Our recently published article Synthesis of Multisubstituted Pyridines by Heterocyclization of TosMIC Derivatives: Total Synthesis of Caerulomycins A and K by José A. García-García, José Luis Aceña, Patricia García-García and David Sucunza has been selected as issue cover in Organic Letters.
Congrats!
DOI: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.orglett.5c04454

Divergent heterocycle synthesis enabled by switchable reaction of azobenzenes with alkynes

Clara Mañas, Estíbaliz Merino*

Azobenzenes are iconic photochromic molecules whose reversible light-induced E–Z isomerization underpins decades of applications in dyes, polymers, molecular switches, and therapeutic agents. Beyond this hallmark, their potential as synthetic building blocks has only recently emerged. In particular, the reactivity of azobenzenes with alkynes is unveiling a new frontier in heterocycle synthesis. Under metal-catalyzed, photocatalytic, or thermal conditions, these transformations provide streamlined access to indazoles, cinnolines, carbazoles, and related nitrogen heterocycles relevant to pharmaceuticals and materials science. This review discusses how distinct activation modes, transition-metal catalysis, photoredox processes, and thermal pathways enable divergent outcomes from common precursors, repositioning azobenzenes from passive chromophores to active scaffolds for functional molecular architectures.

Trends Chem. 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.trechm.2025.12.003 

Troxerutin is a novel osmotic agent for peritoneal dialysis with protective cardiovascular actions

Valeria Kopytina, Vanessa Marchant, Raquel Rodrigues-Diez, Lucía Pascual-Antón, Nora Toggweiler, Lisa Strahl, Jamie Kane, Antonio Tejera-Muñoz, Marcelino Cortés, David Sucunza, Juan J Vaquero , Marc Vervloet, Dorothea Piecha, Etto C Eringa, Marta Ruiz-Ortega, Manuel López-Cabrera , Guadalupe T González-Mateo*

End-stage renal disease patients require peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a life-saving therapy; however, they continue to experience systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular pathology. These complications can be exacerbated by exposure to PD solutions (PDS) containing glucose. This highlights the clinical unmet need for novel osmotic agents to replace glucose. Here, we tested troxerutin, an FDA-approved drug, as a potential osmotic agent.

Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfaf249

Synthesis of Multisubstituted Pyridines by Heterocyclization of TosMIC Derivatives: Total Synthesis of Caerulomycins A and K

José A. García-García, José Luis Aceña, Patricia García-García, David Sucunza*

A concise synthesis of multisubstituted pyridines from α-allylic TosMIC derivatives and electrophiles is reported. The process involves a tandem heterocyclization exploiting the dual reactivity of the isocyanide group. The methodology tolerates various electrophiles, including halogen sources, and proceeds under mild conditions. Its utility is showcased in the total synthesis of caerulomycins A and K, in only five steps from TosMIC.

Org. Lett. 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.5c04454

Dr. Valle Palomo talk

 Assistant Research Prof. (tenure track), (IMDEA Nanociencia).

Head of the Biosensors in Neuroscience

The Revolution of Nanotechnology and Its Application in Biomedicine

Friday, December 5th, 12:30 h, Sala de Grados, School of Pharmacy

Online: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/0268bb035b344144b6dcfcb06ec3b92e

Dr. Elena Sandoval talk

R&D Scientist (GalChimia).

Descubrimiento de Fármacos: la Visión de una CRO

Thursday, November 27th, 12:30 h, Sala de Grados, Phaculty of Pharmacy – UAH

Online: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/0268bb035b344144b6dcfcb06ec3b92e

Dr. Juan José Nogueira Pérez talk

Tenured Scientist, (Universida Autónoma de Madrid).

Head of the MoBioChem

Computational Modelling of Biological Systems

Wednesday, November 26th, 13:30 h, Room 0.5, Edificio Polivalente

Online: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/0268bb035b344144b6dcfcb06ec3b92e

Selective Construction of Diverse Polycyclic Compounds by Electrophilic Cyclizations of Biaryl-Embedded 1,7-Enynes

Lucía Sánchez-Jiménez, Patricia García-García, Manuel Á. Fernández-Rodríguez*

Electrophilic cyclizations of biaryl-embedded 1,7-enynes enable the selective synthesis of dibenzofused polycycles with diverse topologies. The outcome strongly depends on the promoter—gold(I) complexes, Brønsted acids, or electrophilic boron reagents—as well as the substitution pattern of the enyne. This Account highlights recent advances and establishes a basis for future developments through the controlled design of substrates and activation modes.

Synlett. 2025

DOI: 10.1038/10.1055/a-2738-8420

Congratulations to our PhD student Belén Ibarra for winning the Best Poster Prize at the XXI Symposium of Young Researchers of the RSEQ in Zaragoza. Belén is doing her thesis under the supervision of Dr. Estibaliz Merino.

Congratulations Belén!