Baomin Fan

Introduction: The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Purpureocillium remain incompletely resolved. In this study, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Purpureocillium using multilocus nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data and evaluated the taxonomic status of a newly collected fungal species from southwestern China. Methods: Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using five nuclear loci ( ITS, 18S, 28S, TEF1-α, and RPB1 ) and mitochondrial gene sequences. Morphological characteristics were examined for the newly collected fungus and compared with those of P. lilacinum , P. lavendulum , and P. takamizusanense . Mitochondrial genomes of these four species were also analyzed for genome structure, gene composition, and nucleotide characteristics. Results: Morphological and phylogenetic evidence supported the recognition of a new species, Purpureocillium xinfangense . It was characterized by conidiophores bearing two or three whorls of phialides, predominantly short cylindrical phialides with a mucronate apex, and elongated conidia arranged in chains. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis placed P. xinfangense in a distinct lineage with high topological stability. The mitochondrial genomes of all four examined species were circular, whereas the genome of P. xinfangense was approximately four to five times larger than those of the other three species. All four species showed positive GC skew values. Among the 15 protein-coding genes, nad5 was the longest and atp8 the shortest, while tRNA genes ranged from 71 to 87 bp. Discussion: Although P. xinfangense is currently known from a single collection, its distinctive morphology, rare ant-associated substrate, and concordant support from nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic datasets justify its recognition as a distinct evolutionary lineage. These findings expand current knowledge of species diversity and mitochondrial genome evolution within Purpureocillium .

A tandem arylation/cyclization of 2,3‐allenoic acids with aryl diazonium salts has been achieved under visible light irradiation via a dual photoredox/gold catalytic system. This transformation provides diverse arylated butenolides in moderate to excellent yields (up to 93%) under mild conditions. The reaction tolerates diverse functional groups on both coupling partners. Mechanistic studies support a non‐chain radical pathway involving aryl radical generation. A gram‐scale reaction demonstrates the synthetic utility. This protocol provides an efficient and mild access to functionalized butenolides via dual catalysis.

This personalized overview examines the growing use of water (H ₂ O) and heavy water (D ₂ O) as accessible, environmentally friendly, and cost‐effective hydrogen and deuterium donors in transfer hydrogenation and reduction processes. Structured by substrate type, the analysis begins with the stereoselective partial hydrogenation of alkynes, in which catalytic approaches (employing Pd, Ni, or Co) and catalyst‐free methodologies leverage water to direct alkene configuration and enable straightforward synthesis of deuterium‐labeled compounds. The review proceeds to examine the selective hydrogenation of alkenes, dienes, and enones based on functional group compatibility. Water's applicability extends to heteroarene reduction and the direct transformation of nitro compounds and azides into amines. Regarding carbonyl reduction, two distinct strategies are evaluated: approaches involving metal–hydride intermediates and an alternative metal‐free umpolung strategy using diboron species. Water further facilitates specialized transformations, including the cleavage of CC single bonds via hydrogenolysis and deoxygenation. This review underscores the fundamental mechanisms by which water is activated, including metal–hydride generation, hydrogen‐atom‐transfer processes, and diboron‐mediated routes, along with precise regulation of chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity, and extensive compatibility with various functional groups, as evidenced by more than 50 landmark investigations. The discussion emphasizes D ₂ O's practical advantages for simple and economical deuterium incorporation. Taken together, this research demonstrates that water functions not simply as an environmentally benign solvent but as a multifunctional, safe, and essential reactant, providing an enhanced and sustainable alternative that competes with conventional hazardous hydride reagents and high‐pressure gaseous hydrogen in organic synthesis.

Herein, we report the first palladium-catalyzed asymmetric Sakurai–Hosomi-type tandem allylation/cyclization of ortho-alkynylbenzaldehydes with allyltrimethylsilane. A chiral Pd(II)/L11 complex combined with ZnCl₂ and Cu(OAc)₂ afforded 1-allyl-1H-isochromenes (22 examples) in up to 82% yield and 97% ee. This protocol provides a concise, efficient, and practical route to chiral isochromene scaffolds of biological significance.

Here, we present an enantioselective and regioselective hydrophosphination of α,β-unsaturated substrates that feature both ketone and pyridine bifunctional groups. Interestingly, the activation of pyridine and ketone functionalities is selectively achieved through chiral phosphoric acid and oxazaborolidine, respectively. The regioselectivity of the phosphine nucleophiles toward the products can be well controlled by the choice of catalysts. In addition, the α-chiral phosphorus-containing pyridine products exhibit potential applications as chiral P,N-ligands.

Bidens pilosa L., a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been used in clinical practice for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. BPA, an extract derived from the whole herb of B. pilosa L., has been shown to possess potent immunomodulatory properties by regulating tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in a mouse syngeneic colorectal cancer (CRC) model. RT-PCR and flow cytometry analyses showed that BPA, together with its flavonoid and polyacetylene constituents, effectively suppressed the differentiation of M2-TAMs and Tregs by downregulating Arg-1 and CD25 expression. They had minimal effects on the expression of markers associated with M1-TAMs and promoted the proliferation of CD4⁺ T cells that were inhibited by M2-TAMs and Tregs. In mice, BPA markedly inhibited the growth of syngeneic CRC tumors, accompanied by decreased serum levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 and reduced expression of the proliferative marker Ki67 in tumor tissues. Moreover, BPA downregulated the mRNA expression of markers associated with M2-TAMs and Tregs, while increasing markers associated with M1-TAMs. Western blot analyses of tumor tissues revealed that BPA reduced the expression of marker proteins associated with M2-TAMs and Tregs, while increasing the expression of the immune-stimulatory markers CD80, GITR and CD4. In addition, combined treatment with BPA and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for CRC, notably enhanced the anti-tumor effect in mice. These findings indicate that BPA, an active extract of B. pilosa L., showed antitumor activity in mice by suppressing the differentiation of pro-tumorigenic TAMs and Tregs within the TME.

The atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) of alkyl halides enables efficient simultaneous C–C and C–halogen bond formation in a single step.

The catalytic hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines is a pivotal transformation, often hindered by the formation of hazardous intermediates and the need for substantial catalyst loadings under mild conditions. In...

Halogenated compounds are valuable intermediates in organic synthesis, yet selective monohalogenation, especially chlorination, remains challenging under mild conditions.

A photocatalyzed radical decarboxylative hydroalkylation of alkynes and alkenes has been developed for the efficient synthesis of allylamine and arylpropylamine derivatives. This protocol employs organic 4CzIPN as a photocatalyst and avoids the use of transition metals, featuring simple and mild conditions. The mechanistic study suggested that the reaction was preceded by the decarboxylation of amino acids to give alkyl radicals, followed by radical addition to a carbon-carbon triple bond or double bond. A range of arylpropylamines were prepared with up to 88% yields, and allylamines were synthesized with good Z-selectivities. This process represents an important approach for the high-value-added transformation of unsaturated hydrocarbons under simple and mild conditions.