Recent advances in synthetic approaches for bioactive cinnamic acid derivatives

• Betty A. Kustiana,
• Galuh Widiyarti and
• Teni Ernawati

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1031–1086, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.85

• versatile applications across the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical sectors. This review elucidates the functional groups of cinnamic acid that are instrumental in the rational design of biologically active derivatives. A comprehensive representative of recent advancements in synthetic methodologies over

• examining these methodologies, the paper underscores their role in expanding the utility of cinnamic acid derivatives and addressing prevailing challenges. Keywords: biologically active; cinnamic acid derivatives; environmentally sustainable; synthetic methodologies; Review 1 Introduction Cinnamic acid is

• applications in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, innovative synthetic methodologies, including environmentally sustainable approaches [21][22][23], advanced catalytic systems [24][25][26], photocatalysis [27][28][29], and cutting-edge technologies, such as flow chemistry [30][31], have contributed

Copper-catalyzed domino cyclization of anilines and cyclobutanone oxime: a scalable and versatile route to spirotetrahydroquinoline derivatives

• Qingqing Jiang,
• Xinyi Lei,
• Pan Gao and
• Yu Yuan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 749–754, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.58

• conditions (Scheme 1a) [5][6][7][8]. Consequently, the development of efficient synthetic methodologies for constructing fused THQs is of paramount importance for advancing pharmaceutical research. Conventional synthetic strategies for THQs, which involve the formation of highly strained rings, typically

Formaldehyde surrogates in multicomponent reactions

• Cecilia I. Attorresi,
• Javier A. Ramírez and
• Bernhard Westermann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 564–595, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.45

• concerns and improved reaction control can be addressed, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable synthetic methodologies. Keywords: cascade reactions; formaldehyde surrogates; green chemistry; heterocycles; multicomponent reactions; Introduction Organic chemistry is a mature discipline that has

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

• research. Keywords: light-mediated synthesis; mechanochemistry; photomechanochemistry; Introduction Light-mediated synthetic methodologies have significantly transformed contemporary organic chemistry by enabling a broad array of previously unattainable transformations [1]. In fact, the absorption of a

Molecular diversity of the reactions of MBH carbonates of isatins and various nucleophiles

• Zi-Ying Xiao,
• Jing Sun and
• Chao-Guo Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 286–295, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.21

• synthetic methodologies and in continuation of our aim to develop domino reactions based on MBH carbonates of isatins for efficient construction of diverse polycyclic spiroindolinones [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52], herein, we wish to report the nucleophilic substitution reactions of various N

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

• reactions are essential synthetic methodologies. The discovery of Chan–Lam coupling reactions, which use arylboronic acids and N-nucleophiles, provided a C–N bond-forming protocol using copper catalysis, offering a complementary method to noble transition-metal catalysis [78]. Recently, dual-catalytic

Efficient synthesis of fluorinated triphenylenes with enhanced arene–perfluoroarene interactions in columnar mesophases

• Yang Chen,
• Jiao He,
• Hang Lin,
• Hai-Feng Wang,
• Ping Hu,
• Bi-Qin Wang,
• Ke-Qing Zhao and
• Bertrand Donnio

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3263–3273, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.270

• expand this chemistry, enabling access to new π-extended molecular systems that might be challenging to synthesize through conventional synthetic routes. This dual focus highlights the study’s potential to advance both the design of functional materials and the development of innovative synthetic

• methodologies. The mesomorphous properties of these two sets of compounds were investigated by polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and small-and wide-angle X-ray scattering (S/WAXS) and compared to related fluorinated and non-fluorinated homologs. The results showed that

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

• second-sphere interactions with a multipoint hydrogen-bonding pattern enhance CO2 reduction in organic solvents, improving stability, facilitating proton transfer, reducing energy barriers, and increasing selectivity [20]. Apart from advances in synthetic methodologies [2][21][22][23], the exploration of

• the examples mentioned above indicate that calix[4]pyrroles can be used as organocatalysts. Despite major advancements in synthetic methodologies to synthesize functionalized calix[4]pyrrole macrocycles, not much progress has been done in this area in recent years. One of the major challenges of using

The Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reaction in its maturity: innovation and improvements since its 21st birthday (2019–2023)

• Cristina Martini,
• Muhammad Idham Darussalam Mardjan and
• Andrea Basso

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1839–1879, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.162

• active ones by DNA sequencing. Great challenges, however, characterize the synthetic methodologies, since the chemistry must display a broad scope, be compatible with water and operationally simple, and preserve the genetic information (i.e., no harsh conditions, strongly acidic pHs, no oxidants or Lewis

