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

• may be overwhelming: azobenzene is undoubtedly the most famous due to its easy synthesis and the extensively studied properties. However, there are several photoswitch classes beyond azobenzene with interesting properties that can be tailored to meet one’s needs. In this tutorial review, we aim to

• explain the important terminology and discuss the synthesis, switching mechanisms, and properties of seven interesting photoswitch classes, namely azoheteroarenes, diazocines, indigoid photoswitches, arylhydrazones, diarylethenes, fulgides, and spiropyrans. Keywords: photoswitches; photoswitch properties

• ; synthesis of photoswitches; switching mechanisms; tutorial review; Introduction Photophysical properties and switching mechanism Key learning points Switching mechanisms and the change in properties. Overview of the major classes of photoswitches beyond azobenzenes. Main synthetic pathways for their

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

• biocatalysts, as well as enzymatic processes. Among these, molecular oxygen stands out as a greener and more sustainable oxidant due to its natural abundance, low cost, and environmentally friendly properties, making it an appealing option for both academic research and industrial applications. Recently, some

[3 + 2] Cycloaddition of thioformylium methylide with various arylidene-azolones in the synthesis of 7-thia-3-azaspiro[4.4]nonan-4-ones

• Daniil I. Rudik,
• Irina V. Tiushina,
• Anatoly I. Sokolov,
• Alexander Yu. Smirnov,
• Alexander R. Romanenko,
• Alexander A. Korlyukov,
• Andrey A. Mikhaylov and
• Mikhail S. Baranov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1791–1798, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.141

• were formed, and the transformation rate was extremely low. This outcome may be attributed to the electron-acceptor properties of the oxygen atom, which likely disrupt the cycloaddition process. NMR analysis confirmed that each heterocyclic ring formed products exclusively as a single diastereomer

Research progress on calixarene/pillararene-based controlled drug release systems

• Liu-Huan Yi,
• Jian Qin,
• Si-Ran Lu,
• Liu-Pan Yang,
• Li-Li Wang and
• Huan Yao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1757–1785, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.139

• in pH, light, and enzyme activity, the binding affinity between the guest and host molecules can be altered, thereby achieving controlled drug release and targeted delivery. (2) Drugs are loaded into self-assembled host–guest systems [29][30][31][32]. The chemical structure or properties of the host

• processes. For example, supramolecular self-assembly technology enhances the targeting of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumor tissues, reducing systemic adverse reactions. (3) Macrocyclic aromatic supramolecular nano-valves have a pseudo-rotaxane structure with host–guest coordination and the kinetic properties

• applications. This section will focus on the structural features and applications of CAs and PAs. 1.1 CAs: structure and properties CAs are the third generation of supramolecular hosts [40], succeeding cyclodextrins and crown ethers. They are macrocycles composed of phenolic units condensed with formaldehyde

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

• C–N atropisomers and their structural properties for over 25 years [16][17]. As a part of the C–N atropisomeric chemistry, we succeeded in the asymmetric synthesis of mebroqualone (I) and the thione analogue II [18][19]. In the course of this study, it was found that intermolecular association in

• , ought to have different halogen bonding properties, and should be explored as different chemical entities. Meanwhile, there are very few studies on halogen bonding related to molecular chirality such as those shown in Figure 1 [27][28][29][30]. In addition, the studies on the comparison of

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

• to modulate properties that enhance the performance of pharmaceuticals and materials. This quantum-chemical study explores the energetic implications of fluorinating cyclopropane, providing insights into molecular characteristics arising from the polar C–F bond. Isodesmic reactions revealed that the

• advanced materials, particularly those whose properties rely on the polarity and spatial arrangement of C–F bonds within a cyclopropane framework. Keywords: cyclopropane; fluorination; polarity; theoretical calculations; Introduction Cyclopropane, the smallest cycloalkane, has a rigid structure that

• polarity, with these effects varying based on the amount, position, and orientation of the fluorine substituents [7][8]. Mondal and colleagues have extensively reviewed additional properties of fluorinated cyclopropanes, including the conformational behavior of substituents attached to a fluorinated

3,3'-Linked BINOL macrocycles: optimized synthesis of crown ethers featuring one or two BINOL units

• Somayyeh Kheirjou,
• Jan Riebe,
• Maike Thiele,
• Christoph Wölper and
• Jochen Niemeyer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1719–1729, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.134

• , 45141 Essen, Germany 10.3762/bjoc.21.134 Abstract Chiral macrocycles hold significant importance in various scientific fields due to their unique structural and chemical properties. By controlling their size, shape, and substituents, chiral macrocycles offer a platform for designing and synthesizing

Continuous-flow-enabled intensification in nitration processes: a review of technological developments and practical applications over the past decade

• Feng Zhou,
• Chuansong Duanmu,
• Yanxing Li,
• Jin Li,
• Haiqing Xu,
• Pan Wang and
• Kai Zhu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1678–1699, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.132

• syringe pumps. The selection criteria must account for operational pressure thresholds, reagent rheological properties (e.g., viscosity), and required flow regimes. A representative challenge arises when handling high-viscosity nitration agents like the HNO3/H2SO4 binary acid system for which HPLC pumps

