Recent advances in the electrochemical synthesis of organophosphorus compounds

• Babak Kaboudin,
• Milad Behroozi,
• Sepideh Sadighi and
• Fatemeh Asgharzadeh

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 770–797, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.61

• efficiency of reactions [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Organophosphorous compounds are essential materials with broad applications in medicinal chemistry, synthesis, agriculture, as ligands, and intermediates to prepare complex compounds. Due to their importance, scientists have introduced many studies in

Development and mechanistic studies of calcium–BINOL phosphate-catalyzed hydrocyanation of hydrazones

• Carola Tortora,
• Christian A. Fischer,
• Sascha Kohlbauer,
• Alexandru Zamfir,
• Gerd M. Ballmann,
• Jürgen Pahl,
• Sjoerd Harder and
• Svetlana B. Tsogoeva

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 755–765, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.59

• applications of calcium complexes with axially chiral BINOL phosphate ligands have been reported in recent years [28][32][33][34][35][36][37][38], as well as complexes with other chiral phosphoric acid ligands [39]. Since then, other main group metal complexes with BINOL phosphate ligands have been discovered

• hydrocyanation of hydrazone 1 towards product 2 (Table 1) using an achiral model calcium-based catalyst (4, Figure 1) with monodentate biphenyl phosphate ligands. This model catalyst 4, derived from the literature-known phosphoric acid BIPO4-H 3 [51], was synthesized by reacting 3 with Ca(OiPr)2 under inert

• conditions. The product was isolated as colorless crystals in good yield of 81% (Scheme 1). Complex 4 crystallizes as a C2-symmetric chiral mononuclear complex in which Ca is bound to two monodentate phosphate ligands (Figure 1). Four MeOH ligands complete the slightly distorted octahedral coordination

Orthogonal photoswitching of heterobivalent azobenzene glycoclusters: the effect of glycoligand orientation in bacterial adhesion

• Leon M. Friedrich and
• Thisbe K. Lindhorst

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 736–748, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.57

• ) is depicted as ribbon diagram and the ligands are displayed as stick models (glycoclusters 1 and 2: EE: blue; ZZ: violet; EZ: green; ZE: red). Superposition of the isomers shows the similarity of the binding of the terminal mannoside antenna within the FimH CRD and the different orientations of the

• ), resulting half-lifes (τ1/2) and activation energies (Ea) for the thermal ZZ to EE isomerization of glycoclusters 1 [24] and 2 and thermal Z to E isomerization of the glycoantennas 3, 4, and 5 at 37 °C. The top-ranked results of the molecular modeling study of the various isomers of the ligands 6βGlc3αMan 1

Synthesis of HBC fluorophores with an electrophilic handle for covalent attachment to Pepper RNA

• Raphael Bereiter and
• Ronald Micura

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 727–735, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.56

• -cyanophenylacetonitrile afforded HBC 4 and HBC-like ligands 5 and 6 as bright orange solids. Finally, the bromo group was introduced under Appel conditions with carbon tetrabromide and triphenylphosphine to give the fluorophores 7, 8, and 9, with linker lengths of two, three, and five atoms. Unfortunately, this strategy

• usefulness of this type of bifunctional fluorescent ligands in RNA affinity purification has recently been demonstrated by our group [11]. Conclusion Covalent fluorescent light-up aptamers (coFLAPs) are opening new avenues for RNA imaging [11]. In this work, we describe robust synthetic routes for twelve HBC

• mixture was poured on a silica gel column and the product was eluted using 0–1% methanol in dichloromethane. In vitro reaction of BrC3 or MsOC3 ligands with Pepper RNA. In a manner analogous to [11], a typical alkylation reaction was carried out in a volume of 60 µL. Pepper RNA (0.15 nmol) was dissolved

Acyclic cucurbit[n]uril bearing alkyl sulfate ionic groups

• Christian Akakpo,
• Peter Y. Zavalij and
• Lyle Isaacs

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 717–726, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.55

• [n])), and those prepared by metal ligands and H-bonding self-assembly processes [1][2][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Macrocycles have played key roles in important real-world products including the household deodorizer FebreezeTM, glucose monitors, and as solubilizing excipients [21