Syntheses and medicinal chemistry of spiro heterocyclic steroids

• Laura L. Romero-Hernández,
• Ana Isabel Ahuja-Casarín,
• Penélope Merino-Montiel,
• Sara Montiel-Smith,
• José Luis Vega-Báez and
• Jesús Sandoval-Ramírez

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1713–1745, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.152

• is compelling evidence that incorporating a heterocyclic moiety into a steroid can alter its pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties, driving intense interest in the synthesis of such hybrids among research groups. In this review, we present an overview of recent synthetic methodologies

Chemo-enzymatic total synthesis: current approaches toward the integration of chemical and enzymatic transformations

• Ryo Tanifuji and
• Hiroki Oguri

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1693–1712, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.151

• substrates of SorbC [43]. Almost concurrently, Narayan and co-workers substantially expanded the application scope of synthetic methodologies by utilizing the FAD-dependent monooxygenase TropB, AzaH, and SorbC to catalyze oxidative dearomatization [38][39]. Through extensive exploration of substrate

• classification, along with parallel discussions of the original biosynthetic pathways, helps organize the current state of the art and offers a comprehensive overview of how synthetic methodologies leverage the natural biosynthetic pathways. The development and optimization of chemo-enzymatic synthetic processes

Bismuth(III) triflate: an economical and environmentally friendly catalyst for the Nazarov reaction

• Manoel T. Rodrigues Jr.,
• Aline S. B. de Oliveira,
• Ralph C. Gomes,
• Amanda Soares Hirata,
• Lucas A. Zeoly,
• Hugo Santos,
• João Arantes,
• Catarina Sofia Mateus Reis-Silva,
• João Agostinho Machado-Neto,
• Leticia Veras Costa-Lotufo and
• Fernando Coelho

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1167–1178, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.99

• ; indanones; Nazarov reaction; Introduction Natural products are the source of inspiration for several research groups that develop new synthetic methodologies. The chemistry of five-membered rings plays an important role in organic chemistry, both because of the wide occurrence in nature [1][2][3][4][5][6

Entry to new spiroheterocycles via tandem Rh(II)-catalyzed O–H insertion/base-promoted cyclization involving diazoarylidene succinimides

• Alexander Yanovich,
• Anastasia Vepreva,
• Ksenia Malkova,
• Grigory Kantin and
• Dmitry Dar’in

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 561–569, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.48

• modern drug design [1][2]. They are known to promote higher success rates, when targeting three-dimensional protein molecules [3][4]. Furthermore, a wide variety of spirocyclic fragments can be spotted in natural products [5]. The aspects mentioned unveil the development of synthetic methodologies

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as suitable solvent for BF₃: the case of alkyne hydration. Chemistry vs electrochemistry

• Marta David,
• Elisa Galli,
• Richard C. D. Brown,
• Marta Feroci,
• Fabrizio Vetica and
• Martina Bortolami

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1966–1981, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.147

• -heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), extensively studied as organocatalysts as well as ligands for transition-metal-promoted synthetic methodologies [97][98][99]. Under anodic oxidation, the electrogeneration of boron trifluoride (BF3) from tetrafluoroborate ILs occurs [100][101]. Moreover, we have recently

Construction of diazepine-containing spiroindolines via annulation reaction of α-halogenated N-acylhydrazones and isatin-derived MBH carbonates

• Xing Liu,
• Wenjing Shi,
• Jing Sun and
• Chao-Guo Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1923–1932, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.143

• alternative synthetic methodologies for functionalized 1,2-diazepines has drawn extensive attention [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. One of the most attractive strategies to synthesize the 1,2-diazepine motif represents the [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction between activated azoalkenes and 1,3-dipolarophiles

• [22][23][24][25][26][27]. In addition, spirooxindole is also a privileged structural scaffold, which has been recognized as key structural unit in many bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals with broad biological activities [28][29][30]. The development of elegant synthetic methodologies for

Trifluoromethylated hydrazones and acylhydrazones as potent nitrogen-containing fluorinated building blocks

• Zhang Dongxu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1741–1754, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.127

• lipophilicity and metabolic stability compared to nonfluorinated compounds [1][2][3][4][5]. At present, about 300 drug molecules and over 400 pesticides on the market contain at least one fluorine atom [6][7]. Therefore, the development of novel and effective synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of

