pyrrole-thiophene hybrid icosamer, as the

• in detail. Keywords: cyclophane; fluorescence; heterohelicene; intramolecular oxidative coupling; Introduction Conjugated macrocyclic polyarenes have attracted significant attention due to their stimuli-responsive optoelectronic properties, dynamic structural changes, and host–guest interactions [1

• largest macrocycle ever synthesized is a dodecameric hybrid array of 1,2-phenylene, 2,5-thienylene, and 2,5-pyrrolylene units [22][23]. The intramolecular oxidative coupling of these arrays afforded heterohelicene-incorporated macrocycles D and E, depending on the relative arrangements of the pyrrole and

Ambident reactivity of enolizable 5-mercapto-1H-tetrazoles in trapping reactions with in situ-generated thiocarbonyl S-methanides derived from sterically crowded cycloaliphatic thioketones

• Grzegorz Mlostoń,
• Małgorzata Celeda,
• Marcin Palusiak,
• Heinz Heimgartner,
• Marta Denel-Bobrowska and
• Agnieszka B. Olejniczak

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1508–1519, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.113

• publications [15], or/and from secondary processes, like an intramolecular rearrangement. Taking into account the postulated basicity (and nucleophilicity) of thiocarbonyl S-methanides 1 derived from cycloaliphatic thioketones [6], the initiating step of these processes can be presented as protonation of the

• intramolecular pathway, which is accelerated in the zwitterionic form 9’ (Scheme 7). Striking differences in the structure of products obtained under identical conditions (THF, 45 °C) from 1a (only thioaminals 9) and from 1b (only dithioacetals 10), deserves also a brief comment. Notably, there were no

• initial products are thioaminals 9, which under the reaction conditions or later on, during the storage in CDCl3 solution, undergo an intramolecular rearrangement presented in Scheme 7. Moreover, the differences observed in the structures of products obtained in reactions with structurally similar

Wittig reaction of cyclobisbiphenylenecarbonyl

• Taito Moribe,
• Junichiro Hirano,
• Hideaki Takano,
• Hiroshi Shinokubo and
• Norihito Fukui

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1454–1461, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.107

• . A tentative mechanism that may be plausible is shown in Supporting Information File 1, Figure S21, which consists of (1) the nucleophilic attack of methylenetriphenylphosphorane to the exo-methylene group of 3, (2) the intramolecular carbon–carbon-bond formation at the carbonyl group, and (3) the

• group (Figure S20, Supporting Information File 1), which will be due to the disrupted nucleophilic attack to the carbonyl group by the intramolecular steric repulsion toward the Bürgi–Dunitz angle. However, alternative mechanisms initiated by a conventional oxaphosphetane formation cannot not yet be

• temperature-dependent 1H NMR measurements. The relatively preferable formation of bathtub conformation is attributable to the destabilization of the figure-eight structures by the intramolecular steric repulsion between the exo-methylene units and neighboring benzene rings. Resolution The resolution of rac-3

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

• nm) attributed to reversible intramolecular charge transfer [20]. In parallel, several groups explored the functional versatility of heterohelicenes in device-oriented and sensing applications. Crassous’s group synthesized bipyridine-embedded helicenes via the Mallory reaction, enabling coordination

• intramolecular Scholl reactions [24] (Table 3). All compounds exhibited strong absorption in the UV–vis region (250–450 nm) and fluorescence emission between 400–550 nm. Among these, compound 11c, a saddle-shaped dibenzodiaza[8]circulene, was particularly noteworthy as the first example of its kind synthesized

• | values of approximately 3.0 × 10−3, offering new architectures for CPL-active helicenes [40]. Singh’s group developed fluorophore-conjugated aza[7]helicenes 27a–d, with 27b demonstrating pronounced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), a high ΦF of 0.71 and an extended fluorescence lifetime (τ) of 15.5

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

• molecules good candidates for molecular switches [50]. Recently, we have developed a series of 7-hydroxyquinoline Schiff bases, where the tautomeric proton transfer causes intramolecular twisting upon irradiation [51]. The process happens in the excited state and the competition between proton transfer and

• intramolecular hydrogen bonding, keep planarity. However, this situation means that changes in their molar fractions cannot be detected by use of UV–vis spectroscopy, i.e. the tautomerism could be considered only in the frame of change between E and (KE+KK). In the spectra, shown in Figure 2, two distinct

• group surrounded by fluorine atoms, which could spontaneously deprotonate in polar solvents, while the tautomeric OH/NH group is always a part of strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding and the possibility for deprotonation is low. The deprotonation of the phenyl OH group is also supposed by the