Origami with small molecules: exploiting the C–F bond as a conformational tool

• Patrick Ryan,
• Ramsha Iftikhar and
• Luke Hunter

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 680–716, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.54

Recent advances in allylation of chiral secondary alkylcopper species

• Minjae Kim,
• Gwanggyun Kim,
• Doyoon Kim,
• Jun Hee Lee and
• Seung Hwan Cho

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 639–658, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.51

• phosphoramidite ligands significantly advanced this field, with contributions from numerous research groups including Hartwig, Helmchen, Carreira, Alexakis, and You [19]. In general, soft nucleophiles that typically possess conjugate acids with pKa values less than 25 have been utilized in most Pd and Ir

• their exploration of phosphoramidite ligands with various organometallic nucleophiles [24][25]. The field was further advanced by the research group of Hoveyda, who made substantial contributions by introducing bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based chiral ligands, achieving high selectivity with

Synthesis of electrophile-tethered preQ₁ analogs for covalent attachment to preQ₁ RNA

• Laurin Flemmich and
• Ronald Micura

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 483–489, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.35

• Laurin Flemmich Ronald Micura Institute of Organic Chemistry, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria 10.3762/bjoc.21.35 Abstract The preQ1 cIass-I riboswitch aptamer can utilize 7-aminomethyl-7-deazaguanine (preQ1) ligands that are equipped with

• such reactive preQ1 and (2,6-diamino-7-aminomethyl-7-deazapurine) DPQ1 ligands. The readily accessible key intermediates of preQ0 and DPQ0 (both bearing a nitrile moiety instead of the aminomethyl group) were reduced to the corresponding 7-formyl-7-deazapurine counterparts. These readily undergo

• vitro and in living cells using rationally designed electrophile-tethered derivatives of preQ1 (1) and its Watson–Crick diamino-faced counterpart DPQ1 (2, Scheme 1A). These ligands (compound classes 3 and 4, Scheme 1A) were tailored to target a conserved guanine nucleobase within a natural preQ1-binding

Photomechanochemistry: harnessing mechanical forces to enhance photochemical reactions

• Francesco Mele,
• Ana M. Constantin,
• Andrea Porcheddu,
• Raimondo Maggi,
• Giovanni Maestri,
• Nicola Della Ca’ and
• Luca Capaldo

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 458–472, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.33

• spectroscopy (Scheme 1). During the reaction progress, the C=C bonds of bpe ligands undergo pedal-like motion prior to photodimerization [63]. For the single-crystal irradiation, the slow reactivity can be attributed to the hindered pedal motion in the single crystals, likely due to the presence of

Beyond symmetric self-assembly and effective molarity: unlocking functional enzyme mimics with robust organic cages

• Keith G. Andrews

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 421–443, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.30

• the cage framework to polarize adjacent aryl–hydrogen bonds in the ligands by enough to coordinate and activate substrates (Figure 5E) [190]. Here, the use of bulky counteranions reinforces the cationic cage interior, which is enhanced further by use of lower polarity solvents, and the pKa of confined

• transform the ligands can result in changes in cage topology distribution [204]. Self-assembly can also prescribe limitations on the symmetry of cages [36]. Notably, Clever has recently reported the first Pd2(ABCD) MOC [205], which may signal the possibility of using low-symmetry cavities [206][207][208

• -based porous organic cages have been a popular choice for study [377][379][406][407][408], as have MOCs [208][376][386]. Much focus remains on the prediction (and automation) [409] of the formation of cavities by probing combinations of, e.g., amines/aldehydes or metals/ligands to identify structures

Unraveling aromaticity: the dual worlds of pyrazole, pyrazoline, and 3D carborane

• Zahra Noori,
• Miquel Solà,
• Clara Viñas,
• Francesc Teixidor and
• Jordi Poater

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 412–420, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.29

• , exceptional thermal and chemical stability, and robust synthetic versatility [16][17] – make carborane derivatives essential components in various fields. These include pharmaceuticals [18][19][20][21][22], boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) [23][24][25][26], organometallic ligands [27], and functional

Red light excitation: illuminating photocatalysis in a new spectrum

• Lucas Fortier,
• Corentin Lefebvre and
• Norbert Hoffmann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 296–326, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.22