Structural analysis of stereoselective galactose pyruvylation toward the synthesis of bacterial capsular polysaccharides

• Tsun-Yi Chiang,
• Mei-Huei Lin,
• Chun-Wei Chang,
• Jinq-Chyi Lee and
• Cheng-Chung Wang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1671–1677, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.131

• , and the immunological properties may base on R/S-configuration. However, precisely controlling the formation of R- and S-isomers and identifying the correct conformer can be challenging due to the structural similarities between these two isomers. Researchers have recently developed strategies to

Influence of the cation in hypophosphite-mediated catalyst-free reductive amination

• Natalia Lebedeva,
• Fedor Kliuev,
• Olesya Zvereva,
• Klim Biriukov,
• Evgeniya Podyacheva,
• Maria Godovikova,
• Oleg I. Afanasyev and
• Denis Chusov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1661–1670, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.130

• pH 0) [19], and usage of an additional amount of base leads to stronger reductive properties. Moreover, the role of the cation could be critical for the thermal stability against disproportionation or aerobic oxidation of hypophosphite [38]; salts with larger cations are also more soluble in organic

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

• ; photochemistry; Soon after its first reported synthesis in 1936 [1], [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and its derivatives attracted significant attention due to their photophysical properties [2][3][4]. These complexes can efficiently absorb visible light through a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT

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

• have 75-fold selectivity of ERβ over Erα [12]. Molecules III and IV (Scheme 1A) with an additional pyrazole ring compared to I and II had good pharmacokinetic properties that had overcome the problems of rapid clearance and low oral bioavailability executed by previous molecules [13][14]. A series of

On the aromaticity and photophysics of 1-arylbenzo[a]imidazo[5,1,2-cd]indolizines as bicolor fluorescent molecules for barium tagging in the study of double-beta decay of ¹³⁶Xe

• Eric Iván Velazco-Cabral,
• Fernando Auria-Luna,
• Juan Molina-Canteras,
• Miguel A. Vázquez,
• Iván Rivilla and
• Fernando P. Cossío

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1627–1638, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.126

• properties [10]. Therefore, in this paper, we reexamine the electronic features of these 1-arylbenzo[a]imidazo[5,1,2-cd]indolizine-based FBIs in terms of aromaticity (a relevant feature to analyze the nature of the excited states) and emission properties. The final goal of this research has been to

• contribute to the design of a second generation of bicolor fluorescent indicators for barium tagging in neutrinoless double-beta decay. Results and Discussion First, we analyzed the aromaticity of parent benzo[a]imidazo[5,1,2-cd]indolizine 1 (Scheme 1) in order to get a better understanding of the properties

• + prompted us to compare the photophysical properties of unbound compound 18 in the presence of Ba(ClO4)2. The values corresponding to the adiabatic absorption (S0(optimized) → S1*, adiabatic absorption) and emission (S1(optimized) → S0, fluorescence) are reported in Table 2, together with the differences

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

• to the preparation of triazaphospholes and triazaarsoles, π-conjugated species with potential applications in materials science due to their luminescent properties [98]. However, these heavier alkyne analogues are typically kinetically unstable, which limits their use as dipolarophiles. Despite that

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

• structures, such as one-handed helical and propeller-shaped structures, can be constructed by folding the π-conjugated system using [2.2]paracyclophane as the chiral crossing unit, leading to circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties. Chiral cyclic dimers and trimers were synthesized using planar

• chiral [2.2]paracyclophane-containing enantiopure ribbon-shaped compounds as the chiral monomers. Unicursal π-conjugated systems were folded at the [2.2]paracyclophane units, and exhibited good photoluminescence quantum efficiencies and CPL anisotropy factors. Opposite chiroptical properties were

• ]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

3-Aryl-2H-azirines as annulation reagents in the Ni(II)-catalyzed synthesis of 1H-benzo[4,5]thieno[3,2-b]pyrroles

• Julia I. Pavlenko,
• Pavel A. Sakharov,
• Anastasiya V. Agafonova,
• Derenik A. Isadzhanyan,
• Alexander F. Khlebnikov and
• Mikhail S. Novikov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1595–1602, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.123

• ester group. In our case, the demethoxycarbonylative annulation enables the formation of aromatic tricyclic benzo[4,5]thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole system which is encountered in compounds with antitumor activity [21][22] as well as in compounds exhibiting fluorescent properties [22][23]. Since general methods

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

• synthesized and characterized (Figure 1). Their photophysical properties were comprehensively examined by steady-state and time-resolved emission and absorption spectroscopy. Furthermore, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were performed to support the experimental findings

• structural characterization A series of π-orthogonal D–A molecules based on the Pe–PTZ framework were synthesized to systematically modulate the electronic properties and spatial arrangement between the donor and acceptor units. Structural features were designed to ensure orthogonality between the Pe and PTZ

• shown in Supporting Information File 1. Energy levels and steady-state optical properties Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were performed to gain insights into the electronic structures of Pe–PTZ derivatives at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory (Figure 2) [18]. The

pH-Controlled isomerization kinetics of ortho-disubstituted benzamidines: E/Z isomerism and axial chirality

