A new synthetic methodology for the rapid methylation and fluoromethylation on aryl and alkenyl frameworks by using methyl and fluoromethyl iodide with an organoboronic acid ester has been developed under the simple and mild conditions of [Pd(2)(dba)(3)]/P(o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))(3)/K(2)CO(3) (dba= dibenzylideneacetone) in DMF at 60 degrees C for 5 min (see scheme). This boron protocol provides a firm chemical basis for the synthesis of (11)C- and (18)F-incorporated PET tracers.The rapid methylation and fluoromethylation on aryl and alkenyl carbon frameworks by reacting methyl and fluoromethyl iodide with aryl and alkenyl boronates have been studied with the focus on the realization of the synthesis of [(11)C]CH(3)- and [(18)F]FCH(2)-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) tracers. The coupling of methyl iodide and pinacol phenylboronate (40 equiv) is accomplished in >91 % yield within 5 min at 60 degrees C under the conditions of [Pd(2)(dba)(3)]/P(o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))(3)/K(2)CO(3) (0.5:2:2; dba=dibenzylideneacetone) in DMF. The reaction shows a high generality and is applicable to various types of aryl and alkenyl boronates, giving the corresponding methylated derivatives in high yields (80-99 %). This reaction is also useful for the rapid incorporation of the fluoromethyl group. Thus, this boron protocol provides a firm chemical basis for the synthesis of (11)C- and (18)F-incorporated PET tracers and can be used as a complementary method for [(11)C]methylation together with our previous and ongoing processes using organotributylstannanes.

Non-heme iron and α-ketoglutarate-dependent (Fe/αKG) oxygenases catalyze various oxidative biotransformations. Due to their catalytic flexibility and high efficiency, Fe/αKG oxygenases have attracted keen attention for their application as biocatalysts. Here, we report the biochemical and structural characterizations of the unusually promiscuous and catalytically versatile Fe/αKG oxygenase SptF, involved in the biosynthesis of fungal meroterpenoid emervaridones. The in vitro analysis revealed that SptF catalyzes several continuous oxidation reactions, including hydroxylation, desaturation, epoxidation, and skeletal rearrangement. SptF exhibits extremely broad substrate specificity toward various meroterpenoids, and efficiently produced unique cyclopropane-ring-fused 5/3/5/5/6/6 and 5/3/6/6/6 scaffolds from terretonins. Moreover, SptF also hydroxylates steroids, including androsterone, testosterone, and progesterone, with different regiospecificities. Crystallographic and structure-based mutagenesis studies of SptF revealed the molecular basis of the enzyme reactions, and suggested that the malleability of the loop region contributes to the remarkable substrate promiscuity. SptF exhibits great potential as a promising biocatalyst for oxidation reactions.

A Nd/Na heterobimetallic complex prepared from an amide-based chiral ligand, Nd alkoxide, and NaHMDS is a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for an anti-selective catalytic asymmetric nitroaldol reaction. Nd alkoxide is sensitive to moisture, expensive, and scarce, making it difficult to use the Nd/Na catalyst in large-scale applications. Herein we describe a new protocol that allows for catalyst preparation from bench-stable and inexpensive NdCl 3 •6H 2 O with comparable catalytic activity.

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