• own a large span of colors depending on the nature of the metal and the ligands but also on the various oxidation states these compounds can attain. This property results on the absorption of a visible-light photon complementary to the observed color and has been extensively exploited in photoredox

• of lower-energy photons in second- and third-row transition metals compared to their first-row counterparts [13]. These phenomena are specifically improved when potent π-acceptor ligands are used due to their low-energy π* antibonding orbitals resulting in a bathochromic shift of the MLCT absorption

• -row d6 metal complexes such as Fe(II) complexes and positions Cr(0) as a promising alternative in photoredox applications under low-energy red-light conditions. The enhanced performance of these Cr(0) complexes is attributed to their strong ligand field, provided by the isocyanide ligands, which

Recent advances in electrochemical copper catalysis for modern organic synthesis

• Yemin Kim and
• Won Jun Jang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 155–178, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.9

• enantioselectivity is the introduction of serine-derived bisoxazoline ligands L8 (sBOX). Upon coordination with a copper catalyst, these ligands present second-sphere ester groups, which facilitate the additional stabilization of noncovalent interactions at the penta-coordinated Cu(III) intermediate 82 in the

• reactions of copper catalysts without ligands face limitations owing to slow electron transfer kinetics, irreversible copper plating, and competing substrate oxidation. To overcome these challenges, Sevov et al. developed a ligand-free, Cu-catalyzed electrochemical Chan–Lam coupling using a ferrocenium salt

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of 2-fluorobenzofurans with arylboronic acids via aromatic C–F bond activation

• Takeshi Fujita,
• Haruna Yabuki,
• Ryutaro Morioka,
• Kohei Fuchibe and
• Junji Ichikawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 146–154, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.8

• , entry 3). Reducing the catalyst loading to 5 mol % slightly affected the yield of 3bb, which was 90% (Table 1, entry 4). Next, we evaluated various additives with 5 mol % of Ni(cod)2 to stabilize regenerated zero-valent nickel species (Table 1, entries 5–8). While phosphine ligands such as triphenyl

Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed multicomponent reactions

• Sara Colombo,
• Camilla Loro,
• Egle M. Beccalli,
• Gianluigi Broggini and
• Marta Papis

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 122–145, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.7

• counteranion. The use of a carbamate among the substrates instead of the amine allowed the synthesis of propargylcarbamates 11. This reaction, effective only for the aromatic aldehydes, did not require other co-catalysts or ligands (Scheme 8) [21]. Three-component reactions of alkynes, alkyltrifluoroborates

Recent advances in organocatalytic atroposelective reactions

• Henrich Szabados and
• Radovan Šebesta

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 55–121, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.6

• compounds comprising a stereogenic plane or axis is much less developed. Axially chiral compounds are well known as chiral ligands in asymmetric catalysis, with notable examples of binaphthyl-based derivatives such as BINAP, SEGPHOS, or binaphthyl-based phosphoric acid derivatives, which are among the

• purities, solid yields and very good diastereomeric ratios. The hydroxy group present in products 156 and 158 could be transformed to provide axially chiral phosphines that could be utilized as chiral ligands in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. Testing both substrates 156 and 158 for conformational

Emerging trends in the optimization of organic synthesis through high-throughput tools and machine learning

• Pablo Quijano Velasco,
• Kedar Hippalgaonkar and
• Balamurugan Ramalingam

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 10–38, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.3

• supplied a flowing stream of 12 selectable solvents, an autosampler that injected microliter amounts of preselected reaction mixtures, and an LC–MS device for product characterization. Approximately 5,760 reactions were screened across a selection of 11 ligands, seven bases, and four solvents, along with

Chemical glycobiology

• Elisa Fadda,
• Rachel Hevey,
• Benjamin Schumann and
• Ulrika Westerlind

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 8–9, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.2

• . [12] in the context of photoswitchable ligands to the lectin LecA. Staying in the theme of lectin characterization, Lundstrøm et al. study the glycan binding profile of CMA1 originating from melon [13]. A time that sees great opportunities in computational biology also breeds innovative applications

Reactivity of hypervalent iodine(III) reagents bearing a benzylamine with sulfenate salts

