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A simple synthetic methodology, based on the inverse electron demand hetero Diels-Alder reaction of electron-poor dienic o-thioquinones with electron-rich styrenes used as dienophiles, allowed the preparation of several polyhydroxylated 4-thiaflavans. Such compounds, as a function of the nature and position of the substituents on the aromatic rings, as well as of the oxidation state of the sulfur atom, are able to behave in vitro as efficient antioxidants mimicking the action of catechol containing flavonoids or/and tocopherols. The possibility of joining together the potentialities of two relevant families of natural polyphenolic antioxidants appears particularly appealing since an efficient protection against free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) depends in vivo upon the synergic action of different antioxidant derivatives.

An enantiopure α-D-glucopyranoside derivative has been used as a platform to prepare artificial antenna systems based on bodipy subunits. Efficient and ultrafast energy transfer (in the fs and ps time regimes) takes place in the multibodipy systems.

Simple syntheses of enantiopure (E)- and (Z)-3-(alkylsulfinyl)-1-methoxy-1,3-butadienes 2and 3 were provided by the addition of (1S)-isoborneol-10-sulfenic and (S)-phenyl-2-hydroxyethanesulfenic acids 8 to (E)- and (Z)-1-methoxybut-1-en-3-ynes (9) and (10). These additions proceeded with asymmetric induction, the extent of which depended upon the nature of the chiral hydroxyalkyl group. Cycloadditions of methyl acrylate to the enantiopure dienes proceeded with complete regioselectivity and very high stereoselectivity when catalyzed by lithium perchlorate or zinc chloride in dichloromethane. The chirality at sulfur controlled the diastereofacial selectivity in these Diels-Alder cycloadditions.

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