An efficient approach to benzoxazoles via tandem migration–carboalkoxylation of o-isocyanophenyl acetals has been developed. Both a Lewis acid and base are essential for this reaction, and the BF3·OEt2/2,4,6-collidine combination is the best choice for cooperative transformation.

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists are interesting candidates for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. 9-Cis-retinoic acid (9cRA: 1) is a natural RXR agonist, that also works as a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist. This fact prompted us to study the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of RXR agonists derived from 1. Though 3 and 4, in which the cyclohexene part of 1 is replaced with bulkier hydrophobic moieties, show RXR-selective agonistic activity, some analogs containing other ring structures show RAR agonistic activity. Thus, we were interested in establishing what kind of ring skeleton is required for RXR-selective agonistic activity. In this study, we systematically prepared 5 and 6, in which the cyclohexene ring of 1 is replaced with various cyclic terpenoid moieties, and evaluated their RXR and RAR agonistic activities. Our previously reported CsF-promoted Stille coupling reaction was employed as a key step for the comprehensive synthesis of 5 and 6. The results of transcriptional assay showed that compounds 5b–f, which possess a menthane skeleton, exhibit RXR-selective agonistic activity. These results should be helpful for the design of superior RXR-selective agonists based on the structure of 1.

An efficient method for the synthesis of 2,5-dihydroisoxazoles and isoxazoles using iodocyclization of N-alkoxycarbonyl O-propargylic hydroxylamines has been developed. 2,5-Dihydro-4-iodoisoxazole underwent the cross-coupling reactions without aromatization to afford polyfunctionalized 2,5-dihydroisoxazoles. This process was applied to the preparation of valdecoxib and its 2,5-dihydro-derivative.

Switchable access to dihydropyrazoles and pyrazoles has been developed from common hydrazides by reagent-controlled iodocyclization. Controlling the oxidative aromatization in iodocyclization for heterocycles is reported for the first time, and this methodology maximally utilizes the dual nature of iodine.

Synthetic retinoids have generated in the fields of dermatology and oncology due to their potent anti-proliferative and differentiation activities. We efficiently synthesized different demethyl geranylgeranoic acid (GGA) analogs, and evaluated their biological activities. Among the demethyl analogs synthesized, 3-demethyl derivative exhibited the highest anti-proliferative activity in HL-60 cells. In addition, a 3-demethyl derivative induced apoptosis more potently than 9Z-retinoic acid. These activities were due to the high binding affinity of 3-demethyl derivative for retinoid receptors. We found that, in a conjugated polyene system combined with a methyl substituent, the position of the methyl played an important role in the regulation of gene transcription and apoptosis-inducing activity. These results provided useful information on the structure–activity relationships of GGA derivatives that function as acyclic retinoic acid analogs. This information is likely to be useful in the development of new anti-cancer drugs.Monodemethylated geranylgeranoic acids were prepared as acyclic retinoid analogs, and evaluated their biological activities. Among the analogs, 3-demethyl derivative exhibited the highest anti-proliferative activity and apoptosis-inducing activity.

A highly efficient and rapid total synthesis of 9Z-retinoic acid was accomplished by caesium fluoride-promoted Stille coupling reaction; using a common building block, 9Z-retinoic acid analogues were also prepared by the same method without isomerisation of the Z-double bond.

13-Demethyl or 13-substituted all-E- and 9Z-retinoic acids were synthesized using a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of enol triflates and tributylstannylolefins. Their biological activities were then measured. The 13-ethyl analogs exhibited approximately one-half of the antiproliferative and differentiation-inducing activity of ATRA in HL-60 cells. In contrast, in the 9Z-derivatives, all analogs, except for the 13-butyl derivatives, showed apoptosis-inducing activity.Various 13-substituted all-E- and 9Z-retinoic acid analogs were synthesized, and their antiproliferative, differentiation-inducing, and apoptosis-inducing activities were tested in HL-60 cells.

A highly efficient and rapid total synthesis of 9Z-retinoic acid was accomplished by caesium fluoride-promoted Stille coupling reaction; using a common building block, 9Z-retinoic acid analogues were also prepared by the same method without isomerisation of the Z-double bond.