• Beatriz Dedeiras,
• Catarina S. Caldeira,
• José C. Cunha,
• Clara S. B. Gomes and
• M. Manuel B. Marques

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3281–3289, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.272

• ]; (ii) the incorporation of the iodine atom in the 5-membered heterocycle [10]; and (iii) the trans effect, due to the interaction of the hypervalent bonds established by the axial ligands, where iodine orbitals are shared with both heteroatoms [11]. As a result, benziodoxol(on)es have found application

Intramolecular C–H arylation of pyridine derivatives with a palladium catalyst for the synthesis of multiply fused heteroaromatic compounds

• Yuki Nakanishi,
• Shoichi Sugita,
• Kentaro Okano and
• Atsunori Mori

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3256–3262, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.269

• . The addition of ligand improved the yield of 2a as shown in Table 1, entries 7–10. Among several ligands, including Buchwald-type phosphines L1–L4 [33] examined, it was found that the use CyJohnPhos (L3) afforded the cyclized product in 90% yield and the reaction with PPh3 (L4) as a ligand was also

Multicomponent reactions driving the discovery and optimization of agents targeting central nervous system pathologies

• Lucía Campos-Prieto,
• Aitor García-Rey,
• Eddy Sotelo and
• Ana Mallo-Abreu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3151–3173, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.261

• contributed to the development of promising ligands in recent years. Rather than providing an exhaustive overview, this review aims to highlight key studies that address major CNS pathologies, relevant drug targets, and various MCR approaches. We have carefully selected representative articles and apologize

• , traumatic brain injuries, and brain tumors. Finally, in elderhood, seizures are often linked to primary craniocephalic trauma, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative disorders [23]. This review centers on five neurological disorders where ligands obtained using multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have been

• representative articles and extend our apologies to authors whose important works may not be included. By focusing on these studies, we aim to present a clear and concise view of current research directions and significant advancements in the field. Review Ligands targeting CNS diseases obtained from MCR

Advances in the use of metal-free tetrapyrrolic macrocycles as catalysts

• Mandeep K. Chahal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3085–3112, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.257

• metal-free porphyrins. 1.1 Calix[4]pyrrole macrocycles as organocatalysts Calix[4]pyrroles act as versatile ligands in supramolecular chemistry and have been widely studied as binding hosts for various guests such as anions, ion pairs, or neutral compounds [4][30][31], ligands for p-block elements, as

• well as transition and rare-earth metals [32][33]. There are many comprehensive reviews covering these two areas along with the connection of these ligands to supramolecular and medicinal chemistry [34][35][36]. In addition, calix[4]pyrroles, due to the presence of four accessible inner NHs and well

• activity in electrocatalytic HER [123]. Although free base corrole ligands demonstrated activity in HER, they were unstable in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a common proton source, leading to rapid degradation during catalysis. Subsequently, the same group introduced metal-free xanthene-bridged biscorroles

Chemical structure metagenomics of microbial natural products: surveying nonribosomal peptides and beyond

• Thomas Ma and
• John Chu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3050–3060, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.253

• , they serve as ligands for chelating iron in siderophores. Because ferric cations (Fe3+) mostly exist as insoluble solids in the Earth crust, most microorganisms produce and secrete siderophores to scavenge this scarce resource from their surroundings [67]. Whereas siderophores do not always contain

Tailored charge-neutral self-assembled L₂Zn₂ container for taming oxalate

• David Ocklenburg and
• David Van Craen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3007–3015, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.250

• coordinating or which can act as good chelating ligands [65]. The latter holds true for oxalate as shortest dicarboxylate anion which likely forms complexes with all sorts of metals [66][67]. In fact, oxalate’s ideal ligand character is one reason for the aforementioned diseases and this property poses a fatal

• hazard for metallocages and metallocontainers. The dianion is capable of competing with the ligands used for self-assembled metal-based receptors instead of being bound inside the host structure as intended. Oxalate can strip off metal centers from the designed receptor causing a full or partial

Advances in radical peroxidation with hydroperoxides

• Oleg V. Bityukov,
• Pavel Yu. Serdyuchenko,
• Andrey S. Kirillov,
• Gennady I. Nikishin,
• Vera A. Vil’ and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2959–3006, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.249