Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel ligands for transition metals. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of catalysts comprising these ligands in transition metal-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The subject methods provide improvements in many features of the transition metal-catalyzed reactions, including the range of suitable substrates, reaction conditions, and efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copper-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming methods. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-nitrogen bond between the nitrogen atom of an amide or amine moiety and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate. In additional embodiments, the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-nitrogen bond between a nitrogen atom of an acyl hydrazine and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate. In other embodiments, the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-nitrogen bond between the nitrogen atom of a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic, e.g., indole, pyrazole, and indazole, and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to ligands for transition metals. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of catalysts comprising these ligands in various transition-metal-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The subject methods provide improvements in many features of the transition-metal-catalyzed reactions, including the range of suitable substrates, number of catalyst turnovers, reaction conditions, and efficiency. For example, improvements have been realized in transition metal-catalyzed: aryl amination reactions; aryl amidation reactions; Suzuki couplings; and Sonogashira couplings. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to catalysts and methods of using them that operate in aqueous solvent systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds which inhibit aggregation of proteins or peptides, or disaggregate protein aggregates, and thereby antagonize the toxic effects of such aggregates. The invention also relates to methods for using such compounds and methods for discovering compounds that inhibit protein or peptide aggregation.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel ligands for transition metals. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of catalysts comprising these ligands in transition metal-eatalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The subject methods provide improvements in many features of the transition metal-catalyzed reactions, including the range of suitable substrates, reaction conditions, and efficiency.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods for synthesizing milnacipran or congeners thereof. Another aspect of the present invention relates to asymmetric methods for synthesizing enantiomerically enriched milnacipran or congeners thereof. The present invention also relates to methods for synthesizing intermediates useful in the non-asymmetric or asymmetric methods for synthesizing enantiomerically enriched milnacipran or congeners thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming methods. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-sulfur bond between the sulfur atom of a thiol moiety and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate. In other embodiments, the present invention relates to copper(II)-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-nitrogen bond between the nitrogen atom of an amide and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-carbon bond between the carbon atom of cyanide ion and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copper-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming methods. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-nitrogen bond between the nitrogen atom of an amide or amine moiety and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate. In additional embodiments, the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-nitrogen bond between a nitrogen atom of an acyl hydrazine and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate. In other embodiments, the present invention relates to copper-catalyzed methods of forming a carbon-nitrogen bond between the nitrogen atom of a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic, e.g., indole, pyrazole, and indazole, and the activated carbon of an aryl, heteroaryl, or vinyl halide or sulfonate.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods for the transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of a nucleophile, e.g., hydride, to cyclic and acyclic enoates and enones. In certain embodiments of the methods of the present invention, the transition metal catalyst consists essentially of copper and an asymmetric bidentate bisphosphine ligand.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel reaction conditions that allow the efficient synthesis of diaryl ethers from arenes bearing a leaving group and arenols under relatively mild conditions. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the dramatic effects of acidic activators on Ullmann-type couplings involving electron-poor and/or relatively insoluble substrates.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel reaction conditions that allow the efficient synthesis of diaryl ethers from arenes bearing a leaving group and arenols under relatively mild conditions. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the dramatic effects of acidic activators on Ullmann-type couplings involving electron-poor and/or relatively insoluble substrates.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel reaction conditions that allow the efficient synthesis of diaryl ethers from arenes bearing a leaving group and arenols under relatively mild conditions. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the dramatic effects of acidic activators on Ullmann-type couplings involving electron-poor and/or relatively insoluble substrates.