Synthesis of ether lipids: natural compounds and analogues

• Marco Antônio G. B. Gomes,
• Alicia Bauduin,
• Chloé Le Roux,
• Romain Fouinneteau,
• Wilfried Berthe,
• Mathieu Berchel,
• Hélène Couthon and
• Paul-Alain Jaffrès

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1299–1369, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.96

Selective construction of dispiro[indoline-3,2'-quinoline-3',3''-indoline] and dispiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrole-3',3''-indoline] via three-component reaction

• Ziying Xiao,
• Fengshun Xu,
• Jing Sun and
• Chao-Guo Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1234–1242, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.91

• in many bioactive natural and synthetic compounds [1][2][3]. It is known that many spirooxindole derivatives show important biological activities [4][5][6]. On the other hand, a wide range of differently substituted spirooxindoles exist [7][8][9]. Therefore, the development of efficient synthetic

• methodologies for diverse spirooxindoles have become one of the hottest research fields in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry [10][11]. In order to synthesize diverse spirooxindole derivatives, commercially available isatins and easily obtainable 3-methyleneoxindolines were the most employed building blocks

The unique reactivity of 5,6-unsubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridine in the Huisgen 1,4-diploar cycloaddition and formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition

• Xiu-Yu Chen,
• Hui Zheng,
• Ying Han,
• Jing Sun and
• Chao-Guo Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 982–990, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.73

• behaved as an activated electron-rich dienophile. Inspired by these elegant synthetic methodologies and in continuation of our aim to develop well-known Huisgen 1,4-dipoles for the construction of diverse nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58

• unprecedented synthetic reactivity of the electron-deficient alkynes, but also provides efficient synthetic methodologies for complex nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The potential application of this reaction in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry might be significant. Experimental General procedure for

Light-responsive rotaxane-based materials: inducing motion in the solid state

• Adrian Saura-Sanmartin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 873–880, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.64

• light-responsive intertwined materials and the industrial scale-up production usually hindered by the low yield of the interlocked molecules. Thus, future research efforts should be focused on the development of novel synthetic methodologies to access to such interlocked architecture, as well as the use

Facile access to 3-sulfonylquinolines via Knoevenagel condensation/aza-Wittig reaction cascade involving ortho-azidobenzaldehydes and β-ketosulfonamides and sulfones

• Ksenia Malkova,
• Andrey Bubyrev,
• Stanislav Kalinin and
• Dmitry Dar’in

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 800–807, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.60

• through a range of synthetic methodologies suggested recently. Cyclization strategies [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] as well as cycloaddition/cyclocondensation techniques [46][47][48][49][50][51] represent those with hetero-ring construction. Alternative approaches rely on a peripheral

Total synthesis: an enabling science

• Bastien Nay

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 474–476, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.36

• Bastien Nay Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique, École Polytechnique, CNRS, ENSTA, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91128 Palaiseau, France 10.3762/bjoc.19.36 Keywords: chemical complexity; natural products; synthetic methodologies; total synthesis; Total synthesis is a topic strongly related to

• enabling science. Total synthesis is the science of constructing molecules from simple starting materials. It often deals with complex molecular architectures that require a thorough retrosynthetic problem-solving analysis [7]. Total synthesis and the discovery of new synthetic methodologies have always

1,4-Dithianes: attractive C2-building blocks for the synthesis of complex molecular architectures

• Bram Ryckaert,
• Ellen Demeyere,
• Frederick Degroote,
• Hilde Janssens and
• Johan M. Winne

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 115–132, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.12

• , should open up many more possibilities. Moreover, as the synthetic access to these sulfur-based heterocycles is now more straightforward, the importance of 1,4-dithianes and related heterocycles in new synthetic methodologies can be expected. An area where these C2-synthons have so far been less

Redox-active molecules as organocatalysts for selective oxidative transformations – an unperceived organocatalysis field

• Elena R. Lopat’eva,
• Igor B. Krylov,
• Dmitry A. Lapshin and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1672–1695, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.179

• stoichiometric oxidants. The development of organic chemistry is strongly affected by rising “green” demands to synthetic methodologies, including reduction of waste formation, low trace-metal content in drug compounds, high energy-efficiency and selectivity of processes. In the last decade researchers proposed

Efficient synthesis of aziridinecyclooctanediol and 3-aminocyclooctanetriol

• Emine Salamci and
• Ayse Kilic Lafzi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1539–1543, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.163

• antibiotic activities. Therefore, synthetic methodologies for the preparation of the aziridinyl system have attracted attention in recent decades. Opening of the aziridine ring by using different nucleophiles gives the corresponding amino alcohols, amino esters, azido amines, amines, and other derivatives [9