• Ryota Kimura,
• Satoshi Ichikawa and
• Akira Katsuyama

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1568–1576, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.120

• –N rotation and C–N/C–C rotation by adjusting the pH of the solvent and the pKa of the amidine. Herein, we report our findings on the structural properties of an ortho-disubstituted benzamidine. Similar to DiBA, an ortho-disubstituted benzamidine has two types of stereoisomers: E/Z isomers arising

• usefulness of the single-atom substitution strategy on DiBA. By replacing the oxygen atom of DiBA with a nitrogen atom (and thus NH), which has been shown to be photo-responsive when replaced with sulfur or selenium, the pH-responsive property was acquired. Such minimal changes in physical properties can be

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

• largest cyclic array in the series. The oxidative fusion reaction with [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene (PIFA) afforded a cyclophane-type aza[5]helicene-incorporated macrocycle, the structure of which was unambiguously revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Its optical properties have been investigated

• 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

• an aza[5]helicene-incorporated macrocycle. The resulting cyclophane-like structure and its optical properties have been analyzed in detail. Results and Discussion Synthesis and characterization Synthesis We obtained o-phenylene-pyrrole-thiophene hybrid icosamer 4 during our attempt to synthesize

Facile synthesis of hydantoin/1,2,4-oxadiazoline spiro-compounds via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides to 5-iminohydantoins

• Juliana V. Petrova,
• Varvara T. Tkachenko,
• Victor A. Tafeenko,
• Anna S. Pestretsova,
• Vadim S. Pokrovsky,
• Maxim E. Kukushkin and
• Elena K. Beloglazkina

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1552–1560, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.118

• pharmacophore, and molecules containing this group exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antitumor, anti-HIV, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antitubercular properties [1][2]. Among these molecules, bicyclic compounds with the dihydrooxadiazole connected to

• known for their anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, adrenoreceptor modulating, anticonvulsant, antiplatelet, anti-HIV, and other activities [5][6]. Modifying hydantoins at the N1, N3, and C5 positions make it possible to achieve better pharmacological properties. In this paper

• similarities, the molecules produced by the first method are markedly different from those produced by the latter. This is primarily due to the presence of conformational flexibility, which has a substantial impact on the compounds’ biological properties. Hybrid compounds are believed to exhibit enhanced

Azide–alkyne cycloaddition (click) reaction in biomass-derived solvent Cyrene^TM under one-pot conditions

• Zoltán Medgyesi and
• László T. Mika

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1544–1551, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.117

• it is negative in the Ames test [25]. Recently, we determined key physicochemical properties of CyreneTM and showed that it has a negligible vapor pressure (<9.6 kPa) and low viscosity (<6.8 mPa·s) at typical transition-metal-catalyzed reaction temperatures (30–140 °C) [26]. CyreneTM has been

Azobenzene protonation as a tool for temperature sensing

• Antti Siiskonen,
• Sami Vesamäki and
• Arri Priimagi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1528–1534, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.115

• changes in their absorption and photochemical properties. While azobenzene protonation has been recently used as a tool in photoswitching studies, the factors influencing protonation itself have received little attention. Here, we report a strong temperature dependence of azobenzene protonation in 1,2

• they all typically result in significant changes in the absorption spectrum and/or alter the stability of the metastable isomer. In sensing, azobenzenes have been utilized, e.g., through changes in isomerization kinetics [17][18] or colorimetric properties. The colorimetric sensors are effective for

Calcium waste as a catalyst in the transesterification for demanding esters: scalability perspective

• Anton N. Potorochenko and
• Konstantin S. Rodygin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1520–1527, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.114

• % (3g) was obtained after 4 hours of reaction with trans-3-hexen-1-ol at a catalyst loading of 5 wt %. The yield of esters (3h) using 3-buten-1-ol at 1 wt % catalyst loading was moderate (51%) after 4 hours. Despite the weakly acidic properties, phenol was involved in the transesterification reaction

• , under these conditions, the inertness of alcohols 2j and 2k in the transesterification of both soybean oil and esters with less-hindered structures was probably due to their poor nucleophilic properties. The CS600 catalyst was investigated in the transesterification of low-molecular-weight esters

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

• tetrazolium structure in the MTT dye results in the formation of a coloured formazan that can be detected by spectrophotometry. Cytotoxic properties of the studied compounds were assessed on non-cancer as well as cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity was established by measurement of 50% inhibition of cell growth

Highly distinguishable isomeric states of a tripodal arylazopyrazole derivative on graphite through electron/hole-induced switching at ambient conditions

• Himani Malik,
• Sudha Devi,
• Debapriya Gupta,
• Ankit Kumar Gaur,
• Sugumar Venkataramani and
• Thiruvancheril G. Gopakumar

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1496–1507, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.112

• electronic and optical properties of switchable states. The applicability of molecular switches relies on the efficiency, reversibility, and the half-life associated with different non-equilibrium states. Typically, the half-life of the Z isomer of AB is a few days [17]. Chemical modifications of AB